Chapter 9 #2
“Should you be sitting in your dress?” I challenged, to which she tossed her hand like it was no big deal. Her fiancé could and would afford anything she wanted.
Wouldn’t that be nice?
I could admit to no one but myself that I was completely jealous. The streak was a mile long. She’d found the perfect man while I’d caught myself a dud. Oh, just thinking about Carrington created evil, violent images in my mind.
I’d quite prefer the ones from earlier even if they’d never come to fruition.
“Let’s get to the real truth here,” Brittney continued. The woman was more tenacious than anyone I knew.
Including myself.
“This is all about the announcement. Isn’t it?” Marlee just had to jump in.
“What announcement?” I’d hoped no one had paid any attention.
“About Carrington’s promotion?”
Brittney cocked her pretty little head, her coiffed blonde hair far too perfect. I wasn’t petty, but some people had a way of finding all the silver linings or the silver spoons. Whatever the saying.
“Oh, who cares.” I wasn’t good at passing anything off and my best friends knew it. They waited, staring at me. Giving me space. Or wishing I would scream, which is exactly what I wanted to do.
“You do,” they both offered at the same time.
“Because that promotion was yours,” Marlee added. “You worked hard for it and to see that low-life piece of human flesh being promoted after everything he did to you is… Well, if it were me, I’d put an icepick through his eyeball.”
I almost choked hearing her intensity and I knew she meant it. At least I could laugh. “You’re right. I hate him. He’s a backstabbing brown-nosing little weasel, but I believe in karma. He’ll get his comeuppance one day right up his ass.”
Or, as likely promised, he’d be in control of the company when George retired.
“That’s the spirit,” Brittney exclaimed. “Now, no more wallowing in self-pity.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
My body cringed before they could both chime in at the same time.
“Yes, you are.”
“And,” Brittney continued, “you’re going to have fun at the wedding.
There are going to be plenty of wealthy, insanely handsome eligible bachelors there.
You know how it goes. Pictures will be taken and could potentially get back to dear ole Carrington.
Just like he enjoyed shoving his relationship with Titty Girl in your face. ”
“Titty girl?” I laughed, full on and hard.
“Plastic tits, baby. You can see them a mile away.” Brittney was so much fun to be around.
“She’s right, baby girl. Live a little and the pictures could get back to your old boss.”
I rolled my eyes at Marlee. “Here’s the problem.
Good ole Carrington made us keep our relationship on the down low.
There were no pictures of us anywhere and not a single soul at the company knew we were hooking up.
Which means Mr. Covington had no clue we were dating or if he did, he was told I was a femme fatale. ”
“Is that why you were fired? I thought it was because you’d caught him with a couple chicks, threatening to expose him.”
My laugh turned darker. “Hardly. Carrington didn’t care that I found out, but he did know the term ‘hell hath no fury,’ which was why he planted evidence of some atrocity.
Mr. Covington had no choice but to fire me.
Carrington knew I was better suited for the promotion and his tiny dick couldn’t handle girl power.
If I’d come out after that and mentioned we’d been dating, you know how well that would have gone over. ”
Both girls looked dejected, but Brittney shook her head vehemently. “Nope. You’re not getting off that easily. You’re going to have a hot affair and that’s final.”
“I’ve sworn off men. Remember?” Only Marlee had heard snippets about what had happened on my recent business trip. Not that there was much to disclose.
Marlee snorted. “You are like a stick in the mud.”
“I’m practical. I need to build my business.
” You bet I was seething about the promotion.
But what could I do? The big boss was a sweetheart, but gullible.
Plus, there hadn’t been a single person who’d stood up for me.
Not one. For whatever crazy reason, I’d honestly believed I could advance in a world where women were still seen as objects. At least in Covington Enterprises.
Okay, so I missed my job and would love to go back. There. I’d admitted it.
“Fine. Then inspire guests with your wit and love of books. My guess is there could be a few businesses that would love to partner with you.” Brittney gave me a salacious look.
“Or, if that fails, you could at least get laid. I’m serious.
There truly is no better way of getting over someone that getting under another. Ask my darling Drake about that.”
“You wench!” I teased.
Why did my besties always wait until I had my mouth full of food or drink before pulling out the big guns? At least I choked instead of spitting the mouthful of expensive bubbly.
Brittney had her finger in my face. “And don’t you dare tell me you’ve sworn off sex or so help me God, I’m hiring a male prostitute.”
She certainly hadn’t lost her sense of humor. Maybe neither had I. All three of us were laughing so hard champagne bubbles were dripping down the sides of our glasses. It was so good to have close friends, amazing people who knew how much of a pain in the ass men could be.
“No, I’m not abstaining from sex. Just… everything else around dealing with a man.”
“Then put a mask on him and call him perfect.” Marlee lifted her glass. She’d heard about my ‘mystery’ dancer.
The warmth sweeping through me was so powerful I fanned my face. “You’re both incorrigible.”
“But right. Live a little. Create your own dark romance, girlfriend. You deserve it.”
* * *
“Oof,” I hissed and pushed away from my desk, swiveling the chair back and forth as I slumped down. I’d tried to step away from work, including turning on a favorite binge show to watch, but the nagging feeling of failure had dragged me back into my office.
I had no idea why I was struggling with the artwork. I’d done similar ones for reviews before. Maybe because I’d gotten a paying gig from the conference. An entire line of promotional banners and if the author liked what I presented, it would lead to doing a couple of TikTok videos for her.
Nothing that would send my first-born kid off to college, but the woman was as brilliant with her words about dark stalkers as she was mouthy.
And I meant that in the best of ways.
I’d read her books for years, considered her one of my favorites, but there was something off about the book I’d read and I couldn’t put my finger on why.
Other than I was completely jealous of the heroine. She had no idea how impressed I was with the hero aka the crazed stalker with a penchant for blood.
Did that make me insane?
I fanned my face and grabbed my bottle of water. For a September day, it was extraordinarily hot outside. Plus, my air conditioner seemed to be having a difficult time keeping up, which was why I’d decided to work in panties and a skimpy tank top.
Maybe I’d been burning the candle at both ends since the wedding was in a couple of days.
Plus, Troll Man had been at it again. Only he had a handle and every time I noticed it on one of my pages, I was instantly tossed into a fit of rage.
Breathe. Take nice long and very deep breaths.
My inner voice was hoping to gain control while my brain was going a million miles an hour. All with one sinful thought in mind.
Him.
Yep. My mystery man continued to forge little passages in my brain.
Even now, just thinking about him made my pussy begin to throb. Maybe the girls had hit on something. I wasn’t nearly as creative because I’d shut down any thought of humping a hot man.
I’d also chastised myself about a zillion times since leaving San Diego. Why hadn’t I initiated a hard fucking with the handsome mystery man? Perhaps if I had, I’d be more like myself.
I tilted my head, studying the work of art taking up residence in my office.
I had a blank wall, which was perfect for it.
But for now, it was leaning against the wall, although after some deliberation, I’d insisted the delivery men uncrate it.
I’d thought about keeping it covered, almost fearful of the inanimate object.
Which was ridiculous.
But I’d had the creepy-crawlies since returning. Partially from the jerk who’d accosted me, but mostly because of the note. I’d ‘chatted’ with both Jasmine and Chantal and neither had been able to determine who the note had been for or from. And there hadn’t been a repeat.
For some crazy reason, I expected there would be.
I didn’t like the feeling of being watched, followed, or otherwise stalked by anyone, including by some keyboard warrior who obviously thought he was hot stuff.
Maybe my handsome mystery man could come to my rescue.
Another glance at the painting and I was able to take several deep breaths.
I’d done a tiny bit more research on the artist. There were no pictures of him, the stories on the internet treating him as if a genius recluse. His pieces went from tens of thousands for smaller paintings. One of a size similar to what was placed ten feet away? Upward of three hundred thousand.
Why in God’s name had I won the piece? The thought of bribery no longer stuck the way it had before. The not knowing was infuriating.
A soft laugh left my lips and I closed my eyes, moving my chair back and forth, an image of the painting shoved out by a more delicious one of the mystery man from the conference. And of course, I wondered if he had a big, fat cock. My guess? Hell, yeah.
My thoughts continued drifting in several very sinful locations while I should be thinking of nothing but work. Well, it was already dark outside. Wasn’t I allowed a little playtime? A little relief?