Never Trust a Bad Boy (4 page)

Chapter Ten

Josh

Over the next few weeks, I go back to teasing Zoe the way I used too. Only now, it’s playful, and she starts to pick on me right back.

“You’re a filthy animal.” She says as I pull my cock out of her after fucking her bent over on my desk.

Her ass is up in the air and I smack it hard. “Oh yeah, baby. What does that say about you? You just let a filthy animal bend you over a desk and fuck you silly.”

“I can’t stand you.” She says as she pulls her skirt back down over her ample bottom.

“I love you too, baby.” I say, and she freezes.

“Don’t you fucking dare.” She says and glares at me.

“That’s not the response I was expecting.” I say and chuckle. She is so adorable when she’s furious.

“Don’t you dare say that if you don’t mean it.” She says and picks up my penholder like she’s going to throw it at me.

“Whoa, baby, whoa. Of course, I mean it. I would never say something like that if I didn’t feel it with every part of me. You’re it. You’re everything. And, a big part of me hopes I just put my baby in your belly.” I say and wink.

I mean it. I do. I’ve loved her since we were kids, and I’ve done some fucked up shit trying to fill the hole left in me when I ran away. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her. She’s going to be my wife, I just haven’t figured out the right time to tell her yet.

Zoe drops the penholder and throws herself into my arms. She presses her breasts against my chest, and I feel how excited she is.

“You wanna try again to make sure it takes Big Daddy?” She says and then bites my bottom lip. “But make it quick, I have to meet with a client in twenty minutes.”

“How can I say no to that?”

She doesn’t have to answer. I can’t.

Josh

Two Hours Later

I walk back into my office after my afternoon meeting with the other partners and Annabel is sitting in my chair completely naked. Her feet are on my desk, and she spreads her legs just a bit when I walk into the room. I’m not sure how to react at first, so I close the door behind me and take a step into the room.

The old Josh would have jumped at the chance to have her again. I mean, no one has to know. Just a quickie and then I send her on her way. I have all of this tension building up inside of me because of my father being back and because of my new relationship with Zoe. From experience, I know that having a go at Annabel will be just the thing to get rid of that tension. I’ll feel more relaxed and focused once it’s over. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just one more time.

No.

My stomach suddenly turns at the thought of touching another woman. My body, mind, and heart all belong to Zoe now. Fury starts to build in my chest at the presumption of this bitch. First, she tried to tell Zoe that she and I are dating, and now this? This crazy shit has to stop. I’d fire her if I didn’t think she’d sue me for sexual harassment. There must be a way to get Annabel out of my firm and out of my life.

I’ll start with getting her skanky ass out of my office.

Chapter Eleven

Zoe

I feel like I’m going to be sick when I open the door to Josh’s office. The door didn’t make a sound when I opened it because I wanted to surprise him. I figured I’d slip in before he got back from his meeting and wait for him naked in his chair.

It looks like somebody beat me to it.

I can’t figure out why he’s standing there looking at her instead of throwing her out of his office. There is only one possible explanation that I can think of.

He is a lying snake, and he played me.

I rush out of the office, and Josh never turns around. My secretary asks me what’s wrong, so I tell her I have a family emergency and that I’m going home for the day. After grabbing my purse, I get out of the building before I have the chance to run into anyone else I don’t want to talk to right now.

At home, I grab my overnight bag and pack enough for a couple of days. I’m going to the airport, and I’m going to get on the next plane that goes somewhere tropical. I fully intend on being on a beach with a margarita in my hand by tonight. Halfway to the door I hear a knock, and I groan. Please, please don’t let it be Josh. I am not in the mood for his shit right now.

The next knock is louder and more urgent, and I don’t see any way to get to the airport without dealing with whatever problem is knocking at my door first. I’m shocked when I open the door and Andrew is standing there. Fear makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. How did he know I was here? I’ve been home for ten minutes at the most. I get sick to my stomach when I realize the he’s probably either been following me or having me followed.

“I’m going to talk, and you’re going to listen.” He snarls at me and pushes past me into my apartment.

“You need to leave, or I’m going to call the police.” I try to sound confident, but I’m terrified.

“You’ll do no such thing, or I’ll make sure you regret it. Now, listen up you little money grubbing whore. You’re either going to help me get my daughter and my fortune back, or I’m going to make sure you disappear. You work for me now, or you had better never show your face at my son’s law firm again. I’ll ruin you right along with my good-for-nothing prick of a son.” He says and takes a step towards me.

“Get out.” I scream at him and reach into my purse for my can of pepper spray.

“Wrong choice.” He growls but he does step back towards the door. “Oh, and if you even think about telling Josh about any of this, I’ll make sure they find him and his little cock tease sister floating in the river.”

I take a deep breath and collapse onto my sofa when he leaves. I’ve got to stay calm and figure out what to do next. Josh may be a lying sack of shit, but he wasn’t lying when he said his father is a dangerous man.

I’m done with both of them. I should go to the police, but I don’t know how connected Andrew is. Going to the authorities could be more dangerous than just walking away from everything. I no longer feel like going on a mini vacation.

It feels like I just started my new life, but it looks like I’ll have to start all over again.

Chapter Twelve

Josh

“Get the fuck out of my office Annabel. I’d fire you right now if I didn’t know that you’d find a way to turn this around on me. But, you’ve been warned. I’ll find a way to get rid of you. So, just stay out of my way. As of tomorrow, you’ll be moving down to the garden level to act as Jack Humphry’s assistant.” I seethe.

“The garden level? You mean the basement. You’re sending me to the basement.” She gets up and starts to get dressed.

I turn my back because I don’t even want to look at her. Finding a reason to get rid of her is my new priority. As soon as she’s out of my office, I’ll call one of my private investigators and have them start the process of finding the information I need. Everybody has dirt, and with the way Annabel behaves, hers shouldn’t be too hard to find.

“Get your desk packed up this afternoon. I want you in the basement where you belong as soon as possible. The less I see of you from now on, the better things will be for both of us.”

She stops out of my office and slams the door behind her. I don’t care, though. That was some class-a bullshit. I just told Zoe that I love her. Can you imagine how bad things would be if she’d walked in on that scene? I’d probably lose her forever.

After I call Derek, my best private investigator, I call Zoe’s office. She doesn’t answer, so I call her secretary. I’m told she left for the day due to a family emergency, and I try her cell phone. The call goes straight to voicemail. I leave her a message and shoot her a text. Whatever she’s dealing with must be important, but it can’t be too bad or she’d have come to me.

There is a knock on my office door, and Annabel let’s herself in. I bark at her that I thought I made myself understood, but she says she’s done packing her desk and would like to take the rest of the afternoon off.

“I’ve got the personal time coming, and I’ve got a really important date to get ready for tonight.” She purrs at me.

“Whatever Annabel. I don’t care about your date. Take your shit down to your new desk before you leave, and then you can go.” I tell her without looking away from my computer.

“Thanks, Josh. And, I hope that we can make this right eventually. I do want to be friends.”

“Don’t count on it.” I say.

She gives up and leaves, and I finish preparing for my last meeting of the day. I’ll need to get in touch with the temp agency I use and have a temporary secretary sent over tomorrow to fill in until I hire a new assistant. Then I have an idea, so I call Zoe’s secretary and ask her to arrange for my temporary assistant. She cheerfully agrees.

“Oh, and Mr. Allen. I’d like to be considered for the position.” Clare says confidently.

“What about Zoe?” I ask her curiously.

“She’s great. No complaints whatsoever. But, being your assistant would be a step up. It would put me one step closer to being the office manager. So, I’d like to be considered.” Her voice doesn’t waver one bit, and I have to chuckle.

“I like ambition, Clare. You’ve got spunk. Please make sure you get your resume to me right away. I could use an assistant I can depend on. Zoe will just have to understand, and I assume you’ll make sure to find her a suitable replacement should I hire you.”

“Oh, yes. Mr. Allen. Thank you. I’ll get my resume to you right after close of business today, and I’ll make sure you’ve got the very best the temp agency can provide tomorrow.”

“Spectacular, Clare. But, why don’t you have a temp sent over to fill in for you instead. I assume Zoe will be out for a few days tending to her family issues. I can someone who knows this place right now.”

“Thank you, Mr. Allen.” Clare says enthusiastically.

“Thank you, Clare.” I say and disconnect.

My last meeting drags on for what feels like an eternity. I keep checking my phone, but no messages or calls from Zoe come through. I try to call her again one more time before I leave, but she still doesn’t answer. Instead of going home, I go by her apartment. No one answers the door, so I just have to go home and wait.

I’m sure she’ll call soon.

Chapter Thirteen

Zoe

Stacey and I aren’t as close as we were in high school anymore. We still talk and text each other, but we’ve grown apart. She and I went to different colleges, and after a few years, we just stopped getting together. I’m so scared and confused, though, that I drive straight over to her house.

I know that I should have come over and visited when she moved back to town, and I know that’s why she emailed me her address and pictures of her new home. Unfortunately, I’m an asshole. I hope that she can forgive me and doesn’t turn me away.

“Zoooooooeeeeeeeee!” She squeals with delight when she opens the door.

Stacey pulls me into a hug, and I go from feeling like an asshole to feeling like a slug. I never should have taken such a good friend for granted, and I commit right now to making it up to her.

She invites me and says she can tell by the look on my face that I need a glass of white wine. I show her the bag I brought from our favorite Chinese restaurant. There was some time between when I left my apartment and when I knew she’d be home from work, so I drove around for a while and then stopped to pick up dinner.

“Oooh. Thank you, Zoe. Did you get the chow fun?” She asks as we head into the kitchen for wine and plates.

“Yup. You know it.” I tell her and smile.

“Not that I’m upset that you’re here, I’m ecstatic to see you, but why did you pick today to drop in?” Stacey asks as she uncorks the wine.

“It’s a long story, Stacey. I’ll tell you while we eat, and if you want me to go after you hear all about it, I’ll understand.”

By the time the bottle of wine is gone I’ve told her everything. I left out the part about Josh’s sister, that’s not my story to tell. Telling her that Andrew was abusive was enough.

“He sounds dangerous, and his son sounds like a royal dick.” She says and chugs back the rest of her wine before getting up to grab another bottle. “It’s a two bottle kinda night. Don’tcha thing? I mean, think?” She says and laughs.

“Yes, I do. But, I understand if you don’t want me here. I don’t want to put you in danger, Stacey. I haven’t been a good friend, and I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“Nonsense, Zoe. I’m not scared. And, I’ve got Princess. Wake up, Princess. Get your cute but in here.” She calls out and the biggest Rottweiler I’ve ever seen comes around the corner into the kitchen. “She was sleeping, but she’ll let us know if any creeps are lurking around.”

“Whoa, that’s a big dog. She didn’t get up when I came in, though.” I say as Princess comes over and sniffs my hand.

“That’s because she knows you’re not a threat. She’s a smart girl, aren’t you Princess?” Stacey coos at the dog and then tosses her a piece of meat.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Stacey.”

“That’s easy. You’re going to move in here until we figure this out.” She says and tosses Princess another piece of chicken.

“I couldn’t do that.”

“Oh please, sister. Of course, you can. I’ve got plenty of room. You can’t go back to your apartment, and I won’t have you sleeping in a hotel. Unless it’s a really nice hotel, and then I’m coming too.” She says, and Princess looks heartbroken as Stacey eats the next bite instead of tossing it to her.

I put a bit beef on the floor for the massive beast, and she licks my leg before eating it. “There you go, I’ll hook you up.” I say to the dog.

“See, she likes you. This is going to be perfect. It’ll be like having a sleepover every night. Let’s watch a movie.” Stacey says and heads for the living room.

While she puts a movie on, I pack up the leftovers. Princess and I are going to be best friends forever after all of the meat I feed her when Stacey isn’t looking. She’s a beautiful dog, and I feel better knowing Princess is protecting me.

After the movie, and another bottle of wine, I finally have the courage to send Josh my resignation email. It’s not safe for me to go back to work, and I don’t want to see his big, stupid face anyway. As I expected, five minutes after I hit send, Josh starts calling me again.

“You groing to schtalk to him?” Stacey slurs and then chuckles.

“First, you’re cut off. Second, no. Fruck him.” Crap, I’m tipsy too.

“Haha. Bottles empty, bitch. We shlould go to bred. I’ve got to wark in the mornling, and it slounds like you need a jlob.” She says and struggles to her feet. “I don’t usually drink dis much.”

“I know. I understand. It was frun.” I say and hiccup. “Now, where is my broom. I mean room?”

Stacey shows me to the guest bedroom, and I pass out as soon as my head hits the pillow. When I wake up in the morning, she’s already gone to work and I have a ton of text messages and voicemails from Josh. I delete them all without listening to or reading a single one.

After I shower and get dressed, I decide to go out and apply for jobs. I need to stay under the radar, so the working in the law is out. I have some savings, but I need a job to keep me from going insane.

I’m fortunate that I land a job as a barista at a local coffee house the same day, and it seems like a fun, laid back environment. It’s nothing like being an attorney, but it will keep me busy at least three days per week. On the way home, I pass a yoga studio and decide to join. I need something to help me center myself, and I used to love yoga classes in college.

The weekend rolls around and when I get off work Saturday afternoon, Stacey and I head to the yoga studio. She doesn’t want to let me out of her sight any more than she has to. Plus, Stacey loves yoga too.

We end up next to a statuesque young woman who looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t quite place her. We strike up a conversation with her after class, and she’s a great person. Candy is funny, smart, and she reminds me of somebody, but again, I can’t quite figure out who it is.

We all go out to dinner, and Candy can’t seem to relax. She keeps looking over her shoulder like someone is going to come after her at any moment. After a glass of wine, she calms a little bit and tells us she’s been hurt badly in the past. I assume she means by an ex-boyfriend, and I can identify with that. Her paranoia also makes me feel a little better about my own. I’m sure I’ve been looking over my shoulder the whole night as well.

Josh keeps calling me, but I’m still refusing to talk to him or even answer his text message. Even if I didn’t hate him, it would still be safer this way. Still, I can’t keep my mind from drifting back to his body and the way he makes my body feel.