by Vivian Ward
The owner found out that he’d been paying for private dances with his little strawberry blonde and became enraged. He hired a man to sit at the club seven days a week to keep an eye on what was happening and report back to him.
Everything was done in secret, so nobody else knew what was going on. The guy upheld his end of the deal and watched every night for about two weeks.
The man that the owner hired reported everything that he witnessed back to the owner and confirmed that the man was, in fact, sleeping with the dancer. In fact, he was sleeping with more than just the strawberry blonde; he was having sex with almost all of them. This infuriated the owner, so they concocted a plan to kill the wealthy, middle-aged man.
Story has it that the owner started wiring money into an off-shore bank account where his informant would withdraw the payments until he received the all of the money in full. Once that happened, he carried out the hit and killed the guy.
Of course, when it was all said and done, everything was set up to look like an accident, and since the prosecuting attorney couldn’t prove the money exchange and the murder was executed so perfectly, Ford was able to get the owner off of all charges.
But karma has a funny way of making things right, and the owner ended up dying a few years later in a fiery car crash on his way home from the club one night.
No one has ever been able to prove it, but it’s said that the cute little blonde was out for revenge against the owner for killing her lover and ran him off the road.
The whole story had so much media attention that Ford was constantly in the headlines, so when he opened his own practice, every defense attorney in the area flocked to him because he was the best in the business and because of his influences, he was able to pick and choose who he made partner.
Ford’s one tough son-of-a-bitch, which is why so many bend and bow down to him and kiss his ass. I wish I could say that I’m different, but tonight, I’m not.
Piper and I make our way through the party and bump into a few different partners, making small talk along the way. Mingling like a couple of pros, I busy myself with talking to some of the other associates in the firm while Piper socializes with some of the other wives.
“How’s it going?” Ford approaches me, draping his arm over my shoulder. “Having fun yet?”
“Great party,” I say to him as I raise my glass.
We clink the rims of our glasses and drink to it.
“Well, this could be a regular thing, you know? You and that cute little lady of yours. I’m glad that she made it to the party. I thought I was going to have to offer your invitation to someone else.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I say.
Having her by my side tonight has helped relieve some of the stress and eased my nerves, or it could be the alcohol. It’s hard to tell.
The waitress keeps passing by with a tray of champagne glasses, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t helped myself multiple times. She’s been quick—a little too quick—with refills, but I’m sure she’s being paid very nicely to do her job, and if she’s like the rest of us, she wants to make Ford happy.
“I’ve got to hand it to you,” Ford says. “If that were my lady, I’d be tempted to keep her under lock and key. She’s a beauty.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He laughs and pats me on the back as I look around for her, but she’s nowhere to be found. Come to think of it; I haven’t seen her for the last half an hour or so. Knowing her, she’s probably with Diane. Mingling is what she does best. She’s like a social butterfly, so it doesn’t surprise me that I’ve not seen or heard from her.
“Don’t call me sir, Logan. If you’re going to become a partner in my firm, call me by my first name.”
I eye him suspiciously, not sure if he’s being serious or not.
“Call you by your first name? I didn’t know you had one of those,” I joke with him.
The two of us laugh for a moment, and then he motions for the waitress to bring us another drink.
“Yes, call me Oliver,” he says, taking a flute off the tray and passing one to me before grabbing a second one for himself. “And since we’re getting to know each other better, why don’t you join us for a game of cards. We’re going to start playing soon since the crowd is dwindling.”
I’ve heard of him having poker nights with the other partners, but I didn’t know that they played at this type of party.
“Tonight?” I question.
“Yes, tonight. The party seems to be dull so I figured we could make things a bit more interesting and perhaps play some poker,” he studies my face. “You do know how to play, don’t you?”
“Of course,” I nod. “I play with Piper’s brothers all the time. We usually get together a few times a year for poker nights. They’re pretty good.”
Ford smiles at me and places his hand on my back as he walks us to the game room and invites a few others along the way.
“Good, pull up a seat and get ready to play while we set things up.”
If today could get any stranger, I’d think it was all a dream, but the reality is that Ford and the other partners are more accepting of me than I could ever hope for which excites me.
I’m actually going to make partner, but what makes it even better is that I’ll do it before we get married. Maybe Piper’s mother was onto something when she said that her daughter is a good luck charm. I think she’s right.
Chapter 15
Logan
It’s nearly 11 PM, and most of the guys have taken off rather quickly. I never really had Ford pegged for much of a poker player, but he’s pretty good. He’s more than good; he plays like a pro.
With only a few of us left, the stakes are getting higher as the cards in the deck have more value since there are less of us playing. So far, he’s been pretty good at pushing people out because they’re afraid to call him.
Maybe he’s an expert bluffer, or maybe they’ve known him long enough to know that he’s got a good hand. Either way, I can’t quite figure out his game. We’ve been playing Texas Hold’em for nearly an hour now, but he never shows his cards unless he absolutely has to, which is rare.
My lovely Piper has been patiently chatting with Diane, who thank God, is still here. If it weren’t for their friendship, she’d probably be bored out of her mind, but I have noticed that she’s intently watching our card game.
Since her brothers have always included her in their poker games and taught her how to play, she’s really good at cards. In fact, she’s so good that it’s how she paid her way through college.
Piper’s a business woman through-and-through. If there’s a smarter, better way or a shortcut to something, she’s the one who can figure it out. I think that’s part of what makes her so good at her job in marketing. She knows when to take risks and when not to gamble; she has a good sense of judgment which is one of the many things that I love about her.
I know that she’s probably dying to play but the wives aren’t allowed to participate in the men’s card games, and since I’m not exactly “in” yet, I’m not suggesting she play, but I can tell she’s got the itch. Mitch and Diane left about 15 minutes ago, so all she’s focusing on is this card game.
She can’t turn down a good game. Her brothers instilled it in her, and when she finds something that she loves, she becomes the best at it.
When we were in college, I remember telling her that she needed to quit gambling because one day it would come back to bite her in the ass but she told me not to worry because she has a system. She’d never tell me exactly what that system was—it could be total bullshit—but whatever she claims to use, it works for her.
There was never a day where she didn’t have money, and her bills were always paid so I’d have to agree with her that her brothers did a great job teaching her about cards and that she mastered that skill.
Leaning back in my chair, I stare at her until I have her attention and give her a subtle wink. I’m about to pu
sh out the last guy by making him go all in with a pair of pocket eights in my hand.
I know he’s chasing and that he doesn’t have a pair, but he chases it all the way down to the river before he loses all of his chips to me. I laugh to myself and call him a dumbass under my breath. Only fools chase what they don’t have.
As soon as he’s out, he grabs his suit jacket off the back of his chair and tells his wife that it’s time to go. Ford and I smile at each other knowing that it’s down to just the two of us.
I’m about to declare Ford the winner and call it a night myself when he returns from seeing out the last guest and tells me to take my seat.
“I’m sorry, Oliver,” I say to him. “I thought we were done?”
“Why would you think that? Every game has a winner, and there hasn’t been one yet.”
“With all due respect, this is your house. You win. Besides, I’m sure you’d probably like for us to get out of your hair.”
He walks behind Piper and gently strokes her long brunette hair.
“Why would you think that? Actually, I was going to suggest that the little lady gets in on the action.”
He looks down at Piper and grins.
“What do you say? Do you know how to play?” he asks her.
She beams up at him, and then to me. I know exactly what’s going on in her head, and I’m trying to telepathically tell her no, but it doesn’t work.
“I’m game,” she can’t erase the smile from her face. “And yes, I know how to play. I’m quite good, to be honest.”
Ford laughs at her as though she’s told the funniest joke of the century. I know his type. He thinks that women are inferior and that they’re just pretty things to look at, but my baby has beauty and brains. She’s smart.
“Okay, doll face,” he says after he manages to stop laughing. “Pull up a chair and let’s see what you’ve got.”
Piper gladly pulls up a chair, eager to play. If there’s one thing that my wife loves to do is play cards, and she does it well.
“Are you familiar with Hold’em?” he asks her.
She grins and looks at me. We both nod because we know that Ford is about to lose his ass off—to a woman. I was going to let him walk away as the winner, but my wife is not so gracious. She will take him for a ride and let him lose; she’ll also take great pleasure in it because she loves to put men in their place.
“Yeah, I know a thing or two about it,” she giggles. “You better hope Lady Luck is on your side tonight.”
Leaning close to the card table, I watch her eyes dance as he deals out the cards.
“Just so you know,” he says. “I’m not going to go easy on you just because you’re a lady. When you’re at the card table, you’re fair game, doll.”
I roll my eyes because, in a bit, he’s going to be eating his words, but all she does is smile sweetly at him and give her innocent doe eyes. I love it.
“Whatever you say, Olly.”
Woah! Olly? Where the hell did that come from?
The two of them strike up a conversation as we begin to play cards like they’re old friends and suddenly, I’m not sure what the hell is going on anymore.
Maybe it’s the booze, or maybe it’s the damn sexy stockings that I’ve been eyeing all night. I hadn’t noticed it before we left the house, but they’re not just ordinary stockings.
The sexy black lace goes all the way up her legs, and just before her dress cuts off, there are tiny bows on the tops of them. They draw quite a bit of attention to her thighs, and all I’ve been able to think about is how badly I want to bend her over and fuck her.
With the stress and pressure that I’ve been under, I can’t wait to sink my cock deep inside her and forget the rest of the world.
But the way that these two are acting has me a bit curious. I’ve never seen her so friendly with another guy, but maybe it’s because of who he is and that we’re trying to impress him, so I shrug it off even though my gut tells me not to.
Piper’s a good girl; she’s just doing a little harmless flirting. That’s all it is, right?
Chapter 16
Piper
Oliver has been all over me tonight. A little touchy-feely.
At first, I chalked it up to him being the flirty type and added the fact that he’s been drinking quite a bit. We all have, to be honest.
But this is how he acted toward me when we met at The Indigo Room. Then again, we were drinking that night, too.
I’ve got to say that I’m impressed he hasn’t said a word about our meeting to Logan, which I’m grateful for. I only met with him to explain why I couldn’t be here and now that I am, I hoped he doesn’t think I was lying about my bridal shower party because I’m not that type of person.
While Logan was busy talking to some of the other partners and hanging out with the guys, I stepped out on his back porch for a breath of fresh air—and to get away from some of the wives.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Diane—Mitch’s wife—but the other women are a bit callous for me. They’re not very friendly at all, but I endured them all evening because that’s what a good woman does for her man, right?
I’ve only pretended to be happy all evening to appease Logan because I want him to be happy. If he knew that I wasn’t having a good time, he would want to leave, and that’s not what I want. That’s not why I came here. I refuse to let one boring night ruin his chance of partnership after I’ve gone through so much trouble to get my ass here.
Oliver must have seen me slip out on the balcony because I was only out there for a few moments when he joined me. I was admiring the constellation in the beautiful night sky and didn’t hear him sneak up on me until he started talking.
“You like the stars, huh?” he asked.
Startled, I jumped just a bit and then laughed when I realized that it was only him.
“Yes, I do,” I laughed at the situation. “Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve always been interested in space, the stars, and the galaxy. It’s really fascinating.”
He nodded in agreement and looked up at the twinkling constellations.
“Do you know much about them?” he asked.
“I know a little,” I said. “There was a period when I was a teenager, and all I did was sit in my room and read books. A lot of them were about the stars, why they exist, what the constellations are and how they change.”
An eery silence passed for a few moments.
“Do you know much about them?” I asked him.
“Stars? Well, I know there are lots of them in Hollywood,” he joked. “No, actually, I do know a little. My grandpa was interested in them and taught me everything he knew. Actually, he was interested in nature in general.”
I can tell by his tone that he must’ve been very fond of his grandpa.
“Were you two close?” I asked.
“Close doesn’t even begin to describe the bond that the two of us had together. He was a good man, which is why the Lord took him. He always takes the good ones.”
I couldn’t agree with him more because I know exactly what he means. When I was growing up, my cousin was killed in a freak accident, and we were very close. The two of us acted more like sisters, which was nice since I lived in a house with three brothers.
“Yes, he does,” I nodded.
Oliver stepped closer to me as I leaned over the wrought iron railing of the porch, closing the distance between us.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re even more beautiful under the stars?”
My breath hitched in my throat as my heart began to beat faster. It’s no secret that this man is hot and I think he knows I’ve got a thing for older guys.
There’s something about him that I can’t put my finger on but it draws me to him like a moth to a light. I crave his attention and seek his approval. I was actually kind of glad that he followed me outside. For some reason, I’ve wanted to be alone with him again ever since we had our secret meeting.
And just like that
first meeting that we had, I could feel my core tingling, and the familiar warm blush spread across my cheeks. It doesn’t seem to take much for him to have this type of effect on me.
“What are you saying?”
I couldn’t believe how blunt I was being with him, but it came out before I could stop it.
“That you’re gorgeous. If you were mine, you wouldn’t be alone at another man’s party.”
He picked my hand up and kissed the back of it before turning it over and kissing my palm.
“Logan is a lucky man,” he said. “Or maybe I’m the lucky guy in charge of everything, so I have the pleasure of sneaking out here to be alone with you. It would be a lie if I said I haven’t thought about you since we had our first private meeting.”
Unable to respond, I remained quiet and let him do all of the talking. I’m not one who is usually rendered speechless, but he made me that way.
“You have no idea how bad I’d like more time alone with you, Piper.”
The hired help came out on the back porch at just the right time.
“I’m sorry for interrupting, Mr. Ford,” she said. “But we’re out of champagne, and I’m not sure where you keep it. Where can I find more, sir?”
With a sigh, he replied, “I’ll be in to show you. One minute, please.”
He waited for her to retreat inside the house before taking both of my hands in his.
“If that soon-to-be husband of yours ever makes you unhappy, promise me that you’ll let me know. I’d love the opportunity to make a woman like you happy.”
Without waiting for a response, he kissed the knuckles on both of my hands before returning inside to help the waitress.
It took me at least ten minutes before I was able to move back inside to rejoin the party. How do you respond to someone like him? How do you behave around a man like that?
* * *
“You are really good at these card games, aren’t you?” Oliver asks me as Logan begins dealing the next hand.
