Chapter 24: Doppelbanger: Chapter 24

“YOU REALLY MANAGED to eat all that damn food,” I laugh as Jeff groans in gluttonous misery. “I’d say I’m impressed, but I kinda wanna puke on your behalf.”

Grinning, Jeffrey grabs the napkin out of his lap and begins dabbing at his mouth. “I may have to take a nap in my car before heading home.” He stretches his arms above his head, offering me a glimpse at his happy trail as he arches back in his chair and yawns.

A feeling of dread washes over me at the thought of him leaving already. I mean, we haven’t even gotten the chance to properly kiss. He can’t just desert me like this—all sexually frustrated and tense. “The girls are with your parents, right?”

Jeff’s finger traces the top of his water glass and he shakes his head. “Both of my parents died when Evangeline was a few years old.” He gives me a tight-lipped smile. “They’re with Jessica’s mom. They go there every other weekend unless we have other plans.”

“Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry about your parents.”

You’d think as a freaking therapist I’d know to be careful of what I say to people. But this damn mouth…constantly getting me into trouble.

Jeffrey brushes it off. “It was a long time ago. They both died of cancer about a year apart.” His face turns solemn. “After Mom went…Dad just kinda shut down. I’ve never known another man to be so in love with a woman.” He smiles wistfully. “I think that’s why I like this place so much. The music. The atmosphere. He’d have loved it.”

“Cedar Grove is a great little town, full of character. But don’t be fooled, everyone is all up in your business all the damn time. Drives me crazy.”

“Ahh, that’s with any small town, Tink. Livingston is just the same. Every place has its downfalls.”

“I guess you’re right. It’s a tradeoff to be near friends and family.”

We sit in companionable silence for a moment, staring out at the water. My insides are all jittery, still anticipating his looming departure. I’m a fucking cock fiend. There’s no way I’m letting him go without getting my fix. “Hey…Why don’t you go hang out at my place while I finish up work?” I offer, all nonchalant, but I’m literally on the verge of a panic attack. “I live right behind a little bar. I bet Spence could get her mom to go stay with the kids, and she and Coop could come out with us. Then they could finally meet you,” I rush out without thinking. Do fuck buddies meet each other’s friends? Heat floods my cheeks. “I mean, you know…if you don’t have other plans.”

Jeffrey smirks. “Is that—are you…

, Tink?” His hand reaches across the table, and he brushes the backs of his knuckles over my flaming skin. My scalp prickles, and I can feel the little baby hairs at the nape of my neck standing on end.

“I haven’t had an orgasm in two weeks,” I whisper, leaning across the table. “I’m desperate.”

His brows shoot up. “So, you want me to hang around just to fuck you?” He asks the question loudly, like he’s trying to embarrass me, then laughs when I hide my face. “Is that all you want from me, Tink? Is that all I am to you? A slab of meat?”

“Shh. Lower your voice, asshole.”

Jeff’s arms cross on his chest. “Well?” He actually expects me to answer that?

Like a damn teenager, I feel all nervous and begin to develop a case of the jitters. “No…I think—I think I might actually like you, CEO.”

I am so stupid. Who the hell admits that to their fuck buddy? I can’t allow myself to be so vulnerable, so I add in a whisper, “But that dick don’t hurt.”

“Hear that everyone?” he shouts. “She likes me. She really likes me!” His finger lifts to wipe an imaginary tear from his eye, and I kinda wanna punch him.

“You’re so embarrassing.” Doesn’t he know I have a reputation as a heartless bitch to uphold? Turning my face, I stare out at the lake, avoiding the stares and whispers of the other customers, most of whom I’ve known my entire life.

Jeff’s foot brushes the side of my leg beneath the table, and I press my knees together. That little leg rub has me breaking out in goosies. “I’d be happy to stay and I’d love to meet your friends…I think.”

“You think?”

“Just how much does your friend Spencer know about my cock?”

“Enough to pick it out in a lineup.”

§

After showing Jeffrey how to get to my apartment, he dropped me back at the office. Since then it’s been nonstop clients. They’re the only thing standing between me and my next orgasm. Well, that and a few hours at the bar, but that’s all foreplay, and what girl doesn’t love a little foreplay?

I can’t stop staring at the clock. We were together, and already my body yearns for his. This has honestly never happened to me before. And what’s mind boggling is that it’s not his cock I’m missing most. No, I know horny well…and this is so much more. It’s just him. His presence. The way he looks at me. How my body feels electrified at his slightest touch. During the almost two hours I spent in his company today, I felt truly alive for the first time since…well, since the last time we were together.

When my last client finally departs, I rush back to my apartment to change. Spence and Coop are meeting us at nine, and that in itself has me all antsy. I’ve never needed her approval of any guy before, but for some reason I really want her to like Jeff.

§

“Dayummmm Gina!” Jeffrey howls when I step out into the living room after getting dressed for our night out. “Sorry,” he says when I roll my eyes. “I’ve been dying to say that to you since we met. It finally works.”

“Does it?”

Jeff rises from the couch and saunters over, grabbing my hand and lifting it above my head. He gives me a little spin, ogling my outfit from every angle. It’s a black strapless mini dress that hugs my body like a second skin. My hair is styled in a loose updo with tendrils framing my face. Fiery red pumps to match my lips complete the twenty-minute transformation. I’m confident in my appearance, but it feels good to know that he likes what he sees.

“You are so fucking sexy.” Jeff slips both hands beneath the hair on either side of my face, loosely cupping my neck. His thumbs brush my chin, my jaw, my lips.

My breath hitches, and my heart’s racing. I lean in, ready to finally feel the explosive connection of his lips on mine, but he pecks my cheek and backs away with a pained laugh. There’s no way he can’t see how stunned I am—how much I wanted that kiss.

His eyes do that sexy smolder thing he does so well. “Delayed gratification, Tink.” He winks, then grabs his wallet, stuffing it into his back pocket, and jingles his car keys, as if to say, “Let’s go.” “Tonight,” he grips my chin in his thumb and forefinger and breathes the one word promise against my eager lips.

“Just one kiss?” I practically beg. I’m desperate. Achy.

“Let’s go.” With his hand on the small of my back, he ushers us out of the door. “Your friends are going to be waiting on us.”

“You’re evil.”

He looks my way, smirking as he turns the key, starting his truck. “Just imagine how good it’s gonna be when we finally get each other alone tonight.”

Jeff Ryan thinks he’s being cute, but two can play at this game. Cock-tease is a sport I know very well.