Page 111 of The Hot Shot

I run my fingers through her hair. “Me, neither.”

“I hate James.”

“Do you want me to kick his ass?”

I can feel her smile. “No. I love him.”

For a sharp second, I actually want to kick James’s ass, resenting him for getting those words from Chess. I pull back and look down at her tear-swollen face.

With a grimace, she wipes her cheeks. “I need a tissue.”

“I’ll get you one.” My voice is oddly thick.

I move to get up, but she stops me with a touch to my arm. “Thank you. For being here.”

My hand feels heavy as I cup her cheek. “You’re going to be okay, Chester.”

She leans into my touch, but her expression is mulish. Stubborn as ever. “How can you know that?”

I give her a small smile, my thumb brushing her damp cheek. “Because I’m making it my job to see that you are.”

Eighteen

Finn

For the first time in my life, I spend the entire day in bed with a woman. I don’t know what that says about me. Have I led a shallow life? Or have I simply been waiting for Chess?

I don’t dwell on it; I’m having too much fun.

After Chess settles down, we take a shower. Showering together should be a house rule. At least when I have nowhere to go, because it’s not an experience I want to rush. I thank my foresight for asking my contractor to put a built-in bench in my massive shower. I can comfortably sit there, thighs spread wide, and let Chess ride me while hot water rains down on us.

Perfection.

After the shower, it’s right back to bed. We settle in, and I let Chess pick out a movie for us to watch.

“I’m going to order a pizza,” I tell her as she scrolls through the movie menu.

“I want meatballs on it.”

“Meatballs?” I shake my head. “That’s just overkill. Order sausage like a normal person.”

“Meatballs. And onions.”

“No onions.”

Chess gives me a long look.

“I’m giving you meatballs,” I say.

She snickers, and I roll my eyes.

“No onion breath, Chuckles,” I tell her over her laughter.

“Fine.” She scrolls down a row of movie titles. “And extra cheese.”

“A given.”

I call in our order and then toss the phone aside. “You’re pickingOcean’s Eleven? Excellent.”