“Then you’re the girl who runs away... from everything.”
She nods her head and walks out without another word.
I spend the rest of the day peeking out my blinds at Selena. To her credit, she is very earnest about answering my calls. She takes the job seriously, but I would expect no less; she strikes me as a woman who takes absolutely everything seriously.
By the end of the day, I can't stand the feeling of my own skin. I have to get out. Returning to The Summit is not an option, considering I don't want to fuck anyone but the blonde sitting outside my office.
I decide to get The Quattro together for drinks. I let Selena go home without so much as a goodbye, wondering if I’ll see her again. The good news is, I have all her information—thanks toher temp agency sending me her address, phone number, and social security number. If she runs, she won’t get far.
The Quattro is a group of four friends—myself included—who are members of the Christopher Street Society. We were born and raised to be men of wealth and influence. We take our roles within the society seriously, and the camaraderie helps us survive the treacherous aspects of our lives.
I consider having Selena in my orbit averytreacherous aspect.
We meet at our favorite local haunt, Cole’s Pub. It’s gritty, private, and smells of old wood and secrets. We order Scotch and play a few rounds of darts.
Beckett and Scarlett are working on baby number four. Cayden is planning on going to the hockey playoffs in Montreal. Marcel is buying yet another East Asian mega-resort, making himself infinitely wealthier.
“Tell me again,” I ask Beckett, whom I secretly admire, “you have three kids already. Why the fuck do you want another one?”
Beckett adores his wife, Scarlett. They met at the annual CSS masquerade ball where she was catering. There was a huge ruckus involving a kidnapping by a rogue member, but Beckett rescued her, married her, and hasn't looked back.
“We love being parents. Rayne is sweet, Skye is spicy as hell, and Storm isn't a baby anymore. We just want one more to even the score.” He looks so fucking happy it makes my teeth ache.
“Isn't marriage a chore after a while?” I ask, swirling my scotch. “I mean, Scarlett is the hottest woman on the planet, but don't you get tired of banging the same box?”
I know I’m being crass, but I need to poke holes in his perfection.
“I'm going to pretend I didn't hear you disrespect my wife, Griffin,” Beckett says calmly, throwing a dart. Bullseye. “You are the quintessential douchebag, but show some respect. Scarlett is beautiful, but even if she were old and grey, I wouldn't care. The person inside is who I married. She’s brave, brilliant, and understands me. She’s a fucking goddess.”
“That is a bunch of horseshit,” I counter, antagonizing him because I’m jealous. I know from watching my own parents that love like that is a myth. “You are drinking the Kool-Aid. Don't tell me that an angel like Scarlett doesn't get up in your face and you don't want to just walk away.”
“Scarlett and I fight, absolutely. But we're not assholes about it; we don't go for blood. We have goals. And yes, she's sparky and so am I, but that passion plays out in the bedroom. Trust me, we’re kinky as fuck.” He takes a drink and eyes me. “Have you met someone?”
“I'm always meeting someone. There's an infinite number of someones,” I answer. “That's the problem. I don't think they'll ever beThe One, and I’m fine with that because I absolutely do not want babies. Ever.”
“Then just be a player. That’s my plan,” Cayden chimes in. He’s the youngest and the wildest of us.
“Sounds perfect.” I’m on edge. I cannot stop thinking about Selena.
Marcel smiles at Beckett. “I definitely want to find someone, but there’s only one Scarlett in the world and she’s taken.”
“Right,” I chime in, feeling bitter.
I don’t tell the guys that Selena might be on par with Scarlett. I want Selena to be my dirty little secret.
“You’re damn right,” Beckett affirms, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “So keep your slimy dicks away from my wife.
8
SELENA
I am home, and I am exhausted.
How on Earth did this happen to me? Of all the people in the whole wide world, why do I have to keep stepping on landmines? You would think being betrayed by Landon on my wedding day was enough karmic punishment. But no, the one and only time I have random, mind-blowing sex with a stranger, he turns out to be my new boss.
And what an ass of a boss.
All Griffin does is stay in his glass-walled fortress and bark orders like a dictator. According to the office gossip I picked up in the breakroom, he's slept with half the legal community in Manhattan. HR has apparently been on his case about it, but since all the relationships were consensual and he's the rainmaker for the firm, he’s untouchable.
