Page 205 of Beyond the Temptation: Vol 2

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS

BY ANNIKA PAIGE

CHAPTER ONE

TESSA

Shit. Shit. Shit. This is the absolute last thing I need right now. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to pay half the rent on my apartment when I don’t even have a freaking job.

I insert my key into the door and I’m immediately assaulted by Taylor Swift. I love my best friend, but after the day I’ve had, I really don’t feel like dealing with this.

“Hey, babe!” Courtney hollers over the blaring acoustics as she sways her hips while she’s holding a feather duster in one hand, using it as a microphone, as she lip-syncs to Shake it Off.

“Hey, Court.” I toss my purse on the coffee table and then throw myself on the couch with a huff.

She walks over to the half wall between our living room and kitchen, and the music stops blasting through the speakers when she lifts her phone from the counter.

She turns toward me and rests her hands on her hips, her Boston attitude strong and when she opens her mouth, her accent even stronger.

“What’s wrong with you?” She’s never been one to beat around the bush, and it doesn’t seem she’s starting now.

I don’t know what I’m going to do. I can’t afford to stay in the city if I don’t find a job pronto.

“I got fired.” I watch her face to see if she’s going to freak out. We did after all just sign our lease on this place last week.

She shrugs nonchalantly and then throws herself down on the couch next to me.

“You’ll find a new one, but it’s not like I can’t afford to pay rent for both of us.”

I grab a throw pillow and hit her with it. “Court! You are not paying for me to live here.”

She picks up a soda can from the table in front of us, taking a large swig before she responds, “Tessa, I don’t think you realize how rich my family is.”

I stand and make my way to the kitchen, going in search of the wine we bought the other night.

I find the bottle, grab a glass out of the cabinet, pop the cork, and as always, jump when it releases.

I hear Courtney chuckle as she strolls into the kitchen.

“Want some?” I pour some in my glass and then hold it up in the air before downing the liquid in one gulp. It burns the back of my throat, and it feels damn good.

She walks over, grabs the bottle off the counter, takes a drink and I scowl at her. She chuckles as she wipes the remnants of wine off her chin.

“You’re disgusting.”

“I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner!” She grabs her phone off the kitchen table, and her fingers start to fly across the keyboard, and I have no clue what the hell has made her excited all the sudden.

“Court?” I slowly say her name, not sure I want to know what she has up her sleeve. This girl is always up to something. Where I’m calm and antisocial, she’s a damn chaotic storm.

She finally looks up from her phone. I have a feeling I’m not going to like whatever she says next.

“My dad is looking for a new assistant.”

“Okay… and what does that have to do with me?”

She throws herself down in a kitchen chair, propping her feet up on the table.

“Keep up, T. You’d be perfect for the job.”

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