FOUNDATIONS
THE POWER OF THREE LOVE SERIES
LEIGH LENNON
Foundations
Copyright @2018 Leigh Lennon
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This book is a work of fiction and is the product of the author’s imagination.
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The E-book copy is licensed for your personal enjoyment and may not re-sold or given away.
This book is a work of fiction and is the product of the author’s imagination.
Editing by Jenny Sims at Editing 4 Indies.
Proofreading services by Deaton Author Services and Edits by Erin.
Formatting by Ink It Out Editing.
Cover design by Najla Qamber.
Beta Readers: Nancy George, Megan Harris, Megan Damrow, Michelle Clay, Annette Brignac, Kymberly Dingman.
Created with Vellum
About Foundations
Playlist
Prologue
1. Daimen
2. Elliot
3. Arden
4. Elliot
5. Arden
6. Elliot
7. Daimen
8. Arden
9. Elliot
10. Arden
11. Daimen
12. Elliot
13. Elliot
14. Daimen
15. Arden
16. Elliot
17. Daimen
18. Arden
19. Elliot
20. Arden
21. Daimen
22. Arden
23. Elliot
24. Daimen
CONTENTS
25. Elliot
26. Arden
27. Elliot
28. Arden
29. Elliot
30. Daimen
31. Elliot
32. Arden
33. Daimen
34. Elliot
35. Daimen
36. Arden
37. Elliot
38. Daimen
39. Arden
40. Daimen
41. Elliot
42. Arden
43. Elliot
44. Daimen
45. Arden
46. Elliot
47. Arden
48. Elliot
49. Daimen
50. Elliot
51. Elliot
52. Arden
53. Daimen
54. Arden
55. Daimen
56. Arden
57. Elliot
58. Daimen
59. Elliot
60. Arden
61. Arden
62. Elliot Epilogue
Bonus Epilogue
A Note From the Author What I’ve Learned It Takes a Village! About the Author
Other Books by Leigh Lennon About Color Blind Color Blind
Liz Israel
Elliot
My career took focus in my life while trying to make a name for myself in a male dominated field. I kept my gender under wraps until I was able to let my expertise speak for itself. But I was knocked off my axis when I ran into Arden, the man I had compared all men to since our one night together. Now he was taken—by another man—a very dominant man.
Arden
The love I had for my man ran deep. But I’d never forgotten her. From the very beginning, Daimen and I agreed to our non-traditional life—two men loving one another until we found that woman we could claim as ours. Now, she was standing in front of me, unaware she was a marked woman.
Daimen
I had loved my best friend from an early age. The day Arden submitted to me, was a dream come true. That was until a sexy and sassy blonde entered our life and turned it upside down. I see something in her that scared me. But I would make her mine, mine
and Arden’s. Claiming hatred would follow us everywhere, Elliot fought us at every turn.
Will the three of us create our own unconventional happily ever after or will she leave us heartbroken?
ForallmybetareadersI’vehadthroughoutallmybooks. AnneMarie,Annette,Auden,Carla,Emma,Erin,Jessa,Jo, Kymberly,MeganD.,MeganH.,Melody,Michelle,Nancy, RosemaryandTina. Youallhavebeenapartofthisprocessinsomewayand yourwordsandadvicestillstaywithme. AsAlways—ToMyMom ImissyousomuchbutIknowyou’resoaringhighabove— watchingoverus.
Ariana Grande “Dangerous Woman”
Ashley McBryde “American Scandal”
Beyonce’ “Crazy in Love”
Billie Eilish “Ocean Eyes”
Britney Spears “Three”
Elle King “Ex’s & Oh’s”
Iggy Azalea “Fancy” (feat. Charli XCX)
Meghan Trainor “No”
Miley Cyrus “Wrecking Ball”
No Doubt “Spiderwebs”
Norah Jones “What Am I To You”
Old Crow Medicine Show “Wagon Wheel”
The Speaks “Bizarre Love Triangle”
The Weeknd “Earned It”
Zara Larson, MNEK “Never Forget You”
ELLIOT
razy sex! In fact, I’d claim it was the best sex of my life! My legs were still in constant nervous flutters. The man was a demi-god of sorts with the way he worked my body out of its dormant status.
His baby blue eyes captured my attention across the bar, and our chemistry was immediate. I knew I was in for a good time when his near touch made it impossible to breathe. The deep timbre of his voice, as smooth as the whiskey he’d been drinking, had sent tingles down to my nether regions.
I wouldn’t call him a playboy. His boyish grin told me he was playful, choosing me as his one and only playground for the night. Invading my space, he ran his fingers over my skin. “I could use any number of cheesy pickup lines, but I’m sure you’ve already heard them tonight, hot stuff. I’ve got to say, besides being fucking gorgeous, you’ve gotta be smart as a whip to be here at this conference. So this is what I propose. You and me. One night. Wild sex, no names. Tomorrow, we go back to our respective lives.” His warm breath lingered on my body. I had a small taste, and I needed more.
The hotel bar housing the architectural conference was full of mostly men. In an occupation where I was one of few women, I’d be lying if I said he was the first guy to hit on me. I held firm, though, rejecting all of them because it was a boy’s field, and I’ll be damned if I let those men think I was only a piece of ass. But this perfect male specimen did things to my common sense.
Now, lying in my bed, after I watched his fine bare ass get dressed, I had no regrets. Not one. Sure, I’d like more, but he was heading back home, and I was returning to Chicago to my own life. But I’d never forget how he owned my body, even if it was only for one night.
Staring out my corner window, I was startled when large strong arms wrapped around my waist. I turned to my partner and the love of my life with a smile. “Hey, babe.” My voice had warmed to him from our fight just minutes before.
Arden’s playful eyes reminded me of our past and the future we had in one another. We might spew hateful words when we fought, but now it meant very little to me, especially with Arden’s body embracing me. In the minutes his tall frame enveloped mine, I was reminded of the past—my thoughts on a time in my life I believed I’d never be whole again.
I’d loved Arden my whole life, but it took me years to convince him to take a chance on us. As coincidence had it, around the same time Arden finally came to terms with his sexuality, I’d fallen in love with a girl we shared. What was more complicated was that we shared her with our other business partner, Spencer. We’d always assumed the four of us would make it work, and we did. But when Arden admitted he loved me, he only asked for one thing—that we’d share our life with a girl in a committed relationship. It was the reason for our fight just minutes before.
“Daimen, honey,” Arden began, and the hopelessness I once experienced was gone with one look at my guy. My own body softened when he lovingly called me his term of endearment. “I never wanted this to come between us. It’s a hard line for me.” Arden’s face snaked around mine, and the kiss of his soft lips on my
cheeks made it impossible not to forgive him for his anger. “Honey,” he whispered, and with one small look at my crotch, we both understood I was turned on.
I’d agreed with Arden about bringing a committed woman into our fold years ago. But with a pain that encircled me, I wasn’t sure I wanted to return to this lifestyle. I would constantly question if we were forever in a storm. The hurt was still prevalent. I turned and backed away from Arden, still holding his hands. “But we allowed herto come into our lives, and she turned it upside down—her and Spencer.” Although I knew that was not the complete truth with her, it was what I started with. Lana, the girl we shared, was always a wildcard. Even I knew that.
Though Spencer was not into men, he seemed content with the four of us—until he wasn’t.
Lanawasstandingatmydesk,herarmscrossedandunwillingto compromise. “It’s Arden or me, Daimen. This is your last chance. Pickme andleave Ardenbehind.I’llleaveSpence,andwe can start our life together . Three—hell, four—people in a relationship will never work.”Iwatchedhershutthedooron our life andthefuture I’d dreamed about with her and Arden. In a matter of seconds, it wasover, andIwaslefttopickupthepiecesofmy heart.ButIstill hadArden.
His eyes turned to saucers as he pleaded with me. “I watched for three months as you withered into a ball of hurt and anger, honey. Believe me, it’s not something I ever want for you again, but,” he placed my hand against his chest over his heart and continued, “life is worth living. And, fuck, it may hurt. Hell, I may be the one with scars next time, but, shit, Daimen, we’ve always wanted a girl and I’m not giving up that dream,” Arden insisted, caressing my cheek. His constant habit of affection was one of the many reasons I loved this man with all I had.
Arden’s hands rubbed ferociously at his forehead, narrowing his eyes on mine. “You have always taken the lead, and I’ve let you because it makes me comfortable. You’re sexy as hell when you’re bossy—which makes you sexy all the time,” he teased. “It suits your domineering personality and allows me to be more free and playful.”
Arden’s hand finds passage down my arm, and even in a suit, his touch is everything. It’s fire and ice combined, and it’s lethal for me. “You take good care of me, but this isn’t negotiable. I know you’re attracted to women too, so it’s not like I’m asking you to do something you haven’t done before.”
My sexy bastard was right. We’d shared girls, but Arden was addressing a different idea—finding someone like Lana—who’d be our forever. Though it was when we were sharing girls that he fell in love with me. I’d loved Arden well before I was comfortable with my sexuality—but it took Arden longer, trying to deny hisown sexuality. I’m very much the alpha, and once he gave into us, we flourished. Though it was cliché, it was easy since we were made for one another.
Though we were physically close at that second, I put my arms around my partner’s neck and pulled him to me. “Babe, you know I’m very possessive of you. I don’t like sharing what’s mine.” That was true, even in just normal friendships. I’d always been territorial of things that were only for me. “And you know the odds of us loving the same girl are very improbable,” I whispered. I could admit, even in my stubbornness, that it was more than sex. It had always been about that connection for us when it came to a girl. And if I was honest, I missed a woman’s touch too.
“But not unlikely,” Arden replied optimistically, which was my man’s best quality.
I needed a reason to end this conversation. Looking at him, I scoffed at his remark. “You do understand that improbable and unlikely are synonyms for one another. So, yes, it’s very unlikely and improbable.”
With an upturned face, his smile was contagious. “But you know me. I’ll find a way to win you over.” His justification was both seductive and suggestive. If there was ever a weakness in my life, it was the man standing in front of me.
“I know, honey.” Arden moved closer, teasing me with his arm by reaching for the zipper of my pants. “But someone is awake.” His mouth turned up in a small but devilish grin. “These mornings may
be getting old, but I can do something to help you out fairly quickly.” My man would always play if it were an option.
As much as his mouth on my cock excited me, I have a nosexin theoffice policy. And it would be easy enough to push him over the table and pound him right now. “You know my rule, babe. But, fuck, we’re going home after this, and that’s exactly what we’ll do. Hell, we may not even make it to our room.”
His evil smirk turned into a wide smile when I changed the subject. “Once we get the new architect on board, we’ll have a little bit of our life back. I’m still pissed that we had to fire Joel Nelson.”
Arden groaned, thinking about the mess that this famous architect left us. “This new guy we’re interviewing today is a good choice with all his credentials.” Arden was optimistic, pushing this particular architect on me.
It was my fault we were in this mess. “I’m the one who wanted to hire him, and you warned me.” And, although I was stubborn as fuck, I could admit my mistakes. “Babe, I learned my lesson.”
“Good.” Arden leaned back, winking at me but with heat scattered in his eyes. I knew what he wanted. “But don’t think you can butter me up with this.”
“Maybe leaving early today will do exactly that.” I winked back at him, knowing that was his one weakness with me. Fuck, the electricity was flying in the room. Right when we were about to share a kiss again, my intercom surprised us. Scarlet, our secretary began, “Elliot Arnold and her assistant are here.”
I was confused. “Why two people?”
“His assistant is a little bit of everything right now as he builds his company. More like a protégé that he emailed me about. He doesn’t go anywhere without her.” Changing his tone toward me, he pleaded, “Can you please be on your best behavior? Believe me when I say Elliot Arnold is the best person for this job.”
I tried to flash him a flirtatious grin. Shaking his head, he understood the answer to his question—knowing I’d be difficult at first. It was my own personal test to determine if he would be a good fit. Still staring at me, he tapped the intercom. “Scarlet, it’s Arden. We’re ready. You can send Mr. Arnold and his assistant back.”
The second the masculine voice referred to me as a man, I motioned to the secretary not to correct him. The call ended, and she looked at me when I explained. “Don’t worry, I get more business this way. It’s the main reason I don’t have a picture on my website.” I paused to catch my breath, and it was a shame in this day and age having a man’s name worked to my advantage. “I love seeing the shock on their faces when they realize I have boobs. Most of the time, they think Andrew is the boss, and I’m his assistant.”
“Ell,” Andrew’s deep tone warned, “you get too much pleasure out of shocking men.”
I could almost imagine my eyes sparkling with mischief at my best friend’s caution. “I like shocking them. It’s too much fun,” I teased back.
“Alright, Ms. Arnold and Mr. Peters, let me show you in.” Scarlet knocked on the door, then opened it at one of the men’s request. “Mr. Blakely, Mr. Torano, let me know if I can get you anything,” she said, leaving quickly, but their eyes were averted down, still not on Andrew or me.
Witnessing the beauty of the two male specimens standing in front of me, I instantly felt light on my feet. Normally, I would be attracted to these men, but it was a known fact they were partners in more than just the professional sense. As indicated by all the newspapers, they were in a very committed relationship.
As I predicted, both men walked toward Andrew, when the blonde man extended his hand toward him. “Mr. Arnold, it’s nice to meet you.”
Andrew’s head turned, looking in my direction, and he flashed a smirk at me. IhavethemwhereIwantthem. I internally laughed at that thought. Snaking my way in front of Andrew, I extended my own hand. “Actually, I’m Elliot Arnold.” I paused, wanting to have some fun with these two. “I would think with two people like yourselves who live out of the mold of what is traditional for most, you wouldn’t be shocked that a woman could have a reputation such as I do in this industry.”
Arden’s gaze fell on his partner, then moved back at me, and if his baby blues could write an apology, I think he would have done that. Before I fell victim to his eyes, something hit me in the gut. A memory assaulted me, and I looked away for the briefest moment.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Arnold, it’s not meant as disrespect. We just assumed with the name Elliot, it sounded more masculine,” Arden claimed, his apology pulling me back to the here and now.
Concentrating on the business at hand and not wallowing in my past, I silently scoffed at them. I was used to this sort of reaction. Though this was not our first meeting, Arden Blakely had the warmest mannerisms of anyone I’d known. That part of him had bewitched me the first time—that and the ocean blue of his eyes.
He was articulate along with handsome and sexy; again, something I’d never forgotten. “Well, now that I know you’d work with me whether I was a man or woman, let’s get down to business,” I said curtly, and though I caught wind of Arden’s little smirk, Daimen Torano or whom I’d named Mr. Grumpy, didn’t change the scowl that had graced his face since I arrived. “Alright, in corresponding with Mr. Blakely … ”
“Arden, please, Ms. Arnold,” he insisted, and for a second, if I had to guess, his eyes danced with understanding when he examined my body. He hadn’t given me any indication he recognized me yet.
I reminded myself that he was a taken man; though, in my expert opinion, he liked what he saw. Just as he had the first time
too. This was all about business right now. Even though my womanly regions had certainly experienced a cold zone recently, they still remembered his touch. I finally croaked out, “Alright, Arden, as I was saying, while I was corresponding with you, I saw the design sketches from your last architect. Obviously, you’re bringing me on mid-project, so I assume you weren’t happy with who you hired before.”
“That would be an understatement,” Daimen, AKA Mr. Grumpy, replied, brooding, apparently still stroking his ego at such a regrettable decision when I simply nodded. I got a feeling this storm cloud of a man might never like being wrong—ever.
Forcing my mind to remain on the subject of business, I continued, “Okay, I’d rather not know the specifics—though, I’ll tell you, I’d have gone a completely different route with the designs. I’ve reviewed them tirelessly and identified dead space that could have been utilized better. With that being said, I understand your desire to prevent rework, but I wouldn’t follow his plans moving forward.”
The grumpy one’s eyebrows rose at least an inch, and in his narrowed glare, I assumed this was news to him. I kept talking. “What you would end up with would be my own thumbprint.” I paused, watching the reaction in Daimen’s eyes, and now I was aware this information was indeed not passed along to him. But I wouldn’t back down, and honestly, he was the one to blame. He cut corners due to cost and cost alone.
I continued, looking straight at Daimen. “If you’d hired me from the beginning, your buildings would’ve had a completely different design. I’ll be sure to stamp my name on this project with my own individual flair because my work product is my résumé. So, if you’re up to changes, I can do this. If not, I’ll have to decline this job. It would make my work look subpar.” I laid it out there for him, and though I’d been told I was an alpha female, my claws came out because I wouldn’t negotiate on this part of the contract.
After Daimen’s stare found my face, he transferred his glare to Arden. “This is the first I’m hearing of this particular clause. But let me get this right, Ms. Arnold.” I didn’t correct him and ask him to call me Elliot, not yet. Oh, messing with this man could be fun. “You
won’t change the thumbprint of the last architect’s plan, but you would change further plans, moving forward?”
How else do I need to spell it out, I wondered, but I left my sarcasm in my head when I replied, “That’s correct. Changing what you have would be too costly, but changing what we could do moving forward with the existing plan would be something I’d insist on. I know budget is important, Mr. Torano.” This was my way of saying, I know you’re a cheapskate, though you’re worth millions uponmillions.
“Please call me Daimen, Ms. Arnold,” he said briskly and with a small grunt. I followed his eyes, and with a glare from his man, he returned a small smile my way. It made sweat pool at the base of my neck. He was a sexy Italian man. It was hard not to miss. Even if the smile was forced, it was the first time since I’d met him that he gave me a little morsel of his human side. It was short-lived when his mouth turned downward, but his timbre wasn’t as gruff. “Now, what will this cost in terms of the existing budget?” Daimen asked.
They didn’t know me from Adam—well, I guess that wasn’t true. Arden Blakely certainly knew me well, even if he didn’t remember. But they didn’t know how I thought or how I could knock them both down a peg or two if I really wanted. But the look I gave Arden had to be a universal sign for frustration combined with irritation. My pitch rose when I asked, “Did you not communicate any of this to your partner?”
“Honestly, Ms. Arnold, no.” And this time, if I had to guess, he gave me his I’m sorry not sorry look. “I had a feeling he would have,” he specified, pointing at Mr. Grumpy, “never agreed to this meeting had he known the bottom line. Your reputation precedes you, and I’d hoped you’d be able to sell yourself to him, as you’re doing. Daimen does worry about money.”
“If I take this job, changing the plans is non-negotiable.” In my attempt to monitor my cursing because it turned my male peers off to hear a woman swear like a sailor, I internally mused, How many freaking times do I have to tell them this? As I turned slightly, I noticed Andrew was entertained by the back and forth. It was then that I realized, between this and them mistaking me for a man, I
hadn’t introduced my best friend and soon-to-be partner. With a stalemate, I decided to break the ice. “By the way, this is Andrew Peters, my engineering expert and assistant.” I nodded, and as long as Andrew had known me, he knew he needed to take over now, or I’d blow a gasket at the grumpier one of these two hot men.
“I have the numbers here,” Andrew started, handing the two men a very official cost analysis. “As you see, the bottom line does increase by fifty percent; however, with the changes, our real estate agents feel that you can sell at a higher premium, both for the residential and commercial units sold.”
Daimen’s murderous eyes returned to the alpha male persona he’d displayed earlier. Arden’s sweet gaze drew my attention away from the mean one as Andrew continued with the numbers. “We can increase the selling price of the units by ten percent, but that won’t cover the extra forty percent difference we have to sink into this.”
I wanted this job more than any other one I’d been offered, so I was not done selling myself. I quickly took over when Andrew finished. “As you know, fixing other people’s mistakes are more expensive,” I clarified plainly. I wanted to say you’re a cheap SOB andthat’swhyyou’reinthisconundrum,but I refrained.
Daimen’s eyes finally peeled from the spreadsheet Andrew had given him. A surprise met me when he popped his head up from the numbers with a small grin. A little smirk looked sexy as sin on this man. Catching me admiring him, he turned his lips more into a fullblown smile when he replied, “Okay, Ms. Arnold, you’ve been very informative. I’ll talk this over with my partner, and we’ll get back to you by tomorrow.”
Even though I didn’t expect an answer right now, and I knew this was a blow off, I’d never let this man see me sweat. My tone was curt when I began, “I have another job I’m considering. Being honest with you, this is my first choice. If we aren’t a good match, I need to know your decision by tonight.” I had to be direct because I needed some sort of steady pay coming in.
Arden observed my tell it as it is sort of attitude with his kind eyes. “Ms. Arnold, we’ll know by the end of business tonight. We appreciate your commitment to all your clients.” His mannerisms
seemed genuine. The torrid dark eyes of the good-looking Italian man returned, and it had me questioning his business etiquette. Abrasive, controlling, and confusing were three words I’d choose to describe him in a matter of minutes from our first encounter.
This wasn’t how I envisioned the meeting going, but it was obviously over. “Okay, your secretary has my number.” I extended my hand to them. The grips of the men too told me something of their character. Arden’s hand was warm and inviting. Daimen’s shake was harder and stronger like his darker persona indicated the second I met him
“Thanks, Ms. Arnold, for your candidness,” Arden replied, his eyes prancing around my body—almost as though he was remembering it in detail. I wanted this job more than the other one. Fixing the work of a world-renowned architect would look good to my future clientele. But working with a controlling man like Daimen Torano? I wasn’t sure how I felt about it—even if his stare gave me goose bumps in all the right places.
“What the hell is your problem?” I asked Daimen, embarrassed and annoyed at the macho caveman behavior he displayed in our meeting with Elliot. Daimen’s anger was palpable. “First off, you fucking tricked me.” His lips were pressed together in a slight grimace. “And second, you sneaky son of a bitch, we can’t spend this kind of money.” His voice had torn past his normal abrasive tone and was now animated as he shouted. I tolerated many things from Daimen, but being shrieked at like the drama queen he was certainly wasn’t one of them.
I raked my hands through my hair and took a cleansing breath. “First off,” I started because if he wanted a list of reasons why we could do this, I’d give it to him. “We have the money, Mr. Cheapskate. And second, why are you fighting me on this? We’re leaving a legacy for our kids, our family. This will not break us financially if we go with Elliot.” I was working on emotion, and Daimen never did well with that. Facts—he needed facts, and I conjured up some sort of tranquility when I continued, “We can’t use the cheapest and most incapable person for the job. We’re going to fix this problem, or we’ll ruin our names.” Those were enough facts for his eyes to change from the deadly orbs that had been present only seconds earlier.
He strolled behind his desk, placing his hand flat, and raised his eyes to meet mine. “I agree with you, but I don’t like her. I want someone different.”
I knew it was childish, but I laughed, and it became a hysterical snicker. His I’mgoing to fuckyou butnot inthepleasantway stare reached my face when he shouted, “I don’t find this funny. How do you?”
“Oh, fuck, honey, how can you not see it?” Now, I was scrubbing my chin, trying to figure out the best way to break it to him.
“See what, Arden?” He only called me by my name when he was upset. It was evident that Daimen had become more offended with each moment of unexplained laughter. His face turned a deep red that made him look like a tomato.
“I know you’re mad, but it’s quite funny.” Daimen’s face contorted into a small rumple as it did every time I wound him up.
Now my man’s ears were bright red too. “So, Iwillask you again, you son of a bitch, why is this so funny?”
I tried to compose myself when I continued, “Honey, it’s just hell, she’s the female version of you.”
Daimen slammed his hand on his desk when he howled, “She is not!”
“Oh, you’re a stubborn bastard sometimes, and I fucking love you so much. But she is. Just. Like. You,” I claimed, and I couldn’t wait to share this with Scarlet. She’d get a kick out of it.
But even my man could see what was in front of him. When Daimen’s face started to turn to a little smirk, I understood he saw it too. “Okay, maybe she’s a bit assertive like I can be, but that’s the only similarity.”
“Oh, honey, you’re in so much denial. We need to go with her. You know that too. Right?” And in this, I was assertive, my tone just begging him to challenge me.
He left his spot behind the desk and walked my way with one of the few smiles I’d seen from him all morning. Cupping my head, he placed a kiss on my forehead. “I guess we should. I can’t fucking stand to listen to another ‘Itoldyouso’speech, babe.”
Here was my chance to push another agenda with him. It was risky, but I loved a challenge. “And, listen, while we’re at it, she’s pretty hot. Right?” I wasn’t sure how my man would take this, but, fuck, she was too sexy. That tight red dress, the wavy dark blonde
hair, and her heart-shaped ass were a few things that made my cock come alive. Somehow, I was able to keep my beast at bay, but, hell, she was my type—everything in a sweet and saucy package.
Daimen’s eyes growing darker by the second told me I was skating on thin ice. “So you’re telling me this after I agree to hire her. That, you asshole, is quite deceptive.”
How could I not laugh in his face? “Fuck, honey, you know a beautiful girl when you see one. You’re still turned on by women, and you can’t deny she’s beautiful.” I was waiting for an answer but realized hell would freeze over before I got one. “She has a body on her but isn’t a waif of skin and bones. She’s definitely a contender.”
“Oh, hell no, babe, you get that out of your mind right now. That’ll never happen.” His voice was as high as a schoolgirl. When he was in denial, I found his pitch could call dogs home.
In my everyday joking, I simply replied, “Okay, honey, I guess you’re right. Not sure I could handle two alphas like you both.”
Still in his arms, I felt safe. But my man was always business at work. “Let’s just get this out of the way. Set up a meeting to get this project started.”
He wanted me here with them during the boring financials. Hell no. “Honey, you know I can’t stand the money part as much as you hate the design issues I deal with. Although it would be fun to see you both spar for dominance around each other,” I added because my dick twitched at the images rattling through my mind.
He playfully smacked my ass, then reached his hand to stroke the outline of my groin. He must really feel playful because he barely allowed himself this type of pleasure in the office. “Okay, babe—for now,” he continued. “We’re ten minutes from home. And I need you. Fuck work because I want to fuck you.”
Oh, he’s primed and ready. Taking a minute, I messed with him a bit longer. “Before the meeting, you said it would be afternoon before we left, and it’s still technically morning,” I scolded.
“You’re being an adorable bastard right now. You know this?” He must have caught on that I was giving it to him good, but that was nothing compared to what I planned to give him the second we crossed the threshold to our home.
“Okay, you’ve convinced me. Let’s go,” I whispered in his ear.
There were so many things I loved about Chicago, but the cold winter was not one of them. My thoughts were on the meeting, the job, and the baby blues that once seared every part of my body. It was the winter winds raking through me that cooled what was rattling around in my brain.
“What are you thinking, Ell?” Andrew asked me the second we were outside the building.
My heart was a little wounded for a couple of reasons. How could henot remember me? Sure, I’d heard of the sexy men who’d been committed to one another and even saw pictures of them, but a newspaper article didn’t do Arden Blakely justice. Especially compared to the mind-numbing sensations he’d triggered in my body.
“There’s no way they will accept my terms. The good-looking blonde one may, but the more aggressive alpha will not allow it. You can tell who runs the relationship.” I stopped for a second, remembering how Arden had run the show during our one night together. All future men had been compared to him, and none had come within the hemisphere of the man I now knew was Arden Blakely. Needing Andrew’s perspective, I asked, “Hey, you swing that way, what do you think of them?” Because honestly, Arden was all into girlie parts the last time I was near him.
He smiled at my question. I knew my best friend was checking them out as much as I was. “Oh, sweetheart, they’re fine men, I’ll
give you that. I’m not attracted to the very muscular large ones like them, but they are hot as fuck. Surely, you’ve noticed it?”
Noticed was not even the right word for what I saw in both of them, even the grumpy one. “I know. It’s a shame they are both taken and playing for the other team.” I laughed. It was a joke I had repeated so many times to Andrew, normally about his most recent fling. He never seemed to want commitment, and my bestie was handsome in his own right.
He put his arm around my shoulder and giggled like a schoolgirl. “Not for those who are into men, my dear friend.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” I agreed when the vibration of my cell phone startled me. I scrambled to answer it before it went to voicemail. “This is Elliot Arnold.”
“Ms. Arnold, it’s Scarlet Reeves from Alders, Blakely, and Torano, LLC. I wanted to call and let you know that Mr. Torano has agreed to your terms. You’ll meet with our legal team first. Does eight a.m. tomorrow work for you and Mr. Peters?”
CouldIdoahappydanceonthesidewalksofChicagorightnow? I wondered. This was the last thing I’d expected. “Eight a.m. works.” I tried to play it cool and collected, but, hell, this was the best news. “And, Ms. Reeves, please thank both Mr. Blakely and Mr. Torano again for the opportunity.”
I stopped on the sidewalk of the very busy downtown Chicago street and latched onto Andrew tight, causing others to grumble as they went around us. “We got it, Andrew. We really got it. Now it’s time to fix that piece of crap architect’s designs.” I was pivoting through thoughts in my mind, organizing them like a filing cabinet. This would be my big break. And, for a bonus, I’d get into the mind of Arden Blakely too. Too bad it couldn’t be his pants because it was so much fun the first time.
MY LOFT APARTMENT WAS BRIGHT AND AIRY AND NOTHING LIKE MY contemporary designs. One day, I’d create my dream house for the
family I longed for. The idea of having the American dream played out in my thoughts like a movie in the theatre. That was the life I’d always wanted, one that people ached for in those sappy movies with the perfect ending.
For now, I called this little condo home, which was an old, large house converted into twelve small lofts. I made good money, and this job would put me on the map, but it wasn’t like I could afford the Jimmy Choos I loved or anything from the Vera Wang line. However, my home was my own, and I was able to afford the mortgage payment and still live comfortably.
I’d started to acquire an impressive clientele list, but with going out on my own, and the added paycheck of Andrew—I had to be careful.
My loft was pure white. All the white made my house feel clean, but I was OCD to begin with, being a classic type A personality. I could ice people out, it was my way, but it did lead for a boring life. Except for Andrew and Levi, I was alone. My last serious boyfriend, one I regretted as much as that perm in tenth grade, was scared of my success.
“Okay, Ell, whatcha thinking?” Andrew questioned with my design book in hand.
I looked at the existing plans and then my new sketches while reading the list of changes. “I think we can get as low as forty percent of an increase, but I just don’t know what sort of damage we’re looking at or redos. Shit, I can’t ask for more money, and that dark brooding man was not one to be trifled with.” Though internally, I wanted to trifle with him.
“Hell, Ell, these are your best ones yet. I wish I could’ve seen what you would’ve done before rehab had started on the buildings. These condos are going to be gorgeous. Absolutely wonderful.”
I began to fill him in on all my plans, changing the existing ten standard floors. By making more usable square footage, they could charge more for the condos. After four hours of making engineering changes, which was Andrew’s specialty, we called it a night. I was so tired and barely able to keep my eyes open, but the ding of my
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