Holden
I feel like a new man today. I have the love of my life at home in my bed and my brother should be here soon. We are having the papers drawn up to make him my business partner. I spoke with my attorney and he assured me that Reese has received the divorce papers and he is awaiting her signature to get this put behind me. I only wish I hadn’t waited so long. I’m ready to move forward and build a life with Conleigh. I’m doing this with Wren in hopes of securing a better life for her. I want her to pursue her writing and not worry about her car payments or asking her mom for help. She doesn’t need anyone, she has me.
“Hey, Missy. Glad to see you back. How’s that princess doing?”
“She’s great. Thanks, Holden. I wanted to tell you that I really like Conleigh. She seems like a real good girl. I hope you hang onto her and ya know…just treat her right.”
I chuckle and smile. “Yeah, I plan on it. Thanks. She really likes you too.”
Business is picking up and she gets right to it, taking orders and serving drinks.
I have a good feeling that things are only going to continue to improve. Nothing can hold me down, at least that is how I feel until Reese comes strutting through the bar with mascara streaked eyes. I groan inwardly as my nostrils flare.
Why is she here? Can’t she get it through her head that I am done with her and have been for years. I shake my head as she stands before me looking pathetic. Her hands are shaking as she grips the divorce papers between her fingers.
“Can we talk, in private?”
“My office,” I tell her turning my back to her and not bothering to check if she is following behind me. I know she is. Her desperation is like a damn rain cloud hovering over my head.
I take a seat behind the desk and tell her to have a seat. She opts to sit on the edge of my desk.
“Get up and sit your ass in the chair if you want me to talk to you. I’m not playing games here, Reese.”
She pouts her red painted lips and has the nerve to appear wounded. “Fine.” She slams the papers down on the desk. “I’m not signing these until we settle a few things.”
“There is nothing to say. I’ve moved on and for years you did whatever in the hell you wanted. You’re a selfish bitch who only thinks of herself. So, what is it? You want money? Because, I don’t have any.”
Reese gets in my face. “I only want you. I said I was sorry. I made a mistake. I know you forgave Wren. So, why not me? You loved me once. I know you can love me again.” She grabs my hand and presses it between her breasts. I can feel her erratic heartbeat. “Let me show you.” I jerk my hand away.
“Don’t. It isn’t happening.”
“Come on, Hold. You know you want me. I can see it in your eyes. One last time then for old times’ sake. It can be like it used to be. You can fuck me any way you want right here on your desk.”
“What I want is for you to sign the goddamned papers and get out of my life.”
She ignores me, sliding the strap of her shirt down and exposing her nipple. She cups her tit, bends her head down, and licks her nipple.
“You’re seriously pathetic.”
“Not as pathetic as you’re going to feel when you go home and find your girl gone. I saw Ezra and her loading a moving van before I came here. I went to the apartment to find you and well, I found them embracing.” She smirks as I frown.
“I don’t believe you.”
She licks her bottom lip. “Why would I lie to you?” She attempts to straddle me in the chair and the only thing stopping me from shoving her onto her ass is the thought that she will hit her head on the sharp corner of the desk. “See, you knew deep down that she was going to go back to him.” She moves in to kiss me and I stand up, dropping her to her feet.
“I told you to stop. All you are doing is embarrassing yourself. Sign the papers, Reese.”
“No. We belong together.” She steps into my personal space and leans up on her tiptoes. I look into her eyes and she really believes that. “Kiss me,” she begs.
“If I kiss you, will you sign the papers and leave me the hell alone?”
“I promise. Just kiss me and tell me that you don’t love me and I will give you what you want.”
“Sign the papers first and then…” I dip my head down. My mouth a quarter of an inch from hers. My beard is practically tickling her bottom lip. “Then I’ll take you right here on this desk. I’ll give you one last fuck to remember me by. One last fuck to wish you had never walked away from me.”
She smiles satisfied and I reach around her to grab a pen.
I watch eagerly as she signs on the line and dates it. I take the papers and lock them in my desk and she seriously starts to get undressed.
She bats her lashes at me and pulls her top off.
“How do you want me?”
Milking it for what it’s worth, I walk around the desk, making for the door as though I intend to lock it. Just as my hand goes to the knob, Conleigh pushes through from the other side.
The huge smile spread across her face falls as she takes in Reese topless.
Tears spring in her eyes as she looks to me. “What the fuck, Holden!” She smacks my chest.
“It isn’t what it looks like. I was just getting ready to make her leave. I did what I had to, to get her to sign the papers.”
“Exactly what did you have to do?” Her brows knit as she stares me down and damn if looks could kill I’d be a dead man right now.
“Nothing happened,” I vow.
“He fucked me on the desk. I was just getting my clothes back on,” Reese lies through her whore teeth.
“I don’t believe you,” Conleigh says, shaking her head.
“Why would I lie?” Reese scrunches up her face and squeals as though she is the one being put out by all this drama.
“Because you’re desperate for money. You see, my best friend is the greatest friend in the whole wide world and she has been spending a lot of time with Wren and you know what she found out? She found out that you thought you could take Holden for all he has. Wren told her how you planned on setting him up, and when he saw how truly happy Holden is with me he didn’t want to tell him about the shady shit you were doing. He decided to take care of you on his own because he didn’t want to hurt his little brother any more than he already had. He paid you to get lost, so why are you still here?”
Reese charges at Conleigh like a crazy lady holding the letter opener from my desk as though she intends to use it. I jerk her back by her hair and nearly choke the bitch to death to keep her from going after Conleigh.
The next thing I know Missy is standing in the doorway with her mouth hanging open. “Sorry to interrupt your kink fest but you’re needed at the bar.”
“Actually, Missy. I could use your help taking the trash out,” Conleigh says to her.
Reese drops the letter opener and Conleigh throws her shirt at her.
I don’t even bother giving her time to cover up. Missy holds her hand out in front of her and waves Reese to the door. “Let’s go. You heard them. Time to take out the trash.”
Without a word, the two of them exit leaving me alone with my girl.
“Well that was interesting,” Conleigh states and comes to me.
“Did Bailey really tell you that shit about Reese?” I question as I wrap my arms around her.
“Yeah, that’s what took me so long to get here. Bailey called and made Wren tell me. Don’t be mad at him. He thought he was protecting you.”
I nod, and decide to think on it later. I’m just grateful Conleigh believes me.
“Missy told me she was in your office. I told her to give me five minutes and interrupt. I wasn’t sure if I could keep from killing her if there wasn’t witnesses. At first, it took me off guard seeing her shirtless but deep down I knew that I trusted you. I know you love me and you won’t hurt me.” She grins and I kiss her forehead.
Once the excitement has dissipated we meet up with my brother and Bailey to sign the partnership agreement and celebrate her big news about her book deal.
I wanted to take Conleigh out to a nice restaurant, but her and Bailey insisted they cook us a meal. They have gone to the grocery store. When I get to the apartment Wren is standing in the living room shaking his head and muttering while reading a note.
He laughs and hands it to me.
It appears to be from Ezra. All of his shit is gone, thank god. I don't ever want to see the bastard again. I don’t necessarily hate him—yeah, I do. He’s a prick. I scan the note.
Dear fuckers,
You deserve each other. I hope you are miserable together. Holden, if I were you, man, I would watch my back. Before you know it Conleigh will be sucking your brother’s dick just like your wife did. She is nothing but a whore and I hope your dick rots off. Preferably by an STD that Conleigh will no doubt catch from your brother. You both did me a favor.
Have a not so great life, assholes,
E