Chapter 14
Arianna was barely out of the shower when her phone chimed. It was a FaceTime request from Jesse. Arianna had half a mind not to answer, con ident how he had been treating her, but she would be the better person and allow him to say what he had to say.
“Make it quick. I’m about to go to bed.”
“Geez, it’s only 8:00. You’re such a grandma,” Jesse teased.
“And Mr. Bruce is a slave driver. So, what do you want?” Arianna snapped.
She was pissed that Jesse could be rude to her and suddenly act as if nothing ever happened. Add his childishness to the list of reasons why Jesse could never leave the friend zone.
“I understand why you’re upset, Ari. I pulled a dick move by leaving early last night and ignoring you today. I was in my feelings because I was rejected by you for the umpteenth time, and your reasoning behind it was solid. It made me realize that there were things about myself that I need to change, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to change. I live off of the instant gratification I receive from an army of women who lust after me daily.”
“Jesse, I’m not telling you to force yourself to change for me, and it seems like your issue would take a very long time to resolve. Change because you want to change for you, not because you feel you have to. If you really think that your social media obsession is an issue and you want to change, I suggest seeing a therapist. Some unresolved issues are going on there, and for some reason, you lack self–confidence or didn’t get enough attention growing up.”
“Thanks for that, I guess. I didn’t call you so that you can psychoanalyze me.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I accept your apology.”
“Thank you. Can I come over for a redo of last night?”
“No.”
“Why not?” he asked in disbelief. He apologized and didn’t understand why Arianna was so standoffish.
“I already told you that I was getting ready for bed.”
“We don’t have to binge–watch anything; we can just go to sleep.”
Arianna knew she would have to lay down some boundaries with Jesse now that Pierce was “courting” her. But she also knew that it wouldn’t blow over
well.
“You can’t spend the night anymore,” Arianna rushed out.
Jesse stared at Arianna blankly for several seconds before asking what was going on.
“You can’t spend the night anymore because I’m talking to someone, and it would be improper to have another man in my bed at night. If the shoe was on the opposite foot, I’d set the house on fire with both of them in it.”
“Okay, who? Please tell me you’re not talking about Mr. White?”
“I am…”
“Okay, first of all, it’s been like a day. You don’t know him well enough to be dating him. Second of all, he is three times your age. I understand why you don’t want to date me, but really? Him?”
Arianna raised an eyebrow, not appreciating the tone Jesse took with her. “First of all, we’re not dating, dating. We’re talking, meaning we’re getting to know each other, and I don’t want him getting the wrong idea. Second of all, his age doesn’t bother me. He’s single and has no kids that I have about.”
try
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Chapter 14
“You know how that’s going to make you look to everyone, right?”
I do, but I don’t really care what other people think about me.” Arianna knew full well she would be seen as some sort of succubus gold digger tha latched onto the newly single Mr. White, but Arianna and Pierce knew what was up, and that was all that mattered.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ll let you go. I’ll see you at work, or are we not allowed to be friends anymore?”
“Jesse, you’re bugging. All I said was that you couldn’t spend the night at my place anymore, but take what you want from the conversation and run with
it.”
Arianna hung up the phone and was just about to toss it on her nightstand when she received another FaceTime request, this time from a number she didn’t recognize. Arianna’s eyes lit up with excitement as she answered the call.
“I thought you had forgotten about me,” Arianna said in the most pathetic voice she could muster.
“Now you know that wouldn’t happen. Did I catch you at a bad time?” Pierce asked, eyeing Arianna in her towel, hoping she’d give him another peek.
“Not at all. I just got out of the shower,” Arianna informed, reaching for her body butter. “I was such a bad girl today that I had to wash away all of my sins,” she continued to tease.
“You were a bad girl today, but not in a good way. If I didn’t have any respect for you, then I would’ve saved your number as Tease.”
Arianna giggled at Pierce’s confession. She’d be the first to admit that she was mercilessly teasing Pierce, but it was fun, and despite his huffing and puffing, she knew he was enjoying himself, too.
“What should I wear to bed tonight?” Arianna playfully asked.
“What are my options?”
“The world is your oyster, Pierce. Use your imagination.”
“I won’t say nothing because I’m not there, and I wouldn’t enjoy it. So, I will request something similar to what you were wearing today.”
“What color?”
“Black,” Pierce replied without an ounce of hesitation.
“Good choice,” Arianna praised with a broad grin. Pierce knew from the grin on her face that Arianna was about to misbehave. She propped her phone up on her nightstand and waltzed to her dresser with her towel still wrapped around her body. Pierce wasn’t even shocked when Arianna dropped her towel once she reached her dresser.
Pierce lustfully watched as Arianna slowly rummaged through what he assumed to be her panty drawer. He only had a view of her backside, and he prayed she would turn around and bless him with a view of the front. It seemed like minutes before Arianna finally selected her nightwear. Pierce continued to watch as she bent over to slip on her panties and finally her bra.
Arianna returned to her phone and almost giggled at how red Pierce’s face was.
How cute.
“I think it’s me who has to shower and wash away their sins now,” Pierce confessed. He couldn’t get the image of Arianna in her lingerie out of his mind, and he continued picturing himself having his way with her until her little virgin body gave out.
“In case you’re wondering. Tomorrow is my day off and I plan on taking it.”
“Sounds like you’re telling me this because you want me to take you on a date.”
“Negative. I plan on eating and sleeping the day away.”
“Why do that at home when you can do that here?” Pierce questioned, hoping Arianna would take the bait.
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Chapter 14
Pierce, are you trying to lure me to your home?”
“Netflix and food would be provided, and the pool is heated as well.”
“I don’t know about that,” Arianna drawled. She wanted to immediately say yes; however, she didn’t want to seem too eager.
“Maybe, if you’re lucky, I’ll return the favor from earlier today.” Pierce suggested.
“Depends…are you good with your hands?”
“I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise. Don’t think too hard about it. Just roll out of bed in your pajamas and come over.”
“You had me at roll out of bed in your pajamas. Drop the addy.”
“Drop what?”
Arianna fell into a fit of giggles, and it took her a whole minute to catch her breath. She momentarily forgot that Pierce was older, and she probably needed to refrain from using specific terms.
“I’m so sorry, Pierce. I didn’t mean to laugh. I was telling you to send me your address,” she explained.
“Ooohhh. That’s not embarrassing,” Pierce mumbled.
“Don’t be embarrassed. Thinking about it, I’d be kinda weirded out if you did know what I was talking about. What time should I arrive?”
“8:00 AM.”
“That’s too early, Pierce,” Arianna whined.
“Okay, 8:05 then.”
“Perfect. Is breakfast going to be ready when I get there?”
“Of course.”
“It better be, or I’m turning right back around and going home.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll take care of you.”
“You better, Pierce. Good night.”
“Good night, Arianna.”
AD
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