Page 16 of Scandalous Contract

Ronnie: So? Hurry up and shower, then drape something sexy over your fine ass. We’re going out.

I really wasn’t in the mood to go out tonight. Before I could text him that, he texted me again.

Ronnie: And don’t say you don’t have anything to wear. I told you we were going out at least once while you were in town. You promised to bring a club outfit.

We could go out another night. It didn’t have to be tonight.

Me: How about we stay in, pop popcorn, and watch that one movie with that fine actor you like?

What was the name of the movie? Before I could remember it, Ronnie texted me back.

Ronnie: Girl, we are not staying in. If we do, you’ll spend the whole night texting Indi and ruining her spring break. Even if you don’t text her, you’ll end up driving by the place she’s at all night, making sure nothing happens. I need to get you out so you can live a little. I won’t take no for an answer.

I sighed, rolling my eyes. But a small smile played at my lips. Ronnie always knew when to drag me out of my own head. Maybe going out wouldn’t be the worst idea. I took a sip of my wine, trying to convince myself I actually wanted to go out.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror across from me. This time, I forced myself not to focus on the negatives. My hair was frizzy, yeah, but it was just returning to its naturally curly state. There was absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Yeah, my dress looked frumpy. But it was because of the way I was sitting. I sat my glass down on the end table and stood up, smoothing out the wrinkles in my dress. My eyes traced the curve of my body.

Yeah, I gained more than a few pounds over the years. But I looked good. I turned to the side. Women paid good money to have an ass like this.This stomach, though!That was a work in progress.

With Indi gone, I’d been working out more, and my stomach was far flatter than it had been. I ran my hand over my belly. I could feel an ab or two popping in.Progress!Instead of always pointing out the negatives, I should give myself props when props was due.

I should praise myself more. I should treat myself more. I should live for myself more. I smiled at the mirror. I was going to go out tonight. I was going to have fun. I was going to drink, dance, and wear something a little revealing. Maybe I’d even find a sexy guy to grind on. And with that thought, my brain conjured an image of a sexy guy.

Julian Cattaneo.

The moment his image popped into my head, I banished it to the depths of oblivion, hoping it would remain locked away there. But it popped right back up. Cursing under my breath, I took another, longer sip of my wine. My phone dinged.

Ronnie: Bitch, I’m getting my clothes and toiletries and heading to your place. We are going out tonight. I won’t take no for an answer. Bye.

I smiled. I was ready to go out, too. I started to text him back.

Me: I’m ready to go out and shake my WAP.

I didn’t hit send.WAP – Wet Ass Pussy. I listened to that song some mornings when I jogged the boardwalk near the beach. But I don’t think I should say that in the text. It didn’t feel right. Hmmm. What other song had I heard lately? Oh, I got it!

Me: I’m ready to go out and show them that they’re not like us.

Grinning, I hit send. Then, I reread the message. I probably should’ve said,theynot like us. Notthey’renot like us. Oh, well! He knew what I meant. He texted me back.

Ronnie: Yasss! Bitch! Let’s show them.

Chuckling, I took another sip of my wine. And just like that, I was no longer feeling down. True friends were the best. I stared at my reflection again. I was doing this. I was going out tonight.

As I downed the rest of my glass, I decided a shower was next, and then I would work on taming my hair. But the shower needed to be a long and hot one. Hot enough to wash away the remnants of my sour mood.

Hot enough to scrub Julian Cattaneo out of my thoughts.Ugh!I was doing it again, thinking about that man. In the bathroom, I turned the shower on and waited for the water to get hot. I got my toiletries and hair care products together, placing them on the bathroom counter.

Once the water was hot enough, I stripped out of my clothes, tossed them into the hamper, and stepped under the spray, sighing as the hot water beat against my skin. It slid over me like silk, loosening the tension from my shoulders and back.

I tilted my head, letting the water wash over my face and soak my curls. I worked my fingers through my hair, detangling it before I squeezed shampoo into my hand and began washing my hair.

I let the conditioner sit on my tresses while I showered, hands roaming over my body while my mind wandered. I should be thinking about India. About her spring break plans. About how to fill my lonely week ahead.

Yet, the only thing my naughty mind wanted to think about washim. His lips against my hand. How ridable they’d looked when he’d whispered,I want you. My hand slowed, towel lingering on my neck, right above my pulse, as I recalled that intense look in his eyes.

If the eyes were the gateway to the soul, then that man’s soul was wicked as hell. I dragged my hands down my neck, over my breasts, palms cupping the weight of them. He’d stared at them. Oh, he’d absolutely stared, hadn’t he?