Nothing.
Ava still couldn’t believe she agreed to go to a cabin in the mountains with Scott. Outside her morning runs, Tess hated being outdoors. She frowned at outdoor concerts, picnics, or anything that required squatting away flies or mosquitoes.
“I assumed these are the files you were waiting on,” said Justin, when he re-entered the office. He handed her a manila folder. “Kasey handed it to me on her way to lunch. I hope you don’t mind, but I gave her the rest of the day off.”
“No, but what if I need her for something else?”
“I guess it’ll have to wait.” He locked his office door.
“Where’s Paige?”
“I also sent her home.” He reached over her lap and retrieved a remote from his desk drawer. He clicked a button, and the sound of his favorite soft rock song blared through the speakers. Justin had them installed in the walls months ago. He only played when he worked late into the night.
Her brow lifted. “What are you doing?”
“We have twenty-minutes before I leave for my lunch meeting?”
She gave him a coy smile. “How do you plan to fill the time?”
He reached for her hand and lifted her from the chair. “We could do a little of this.” He placed a kiss on the left side of her neck. “And a little of that.” He dragged his lips to the right side of her neck.
“Twenty-minutes isn’t much time.”
“It is if we make it quick.”
He placed his hands beneath her arms and lifted her onto the edge of his desk. Her teeth graze her bottom lip as his lustful eyes dragged over her body. He unbuttoned his shirt and removed his pants. Justin towered over her in only his briefs with his hardened cock at full attention. His hands squeezed her thighs and moved underneath her dress. “I love it when you wear such little clothing.”
“Why?” she whispered between pants.
“Easier access.”
Their mouths met with fiery desire as his fingers penetrated her center. Ava’s body ignited with each stroke of his tongue. With time not on their side, she broke off their kiss and hopped off the desk. He watched as she removed her panties and tossed them onto the floor. Justin then led her to the back of the couch and bent her over by her waist. Ava braced herself with a firm grip on the cushions. Her body gave way to a slight tremble as Justin fill her insides. A melodic slow tune played in the background as he supplied one satisfying stroke after another. She moaned and purred as he thrust harder and faster. Her body then bucked and peaked into blissful pleasure. Justin removed himself from inside her and she turned to face him. With perspiration beading down his forehead, he placed a sweet, delicate kiss on her lips. “Um, that was great.” He licked his lips and smiled.
“What about your lunch meeting? Is there still time to make it?”
He shook his head. “I’m already five minutes late.”
They both laughed.
“Someone needs a shower.” She wiped the sweat from his face.
“I’ll jump in after I send a quick text to my colleagues at the restaurant. I’m sure if I pick up the tab for a round of drinks, they wouldn’t mind waiting another fifteen minutes.”
Ava pulled her panties up her leg. “I would love to join you in the shower for round two, but I have to get home.”
He grabbed her hand as she walked away. “Are you sure?”
“Very.”
“Love you. See you in a few hours.”
She blew him a kiss and waved goodbye.
Chapter Fourteen
Lindsey sat outside on the patio of a restaurant she frequented. It was a small French eatery off the main strip near downtown. Dr. Calhoun had called and requested to meet. Her request surprised Lindsey because it was a day earlier than her Friday deadline.
Her eyes were locked on a text message when someone dressed in blue jeans and a tank top approached the table. Lindsey moved her gaze upward and almost didn’t recognize the doctor. She had never seen her in anything other than her white coat over a pair of dreadful black slacks. Shockingly, Dr. Calhoun wore her dyed honey blonde hair down to her shoulders, instead of her old lady bun.
Lindsey gestured for her to take the seat across from her. “I must say, you surprised me with your call. I expected you to request an extension to your deadline.”
“My contact came through earlier than expected. You appeared to have an urgent need for the medication, so here I am.”
“Good.” She looked over at the waitress walking towards their table.
The young brunette removed a pad from her apron. “Hi, I’m Marissa. I’ll be your waitress today. May I start you ladies off with something to drink?”
Lindsey smiled. “We both will take sparkling water with a slice of lemon. After you bring the beverages can you refrain from approaching our table? We are in the middle of an important business meeting and can’t be disturbed.”
The waitress nodded as if she understood and walked away. Minutes later, she returned with two glasses of sparkling water and turned away without another word.
“Did you get the exact dose I needed?”
“Yes. How do you intend to use the pills?”
“That’s my concern, not yours.”
“Very well.” Dr. Calhoun smirked. “We should review the potential side effects of taking a higher dose than prescribed. It can lead to excessive bleeding.”
“Like internally?”
“Yes, which is dangerous if the person injures themselves from a fall. You must watch for blood in the urine, coughing up blood, and…”
“I’ve heard enough. Just give me the pills.”
“Not until I receive the agreed-upon amount.”
Lindsey rolled her eyes and reached for her cell phone. She opened the money app used to send and receive funds from someone. Once you sent the money to the person, they will receive an instant notification text. She inputted the necessary information, and moments later the doctor’s phone chimed. Dr. Calhoun glanced at her phone and smiled. She then reached into her handbag and handed Lindsey a pill bottle.
“It was nice doing business with you.” She promptly stood and walked away.
Lindsey left enough cash on the table to cover the cost of the beverages along with a generous tip. When she reached her car, she called Ava. No answer. She then called Justin, who picked up on the second ring. She came up with a lie to explain her need to come over. He agreed, and fifteen minutes later she was in his driveway.
She couldn’t help but smile at his gorgeous face when he opened the door. “Thanks for allowing me to come by. I searched everywhere for my book. The last place I recall having it was here.”
“Come in,” he said.
She entered and waited for Ava to emerge from hiding. “Is anyone here? It’s quiet.”
“Um, Ava is out running errands, and my dad is out with his nurse. What sort of book are you missing?”
“A black, eight by ten, leather-bound notebook.”
“I can help you search. Where were you when you had it?”
“The living room and the entertainment room in the back.”
“I’ll search the living room and you can try the entertainment room,” said Justin.
“You’re such a sweetheart.” Once Justin turned towards the living room, Lindsey took off towards the guest room. She’ll never recommend trying to run in four-inch heels. When she reached Chris’ room, she entered the bathroom. The last place she recalled seeing his medication. The bottles were where she last saw them. She quickly swapped the pills. At the doorway of the bedroom, she stopped and took a deep breath. She reached inside her purse and pulled out her black book.
“Found it!” she shouted.
“Oh, good.” He met her in the hall.
Lindsey stared at Justin. An image of them in bed together popped into her head. She felt no remorse for the amount of hurt and pain coming his way. His family hurt her in the worst way, and it was only right they all paid for what they’ve done. “Do you ha
ve a minute to talk?” she asked.
“Sure. Is this about your business proposal?”
“No. It’s more personal.”
“I’m listening.”
Lindsey twisted her lips. “We never talked about it, but I’m curious. From what I’ve learned, you and Ava were seeing each other the entire time you were in Atlanta. But when you returned home you didn’t hesitate to hook up with me.”
“Is that a statement or a question?”
“A little of both. I just want to know why?”
His finger stroked his beard. “That was so long ago, why does it matter?”
“Because if she’s supposed to be the great love of your life. Why were you with me?”
Justin stared at her before shaking his head. It was obvious the question annoyed him. “That’s something Ava and I have already worked through. No need to rehash it and I would appreciate you not bringing the subject up with her.”
She flicked her hair with her hand. “Whatever. It was curiosity, nothing more. Is Chris back with Corrine?”
He furrowed his neatly trimmed brows. “That’s none of your business.”
“You know he talked major shit about her.”
“It’s time for you to go.” His face now red as he moved towards the front door.
“Wait, I’m sorry.” She pulled on his shirt. “Sometimes my mouth gets me in trouble. I promise to keep it one-hundred percent professional. No more personal questions.”
“I want this business arrangement to work. There’s great potential for us both, but it won’t happen if Ava isn’t on board.”
Lindsey nodded in agreement. “Understood.”
Chapter Fifteen
Ava could smell the alcohol on Lindsey’s breath as she whizzed through the door. She glanced outside to see if she had driven and noticed a blacked-out SUV pulling off. “Have you been drinking?” asked Ava, closing the front door.
“Just one glass of wine over lunch,” said Lindsey. Her eyelids hung low with a subtle clumsiness in her gait. “Do you mind if I use your bathroom before we begin?”
“Sure. I’ll wait in the living room.” Ava watched as Lindsey walked off. There was no way she had just one drink. How unprofessional to show up at a meeting drunk. She entered the kitchen and filled a glass with ice-cold water. The least she could do was help sober her up before she left. When she exited the kitchen, movement from one side of the hallway to the other caught her attention. Ava turned her head but saw no one. “Lindsey,” she called out. No response. “Lindsey!”
Seconds later, she emerged from the bathroom. “Did you call me?” she asked.
“Yeah, did you go into the guest room where Chris is staying?”
“No, why?”
“I thought I saw someone come out of the room.”
“It wasn’t me.” She shrugged.
“Here.” Ava extended the glass of water forward. “You look like you need this.”
“Thank you.” She sipped from the glass. “Ready to get started?”
Ava hesitated and scrunched her nose. “You seem out of sorts today. We should reschedule.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m fine.” She proceeded into the living room with her bags on one shoulder and the glass of water in her hand. Ava followed with regrets of agreeing to work with her. They sat beside each other on the sofa. She watched as Lindsey retrieved a book of fabric swatches from her bag and placed it on her lap. Her hands stroked the cover, and she turned towards Ava with a smile on her face. “The last time I was here…”
“Oh, you mean the other day when you stopped by while I was out?”
Lindsey’s eyes crinkled into apparent confusion.
“Justin said you stopped by claiming you left your book.”
She pointed her finger and smirked. “That’s what I’m talking about. I sense some sort of uncertainty about us working together.”
“No uncertainty on my end. I agreed you’ll design the room downstairs before we discuss any business concerning the hotels.”
Lindsey’s glazed-over eyes stared in her direction. “There’s more going on with you, Ava, and I know what it is. You’re uncomfortable because of what happened with Justin.”
“If you’re referring to your multitude of lies, we’ve all grown past it.”
She snickered. “Ava, come on. I’m talking about the overlap in our relationship with him. We were both with Justin at the same time. I mean, he and I had an understanding. Neither of us cared who the other was with, but that’s not your story. Is it?”
Ava’s teeth clenched while she counted to five in her head. I’m working with this annoying bitch for Justin. She didn’t know if Lindsey was purposely trying to goat her, or if she was too high to realize what she was saying. “Not that it’s any of your business, but there was no overlap.”
Lindsey leaned forward with her palms rested on each cheek and her elbows balanced on her fabric book. She stared off into the distance. “Justin is an excellent lover, but Chris… my God, that man is insatiable.” She faced Ava. “Does Justin do that thing with his tongue with you?”
Ava jumped to her feet. “That’s it, I’m done! I tried working with you because it’s what Justin wanted. I don’t know what the hell you’re on, but you need to get out of my house!”
Lindsey looked up at her with confusion riddled over her face. “Chill. I’m only trying to remove the awkwardness between us.”
“You just made it ten times worse. How dare you come into my home drunk, high or whatever you are, and make inappropriate comments about the man I’m about to marry! Out of respect for my fiancé, I agreed to give you a second chance. But you’ve crossed the line, therefore, any business we had on the table is now over and done with.”
Lindsey narrowed her eyes as she shoved her fabric book into her bag. “At first, I couldn’t see what he saw in you. I’ve seen Justin with plenty of other women and none were like you, but I’ve figured it out.”
“Enlighten me.”
Lindsey rose to her feet and faced Ava. “You’re just like his bitchy mother. Justin always had mommy issues, so it makes sense he would be with someone just like her. Corrine crawled her way back into Chris’ bed and stole the life that should have been mine. And you…” She snickered and shook her head. “You have opportunist written all over your face. You believed Justin had a baby behind your back, and you desperately hung on to him, anyway. You’re no different from Corrine, the bigger the bank account the more pathetic you become.”
Ava rushed towards Lindsey, and in one forceful motion, she pushed her backward onto the sofa. With her hand balled into a fist, she punched her dead in the eye. Lindsey screamed and grabbed a fist full of Ava’s hair. Ava then reached for Lindsey’s arm to release her grip. When that didn’t work, she dug her nails into her face. Lindsey released Ava’s hair and pushed her onto the table. “I’m calling the police and have you arrested for assault!” screamed Lindsey.
Ava gathered her composure and marched towards the front door. “Get the hell out of my house!”
She smoothed out her shirt. “I need to call my ride.”
“Do it from the sidewalk and away from my property!”
Lindsey moved closer to Ava with her mouth twisted into a scowl. “Every one of you Harringtons will get what’s coming to you, and that includes you, too.”
She released a sharp exhale as she fumed inside. “Stay away from me, Justin, and anyone else I consider family! That means don’t come to our home or pop up in our place of business.” Ava pushed Lindsey outside and slammed the door behind her. Her first instinct was to call Justin, but he was out with his father, and she didn’t want to disturb him. Instead, she watched Lindsey from the front window. Ava saw her stand on the sidewalk and yelled into the phone. She couldn’t hear her words, but only see the movement of her lips and the animation of her arms as she spoke. Fifteen minutes later, the same blacked-out SUV picked her up.
Ava spent the next two hours trying to lower the
rage inside of her. First, she sat out on the terrace and allowed the sound of the ocean waves try to calm her down. When that didn’t work, she turned up the music and dusted. Sometimes, housework helped release her anxiety. Afterward, she felt calmer, but she continued to pace the living room floor and peek out of the window every fifteen minutes for Justin’s arrival. The second she heard the rattle of the front door, she ran over to meet him in the doorway. “Hi, guys.” She had to keep her cool in front of Chris. “How was lunch?”
“Good,” said Chris. “Ready for a nap.”
Justin followed his dad inside, stopping when he neared Ava. These are for you. He hands her a bouquet of roses and kissed her cheek.
She brought them to her nose and sniffed. “I’ll get these in some water while you tend to your father.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Come find me in the bedroom.”
Ava put the flowers in water and a vase before retreating in their bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed with a twitch in her leg. All the anger that had settled down had risen. She replayed her fight with Lindsey in her mind, upset with herself for stooping to her level.
“I gave dad his meds, and he’s down for the count,” said Justin when he entered the room. He sat beside her. “I can tell something has upset you. What is it?”
She turned to face him. “Lindsey and I fought.”
He looked confused. “What do you mean you fought?”
“I pushed her and then punched her in the eye. From there it was an all-out brawl.”
Justin’s face said it all. A mix of disbelief and confusion. “Start from the beginning.”
Ava told Justin everything, starting with Lindsey’s drunken arrival and ended with her kicking Lindsey out of the house.
“I hate that she brought me out of character. I can’t recall the last time I fought someone. High school, maybe. The things she said about you, us, your parents. She deserved that punch in the face.”
Conned by You Page 7