by J. B. McGee
Conspiring
A This Series Novella
J.B. McGee
Copyright 2012 J.B. McGee
Dedication
To my eTwin, Jaimi, for teaching me how to frolic.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
February 2009
Val and I always go out on Friday nights. We were sick of the same old bars that we had been visiting so we decided to try this place called Joe’s. We heard it was a more upscale place to hang out, so we wanted to give it a shot. Because we decided to meet at 8pm, I went to the gym when I finished work and then went home to shower and change. Even though I don’t have court on Friday’s, my dress most definitely wouldn’t be appropriate to even wear into the office. I bought it last weekend with Val. It’s a sequined black and gold super mini dress. The back is exposed with cloth draped just above the base of my spine. It’s so tight I have trouble sitting down in it, but if I am lucky tonight, I won’t be doing much sitting.
When I get to Joe’s, Val and her group of girls from work are waiting outside for me. We immediately are escorted to the front of the line. So not surprising given our wardrobe selections and the fact that we are all beautiful girls. One look around the place and I can tell that Val and I will become regulars here. The atmosphere is very nice. There are high back booths and high top tables scattered around a large hardwood dance floor. The décor isn’t cheesy like most places. There is drop down lighting throughout and there is a live band. The bar has mirrors along the back, and the cabinetry that the bottles sit in is exquisitely ornamentally carved in dark cherry wood. The bartenders and wait staff are all dressed in all black, and the place is packed already. Val’s work friends consist of insurance agents and secretaries at her office. They are a fun bunch. I was worried about not fitting in with them, but we all seem to get along like we’ve known each other forever.
It doesn’t take long for the guys to take notice of our group. We’ve made our way to the bar to order our first round of drinks when the first guy approaches. He’s confident and incredibly sexy. And he’s cocky. I roll my eyes and smile as I turn my back towards him. I, too, am confident, incredibly sexy and I can certainly do cocky.
“Hey ladies, welcome to Joe’s.”
Even though I know he’s behind me his deep husky voice startles me. He had to be close for us to be able to hear him, but he’s so close that I can feel his warmth on my exposed back. I can feel his breath. Oh yes, we’ll most certainly be visiting Joe’s again. Desire pools deep within me. I realize I should probably scoot back before I do what I’m about to do, but part of me can’t wait to see his reaction when I do it. So I decide to stay planted where I am. I slowly turn my head to him seductively and lick my lips before taking my bottom lip beneath my teeth. “Mmm, thank you for the welcome.”
I try not to let the grin that is trying to form on my lips escape. I watch his mouth open while he sucks in a deep breath. I raise my right leg, the one closest to him so that the back of my heel touches the skin behind my knee. I watch as his eyes wander to the movement. I wonder how long I will be able to tease him before he is able to find words. It takes everything in me not to giggle. I love how powerful I can be to a man.
He grunts before he speaks, and I see his hand that is resting on the bar next to me form a fist. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you ladies in before. I wanted to introduce myself.” He removes the hand from the bar and extends it to me. “My name is Joe.”
Nice Veronica. Nice. I let my grin finally escape and reach for his hand. “I’m Veronica. Joe as in Joe’s?” I ask.
“That would be me.” He hangs on to my hand a little longer than what I’d typically expect.
I stare down at my hand that is still in his. “Well nice to meet you, Joe.” Then I look back up into his dark eyes.
“Listen, whatever you ladies want tonight. It’s on the house.” He winks.
I glance back at my entourage. “Did you hear that ladies, anything we want tonight. It’s on the house.” When I turn back to Joe, he’s taken a step back. “Thank you.”
He’s about to turn on his heel to walk away, but he holds my gaze a little longer. “My pleasure,” he says seductively, and I know that there are implications with that statement.
After we’ve all gotten our drinks, we head over to one of the high top tables. I can’t seem to keep my eyes off of Joe. Everywhere I look I see him. He’s tall, and he stands out in the crowd. I’m talking with one of Val’s friends, but I feel eyes on me. You know the feeling like someone is staring at you. I turn back around to the most intense bright blue eyes. It’s like they are magnets pulling me closer towards him. I quickly glance away to grab my drink. I can’t give away how he makes me feel. It’s my job to wear the poker face, to retain the upper hand. He makes the sensations I had towards Joe feel like a slow intense burn. But these with him, they are like an explosive display of pyrotechnics going off in my body. If just his look can evoke such fire within my body, I can only imagine what his hands would do to my skin, what his mouth could do to my lips, and then I quiver for a moment at the thought of him inside me.
It’s almost too much to bear. I want him, and I want him now. When I turn back around, he’s right in front of me. I can barely move because I’m pinned in between his body, that I can tell is so hard beneath his clothes, and the table. I push my arms back to brace the table to keep my balance.
“Hey there, I’m Bradley Banks.” He holds his hand out for me to shake it, but he’s so close I have no choice but to try to step back.
I take the tiniest of steps back and reach out to place my hand in his. When I do, it’s exactly as I thought – electrifying. Game face, Veronica, game face. I smile as if he has no effect on me at all. I know this works when I am doing my job. I don’t know if it will work for him, but here it goes.
“Veronica Johnson,” I confidently reply. He just stands there for a moment grinning. It’s as if he’s happy that I seem unphased by him. I am definitely not used to the reaction he is giving me. Joe’s reaction, now that was the typical reaction. But, this? What the hell is this?
He releases my hand. “So, Veronica what do you do?”
I am focused on my breathing, and I am suddenly thankful for all of these years in the courtroom and corporate meetings. I am very good at remaining calm and maintaining my resolve. “I’m a corporate attorney, you?”
“I’m a CEO and architect.”
I like that he’s successful. I shift on my feet. These shoes are kickass, but they hurt like hell. I also move because I feel the wetness between my legs. It’s partly because I’m hot, but it’s partly because of him. I decide it’s time to start stroking that ego of his. “Oh, a big shot, huh?”
“Nah, not a big shot.” He shrugs his shoulders and chuckles a little. “Just a normal guy who is a work-a-holic and perfectionist.”
I will have to make him laugh again. His smile, his laugh, and those eyes are the sexiest thing I’ve seen and heard in a long time. “Well, I can certainly relate to that. All I do is work these days.”
“Ah, but you’re here.”
I am getting more and more flirty and playful. “And, so are you, Mr. Banks,” I quickly counter as I wink.
“Yeah, but my mind is most definitely somewhere else.”
Oh, I love flirting with sexy men. I start to sway from side to side to the music. “
And where might that be?” I take a sip of my drink and glance up to him.
“Somewhere more private.” He inhales sharply and gently grazes his finger down the side of my arm, “Somewhere where I’d be perfecting undressing you.” He closes his eyes for a moment. “And I’d be a work-a-holic to your body.”
Damn, it’s as if he was reading my mind earlier. I can’t resist him any longer. I ever so gently kiss his bottom lip. It takes every bit of will power to pull away from him. I want more of that. I lean into his ear so he can hear in my voice just how badly I want him, “Oh, how I’d like that. Your place or mine?”
He slides his hand to the small of my exposed back and pulls me in swiftly to where I am pressed firmly up against his body, “Baby, I’d take you right here, right now on that table. Let’s get outta here.”
With that, I turn towards Val and give her the look. The one that says call and make sure I’m okay tomorrow. She winks and mouths, “He’s hot.”
I nod my head in affirmation.
When we are out of the building, I’m still not sure where we are going. “So, your place or mine?” I ask.
He turns to face me and crushes my body against the building. His hands are on the bricks, and his delicious arms are so close to my head that I just want to turn my head and lick them. As he pushes his hips into me, part of me is worried about ruining this fabulously sexy dress that has done precisely what I bought it to do, but the other part of me wouldn’t care if he ripped it to shreds.
Where has Bradley Banks been my entire life? I peer up into his eyes, and despite the darkness of the night, they gleaming at me; the lights of the building are causing them to sparkle. Before I can open my mouth and say another word, his lips are on mine, and the desire I have been feeling towards him is raging full force in my body. He doesn’t hold anything back, thrusting his tongue through my lips. I grip the bricks beneath my palms.
Maintain control, Veronica. I turn my head to the side breaking our kiss. Instead of him pulling back at the break in contact, he takes the easy access to my neck and continues to kiss and nibble, sending sensations shocking through my body. Despite my internal thoughts, I can feel all control and will power where he is concerned melting along with my insides.
He grunts as he pulls back, and I am a panting mess. I have yet to find a single word since his assault began on me. His eyes are hooded, and I’m thankful he seems to have some self-control. “Veronica, where do you live?”
I stare at him baffled. Who the hell wants to make small talk after that? That’s certainly a damper, and I am a little thankful because it makes forming words a little easier. “Suwanee, why?”
His lips form a sideways smirk. “Then, it’s my place. Let’s go. Now.” He grabs my hand and pulls me behind him towards his silver Nissen 370z. His long legs are taking such quick strides that I’m practically am running in my Minalos. This is not the car I would expect him to be driving, but it suits him. He’s so damn hot. I take the opportunity to regain some control where he is concerned. I point to my car. “I’ll follow you,” I say confidently.
He turns his head cutting his eyes at me and then laughs. Nothing about that statement was funny. I stare him down, determined for him to either say something or go back to getting in his car. Our eyes are locked, and it’s like we’re bulls about to charge each other. The longer I look into those sapphire eyes, the more I see red. He shakes his head as he closes his mouth. It’s obvious he’s dismissing whatever was about to fly out of his mouth. I already can tell he has a smart mouth. His actions let me know that he’s also a smart man.
The longer we stare at each other it’s as if we are both paralyzed. I’m sure it’s only been seconds, but it feels like the world has just stopped, and nothing else exists. Our lips curve into seductive smiles, and he points to his car. “Follow me, then, just as long as you don’t back out.” His voice drops, and he is gripping his chin between his middle finger and thumb, brushing those delicious lips with his pointer finger. My mind is being controlled by other organs at this point because all I want is that finger in my mouth, in me, on me.
I want him.
He surveys me up and down just barely moving his head from side to side. “Damn, I can’t get us there fast enough. The way you’re responding just to my eyes alone tells me that we’re going to have a very good time tonight.”
I thought I had been doing a good job of keeping myself together. Keeping my game face on, but clearly I am transparent when it comes to the things he already does to me, to my body without so much as even a touch. “Cocky, much?” I harrumph as I glance down at his pants. It’s obvious that he’s just as much affected by me as I am him.
“Oh, you have no idea. Are you following me or are we going to get arrested tonight for indecent exposure when I rip that little thing you probably call a dress off of you?”
I run my tongue over my lips because I know that drives men crazy. “I’m following you, remember?”
He mirrors my action by licking his top lip. “It’s probably good we’re taking separate cars. Let’s go.”
The anticipation running through me is almost more than even I can bear. I climb in my car and despite the cold weather, I’m on fire. I’m on fire for Bradley Banks.
June 2010
Wednesday before Cade’s Wedding
I climb out of Bradley’s bed and lean down to pick up my clothes. “So, where are you going again this weekend?”
He is leaning back on his elbows, hands behind his head watching me get ready.
“Charleston.”
I slip back into my panties and then fasten my bra back, trying to act casual, like I’m shooting the breeze. “And what are you doing there again?”
“My cousin’s getting married. I’m a groomsman.”
“Are you taking a date?” I peek through the opening of my blouse as I pulled it back over my head. I can’t believe I just asked him that.
He tilts his head to the side and gives me that sexy as hell crooked grin of his. Then he takes it a step further and combines it with that single raised eyebrow, and it takes everything in me to not climb right back into that bed with him. But my mood is quickly spoiled by his response. “And what do you think?”
Yeah, I knew the answer. I guess I had hoped that after all this time that maybe it was starting to change. I shrug my shoulders. “Well, I am available if you don’t have a date.”
“Thanks, but you know I’m not interested in dating anyone.”
It’s times like this that he makes me feel like a cheap whore. Like a mistress. Never mind the fact that I haven’t been with anyone else since that first night at Joe’s. I start to put my skirt back on. “I know, but I thought you might like company. You know after the wedding.” And with that sentence, I inwardly cringe because that sounded very much like something a whore would say. We see each other twice a week on Saturday’s and on Wednesday’s. The thought of going a full week without him is making me physically sick. I don’t know what my problem is. Nothing he has said is new. I’m nothing more to him than a fuck buddy.
Bradley sits up, and I am shocked when he pulls me down to him. “But, then I’d have to introduce you to my family, and I’d have questions from them that I don’t want to answer.”
I drop my head and look down. I know he can tell I’m upset, and that’s why he pulled me back onto his lap. Not that he really cares. He’s smart with me. He knows exactly what to say or do to keep me right where he wants me. We’ve been doing this little charade for a long time now. I don’t how he can’t feel more, want more. “Are you ashamed of me to the point you wouldn’t want your family to meet me?”
“No, I don’t introduce girls to my family. I don’t want pressure to produce an heir or to get married.” He swiftly kisses me, and just like that, I know that no matter how much I hate myself for being his little sex slave, there is no way I can end this.
“I gotta get ready. I’m meeting Joe to go fishing.” He pats me on the back and ask
s. “We good?”
“Sure.” I know he won’t expect this. He thinks I’m just going to jump up and let myself out, but I don’t leave. I turn around and pull his head to mine. I control our kiss. It’s deep, slow, and sensuous. “Just something for you to remember while you’re away,” I whisper as I break it leaving him frozen for a moment.
“Mmm, get outta here before I take all those clothes off of you again and make myself late to meet Joe.”
“Oh, I’d like to make you late to meet Joe, though.”
He grabs my head and pulls me into a passionate kiss and then pushes me away. “I bet you would. See you for our mid-week appointment Wednesday?”
I chuckle at his ridiculous statement further solidifying what I am to him. But my chuckle is also because of the differences in our kisses. I’m not stupid. I know that was his way of saying that he is the one in control, not me. “Mid-week appointment? Well, I guess it is that. But, I could think of a lot of other sexy things to call it other than that.” Mid-week appointment. Saying it out loud combined with his cocky mood just pisses me off.
Bradley gets up and opens his dresser to pull out a pair of boxer briefs. Looking back over his shoulder as he walks toward the bathroom to shower, I assume, he replies, “It is what it is, Veronica. If it’s no longer enough for you, then we can just end it.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You can be such an ass.” I grab my purse and turn on my heels. “See you Wednesday. I’ll let myself out,” I hissed.
Bradley cocks his sexy sideways grin. “See ya, Roni.”
It’s the first time I don’t really care how sexy he is. I’m frigging pissed off at the way he made me feel today. I know I brought it on myself. I have never felt so used in the last year and a half. Maybe I should just tell him to go screw himself. Food for thought over the next week, I suppose.