The Arrangement (unenhanced Edition) by AnnaRCase (good novels to read TXT) 📕

Leo decided to park himself in the garage and bypass the valet. He also decided to bring Amberleigh up the back elevators, which was a wise choice, as right now she sure as fuck wasn’t up to friendly chats in the lobby with the nosy neighbors.  And her entering the building with the hot chef was sure to get a few tongues wagging no doubt.  But right now she had more important shit to waste her time and energy on.  Like confronting the son of a bitch who made her care about his lying ass, making her fall head over heels, before ripping the rug right from under her feet in a fucked way instead.

                It was a long, tense ride up the elevator. And by the fiftieth floor, Leo could no longer hold his tongue. She was surprised her resting bitch face hadn’t scared him from trying to open a dialogue back up between them.

                “Amber, I know you are set on leaving, but maybe you should sleep on it at least. It’s late and by tomorrow morning, if you feel the same way, I promise I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

                “What’s that going to change Leo? Things were finally going good between Grayson and I, and I genuinely started to care about him. But it was all a fuckin lie. All a game to him and nothing more.”

                “No. It wasn’t. He has real feelings for you Amber. I know him better than he fucking knows himself. He was a complete dick to you because he was trying to detach himself. He didn’t want to fall for you Amber, because he didn’t want you to fall for him. Not just because he hired you.”

                She focused her eyes on the flashing numbers of the floors as the elevator climbed up the tower. Anywhere but Leo’s face. She didn’t want to be anything other than angry at the billionaire. Anger was helpful. It kept you going in a way nothing else could.

                “And why not? Because he can’t take a whore home for Thanksgiving?” she laughed, “I mean think what the Joneses would have to say about that.”

                Leo placed his hands on her shoulders and forced her to look at him, “Dammit Amber! It’s because he’s going to fuckin die! He doesn’t want to tie anyone to a dying man. He’s told me that himself. Why the fuck you think I’m like his only friend? Why he’s pushed everyone else away? Why he shuts all the rest out?”

                She didn’t have an answer for that. At least not one she trusted herself to speak out loud. Not one she could think about without feeling something besides anger.

                “Because you’re a good friend Leo. And he hasn’t been able to drive you away by his horrendous behavior.”

                Leo scoffed, “Damn right. And he won’t. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to let him make himself a fucking martyr either.  I won’t let him be alone in this.”

                The elevator dinged and opened in the back hall of the penthouse. Amberleigh, of course didn’t have access like Leo did, as he’d used his thumbprint, and she knew she never would. It perfectly summed up her relationship with the billionaire. No full access into his home or his life or his fuckin heart.

                She stormed towards her room, more correctly the guest suite, glad that Leo wasn’t following her.  She was focused on getting her shit and getting the fuck out. She didn’t need Leo to give her a ride anywhere. She could call a fucking cab. She didn’t need anything from anyone in this penthouse.

                 She would pack her stuff and then hunt down the billionaire. She had a few things to say to him before she left. For instance, he could shove their contract right up his ass.  Grayson Godwin may be a selfish coward but she was not.

                Her hand was turning her ivory doorknob when she heard his voice behind her, “Hey beautiful, I was just about to call Leo and see if you’d both gone out to grab a bite to eat or something.”

                He wrapped his arms around her from behind and snuggled his face into her neck. She could feel his warm breath before his lips began to trace gentle kisses on her neck. She hated how her traitorous body responded to his touch, the shiver and goosebumps which adorned her skin.  

                “You’re home early,” she managed in a normal tone.

                “I skipped desert. I knew what was waiting here for me,” he crooned, “And I’m craving your sweet pussy.”

                She drew in a deep breath, before she spun around to face him, “I know you’re lying. I overheard you tell Mr. Duvall the dinner got canceled. I saw you take the flowers with you anyway after you promised me you weren’t fucking anyone else.”

                “It’s not what it looks like. I can explain. I took the flowers to my brother’s grave. I told you Amber, you’re the only one.”

                He tried to kiss her then, but she pulled back. He got a confused look on his face. It was clear no one denied the billionaire a kiss or anything else he wanted before. She saw Leo approach from the corner of her eye. No doubt to play referee or come to the aid of his friend.  Well fuck them both. She crossed her arms and glared daggers at the man standing before her.

                 “Spare me the bullshit. I’m tired of it. I know. I know all about your dirty little secret Mr. Godwin. I followed your ass to the graveyard. I’ve known for a while now you were a hiding something. Just because I’m a whore doesn’t mean I’m a fucking idiot!”

                Without warning, his fist collided with her door. She jumped, though it was clear he hadn’t been aiming for her.  Leo was there in a flash grabbing onto his friend and pulling him back.

                “You had no fucking right to do that! That was private-”

                “You left me no fucking choice! You lied to me from the fucking start! I had a right to know what kind of man the father of my potential kid was.  I saw the meds in your room a few weeks ago.  You should have just told me the truth from the beginning. Before I even signed that fucking contract you bastard!”