The Legacy Collection Box Set

by Ruth Cardello

“What fun would that have been?” Alethea made a face at Colby, laughing along with the child. “Do you know you have your own personal security detail in the back alley?”

  “Apparently not very good security, if you got past them.”

  “I haven’t met a security system yet that could keep me out.” Although Alethea was answering Lil’s questions, she was doing so in an exaggerated tone that sent Colby back into giggles.

  “Have you forgotten . . .” Lil said.

  “That was high school, Lil. I hadn’t realized my potential.” At Lil’s sour expression, she said, “Don’t make me apologize for it again. Geez, you get your friend arrested one time and they hold it against you forever.”

  Laughing would only encourage her. Lil adjusted her position in her chair as one of her legs went numb. “I really wish you had gotten into the FBI. You need to be monitored.”

  “They didn’t think they could reform me, but don’t worry, I’m making much more money freelancing my skills. So, what happened to you? Were you snatched from your house in the middle of the day and didn’t think it’s worth calling me about?”

  Lil smoothed the hem of her skirt down to buy some time. “I wasn’t snatched,” she hedged.

  “Seriously, are you under some sort of home arrest?”

  Although she was tempted to say yes, she grudgingly admitted, “No, Dominic is worried that Colby and I might be in danger since my interview stirred up so much interest with the press.” Lil shuddered.

  Her friend didn’t look surprised. “He’s right. Your face is everywhere right now. And your sister really could not have picked a more high-profile boyfriend.”

  “But I’m not . . .”

  “It doesn’t matter if you have money. It would be the potential of what you’d be worth to Dominic.”

  Lil imagined what he must have thought of her to send Jake to fix her. “This week, I’m sure that’s not very much.”

  Alethea rolled her eyes. “I would have brought wine if I had known this was going to be a pity party. You know I hate it when you martyr out on me.”

  Lil glared at her as you can only openly do at someone you’ve been best friends with for more than a decade.

  Alethea was not concerned. “Glare all you want, but I’m likely to be the only one who won’t clock you in the head if you try to say how horrible it is to be forced into a life of luxury and leisure. How will you survive with around the clock maid service and an uptown address? No, no, I want to pay my own college loans off. You can’t make me take your money, Dominic.” Alethea mimicked Lil’s voice in the most unflattering way.

  “Shut up. It’s not like that.” Lil smacked her hand down on the arm of her chair.

  Alethea just met her eyes without a word.

  Lil said, “Okay, I can see how this would look wonderful to some people, but I don’t want to owe anyone anything anymore. I’m so tired of being the one who doesn’t know, who can’t know, who everyone thinks can’t survive on their own. I’ve made mistakes. And I’m still making mistakes.” The memory of how easily she had fallen into Jake’s arms made her almost as uncomfortable as the realization that she longed for something more serious with him. She continued on, her pitch rising with each word. “Huge stupid mistakes. I admit it. But this doesn’t have to be me. I can change.”

  At the show of emotion, Alethea sat forward. “What did you do?”

  “Nothing,” Lil said and blinked back tears of frustration. Unsure if she could admit the fullness of her folly to even her closest friend.

  “You might as well tell me now,” Alethea said, grinning. “You know I’ve studied Bauer interrogation techniques. I’m not afraid to use them on you.”

  “Sometimes you scare me a little, Al.”

  Her friend only laughed. “Spill it.”

  Lil let her head drop back to the cushion behind her head. “I slept with Jake.”

  One of Alethea’s hands shot skyward. “Hallelujah!”

  Lil peeked out from beneath her mostly closed eyelids. “How can you say that?”

  “Let’s see. My best friend gets dumped over a year ago by an asshole. She swears off men and goes from being someone who enjoys a good adventure now and then to a complete and miserable stick in the mud. The universe sends her not only one of the hottest men on the planet, but also one of the richest and she takes advantage of the opportunity. Yeah, I can see how bad I’m supposed to feel for you.” Alethea’s sarcasm was replaced by amusement. “At least tell me he was awful in bed.”

  Lil blushed at the memory. “We didn’t make it to the bed.”

  Alethea nodded and joked, “Okay, now I might hate you a little bit.” Her tone turned serious again. “Lil, you really need to lighten up and enjoy the ride.”

  “Oh, I did,” Lil drawled and the two shared a laugh.

  “Now, there is the Lil I know.”

  Lil raised her head and both her eyebrows at that. “Are you calling me a slut?”

  Her friend’s response was thick with sarcasm. “Yeah, because sleeping with two guys by the age of twenty-five is everyone’s definition of a whore.” Her tone grew more serious. “Besides, who would care if you were one? Slut, whore . . . those are just words men use to judge what they cannot control. And, more specifically, they were the words your ex used when you proved to him that you could survive when he left you. Don’t let him have any place in your head.”

  Lil left her seat to join Alethea on hers and simply hugged her. She really should have called her last night instead of spending hours chasing her own thoughts around. Al always knew just what to say. What’s better than a friend who knows all the ugly corners of your soul and loves you anyway?

  Alethea hugged her back and then said, “So, details, details.”

  Lil shrugged. “It was good, but it doesn’t really matter. It won’t happen again. I’m not his type.”

  “Apparently.”

  “No, seriously, we agreed that it was a mistake.”

  Alethea shook her head in mock sadness. “You mean you said it first.”

  Lil held her fear in. He would have said it if I’d waited. Sometimes the anticipation was worse than the actual desertion.

  “Well, what did he say?” her friend prompted.

  “He agreed that it was a mistake.”

  “And then?”

  “And then he left.”

  One line appeared on Alethea’s forehead, a sign that she found something puzzling. “And you haven’t seen him since?”

  Lil looked away. “He came back, made sure I had groceries and watched Colby so I could study for my exam.”

  Alethea barked out a laugh. “Wow, he sounds like such a jerk. You are so right to feel bad about the whole experience.”

  Lil didn’t expect her friend to understand. Alethea was used to getting any man she wanted. “He only came back because Dominic had asked him to make sure I had settled in.”

  “Yeah, probably. Not because he’s hot for you and wanted to see you again.”

  “It’s not like that, Alethea.”

  Alethea turned Colby around on her lap and started bouncing her again. “Lil, I get why you are like you are. Your parents left you, Asshole left you, now you feel like your sister left you. You don’t want to care because you’re afraid this guy will leave you, too. I get it. But while you wallow in all that fear, you’re missing out on some life changing opportunities.”

  “I have to be more careful. I have Colby to think of . . .”

  “I respect that, but don’t you think that you’ve whipped yourself enough for one mistake?”

  Lil was instantly furious. “She is not a mistake.”

  Alethea smiled and handed Colby back to Lil. “Exactly. Remember that.” She stood and tucked her blouse pristinely back into her slacks. “Well, I’m off to test the security system for a new optical fiber laser company. I got the contract through that guy you referred to me. Thanks.”

  Lil stood. “Alethea? Wait. Abby is having a huge party this
weekend in New York and she wants me to go.”

  “Why does this sound like a question? You know you should.”

  It wasn’t easy to admit the truth, but Lil was nervous about the party. First, she didn’t think she could face Jake alone again. Second, what did she know about high-class events? Abby may have transitioned to the world of the wealthy with seemingly little issue, but Lil didn’t know where to begin to prepare it. “Will you come with me? I can’t go there alone.”

  Her friend looked dubious and said, “You know Abby isn’t wild about me.”

  Lil reached for Alethea’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll talk to her. I’m sure she’ll add you to the list if I ask.”

  Alethea returned the squeeze absently, her growing excitement with some idea quickly overshadowed her concern. “Big party at Dominic Corisi’s place?”

  “No at his . . .”

  A huge smile spread across Alethea’s face. “Sounds like something that would have the very best security.”

  Oh, I shouldn’t have said anything. “No, Al. Can’t you just be there for me like a normal friend? Just this once?”

  “I’ll be there,” Alethea promised in a tone that did not make Lil feel any better.

  “I mean it.” Lil looked her friend right in the eye, hoping her friend would heed her advice this one time. “Don’t try to circumvent his security. He takes his privacy really seriously. You could get hurt.”

  Alethea straightened proudly, tossing her head in a way that reminded Lil of a wild horse. “Or I could get in and imagine the contracts I would pull in after that.”

  Lil groaned. “I’m imagining many possible outcomes and none of them good.”

  “I’ll keep you on speed dial, okay?” Alethea mimed dialing her number. “First sign of trouble I’ll pretend I’m lost and I’ll call you. Does that make you feel better?”

  “Not really.” Lil sighed. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

  “Lucky for me, that was a mutual prerequisite to this friendship.”

  “Think you’re so funny, huh?” Lil pulled her friend close for a one-arm hug.

  Alethea returned the hug and gave Colby a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you in New York, Lil.”

  Conceding to the fact that nothing was likely to stop her friend at this point, Lil said, “It’s at Dominic’s . . .”

  Alethea interrupted Lil before she let herself out of the penthouse. “Don’t tell me. You know it’s more fun for me to figure it out myself. Oh, and call your damn sister.”

  A few minutes past eight that night, there was another knock at the door. Lil looked down at her black cotton T-shirt and matching sweat shorts. She wasn’t dressed for company, she was dressed for settling down with the bowl of popcorn she’d just made and watching the sappy movie she’d planned to escape into.

  Why does this place even have an intercom if no one is going to use it? Lil swung the door open.

  Jake.

  Beautiful, perfectly groomed Jake. The man had probably been born in a charcoal suit. Lil’s hand went to the back of her neck instinctively pushing at the curls she knew had already broken free of the loose knot she’d tied them back in.

  He looked as irritated as he sounded. “I could be anybody. No security system is going to keep you safe if you open the door for anyone who knocks.”

  She was tempted to tell him how his “security” had already failed once that day, but she held her tongue. She didn’t bother to curb her sarcasm. “Hi, Jake. It’s nice to see you, too. I thought you went back to New York.”

  He scowled. “I did.”

  “Did you forget something here?” she asked sweetly. Was it wrong to hope the man wasn’t perfect?

  He shook his head and walked toward her with purpose. The hair on the back of Lil’s neck tingled and she bit her lip. There was something different about him tonight. Something both dangerous and incredibly hot at the same time.

  She took a step back.

  “Where is Colby?” he asked softly, prowling toward her.

  “In bed for the night,” Lil said hoarsely. Exactly where I should be, she thought. Alone, she added for the benefit of her raging libido.

  He advanced until they were so close that she could see the desire burning in his eyes. “I have responsibilities in New York. Meetings scheduled. Documents to prepare before the weekend. I don’t have time for this,” he said gruffly.

  Lil swallowed nervously, feeling desire whip through her in response. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?

  “But I’m here.” He reached out and cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer, tilting her head up to his.

  Lil licked her lips. Yes, you are.

  “I can’t concentrate in New York. All I can think about is this . . .” His head swooped down and he claimed her. His tongue slipped inside her lips and drew an instant and overwhelming response from every inch of Lil. He was savoring, devouring her and she couldn’t get enough of it. She welcomed him passionately. Her hands slid beneath his jacket and gripped the rippling muscles of his back. He put a hand on her behind and pulled her against him, positioning her against his excitement. “And this.”

  Oh God, me too. Lil sucked in a breath as her body clenched and moistened. Still, she reached for some sanity. “Didn’t we agree that this was a mistake?”

  He explored her neck with his lips, teasing just below her ear with the tip of this tongue. His hot breath added to her building excitement as she remembered how it had warmed her thighs and other areas of her body that were already pulsing and begging for his attention.

  “You can send me away.” His strong hands negated his words, holding her, seeking out the entry beneath her clothing. “Say the word and I’ll go.”

  I should.

  Nothing about this made any sense.

  He’d made no promises to her, but oddly that was what she found tempting. She wouldn’t have believed declarations of devotion. This was real. This was what men wanted and, at that moment, she couldn’t deny that it was what she wanted, too. She wanted to lose herself in the overwhelming sensations his nearness elicited, drown in the escape that this level of passion offered.

  One of his hands slid beneath the back elastic of her shorts. “Look at me,” he commanded.

  Lil had a flash of their first time together. Wonderful as it had been, he had given very little of himself, revealed even less. This time she wanted more. She would demand more.

  “I have one condition to us doing this,” she said breathlessly and fingered the buttons on his shirt.

  “Name it,” he growled.

  “I want to play a game this time,” she said and peered up at him from beneath her lashes.

  “A game?” His head pulled back. “I don’t do anything that involves restraint or pain.”

  She slapped his chest playfully. “And you think I do?”

  He leaned down to nuzzle her neck. “I have no idea.” His hand slid beneath her waistband again, this time also sliding beneath the back of her silk panties and closing on her hind cheek with a proprietorial squeeze. “But I want to know. I want to know everything about you.”

  She smiled. “Perfect, then you’ll enjoy this game.” She stepped back and away from him. “Have you ever played truth or dare?”

  “No,” he said and his frustration with her insertion of dialogue into what was a highly charged sexual moment was clear in both his facial expression and tone.

  “Well, this is a variation of it. Truth or strip. I’ll ask you a question and if you don’t feel comfortable answering it, you remove an article of clothing.”

  He reached for her again, but she moved out of his reach.

  “An article of your clothing,” she clarified.

  “Wouldn’t it be nicer to simply let me explore you? I missed a few places last time and I’d like to rectify that.”

  Tempting as that offer was, she moved even further away and shook her head. “I’ll start with an easy one. Do you have a mi
ddle name?”

  “No,” he said and advanced toward her.

  She skirted around the couch and, with the furniture safely between them, instructed, “Now it’s your turn. Ask me something.”

  “Do you always have to make things more difficult than they have to be?” he said and took a step around the couch.

  She retreated in the opposite direction. “A nice question, one that would help you know me better.”

  He advanced again and said in a honey tone, “I am trying to know you better.”

  This time she stood her ground, refusing to budge.

  He held his distance although the heat in his eyes suggested that their game was exciting him. Forcing him to play by her rules was an incredible aphrodisiac—for both of them. He growled, “Did you pass your exam?”

  “I think so,” she answered happily, loving how close he looked to ending this and taking her right there on the floor. Lil’s thighs quivered at the thought, anticipating wrapping around him and welcoming him into her.

  When none of her clothing was removed, he said, “Let’s skip the game.”

  “It gets better,” she assured him and knew that it would. Their first time had been incredible, and Lil was already wet and ready for him even though they had barely touched. Can you improve on incredible? She was more than a little willing to find out. “I wanted to give you an example. Now we can have a little fun. How old were you when you first had sex?”

  “Seventeen,” he answered, looking slightly more interested in the game. “And you?”

  “Twenty-one,” she said. Seventeen, huh? She’d have to ask for those details at another time. She didn’t want another woman in this moment. “How many partners have you had?”

  He shrugged his jacket off.

  “How about you?” he asked.

  “One,” she said then quickly corrected herself, “well, two if I count you.”

  He didn’t like that comment very much, nor did he like that no clothing had been lost in the exchange. “Count me,” he growled.

  Lil smiled. Ouch, was his ego that sensitive? “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” she asked.

  “No,” he answered. “Do you pleasure yourself?”

  “Of course,” she answered easily. “Do you?”