Mile-High Mistress

by Jenesi Ash

“You do that,” Kyler says roughly.

  I make my way to the long green couch next to the bar, staying as far away from Marnie as she races against the clock to get the presentation completed. I find the remote control and turn on the TV. Marnie doesn’t even look up as I flip through the channels. I settle on the news.

  It doesn’t take long for my attention to drift. If it’s not about fashion or celebrities, I’m really not interested. But that doesn’t explain why my attention keeps moving to the secretary.

  Marnie Irwin isn’t all that interesting, either, but there’s something about her sitting at that table that bugs me. I wonder why no one asked for her help. Was she too good to get her hands dirty?

  But then, she’s not one of those women who will wait for someone to ask for help. She’ll volunteer and be on the front line, making sure everyone else is doing their part. I find it hard to believe the presentation is more important than finding the Scorpion prototype.

  If anything, I’m surprised Danielle helped look for the device. I peer into the sitting area and watch Danielle straightening up after Leon and Jason. I notice that Jason can’t stop looking at Danielle. He must not be too concerned about the missing prototype if he keeps looking down Danielle’s blouse.

  Kyler strides out of the kitchen, each angry step advertising his frustration. He sits down on the couch next to me. “It wasn’t in there,” he says in a low voice so Marnie can’t hear our suspicions. “I need to look through her purse, but it’s locked up.”

  “Forget about Danielle.” I wave my hand in the air, dismissing the idea. “It’s not her.”

  “You just said it was.”

  “I said it was possible because no one paid attention to the flight attendant. But it’s different with Danielle. Jason can’t keep his eyes off of her.” I point at them in the sitting room.

  He watches Jason and Danielle for a moment. “Jealous,” he taunts me.

  “Hardly.” Why do people think mistresses are insecure and competitive of other women? Don’t they realize it’s the other way around and I make women uncomfortable? “If Danielle picked up the prototype, Jason would have noticed.”

  “Great. We are right back where we started. We’re going to land in fifteen minutes and we are empty-handed.”

  I tilt my head as I watch the secretary hunch over her computer. “Did Marnie help look for the prototype?”

  “We looked all over this room.”

  “That’s not what I asked. Did she help?”

  Kyler exhales slowly. “No, because she’s on a deadline to get that presentation ready.”

  “And she never got up from her seat?”

  Kyler splays his hands in the air as if he doesn’t care one way or the other. “I’m sure she did once or twice.”

  “Since the prototype went missing?” I ask.

  “I don’t know.” Frustration clips his words.

  “She has it.” I don’t know why, but I know there’s only one reason why she wouldn’t help look for the prototype. Because she’s hiding it. “I bet you anything that she’s sitting on it.”

  “Are you crazy?” Kyler whispers fiercely. “Marnie wouldn’t do anything to hurt Leon. Anyway, we’ve already established that she could have taken it at any time if she wanted to.”

  I jump up from the couch. “I’m going to get it.”

  “You don’t want to cross her,” Kyler warns me.

  “Oh, please. I’m already on her bad side. What do I have to lose?” I ask as I walk over to the table.

  I sit down in the chair next to her. Marnie’s typing slows down as she glares at me. Propping my chin in my hands, I look at her and say, “I know you have it.”

  She lifts her fingers up from her keyboard and gives me a confused look. “I beg your pardon?”

  “I just don’t know why you took it.”

  Her forehead creases as she frowns. “Took what?”

  “Knock off the innocent look.” I look at the chair she’s sitting on. Marnie is a little rounded and overweight, so she might have it tucked between her hip and the chair. I don’t plan to go fishing for it. “You took the prototype.”

  Marnie scoffs at the accusation. “I did not.”

  “Fine, we’ll play it your way.” I lean back in my seat. “Once we land, you’ll have to get from that chair. I can’t wait to see how you’re going to hide it from me.”

  She says nothing and looks back at her computer. I almost think she’s dismissed me completely, but she doesn’t resume her typing.

  “I have to give your credit,” I continue. I don’t want to give her a chance to come up with an excuse or an alternative plan. “That’s a great hiding place, but it’s tough to retrieve it. Then again, you didn’t plan on anyone having their eye on you.”

  She gives me a sidelong glance. “I don’t need male attention like you.”

  Is that her idea of a put-down? Please. She could do better than that. “I don’t need it, it’s just handed to me,” I clarify for her. “So why did you take it? What do you plan to do with the Scorpion?”

  Marnie clucks her tongue. “Do you really think I’m going to answer any of your questions?”

  “Probably not. You know, I’m surprised,” I say in a low, confidential tone. “Of all the people Leon can trust, I never thought you would be disloyal to him.”

  Marnie jerks back as if she’s been slapped. “How dare you?” she says in a hiss, her face growing red with anger. “I built my career taking care of him. I would never do anything to hurt Leon.”

  “Leon’s a big boy,” I remind her. “He doesn’t need taking care of.”

  “I made him into the man he is today,” Marnie continues. “I protect his time and look after his health. You wouldn’t believe the decisions I make for him every day.”

  “And sometimes you protect him from himself,” I add. She gives me a startled glance and I know I’m on the right track. “That’s one aspect of your job he doesn’t know about. You’re not stealing from Leon.”

  “I would never!” She appears genuinely outraged at the suggestion.

  “You were going to frame me,” I say quietly as I slowly realize the truth. “And make it look like I was stealing from him.”

  She doesn’t say anything but her face grows pale.

  “I have to admit, that is quite impressive.” And I am impressed. I would never have seen it coming. “It’s quick and efficient, especially since I would be caught red-handed and have no explanation. Were you going to put it in my purse?”

  “Slip it in your jacket,” she mutters. “The outer pocket is big enough.”

  I nod. This secretary is a worthy opponent. She’s more than the gatekeeper. She has the power to boot me out of the lifestyle I’ve worked so hard to gain.

  Why does she hate me so much? Because I represent every one of Leon’s weaknesses? “I’m not Leon’s first mistress,” I point out.

  “I’m fully aware of that,” she says with a scoff. “But you are the only one I’ve met face to face.”

  “Really?” Now that surprises me.

  “I don’t know why he flaunts you in his office and to his business associates. It’s tacky and once his wife finds out…” She shudders at the possible outcome. “There’s nothing special about you.”

  I would like to argue with that opinion, but honestly, I don’t know why Leon treats me differently than his other mistresses. Why is he so public about our relationship? I want to ask Marnie for her opinion when the plane makes a deep turn. I grip the corner of the table, squeeze my eyes shut and start chanting a prayer I don’t even remember knowing.

  “Shit!” Leon yells. I hear him stomp past me. “We still haven’t found the prototype.”

  “Marnie has it.” I open my eyes wide. I don’t know exactly what my plan is, but I know I’m not giving her a chance to frame me for the theft.

  Leon whirls around. He looks like he’s past the point of distressed and on the brink of losing it completely. “What?” he bellows.<
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  Marnie glares at me. “Bitch,” she says under her breath.

  “She just found it,” I tell Leon as he storms over.

  My explanation seemed to unsettle her more than revealing that she had the prototype. “What are you doing?” she hisses.

  “She wouldn’t let me even touch it,” I start to babble. “Gee, Marnie, you’re so protective over that thing.”

  Leon slams his hands on the table and leans in until he’s eye level with his secretary. “Is that true?”

  Marnie swallows and gives me an assessing look, like she doesn’t know if this is a trick to incriminate her in front of her boss. “Yes,” she says softly. Reaching behind her back, the secretary pulls out the prototype. “I looked it over. There’s no damage. It’s safe and sound.”

  “Thank God.” Leon grips the prototype with both hands. “I knew I could count on you, Marnie. You’re the best!”

  “Isn’t she?” I keep my overbright smile up as Leon hurries over to Jason.

  Marnie waits until Leon is out of earshot. “Why did you do that?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” My smile turns downright wicked. “Now you’re obligated to me.”

  I see the emotions flickering across her face as she wants to deny my statement. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to get me fired?”

  “And miss watching you squirm? I don’t think so.” I slowly stand up. “Anyway, it would be so difficult breaking in a new secretary.”

  Marnie clenches her jaw and slams her laptop shut. “I really don’t like you.”

  “Yeah, I know. I have that effect on women.” I turn away and strut over to Kyler. I’m feeling very triumphant and quite pleased with myself. I sit down beside him just as the seat belt light goes on.

  He’s shaking his head in wonder. “How did you know?”

  “She’s the type who would have been the first to jump up and head the search party.”

  “True. Why did she take it? I didn’t hear that part.”

  I give a Gallic shrug. “Let’s just say she doesn’t approve of me or my role in Leon’s life. She was going to make it look like I stole it.”

  Kyler looks at Marnie and then back at me. “Why didn’t you get her fired? She’s going to be trouble for you.”

  “No.” I grip the armrests and close my eyes as the plane makes a dramatic dip. “She’s going to be on her best behavior because she finds me unpredictable.”

  “Don’t bet on it, Amaris.”

  And here I thought I made the clever choice. I swallow, my ears popping as the plane descends from the sky. “You should be impressed with me,” I insist. “Not only did I find the prototype, but I followed Leon’s strategy. I made my enemy into an ally.”

  “Who will double-cross you the moment she can,” he adds. “You missed your chance to get her out of your hair.”

  “Oh, Kyler.” I cluck my tongue as I squeeze my eyes shut. “You have a lot to learn about women.”

  “This from you, who doesn’t get along with them?”

  “I don’t get along with women because I understand them.”

  The plane lands with a bump and a skid. I grip the armrest as I feel the plane whooshing down the runway. I dig my fingers into the upholstery and don’t let go until the plan finally slows down.

  I’m gulping for breath, feeling weak and shaky when I realize that I made it through my first plane ride. I barely hear the seat belt chime.

  “Amaris, take my advice,” Kyler says as he unbuckles his seat belt and rises from the couch. “If you want to survive in this world, you need to develop a killer instinct.”

  He walks away before I could respond. I know he’s right, but I need some guidance. I stepped into this role with built-in enemies, and I only have Leon to rely on for protection.

  Leon is suddenly in front of me. “Let’s go,” he says impatiently as Jason walks past us.

  I nod and stand up from the couch. Leon slides his hand down my back before cupping my ass. His possessive touch makes me feel protected as well.

  Leon is my only ally in this world, I decide as he dips his hand under my short hemline and squeezes my bare ass. If I want to survive, I need him to trust me as much as he trusts the other women in his life.

  “I can’t wait to get to the hotel,” he whispers in my ear.

  “What do you have in mind?” I murmur.

  “You’ll find out,” he says as he slides his finger between my buttocks.

  “I can’t wait,” I say as a shiver of anticipation sweeps through me. I swallow roughly and hesitate before I add, “I’ll do anything you want.”

  There is an unholy gleam in his eyes. “Yes, you will,” he replies, as if there is no question of my subservience. “You will do anything and do anyone I ask.”

  Anyone? My gaze darts to Jason, who was getting his jacket from Danielle. I realize that Leon does plan to pimp me out. Wet heat floods my pussy and I give Leon another nod. “As you wish,” I say, my voice trembling.

  What am I getting myself into? I wonder as I walk to the exit after Leon gives my ass one final squeeze. All this to have Leon trust me?

  Yes, that’s exactly why I’m doing it. It may look easy and glamorous, and the sex is definitely a bonus, but no one told me that being a mistress is a dangerous job.

  Want more?

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  ISBN: 978-1-4268-1208-8

  Mile-High Mistress

  Copyright © 2008 by Jasmine Communications, LLC

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

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