One Wrong Choice (A Cruel and Beautiful Book Book 3)

by A. M. Hargrove

He snorts. “Like that will ever happen.”

  “Maybe if they get to know Horace.”

  “They wouldn’t care who I was with.”

  He’s probably right. His parents are the stodgiest people I’ve ever met. And even though Horace has the social status and is from one of the wealthiest families in Charleston, they wouldn’t care.

  “Besides, Horace has a fiancée.”

  “Yeah, I still don’t get that,” I say.

  “She wants it that way, not him.”

  “Like I said, that doesn’t make sense to me.”

  “Jenna, it lets her do as she pleases, which was how I was thinking it could be for you. I guess I was wrong.”

  “You were. I want the whole package—love, marriage, family.”

  Kenneth says, “And I can give you that.”

  “No, you can’t. I don’t love you. I’m sorry. So on Sunday, you will tell everyone that you’ve made a decision.”

  His nod isn’t very convincing, but I’m serious about what I said. If he doesn’t do this, he will be outed, and that won’t go over too well. I wave as I leave, and when I get to my car, I text him, saying, Don’t forget. If you don’t do this, everyone will get this little picture sent to them. I send him the picture I took of Horace and him. I can only imagine the look of horror on his face right now.

  My next stop is Brandon’s shop, and when I get there, I don’t see his truck or motorcycle in the parking lot. Maybe he’s working on it and it’s in one of the bays, so I go in anyway. Dana sees me coming with the usual unfriendly glint in her eyes. For once I wish I didn’t feel like the chum and she’s the shark.

  “What do you want?” she asks.

  “Brandon.”

  “He’s not here.”

  “Oh.” Honestly, her response throws me off.

  “He called in and said he’d be … detained.”

  “Fine.” There’s no use saying anything more to her, so I leave. When I get to my car, I decide to go to his place, but my phone rings and it’s Ben.

  “Jenna, I got some news.”

  “What kind?”

  “Well, Mom is sort of right about the Balfours. Their account is huge, but not big enough to kill the company if they leave. What would hurt more is their clout. You know—big senator takes his investments elsewhere. That type of thing.”

  “That makes sense,” I say.

  “So, what are you gonna do?”

  “Tell Kenneth if his dad moves his money, he’s toast.”

  Benny laughs. “Good plan.”

  “Anything on the trust?”

  “Not yet. I wanted to give you the Balfour news first. But, Jenna, if I were you, I wouldn’t give a shit about the trust. Mom and Dad will get over whatever you do. If you and Brandon go down that path to wedded bliss and have a baby, Mom will be all over that shit and your trust will double.”

  “Slow your horsies, big bro. I’m not even close to that yet, and you already have the stork visiting.”

  Ben laughs. “No, really. Just quit wasting time and do what you want and not what Mom wants.”

  “Got it.”

  His call has me driving somewhere unexpected. When I pull up in front of Brandon’s, his car is there so I know he’s still home. Only my nerves kick me in the gut like an old mule. The man won’t even answer my calls. What makes me think he’ll want to see me? As I sit here and try to figure out what to do, his front door opens, and out walks a long-haired gorgeous blonde. Her hair is a tangled mess, and she’s wearing a large man’s T-shirt over a pair of what looks to be boxer shorts as she carries her clothes and shoes in her arms. She skips to her car, which is parked on the street, and a few seconds later, Brandon walks out the door. He sees my car, but I don’t waste a second as I put my car in drive and speed off. Now the roles have reversed, and it’s my phone that’s ringing and me not answering.

  Twenty-Nine

  Brandon

  Thirty seconds after Jenna peels out, my brother comes out of the house begging Kym to stay. In that time, I’ve dialed Jenna’s number more than once to no avail. So I snap a picture that speaks a thousand words she’ll actually listen to. It’s of my brother and his girlfriend making out. And I text it to her.

  Having played referee all morning with these two, I’m late to work. I grab my keys now that she’s calmed down and doesn’t look ready to destroy my home and ride my bike to work. The motor drowns out my thoughts on the way in.

  Dana is lying in wait when I step into the garage. “Can you be any later?”

  Grinning at her, I say, “Sorry, boss. I didn’t realize new management took over.”

  “Don’t give me shit, Brandon. We’re behind as it is.”

  I ignore her and start on a BMW that came in late Saturday. It isn’t long when a doorbell sound is heard in the bays. The alert is to let us know someone has entered the front office.

  “It’s for you, Brandon. One of your fan girls,” Dana calls.

  Jeff, in his usual M.O., says nothing.

  “Dana, let it go.”

  “Why? She was just in last week. There’s nothing wrong with her car.”

  Ignoring her, I try not to think about Jenna making the wrong assumption.

  I’m finishing with the customer when a familiar face walks in. He waits for the woman to leave before speaking.

  “Brandon, remember me. I’m—”

  “Horace, I remember.”

  Not that I want to remember what Jenna walked into between him and Kenneth.

  “How can I help you today?” I ask.

  Part of me wants to offer him a drink. He’d inadvertently helped Jenna see the light. And for that, I owe him more than I’ll ever tell him.

  “The orange engine light of death came on,” he says dramatically.

  Parked out front is a sedan that doesn’t seem to be his speed. It’s a Maybach, somewhere between a 2008 and a 2010. I can’t exactly tell from this distance.

  Reading my mind, he says, “It’s Grandmother’s. In light of her death, I should sell it, but it’s sentimental. There were times…” His eyes go unfocused for a second. His next words mumble out. “We’d take long drives…” Then he trails off, lost in thought.

  “Let’s take a look,” I say, trying to bring him back.

  There is a long day ahead of me. The sooner I can get to it, the better.

  “Ah, yes, a look.” He smiles and his eyes dip. Thank goodness for the counter. “And what a tall glass of sweet tea you are.”

  “Where is your fiancée?” I ask, deflecting his comment.

  “Why? Are you interested? I wouldn’t mind sharing her with you as long as you don’t mind sharing me?”

  I chuckle. “If I remind you that I’m not gay, will that get you to stop flirting with me?”

  “Doubtful. I like to see you squirm. Straight men are the most fun to play with.”

  Shaking my head, I make my way outside. His comment has me wondering if Kenneth had thought himself straight before he met Horace. “Can you pop the hood?”

  “I can pop anything you want, sugar.” He tries to get my attention with swinging hips and exaggerated movements as he walks to the car.

  Thankfully, Jenna pulls in the lot at the same time.

  “Horace,” she says, after closing her door. “Why am I not surprised to see you here?”

  The hood pops up, and Horace steps out. When Jenna moves to stand right next to me, too close for just casual friends, he glances between us.

  “You and him?”

  She nods, which surprises me. He’s bound to tell Kenneth, and that will only add fuel to the fire that’s ready to blow between her fiancé and her.

  He tosses his head back and laughs.

  Jenna’s frown matches my own. She beats me to the question. “What’s so funny?”

  It takes him a few seconds before he calms down enough to answer. “It’s Kenneth.” He starts laughing again like he can’t stop.

  “What’s with Kenneth?” Jenna prompts.


  “He… He…” He starts and stops in fits.

  “Spit it out. I know you are dying to tell me.” Jenna draws out the words and rolls her eyes at the same time.

  “He left me, saying he was going to take the straight and narrow road with you. And here you are, with this scrumptious man. Kenneth is going to be devastated, and wait until I tell him to go fuck himself when he comes running to me.” He hoots and howls a few seconds more. “I swear, all the men in this city have the audacity to be taken. And you have two. What are the chances?”

  He points at Jenna with an accusing finger and she glares at him.

  “Come on, Scarlett. Stop with all the theatrics. Frankly, I don’t give a damn about Kenneth. He’s all yours. But this one’s mine.”

  Her eyes go hot before she steps in front of me and pulls me in for a sexy kiss that stirs my cock to life. She steps closer, which only makes things worse. My dick begins to uncoil, and this jumpsuit will not hide anything. I have to pull back before it pokes its way out of the Velcro fly.

  “Meet me in your office when you’re done,” she whispers against my mouth.

  Nodding has to suffice because words are like scrambled eggs in my brain. Then again, blood loss will do that to you. She bites her lip, and I’m about to tell Horace to take a hike.

  She steps away. Unlike Horace, the way her hips sway is mesmerizing. All reminders of his presence are vanquished from my mind, until he speaks again.

  “Holy Mother of the Devil. You’ve got one big ass cock.”

  My head snaps forward, and I see Horace staring down at where no doubt a tent formed in my pants from Jenna’s kiss.

  As if her ears burn from my thoughts, her voice drifts back to me. “That’s exactly what I said when I first saw it. In fact, I think my precise words were you’re hung like Horace. But that’s not completely true. I believe Brandon’s got you beat.”

  Horace’s jaw unhinges, and he fans himself. “Are you sure you don’t want to take a walk on the wild side? We can even bring in Kenneth and Celia.”

  That idea cools my mood.

  “No thanks. Let me take a quick look. Most likely I’ll have to hook it up to the computer for the codes.”

  Talking shop has my dick going back into hibernation mode. Which is a good thing, because otherwise Horace might see it as some sort of sign.

  Pulling a penlight from my pocket, I flick it on. It’s something I keep in my jumpsuit for times such as these.

  I’m bent over when Horace mutters, “That Jenna is one lucky bitch.”

  Not taking much longer, I straighten. His comments have calmed my raging thoughts.

  “There don’t seem to be any nuts or wires loose from what I can quickly tell. I think you’ll be fine.”

  “You can’t say things like nuts around me,” Horace whines, looking genuinely put out.

  I sigh. “You can leave it and I’ll pull it into one of the bays when I have time, otherwise you’ll have to excuse me. There is a very sexy woman waiting for me in my office.”

  He actually looks like he’s going to cry. I pat his arm as I make my way back inside.

  As I pass the window from the front office and the bays, I catch Dana glaring at me through the glass. I hurry by and enter my office, closing the door behind me.

  “So, you believe me now about Kym?”

  She unbuttons a few buttons on her shirt. “I was wrong. I admit.”

  “And?”

  Her fingers quickly handle the rest. She parts the shirt, and a blue lacy bra is underneath. Her breasts look like they are ready to pop free. She pulls up the skirt that hugs her curves like a second skin. She’s bare except for one of those… my brain malfunctions. It’s like I can’t remember my alphabet, let alone words.

  “You like my garter belt? I thought you deserved something special since I unfairly judged you. Once I realized my mistake, I went home to change. And here I am. And I’ve been a very bad girl.”

  I swallow. “So you’ve been bad.”

  “Very,” she says.

  She sits on the edge of the desk and spreads her legs. Her pink pussy is like dessert served on a silver platter. “So, what should I do?” I say, playing her game and enjoying every second of it.

  “I should be punished.”

  I grab her hair, but not too hard. I tug her forward with my other hand between her legs stroking her as I bruise her mouth with a kiss.

  “Sounds like you want it rough. I can play. Just say the word.”

  “Make me scream, Brandon.”

  Challenge accepted. I bite her lip before I let her go.

  I unleash my dick through the fly, not bothering to take off my jumpsuit. I press inside her, as her core soaks me, easing my way in. I’m not even halfway there, and she’s bucking against me. Using one hand, I lay her flat on the desk. Then I situate her legs in the air, calves resting on my shoulders. I go to work with punishing strokes while working all of me inside her. She moans loudly and I could give a fuck who hears, even though I should. It may be time for some soundproofing, because no doubt with Jenna being mine, we will do this again and again.

  Noticing the clasp on the front of her bra, I reach with one hand to unhook it. Her tits bounce free, and I squeeze one and then the other, hardening her nipples. Spreading her legs to either side, I lean in, taking one breast in my mouth. I suck it to a peak while I continue to thrust roughly inside her. Then I kiss her like I fucking missed her because I did.

  When I feel her hand slide between us, I raise up on one arm so I can see. Watching her stroke her clit hurls me forward to the cliff’s edge of orgasmville. I’m going to come, and soon. I grind, making a deeper impact. She screams as her pussy chokes my dick. I come like a shaken opened beer can. It goes on for so long and so hard, as her pussy convulses around me, that a sheen of sweat covers us both. After a moment, I pull back and watch cum spill out of her.

  Both sets of her lips are swollen, her hair’s a tangled mess, her skirt’s bunched around her waist, but damn, if she doesn’t look like the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Only it hits me.

  “Fuck, Jenna, we didn’t use protection.”

  Thirty

  Jenna

  “It’s okay,” I pant. That had to be the best sex ever. “I’m on the pill.”

  “Uh-huh. But you’re—”

  “I’m what?”

  “Clean? Were you and Kenneth safe?”

  “Yeah, we always used protection. I used to wonder about that, but he would say things about taking every precaution regarding pregnancy and that BS. I probably should get tested, though.” I scrunch up my face.

  “Probably.”

  “Have you?” I ask. “Been tested, that is?”

  “I’ve never had unprotected sex.”

  “Yeah, until just now, neither have I.” Damn, I wonder how many partners Kenneth has had and have any of his encounters been without the use of a condom.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Just thinking.”

  “Really? I wouldn’t have guessed.” Brandon presses his finger to my mouth. “Your lips are all puckered up and not in the kissing way.”

  “Sorry. This isn’t very sexy, but I was wondering about Kenneth.”

  “Maybe it’s time to have a little talk with him.”

  “Maybe. I’ll have him meet me a few minutes early on Sunday and ask him.”

  Brandon chuckles. “You’re really going to rattle that chain around his neck, aren’t you?”

  Tilting my head back, I look at him. “Not at all. He needs to come clean with me, no pun intended. And it’s not my fault he’s been so chummy with Mom. He’s getting what he deserves.”

  “You should invite Horace.”

  “Oh, God, you are evil.” I laugh. “His dad might have a stroke. That wouldn’t be good at all.”

  “No, I suppose not.”

  All of a sudden, there’s a pounding on his office door. “Brandon, you ever coming out of there?” It’s Dana, and she does
n’t sound very happy.

  “Uh-oh,” I whisper. “Did I get you in trouble?”

  His wicked grin gets me ready for him again. “I’m always in trouble where she’s concerned.”

  “I’ll be out in a minute,” he calls out. “Is there a problem?”

  “If you call a backlog of work a problem, then yeah,” her snarky reply comes back.

  Brandon waggles his brows. “Looks like I’ll be working late tonight because of that sweet little pussy of yours.”

  I take his earlobe between my teeth and tug on it. “Was I too much of a distraction?”

  “Did I say that?”

  “You insinuated it.”

  He brushes his lips across mine, then says, “Then let me convince you otherwise.” He slams his hard as rock dick back inside me.

  “Fuck, Brandon.”

  “That’s what I’m doing.”

  This time, he’s all business. Hard, relentless, and punishing, my pussy nearly whimpers by the time I come. As my inner muscles clench his cock, he groans out his orgasm. His fingers sink into the soft flesh of my hips in a bruising grip, and all I want is more.

  “You don’t need to work on any cars because I think you just fine-tuned my vagina.”

  That gets a hearty chuckle out of him as he slowly pulls out. “Good. And let me just say that there have better not be anyone else in there using any kind of tools except for me.”

  “Hey, what about my pocket rocket?”

  “I’ll give you a pass with that.”

  He hands me some tissues so I can clean up.

  “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I really have to get back to work,” he says with a serious expression.

  “No problem. This little break was only to tide you over. There’s more for later.” I wink at him, then pull my clothing together. The reality is, I also need to get to work. And I’m behind as it is. My boss was complaining just the other day that the brochures and press releases were late this year. But I’m too happy to dwell on that right now.

  It’s like tearing two dogs apart when we finally go our separate ways. My body hums for him all day, and it’s the craziest thing. I’d never felt this way for Kenneth. It validates my feelings for Brandon every time my mind wanders to him, which is every minute. Who am I kidding? I can’t get the man off my mind at all. He’s consuming my every thought. I may as well resign my position and go to school to learn the trade of becoming an auto mechanic. Then I could really play with his tools! My little joke has me laughing so hard, I almost rear-end someone at the stoplight. Shit, I need to get my head out of the fucking clouds.