Free Bunny Tales by Izabella St. James Page A

hesitant at first because of the fact that he had multiple girlfriends—the Girlfriends; I didn’t really know how to deal with that, so I focused on my relationship with him. The age difference, though it is the first thing people bring up to me, did not bother me. I had always dated guys my own age, or two years older at the most, but I liked older men in general. I find them interesting, secure with who they are, and mature—much more mature than any guy my own age. And Hef was all of that and so much more.
    He also won me over with being kind and thoughtful. I had mentioned to Mary, who kept a watch on my studies, that I needed a new computer to take my exam on. She was going to check if there was one available at the office that I could borrow. Without waiting for her to find out, I went and bought one on my credit card. When she found out, she called to tell me that Hef wanted to pay for it. I was overjoyed. Not only was it a tremendous help financially, but it was also a sweet and considerate gesture. Hef continued being very attentive and caring toward me, and I could not help but grow to care about him. I really enjoyed his company.
    After the New York trip it was difficult to get back into the rhythm of studying. I would go to my review class and sit among the stressed-out, sleepdeprived, caffeine-fueled students. After class I stopped by the Mansion; it was pure paradise. I lay out by the pool, where the butlers delivered my lunch, I swam and tanned, and I was being seduced by the Playboy lifestyle. I wondered if I should put the Bar exam off for a while; after all, I graduated early thanks to my hard work. I could spend the next few months trying something different and then take the Bar exam in July with the rest of my class. However, because they would not refund my course money or the Bar exam fee, I decided I would just do it for the experience. Hef endeared himself to me even more when he gave me the money I paid for the course review and the Bar exam. I was able to pay my parents back, and it felt amazing.
    A week before the Bar exam, Hef told us girls we would be attending the MusiCares dinner gala honoring the chosen artist of the year and the 2002 Grammys, but of course I was excused because both events coincided with the exam. I immediately protested to Hef. I knew the exam was a lost cause, and I did not want to miss out on the Grammys. Hef gave each of us $2,000 for outfits to the two events. We were ecstatic. I got a white dress for the dinner and a white leather outfit—a mini skirt and a matching jacket—for the Grammys. The night before the Bar exam, I attended the MusiCares benefit—my first red carpet event. By the time I got back to the hotel—I was staying at the Radisson, where the exam was taking place—all of the students had long been asleep.The following day I took the exam, and to my surprise, I did fine. The second day of the exam (it’s a three-day test), I was distracted. I knew the Grammys red carpet action began at around 3 p.m. and I wouldn’t even be finished with the test by then. As soon as I was done, I ran to my room to find out that my limo and security was already waiting downstairs. I did my makeup in fifteen minutes and didn’t even have time to do my hair because the show had already begun. I cannot imagine what my fellow examinees must have thought when they saw me strolling out of the hotel in a white leather outfit and getting into a limo. The show was great; we sat right at the front on the side of the stage and had perfect view of all of the performances.
    After the show, we went to a couple of after parties, and then the limo brought me back to my hotel. The next day, when it was time for the last day of the exam, I simply couldn’t do it. I was tired and could not concentrate. I left the exam room, packed my stuff up, and left without finishing. I later found out that had I made a real effort on that last day, I would have probably passed the exam; my