“I guess you’d better get going,” I said.
" I’m not going anywhere.”
“Really?" I said, excited.
“If you won’t come home with me then I have no choice, I have to stay here.”
“Thank you.” I hugged him and kissed his cheek.
“How could I leave you?”
Cuddled up against him in my bed was the best feeling in the world. Happier than I'd ever been before, I drifted off to sleep.
5
You’d better be coming out tonight
I hadn’t seen my friends since the evening of the date rape drug at the night club. They’d been so supportive of me after the mess I was in when the sex photo of Jay and I became all the rage on the internet and I found out Jay Mickle was actually James McAllister, billionaire owner of the company I worked at.
I would not have made it through those weeks without their support. I owed them so much. Especially Marla, who worked all her headhunting contacts to find me another job. And Jenny and Sam for being with me, day and night, keeping me sane.
Of course!!!
Jay had stayed at my place every night. Every area of my little condo had now been Christened with our relationship. He worked a lot. Usually he didn’t show up until eight or nine and was gone before my alarm went off in the morning. Going out with the girls would only mean two or so extra hours without him. I hope I could cope. And that he wouldn’t mind.
Sorry, have to go out with girls tonight
I waited anxiously for his response. It would be the first evening we’d chosen to spend apart since the night club. I wasn’t sure how he would react to the news. Except it’s normal for people in a relationship to do different things. But I don’t know, with him everything seemed much more intense.
Be careful. Watch your drink. I will come pick you up and walk you home. J
I let out a sigh of relief. It would be great to see Jenny and Sam, but I couldn’t wait to get home and see him.
Sam and Jenny were already at our usual Friday after work bar.
“Hey stranger,” Sam said, jumping up to hug me.
“I’ve missed you,” Jenny said squeezing me tight.
“How’s it going at CQ Francis?” Sam asked.
“It’s good, so far. No one has let on they’ve seen the photo anyway, which was my biggest worry.”
“Well that counts for something,” Jenny said.
“It’s the best I could hope for.”
“Who cares, you looked hot in the photo, and man are you one lucky girl to have a guy like him, he is ripped,” Sam said.
I blushed. Didn’t I know it. Somehow he looked even better naked than he did fully dressed, which seemed like an impossibility.
“I’ll get us drinks,” Jenny said.
“No! I’m getting them. I owe you both a whole lot of drinks to thank you for all you did for me.”
“Don’t be silly,” Jenny said.
“I mean it. I am getting the drinks. Is Marla coming?”
“She couldn’t make it. I think she’s found a new man too,” Jenny said
“Lucky her. Everyone is getting some but me,” Sam said.
“Jenny’s not,” I said.
“Oh yes she is! See what happens when you hole up with a man for two weeks?”
“No! Who?” I asked. Jenny’s my best friend. How did I not know she was seeing someone? Although she runs through men like water, it’s not all that surprising.
Jenny blushed.
“Collin,” Sam blurted.
“Of course, let me guess, you hooked up the night of the club.”
“Maybe,” Jenny said, “Or maybe it was a few weeks before and that’s why he comped it all.”
“A few weeks before? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because you’d fallen apart after the email, how could I have told you then? Hey, I know your boyfriend turned out to be a liar but guess what, I have a great new one.” She was right. She couldn’t have said anything, I was a basket case for those weeks between the email and the night club.
“There’s more,” Sam said. My eyes flared at Jenny.
“It’s Collin.”
“What do you mean Collin? Oh my god, do you mean Collin Collin?”
Jenny nodded.
“Okay I need to hear this story. I’m getting all the drinks tonight,” I said and walked to the bar.
I opted for Margaritas. Normally we reserved them for special occasions, because the cocktails are overpriced in this bar, and every bar. But tonight I wanted to pay them back for their support.
“Whoa, Margaritas, what’s the occasion?” Sam asked.
I laughed. “Just a big thank you for everything you two did for me.”
“Stop it Abbie. You’re our friend, we’d do anything for you,” Jenny said.
“Okay, enough about paying people back, let’s drink,” Sam said, raising her glass.
“Cheers,” We all said chinking glasses.
“So what’s his house like?” Sam asked.
“Oh my god, it’s so big I get lost in it. And there’s a whole cinema where the curtains open and close and everything.”
“Nice,” Jenny said.
“I’m surprised you made it out of the bedroom,” Sam said laughing.
“So am I,” I said.
“Okay spill, what’s he like in bed?” Sam asked.
“What do you need to ask that for? The answer is all over the internet!” Jenny said.
I laughed. “All I’m saying is it’s better in real life.”
While we were sitting there, I realized I never did send Jay the crotch shot I’d taken on Monday and accidentally sent to Jenny. While Jenny and Sam were busy chatting, I took my phone out.
Looking forward to tonight
The second I hit send I started laughing. Giddy with the thought of what his face must look like right now. My phone beeped.
I can almost taste it. J
I cannot believe he responded like that. It’s good, and I’m not complaining, I thought he’d be too, um, professional.
“What’s on your phone? Is he texting you?” Jenny asked.
“Tell him to leave you alone, you’re out with your friends,” Sam said.
I turned red. I must have been grinning like a crazy lady at my screen. At the thought of him staring at his screen and wanting me right now.
Sam burst out laughing. “What nudie shot did you send him now?”
Busted. “The one from Monday, I realized I hadn’t sent it.”
“What, the one you sent me? I thought that was just between the two of us. I don’t feel so special anymore,” Jenny said.
“I’m getting more drinks.” I stood and made my way to the bar.
I plunked three more Margaritas on the table and sat down.
“Thanks honey,” Jenny said.
“It’s the least I can do,” I said.
“Stop being so hung up on keeping score. You don’t have to pay us back for what we did. We didn’t even do anything! Just gave you a shoulder to cry on,” Jenny said.
“I can’t help it. I hate owing people stuff,” I said.
“We’re your friends, you don’t owe us anything. Would we owe you if you let us cry on your shoulder?” Sam said, her head moving so much it caused her long curls to bounce around her.
“No, but that’s different,” I protested.
“How? You are being silly,” Jenny said.
“I can’t help it. I hate the feeling of being indebted to people. You should hear what happened at Dish.”
Sam rolled her eyes. “Here we go, what silly thing did you do a Dish?”
I told them the story. How it cost me four hundred bucks because I demanded to pay the tip.
“You’re a fool,” Sam said.
“Don’t be so stupid, that money is nothing to him. He doesn’t care. The only person who cares is you,” Jenny said.
Maybe they were right. But I couldn’t help it. After my parents were k
illed in the car accident when I was seventeen, it’s been so important for me to not feel indebted to anyone.
After the accident people treated me like a charity case, and I hated it. They wanted to do this and that for me, and I all wanted to do was put my head down and work hard to get on in life. Nothing more. I needed to achieve things for myself. I didn’t want handouts from anyone.
“Just because my boyfriend is rich doesn’t mean I’m not going to pay my fair share in the relationship. I’m not going to take advantage of him for his money.”
“There’s no way he cares!” Sam said, frustrated with me.
“If he cared about money, he wouldn’t be ordering eight hundred dollar bottles of wine. It’s a no brainer,” Jenny said.
“That doesn’t matter! I will not be a gold digger!”
“Abbie you need not to be so hung up on paying for things. People want to do things for you, you don’t owe them anything,” Jenny said, stroking my forearm.
I downed my drink, which was quite a feat given the amount of liquid still in my glass. “I’m getting more drinks.” I stood and left the table.
First I had to pee. I made my way to the washroom and sat on the toilet. I buried my face in my hands. I never asked to date a rich guy. I never sought him out. Would being with him always make me feel inadequate?
I suspect I know the answer. I will never be able to contribute to our relationship. My fingers went to the diamond around my neck. The diamonds he gave me on a whim because they were pocket change for him. How do I fit into that? Give him a box of Turtles for Christmas? And that’s somehow comparable?
We switched to wine, the Margaritas were going straight to my head, and I needed to be able to walk in a straight line to get home.
The three of us danced, but all I could think of was Jay. I smiled at them, hoping they couldn’t sense my desire not to be with them right now. It’s a cliche, getting a new boyfriend and ditching your friends and I didn’t want to be a cliche. Instead I danced, dreaming that Jay was watching.
I stifled a yawn. We’d been in the bar almost five hours and I hadn’t exactly had much sleep that week. Not that I’m complaining.
When the song ended, I pulled the two of them off the dance floor and back to our table.
“I’m so tired,” I said.
“Are you ditching us?” Jenny asked.
“Look at her, she’s been up all week screwing her new boyfriend. Poor thing needs her beauty sleep,” Sam said laughing.
I laughed. “Ain’t that the truth.”
“Okay missy, go home to your man,” Jenny said.
I hugged both of them, “Thank you both so much for everything. I love you both so much.”
“Whatever drunk lady, go home,” Sam said then smacked my behind.
I left the bar and headed home. After a block I realized Jay said he’d come pick me up at the bar. Oh well, I’ve walked home from it every Friday night for years, I wasn’t worried.
6
I turned the corner and came face to face with Calvin. My heart pounded in my chest. What was he doing here? On this street on a Friday at ten pm? I picked up my walking pace.
In an instant he was in front of me, blocking my way. I’m sure he still blamed me for getting him fired from Force McAllister. But I thought he’d worked his aggression out when he’d emailed the photo of Jay and I having sex to the entire office.
My pulse pounded in my ears as I tried to side-step him.
“Well, if it isn’t the boss’s fuck toy,” he said, snarling.
“Leave me alone Calvin.” I tried to sound forceful.
“Even after all his lies you’re still fucking him.”
“What lies?” Why did I engage him? I need to get away from him.
“You mean you don’t know?”
“Know what?” He burst out into maniacal laughter and I willed Jay to appear.
“The man has secrets.”
“How would you know?” I spat the words at him.
“Let’s just say a friend told me.” This was crazy. Calvin was crazy. I tried walking around him again, but he blocked me.
“What do you want from me?”
“It’s not you I want something from.”
Enough of the riddles. I pulled out my phone and called Jay.
“Calling your boyfriend, are you? James McAllister, the lying liar.” He laughed.
“Yes, he’s only around the corner. He’ll be here in a second.”
“Suit yourself, but I’m only trying to help you. You’re trusting the wrong person. Be careful. Watch out for his lies.”
He smirked then disappeared into the shadows. I put my phone away and speed walked home.
I tried to make sense of Calvin’s words, which was difficult in my drunken state. Why was he there, on that street? He’d made me feel threatened, but then he said those things about Jay. Was Jay hiding more stuff? Telling more lies? I didn’t believe it. Didn’t want to believe it. Calvin was crazy. But how did he know so much about Jay?
I walked into my condo. Jay jumped up from his position at the little dining table to greet me.
“Beautiful, why didn’t you call?”
“Sorry, I left kind of fast and forgot.”
“You have to phone me, I need to make sure you’re safe.”
“Safe from what?”
“Everything.”
“Don’t worry, I’m home safe and sound.” Except for the run-in with Calvin, but I decided not to tell Jay about it.
“Good, I couldn’t bear anything happening to you,” he said as he slid his hands around my waist and kissed me.
I melted into his arms, forgetting all about Calvin. Now the only thing that mattered to me was Jay.
7
“Let’s go, I want to get out on the water early.”
I followed Jay out of the condo and down to the street. He’d parked in the pay parking lot just down the street. I’m glad he’d gotten the hint from having his car keyed and didn’t park in the no-parking zone in front of my building now.
We approached a deep blue Bentley.
“Where’s the other car?”
“Being painted.”
I laughed. “How many cars do you have?”
“Several.”
“I’m surprised you don’t have a chauffeur.”
He gave me that look again. The one he gives me every time I say something normal and naïve that betrays my ignorance about having money.
“I have a driver but I only use him when I need to get work done while we’re moving. Otherwise I drive myself because I enjoy it.”
I laughed. Of course he does. I have to stop being so surprised at these things.
As soon as we were out of the parking garage, he floored it. The car rumbled and my body pushed back into my seat. I gripped the door handle as Jay wove his way in and out of cars, never stopping for any yellow no matter how far back we were.
We arrived at the marina, and I plodded along behind him, slack jawed at the sight of all the boats. Yachts and cabin cruisers of all sorts. Jay led me to the biggest cabin cruiser in the marina, which didn’t surprise me. He plunked the picnic basket down on the boat.
It was a huge boat with a deck at the rear and sundeck on top. The name Bourbon Chaser was written across the back. Jay started untying it.
“Why’s it called Bourbon Chaser?” I asked.
“My parents used to own racehorses, Bourbon Chaser was the best, it won every race it entered.”
“Wow,” I said. Racehorses? He must come from money. I knew less than nothing about horses. Other than that Matt would sometimes talk about them. I’d always tuned him out.
“I thought you said you made your fortune on your own, without any help from anyone.” From his kneeling position on the dock, he looked at me.
“I did. My mother lost all her money. Now she only has what I give her.”
Jay usually clammed up when I asked him about his family or his past. That he now feels comfortab
le enough with me to share warmed my heart.
“What about your father?”
His eyes shifted to the ground. “He died when I was a baby.”
My insides welled in grief for him. “That’s terrible,” I said, going over to him and rubbing his back.
“Bourbon Chaser was his favorite, so I named my boat after it. Anyway, it’s all long ago. Hop aboard.”
It was warm for October, and I even took my jacket off. Jay fired up the engines. I stood beside him as he piloted the boat out of the marina and onto the openness of Lake Michigan.
“I like to come out here to get away from everything,” he said, looking straight ahead.
“It’s amazing how quickly life sinks away,” I said, looking back at the Chicago skyline.
“Exactly.”
I gripped his arm and squeezed, his bicep taut under my touch. We traveled straight out, until the skyline was a faint outline against the sky. Jay cut the engine, and we drifted.
“Now,” he said, grabbing my waist. He didn’t finish his sentence because he planted his lips on mine. A slow, deep kiss that could have gone on forever.
My insides fluttered, willing his hands to rip off my clothes. Instead the kiss went on, and my hunger for him grew.
“Is there a bed on this boat?” I broke the kiss to ask.
“Several,” he said, kissing me again. My lips, my neck.
“Guess we have our work cut out for us.”
“I hope you have some sexy lingerie on under these clothes.” He toyed with the bottom of my sweater.
“Sort of.”
He nuzzled at my neck. “What do you mean ‘sort of’?”
“I mean I learned my lesson about wearing g-strings out.”
“Oh? So what are you wearing?” He slid his hand between my skin and jeans. I sucked my tummy in, giving him easier access.
His hand moved all the way down to my mound, and he groaned in approval when we found I wasn’t wearing any panties.
Billionaire's Secret: Exposing Jay: A Chicago Suits Romance (Loving Jay Book 2) Page 3