Page 86 of Indecent Ventures

She nods. She doesn’t need to mention our resemblance for it to still be on both of our minds. It’s always in the back of my mind.

“I don’t want you to get hurt. He hurt Jasmine. He’s hurt a lot of women in his life.” He briefly dated Reagan’s close friend, Jasmine. “He’s not a bad guy, he’s just not the commitment type. In thirty-eight years, he’s never been truly serious about anyone. That means something. It’s not normal.”

“Like I said, we’re having fun. I don’t want serious either. I’m not all weepy and hung up on him.” I hope. I might be a little hung up on him. I certainly don’t want anyone else.

“And this is who has you dickmatized?”

I nod.

“Are you safe? Are you comfortable? I know he has…eclectic tastes in the bedroom.”

“If I wasn’t into it, I wouldn’t still be there. It’s not like I’m tied down…err…well, I sort of am, but in a good way.”

We both can’t help but laugh at that.

She stands and walks over to me. She bends and hugs me. “I love you. Just be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt. You don’t deserve it.”

I don’t think Reagan has ever told me she loves me before. I know she hasn’t. I’m choked up with emotion. Feeling family love is still something I’m getting used to.

“Thanks, but I’m fine. I know what I’m doing. He and I are good. We know exactly what we are.”

“Okay. If everything is good, why is it a secret?”

I shrug. “Collin is afraid of Carter knowing. He has it in his mind that Carter will lose all faith in him. He’s terrified of losing Carter’s friendship.”

“That’s ridiculous. Carter loves Collin like family. There’s nothing Collin can do to change that.”

“I can’t speak for him. I’m just telling you what he thinks.”

“It’s going to come out. Please encourage him to tell Carter. I hate keeping secrets from my husband, and it will be better for him to hear it from Collin. He’ll have questions.”

“I’ll try.”

“Please do.” She heads back to her desk and sits. “Beckett Windsor has accepted our offer. He starts here next week.”

“Oh. Cool. I hadn’t heard about it for months, so I assumed it was a dead duck.”

“His daughter was having some separation issues from starting school this year. He didn’t want to commit until she was settled.”

“Wow. It’s kind of unusual for a man of his stature to be deterred by something like that.”

“You don’t know his story?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“His wife died five or six years ago in childbirth. He was immediately a single dad. That’s why he sold his business. He said he couldn’t do both and wanted to be there for his daughter. She started school this year, which is why he wanted back in the game, but not the type of hours required to run your own company.”

“That’s kind of endearing. He seemed so suave and sophisticated when I met him. I never would have guessed.”

She nods. “Yes, I think he’s a good guy who’s well-intended. I’m excited to have him here.”

I stand. “Great. You just keep on hiring hot guys. Let me know if you need anything.”

She laughs. “You’re right. There are a lot of hot guys here.”

I nod. “Carter, Dominic, and Beckett? Wow. No woman will get anything done around here.” I smile. “Oh, just a reminder that I’m going to Mexico next week. I’ll have everything time-sensitive done before I leave.”

“Oh, right. Have a great trip with your girlfriends.”

---