Home For The Holidays

I was already annoyed that she’d gone shopping without me. Not that I would’ve gone to the mall, that’s not how I shop these days. I would’ve called someone to come here and bring her what she needs. But she’s already trying hard to get used to all the other restrictions I’ve put on her in the last week or so, and there’s a hell of a lot more to come, so I wanted to give her this, at least before I tighten the leash. Now I’m regretting it.

Where the fuck does Lisa get off? Is it the money? She should have a fair amount socked away by now since, in the past two years, she didn’t have to touch her capital because I took care of everything. I didn’t buy her gifts, but she had a monthly allowance, which was way more than her pay and her home was free.

There were no bills to speak of, and I’d even played around with the idea of opening an account at many of the boutiques and designer stores in the area. Something we’d discussed but for some reason, I’d never got around to because it seemed more like something you’d do for your wife.

I’m sure she’d miss the money, but surely she could find someone else to set her up in the same type of arrangement since she had no interest in permanency. It’s the only reason I’d gone into the agreement with her in the first place because she assured me that she was able to handle a no-strings arrangement that we can both walk away from when the time came. So why did she approach Samantha, and how does she even know who she is?

I’d called her after calling Samantha and told her to come to my office so I can put an end to this once and for all. I won’t have my woman being accosted like that, and it’s burning me up inside that anyone dared. So what I was screwing Lisa a little less than two months ago, Samantha wasn’t in the picture then, and Lisa knew the score.

If it weren’t for Samantha and her damn need for secrecy, none of this would’ve happened because everyone would’ve known that she’s mine. Or maybe I’m wrong, and Samantha’s been right all along, that no woman would have a relationship with someone for two years without some kind of expectation for something more.

How could I have been so blind? It doesn’t matter now anyway, it’s over, and that’s that. I just need to get it through her head that if she comes near Samantha again, she’ll be landing herself in more trouble than she can handle.

I was alerted to their approach and sat behind my desk to keep some space between them and I when they walked in. Not for any other reason than I wasn’t sure what I would do upon seeing Lisa. She hadn’t landed the slap, but the intent had been there, and that’s a fucking no-no.

“Samantha, come here.” I held out my hand for her to come to me, and she came around the desk and stood by my side. “Are you okay baby, she didn’t hit you?” She had the nerve to roll her damn eyes at me, something I’ve told her numerous times over the last week I hate.

“Of course not; her arms and legs are still intact, aren’t they. If that twit had touched me, I’d have broken them off and beat her over the head with them.” There was an odd sound coming from the wall next to the door where her security detail was standing. It was obvious that both men were trying hard not to laugh. “You two may go; I’ve got her.”

I finally turned my attention to Lisa, who was sputtering and looking mad as hell. “Lisa, was there something about the end of our arrangement that you didn’t understand?” I reached into my desk and drew out the contract I had put there. “Here’s the contract you signed…”

“You made her sign a contract? Like I said, a sinecure.”

“Samantha!” That one-word warning shushed her…where the hell did she learn that word? And she calls me a nerd. I’m sure no one of my acquaintance has ever used that word, ever, or even know what it means.” Damn, girl is a walking encyclopedia, but I’m the nerd.

“As I was saying, Lisa, you and I had an agreement that came to what I thought was an amicable end. What was between us had nothing to do with Samantha. I’m not going to ask how you knew who she was or how you found her, but I will tell you this. Forget you ever even heard about her. Whatever you had planned, you should discard immediately unless you want your whole life to unravel.”