Page 67 of Whiskey and Regret

My head was everywhere but where it belonged. I was supposed to co-sponsor a bill for low-income families to have an equal opportunity for a shot at private school education through scholarships and funding. But all I could think about was going over revisions for my book.

If I broke it down into fifty pages per day, I could be done in four days. It would be tough but I could get it done if I really sank my teeth into it. Thinking of sinking my teeth into something made me think about Xari’s perfect ass and how soft it was. My fingers melted against her golden silk skin.

I checked my watch and pushed out a sigh of relief when I realized it was 3:45. I could start packing my shit up for the day.

“Getting ready to leave?” Apollo quizzed without looking up from his phone. He was so quiet in the corner, I almost forgot about him. He didn’t shadow me everywhere I went but whenever I had an outing or appearance he came along. He also followed me to DC whenever I needed to go.

“Yeah. Might as well, it’s almost four.”

“Late to work and early to leave for home.” Apollo made a clicking sound and smirked a little.

“And what are you hinting at, Apollo?” I asked, pausing to glance at him.

“It’s interesting how different you’ve been since Xari became Frankie’s nanny.” The mention of her name sent lava through my veins. I needed to see her. She was the only way to satiate my sweet tooth.

“Different how?” I closed my briefcase and slipped my phone in my jacket pocket.

“You focus on her a lot. You let her get under your skin and you won’t stop staring at her whenever she’s around.”

“You mean how you stare at Navy?” I quipped.

“You’re deflecting. You want to fuck the nanny.”

Oh, I have fucked the nanny. I fucked her thoroughly.

“Jesus, Apollo. You must be getting ready to clock out too, huh?” I chuckled.

“Be careful, man.”

“There’s no reason to be careful.”

Lie. Xari was already pulling me in and I hadn’t fucked her more than three times. She was an addiction coursing through me that I knew would have to run its course. It was rare that I found a woman who could match my appetite and intensity. I never thought she’d be wrapped in honey skin, curly hair, brown eyes, and dimples though.

“If Alexis finds out she’s going to shit a fucking brick,” Apollo grunted.

“There’s nothing for Alexis to find out.”

“Come on, Van. You’re bullshittingme, of all people? I’m supposed to be the person you confide in.”

“You mean my best friend? It’s okay to say it,” I joked.

“You sure as fuck don’t treat me like it. Listen, if I need to protect her, let me know, Van.” The thought crossed my mind to let Apollo in on what was happening between Xari and me but I still had to feel it out. It was fresh. We were fucking around and that was it.

The thought of something happening to her did cool my blood though. I couldn’t deny it. She’d grown on me, and after being inside of her, I knew she was something else. I didn’t know what it was yet but she had me hooked.

“She’s Frankie’s nanny. Why wouldn’t you protect her too?” I frowned.

“You know what I mean. We both know nannies and girlfriends get different protection.”

“Well, that makes things easy for you because Xari isn’t my girlfriend. She won’t ever be my girlfriend.” Even saying that word made me uneasy. After Alexis turned out to be a nightmare, the thought of committing to another woman scared the hell out of me. I was fine being single.

Xari was going to be something fun to play with for a while but that was it.

“Okay, then don’t catch feelings for her. It’s hard to separate pussy from love sometimes.”

His words ruffled my feathers. Xari wasn’t just pussy. She wasn’t my woman either but she wasn’t just pussy.

I adjusted my tie and looked into Apollo’s eyes. “There are no feelings. I have everything under control.”