by Low, JA
“We weren’t,” he states as if that makes any sense at all.
“But how did you get married?”
“Lots of tequila and Vegas.”
“As in months ago… EJ’s launch… our Vegas trip?” Logan peppers him with questions.
Anderson rolls his eyes as if it’s all stupid questions.
“You’ve kept it a secret from us?”
“What? You want to come over and braid each other’s hair while we gossip about our lives?” he asks defensively.
“You’re a dick. Our best mate got married and never told us. We have a right to be pissed off.”
Anderson’s face softens. “Honestly, I can’t believe I am.”
“She refusing to let go. Is she after your money?”
Anderson shoots Logan daggers. “Not every woman is a gold digger, fucker.” His tone is more than curt. “Emma doesn’t want any of my money. She won’t take the black credit card I gave her, the new car, the exotic holidays, the diamond… actually, she took nothing.”
“Then why are you still married?” I’m slightly confused by all this.
“My fucking sister told my parents.”
Oh shit. Elise is the female version of her brother, the stories Anderson used to tell us about the pranks the two of them did to each other are classic. I’m surprised they never ended up in jail or dead. We don’t get to see much of her as she lives in Los Angeles. She’s an actress, a famous one at that.
“I didn’t know she was in Vegas?” Logan questions.
“Yeah, she came late, she had some industry thing.” He sighs at how Hollywood his sister is. “It’s actually her fault.” Of course, it is. “Emma and Elise already knew each other.” Now that’s a twist I didn’t see coming. “Emma had no idea that Elise was my sister because she goes by Mom’s maiden name as her actor name.” This just gets better the more he speaks. “They, of course, began partying together like old times. A couple of tequilas and Emma and I get flirty.”
Anderson shrugs his shoulders. “Anyway, we end up in Elise’s penthouse partying with some friends when someone suggests they should get married. In our tequila fog, we all agree because who am I to get in the way of true love.” This has Logan and I scoffing, but I also laugh internally. “Anyway, we get the marriage license from someone in the hotel. We watch the ceremony, Elise asks Emma and I to sign the paperwork as witnesses, which we did. Except—”
“No.” I’m now following where this story’s going.
“Yep. My sister pranked me, and the paperwork was actually for Emma and me.”
“That can’t be legal?” Logan adds.
“Probably wasn’t, but she sent photos of Emma wearing a veil and me in my suit to my parents.”
“Honestly?”
“I know. It was a good prank. It’s been a while since we did a good one, and this one takes the cake. I want to be mad, but I guess I’m more impressed.”
Shaking my head, I’m in shock at my friend’s comment.
“What did your parents say?” I ask.
“Well, you see, this is where the prank took a sharp turn to the left.”
Oh shit.
“My mom was so happy that I had actually married someone, and someone who’s beautiful, accomplished, and all the things that Emma is, that she doesn’t want me to end it.”
“They want you to stay married to Emma?”
Anderson nods. “So much so they threatened to disinherit me, and give it all to Elise if I divorce her.”
“But you have your own money?” Logan states.
“No shit, Logan. I can read my bank statement. I don’t care about their money.” Sarcastic bastard. “They also said they would give Emma twelve million dollars if she stays married to me for the year. But there has to be no scandals.”
“Can’t you just give Emma the money? Twelve million is a drop in the ocean for you,” Logan states.
Anderson looks over at the two of us and stays silent for a couple of beats.
“You don’t want to, right?” A light bulb goes off in my head. “You like being married to Emma.”
“Of course, I do. She’s hot, intelligent, driven. She likes to have a good time. She’s wild in bed like we’re talking a freak in the sheets.” Okay, maybe too much information there. “I can’t keep up.”
“Never thought I’d see the day you went monogamous.” Logan chuckles.
“We’re not monogamous,” he states shocking us both. “Oh, no. We’re allowed to sleep with other people.”
“But your parents said no scandal,” I add.
“No shit. But there are always loopholes in any contract. My parents stated that we couldn’t be seen in public with other people, but they never said anything about in private.” Giving us a knowing smile, he continues, “I shouldn’t even be telling you two about this as it could get me kicked out for it.” I’m all ears now, waiting for the next penny to drop. “I’m a member of an elite sex club.”
My brother and I choke on his words.
“‘Elite sex club’?” Logan uses air quotes.
“I mean it, guys. What I’m about to tell you can never leave this office.” He’s definitely serious, I can tell by the look on his face. “Or get back to Emma.”
Anderson shoots daggers my way meaning ‘no telling Chloe.’
“I’m a member of The Paradise Club. It’s for discreet fun. Invite only.”
“How did you get in?” I ask, slightly intrigued.
“I know the owner, Nate.”
“And you never thought to invite us?” Logan asks.
Anderson shrugs his shoulders.
“But what does this club have to do with you and your loophole.” I want to get back to the story.
“The place is secret. Only members know the location of the clubs. No paparazzi. Which means no pictures of me breaking the rules?”
“And Emma is okay with this?” I ask.
“Hell, yeah, she is.”
My mind is spinning.
“So, you hook up with other people at this club. Then what? Go home together?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re living together?” Logan asks.
“Yeah.”
“She’s packed up her life and moved in with you?”
“Yep.”
“Separate beds?” Logan asks.
Anderson shakes his head. “No, we have to make it believable to my parents.”
“So, you’re sleeping together?”
“Like I said, she’s a cool chick. She understands the deal. If either of us has an itch to scratch, then we use each other.”
“Unless you’re at your secret club,” Logan adds.
“Don’t use that tone with me,” Anderson bites at my brother. “It works for us. I knew you two wouldn’t understand. You…” pointing at me, “… you’re seconds away from proposing to Chloe.” Like fuck I am. “And you…” he points at Logan, “… you’re fucked in the head when it comes to relationships. You’re going to die a lonely old man if you keep going the way you’re going.”
Wow. That’s actually spot on.
“Hey,” Logan reacts. “Least I’m not cowering to Mommy and Daddy.”
Anderson stands abruptly. He appears way more menacing towering over Logan than I did.
“Emma’s the best thing that’s happened to me. I will not have you disrespecting her, or our relationship, you hear me?”
Looking at my brother, I notice Logan’s glaring back at him.
“Good. Now can we start the fucking meeting we should have had hours ago instead of kumbaya-ing like a pack of little girls.”
27
Chloe
“Are you okay?” I ask Lenna while walking out of Logan’s office after that shit show.
“I’m fine,” Lenna tries to reassure me.
“Wanna grab a coffee?”
Lenna stills as we arrive at her office, and she sets her paperwork on her desk. I can see by her face as she turns and looks up at me, she’s anything but f
ine. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears as she stoically holds them back.
“It’s my turn to pay…” I state, and Lenna nods her head still unable to speak.
We link arms and head out into the sunshine. I bypass our normal coffee shop and head down the street.
“Where are we going?” Lenna asks as I pull her through the crowded Manhattan streets.
“I’m taking you to the park. So we can talk freely without running into anyone from the office.”
Lenna doesn’t fight me on my logic, and once we reach Central Park, I grab a coffee from one of the cafés and start walking through the treelined pathways. Silence falls between us as we savior our caffeine hit.
“I’m so happy you and Noah finally got together,” Lenna starts the conversation.
“It’s early days.” Definitely not getting my hopes up. “Logan doesn’t seem so happy about it, though.”
“Logan’s a complicated guy,” Lenna tells me. “He thinks he’s protecting his brother.”
“Do you think Noah needs protecting from me?” Curious, I need to know what she thinks.
“No. Of course, not. Logan can’t let go of what happened with his father.”
That would be heartbreaking watching a loved one spiral out of control like that.
“You also can’t live with a wall constantly wrapped around you.”
“So, how are things between you and Logan?” I ask the burning question.
“You heard him, there’s nothing going on between us. Never will. I’m sick of pining after a man who will never change. A man who doesn’t want to change.”
Damn! I feel for her so much. Logan does care for her, but he can’t let himself fall no matter how much he wants to.
“I think I’m going to start looking for a new job.”
Wait? What?
“Really?”
She nods her head, tears glisten and threaten to fall. “I can’t work beside him anymore. Not after everything that’s happened between us. My heart can’t take it.”
Love sucks.
“I get it…” linking my arm with hers, “… men suck.” Lenna chuckles. “I’m going to miss you if you go, you know that? You’re leaving me to fend for myself against all those young, vapid girls, who at any second will blow my boyfriend in his office.” Lenna spits out her coffee and starts laughing. “Stop it! You know it’s true. Seriously, can’t you stay? Please. Pretty, please?”
“I would if I could,” she says sadly.
I get it, I totally do.
“Urgh. Seriously, I’m hating Logan right now. How can two people look identical yet be so polar opposite?”
We continue walking through Central Park, soaking in the sunshine before heading back to the office.
* * *
“We need to talk.” Noah steps into my office, shutting the door behind him looking serious.
Oh, shit this doesn’t sound good.
Please don’t tell me he is breaking up with me—it’s only been forty-eight hours.
This could be the shortest relationship I’ve ever had.
He takes a seat in front of me. He’s so handsome, dressed in his navy suit, wearing the tie I picked out in a lovely shade of blush which is hinting at being playfully modern yet still masculine at the same time. I liked getting dressed for work together this morning, especially, when he joined me in the shower, which nearly made us late.
I don’t want to give up morning shower sex, not this soon, not when it’s this good.
“How’s Lenna?”
Okay, so that’s not what I thought he wanted to talk about.
“Is this a conversation between colleagues or partners?” I question.
“Both. But mainly as a partner.” He gives me a great big smirk.
“Fine. Your brother’s a dick.”
Noah’s eyes widen, then he bursts out laughing, and with that, the tension eases from my shoulders.
“You’re preaching to the choir, sweetheart.” He gives me a saucy wink. “Lenna seems down.”
I’m not prepared to break our girl code on a forty-eight-hour relationship. I need to give it a little longer before I share all my secrets with him.
“She’s remained tight-lipped about what’s happened between them. So, I’m not one hundred percent sure.”
“But he’s broken her heart?”
“I guess as much as one’s heart can break when the other person lives behind a wall.”
“He wasn’t always like this,” Noah defends his brother. “I guess I didn’t realize how much Dad’s death affected him as I was consumed in my own grief.” Okay, well, now I feel bad. “I’m working on him, but he’s stubborn.”
No shit, is he ever. He’s let the best thing to ever happen to him walk right out that door.
“Anyway, that isn’t even the most surprising news.” Noah perks up. “Have you spoken to Emma about Anderson?”
Geez, Noah, I can’t keep breaking girl code for you.
“Other than they’ve hooked up a couple of times, no nothing.”
“Seriously, she hasn’t told you anything else? Nothing like super important? Why?”
What the hell is he getting at?
“Should I be worried?”
“Anderson literally just dropped the biggest bombshell on us.” Oh no, this doesn’t sound good. “They’re married and living together.”
Say what? The world goes blank.
“Chlo… Chloe… Hey, are you there?” Noah’s voice pulls me out of the blank void I fell into.
“I’m sorry, I spaced out for a second. I thought you said Anderson and Emma are married.”
“I did.”
“What the fuck!” My voice raises about three octaves.
“Since Vegas.”
“That was months ago.”
“I know,” Noah adds.
“They have been married and living together for the past couple of months, and neither of them has told their friends?”
“Yep, but there’s more.”
“More?” Not sure if my heart or brain desire to take any more.
“His family is paying her to stay with him. Well, once the year is up, she will be paid,” he tells me.
“What… no… Emma wouldn’t do that. She’s not about the money.”
“I know that, and so does he. But she is about her business, and this money could take her business to the next level.”
Shit. He’s right. Emma’s a hustler.
“I can’t believe she hasn’t told us.” I’m shocked that she’s kept this all a secret. Usually, we can’t get Emma to shut up about her exploits.
“I know. I’m shocked Anderson hasn’t told us before this either. He loves to dish on his latest conquest.” Noah then quickly backpedals when he realizes what he’s said. “Not that Emma’s one of his conquests, it’s just…”
Well, it makes me giggle. “I get what you’re saying. I can’t believe they hid this from us all.”
“It’s not a conventional marriage by any means.”
“But we’re their friends.” Stabbing my finger into the desk. “We understand. We won’t judge. We’re supposed to be there for them.”
“I know, sweetheart,” Noah tries to placate me. “They had their reasons, and now I guess, we have to support them.”
“I have to call an emergency meeting, you understand?” Noah frowns. “It’s a girl thing.” Waving my hand in his direction, I continue, “Saturday night, I won’t be staying over.” Noah doesn’t look happy, at all. “I’m calling an emergency girls’ night at my place. We have lots to discuss.”
Is Noah pouting?
“Don’t you dare give me that look.” I stare straight at him.
“I don’t like it when you’re not in my bed.”
Cue, melting heart and panties dampening.
“Fine. I’ll sneak out and give you a blow job. Will that work?”
Noah’s eyes light up, his pout has all but disappeared, and he jumps up from his chair. “I�
�m more than happy with that. I really want to lean over and kiss you, but I can’t.”
I’m biting my lip because in all honesty, I want him to. “Tonight.”
Noah shakes his head. “No, lunchtime. I can’t wait until tonight. You mentioned blow job, and my dick’s interested now.”
I’m so gone for this man.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Sooo many things.” The heat in his eyes tells me exactly what’s on his mind.
“Okay.” Heat rises up my neck. “Guess I’ll see you later.”
Noah gives me a wink and exits my office. Fanning myself, I pick up my phone and send a group text.
Chloe: Urgent girls’ night this Saturday night. My place.
My phone starts to ping with texts coming through.
Ariana: Everything okay?
Emma: What’s going on?
Stella: I’ll be there.
Lenna: You ok?
Chloe: I’m all good. Great actually.
Emma: You got Noah’s D.
Stella: OMG you and Noah.
Chloe: Yes. Noah and I are together.
Ariana: Finally.
Stella: Yay.
Emma: Was it good? I mean you would hope so after all that build-up.
Lenna: Noah is totally gone for her.
Ariana: Thought so.
Chloe: Guys focus. Saturday night I’ll tell you all. Now get back to work you lazy bitches.
I then get a million and one emoji’s telling me to fuck off.
28
Chloe
One week in with Noah, and I’m having the time of my life. We’re keeping it professional at work, even though it’s hard with the heated stares and clandestine touches. We haven’t been able to recreate that magical first lunch break.
Noah texted me a hotel name and room number.
I felt like an escort—high class, of course. I’m sure the hotel staff thought I was.
My knuckles knock on the door, my heart rate picks up a couple of beats. Why am I nervous? Noah opens the door, his suit jacket’s off, the sleeves of his business shirt are rolled up displaying his tanned, thick, corded forearms. His tie is hanging loosely around his neck.
