Page 9 of Unmasking Love (D.C. Renegades #1)

Harper

A Watery Ketchup Kind of Day

There is an undeniable rush when I find the perfect home for a client. It feels like planets are aligning. Like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. Like my effort has paid off.

It’s why I work so hard all the time. This feeling right here.

Home was a shifting reality for me growing up and I became obsessed with homes as a tween. Finding the sanctuary your soul desires. Making the space your own. I strive to learn what elements will give my clients that same serenity.

Today, I found “The One”.

Aiden has been picky but also can’t really explain what he’s looking for.

Yes, he wants the eco-conscious systems in place; kitchen garden, solar panels, efficient water heaters, composting, updated appliances.

But he also hasn’t expressed any opinions on home style or type.

He also isn’t interested in being in the hottest location, or in the uppity ZIP codes.

Some of the amenities he wants are easy to find in new construction homes, but that isn’t really Aiden’s vibe. So I’ve been looking at older homes that have been remodeled.

Plus it's even closer to Felix than any of the others which Felix will be thrilled about. Aiden? Not so sure. But he seemed to enjoy the antics of the team chat while we were together. And that FaceTime call was fun. He’s quieter than the others and I can’t tell if that’s just him or if it’s because some o f them are so, well, extra.

I know they’re all in their late twenties and early thirties but sometimes it’s like talking to a group of teenagers.

I love that he sent the pics of the NSFW oil painting to the boys. I’m also glad to have a person who saw it with me so we can share the traumatic experience. I'll never get that man's saggy butt out of my mind and I imagine Aiden might be the same.

This is the thought in my head as I pull to a stop outside of his apartment. He’s waiting for me, leaning on the door, and pushes himself upright as I park. His body moves in such fluid movements and he looks relaxed as he walks to my car.

Warmth heats not just my cheeks but my entire blood stream as I work to inhale. My body clearly is not getting the laid back memo. It hits me that I’ve been excited to see him all day, maybe longer. I guess that’s what having a favorite client feels like.

He smiles at me and it’s warm and inviting and, just, Aiden.

“Hey you!” He greets and I feel my smile grow at the familiarity. “What has you smiling?”

“I was just thinking about artwork I’ve seen recently.”

“Ah, yes, nude portraiture perhaps?”

I laugh, “Yeah, something like that. Well, are you ready to see some homes?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Aiden says as he buckles in.

The conversation is easy and slightly flirtatious. Something about him is different today. He’s more confident. More sure of himself. I’m about to ask if something happened on the road when he says, “Tell me about the house you’re showing me today.”

“Gladly! It was originally built in the 80s and has been remodeled recently. You can still make it your own. But I have a feeling you’re going to love the ch anges.”

When this listing hit my desk yesterday I knew it was for Aiden. The solar panels and the rain collector, the way they’ve landscaped the yard with native plants. They even added a compost bin cabinet next to the trash and recycling.

This is the best part of my job, the moment right before my client experiences the home they love. With Aiden it feels especially sweet because he’s been so picky and I know this is the one for him.

We pull up in front of the house and I turn to him, “You ready to see your new home?” I ask with a dazzling smile.

“I’m glad you’re confident in this listing, Harper, but you’re walking in first to protect me from any explicit scenes that weren’t included in the publicity shots.”

I blush when he says explicit scenes. Aiden has been taking up more and more of my mental space lately.

Admittedly most of it is X Rated. Crispin and I finally had dinner together two nights ago but he dropped me off at home afterwards claiming an early morning.

Then he didn’t show up at the office until 10.

So it’s been a few weeks since we’ve had sex and it seems my libido has fixated on Aiden in the absence of my boyfriend.

I’m not usually a person who daydreams about boys but I found myself wondering what Aiden was up to on the road when I had downtime at work. Or at night. Or in the morning.

I’m sure the excitement of being with him now is simply because we’re about to see the perfect home for him.

“Okay, like I said,” I start as we walk up to the front door, “the house was remodeled recently and the improvements are right up your alley. When we walk in you’ll see the grand entry but that’s the most pretentious part of the house, the rest of it is comfortable.”

I use the code to unlock the front door and we step inside. I never talk during this part of the tour; I just let the client take it all in while I watch them for a reaction.

Aid en’s eyes skim through the space and I let out an exhale when he looks over at me and smiles.

He nods for me to continue so I take a few steps backwards towards the kitchen.

Aiden follows and our eyes are locked for a moment before I turn my head away.

I start to speak as I round the corner, “I am really excited to show you this kitchen. The appliances are all electric and…what the fuck?”

My words trail off as my eyes bounce around the scene in front of me.

I was expecting an empty kitchen with oyster white cabinets and butcher block countertops.

Instead, in front of me is Crispin leaning against the island with his dress shirt unbuttoned and his pants around his thighs.

From behind I recognize Raquel on her knees with her nose right up in his swimsuit area.

His hands bracket her head as he throws his back in pleasure.

“Crispin?”

His head snaps towards mine but Raquel keeps going. I watch as she sits up off her heels and dives forward, pressing her nose to his stomach. She gags and then pops off of him before wiping her mouth and looking at me.

“Har, babe, what’s the matter?” Crispin asks like he isn’t getting head from his administrative assistant.

I can only stand there and blink. Raquel reaches up and slides her hand along Crispin’s dick while looking between me and Aiden.

“Harper, you okay?” Aiden whispers next to me and it snaps me out of my trance.

“What’s the matter? What’s the matter? Are you fucking kidding me? You’re getting your dick sucked by your admin at a listing!”

“And?”

“We’re dating!” I scream, loudly stating the obvious.

“Yeah, but babe, we’re not married. And it’s not like we’re fucking, it’s just head.”

“Oh…oh…okay! So that’s the line?! Head isn’t the same as fucking?

! So if I did this,” I turn towards Aiden and reach for the button of his jeans.

My hands fumble as I stare down at his pants forcing myself to keep it together.

He stands stiff, like he’s willing to let me use him to make a point.

My trembling fingers get the button undone and as they start on the zipper, I hear him whisper my name.

I blink up at him. A thousand emotions pass between us and I freeze before Crispin chimes in.

“Very funny Har, but we both know you’re not going to suck his dick. That’s why I had Raquel here helping me out.”

Rage boils from my toes to the tops of my ears and I slowly turn in Crispin’s direction. “What did you say?”

“C’mon, it’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? You know what Crispin, fuck you,” I stalk towards him and feel Aiden follow behind me. “I hope someone opens a Nature Valley granola bar in your car and you spend days trying to get it all cleaned up.”

Raquel giggles and I turn on her. “You think this is funny? Well, I hope you sign up for a monthly legging subscription and always forget to cancel it so you get charged every month and have to buy leggings you don’t need!”

I’m hovering next to the pair of them, Crispin’s dick is still hanging out and Raquel has finally stood up but she’s leaning next to him like she might finish the job when we leave.

“I hope you get watery ketchup the next time you eat french fries!” I seeth as I throw my finger in his face.

Aiden grabs me at the waist and steps up to put his body between mine and Crispin's. His fingertips land on my belly and I can’t tell if he’s holding me back or upright.

Either way his support lifts my spirt and after I suck down a breath I seeth.

“I hope the automatic faucet stops working as soon as you have soap all over your hands!”

Aiden sputters out a laugh as he walks me backwards and I like it so I keep going .

“I hope the sticker on the next water bottle you buy doesn’t come off easily and it rips, leaving one little strip you can’t get your nail under to remove!” I try to bite back my smile.

Aiden adds a hand on my hip to guide me and the warmth in my body is soothing the rage. We turn the corner and Crispin is finally out of sight. Aiden’s eyes are wide with a beautiful mix of emotions and I decide to fuel the amusement one more time. I raise my voice and cast my final spell.

“I hope you always have an unexpected item in the bagging area!”

I bite back my smile as he lets his fly.

We reach the front door and Aiden plants me against the window as he reaches for the knob.

I can feel my heartbeat in my head, in my throat, in my belly.

Aiden’s face shades with pity for a split second so I roll my shoulders back and stand taller.

The last thing I want is for him to feel sorry for me.

He leans in and my breath catches, “tell them that someone will spoil the new season of their favorite show.”

I gasp but let the grin spread across my face.

“I hope someone spoils the next episode of Loki !” I step through the door in front of Aiden, before throwing one more over my shoulder. “And that you leave your phone on Do Not Disturb and miss an important call.”

“Easy there tiger, that’s some serious shit,” Aiden chuckles as we walk to the car.

He escorts me to the passenger door, opens it, and holds my hand as I climb in.

I watch him round the front of the car and turn towards him when he slides behind the wheel, “So, that sucked, every pun intended.” I let out a humorless laugh and try to read his face. What is he thinking about me right now?

“I’m really sorry Harper, are you okay?”

“Me?” He’s worried about me, not wondering what I did to drive my boyfriend to his assistant?

That’s admirable. Cute even. “Oh, I’m fine.

I’m upset I didn’t get to show you the solar panels, rainwater basin, and built-in compos t bin.

The house was remodeled in an eco-conscious way that I was so excited to show you. ”

“That’s what you’re concerned about?” He asks.

“Well, yeah, I mean, seeing Crispin getting his dick sucked by his admin wasn’t on my bingo card for today but we’re almost at the four month mark so if it wasn’t this, it’d be something else.”

“Four month mark?”

“None of my relationships last more than four months. It’s a curse.”

“Huh.” Aiden says and I look over at him while I wait for him to start the car.

“What?”

“Well, I just can’t imagine a guy ever choosing to leave you.”