by E. C. Land
Rémy.
I unlock the deadbolt and open the door. I won’t be some weak woman who gives in. I need to stand my ground, otherwise, he’ll walk right over me. “What’re you doing here?” I ask him, but then my senses kick in. “Actually, I don’t want to know.” I go to push the door shut, but Rémy sticks his foot in the doorway.
With pleading eyes, he stares me down. “I need to explain. I promise you on my family’s life, Cora, this isn’t as bad as it looks. I will tell you every detail, and I’ll answer any question you might have.
Gosh, this is laughable. “Explain what, Rémy? I’m obviously the other woman. I’m the side chick, as you Americans say.” Saying it out loud makes my stomach twist in tight knots, worse than the way it was when I heard his brother call this woman his wife.
“No, you’re not. Look, I was dumb. I made a stupid mistake—”
“You got that right,” I interrupt him, furious he’s even trying to give me an excuse like this.
He scoffs, and I can tell he’s trying to hold back from rolling his eyes. “Cora, would you just let me finish what I have to say, and would you mind letting me come in to do it? I’m not exactly looking to blast my problems to the world here.”
“I don’t want to let you in.” I’m honest as hell with him. Why would I want to let him in after everything that happened today? It would be stupid as hell.
“Fine, then I’ll say it all here. I got drunk off my ass in Las Vegas and married her. I’d just met her that night, I fucked her, then in the morning I woke up and realized what happened. We both agreed to get the marriage annulled because it was a mistake. Fast forward a bit, and now she’s saying she never agreed to it, how I’m the love of her life and all this other shit. She’s a psychopath, Cora. She’s even telling me she’s pregnant with my kid, and I know that isn’t true.”
“What?” All emotion floods from my face. He didn’t just say that to me. He didn’t. I take a couple steps back and end up walking over to the couch. I need to sit down. Today is one bomb drop after another.
Rémy comes inside my apartment, shuts the door, and secures the deadbolt before coming over by me. He takes a seat on the other end of the couch, giving me some much-needed space. “The kid isn’t mine, Cora. Deep down I know it. If you ask me, she married me, agreed to get the marriage annulled, and then it sparked some curiosity. I think she looked up my family and then decided I’d be a free ride. She’s nothing but a gold digger. That’s the only thing she wants out of this. She just wants money because I’m sure she thinks I’m gonna pay her off. In her fucked-up mind, she thinks I’m stupid enough to believe her ass and pay her to keep it quiet.” Rémy shakes his head in disbelief, and I don’t miss the way he’s clenching his jaw.
“Are you certain this baby isn’t yours? Like, how do you know?”
“I used a condom. It was on the floor next to the bed.” Okay, so he used a condom. That’s good.
“Doesn’t mean it worked,” I point out. “She could’ve put a hole through it to get pregnant, or it could’ve broken. You don’t know.”
Rémy nods, and somehow, I’m starting to believe him. I know it’s stupid. I know I shouldn’t . . . but I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, even if it will mean I end up getting my heart broken.
A few minutes of silence pass between us before I speak up again. “Have you seen any sort of pregnancy test or sonogram?”
“She showed me a photo of a sonogram, but it didn’t have her name on it. It was blank, and I’m not an idiot. I know she faked that shit.”
I swallow and remain silent, not sure what to say. What can I say? She could be faking this . . . or she could be pregnant with his kid. Regardless, I don’t know what to do, and this entire situation is only causing me to stress out. I was falling for him, and now I’m terrified to get closer.
Chapter Fourteen
Rémy
“Rémy, a thought just popped into my mind,” Cora says, twisting on the couch as she faces me, tucking her feet under her bottom.
“What is it?” I ask gently.
Cora’s taken everything in that I’ve told her about Brittney, but I still don’t know if she’s willing to be with me—to give us a chance.
“Have you verified the marriage is even legal?” she inquires. “I’ve heard of a few of those places not being fully legit. Like the business is real, but the officiant isn’t licensed.
Cora’s question about whether or not I checked into the marriage certificate to make sure it’s legit has got me thinking. What if this was more than just her finding out who I am after that night? Could Brittney have set this whole thing up before she knew about my money? She’s a gold digger, desperate to dig her claws into me and everything I’ve got. But something’s not adding up. There’s got to be something I’m missing.
Standing from the couch, I start pacing Cora’s living room. My mind’s whirling with question after and question. I can’t help burning a hole in her floor while I think. It’s what I do when I’m stressed the fuck out.
Brittney’s here in New Orleans, and though she’s not been able to access my money, I’m wondering how she’s paying for everything. Something’s not right. It can’t be. She’s adamant she’s pregnant—though, I highly doubt she truly is. In fact, I know she isn’t. Call it a gut feeling or whatever, but I’ll bet all the money in one of my bank accounts she’s not.
The woman’s faking it. Why, though? That’s the question. What does she have to gain by playing me? Yeah, she thinks she might get her hands on my money, but sooner or later, she’s going to have to produce a valid pregnancy. Either way, if she refuses to sign the annulment papers, I’ll file for divorce.
“Rémy?” Cora’s sweet voice penetrates my thoughts, and I stop pacing. Spinning to face her, I meet her gaze head-on and notice the worry lines etched across her features.
Before I can finally respond to Cora’s question about the marriage, my phone rings. Weird. At this hour? Keeping my eyes on her, I pull the damn thing out and answer without looking to see who it is. “Yeah.”
Cora’s head tilts slightly as she stares at me—almost as if she’s examining me under a microscope. I keep my gaze locked on her as she stands and starts in my direction.
“You wanted us to keep an eye on Brittney. Just so you know, one of the guys reported her going inside one of the smack houses,” Malcolm informs me.
This is not something I want to hear at this hour. For fuck’s sake.
“Did they get pictures?” I ask, wanting proof.
Cora’s right in front of me now, eyes never straying from mine, her hands coming up and pressing into my chest.
“Are they dumbasses like this bimbo?” Malcolm chuckles.
I release a harsh breath—his answer is all I need in confirmation. The men who work for our family are not idiots. They know what they’re doing. Hell, a few of them are former military.
“Appreciate it, Malcolm. While I’ve got you on the phone, can you do me a favor?” I ask, releasing a heavy breath. I want this all straightened out and taken care of.
Never have I wanted to fight for a woman as much as I do Cora. She’s worth it.
“Can you look further into Brittney?” I ask. “I wanna know if the place where the two of us got married is legit or not. The sooner, the better on this, Malcolm.”
“You got it,” Malcolm answers, ending the call. He’ll get someone on it, if not do it himself.
Pulling the phone from my ear, I shove it in my pocket and wrap my arms around Cora’s waist, bringing her flush against my front.
“Are you okay?” she whispers.
“Yes, I’m sorry for the headache this is probably causing you,” I murmur just as quietly. I run a hand along her spine soothingly. “I hope you can forgive me for hurting you. I never wanted to do that.”
“The thought of being the other woman hurts—”
“You aren’t the other woman. Cora, you could never be some side piece for me. It just suck
s that you came into my life when I have a shitshow swarming around me,” I say, sliding my hand up until I’m palming her cheek in my hand. I keep her tight against my front as I do so.
Holding on to Cora and making things right with her is all that matters to me at this moment.
Leaning into her, I press my lips against hers and use my tongue to urge her to open for me. To allow me entrance into that delectable body of hers.
Cora slides her hands over my shoulders and curves them around the back of my neck. Parting her lips, I don’t waste time in taking it as my chance to deepen our kiss.
Removing my hand from her cheek, I use both hands to cup her ass in my palms and lift her clear off the floor. Cora wraps her legs around my waist as she continues to kiss me. Already knowing the layout of her apartment, I carry her to the bedroom and make quick work of her barely-there clothes.
Breaking my mouth from hers, I pepper kisses along her skin. I take my time showing each of her breast’s attention. Nipping and sucking one, I massage the other, then switch to do the same with its twin.
Cora’s moans are intoxicating to my ears. I love the sounds she makes. Making my way farther down, I settle between her legs, placing her thighs on my shoulders. I inhale her sweet spot, loving the earthy scent filling my nose. Swiping my tongue through her slit, I give her clit a quick flick.
“Rémy,” Cora pants, arching into my mouth, her body all but begging for more of my touch.
“You want my mouth, baby?” I ask, pressing a kiss to the top of her mound.
“Yes,” she whispers, lifting her ass off the bed, offering what’s already ready for me to devour.
“What do you want me to do with my mouth?” I wanna hear what she wants coming from those sweet lips. I give her mound another kiss, slipping my tongue down to touch her clit with the slightest flick.
“Eat me,” she moans.
“What was that?” I chuckle, wanting her to say it louder.
“Rémy, please, for the love of God, eat my pussy,” she yells, slamming her fist onto the comforter.
“That’s all you had to say, baby.” I smirk, lowering my head and latching onto her pussy. I savor her taste, loving her muskiness.
Fucking her with my tongue, it doesn’t take long to bring her to climax. Cora moans my name, and I keep going, swirling my tongue through her juices—lapping up her essences, wanting her to come for me again.
My cock is throbbing within the confines of my jeans, needing release. Gliding my tongue through her folds, I nip at Cora’s clit, earning another breathless groan of my name. I love the sound of my name on her lips.
Slipping two fingers into her tight, soaking wet pussy, I latch onto her clit and suck the little nub, flicking my tongue across the tip. With the help of my fingers hitting Cora’s G-spot, the walls of her pussy clench my fingers as she explodes in ecstasy.
Unable to wait any longer, I pull my fingers from her sheath and stand at the edge of the bed. I make quick work of toeing off my Sperrys and removing my shirt and jeans. Having gone commando leaves less to take off. I’d gone casual when getting dressed this morning.
Climbing onto the bed, I line myself up with Cora’s entrance and meet her eyes. “You’re the only one I want, Cora,” I growl, sliding halfway through her slick entrance.
“Rémy,” she gasps, calling out my name. “I want you too. So much it scares me.”
“All the best things in life scare us at first, baby. It’s just up to us to decide if they’re worth overcoming the fear.” Slipping the rest of the way inside her pussy, I clench my teeth to keep myself from pulling out and start fucking her like I want.
Cora needs to know she’s special to me—that I want no one but her.
Nodding, Cora reaches to curve her hands over my shoulders. “I want to overcome the fear,” she whispers, giving me a nervous but sweet smile.
“Thank fuck,” I rasp. Leaning down, I capture her mouth and thrust my hips, starting a tormentingly slow pace.
After a while, I roll us until she’s on top. I grasp her hips and guide her until she’s riding me hard. Cora breaks her mouth from mine and sits up to get a better position. Sitting up, I wrap my arms around her waist and suck one of her nipples into my mouth.
Nipping at the little bud, Cora’s pussy clenches around my cock, and it’s all I can do to hold back my own release.
Sliding my hands to either side of her waist, I help her get there as I switch to give her other tit attention.
Cora comes, crying out my name. Her pussy convulses around my cock and draws my release right out of me. I don’t think I’ve ever come so hard in my life.
It just goes to show Cora was made for me. She’s special in a way I could never imagine.
Chapter Fifteen
Corentina
“I’ve been craving steamed pork dumplings like crazy,” Poppy tells me from her seat on my couch. She’s flipping through a fashion magazine, and I know I shouldn’t, but I really want to mess with her.
“Are you pregnant?” I ask, cocking a brow. From the shocked expression on her face, she hasn’t realized I’m messing with her yet.
“What? No! I’d have to be bumping uglies with someone for that to happen. Let me tell you, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a bumping-ugly experience. Too long.” Poppy sighs at the end, and I bust out into a fit of laughter. God, she’s hysterical. Since my time here, she’s easily become my best friend. We spend a lot of time at Diamond Dancers together, and since we have the same days off, she usually comes to have lunch, go shopping, or we have dinner together. Of course, that’s when Rémy isn’t busy.
Things with him are going okay. The whole Brittney thing really messed me up. It caused doubts about him to flood my mind, but since then, things have changed. I still kind of kick myself mentally because I didn’t give him a chance to explain when everything happened. I immediately shut down, and sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if I hadn’t let him explain. Our relationship could’ve been over before it even started, and all because of a woman who’s likely lying. I say “likely” because Malcolm found images of Brittney out drinking on social media. Now, I hope she’s lying about being pregnant, because if she isn’t, she’s only putting that baby in danger by acting the way she is.
“Why don’t we go out and get some food then?” I suggest, and Poppy looks right at me with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Tell me we’re about to go get some banging Chinese food.” She clasps her hands together, and I nod, laughing.
With a wave of my hand, I say, “Come on, girl.”
Poppy and I leave my apartment, and she opts to drive to her favorite Chinese place. We get there, she parks, and we both go inside. A nice older woman greets us and takes us to a table nestled away in the back. We sit down, order some water and an app, and wait for our server to come to the table.
“I don’t know if you’ve realized this yet, but you’re the only one at Diamond Dancers who’s actually nice to me.”
I arch a brow at Poppy’s words. “What do you mean?”
Her expression falters and she grabs her water to take a sip. “Well, I was at the bottom of the totem pole. I’d mainly worked behind the bar and as a waitress. It was on a whim that they decided to train me to be a dancer. The other ladies don’t like that. They even started rumors about me being with people, just to make it make sense to them, I guess.” I shrug. “Other than you, Tessa is the only other nice one.” Poppy frowns slightly, and it’s obvious how these rumors have hurt her. She’s such a sweet person, and it hurts me that people would make up things about her, just because she was given an opportunity.
She said Tessa and I are the only nice ones, but I know for a fact we have at least ten girls on the roster. God, that’s horrible. “I’m sorry the others are mean to you. Don’t let them get you down. You know who your true friends are, and you’re incredibly talented.”
Poppy smiles widely. “Thanks, Cora, you’re a great friend.”
&n
bsp; “No need to thank me. I’ll stand up for what’s right, and who’s right,” I tell her, genuinely meaning every word of it.
A server approaches our table and smiles. “Evening, ladies. Have you had enough time to look over the menus?”
“Yes, we’ll take an order of both fried and steamed pork dumplings, crab Rangoon, shrimp fried rice, your specialty donuts, and some fresh scallops.” The waiter looks at me like I’m crazy, but we’re two women who work out all the time. Burlesque dancing burns a lot of calories.
“Sure thing,” he says as he walks away.
I take a sip of my water, and Poppy’s words completely catch me off guard.
“I need to say this, but if I were a lesbian, I’d totally bang you.”
I spit out my water, and we break out into hardcore laughter. I dab the napkins on the table in front of us to clean up the mess, and the two of us continue laughing. This is what people need—friends like her.
I haven’t told Poppy everything that happened with Rémy, but I have to get it off my chest. There are so many feelings running through me at any given moment, and to be frank, out of all my coworkers, she’s the only one who even has the slightest indication Rémy and I are together.
“What’s the matter? You look upset.” Poppy’s words catch me off guard, but in a different way than her last remark did.
I lick my lips and stare right into her eyes. “I’m conflicted as can be. Rémy gave me the details about his marriage to Brittney, if that’s even what it is . . . and I . . . I need someone to tell me I’m not being stupid.”
“And you want me to be that person? I’m honest as can be, but I don’t ever want to hurt anyone’s feelings.” Poppy doesn’t surprise me in the least. I know she doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. She’s too kind to do that.
“I need someone else’s perspective because my feelings could be blinding me. I might not be seeing things the way I’m supposed to be, and you’re the only person I trust to tell me the truth. You’re kind of my only friend right now.” The latter might be sad, but it’s true.
