Web Of Lies (The Lies Trilogy Book 1)

by J. G. Sumner

  “Son, I’m sorry to tell you this over the phone, but I need you to hear this from me before it gets out to the public.”

  “What the hell is going on, Dad?”

  “I’ve liquidated our assets in Davis-Matthews Corp. There has been a falling out between Edward and me. I can’t go into it, but just watch your back. There could be some repercussions. I’ll be back in the States next week. I want to meet with you and discuss this further. Don’t breathe a word of this to Parker or Porter.”

  “What did—”

  The line goes dead. My mind races, trying to figure out what happened that would cause my father to sever ties with our oldest family friend and ally. Holy crap! How is this going to impact my partnership with Porter?

  I pack up my briefcase and head out of the office to avoid coming face to face with Porter. I need to process this and talk to my dad so I can figure out how to handle this. This could have a huge trickledown effect.

  I spend the entire drive home trying to make sense of what happened. Did Edward Matthews do something to my family? Does Parker know anything? After the twenty minute drive, I’m nowhere closer to figuring out what’s going on than where I was when leaving the office.

  I get home much later than normal. I enter my house, take off my tie, and walk into the kitchen to grab a beer. The refrigerator door is open and Parker is leaned over, peering inside. I smile at her perfect perky ass poking out from behind the doors. As I approach, I place my hand on her bottom and rub it after a firm squeeze. “These shorts are cute. Are they new?”

  I about lose my mind when Beth stands up and closes the refrigerator doors. She moves in, coming within inches of my neck, stands on her tiptoes, and breathes heavily into my ear, caressing my package. “They are new. I’m guessing you like them?”

  I close my eyes and gasp for air. It has been so long since anyone has touched me and made me feel this way. Having three boys, the youngest a two-year old, doesn’t leave a lot of time for Parker and I to rekindle our romance. With the exception of the other night, Parker hasn’t kissed me in longer than I can remember.

  I allow Beth’s hand to linger until my erection starts to grow, then step back. “Uh, where’s Parker?”

  Beth looks me up and down with heavily hooded eyes. “She has a function to plan and won’t be back until later tonight.”

  Relief settles over me. I can’t imagine what would have happened if she had walked in on this situation. My life as I know it would be over. My father’s announcement wouldn’t be the only thing tearing this family apart.

  “I was just cleaning up from dinner. Can I make you something?” Beth places her index finger in her mouth and looks up at me, combining an innocent girl with trouble bundled up in one beautiful package.

  I study her for a moment. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was easily in her early twenties. Clearly she has matured early. Her curves are sexy as hell. Her breasts are perky, taut, and easily a C-cup. Her loose, curly auburn hair hangs past her shoulders. Beth is sexy and hot. One day men will find her irresistible. Hell, it’s hard for me to maintain control. I could be silly putty in her hands except for the fact she’s sixteen. The number flashes through my mind like a big red beacon lighting up the night sky.

  Beth grabs a strawberry out of the package on the container and slowly starts to eat it. My lips part, my breathing grows heavy. I can’t help but stare at her red and supple lips. The desire to lick them overcoming me.

  Sixteen.

  I ignore the number flashing like a neon sign in my head and inch forward, mesmerized by how her tongue and lips could make eating so sexual. I press myself against her and lean down as she removes the stem from her lips to invite me in.

  “Beth! Beth!”

  I’m instantly yanked from my trance when Tyler, my middle son, calls for his babysitter. The sixteen-year-old girl I almost kissed.

  What the hell is wrong with me?

  I turn around and pull Tyler into my arms. “Hey, buddy, how was your day?” Tyler goes on and on about how much fun he’s been having with Beth. It warms my heart to hear my son enjoying time with a babysitter.

  “Can she stay with us forever?”

  “I’m sorry, son, but Beth has her own mommy who wants her to come home. Don’t worry, I’m sure she would love to come back and babysit for you again.” I tousle his blond hair. Worry plaguing my soul, I begin to wonder if I’ll be able to control myself around Beth. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea for her to come back and babysit for us. Maybe this is a disaster waiting to happen.

  “How about you go upstairs and brush your teeth? I’ll be upstairs shortly to tuck you into bed.” I set Tyler down and playfully swat his rear end.

  “Come on, Dad. It’s only eight. Can’t I stay up for a little while longer?”

  “Fine. You can play quietly in your room for a while. I’ll be upstairs in a little while to read you a bedtime story.”

  “Yes!” He balls his fists and jets his elbow back, illustrating his enthusiasm before scampering out of the room.

  A smile is frozen to my face as I watch him. It quickly disappears when Beth once again moves in on me.

  “He looks just like you.” Her voice is nothing more than a loud whisper. “You must be very proud.”

  I refuse to look at Beth, and instead stare at the door Tyler just passed through as though it could give me a safe harbor. “Yes, I am. I’m proud of all of them.”

  Beth runs her hands against my chest, tracing the curves of my pecs.

  My body stiffens as I try to fight the temptation that’s being dangled in front of me like a carrot.

  “They’re so firm,” Beth purrs, rubbing my chest.” You must work out a lot.”

  I should push her away. I want to push her away. But I don’t. Her touch is stimulating all of my hair follicles to stand on end. I close my eyes, willing myself to do the right thing, trying my darndest not to look in her eyes for fear that they will cast some spell over me like Medusa. I imagine her auburn hair as a sea of snakes, and that’s all it takes.

  “No!” I open my eyes and pull her hands off my chest. “Beth, I’m married with a family and I’m not into whatever game you’re playing.” I move across the kitchen, grab a glass, and pour myself some water.

  “I’m not playing a game. I genuinely find you attractive. And judging by the way you reacted to me, I would have to say it’s mutual.” Beth comes up behind me and places her arms around my waist.

  I immediately spin out of her grasp and face her. “I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. Let me assure you that’s not the case. I love my family and would never do anything to jeopardize what I have. Now if you want to continue to work here, you’ve got to stop doing this. I can’t have it. The last thing I want his one of my sons to walk in on Daddy and the babysitter.” I put the glass down. I’m going to go read Tyler his story. “I’ll have a driver take you home. Please be gone by the time I get back down here.”

  My words are callous, but that’s what I have to do in order for her to see the line in the sand…and to make sure I do the right thing. Nothing good can come from that kind of temptation.

  I leave the kitchen and head up the stairs. I don’t immediately go into Tyler’s room. Instead, I go into my own and call for the driver. When I’ve made the necessary arrangements, I sit on the side of my bed and try to calm myself. I stare into the mirrored closet doors. My blond hair is disheveled and my blue eyes look weary. I think there’s even a few more lines that weren’t there earlier in the day.

  I place my face in my hands and chastise myself for allowing things to go as far as they did. What kind of husband am I? I could have just thrown my entire world away. And on what? A sexy young thing I hardly know? Parker and I have known each other most of our lives. There’s something to be said for that. There’s a sense of comfort and security knowing that we are there for each other and we know one another better than anyone else. No, this is something I have to get under control. There’s n
o other option.

  Chapter 3

  Beth

  I’ve grown up without any sort of male figure in my life. My dad disappeared before I was two, never to be seen again. Mom said he just left one day and never came back. She’s never told me much other than she thinks he’s dead somewhere. Apparently he had a gambling problem and messed with the wrong people. Needless to say, his absence has left a huge hole in my heart. I often wondered over the years why I wasn’t enough for him to stop gambling and lead a better, more responsible life. Why couldn’t he be here to be my dad?

  To make ends meet, my mom has always worked two or three jobs. She’s expressed how important it is to go to college so that I can get a good career and not have to work as hard as she does. She tells me I deserve better. Fortunately for me, my assets are going to pave way for whatever path I choose. College isn’t necessarily the only option.

  Puberty started for me much earlier than it did for other girls. I got my period when I was ten and have been fully developed since the age of twelve. You can only imagine the reaction that boys my age had. Some teased me about having size C boobs when other girls barely had lumps. Others would do anything to get a chance to touch them. It was then that I learned the power my body has over the male species. I learned I could get what I wanted just by showing a little cleavage. I may have only been twelve, but I was smart and obviously advanced for my age.

  Unlike the other girls in my grade, I wasn’t interested in the boys we went to school with. I was looking at the older guys. My taste in men had matured as fast as my body. I wasn’t interested in prepubescent boys, I wanted a man. With my mom always working, it left me with plenty of time to do things she probably wouldn’t approve of.

  One afternoon I went to the mall with a couple of girlfriends. I was purchasing a t-shirt from a trendy store. The male cashier looked to be in his late teens. He kept smiling at me and flirting. He couldn’t keep his eyes off my chest. At first I was a little self-conscious. But when he asked if my friends were my little sisters, I couldn’t help but stand a little straighter and flirt back. When I told him they were friends, he asked me why I would hang out with girls much younger than me. At the end of the transaction, he wrote down his phone number on the receipt and told me to call him. After we left the store, my friends and I started jumping up and down and screaming that an older guy wanted me to go out with him. I called him two days later.

  Chad took me out several times. He paid for my food and would buy me little gifts. He was a gentleman. I never told him how old I was, but it turns out he was seventeen. Five years older than me. He came over when my mom wasn’t home and we made out. A lot. I wasn’t quite ready to go all the way. When he started pushing for it, I broke up with him.

  This was the start of a whole new lifestyle for me. I soon ditched my girlfriends and found ways to meet guys. I started running on nearby paths. Guys would turn their heads to look at me and then change direction and follow. My self-esteem took a huge boost and in no time guys were like putty in my hands. They’d buy me clothes, purses, jewelry—anything I wanted. All I had to do was bat my eyes, push my boobs together, and ask as sweetly as possible. The sky was the limit. I didn’t need a job or education. I was getting everything I needed with my looks.

  When I was fourteen, I had been dating Jason for three months. I liked him and the feeling was mutual. He was twenty-seven and he thought I was twenty. He told me he loved me and wanted me to move in with him. Jason was the first man to ever use those three little words with me. That was when I wanted to give myself to him. Making love to him had been better than I could have ever imagined. He made me feel things I didn’t know were possible. I was all in. I could have spent the rest of my life with him.

  We dated another couple of months before my mom found out about him. I had been gone a lot and she suspected something was up, so she followed me to his house one day. It was then he learned my real age. He was horrified. I’ll never forget the look of disgust on his face. I felt awful for betraying the man I had grown to love. I vowed never to lie about my age again.

  My mother asked if we had been sleeping together. I of course told her no. The last thing I’d want to do is add insult to injury and have the poor man go to jail for statutory rape. It was bad enough I made him feel like a child predator.

  Months went by and so did my suitors. I never lied about my age, but I never told them how old I was. Maybe that is lying by omission. Whatever the case, I didn’t care. My heart was broken and I looked for things and men to fill the gaping hole in my heart. I looked for any man who would make feel wanted and special. I guess it’s something I wanted from my own dad but never got.

  When I knocked on Trent and Parker’s door for the first time and was greeted by the most handsome man I’d ever seen, I knew I was in trouble. I could see in his eyes the attraction was mutual. His smell was woodsy and intoxicating. I wanted to drink him in. His muscles protruded underneath his dress shirt. Rich, powerful, and a God. He’s the entire package.

  When I entered his house, I was shocked by the grandeur. There were crystal chandeliers and expensive decorations strategically placed throughout. Despite being in the city, the house was massive. This is the life I’ve dreamt of having. The only person in my way was Parker.

  When she sauntered down the stairs looking like she owned the world, I knew there was no way in hell my dream would ever be with this man in this house. Parker is beautiful and flawless. Most importantly, Trent looks at her adoringly.

  When he grabbed my ass in the kitchen, it sent shivers through my spine. His hand was so strong and warm. I could only imagine it caressing the rest of my body. When I turned around, his eyes were initially surprised then became heavily hooded when I sucked on that strawberry. His desire was strong. I wanted so badly to give him what we both wanted. His body next to mine ignited my entire body on fire. His breathing became heavy and labored. I was just about to slide my hand along the firm cock pressing against my leg when Tyler ran in. I could have died in that very moment. The image of him taking me on the counter left as soon as it entered my mind. God, how I wanted him.

  Now I lay here in bed hoping and praying Parker will call or text me to come watch her children. It’s been a couple of weeks and nothing but radio silence. Trent consumes all of my thoughts. I have a hard time concentrating in school. All I want is to be in the same room as him. To breathe the same air, smell his scent, and lap up any attention he’ll give me. I need and want this man like nothing I ever have before.

  Chapter 4

  Trent

  A month has gone by and several arguments later, Beth is back at our house babysitting while we attend yet another charity event Parker has planned. While her generosity and compassion for others is beyond admirable, there are times I wish she’d just stay home and take care of the kids. They need her more than these charities. Personally, I’d like her to be waiting for me when I get home from work. I want to be her world. I’d like Parker to run into my arms when I get home and tell me she’s happy to see me. That hasn’t happened for a long time now. Not since Tyler was born.

  We arrive in front of the hotel. “Thank you, driver. I’ll give a half-hour heads up before we’re ready to leave.” I enjoy taking a town car with a driver to these events so I can drink and not have to worry about driving home. Parker prefers that we drive ourselves so we don’t look pretentious. Since she won the battle over the babysitter, she gave in to me having a driver for the evening. I don’t think there’s anything wrong utilizing the finer things that money can buy, a driver being one of them.

  I brush my lips across Parker’s cheek. “You look beautiful tonight.” Before she can acknowledge what I said, Parker is pulled away by some friends needing her for a last minute emergency. I proceed into the hotel and make my way to the ballroom. I’ve been through this song and dance many times before. I always have the same routine: find the ballroom, head to the bar, wait there and mingle long enough for Parker to come look
for me wondering why I haven’t been by her side schmoozing the people who are bankrolling the event. She often forgets we are also major contributors to all of her events. Nobody is ever schmoozing me. Although, I guess that’s partly my fault.

  Growing up, my father never gave me anything except for my college education. Despite having enough money to run a small country, my father was adamant that I make my own way without the family nest egg. I was ticked off about it as a kid, but when I got older, I understood the importance. That’s why when he offered to invest in my law firm, I refused to take his money. I wanted to make it on my own. I’m trying to instill the same thing in my children. Yes, they can have anything they want or need, but I try to give them a normal life. They have to earn allowance and do chores. There’s no full time housekeeper; we have someone who comes in once a week and the boys have to help out.

  I get to the bar and immediately order a whiskey sour. Normally I start with a beer or a glass of wine. Tonight I’m in no mood to be at this event. I would have preferred a nice dinner alone with my wife. Lately, we only seem to connect when it’s just the two of us.

  I throw the first back in record time and order a second. My mood starts to shift when I begin talking with others around me. The stories are mostly the same. Very wealthy people living in the Beacon Hill neighborhood who adore my wife and her events. Mostly they’re here to support her, not the charity itself. But because they have an endless supply of “old” money, they enjoy throwing it at whatever Parker asks them to. I hold up my refreshed glass and do a silent toast to my wife.

  “Hey, buddy, what’s going on?”

  It’s none other than Porter Matthews.

  Fuck!

  I pray he doesn’t know about the riff with our fathers.

  “Trying to forget I’m here. I hate these things,” I mumble.

  “You better get used to them. Parker doesn’t look like she’s going to slow down anytime soon. I think she’s found her passion.” Porter clinks his glass against mine.