Still Love You Page 2

  Teddy doesn’t move. I press the intercom on my phone. “Helen, please call security. Mr. Case needs an escort out of the building.”

  “Three million.”

  I remain silent. Teddy fidgets for a minute and then says, “Just look at the damn prospectus, will you? It’s a solid deal. We could both make money and I’ll be out of your hair forever.”

  “I’d love that to be true.” The double doors to my office open and my black-suited security team strolls in.

  Teddy curls his hands around the armrests and refuses to budge. ”I’m telling you—”

  “Fine. Send me the prospectus.” In the meantime, I need to find out the best way to get rid of him for good.

  Teddy claps his hands together. “I knew you’d come around.”

  “Stay away from Abigail,” I remind him.

  “Yeah. Yeah.” He gets to his feet and waves at the security team. “No need for force, boys. We’re all friends here.” When he gets to the door, he stops and turns back. “You say you know my sister, but sometimes I wonder. I don’t think she’s always honest with you, so maybe your marriage isn’t as good as you think it is.”

  He disappears through the opening before I can launch the paperweight on my desk at his head. Abigail? Not honest with me? I don’t think so.

  Chapter 4

  Abigail

  I pick at the chipped table waiting for Teddy to get here. I am running out of time. I don’t know why he texted me in such a rush, asking me to meet him if he was only going to show up late. It’s typical of him, but still I wait, knowing that if I leave, he’ll only call again. The server comes by, dropping off my coffee.

  “Anything else I can get you?”

  “No, thank you,” I say. I’m not even going to drink this. I don’t really care for coffee but I felt like I needed to order something if I was going to take up the table. I check my watch again. It was a twenty-minute drive to even get to this part of town. I had to make sure that I ventured out some so I didn't run into anyone I know.

  My head jerks up when the bell over the door dings. My brother strolls in like he has all the time in the world. I want to yell at him, but that will only take up more time that I don’t have. I see Layla, who is sitting in a corner booth tapping the top of her watch, reminding me of the time. I answer her with my eyes, not wanting Teddy to know I brought someone with me.

  Layla goes everywhere I do. It’s what she is paid by my husband to do. What Con doesn't realize is that even though Layla might be paid by him, she often bends the rules for me. He might have hired her, but she is still my friend.

  I stand as Teddy walks over to me. He wraps me in a tight hug, picking me up off my feet. I smile, hugging him back tightly. Over the years it’s begun to feel like I’m the older one. It seems as though I’m always having to get him out of trouble. I try to savor moments like this when he hugs me like he used to when we were kids. It feels like I have my big brother back that I lost so long ago.

  “You feel a little heavier. You knocked up yet?” Inwardly I cringe. I’d be lying if I said his words didn’t cut me deep. He puts me back down on my feet.

  “No, I guess I’m just eating too much.” I force a smile like his words don't hurt me. I take a seat back in the booth. He drops down on the other side, stealing the coffee from in front of me. I let him take it because I didn’t want it to begin with.

  “You look good. Even if you have put on a few pounds, you carry it well.” He takes a sip from the coffee. “You ever think you’re not getting pregnant because Con isn't the one for you? That maybe it’s fate’s way of making sure you don’t get saddled with him?” Teddy smiles as he says it. I grab my bag, standing to leave. Layla starts to get up too. Teddy snags me around the wrist. “Sorry, sis. Sit down.” I stare down at him. “Please.” I glare at him, letting him know I won’t tolerate another bad word about my husband.

  “Don’t do it again,” I warn him before dropping back down into the booth. Teddy knows there is only one hard limit with me and that is Con. I understand that they don’t get along but I wasn't going to let Teddy talk bad about my husband. I would never let anyone talk bad about the man who tried to give me everything he could. He nods his head in agreement so I scoot back into the booth.

  “Teddy. I know this isn’t a social call and you’re late. I have dinner with Con in a little while.” Moments ago I was excited to see him and now his comment about Con has fouled my mood and left a bad taste in my mouth. I also know he didn’t call me here for a social visit. I’m ready for him to tell me what he needs from me this time. Or should I say how much he needs from me this time to bail him out of whatever mess he’s gotten himself into.

  “A guy can’t ask his little sister out to have a cup of coffee?” His face goes soft. “I miss you.”

  “I miss you too,” I admit. He holds his hand out for me to take. I grab it.

  “I didn't mean to take a shot at Con.” He actually looks like he feels bad for a moment. “I just heard some shit I’m not happy about so I wanted to check in with you.”

  “I’m fine.” When it comes to my husband I’m always happy. It’s me that’s coming up short lately. “What did you hear? You can’t believe gossip.” I roll my eyes. People try and say stupid things sometimes. It was hard for people to wrap their minds around the fact that Con has been madly in love with me since high school when he could have had a million other women that fit more into his world. I wasn't born into money. Con threw me over his shoulder and brought me into it.

  “That he made you sign a prenup.” I sit there in shock. “I take it from your face that’s true.”

  “Maybe.” I pull my hand back.

  “Maybe?”

  “Con had me sign a lot of stuff when we got married.” I remember there were insurance things ranging from heath to life insurance. Everything I did take the time to look at was for my own security. Between the wedding planning and graduating, there was a lot going on. If Con asked me to sign something I just did. I trust the man with my life. I know that he would never do anything that wasn’t in my best interest.

  “Sounds shady to me if you don’t even know.” He shrugs.

  “It doesn't matter. We aren't getting a divorce.” At least I’d never leave Con. I don’t think he'd leave me if I wasn’t able to give him kids. Or if he found out that I’ve been sneaking around with my brother.

  “Okay. I just thought you should know.”

  “Is that why you called me here?”

  “That and I missed you.” He smiles at me. He’s not asking for anything. I reach out, grabbing his hand.

  “I miss you too. I have to go but let's do this again when we’re both on time so we can hang out?” Maybe he has changed.

  “Sounds like a plan.” He stands from the booth, dropping a five down on the table for my coffee. He gives me another tight hug. “Love you.”

  “Love you too.” A weight lifts off me and I smile. Things might really be looking up. I try not to let my mind wonder if my husband is hiding things from me too.

  Chapter 5

  Constantine

  “Sit up straight, darling,” I order my wife. “The waiter is about to return with your water.”

  “You’re evil,” she says, struggling to an upright position. I move my hand with her so I don’t lose contact. “Why are you doing this?”

  “This” being finger-fucking her in the middle of a crowded Manhattan restaurant while the waiter is bringing our appetizers. “I told you I was going to punish you.”

  I work my thumb over her clit and enjoy the feel of her cunt clamping down on my fingers. She sucks her lower lip between her teeth and tries not to moan.

  The waiter arrives with our salads and while he describes the pine nuts and hand-selected greens, I curl my fingers upward. A squeak escapes Abigail’s mouth and the waiter pauses mid-sentence. “I can have the pine nuts removed, if you like.”

  “She loves pine nuts,” I say for her. It’s a good thing it’
s dark because my wife has turned a deep scarlet. “We’re good,” I inform the waiter. While he gives me an uncertain look, Abigail shields her face with a curtain of hair and a hand at her forehead. I press hard on her sensitive clit. The muscles in her throat work as she swallows back the scream she wants to release. “We’re good,” I repeat firmly.

  The waiter finally leaves and Abigail slumps against me, shuddering as the orgasm she’s been fighting off washes over her. I cup her pussy until she stops convulsing. She gasps as I withdraw. I suck my fingers of her sweetness before I dip them into the water glass and then wipe them clean.

  She pushes into a sitting position and sends a glare in my direction. “My panties are damp.”

  “Feel free to take them off.”

  “No, because then I won’t have any defense against you.”

  “Sounds ideal.” I slide an extra cherry tomato onto her plate. “Eat up. You’re going to need the fuel for tonight.” I tuck a fresh napkin across her lap and place the fork in her hand. She automatically starts eating. Satisfied my girl is taken care of--in all ways--I flag down a waiter and ask for a new glass of water. “How’s Orchard?”

  “She’s good. You know she’s pregnant, right?”

  “I heard.” And worried about Abigail, which is why I fingered her under the table. I wanted to take her mind off the baby thing.

  “She’s glowing. Pregnant women are so beautiful, don’t you think?”

  “I think you’re beautiful.”

  She scrunches up her nose. “You know what I mean.”

  “I know that you’re beautiful and I love you and I can’t wait to get you home so I can have dessert.” That nets me an eyeroll.

  The main course--a special pasta that we can only get here at Terrellis--arrives and our conversation grinds to a halt as we dig in. After several moments of silence as we’re busy with dinner, Abigail lays down her fork and sighs in happy satisfaction. “I love this meal. Next time, though, pick a different spot if you have to punish me because I don’t want to be banned from this restaurant.”

  “Noted.” I’d be sad about that, too. Abigail deserves all the good things in life and that includes being able to go to her favorite restaurants and have her favorite meals. “You’re spending a lot of time with Orchard’s grocery business. If I’d known you were interested in that sector, I would have found you one of your own chains to manage.”

  Abigail coughs. “I’m not really that interested. I’m just there as a helping hand. Besides, Orchard is like the little sister I never had. It’s nice spending time with her.” There’s a hint of loneliness in her voice. I wish she didn’t miss her brother, but I know she does.

  “If you’re interested, let me know. I’m sure there’s a competitor that I can scrounge up for you.”

  “I’m not going to go into business against my friend,” Abigail chides me.

  “It’s nothing personal, baby.”

  “Orchard would think it was personal and so would I. You men are so ruthless with each other. I can’t believe Kale still talks to you after you bought the biotech firm he wanted.”

  “Blank’s better at managing other people’s money than owning businesses. He should be grateful I saved him the headache.”

  “He banned you from poker games for a month and didn’t let you back in until you bought him that limited edition Maserati.”

  “Come to think of it, he might be too emotional for Wall Street. I’ll tell him you said so. I’m meeting him for racquetball tomorrow.”

  Abigail punches me in the arm. “You will do no such thing.”

  I pretend she’s hurt me. “Wow. I had no idea you were so protective of Kale Blank. You’re going to have to prove your loyalty to me tonight or I’m going to go to bed with hurt feelings.”

  “You’re questioning my loyalty now? How did we even get here?” Abigail cries in mock anger.

  I lean close and give her sweet mouth a kiss. “I would never question your loyalty.”

  “Better not,” she replies. I give her another quick kiss and sit back. As I pick up my fork again, she says, “Speaking of loyalty, did you know Orchard and Heath don’t have a prenup? That’s unusual, isn’t it?”

  I shrug. “I suppose it is, but we don’t have one, either.”

  “We don’t?”

  “Of course not.” I wipe a napkin across my mouth and wonder what brought this on. I know she hasn’t been in contact with her brother or Layla, her bodyguard, would have said something.

  “You had me sign a bunch of documents at the wedding.”

  I frown. “And you thought one of those was a prenup? They were beneficiary forms so that if I passed, my assets would flow directly to you.”

  “Oh.”

  “Baby. I want you to have all my money. What’s the point of making it if you can’t spend it?” I grab her hand. “You know that, right?”

  “I do,” she replies, but there’s something in her voice, some weird note that I can’t make out that sets my teeth on edge. I give myself an internal shake. There’s nothing wrong here. Teddy’s visit is just screwing with my perception. I give her hand a squeeze.

  “Good. Eat up and let’s go home.”

  Chapter 6

  Abigail

  “You should have Layla take you home,” Con says when I let out another yawn.

  “You’re the reason I was up most of the night.” I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down for another kiss. We’re outside his office building. I popped in to have lunch with him but Con ended up eating me instead. My husband really is insatiable. I’m not complaining in the least. I crave him as much as he does me.

  “I don’t remember you complaining.” He smirks, being cocky, but I can’t knock him for that. He has reason to be. Neither one of us has ever been with anyone besides each other. We have nothing to compare our sex to but I have no doubt that sex is the one department we never fall short in.

  Another reason I feel like I should have been pregnant by now. I know it’s not for lack of trying. Which makes me think that there’s something wrong with me. I don’t know why I always think something is wrong with me but I can’t help it.

  “I’ll see you at home.” I give him another quick kiss, dropping my arms from around him, but he doesn't let me go. “You have racquetball and I told Orchard I’d stop by again today.”

  “You’ve been going there every day.” He almost pouts, making me laugh.

  “It’s not like I have anything better to do.” He has his future business plans already mapped out while I’m kind of in limbo. I'm not doing what I thought I would be doing at this point in my life. When the finance company I worked for merged with another and moved last year, I didn't go with them. I didn't care for the new ownership.

  Then I toyed with the idea of finding something new, but Con and I decided it wouldn’t make sense. What would have been the point in starting with a new company if I was actively trying to get pregnant? It would have been unfair to that company to do that. Little did I know that getting pregnant wasn’t in the immediate future for me.

  Being a mom and having a family is the one thing I’ve wanted for so long. Even when I was in college, studying to get my degree, it was what I dreamed of for my future. I went into finance because I’ve always been good with numbers. I enjoyed it for the most part. My end goal had still been being a mother and a wife.

  Many people look at me like I’m crazy when I say that. I went to one of the best colleges in the country. I graduated with honors. I could have my pick of jobs. But having a family was just as important to me as being successful. I didn’t want to get swallowed up into a 24/7 job and lose sight of what was important to me. Con never looked at me like I was crazy. It had the opposite effect on him. He went about doing everything he could think of to try to put a baby inside of me.

  “I can think of many things I want to do with you.”

  “Remember them for tonight and let go of my ass.” He gives it one more squeeze before h
e finally releases his hold. “I love you.”

  “Love you, too.” I slip into the car. He shuts the door for me. A moment later Layla is taking us towards Orchard’s store. I check my phone to see I have a text from my brother asking to see me again. His words from yesterday still bounce around in my head about the prenup thing. I believe Con, but why would Teddy say that? I’m guessing he’s listening to gossip. I think it would be hard for anyone to believe I didn't sign a prenup. The Weathers family is one of the richest in the world. Con’s mom treats me like I am her own daughter. I grew close to her when I lost my own parents.

  “You ever plan on telling him that you’re meeting up with Teddy these days?” Layla glances back at me through the rear view mirror. I know this puts her in a weird spot because I’m basically making her lie to Con.

  “You plan on ratting me out?” I lift my eyebrow at her. She only shakes her head at me. I know she never would.

  “I know he’s your brother, Abi, but I’m worried. I’m sorry if I’m overstepping. But as your friend and your security, I can’t just ignore it.” I know she’s only looking out for my best interest. She and Con don’t get it. They have a family. Teddy is all I have left when it comes to mine. He looked out for me when I needed someone. I should do the same for him.

  “He says he’s changed. What kind of sister would I be if I turned my back on him?”

  “I know you wouldn’t turn your back on anyone that needed your help. My concern is what that help will cost you? Will you know when enough is enough? Sometimes we have to let things go. Don’t let your kindness be used as a weakness.” I contemplate her words for a few moments, letting them sink in. How much would I be willing to hide from Con?