Page 102 of Stroked Long
Bingo.
Called her bluff. For some odd reason, my sewing talent matters to her and she needs me.
Smiling brightly, I push past her to the entryway where Pocket scurries away, acting like she wasn’t spying the entire time. Such a weirdo.
“You’re just going to leave?” Bellini storms after me, her impractical heels clacking against the tile of the entryway. Who in their right mind wears heels in their own house? Prima-donna bitches, that’s who.
Keeping a professional façade about me, I turn around and smile. “Yes, I’m sorry but I can’t give in to your schedule.”
“Fine, what kind of schedule are you looking for?”
Yes, I have the upper hand. If only the cameras were rolling now. I can hear the faint cheer of America behind me.
I spend the next half hour going over my schedule with Bellini and Mauve, aka Paisley. When Bellini left the room, she introduced herself properly. I like her. She’s sweet and seems to do her job well. I look forward to working with her. Bellini, not so much.
I wound up upping my pay, decreasing my hours, and getting a free trip to Rio! Don’t ask me how I pulled that one off. It’s all a big blur. All I know is Bellini wants dog clothes made and made quickly. I used that to my advantage. The only thing that I had to succumb to? Sewingonlywhen Bellini supervised me. Not a problem, I’ve become pretty awesome at tuning people out, thank you, kids art class.
I can do this; I can work for the devil in exchange for some much-needed cash. Plus, I get to see Bodi in Brazil. Images of us on the beach together, rolling around in the sand, float through my mind all the way to his apartment. It’s been a long-ass day, and I plan on spending the rest of it soaking up my Bodi Bear.
I’m so giddy. I have some news to tell my man.
Chapter Nineteen
BODI
“Bodi, open up!” Ruby’s voice sounds from the hallway, her little fist banging on the door. I’m just finishing cleaning so I pack away everything quickly and head to the door.
I told her about my OCD, but that doesn’t mean I want her to see it in action if she doesn’t have to.
As for my other news? Yeah, I couldn’t fucking do it, despite Dr. Auburn’s recommendation. He told me an open and honest relationship is the best kind, but Ruby’s words keep floating around in my head . . .
What does hold weight is the way you conduct yourself as a human being.
I was going to tell her about my parents. It was on the tip of my tongue until she said that, until she let it be known that she holds me to a higher standard. My actions matter to her. Fuck, what would she do if she knew the truth? The notion of her finding out twists a knife straight into my stomach.
“Bodi, open up,” her voice rings out impatiently.
Taking a quick look around my apartment, everything is in order, so I go to the door. An excited ball of long, blonde hair pummels into me. She jumps into my arms and kisses me on the lips. I’mleveledby her enthusiasm, by her affection.
I kick the door shut, lean over, and lock it quickly, before walking us both to the couch, her kisses peppering my face as I do.
Flopping down on the couch, I grip her hips and say, “What’s going on?”
“Guess what?” She pulls away and her eyes dance with excitement.
“Umm, you found another yarn sale?” It’s the only thing I could think of. She was super fucking excited the first time.
“Wouldn’t that be great, but no, that’s not it.”
“Then what?” I lean into the couch and watch as she practically bounces on my lap.
“I got the seamstress job—”
“That’s awesome, Rubes.”
She holds up her hand. “That’s not the best part. Since I impressed Bellini so much, I kind of had leverage to make my own demands for the job, and ended up convincing her to take me on an all-expense paid trip to Rio!” She throws up some jazz hands in the air and opens her mouth wide in a “surprise” kind of way.
Is she fucking serious? “This better not be a joke,” I warn her.
