My cock refuses to listen to reason.
I groan as I recall the way she absent-mindedly sucked her lip ring into her mouth when she first bumped into me.Before she recognized me.Before I stole her ring and teased her without considering how much time has passed since we saw each other.
Guilt shrinks my chest.
I run my hand through my hair and sigh again as I pull my phone out of my pocket.After dialing my personal assistant, I hesitate, but hit send.
As CEO of the nation’s leading sports safety equipment designer and manufacturer, I ensure my company has the best employee benefits—including time off.The last time I contacted my PA on the weekend was over two years ago after receiving a call pertaining to a tragic death that affected the following Monday morning’s schedule.
The phone rings long enough I pull it away from my ear to hang up, but before I hit the end button, Kenneth Thomas answers.
Realizing I’ll sound like a creep if I order a background check on a woman I should’ve have contact with for the last decade, I wrack my brain for a plausible reason.
If Penelope graduated from Columbia University, she must have an excellent résumé.No matter where she works or what department she chose to specialize in, she must be the very best in her field.
She knew more than the computer science teacher in high school.I bet she ran circles around most of her professors in college.
“I need a background check on a potential new hire.Her name is Penelope Miles.”
After rattling off a few pertinent facts—her parent’s names, where she graduated, her birth year—I wait for him to confirm before ending the call.
I don’t want to wait until Monday for the information, though.I need answers before I see her again tomorrow.
After pulling up my texts with her brother, I scroll through our recent messages.Self-disgust roars through me.
Beyond coordinating our regular meet ups at our favorite bar, we haven’t spoken much.
I call him.He invites me to join him at a club I haven’t visited before.I agree and hang up before starting the ignition and backing out of the parking spot.
Learning to maneuver through the city in the extended-length SUV took some practice, but now I drive through the traffic with ease.
The valet’s eyes widen when I pull up to the podium, but I toss him my keys and give him my information before following a skinny blonde woman wearing a dress with slightly more fabric than a napkin.She leads me down a dimly lit hallway, through an overly crowded bar with a dance floor, strobe lights, and deafening music blaring from the speakers, and up a flight of stairs to the balcony.Overlooking the main floor, the upper level contains several seating areas sequestered away from each other with thick curtains.
Unease spears through me, but I decide to meet with Samuel for the info I need before leaving.
The blonde pulls open the curtain to the last sitting area and gestures me inside before giving me an obvious once-over.Ice travels down my spine as she sizes me up like a prized bull.The approval in her eyes sours my stomach, but I give her a polite thank you and step through the curtain.
Samuel rises and greets me like always—with a half-hug and hearty slap on the back.His cologne clogs my sinuses but does nothing to mask the smell of alcohol on his breath and permeating from his pores.
Despite the empty liquor bottles lining the table and his flushed face, his mannerisms seem no different than normal.
Doubt creeps into my thoughts.He offers me a spot on the couch and settles back onto the cushion he vacated to greet me.
Seeing him lounging in a new, shady location as though he owns the place adds to my doubt.
Was I as blind to the changes in my friend as I was to the changes in his sister?
He leans forward and cracks open a bottle of water before handing it to me.I take it with a nod.
“Are you here alone?”I ask.
“Nah.The ladies needed a powder break, but they’ll be back soon.This is Cathy’s favorite spot.She’ll be excited you finally came,” he says.
I hide my grimace behind a swig of water.
Cathy Barbie, Samuel’s girlfriend, may be my least favorite person in his friend group, but he’s been obsessed with her since college, so I keep my mouth shut.
She had a thing for me when we first met, but when I made it clear I wasn’t interested, she latched onto Samuel.
