Kobo Indecent Arrangment Part I

by Stephanie Julian

  “And I know they worked for David Oleksy.”

  Mary Alice heard no condemnation in Kat’s voice and breathed a sigh of relief. She’d been worried Kat would immediately condemn them both. “Yeah, they did. But when David left, they got out. They’re legitimate businessmen.”

  “And do you trust them?”

  “Yes. I have to or I wouldn’t even consider this.”

  “All right. So…lunch Monday? This is a conversation we really should have in person. I’ve got court tomorrow and the guys and I are going to Boston to visit Tristan’s parents Saturday and Sunday.”

  Mary Alice breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes. That would be great, Kat. Thank you.”

  “Well, don’t thank me yet. We haven’t talked.”

  “I know but… I really need someone to discuss this with, and I appreciate that you’re willing.”

  “Well, it’s kind of a small club. They don’t really have support groups for women in multiple-partner relationships. At least none that I’ve ever encountered. The only other woman I know is my brother’s partner. I like Jules but it’s a little awkward sometimes talking to the woman who’s sleeping with your brother and your ex-fiance. And it’ll be nice to talk to someone who doesn’t look at me like I have three heads when I talk about my two lovers.”

  * * * * *

  Jesse had the coffee going and sat at the breakfast bar when Max entered the kitchen the next morning.

  Like an old married couple, they had a routine. Jesse usually woke first so he started the coffee then went out for a run or joined Max in the basement gym. Max hated to run so they had a rowing machine and a stationary bike in addition to the weights.

  After they worked out, they’d go over their schedule for the day while they ate and discuss anything that’d come up overnight. Something almost always did.

  “Shivers had a small kitchen fire last night. No one hurt. The staff had it under control in a few minutes but I figured you’d want to know.”

  Jesse watched Max as he got a bowl and filled it with Froot Loops. How the hell Max didn’t weigh five hundred pounds was beyond Jesse.

  Max met his gaze head on as he sat across from him, his voice distant. “Are we going to need someone for repairs?”

  Jesse stifled a sigh and bit his tongue so he wouldn’t say something to make the situation worse. “Don’t know yet. I’m heading over there this morning to check it out.”

  “Fine. Let me know.”

  Max let his gaze fall to his bowl and Jesse had had enough.

  “God damn it, Max. Are we going to talk about last night?”

  Max’s gaze snapped back to his, his expression hard. “Have you changed your mind?”

  Jesse’s jaw locked. “This is a bad idea.”

  Max’s expression didn’t change at all but Jesse saw anger flare in Max’s eyes. “No. It’s not.”

  Jesse had to loosen his jaw before it cracked. “I assume you already contacted Larisa.”

  “Last night. She’ll get back to me with details.”

  “And you’re going to call Mary Alice and tell her you want her to go with you Monday night, aren’t you?”

  Max nodded. “You know I am. And you know what I want. The question is, are you going to get off your ass and get on board?”

  Jesse’s jaw tightened again. Max had been invited to a mixer for local business owners, an event designed for networking. Max had to go, had to show the community he was serious about his transition to business owner.

  He had to charm them but mostly he had to convince them. They had to believe him, had to accept him if Max and Jesse were going to make this bid for legitimacy work.

  “Fuck.”

  Max’s muttered curse snapped Jesse out of his thoughts. “What?”

  Max shook his head, his expression showing an emotion Jesse hadn’t seen in a long time.

  Defeat.

  “Max—”

  “No.” Max slashed a hand between them. “No more bullshit. Yes or no.”

  Jesse looked Max straight in the eyes. And lied. “No.”

  And then it got worse.

  Max’s lips pursed until his lips practically disappeared. “Fine. But I’m not giving her up. Not now.”

  Jesse knew that. Which is why he was lying through his teeth.

  “I didn’t expect you to.”

  He had his reasons for lying. Damn good reasons. None of which had to do with the woman.

  Jesse had to make sure this rash of breakdowns and accidents really were simple coincidence and not a coordinated strike. If his instincts were right, they were about to have bigger problems.

  But, god damn it, this was going to suck.

  For a minute, Jesse wasn’t sure Max was going to let it go. Jesse almost wished he wouldn’t. But he’d made his decision and he wasn’t going back on it now.

  After another few seconds of tense silence, Max picked up his spoon and opened the paper. They finished breakfast in silence.

  * * * * *

  Max heard from Larisa around ten that morning and he wasted no time calling up Mary Alice’s number.

  Now that he’d made up his mind about her, he was sick of waiting to take the next step forward. If only Jesse—

  His hands clenched into fists and his phone gave an ominous creak.

  Damn it. He’d sworn he wasn’t going to obsess over this. Jesse had made up his mind and Max knew he wouldn’t be able to change it.

  They’d both have to live with their decisions. For now, at least.

  Fuck.

  Punching in her contact number, he leaned back in his desk chair in his office above Fives Restaurant in Old City.

  Max loved this section of the city. Loved the history, loved the sense of excitement. There was always something to do. Maybe it was the fact that he’d never had the time for a night off to spend in the art galleries or the clubs.

  He’d always been working.

  As her phone began to ring, he took a breath, trying to throw off this pissed-off attitude and be charming.

  Charming wasn’t something he considered one of his strengths. Jesse disagreed. Max had no clue why except that he had to be. It was part of the job description now. Jesse had taken on the role of enforcer, leaving Max to be the public face of their venture.

  Which wasn’t how he’d imagined this going. He’d wanted a partnership. Jesse wasn’t—

  “Hello?”

  “Mary Alice. It’s Max.”

  Silence for a very long second. “Hi.”

  Did she actually sound slightly happy to hear from him?

  Yeah, you’re about to fix her friend’s problem. Why wouldn’t she?

  “Hello. How are you?”

  “I’m good.” Pause. “And how are you?”

  Obviously small talk wasn’t his deal. “I’m fine. I spoke to my contact and I’ve worked out a deal for your friend.”

  Through the line, he heard her sigh and the relief in her tone made him feel like a conquering hero.

  Idiot.

  “Thank you, Max. I don’t… I’m grateful. I…What should I tell my friends?”

  “I’ll send an email detailing their end of the bargain.”

  “Great. Thank you.” Another pause. “So…our arrangement. When do we begin?”

  She sounded less enthusiastic now, which made a small pick start chiseling at his left temple. But he wasn’t going to back down. He’d fulfilled his part of the bargain. Now it was her turn.

  “Monday night, I have a Chamber of Commerce mixer I have to attend.” He’d almost added “I’d like you to attend.” But that wasn’t how this was going to work. “I’ll pick you up at seven…unless you need longer to get ready after work?”

  “No. Seven is fine. How long is the event?”

  “Until ten.”

  “Okay. That’s fine.”

  How civilized. Max could almost pretend this was a real date. That he’d called her and asked her to accompany him without the deal they’d made hanging over
their heads.

  Except that it’d be a lie.

  “Will Jesse be with us?”

  Her question made him pause. He heard something in her voice he couldn’t identify. Something that made him think—

  No. No way. Wishful thinking on his part.

  “Only as our driver.”

  “Oh. Okay. I— Okay, that’s fine. I just thought— So. Monday at seven. I’ll be ready. Is this business or fancy?”

  His brain still on the fact that she seemed upset that Jesse wouldn’t joining them, he wasn’t quite sure what she was asking. “This is strictly business for me. These aren’t people I’d choose to spend a free night with—”

  Her quiet laughter stopped him cold. What the hell had he said?

  “I’m sorry. Did I say something amusing? Maybe you can let me in on the joke.”

  She went quiet with a little indrawn breath. Like he’d frightened her.

  Jesus. What the fuck is wrong with you? Great way to get her to relax and trust you, asshole.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

  “No, Mary Alice. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken—”

  “—to laugh. I really wasn’t laughing at you. What I wanted to know was, what should I wear?”

  He shut up immediately. Christ. He really was an asshole. And he had no idea how to answer her.

  “I believe other women wore dresses the last time.”

  “Were they sparkly or just black?”

  Was that a trick question? Then he gave some thought to her question and realized what she was asking. “I don’t believe I saw sequins or rhinestones.”

  “Then I think I know the dress code.”

  Did she actually sound interested in going with him? Or was he reading something into her tone that wasn’t there?

  And what did it matter? She’d be going with him.

  He found himself not wanting to hang up, but he had businesses to run. And no more small talk.

  Finally, he forced the words out of his mouth. “Then I’ll see you Monday night. Have a good weekend.”

  “I… Sure, okay. I’ll see you Monday.”

  He hung up before he could say something else awkwardly off-putting.

  Chapter Eight

  Sitting at her desk Monday afternoon after her lunch with Kat, Mary Alice couldn’t get Kat’s question out of her head.

  “I talked to Max Friday morning. Our conversation was…not really a conversation. It was more like he was doing a business transaction.”

  “And isn’t that what you have? A business arrangement?”

  She and Kat had been able to slip out to lunch without any interference from Tristan and Adam, who’d been out of the office.

  But Mary Alice might possibly be more confused now than before.

  Kat had tried to explain the dynamic of her relationship with Adam and Tristan, but Mary Alice felt like she hadn’t known the right questions to ask for what she needed to know. And now frustration ate at her so badly she couldn’t concentrate. Having all weekend to stew about her situation hadn’t helped.

  “Hey, Mally.” Tristan appeared in her office door, making her head pop up from behind her monitor. “I overheard you say you have plans tonight. And,” he held up one hand to stop her immediate response, “before you go off on me, you had your door open and you weren’t exactly trying to be quiet.”

  True. She’d been talking to her brother, so she hadn’t been divulging state secrets. God, when her brothers found out she was dating Max…

  She shrugged off a shudder and fought the urge to stick her tongue out at Tristan, because sometimes he and Adam were just as bad as her own brothers. “Just dinner with a friend.”

  Which is such a lie. It isn’t just dinner and it isn’t with a friend.

  “Oh yeah? Anyone we know?”

  Loaded question. And she had absolutely no intention of telling Tris who she was going out with. “No, just friends. What’s with the third degree?”

  Tris had the good sense to look a little embarrassed, his smile rueful. “Yeah, sorry about that. Hazard of the job, you know that. Anyway, we’re heading out now so lock up when you leave. And have a good time.”

  She gave him a noncommittal smile. “Sure. You, too.”

  Adam’s blond head suddenly appeared beside Tristan’s. “Hey, you going out tonight? Be careful. And if you need someone, don’t be afraid to call.”

  Letting herself sigh, she shook her head. “What’s with you two? I’m going out to dinner. It’s not quite the dangerous situation.”

  Adam’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you watch the news? There’ve been several robberies in your neighborhood.”

  She didn’t have to watch the news. She had brothers. Her second oldest brother, the cop, had called two days ago. “You’ll be happy to know you’re too late with the warning. Mike already called.”

  Adam shrugged. “Never hurts to have backup, hon.”

  Tristan’s lips twisted in a wry smile. “And now we better leave before she starts throwing things at us. Have a good night. See you tomorrow.”

  Shaking her head, a smile flirting around the edges of her own lips, Mary Alice waved her bosses out of her office and watched as they left through the front door, discussing something as they went.

  Both of them looked happier than she’d ever seen them, and a large part of that had to do with calm, cool Kat Riley. Who had the ability to handle two men.

  Sure, Mary Alice knew their relationship hadn’t been all hearts and flowers from the beginning. But now they’d settled into happy-ever-after land.

  Which made her think maybe, just maybe, she could have the same.

  The question was, did she want it?

  And aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself?

  Only Max had asked her out. Not Max and Jesse. They probably had no idea she even thought about dating them both. Okay, not only dating.

  Hell, they’d probably be skeeved out if they knew what she wanted. It’s just that… Well, she couldn’t stop thinking about it now.

  She’d thought about it all weekend. Had considered trying to talk to Bethann when her friend had called her, sobbing, to say thank you for whatever she’d done to get the Antonoffs to back off her fiance’s debt.

  Mary Alice hadn’t believed Max would be able to work so fast. Obviously, she’d underestimated him because someone had called Danny to tell him about a new, totally doable payment schedule without one threat of violence.

  But she hadn’t been sure Bethan would understand or even hear her through her tears.

  Oh hell. Who was she kidding? She barely understood herself. She hadn’t even known what to ask Kat to clear her own confusion.

  With a sigh, she cleaned up her last few pieces of work then headed back to her apartment.

  She hadn’t decided what to wear, and neither of her roommates would be home. They both worked odd hours and they’d left a note on the fridge for her not to expect them until around eight tonight. And she’d leave them a note telling them not to expect her until ten. Maybe they’d catch up tomorrow morning for breakfast.

  Or maybe you won’t be here for breakfast.

  The thought made her breath hitch in her chest because, well… Sex. With Max.

  Okay, if not sex, at least maybe a little heavy petting. Or a lot of heavy petting. That kiss last week had made her toes curl, for chrissake. She wanted more. Hell, she wanted a lot more.

  She just wasn’t sure she’d get more. At least not tonight.

  “Okay, time to get serious.”

  She needed a dress for a cocktail party that wouldn’t make her stand out but also wouldn’t make her feel like a frump.

  Opening her closet door, she braced her hands on either side of the opening and took a deep breath.

  She had no trouble admitting to being a girly girl. She liked clothes, especially dresses that made her look like a woman.

  “Let’s see…something not too revealing,” which wasn’t difficult becau
se she didn’t own many things that fit in the hooker chic category, “and not black.”

  At least, not all black. But nothing with too much color either.

  She groaned. “Damn it, picking clothes shouldn’t be this hard.”

  And it wouldn’t be if it’d be any man other than Max or Jesse.

  After pawing through her clothes twice, she sighed and reached for the dark green wrap dress with the vee neckline that showed off just enough breast and the skirt that made her legs look a mile long.

  “Hell, might as well flaunt it while I’ve got it.”

  An hour later, she began the countdown to Max’s arrival. She had no doubt he’d be on time so she wasn’t surprised when he knocked on her door at precisely seven.

  Taking a deep breath, trying to calm her racing pulse, she opened the door.

  “Oh.” She blinked, taken off guard. “Hi.”

  Jesse stood in the hall outside her apartment, staring at her with those dark eyes and a poker face.

  She realized she’d never seen him smile or heard him laugh. And she really wanted to. Which was stupid because he didn’t want her.

  “Hi.” His deep voice made her heart pound and that pissed her off. Damn him. “Max got tied up in a meeting. He’ll meet you at the hotel.”

  Did he sound unhappy that he’d been sent to fill in for Max? Or maybe it was the fact that she was glaring at him?

  She was too nervous and excited to temper her response right now. Blame the red hair. It was an easy excuse.

  “Does this happen a lot? You getting sent to pick up Max’s dates?”

  “No.” His jaw tightened. “Are you ready? We should leave. Traffic’s getting bad.”

  Could he make it any clearer that he didn’t want to be here, talking to her? Only if he came out and said the words.

  That’ll teach you to be careful what you wish for, won’t it?

  Turning away before he saw her grimace, she reached for her pashmina and draped it over her arm. When she turned back, she thought she might’ve caught Jesse checking out her ass but couldn’t be sure.

  She’d bet her life savings he cleaned up at the card table.

  “All set.” She smiled at him, just to see what he’d do.