by Stacy-Deanne
“Tell me.” He held her ass in place, jabbing her with that marvelous cock. “Why did you marry Max?” Sweat invaded his face.
“Oh.” She moaned.
“Huh?” He banged her harder. “You feel that, huh? That’s me. That’s the man who loves you inside you.”
“Shad.” She grinded her clit on his pelvis. “Ooh.”
“Tell me.” He raised her leg higher, going deeper.
“Fuck,” she screamed without warning. “What if someone hears us?”
He caught her lip between his. “He’s blackmailing you for what?”
“I…”
“You wanna tell me.” He moaned, maneuvering his dick inside her walls. “Fuck, Osana. Tell me before I come.”
“I want to.” She groaned, pleasure overtaking every nerve in her body. “I would if I knew—”
“Knew what?” He pulled her head back, fucking her harder.
“Yes!” She clamped her leg around his waist. “God, yes.”
“What were you saying?” He ripped her blouse open and kissed her bra cups.
She grabbed his waist, forcing him deeper inside her. “Don’t stop.”
“Tell me the truth.” He looked into her eyes. “I’ll still love you. Don’t you get that?”
“Fuck me.” Her pussy seeped, saturating his dick. “Just fuck me.”
“What is it?” he demanded, yanking her hair. “Why did you marry the son-of-a-bitch?”
“Fuck me.”
“Osana.”
“Fuck me!” She rocked on his cock, her clit swelling. “I wanna tell you.” She squirmed, tearing at his blazer. “But, no matter what you say I don’t think you’d ever understand.”
“I’d understand.” He licked his finger and stroked her clit, his dick still on rhythm.
Osana squealed.
“You coming?” He urged her. “I’ll love you no matter what, Osana. I love you so fucking much. Let me in. I don’t care if you did something bad.” He gave her a sloppy kiss. “Just tell me the truth so I can help you.”
“Right there,” she begged, tugging on his blazer. “I’m coming, Shad.”
Someone knocked on the door again.
“Miss Royal?” Clarice asked. “Is something wrong? Someone called me to check on you.”
“Don’t come in!” Osana’s thighs went numb at the looming orgasm. “I’m—”
“The meeting,” Clarice said. “Everyone’s waiting. Are you okay? You sound funny.”
“I’m fine!”
Shad sucked her neck. “Tell me,” he whispered.
Clarice tapped the door. “Do you want to postpone the meeting?”
“No!” Osana bounced on Shad’s dick. “No, I’m coming.”
He snickered, kissing her neck.
“Are you sure?” Clarice asked.
“I’m sure!”
“Hm.” Shad moaned. “You’re right there. I feel it.”
“Yes,” Osana screeched. “I’m coming damn it. Yes!”
“Miss Royal?” Clarice asked.
“Fuck.” Osana shivered as her pussy nerves exploded. “I’m coming, Clarice,” she muttered so low that Clarice probably couldn’t hear her. “Get out, Shad.” She pushed him away, her bosom heaving. “Please.”
He moved back, pulling up his pants.
****
Max strolled through the bright hall leading to Osana’s formal dining room. He’d planned to walk on past until he smelled Leslie’s cinnamon scent gliding from the doorway.
Why did the women in this house have to smell so good?
His sight roamed the lavish décor of white furniture and sparkling crystal.
“This is ridiculous.” Max leaned against the doorframe. “All this shit in this house. How can someone have so much stuff?”
Leslie slid a white rag over the gold rim of the china plate.
“One person shouldn’t have so much money.” Max walked into the room, the uptight décor reminding him he didn’t belong there. “She’ll never be able to spend it if she lived to be nine hundred. It’s a waste.”
“Yet, you want it.” Leslie snickered, wiping a porcelain mug. “Isn’t that a contradiction?”
“What’s a contradiction is how people who have the most money are the ones who keep getting it.” He walked across the burgundy, hardwood floor. “While the ones who need it fight for scraps.”
“Max?” She turned toward him, and he loved the side view of her giant melons squeezed inside her tight blouse. “Is there something you wanted? I’m busy.”
“You’re always busy when it comes to me.” He stood by the table. “You’re no better than Osana. Always got your nose in the air. You think you’re better than me?”
She dusted a small saucer. “Osana told me about your childhood. Is what you told her the truth?”
He stretched his arms then rested his hands on top of his head. “You think I’d lie about my mother being set on fire?”
“I hope not, but you always have an angle, Max.”
“Oh yeah?” He strolled toward her. “What would be my angle with that?”
“A way for you to make yourself sympathetic in Osana’s eyes.” Leslie turned the rag inside out and cleaned another dish. “A ploy to appear human.”
“I am human. I have feelings too, Leslie. Why don’t you stop looking at the things I’ve done and realize you don’t know me?”
“How can I ignore what you’ve done?” She set aside the dish. “Our actions define us.”
“It’s that simple?” He leaned his head back. “You’re perfect?”
“Stop acting the victim, okay? You whine about being treated like the bad guy well you are the bad guy. If you want people to see you different than change. Let Osana out of this farce and turn yourself in for Preston’s murder.” She set a plate on its stand inside the cabinet.
“I say I don’t care about what people think of me.” He sighed. “But I do. Osana has reason to hate me but you don’t.”
“I don’t?” She grinned. “Osana is my friend and you’re ruining her life.”
“Oh, please. Really?” He wiggled his nose. “Osana will still have more money than ninety percent of the people in the world when I get through with her. It’s not like I’m stealing welfare checks from a struggling single mother.”
“So because Osana has a lot of money it’s okay to take it?” She shook her head, grabbing another dish. “Jesus, you don’t get it. You have no right to punish others for your broken heart. Did you ever look at yourself and wonder why that woman left you? If you want me to see you for anything other than a murdering opportunist, then prove me wrong.”
He trapped her between him and the cabinet. “Don’t you ever get tired, Leslie?”
She stared up at him, reminding him of a deer looking into a hunter’s gun. “Tired of what?”
He moved closer, his nose touching her cheek. “Tired of being the good girl?”
She swallowed, her breasts jerking.
He affected her. She might’ve hoped he didn’t but once again, he got a reaction when he pushed the right buttons.
She attempted to move but wasn’t going anywhere with him in the way. “This won’t work on me, Max.”
“What won’t?”
“Intimidation. I’m not afraid of you.”
“I don’t want you to be afraid.” He gave her room, and she stood aside. “But, why aren’t you anyway?”
“Because you’re not a real man.” She pulled at the bottom of her blouse. “You don’t know what a real man is.”
He rubbed his knuckles. “Honey, there is a long list of women who might disagree with you on that.”
“Being a real man is not about bravado or throwing your weight around. It’s not about controlling women.”
“What’s it about then?”
“It’s about having a heart.” She leaned into him. “And knowing when it’s time to do the right thing even if that makes things hard for yourself.” She closed the cabinet.
“Until you learn that, you’ll always be miserable.”
“Hey, I’m not miserable, baby.” He laughed with his arms out. “I’m getting millions of dollars. I can buy anything I want.”
She got the rag off the table. “Try buying love and let’s see how that turns out.” She twisted to the doorway, the snug, denim skirt clinging to that plump ass.
He pointed at her, winking. “Maybe if you opened your mind I could show you my world one day.”
She waved downward as she walked out. “Never gonna happen, Max.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Two Weeks Later
At Woodley and Nash’s celebration party at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Gloria skated through the crowded ballroom, chatting with guests along the way.
Santa Barbara’s most prestigious citizens and Woodley and Nash’s biggest clients came to congratulate the firm on winning a high-profile murder case that lasted a year.
A waiter approached Gloria with a tray. “Drink, ma’am?”
In a sleek, blue dress with silver sequins, Gloria plastered a smile on her face. “I could use a hundred.” She took the glass of champagne and gulped most of it while Lattemore tossed a suggestive glance her way.
“Pig,” Gloria whispered. “Right in front of your wife?” She headed toward the curtains that separated the room from the terrace.
“Gloria?” Nash tottered his blubbery body toward her in run over, leather wingtips. “Are you okay?” Streaks of red ran through his fat, round cheeks. “You look piqued.”
“Guess I’m tired.” She touched her forehead. “I’m not in a celebratory mood.”
“You should be.” He held up his champagne glass, cackling. “This is the biggest case we’ve had in a decade.”
“And I’m happy for you.” She smiled.
“Honey.” He smothered her hand in his flabby palm. “Is this because of Preston? I know it’s been hard on you. Maybe this will cheer you up. We cherish all you’ve done for us. Without you doing the research we’d have lost this case.”
“You can’t give me the credit.”
“I can.” He winked, white strands of hair popping out around his balding head. “People don’t give paralegals the credit they deserve and you’re a damn good one, Gloria. So good we’re prepared to offer you a huge raise with other incentives.”
She giggled, nearly dropping her glass. “What?”
“Why so surprised?” He patted her back. “You’re a part of the team and we want you to feel appreciated. You’ve earned it. We’ll discuss it at the office tomorrow, okay?”
“Yes.” She hugged him. “Thank you so much.”
“Thank you.” He wiggled his chunky body. “Now I’m gonna go get my groove on.”
She laughed.
“Mingle.” He clinked his glass with hers. “Have fun.” He danced away without an ounce of rhythm.
Gloria strolled onto the terrace and stared at the charisma of downtown Santa Barbara at night. “A raise?” she whispered, staring at the cluster of dancing lights below her. “Wow.”
The curtains moved behind her, followed by a man’s voice. “I’m impressed.”
Gloria whipped around as Max strutted toward her in a charcoal-gray suit and shiny, leather lace-ups.
“What are you doing here?”
“Nice set up.” He looked at the view. “Bet you don’t get to come to fancy hotels like this much.”
“Why are you here?”
“Wow.” He circled her, checking out her dress. “You look sensational. Almost like you belong in these circles.”
She squinted, sipping from her glass. “I could say the same about you.”
“You got talent.” He leaned his back on the railing, facing her. “Talent with men. You got Nash and Woodley eating out the palm of your pretty hands. Old Lattemore can’t keep his eyes off you to save his life.”
“Leave me alone.”
“Hold on.” He pulled her back when she tried to leave.
“Let go of me, Max.” Her chandelier earrings swung. “You have no business being here. How did you even get in without an invitation?”
He let her go. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“I haven’t been avoiding—”
“I’ve been calling and emailing and you haven’t answered me back.” He put his hands in his pockets. “That’s not the way you treat a business partner, Gloria.”
“Okay, I’ve been ignoring you.” She lifted her head. “I’m not seducing Shad for you. I can’t believe I even considered such nonsense.”
“Get off your high horse, lady.” He pointed to the curtain. “Isn’t your married ex-lover sitting right in there?”
“Who are you to judge me when you married Osana Royal for her money and everyone knows it?”
“You don’t know a damn thing about why I married Osana.”
She smirked with her hand clutching her hip. “You’re not so easy to read, Max.”
“I’m not the one to play with.” He moved his head from side to side as if he had a crook in his neck, but she took it as a sign of irritation. “Why do I always have to hurt someone for them to take me seriously?”
“Leave me alone or I’ll scream and cause a scene.”
“Don’t threaten me, whore.” He jerked her arm. “All you have to do is fuck Shad, and I’m sure he’ll remember the good times.” He gripped her dress and lifted it in one swoop.
“Bastard.” She slapped his hand away. “Get away from me!”
“Just wanted to check out the goods.” He made a sucking noise with his tongue. “Maybe I should try you out first to make sure everything’s working.”
She shoved her finger in his face. “I swear I’ll scream if you don’t go.”
“Calm down.” He tugged on his bottom lip, still staring at her as if she were a piece of meat. “If I’d wanted you I’d have fucked you already.”
She raised her hand to slap him. “You disgusting…”
He grabbed her hand. “You’re so close, Gloria. All you gotta do is remind him of how good it was.”
“There is no deal, Max!” She broke free. “If you want to keep Shad and Osana apart than find someone else. I’m out.”
She left the terrace.
****
“Max!” Shad beat on Osana’s front door the next morning. “Get your slimy ass out here now!”
One of Osana’s security guards came from around the house. “Mr. Sidney, sir.” He ran through the grass. “Is there a problem?”
“You damn right there is.” Sweat skidded down his nose. “I’m gonna kill Max so you might wanna call the police.”
“Not sure if I would.” The guard grabbed his gun. “I’d give you a reward to kill that motherfucker.”
Shad banged again. “Max!”
Leslie opened the door. “Mr. Sidney, what—”
“Where is he?” Shad stomped through the front hall, looking left and right.
“Max?” Leslie trudged beside Shad, pointing. “He’s in the parlor having breakfast.”
Shad got to the parlor and made a beeline for Max as he plunged his fork into a pile of syrupy, French toast.
“What the?” Max sat at attention. “Sidney? Osana’s already at work so you can get the fuck out—”
“You son of a bitch!” Shad yanked him from the couch by his neck. “This is the last straw, Max. I’m tired of you fucking with people I care about.”
“What are you talking about?” Max pushed at him but Shad wasn’t budging “Get off me!”
“Mr. Sidney, please.” Leslie grabbed the guard’s arm. “You gonna just stand there?”
He sat in the chair. “I’m enjoying it.”
“I’m not gonna repeat this so listen, cocksucker.” Shad shoved Max against the wall, knocking down a portrait. “There is a lot I’ve tolerated from your ass but threatening Gloria is the last straw.”
“Awe.” Max dropped his head in a mocking fashion. “I wonder what Osana would think to see you fighting
so hard for the honor of another woman?”
Shad held Max’s head to the wall. “Leslie, pass me that knife.”
“What?”
“Pass it to me!”
A shaken Leslie handed Shad the knife from Max’s plate.
Shad stuck it under Max’s chin.
The guard stood. “Mr. Sidney?”
“Sh.” Shad stared Max in the eyes, watching his cockiness fade into fear. “I’m not gonna kill him…this time. You think you’re tough, Max? I’ll show you tough.” He pressed the tip of the knife into his skin.
“Ow!” Max waved his arms toward the others. “Help me, damn it!”
“No one can help you.” Shad panted. “Not even God could help you if you go near Gloria again. I need one reason. One reason to kill you because trust me I’ve been waiting.”
Max huffed and puffed, color draining from his cheeks. “Come on, man!”
“Gloria is one of the few people in my life who was always there when I needed her,” Shad said. “She told me about the blackmail and the pictures—”
“Blackmail?” Leslie bum-rushed Max. “You tried to blackmail Gloria Kinard?”
“What kind of monster are you, Ace?” Shad asked.
“She lost her brother, Max,” Leslie said. “How could you do something so cruel?”
“But, he’s not going to blackmail her.” Shad grazed Max’s neck with the knife. “Are you, Max? Because you value your life and you know I’m a man of my word don’t you?”
He growled, whispering under his breath.
“Look at my face, Max. Memorize it because if you do anything to jeopardize Gloria’s career or go near her again, my face will be the last thing you see.” Shad thrust the knife in the gap between Max’s thighs.
“Hey!” Max jumped with the knife only inches from his junk. “Stop, okay?”
“You hear me?” Shad shook him.
“I hear you, shit,” he insisted.
“I will kill you, Max.” Shad’s arms cramped from holding Max. “And I’ll gladly go to prison for it.”
“Okay, Mr. Sidney, that’s enough.” The guard grabbed Shad. “He got the message.”
“You even think about Gloria and you’re dead.” Shad threw the knife on the table.
“It’s your fault.” Max moved from the wall, rubbing his neck. “If you’d stay away from my wife I wouldn’t have gone to Gloria.”
