FAZER LOGINSexy time?” Mandy rolled her eyes and prayed for the earth to split open and suck her into its center to be burned alive. Was she really about to talk to her sister about ‘sexy time’ with her ex? Was it not enough that Stephen was now married to her sister? She wasn’t at all interested in the bastard any more, but it did happen to leave things quite awkward between her and all of them. “Yep. So he was telling me the other day that you happen to be the best lay of his life.” She huffed. “I was a little surprised. Most girls with a little extra in the middle won’t get naked to save their life. I’m actually proud of you.”“A little extra in the middle?” Heat rose up the center of Mandy’s chest. “Right. I’ll have to call you back, Claudia. Wreck up here and I need to pay attention. Best of luck on your issues. Bye, now!” She used a sugary-sweet voice and growled loudly after hitting the ‘end call’ button. “That sorry bitch.” Mandy hit the steering wheel. She had been working so hard to
Carl wasn’t in the bed beside her when she woke, but the smell of his soap lingered in the air. Mandy rolled onto her back and tugged the covers up to her nose, breathing deeply and groaning. The man could be a pain in the butt, but he was a god in bed and smelled like heaven itself. She laid there a moment more before getting up and checking her phone. There was a text from Gina that Nicholas, one of their investors who had vied for Mandy’s attention and then effed that up royally, had called and was stopping by at nine to talk with Mandy. “Nine?” She glanced at the clock and let out a yelp. She had fifty minutes to get ready and get to the office. There was no way. It took that long to get into work.She texted Gina back as she tried to get her dress back on. It would have to be nine-thirty. Gina seemed more than willing to keep the handsome investor busy. Mandy couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the saucy Italian woman. She was too much for her own good. After slipping her feet
You’re making this up. He’s a perfect gentleman, and besides... he knows we’re together.” She handed him his glass and took a sip of hers, enjoying the bitterness of the grapes as it raced across her tongue. “Oh, yeah? Did you say something to him?” Carl lifted his eyebrow. “No, Mr. Reid. You were like a Pitbull in my office this morning, spraying your scent everywhere.” She slid up against him. “It was almost hot.” She ran her tongue over her lower lip, enjoying his eyes follow it. “I almost had to go into your office to cool my libido down. I managed to take care of that on my own.”Carl’s eyes grew big. “Really?” He cleared his throat. “Good! So Paul got the hint to back the fuck off.” He shrugged, kissed her once, and moved to the counter. “I still want him out of your office. Give him Jerry’s office, and put that old fart in there with you.”“I think Jerry’s handsome.” Mandy suppressed a smile and started to work on tearing lettuce. “Well, damn... Jerry’s out, too.” They laugh
SHE HAD JUST FINISHED braiding her long wet hair when her phone buzzed. She hit the talk button and leaned over, spreading a light coating of pink lip gloss on her lips. “Hey.” “Hey, baby. When are you coming up here?”“Ten minutes. I just got out of the shower.”“And you didn’t think to invite me?” The pout in his voice was almost cute. Almost. “Nope. I worked out and tried to decide if I wanted to spend the night curled up with a good book about a man who showed off his woman, or have dinner with a handsome bachelor.”“Mandy,” his voice softened. “I’ll be up shortly.” She pressed the button to end the call. A growl left her as she turned her head slightly, studying herself in the mirror. The weight loss had been good for her face, having slimmed it down nicely, but, like most women, another flaw popped up in its place. “I thought you weren’t going to say anything. Needy bitch.” She shook her head and walked to the bedroom to get dressed. A simple white dress with sandals, sexy
Paul nodded as a smirk lifted his lip. “I understand, Mr. Reid. I’ll not bother Mandy. I promise.” “Good.” Carl lingered in the doorway for a minute more before turning and walking out. Mandy let out a growl and dropped down in her chair. He could have just cut across the room to his office. That obviously was going to be a no-go while Paul was in here. She had a feeling Carl was going to be pushing the construction to get done faster now. She worked to get her computer on as Paul moved to stand in front of her desk. His hands were in his pockets, his boyish good looks accented by the cute smile on his face. “How long have you guys been dating?” He lifted an eyebrow. “What? We’re not dating.” She shrugged and glanced down at the floor, trying to find the on button for her power cord. “Right. Keeping it on the down-low, I take it.” He chuckled and walked back to his desk. “I might be young, but you learn guy code as a boy if you’re raised right.” “Guy code?” She sat bac
After a few minutes of breathing deeply and calming herself, she got out of the car and walked into the office. A stop by the kitchenette had her grabbing a large cup of coffee and snagging a donut from the unholy, large box of them. She hadn’t had anything that sugary-sweet in months, except for maybe the ice cream and vodka. However, the occasion called for something to help her take her mind off of it. Food always worked well. Carl walked out of his office and down the hall, stopping in front of her as she glanced up. “Oh, hi, Mr. Reid.” Mandy lifted the donut. “Someone brought breakfast in the kitchenette.”“You don’t need that sugary shit, Mandy. It’ll make your stomach hurt worse. Go chuck it and get a yogurt or a banana.” The concern on his face was apparent, but his words drove remembrance into her. How many times had her mother forced her to forgo a simple treat because she was too fat to indulge... even a little. “Right,” she whispered and walked into her office, closing
She forced herself to calm down, knowing she wouldn’t go anywhere. She had the smarts, the common sense, the hard work ethic and even a friendly demeanor when her family wasn’t around. She just lacked the belief she could do it.Enough! She went to the bathroom mirror to touch up her makeup. It was
One more hour and then you can leave. Just one more stupid hour.Mandy resisted the urge to look at her phone for the fifth time in twenty minutes. She didn’t know what she was expecting to see on it. It wasn’t like time would move any faster. She turned her attention back to her sister’s engagemen
being replaced with larger ranch-style homes set back against the road. She had assumed by the suite number on her new address it was an apartment building. She scratched her head as she stopped before a very large modern-style house that ended at the long, gated driveway in front of her. Mandy dou
“Are you sure you want to do this, Mandy?” her mother said. “Your sister’s wedding is only a few months away and she really needs you right now. Besides, I don’t think days of sitting down will do anything for your diet.”She wanted to throw a pillow at her mom. Really? Not one ounce of encourageme







