Page 7 of Forbidden Mistress

An hour later, my “order” arrives. It’s a large box this time, with a smaller turquoise box perched on top. I thank the delivery guy, whom I would tip, if I had any cash to spare.

I take the packages upstairs and place them on my bed, ripping into the largest one. Resting on a cloud of tissue paper is another card with that same L monogram on it. I open it, and the note is just as succinct as the first.

I want to see you.

Okayyyy. I scrunch my brows and try to figure out how I’m supposed to contact him. Again, no name, no other information.

Setting the note down, I dive into the tissue paper and pull out a delicate black satin slip dress. It’s so finely made, it feels like a silken cloud between my fingers. My father was well-off when he was alive, but even then, I’ve never owned something so exquisite. I move to the mirror to hold it up against me.

Haley walks into the bedroom and tosses her backpack down on her bed. “Whoa, what’s all this?” She comes over and touches the fine satin dress. “Are you going to a party?”

I shrug. “Some guy I met at Lexi’s engagement party has been sending me things. First those roses the other day. And today, he sent me this.”

Haley picks up the note and reads it out loud. “‘I want to see you.’ Oooh-la-la, sexy and mysterious. I likey. What’s his name?”

“Lucien.” I pause. “Well, he’s never actually signed anything so I’m assuming it’s him. There’s no name on the note or the packages.”

She picks up the card from the bed and turns it over in her hands. “Well, there is an L there, so that makes sense. Looks like you and Lucien are going somewhere fancy.” She picks up the little blue box. “What’s this?”

I snatch it out of her hand. “I don’t know. I haven’t opened it yet.”

“Well, then open it before I die of suspense! That’s definitely a Tiffany’s box. Not that my poor ass would know from firsthand experience, but at least let me live vicariously.”

I laugh a little and open the small box. Inside is a smaller velvet jewelry box, with the Tiffany & Co. logo emblazoned on it.

“I told you!” Haley says excitedly. “Opennnnn it.”

Inside the box is a gorgeous necklace. It has a white-gold chain and a platinum pendant that spreads wide like a Y of intricate Celtic knotwork. A large emerald rests in the center.

“Wow. This is stunning. Who is this guy?” Haley asks.

I quickly recount the story of meeting him at the party, our brief exchange before my stepbrother chased him off. I shrug and gesture. “I have no idea why he’s sending me all these gifts.” I stare down at the necklace, confused as fuck.

Haley grins wide. “Well, it’s quite obvious he’s into you. Snagging a rich dude seems to be catching around here. Maybe it’s in the water or something? First Maddy, then Lexi. Now you. Damn, come to think of it, I’m thirsty.”

I laugh but can’t cover my sudden nervousness. I touch the delicate chain and pendant. “Who gives this kind of gift to someone you exchanged three words with at a party?”

“A rich guy who knows about your brother,” Sam supplies. “You think he’s trying to get in good with Liam or something?”

My mind is cast back to that short exchange between Liam and Lucien, right in front of me. “It’s possible.”

I stop and consider that for a second. I’ve often had to factor my stepbrother’s reputation into every friendship I’ve had. Is the person interested in me, or my super successful, celebrity-like brother?

Lucien and I obviously had sparks before Liam came along and killed the vibe. So it had the opposite effect. Maybe he is just the guy to help me with the business succession issue. He seems…eager to spend time with me, anyway, and couldn’t get away from Liam fast enough. Good enough for me.

“Huh. What are you going to do?”

I set the necklace down and look into Haley’s green eyes. “I’m going to have some fun with Lucien. Maybe even get some legal advice from him about my situation. Bonus points if any or all of that pisses off my stepbrother.”

Chapter 4

Sacked

The next day at work, my manager pulls me into the back office and fires me. Well, okay, fire is a bit harsh. She’s “let me go” because they just don’t have the hours to give me. Which is strange, because in the last few weeks, we’ve been busier than ever.

After turning in my apron and filling out some paperwork, I’m near tears as I walk home. What the fuck am I going to do?

Aside from filing for unemployment, of course. My mind races. I’ll need to update my resume and start putting out applications for other server jobs nearby. But all of that is going to take time. And living in a college town, jobs like that are hard to come by, at least in this area. I could look for a job in a neighboring city, but I’d rather not have to spend money on gas going to and from work if I can help it.

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