Page 22 of The Hottest Daddy
Tony shrugged. “I know, but I thought I’d risk it. If not, I’ll work anywhere. I just needed to get away.”
“Bad breakup?” She guessed and he laughed, coloring a little.
“You saw right through me. Were you born here?”
She shook her head. “No, California. I moved here a few months back.”
“Friendly town?”
Sunday nodded. “Very. I’m sure you won’t have any trouble fitting in.”
“Hey, did I hear River Giotto lives here? The artist? Man, his work … it’s sublime. When I was surfing last year, there was a guy with some of Giotto’s work on his board. Man, I wanted that board.”
Sunday smiled at him. “Yes, River lives here, but he’s kind of reclusive.”
“You know him?”
And how … “I work for him.”
“Damn, you’re the person to know.” He looked at her admiringly. “And, if it isn’t creepy to say, you’re really hot.”
Sunday chuckled. “Thank you, that’s sweet, but I’m kind of seeing someone.”
“Just my luck.”
“Where are you staying?”
“Out at the Cadillac Motel, on the highway. It’s pretty clean, and cheap.”
Sunday nodded. “Well, what I’ve learned is that this place is pretty much the hub of town. You need contacts, ask around in here.”
“I will, thanks.”
They spoke for a few more minutes, then Sunday said goodbye. She walked back over to her apartment and up the stairs. She almost shrieked with shock when a figure appeared out of the darkness.
River.
“God, you scared me,” she said, half-laughing, half-pissed, but River didn’t smile.
“I’m sorry. I just had to see you so I came into town. Who was the guy?”
Ah. “Some dude who’s new in town. He just wanted some advice on jobs.”
“And he asked you?”
Sunday was a little irked by River’s tone. “Well, I suppose he asked whoever was around. That being me. Do you want to come in?”
She unlocked her door and River followed her in. He seemed on edge, and for the first time, Sunday wondered if he had taken something. She made him look at her. No. He wasn’t high, he was just distressed. “River … I was just talking to the guy. I even told him I wasn’t available, if that makes you feel better.”
River sat down on her couch and she sat by him. “Is it this thing with Angelina?”
He nodded. “I just … I wanted to forget for a night. Carmel is back at the Castle. She said she’d stay with Berry tonight.”
Sunday took his hand. “Come lie down with me.”
He was still tense, even as she slowly undressed him. She pressed her lips to his, running her hand over his bare chest. “Touch me, River.”
He slid his hands down her waist, his fingers moving to the zipper of her jeans. She stepped out of them and pulled him down onto the bed. She tangled her fingers in his dark curls as they kissed, then, as River moved his body on top of hers, she heard him whisper, “Are you mine?”
