Wanted For Pleasure

Chapter Seventy-four: girl friend ≠ girlfriend

"Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy - in fact, they are almost incompatible; one emotion hardly leaves room for the other."

Morgan Ann Bennett

M&M wedding countdown: 0️⃣1️⃣

Something felt different about me when I woke up in the morning after a passionate night.

I smiled for no reason and it seemed like that was the first time in a while I'd done so.

My cheeks burned as I sniffed the sheets where Chris lied, his scent lingering.

If I was only dreaming, I didn't care.

In the middle of my morning stretch to ease my recurring back pain, I got a phone call. Knowing it had to be someone I knew personally since it was my "secret" phone, I answered without studying the unsaved number.

"Morgan, it's X. Where are you?" Malcolm's security detail talked to me.

I walked over to the indoor/outdoor home office off of Chris's bedroom and smiled down at his hard work, proud.

"I'm okay, don't worry. What is it?"

"Malcolm's up but he's not feeling well, he said to keep you away until he feels a bit better."

"Oh," I pretended to care. "is it from the drinking, or?"

"Most likely," X's gruff voice let me know which put me at ease. "he just doesn't want to get you sick but he'll go to the E.R. if things get worse. Are you sure you're okay?"

I grew annoyed at him asking me again, but I secretly admired that he cared. It's just that since Teddy, I didn't want to get close to another guard and get them in trouble or worse.

"I am fine, thank you. Keep me posted, okay? I'll be back later, tell him I'm— I don't know— doing last minute wedding stuff with Jasmine all day."

X waited for about three seconds to say, "Okay," and then end the call.

With Malcolm out of the way, I could have more time with Chris to play house and keep dreaming.

I showered and pulled out an outfit from the large tote bag I brought over: a grey cropped knit turtleneck sweater, black high rise leggings, and a pair of white gum sole New Balance sneakers - something casual since I figured I'd be ripping and running around all day.
I would've worn a band tee but Chris had childishly left hickies over my neck and breasts and I didn't have any concealer to cover them. I was devastated, imagining what Malcolm would say or do when/if he sees them.
If I know Chris like I'm sure I do, I know he just did it to prove a point - mark his territory, because why else, especially before I'm supposed to get married?Luckily my gown would cover those problem areas.

Since the sun was shining and the temperature was high fifties, making a pretty nice March Colorado day, I wanted to spend it outside of these walls.

Just as I wiggled my toes into a pair of plain socks, the smell of bacon danced under my nose.

Seeing the time, I figured there's no way it was Chris, he'd usually be working or at the gym.