Lust & Lies Box Set-Sexual Awakenings, Excess, Predator & Prey

Amber lingered in my office doorway. “Thank you, Taylor.” She closed the door as I texted Cedric.

We go back in six weeks.

I’ll be there.

Somewhere between work and sleep, I zoned out in my office. The sun was setting outside my window, and a velvet haze filled the room with soft light.

I sat back in my chair and sighed. It had been almost three weeks since I’d seen Daniello. I’d slept in the penthouse on several occasions in hopes of being surprised, but it was all in vain. I needed a distraction. Amber was soaring. So was Scott Solutions, thanks to order and excellence.

Amber’s words hit me in the chest.

“Are you happy?”

No. That was the truth. I had all the money I would ever need, but I was entirely lacking in my second reality. I was attached to a man who consistently cut our ties, to a man I swore I wouldn’t bind myself to in both heart and mind. And flashing images of his perfect smile beneath deadly sexy brown eyes did little to ease the ache.

“I don’t need love, Daniello.”

“I know.”

Was I a liar? All that I felt seemed to be brimming to the surface as I thought of how he’d taken me from a place of denying everything related to my heart and hammered his way in, regardless of the space between us. I was falling.

“Where in the fuck are you?” I hung my head in defeat. Just as I’d decided to suck it up and dig back into my workload, Nina chose that moment to knock on my door. “Taylor?”

“Come in.”

She graced me with a soft smile as she sauntered into the room. She looked happy. “What are you doing?”

“I’m looking through Vogel’s proposal. Did you see his latest numbers?”

She nodded as she took the chair opposite of my desk. “I did.”

I closed the thick file. “I think it’s a no-brainer. You should do this deal.”

“Agreed. I’ll call him in the morning.”

Nina sat patiently and studied me.

I met her eyes. “Is there something else?”

“Nope.” She moved to leave her chair and then slid back in. “Got any wine?”

“Where’s Devin?”

Nina chuckled and shook her head. “While you’re making it clear, dear partner, that you’re in need of privacy, I’m doing the same by way of your company. Humor me.”

I smiled across my desk at her. “I have whiskey.”

“My favorite.”

“Mine too.” I pulled a bottle of Maker’s Mark from my desk and grabbed two glasses from a side cart I kept on hand for clients. I poured us two fingers each.

Nina sipped her blend and sat back, the instant effect of the burn putting her more at ease. I too felt the remedy in my long sip and sank a little in my seat.

“We work too much,” Nina said with a sigh.

“We’re good at it.” It was the truth. Scott Solutions had only grown, and we were two of the most watched businesswomen in Charleston. A sudden onslaught of guilt ripped through me as I thought of the repercussions that my personal life might bring, not only with Laz but also with Daniello. I was relieved the moment had presented itself.

“I’m actually glad you’re here. I need to tell you something.” I bit my lip as she looked me over apprehensively. I took a long pull of the whiskey before I spoke. “My past. It’s scandalous. More than that, it’s illegal. In the future, if we’re spotlighted for our success, some things may come out.”