Rhett (Rhett #1)(19)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“I said I’m ready.” Veronica touched my hand.

“Ready for what?” I frowned and looked at her.

“To go back to my place.” She looked taken aback. “I was just saying that I got a new nightie from Victoria’s Secret.” She smiled sexily. “For a special occasion like this.”

“I see.” I gave her a small smile, but I knew there was no way I wanted to go back to her place.

“And I got some toys as well.” She leaned forward and licked her lips suggestively. “Some very naughty toys.”

“Oh?” I feigned interest and she grabbed my hand and stroked my palm. I grabbed her fingers and was about to push her away when I got a text message. I grabbed my phone and read the message. It was from Clementine and read, “Elliott just got here, want to come over and watch a movie? We were thinking about Love Actually. We can wait on you if you want.” I read the text message and I could feel my lips curling in disgust. Was she f**king high? Did she really think I wanted to come and watch some sappy movie with her and her loser friend? I didn’t consider him her boyfriend at all. I put my phone back in my pocket without texting her back. Love Actually, I thought to myself again. What a fool Elliott was for agreeing to watch that piece of shit.

“You ready?” I jumped up and grabbed Veronica’s arm. “Let’s go.”

“Oh okay, sure.” She almost purred as we walked to my car.

“So what are these toys you got?” I asked her as we got into the car.

“Well, I got handcuffs.” She grinned. “And I also got a rabbit. I think you can help me with it if you want.”

“Sounds good.” I pulled out of the parking lot quickly. Boring.

“I just want you to know this isn’t something I normally do.” She said softly. “Normally, I wait until I’m in an official relationship…” She paused and I could feel her eyes on me.

I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. She wasn’t seriously trying to hint that we should be in a relationship? Didn’t she realize I couldn’t give two shits about her? I was going to f**k her just to f**k her, not because I actually wanted to be with her.

“I was waiting for marriage.” She started again and I froze.

“You’re not a virgin are you?” I looked at her quickly. There was no way this girl was a virgin, was there?

“Well, not anymore.” She giggled. “But I had hoped to wait for marriage.”

“My best friend is a virgin.” I muttered. “Trust me, I don’t think she’s having as much fun tonight as we’re going to have.”

“Unless she meets the right guy.” Veronica laughed. “It’s funny how quickly the right guy can talk any girl out of their panties.”

“What?” My voice was hoarse and I slowed down a bit.

“I mean, I don’t know her, but there are plenty of guys who can touch and talk real smooth and before you know what hit you, you’re in bed with your legs spread and his tongue in places, you never thought could feel so good.” She giggled again. “Just saying is all.”

“Yeah.” I felt my skin growing cold as I thought about her words. Maybe it wasn’t such a smart idea to let Clementine spend the night alone with Elliott at her apartment. She was too trusting and I didn’t know what sort of punk he was. He might try and make a move on her and she might not have a clue what to do or say. I thumped the steering wheel as I realized that I needed to go to Clementine’s apartment to make sure that Elliott didn’t try to take advantage of her.

“Take a right here.” Veronica exclaimed as I kept driving.

“Hey, we have to make a pitstop.” I didn’t look at her.

“Oh?” She sounded surprised. “Where are we going?”

“I need to make sure a friend of mine is okay, I won’t be long.” I muttered and frowned as we hit a red light. Of course, I was going to hit every red light now that I was on the way to Clementine’s. I was angry that Clementine had put me in this position. What smart girl had a guy she just met over to her apartment? What was she thinking? Now I had to interrupt my date to go and make sure she was okay. She really owed me, big time.

“What?” Veronica sounded put out. “How long is that going to take?”

I ignored her and concentrated on the road. There was an uncomfortable silence in the car as we drove to Clemmie’s apartment. “Look, I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” I gave Veronica a big smile as I parked and got out of the car.

“Shall I come in as well?” She looked confused and annoyed.

“No.” I shook my head and then paused. I was going to look like a loser showing up by myself, while Clementine sat there with her new man. “Actually, yeah, come on in.”

“Okay.” She got out of the car slowly and closed the door. “We’re not going to be here long, are we?”

“No.” I locked the doors and walked to Clementine’s front door purposefully, leaving Veronica to follow behind me.

Bang, Bang. I knocked on the front door loudly. Bang, Bang. I knocked again impatiently.

“I’m coming,” I heard Clementine’s voice as she walked to the door and I could feel myself growing angry. How could she sound so nonchalant while putting herself in danger for a possible rape?

Bang, Bang. I knocked on the door again angrily. I heard Veronica approach behind me. I turned to look at her and I could see that she was visibly upset at having to walk across the parking lot in her heels without my assistance. I looked at her for a second and knew that I was going to have to make it up to her, but right now I needed to make sure that Clementine knew I wasn’t impressed with her online dating safety measures.

“I said I’m coming.” Clementine opened the door with a perplexed expression on her face that changed to surprise when she saw me. “Oh hey, Rhett, what’s going on?” She looked at me curiously and then looked behind me at Veronica. “And hi,” She smiled weakly. “I’m Clementine, nice to meet you.”

“Okay.” Veronica nodded and spoke in a pissed tone.

“Your name is okay?” Clementine asked softly and I looked her in the eyes. She raised an eyebrow at me as if to say, another bimbo and I frowned at her.

“My name is Veronica.” Veronica spoke stiffly. “Who exactly are you? And why are we here, Rhett?” She touched my shoulder.