Conner gave her a moment to arrange herself in the ladies’ room on the upper floor. They’d lucked out that the security staff hadn’t done their rounds while they were there. But the wicked thrill had given her heart a workout. Merina would admit to anyone but Conner that his performance was something she’d never tire of. Even now she could feel him giving her his all, and Merina’s knees were still a little weak from her orgasm. It went through her body and didn’t miss overwhelming any of her senses. Every nerve in her body tingled. Conner put naughty and made the forbidden tempting. “Are you ready to make your entrance as Mrs. O’Keefe?” “What we did makes me want to go home and sleep. I think you short-circuited my brain. I can’t form a sentence right now. Merina said. She’d make him rue this day, if he’d made her unable to defend herself in front of these people. Conner smiled at her as he took her arm. “Then you must stand close to me
They’d eaten dinner. Now everyone relaxed with dessert and after-dinner drinks. A woman, unfamiliar until tonight, married to a woman Merina never knew well during childhood, leaned towards her. “Is it me? Are they too preoccupied with others’ lives to acknowledge their own errors?” “You’re very observant. I’ve waited all night for someone to realize I don’t care about their opinions. Merina said to her. The smiling woman sought meaningful conversation. Which flew fast and furious most of the evening when anyone suspected Merina or Conner might overhear. “I understand. It seems since my work is profitable, but my name is slapped on none of it. Am I unworthy to gossip about here?” The woman hadn’t introduced herself yet. Not being included in the gossip didn’t seem to affect her much. Merina liked her dry sense of humor. “Oh, my name and work are similar. They don’t comprehend my work. Or they believe the gossip and believe I’m lying. So,
Merina and Conner tried to skirt around where Lillian entered the country club. Merina knew Lillian would lose her membership once the divorce between her father and Lillian ended. However, Merina noticed Lillian’s lack of understanding. She arrived at the club late in the evening. Lillian didn’t understand fashionably late could become too late by mere minutes. She’d missed the social gathering and the dinner. As she argued with the concierge in the main lobby, Lillian spotted Merina as Conner gathered their coats. He’d returned with them as Lillian approached. “Not now Lillian. Don’t be a boar. We are just leaving.” Conner said to her. His voice and face appeared bored and unimpressed by her presence and her nerve. “Oh, but Conner I wanted to know how you’re doing. You must be having such a trying time with my stepdaughter as your wife. I was wondering if I could recommend a service to help you.” Lillian said. She raised her voice for
Ana watched Jeff from across the breakfast table like a trapped or wounded animal. She had stayed for months with him because she thought she liked him. Perhaps she could admit she loved him. Last night he’d gone too far. She’d convinced herself this was part of the games he and his friends played, and she let him make love to her. She figured if he fell asleep, she could leave. Be he’d locked her purse in a safe she couldn’t open. Later, he’d blindfolded her before he surprised her by locking a fancy ankle bracelet to her, then he attached a chain from the bed to it. He’d chained her to the bed, then gave her some of the best sex she’d ever had. Tired after all that exertion, Jeff revealed he’d been utter scum and recorded their time together. Ana wanted to kill him. He claimed he couldn’t trust her. Yet he’s the one who pulls this. Her life would end if her father saw the video. Ana now realized Jeff knew her identity. How could she explain to him why she lie
“Babe, look up today’s news there’s something breaking right now.” Conner said. He’d called Merina early the next morning. His voice gave Merina the impression that he felt happy, and she hoped it meant they were victorious. Had something happened, and they’d taken a step closer to being able to get on with their lives and rebuild the family businesses? Merina searched for the news on her phone. The one day that Conner’s business took him away from her side. She’d filled her day trying to get known business dealt with, but she struggled because in she couldn’t get in touch with Ana. Other staff members faced the same issue. “Conner, can you do something for me before I go into depth? However, the cat’s out of the bag.” “What do you need love?” “Can you call your friend Jeff? The one I met a few nights ago and ask him if he can reach his girlfriend Ana?” “What? Why? Doing that seems odd.” “Because his A
Merina fielded calls all day and with Conner out dealing with his business. Merina used his office to field various calls from staff and clients. Updating reports and other things. Somehow, a couple of enterprising journalists got her business number and tried to get an interview with her or a representative. They didn’t have a publicity department or marketing because they worked on referrals. Ana contacted her and they arranged a quick staff meeting to address the pending cases. Merina discovered a backlog of phone messages, despite already going through them thrice today. Her father called several times and still didn’t understand she had a life and worked. Merina couldn’t drop everything to talk to him. She acknowledged that not calling him was a valid reason as well. Upon confessing, he banished her to the lion’s den, expressing a lack of faith in her investigative skills. Conner wanted her to give her father a break. He’d tried to
“I can’t believe you and Conner. Allow me to work? There’s no allowing anything. We are dating but it’s casual as far as I know. We don’t have a contract and we’re not married.” Ana couldn’t believe these men. She’d warned Merina, but did she take the warning herself? Of course she didn’t. “Oh, hush woman. It’s only a matter of time. You think I’d let you go after this without a ring on your finger?” Ana stared at Jeff, her mouth agape as she panted wide-eyed. His choice of words only made things worse, but he didn’t see it. “Oh, you’ll let me go without a ring on my finger. I won’t marry you if you’re the last man on earth. This conversation is over, I need my purse and phone now. I’ll be gone after that.” Ana said. She didn’t like how he’d joked about her job and her company. Well, Merina and hers. Ana hated how he’d belittled her work where others could hear. She wouldn’t stay after that; Ana had her pride. “Remember I work in security,
“When is your business partner arriving?” Conner had entered the study before he asked Merina. She looked up with a frown. Then she realized he’d never met Ana in person. She was unsure he’d ever heard her voice except for the time she spoke in the conference’s background call yesterday. “She’ll be arriving any minute. Why? You look nervous. Is there a problem? Will us meeting together here be an issue? We could go somewhere else if it’s a problem.” “No, it’s not a problem. I want everything to run with no hitches.” “Now I’m concerned Conner. What must go with ease? What are you planning?” Merina now had learned how to read Conner. He’d pulled too many stunts, and she could now recognize his tells. “I haven’t planned anything. Though I’ve made sure dinner will be interesting. I wanted to ensure that she had a seat at the table.” “Do you also sense that it’s not just us three?” “Your close friends should meet mine. T