Page 3 of Emergence and Ascendance

"Trust." Her eyes were on me. "That's why you're doing this. Ever since the divorce you've been in this weird ass space of needing to control every little detail of your life and the reason is because you no longer trust. You need this."

I laughed arrogantly. "Sex with a stranger will not solve my trust issues."

"You have to trust him with your body, and that, friend, is a big deal."

I narrowed my eyes and she smiled wider. "Okay, okay, even if that's true, which it isn't, that's not exactly the point. Submission is about trust, physically and emotionally. Just try it, and if you hate it, then you can back out."

"No." I shook my head and finished what was left of my wine.

"You don't want to do it, fine. I'll let it go but only if you look me in my eyes right now and tell me that you're okay… and I mean really okay."

Shit!

No fake smiles, no fake love.

That was the vow we made and promised never to break years ago. We always told the truth, even when it was ugly and hurt.

"I'm…"

She narrowed her eyes, sensing the lie I was about to tell, and I sighed. "I'm working through it."

Tezni lifted from her chair, stumbled a little, but grabbed her glass and the bottle of wine she just opened. She rounded the table and kissed me on the cheek. "I'm going to bed."

I grinned. "With a bottle of wine."

She smiled lazily over her shoulder since she was already heading toward the bedroom on the first level of my home which she claimed as her own for nights like this. It was technicallya mother in-law suite, so it was massive with an en suite that rivaled mine and allowed for privacy.

"Yep, neither of us have a man, so this is all we have to keep us warm at night." She lifted the bottle and the extension of her arm above her head almost made her fall over but she managed to correct herself before she crash landed.

I laughed and she paused at the entrance of the hallway that led to her room for the night. "You'll be in a city where no one knows you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain."

In a week I would be leaving for Crescent Falls to finalize the paperwork to purchase waterfront property I found after doing a random search of prime investment real estate. This was my first solo venture outside of the Whitney name and a way to prove to my father that I didn't need the Whitney legacy backing me in order to be successful.

As much as I loved my family, and the privileges afforded to me because of our name, I also hated the control and lack of respect for my abilities because I was a woman.

My brother could do no wrong in my father's eyes, but with my sister Valerie and me, he questioned and micromanaged every decision we made, regardless of the fact that I successfully ran the development side of the Whitney legacy. I had something to prove and being distracted wasn't an option.

"This deal is important, Tez. I can't…"

"I know, but as much as you love the Whitney legacy, it can't love you back. I'll make a deal with you."

I laughed in amusement because why the hell did her delusional ass think I was making deals with her. She paused while leaning one shoulder against the wall. She needed the stability because the wine was really kicking her ass now based on how low her eyes were.

"I'm not entering into any more deals with you, Tez."

"You'll appreciate this one, and considering it's your only out, I suggest you take it."

"My only out?"

"Yep. You gave me your word and we never go back on our word. If you do, then it ruins the validity of our friendship, twenty-nine years of friendship, Scot."

"Bitch, I know how long we've been friends but I'm starting to question my sanity for allowing you in my life this long."

She used her hand carefully holding the wine glass and shifted her fingers enough to shoot me a bird without dropping the tumbler from a set of four I'd paid two grand for. "We've survived this long because you have tasted the rainbow and know what I bring to the table is invaluable."

"I have never in my life tasted shit on you and don't plan on it." I frowned and she smiled bigger.

"Okay… that did sound suspect but I'm drunk. My point is you love me because I'm me, the very best person you have ever experienced in your life. Your world would be in shambles if I wasn't a part of it, as mine would be if you weren't a part." She paused and frowned, then mumbled. "Shit, what point am I trying to make…"

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