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The Night He Owned Me 55
SelenaI was still pacing the office I’d been using, ready to bite the head off a bat. The sickness remained, enough that I’d grabbed a glass of the Irish whiskey Joshua had brought back from Louisville, hoping it would calm my nerves.I’d gotten voicemail, which had driven me to another state of anger, the call yet to be returned. It had been risky to do, maybe stupid, but I couldn’t tolerate being behind the eight ball any longer.I moved to a standing position, pushing the drink away. The alcohol wasn’t doing me any good, the taste bitter in my mind, no matter the vintage. As I started to pace the floor, I suspected that Joshua’s world had coincidentally collided with mine, and that whatever was going on had little to do with me. But at this point, I could be certain of nothing. Not a damn thing, including who was trying to kill us. I grabbed my phone, shoving it into the back pocket of my jeans.God, I hated this.The waiting.The anticipation.The anxiety.It felt like a hammer w
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Air rushed into my lungs, the mysterious woman who’d nearly killed me pitched backward with extreme force, her body hitting the wall. Grasping my throat, I rolled over, gasping for air as I struggled to figure out what the hell was going on. There were additional savage thuds, and there was no doubt the growl I heard was coming from the depths of the man I loved.“You fucking bitch.”I managed to turn over, reaching out to him. Mikey and two other men rushed into the room, Joshua barking orders that were garbled in my muddled mind.My handsome man pummeled his fists into the woman’s face before yanking out his weapon, pressing the barrel against her temple as he wrapped his other hand around her shirt, yanking her off the floor.“No!” I managed. “Joshua. You’re… not a… killer.”He slowly turned his head, his chest heaving, his eyes turning from venomous to concerned. Then to something else. Love. I could see love in his eyes. “Baby. Oh, my baby. Take this bitchdownstairs. Tie her up a
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JoshuaBeing inside a courtroom had taken on an entirely different meaning. The truth was I relished it, basking in the glory of being able to clear my name. For a mafia guy considered a monster, that would be a tremendous feat all by itself. To a man like me, it brought a chance at living my life entirely differently.Not that I was giving up my business acumen for something less ruthless. Hell, a leopard couldn’t change all his spots.Greg had discovered damning information about Jennifer Zimmer, which had been relayed to my strong-willed woman. She’d been forced to admit she’d made a phone call to her friend, which had in turn alerted all the players involved that the veil of secrecy had been lifted. From there, Erica had decided she could handle taking out Selena on her own, afterwards using Christopher to ambush me. When I’d learned what a fool I’d been in hiring Margaret, it had almost ripped me apart. They’d originally planned on eliminating Christopher as soon as I wassentence
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SelenaAs the door opened, I didn’t need to know who’d walked in. I’d know the sound of her heels anywhere. I continued to pore over my notes, the speech that I’d rehearsed a solid dozen times. It was now or never to highlight my skills, ensuring that the atrocity done to the James family was ripped apart.Only I could do that.“Someone I admire greatly once reminded me that there was no such thing as gray with regard to the law. It was either right or wrong and those who crossed the fine line would do so again and again.” Christine’s voice was soft, respectful. We’d spoken once on the phone as I’d confirmed details of what I’d learned.“Who was that?” I asked, still not lifting my head.“A lovely young attorney that I knew would go places. I just didn’t know how far. You’re a force to be reckoned with, Selena. I hope that you’ve considered my offer of becoming District Attorney. I’ll be retiring in a few years and I would like you to take over.”Now I lifted my head, studying her. I
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EPILOGUEJoshua“Daddy. Daddy. Daddy!”I would never get tired of hearing Christopher’s little voice. As he raced toward me, I couldn’t help myself, scooping him into my arms. “How is the birthday boy?”“I want cake.”“And you’ll get lots of cake.”“Not yet,” Selena said from the doorway. She stood giving me a very heated look for two reasons. One, because I’d given her a spanking only hours before for disobeying me. And two, because she’d been forced to be the bad parent, requiring Christopher to eat his vegetables prior to getting any dessert.Although she continued to sneak him cookies for breakfast every now and again.“Party pooper,” both Christopher and I said at the same time. The kid mimicked almost everything I said, which meant cursing was now out of the question. Well, at least around him.She shook her head, sashaying toward me. Wearing jeans and a gorgeous crimson sweater, it was all I could do not to drag her into the closest closet and have my way with her.I had a feel
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BONUSBrandon, my best friend’s father, owns a billion-dollar real estate firm and is now my new boss.I don’t recall him being this attractive back in high school.His jawline is strong and sharp, and when he looked at me, my heart skipped a beat.Despite his arrogance and rudeness, I want to succeed in my job, so I'll tolerate his attitude.But if his gaze revealed his thoughts, he desired me as much as I desired him.There’s no way I’m telling Amalia that I want to sleep with her dad.Even if he looks like he stepped out of my wildest dreams.It would just be this one time and nobody has to know.Until the two lines on the pregnancy test…GinaThe destruction of my life came in like a hurricane and left everything in its path crushed and trying to survive beneath the rubble.Moving to Silverlake, a small seaside town, differed from my plan. However, when I graduated from university, Amalia told me that her hometown was the perfect place to build a life. She used to sing the praises
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Brandon“Gina is here,”Shelby said as she entered my office. “What do you want me to get her to start doing first?”I sighed and looked around the office. I didn’t think it through when I told Amalia I would help her friend. I would do anything for my daughter, but there isn’t much for an intern to do around her.Especially not one I’ve seen dancing around my house drunk in skimpy shorts and a shirt.“Bring Gina in here. I’d like to have a word with her, and then I’ll get her started on the filing that needs finishing.”Shelby arched an eyebrow and pursed her lips. “You wouldn’t mean the filing you’ve ignored for the last year. The same filing that you insist you need to sort through, and that’s why you won’t let me do it.”I shrugged and looked down at the papers on my desk. The top sheet listed things Gina could do to keep herself busy. It should keep her alive for the week. After that, I wouldn’t have to think about anything else for her to do until next week.“Brandon, she’s brand
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She gritted her teeth, her polite smile turning slightly feral. “I wouldn’t tell anyone how much involvement you have in my life. It’s embarrassing, to be quite honest.”“If that’s the case, then why didn’t you talk to your family when your life started falling apart?”“That’s none of your business.”The fire that was in her eyes only made her more attractive. It was good to see that she had a backbone. Amalia told me her friend had a horrible history of letting people exploit her.Too kind for her own good, most likely.“Even though you are Amalia’s friend, I will not tolerate anything less than you doing your job to the best of your ability. I will not hesitate to fire you if you cannot do the work.”Gina’s eyebrow arched, and she looked like she was trying to hold her tongue. A red tinge on her cheeks only made her look more beautiful.Having her work here was going to be hell on my head.“Wow.” Gina shook her head and got up. “You’re judging me without knowing me. I graduated vale
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“That’s for me to decide.”I nodded and took a deep breath. “I do love you, Gina, and if you want me, I’m in this for the rest of our lives.”“I should be mad at you,” she said as she stood up and approached me. She reached up to cup my face with her hands. “But I love you for putting aside your happiness for your family.”“Does that mean that you’ll take me back?”Gina smiled and leaned into me as I wrapped my arms around her. “Of course.”I grinned and stood, picking her up and spinning her around in a tight hug. She laughed and wrapped her legs around my waist.“I love you, Gina.”“I love you too.”When I captured her mouth in a searing kiss, all felt right with the world. Her hands sank into my hair, holding me to her as I carried her across the beach and into the house.I nipped at her bottom lip, and our tongues tangled as I took her down the hall. She moaned as I spun and pinned her against the wall, rolling her hips and grinding her core against my hardened cock.With a groan,
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BrandonAmaliawatchedmeasI carried plates of food to the kitchen table. I sat in front of her before taking my own and sitting beside her. She sighed and picked up her fork, moving the roast potatoes around the plate.“You know, she loves you,” Amalia said.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” So instead, I focused on slicing my chicken into small pieces. I didn’t want to be having this conversation right now.“And I know that you love her. What I’m struggling with right now is why you still haven’t told me I will have a sibling.”I nearly choked on the chicken I had just put into my mouth. I reached for my water glass and took a long sip before looking at Amalia. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.“Where the hell did you hear about that?”“Gina told me. I’ve been talking to her a lot the last couple of days. Did you know that she’s thinking about leaving Silverlake? She might move back to the city.”I froze, my entire body stiffening as I looked at her. While I k
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Gina“You’regoingtohaveto talk to me sooner or later,” I said as I stood beside Amalia in a coffee shop. It had been nearly a week since the breakup, and she had ignored every call.I tried going to her house when I knew Brandon wasn’t home to see her. During the first visit — when she didn’t think I was coming — she had answered the door.Talking to her since then had been nearly impossible.Amalia sighed as she approached the counter. She gave the barista a small smile. “Two large mochas, please.”I smiled, but my stomach was tossing and turning. I felt like I was going to be sick. This was the first chance that she had given me all week.“I don’t want to throw our friendship away over this,” Amalia said as she looked at me.“Then there’s something else you should know before we get into everything,” I said, knowing I couldn’t keep the baby a secret.Amalia needed the whole truth before deciding whether to forgive me.As soon as our drinks were made, Amalia led the way to a booth in
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“And what did you do? You hurt me anyway.” Amalia’s eyes were glassy as she glanced away from me. “I want you to end it with her.”“Then I’ll do it.”The words hurt me to say. It felt like I was ramming a knife through my chest, but my daughter was the only family I had left. I wasn’t going to alienate her. If breaking up with Gina was what it took to keep my daughter in my life, then that is what I had to do.“You’re too old for her. What the hell happens when you get even older? Will she spend the last good years of her life changing your diaper?” Tears tracked down Amalia’s cheeks. “And what about you? Are you going to spend the next few years trying to keep up with someone as young and ambitious as Gina?”As much as I hated to admit it, Amalia was making all the points that had spent the last several weeks circling through my mind. I knew that there was no way I would be able to keep up with Gina forever.That was supposed to be a problem when we got older.“Break up with her, Dad
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“My dad asked me a while ago if it would be okay for him to start dating again,” Amalia said as she looked at me.A wave of panic raced through me. Does she know that I’m seeing her dad?“I think he’s ready to get out there and try again. It makes me feel better about maybe moving away from Silverlake. I didn’t want to leave him here alone, but if he’s ready to start seeing someone, maybe he won’t be as lonely as he has been.”“You’re okay with him dating again?” I swallowed the lump in my throat and hoped I didn’t look guilty.“It’s not the easiest shit I’ve ever thought about, but I know Mom would want him to move on again and be happy.”“What if you don’t like the woman he’s with?”Amalia shrugged before lifting her hands and swaying to the music. “I don’t think I get much of a choice in it. My dad isn’t the kind of man who would date a woman if he didn’t think it was serious.”I nodded. “That makes sense. He seems pretty rational.”“He is.” Amalia grinned and stopped dancing long
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Mateo shook his head. “There has to be more to it than happiness. Let’s pretend that the potential career damage isn’t a factor. Have you ever thought about what your daughter will think about this?”“Don’t drag Amalia into it.”“You need to weigh all the options and stop thinking with your dick.”My hands clenched into fists as I bit back the words on the tip of my tongue.“Consider what you’re doing,” Mateo said as he stood up. “The cleaners are only here once a week. You’re lucky that they found it before someone else did.”I crossed my arms and arched an eyebrow. “Do I need to worry about you?”“Me? Telling people about your little office affair? No. I may not support your actions, but you have been in a better mood since you started seeing Gina. And I like her. She’s got a backbone.”Mateo grinned and left the office, closing the door behind him. I sighed and ran my hands down my face when he was gone.Keeping my relationship with Gina a secret would be more complex than expected
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“I don’t know if this is the kind of thing you can get over.”He took my jaw in his hand and tilted my face up to his. His lips are soft as his mouth brushes against mine in a tender kiss.It was easy to lose myself in Brandon instead of thinking about everything else in our lives, so I did. I nipped his bottom lip, deepening the kiss. His tongue tangled with mine as I moved to straddle his lap.My arms drape over his shoulders, my fingers sinking into the soft hair at the nape of his neck. Brandon’s hands slid beneath my shirt, his fingers setting fire to my skin as he worked his way up to my breasts.He cupped them, his thumbs brushing over my nipples as I rolled my hips. My back arched as his hardened cock pressed up against my core. I rolled my hips again, trying to build the friction between us and relieve some of the tension building.Brandon groaned, his tongue sweeping through my mouth as he pulled my shirt over my head. His head dipped forward, and he sucked a nipple into his
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GinaOver the last two months, hiding my relationship with Brandon has been getting harder and harder. Nevertheless, we do our best to keep our relationship a secret.However, Amalia has nearly caught us a few times.I snuck out Brandon’s window more than once and ran to my car parked down the street. The next day I would have to listen to Amalia telling me about her theories on her dad’s dating life.She was sure he was seeing someone, which made me feel worse. Amalia would lose her shit if she found out that I was the mystery woman sneaking out in the middle of the night.It was getting too stressful to hide it from her, but it was too late to turn back.I’m falling for Brandon.Hell, I’ve already fallen. He had me at hello, and I’ve been enamored by him every moment since, even though it would have been better for the both of us if I wasn’t.I sighed as I leaned over the sink in my bathroom, my stomach tossing and turning.I had been holed up in my apartment for the last week, feel
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BrandonAmalialeanedbackinher chair, tilting her face and closing her eyes as she soaked up the sun and the salt air. It wasn’t often that I got to see her this relaxed as she lounged by the ocean.We tried to make time to get lunch together once every couple of weeks, but with both of us having careers, it could be hard to find the time. She had her career, and I had mine.Throw sneaking around with Gina into the mix, and I had even less time than I used to spend with Amalia.“Okay,” I said after our food was delivered. “How is work going? Do you have any shows coming up?”“I’ve signed on for New York Fashion Week next year.” Amalia took a bite out of her lobster roll and shrugged. “Other than that, there’s not a whole lot going on. I’m building a new line, but some designs aren’t coming together quite right yet.”“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. New York Fashion Week is huge, though. We’ll have to have a party to celebrate. Congratulations.”“I don’t think that I want to do anything
