Strange Love (Choose Yours Book 1)

by Robin Edwards

  “I’m going to come,” she hissed. “Don’t stop. Fuck. Don’t stop.”

  I could not have stopped if I wanted to. Her screams were louder and louder until she inhaled deeply and leaned her head back, her entire body shivering and shaking. I gripped her waist and pushed into it as she continued to orgasm.

  A few more thrusts and I could not hold back any longer. With a loud grunt, I released, pushing myself as deep into her as I could go, groaning in pure ecstasy. Our bodies didn’t move from that spot for several moments, her leaning on the bed, me laying against her warm skin. When we both had gathered our breath, her body trembled with satisfaction and she burst in laughter.

  “What?” I asked with a smile. “It’s not nice to laugh at a guy you’ve just slept with.”

  She giggled harder. “That wasn’t it. A line came through my head from CSI.”

  “Let’s hear it,” I replied.

  She cleared her throat. “No way, it may ruin the moment.”

  “I don’t think anything could ruin the moment, don’t ya think?”

  Chapter Eight

  Graham

  Present Day…

  Lindsey squeezed a lime into her drink and rolled her eyes, tilting her head back. Her shoulders were already starting to bounce with laughter, “I really don’t think there is any other moment of pure hell when it comes to trying new food.”

  At some point in the afternoon, we had moved to the bar after Lindsey finally agreed to have a drink with me. “If it weren’t for the fact that I was there with you, I would have thought you were overreacting but I remember thinking at the time of what it must have been like to chew and swallow food that tasted like an old, mangy sock.”

  She continued laughing silently, her eyes closed, “What about an old gym shoe hidden in the back of a closet and forgotten about?”

  The bartender raised an eyebrow, “Sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt but are you talking about that one time where the previous cook attempted to make some sort of American – Thai fusion?”

  Both Lindsey and I looked up in awe, “You were there too?”

  She pressed her lips together and nodded, “It was the worst moment in this restaurant’s history.”

  Lindsey sipped her drink and then rotated it in circles between her fingers, “What was the name of that cheese he used? Was it Spiral or Sterlington?”

  I shook my head, “Stinton.”

  Lindsey clapped her hands, “Stinton! Yes, that is it. Oh, lord, all of the Stinton processing warehouses need to be shut down.”

  I cringed, “Can you imagine what it smelled like in there?”

  We both paused and cringed. The bartender chuckled and walked away to help other customers at the other end of the bar. I took a sip of my beer and smiled, glancing over at Lindsey as she shook her head. It felt good to feel normal again, at least what normal was like when I was with her. I figured there was no way she was going to show up for the lunch considering I had failed with every promise I made to her, but she still showed up to meet with me after all this time.

  We scanned the menu together, a force of habit and she caught herself pointing out all of the things I used to like, reminding me of all the times I tried something I ended up hating. I laughed, looking down at the napkin in my hand, “To be honest, I’ve probably wasted a lot of money trying new food only to have regretted it. I’m glad you put a stop to the streak of wasteful food spending.”

  She looked over at me with a genuine smile, “I’m glad that I could be of service. I think I am going to get the Som Tum because I discovered recently that I actually enjoyed Spicy Green Papaya Salad.”

  I shook my head, “Why does that not surprise me? From the girl that had gone from the age of eight never having Cheetos again because you heard what cheese dust does to the heart, you chose a dish that could defy the logic that there is nothing better than a garden salad.”

  She shrugged, sipping her drink, “Hey, I was trying to keep my figure back then, especially in our line of work including what I do now. I can’t really hide in a bush if I make the bush look like a shrub.”

  I began to laugh internally, putting my beer to my lips trying to stop myself. She swatted my arm with her napkin. “What is so funny?”

  I shook my head, swallowing, “I was just picturing you hiding in a bush but with a Sumo wrestler’s body. I imagined going to my window and seeing you trying to hide behind a bush, taking pictures, trying to be stealthy. Twigs in your hair for special effect.”

  ****

  As my driver pulled up in front of my office building, I stared out the window for a brief minute, watching the light rain drizzle down on the hot sidewalks. All I could think about is the confusion of emotion buried in my chest. On one hand, I felt happiness and relief having left lunch with a woman I never stopped thinking about and on the other hand, there was an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. An ominous breeze that reminded me of what happened the last time I was this happy with Lindsey and the choice I made to hide a huge part of my life away from her.

  “Sir?” the driver asked, opening the door for me.

  I grabbed my umbrella and nodded at him, “Yes, ahem. I will send for you when I am ready to leave the office.”

  “Very good, sir,” the driver replied as he stood there waiting.

  As I got out of the car, I realized the sun started to peek out of the clouds and I let a few remnant drops of rain splatter on my head as I stepped onto the sidewalk. I draped my trench coat over my arm instead of wearing it and swung my umbrella slightly as I strolled toward the front of the glassed skyscraper. Stopping in the center of the stone courtyard, the sound of water gushing from the fountain in the center, I was still amazed by my success and accomplishments.

  The little office the company once occupied in South Boston radiated in my mind as it felt like a lifetime ago. The business had grown exponentially by leaps and bounds, almost too big to imagine. Having hope and imagining what this life was like was something I didn’t have to do anymore. I reached most of the goals I set for myself and sitting up there in my office every day, I often wondered if it was totally worth it.

  With a sigh, I headed toward the smiling attendant as he held the front doors open for me. After wiping my feet on the rug upon entering the lobby, I stared at the activity that echoed in front of me. The building contained good people who worked hard for me and in return, I always treated them well and made sure they were content and happy working here.

  In the elevator I shared, there were several young associates I’ve never had any direct interaction with but they must have recognized me because they stood there quiet, barely moving. As they stood there, their eyes were glued to the digital display, watching the floors tick up one by one. I didn’t blame them for choosing not to make eye contact, power was both scary and infectious.

  When the doors finally opened up as the elevator reached my destination, the receptionist occupying the desk blocking the entrance to the 23rd floor instantly greeted me, “Good afternoon, Mr. Reynolds. I put your messages on your desk and Mr. Grayson is in your office waiting patiently as usual.”

  I chuckled, “Do I dare expect anything less?”

  “Probably not, sir.” she smiled.

  I tapped the desk as I walked past it and crossed over the den of cubicles in the center of the floor where the design team worked when they were not piled in the conference room sewing their creative brains into one super design. Inside my office, Will wandered around staring at the books on my shelf with one hand shoved in his suit pocket.

  “I think you may be the only wealthy person I know that still works for someone else,” I said as I hung up my coat on the rack near my office door.

  “I believe you are the only wealthy man I know that still hangs up his own jacket.”

  “My assistant is probably at lunch, though I think it might be good for me to do things for myself more often.” I admitted.

  “Maybe so. I guess you are forced to live the
life of a pauper for the next hour.” Will laughed loudly, unbuttoning his jacket and sitting down in the chair across from my desk. I plopped down and let out a deep breath, rocking back and closing my eyes for a moment. Every time I did that, though, I saw the same person I had been seeing for quite a while, Lindsey. Her viscously contagious smile and that twinkle of mischief and stubbornness in her eyes. It was still sending butterflies through my stomach.

  “So, how was your meeting with PPI or shall I say your ex, Lindsey Dunn?” Will asked suddenly.

  I opened one eye, “Are you stalking me now?”

  Will laughed, “If you don’t recall, I was the one who arranged the appointment in the first place. However, if you want me to stalk you, I can arrange that too. Anything to keep you out of trouble.”

  Leaning forward in my chair as I grabbed the stress ball sitting next to my computer and began to toss it back and forth, “I don’t get into trouble anymore. Unless it’s with women, but only because they have a screw loose but I try to avoid those types as much as I can.”

  “You have grown to be a little wiser over the years it seems.” Will laughed.

  I squeezed the ball again and shook my head, “The only reason I know things is because I screwed up the first time around yet I still make mistakes on occasion. I must be a masochist.”

  “So I take it Lindsey is still a sore spot you have never been able to shake,” Will replied, shaking his head. “Was it like old times or awkward?”

  “I thought it would be awkward at first but it was like we had never been apart,” I sighed.

  Will raised an eyebrow. “You mean like you never left her because of your secrets?”

  I looked at him, knowing Will always told me how it needed to be told, “Yeah, that,” I said. “Look things happened, you know that but she doesn’t. I guess I’m just grateful she is still willing to spend time with me, laugh, talk, reminisce even. I should be grateful for small favors.”

  Will nodded, “Or it could mean that she is looking for the perfect time to exact her revenge and take you down. If I were a scorned woman, I would wait until the perfect moment and then let you have it. Maybe even in front of some cameras for extra burn.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I know you are jaded because all of your marriages ended in divorce but it never took you long to move onto the next one. Lindsey is fiery, sure, but she isn’t the type to just ruin a man’s life like that. She might hate me for the rest of her life, but she wouldn’t take it further than that.”

  “Well, I hope so because someone out there is watching your every move, you should probably watch who you get close to,” Will said.

  I sat forward, confused. “Why are trying to lump Lindsey along with everyone else? She is literally the woman who we just hired to investigate what’s been happening.”

  “I know,” he replied putting his hands up. “Don’t you think it’s a coincidence you happen to be the ex that left her three feet short of the altar? I’m just warning you to be careful.”

  With a deep sigh, I grabbed the stress ball again and squeezed, “If she hasn’t kicked me in the balls in public yet, then I don’t think she would do it this way either. It isn’t that big of a coincidence either. She lives in Boston. It happens.”

  Will shrugged before looking up at the ceiling changing the subject, “You know you should get some posters or pictures for your ceiling. Something to motivate you the next time you stare at it. They will remind you to focus and get back to work. Something that strikes a fear in you, maybe a picture of me or an empty wallet.”

  Laughing, I shook my head, “My productivity is just fine but I wanted to talk to you about the blackmailer’s motive while you’re here.”

  With a glance and a shift in his seat, “What about it?”

  I eyed him for a moment, shaking my head. “I think the secret this asshole has and is holding over my head, is my son. We both know that I had no idea I had a son at first and you know how hard I have tried to see him more often if I could. This knowledge alone could knock my stock prices down; ruin my public image and everything in between if I’m labeled as a deadbeat.”

  “Yeah, but you didn’t know,” he said. “You’re not a deadbeat father.”

  “I know I’m not,” I replied. “But you know how the media can twist things and you know that people make up their minds without knowing the entire truth.”

  “Look, it’s a huge secret, I’ll give you that. I also know there is a chance that you are right but who knows about all of that besides us?”

  I shrugged, “I have no idea who Georgia told when she was still alive and if any of them told others. They seem like good people but you never know what slipped out. Someone out there in their world could very well be the person trying to keep me quiet.”

  “Trying to affect your business dealings as well,” Will added. “Maybe you should step back even more, just for a bit.”

  I furrowed my brow and sat forward. “Are you kidding me? We have been working on this deal for years. You are the one that told me not to buckle to the threats of others. What if I take it off the table and this person whoever they are, reveals the big secret anyway or continues to make threats until my company is nothing more than a forgotten memory?”

  Will grinned, “Maybe you’re right, I must have taught you well. I guess we shall continue to kick down walls, build big things and continue being the company that you envisioned from the beginning. This is nothing more than a small hiccup in the road and if it is getting to you that bad, tell Lindsey what the secret could be. Have her investigate the family.”

  I shook my head wildly, “No, I’m not letting that happen. I do not want her to know about Cyrus, not until I can sit down and tell her myself when I feel we are both ready. She has no idea I left her because of that. I have a kid that I can’t be with as often as I’d like and I don’t want Lindsey to see me as a deadbeat either.”

  “I’ll do whatever you want, Graham. The choice is yours to make. By the way, I sent over some more information to her office on your behalf and hopefully, it is enough to get started. Just know, as an investigator, she may very well dig up Cyrus without you telling her at all. You might want to think about that and what you plan on saying to her about it because it’s going to be a big shock and not in the good way.”

  A groan vibrated through my chest and I rubbed my face, “This is all too much, maybe I need that vacation after all.”

  “I agree but right now you have a company to run, a blackmailer to catch and deals to tie up before it’s too late. Try getting some media coverage to boost publicity because if it comes out, it will help offset the blow. People will be more apt to believe you this way.” Will said standing up and heading towards the exit. “I’ll give you a call in a few days.”

  “Bye, Will.”

  Maybe Will was right and I should tell Lindsey now before anything escalates except I just started to earn her trust again. Being in this predicament felt like I was in the same position as I was before except I didn’t want to make the same mistake. Not with Lindsey, not this time.

  Chapter Nine

  Lindsey

  “Sure, just put it on the counter, I’ll grab it later.” I yelled out the door to our new temporary employee. “Have a good evening and just lock the front door when you leave. I’ll be in here working.”

  Having so much to do and Kitt multi-tasking with the company and her personal life, hiring a temp really helped me dedicate more time to the cases instead of putting away office supplies and filing paperwork when Kitt wasn’t available. Even when we were on the ball, with the influx of new clients because of all the press, we would still be in the office late. Except the one thing that distracted me the most was Graham and his case.

  “Graham,” I whispered to myself, still shocked that he unexpectedly showed on my doorstep when I never thought I’d see him ever again. The man stole my heart, built dreams in my mind for the future, was my best friend and then took all of it away without an
explanation.

  Picking up the manila envelope from his company, I pulled the papers out and put them on the desk. My mind kept drifting back to our lunch, getting lost in the smile I missed so much and the way he pushed around broccoli to avoid eating it. The only thing missing was the hot sessions we used to have at my old apartment before he hurried back to his meetings. Those were still the best moments of my life.

  It was a period in my life where I was doing well at work, had a wonderful man in my life and everything was practically perfect. Then again, if he hadn’t split unexpectedly, I would have never thrown myself into my work nor started my practice with Kitt. Maybe his disappearance was a blessing in disguise. I don’t know but a part of me is anxious to find out.

  Shaking my head, I pulled up the first page, outlining the documents enclosed. I read them off, checking the sheet to my left where I had listed everything I would need to help Graham. “List of company associations, employee list, previous employees in past ten years, contractors, vendors, check.”

  Looking through the list of employees from the last ten years was shocking, not because it was bad, but because it was so small and most of the positions were entry level, which always had a higher turnover rate. More often than not, his employees were treated wonderfully.

  I rubbed my face with indecision; I had to remind myself that I needed to stay impartial. If anything, I should have been leaning the other way. After all, he disappeared from my life and he seemed to be all in one piece and not chopped up in a ditch somewhere.

  That’s better stay non-partial with a bit of cynicism.

  I went back to the paperwork, sorting it out and creating lists to organize the process better. Bringing up the background check system on my desktop, I began compiling data on everyone on Graham’s list. Starting with the employees, I requested checks, reviewed the ones that came back and separated them into piles based on the results. Everyone in the upper ranks of the company came back clear besides two DUI’s, a solicitation for prostitution for one of his 80 year old investors, and a couple of minor traffic violations. There had been nothing in there that screamed criminal, not that it cancelled them out, but I needed a good solid starting place.