Chapter 12 : The Perfect House

Simone I took another look at myself in the mirror, making sure I looked okay. I'd chosen to downplay my look because I was so freaking giddy. I was sure if I walked into the office with my normal hair and makeup done, everyone would see my glow. My hair was in a messy bun, and I'd chosen a more natural makeup look. I wore a dark blouse and pencil skirt. My thought process was that if I looked a little more subtle, no one think I looked freshly f*cked. It didn't matter, though. The second I walked into the office, I could tell that everyone was in gossip mode. They were all looking at me and giggling. It reminded me a lot of walking through the restaurant the night before. Rationally, I was sure there was no way anyone could know what happened. Yet, my insecurities reared their ugly head. "You should have just dressed normal," I thought. "Well, if it isn't Michael Hightower's new baby mama," Crystal catcalled. I rolled my eyes and took a seat at my desk, my back to her. "What?" Crystal shouted at my back. "You haven't been on TMZ today?" I felt a cold dread wash over me. There was no way. "F*ck you, Crystal," I said, shooting her the bird. When I was sure she was busy, though, I did get online. Sure enough, there were pictures of Michael and me plastered all over every gossip rag in the city. "Michael Hightower Seen Out with Latina Lover." "Who's the New Lady Climbing the Hightower?" "Michael Hightower to Change His Number to #69." "What We Know About the Mystery Girl Playing with Hightower's Balls." Christ, how could people publish this shit? Despite the lewd headlines, the pictures were all harmless, thank goodness! We were walking into the restaurant, sitting at our table, and walking out of the restaurant. Nobody had any proof that I had been playing with Hightower's balls. Despite my mortification, I couldn't help but smile at the memory. Still, it was beyond uncomfortable sitting in the office and knowing everyone was speculating about my sex life. I wanted to get the hell out of there, but I really had no reason to leave. I had nothing scheduled for the day, and everyone knew it. Thankfully, Mandy chose that moment to walk in. She'd had a breakfast meeting with one of her clients, so she'd been spared the morning drama. One look at my face, though, told her something was wrong. She came right to my desk and grabbed a notepad. She quickly scribbled something and handed it to me. "Meet me in the bathroom in five," the note said. *** Ten minutes later, she was shrieking in excitement. "You did not!" she said, a little too loud for my liking. I didn't want our other coworkers knowing I went down on Michael in the back of the town car. "How big was he?" she asked, her eyes wide. "I'm going to hold out my hands," she said. "Just tell me when to stop." I rolled my eyes at her as her hands moved further and further apart. The farther they got, the bigger her eyes got. Eventually, she realized I wasn't playing her game. "Let's just say, it was a tight fit," I giggled. She howled with laughter. "How tight are we talking?" she asked with her eyebrow quirked. "I'm pretty sure that half of him was in my cervix," I deadpanned. She shrieked again. "You're joking! How are you even walking right now?" "Sheer force of will," I laughed. "Was it good, though? I mean, huge doesn't always equal good. In fact, it usually means really bad." I sighed, trying to collect my thoughts. "That good, huh?" she smirked at me. I sighed again. "I can honestly say, it was the best sex I've ever had. He hit buttons I didn't even know I had. I'm pretty sure I forgot my name at one point." "Damn!" she said, impressed. "Usually I'm lucky if a guy presses any button at all." We locked eyes and burst out laughing. I was pretty familiar with Mandy's history. She'd had some bad lays in her life. "What was Jake like?" I asked, unable to help myself. She threw her head back and laughed out loud. "Jake was… teachable." I giggled at that. "He thought his d*ck was God's gift to women until I got ahold of him. By the time we broke up, though, he wasn't wrong." "I didn't have to teach Michael anything." I sighed for the third time. "In fact, he taught me a few things. We were in positions I didn't think were humanly possible!" "You gotta do what you gotta do when your man's d*ck is a full twelve inches." "IT IS NOT!" I screamed, and we both started laughing again. I looked at my watch and realized that it was getting late, and I had work to do, so we'd have to go back out to the lion's den. As we opened the bathroom door, I could hear Crystal's voice saying, "If she were any good in bed, she'd have sold a house by now." "Oh, hell no!" Mandy whispered, ready to take off her earrings and cut a bitch. "Don't worry," I said confidently. "I got this." We walked back into the office, and my head was held high. "Oh, hey girl," Crystal shouted. "We were just talking about you!" "I heard," I said, as sweetly as possible. "And I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got a few homes to show my client, Michael Hightower, before the day is over." She glared at me as I collected my things and walked out of the building. The problem was, I was absolutely talking through my ass. Hadn't I just told Michael I couldn't be his agent anymore? Crystal couldn't win this round, though. When I reached my car, I pulled out my phone and called Michael. He answered on the second ring. "Michael Hightower, sex god speaking." I giggled and answered, "That's so strange, I heard you were lousy in bed." He made a sound, and I could imagine he was putting his hand on his chest in mock outrage. "Well, I should tell you that I made my girl come ten times last night." "I think it was more like nine and a half," I giggled. I heard his deep, rich voice booming on the other end. I was already horny for him again. Dammit. "Listen," I said, putting on my serious voice. "I changed my mind. I'm going to look at some houses for you today, and we'll get together next week to look at them. I think I'm starting to get an idea of your likes and dislikes." "Oh, baby," he moaned lowly. It was so f*cking sexy. "You've only found my likes so far." He was absolutely ridiculous, and I loved it. We made plans to meet the following Monday, though my body was already craving his touch. Somehow, I'd have to keep it together until then. I spent the rest of the afternoon driving around town, looking at every available listing and open house I could find in Michael's price range. It was hot and exhausting, but I knew it would all be worth it when I got his paperwork started. Crystal would have to eat her words, and Jake would realize he could trust me. Everything would fall into place. Except, none of the homes I saw were right for him. It was like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Everything was too big or too small, too hot or too cold. I couldn't find a house that was just right. I was just about ready to give up when I decided to take a scenic drive down Ocean Boulevard. And there, as if by magic, was the perfect house for sale. It was just a few houses down from the first house I'd shown him, but it was smaller and homier. I pulled over and called the listing agent. He was able to meet me within the hour. As he walked me through the house, I could absolutely imagine Michael there. The kitchen was much smaller, and much more functional for a man who considered putting Pop Tarts in the toaster as cooking. The living room was spacious, but not nearly as large as the other had been. This room felt like someone could sit by himself and watch TV. The other house's living room felt empty if there weren't at least twenty people in it at all times. This house only had five bedrooms. There was a master suite and a mother-in-law suite on the first floor. They both led out to the pool and private beach, though they were on opposite sides of the home. That ensured ample privacy. The other three bedrooms were upstairs and each had a balcony view of the beach. Michael's cousin would love her room. I imagined Michael here with his family for holidays, with his teammates during the off-season, and even with me on occasion. It was exactly the kind of place that a bachelor would want if he was ready to find love and settle down. The thought sobered me a little. Would I want to settle down with him if I were given the chance? Could I fall in love with him? I knew the answer to the second question. I was halfway there anyway. The idea of settling down with him was overwhelming, though. I pushed it away and focused on pitching the place to Michael. The listing agent had left me alone in the living room, so I took the opportunity to call Michael. "I was just thinking about you," he answered. I could tell that he was smiling. "I think I'm standing in your new living room," I said in response. "Oh, really?" he asked. "What's it look like?" "You can see for yourself on Monday," I told him. "I'll set it up with the listing agent right now." "Will it just be the two of us?" he asked seductively. "Because, if you're right, I think we should christen the house. Maybe every single room of the house." I felt my body flush from head to toe. "I don't think we'll get that much time," I giggled. "Maybe we'll save that for the closing." "It's a deal," he said hoarsely. At that moment, the listing agent walked back into the room, and I had to get my emotions under control. "That's really great news, Mr. Hightower," I said for the agent's benefit. He gave me a thumb's up. "I think you'll be pleased with this house." "I can't wait to celebrate," he purred into the phone. I went a little weak in the knees but tried not to show the listing agent. "I look forward to closing this deal too," I responded flirtatiously. We'd probably close the deal nine and a half or ten times.