Chapter 9
Pierce opened his eyes and realized this was the first time he had woken with a smile on his face in a really long time. It felt life christmas, couldn’t wait to feel Arianna’s tiny hands on his body. Pierce knew she was already at work and was excited to see her; however, he didn’t want to gate there early and appear desperate. Maybe it was already too late to try and keep up appearances. Arianna already had him hook, line, and sinker. Plates barely knew anything about her besides her name, age, and that she was a huge flirt with expressive brown eyes and a set of plump lips
He had it so bad that he ran upstairs, cracked open his bedroom safe, and pulled out his divorce decree as soon as he arrived home yesterday. Thank you, Charlotte Scott, he thought, kissing the manila envelope.
Pierce chuckled at the thought of what this barely legal young woman was doing to him. Patrick tried to warn him that he would face stiff competition when courting Miss Carter. Pierce scoffed loudly when Patrick mentioned Jesse, and he swiftly shut that down. He reminded him that Jesse had months
to make a move and failed.
Pierce wasn’t concerned about the young doorman. Obviously, Arianna only saw Jesse as a friend, and she made that abundantly clear by openly flirting
with him in front of Jesse.
Pierce glared at the clock on his nightstand, for once wishing time would speed up. It was 7:45 in the morning, and he had officially started a countdown until he could lay eyes on Arianna again.
He rolled his eyes once his phone began ringing. For a split second, he considered ignoring the call, knowing that the person on the other end was an annoying pest.
“What do you want?” Pierce snapped.
“Wow, somebody isn’t a morning person.”
“Oh my God, Ari. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was you. Is this your number?” Pierce asked, checking the caller ID.
“This is the number to the reception desk. You may want to save it. As far as my personal number…you know what I want,” she purred into the receiver.
“And I have what you need,” Pierce responded.
“Oooo, grumpy and cocky bright and early in the morning.”
“You have no idea,” Pierce drawled, eyeing his morning wood.
“Now that we’ve gotten that sorted, I just wanted to confirm your appointment with me at 1:00 this afternoon.”
“The only thing that will make me miss my massage is death.”
“Your commitment is admirable; however, your ability to see and/or read is questionable.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your online form specifically asked the location in which you preferred your massage to take place, and you left it blank. Pierce, I must warn you…I love me a thorough man. You can’t leave any stone unturned. Do you think you can handle that?”
“You talk some big game for a virgin,” Pierce pointed out.
“That I do, but maybe you can knock me down a peg or two?”
Arianna unknowingly sent shivers down Pierce’s spine. He surmised that if being a receptionist didn’t work for Arianna, she could surely find her calling as a phone sex operator.
“Pierce, I’m a very busy woman and can’t spend all day on the phone with you. Location?”
“How about your place?” he teased.
1/3
Chapter 9
“That package isn’t offered to you yet, Try again Arlanna sighed..
“Well, the cabana by the pool won’t do.”
“And why is that?” Arianna questioned.
“There’s no privacy.”
“And what do you need privacy for, Pierce?”
“Shit, I don’t know, just in case my massage ends on a happy note,” Pierce teased.
“I can guarantee that your experience won’t end on a sad note. Take what you will from that. I’ll put you down for one of our exclusive spa suites, and hope you won’t be dissatisfied with my service.”
The phone disconnected, and Pierce quickly realized he would have to step up his game because he couldn’t keep letting this girl get him all out of sorts. His phone rang again, and Pierce checked the caller ID this time.
“What do I owe the displeasure?” Pierce sighed, flinging the blanket off. He climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom to relieve himself
“Are you pissing while you’re on the phone with me?” Patrick asked in disbelief.
“Hey, you’re the one who called me. What the hell do you want anyway?”
“You’re not a morning person at all,” Patrick accused.
“Second time I’ve heard that this morning.”
“Then it must be true. I called to see if you were attending the club today.”
“Of course. I gotta get my $500,000 worth.”
“Right, I’m sure that’s the only reason. What time are you going?”
“Perhaps around 10:00? I’m thinking about doing some laps around the pool, grabbing lunch, and then I have a massage scheduled for 1:00.”
“With Arianna?”
“Yep.”
“What a coincidence. I have my massage scheduled with her at 12:00. I’ll tell you how it goes.”
“What?!” Pierce yelled in frustration. Pierce gritted his teeth at the sound of his best friend cackling like a hyena on the other line.
“Geez, I’m just messing with you. Calm down. I know she’s off–limits and too young for my tastes. I at least like them old enough to drink legally.”
“Good for you. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss, or were you just calling to bust my balls?”
“Mainly to bust your balls, but I was also curious to see if you were going to leave the house today, and now that I’m satisfied with my answer, I’ll let you go. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Pierce tossed the phone on the counter and proceeded to get ready for the day. After a thorough shower and a breakfast of cereal, Pierce packed a gym bag. He packed his toiletries, swim trunks, two pairs of spare clothes, two pairs of athletic wear, tennis shoes, dress shoes, boxers, and socks.
He eyed the clock and was surprised that he was running a little behind schedule. The last thing he packed was the manila envelope that held his freedom.
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