"You're right. I need proof. And I don't appreciate the pants comment." Sherri shakes her head.
"It is what it is, girl. You’re letting his cock get in the way of the story. And that's not like you. I'm afraid you’re already in too deep. I don't want to give the story to Miller, but in the end, that might be best for you." I cannot believe what I am hearing.
"Is that a threat?" My tone is now harsh and unforgiving.
"More like a promise, sweetheart. I don't want you to get hurt."
"And you think stealing my story out from under me and giving it to my nemesis won't hurt me? I know what I’m doing. And quite frankly, I am the only person he trusts. So, go ahead, give the story to Miller-the-Filler!"
"Consider it done! You're off the story! Cover this instead!" Sherri tosses a manila folder at me. I catch it.
With my new assignment in hand, I storm out of her office, not daring to look back. What kind of best-friend does that? She stole my story! For what? To protect me? That's bullshit! Nicole Parker is not going to give up so easily.
Chapter Eleven
Aaron
I have done many shitty things in my life, most infamously hitting and quitting hundreds of women throughout my lifetime, but making her cry was by far the shittiest of them all. I didn't get any sleep last night. Instead, I spent the whole night playing the scenario in my mind repeatedly. Seeing the tears streaming off her face still brings me a wicked sense of agony. It is physically painful. The emotional pain comes from her torturous words echoing throughout my mind. Now you're the reason I am crying. It beats through my mind like a melodic drum, never ending and never letting up.
How could I be so stupid to think that admitting I lied to the world about having a fiancée would suddenly make all our problems disappear? I know the truth. I was thinking with the wrong head again. He is always such a cocky bastard, not caring about how he affects my life. Well, the joke’s on him because he didn't get any either.
My head still throbs from the countless shots of bourbon I consumed last night. That's right, I hit the Booker's last night. And it did nothing to fill the gaping hole inside me from her absence. All it did was fill my gut and disgust my liver.
My phone rings loudly, causing a sharp icepick pain to jab into my skull. I groan in pain as I pick up the phone, bring it to my ear, and answer it.
"Hello?"
I think my voice comes out crystal clear, but I could have slurred the shit out of the word hello and wouldn't be able to tell the difference. That's right, I'm that hungover. Just hungover enough to still be slightly drunk.
"Oh, God. I can smell the alcohol through the phone." Impossible, but I get Ree's point. Her voice is peppier than usual. She definitely took my advice.
"Somebody got fucked. How was he?" Ree gasps through the phone.
"How did you know? It's not like you can just smell sex through the phone. And you're drunk. Your senses should be all fucked up." I exhale slightly through my nose, letting her know I was amused by her comments.
"Stop ignoring my question. How was he?"
"He was amazing. Just what I needed. I'm sure you would be better if you would just let me take you out for a spin." Her last sentence sounds needy, very much like a beg.
"Nice try. You know where I draw the line. You're hot and all, but you're too damn good at your job for me to risk losing you." She sighs.
"For the millionth time, I'm a big girl who can handle herself. I won't get emotionally attached like you think I will. I promise. Don't you owe it to me to let me see what all the fuss is about?" I clear my throat to make sure that my upcoming words are clear and precise.
"No. My answer is final. Besides, there is somebody else." Ree shrieks with intrigue. She may act older than she is, and work a lot harder than everybody else her age, but when it comes to any form of gossip, she reminds me just how young she is.
"Who? Who is she?"
My phone beeps in my ear. I glance at it to see who’s calling me now. Delores. No surprise there. Maybe Nicole blabbed my secret and I'm now the laughing stock of New York. I have to take this.
"Ugh. Delores."
"Delores? Are you fucking kidding me? You fucked her over me? That's really low, Hunter. Really low. Only one way you can make it up to me." I laugh hysterically, further intensifying the throbbing in my skull. But it was worth it.
"No. Delores is on the other line. I should take this. I'll call you back."
"Fine. But I want a name when you do. I won't forget."
"I know you won't. You don't forget anything. That's one of the reasons I hired you."
I hang up with Ree and answer Delores.
"Good morning, gorgeous."
"Good morning, Delores. What's the damage?"
"So, here's the thing. People are starting to suspect that your engagement is a publicity stunt…" I interrupt her.
"Has someone talked?"
Did Nicole really stoop that low? Is she capable of doing something so horrible? I want to say no, but what if I am in way deeper than she is? What if she doesn't care for me at all? What if it was all a ploy to get a story? I'm such a fucking idiot. She doesn't care for me at all. The shoe is on the other foot and I don't like it one bit. Note to self: correct all wrongs.
"No. It's all just speculation at this point. It doesn't help that you've spent zero time with her since the announcement. That doesn't help solidify your case. Take her to the charity event tonight and all those rumors should go away."
As much as I don't want to take Marcia to the Forty-Fifth Annual Premature Baby Gala, I know Delores is right. All the rumors will disappear once the world sees her on my arm. I just have to hope Nicole doesn't see it too. I am trying to show her how much she means to me. And if last night was any indication, I am failing. That's uncharted territory for me. I usually excel in all aspects of my life. Especially the one where she is concerned. But I knew she was a challenge going into this. And like the dumbass I am, I fully embraced it with open arms.
"Consider it done. Are we done here? Or is there more?"
"One more thing, honey. Don't hit the booze so hard next time. And sober up before the event."
"Alright, Mom." Delores cackles with enjoyment. She loves when I call her Mom, sarcastic or not. In this case, it was sarcastic.
I hang up the phone and make my way over to the Keurig. As the coffee is pouring into a bland white mug, I think of her. How she walked around my apartment like she owned the place. How she made her cup of coffee while I was asleep. How one of my mugs touched her delicious lips. The luscious lips I wish I could be devouring right now. How the fuck can one little petite woman have such a massive effect on me? And why the hell do I love it so much?
As I bring the mug to my lips to begin my caffeine therapy, I see a note resting in the middle of the island. I glance at it. It's from Timothy. It reads:
Good morning SEXY,
I saw you sleeping like an angel, so I decided not to wake you. Picked out a glorious outfit for you to wear to the gala tonight. It's a blue pinstripe Hugo Boss suit, with a white oxford, and a skinny blue tie to match (even ties are now on a diet lol). You're going to look fine as hell!
Kisses, -T.
Glad to see his dry sense of humor comes through on paper. I really do have the best team working for me. Timothy, Ree, Delores, they all deserve a raise. Note to self: give my team a generous raise. I'll give my accountant a call when I'm soberer to finalize the details.
Shit! That reminds me, I should call Ree back. Before I dial her number, I pour another cup of coffee. Time to sober up.
Chapter Twelve
Nicole
I know exactly what I must do. I only hesitate because I really frickin’ don't want to do it. Since I was forcefully removed from the Hunter case…still mad at Sherri for that…I must harmlessly flirt with my nemesis to convince him to take me to the Charity Gala tonight as his date. Yuck! The idea of having to walk in on his arm is sickening. But a girl’s got to do wh
at a girl’s got to do.
Now is my chance. Work has ended and he is leaving work to go get dressed for the event. I spot Ben-the-Filler-Miller downstairs on the street, waiting for a cab. Time to come on strong. Word around the office is he likes that.
"Hey, Sexy. Where ya headed? How about my place?" I hope that I am not coming on too strong. Not to mention I don't want him to blow off the event just to get blown. Not like I would go that far anyway. After having the Adonis god that is Aaron, how could I go to small-dicked-Miller?
"Nicole. Hot damn! I've always known you had a crush on me. Couldn't take it anymore?" Always had a crush on you? Are you fucking kidding me? The idea of being with you makes me want to vomit! I force out a girlish giggle, hoping that was the only thing that was coming up.
"You got me. So, what do you say? My place or yours?" Ben loosens his tie and growls.
"My place. Late tonight. Gotta attend some frickin’ charity thing tonight." Don't fuck this up, Nicole.
"Oh, sounds fun. Take me with you. It'll be so much fun. I'll get to wear my new slutty dress. Oh, pretty please, Benny?" I bat my eyelashes at him like a little girl does when she wants her father to let her do something.
"Sure. What's the harm? You'll probably make the stuffy rich person party more fun anyway. Plus, if we get bored, we can just leave early."
"Oh, thank you so much!" Time to sell it. I step up on my tip-toes to kiss him on the cheek for a quick second. It took all my self-control not to vomit right then and there. Worst thing I have ever done in my life. Hope it is all worth it.
"I'll pick you up at seven." I shake my head.
"I need more time than that to get ready. I'll meet you there. Starts at eight, right?" He nods his head.
"Yup. See ya there."
Mission accomplished. He is such a dumbass. He didn't even question how I know it starts at eight. He isn't even a little suspicious. He just thinks he is going to get some tonight. And he might, just not from me.
As I arrive home, I rummage through my closet. What the hell am I going to wear? I pick up my phone and start to dial Sherri's number before I stop myself. You are not speaking to her right now, remember? She gave this assignment to Ben in the first place. She is the reason you had to kiss his cheek and flirt with his lame-ass. Looks like I have to do this on my own. Or do I?
Time to have a little fun. I sift through dress after dress to come up with three beautiful contenders. Normally, I would choose a gown ensemble, but I want to make Aaron squirm, so I choose short sexy dresses.
The first one I lay out on the bed is a mixture of chiffon and lace. It has a black and blue floral pattern on it. This will definitely get the job done.
The next one is an Emerie cutout dress by For Love & Lemons. It is a slimming black lace dress with an open back and cutouts at the waist. Probably too casual for a charity gala, but most definitely has the sex appeal I am looking for.
The last contender is the happy medium. It's a sexy red Rikki cutout midi-dress by Alice & Olivia. And like option two, it also has cutouts, but they are meticulously placed under the breasts.
I carefully lay the other two dresses on my bed, making sure to flatten out any wrinkles formed in the process. I whip out my rose-gold iPhone and snap a quick picture of all three of them. I send the picture to Aaron with two words attached.
Which one? -N
Aaron replies almost immediately, not wasting any time. Before I know it, we are flirting via text message.
Whichever one would look best on my floor? -A
Can you be serious for a moment? -N
Fine. What's the occasion? -A
A hot date. -N
Then none of them. Wear this. -A
Attached to his message is a picture of a nun. I can't help but burst into laughter. I'm sure glad he can't hear how funny I found that text, it would only inflate his ego even more.
Unless the date is with me, then wear nothing. -A
That's not an option. -N
It should be. Always. -A
For you, that option is always on the table. -N
I hope to God that's not a joke. P.S. Pick the red one. That's the one I wanna see your sexy ass in tonight. -A
Who says you're gonna see me tonight? My life doesn't revolve around you, ya know. -N
Maybe not, but mine is starting to revolve around you. -A
Hook, line, and sinker. The only problem is, I'm not sure who is catching who. I can't deny the intense physical attraction I have for him. And I also can't pretend that I don't want him anymore. I thought I could walk away from him unscathed, but I was wrong. Our relationship is no longer just physical. It has become something much more demanding. And that scares the living shit out of me.
Taking Aaron's advice, I shimmy myself into the red dress, just waiting for the moment when Aaron will rip it off me.
* * *
I exit the cab and smooth out the wrinkles that formed from the ride until I am finally content enough with my appearance to join Ben by the door. I walk over to him and link my arm around his.
"Let's get this party started." Ben smiles as he looks down at the top of my tits, which are protruding from the top of my dress, thanks to my magnificent push-up bra.
Ben returns his gaze to my face and nods in agreement. He flashes the press ticket to the security guard, who opens the door for us to step inside.
The ballroom is filled with hundreds of rich people, all drinking champagne and discussing all the problems they want Aaron to solve if elected. It appears to be more of a campaign fundraiser than an actual charity gala. I hope for the premature babies' sake, I am wrong.
With Ben and I still linked, I desperately scour the room for Mr. Sex-on-a-stick. I spot him chatting up Mayor Joseph Douley and his wife Helen, with Marcia on his arm. When their conversation ends, Aaron finally spots me.
He shoots me a predatory look of desire before he notices Ben, and his look changes into something much more lethal. If looks could kill, Ben would be dead.
Now that Ben has served his purpose, I lean upward to whisper in his ear.
"I'm gonna go get something to drink."
Ben acknowledges my statement with a quick nod of his head. As soon as I step away, a group of rowdy and apparently horny women surround him. I guess from the outside looking in, Ben is an attractive man. He is six-foot-something, jet black hair, with blue eyes. The picture-perfect tall, dark, and handsome. But unfortunately for those women, they don't know what I know. And one of them, if not all of them, will be disappointed tonight. Fortunately for me, if they give him some, I'll be off the hook and not have to come up with an excuse as to why I won't be putting out for him tonight. A win-win situation for both of us.
I scan the room for the bar. It's located in the back-right corner, just past the bathrooms. I head in that direction, my heels clicking loudly against the tile floor with every step. Suddenly, a hand grabs my wrist and yanks me into the women's restroom.
As I spin around and see who my captor is, I am delighted to see Aaron's face staring at me adoringly. Without thinking, I dig my fingers into his thick hair, twisting the brown locks and entangling them between my fingers. With my hands trapped in his hair, I yank him down toward me, our faces an inch apart. I stare into his golden-hazel eyes for a short, sweet moment, before I let my lips attack his.
My heartbeat quickens as my tongue delves into his mouth and explores the familiar territory. I suck on his bottom lip for a moment before I nibble it, causing a groan to extrude from his mouth. Aaron grabs ahold of my hair and yanks it, pulling my head back, giving him better access to my mouth. His tongue dives into it, entangling itself with mine.
Aaron wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in toward him…hard. He presses his erection against my upper thigh. The tingling sensation returns between my legs. Not tingling as much as a rapid-burning desire and longing. I want him to fuck me. Right here. Right now. But this is not the place.
It takes all my energy to rip my
mouth off his and say what I don't really want to say.
"What if somebody walks in?" Aaron laughs as he lifts me up and places me down on the counter with a momentous thud, causing my left breast to pop out of my dress.
Without wasting the golden opportunity life has presented before him, Aaron takes my breast into the warmth of his mouth. I try to muffle my shriek as his tongue encircles my nipple. I failed. My girlish squeal echoes throughout the vacant marble restroom.
He replaces his mouth with his fingers, rubbing the tip of my nipple between them as he places his mouth on my neck and sucks. I grab a fistful of his shirt, longing for my sweet release. I can already feel the orgasm forming within me. Damn, he's good.
Without missing a beat, he runs his other hand up my dress. I can feel the smile form on his face when he discovers that I'm not wearing any underwear. He groans as he massages my clit aggressively. He looks me in the eyes and finally answers my question.
"Who the fuck cares?" At this point, I sure don't.
He plunges his finger into my thick, wet, pleasure. I moan in pure pleasured bliss. And right before I'm about to burst, his fingers retreat from both my breast and my vagina, leaving me unsatisfied. Fuck.
He brings his finger up to his mouth and licks my wetness off it.
"Damn, you taste so good, baby."
Before he leaves me wanting more, he leans over to my ear.
"You. Me. Tonight. My place. Wear something sexy," he whispers as he toys with my earlobe between his teeth. I shudder with pure joy and anticipation.
As he starts to turn away, I grab ahold of his tie, wrap it around my wrist, and yank his mouth toward mine. I kiss him hard before I retreat.
"Can't wait."
Aaron flashes me a huge prideful smile before he exits the restroom, not bothering to compose himself. His hair is all tousled and disheveled, his tie crooked, and his dress shirt wrinkled from where I grasped a fistful of it, but he didn't care one bit.
Double Agent Page 8
