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“Are you dodging my calls, handsome?” Natalie’s raspy voice interrupts my lunch. I look up from my phone to see her leaning over my table, her blouse gaping open.
“No, just been busy is all. How’d you know where to find me?”
“Called your secretary. She said you were at your usual and I remember we met here a few times for some postcoital sustenance.” She drags her teeth over her bottom lip as she takes a seat across from me, crossing one leg over the other.
How the fuck did I ever find this woman attractive? Her overtly sexual prowess now turns my stomach.
“I wasn’t sure if some mousy little schoolteacher was taking up all your attention.”
I don’t acknowledge her comment with a response. “What can I do for you, Natalie? What does Nile want clarification on?”
She reaches into her satchel and produces a manila envelope. “They have some basic demands; they want to make sure their current employees stay and their pensions, vacation, wages, etc. stay the same. There are a few other odds and ends I’d have your legal team look over.” She slides it across the table to me.
“Will do. When do they want an answer?”
“End of the quarter at the latest.” She doesn’t leave. She folds her arms over her chest and I know something’s coming. “So my parents mentioned seeing your parents down in the Bahamas, said they played with Daisy. They didn’t mention seeing you but based on your sun-kissed glow, I’d say you were also there.”
“I was. I stayed on my yacht.” I take another bite of my steak, waiting for her to get to her point.
“You should have told me. I would have kept you company.” She runs her finger over the rim of my glass like it’s supposed to be sexy but it’s actually gross.
“I was drinking out of that.”
“Oops.” She gives me a coy smile.
I drop my fork and knife, wiping my mouth and tossing my napkin on the table. “Look, Natalie, I know we had some fun in the past, but we both agreed that’s all it was, all it would ever be. I think we both know it was born out of loneliness on my part after Mira died and for you, after your divorce. That being said, I thought it made it pretty clear when I didn’t respond to your last text after reaching out to you. It’s not only unethical but a conflict of interest with this deal between me and Nile.” I try to say it as clear and straightforward as possible without sounding like an asshole.
“Well”—she sighs dramatically—“good to know you pick and choose where your ethics lie.”
“Meaning what, Natalie?” I don’t attempt to hide my exasperated tone. I always knew it was a fucking mistake to hook up with her. I wanted to say as much right now, but this deal is at risk and I’m not looking to lose it.
“Meaning it seems like it would be unethical to screw your daughter’s teacher but what do I know?”
“You’re right, you don’t know.”
“Oh please, Weston, I saw the way you looked at her the other day when I walked in on you two. You used to look at me that way.”
That makes me laugh. I stand up, grabbing the envelope she brought for me. “I never looked at you that way, Natalie. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“So what? I’m just tossed aside now that you found a younger, boring woman to entertain you for a minute? It would be a real shame if the school knew about you two.”
I stop in my tracks. If there’s one thing I don’t take kindly to, it’s threats. “You knew what it was between us from the beginning so don’t you dare try and turn this around and play fucking victim. In fact, you sought me out and threw yourself at me when I was grieving. So be a big girl and get the fuck over it. You made your bed, Natalie.”
* * *
“You look beautiful.” I stand up from Daphne’s couch as she walks out into her living room.
“Is it too much?” She spins around in the red silk dress that lays perfectly against the shape of her body.
“Are you kidding me?” I grab her hand and pull her toward me. “It’s going to get you fucked in the car on the way to dinner if that’s what you mean by too much. Otherwise, no, you look breathtaking.” It sits just off her shoulders, her delicate collarbones on display. I run my tongue over one, my hand resting against her neck. “Are you hungry?”
“Mmm, yes.”
“Good, me too. You’re going to be my dessert.” A knock on the door interrupts me. I look at Daphne who looks just as confused as me. The knock sounds again, only louder.
I walk to the door, looking through the peephole before pulling it open. A short, disheveled man in a green beanie is standing in the doorway.
“Who are you?” he demands, attempting to look past me. “Daphne? Daphne, are you in there?”
