AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“How do you know him?”
“He was kind of infamous in the club scene back in the day,” he said.
I was afraid to ask, but I had to. “What does that mean?”
“It means he and his best buddy, Dane, were notorious womanizers,” he said.
It was exactly what I was afraid he would say. “Have you talked with him recently?”
“Nah, not for a couple years, but that doesn’t mean anything.” He shrugged and took another cheese stick. “Back then, they were working their way through the city. It was a different woman every night.”
“When you sayback then, how long ago are you talking?” I asked.
There was a sick feeling in my stomach.Back thenwould have been me.Back thenwould have been when we were together in Vegas. Back when he professed his love but didn’t mean it. He couldn’t have possibly meant it. It was a line.
“I don’t know, five, ten years ago,” he said, shrugging. “And all the years in between.”
“How come I never met him?” I asked. “If you hung out with him, why did I never meet him? I knew all your friends.”
He shook his head. “No way in hell was I letting my little sister get within fifty feet of that guy. He’s all about racking up the numbers and not giving a shit about the destruction he leaves in his wake.”
“Are you still friends with him?” I asked.
“I haven’t seen him in a while,” he said. “I doubt he’s changed though. Last I heard he hadn’t changed. I know Dane hasn’t. I ran into him at a party and it was the same old antics. He had a blonde on one arm and a redhead on the other. He offered to share.”
I curled my lip. “Gross.”
“Yeah, but that’s what we’re dealing with. Just remember that when he puts the moves on you at work. Then again, you might be safe. I heard a rumor his dad has some strict rule for his people. No sex with coworkers. Period. Back when we used to hang out, he bitched about it a lot. Said there was some chick he wanted but couldn’t have. Said he was going to fire her just so he could take her to bed.”
I was going to be sick. “Wow. Sounds like a real peach.”
“Yeah, nice guy. Be careful,” he said. “Do you like the job?”
“I do. I’ve only worked there a couple of days, but everyone seems nice and happy. They’re all very welcoming. He seems like a good boss as well. Everyone respects him.”
“Of course, but that doesn’t mean much. I bet if you ask the many women he’s used, they would not have such nice things to say about him.”
“Wow,” I muttered.
I had no appetite when the waiter came back, but I ordered a burger anyway. I had to pretend all was well or Brandon was going to know something was up. That was not a conversation I was going to have. It was one thing for my mother to know but not my brother. Brandon was convinced he was my protector. He’d always been my big brother and pseudo-father.
We talked a bit, catching up on each other’s lives while eating. Rather, he ate, and I pushed around fries. The whole time he was talking, I was thinking about Jon. I realized everything he had been saying had been part of the game.
He had played me and I was such a damn fool to believe it. When I walked away the first time, I should have stayed away. Why in the hell was I putting myself directly in his line of fire? I couldn’t avoid him. I didn’t know if I was strong enough to reject his advances. The truth was, even knowing what I knew, I was still fantasizing about him.
I went home and to bed with thoughts of Jon. I kept imagining him saying the same things he said to me to other women. I wasn’t necessarily jealous, but I was disgusted. I felt like such an idiot for actually thinking I was special. I had actually felt guilty for walking out of that stupid hotel room. I thought I was breaking the man’s heart.
What a joke.
The next morning, I didn’t put all that much effort into looking nice. I didn’t want him to notice me. I wanted him to keep his compliments to himself. The man was not who I thought he was. Or more like, he was exactly who I thought he was. I just let myself get taken in by the gorgeous eyes and amazing sex. Not anymore.
I got Jon set up with his coffee, water, and muffin and returned to my desk with very little conversation. Thankfully, he had to jump on a call right away. I was busy with getting things organized my way and trying to learn the ropes.
“You’ve been quiet all morning,” Jon said when I delivered some paperwork for him to sign.
“I’m just trying to get up to speed,” I said. “Your previous assistant left meticulous notes. I’m trying to incorporate her way with my way.”
“I think you’re doing fine,” he said. “Better than fine. Are you getting in your workouts?”
