Virginal. Well, she was wrong there.

I made fists on my thighs. Here was my opening. “I had sex with Huxton last night.”

If she had been holding another dildo, she would have chucked it at me. “You what?”

Wincing, I lifted my hands in defense. “Calm down. It just sort of happened.”

“Believe me,” she said, wagging a finger. “Sex with Huxton never just happens. Zoe, what were you thinking?”

I mumbled, “I was thinking it'd feel good.” And it felt amazing. “Now I'm thinking there's a reason you're freaking out. What's wrong with what I did?”

Standing quickly, she started pacing. “Nothing. Everything. Fuck, I told him...” Coming to a halt, she shot me a look over her shoulder. “I didn't think he'd be the kind of guy you'd go for. I thought you liked quiet, classy men.”

Laughing, I smoothed my hair nervously. “Because you think I'm uptight.” An idea hit me, I lifted my eyebrows. “Is that why you had him dress up like a damn Gucci model at my party?”

Blushing, Eliza fidgeted with her robe ties. “I missed the mark, I take it. Look, Zoe, it's fine if you like men like Huck. But uh, it's just...”

“Just?” I pressed.

Eliza sighed heavily. “Okay, you just got out of a relationship with a dude who cheated on you. I know Huxton pretty well. I wouldn't say he's a one-girl type.”

A cold wave trickled through my veins. “We just had sex. It isn't like we're dating.” Not a one-girl type. What does that mean?

Did he have other women on the side?

I felt like Eliza was hiding something from me. I was scared to push and learn more. I'd woken up so happy, and now, my insides were made of acid.

She came to my side, bending down and touching my shoulder. “Zoe, if you like him, go for it. But you might want to talk to him about what he expects... and what you expect out of this.”

Staring at her hand, I thought about Huck's busted knuckles. I just want him to fight for me. I need him.

He's all I have keeping me afloat.

Patting her wrist, I smiled lightly. “You're right. I'll talk to him and clear things up.”

Though she nodded, Eliza still looked wary.

I left the room, heading into the bathroom. I had no clue what was sliding around under the surface of Eliza's fears, but I didn't like it. Until I saw Huck, I could do nothing about the what ifs or the wondering.

So for now... I would take care of something basic.

A hot shower was calling my name.

- Chapter Ten -

Huxton

The welcoming scent of toast filled my kitchen.

In the background, I'd put on some low-tempo music. It kept me company as I scraped butter on the hot bread, my hips swaying lazily to the rhythm. I'd woken up with a song in my brain—a song created by the lovely Zoe Lillith.

Fuck, she'd moaned so loud in that alley.

I'd also woken with a massive erection. It had abated as I made breakfast, but with my memory of the night, it now returned.

Chuckling, I adjusted myself. Cradling my toast, I took a huge bite. I had an appetite; not for food, but something else. This would have to hold me over.

Grabbing my coffee from the counter, I headed into my living room. I had to dodge the brass stripper pole that went from floor to ceiling.

Sitting down on the couch, I spotted my jeans on the floor. I'd kicked them off when I'd walked in the door, leaving a trail of clothes all the way to my bedroom.

Swallowing from my mug, I pulled the pants to me with my heel. One more bite of breakfast, then I set it on the arm of the couch. Grabbing my jeans, I slid out my cellphone. The screen was dark; I hadn't turned it back on after Kaley's text.

Bracing myself, I pushed the button. The phone lit up, buzzing as messages came through. Not just from Kaley; there were a few from Gina, too. I'd left my happy clients very unhappy.

It was so unlike me. I'd never ignored them, not intentionally.

She'd sent three while the phone had been turned off;

Kaley: Oh, plans? That's too bad. You should see how wet I am. You're really missing out.

The next message had come thirty minutes later, a photo attached. Kaley must have done some gymnastics to send me such a crisp picture of her hand deep in her spread pussy.

Kaley: I'll be up all night, just come by when you're ready, babe.

Shifting on the couch, I hesitated—then scrolled past. Fucking hell. If I'd seen that last night, I would have told her to stay just like and wait for me to get there.

Running a hand through my hair, I eyed her final text.

Kaley: Fine. It's one in the morning, guess you really are busy.

You have any hot guy friends that I can call next time?

Sighing, I slumped into the cushions. Kaley wasn't used to being denied. To her credit, she had never been. I'd been with clients into the late hours, and before stumbling home to sleep, I'd still visited her.

She tried to tempt me, and now she feels scorned. Hovering over the keys, I started to type a reply to Kaley's particularly disgruntled last message. Each time I tapped a few letters, I erased it again. What the hell could I even say? Sweet talk her. That's what she wants, and it'll get me back into her good graces. That's what I want.

But my heart wasn't in it. A few more times, I struggled to craft a reply. Setting my phone in my lap, I groaned. My mind was running through my fingers, I couldn't hold it still.

I didn't want to talk to Kaley or Gina.

I wanted to talk to Zoe.

Squeezing my phone, I opened my recent calls, found the number, and dialed. Each time the line rang, it pushed the uncertainty about my clients aside. I could worry about them another time. Wasn't I allowed to have fun, to go with my gut and focus on...

On what? I asked myself, staring around my apartment. On a fling, on a girl who needs my help but fights me every step of the way?

Fuck, I loved that side of her. Zoe's back and forth had made her so different than the plethora of women who phoned me for sex. I really did love my job, but it had been... well. Easy, lately. Repetitive.

Repetitive? No. Where the fuck did that idea come from?

The ringing cut short, Zoe's voice kissing my eardrum. “Hey Huck, what's up?”

Smiling, I sank deeper into the couch. She cleansed me with that voice, but at the same time, she stirred me up. I was already reliving the way she'd moaned with my dick buried to the hilt inside of her.

With just her greeting, she'd gotten me hard. “What's up? Well, that depends on how you mean, doll.” Chuckling, I slid my palm into my boxers, grabbing the base of my cock. Huskily, I asked, “Some parts of me are more awake than the rest.”

Zoe cleared her throat. “Are you doing what I think you are?”

“Jerking myself to the sound of your voice?” Breathing out low, hot, I squeezed myself tighter. “Correct.”

“Huck! Come on!”

“Come on what?” I whispered. “I'm all alone here. Want to come by?”

She made a few noises, all adorable and hilarious. “Did you really call me for this?”

Laughing gently, I let my cock go. “Would that be so bad?” Her pause was long, so I pushed on. “I actually wanted to see if you wanted to go to the gym and practice with me.”

“What?”

“You were the one harping on me to be prepared for these fights. This is something I could really use your help with. You know the Dog House better than me.” Though, I was quickly getting the lay of the land there. It seemed to rotate around 'whatever Nehro wants, goes.'

Zoe spoke calmer, no longer freaking out over the image of me touching myself with her on the phone. “Okay. Sounds good. Which gym should we meet at?”