Stealing Conleigh : Part 2 (Stealing Love )

by Glenna Maynard

  She bats her lashes at me and pulls her top off.

  “How do you want me?”

  Milking it for what it’s worth, I walk around the desk, making for the door as though I intend to lock it. Just as my hand goes to the knob, Conleigh pushes through from the other side.

  The huge smile spread across her face falls as she takes in Reese topless.

  Tears spring in her eyes as she looks to me. “What the fuck, Holden!” She smacks my chest.

  “It isn’t what it looks like. I was just getting ready to make her leave. I did what I had to, to get her to sign the papers.”

  “Exactly what did you have to do?” Her brows knit as she stares me down and damn if looks could kill I’d be a dead man right now.

  “Nothing happened,” I vow.

  “He fucked me on the desk. I was just getting my clothes back on,” Reese lies through her whore teeth.

  “I don’t believe you,” Conleigh says, shaking her head.

  “Why would I lie?” Reese scrunches up her face and squeals as though she is the one being put out by all this drama.

  “Because you’re desperate for money. You see, my best friend is the greatest friend in the whole wide world and she has been spending a lot of time with Wren and you know what she found out? She found out that you thought you could take Holden for all he has. Wren told her how you planned on setting him up, and when he saw how truly happy Holden is with me he didn’t want to tell him about the shady shit you were doing. He decided to take care of you on his own because he didn’t want to hurt his little brother any more than he already had. He paid you to get lost, so why are you still here?”

  Reese charges at Conleigh like a crazy lady holding the letter opener from my desk as though she intends to use it. I jerk her back by her hair and nearly choke the bitch to death to keep her from going after Conleigh.

  The next thing I know Missy is standing in the doorway with her mouth hanging open. “Sorry to interrupt your kink fest but you’re needed at the bar.”

  “Actually, Missy. I could use your help taking the trash out,” Conleigh says to her.

  Reese drops the letter opener and Conleigh throws her shirt at her.

  I don’t even bother giving her time to cover up. Missy holds her hand out in front of her and waves Reese to the door. “Let’s go. You heard them. Time to take out the trash.”

  Without a word, the two of them exit leaving me alone with my girl.

  “Well that was interesting,” Conleigh states and comes to me.

  “Did Bailey really tell you that shit about Reese?” I question as I wrap my arms around her.

  “Yeah, that’s what took me so long to get here. Bailey called and made Wren tell me. Don’t be mad at him. He thought he was protecting you.”

  I nod, and decide to think on it later. I’m just grateful Conleigh believes me.

  “Missy told me she was in your office. I told her to give me five minutes and interrupt. I wasn’t sure if I could keep from killing her if there wasn’t witnesses. At first, it took me off guard seeing her shirtless but deep down I knew that I trusted you. I know you love me and you won’t hurt me.” She grins and I kiss her forehead.

  Once the excitement has dissipated we meet up with my brother and Bailey to sign the partnership agreement and celebrate her big news about her book deal.

  I wanted to take Conleigh out to a nice restaurant, but her and Bailey insisted they cook us a meal. They have gone to the grocery store. When I get to the apartment Wren is standing in the living room shaking his head and muttering while reading a note.

  He laughs and hands it to me.

  It appears to be from Ezra. All of his shit is gone, thank god. I don't ever want to see the bastard again. I don’t necessarily hate him—yeah, I do. He’s a prick. I scan the note.

  Dear fuckers,

  You deserve each other. I hope you are miserable together. Holden, if I were you, man, I would watch my back. Before you know it Conleigh will be sucking your brother’s dick just like your wife did. She is nothing but a whore and I hope your dick rots off. Preferably by an STD that Conleigh will no doubt catch from your brother. You both did me a favor.

  Have a not so great life, assholes,

  E

  Chapter 16

  Conleigh

  Two months later

  “Turn left here.”

  “Are you sure? I think we need to go right.”

  “The map says left,” I argue.

  “Okay but if we get lost it’s on you. I just don’t want you to miss your dad getting hitched,” Holden says, being thoughtful.

  “I’m going by the directions Beth emailed me. We will get there on time.”

  I squeeze his hand. This is the first time Holden is meeting my dad and Beth. He’s been so busy with the renovations at the bar. The place looks great though. With Wren’s help the business has really turned around. They practically gutted it and started over.

  Wren knows his stuff. Him and Bailey are still going strong but are taking things slow. They only recently had sex. Bailey swore her vagina was gonna dry up if it didn’t happen soon. But she is glad they waited. They are getting ready to move into their own place. Bailey has been staying at the apartment with him for the past month but with the four of us it gets to be crowded and privacy is an issue at times. Not to mention that Holden and I will be needing that extra room in about seven months. I haven’t told him that yet though.

  Only Bailey knows and I have her sworn to secrecy. I plan on telling him and my dad together. I thought maybe they could bond over the news. It’s very important to me that they get along and like each other. I’ve visited with my dad and Beth a few times. Not as often as I would like though. My schedule has been full lately. I signed a book deal for the duet I wrote about Holden and me. Well, it is loosely based on us. I have been in rewrite and editing hell and actually completed the last few chapters yesterday and am awaiting the all clear from the editors.

  I can’t believe my books will be on the shelves in some of my favorite stores.

  “We’re here.” Holden breaks me from my thoughts.

  He comes around and opens my door for me. I lean up and give him a quick kiss. I only have enough time to make a small introduction between my dad and Holden before I have to get changed into my dress. I am standing in as my dad’s best man.

  I haven’t spoken to my mother since she showed up at the apartment to tell me about my dad and make her threats. She has kept good to her word. It makes me sad to think she won’t get to know my child but that’s her choice. I don’t know if I will even tell her that I’m pregnant. She’d probably flip out even more because Holden and I aren’t married.

  I didn’t want a baby so soon, but everything happens for a reason. I’m a firm believer.

  The ceremony is short and to the point. There aren’t that many guests but it feels more intimate. The way Beth looks at my dad, I know she loves him and I am so glad he found her.

  She’s a sweet woman who loves to do hair and cook. She was married once before to an abusive drunk and got away after the first time he hit her. When she told me her story I couldn’t help but think about the time Ezra smacked me and I am so thankful that I have a man like Holden now.

  Ezra is still working for his dad and the last I had heard he was engaged to someone else. Surprisingly her name isn’t Judy. She’s some rich country club girl his dad set him up with. I only hope he treats her better than he did me.

  I watch my dad and Beth as they share the first dance and hope that when Holden and I do get married it’s similar to this. Quiet and intimate with only a few close family and friends. That is if he asks me. I plan to tell my dad and Holden about my pregnancy once most of the guests have gone. I don’t want to take away from Beth’s night. This is her moment to shine.

  “You okay?” Holden questions me.

  “Yeah, why? I’m fine.”

  “I don’t know you seem off lost in your own thoughts.”

>   “Nope. All good here. Just enjoying seeing my dad so happy.”

  “I like him. He seems like a real chill guy. We had a good talk earlier.”

  My eyes widen. “You did?”

  “Yeah, while you were changing.”

  His eyes soften and he nods in my dad’s direction.

  I notice my dad and Beth staring at us all weird like.

  “What are you up to?” I hedge.

  “Baby…” He pushes his chair back from the reception table. Before I can register anything else he has dropped down on one knee. “Conleigh. I know it’s fast. I know you have plans of seeing the world. I just want to know if you want to chase your dreams with me, as my wife?”

  I told Holden how I wanted to travel and see all the great sights the first night we were together and I can’t believe he remembered.

  “Can you make travel arrangements for three?” I ask. This wasn’t how I planned to tell him but you can’t plan life down to perfect details. The perfection comes from living in the moment.

  “Three?” he says more to himself. Then it hits him. He swallows hard. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  I nod as a tear slides down his cheek.

  “We’re pregnant!” I shriek and his mouth crashes into mine, kissing me with pure joy.

  “Wow, a baby with my baby,” he whispers, sounding all dorky and dopey.

  I grin at him as I wait for him to slip the ring on my finger.

  “So, is that a yes?” He asks and then I remember I never truly answered him.

  “Yes!” I hiss, smacking his shoulder.

  “I love you, Holden James.”

  “And I love you, Conleigh Meyers soon to be James.”

  Coming Soonish!

  Chasing Bailey

  Wren and Bailey’s story!

  More info to be announced at a later date, blurb on the next page.

  Thank you for reading!

  Wren James is a rock god but he’s also my best friend’s brother-in-law. I made a mistake and broke my one cardinal rule—don’t fall in love. I swore to myself that I would make it through college unattached. I promised myself he was just a good time, but I lied.

  Bailey Monroe will be the death of me. I’m Wren James, former lead singer of Bad Intentions. My face is on the cover of magazines. I could have any woman I want, but I had to fall for her. My brother warned me. Holden told me not to hurt her and I swore I wouldn’t, but I lied. I promised myself that I would never chase after a woman, but here I am Chasing Bailey…

  About the Auth0r

  Glenna Maynard is a Kentucky native with a passion for romance, best known for her bestselling romantic suspense novel I'm with You and The Black Rebel Riders' MC series. When she isn't arguing with the voices in her head or drinking reader tears, she enjoys watching classic TV shows with her two children and longtime leading man.

  You can also find Glenna on several social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, WordPress, Google+ and Goodreads. You are also invited to join her reader group on Facebook just search for Glenna’s Rebels.

  You can find her website at www.glennamaynard.com

  Available Now

  Grim The Beginning

  Rumor

  Baby

  Striker

  Romeo

  Heart of A Rebel

  A Rebel Love

  A Rebel In The Roses

  Blood of A Rebel

  Beauty & The Biker

  I’m with You

  The Suffocation of Katie

  Dirty Love

  Dirty Truth

  Dirty Neighbor

  When It Rains

  Drunk On You

  Born Sinner

  The Boom

  Stealing Conleigh Part 1

  Stealing Conleigh Part 2

  The Boom

  Dawn Martens

  &

  Glenna Maynard

  The Boom

  Amaya Maxwell only has one goal in life–dancing for a premier ballet company. She doesn’t date and she definitely doesn’t date jocks. In her eyes, they are all cheaters. However, when sexy quarterback Tate King and his reputation are thrust into her life, she finds herself falling fast and hard.

  Tate King has one thing on his mind, getting drafted for the NFL. When an injury takes him out of the game and onto the dance floor of a feisty ballerina, he isn’t expecting to fall in love. Tate doesn’t do relationships, or at least he didn’t until Amaya hit him with the boom…

  Part 1

  Here comes the boom

  Chapter 1

  Tate

  “How’s that ankle holding up man?” Bucky asks, before heading out for the night. His name’s Travis, but the team calls him Bucky, short for Buckeye because he’s from Ohio.

  “It’s holding. I’m just happy as fuck that I don’t need that damn boot anymore.” I’m even more fucking happy that I didn’t need surgery and that coach didn’t pull me from the team. We’ve managed to hide my injury from the press. I was out partying last week with my fraternity brothers, got wasted, and let some dumb shits talk me into a game of flag football at three am. I had no business playing. I knew what was on the line, but I’m the King—Tate King, star quarterback for the Trojans. I couldn’t say no. I have a reputation to uphold. My image is part of the package, off and on the field. I have to maintain my status without screwing up either. My fraternity brothers think I’m a legend of sorts for getting laid so much and for nearly crushing the school records.

  Coach however, he expects me to keep a squeaky-clean image. Recruiters won’t touch a player who doesn’t hold to their values.

  Playing for the NFL is all I have ever dreamed of and one drunken night almost cost me everything I’ve been working for my whole life. It’s enough to scare my ass straight.

  “Coach wants to see you in about an hour,” he informs me. He grins like he’s in on a joke that I’m not privy to.

  “Do you know what it’s about?” I start sweating, feeling anxious that maybe he’s decided to cut me from the team after all.

  He shrugs and grabs his keys. “Not a clue, I just left his office, told me to let you know. I just came back to change. I gotta jet.”

  “Thanks man.”

  “I wouldn’t keep him waiting,” he warns with a hint of that shit eating grin again.

  I wave Bucky off and pull up my schedule. Classes started last week. I already have a shit ton of work to do. Fuck, this semester will be brutal. I’m a year away from my BA in Sports Medicine. Between studying and practices, I don’t get much time for a social life. I could nail about any chick at this school that I want, and I have for the most part. I’m careful not to get involved. I don’t want any attachments dragging me down. I want the whole family life, but after I’ve made it to the NFL and secured my spot. My father has always driven home the importance of being able to support myself before taking on anyone else.

  He always told me that when I found the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with, it would hit me, I would instantly know. It’s what I keep hoping for, but I’ve found nothing yet. Some days, I feel like I hang around the wrong areas. All the girls I meet are just looking to latch onto a football player. I swear, every single girl in this college is only here to become a gold digger. They see a guy like me who’s going places and want a meal ticket.

  Fuck. I better head over to Coach’s office. I pull my team hoodie back over my head and place my ball cap over my greasy hair, I need a shower but there’s not enough time. Webb Tower isn’t far from the JMC, the John McKay Center. You don’t keep Coach Clay waiting. I could’ve moved off campus or lived at the fraternity house, but I like being close to my classes. I’ve got my eyes on the prize, being drafted to the NFL. I was matched with Bucky freshmen year and we’ve roomed together ever since. He shares a room with Big Tex. I drew the longest straw, so I got the single room, which happens to be smaller, but at least I can jack off in private.

  My ha
nd is the most action I’ve seen in weeks, since I came back from summer camp and since I fucked up my ankle during fall camp. It’s not from lack of women trying. They are always willing. I’m just not feeling any of them. I grin as a few freshmen giggle when I walk through the lobby of my building. They treat me like I’m a prime piece of meat. I used to eat the attention up, but now it just annoys me. I make my way out the door and get ready to take whatever comes my way.

  I rush down the sidewalk, avoiding eye contact with everyone I pass. No time for stopping and shooting the shit right now. I make it to coaches’ office in record time.

  Knocking on his door before opening it, I call out, “You wanted to see me?”

  He nods. “Sit, we need to talk about something.”

  I nervously sit in the vinyl seat in front of his desk and wait. I look around the room taking in the photos of the men who have played before me, and I hope I still have the chance to prove that I’m just as good, if not better. I’m damn good. Recruiters were watching me when I was in middle school playing on the high school JV team. My love of the game drives me.

  “How’s the ankle?”

  “It’s good.”

  “About time you got that boot off. People were wondering why you were staying holed up in the dorm. I planted a few stories that you had a reaction to local anesthesia after a root canal and needed a few days.”

  He shuffles things around on his desk and hands me a piece of paper.

  I look at it and frown. “What’s this?” I turn the paper over studying it with a grimace. It’s some sort of dance practice schedule.

  “That’s what you’ll be doing for the next few weeks. You’re a great player, my best on the team, but your footwork is a little sloppy. Dancing will help with that. Good conditioning and all that. Gotta get you back in top form, this injury could have really set your ass back…” He trails off and waves his hand.