LOGIN“I owe you a more in-depth apology. Last time we spoke, perhaps I was a little too forward. Carl’s personal business is just that. I’m not too fond of some of the things I’ve seen in the past with him and other women, but that gives me no right to judge. Heaven forbid someone decides to judge me based on my past.” His eyes grew wide, and Mandy chuckled. “Right? I’d not survive that either.” She crossed her legs and kept her hands in her lap. “Apology accepted. I wasn’t too offended, though I might have stated that I was.”“Yes, well. I was downright inappropriate. I haven’t found a woman who caused my heart to flutter quite the way you did... the way you do.” A blush warmed his cheeks, and she was a little surprised at how flattered she felt over the situation. “I’m not sure how to respond to that.” She pressed her hand to her chest as her heart began to beat faster. “There’s no need to. I was coming through town for an eleven o’clock meeting and figured now was as good a time as a
Sexy 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
Mandy got the call from Carl two days later. “First of all, I’d like to apologize for how we met,” he said after pleasantries were exchanged. “It was not my intention to disrespect you, or anyone else, in any way. I’m sorry for Stephen’s behavior.”Mandy sat up and set her laptop aside. “You don’t
“Ican’t believe you just did that,” Carl hissed.Mandy could still hear him as she walked away.“I’m not sure who’s more embarrassed; me, or the girl.”“How was I supposed to know she could hear me?” Stephen cleared his throat. “Besides, it shouldn’t come as any surprise to her. She already knows s
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







