Page 22 of Nova

“I brought muffins and coffee, but I see you’ve got that covered.” I roll my eyes at the humor he can not hide in his voice at my expense.

“What are you doing here? The party isn’t until noon.” I sit at my counter and drink my coffee, praying it wakes me up.

“After my morning run.” I hold up my hand to stop him.

“You ran this morning?” He nods slowly.

“I run every morning. At least five miles.” Nope.

This was not going to work. I pull the ring off my finger and place it on the counter between us.

“My family will never believe I’m with someone like you.” His smirk sends a jolt of pleasure through my system that’s better than any caffeine I’ve ever tried.

Fucking hell.

“Too handsome?” I roll my eyes.

“Too athletic. I hate Jocks.” His chuckle has me going back to my coffee before my mind thinks of all the other noises that his mouth could make.

Dammit, all to infinity and back!

I need to get my thoughts and libido under control before I beg my fake fiancee to fuck me on the kitchen counter. I close my eyes tightly and start to recite the mantra from the plane ride home.

I don’t need a man, I don’t want a man.

It’s not fucking working now, either.

“Simone, are you alright?” I shake my head and don’t stop whispering the words to myself.

If I say them a few hundred more times, maybe they’ll stick.

“Dove, did you sleep at all? You’re acting a little manic.” My eyes fly open.

“You think!” He seems taken a back by my outburst.

When he raises his hands and goes to step away, all hell breaks loose. Felix was stretched out behind him, sunbathing on the floor, and Maddox stepped right on his tail. He jumps at the loud screech and stumbles over all my other pussies, who come running to find out why their brother yelped out in pain.

Maddox falls over the side of my sofa and ends up on a pile of throw pillows against the coffee table.

“My pussy!” I rush to Felix and scoop him up in my arms.

He meows loudly as I check him for injuries.

“Your pussy? What about my head? He almost took me out!” I roll my eyes at him.

“The only damage I see is a few wrinkles in your suit. Besides, isn’t that how every escort wants to go? Death by pussy?” He shuts his mouth, stunned.

Then bursts into laughter.

“Dove, you are not allowed to pick what’s put on my gravestone.” I’m about to ask him why I’d be a part of a decision like that when my phone rings.

The room fills with the tone I set for my mother’s number, Devil Woman. Maddox seems to recognize the song and laughs harder.

“You really do like cats.” I ignore him and grab the device, promptly sending her to voice mail.

If I have to deal with her at the baby shower, then I am not giving her early access to me now. She’ll just need to wait to torment me.

“Love my pussies. Are you ok?” He’s up and standing now.

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