Stirred: The Martini Lounge Book 2 Read online

  I sighed. “Alright. Fine.”

  When she didn’t turn off for the mall at Pentagon City, I turned to her. “I thought we were going to eat at the mall then do a little shopping.”

  “I felt like Jaleo’s, haven’t been there in ages.”

  I shrugged indifferently. We pulled up and got lucky, found a spot two spaces down from the front of the restaurant. As I stepped out of the car, I saw a couple with a child. They were all laughing, but paused for a moment when the dad knelt down to wipe food off the child’s face. She squealed, shook her head and said, “No daddy. I don’t wanna.” I smiled and the little family moved off. It seemed like the only time I smiled these days was because of a child. Sophie and now this little girl.

  We entered the restaurant and approached the host. Odessa gave him her name, I glanced over at her confused. “You made a reservation?”

  “Yeah, I thought it best.”

  “This way,” the server stated.

  We were taken toward the rear of the place. The woman stopped before a booth, but someone was already there. He turned around and I stopped. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s time you two talk hon, I mean really talk, and I need you to listen,” Odessa said.

  The server walked away and Harper stood up. “Don’t be mad at Odessa, please. I begged her and she agreed to help me. I was desperate to talk to you. Don’t shut me out, not again.”

  God, the hurt. Slowly, I moved past him and sat down, so did he. Odessa hugged me then squeezed his shoulder. “Text me when you’re ready and I’ll come back and pick you up.”

  “Wait, where are you going?” I asked.

  “To the mall,” she said, as she walked away.

  At first, neither of us could say anything to the other because we were too busy staring. I was drinking him in. I missed him so much, loved him even more. I hated the shadows I saw under his eyes like he hadn’t been sleeping well, and he even looked like he had lost a little weight; none of that seemed right. And I was the cause.

  “It’s good to see you,” he said. “Thank you for staying.”

  “I’m sorry, so sorry.”

  He shook his head and leaned forward. “Stop apologizing. You always do that. That shit stops now. Don’t be scared of me. I love you, will always love you. That will not change because you can’t have a child. The things I planned for my future means nothing without you. Believe that.” He sighed and put his hands on the table. “But something happened and I need to ask you to just wait for me, be patient. I will give you everything, but not right now.”

  I frowned. Maybe I wasn’t the cause of his distress. “What happened?”

  He took a deep breath. “I resigned on Friday.”

  “What? From the firm?” I didn’t expect that.

  “Yeah.” He rubbed his face. “I’m sorry, babe. Trust me, it couldn’t be helped. When I first got Odessa to agree to help me meet you, this was not the discussion I’d planned on having.”

  “But I thought everything was good, that you loved it there. What happened?” I knew he hadn’t been working there long but he’d told Odessa that. Since I wouldn’t talk to him, he would check in with Odessa to make sure I was okay.

  The waitress came over to ask if we were ready to order. Neither of us had looked at the menu, and I wasn’t very hungry to begin with. I’d been there before, so I just ordered a burger, Harper did the same. I hoped he’d eat it and put back on the weight he’d lost.

  “One of the partners is a member at Club Prestige. It’s a large firm with offices in multiple states, so I didn’t know. This woman Clara was recently transferred to the DC office. At first I hoped she wouldn’t recognize me. No such luck. She cornered me last week in my office, and let’s just say, tried to get me to dance for her.”

  “Oh shit!”

  “I pretended like I didn’t know what she was talking about. Then she opened her phone and showed me pictures she’d taken of the nights she’d attended my show. She threatened to go to the other partners about it if I didn’t play nice.”

  “Wow. What did you do?”

  “I told her to go fuck herself. I went to the partner that hired me and told him everything. He seemed cool about it, so I thought things would be okay. I kept working and everything seemed fine. Then today. Shit. First thing this morning, I got called into a meeting with the managing partner, a senior partner, the partner I report to and Clara.

  “Damn.”

  “Shit is more like it. Cause that’s what happened. She told them I was a stripper, which I’d already admitted to, but she claimed I’d propositioned her at the club and propositioned her again in the office to keep it quiet.”

  I didn’t know what Harper was going to say, but I hadn’t expected this. “Oh my god.”

  “They felt it best, regardless of what happened, that I take the opportunity to resign for the good of my career. They said the last thing they’d want is for any of their clients who’ve seen my show to find out that I might be working on their accounts. Some might not be too comfortable if word got out that a stripper, former or otherwise, was representing them.”

  “What a bitch. Can you fight this?”

  “I could, but what would be the point? It’s he said she said. One of those times you can’t disprove a negative given the facts. I was a stripper. I purposely kept it off my resume, nor did I disclose that fact before I was hired. They could claim they weren’t given an opportunity to ensure there would not be a conflict with any of the clients. They hinted that was a strong possibility. I’ll be damned if I want to work for a firm like that. Sure as shit not one with the likes of Clara. They gave me a nice severance and I’ll look for something else. They weren’t the only firm interested in me. And I’m not going to make the same mistake with the next firm, I’m letting them know up front about what I did while I was in law school.”

  I placed my hand over his. Even that small touch made me ache for him. He covered my hand with both of his. I didn’t want him to let go. “I’m so sorry. And I guess me not talking to you didn’t help either.” He was a good person and damn smart. He did not deserve this. “Any firm would be damn lucky to have you, that place is obviously full of assholes, so best to find that out sooner rather than later.”

  He smiled. “I’ve missed you.”

  He took my hand and kissed my fingers. The first time we touched in almost a month, his warmth infused me. My cells came alive again.

  “I need you, Nadya. You might need me too. If you love me you’ll give us a chance.”

  My heart thumped so hard I could hear the vibration throughout the rest of my body. I had to let go of my fear. The only person I’ve ever been able to depend on was myself. Even being in the military, at the end of the day it was my skills and determination that got me through it, kept me alive. I had to let Harper in he wouldn’t hurt me.

  I tried to explain my feelings to him. I told him about the child I’d seen outside earlier. If I had an epiphany, maybe he did too. “The couple was white, the little girl was not. Since she called the man daddy perhaps she was adopted I don’t know but it didn’t seem to matter. When I looked at them all I saw was a solid unit, a family.”

  “No one’s guaranteed a child of their own. There’re many kids in need of someone to love them,” he said. “We can give them that when we’re ready. So what’s your answer? Are you going to give us a chance?”

  ****

  We barely made it back to his place. We never even made it to the bedroom but instead fell on the sofa. I pulled off my clothes. He sat back and just watched me, his eyes twinkling. Leaning forward, I took off his shirt, draping it over the couch. Pausing a moment to run my palms down his very sculptured chest. Then I finished undressing him quickly, admiring the way his dick kept swelling while I watched it.

  His hand snaked out and pulled down my panties. Holding onto him, I stepped out of them. He immediately spun me around and eased me back down right onto his hard cock. I moaned as my pussy encl
osed him. His warm flesh pulsed inside of me. This time, unlike others, there was no twinge of pain with our lovemaking knowing I could never give him a child. Finally, I allowed myself to believe he loved me no matter what, and I gave myself completely over to him.

  Placing his hands on my thighs, he spread my legs wider, then pressed lightly against my back so I was leaning forward a little. Allowing him to push even deeper inside me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and controlled my movements. I placed my hands on his legs to help me move up and down on him.

  I could feel his cock swelling even more inside me, pulsing as I rode him faster, slamming down onto his lap harder, taking him deeper with each motion.

  One of his hands rose to across my breasts, his fingers grabbed my areola and he rolled the tip. My body shook, I felt the riot in my core and I shattered all over his cock. He cried out only seconds after and his warmth filled me as he came.

  “I love you,” he stated, nuzzling my neck.

  “I love you too.”

  I eased off him and tried to stand but my legs were a little shaky. He caught me around the waist to steady me. “Thanks.” I bent over to pick up his shirt and put it on, then he pulled me down beside him.

  “I love it when you wear my clothes and smell of me.” He lay back on the couch, placing me on top of him and wrapped his arms around me.

  He gave a contented sigh and I placed my hand on his chest. Enjoying the feel of the rise and fall against my palm. I’d almost screwed up and let my fears continue to rule me and lose this man. Thank God he wouldn’t let me get away. I soon matched the rhythm of my heart to his and it lulled me into a peaceful place. Suddenly, my body rose and floated out of the room, then came to rest on the softness of a mattress placed beneath me. “What…what’s going on?” I asked. I must have fallen asleep and didn’t even realize it.

  Harper grinned as he stared at me. “Nothing. Redd’s here and thought you’d be more comfortable in our room.”

  Our. I smiled. Damn I loved this man. I glanced down at myself and realized all I wore was his shirt, which was wide open. I looked at him, he at least had slacks on. “Oh my God, did she come in and find us butt naked on the couch? Was she alone?” I’d met her boyfriend, nice guy, but still didn’t want to be flashing my tits at him.

  “Yeah, Nikko wasn’t with her. But don’t worry, she didn’t see anything, much.”

  I covered my face with my hands. “Damn.”

  Harper chuckled. “Hey don’t worry about it. I’m going to talk to Redd before she leaves again. Bounce some ideas with her about what happened.”

  “Oh good plan.”

  “You want to put something on then join us?”

  “Sure. Be out in five.”

  He leaned over and kissed me before straightening up and just staring at me for a moment with a soft smile on his face.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Nothing. I just love looking at you.”

  Then he turned around and left the room. I lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling, thanking my blessings.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Harper

  I went back into the living room to talk to Redd, feeling better than I had all month. I had my lady back, and that’s all that mattered. So I wasn’t as upset about the forced resignation as I told Redd about what had happened.

  “You know that’s bullshit,” Redd said when I was done.

  “Yeah, I know. I was fucking blindsided this morning.” I raked my fingers through my hair. “But I should have known. The minute that skinny bitch Clara tried to get me to kiss her, I knew she would be trouble.”

  “I know who you’re talking about. The one who looks like butter won’t melt in her mouth, except when she got her hand on one of the dancer’s asses,” Redd said.

  “Yeah her.” Redd knew exactly who she was. The woman used to hang out in the Martini Lounge, the room Redd managed at the club. “Too bad the partner I worked for and who hired me had no balls when it came to that woman, even though he’s more senior than her. Word was she’s sleeping with the managing partner of the firm, he’s the one who transferred her here.”

  Redd nodded. “Figures. Well rest assured her membership privileges will now be revoked. No one pulls shit like that on a friend. So what are you going to do now?”

  “I thought I’d talk to some of the other firms I’d interviewed with before. See if you have any suggestions.”

  “Assuming they don’t try to black ball you around town.”

  “Hey, Redd,” Nadya said, coming into the room and sitting next to me on the couch.

  I placed my arm around her and kissed her forehead, happy to have her near me.

  “Hey lady, long time,” Redd said.

  “Yeah, too long,” Nadya agreed smiling.

  “Redd was just telling me I could be black balled.”

  “What the fuck, by the firm? Can they do that?” Nadya asked.

  “They do that shit then game on, they’re going to understand why I graduated in the top ten of our law school class. I left because I thought it best for me, but I can make it uncomfortable for them.”

  Redd grinned. “I have a better idea. How about you come work with me?”

  “What?” I felt Nadya squeeze my hand. When I glanced at her she was smiling at me.

  “Yeah, it’s perfect. You already know how the club works, you can for starters help me handle that account. I already have a few of the clients signed on to have me represent them. If you’re interested, I think I can pitch this to the partners.”

  I frowned. “The Gunns? I’ve heard a lot about them, the Young Guns as they’re sometimes called. But they mainly handle entertainment law, intellectual property issues. I’m more corporate and government affairs, that’s been where my interest lie. ”

  “Yeah, but you can still use that. It’s all about contracts anyway and a lot of these entertainers and sports figures are corporations unto themselves.”

  “What about his background?” Nadya asked.

  She snorted. “They won’t care. The only thing they’d care about is if you can do an excellent job and produce.”

  For the first time since the meeting from hell, my nerves felt better too. I thought Redd would have some suggestions for firms to try but what she was offering, if she could pull it off, sounded pretty damn good to me, and best of all I had my girl with me. “Alright, I’m interested.”

  “Perfect. I’ll bring it up tomorrow and try to let you know something as soon as possible, at least if they’re even interested in the idea. But I think they will be, they’re growing. They just signed two big clients.”

  ****

  Redd kept me waiting for two days, not like I wasn’t making contingency plans. I’d reached out to a couple of classmates who’d gotten out of law school before I did and I’d kept in touch. I even had a couple of interviews lined up for next week. When I finally did hear from her it was good news, I’d been reading up on her firm, and the more I found out the more I liked them.

  Things were finally working out for me. I had the woman I’d fallen in love with and who loved me back in my life and a job with a future—career-wise. Now it was time to take another step to let Nadya know I wasn’t just saying words. I meant what I said to her. I wanted her, needed her in my life. I didn’t care if she could give me kids or not, together we’d still be a family. And later if we both wanted it we could adopt, but right now I could take care of my baby and it was time to prove it to her.

  I signed the contract with Gunn & Gunn and I knew what my next step would be.

  Epilogue

  “How weird was that for you, being at the club tonight as a guest and not a dancer?” Nadya asked.

  I grinned. “Very.” But I had to go. It was Roman’s birthday and they had a party for him. “It wasn’t so bad though, none of the members recognized me.”

  “That’s because you were wearing clothes and no mask.”

  “True.” We’d left the party early beca
use I had plans for us tonight. I’d been with Gunn now for three months and I’d passed the bar. My firm was nothing like the stiff asses I worked with before. I guided Nadya straight to the bedroom.

  “Give me five I’ll be right back,” she said, stepping out of my embrace and heading for the bathroom.

  I quickly stripped naked and got under the covers. When she came back, she only wore a cami top and her underwear. My dick stiffened. A good start because she wouldn’t be wearing them long. She got into bed beside me and reached for me, but I rolled away from her and opened up the drawer in my side table. I took out the envelope with her name written on it that I’d placed there earlier in the evening. I handed it to her.

  “What’s this?” she asked, as she took it out of my hand and glanced at it.

  The envelope was a light lavender color, it was the most expensive shit in the store, but what I needed to write I would have spent ten times that much. “Open it and see.”

  She sat up and so did I. Her lower lip trembled. “I’m scared.”

  I leaned forward and kissed her fingers. “There’s nothing to fear. Open it.”

  She ripped it open and took out the single sheet of fine paper. I could see her eyes widen as she read the words. It had to be the shortest letter I’d ever written her, but the most important one.

  Dear Nadya,

  Be my family. Let me be yours. Marry Me.

  I Love You,

  Harper

  She gasped and tears pooled in her beautiful eyes. I took her hand.

  “Well?”

  “Yes…yes. I love you so much. Yes.” The paper fell onto the blanket and I snuck my hand under my pillow for the box I’d placed there earlier. Taking it out, I opened it and took out the Princess cut three karat diamond ring. She gasped again. “It’s so beautiful.”

  Her hands trembled, mine were steady and sure, when I put my ring on her finger. I placed a kiss upon it, all the while staring up into the eyes of my love.