Page 40 of Cruel Fate

She smiles. “It’s okay. Zane’s bouncing back, thanks to you.”

I don’t want to take credit for something so serious. I don’t want to feel like if something were to happen to us, Zane wouldn’t be all right.

She stands, and once again I’m struck by the way she’s dressed.

“Are you okay?” I ask as she slides on her trench coat.

“Yeah. Why?” She packs up her laptop, charger, and cell phone and shoves her notebook and pen into the side pocket of the bag.

Covered up, she looks like a professional career woman who has a penchant for naughty shoes. Maybe that’s all it is. That’s all I would think if I hadn’t met Ashton Black.

“Just making sure.” I don’t have anything else I can add. Zarah will defend Ash, I know she will. She’s in love with the rat, and there’s no talking to a woman when she’s wearing rose-colored glasses.

“Let’s go shopping soon.”

I’m thankful she doesn’t suggest tomorrow night. I’m looking forward to having Zane over. “Text me.”

Zarah throws a smile and a wave over her shoulder.

Our martinis still have a couple inches of vodka in them, and I drain both glasses. No use wasting good booze. It goes against all my manners to leave our dishes in the office, and I carry them downstairs to the kitchen. Crinkling her eyes in amused appreciation, a waitress relieves me of the stack and wishes me goodnight. I forgot to thank Zarah for the meal—I won’t be stupid and pay this time—and pausing near the bar’s exit, I text her. She sends me back a blowing kiss emoji.

Stepping onto the sidewalk, I breathe in a deep lungful of evening air. The bright city lights can’t compete with the stars, and I miss the tranquility of Maryanne’s backyard.

I pass by a Donna Karan boutique on the way to the train, and I hesitate for a moment, admiring the dresses displayed in the windows. Wanting to know if what Zarah said is true, I let myself inside. A saleswoman greets me, and I give her credit for a cheerful demeanor at nine-thirty at night. Plus one extrapoint because she doesn’t wrinkle her nose. I have no business shopping in this store.

I feel awkward now, but it’s too late to back out. Tomorrow I’ll see if Harper has a list of clothing stores that I’ll be able to shop at, but tonight, now that Zarah put the idea into my head, a new dress would be nice to wear to work.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m wondering, well, I work at Maddox Industries, and Zarah, I mean, Miss Maddox...” If I’m going to be Zane’s executive assistant, I’m going to have to learn to be more assertive and coherent than this. “Is this store a part of, I mean, does Maddox Industries have an expense account here?”

The statuesque saleswoman nods, and her face clears. “Of course. I recognize you now. You’re Stella Mayfair. If you have your badge, we’ll create an account for you. I need the ID number off the back. Were you looking for anything in particular?”

I relax. “How do you know me?”

“Sweetie, you’ve been all over social media. Zane Maddox’s girlfriend of the moment and new executive assistant. Quite a catch you made, but he seems to have good taste as well.”

She helps me choose colors and styles, and I try on several dresses, skirts, and blouses. An hour later, I have clothing more work-appropriate than what I currently own and two new pairs of heels. The woman rattles off the total and I gag, but all she does is staple a copy of the receipt to a Maddox Industries billing invoice and wishes me goodnight.

So, this is how it’s going to be. I’m the girlfriend of the moment. I should enjoy it while it lasts.

Nothing this good is real.

I can be the first to tell you that.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Zane

Ibrush my teeth before heading downstairs, and Ash texts, asking to meet for lunch. I haven’t heard from him since our night at Temptations, and with my mouth full of foam and my toothbrush sticking out of my mouth, I accept. When I step onto the executive floor, Stella’s already there, wearing a pretty blouse and skirt set. Her hair is free, hanging down her back, and the first thing I think of is twisting it around my hands and yanking, slamming into her and making her cry out, her body convulsing around my eager cock as she comes.

“Are we still on for tonight?” I ask.

“If you still want.”

I look around, and we’re alone. I hold her hand and kiss her palm. “I always want.”

“Okay.”

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