Page 34 of Perfect Satisfaction

It also can’t get up and walk away, leaving me empty.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Angela Fahey Burke was spotted entering the building that houses her employer, LLF, LLC. It’s obvious she’s done licking her latest wounds (translation: taking a short vacation).

Then again, we’re not quite certain why she or her husband continue working at all. With Ward Burke’s wealth, they could spend their lives on a permanent vacation.

If you’re wondering what you have to do to attain that kind of financial independence, there are two options. Inherit or marry well.

—StellaNova

I fist pump the air.I clarify with my attorney one last time, “To confirm, you are telling me I do not need to print a retraction for posting the publicly available information?”

“No. In fact, you should be expecting a call from LLF any second.”

“I owe you double for this.”

“You don’t owe me a thing. I stipulated your legal fees be covered.”

At those words, my smile widens. “Then expect a case of your favorite scotch to be delivered by the end of the day.”

“I won’t turn that down. My wife invited fifty people over for a little soiree this evening.”

“Anyone I should know about?”

“There isn’t a chance I’m letting you in the door,” Baldwin replies drolly. “You’re the reason I lobbied so hard to my co-op for blackout shades.”

Before I can formulate a suitable reply, he hangs up. Within seconds, it rings again. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to guess who’s on the other end. I answer, “Arek Ronan.”

“You may regret this sooner than you think, Mr. Ronan. You can’t keep revealing people’s darkest secrets without some sort of repercussions.” Carys Burke-Lennan’s honeyed voice is on the other end of the line.

“I merely revealed facts. Angela Fahey Burke’s address isn’t a state secret.”

“No, perhaps not. But there are some who will look... unkindly to her being under media scrutinization.”

A sick feeling rushes up inside me, but I bluff, “Is that a threat, Ms. Burke? I’d hate to reengage my attorney so quickly.”

“Not at all. I hope for your sake your lucky streak doesn’t run out.” With that, she ends the call.

Hastings laughs after I press End on my side. “I don’t care what that viper just intimated. I plan on celebrating tonight.”

“Me too.”

He leaps out of his chair and calls, “Ciao!” over his shoulder.

I don’t respond. Instead, I tap a few buttons on my keyboard. Next to the StellaNova page on my desktop is a British tabloid with a photo that’s been eating a hole in my heart all morning.

I enlarge the photo until her green eyes bore directly into mine. “That makes two for me, darling? What’s it going to take for you to get in the game. Are you ever going to live up to your promise to retaliate for your friend? Just think, Ursula, you and me. One-on-one. I can play even dirtier if that’s what it takes to get you back in my face. Do you remember when we got dirty together?”

I flipped her over to her stomach. Before drawing her up to her knees, a spear of heat surged through me as she pressed her hips into the mattress.

Her desire is strong as my own.

She flicks her hair over one shoulder as she pins me with her clear green eyes before she mouths just my name, “Arek.”

I lean down and brace my arms over her, caging her in. I take the kiss her pouty lips offer.

I then take more.