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Mercedes’ home was Craftsman style in the M Streets section of Dallas. It was warm earth tones inside, but minimalistic. Frankly, it was a little off-putting and cold.
“And ...” I trailed off.
Mercedes was different here. Seductive. Her makeup was sultry and her clothing suggestive.
“I represent my brand and my girls while I’m here. That you chose the word glamorous when you might have chosen other ones pleases me.” Her wide lips stained a bright red tilted up at the corners.
“It is glamorous.” I confirmed with a nod.
“Thank you.” Her lips flattened. The warmth in her features disappeared, and a version of Mercedes appeared that I didn’t know at all. “I reserved you and Zack a spot in a VIP booth directly in front of the stage. You arrived too late to see the entire show, but you’ll catch my headliner. She just returned from a vacation too. I think you might enjoy her performance.”
“Thank you.” I dipped my chin. “That’s very generous of you.” My brows drew together as I wondered where this was leading.
“It’s nothing, really.” She brought her hands together and twisted them. “It’s actually my attempt to soften the blow.”
“Soften what blow?” I asked, my brow furrowing.
“This between us.” She untangled her hands. “It just isn’t working for me anymore.”
“Our arrangement, you mean?” My eyes widened in surprise.
She nodded, but her red hair didn’t move. It was in an elaborate updo. I used to enjoy taking the pins out to release it.
But lately, everything Mercedes and I did together lacked spontaneity. Releasing her hair was one of the steps to get her naked, so I could give her pleasure, then take my own. My situation with her was safe, but it didn’t fill the emptiness inside me. In fact, it contributed to my feelings of dissatisfaction.
“It was good between us for a while,” she said as she tugged on the flowy fringe from her hot pink blouse that poked out of the cuff of her black jacket. “But we haven’t seen each other for nearly two months now, and I think it’s time to move on.”
“Has it been that long?” I said, then realized she was right. I hadn’t seen her since before the playoffs.
“Yes, it has.”
“I’m sorry ...”
“Don’t apologize.” She waved her hands. “We agreed to see each other when the mood struck us, and it just hasn’t lately. You’re a busy guy.” She shrugged. “And I’m a busy woman. I think we can admit that what we shared has run its course.”
I nodded. She was right.
“I want you to be free to meet someone, if that someone comes along. You might even find that woman you lost.” Watching me closely, she pressed her palms together, pointing the tips of her fingers at me.
“Doubtful,” I said.
“Maybe, maybe not, but I hope you find someone.”
She paused as if she wanted me to say something, but without Electra, I was all talked out.
“You’re a good guy, Champion. Better than most. If you’d let someone in, give them a chance. I’m certain you’ll find something real, something worth having and holding on to.”
“What about you?” I asked, wondering about her and Simon. There was something there. Anger, for certain. Simon had been livid when he’d found out about us, and Mercedes had been upset too.
Her gaze turned hazy. “I had a chance for happiness a long time ago.”
“Maybe you could try again,” I said gently. Where there was heat, there was an underlying fire, right? Anytime Simon and Mercedes were together, it was obvious there were unresolved emotions between them.
“Too much time has passed.” Her eyes clearing, I saw a flicker of something painful in her emerald gaze that she normally hid. “We’re different people now.”
Her phone rang, and she pointed her gaze at the door. I took the hint.
“Good-bye, Mercedes.” I stood.
