Out Of Order

Out Of Order By Kristen Luciani Cover Design by Natasha Snow (http://www.natashasnowdesigns.com) Editing by Megan Saperstein ([email protected])

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

OUT OF ORDER Copyright © 2017 KRISTEN LUCIANI



Chapter One

It was her eyes that made my heart damn-near stop beating, not the skirt tightly hugging her shapely ass. I had to adjust my half-hard under the conference room table. Under normal circumstances, I’d have walked into the room at least five minutes late with a piercing stare that’d frighten the shit out of anyone in its path. I’d been perfecting it for years, and the effects never disappointed me. It sent a lot of prospects running for their lives. Those were the ones I had no interest in hiring. But on this particular day, I had already been seated at the table, grilling some pretentious cocksucker who had ‘connections’ that landed him in the chair across from me. I was pretty sure he’d be running back to Daddy after our interview, since he sure as shit wouldn’t be getting an offer from this firm. Interviews weren’t my thing, but as an aspiring senior partner of the firm, I was unceremoniously ordered by my boss to participate in the hiring process. If memory serves, I believe the request sounded something like this… “Hey Connor, why don’t you try to polish up your prick-ass reputation and actually show interest in the candidates who want to represent our firm?” I’d spewed a few choice words, reminding him of my track record, which was partially attributed to my prick-ass rep, but then decided it might not be such a bad idea. Especially if I got to screen the entitled jackasses who’s gotten every opportunity by riding coattails. They’d never clear my barbed wire barricades. I didn’t believe in taking handouts, and I sure as hell never had anyone give me anything I didn’t deserve, so they were SOL as far as I was concerned.

Except for this next prospect. Valentina Masterson. She’d interned at our west coast office, so I’d never had the pleasure of meeting her. Daughter of Hartley Masterson, one of the firm’s oldest and most cutthroat partners. That’s why his was one of the names on the letterhead, and in gold lettering on the firm’s entry doors, and etched into the glass doors leading into this conference room. I was scrolling through the endless list of emails I’d neglected, pissed off I’d have to give her a pass even though I’d been told not to go easy on her during the interview. She actually wanted to score an offer on her own merit. What a novel idea. When she walked into the room, her bright green eyes attacked with laser focus. No fear, no anxiety, no intimidation hid in those pools as she sank into a leather chair. Her pink glossed lips curled upward, and my cock twitched. It, like me, was wondering how it might feel to have that self-assured mouth wrapped around it. Then, reality set in. I was sure if she opened her mouth, she’d ruin her chances, because what were the odds that she’d look like a runway model and have a functioning brain? I’d judged. Wrongly. “Mr. Gregory, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.” It was a full five seconds before I found my voice and uttered a reply. “Thanks for coming in, Miss…” I made a show of peering at the paper in front of me. The letters of her name swam across the resume. “Masterson.” I looked up, her steady gaze was confident, daring almost, begging me to give her a run for her money. Except she had no idea what that entailed, and how many

scenarios I’d already conjured up in my very deviant mind. “Your credentials are impressive. Why don’t you tell me why you’re here? Why Wallace & Masterson Associates?” Perfect white teeth sparkled as she spoke. I didn’t give a fuck what she had to say. I just wanted to watch her lips move, to see how they formed each word; the slow and deliberate motions that I knew would dangle me over the edge of my sanity. Blah, blah, blah. And then… “But really, it’s because of you, Mr. Gregory.” Cue the record-scratch-sound-effect. What about me, again? “Please enlighten me, Miss Masterson.” “Well, you’re one of the best in the country. I’d do anything for an opportunity to train under you.” Okay. Anything she’d be willing to do under me would be pretty fucking epic, as far as I was concerned. “One of the best?” A dimple formed in her left cheek as her grin widened. “If I said you were the best, you’d just think I was blowing smoke to get the job.” “Maybe.” I’d love to have her blowing something; that was for sure. “Is that the furthest you’d be willing to go in order to get an offer?” “I think my credentials speak for themselves.” They did. Any illusions about nepotism had flown out the window. She’d graduated top of her class from Fordham Law, and I was pretty sure other big firms in the New York City area had heavily recruited her. “Defense law can get dirty. Are you sure you wouldn’t be more comfortable in some cushy corporate job?” Her lips parted and she leaned toward me, just close enough so that the black lace of her bra peeked out of the deep V-neck shirt clinging to a pair of luscious tits. “I like

to get dirty. It makes me hot.” Okay, so that last part may be somewhat of an embellishment. Screw it. That’s how I like to remember that interview. It’s been six months since I first took a bite out of that shiny, forbidden apple, and I’ve never been the same. I page through the never-ending list of emails on my laptop. Jesus Christ, it’ll take me a year to read all of them, but that ain’t happening tonight. I collapse against my chair and stare out the large window behind my desk. No, I have much different, and more salacious, plans for the evening, none of which include typing out bullshit case statuses to my clients. People pay this firm obscene amounts of money to defend their alleged honor in court, and most of them clamor to have me in their corner since they don’t deserve to see the light of day, but that’s not my concern. My only job is to convince the jury otherwise. I don’t give a shit whether or not they committed a crime, just that they pay our exorbitant fees. And they always write out those checks, because of what they know I alone can do. Case in point, my latest client, John Cosgrove, an unfortunate soul who’d gotten caught up with some shady characters who pinned a drug trafficking offense on him. I tap a pen on the corner of the large mahogany desk. A pain shoots down the back of my neck. It’s stress, but not from building my case. I’ve always been impervious to anything remotely emotional, which didn’t really bode well for my ex-wife. I’m the job. Always have been. Until I wasn’t. Screwing associates was never my thing, though. I never dipped my wick in the office pool. The walls have eyes and ears, and as impressive as it is, I’m not about to be caught with my dick hanging out of my pants. But

then Valentina strutted into this office with a resume that would make any prospective employer’s jaw drop to the floor. Couple that with her porn star ass and tits, and it was instant hard-on. The only problem? I still haven’t lost the hard-on. She has my head…or rather, both my heads…in a million places. I need her, crave her, cannot function without her. That first taste turned me into an addict, and I have no desire for rehab. In short? I’m pretty fucked, in more ways than one. A soft knock sends me flying out of my chair. She’s here, and I finally feel right again, save for the fucking alien that’s taken over my mind and my heart. Val pushes open the door, giving me a view of the darkened hallway. Perfect. We’re alone. Let the deviance commence. Her face lights up with a smile as she inches closer, infusing the air around us with the fresh scents of soap and flowers. I’d sacrifice my next breath for a taste. No, fuck that, I want the whole meal. “Hey,” she breathes, her hand grazing my bicep. “You’re late. You know how much I hate it when people are late to meetings.” A slow, seductive smile lifts her shiny red lips, and she slinks around me, circling me like I’m the prey. And I love it when she takes the reins. “I have a few ideas about how I can wiggle my way back into your good graces, Boss.” I fold my arms and cock an eyebrow. “Did you bring it?” She leans in, just enough to give me a clear view of what’s waiting for me underneath that tight white top. At this point, my pants are equally tight, and about to bust open at the seams. “Don’t you want to frisk me for it?” “I’m biding my time, trying to figure out exactly where

you might have stashed it. If I’m going to frisk you, it’s going to take some time. And I won’t be gentle.” “I was hoping you’d say that.” She backs up toward the edge of my desk, her green eyes never straying from my face as she slowly slides her hands up the sides of her toned legs, raising her skirt to reveal lace-topped thigh highs, and a single piece of paper tucked into the waistband. Did I mention how much I love my fucking job? She yanks on my tie, pulling me toward her, locking her ankles around my waist. “How’d I do? Is my tardiness forgiven?” “It’s a little early to say.” I unclip her hair, letting the thick, auburn waves cascade over her shoulders. She tilts her head back, giving me full access to the smooth column of her neck. I drag my fingertips over the soft skin leading to her full breasts, popping open the buttons of her shirt. “We have work to do.” I slide the jacket off her shoulders. The silky fabric of her shirt flutters down to the floor next to it. “Ooh, I was hoping you were going to punish me first.” Her teasing voice almost makes me reconsider my plans, but it’s a good lesson in restraint, something I’ve been missing lately. “I still haven’t told you what kind of work I’m talking about, have I?” I nuzzle her ear. “Now, be a good girl and loosen those legs. I have something for you.” Her lips form a playful pout, but she obeys. I open one of the desk drawers and pull out a black scarf, dangling it in front of her amused gaze. “Are you ready to get started?” “So ready.” She holds out her hands, wrists close together, anxious to please me, as always. My dick throbs as I wind the flimsy material around her

wrists. My fingers move to the back of her skirt, grasping the zipper and pulling it down. I slide it over the curves of her hips and it pools at her ankles, leaving her in lingerie that would be more aptly described as a few scraps of lace held together with string. With a flick of my fingers, I unclasp her bra, letting it fall to the floor, followed by her barely-there panties. I fall to my knees and push open her thighs. “I know you’ve done your research on this case. What little detail did the prosecution overlook that’s going to cement the win for us? You need to focus.” A loud gasp escapes her lips as my tongue flicks her clit before delving into her opening. I grasp her tight ass, my fingers digging into the flesh, pulling her closer so my mouth can get leverage. She squeals, her legs closing around me. “Oh my God, Connor…” I pause, breathless. “Tell me, Val. Otherwise, you know what I’ll do.” It’s not so much that I’m a deviant fuck, but I love having control. It’s part of the reason why I’m so screwed. Every day, I fall harder and harder for this woman, and every day I lose more of that precious control I crave almost as much as her. That scares the shit out of me. Her voice trembles as she struggles for words. “J-John Cosgrove, 38 years-old…” she croaks. “Picked up for drug trafficking in Hamilton Park on the night of March third. Ahh!” “Good girl, keep going.” “The testimony…of every witness…oh, fuck!” “Talk, gorgeous. Or I stop.” “N-no! Please no…” Her thighs tremble and I know she’s close to the edge, but I won’t give her what she wants. Not until I get what I want. “All their stories match. N-no discrepancies.” She bites her lower lip and thrusts farther into my greedy mouth.

“And what does that mean for the defense?” “That we’re screwed!” Interesting choice of words, under the circumstances. Her body convulses on the desk, unable to maintain control for a second longer, despite my empty threats. “Except we’re not. Tell me why.” “B-because…the witness list…I b-brought you…has a new name on it.” “And what name is that?” The corners of her lips curl into a self-satisfied smile, her forehead glistening with tiny beads of perspiration. “The name of the eyewitness the prosecution overlooked.” I run my hand down the length of her torso, her smooth skin now flushed. “And who found this needle in a haystack?” Her smile widens. “You did.” “That’s right.” My fingers graze the sensitive area between her thighs while my other hand fumbles with my belt buckle. The swollen head of my cock strains against my boxer briefs. Val loops her fingers into the waistband, pushes them to the floor, and then reaches for me, teasing my slit with her thumb and forefinger. “And what did we find out during our interview?” Her hooded eyes gaze at me with a scorching heat that singes my insides. She licks the palm of her hand before grasping my dick, stroking me long and hard. Such a sexy fucking move, I could come right now if I let myself. “That John Cosgrove isn’t the drug dealer after all.” I let out a low moan and push her hand away so my dick has full access to her wet pussy. “And how can we be sure of that, Counselor?” She loops her restrained arms around my neck and presses her breasts against me. “Because John

Cosgrove wasn’t in the park that night. He was in his office, fucking his secretary. It was caught on an iPhone video with a timestamp because he’s a deviant fuck, much like someone else I know.” “Very good,” I breathe against her sweet-smelling neck. “Now tell me one more thing before I give you the most earth-shattering orgasm of your life. Who came up with the idea to check the security cameras at Cosgrove’s office?” “You.” Her teeth graze my earlobe, and good Christ, I can’t hold on any more. I drive into her heat, my cock throbbing with each hard thrust. I reach behind me and untie the scarf, giving her fingers full access to lance the shit out of my back. I fist her hair with my free hand, my lips devouring hers like I’m a starving man, and they’re the last morsel of food on earth. I tighten my arms around her, sliding in and out with slow, deep strokes until I reach the spot that makes her scream. Her pussy clenches around me, drowning me in her desire until the massive explosion detonates and rockets through my limbs. I collapse onto my hands as she lies on the desk, still beneath my chest. “You’re a fast learner, Val,” I murmur, kissing the tip of her nose. “I’ve trained you well.” “Don’t ever stop…” A loud knock interrupts my next quip. Fuck. Who the hell is that? “Connor? You in there?” Goddammit! Frank DeLuca, my long-time rival, who just happens to be up for the same promotion as I am. “Get under the desk,” I hiss. Val’s face twists into a grimace, a mix of disgust and panic, and I can’t deal with either of the two at this second. “Give me a second,

Frank. I’m finishing a call.” If that bastard finds out Val is in here…shit, I can’t even think about it. Epic disaster on way too many levels to count. I pull up my pants and re-buckle my belt. At least my shirt and tie are still intact. I kick Val’s shoes under the couch as I stride toward the door. I’m greeted by a tight smile that’s disingenuous as all hell. He may have almost caught me holding my dick, but he’ll never be able to outsmart me on a professional level. He pushes past me and flops onto the couch. “I heard you have a new lead on the Cosgrove case.” “I can’t really talk about it, but yeah, we’ve uncovered some new evidence.” His eyes narrow. “You have to submit it by tomorrow so that it’s admissible in court.” “I’ve already got the paperwork in place, but thanks for belaboring the obvious.” I can’t resist. He’s such a tool. What fucking game is he playing, anyway? He taps his foot on the carpet. “So you feel pretty confident, huh?” “It’s an open and shut case. At least, now it is.” “And you’ve been doing a lot of coaching, I notice.” “What are you getting at, Frank?” He shrugs, leaning forward. “Just an observation. You and Val seem to be spending a lot of time together. She’s your subordinate, so I imagine you’re grooming her for the next step, am I right?” “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I happen to think she’s got lots of promise.” Little hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention as I follow his gaze to the floor, where a white card peeks out from under a chair. My throat tightens as he pulls out Val’s ID card. Fuck me hard.

He holds it between his fingers, a cocky smile lifting his lips. “I guess she left this in here during your last meeting.” He reclines against the deep brown cushions. “How’d she manage to get out of the building without it?” Because she’d need to swipe it to get through the turnstile in the lobby… Sonofabitch! “She’s a smart girl. I’m sure she went to Security and had them escort her out.” “I guess it should be on their logs then. You know how Finance can be with stuff like this. If we’re billing, then we need to have record of hours worked, blah, blah, blah. But I’m sure it’s fine. You’re her boss. You can vouch for her whereabouts, right?” He stands up and stretches his arms overhead. “Christ, I’m tired. Long day, huh?” “The longest.” Dread lands in my gut with the force of a cement block. “I’ll let you get back to work. I’m out of here. See you in the morning.” With a quick salute, he disappears out the door. I shove the door closed and collapse onto the couch, my head in my hands. Val leaps to her feet, her eyes wide with terror. “Holy fuck!” she whisper-yells. “He knows, Connor!” “I know.” I rake a hand through my dark hair. “But he has no proof. Don’t worry about it.” Total bullshit. I know Frank, and though he can’t come close to matching my prowess in the courtroom, he’s a slime ball motherfucker who will sink to vile levels to get his way on any other stage. “Are you seriously telling me not to worry?” She shimmies back into her lingerie and thrusts her arms back into her shirt. “My father is a named partner at this firm! If Frank leaks this, my career is finished!”

“Do you really think I’d let that happen?” She pulls up her skirt and grabs her shoes. “Oh, so I’m supposed to believe you’re going to put your head on the chopping block for me. Such a self-sacrificing move from the guy who thinks a long-term relationship is going to the same barber for two weeks in a row!” Long-term relationship? My stomach rolls at the mention of it. “Don’t worry, Connor. I know what this is. I was stupid to think it could be more, and even more stupid to have allowed it to happen in the first place.” I leap to my feet. “You’re acting like a crazy person! You have a bottle of that horrible smelling lavender spray on my nightstand! And that crap you love in your coffee is sitting in my refrigerator! I haven’t had any other woman spend the night since my divorce,” I admit. Val zips up her skirt and slips on her heels. With a flip of her hair, she stalks toward the door. “None of it means anything, Connor. Not if you can’t say the words. And I refuse to jeopardize my livelihood anymore. I didn’t work my ass off for years only to get canned for sleeping with my boss. To be made an example of would be humiliating! And not just for me. I have to think about my father. I’ll request a transfer in the morning. I’m sorry.” Her hand freezes on the door handle and she twists around to look at me. I can see the regret in her eyes, the pain etched on her face. I know she needs to hear the words, but I can’t say them. With a sniffle, she pulls open the door and disappears down the hall. I’m a fucking coward, and now karma is back to bite me in the ass, just like I’d always feared it would.

**** “You look like shit, Connor. What the hell happened?”

“I fucked up.” “And that’s supposed to surprise me?” Anderson, my closest friend and the head of technology for the firm, cocks an eyebrow. “What happened? Did you bang another newbie from the prosecutor’s office?” I was never going to live that down. How the hell was I supposed to know she’d be opposing me in court the following morning during the biggest trial of my early career? And for what? Sex that was mediocre at best? “No.” “But you banged someone.” He knows me too well. “And it isn’t just someone, is it?” I cover my face with my hands. “No.” “What happened to not shitting where you eat? As I recall, that was your rule.” I peek over my fingers. “How did you know?” “You really need to work on your stealthiness.” Anderson snickers and takes a gulp of his scotch. “And you also might want to consider putting blinds on your office windows if you’re planning to expose your buck-ass naked self to the world while banging a certain associate from behind.” I let out a groan. Big time oversight on my part. But what a night that was. Nothing mediocre about it. Quite the opposite, actually. “It was way after hours.” “Not for everyone. Dude, that image is burned into my brain, and not in a good way. I’ll never work late without asking for your evening itinerary again. Parking my car in a spot right under your office has proven to be more disturbing than some of the shit on PornHub, that’s for sure.” “I wouldn’t know, since I prefer to act rather than watch.” I take a long gulp of whiskey and slam the empty

glass on the table. “Although it doesn’t look like I’ll be doing any acting tonight.” “Are you gonna tell me what happened or what?” “I’m in love with her.” “Get the fuck out of here. How’d you let that happen? I didn’t know you were capable, man.” “I’m not. Well, I wasn’t. It doesn’t matter, anyway. She ended it.” “Why? She doesn’t feel the same way? Or you finally realized that sleeping with a subordinate, namely Hartley Masterson’s daughter, might not be the idea of the century.” “Look, I know it wasn’t a smart move. On a lot of levels. I also never told her how I feel. It was only supposed to be sex, nothing more. But she flipped out, said she couldn’t handle it, that someone would eventually find out and that would be it for her career. So she bolted. Requested a transfer.” I lean back and tap my fingers on the bar. “It was a smart move for her. She’s right. I can’t give her what she needs, and if someone found out…” “I’m kind of at a loss here. I’ve never heard you talk this way about a woman, not even the one you were married to.” “Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter. She knows I can’t give her what she wants or what she deserves. So she picked her career because I’m too much of a chicken shit and she’s too smart to give up her livelihood for a guy who’s got the emotional stability of Jell-O.” “So you’re going to just let it go without telling her the truth?” “What good would it do? We were doomed from the start. I knew it, and she finally caught on, too. Besides, I don’t have much choice since Val made her position pretty damned clear.” Every word slurred shredded

another piece of my heart. Christ, before Val, I wasn’t even convinced it worked. It just seemed to sit there in its cavity, not really doing much beyond pumping blood. But Valentina…she gave it the workout of a lifetime. And now, I’m just left with a fucking horrible ache; one that is the closest to breaking me than anything I’ve ever experienced. But Val isn’t about to compromise her career for me - the playboy commitment-phobe, who has no use for emotion. She’s worked too long and too hard to jeopardize it for the great unknown; in other words, me. I’m the wild card she’d never counted on, the one who can make her livelihood crumble, scattering around her sky-high stilettos. So she left and shattered me. For the first time in my life.

Chapter Two

It feels like months since I’ve seen Val, even though it’s really only been about a week or so. She pulled herself off the case and found a new home in Mergers and Acquisitions days later. Mingling at this firm teambuilding dinner event is equivalent to dying a slow death. I catch a glimpse of some junior associates and duck in the opposite direction, not in any mood to stomach the suckups. They all know I’m prepping for a major case, and everyone wants to see their name on the winning team roster. Only problem is, I can’t get Val out of my head long enough to even draft an opening statement. There better be a secluded bar somewhere in this place. I need a fucking shot of something harsh, followed by about ten more, so I can suffer in solitude. The ballroom is dim enough where I can huddle in a corner, nursing my bruised ego with some liquid therapy. It won’t fix me, but it’ll at least numb my brain for a little while. It’s the same plan I’ve been executing ever since Val said goodbye. I lift the shot glass to my lips, watching my colleagues shake it on the dance floor, either kissing ass or planning to tag some for later. Throw a bunch of off-the-clock lawyers together with a plethora of booze, and it’s an insta-party. I’ve been to enough of these teambuilding dinners to know how many of my fellow colleagues will be knocking headboards tonight, taking the team concept a bit too literally. I collapse against the back of the chair and trace a line in the fine wood grain on the table top. The pang in my chest has morphed into a dull ache that refuses relief on any level. I’ve never experienced heartbreak before,

nothing remotely close to it. I’d been stoic through my whole divorce, through my ex-wife Kate’s tears, her begging and pleading. Marriage wasn’t for me, and I’d always known it. I figured I’d just accept it and move on with my life alone. I didn’t. A flash of red passes in front of my eyes and my throat tightens. It hadn’t been until Val that I realized I wasn’t meant to be on my own forever. There was someone out there who could change me, someone who could make me want to take a chance on love…and I’d fallen in love with her. Hard. Sleeping with an associate was bad enough, but knowing said associate is the daughter of one of the firm’s principals? Career suicide if shit goes south. Besides, where the hell is it going? She’s not about to blow her chances at success for someday, maybe. “You look like hell, Connor, not like a guy who’s prepping the biggest case of his career.” My eyes flicker toward the man standing in front of me. Perfect. Frank DeLuca, of all people, is right in time to witness the noose around my neck choke me to death; ironically, the one he’d hung there. “So you’re saying I should have gone with the other shirt instead of this one?” I gulp the amber-colored liquid. Prick. What the hell does he want now? He’s done enough damage. “You should have done a lot of things differently.” I narrow my eyes. “What are you getting at?” Frank pulls out a chair and drops into it. “I’m just curious to know how a certain partner is going to feel, knowing one of his prospective candidates for promotion is sleeping with a subordinate, specifically his daughter.” The glass slips from my grip and lands with a clunk on the table, my fingers itching to knock that shit-eating grin

off his face. “I’m tired of your bullshit insinuations, Frank. You have no idea what you’re talking about.” Frank’s eyes glint with malice. “I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. Color me so not surprised when you started banging Valentina. It was only a matter of time. I knew you’d never be able to keep your dick in your pants for too long.” “What’s the matter, Frank?” I seethe. “Are you jealous you could never get the attention of someone like Val because she’d smell the scumbag on you a mile away?” My heart thuds so loudly, I can barely hear his response. And I really wish I hadn’t. “I’m sick of playing second best to you, asshole. I deserve this promotion just as much as you do. And trust me, I’ll attract plenty when they smell the winner on me. So, here’s the very simple plan. You throw this case, and nobody ever finds out about you and Val. You cross me, and I’ll make sure your resume is at the top of the pile at McDonald’s.” Frank folds his arms and his lips curl into a nasty smirk. “Get rid of the new evidence and clear the path for me. That’s all you need to do, Connor.” I grit my teeth. “You need to bait me to get the promotion? Not confident enough in your ability to actually win a case?” “Dude, I have plenty of faith in myself, but I also believe in having some insurance.” Frank stands, the leer still plastered on his face. “Seems like a pretty cut and dried choice. And Val is looking hot as fuck tonight, so have at it. No risk.” “You have no proof.” It’s a weak argument, definitely not one of my most thought-out, but I’m desperate and slightly hammered. How could he know anything? Unless the sick fuck had been watching… “You’re gonna choke on those words, Connor. Very

soon.” Frank stands, narrowing his beady eyes. “Consider my terms while Val is sucking your dick later. I hope she’s worth the dent in your career plans.” My fists twitch at my sides, and the overwhelming urge to tackle Frank to the floor and pound his face into chopped meat grabs hold. If we’d been anywhere else, I don’t know that I would have stopped myself from doing just that. Exercising restraint has never been my strong suit. I scan the room for the vixen in red. My breath catches as one of the spotlights illuminating the dance floor flickers atop her glossy hair. Her eyes drift away from the person she’s talking to, and suddenly, they’re fixed on me. But something is missing. That light I’ve come to know and love has blown, like a burnt out light bulb. Her eyes reflect the hollowness in my soul…the empty feeling that’s taken residence ever since she said we’re over. I stand, unsteady after all the booze, but I need to tell her the truth about how I feel. And somehow my telepathic plea sends her gliding toward me, almost as if her feet aren’t touching the floor. Like she’s some kind of an angel, floating on air. Jesus, maybe I’ve had one shot too many. “Connor Gregory!” A booming voice belonging to Hartley Masterson sends me stumbling backward against the bar. No, please no. Not now. I hold out my hand and force a smile, noting that Val has stopped dead in her path toward me. “Mr. Masterson, it’s a great to see you again.” I almost choke as Val’s father slaps me on the back in greeting. “I’m looking forward to your day in court. The partners are very impressed with your record, and we’re anxious to see how you handle this case. There’s a lot riding on it.” Hartley winks at me.

A quick glance confirms Val has disappeared from sight. The ache in my chest now feels more like an excruciatingly painful case of heartburn, and I’m pretty damned sure it’s due more in part to the situation I’ve created and not the excess of pepperoni pizza I’d put away at lunchtime. “Yes, sir,” I manage to finally croak. “I’ve been prepping the evidence. Should be a clear cut case.” Hartley leans forward and lowers his voice. “I have no doubt that you’ll make us proud yet again, Connor. You’ve been my pick for senior partner from the beginning.” He claps a hand on my shoulder, a knowing smile on his face. “Enjoy the evening.” I rake a hand though my hair. Fuck! My livelihood is on the line, and I’m currently nursing a broken heart with gallons of scotch. A very futile attempt, I might add. After one more shot for good measure, I grab my jacket and head onto the balcony. The crisp night air fills my lungs and I drink it in, contemplating my options. I lean over the white stone railing and gaze at the lake below. Moonlight glitters over the calm ripples of water. Goddammit! This whole place stinks of romance, and I’m not in the mood, especially knowing my one chance at it crumbled like a house of sand. My iPhone vibrates and the incoming email subject line makes my throat constrict. That sonofabitch… Options? There are none.

**** The urge to fling my phone into the lake below takes hold, but it won’t do any good. The damage is done, and so are we. Frank is a fucking loose cannon. He wants this promotion. Badly. Enough to kill my career and my life with one x-rated video clip. I always knew that bastard

would dangle me over a cage full of blood-thirsty lions and drop me in without thinking twice to clear his path toward senior partner. I click play again and stop it almost immediately. Watching is torture of the worst kind. Not only does it represent the end of my tenure at Wallace & Masterson Associates, but it makes my heart hurt. Holy fuck, I can’t believe I even acknowledged that. What the hell kind of a pussy am I? I don’t do the love stuff. I sucked at it when I was with my ex-wife and never planned to go down that rabbit hole again. Except, I did. Mother fucker. I’m in love with Val. In love. I’ve never spoken those words to another woman and actually meant them. So when the realization slams into me like a demolition ball, I never see it coming. It was only supposed to be sex…mind-numbing, soulsinging sex, like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life. The kind that had me doing insane things like fucking her against my office window. I cringe. Evidently Anderson wasn’t the only one who witnessed what happened that night. I slam my hands on the cool white stone railing. Frank is a slimy bastard and with that video in his arsenal? I’ll be his bitch for the rest of my time at the firm. My ass aches just thinking about it. Christ, I need another drink. A door squeaks open. If it’s that asshole Frank, I may just toss him over the balcony. Everyone inside is so shitfaced, nobody would hear. Besides, he’s such a prick, he’d never be missed. I press my hands to my temples, a defeated sigh deflating my shoulders. Not worth it. If I’m on trial for murder, who the hell would be able to defend me? I’d be

able to get myself off…no pun intended…but nobody else can work a jury like me. I’d be up shit creek without a paddle. “Looks like you’re plotting something pretty major.” I jump at the sound of her low, raspy voice. “I saw you inside before.” “You didn’t say hello.” “Because you said goodbye.” My spine stiffens, and I force my eyes to remain fixed on hers, though they’re so tempted to caress every sinful curve of her body. She nods, dark waves falling over her shoulders. “I did.” “So why are you out here?” I can barely choke out a syllable. Cotton mouth? Really? This shit doesn’t happen to me. Who the hell have I become? “I want to talk.” Val takes a tentative step closer. It takes every ounce of strength I have to stand still and not pull her into my arms. My fingers twitch at my sides. Traitorous bastards. “I think you made your position pretty clear the other night.” I’m acting like a Grade-A dickhead right now, and her pained expression makes my resolve dissipate like a fart in the wind. I don’t know why she’s out here, but it doesn’t matter. Too much collateral damage threatens to destroy us both, and I’ll be damned if I drag her down in the flames alongside me. Her eyes glitter with tears and my chest tightens. “But I didn’t…” She reaches out, her fingers winding around my arm. “I never should have left like that.” I stare at my arm. She’s so close. The citrusy scent of her hair wafts in the crisp evening breeze. “Connor,” she whispers, her peppermint-tinged breath tickling the side of my face. “I miss you.” “Val, stop.” I shake off her hand, averting my eyes. “You made your feelings clear. We never should have

started this. It’s a dead-end for both of us, and you were right to call things off the other night.” She recoils as if I’d just slapped her. “You can’t really mean that.” “I do.” No hesitation on my part. I’m such a fucking liar. “It was fun, but we both know there’s no future for us.” “So, you’re saying—“ “It was just sex, Val, not something you should risk your future for. Focus on your career.” The words just tumble out of my mouth, and I have to force my head to turn so I can avoid looking in her eyes and witnessing the anguish, the rejection, and the disappointment clouding them. She let go, now it’s my turn. Not that I have a choice. It’s already been made for me. “You really are a cold, callous bastard.” Her words lance through me, skewering my heart. “I was always honest with you, Val.” My voice is soft, resigned, completely beaten down. Yeah, honest until now. “You know…” She points a finger at me, poking my chest. I get the feeling she wants to do way more than that, like maybe if there were a two-by-four laying around, she may have swung it at my head, knocking me senseless. “I didn’t end things because of a threat to my career, Connor.” Val’s voice drips with disdain. “I walked away because of you. Because you’re the guy who doesn’t do relationships; you’re the one who bangs and bolts. It broke my heart to walk away, but I’m glad you’re okay. Shame on me for thinking there was a chance this could be more, for coming back only to be slapped in the face.” Her long red fingernail practically punctures a hole in my chest, and while I’m strangely aroused at this impromptu browbeating, the gravity of her words weighs on my heart. She has…feelings for me?

I grit my teeth. “Val, I’m sorry.” “Sorry?” “I didn’t mean to lead you on.” My voice is cold, just like the blood coursing through my veins. A loud gasp pierces the air. Val backs away from me, her gaze steely. Her heel gets caught between the cobblestones and she stumbles. I reach out to steady her, but she yanks her arm away. “Don’t you touch me,” she hisses, swiping at the tears spilling from her eyes. “You will never touch me again!” I choke back a plea of forgiveness for being such an insufferable ass. Her silhouette shrinks as she rushes back into the restaurant, leaving shattered pieces of my heart in her wake. After all these years, I finally get it. I know what I’ve been missing, and dammit, I want it back…want her back. But I love her and need to protect her. I won’t let her be sucked into my downward spiral. She unknowingly rescued me from a life doomed for solitude and loneliness. Now it’s my turn to rescue her, so I can sink back into the dark abyss. Alone.

Chapter Three

I squeeze my eyes shut and rub the knot at the base of my skull. Four Aleve and a makeshift massage have zero impact. I peer at the carpet blanketing the floor of my office. I’ve been pacing the same area for what feels like hours, and I swear I’ve worn a groove in it. I collapse into my leather swivel chair and twist around to face the windows, catching a glimpse of my disheveled self. My dark hair is mussed, and not in the fashionable way, while circles shadow my bloodshot brown eyes. I’m a certifiable disaster, inside and out. Early morning sunlight peeks over the horizon, streaming in through the clear glass. I couldn’t go home last night. There were too many reminders of Val. Like that disgusting coconut coffee creamer she swears she can’t live without. Her piles of high heels. Boxes of Skinnygirl Popcorn. And that lavender laundry spray that turns my stomach. She insists she needs it to fall asleep. A dry chuckle escapes my lips. No matter how many heart-pounding rounds we went, she’d still spray it on her pillow and pass out seconds afterward. And her signature perfumed scent that always lingers in the air long after she’s gone. Thinking about it hurts like hell. But Frank has my balls in a vise with that video, and he has plenty of opportunities to squeeze the shit out of them. I’ve been racking my brain for a way out, but I’ve come up empty. Even if I throw the case and he gets the promotion, that salacious clip can surface at any time. If his dick itches one day and he feels the need to crush my career, boom. He’s got the ammo. And what about Val? If he makes a play for Val, which he’s wanted to do

since the day she strutted in, and she rejects him, poof goes her career. I am out of options, and for a person like me, that’s unacceptable. I’m a problem solver, for Christ’s sake! It’s how I win cases. I can read people better than any attorney at the firm and figure out how to get them to see what I want them to see, regardless of the evidence presented. My head rolls backward against the head cushion, my chest expelling a deep sigh. A loud knock yanks me out of my toxic thoughts and I swivel around, ready to lash out at the perpetrator. “Yeah?” Anderson pops his head into the office. “Just say thank you.” My brain short-circuits in that moment. Excessive overdrive has officially resulted in burnout. “What the hell are you talking about?” “You’ll find out soon enough. Say it, Counselor.” “Fine. Thank you. Come back for a visit when you decide to stop speaking in code. I know that’s what you do for a living, but I don’t understand your evasive techie genius language.” “You’ll soon be very happy that I’m so well-versed in my evasive techie language. And yeah, I’m also a fucking genius.” With a self-satisfied smirk, Anderson pulls the door closed. I rub my pounding temples. I have no clue what just happened and not even a modicum of desire to find out. The minutes tick past, and I’m no closer to a solution. I’ve single-handedly demolished my life because I couldn’t keep my dick in my pants. Don’t shit where you eat. My own words, back to haunt me. I stare out the window, the bright green treetops fading

into the corners of my mind. Val is pressed against the glass, her silky bronze skin glowing as the the soft moonlight dances over her shoulders, her long glossy dark hair cascading down the smooth column of her back. Soft mewls escape her perfectly plump lips as my mouth feasts on her writhing body. Those images…those memories…are the best ones of my pathetic excuse for a life. A few fleeting minutes of perfection preceded by a lifetime of emptiness. Shit. This is exactly why I don’t do relationships. This arrangement between Val and me was supposed to be a private party, strictly invitation only. Emotions and feelings never had a shot in hell to make the VIP short list. But then that motherfucker love decided to crash, just like the campus police busting up the best kegger of all time. My eyes drift closed, allowing the memory swallow me whole. I run my hands down the sides of her lean torso, stroking her soft skin, gripping her hips and rotating them as my tongue flicks over her clit. Her breasts heave, her breathing erratic. She’s so wet, aching, begging for the release that only I can provide. I pull her down and position her on top of me, my hard cock sinking into her warmth. Her muscles clench, and I grasp her hips, pressing myself deeper and deeper, until— Another knock yanks me from my daydream. I slam my hand on the desk. Christ, Anderson, I am not in the mood for more fucking word play. “Connor!” My assistant, Shari, pushes open the door. “Oh, thank God you’re okay!” I raise my bloodshot eyes to meet her panicked gaze. “The word okay is relative, Shar.” “No, you don’t understand. Frank DeLuca was just fired and he’s downstairs in the lobby, yelling about some

video. Security just called to see if you’re up here. He keeps screaming your name, so I wanted to make sure you were safe.” “Connor!” Anderson appears behind Shari. “You need to get downstairs. Now!” “What the hell is going on? He was fired? Why?” I peer around them, trying to focus. Raised voices, hordes of people…looks like the entire office is crammed into the space right outside my door. “Don’t ask questions. Not now. You need to get to the lobby.” I bolt out of my office, heading toward the elevator bank with Anderson leading the way. He presses the Down button, and turns toward me with a serious look in his dark eyes. “Connor, I reported Frank this morning for emailing that video of you and Val.” My throat tightens. “Wh-what video?” “Cut the bullshit. One of my guys flagged it since the file was so huge. I watched it, then threw up in my mouth. Lucky for you, my techie genius was able to edit the shit out of it so you and Val are unrecognizable. Even luckier, Frank used company equipment to record and store it. Dipshit never realized the source file was on our servers. He violated company policy and his ass was terminated a little while ago.” I collapse against the elevator wall. Relief seeps into my pores, igniting the tiniest flicker of hope that still lay entrenched in my otherwise dark heart. “Val,” I whisper. Anderson’s voice turned grave. “That’s why you’re here. Don’t panic, the cops are on the way.” He grabs my arm as the doors open and leads me toward the turnstiles in the front of the lobby. Don’t panic? Cops? My brain is still fuzzy from lack of sleep and caffeine, and this whole scene is playing out in

slo-mo, like I’m seeing and hearing things happen, but I’m completely unable to piece them together. My heart thumps hard against my ribcage as I run through silent throngs of employees who are seemingly glued to the shiny marble floor. Then, I see her. Val’s eyes, wide with sheer terror, her body trembling, her hands hanging at her sides, the box cutter at her throat. I stop short, fear coursing through my limbs and freezing their ability to move. “Connor,” Anderson hisses. “Don’t let him see—“ The lump in my throat is growing by the second. I step forward, locking onto Val’s petrified gaze. “Connor Gregory! You fucking prick! They finally found you!” Frank lets out a maniacal laugh, pressing the blade into Val’s neck. I can see a tiny speck of red where the sharp edge meets her skin and my pulse throbs, ready to explode. She shrieks as he presses it deeper. A trickle of blood drizzles down her throat. A delivery guy cowers behind a half-opened cardboard box a few feet away from Frank and Val. “You had me fired, you fucking coward! Didn’t think you could actually beat me out of that promotion, huh?” I can’t speak, can barely breathe. All I know is I need to get that lunatic away from Val. Tears spill from her green eyes, streams of black mascara running down her pale cheeks. My feet feel like they’re encased in cement blocks, anchored with dread. I clench my fists. “Frank, leave her out of this. Take me instead.” Silence, until his voice pierces the air again. “It’s not your ass I’d like to fuck, Gregory. But I’d be happier than a pig in shit to slit that throat of yours.” He shoves Val to the floor and motions me to move forward with the blade. Val scurries to the wall, and a beefy security guard

pulls her into a corner. Fucking useless Rent-A-Cops. Why the fuck isn’t anyone trying to tackle this crazy bastard? Everyone is watching, and nobody is acting. Screw it, I’m not waiting another second. I see Val collapse against the Security guard, her eyes fixed on me. But she’s safe, and that’s all that matters. Frank clutches the blade, his face twisted into a sick grimace. “I don’t need that dirty skank anymore. She served her purpose.” He inches toward me and I don’t think. I just run. Not my smartest move, but I’m not waiting around for him to fillet my ass. The cops are still MIA, and I’m sure as hell not letting him get close to Val again. I lunge for him, twisting away from the blade with what feels like a very Matrix-like ducking move. He stumbles backward, arms flailing, slicing at the air. Good thing he’s the clumsiest motherfucker on the planet. I need to get that cutter out of his hand before he skewers me. I drive the edge of my palm toward his face, and he crumbles to the floor, screaming like a little bitch. Sirens wail and within seconds, an army of cops swarm the lobby like a hive full of pissed off wasps. It’s about fucking time. My chest heaves as I collapse to my knees, screams around me fading to white noise. I clutch my chest, a sharp stinging pain igniting my insides. Fuck, am I having a heart attack? I shake my left arm, which is alarmingly numb. Where’s Val? I twist my head in time to see her running toward me. “Oh my God! You’re bleeding!” she shrieks, pressing a hand over my heart. Sticky wetness spreads over the fabric, clinging to my skin. I know it’s blood, but if I look down, I’ll pass the fuck out. I know, I know. Total pussy admission. An EMT appears out of nowhere and rips open my

shirt. Val’s shaking hands clutch my arm. “How deep is the cut? Is he going to be okay?” “Hmm…” He examines the wound and looks up with a smile. “Looks like he only nicked the surface. You’ll need stitches, though. Hang tight and I’ll get a gurney over here.” Val collapses against me. “Thank God you’re not hurt.” She strokes the side of my face. “Are you crazy, running after him like that? Do you have a death wish or something?” “That depends.” The corners of my lips curl up. She rolls her eyes. “On what?” “On you.” I reach up to stroke her hair, the soft glossy waves my fingers have missed. “I’d have given my life to save you, Val, but I’d much rather spend it with you.” Her expression has quickly morphed from one of fear to utter shock. “You don’t do relationships, remember? This was just sex. Your words.” “I lied.” I shift toward her, wincing as the searing pain shoots down my torso. She bites her lower lip, her fingers entwined with mine. “Valentina! Are you okay?” Hartley’s voice startles me back to the present, where I’m lying on the cold marble floor of the lobby with a bloodstained shirt and my wounded pride. “They told me you were down here. Where is Frank DeLuca? Security was instructed to get him out of the building immediately. And Connor, what the hell happened to you? I manage a grin. “I might have taken a box cutter to the chest to save your daughter’s life.” Hartley rubbed the back of his neck and sank to his knees next to Val. “I can’t believe that lunatic would try to hurt you, sweetie. Connor, I can’t thank you enough for rescuing my daughter.”

I gaze at Val, squeezing her cold, clammy hand. “When I saw her with a blade to her throat, I knew I had to save her. Because I can’t live without her. And because I’m in love with her.” Val gasps. “You’re what?” Hartley’s brow furrows, his lips forming a tight line. “Yeah, I’d like to hear a little more about that last part.” “Are you sure you really want details, sir?” Hartley narrows his eyes. “Do you mean to tell me—?” “Yes. And if you’re going to fire me, just do it now. It won’t stop me from seeing her, though. Because I love her. Just in case you didn’t get it the first time.” I grin at the shocked expression on Val’s face. “Or you.” A cop rushes over to us. “Mr. Hartley, can we have a moment? We just need a statement.” He nods in our direction. “Someone else will get your statements at the hospital.” Hartley glares at me, stiff as a board as he rises. “Provided you don’t have any serious damage, I expect to see you in my office tomorrow morning, eight o’clock sharp.” “Daddy, please don’t be mad. You can fire me instead. I’m the one who started it in the first place.” Hartley’s skin is now a disturbing shade of green. “Eight o’clock. Both of you.” “Oh my God, we’re in so much trouble!” Val claps a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle as Hartley is led away by the cop. She twists a strand of hair around her finger. “Did you really mean what you said?” “Every word. It was supposed to be sex, but I fell in love with you. I fucking love you, Val. More than myself, believe it or not.” “But you sent me away last night. You said we were finished. Why should I believe you now?”

I motion to my bright red shirt and cock an eyebrow. “Are you serious? I just outed us to your father.” “Connor, I’ve sacrificed so much already.” “Yeah, me too. Like my life.” I lace my fingers with hers. “I didn’t expect this to happen, but it did. Give us another chance, Val. A real shot.” Another EMT wheels a gurney over to us. I struggle to my feet and collapse onto the white padding. “I really hope you come up with an answer before I bleed out.” She giggle-sniffles and swipes at her eyes. “You know dating is against firm policy.” “I don’t think it’ll be an issue come tomorrow morning.” The EMT starts wheeling me toward one of the ambulances. I tap the face of my watch. “Clock’s ticking, Counselor.” Val jogs alongside me, lacing her fingers with mine. “You’re relentless.” “It’s one of my better qualities. I’m also pretty damned irresistible.” The cool morning air hits me as soon as I’m rolled out of the building. The ambulance doors swing open and the EMT lifts the gurney into the back. “Still waiting for your verdict.” Her pink glossed lips curl upward, exposing perfect white teeth in a smile so bright, it can rival the sun. “I love you, Connor,” she says, caressing the side of my face. “So, my answer is yes. Yes to all of it. But I need you to do one thing for me.” “Name it and consider it done.” And for the first time in my life, I actually mean it. I’m willing to do anything to make her happy, now and for the rest of our lives. “Get blinds installed for your office windows. You know, if you’re taking requests,” Anderson calls out with a smirk.

“Sure thing, man. I owe you one.” Val’s eyebrows furrow. She looks kind of confused. Think I’ll keep her in the dark on that one, at least for now. “I was going to say that my Coconut Crème Coffeemate is running low. If this thing between us is going to work, I need you to assure me it’ll be fully stocked at all times.” She folds her arms and flashes a sly smirk. “Without proper caffeinating, I can’t promise I’ll have the energy for those marathon window sessions. And we wouldn’t want to disappoint any of our viewers, would we?” I let out a low groan. “God, you are such a dirty girl.”

The End

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UNLIKELY VENTURE Book One of the Venture Series

***STANDALONE WITH HEA***

Jilted by her fiancé and terrified by a devastating diagnosis, Jessica Latham falls into the arms of a random stranger. No strings or last names, just one hot night before starting her new chapter. Enter gorgeous tech genius James Callahan, the Jedi master who knows exactly how to use his light saber and the only one to tear through the barbed wire shielding Jessica’s heart. But someone is anxious to expose Jessica’s dirty secret, because some things aren’t as random as we’d like to think.

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***STANDALONE WITH HEA***

Mia Bradshaw realized long ago that falling in love is a harbinger of pain. As a single mom working for one of the most prestigious venture capital firms in the country, she doesn’t have time for serious emotional entanglements. Her sort-of–friend boy is dependable, respectful and… okay, fine, maybe a little lukewarm but whatever! Who ever said there was anything wrong with being…vanilla? It’s safe, low-risk and not fraught with conflict and heart wrenching disappointment.

Chris Camden is one of the most eligible bachelors in northern California. A successful entrepreneur with a hot car and a panty-dropping grin doesn’t need to do much to keep his bed warm at night. His smoldering hazel-eyed gaze makes women melt at his feet. No strings, no conditions, no questions - just the way he likes it. Why should he settle for just one when there are so many sizzling alternatives begging for a spin?

A coveted opportunity to partner with Chris’s company stirs up emotions that threaten everything Mia’s been so careful to protect and control. The guy with more lines than a crowded supermarket before a snowstorm can singe her insides with the slightest accidental touch, proof that she needs to steer clear.

But reality hurls a very unexpected curve ball that can

change Mia’s life in a heartbeat. And sometimes…the perception of safety is relative.

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**** VENTURE FORWARD Book Three in the Venture Series

***STANDALONE WITH HEA***

Raw. Cold. Detached. Domineering…

Paul Emerson lives life like he f*cks. It’s the only way to survive, to battle the demons forever lurking in his subconscious, to resist succumbing to the darkness that perpetually overshadows his existence. As a ruthless venture capitalist with an insatiable appetite for power and control, he has no tolerance for emotion or any tryst spanning more than a few hours. Feelings equate to weakness and weakness destroys livelihoods.

Driven. Focused. Bitter. Guilty…

Avery Hunter is tormented by what she can’t change, but letting go is never the preferred option. Her successes aren’t nearly enough to fill the gaping void in her heart and soul. No, revenge always begets satisfaction and fulfillment…except when it extinguishes the last source of brightness in her life. Karma is a bitch and irony is her evil twin sister.

Damaged. Rejected. Broken…

The woman who harbors and the man who resists. With so much baggage and even more angst, can their

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Notorious celebrity playboy A.J. Morgan has more emotional baggage than notches on his well-used bedpost, but bleached blonde, silicone-enhanced threeways and excess of whiskey are all the therapy he needs.

Live to indulge, indulge to fill the voids.

Those are his rules…. until he meets cunning financial analyst-slash-sexy club singer Lisa Embry, a woman whose heart is surrounded by more barbed wire than a high-security prison.

Rules? What rules?

One lust-filled romp with his female alter-ego turns A.J. into an addict in need of his next fix and he’ll pay any price for another hit.

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A Standalone Rock Star Romance

Sexy rock god Daxton Cole has everything…and nothing that can bring him peace.

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His life is a toxic existence on a permanent loop, like a bad 80s movie.

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****

ABOUT KRISTEN LUCIANI Kristen Luciani is a bestselling romance author and momtrepreneur with a penchant for stilettos, Silicon Valley, plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis. As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…

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