When I'm With You

“That’s the third time it’s rung, Nate,” she sleepily mutters.

Shit. “Okay, baby. Let me grab it.”

She moves so that I can slide out of bed, and I almost ignore the phone when I see the look in her eye when she sees my hard cock.

“Hold that thought.” I laugh, bend, and grab my jeans and search the pockets for my still ringing cell.

“Nate Reid,” I answer, annoyance in my tone when I see Shane’s name on the screen.

“I need you to come close. I got a call from Lacey and I need to go home.”

Fuck. Me.

“Does she really need you to come home or is she just pulling some more of her shit because she doesn’t like you working at Dirty?” I question, knowing damn well his girl would do that shit. I can’t stand the bitch, but I’m not going to tell him how to live his life.

He sighs. “I don’t know, man. She claims she fell and hurt herself, but she didn’t sound like she was in pain. I need to go check it out, and if she’s pulling another stunt, I’ll be back. I don’t know what the hell her problem is lately.”

“Dent?” I ask, hoping that I don’t have to leave Ember on the one night that was supposed to be just for us.

“Still in LA. Won’t be back until next week. Fuck, man, I hate calling you for this shit, but I don’t know what to do.”

I sigh, turning to look at Ember, expecting to see anger. However, she gives me a nod and smile, understanding that I need to go without even hearing the reasons. Supporting me and my responsibilities to Dirty without thought. Something that Shane’s woman clearly doesn’t understand. “I need to say good-bye to my woman. Give me thirty and I’m there.”

I hang up, and when she stands from the bed and walks into my arms, I pull her naked body close.

“I hate leaving.”

“I know you do, but you can’t help the reason why.”

“I wouldn’t go if I wasn’t needed, but Shane is the only one there and he has to run home.”

She leans back and looks up with a smile. “You don’t have to explain things to me, Nate. I’m not upset.”

“How can it not bother you? We haven’t had time to do anything but eat, sleep, or fuck when we’re together.”

Her eyes narrow. “Way to make it sound so meaningless,” she snaps.

I open my mouth to soothe my comment over, but she shakes her head.

“First of all, I support you and Dirty because I know how much it means to you. Does it take you from me? Sure. But it also just opened and you guys are all still just getting your footing. It won’t be like this forever. Hell, it might not even be like this next week. You will all find your stride. If you feel like it’s taking too much from you personally in a few months, I’ll still be here, and you can find another person to help hold the reins. Second, we have spent plenty of time together, and if anything, it’s been better than if you were to take me out to dinner or whatever. We’ve had time to ourselves alone, sharing who we are now and getting to know each other as a couple and not friends. Third, if you would kindly find another way to express what we do when we’re in bed and not sleeping, I would appreciate it.”

Her gaze travels to my mouth when I feel my lips curve.

“I’ll work on that, baby.”

“That would be splendid.”

I toss my head back and laugh, but when I feel her small hand smack my naked ass, my head drops forward and all laughter stops when I see the wicked look in her eyes.

“You’re going to pay for that later,” I threaten.

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” she smarts and pulls from my arms, grabbing her robe and walking out her door.