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Chapter 135: Roll the Dice
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2022-10-20 14:11:37Related chapters
The Rutherford Series Chapter 136: Roll the Dice
Morgan rubbed the back of his neck as he glanced down at the notes he had made for the new office while back in Orlando. For the past hour, Vince and he had been going over his ideas for how he wanted the place set up and he found he couldn't stop yawning. It had taken him nine hours to travel from Orlando to Biloxi and he hadn't even begun the trip until almost dinner because he had decided to play instead of pack. Once he had shrugged off his annoyance at Jacqui's intrusion, not only into his business but also his personal time, he spent the rest of the night giving Erin a proper goodbye. It was a great idea at first. Not so much that morning. All he wanted to do right now was sleep. Vince had been at the office before Morgan, sweeping up and making chalk lines on the floor where he thought walls should go. When Morgan first saw the other man, Jacqui's call demanding that Vince be fired popped back into his mind. There had been no explanation. Just a demand to fire the man. The cal
Last Updated : 2022-10-20The Rutherford Series Chapter 137: Roll the Dice
The Karston Foundation was located inside a ten-story glass building full of lawyers, CPAs, and investment firms. The foundation took up the top floor, overlooking the city streets below as well as the people who kept those streets busy. Jacqui liked to stare out of those windows at the people to remind herself of why she did the things she did. It was her motivation as well as her incentive. It was one of the first buildings built after Katrina hit and Jacqui made sure it overlooked as much of the city as possible, so she could see her progress in the rebuilding of her town.She stood in front of the giant window now, arms across her chest as she stared out at the moving cars. Brent sat in one of the leather chairs in front of her desk, legs crossed, legal pad resting on one knee. She knew he was watching her, worried about her, too. She was worried about her. She had been so on track since Marc's death. Yet, this past week, she was anything but focused. First, she allowed Morgan Brew
Last Updated : 2022-10-20The Rutherford Series Chapter 138: Roll the Dice
Morgan believed the building a business resided in said quite a bit about the person in charge of the company. For instance, those who loved grand designs with fancy details and columns throughout, usually had a high opinion of themselves and were very narcissistic. Morgan referred to them as show-offs. On the other hand, those who had plain, stark buildings were either cold or had a low self-esteem, even though they had achieved their status in the business world and were at the top of the corporate food chain. As for The Karston Foundation, it was located in a tall glass building where the occupant could see out, but those below only glimpsed their own reflection. To Morgan that meant Jacqui Karston preferred to know everyone else's secrets while keeping hers close to the chest. It seemed to fit with what he knew of the woman, so far. There were no decorations on the outside of the building and the few that were on the interior were subdued and rather bland. She didn't allow for flai
Last Updated : 2022-10-20The Rutherford Series Chapter 139: Roll the Dice
An audience? Morgan's eyebrows rose. Suddenly, he felt as if he was in a throne room asking to speak to the queen. He chuckled slightly as he shook his head thinking about the self-importance of some people. Fancy words to show power and prestige. In the end, it was all the same thing—a meeting.He noticed a stack of glossy advertisements on the corner of the young woman's desk. While he waited, he picked one up, browsing the information. It was for a fundraiser for the Maggie Karston Community Center. His eyebrows lifted in surprise as he wondered where his invitation was. Since he was working on the project, he should have been invited as Neal's representative. He folded the paper and stuffed it into his pocket. A surprise appearance was in order, he decided."Yes, ma'am. I'll tell him." She hung up the phone and turned to Morgan, her face a blank mask. "Mrs. Karston is in the middle of something and said that, although you should have called ahead, she will see you when she is throu
Last Updated : 2022-10-20The Rutherford Series Chapter 140: Roll the Dice
But he did. He threw the door open and ushered himself into Jacqui's domain. "Good morning, Jacqui."Jacqui had been leaning back in her chair when he shoved her office door open, a file folder in her hand that she was studying while sipping from a stark white coffee mug. As he expected, it was merely a tactic to make him feel inferior. He hated playing politics and refused to go along with it. Jacqui would soon learn that about him. "I'm pleased to see you're okay," Morgan said. "We were getting worried about you since it was taking so long. Since nothing seems amiss, however, I would like to talk to you about your call concerning Vince Andrews Saturday night.""Mr. Brewer, you were told I would get to you in a moment." She slammed the file folder onto her desk, setting her coffee cup beside it, as she shot to her feet, hands on hips. "You do not just barge your way into my office. Miss Anderson, get Neal Rutherford on the line. I knew hiring them was a mistake and I can now rectify
Last Updated : 2022-10-20The Rutherford Series Chapter 141: Roll the Dice
Jazz played in the background from a live band off in the corner as Jacqui wandered the border of the floor, shaking people's hands and smiling as much as she could. She hated fundraisers, even the ones she held. She just didn't like asking people to give money to a cause she felt should already have their donations. They should do it voluntarily, without the fancy schmoozing that seemed to be standard fare. They should not have to spend money to get people to donate money. Marc was much better at fundraising, seeing it as a necessary evil. He could charm the checks right out of people's hands while she stood by his side and laughed at all the proper moments. She was happy to step to the side and allow him the spotlight in that instance—in any instance, really. Fundraisers were his stage, not hers. Now, however, the choice was ripped from her and if she wanted the Maggie Karston Community Center to succeed, she had to be the equivalent of the snake oil salesman. At least, that's what i
Last Updated : 2022-10-20The Rutherford Series Chapter 142: Roll the Dice
The music wasn't bad, but Morgan would have preferred something with more of a country twang. He sipped his bourbon, thinking the background music was going to put people to sleep before they could sign their checks. Ah well, what did he know about business tactics and fundraising. He was a contractor. He knew nails and two-by-fours, not how to persuade people out of their money. Lily Anderson walked by on her way over to Jacqui and Morgan stopped lifting his glass to his lips as he watched her pass. I'm much better at talking women out of their skirts. I'll stick to what I know best."Give it up. She bats for the other team from what I hear."Morgan looked down at a graying man in a wheelchair, his smile now a frown. "Such a waste of a skirt."The man laughed. "Better not let her hear you. She'll put you in a skirt."Morgan watched as Lily disappeared into a knot of people. He arched an eyebrow. "Might be worth it."The older gentleman laughed even harder. "Not very politically correc
Last Updated : 2022-10-20The Rutherford Series Chapter 143: Roll the Dice
She was going to kill him. She wasn't sure when or how, but sooner or later, she was going to kill Morgan Brewer. Her father had only said, "Have fun," as she was dragged from his side onto the dance floor, her mortification reddening her face and neck. She wasn't sure what kind of point Morgan was trying to make, but she would make life hell for him for embarrassing her like this.Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Vince, leaning against the bar on the opposite side of the room, a bourbon in his hand as he watched them sway back and forth to the music. His forlorn expression put a knot in her gut, his pain quite visible. Pain she knew she had caused. Yet, she had given him no indication in the past year that would have even hinted that he could waltz back into her life and attempt to sweep her off her feet. He had just assumed, and he had assumed wrong. He popped into her field of vision again as she circled around and she could see the thickness of his arms. They were strong enoug
Last Updated : 2022-10-20
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The Rutherford Series Chapter 268: To Be Cherished
Dropping the arm holding the towel to his side, he walked over to where Cherish sat and joined her on the bed. He reached out, placing a hand on her leg and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "I'm sorry you're having to deal with this," he told her. He gave a weak shrug. "I guess we never know the full extent of our actions and their consequences until it's too late." He quickly held a hand up, stopping her from saying anything else. "That wasn't a judgment. Promise."She offered him a weak smile. "I didn't take it that way." She shrugged. "Besides, you're right. I didn't realize while I was...you know...how it would hurt you or Jordie, and I sure as hell didn't realize how it would follow me to another job. I was too caught up in what I was doing to even think of anything else." She reached out, placing her hand on top of his. "I'm sorry I was such a selfish bitch."Glen leaned over and kissed Cherish's forehead. When he pulled away, he grinned. "You're my selfish bitch, so it's all good.
The Rutherford Series Chapter 267: To Be Cherished
Cherish shoved her phone into her purse, closed the final file folder, and shoved herself away from her desk. This day was over, and she was more than happy to see it go. As she stood, however, she realized the day was not completely over. She stood at the edge of her desk, adjusting her purse on her shoulder, as Mary Overton stepped into her doorway, arms crossed over her chest, looking as if she had a corncob shoved deep up her ass. What Bernie saw in the woman, Cherish would never know. Cherish sucked in a deep breath as she paused, waiting to hear what had brought the grump of a woman to her door. "Is there something I can help you with?" Cherish asked.Mary glanced over the room, scowling as she took in the changes Cherish made to the small office. "I see you've rearranged. Making the place more to your liking." Cherish could have sworn the woman gave a disgusted sniff as she said it. "I thought the way Kim had it set up was quite efficient." She glanced around the room with a sn
The Rutherford Series Chapter 266: To Be Cherished
Glen soaked in her naked body, making no qualms about devouring her with his gaze. He had always thought Cherish was gorgeous and hated when she started to hide her body in baggy shirts and shorts. He wanted to see more of her flesh, more of her body tempting him under tight clothes or low-cut tops. He wanted her to be seductive, sultry, sexy. Hell, he even wanted her to dress slutty for him.Reaching out, Glen ran a hand over her freckle-covered shoulder, up her neck, and into her strawberry-blond hair. Gazing into her eyes, he sucked in a breath as he stared at her. "You, Cherish Lansky, are beautiful."He saw her cheeks redden with her blush, felt her squirm under his touch as his words embarrassed her, but he didn't care. While he thought the words often enough, he failed to say them out loud for her to hear. She needed to hear them. He needed to say them. They needed to get back to the spark that was them when they first ignited each other's passions. Looking at her right then, he
The Rutherford Series Chapter 265: To Be Cherished
Cherish took a deep breath, deciding to tackle the topic of Rutherford even if Glen hadn't brought it up. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Jed. It's been a pretty emotional week all around, and I swear, it just slipped my mind."Glen cocked an eyebrow at her. "A lot of things have slipped your mind lately. I should probably do something about that, eventually."She bowed her head. "Yes, sir," was all she said, but she couldn't deny the tingle between her legs at the thought of Glen punishing her again. She would never have thought the idea of him spanking her would have such an effect on her.He took a sip of his coffee as he studied her, and Cherish just stood there under his scrutiny. After a stretched-out moment, he said, "So, tell me about the conversation now. You said you weren't interested in returning. Is that the truth?"She shrugged. "I don't know, to be honest. And, in the way of full disclosure, it was sort of a mixture of him asking if I would want to return and me aski
The Rutherford Series Chapter 264: To Be Cherished
Cherish placed the last of the glasses back in the cabinet, her back screaming at her due to the lengthy day she just endured. Jordie was already sound asleep in his bed, his tired little body crashing as soon as everyone left, and the constant energy faded away. She could relate as exhaustion tugged at her as well. She had to admit, however, Glen's idea of having the party at their house opposed to her parents' was definitely a winner, minus the cleanup part afterward. Jordie loved every gift he opened, and he and the other kids made full use of the bounce house. Even a few of the adults climbed inside to get their inner youth on while they made the little ones stand outside the giant inflatable while they took over. The children, of course, were far from happy about not being permitted inside, but they laughed like crazy as they watched their parents bouncing around, trying to do flips, and falling on their asses.Valerie surprised Cherish with how she interacted with everyone else a
The Rutherford Series Chapter 263: To Be Cherished
Cherish felt the tears streaming down her cheeks, felt the anguish clutching at her heart as she sat there, staring at her mother, the woman crying openly now as she stared back at Cherish. How could her mother ever doubt Cherish's love for her? Because I did a shitty job of showing it. I pushed her with everything I did. Cherish reached out, taking her mother's hand in her own, squeezing it tight. "I've always loved you, Mom. You did nothing wrong. It was all me; I was the selfish bitch who never seemed satisfied and happy. I'm so sorry I ever made you feel that way." She squeezed her mother's hand again. "I should never have treated you that way."Her mother gave her a weak smile, squeezing her hand back before pulling it away. "I love you, too, and I'm sorry I ever made you feel as if you couldn't tell me you were pregnant." She shook her head. "Not a very good mother, huh?"Cherish settled back in her chair. "I think we both made mistakes, but that was then. This is now. I need to
The Rutherford Series Chapter 262: To Be Cherished
Cherish left the others and walked over to her mother, taking one of the remaining chairs beside the other woman. "Why don't you come join the rest of us? Has to be better than sitting over here all by yourself."Her mother didn't even look at her, keeping her gaze on the children. "Why is she here?" she asked, her back stiff, hands clasped in her lap."There are a lot of shes here," Cherish said, even though she knew to whom her mother referred. "You'll have to be a little more specific.""Your sister's new friend," her mother said, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Why did they have to bring her to a family event? It's rude."Cherish glanced over and watched as Tracey Williams laughed at something Arni said, her feet barely touching the ground from where she sat in the chair. "She's close to Selby and Faith," Cherish said with a shrug. "We permitted Brent to bring Bonnie; why wouldn't we allow Faith and Selby to bring Tracey? She seems to be getting along with everyone all right."
The Rutherford Series Chapter 261: To Be Cherished
Glen stepped back out into the yard, two camp chairs in his hands. Valerie Driscoll was accustomed to calling all the shots, and he knew she set up her area far away from his mother to try to force a division in the party, drawing the crowd to her, so she could show off. That was one of the reasons he wanted the party at his house, so she wouldn't be able to pull a stunt like this. Yet, she still wrecked division wherever she went.Glen moved to the middle of the yard, close to the bounce house, and set up the two chairs. He turned to find Cherish near her mother, two beers in her hand as she watched him, one eyebrow raised and a smirk turning up the corner of her lip."Excuse me," he heard her tell her mother. "I think I'll go join my husband." She then left her mother's side, Valerie's mouth ajar as she gawked at her daughter's retreating back. When Cherish reached him, she handed him his beer as she slid into her chair. "Your beer, sir," she said, smiling at him.He glanced over at
The Rutherford Series Chapter 260: To Be Cherished
Glen just needed a few minutes to calm his temper. He knew he had acted rude since returning home, and he didn't mean to snap at everyone, taking out his frustration with Cherish on everyone but her. He shoved his way inside the house and headed for the bedroom at the back of the house. Just a few minutes, that's all he needed.However, what he needed and what he received were two different things. As soon as he plopped down on the bed, his hands clasped together as he rested his elbows on his knees, doing his best to take deep breaths, Cherish walked into the room, shutting the door behind her. He didn't even turn to look at her. He couldn't right then. She had lied. Again. That's all she ever did lately.Cherish walked in front of him and dropped to her knees, sitting back on her heels, her hands on her thighs as she stared up at him. She said nothing. Just knelt there, waiting.Glen closed his eyes, taking another fortifying breath. Before opening them again and staring at his wife.
