Rules of Her Sins (Their Sins #1)

by A. Gorman

  I crank up the radio and let the sound of Coldplay’s Trouble pull me from my thoughts of Aedan.

  I finally reach the exit for the airport and drive around the parking lot to find a spot where I can go in to meet Laney. I’ve missed my best friend so much. Of course, we talk on the phone multiple times a day, but that doesn’t replace physically seeing her. I lived with her for over six months before I called my father to come home, so to go from seeing her daily to not seeing her at all has been extremely hard.

  Thirty minutes later, my beautiful bestie is in my arms.

  “Laney Lou!” I shout when I see her rolling her large, oversized suitcase behind her.

  “Whore!” People’s heads turn around at her very loud greeting.

  “Bitch! Watch your mouth!” I start laughing so hard tears form in my eyes.

  Listening to us talk to each other, a person would think that we hate each other, but I love this girl like I do my own sister. She was there for me when my family was not. Not that it was my family’s fault; I chose to keep them away from Chet and all the drama he put me through.

  My baby brother, Tierney, had started dancing with the troupe he is with now and my younger sister, Reese, had started back at college. To top all that off, my father was getting remarried at the time my life was falling apart.

  I don’t have any ill feelings toward my stepmother because my marriage didn’t work out. What bothers me is that she isn’t much older than I am. Chantelle is twenty-eight. My father is fifty-nine. I think…scratch that, I know she’s after my family’s money.

  I shake my head to let go of the thoughts about my past and focus on my closest friend in the world.

  “How was your flight? What’s your big news? You’re here, so tell me,” I say in a rush.

  “My flight was too long, especially with the fog delay. My news can wait. Let’s get out of here and get something to eat. I’m starving.”

  “What is it with you and food? You can eat enough for three people and not gain an ounce.”

  Laney looks like a model. She has at least six inches on me and is slender. She doesn’t flaunt her thinness, but she plays up her gorgeous ocean blue eyes and full ruby lips. Her stick straight, coffee-colored hair is a deep contrast of her ivory skin. When I first met her, she reminded me of Snow White.

  She didn’t mind leaving Denver when we went to IU because she considered me family since only her aunt raised her. Laney kept her head on straight, whereas I was more concerned with other pressing issues—sex and Chet. She graduated while I was working and trying to keep my marriage from failing. The State Art Museum offered her an amazing job working as the collections manager. I am so happy for her. I know she loves being able to procure new artwork for the museum.

  “You know I picked up an appetite living in Indy. Damn it, I should have brought you a pork tenderloin. I know how you love those things,” she says with a frown.

  “Girl, it’s all good. It’s not as if I really need it. What kind of food are you in the mood for?” I ask as we walk back to my car.

  “Chinese. And you can tell me about your phone call on the way,” she says in a demanding tone.

  “I have even more to add to the phone call this morning. I don’t even know how to explain how this day has been so far. I thought it was going to end up totally craptastic since I overslept and all, but it’s been weird with a capital W.”

  We get in my car and start our drive to the restaurant. On the way there, I tell her about Aedan’s first call this morning and then about the last call of the day.

  She glances at me. “He wants you. I was wondering how long it would take.”

  I start laughing so hard, I almost miss our exit. “Oh, please. I’ve only mentioned Aedan a handful of times, and I think I even referred to him as an asshole. I highly doubt he wants me. Remember, I’m used goods.”

  “Jesse, sometimes you are so stupid for someone as smart as you are. You are far from used goods. He played you, and you learned from it. I never want to hear you say you’re used goods because you are not!” she says in a motherly tone.

  I pull into the Tao Tao Noodle Bar in Aurora. My house isn’t far from here. My father and his wife live in a penthouse in downtown Denver. Once my mom passed away, he left the beautiful simplicity she brought to our lives in the suburbs and moved us to an uninviting, sterile monstrosity he calls home in the city. Years later, he moved in his new blushing bride. I only go there when I must.

  We eat our noodles with idle chatter I’ve missed, and the jet lag finally sets in. Laney looks like she is about to fall out of her chair and go to sleep. We make it back in the car and start the ten-minute drive to my house. When we pull up, Laney gasps.

  “Bitch, I thought you said your house was small? This is huge compared to my house in Indy.”

  “It was my grandparents. I guess I’m used to it. Sometimes it feels small, but I enjoy having things that I know no one will take away from me, you know?” I say with a hint of sadness.

  “Yes, I understand. Let me see the inside. I have to potty and I am about to fall asleep,” Lane whines.

  I quickly open the garage door, drive in, and tell her I’ll get her suitcase and show her to the bathroom. Soon, she’s back from the restroom and touching and looking at things around the house, God love her. She gushes about how much she loves my house and how glad she is that I left my grandma’s touches.

  I show her to her room. She gets ready for bed and tells me goodnight. As soon as I get into bed, I remember that hooker forgot to tell me her news.

  ***

  Aedan

  I talked to the computer guru at work, and he is going to do some playing around this weekend on Denver Singles to see if he can score me a date with Jesse. The site hasn’t paired us and I came up with a plan to get us connected, a plan that could blow up in my face and not only get Jesse in trouble, but cost me my job. I push all the possibilities to the back of my mind and proceed with my plan.

  I spoke with Mr. McCoy and he’s glad I’m personally watching Jesse for the weekend. He says he knows he can trust me to handle security in the event things get out of control since Jesse’s best friend is in town. They like to drink, a lot.

  However, if he knew my ulterior motives, he might not think it was such a good idea. This job might be the death of me, possibly literally, if McCoy finds out I want to follow through with my plans to fuck his daughter if I can get into her pants. Whatever the consequences would be for breaking McCoy’s trust, it would be worth it, but I don’t want to see Jesse hurt again, and both plans could backfire and hurt her even worse than Chet did.

  Chapter eight

  Jesse

  I awake to the smells of eggs and bacon assaulting my nose. What the hell? I don’t have bacon in the house. Bacon’s something I haven’t eaten since I visited Laney. I get up and throw my robe on to see what is going on in my normally spotless kitchen, and I walk down the back stairs to find Laney frying eggs and bacon on the stove.

  “I hope I didn’t wake you. I’ve been up forever and you didn’t have very many groceries, so I borrowed your car and ran to the market to pick up a few things. I hope you don’t mind because it’s the least I could do for you letting me stay here.”

  “No, you didn’t wake me up, the bacon did. I haven’t had any in six months. You didn’t have to buy groceries. We could have gone out and bought some later.”

  “We’re busy later. You’re taking me out. We’re celebrating!”

  “Celebrating what? And you didn’t tell me your news.” I mock glare at her, trying to look angry.

  “That is what we are celebrating. Are you, by chance, looking for a roommate?” She looks at me like she is about to combust.

  “I haven’t really thought about having one. I’m sure it would make it easier on the bills for me if I did, but I don’t trust people.”

  “I’m moving in! I accepted a job at the art museum in Denver!” she says as she grabs me and jumps up and down. />
  “You what…? Oh my God, Laney! I’ll be able to see you every day?” I scream with excitement.

  “Yes, I start next month. That is why I am here for a week. I was going to scout out places to live, but seeing this ginormous house, I think it would be a win-win for both of us if I move in,” she says matter-of-factly.

  The only thing I can think to do is nod my head in agreement. Finally, things are starting to look up for me. I graduate in a little over a month, and my best friend may be here to see it happen. Suddenly, I’ve got a little pep in my step.

  After quickly eating breakfast and throwing all the dishes in the dishwasher, we both head to our rooms to shower in our en suite bathrooms and get ready to go shopping for our night out. I think we are going to go to Club Vine, a very popular dance club in Denver. We both love shaking our asses. We did plenty of it when I lived in Indiana.

  We head to the mall to find our club attire. My normal slutty club attire doesn’t match the “looking to party” vibe I want for tonight. I used to go for a screw-in-the-bathroom or give-head-in-the-hallway look, and I’ve had my share of fuck ’em and leave ’ems. As long as I was the one doing the leaving, I didn’t care. The term whore might be appropriate, but I’ve never led anyone on. They knew what they are getting when they’re with me, but that has somewhat changed because I now browse the singles websites looking for guys to have fun with in a secluded area.

  Partly because of my father’s eagle eye and my grams slapping some sense into me, I decided I needed to keep myself out of the public eye. Only Laney knows about my lack of commitment to guys because of Chet. Talking about my sexual encounters is something I don’t do. Laney doesn’t have to ask; she knows. I don’t do relationships or have sex with guys I know, and I don’t make a habit of doing the same guy twice, so when I tell Laney I’m looking for sins, she knows I’m out trolling for sex. Those are the rules of my sins. Similar to Fight Club, I don’t talk about them.

  Chet destroyed my thoughts on relationships and my self-confidence in regards to having a normal, loving relationship. I promised myself I would never be in another relationship like my marriage to Chet. He made me feel like I was broken because of the miscarriage, like I’m not able receive love. I won’t go there again. I won’t lose the semi-wholeness and the love I feel for myself again. I’m sure my siblings think I’m a nun or have a thing with Laney because they never see me with anyone, but I’m not with anyone.

  We find ourselves in Bebe and I discover this amazing black dress with tribal designs cut out. They look like small little circles up close, but from a distance, the circles show sexy little peeks of the skin underneath the dress. I try it on, and I’m instantly in love. For me to find a sexy dress I love and look good in is rare. I’m not skinny but not overweight, either. I’m curvy and toned from all the years I played softball. I still get in a workout a few times a week, but I have to balance it out with healthy food.

  Laney’s jaw drops when she sees me in the dress. “You’re buying it, right? You will have every guy in the club wanting to take you home tonight.”

  Raising my eyebrow, I reply, “Don’t be so dramatic.”

  “Seriously, Jesse. You’re a fine catch. If I batted for the other team, I’d so play on your field,” she says, trying to keep a straight face, but she cracks a smile and has a wicked gleam in her eyes.

  I look at her and we both start laughing so hard, tears are streaming from our eyes. She finds a teal midi dress that makes her look curvy. The dress pretty much shows her lady bits, since she is so tall. We make our purchases and head to the food court for a smoothie.

  After getting our drinks and making the short trip back to my house, we decide to rest before getting ready for our hot night out in the city. I’m so excited to spend the night with my best friend and soon-to-be roommate.

  Chapter nine

  Aedan

  I guess I will be heading downtown tonight. I don’t enjoy spying on Jesse, but I promised myself I would keep her safe and wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. The way she and her friend are dressed, they are getting the kind of attention women like them shouldn’t, and I might have to step in if justified.

  If she knew everything that I have done over the past eight years to keep her safe, she would think that I’m a crazy stalker. However, as the daughter of a billionaire, having someone watching your every little move comes with the territory, even if it’s not the kind of attention you want. In all actuality, this is only the beginning. Once Jesse moves into her rightful place in the company, her security will intensify.

  I work hard to make sure I don’t interfere with her everyday life because she doesn’t need to know she’s under surveillance twenty-four-seven. I normally have one of the other guys handle her security detail, but lately I have wanted to watch her myself.

  They are heading to the club now, so I figure I had better go in there so I don’t seem so obvious.

  ***

  Jesse

  Laney is impressed that I remember all the beauty secrets and tips she taught me when I lived with her. Playing softball all the time didn’t allow me to be girly, which was okay with me. I’m not a girly girl, but I had to play the part when I was married to Chet. I had to step my routine up even more when I moved back home. I knew the basics of makeup without looking like a clown, but I didn’t know how to do the highlighting or hiding tricks or even the smoky eye look. I have them all down now since I have to look my best every day at the office.

  We primp and prep ourselves and put on our new ensembles for tonight’s celebration. We decide to call a cab to take us downtown since we both want to drink. The cab arrives not long after, whisking us to downtown Denver. We get out of the cab not far from the club, and I get the feeling that someone is watching me. I look around, trying to see anyone that looks familiar. I don’t see anyone, so I mark it up as excitement.

  After walking around for a few minutes, we decide to eat at a sandwich shop. The bread will help soak up what I am sure will be a one-too-many cosmos tonight. Talking in-between taking bites of our overstuffed subs, we decide we are going to work on getting her room and part of the house ready for her to move in. Since she’s here for a week, we can get the house ready for when she officially moves in next month, and honestly, I don’t think that day can arrive fast enough.

  A little after nine, we decide we probably should head to the club before it gets too crowded. I get that weird feeling again, but I ignore it because I know I’m not worthy of anyone’s attention.

  When we arrive at the club, there is a line. Laney flashes her lady bits and her killer smile, and the bouncer lets us skip the line. The club’s extremely crowded, but we don’t care. We make our way to the bar and order our first cosmos of the night. We don’t even wait for our change before we clink our glasses and down the sweet mix of juice and alcohol.

  While hugging my friend, I glance over her shoulder…and that’s when I see him. Aedan.

  I pull Laney in and loudly whisper in her ear, “He’s here! Asshole, I mean Aedan, is here! What is he doing here?”

  “What? Where? I want to see if he is as hot as his name implies he is.” She turns, looking for Aedan, scanning the hundreds of men packed into the club. “Oh my. Is that him in the black suit with a black shirt and emerald green tie? Holy shit, Jesse, the tie matches your eyes. Damn, he is sexy!”

  “How in the hell did you know that was him? And that is not my eye color. My eyes are lighter green. You’re funny. He is not sexy!” My body heats up under his intense gaze.

  “He is sexy, and it looks like he is trying to make his way over here to us. Let’s wait and see if he is coming this way,” she says, ogling his tailored suit body.

  “No, I want another drink. Maybe two.”

  I turn back to the bar and order three more cosmos. I down the first one the bartender hands me and patiently wait on the other two. I’m about to pay for our drinks when a perfectly manicured, masculine hand reaches over me and says, “This
round is on me.”

  Aedan.

  How in the hell does this man move so fast? I turn around. My body is overheating from the proximity of this sexy man. I start to tell him that I am capable of paying for my own drinks when Laney finally makes it to where I’m standing at the bar and opens her big mouth.

  “So, you’re Aedan? Jesse’s said a lot of good things about you.”

  I glare at my soon-to-be dead best friend.

  “Really, like what? I’m under the impression that Jesse doesn’t care much for me. Am I wrong?” he says to her while staring at me.

  I completely stumble over my words. I’ve only had two drinks and I’m bumbling like an idiot. No man has ever made me speechless or had my body craving his touch like Aedan is at this moment. I snap out of my minute of stupidity.

  “It’s not that I don’t care for you. It’s that I don’t know you that well,” I say quietly.

  “I can think of several ways we can remedy that.” He gazes into my eyes, completely forgetting Laney is standing there too.

  “Um. I, um, I’m not allowed to date anyone in the company,” I rush out, not even looking at his sexy face with the five o’clock shadow. Okay, so maybe I gawked a little.

  He reaches out and puts his fingers under my chin. My face heats up and my eyes meet his blue gaze. He looks at me as if I’m completely drunk. Cocking his head to the side, he says, “Who said anything about dating?”

  Holy shit. I need to get out of here because if this were any guy other than Aedan Hughes, I’d be on him faster than you could say panty drop.

  I need to dance or get more to drink. I look Aedan in the eyes and say nothing as I pull Laney to the dance floor, where I turn around and start dirty dancing with my best friend to Beyoncé’s Drunk in Love.