Page 69 of Professional Consult

Her phone vibrates, and she looks at the screen for a brief moment before putting it away. I notice a smile curled on her lips.

“What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry about it,” she says, snuggling against my chest.

“You look like you just received some good news.”

“Oh, I was just thinking about how I’m going to ride your face later.”

“Shit, let me grab the oars.” I chuckle. I love how horny she is. How good she makes me feel when I please her.

She whacks my hands away from them. “That’ll come later. Right now, you’re to hold me.”

“This would be a lot more comfortable if you hadn’t just given me a boner.”

“If I were you, I’d get used to living in discomfort.”

My grin evaporates, but thankfully, she’s not paying attention. Her comment wasn’t intentionally cruel, but the effect it has on me is akin to ripping my heart out.

Because soon loneliness will replace my discomfort.

I’m not going to take it out on her again. I’ll forever live in shame for my previous malefaction against her. I’ll not add to her discomfort.

So I settle in, holding my girl close, and look up at the sky as day turns to night, trying to imprint this moment on my brain.

Because it’s one of the last best moments I’ll ever have.

CHAPTER16

LEXI

BREAKING: Alicia Davies Rumored as Lead Opposite Clint Bastwick in Newest Crime Drama: Cruel Justice

Milton is going to lose his shit.

“You ready?” Luke says as he pulls on his belt.

I pocket my phone and serve up a sultry grin. “I’m always ready.”

“To go to work.” Luke looks me up and down, his eyes lingering on the curve of my hip. “Though I appreciate your enthusiasm.”

“So, what’s our day gonna look like?” I chirp happily. “Bernard watch? Drunk-sitting? I’m really not in the mood to do roadkill removal for the third time.”

“I figured we’d head on over to Jukes.”

“To do what?”

“Practice for your role.”

I haven’t told him I’m trying to get out of it, because the last thing I want is to get his hopes up. Contracts can be tricky, especially with big money at play.

Because I signed on so early, they invested significantly in the project. Money they wouldn’t have if I’d have been a no-name actress.

I’m silent for most of the ride, casting Luke glances, trying to read his expression.

What if he doesn’t like the idea of me staying? He might think he does, but he’s set in his ways.

Even if he doesn’t want me, one thing he has given me is the gift of clarity, and with that, I’ve found I’m done with acting. There is more to life than Hollywood glamour.