Forbidden Indulgences

by Terry Towers

  Feeling Trey’s eyes on him, he looked up and met his friend’s gaze.

  You’re on, motherfucker, Trey mouthed at him, grinning.

  The End.

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  Excerpt from:

  What Happens In Vegas… Doesn’t Always Stay There

  By

  Terry Towers

  Available Now

  Chapter 1

  The Present – Genevieve

  “Oh, you have got to be kidding me!” Genevieve’s emerald green eyes flashed with anger before narrowing as she watched the sexy as sin NYPD officer Dane Porter stroll into her boutique. “What are you doing here?”

  A smirk spread across Dane’s lips at her question. “You called to report a break-in. I was the lucky one to be assigned to answer the call and take your information.”

  Genevieve didn’t return his smile.

  “Maybe I changed my mind.” Flashes of her brief tryst with Dane in Las Vegas a couple of weeks prior sprang into her mind. He was a gorgeous man, she’d give him that, with blonde hair that was just a smidge too long to be considered short and rich blue eyes. It upset her that just seeing him standing before her, dressed in his officer’s uniform made her remember – and long for – his touch.

  Crossing his arms over his thick, muscular chest, he cocked a brow up at her, still amused. “You changed your mind? So, there wasn’t a break-in and you’re wasting taxpayers’ money by making false calls to 911? That’s an offense, you realize; I could cuff you and take you in right now.”

  “Oh, I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

  I hate that you’ve seen me naked! And that I wanted you touching me then… Touching me now… She growled at herself and once again attempted to free herself of her unwelcomed thoughts.

  Ignoring her, he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket, produced a pen and pad of paper, then stepped further into the boutique until he was standing before her and began looking around. “What did they take?”

  “Fine!” She gave him a little shove as she rushed past him and motioned for him to follow her to the broken glass cases which, up until that morning, held dozens of pre-loved authentic designer handbags. “This way.”

  She knew she shouldn’t act like such a child with him. She was a twenty-five-year-old business owner. She should be acting mature, not behaving like a teenager with a broken heart. But, dammit, she was upset with him and even more upset with herself. She wanted to just forget.

  Oh please, he didn’t force you into anything. You enjoyed every second of it, a voice at the back of her mind chimed in. Instead of making her see reason, the voice only infuriated her further – because it was right.

  “Striking an officer in addition to false 911 calls. You could be in big trouble, Ginny.”

  “My name’s Genevieve.”

  “You didn’t mind me calling you Ginny in Vegas.”

  She spun around and shot another glare at him. “Very funny. There was a break-in.” She motioned to the shattered glass of the empty cases. “They took all the handbags. The Birkins, Gucci, Louis Vuitton… They took it all. And they broke the glass of the counter and took all the jewelry and small leather goods. I bet they took well over two hundred thousand in goods.”

  She felt hot tears threatening to emerge and forced them back. She started with nothing and now much of her most expensive merchandise – three years of gathering and dealing – gone. Sure she was insured, she could rebuild, even if all of her bestselling merchandise was gone, but it would take time. People looking to sell Birkin bags for below their value for resale didn’t come along every day, even in New York.

  The amusement faded from his expression as he began to write. “Do you have a list of what was stolen?”

  “Yeah, let me check the computer.” She made her way into the back office, assuming he’d follow her and not wanting to look him in the eye. If she looked him in the eye she might break down and then look to him for support. She might fall into his arms and the anger she was feeling would dissolve. If the anger was gone then she’d have to admit what they did was what she wanted, regardless of whether she’d admit it to herself or not.

  As she sat down at her desk she booted up the computer. She heard his footsteps entering the small office, but didn’t bother to look up.

  “So they took stuff in the store, but not the computer?”

  “My office was locked. They probably had enough without bothering to break down the office door.”

  “I see. That’s possible. You don’t have an alarm?”

  “Of course I do.” Her tone was sharper than intended, but she didn’t care. Shrugging, she refused to look up at him. “Guess it didn’t work.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  She lifted her gaze to lock with his, angered at his dismissive tone. “What? You think I’d just fake a break-in?”

  Dane’s jaw clenched as he thrust a hand through his hair, all humour lost from his eyes. “Look Ginn- Genevieve, I understand we left things on a very bad note in Vegas, but I’m a cop and I have a job to do. I’m sorry if you were upset with what happened, but I’m trying to be friendly and help you here. Can you please work with me on this?”

  Closing her eyes, Genevieve took a moment to steady her nerves, feeling slightly guilty at her reaction upon seeing him again. “I’m sorry. I’m frazzled and seeing you right now, just…”

  The tension drained from him. “It’s fine. I’ll go check out the security system and see if I can figure out why the break-in didn’t set it off, while you make me a list of stolen items.”

  She couldn’t help but admire his broad shoulders and back as he turned and exited her office. A mix of emotions raced through her seeing him again. Of the millions of people living in New York and the hundreds of cops what were the chances of her ever seeing Dane Porter again?

  The remainder of the afternoon went by quickly. After Dane left she spent the afternoon and into the early evening cleaning up, dealing with the insurance company and calling all of her clients, hoping that they would have items they were willing to sell. She still had a store full of gowns and clothing from all the top designers, but the bestselling items were handbags, wallets and smaller items; the items that were stolen. Apparently, the thieves knew what was easiest to peddle as well. It sickened her that her precious Birkin bags might be sold on a street corner alongside dozens of cheap knockoffs.

  Exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally she closed and locked her office door and made her way toward the front of the store. Halfway to the store entrance she heard the bell ring, signalling a customer. Apparently they hadn’t seen the closed sign and she’d forgotten to lock the door.

  Dammit!

  “I’m sorry we’re –” Her eyes focused on the person entering the shop and she could have sworn her heart stopped for a fraction of a second.

  You have got to be shitting me, as if this day couldn’t have gotten any worse!

  Squaring her shoulders she glared at the person whose body was framed in the store entrance. “What are you doing here?”

  Three Weeks Ago – Genevieve

  “I’m sorry Genevieve, but I just can’t go through with it,” Alex Cane stated, looking more uncomfortable than Genevieve had ever seen him – though she supposed breaking up with her on their wedding day, while she stood before him in her wedding dress would make anyone uncomfortable. Even her slick, rising-star defense attorney fiancé wasn’t immune to the shame of the heinous way he was breaking up with her.

  “Is there someone else?”

  He shook his head, but she saw it in his eyes. There was.

  “We’ve been together since high school, Ginny. Since we were seventeen.”

  “Exactly, eight years, Alex!” She wasn’t sure what she felt more upset by, humiliation or anger. The emotions switched up every fe
w seconds, but currently, it was anger winning out, causing her body to vibrate with the emotions.

  He stepped forward and grasped her upper arms in his hands, but she stepped away from him, batting his hands away. She didn’t want him near her, or touching her. Never again.

  “It’s better this happen now than getting a divorce in a year’s time.”

  “So you chose our wedding day to decide this!”

  “I wanted to make sure.”

  She shook her head. “You selfish asshole. How dare you!”

  He sighed, taking a step back from her. “I’m sorry. I can… I’ll go down and tell the guests the wedding is off.”

  Genevieve’s emerald green eyes widened in alarm. Oh my God, the guests! Everyone is downstairs. Waiting.

  “Don’t do me any favours!” she spat, venom in her tone. “Allow me.” The anger within her increased as she pushed past him with so much force he stumbled backward a step, and out the door. She raced down the hallway and down the stairs heading toward the chapel, Alex in hot pursuit.

  “Ginny, hold on. Wait!”

  At the bottom of the staircase he caught up with her, grasping her arm and stopping her from proceeding into the chapel. “Let go of me Alex, or I swear to God!” Her hands fisted at her sides. She wanted to hit something… she wanted to hit him! But she didn’t. She didn’t want this day turning into more of a fiasco than it already was.

  Seeing the rage in her eyes, Alex released her, allowing her to continue to the chapel. “I can do this,” he protested from behind her. He was following, but at a safe distance.

  She ignored him. She’d tell everyone herself. Knowing Alex, the weasel that he was, he’d somehow make it sound like breaking off the wedding was her idea. She refused to take any blame for this.

  “Everybody,” she called out to the half-full church. Not everyone had arrived yet, but there were close to two hundred of the three hundred guests invited already seated and mingling.

  Every head turned toward her, their eyes questioning.

  “Everyone. I have an announcement to make.” She made her way to the altar and turned to face the crowd. The priest for the ceremony looked up from his notes, his brow furrowed, but said nothing. Their friends and family, all waiting, all shocked to see her in her wedding dress standing in front of them before the ceremony.

  Alex lingered at the back, keeping his eyes averted. Coward.

  “Everyone. Alex has informed me that after eight years together, he no longer wants to be with me.” Gasps and murmurs erupted within the church. “Apparently he wants to explore other possibilities and has just recently made this decision. And I guess our wedding day felt like the right time to inform me.” The crowd’s stares shifted from her to Alex, and back to her.

  She was humiliated, but at the same time, she wanted him to feel part of this humiliation and by the redness in his face as he sulked at the back of the church, she was certain he got a small part of what he deserved.

  Alex’s mother leapt from her seat and she hurried over to her son; his father followed behind. A look of shame and disappointment was evident in both their expressions.

  She looked to her own parents and her older brother. She could see her parents were still trying to digest the information, but her brother Brian had already processed it and by the look of fury in his dark eyes as he stood and began to make his way down the aisle toward Alex, she knew what he intended to do. He and Alex had been friends up until that moment, but Genevieve was his baby sister and he was nothing if not protective.

  A part of her wanted to see Alex hurting, like she hurt, but not like this. Her wedding had already become a circus; she didn’t want it to turn into a brawl in addition. Kicking off her shoes she raced barefoot down the aisle in pursuit of Brian, but she wasn’t quick enough. Brian grabbed her former fiancé by the front of the shirt, pushed him against the wall and slammed his fist into the other man’s jaw.

  Brian’s hand pulled back a second time and his fist again made contact. Alex slumped against the wall, his knees buckling under him. Brian was about to hit him a third time when Genevieve grabbed his arm, stopping him.

  “Don’t Brian. Please.”

  Brian looked over his shoulder and caught her gaze, indecision filling his eyes.

  “He’s not worth it. Just take me home. Please.” Genevieve held her breath, waiting.

  Brian looked back at Alex, hesitated, and after what felt like an endless second released him. “Fine.”

  They both looked down at Alex, his nose and lip bleeding, cowering on the floor. His mother had begun fussing over him, but when she looked up and her eyes locked with Genevieve’s there was only sympathy. Alex had such a wonderful family, they’d welcomed her into the fold and treated her as if she were their own. She was going to miss them and she was sure they would feel the same. She and Alex had been and should be perfect together; this made no sense. But it was.

  “He’s not worth it anyhow,” Brian growled, placing an arm around her waist and ushering her away

  “No, Brian, he’s not.”

  Once they were out of ear and eyeshot of the onlookers, Brian stopped and pulled a handkerchief from his suit jacket pocket and passed it to her. “For what it’s worth, you make a stunning bride, little sis.”

  Accepting the handkerchief, she took a deep breath in, and slowly released it, fighting back tears. No he’s not worth it, she told herself. He doesn’t deserve my tears. However, despite her efforts to keep back the tears, they had a mind of their own as they began to flow down her cheeks, smearing her perfectly applied make-up along their trails. All she wanted to do was go home, get out of the blasted dress and try to forget Alex Cane ever existed.

  Chapter 2

  Two Weeks Ago – Genevieve

  Genevieve looked around as she entered the honeymoon suite. She was in Las Vegas a week after she was stood up on her wedding day. As it turned out, the hotel was prepaid and the price was non-refundable. They’d gotten an awesome deal with the non-refundable pre-purchase of the suite; it hadn’t even crossed her mind there would be a reason to cancel when she booked it. The honeymoon had been scheduled a week after the wedding to take advantage of the awesome deal Alex had snagged them. So the choice was either go to Vegas and make use of the room or waste the fifteen thousand it cost to spend the week there. So she hopped the plane – alone – and now here she was.

  “Thank you,” she gave the bellhop a ten dollar bill as he placed her two suitcases inside the door of the room.

  “Thank you ma’am.” He gave her a friendly, sexy smile and pocketed the bill. “Would there be anything else I can assist you with?”

  Genevieve look a moment to look the handsome Latino man over. He was very good-looking and oozed charisma. He was one of those men who you spent a wild night of passion with and went home completely satisfied never to see or talk to again.

  A part of her wished she was the kind of girl that did things like that. In truth, she didn’t know what kind of girl she was without Alex in her life. Alex had been her first love and partner. Her only love and partner when it came right down to it.

  Would he be better in bed then Alex? Her sex life with Alex was okay, not mind-blowing like what she read in erotica and romance novels, but she doubted sex was that explosive in real life anyhow. But as she continued to look at the bellhop she found herself interested in finding out.

  “Ma’am?”

  She gave her head a shake at her foolish ideas and gave him a tight smile. “That’s all. Thank you.”

  “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

  She watched him leave and then went about inspecting the room. Champagne was sitting on the table in the kitchen, chilling on ice. As she wandered into the bedroom, she found rose petals scattered over the bedspread and a bouquet of roses and box of chocolates sitting next to it. She picked up the flowers, brought them up to her nose and inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet scent.

  Her mind drifted back
to the bellhop. Would it be so bad for her to indulge in a night with someone? God knows, it had been suggested to her by numerous friends before she left. But no. She wanted a connection with someone, needed a connection. Could sex even be satisfying without that loving bond established beforehand?

  She huffed, disgusted at herself. Yeah, ’cause that worked out so well with Alex. Maybe her friends had it right. No strings attached – just sex – taking pleasure in the strength and heat of a beautiful man you barely knew.

  If only I were that type of girl…

  Placing the flowers back next to the bed she went over to her suitcases and began rummaging through her clothing until she came to a beautiful, cream coloured Gucci dress. Stripping off her jeans and t-shirt she proceeded to change, slipping into the dress and spending the next half an hour primping until everything from her accessories to her make-up was perfect.

  Once done she walked over to the mirror and examined herself. Her straight, black hair fell to the small of her back. It had a glossy shine that most women envied. She was about twenty-five pounds overweight, but it was in all the right places, giving her soft feminine curves. Her emerald green eyes were accented with rich black cat-eye make-up. She looked good, sexy. But instead of making her feel good, it only made her feel more confused. If Alex didn’t want her because of the way she looked then what was it? What about her made him not want to be with her? She shook her head, grimacing; she hadn’t a clue.

  With a sigh, she gathered her golden Chanel double-flap handbag, stuffed her wallet and casino vouchers in it and exited the room. The casino gave her five hundred in casino money as part of the honeymoon package, so she figured she might as well use it while she decided on her next course of action.