by Kira Blakely
“No. And I don’t think he should. I don’t think there should be anyone else’s name on those apps but yours.”
Lindsey leans on the counter, a spoon in one hand and a pint of ice cream in the other. “Is that what he told you to tell me?”
“No. It’s my own opinion.”
“Really?” She raises an eyebrow along with her spoon.
I nod.
She eats a spoonful. “And what did he promise you in exchange for coming here and telling me your opinion?”
I feel confused by the question. “Nothing.”
“No reward?” Another spoonful. “Then maybe you’re doing it because he slept with you?”
I frown. She may be a psychologist but that doesn’t give her the right to judge my personality or presume to know it.
I stand up. “Miss Holland, with all due respect, I think you have the wrong idea about me and Grant. True, Grant may have been a jerk. He might have played around with a lot of women.”
Lindsey snorts. “You can say that again.”
“But he’s a good man,” I continue. “And a man who’s had it rough, like many of us have. I know your books are all about helping women through tough times but men have them, too. Grant’s been through a lot, and now he’s just trying to make his way on his own. I want to help him. That’s why I’m here. Not because he bribed me or blackmailed me or God-knows-what other underhanded means you can think of. Not even as his personal assistant. I’m here because I think he deserves a chance.”
Lindsey takes the spoon out of her mouth. “Wow. You really care about him, don’t you?”
“I also think everyone deserves a chance to benefit from your expertise. With these apps that Grant is developing, you’ll be able to help so many more people, men and women alike.”
“Grant just wants to use me.” Lindsey sticks her spoon into the ice cream. “He’s using you, and now he wants to use me.”
“He’s not…”
“Just like he did before.”
I pause, taken by surprise. What is Lindsey talking about?
“Ah.” Lindsey eats another spoonful of the ice cream. “Grant didn’t tell you.”
I approach the counter. “Didn’t tell me what?”
“That he and I dated. That he broke my heart.”
I stop walking, a lump in my throat. Lindsey and Grant dated? Why didn’t he tell me?
“It still hurts, you know,” Lindsey goes on. “That’s why I told him he can stick his apps up his ass.”
So that’s why. I understand her. I really do. And I feel a little betrayed that Grant kept that tiny detail from me. But my mind hasn’t changed. I still want to convince Lindsey and make things work.
“I know how you feel,” I tell her, moving forward. “I’m sorry about what Grant did to you.”
“Don’t apologize for him.”
“But you can’t live in the past forever or let pain get in the way of happiness. Just think. If you refuse to do this, yes, you might get back at Grant, but you’ll also punish yourself. Don’t think of this as Grant using you. Think of it as him trying to make it up to you, him giving you a chance to do what you do best. He’ll get the profits, but you’ll also get money and help people. It’s a win-win situation.”
She licks the spoon. “Wow. It sounds like there’s a psychologist in the kitchen. And it’s not me.”
I chuckle. “What can I say? I learned from the best.” I smile. “And others will, too.”
Lindsey says nothing, tossing the spoon into the sink and putting the ice cream back in the fridge.
“And no, Grant isn’t using me. I—”
Lindsey puts a hand up. “You’re in love with Grant. I can see that, though how he did it to a woman like you, I don’t know. I don’t want to know.”
I feel confused again. Is she jealous?
Well, if she doesn’t want to know about me and Grant, that’s fine. That’s not what I came here to tell her.
“So, you’ll do it?” I ask hopefully.
“No.” She pours herself a glass of water.
My spirits sink. “Why not?”
She carries her glass out to the patio, and I follow her.
“Do you know why I don’t hire a sitter?” Lindsey asks as she sits on the bench.
I sit beside her. “No.”
Like Linda said, she could definitely afford one, and it seems like she needs one.
“Because I wrote in about half of my books that a mother should do as much for her children as she can.”
“Yes, I remember but…”
She turns to look at me. “How many of my books did you read?”
“Four, I think,” I tell her.
“And you’ve seen me on TV?”
“Yes.”
She drinks the water. “What did you think of me then, when you were watching me and reading what I wrote?”
“That you’re amazing.”
“How so?”
“Because you seem to have everything under control.”
“You see, that’s the thing.” She takes a last sip and sets her empty glass down beside her. “I don’t have everything under control.”
To my surprise, she buries her face in her hands, breaking into a sob.
“Lindsey?”
“My husband is cheating on me. He doesn’t love me anymore. I’m too busy with work to spend time with my kids. I feel like everything is just falling apart, and none of the advice I wrote in my books helps. And I just hate myself.” She sniffs. “Everything is just a fucking mess.”
“I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through a tough time right now.” I move closer to her, rubbing her back. “But isn’t that more reason for you to accept Grant’s proposition? You’ll earn money from the apps so you can get to spend more time with your kids, and you can stand on your own two feet and show your husband you don’t need him.”
“Don’t you see? I can’t help other people because I am a mess.”
“So what if you’re a mess? You’re a model for us women, not a god. We don’t expect you to be perfect. Heck, we don’t want you to be perfect. Do you think people want to take advice from a perfect person? If what you wrote doesn’t work for you, write a new book. Share your struggles with other people and tell us what we can do about them, because I’m pretty sure you’re not the only one going through what you’re going through right now.” I grab her shoulders. “I said I admired you because you seemed to have everything in control. Well, get everything in control or seem like it. Whatever happens, you’re Lindsey Holland. Don’t forget that.”
Lindsey wipes her eyes with the back of her hand, chuckling. “You know, you could write a book of your own.”
“No.” I shake my head. “You write the books, and you continue helping people. Allow us to put your name on those apps and help us to sell them, to convince people to use them.”
“Fine. I guess I just can’t win against you.” Lindsey goes back into the kitchen, pulling out a paper towel to blow her nose. “Can anyone?”
I chuckle. “You won’t believe how many times I’ve lost.”
“Maybe that’s why you’re such a strong person now.” She holds my hand. “Grant is so lucky to have you. I hope he realizes that. And don’t you ever let him take you for granted.”
“Well, whatever happens, I can use your app and you can point me in the right direction.”
Lindsey grins.
I give her a hug, squeezing her tight. “Just hang in there. You’ll be all right.”
She squeezes me tighter, and my heart bursts with joy as I realize I had not only sealed the deal but found a good friend.
“Thank you.” She smiles as she lets go of me.
“No.” I shake my head. “Thank you.”
I have done what I came to do and more.
I’ve done it!
Chapter 10
Grant
Abby’s done it. She’s really done it.
When she first teased me over the
phone about her and Lindsey becoming good friends, I had an inkling she had succeeded, but I didn’t give it much thought. Now, as I stare at the initial business documents spread out over my desk, each with Lindsey’s signature, I still can’t believe that my plan is finally going to be executed. The papers are proof, though.
Finally, everything is falling into place.
“How did you do it?” I lift my head to look at Abby, who looks extremely proud of herself.
As she should be.
“It’s a secret.” She grins, putting her arms around my neck.
I put my arms around her. “Is it now?”
She looks down, the corners of her mouth droop.
My eyebrows crease in concern as I lift her chin. “What is it?”
She looks into my eyes. “You’ve kept a secret from me, too, haven’t you?”
I tense. Did Lindsey tell Abby about our phone conversations, particularly the one where she challenged me to send her a woman who loved me? Has Abby discovered that I hired her and seduced her with the intention of sending her to Lindsey all along?
She strokes my collar, tugging on my shirt. “You didn’t tell me you and Lindsey had a thing. She’s still mad at you for breaking her heart, you know.”
Oh, that.
I let go of the breath I’ve been holding. “I know.” I stroke her cheek. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“Why? Did you think I wouldn’t go if I knew? That I’d be jealous? Insecure?”
“I’m just… I just don’t want to lose you.”
That gleam of warmth in her eyes as she places her own hand on my cheek makes my breath catch and my heart skip a beat. “You won’t.”
Damn. What have I done to deserve her?
Unable to resist a moment longer, I kiss her, letting my lips and tongue show her just how much I’ve missed her. She moans, placing her arms around my neck once more as she kisses me back.
Without taking my mouth off hers, I sit down on my chair, my cock springing to life inside my boxers as she falls into my lap.
Fuck. I’ve missed her.
I squeeze one of her thighs, delighting in the moan that goes through her, then I slip my hand beneath the hem of her skirt, slowly crawling up the smooth skin.
Suddenly, she grabs my hand, stopping it in its tracks.
I break the kiss. “Is something wrong?”
“Don’t you have stuff to do?”
“Nothing more important than having sex with the woman I’ve missed so much.” I kiss her palm. “Besides, I do believe I should reward you.” I continue moving my hand up as I kiss her cheek. “And that we should celebrate.”
“I’ll take the reward,” she says, gasping as I plant my lips on her neck. “But as for the celebration, I think we should wait until the apps have been launched successfully.”
I kiss the other side of her neck. “But that could take a month.”
“Then we’ll celebrate after a month,” she tells me, placing her hand on my knee and letting out another gasp as I dip her to kiss the patch of skin between her collarbone, tasting some of her fruity perfume.
“That way, we’ll be sure it’s a success,” she adds.
How can she still be talking?
I have to admit she makes sense, though.
I stop devouring her, looking into her eyes with a serious expression. “Fine. We’ll celebrate when all the hard work has been done.”
“I’m sure you can do it.” She places a hand tenderly on my cheek. “And when you have, I’ll be the first to congratulate you.”
***
“Congratulations.” Nathan places a firm hand on my shoulder. “At this rate, you’re going to surpass your grandfather’s limits.”
“Thanks.” I take a sip from my celebratory glass of champagne, smiling at some of the guests glancing in my direction.
After a month of hard work, the Lindsey Holland Women’s Apps have finally taken off and so has my company. A few days ago, Lindsey Holland herself talked about them on The Ellen Show, and this morning, the apps were launched in a party honoring women at the ballroom of the St. Regis and were made available online for Android, iOS, and Windows Mobile. The last time I checked, there were already close to two million downloads in less than ten hours.
As promised, tonight I’m hosting a grand celebration in the mansion gardens with overflowing food and wine, endless music from a string quartet on Abby’s request. In attendance: My friends, some prominent businessmen, and even a few celebrities. Of course, Lindsey is here, too. Right now, she and Abby are near the fountain with their glasses of champagne, their faces lit as they engage in animated chatter.
Who would have thought those two would end up being such good friends?
“The one who got away, and the one who got you, huh?” Nathan teases as he nudges my shoulder.
“The two women who are responsible for my company’s success,” I say proudly.
Indeed, without Abby or Lindsey, today’s launching of my company’s biggest series of apps would not have even been possible. One can say they are the stars of the show, the belles of the ball.
And they sure look the part. Abby looks beautiful, wearing a strapless lime green dress with a sweetheart, crystal-studded neckline and a slit that extends up to her left thigh. Lindsey looks stunning in maroon lace, seemingly covered in a bunch of little roses.
“Gorgeous, aren’t they?” I think aloud.
Abby looks especially divine, her hair braided with tiny crystal flowers, the tip cascading down her left shoulder. And that slit – I just want to run my fingers up that leg and squeeze that thigh before moving even higher.
“Boasting, are you?” Nathan frowns.
I take another sip. “Well, if Sam was here, I’m sure she’d fit right in with them.”
“Yeah,” Nathan agrees, taking a sip from his own glass.
“Where is she again?”
“The Galapagos, I think. At least, she was the last time we spoke. I’m sure when I tell her about your company, she’ll be happy for you. She was hoping for your success, you know, so much it almost made me jealous.”
“Well, tell her I said hello.”
“No chance. But I’ll tell her about how well you and Abby seem to be doing.” He pats me on the chest and lowers his voice as he leans over. “Make sure she doesn’t slip through your fingers.”
I nod. “I’ll do my best.”
“And speaking of slipping through your fingers, here’s Lindsey now.”
True enough, Lindsey is walking toward me, Abby occupied with another guest. Nathan meets her halfway, shaking her hand, then walks away.
I smile at her as I tuck one of my hands in my pocket. “Enjoying the party?”
“You know I am.” She looks around. “So, this is your place, huh?”
“My humble abode.”
She grins. “You seem to be doing well.”
“Well, I am now, thanks to you.”
A waiter with a tray of champagne glasses passes by and I take a glass, handing it to Lindsey.
“Cheers.” I raise my glass to hers.
“Cheers.” She does the same, our glasses meeting with a clink in mid-air.
I take a final sip, setting my empty glass down on another waiter’s tray. “Thanks for doing this.”
She finishes all her champagne in one gulp, disposing of her glass as well.
“Are you sure you can handle drinking that much that quickly?” I ask her, putting my other hand in my pocket.
She raises a finger at me. “I’m Lindsey Holland, remember?”
I chuckle. “Of course.”
We start walking.
“And don’t thank me. Regardless of what you think, I didn’t do it for you.”
“I know. Abby said you were still mad at me for breaking your heart. I think she scolded me a bit for it.”
She laughs, clasping a hand over her mouth to suppress the sound. “Serves you right.”
“Did you do it for her
? The two of you seem to have hit it off.”
“No, I didn’t do it just for her. I have a lot of reasons. And yes, I think we will be good friends for a long time to come. As it turns out, we have a lot of stuff in common.”
“Like me?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “Don’t be so sure of yourself. We don’t even talk about you.”
“Ouch.”
“I’d like to talk to you about her, though. I like her, Grant. I really do.” She rubs her arm. “When I issued that challenge to you, I wasn’t really thinking straight. There was a large part of me that didn’t think you’d find a good woman to really fall in love with you. And there was that small part of me that didn’t want you to so that you could feel even a little bit of the pain I felt when you left me. But you have, and she’s not just a good woman. She’s a great woman. I don’t know if what you feel for her is as real or as strong as what she feels for you, but please don’t break her heart like you did mine.”
Just then, a harsh breeze blows. Lindsey rubs both of her arms, her shoulders bunching up as she shivers. I take my jacket off, placing it around her.
“Why, thank you, sir,” she tells me in a mocked British accent.
I make a face. “Your accent is still as bad as ever.”
She punches my arm playfully.
I rub the spot. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for what I did. And as for Abby, I promise I’ll take good care of her.”
***
“So, what were you and Lindsey talking about?” Abby asks curiously as she removes another flower pin from her hair.
She’s been at that for the past twenty minutes, ever since we came up to my bedroom after the last guest left. Frankly, I’m getting impatient as I wait on the bed, not to mention I’m getting hard just from watching her do her tedious chore, wearing only her beige corset bra, which her breasts are nearly spilling out of, and matching bikini panties.
I swear it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, and it’s just screaming for me to fuck her.
Well, I will.
As soon as she’s done with her hair.
“Nothing,” I answer, almost forgetting about her question.
“Nothing?” She looks at me with a pout, the ruby red lipstick still on her lips, begging to be wiped off with a messy kiss. “What do you mean nothing? The two of you talked for quite a while. Plus, you seemed cozy.”