by Sandi Lynn
Ben had quit his job at the station and became a volunteer fireman so he would have more time to build furniture and run his small handmade furniture shop, which was doing extremely well. My Dear Paisley columns were doing better than ever, and I was hired by Cosmopolitan magazine to write a monthly love column they called “She Writes Love.”
In three months, Ben and I would be hearing the pitter-patter of little feet around our home. Soon, our happy family of three (including Romeo) would turn into a happy family of four and we couldn’t be happier. This was life. My life. Ben’s life. Our life.
Thank you for reading When I’m With You! Please enjoy a sample of Corporate Assets!
Chapter One
Fiona
“Hey, babe. I have to cancel our dinner plans for tonight. Emergency at the office and I have to work late. I’ll make it up to you. Love you to pieces.”
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the text message that enraged me. Emergency at the office, my ass. Getting up from my bed, I walked over to my laptop, and after a few keystrokes, I was in. In John’s phone account where I had access to all his text messages.
“Hey, baby. We’re on for tonight. I’ll pick you up at seven. Make sure to wear something extra sexy and no panties. While we’re sitting at the blackjack table, I want to feel how wet you get when my fingers touch that beautiful pussy of yours.”
“You’re a dirty man, John, and I can’t wait. You know I always wear something extra sexy for my man.”
“I’m already getting hard just thinking about you.”
Her man? Are you fucking kidding me? I knew that bastard was cheating on me. A woman’s intuition is never wrong. Late nights at the office, multiple cancellation of dates, way too many out of town business trips, and one too many phone calls he had to excuse himself for. Picking up my phone, I dialed my best friend, Lydia.
“Hello,” she answered.
“I need you to come over. We’re going out tonight.”
“Where? I thought you had dinner plans with John.”
“He has an emergency at the office and has to work late. Or should I say, he has an emergency at the casino with some whore who called him ‘her’ man.”
“Shit, Fiona. Seriously?”
“Yes. I’ll explain when you get here. Do you still have those wigs we wore to that Halloween party two years ago?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“We’re going to need them.”
She squealed. “Sounds like fun. I’m on my way.”
Lydia Jones and I met in our freshman year at UCLA when we were paired up as roommates. The minute we met, we instantly became best friends and were always there to protect each other. It was rare that we weren’t together and everyone knew us as the “dorm twins,” meaning that we looked alike. Same height, same long blonde hair, and same petite frame. The only difference was her eyes were brown and mine were blue. We even worked for the same company. Right before graduating college, the two of us were offered positions at Steiner & Richards Marketing Firm.
****
After creating the perfect smoky eye and sweeping a blush called “Obsessed” across my cheeks, I stained my lips with a color called Scarlet Red.
“So, how exactly are we going to do this?” Lydia asked.
“We’re going to go in and watch.”
“The casino is huge, Fiona. How are we going to find him?”
“He’ll be sitting at the same blackjack table he always does.” I placed the short, bob-styled, jet-black wig on my head and smiled.
After getting into my short, black, body-hugging, low cut dress, I slipped my feet into the black stiletto heels I had been dying to wear since I bought them.
“Damn. You look hot as fuck.” Lydia smiled. “I don’t even recognize you. Especially with all that makeup.”
“Thanks. You look hot too and you look good as a brunette. I just need to do one last thing before we go.” I grabbed my phone and sent John a text message.
“I miss you already, baby. Don’t work too hard. Can you come by in the morning?”
“I miss you too. Probably not, baby. God knows how late I’ll be here at the office tonight. It’s just one problem after another. Don’t worry that pretty little head of yours. I’ll make it up to you. Remember, I love you to pieces.”
“My bed will be lonely tonight without you in it.”
“I’ll be lonely tonight without you. I have to go. TTYL.”
Asshole.
“Let’s go!” I exclaimed as I grabbed the black duffle bag from the floor and my clutch.
“What’s in the bag?” Lydia asked with concern.
“You’ll see.” I smiled.
John and I had been together for a little over a year. We met right after my mother passed away and I needed a shoulder to cry on. I was vulnerable, he was there, and it seemed to work. Did I really love him? Yes. Was I in love with him? Not so sure, but I did like being with him and I wouldn’t tolerate being lied to and cheated on. If he wanted to be with someone else, all he had to do was tell me, and now, he was going to pay for his little indiscretion.
Light waves of smoke streamed through the air. The music was loud, but not loud enough to drown out the bells and whistles that radiated from the slot machines. Boisterous voices could be heard throughout. Some patrons were winning tons of cash, while others screamed at their losses.
“Are you sure you know which table he’s at?” Lydia asked.
“Follow me.” I led her over to the bar, where luckily, two stools were available. Taking a seat, I signaled for the bartender.
His eyes swept over me and diverted their attention straight to my cleavage as a smile crossed his lips.
“What can I get you, darling?”
“I’ll have a scotch on the rocks. Make it a double. I’m feeling lucky tonight.” I winked.
“And for you?” He smiled at Lydia.
“I’ll have a gin and tonic.” She batted her lashes over her brown eyes. “So, why are we sitting here?”
“Because he’s right over there.” I pointed to the blackjack table across from the bar where John sat next to a woman with long red hair.
As I sipped on my scotch, I studied them. The small kisses they stole and the way his hand slipped under her silvery dress. The redhead got up from her seat and headed towards the restrooms.
“I’ll be right back,” I spoke as I stood up.
“You’re not going to assault her, are you?” Lydia asked.
“No.” I smiled.
Following her into the restroom, I pretended to touch up my makeup until she came out from the stall.
“It’s pretty busy in here tonight,” I spoke.
“Yeah. It is.” She smiled as she washed her hands.
Red hair, green eyes, five foot four without her heels on, and a tiny frame. I’d admit she was pretty.
“Are you winning tonight?” I asked.
“I’m not, but my boyfriend is. He always seems to win every time we come here.”
“You come here often?”
“About twice a week. John loves to gamble.” She pulled a tube of lipstick out from her purse.
“This is my first time here. It’s a girls’ night out. My boyfriend and I just broke up.” I spoke with a fake sadness as I looked down.
“Aw, I’m sorry. How long were you together?”
“A year. How long have you been with your boyfriend?”
“Let’s see. Six months.” She smacked her lips together after applying her lipstick. “May I ask why you broke up?”
“He cheated on me.” I sniffled as I began to fake a cry.
“Aw, sweetie. I’m sorry. Men are idiots. You know what? You’re a good person. That much I can tell and he didn’t deserve you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” I pretended to dab my eye with a tissue. “I’m sure your boyfriend would never do that to you.”
A small smile crossed her lips. “No. John is the sweetest, most caring, generous, and lovin
g man I have ever met. We are so in love.”
The anger I had been controlling since I read his text message was surfacing, and any minute, it was about to be released.
“I’m happy for you. Make sure you hold on to him.”
“Oh, I definitely will. Take care, sweetie, and don’t let your ex ruin your night. You go out there and have a shitload of fun.”
“I totally intend to.” I smiled slyly.
After she left the bathroom, I waited behind for a few moments until it was clear. Six months? We’d only been dating six months before he started a relationship with her. That little motherfucker. The clicking of my heels echoed as I walked to the door. Making my way back to the bar, I noticed a man sitting in my seat. Lydia shrugged as she saw me coming.
“Excuse me. I was sitting here.”
The man turned around and I swallowed hard. Short brown hair that sported a touch of gold highlights, perfectly straight nose, captivating green eyes that held you in a trance when you looked into them, perfectly shaped lips, high cheekbones, and the perfect amount of stubble across his jawline.
The corners of his mouth curved up into a smile as his eyes stared into mine.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was sitting here. Let me buy you a drink to apologize.”
Shit. The word “no” wouldn’t escape my mouth. I couldn’t let anyone or anything distract me from my mission tonight.
“Thank you, but no,” I finally managed to speak.
“No?” His brow arched.
Something told me this man wasn’t used to hearing that word.
“All I need you to do is kindly remove yourself from my seat.”
“I will after you tell me what you’re drinking tonight.” He smirked.
I studied him for a moment. Probably longer than I should have. But it couldn’t be helped. My eyes had never seen such sexiness before, and for a brief moment, they were happy.
“I’m curious. Has a woman ever said no to you before?” I asked.
“No. They haven’t. That word doesn’t exist around me.”
Oh boy. This guy was a total douchebag.
“Then let me be your first. The answer is no. I’m not telling you what I’m drinking and you’re not buying me a drink. But thank you for the offer.” I smiled politely.
His gorgeous eyes narrowed at me as he cocked his head.
“Then I’m not getting up.”
Now he was really pissing me off, drop dead sexy or not. I glanced over at John and the redhead sitting at the Blackjack table. His hand was all the way up her dress as he leaned over and brushed his mouth against hers.
“That’s fine. We’re leaving anyway.” I grabbed hold of Lydia’s hand and pulled her behind me.
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