Page 14 of Dark Seduction

“Get on with it Sidney. Cole is probably helping him into to the building.” I had to say in Cole’s defense and mine, because Sidney loved reporting this a little too much.

“Boy, is he helping him into the building. He helped him into the elevator, and probably into his apartment, and into the bed and helped himself to that gorgeous ass.” I had to calm down and I reached for a glass and bottle of red wine and poured a large glass and took a gulp while Sidney continued.

After pouring a second glass, I asked, “Did someone say why Cole was with him?”

“Not tonight. They have to do research and then they will tell you if he’s the lover. He and Cole are in the same age bracket, so he can’t be anything but a lover—”

“Or a friend. I’ll keep my judgement until I hear from Cole.” It was the sound of the key in the lock that relaxed me, or it could have been that large glass of wine. I didn’t know which and didn’t care. I needed to calm myself before I jumped to conclusions and ended up appearing as if I didn’t trust him. “It sounds as if Cole’s coming in now.” I hit the red button, to be rid of Sidney for now, and I strolled to the foyer, and took a deep breath before I said the wrong thing.

Chapter 9

Daniel

When I heard the key, I stood with my hands and arms crossed. I was holding on to myself in case Cole came to tell me about his lover. My heart appeared to jump from my chest, but I rationalized my position in his life. He loved me and I knew it. I had no reason to be worried about him.

Then I prepared my mind for the worst.I can handle this,I thought. I spent two years without him, and I managed to find my way through this hell. “If he tells me there is someone else, I can do this. I can do this,” I repeated, waiting for him.

I didn’t know how to handle this new information, and what I’d do if he finally told me the truth. I didn’t need this now, but I would face it no matter what happened between us. Too much time had passed between me standing here, and Cole probably contemplating whether he should put the key in the door. Instead, I decided for him. I opened the door to see him with an apologetic smile, and a handful of keys.

“I really should get rid of some of these keys. I could stand here all night trying to find the right key to the door.” He leaned over gave me a soft kiss and stepped inside.

“I’m sorry, baby, but I was late at the office. I was assigned a new client and things got complicated, but I’ll fill you in on that later.” He headed to the kitchen and to the fridge. “Did you bring something home to eat?” He reached for a beer. I said nothing. I let it play out.

“I got home late too, and the deli was closed and there wasn’t much to eat, but I’ll cook you something.”

He placed the lip of the bottle to his mouth and guzzled it down as if he was trying to get his courage to tell me something. I recognized that behavior and I planned on giving him time to tell me. “I’ll make you a sandwich. It won’t take a minute. While I’m doing that tell me all about your day. The new job must have been interesting.”

“It was, and you wouldn’t believe what happened?”

“No. I can’t imagine, because nothing ever happens in my club, except for Ryan and Jay causing trouble for me. Other than that no drama because everyone is so damn polite. I guess with money you can afford to be polite. These guys in the suits are always on their best behavior I guess because of the nature of their businesses.

“But aren’t you one of those suits now?” Cole questioned as I prepared his sandwich.

“Yeah. But I wasn’t always. I remember the time when I walked around with holes in my jeans.”

“I hope you didn’t do like some of those rich kids trying to pretend they’re poor by wearing that cheap shit,” I said as I cut his peanut butter sandwich, and threw in a banana on the side and slices of apple. “That’s the best I can do. That should hold you until tomorrow.” We talked about everything except how he got caught on camera with Charlie St. John draped over his shoulder wearing worn jeans and rocking no underwear to cover his ‘spectacular ass’ as Sidney said.

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