Page 93 of House of Payne
London glances over at me, a furrow appearing between her brows. “Are you trying to make me feel better?”
I scoff. “Why in the hell would I do that? It’s not my job to cater to your emotions. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. I can, however, interest you in other things.”
London’s lips lift into the barest hint of a smile. “I’m aware.”
I lean forward again and brush my hand against her leg. “Good. I don’t need to remind you not to discuss the particulars of our arrangement with other employees.”
London takes a sip of her drink and eyes me over the rim. “Why would I? It’s not something I plan to discuss with anyone.”
I can’t tell if I hear shame or guilt in her voice, but I don’t care.
As long as it doesn’t keep her out of my bed.
I take a long sip of my drink and watch her. “You enjoyed yourself. There’s nothing to apologize for because you’re going to do it again.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Call it intuition.”
London sighs. “I think there’s more to it than that. About yesterday…”
I hold up a hand. “Don’t.”
“Don’t?”
“Don’t thank me. I didn’t do it for that.”
London blinks. “Shouldn’t I thank you anyway?”
“That’s not what we are to each other.”
London’s smile vanishes. “Yes, I know.”
I lean forward and wait for her breath to hitch. “I’ll see you later.”
Without waiting for a response, I stalk off, feeling her eyes on me the whole way. I can’t tell if the churning in my stomach is satisfaction or unease.
But I do know it’s pissing me off.
Grow up, Payne. It was just sex. Whatever you’re feeling right now just means it’ll take you a little longer to scratch the itch than you thought.
London is a little more addictive than I thought she would be.
Chapter Twenty
London
A few hours earlier
I have no idea why I’m still in the East Wing of Mason’s residence.
Or why, after pulling on my clothes, I fell back onto the mattress and stared up at the ceiling.
Why am I still lying on the unmade bed?
Why haven’t I slinked back to my room to wash off the shame of the previous night?
Because you’re not ashamed of what you’ve done. If anything, you’re ashamed of how much you enjoyed it.
