Lily's eyes are outraged and baffled. She steps my way; her gaze falling on the cash. "Why did he give you money?"

"I don't know."

"Maddy, people just don't give out dough for nothing."

"I said, I don't know...."

"You have to. What did you two talk about?" Her doubtful tone infuriates me.

"We talked about his favorite drink."

"And?"

"His job, my job, it was just chitchat."

"Maddy, that doesn't explain $500. There's more to it than that. Did he ask you for something?"

"Just my name."

"Anything else?"

I huff. "No, Lil."

"I'm just trying to make sense of this. Guys only pay girls for pleasure. Jace had to imply this."

"Wow, Lil...he didn't imply being a sugar daddy."

"Judging by the green, he did."

"Look, just drop it. Let's close up. I'm tired; I just want the night over. Did you call Brad?"

"I thought you wanted nothing to do with Jace. Why did you talk to him?" I pace around the bar and begin closing the gate. I abruptly hold it still. I forgot the cash. I look at the five bills on the counter and contemplate whether I should accept it without knowing why. Did Jace dish it out to initiate me into a sugar baby contract? If so, he was so vague about it.

Then again, I'm not in a position to pass up the money. Money I got without an effort. It's odd to earn it without working for it.

"Don't be dumb...take it." Lil waves her hand to it. I swoop under the gate and snatch it, then proceed rolling it down. After cleaning, Lily waits with me until my ride comes. I know she's investigating what happened by how quiet she is. Her thoughtfulness is clear on her face; all's that missing is the pacing around bit. While she's too busy being Sherlock Holmes, I call Brad.

I feel bad...even though I did nothing wrong. I feel like I somehow cheated on him. When he picks up, he says, "Hey, sweetheart," in a chipper tone.

"Hi, hon, I missed you."

"Not as much as I missed you."

"Oh, really?" My Uber drives up to the curb. I turn to look at my bestie, who's still analyzing the cash. "It's nothing, Lil. See you tomorrow." I wave, then open the car door.

"What's nothing?"

"Umm...it's work-related. How was your day?" I close the door and buckle up as the car steers into crammed traffic.

"I'm living the life; dog walking is the best job ever."

"Yeah, I know, you're racking up just by taking a stroll. I wish my job was like that."

"Nah, I think yours is better. You're surrounded by rich people who probably leave the biggest tips."

That's creepy!! I become superstitious of the chat...due to what just occurred with Jace. Relax, Brad mentioning a big tip is just a coincidence. "They rarely leave tips."

"Really?"

"Yep, I can literally count the times on one hand."

"That's crazy. I thought you'd be getting a few hundred here and there." Weird, why did he say a few hundred?! Is he onto me?? I panic and hold my tongue. "I guess everyone is cheap." I release arelieved breath when he says this. "Hey, I was thinking of having a movie night at my place."

"Umm...bad idea."

"I won't try to kiss you again, I promise."

"Hmm...I'll consider it."

"Please say yes, we haven't cuddled at all. I'll be good." He pleads.

"I know you will...I'm saying it's a bad idea because I won't be."

"Hmm...tell me your dirty thoughts."

"No, no, no, that'll lead to, you know what."

"How about a hint?"

"Brad." I giggle.

"Maddy." He retorts.

I grin to the side. "Brad..." I whisper sensually.

"Maddy." He copies my tone.

My stomach flutters. "Braddy." I use my tongue to pronounce his name.

"Maddy." He does the same. I cheese and kiss the speaker on the phone. "Hmm..." He mumbles sultrily. "Just one hint, please?"

I'm physically immobilized by how his voice drags out the word "please." I close my eyes and chew my nails. "Just one word," I give in to the weakness. "Mount."

Brad licks his lips. "Standing or laying."

"Can't say."

"I want you."

"How much?"

"I'd literally run to your place."

"That bad, huh?"

"Yeah." He croaks. I sigh at the rawness of his response. "I want your lips on mine."

"That would be nice."

"Is that a yes?"

"It's a, maybe."

"I'll beg."

"Give it your best." I trace my finger across my lower lip. Brad gives it his best throughout the whole ride. His long and throaty "pleases" makes me clench my legs together and wiggle my bottom against the leather seat. My sighs are low enough for only him to hear, not the driver. When I get out and go into the hotel, I compromise. "We can cuddle at your place...on Wednesday."

"That's 4 days from now!" He complains.

"I know."

"Why not tomorrow?"

"Because the tension has to simmer." I kiss the speaker again. "Nighty night." I hang up and get onto an elevator in the lobby.

I'm on the 10th floor, meaning it's gonna take a while. I pass the time by thinking back to the $500. I wonder if Lil cracked the case yet. Jace didn't ask me for anything sexual. The conversation was simple. Yeah, I got agitated, but it was a normal chat. I don't understand the money. As I said, I can use it. I'll put it into my savings. I'd still like an answer, though.

For the next four days, I keep an eye out for Jace, but he never shows. I thought his schedule would be different since I'm his new bartender, but it's not. If I saw him on Saturday and used to see him on Sunday, that means Jace is busier. He must have a recent business obligation. I join Twitter mostly because I'm mind blown by Strygent Industry accomplishments. I found out that there's an EXPO.

An Expo is going on all week. I click on the article and am brought to a 4K image. Jace Harrison on a high-tech stage full of shiny machinery. The arena he stands in front of is sold out. Not one seat is vacant. I stroll down to read about the company's new developments.

STRYGENT INDUSTRIES WILL SHOWCASE A RAFT DRONE FOR INDIVIDUALS STRANDED AT SEA.

WATER DROPPER, A GUMDROP-STYLED DRONE THAT DELIVERS TONS OF WATER TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED.

IRECTA, THE CONTACT LENS FOR EPILEPSY/SEIZURE VICTIMS.

XMARZ, THE HIGHLY TRAINED CPR MICROBEAD

The time of the broadcast is 6pm-9pm. Not that I want to go, I wouldn't be able to, anyway. I must applaud the CEO. I can tell much passion and concern has gone into his inventions.

On Tuesday night, I inform Lily of my plan with Brad. I wanted the choice to fester in my mind until I decided it was a good move. I mean, we are dating. He's been patient, and I love it when he begs. I'll definitely love his moans. I just know he's the type of guy that's vocal. The tension is fine as wine too.

I haven't been communicating with him. I've learned from Tinder that preventing interaction until the opportune time is key to getting a guy to explode. I think I want to get handsy, just a little bit. Just to make up for not seeing his reaction in the club.

"Finally!" Lil celebrates. "Have some fun, but remind Brad that sex is a no."

"I'll remind him." I talk towards my phone, which is on the ledge of the tub I soak in.

"You probably made him mad."

"Frustration gets the juices flowing."

"Oh, you bad girl!"

"That's nothing new." I raise my chin.

"What are you going to wear?"

"Brad loves the half good, half bad thing."

"The pink plaid dress with the leg slit and a white undershirt. The lacy pantyhose are a must." Lil instructs like a fashion designer.

"That's perfect!"

"Wear your converses...and a high ponytail."

"See...this is why I love you."

"You need to praise the ground I walk on." She says in an uppity, British accent. "You're gonna be hot, hot, hot." Lil goes on with the British impersonation. Over-pronouncing the T's in each of the "hots."

"You're right, my lady." I join her impersonation. "It shall be raunchy-as hell."

"Oh, I researched if Jace is a sugar daddy."

"I don't want to know."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, forget about him. I'm all about my boo."

"The boo thang that's trying to swang your body on his couch."

"He said just cuddling."

"Maddy...he's going to try something. Only thing is he's a gentleman; he'll stop if you say so."

"If I say so." I wiggle my brows.

"Don't push him...guys get emotional and go into a shell. Play it safe."

"Brad won't do that; he's super tolerant."

"Heed my advice, just in case."

"Okay."

On the special night, I apply light makeup on my own this time. I have faith in myself when it comes to applying foundation, just not for applying eyeshadow, liner, and blush. I look in the bathroom mirror at myself. I'm a sexier version of the girl from the Clueless movie.

I book an Uber. I didn't want to bother Brad with downtown traffic. The car ends up at a townhouse complex in a pleasant suburb. It's all brick and has two garages for each unit. I thank the driver and tip $20 as I leave the vehicle.

I'm acting like a big baller now that I have extra cash. I've never gotten tipped that much in my life. I check our texts to verify Brad's unit number. 24. That's just great...the Uber dropped me off on the opposite side. My feet trudge around the building. I fix my ponytail and tug my dress down, so my tiny boobs are more visible.

I knock twice, wait, then do it again when I don't hear any movement. An outside light pops on, and the door unlocks. I flash my pearly whites when the door opens, expecting a happy boyfriend. That isn't what I get. Brad is upset. Huh? What? Why? The furious face transforms him into a completely different person. The hyper guy I adore isn't present anymore.

#Romance
#Love