ConnorWe stay there—my arms around Evelyn and her chest heaving—for a while. When she catches her breath sufficiently, she looks at me with a sulky pout."I was supposed to do that to you.""Do what?""You know, make you lose your mind or something like that. You weren't supposed to turn the tables."I laugh and kiss her. "You always make me lose my mind, Evelyn. That is who you are. Even when I'm giving you an orgasm, I'm the one who is getting the best bit because I can see you and feel you."She smacks her lips. "I guess. But I can feel you too."Her hand goes to my crotch, and I groan."Don't you think we should do something about that?" Evelyn suggests.I curse under my breath when she moves her cupped palm up and down, stroking me through my pants. The friction turns out to be delicious and painful at the same time."What do you say?""I was waiting for you," I respond.Evelyn gets to her feet. "I'm done now, so we better get on with it. I might not know everything in your apar
Evelyn"This looks good," Connor says as he flips through the pages of a document I hand him. "You were thorough with it. Thank you, Miss Evelyn."I respond half-assed, even though my chin is propped up on my hand, and I am staring straight at him while his concentration is buried in my report. I want him to look at me, but I don't want to have to ask for it.I also want to ask why he hasn't said anything about what happened three nights ago, given that we both woke up late and I had to race to my apartment with little time to spare before coming into the office. So, we couldn't talk about the night we had together.Since Connor was in meetings all day, we weren't able to meet up throughout the day either, and I didn't see the point of going to his apartment when he didn't invite me."Why won't you say something?" I mutter under my breath.His eyes lift slightly to look at me. "What?"I shake my head after realizing my inner voice wasn't quiet enough. "Nothing.""Are you sure?" he loo
ConnorI cannot stop staring at her.I don't want to stop either, but there's no way to hide it when we are both seated in the back of the car, being driven to the testing center.I knew I should have sat up front in the passenger's seat. The need to be close to Evelyn kept me from doing so because I can't, for the life of me, figure out what she is thinking. It's been a week since we had sex, and she's said nothing about it.Perhaps I should speak up like I did the last time, but I want whatever happens next to be on her terms. I don't want to come off as clingy when I tell Evelyn that sex with her is the best I have ever had and that I'd do anything to spend more time with her.She would most likely laugh and tell me to stop teasing her, but it is the truth. It might have started as sexual attraction, but I want more of her now. I think about taking her golfing again so I can teach her to swing while standing behind her.I want to watch her roll the ball at a bowling alley and see h
Evelyn.As I stand in front of Connor's door, I contemplate knocking or turning away, partly because of the noise that is deafening and also because of my racing heart.I shouldn't be this nervous, as it's not my first time in his apartment. It is not the first time we've met at a party either.Yet, I am, and I know why.Because he came to my door two hours ago, caught me off-guard with the kiss that swept me off my feet, and whispered in my ear that he was hosting a party and wanted me to come."If you don't want to, then I'll cancel it. I don't want to disturb you."My heart fluttered at that, and I smiled so hard I thought my lips would get stuck to my teeth. Thirty minutes before the party, I decided to pick out an outfit. I told myself it was just a party on the floor above mine, so I didn't have to overthink."Yet my bedroom is overrun with clothes," I mutter, reaching out to knock.Why does he not have a doorbell like everyone else?Then it occurs to me that if he did, I would
Connor"Sir," my secretary's tone carries urgency as she walks in, "someone is here to see you. He doesn't have an appointment, but he says he's a reporter, and he knows something you might want to hear."I doubt that.I've had my fair share of reporters pester me, and while none of their shenanigans have damaged my reputation over the years, our interactions have never been pretty. I should turn this one away, but I've never had one come to my office."Send him in."When the door opens again, a man in a blue dress shirt buttoned to the throat and khaki pants walks in. He flashes the ID around his neck."I'm Arnold Goldsmith," he introduces himself. "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice."I shake my head. "Don't thank me yet. I have no idea why you're here, and I might ask you to leave once you tell me."He sounds confident when he replies, "I don't think you will, sir. I came to give you a heads-up, sort of. My brother works here, Adam," he scratches his half-beard, "he ran i
Evelyn"We were starting to think you had forgotten about today," my mom says when I go to the house the next day. "I was going to call, but your father decided against it.""He probably wanted something to hold over my head," I mutter as I walk in, holding a gift bag.If I hadn't set a reminder, I would have forgotten that today was my dad's birthday. So, I'm not mad that he didn't call me. I'll let him stew in his guilt when he realizes he thought badly of me."Darling," my mom calls out, "your daughter is here."My father's footsteps down the stairs are deliberate, as though he's trying to meet his fitness goals. But it's been like that all my life, and it was the sole reason why every time we attended an event, eyes would turn once we walked in.That, and my mother's flare for being fashionably late and her keen sense of style. As a divorce lawyer, my mother always told me there was no need to wear somber clothing in the courtroom as she wasn't trying to sway anyone's opinion in h
ConnorI might wear a path in the carpet of my office floor if I keep pacing, but I cannot stop. My mind is on edge, and my body isn't cooperating, so the best thing to do is keep walking.I am also wondering why Evelyn hasn't come around since she said two days ago that she needed time to think.Of course, she would need some time. I mean, I asked her to get engaged. Of course, I clarified after the initial shock passed that it was a ploy to distract the media so the reporter and everyone involved would stop digging into my life, but I understand an engagement is a serious thing nonetheless."Did I scare her off?" I wonder aloud.For a brief moment, I imagine Evelyn walking in and handing over her resignation letter."I don't know why you would ask me to do such a thing after all I've done for this project. It is your problem to solve, not mine," she would rage.Or would she? God, I'm going to lose it.The second I hear the doorknob I turn my head around.There is no smile on Evelyn'
Connor"I didn't think you were going to get engaged before I did," Ken says jokingly when we meet at a bar later that evening. "But congratulations, my man."I take a shot and relish the slight burn as the liquid slides down my throat. "Congratulations? Did you hear a word I just said?"He nods. "Yup, I did. Loud and clear. To avoid a scandal that you didn't tell me about, even though I am your right-hand man, you are now in an official relationship with Evelyn. Your neighbor and the woman you are in love with."I groan. "I am not—""You're going to say you're not falling in love with her?" Ken does not hesitate to call me out. "Come on, I've seen the two of you. The double date we were supposed to go on was a chance for you two...to bond or something.""Mira wasn't sick?" I ask.He shakes his head, grinning slyly. "Nope, she wasn't. It was her idea to give you guys an opportunity to go on a date because you were too chicken to ask Evelyn out, and Evelyn has no idea how you feel even
Felicia.The last week has been hectic for Collins. He's having to spend more time at the Donovan Security offices. He left the house before I even got out of bed this morning. Hopefully, we'll be able to see each other tonight as long as I don't get stuck here at the office.I've been working overtime as the deadline for our software release gets closer and closer. We are still ahead of schedule but only slightly. This is a crucial time because if anything major were to go wrong, it could throw us off schedule and delay the release.My team and I have been meeting daily. Going over everything at least twice. Making sure we haven't missed anything.Emotions are high, and right now, Dave is causing a problem."I don't see why I need to give up my office.""Because we need the room. We're trying to finalize the marketing plans and our backers.""I understand why it's needed. I just don't understand why I have to be the one giving up my office.""Ellen, would you mind stepping in here, p
Collins.When your phone rings in the middle of the night, it's hardly ever good news. I wake up and grab my cell phone."Carson?""Collins, we have an emergency. A guard has been shot. He was working a job on the Southbank. There was gunfire. Guy Sanders was taken to the hospital.""Damn. Okay. I'm on my way. Do you know how badly he's injured?""I don't know any more details. I'll meet you there. He's at Baptist."Also, now awakened and hearing half the conversation, Felicia asks, "Collins? Is something wrong?""There was some gunfire at a job. One of our guards has been taken to Baptist Hospital. He was shot. Carson is going to meet me there.""I'll come with you.""You don't have to, Felicia. You can go back to sleep.""No, Collins. I'm coming with you.""Okay, thanks, Felicia."I throw on some jeans and a blue hoodie and shove my feet into a pair of boots.I look around to see if Felicia is ready. She comes out of the bathroom, brushing her hair and then she pulls it into a ponyt
Felicia.I open my eyes and blink sleepily as I notice the soft sunlight as it filters into the room.I keep yawning, and I still feel sleepy because I didn't get much sleep last night. Collins was a wild man, an insatiable lover.I go to move, and my muscles twinge, muscles that I haven't used before. But then, I've never been taken so thoroughly and in so many ways. I shiver as I remember how demanding Collins was.I turn and look at the still-slumbering man in bed behind me. We're both lying naked on the bed. I look around for the covers and finally find them on the floor, with our clothes and most of the pillows.As my eyes dart around the room, I blush to the roots of my hair as I notice the chair askew and the table a few feet to the side of where it used to be.Collins meant what he said, and I have the sore muscles to prove it. Will I even be able to walk?As I turn to slide out of bed, I look around for something to wear. I spot my dress on the floor between the door and the
Collins.I walk over to our table and turn to Hunter and Rebel."We'll be going now. We enjoyed the event and learning about the sponsored charities. Hunter, Felicia and I will be contacting you later about working something out with MAP. Hayford and Donovan Security would like to get more involved.""That's great. Thank you, Collins."Felicia gives Rebel a hug. "I enjoyed meeting you.""As did I. I'm sure we'll see you at other events around town."Felicia turns toward me. "I'm a little confused. Don't we have another half hour before our driver gets here?""Our driver won't be picking us up tonight."I walk us to the front desk."We'd like a room for the night.""Certainly, is a king-size bed acceptable?""Yes, that's fine.""Any bags we can take up for you?""No, thank you."I sign for the room, and I'm given a key card."Room 302. Third floor."We get in the elevator, and I turn and look at Felicia with hungry eyes, but I don't touch her. If I do, we'll be having sex right here in
Felicia.It's the night of the Charity event, and I left work early. The hairstylist swept my hair up but left a few strands to curl and frame my face.I let them do my makeup as well, and my eyelids have a line of iridescent makeup that sparkles above my cat eyeliner. The song from West Side Story keeps playing over and over in my mind. 'I feel pretty, oh, so pretty...'I just hope tonight ends better than that musical.I'm dressed and waiting for Collins. He's running late tonight. There was an accident, and he's stuck in traffic. He said if he's too late, he'll send a car, but I'd rather wait for Collins to go with me."Felicia, I'm home. I'm sorry I'm so late—" Collins stops mid-sentence when he sees me in my dress."So, you like my dress?""Hot damn, do I like your dress? No, I freaking love it. You look gorgeous.""Thanks. I have your tux all set-out.""Shit, yeah, I better hurry."He takes a quick shower, and then I'm helping him with his dress shirt. His bow tie."Damn, you lo
Felicia.It's been over a week, and Collins hasn't acted any differently toward me. Maybe I overreacted. Everything else has been going well.At work, we're still ahead of schedule on the new software. And my uncle appears to be leaving us alone. The closer we get to completing all the testing, the more the excitement in the department builds.There's also a higher level of stress the closer we get to the go-live date in case anything goes wrong. It's like this every time we launch a new software, but it's still hard to get used to.This Friday night, Collins and I will be attending a charity event downtown. I vaguely remember my parents used to attend some of the bigger galas around town.My mother-in-law and Ellen both volunteered to go shopping with me. So, I meet the women here at the Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille and then Bonnie said we could walk to the different shops.When the women walk through the door, I wave them over."Were you able to find a parking spot, okay?""I lef
Collins.I frown as I drive to the office. Something is off with Felicia, and I don't know what it is.She's been acting differently for the last week. I think it started around the time of the cookout. Did someone say something to her that upset her?When I try to ask her what's wrong, she just shrugs and says nothing.Bullshit. Something is wrong. Why won't she confide in me? She always has before.Unless— unless I'm the problem? I mean, she really couldn't turn me down when I offered to marry her. She would have been crazy to turn down a cool five million and the stock shares. Let's not forget about the fucking stock shares. Suddenly, I'm feeling frustrated.Things were going so great. I mean, the sex is off the charts. But lately, when I take her, she's been closing her eyes. Does that mean anything?Hell, if I know. I slam my hand against the steering wheel. Who knows what's on a woman's mind? I sure as shit don't. Women!Then, I stop short. This is Felicia. And well, she's diffe
Felicia.On the ride back home, my thoughts are so jumbled. I overheard what Collins said to one of the guys at the cookout.I already knew how he felt about kids. One night after we got the backyard fixed up we were sitting out on the deck. We somehow got around to discussing children. Collins shuddered and said he wouldn't know what to do with a kid. He felt he was too immature to raise a child. He didn't think he'd be a good father. He was vehement.So, why did his remarks bother me today? It's not like we're really married. Well, we are, but it's temporary. This marriage will all be over in one year, and then we'll get a divorce.The sex has been so great. I've been sticking to our deal and just enjoying the pleasure we can give each other. In the back of my mind, though, I've allowed myself to believe that this could become a real marriage. How foolish. How naive.I sternly remind myself: this has an expiration date. In one year, it will be over.What guy wouldn't be fine with gr
Collins.Today, we're having a cookout at my mom's. We never found my dad's smoker, so we ended up buying a new one. Now, we're committed to having quarterly cookouts.Carson and I will man the smoker this afternoon. We started roasting the meat very early this morning. We cheated and hired somebody to watch the smoker for most of the day. The word went out, and all of my family and the Wild Riders were invited to the event.We've invited everyone we know. We had to get the tables out of storage and have them set up to hold all the food and covered dishes people would bring. We're expecting quite a crowd.I pick up Felicia from the duplex, and we head over to the cookout. When we pull up to the house, there are already numerous cars and motorcycles in the driveway and along the strip of land beside it. My parents' house is situated on a huge piece of private property near the river. There is ample parking.Felicia has a large container of potato salad. I explained that we provide the