by Lucy Darling
It doesn't take me long to make it to the school. I see the other parents that are normally in the after-school group heading to their cars already. I get buzzed into the front door and make my way down the hallway. I see my girls when I pass the library and keep heading to the art room where they always meet.
This is partly my fault. I know I can be overbearing. I’m not great with letting Tinsley get too far from me. We’d spent so many years apart that I don’t want to miss any more time with her. Even after all these years, I still can’t get enough of her. When she started getting more and more involved in the school projects, I thought I should give her space. Let her have this for herself. Wouldn't make the mistake again. I’d told her when we said I do there would never be space between us. She’d giggled and kissed me. She knew what she was getting with me.
When I enter the room, I see them both. Tinsley is sitting down at the table while Seth is standing slightly behind her. He is leaning over so one of his arms is on the table. He’s pretending to look at whatever she’s showing him on the paper. But I can see that his eyes are focused somewhere completely different.
“You’re so talented, Tinsley. I couldn’t have done any of this without you,” Seth says before he places his hand on my wife's shoulder. Tinsley flinches at his touch. I’m on him before he even realizes that I’m in the room. I grab his shoulder, pulling him away from her. I shove him, and his back hits the wall.
“Reed.” She gasps my name in shock.
“You touched her.” I take a step toward Seth, who looks like he’s about to piss himself. He knew what the fuck he was doing. It’s why he’s so scared right now. Tinsley is on her feet grabbing my arm.
“It’s not what-”
“Don’t fucking try it, dipshit. I saw you. You’ve got some fucking balls. I’ll give you that.”
Tinsley pulls at my arm. “Reed. It’s not worth it.”
“It’s so fucking worth it.” I shake my head, not agreeing. She steps in front of me, pressing her body into mine, knowing I’m not going to do anything with her plastered against me. Physically at least. “You’re done here.” His eyes go round.
“You can’t do that,” he says, but even he doesn't believe his own words. If I wanted I could get the school’s name changed to Seth is a Motherfucker. It really is terrible the things you can do when you have as much money as I do.
“Don’t let me catch you around here again.” I grab my wife’s hand, pulling her from the room. Seth’s son is moving to middle school next year. My girls are in first and kindergarten. There is no reason my Tinsley should ever have to see that fuck again.
“Reed.” She breathes my name as I keep walking down the hallway. I slow down when I realize how fast I’m walking. She is almost running to keep up with me.
“You’re fucking pregnant and he’s staring at your tits,” I growl. I see the teachers’ lounge and pull Tinsley inside, shutting the door behind us and flicking the lock. “You’re turned on.” I pin her to the door. I could hear it in how she said my name. She licks her plump lips.
“I’m always turned on when I hit my second trimester.” She is. I fucked her twice this morning before we’d gotten the girls off to school.
“You’re turned on because I’m jealous.” Her cheeks flush. I am so fucking lucky my overbearing jealous ways turn her on or I’d be in a world of hurt.
“I thought you’d lose it when he texted me.” She looks up at me through her lashes. I groan, dropping my mouth to hers in a deep kiss. I don’t stop until we’re both breathless. “I really didn't think he had a thing for me. I swear. It wasn't until today.” I kiss her again, not caring. It’s my job to protect her.
“Don’t care, sweetheart.”
She smiles up at me. “Let’s go get our girls. I want to get home so you can have your way with me.” She turns, unlocking the door. I don’t move so she can’t open it yet. I brush her hair off her shoulder, kissing her neck.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” She looks over her shoulder at me. “But you know you’re helping me finish this end of school party now.”
“You don’t even have to ask.” I’d do anything for her, and she knows it. She winks at me.
“I know.” I step back, letting her open the door. She snags my hand, leading us back toward the library to get our girls. They rush over when they see us. I scoop them both up into my arms for Tinsley to pepper kisses on both of their faces.
I still can’t believe all this woman has given me. I’ve taken over her life in all ways. She only smiles about it and gives me more of her, shaking the coldness away that held me for so long. All I feel now is warmth and I’ll do anything to protect that. Protect them.
I’ll always be her protector.
I hope you loved Tinsley and Reed! Stay tuned for James and Carly’s book due out in July.
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Also by Lucy Darling
Meant to Love
Meant to Be
Love on the Line
Love Forever
Love in the Mix
Love Undefeated
Belong to Me
Return to Me
Never Let Go
Never Been Kissed
Love on the Line
It should’ve been a simple phone call. Mr. Kennedy owed a large sum, and it’s my job to collect, no matter how much I don’t want to. So, I followed protocol and got Mr. Kennedy on the line. When I asked for the million dollar payment, he said he’d pay. But with one stipulation. A date. With me. If I don’t collect, I’ll lose my job. But if I go on this date, I might lose something far more valuable. My heart.
Continue scrolling to read the first Chapter of Love on the Line.
Chapter 1
Max
“Sir.” I open one eye at the sound of Mark’s voice. Boredom has gotten the best of me this afternoon. There is nothing to do. I need a new project. I can tell by Mark’s tone that he’s irritated. Not only that, he wouldn't bother me while I tried to steal a nap in my office unless something was wrong. He’s trying to hide his irritation but I know him better than that. He’s worked at my side for over five years now and I can easily read him. Only one person gets under my executive assistant’s skin and that’s my sister, Kim. She’s the only other person besides me that he can’t boss around. “She’s being crazy.”
I open both eyes knowing I’m not going to get any rest now. I shoot him a look.
“Sorry, not crazy but irrational?” he tries again.
I drop my feet down from my desk, sitting up. I’m not a big fan of anyone calling my sister names. Even though I know she can be both crazy and irrational at times. It’s not as though he’s telling me anything new, but I don’t take kindly to others putting her down.
“Watch it,” I warn him, hitting my mouse so my computer comes on to check the time.
“Sir,” Mark tries again. She must have really done something outrageous now to have him so flustered.
“What did the little brat do now?” I ask, seeing it’s only one in the afternoon. This day is never going to end. I’m allowed to call my sister names. I’ve had to deal with her meddling for my entire life, so she’s earned the nicknames I call her. I’m sure she has done something crazy. When she doesn't get her way she often makes life interesting. I hope whatever stunt she’s pulled this time is at least entertaining. Most of her shenanigans are at my expense, which is probably what has Mark in his current state.
“She put a million dollar debt into a collection agency against you!” he half shouts. I almost laugh but I think Mark will have a breakdown if I do. I’m not surprised. Kim, that little brat, actually did it.
“Who cares?” She is trying to get a
rise out of me. It’s not working. She can send me to a hundred collection agencies and I’m still not going on a fucking date of her choosing. I’ll pay a million dollars to not go on a date with whoever it is she’s trying to set me up with.
“It’s on your credit. She claims that you spent a million dollars at Kimmy’s Lingerie.”
“She’s really starting that company?” Damn. Good for her. I’m proud that she's doing it. I need to do something to keep me busy. Kim has two little ones underfoot and is now starting the lingerie company she’s been talking about since she graduated college. She didn’t bank on getting knocked up and married so quick. I didn't count on my best friend being the fucker that did it either. I’d seen it coming though. He is a shitty friend for sleeping with my sister but he is also a great father and husband. I know he loves her. The smile that’s always on my sister’s face tells me that she’s happy. This happiness I speak of has also led her to try to play matchmaker with me.
“I tried to call and reason with her.”
“How’d that go for you?” His jaw ticks. I know the feeling. This doesn’t even bother me. What bothers me is the trick double dates or set-ups in general. This is child's play compared to her usual antics.
“Not well.” He straightens his tie. “Will you please call her?”
“Call Kim,” I say to the automated system. Mark perks up as though this call is going to go his way. Kim is a brat. I’ll have to pay the million dollars or go on the date. She’s not going to accept anything less.
“Calling Kim,” the system says back. She picks up after two rings.
“Her name is Janet.”
“Jackson, if you're nasty?”
I look over at Mark, a little surprised he’d said that. His mouth closes. I think he shocked himself as well. Kim giggles up a fit.
“Why are you trying to kill Mark?” I ask her.
“It’s one date.” I can hear her roll her eyes. “Give Mommy that,” she says softly to one of the boys. I smile. I never thought I’d want to see my sister have kids but damn, do I love my nephews. “It’s not going to kill you to go on a date.” I raise my eyebrow at the phone. “You’re so skeptical. It’s just one date. It’s a few hours of your time. Think of all the money you’ll be saving.” She laughs, thinking that her collection agency idea is genius. She should know better.
“I guess my credit will be ruined, because I’m not going.” We both know that this won’t touch my credit score but I’ll play along.
“You’re so stubborn. Let me know how it goes with the collection agency,” Kim says before hanging up on me. I laugh as I disconnect the phone call.
“What are we going to do?” Mark paces back and forth in my office. One would think that he’s the one that’s been sent to collections by his reaction.
“Nothing.”
He stops pacing and gives me a look as if I’m the one that’s crazy now.
“Nothing,” he repeats to himself as he makes his way out of my office. I can hear his mumbles of disapproval all the way back to his desk. I sit back in my chair and go back to the boredom I was experiencing before my sister decided she was going to try and stir the pot.
I try to concentrate and get some work done before I go home today but nothing seems to keep my interest. I need something new to spark my interest and devote my time to.
“Mr. Kennedy, I have a call for you.” Mark's voice comes over the speaker. Before I can ask who it is, he patches it through.
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