by Ami Snow
“I’m starving,” Kevin said, putting his hammer down. He’d hung up all the pictures and clocks that Justine needed. He’d also helped John carry in a sofa, loveseat, coffee table and entertainment stand. They got her TV and DVR set up in the living room, made sure all her study materials were by her desk and put down a rug her mother had given her before she’d moved. “I’m never moving anyone again. The boys can figure it out amongst themselves.”
“I don’t blame you,” John agreed, grabbing a slice of supreme pizza from the box. “Moving is good for about fifteen minutes. The rest of the time it’s pure shit.”
“Nah,” Justine smiled. “It’s terrific. I can’t wait to decorate this place for real.”
“Just make sure you get permission before you knock down any walls for put major holes in the walls you got.”
“Duh dad,” Justine said, rolling her eyes. She sat down by John, leaning over to kiss him. She smiled when his face went pink.
“I thought I told you I didn’t want any details,” Kevin moaned, turning his head the other direction.
“If you don’t like it dad,” Justine said in her no nonsense tone, “You could always go over and do some kissing of your own.”
Kevin looked at his wife Sonia and smiled. “You know Justine, every once in a while you have a brilliant idea.”
“Good, start paying me for them. I’ve got quite a list.”
She smiled though, when her dad took her mother in his arms and kissed her senseless so that she blushed like a schoolgirl.
“You’re lucky to have them.”
“Yes I am,” Justine sighed. “Not that I’m ever going to admit that or anything, but yes I’m lucky to have them.”
“I’m lucky to have you,” John said. Touching a finger to her chin he turned her head so that those chocolate eyes were looking into his. He smiled and watched it float across her face as well. Then he dipped his head and took her mouth in a kiss that promised everything about the future neither of them were ready to say out loud yet. John didn’t know whether he loved her the way a man should to make a marriage work, but he knew he’d never felt anything this intense for another woman. He wouldn’t have picked Justine if he could have avoided it, but he wasn’t one to complain about what fate dropped in his lap. He’d cherish their time together for what it was, precious. No matter if it was six months or sixty years, John knew he’d do whatever he could to make their time happy. And he’d keep his promise to his best friend. He’d treat Justine as a woman should be treated, with the utmost care and respect. That didn’t mean he’d let her run over him and wear the pants in the relationship. No, their relationship would be based on principle and he’d have the final say, most of the time.
THE END
Nothing Innocent with Dad’s Best Friend
BDSM ROMANCE
By: Amanda Bolton
Chapter One: Not So Obvious Passes
Tiffany Dansbury filed the last of her reports for the day and was straightening her desk when she looked over the edge and saw polished loafers standing there. She smiled and looked up. “Can I help you sir?”
“I was wondering what perfume you’re wearing?”
Tiffany tried to hide her surprise under a small chuckled. “Um, it’s called Happy by Clinique.”
“It smells amazing. It’s been teasing me all day,” he said, smiling. Tiffany wasn’t slow and noticed the pure male appreciation in her boss’ eyes.
“Um, thank you.” Blushing, Tiffany straightened her desk and grabbed her purse and jacket from the back of her chair. “Have a good night Mr. Mathis.”
“You too Tiffany.”
Had he ever used her first name before? It was always Ms. Dansbury before, especially if other people were around. She could remember ever having him call her Tiffany before. She walked swiftly to her car, started the engine and drove home in a sort of fog. What the hell was Mr. Mathis up to, and what was he getting at by complimenting her and calling her by her first name?
Soothing away her wayward thoughts, Tiffany made herself a cup of coffee and grabbed a good book she’d been waiting to dig into for days now. Tonight was the perfect time to start. She opened to the prologue and read it three times before she realized that her thoughts would rest. She still had no idea what the prologue was about and gave up any hope that the book would hook her past the thoughts that wrestled through her mind.
Deciding that a shower might suffice better, Tiffany stepped into the hot spray and immediately felt the relief of heated water. She dressed in her most comfortable pajamas, took a sleeping pill and fell blessedly into sleep. By the next morning Tiffany had resolved that she was reading too much into the change in Mr. Mathis’ treatment and was smiling when she stepped into the office. But when her desk wasn’t where it normally was, her smile faltered.
“Is something wrong Mr. Mathis?” she asked, her eyes trying to decipher the changes.
“No nothing is amiss, Ms. Dansbury. I’ve decided that I need this space to be used in a more economical fashion and have had your desk moved to the cubicle next to my office. You’ll be able to hear me much better and it’ll give you a sense of privacy that being out here just can’t provide.”
“Excellent,” Tiffany said, feeling the squeeze of Mr. Mathis’ unwarranted attention. She could suppress the shiver that slid down her spine. Looking back at him, she decided that he wasn’t terrible looking. In fact, when she’d first come to work for him he’d been hot as hell. Tiffany had known he was married though and that put him in the untouchable category. Giving his face another once over, she realized that he was still great looking, maybe even more so now that she’d worked for him for nearly half a decade. His dark hair was going gray at his temples and the laugh lines around his eyes and mouth were more prominent. There was also a crease in his forehead that had started to stand out recently. She knew from snippets of conversation, that Mrs. Mathis wasn’t exactly her boss’ favorite person. Not that she knew the ins and outs of his marital situation, but anyone who knew the Mathis’s knew that their home life wasn’t nearly as chipper and loving as his wife wanted everyone to think.
***
Eric Mathis waited until the man he’d been speaking to had gone before he addressed his secretary directly. “I know it’s quite a change Tiffany, but I promise that you’ll be much more comfortable in your own space doing what you do best. Being out here leaves you too open to everyone who comes in and out of my office. I couldn’t work under that sort of scrutiny and I realized it’s wrong for me to expect you too.”
“Its fine sir,” Tiffany assured him. “I am flexible and can work just about anywhere. I’m sure the change will do my productivity a service.”
“Speaking of,” Mr. Mathis said. “I have a fundraising dinner that I need to attend. My wife won’t be able to join me as she’ll be out of town. I was wondering if you’d like to join me.”
If the look on her face said anything, it was that she was shocked that he’d ask her. It was the effect Eric was hoping for. It said more about his secretary’s innocence than anything else she could have assured him of. “I…I don’t know sir. I’ve never been to a fundraising dinner before. I’m not sure I have anything appropriate to wear, especially if it’s a black tie event.”
Taking out his wallet, Eric pulled out a card. “Take today off and find something you think will suit. Also, pay to have a hair appointment made for a week from Saturday. I’ll pick you up at your place around six.”
He knew he was railroading her, but Eric hadn’t been with a woman in nearly two years and if his wife was going to step outside their marriage, Eric decided she shouldn’t be the only one enjoying the fruits of the field. He’d divorce her on the grounds of adultery, but the courts and his lawyer already warned him that she’d take half of his assets. There was no way to save himself except to stay married to the spiteful woman.
***
Tiffany felt as if she was trudging through mud up to her waist. Her whole body was on
alert as if the CIA or FBI would swoop down and get her for credit card fraud. What had she been thinking when she took Eric’s card? Maybe she felt as if her job depended on it. It was after all just a fundraising dinner. The fact that she’d have to be dressed to the nine’s didn’t mean anything. Most fundraising dinners were black tie affairs, so it wasn’t as if she was doing anything abnormal. If her boss required her attendance at a dinner she had to go right? Especially if she wanted to keep earning a paycheck.
She shopped for a dress first, trying on sample after sample. She wanted something that covered her, but didn’t make her feel as if she’d stepped off a train in the eighteen hundreds. Not to mention she needed to fit in with people like Eric Mathis. He was the creator of some of the world’s most sought after technologies and founder of a technological laboratory that tested his creations to make them the best they could be. Tiffany knew people that waited years just to get an interview, most of them were turned down. Power like that didn’t attract riff-raff, especially for a date. Not that the dinner was a date exactly. Was it?
Regardless, Tiffany would look respectable come a week from Thursday. She finally found a dress that met her requirements and also bought a set of shoes to go with it. She’d pay for her hair from her own money and made an appointment for two on the date that Eric had specified. It’d give her time to get home, change and be ready when Eric stopped to pick her up.
The next week and a half went by in a blur for Tiffany as she waited for the fundraising dinner. Now that the day was upon her, she felt exhilarated. Eric had given her the day off so she could make her appointment. She got her nails done early, preferring them to be on a while before she bit them off later. Then her hair got done at two. She’d chosen an up-do for her long, golden brown tresses. They sat in a mass of curls on her head, letting wisps of hair fall around her face and neck. Then it was home to get dressed, which took all of half an hour or so. She left her makeup light, only adding a gloss to her lips and mascara to her lashes. When Eric knocked on her door, she was ready.
***
Eric waited patiently for Tiffany to open her apartment door. He couldn’t explain the anticipation that ran along his nerves. It wasn’t as if he was planning on talking her into his bed. Still, to spend the evening with someone who wanted to be in his company was something he hadn’t experienced in quite a while. Cynthia certainly didn’t care to be a part of his life anymore and the more he dwelt on their impending implosion, the more he longed to find a woman who could appreciate him for who he was now, not who he’d been fifteen years ago. That was always Cynthia’s complaint, that Eric wasn’t the man she married. Well didn’t she realize that token went both ways? She certainly wasn’t the hot blooded woman he’d married, at least not for him.
Her first affair had come as a gut wrenching shock. He’d thought for sure he’d wanted a divorce, but for a short time it changed things between them. They were closer than they had been. Then the distance had started again and Eric knew that she was stepping out again. Rather than confront her about it Eric had bought her flowers and written her a heartfelt letter that basically told her he knew she was stepping out and he no longer cared. He’d expected her to ask for a divorce, especially knowing that she’d get half of his assets. When she hadn’t, he figured she didn’t give a shit and moved on with his life. These last two years had taken a toll on him though. He’d chosen to remain faithful to a woman who clearly wasn’t concerned about returning the vow. Now that he was contemplating seriously the idea of divorcing her, Eric had decided that finding a woman to spend time with was an option that was now open to him.
“Hi,” Tiffany said softly. Turning Eric’s jaw dropped before he finally closed it.
“Sweet Lord Tiffany,” Eric stumbled. “You’re stunning.” The words came easily as he meant every one. She had gone all out, choosing a creamy yellow gown that left her shoulders bare and highlighted a curvy frame that made his loins ache. She was beyond beautiful. “Shall we?”
“Absolutely,” Tiffany smiled. “Thank you for the compliments by the way. It’s nice to find a man tongue-tied because I put a dress on.”
“You did more than put a dress on darling,” he smiled. “You’re going to be the envy of every woman at the fundraiser tonight.”
“What’s the fundraiser for?”
“It’s for one of my favorite charities,” Eric said. He went on to tell Tiffany all about the Hearts and Hands ministry that reached out to inner city and especially needy children to see that their basic needs are met. “I’ve been on the board for nearly a decade and tonight is a special occasion because it’s our fifteenth year as a nonprofit organization.”
“So the fundraiser pushes I’m guessing much needed cash into the hands of those who then take that money and purchase clothes and school supplies and such for needy children?”
“It’s a little more bureaucratic than that, but at its root, yes.”
“That’s excellent Eric,” Tiffany said, smiling. “How many charities do you support?”
“Hearts and Hands is my most active participation, however, I have several other charities that I support personally and the company supports an entrepreneurship for young technological scholars.”
“I had no idea you were such a generous guy.”
“I try, but honestly it pays to give back. I’ve seen some of the most brilliant kids come through our scholars program, not to mention knowing that the other charities I support are working to raise up kids that will get further ahead because of the help they receive. It doesn’t hurt that I get a tax write off for the money I donate either. When I combine my income with Cynthia’s it’s astonishing what we pay in taxes, even after our itemized deductions and charity payouts.”
“What does Cynthia do for a living?” Tiffany asked, feeling safe on the subject of Eric’s wife.
“She’s a museum curator. She basically scours the world looking for artifacts and such that her museum wants to buy.”
“So she travels a lot?”
“She does, but she loves it so it’s not a hardship for her.”
“Just for you right?”
“It used to be,” Eric said. “But now we have a much different relationship.”
“I guess that happens after you’ve been married a while, things change, people change.”
“True, but usually the changes are for the betterment of a marriage, not its downfall.”
“I’m not so sure anymore,” Tiffany said, her eyes taking on a serious expression. “It seems like no matter the demographic background, couples are splitting up all the time.”
“I don’t think it always has to be that way though,” Eric argued. “I think when two people are committed to growing and making beneficial changes to themselves, they can make a marriage even better than it was when they started out.”
“Maybe,” Tiffany agreed. “I’m still not sold on the idea of holy matrimony though.”
“I suppose it’s our age difference,” Eric chuckled. “I’m from a generation that believed in the sanctity of marriage, ‘til death do us part. Nowadays kids seem to think that marriage should be a convenience. When it’s no longer that way they get out of it.”
“I don’t think everyone believes that, but I can understand your viewpoint. Most of my friends, even the ones in long term relationships aren’t considering marriage any time soon, if at all.”
“I’m not so sure I believe in the ‘til death do us part, section of marriage anymore. My wife’s been cheating on me for nearly two years now.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Mathis,” Tiffany said
“Call me Eric, please.”
“Okay, Eric.”
“Would you like a drink?” he asked, escorting her to the drink table.
“I’d love one,” Tiffany smiled.
Chapter Two: Jumbled Feelings
She chose a fruity cocktail that tickled her nose when she took her first sip. Eric asked her to dance and she obliged him, feeling wond
erful as she spun around the floor with him. He was an excellent dancer and for a moment Tiffany wished that he wasn’t her boss. She wasn’t sure about fraternizing with the brass, according to the company, but she was pretty sure it looked poorly on secretaries seeing their bosses.
“That was so much fun,” Tiffany exclaimed when Eric showed her to a seat near the edge of the dance floor.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Eric smiled. They both turned when everyone seemed to start sitting down and quieting. “I have to go say a few words now. Will you be okay here?”
“I’ll be fine,” Tiffany smiled. She watched him walk through the crowd and ignored the women who shot daggers at her. She quietly sipped her cocktail while she waited for Eric to return.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for attending tonight’s Heart and Hands benefit dinner. As many of you know, the Hearts and Hands projects have been the focal point of this charities mission. We aim to reach the masses of inner city and under privileged children who, without our help, would stay in the squalor and poverty they’ve been born into. This year was no different and with the help of your generosity we’ve been able to help fifteen thousand children afford school supplies, clothes, winter jackets, gloves, hats, scarves, and other essential items. We paid out thirty-five thousand dollars for electrical, medical, and dental assistance and with your help again this coming fiscal year I know that number will only continue to grow.”
The applause was nearly deafening and Tiffany found herself teary eyed as the slideshow started. It showed the happy smiling faces of children who’d been helped or somehow benefited from the Heart and Hands program. “This is amazing,” she said as she patted her eyes dry. “So many children.”
“I can’t tell you how many storage cards we went through trying to photograph everyone with their gifts. We obviously couldn’t put all of them in the slideshow, but their pictures are in the flip-through books that we place in the Hearts and Hands headquarters.”