Good Girls Don't (21 page)
“I stopped him.”
“Get out!” Cass exclaimed. “Why on earth would you do that?”
Lettie lowered her voice to a whisper, trying to keep from embarrassing the couple at the next table, and herself, any more than Amy had already managed. “I told him I didn’t want just sex.”
“No friggin’ way,” Cass said, and unlike Amy, she continued plowing through her sandwich. She took a big bite and swallowed, partially. “What’d he say?”
“He said he didn’t either.”
Amy’s face split in a cheek-to-cheek grin. “Told ya.”
“He said he wants more. With me. The friendship—”
“And the sex,” Amy completed.
“Get. Out,” Cass said between bites.
“Really,” Lettie said.
“And then you had great sex, woke up in the morning and got a dose of rose petal,” Cass concluded.
Lettie ran a finger down the side of her glass. “Not exactly.”
“Okay, then what happened?” Amy asked, clasping her hands beneath her chin like a little girl listening to the teacher at story time. “Tell us.”
“Then he said he wanted to prove he wanted more. Actually, he asked if I would spend tonight with him at his place.”
At Cassie’s uplifted brow, Lettie added, “Not for sex, but for quality time together. A get-to-know-each-other night.”
“How did
that
progress to a rose between your thighs this morning?” Cassie asked.
“He wanted to sleep with me.
Sleep
. Said he wanted to hold me while I dreamed.”
Cassie sighed.
Amy sighed.
And the woman at the next table . . . sighed.
The elderly fellow with her, however, yelled for his check.
Lettie, Cassie and Amy held their giggles best they could as the man ushered his wife out of the deli, presumably so they could go home and take advantage of that sigh.
After they’d gone, Cassie turned her attention back to the subject at hand. “All right. How’d you get to the flower?”
“When we woke up and he was pressed against me,” Lettie started.
“Naked, of course,” Cassie supplied.
“Yeah. I told him I needed . . .”
“What?” Cass asked.
But Amy cackled with delight and clapped her hands together. “You told him about your morning ritual, didn’t you?”
“I don’t do it every morning,” Lettie proclaimed, but Amy simply shook her head. Heck, she’d never been embarrassed about anything sexually, but something about discussing her need for an orgasm to start her day—while at the tiny lunch diner—made her ill at ease.
“Put it this way, you know how most people need their cup of coffee?” Amy asked, and Cass nodded. “Well, when she bought the apartment, she brought her very own showerhead, and she utilizes its pulsating action every morning.” She redirected her gaze to Lettie. “Okay, you told him you needed your fix for the day, right?”
“Yeah,” Lettie said as her cheeks blazed and her companions grinned. “But he didn’t want me taking care of things myself,
and
he’d promised we wouldn’t have sex.”
“So he got you off with a rose. Gotta give the guy major points for resourcefulness,” Cass said, pulling her lips into one of those half-smile, half-frown things, while Amy snorted.
“Lettie, did you tell him about your job yet?” Cassie asked. “Is that why I haven’t heard from him today? Or Erika, for that matter. Does he know you live in Atlanta?”
Cassie had a knack for finding the hole in things. This time, unfortunately, proved no exception.
“She’s going to tell him as soon as Erika gets back,” Amy said. “Right, Lettie?”
“Yeah.” Lettie chewed her lower lip. “I told you I’d let her explain first, and I will. But—”
“But what?” Amy asked.
“I’ve lied to him, and not a little lie either. What if he can’t forgive me? I’ve never lied to Bill before. Matter of fact, he was the only guy in Sheldon that I could always talk to, always tell the truth. We were so close then, and we still are, even more now that we’ve taken things to the next level.” She frowned. “I’m afraid that because of our friendship, the lie will hurt even more.”
“He said he wants more than sex with you, right?” Cass asked. “He’s wanting a relationship, and no relationship is perfect, Lettie.”
Lettie nodded, but a frisson of nervousness made her shiver. Then a shrill ring echoed from her purse.
Glad to have a diversion from her thoughts of lying to Bill, she picked up the red phone. “The Palisades, this is Colette. Can I help you?”
“Colette, this is Ellen Southersby.”
“Hello, Mrs. Southersby. Your son called this morning, and I left the message on your voice mail in the room. Did you get it?”
“Yes, dear, and I returned his call. Thank you for letting me know.”
“No problem. That’s part of my job. Is there anything else you needed?”
“Actually, there is,” Ellen said.
“All right. What can I help you with?” Lettie asked.
“It’s more what your sister can help me with, dear. You wouldn’t by chance be planning to see her today, would you?”
“Amy?” Lettie asked, casting a curious gaze toward the brunette at her table, who had taken a sudden interest in her sandwich.
“Yes, dear. I need to ask her some questions about the products she sent. Would you be able to give me her number, or would you ask her to call me whenever it’s convenient?”
“Products?” Lettie questioned, while Amy looked out the window and started whistling a Brooks & Dunn tune.
“Yes, dear. I’m quite intrigued with them, but I wasn’t quite sure whether to use the Passion Parties Revelation or the Romanta Therapy Sensual Warming lubricant with the Super Deluxe Smitten. Would you happen to know?”
Lettie’s face burned. “No, I’m afraid I’m not sure which lubricant you use with that, but Amy’s right here. I’ll let you ask her.”
“Oh, good dear, because I’m also not sure what size batteries to put in the Pulsing Orbiter.”
“I’m sure Amy can help you with that, Mrs. Southersby. Hold on.” She extended the phone to her sister, then whispered, “I can’t believe you did this.”
Unfazed, Amy whispered right back, “They’ll love it.” Then she grabbed the phone as Cass did a poor job of disguising her laughter.
“This isn’t funny,” Lettie said. “She’s wanting to use them as product testers.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Cassie said, while Amy described batteries, lubricants and O-time.
“O-time?” Cassie asked Lettie.
“Evidently, she keeps a chart of which products produce the longest-lasting orgasms.”
“How much does she charge for that chart? And the products? What do they usually run?”
Lettie shook her head in disbelief. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to tell you.”
“Good. By the way, what’s a Smitten?”
“It’s a rubbery kind of glove thing that massages all over, but it has little nubs on it,” Lettie explained, then modified, “Actually, it has little nubs on one side, and longer nubs on the other.”
“Sounds like you could’ve described Amy’s products for them,” Cassie said, grinning.
“Only the ones for singles,” Lettie mumbled. “But hopefully, that’ll change soon.”
“I’ll say.” Cassie took another bite of pickle as Amy continued answering the older lady’s questions. “So, have you ever, you know, used Slay’s product?”
“No,” Lettie answered quickly.
“Why not?”
“Do you want me to be honest?” Lettie asked.
“Of course.”
“Fine. It’s because the darn thing is too big. I mean, that’s gotta hurt.”
“Oh Lord, I hope he calls back.” Cassie picked up the leopard phone and ran a pink nail down its length as Amy finally disconnected. And had the nerve to smile.
“Everything going well at Love Beach?” Lettie asked, sending an accusing stare at her sis.
“All right. I confess. I’m guilty, but she really did want to try the products.” She handed the phone back to Lettie.
“And have they tried them out?” Cassie asked.
“Some of them, but they’re saving the best ones for tonight.”
“Should I let you man their phone again tonight?” Lettie asked.
“Probably so, in case they need any questions answered regarding technique.”
“Right,” Lettie said, trying not to smile, but failing miserably. “Well, here. And next time, before you start pawning your products off on my clients, ask.”
“Got it,” Amy said, placing the phone beside her tray on the table. Then she turned her attention toward another shrill ring, this time coming from Cassie’s purse.
Lettie looked at Amy, then Cassie.
Cassie swallowed her last bite and glared at her purse. “Probably not important.”
Lettie lifted the purse, blazoned with a glittery photo of Elvis, and peered inside, where the fluorescent blue face on the silver phone gleamed. Her throat closed in, chest constricted.
This was not happening.
But even as her brain argued the reality, she lifted the phone and handed it to her friend. “Answer it.”
Cass nodded, shooting a wary look at Amy as she clicked the “talk” button. “Integrated Solutions.”
Lettie held her breath, lifted her water glass and guided it shakily to her lips. More lies to Bill.
“Yes, Mr. Brannon,” Cass said, dropping her eyes to the table, “I’ll give Ms. Collins the message and ask her to return your call.”
She bit her lower lip. “Yes, I know Colette.”
Amy shrugged, while Lettie placed her glass back on the table with a bit too much gusto, causing the water to slosh over the side. What was Bill asking?
“Yes, she is in Atlanta this week,” Cassie said, lifting her palm toward Lettie in a calm-down-I’m-taking-care-of-things motion.
Nevertheless, Lettie’s heartbeat tripled instantly. Was he going to find out the truth now? This soon? She swallowed hard, closed her eyes, and saw pink rose petals scattered in the wind, floating away, while she reached frantically to capture just one. And came up empty handed.
“Integrated Solutions doesn’t have a phone number listed for Atlanta. We work directly with our clients there, so Colette would be reachable at the client’s number. Hold on, let me see if I have that number handy.”
The rose petals swirled together like a mini tornado, bolting away from Lettie at breakneck speed. Her eyes popped open. This was
not
happening.
But Cassie continued speaking calmly, without a care in the world that Lettie’s perfect week with Bill appeared to be ending right here and now.
“I’m afraid I can’t find the number to the business at this moment,” Cassie continued. “I’m sorry. We aren’t allowed to give out the cell numbers of our employees; however, if you have her email address, you can reach her that way.” She paused, smiled, then added, “I’m sure she’ll get right back to you then. She’s probably in a meeting with our client.”
Amy placed her hand on top of Lettie’s, which was grasping the edge of the table in a white-knuckled grip. “She’s taking care of it,” Amy whispered.
Then Cassie snapped the phone closed, smiled triumphantly, and echoed, “I took care of it.”
“What did he say?” Lettie asked.
“He simply wanted to know if I could tell him how he could get in touch with Colette Campbell, so I told him how. No big deal. Oh, he’s already sent you two emails, by the way, so you might want to get back to the office and check your Integrated Solutions email addy. Sounds important.”
“Cassie, I owe you,” Lettie said, standing from the table.
“Hey, get your sister here to hook me up with the hottie that melts the vibrators, and we’ll call it even.”
L
ettie stepped off the MARTA train and scanned the busy station, particularly the big concrete pillar where Bill had been leaning so casually two days ago. But the man who sent her pulse into overdrive was nowhere to be seen.
She opened her pink clutch purse and withdrew the printout of his email, scanned the text.
Let’s spend some time together. Will 3:00 work for you? If you can get away from work this afternoon, meet me here.
An address followed, and Lettie had immediately recognized that it was on the same street as his office and Jitters. But the last line of his email made her think she wouldn’t be visiting his office, or sharing a cup of coffee.
P.S. I hope you’re dressed comfortably.
Grinning, she tucked the paper back in her clutch, then glanced down at her outfit. She’d dressed for work after he left this morning, so Bill had no idea just how comfortably she had dressed. Or how sexy. Or how pink.
The shiny pink slip dress wasn’t her typical attire for My Alibi, but she’d felt overly sensual after the orgasm this morning and had wanted to wear something indicative of the way her day had started. Something to remind her of Bill. Although the dress was ultra-comfortable, she was fairly certain this wasn’t the type of “comfortable” he’d implied.
Lettie smiled. There weren’t too many things she couldn’t do in a dress, even one as sexy as this. Although the black and pink pumps could prove an obstacle. She sighed. So, she’d take them off. No problem. Nothing was going to stop her from having fun with Bill.
A frisson of anxious anticipation skittered through her as she walked down the busy street toward the address on the paper. She couldn’t wait to see him, and was thrilled that she wouldn’t have to wait until tonight.
Her heels clicked rhythmically against the sidewalk as she passed Jitters, then continued beyond his office. Lettie remembered walking this same path with Bill two days ago, then she laughed.
The rec center. That’s where he was taking her! Undoubtedly, Bill had decided the two of them could use a little play in their day. What did he have in mind? As if she didn’t know. The memory of those big black ropes arcing through the air sent another shiver through her flesh.
What fun!
She continued happily down the street and anticipated finding Bill beside Regina and the other little girls at the recreation center. True, it’d been quite a while since she’d jumped double-Dutch, and she’d never jumped in a dress before, but Lettie had no doubt she could pull it off.
Excited, she checked the numbers on the next building and was shocked to see she had passed the address Bill had provided. Disappointment flickered through her. The recreation center was another block away.