Page 66 of Playing the Backbeat

She laughs. “I have faith that everything will work out exactly the way it’s meant to.”

“Orgasms for everyone?” I ask, unwilling to focus on the bigger implications.

“Sure, Dee. Whatever you say.”

We finish our workout and grab some lunch afterward. The girls help me find a new vibrator, which better deliver on the promises the manufacturer made online despite the budget-friendly price.

Next time I go to battle, I’ll be prepared.

Problem is, every time I imagine using one of my toys, Dylan’s face always appears too. Especially two days later, when he walks into our apartment holding the package. I shriek, ripping it from his arms and running into my room, slamming the door behind me.

I definitely don’t immediately clean the toy, jump into the shower, and get off twice with Dylan’s perfect face in my mind. Definitely not.

Chapter twenty-nine

Dylan

The guys and I have a fitting today for our suits for Bec and Aiden’s wedding. I was honored he asked me to be a part of the wedding party and included in their day, but Jesus Christ, there’s a lot of moving parts.

Dee has reminded me of this appointment no less than three times this week. I simply nod and thank her for the reminder, even though I’ve had it on the calendar in our kitchen for three weeks.

Thankfully, they were able to find somewhere to accommodate the quick turnaround time. Aiden recently wrapped up his season with the Columbus Aviators. They may have lost their first series in the playoffs, but they had a great season. Everything looks great for their next year. The silver lining with the loss is that Aiden has been able to be more present for the wedding planning.

“Remember to keep it sexy today, roomie,” Dee calls from her bedroom as I pour coffee into my travel mug.

“It’s not something I have to remember to do,” I yell. “It comes naturally.” I turn away from the coffee pot and let out a screech so high pitched, my ears ring. Dee is standing two feet in front of me. “Fucking hell, Dee,” I say, jumping out of the splash zone as my coffee spills onto the floor. “You scared the fuck out of me.”

“Gotta be more alert than that,” she sings, patting my chest then passing me to grab a mug for herself. She gets to work making her tea, and I grab some paper towels to clean up the mess on the floor.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my awareness,” I mutter, wiping at the mess.

“Ah, but if there wasn’t, you would have felt the power of my presence and you wouldn’t be on your knees for me now,” she says dramatically, ending with a giggle.

I freeze, her words sending heat straight to my dick.Yeah, I like the idea of being on my knees for Dee way too fucking much.

I need to get out of here before we have a repeat of the other night. I won’t survive that again. I’ve had to rub one out in the shower twice a day just to keep my dick down around her. I can barely look at her without hearing her scream my name as she fell apart.

Okay, we are well on our way to having a boner in the kitchen with Dee…again. Time to get the fuck out of here.

I mumble something about agreeing to work on it as I finish cleaning up the floor. I don’t look at Dee as I hurry toward the door, putting on my shoes as quickly as possible.

It’s not quick enough.

“Oh, and I need your email address,” she says casually, leaning her hip against the counter and crossing her arms, pushing her perfect tits together in her sports bra.

Okay, now I really need to leave.What’d she say again? Oh, my email.Wait, what?

“My email,” I repeat.

“Yeah, I was thinking the other night about the Bridge and what you said about your plans for the place being in jeopardy because of the suit sniffing around wanting to make a deal. I thought I could help. You know, come up with some numbers, see if I can help you work out any room in your budget for the first few years of operation to give you some flexibility to make a bigger offer.” She shrugs like it’s nothing. “Not a big deal if you’re not interested, but I was messing around with some numbers last night and thought I could help if I had a better idea of what your budget is and what your nonnegotiable expenses are for the first twenty-four months. I only know the little bit you’ve told me about running this kind of business, so I’d need your help there.”

My brain must power down, because all I can do is stare at her.

“Earth to Dylan? Did you hear anything I said?” she asks. She steps closer, waving her hand in front of my face. I still can’t figure out what to say. “Okay, well, if you’d rather not have my help, I can back off,” she says, voice unsure.

“Dee, that’s, um…” I clear my throat, coughing into my fist before resting my fists on my hips. “That’s really fucking generous. Of your time. I’d have to pay someone for that kind of expertise and consulting.”

“Oh, you’ll pay me all right.” She winks. Like she didn’t just offer to help me chase my fucking dream. Like it was easy.