Courting Gossip

by Kimberly Dean

  ‘Yes.’ She ran a hand through her hair. ‘But what the company does is illegal…but only a small part of it. Most of it is legit. Except for the services that make the most money…’

  She was going to start a fire out of static electricity alone.

  ‘Jenny,’ he said calmly. She was babbling. ‘Tell me what’s really bothering you.’

  She stopped, frozen in place. Her hands clenched at her sides and then opened again. ‘It’s a lot of responsibility.’

  ‘You’re not afraid of that. You dive into things head-first and follow them through to the end.’

  ‘Yes, but this is different. I’d have employees and business ledgers and computer databases.’ She lifted her hands palms up and pressed her lips together tightly.

  Brody came right out of his seat. ‘Don’t you think that way. You can do this.’

  ‘There are a lot of details, Brody.’

  ‘But most of it is people work. I’m sure that’s why Nina chose you. She knows you can do this.’ He caught her by the waist. ‘I know you can do this.’

  ‘But the paperwork,’ she said miserably.

  ‘Delegate it. I need to do that more, so I don’t spend so much time at the office. We’ll work on it together.’

  She bit her lip. She wanted to do it. She wanted the company, he could see it all over her face.

  ‘Don’t let fear get in your way, Jenny. That’s not you.’

  No, she tackled things. Wrestled them into submission.

  She took a shaky breath. ‘But I need to know the details if I’m going to run the business right. I’m fine delegating to others, but my learning curve is slower than most.’

  ‘So take the time. You’re the boss. Do it your way – or hire me as a consultant.’ The answer came to him in a flash, but as he thought it through, it made a hell of a lot of sense. ‘Put me under a confidentiality agreement, and I’ll work through all of that with you. Besides, that place could use my services more than any place I know.’

  ‘Aren’t you forgetting a little place called Congress?’

  He tilted his head. ‘Luxxor courts trouble. You need me.’

  She worried her lower lip. ‘Should I do this, Brody?’

  ‘I can’t make that decision for you – but if you do, I’ll support you.’

  ‘It’s a shady business.’

  He shrugged. ‘We’re shady characters.’

  She laughed, but cut it short. ‘I want this bad. For me. For us.’

  ‘Then do it. You know you can.’

  ‘I can,’ she repeated. She nodded…and then nodded again. ‘I can, and I will.’

  He was lucky he was ready when she launched herself at him, because otherwise she would have knocked him over. He caught her as she kissed him, and he hitched her up higher. Her legs and arms came around him like clinging vines, and his erection was immediate.

  She was hot as a pistol. All that worry and energy had built up inside her until she was spontaneously combusting. She rubbed her breasts against him, and his hands clamped down on her bottom.

  ‘Right here,’ she gasped. She ripped off his tie and started on his shirt. ‘Now!’

  He looked for a flat surface and decided the wall would do. He pushed her up against the empty space behind the front door at the base of the stairs and jammed his hand into his pocket. ‘Doctors’ appointments. Tomorrow,’ he demanded.

  They kissed each other hot and deep. She pushed her tongue into his mouth, and he sucked on it hard. Her hips wiggled, and he bucked against her.

  ‘Ohhh!’ she gasped.

  Her thighs squeezed tighter, and she lifted herself up so she could work her hands between them. She had his shirt open, and soon his pants were in the same state. Brody worked the condom on and reached under her nightie.

  There were no panties there. All he found was warm, tender flesh. She squeezed her eyes shut and rolled her head against the wall when he dipped his fingers inside her. She was wet as rain. He positioned himself at her opening, she spread her legs wider and he thrust into her.

  Her nails bit into his shoulders. ‘Yes!’

  This wasn’t going to be a slow ride. He began thrusting, and he watched her breasts jounce against his chest. She twisted in pleasure against the wall, and her hair clung to it in wild disarray. She was sensuality personified, and she was his. Only his.

  He worked the strap of her nightie over her shoulder and bared her breast. He wrapped his hand around it as he fucked her possessively down below.

  The flash fire couldn’t be contained, but it also couldn’t last. They clung to each other kissing and making love until Genieve arched against the wall. Her breasts thrust up and her pussy ground down. Brody let out a shout, and his hips went into overdrive. He climaxed with a fury and braced his hand against the wall to keep them upright.

  It was over almost as quickly as it had begun, but they were both left wrung out and happy.

  Brody kissed the side of his lover’s neck. ‘Do you know who you are now?’

  ‘Who?’ she murmured.

  ‘Madam Hart.’

  Her breath caught. ‘I like it.’

  ‘But always my Jenny.’

  She smiled and snuggled closer. ‘Always.’

  Chapter Sixteen

  Genieve was nervous and excited when she finally sat down in the blue chair in front of Nina’s desk. All around her, Nina’s blue glass animal collection looked on as witnesses. Today was the day. They were making everything official. Luxxor’s lawyer and the lawyer Brody had recommended for her had worked things out with amazing speed. Nina, especially, had pressed for timely negotiations, but, now that she’d made the decision, Genieve was ready to go too.

  The devil was in the details. She was buying a company. A major amount of cash was exchanging hands. They needed to do this right, but she was relieved to be working with somebody she trusted. Nina might be selling the company, but she cared about Luxxor. It was her baby. She’d built it from the ground up. She didn’t want to see it fail.

  Genieve watched Nina as she sat behind her desk in a tailored teal-coloured dress. She looked polished and powerful – and anxious. Genieve knew the woman well enough to know what it meant when she toyed with her earring.

  ‘Are you happy with the contract?’ Nina asked.

  She nodded. Two copies sat before her. ‘I read it through.’

  Nina had given her the time to do that. She was one of the few people Genieve had confided in. Her boss – soon to be former boss – had never given her anything less than unconditional support.

  ‘I just have one question.’

  Nina lifted an eyebrow. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Why me?’ she asked. ‘Why not Rielle or Sienna or one of the other escorts?’

  It was the one thing niggling at her. Sienna had an advanced degree, and Rielle knew the workings of the company inside and out. Both were more than capable.

  Nina smiled and sat back in her chair. She draped her arms easily against the armrests. ‘I didn’t even consider anyone else. You’re the best choice. Sienna is still new, and she doesn’t have the money. I doubt this is the direction she’d want to take her career anyway.’

  ‘But Jason could—’

  Nina held up a finger to stop her. ‘I will not sell my company in any way, shape or form to Jason Sloan.’

  No matter how well he treated Sienna, apparently. Genieve held back a smile. The former hockey player and her boss did have a fractious relationship, even though she’d set him up with the love of his life.

  Nina rolled her fingertips against the arm of the chair. ‘Rielle is fantastic, but she’s not totally comfortable with what it is we really do here. You are. You know what it means to be an escort. You’ve done the job, and you know our clients. But most of all, it’s the way you can read people.’

  Genieve’s eyes went wide.

  Nina sat forward and clasped her hands together on the desk. ‘I’ve never met anyone other than me with such insight into human b
ehaviour. You understand people’s wants and needs instinctively. That’s what Luxxor is about, at its heart.’

  ‘And your new company?’ Genieve asked.

  Excitement lit the blonde woman’s eyes. ‘I’m just adding another component. I want to make matches once and see them last.’

  ‘But with great sex?’

  ‘Always great sex.’ Nina winked. ‘Shall we sign?’

  ‘I’m ready.’ Genieve laid her hand over the other woman’s. ‘Are you? Are you positive you want to do this?’

  Nina turned her hand over, and they clutched one another. ‘I want to take this new step in my life. I want to be happy, and I want you to have the same.’

  Genieve took a shaky breath.

  It caught when the door to the office opened suddenly. Startled, she looked over her shoulder. She was surprised to see Detective Morgan, but he seemed even more surprised to run into her. He jerked to a stop, and his forehead furrowed.

  ‘Oh. Sorry, ladies.’ He’d been so focused, he didn’t seem to know what to do.

  Nina looked up, and her shiny hair slid over her shoulder. ‘Josh!’

  He jerked his thumb towards the lobby. ‘I can wait.’

  It didn’t look like he wanted to, though. He was a man on a mission, and Genieve felt like a speed bump he hadn’t expected.

  Nina waved him forward. ‘No. Wait. I want to show you this.’

  Genieve looked at the man closely. Impatience was thrumming inside him. He wanted to see his woman – in private. Her heart melted. Who was she to get in his way? She held up a finger. ‘Just give me one minute.’

  She picked up a pen and flipped to the last page of the contract that was changing her life. She signed on the dotted line and added the date when Nina pointed. She quickly did the same on the second copy, and Nina followed with her signatures. After all the waiting and legalese, it seemed too simple.

  She grinned, and Nina returned the smile. They’d both just made big steps towards their futures. Nina held out her hand, and Genieve shook it warmly. It just wasn’t enough. Nina wasn’t a demonstrative person, but Genieve walked around the desk and hugged her tightly. She blinked fast when Nina hugged her back.

  ‘Sorry,’ Genieve said in the detective’s direction.

  ‘Here,’ Nina said.

  Genieve took her copy of the crisp white contract and reverently ran her fingers around the edge. She owned Luxxor Limited now. All this was hers. The responsibility was daunting and thrilling and so satisfying she could barely stand it. Nina passed her a tissue, and Genieve took it gratefully. Her eyes were still teary as she walked past Morgan. He was waiting impatiently by the door.

  ‘She’s the best,’ she said. She stopped for the smallest of seconds beside him. ‘And don’t you forget it.’

  His onyx eyes flashed. ‘Not likely,’ he said gruffly.

  With a grin, Genieve blotted the tears from her cheeks and hurried on. She was floating on air as she rode the elevator down from the fourth floor. She clutched the contract to her chest as she crossed the lobby and waved at the security team as she passed. They didn’t know it yet, but they were her employees now. She hoped she made half as good a boss to them as Nina had.

  She burst through the door of the building and onto the plaza in front of it. The sun was bright, and the air smelled like spring. She smiled broadly when she saw Brody waiting by a big cement planter filled with blooming flowers.

  He lifted his sunglasses as she approached. ‘You look hot as hell.’

  She’d tried her best to look professional for the occasion. She’d bought a white suit and paired it with a red scoop-necked blouse, but, with curves like hers, clothes sometimes took on a different edge. He might think the look was sexy, but personally she liked the red heels – especially how they sounded against the pavement.

  ‘Is it done?’ he asked.

  ‘Luxxor’s mine.’

  He opened his arms, and she rushed into them. She lifted her mouth for his kiss, and it was hot enough to make her heel lift up behind her.

  ‘I love you,’ she said impulsively when they came up for air.

  ‘I love you, too, Jenny.’

  She let out a squeal, and he kissed her again. Around them, people began to clap. Genieve pulled away in embarrassment and wiped her lipstick off Brody’s mouth. ‘I guess we should be more discreet.’

  After all, she owned Luxxor now. It was the biggest secret around.

  ‘Screw that,’ he said. ‘We’ve hidden this thing between us long enough.’

  He pulled her close again with a smile on his face, and his head dropped. ‘Let them gossip.’

  Epilogue

  Genieve’s first action as CEO was a major milestone – hosting Luxxor Limited’s first company picnic. In actuality, it was a joint affair: a celebration of the company’s new ownership and a kickoff for Nina’s new, still-to-be-named start-up. She’d kept the event small, with only escorts and a few exclusive clients on the invitation list, but things were already hopping.

  ‘Have I told you how much I love your house, Brody?’ Rielle asked when she and Darien arrived.

  ‘Thanks,’ he said simply. ‘I like it, too.’

  Genieve bumped him playfully with her hip as she moved on to the kitchen. She was still surprised he’d let her have the party here. He was becoming more laidback and easy-going.

  ‘Just don’t let them trick you into playing darts upstairs,’ Darien warned as he entered behind his girlfriend.

  Genieve laughed. Little did they know, but she was going to trick the couple into playing cards next. Only she knew her guy’s tells.

  ‘Feel free to go to the man cave if you want,’ she said. ‘We’ve got the grill fired up outside, and others are talking in the living room.’

  Brody followed her into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to get fresh beers.

  ‘Can you get the ice?’ she asked.

  She kissed his cheek when he hefted the heavy bag out of the freezer for her. ‘Thanks again for letting me have my friends over.’

  ‘Everyone seems to be having fun,’ he said.

  The living room was busy with people talking, while more were out in the back yard. The weather was cooperating with sunny skies and mild temperatures. Josh was manning the grill outside, while Sienna and her friend Erin were putting out the side dishes on the breakfast bar.

  Genieve peeked over their shoulders. ‘Which one did you bring, Erin?’

  ‘The jalapeño potato salad.’

  Behind her back, Sienna gave a fearful shake of her head. Brody actually smiled, and Genieve sent him a sidelong look to stop. He covered it with a cough. Sienna’s boyfriend walked into the kitchen, and Brody passed him one of the beers.

  ‘I wondered what was taking so long,’ Jason said. He sidled up to the tall blonde and wrapped his arm around her waist. ‘Now I see, you found better company. Hi, Princess,’ he said, giving her a quick kiss.

  He looked at the other sunny blonde. ‘Erin, the detective wants to know if you want cheese on your burger.’

  ‘Oh, yes, please.’ She hurried out to the grill to place her order.

  The other couple followed, leaving Genieve and Brody alone.

  ‘The Sloan Gunman is in my house,’ he said in amazement. Jason had been a star defenceman for the Capitals back in his playing days.

  Genieve winked. ‘Stick with me. My crowd is more fun than yours.’

  ‘No doubt about that.’ He put down his beer. ‘Let me help you with that ice.’

  He strongarmed the bag and dropped it onto the counter to break apart the cubes. Genieve held a bowl as he poured. ‘You talked in your sleep again last night,’ she teased.

  ‘Oh, God. Here we go.’

  ‘Want to know what you said?’

  ‘Not really.’ He put the tie back on the bag and returned it to the freezer.

  She snuggled up against him. ‘Let it rain,’ she said sexily.

  She gasped when his expression went totally blan
k. ‘Come on, tell me what it means. Please? What are you thinking about when you’re saying those things? Rain, umbrellas…Did you want to be a weatherman?’

  ‘Nope.’ He picked up his beers and turned his back. ‘Not talking.’

  ‘Brody,’ she called. The tips of his ears were red. He knew, dang it. ‘Pretty please? With sugar?’

  ‘Never,’ he said from the living room. He went out into the garden and handed beers to Erin’s boyfriend Colton and the detective.

  She let out a huff as she followed with the bowl of ice for the soft drinks.

  ‘Does anyone here need anything?’ she asked as she passed through the living room. Casey, Jasmine and Lilah were having a lively discussion. They shook their heads. ‘OK, the food is almost ready.’

  She started to join the rest outside, but did a three-sixty when the doorbell rang again. When she opened the door, she found one of her best friends on the door step.

  ‘Dane!’ She gave him a quick hug. ‘And Noelle.’

  She squeezed the brunette’s hand and tugged her inside. ‘Come, I want you to meet someone.’

  She led them through the house to the back yard. The escorts in the living room called out greetings as they passed. Genieve put the ice on the table and walked up to her favourite handsome man’s side. ‘Brody, this is my friend Dane and his girlfriend Noelle. Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Brody.’

  She blushed a little. He’d reached boyfriend status and beyond.

  Dane stuck out his hand, and Brody shook it firmly. His brow creased. ‘Have we met?’

  ‘I don’t think so, but you look familiar.’

  ‘Dane is a staffer for Congresswoman Hill,’ Genieve offered.

  Brody’s eyes widened a millimetre. He was surprised. ‘I think we’ve passed in the hallways.’

  ‘Brody is a…fixer for your kind,’ she said.

  ‘Oh.’ Dane let out a laugh. ‘Well, nice to meet you, but I hope I never need your services.’

  Genieve’s jaw dropped when Brody laughed, too. ‘If you run with this crowd, you’d better take my card.’

  Noelle giggled, and soon everyone was laughing. They began sharing funny stories about the predicaments some people got into on Capitol Hill, and one story just upped the next.