Page 40 of Seducing a Sagittarius
I’m going to give you some time, but I need you to know that I would never treat you like anything less than a queen . . . My queen. I know hearing something like that would have anyone upset, but I would never ever disrespect you in that manner. I just got you, so no one else is touching that.
Every time the devil sees me happy, he tries to destroy that happiness. First my cousin with my business, and now with you. I hope you find it in that empathetic heart of yours to forgive me for not controlling my anger. I was out of line, and I’m sorry for embarrassing you.
Okay, I’m rambling. Call me, baby. I miss you already.
I smiled, placing my phone on the charger, stripping out of my dress, then going into my bathroom to shower and get some sleep.
Four Days Later . . .
I stepped off the elevator with the Starbucks in my hand and some strawberry glazed donuts for casual Monday. I hadn’t spoken to Avery since the incident, and I knew I owed it to him to have a conversation.
I missed him.
I had some time to think about what happened, and I knew I owed it to him to hear him out.
“Mornin’, Lizzy.”
“Good morning, Ms. Layne. Don’t you look cute today.”
I did a spin, showing off my cut-off shorts that stopped mid-thigh and white tee with the word Queen etched across my chest. Gucci slides were on my feet with the crossbody to match.
“Thank you, darling. Here’s your coffee.”
“You know if Mr. West knew you were getting me coffee, he’d have a fit.” She chuckled.
I laughed. “He’ll be okay. See you later.”
“See ya and thank you.”
“You’re most welcome.” I walked over to the table that housed the coffee, putting the donuts down, then going into Avery’s office. I put his coffee on the desk, then powered on his computer. I was about to walk out when I heard the door to his restroom open, and Avery stepped out.
We locked eyes, and my panties flooded, seeing him in all black. Black jeans, black Givenchy shirt, and black elevens.
It should be a damn crime how fine he is.
“Hey,” he said, clearing his throat.
“Hi. I didn’t know you were here this early.”
“Yeah, had an early meeting. How are you?”
“I’m good.” There was a short pause before I turned on my heels. “Call me if you need me,” I tossed over my shoulder. Now that I was in his presence, I didn’t know what to say.
“Layne . . .”
I turned toward him. “I know what you’re going to say, Avery, and honestly, I forgave you days ago. I just . . . I didn’t want what we had to be ruined by gossip and bullshit. As far as what your cousin said, I’m willing to overlook that if you promise me that it’s not true. I really like you, Avery, and I don’t like anyone.”
“Come here.” He motioned me over to him and patted his lap. I shook my head, but he pulled me by my belt loops and set me on his lap.
“Nothing that bum ass nigga said was true, bae. Not on my end. When my company started to thrive in year two, his ass started feeling himself. He’d always been this arrogant nigga because of his looks, so imagine what happens when a nigga starts getting money.
“Every assistant I had working for me, he slept with them, promising them higher positions with more money. When that didn’t happen for them, they started demanding that he do as he promised, and if he didn’t, they were going to sue him for sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace.” He shook his head, seemingly remembering that dark time in his career.
“Did the lawsuit ever go through?”
“No, because he never did his dirt here. It was always after hours, so they had no proof aside from a few miscellaneous text messages. Still, with him doing that shit, I had to move the financial office next door and have him work over there to keep him away from my staff. I ended up hiring Brian until he movedon. I was skeptical about hiring another woman, but you wowed me with your impressive résumé and all the shit you knew about me.”
“Well, I had a little help.” I giggled lightly.
