by Ali Parker
"I like the idea of you being called daddy." She gave me a sexy smile as she leaned down to kiss Zek's face a few times. "You boys behave."
"No problem here. It's this wild ass that we need to worry about." I leaned in to kiss her again before grabbing Zek's stuff and hauling him and it to the car. I put him back in his cage after walking him around the grass beside the apartment complex. He whined and cried, but I turned on the radio and let my thoughts take me somewhere else. To the future. A big house on the bay with Erica and I painting together and three little munchkins running around, tearing shit up.
Bliss.
My phone buzzed, and I pressed the hands-free device. "Hello?"
"Hey, Bro. What's up?"
"Nothing much. I'm just heading back from a night up at the lake with Erica." I reached over and stuck my fingers into Zek's cage. He licked me to death. "Zek's staying over tonight, so it's a guy’s evening. What's up with you?"
"I'm actually flying into Seattle in about an hour. I have a meeting on Monday and figured I would get there a little early. Bethany and her mom are doing some girl's weekend thing and seeing that I have a dick... I'm out."
"Lucky you." I snorted and pulled up to my place. "Come over tonight, and we'll have dinner at the house. I'm tired of wearing pants. I need a break."
"Yeah, I'm not so sure the idea of you being pantsless at dinner makes me want to come over."
"See you at six?"
"Yeah, I'll be there."
"Good, and maybe tomorrow we can go look for places."
"Places?" Damon asked.
"Yeah. I've asked Erica to move in with me, but I want to buy a bigger place and expand the art studio. I thought about it all night honestly. I want to do something big and flashy for her, something she would see and know that I loved her."
"Flowers won't work, hm?"
"Asshat."
"It was worth a try." Damon snorted. "We can go look tomorrow. I think it's a great idea to treat her to some extravagance."
"I'm thinking of looking for a place with a lot of windows and maybe setting up a huge art studio and then a smaller yoga studio for her. You know she loves that shit."
"Please tell me that you're not going to take up yoga too."
Heat rushed up my chest and coated my neck and cheeks. "No. Fuck yoga."
The things I'd done to impress a woman. I smiled at the thought. I'd go so much farther than I already had to let her know how insanely special she was to me.
"You totally went to a yoga class."
"Nope." I pulled up to the house and unbuckled. "Alright, one more thing."
"Only if you admit to going."
"I need you to check into Mitch Roberson for me, please?" I reached over and grabbed Zek's stuff. "I know you like the guy, but something isn't right. Figure it out for me. I'm your little brother."
"I'm not doing a damn thing until you admit you put on tight pants and stretched into a pretzel for some pussy."
"Yep. I did it. Now, help me out." I got out of the car and walked around to get Zek out. There was no winning with my brother. He'd been pulling secrets out of me since I had my first one. There was no fighting him.
"I knew it!"
"Fuck you too. Dig into this bastard, please? He's on Erica's case big time, and she's having nightmares about him. I want to know if he was involved in her mugging and fender bender events."
"Seriously? Mitch is one of dad's oldest friends. He's not a villain, Matt."
"If it was Bethany that was upset about it, what would you do?"
"Alright. I'll see what I can find out. Clear your schedule for dinner. I'll pick up kabobs or something before I head over. You have beer at the house?"
"Does an accountant have a pocket protector?"
"Right. See you later tonight." He dropped the call.
I knelt and pressed my face close to the cage. "He didn't think my nerdy accountant joke was funny, Zek. What do you think, boy?"
Zek jumped around, barking his little head off.
"Me too, man. I swear my brother has no sense of humor at all." I picked up the cage and walked up to the house as a sense of trepidation rolled through me.
If Erica was having all this negative shit happening to her, wouldn't it be best to stick to her side all the time? What if something happened to her at the art festival later that night? She said Mitch was going. Maybe I should go too.
No. I didn't want to invade her privacy or make her feel like I didn't trust her. Jonathan. I'd see if he were going.
I texted her after getting inside to get the name of the event.
Grabbing my phone, I called Jonathan.
"Hey there. What's up?" He sounded like he'd run a mile. I didn't want to ask in case he'd just finished fucking his wife. That would make for an awkward conversation.
"I was just calling to see if you were going to the Lantique Art Festival tonight."
"Of course I am. Why? You want to go with us?"
"No, but thank you. Erica will be there with her company and some of her work pals. I just wanted to see if you would keep an eye on her."
"Hmmm... Something going on with her that leaves you unsettled?"
"Not at all. She's just having a rough time, and I think one of the guys at work is making her uncomfortable. I've asked my brother to check into him, but I'm glad you're going to the event. Can you just watch out for her for me?"
"Absolutely. I'll keep my distance, but have my eyes on her for sure."
"Thanks, man." I hung up and dropped down onto the couch as Zek pounded on top of me, wanting attention. Worry clung to me, but Jonathan would be there.
It wasn't as good as me going, but it was better than nothing.
Chapter 50
Erica
"I seriously didn't think you were going to make it." Lanie glanced over at me from her bent-over position. Yoga was every Saturday morning, and I tried like hell not to miss it come hell or high water.
"I had to drive like a bat outta hell for sure." I moved into position and glanced up at the sound of someone clearing their throat.
"Is there a reason you're late to my class today?" The instructor was a total witch and loved to throw verbal punches at anyone who was even a few seconds tardy, but she was great at what she did. There was no denying that her class would be fantastic. A smile touched my lips as I thought about the last time I was in yoga and Matt was there. She made an example out of him, and Lanie and I stood at the back, laughing the whole time.
It was karma that I should be caught in the woman's web next.
"Yeah. My father died last night." I tilted my head to the side and gave her a look that warned her to leave me be.
"Oh!" She clamped her hands over her mouth. "I am so sorry."
"You should be." I bent back over and turned my face toward Lanie, who was wide-eyed and a little pale. "I just got back into town this morning. Matt took Zek, so I figured I would get over here as fast as possible."
"Well, I'm glad you're here." Lanie pursed her lips and moved deeper into the stretch.
The instructor's voice lifted above the soft music playing in the background, and we spent the next hour getting our asses handed to us.
I let out a long sigh of relief when the class was over. Every muscle in my body was limber and relaxed.
"That was a great work out." Lanie glanced over at me as we walked to the door. "I think she took out her aggravation on the class."
"She's a tense woman, for sure." I pushed the door open and walked into the chilly mid-morning day. "You want to grab a coffee?"
"I would, but I'm having some work done on the house today. I'm praying the guy is a hottie who hates to wear his shirt."
I laughed. "With your luck, he's an overweight gorilla who sweats like a whore in church and hates to wear his shirt or shoes."
"Really?" She gave me a look. "You're going to put that on me?"
"I had to." I turned to face her as we reached our cars. "I'm going to that art event
tonight."
"With Matthew?"
"No. With Mitch." I glanced down at my hands as deep concern welled inside of me. "I don't know what to do. I have to tell him what I did."
"Tell who?" She reached out and touched my shoulder, squeezing softly.
I forced myself to look back up at her as shame weighed me down. "Tell Matt that I promised myself to Mitch."
"It's a promise. Break it."
"And then what? He's not going to let it go, Lanie."
"We'll figure it out." She pulled me into a tight hug. "Hell, tell him that I'll wax his cock for you. Like a pinch-fucker? Like they have pinch-hitters in baseball?"
I laughed though tears had blurred my vision. "I just love him so much. I can't imagine losing him."
"Then get real and be honest." She cupped my face in her hands. "Look at me." I forced myself to look into her eyes. Nothing but love radiated from her. "You did this to help him because you're an idiot and because you love him. It's going to be okay. Go to the event, tell Mitch to fuck off and then tell Matt and Damon what's going on. They'll help you."
"I know. I'm just so used to doing things myself. I can't remember the last time I let anyone help me out of anything." I forced a smile. "Other than a dress."
She laughed. "Well, I'll be thinking about you. Call me or text me later if you need an emergency out or if anything goes wrong. I'm only a few miles away. I'll be there before you can blink twice. You're not alone, Erica. You never have been."
Her words were kind, but she was wrong. I'd been alone for a very long time. Asking anyone to help me clean up a mess as big as the one I was facing was not only embarrassing, it was damning.
***
I'd just finished getting ready for the event when Lanie called. I grabbed the phone and ignored the shaking of my hands. I was a hot mess and knew without a doubt that I wasn't going to make it through the night without throwing up a few times.
"Hey," I said, my voice a rough whisper.
"Hey. I had an idea!"
"Oh yeah? You want to do a face swap? We change identities, and you go as me? He's a really good-looking guy, and he's rich."
"And he's a total creep. I'm going to ignore your willingness to throw me to the sharks!"
I laughed. "Tell me your grand plan."
"Get a few of those high-dosage sleeping pills from the counter in your bathroom. You know... the ones you used when your father died."
"Those are old. There's no way-"
"Just do it. They'll work. Give him four instead of two."
"At the event?" I bent over and worked my heels onto my feet.
"No. He's going to want you to come home with him, Erica. Play the part and then slip the pills into his drink. Let him pass out, and Monday at the office, tell him you're all paid up. You fucked him, and life can go on."
"And if he says something to Matt?"
"He has no proof. That's when you can pull out the story. I'll be there to back you up. You know that."
It didn't sound like a horrible plan, and if I were being honest, I had no plan at all. "Alright. I'll think about it."
"Get the pills and be safe. I love you."
"Love you too." I walked quickly to the bathroom and emptied a few into the palm of my hand. Everything inside me screamed for me to skip the event and go find Matt. He could help me figure things out. He loved me.
"And I love him too." I checked myself in the mirror one more time, steeling my resolve to end this shit tonight. Lanie's plan was dangerous, but if I could pull it off, maybe everything would be back to normal by Monday.
I finished getting my things together and locked up the apartment. The trip over to the art gallery took a little longer than I expected, and I showed up about thirty minutes after I told Mitch I would be there.
I was surprised as hell that he hadn't blown up my phone wondering where I was. Points for him for being a man and not a boy.
"Good evening, Miss." A valet opened my door and moved back, a smile on his face. "Just leave the keys in the ignition. Here's your ticket. Enjoy the event."
"Thank you." I nodded and took the ticket before walking to the door.
Mitch walked out, looking like the devil himself. His black suit was pressed perfectly, and fit him like a glove. I had no doubt that every woman in the room behind him had eye-fucked him twenty times. He was beautiful and would make some woman very happy one day, but that woman wasn't me. I was completely sold out to a blond-haired goof that reminded me of the frat boys from my past that I would turn away instantly.
Matt had every part of me. There was nothing else left to give to anyone or anything.
"You look beautiful." Mitch reached out and took my hand before leaning in and kissing my cheek. "Thanks for coming."
"I didn't have a choice." I slipped my arm into his as he offered it. I wanted to find some middle ground where I could be cordial with the asshole, but he was threatening to destroy everything that mattered to me.
"You always have a choice." He glanced down at me, his eyes filled with needy lust. "Let's grab a drink and let me introduce you to a few people. Then we dance."
"I don't like to dance." I pulled my arm from him as we approached the bar.
"Too bad." He moved in behind me, sliding his hands over my hips and holding me like he owned me. He leaned forward, and I stiffened. "I'll have a crown and coke, and then whatever my girl's having as well."
The bartender smiled. "Of course, Mr. Roberson." He glanced at me. "For you tonight, Miss?"
"A glass of red wine, please." I tried to find my voice, but it was lost behind the panic building in my chest. Mitch touching me was wrong. His body pressed to mine was sickeningly wrong.
"Relax," he whispered against the back of my hair.
I took my wine, thanked the guy and turned to face Mitch. "Please don't touch me like we're together. I'm your date tonight, not your wife or your lover."
"I understand where you are, Erica." He reached out and gripped my chin as his eyes darkened. "But tonight is your payback for me walking away from the most beautiful piece of art I've ever seen. It might not mean anything to you, but it did to me."
"So go buy it from the rich kid that won the bidding that night." I stepped back and bumped into the bar. Mitch reached out and grabbed my wrist, helping me to keep from spilling the wine.
"Stop being hostile, or tonight doesn't count. Period." He gripped my free hand and pulled me alongside him as we stopped to talk with several people. He kept my hand in his, or his hand pressed to the small of my back the whole night. I calmed down a little after my second glass of wine.
There was a confidence building up inside of me that I could get him back to his place and knock him out. I could figure it out, and this travesty would be over.
"Come dance with me." He took my glass from me, and we walked out to the dance floor. He pulled me close and breathed in deeply. "I can't wait to taste you, Erica. I'm going to spread you out on my kitchen table and indulge in every part of you until you can't figure out where I begin and you end."
I smirked. "You really think you have more to offer than a young, twenty-something-year-old man? He fucks like a rabbit, and he's so beautiful to look at."
He smiled as if I hadn't phased him a bit. The fear I'd let go of earlier had returned in a sickening wave.
"I'm not going to fuck you." He moved us to the middle of the floor, his hands gripping me tightly, possessively. "I'm going to make love to you. You need to see what it looks like to be adored by a man, not molested by a boy."
I clamped my lips shut. I had a million nasty things to shoot back at him, but it was better for me to simply get through the night and walk away. After things settled down, I would find a way to get him fired, even if that meant telling Damon and Kent everything. Tonight was the beginning of the end.
He leaned down and brushed his lips by my jawline before letting his lips hover just above my lips. "Kiss me."
"No. No kissing tonight." I turne
d and pressed my cheek against his chest, facing away from him. I locked eyes with someone on the edge of the floor that looked way too familiar. The tight expression on the man's face caused bile to rise in my throat. He was disgusted, ashamed, destroyed.
"Fuck." I pulled back. "I'll be right back."
Jonathan Luntz stood at the edge of the floor, his eyes a bottomless pit. "Erica. Wow. I'm not sure what to say right now."
"It's not what you think." I reached out to touch his arm, but he stepped back out of reach.
"No?" He glanced out toward the dance floor. "Looks to me like you've been cheating on Matthew. What a painful realization that's going to be for him."
"I'm not cheating on Matt. I love him with-"
He lifted his hand and snorted. "Right. Well, here's the deal, he means a lot to me and my family. You can tell him about what you're up to while he's not looking, or I will."
"It's not-"
"You or me?"
"Me." I took a shaky breath. I would just have to tell Matt, but I needed to make Mitch think that I slept with him. Matt would believe me when I told him the whole thing and my scheme. He might even appreciate it. No... that was pushing it. He'd be furious and probably kill Mitch with his bare hands.
As long as he didn't turn away from me, I was good with anything else he wanted to do.
"Good. Enjoy your evening. You've most certainly ruined mine." He turned and walked away, his nose turned up and eyes full of condemnation. There would be no coming back from that moment with him. Even if Matthew forgave me and understood what I was up to, convincing Jonathan otherwise was going to be damn near impossible.
And Jonathan would be in our lives for a long time. Another reminder of my failures.
"Who was that?" Mitch moved up beside me and wrapped a possessive arm around my back.
"No one. Let's go."
"Home?" He pulled me flush against him.
"Yes. I'll follow you back to your place this ends tonight."
He didn't speak, but rather studied me as if trying to uncover the lies building up inside of me. A moment later, he took my hand, and we walked toward the front door. After getting our cars pulled up from the valet, he walked over and stood before me.