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  “Then how about Sunday when she gets back? I have a meeting scheduled for Sunday, but I can move it to Monday if I need to. I can even send my driver to pick her up at the airport.” We both look at Ms. Jackie.

  I shake my head, but Ms. Jackie ignores me. What the fuck? Am I invisible? “I have my car, thank you,” I bite back. He’s just being an ass now.

  “All my girls have their car if they have to drive anywhere,” Ms. Jackie tells him.

  He shifts in his chair, clearly not liking that he’s not getting his way. “You’re letting her fly to another city with someone, but I can’t pick her up from the airport?” He looks at Ms. Jackie. Anyone can see he's getting pissed.

  “She has worked with this client for a long time and is comfortable with him. When she feels the same with you, then she will be more than happy for your car to pick her up and drop her off. Am I right, Lexi?” Ms. Jackie looks at Ethan then back to me. I look at them both. Why do I get the feeling they know each other?

  “Yes,” I answer in one simple word.

  “Jackie, you know I won’t hurt her.” He moves closer to the table, and I watch them both.

  “I know you won’t hurt Lexi, but she doesn’t. Just because you're my godson, does not mean you don’t follow the rules. My girls will always come first.” What? Godson? Did I even hear that right? She looks at me, then back at him. “Ethan, you know my rules. I may have broken them for you once because you needed a pretty girl on your arm to help you land the charity deal, but that was a one-time thing.” She stops and gives me a look.

  “Excuse me for a moment,” I say, standing up to leave the table. I know that look. It’s Ms. Jackie's signature ‘I need a moment of privacy with this client’ look.

  Walking away from them both, I start walking to the restroom and think about what's happening here. Her godson? Why the hell is her godson one of our clients?

  I wait ten minutes for a text or something saying I can come back to the table before I see Ethan walk out. I slowly head back to the table and sit down. I look at Ms. Jackie.

  “He called saying he had an emergency and that he needed a girl to come to an event. I know I should have said no, but his mother and I have been friends for twenty years, so I said yes. Now that he has spent time with you, he wants you to be his full-time girl. I’m sorry. I know I should say no, but…” She goes quiet. The woman who always shows a strong front to us girls is just someone who wants to keep her friends happy.

  “If I do this, he will be treated the same as all my other clients. He has to book me through you—”

  “Lexi, he's a normal client. He gets no special treatment.”

  “Then, I'll do it,” I say. There was a time when I needed help, and no one was there. I’m living the life I have now because of her. If she needs me to do something, I will.

  “Thank you, Lexi. I know you don’t like him, but I also know you’re very professional.” She smiles at me, trying to butter me up now. “You’ll have dinner with him on Sunday. Here’s his number to ask about dress code and time. He’s changing his appointment to next Friday to accommodate your schedule.” She stops and starts biting the top of her pen, nervous about something. “He said he sometimes has dinner alone and would like some company.”

  I look through my planner, writing the dates down she has just given me. “If I'm busy with the girls, or just having a me day, am I allowed to say no to him?”

  “Yes. One of the reasons I don’t like to have clients in town is so you girls can still live a somewhat normal life. Him being my godson doesn’t change that. If you don’t want to go out to dinner with him, then say no…”

  “But?” I ask. I know there's something she wants to say to me.

  “Just don’t say no to him all the time. Remember the football star you had as a client? At first, he only wanted your services as a companion for dinner every night for three weeks. But, in the end, you two hit it off so well he kept a hotel suite for you so you could be close to him.” She gives me that look that says she knows I'm planning on avoiding him unless it’s for a specific event. I understand where she’s coming from with her concern, so I let it go.

  “Okay, I’ll have dinner with him two nights a week. Hell, if I’m in a good mood, maybe I’ll add a third.” I’m losing steam in this battle, so I may as well give up while I’m ahead.

  “Thank you.” She leans in to kiss my cheek. “So, I'll let you go get ready for your girls’ night out.” We both stand and wave to the manager.

  Getting in my car, I pull out my planner and look for Ethan’s number to send him a message. I might as well get it over with.

  Lexi– My flight lands at 1pm. What time would you like me over, and what's the dress code?

  Throwing my phone in my bag, I start my Audi and head home to have a shower and pamper myself for a night out. I deserve it after this meeting.

  I hear my phone beep as I'm parking the car. I dig out my phone from my bag as I'm walking up the stairs.

  Ethan- Wear whatever you want. My apartment-7pm.

  I throw my phone on the bed and get ready for my night out.

  ***

  The catcalls and wolf whistles follow us as we walk down the street toward, the club. Two men were even brave enough to stop us and ask us out. That always gives us a laugh. I wish men understood that if there's a group of girls out for the night, it doesn’t mean we are automatically asking to get laid.

  Out of all the girls, I’m closest to Helen. She always helps me the most when I need advice. I told everyone about Ethan being my new client but didn’t tell them about him being Ms. Jackie’s godson. I think she wants that to be a secret.

  I shout our order over the bar while the others get us a booth, then look over at the dance floor, singing along to the song. Alex and I grab the drinks and head to the booth.

  “Look at that ass.” Helen points to the guy standing by the booth in front of us. “I would love to grab that ass.” We all start laughing as she eyes him up.

  “Looks like someone is going home with a guy.” I give her a wink. I grab my drink and start dancing to the music. “Come on, Alex, dance with me.” I put my drink down and start pulling her from the booth, then we both head to the dance floor.

  Spinning around under Alex’s arm, my hips start moving to the music, and I start singing. I know I’m not that good, but it doesn’t stop me. It’s all about the fun.

  “How about you shake that sexy ass over this way,” a man’s voice says from behind me as his hands pull me closer. I turn around and smile at him. “Sexy ass, beautiful face,” the guy says pulling me in tighter.

  I whisper in his ear, “Sorry, girl’s night out.” I turn back around to Alex.

  If I didn’t have to catch a flight tomorrow morning, then I’d be more than happy to get busy with a guy. I can't even remember the last time I got down and dirty with a man.

  The girls were happy to spend most of the night at the same club. It was a good night. Some drinking, some dancing, and a few guys chatting us up… What’s not to love? I even got a date for Monday night. Win for me. I wish I could have stayed out longer with the girls, but I need some sleep if I plan on getting to the airport on time in the morning.

  Getting home, I check all my flight information to make sure I got everything right. Mr. Williams is picking me up from the airport, then we’ll have lunch to talk about the opening. I’ve worked with him for so long now, I know who I can and can't talk to and what I should and shouldn’t talk about. Mr. Williams and I can easily pull off being a married couple now. I keep telling him he needs to start dating and find a woman who will enjoy his company as much as I do. He says no, but I’m always on the lookout for someone at these events. Someone that I know will make him happy, because I know I won’t let him date just anyone.

  Ethan

  “Selena, get in here, now.” Yes, my staff works on Saturdays. If you want to stay ahead, you have to work every day, and sometimes every night.

  “Yes
, Mr. Knight?” Selena walks into my office with her folder ready to take notes.

  I started from nothing and worked my ass off to get where I am today and to make the kind of money I do. My father was an asshole who took all our money and left my mom for some girl half his age. I’ve hated him ever since that day.

  I got my start as a young entrepreneur by selling things that my dad left behind, and I never looked back. I did what it took to get everything I wanted in life, and now I sit here with multimillion dollar shopping malls that are only growing.

  I have plans to buy shopping malls all around the world. I have a meeting with my team in London tonight, about the purchase of a big shopping mall. For some reason, the finalization of the purchase is being held up, and I want to know why. I also have Emily trying to stop my children’s center because I can’t find a good enough teacher that meets her fucking standards.

  “Have we found any more teachers? And have we got the emails from London yet?” Taking my jacket off, I roll my shirt shelves up to my elbows, impatiently waiting for her answers.

  “No. Some teachers are already working in schools and don’t want to leave, and we haven’t received any emails,” Selena says after glancing at her phone.

  “I want something by Monday. Call David and tell him I want the email sent now,” I tell her, waving my hand for her to leave, but she stands there.

  “It’s five in the morning in London.” She looks at me, and I see when she realizes I mean business. “Yes, sir, I'll call him now.” Selena leaves the office with the phone to her ear.

  I don’t care whether it's one in the morning or one in the afternoon. If you tell me you'll be sending an email, you damn well better send the email. You do what you say you’re going to do.

  I thumb through the folder my accountant gave me with all last month’s numbers, but my head’s all over the place.

  I grab the phone as it rings. “Knight,” I say, looking at the file.

  “Mr. Knight, there's a Ms. Jones here to see you,” the man at reception says. “She says she needs to speak with you.”

  “Tell her that she's not allowed in the building, and if she does ’t leave, I’ll call the police,” I tell him. She knows she’s not allowed here.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Ending the call, I stand up and walk over to the window and look down to see if I can spot her walking out. Angie, my ex-wife, is the bane of my existence.

  I should have known she was only with me for my money. She always wanted to go shopping; always wondering when we would get married. There were always petty things she would do that should’ve made me more aware of what she was up to. My mother is another one that warned me about Angie, but I was an idiot blinded by her charm and good looks. It took me nine months to realize what a bitch she was.

  I try to get back to business matters, but can’t focus on anything. Not on the numbers, the children's center, or the upcoming meeting. I never thought a woman would be able to take my thoughts away from work again. After the last time, I promised myself I would never allow a woman to get close enough to affect my work. I would never trust a woman again. But today, I sit here at my desk, and the only person I can think about is Lexi. One look and she had me. She has legs that even a supermodel would die for, and the red dress I chose for her made her cleavage look amazing.

  I know that Jackie has rules, but I’m going to work hard to make sure she and Lexi agree to my demands. Jackie kept telling me about her rules, and how she sticks to them. She made sure that I understood her girls don’t sleep with their clients. It was mentioned at least ten times in the twenty-minute conversation I had with her. I told her I understood and not to worry about it. It’ll take a lot of trust for a woman to get in my bed, and trust isn’t something I give out easily. That may have been a lie, but she doesn’t need to know.

  I might want to break the rules with Lexi, but how will I get her to want to break them?

  ***

  Sunday is the only day I take off. I give my staff two days off a week because my mom told me they needed a break. Everyone except Selena. She's on call every day of the week. I never know when I may need her to help me with something. All I want to do today, though, is sit at home and get ready for Lexi to come over.

  Hearing a knock at the door, I look over and wonder who would be coming over on a Sunday. Opening it, I see it’s my mother. “Hi, Mom. It’s nice to see you,” I say as I move out of the way for her to come in.

  “Ethan,” she says before giving me a motherly kiss on the cheek. “How have you been?” She looks around the room. “Ethan, how much longer are you going to be here? If it’s long, then please get someone in here to decorate.” She turns around, and I give her a smile. My mom is my world—my rock.

  “They’re coming this week to rip everything out, then I'll be talking to someone about designing it,” I say, following her to the kitchen.

  “When was the last time you made dinner?” she asks. She knows me well enough to know how much I love to cook, but never really get the chance to cook for other people.

  “I’m making dinner tonight.” I walk over to her and lead her out of the kitchen. “So, how can I help you today?” I ask her.

  “I was talking to my friend. Her daughter is single, and I was talking about you—”

  “Before you even finish that sentence, the answer is no.” I look at her.

  Since I ended things with Angie a year ago, Mom has been trying very hard to get me to date. Anyone would do. Her friend’s daughter or this woman she met at the coffee shop... There’s always someone, and my answer is always no.

  “Ethan.”

  “Mother.” I replicate her tone.

  “I just want you to be happy. When you find someone, then I'll stop trying to set you up.” She looks at me then walks over to the windows.

  “Yes, Mom, and when I feel I can trust someone again, I'll take it into consideration.” Walking over to her, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her closer to me. “There's someone I have my eye on,” I tell her. I don’t want her to come over one day unaware and see Lexi here.

  She looks up at me with a smile. “Do I get a name?”

  “No. I’m still working on it, but as soon as I have something to tell you, I will.” I give her a kiss on her forehead.

  Tonight, I'll be working on it. I don’t know what it is about Lexi that makes me want her. It only took one look, and now I want to know everything about her.

  “Is that who you're making dinner for?” Mom asks as she walks back to the kitchen. She’s not going to be leaving in a hurry now.

  Following her, I sit on the stool, and I watch her look in the fridge at what I got Maria to buy for me. “Chicken wrapped in bacon, vegetables, and orange sauce,” I tell her. I know she will be happy with my choice. It’s her favorite.

  “She’s lucky.” I look at my watch, wondering why Lexi hasn’t sent me a message yet to tell me she has landed. “Looks like I should get going so that you can get this meal ready.” She gives me a smile and a kiss on the cheek, then leaves.

  Lexi

  Shit, shit, and shit! My flight got delayed, and it’s already five in the afternoon. Now I have to rush home, shower, and get to Ethan’s apartment, all in less than two hours. God, just kill me now. I may as well give him a heads up so he can’t get mad if I'm late.

  Lexi– I just landed. My flight was delayed. Sorry.

  I sent Ms. Jackie a message as well to let her know what was happening. I want to give him as little ammunition as possible if he goes to her and tries to complain.

  Ethan– Okay.

  I don’t know what kind of sin I have committed in my past to deserve such an awful punishment as tonight will be. Sitting through dinner with an uptight dick who thinks he’s better than me, and denies me the decency of a true conversation, is going to be pure hell.

  Walking around the bedroom, I see so many choices of what to wear. Since this is a casual dinner, I decided on a cute little sum
mer dress. After a spritz of my Dior perfume, I grab my keys and leave. I remind myself repeatedly on the drive over to be professional. There will be no surprises since I already know Ethan will be an ass, but he's the client, asshole or not.

  I drive down to his apartment singing along to the music playing loudly in my car. It helps get rid of the nervous jitters. I brought wine, and now I don’t know why. I guess I figured it was the polite thing to do. Aren’t you supposed to bring a gift to the host?

  Knocking on the door, I plaster on a smile as it starts opening. Ethan is on the phone, and he waves me in without even a glance in my direction. Asshole.

  Putting the wine on the kitchen counter, I watch him walking toward me with the phone still to his ear. He looks at the bottle of wine and shakes his head. Well, I guess the wine was a bad idea. He still hasn’t shaven. It's a good look on him. It makes me want to run my hands over it to see how it feels.

  He walks to the other side and pours a glass of wine from the bottle in his stash. I roll my eyes with a tilt of my lips. He must be annoyed I brought my brand of wine. Standing in front of me, he hands me the glass then walks away.

  “Yes, but I said I wanted that file finished today… I don’t care that I only gave it to you this morning… Fine, but before you go home tomorrow it, better be on my desk.” He puts the phone down and then turns toward me.

  As he walks over, his eyes don’t leave mine. He stops in front of me then leans in closer. The sound of him inhaling my scent is loud in the quiet room, but then he moves back and grabs his wine glass off the table as if he didn’t do something strange. “I have wine. You didn’t need to bring any,” he says as he walks away.

  I let that one slide and don’t reply. “Would you like to be called? Mr. Knight or Ethan, tonight?” I ask. His text message didn’t give me much information about how the night is to be played out.