50 Shades of Pink Read online

  The door opened and Jayden walked in.

  “Jayden!” I darted over to him and held him tight.

  Colette turned around with a staid smile. She didn’t look any worse for wear, unlike me who sported aching wrists and nausea.

  He glared at her. “What are you doing here, Miss Duarte?”

  She tucked her hands in the pockets of her jacket. “I was in the area and wanted to check on Lindsay. She found out on Friday she was no longer in the running as my assistant and was upset. It was just a friendly visit from a concerned friend.”

  “She’s not my friend,” I whispered, hiding my face in the crook of Jayden’s neck. “Make her leave.”

  “You should go now.” He moved off to the side with me.

  Colette sashayed toward the door without a care in the world. “Perhaps it’s for the best if you call out sick tomorrow. I wouldn’t want you to have an episode at work like you had right before your handsome friend here arrived.” She oozed concern for Jayden’s benefit, but all I saw was her twisted nature, camouflaged by a cultivated package that had once awed me.

  “I’ll take good care of her.” He rubbed my arm and glared at her in loathing.

  “Lindsay, when you’re feeling better and back at work, we’ll talk so we can discuss your future at Virago. I would hate to lose you as an employee because you weren’t up to snuff as my assistant.” She winked and walked out of the apartment.

  “Oh god…oh god.” I covered my mouth and jerked out of Jayden’s arms as I landed on the couch. I tucked my knees to my chest and started to cry.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You need to tell me what’s going on.” Jayden tucked the blanket around me as he joined me on the couch. I blew into a tissue. At least my tears had stopped and I didn’t feel like I was going to throw up anymore.

  “It’s hard to explain,” I said, resting my hand on his chest, his heart thumping strong under my palm.

  “Try your best. I saw some scary shit between you and Duarte. Also you disappear for forty-eight hours after the drama at the bar, don’t call me or send me a text to tell me you’re okay.” He sat his hand over mine. “Instead that Victoria woman I met for a hot second at the park answers your phone and tells me she’s taking good care of you. What gives?”

  “That woman runs one of the biggest media companies in the US. She’s not a bad person.”

  “Yeah, and?” He lifted my chin. “What the hell is going on then?”

  “Colette and Victoria have a past. They were once…lovers and it ended badly. When Colette offered the interview to me, she failed to mention that. Now I’m kind of stuck in the middle of both of them.”

  He flicked aside my hair and ran his fingers down my neck and then rubbed his thumb over inside of my sore wrist. “When you say you’re stuck in the middle of them, it’s not professional.”

  I lowered my chin to my chest. “Colette wanted to use me in her sick retribution against Victoria. I’m not sure why she chose me, but I guess I was gullible enough to believe it was part of the requirement for the assistant position. This isn’t the first time she’s used young, inexperienced women to get to Victoria. But unlike the others, Victoria saw something special in me. She still wants me to do the interview, but her way in order to get back at Colette.”

  Jayden bent forward, rubbing his face. “This is fucked up. You need to tell someone what’s going on.”

  “Like who?”

  “Human Resources. They’ll know—”

  “What the hell is HR going to do? They’ll laugh me out of their office if I throw accusation around about Colette.” I tossed aside the blanket and folded my arms behind my head.

  “You might lose your job,” he pointed out.

  I laughed. Like that was the least of my worries. “It’s pretty much a given I’ll lose my job. If I stay, I’ll be under Colette’s thumb. She knows I was with Victoria this weekend, and it wasn’t because I was trying to get the inside scoop for her.”

  “You’re not giving me the full picture about these two women.” He hung his arms over the back of the couch and stared up at the ceiling with a troubled expression.

  “Victoria told me things in confidence,” I said in way of an explanation.

  “After you became lovers?” He squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Is that what you two are now?”

  “I think so.” I fingered one of my hickies. “She’s taking me out on a date tomorrow night.”

  “Is she going to offer you a job somewhere in her company or she’s already given you one as her mistress?”

  I flinched at his bitterness. I couldn’t be angry at him for being honest. I was taking a big chance with Victoria that might get me burned.

  “Victoria isn’t like Colette. I trust her not to hurt me,” I said.

  Jayden cupped the side of my neck, pressing his thumb over one of my love bites. “From what I see, she already has.”

  I dropped my hand over his and squeezed. “I can’t run away from Victoria. She needs me.” And I think I need her.

  Jayden stood. “I could sit here and argue with you until I’m blue in the face, but I’ll lose if I do. But if I think you’re in trouble, I’m calling your parents. Then you’ll have to answer to them.”

  “You’re pulling that card?” One call from him, and my parents would be on the next flight out here, ready to drag me back home.

  “Don’t test me.” He kissed the top of my head and walked in the kitchen, just far enough to give me space, but close enough if I needed him.

  Huddling back under the blanket, I closed my eyes. Remembering each kiss and touch of Victoria’s chased away the panic, if only for a short time.

  ***

  “I’m going out for a while. Will you be okay if I leave you alone?” Jayden appeared in the doorway of the bathroom while I finished with my makeup. Ever since he came home from work, he had been hovering, which grew annoying fast.

  “Victoria should be here in a few minutes.” I had spent the entire day in our apartment. When I called my supervisor to tell her I wasn’t feeling well, she didn’t find it suspicious and told me to work from home until I felt better. In my five years at Virago, I rarely took a sick day, so I now took advantage until Colette got rid of me or I left on my own.

  “You look nice,” he said, nodding in approval. “Good call with the scarf.”

  A blush rose up my face. I had two noticeable hickies on my neck, and no amount of cover-up would hide them. I was lucky to find a sheer silver fringe scarf in my dresser. It matched well with the plum sweaterknit dress I wore.

  “Where’s Nox taking you?” he asked.

  “Not sure. It’s a surprise.” I left the bathroom, hiding the fact I was really nervous about seeing Victoria again.

  He blocked my way, setting his hands on my shoulders and studying my face. “There are dark circles under your eyes. You didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  I shrugged. “I have a lot on my mind.”

  “You don’t say?” He lifted an eyebrow.

  “Please don’t start.” I nudged him away and went over to the hall closet to grab a jacket.

  “I’ll hanging out with Maxine, but if at any point you want to call me to pick you up, I’ll drop everything and get you.”

  “Jayden, there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be fine with Victoria. Right now your sister is more important. How’s she dealing with the impact of the shooting at the bar?”

  He fisted his hands on his hips. “She’s doing okay. The shooting has done some interesting things for Hutson’s reputation. It’s been really busy there because of the press. You should call her. She’d love to hear from you. Maybe she can give you advice on this crazy situation you’re in now.”

  Things were left unresolved between Maxine and me. Jayden didn’t have any idea about the kiss she given me outside the bar right before the shooting. Sometime soon I would see her again, and we would have to talk about it. I just had too much drama in my life. I snort
ed, part of me wishing the only problem I had to deal with was my relationship with Maxine.

  A knock on the door startled me more than it should have.

  “I’ll answer the door.” Jayden peered through the peephole. “Your date is here.” He unlocked the door and opened it.

  Holy smokes! Victoria looked amazing. Hot. She was dressed for a night on the town in a short sleeve black mini dress and strappy high heeled sandals that made me lock my thighs together from the tugging sensation lodged there.

  “Lindsay.” Her purr made my heart skip a beat.

  “Victoria,” I whispered, fixated on kissing her until we both couldn’t breathe.

  If Jayden noticed the sexual tension in the air, he didn’t acknowledge it. He stayed in the doorway, not letting Victoria enter. “How did you get inside? The door downstairs is locked.”

  “It was unlocked,” she said.

  He tugged on his dreads and cursed. “This is ridiculous. I’m going to talk to the super.”

  “Something wrong?” Victoria looked at me.

  “We’re having a problem with unwanted visitors recently. Lindsay can tell you all about it.” Jayden backed away, finally letting Victoria inside. He snagged his jacket off a chair and came over to my side and kissed my cheek. “Be careful, and call me if you run into any problems.”

  Stop it, I mouthed to him and pushed him away.

  With a frustrated sigh, he nodded at Victoria and then left.

  She approached me. “Nice dress.” She kept her eyes on me the entire time.

  “Thanks.” I took a step toward her.

  She reached me first and smirked. “Nice scarf.”

  “Shut up and kiss me,” I said with more force than I had intended.

  “Give me your mouth and I will,” she shot back, adding a sexy croon to her order.

  Hauling her in close, I pressed my mouth to hers. Her breath was warm and tasted of mint. I sucked down on her bottom lip and moaned. She seized my ass and inserted her tongue in my mouth. We circled our tongues together in an intimate dance that made me damp and needy.

  “Forget going out. We can stay here and find something else to do,” I said around her mouth.

  Her lips tickled mine as she snorted. “Like get naked?”

  “Exactly.” I started to tug her toward my bedroom, but she wouldn’t budge.

  “I want to take you out. After the last stressful few days, we deserve some fun.” She gave me a quick kiss and headed to the door.

  “What type of fun?” I asked, pushing aside my disappointment of not taking Victoria to my bed.

  “The kind you’ll remember for a very long time.” She beckoned me forward. “Let’s go.”

  I locked the apartment and we walked down the three flights of stairs holding hands. I liked holding hands with Victoria more than I should. It was sweet gesture I would have never applied to this woman who was only affectionate when it was a means to seduce. Maybe this was a part of the process between us, to establish more trust. Whatever it was, it made me feel giddy. If only Colette wasn’t in the picture.

  When we reached the first floor landing, she turned to me as if she was going to say something. Her gaze searched my face and she tightened her grip on my hand. “You’re thinking too hard. Stop it.”

  “You have a subtle way with words,” I said.

  “Direct and to the point works best.” She kissed my cheek, her way to soften the blow of her words. “I want us to be honest with one another.”

  “How honest? You’re willing to tell me everything about your past?” I took her advice and tried the direct approach.

  She dropped my hand. “Eventually, but not tonight.”

  I wouldn’t press the issue. She would tell me on her own terms. I smiled brightly, ignoring the clawing tension in the air and opened the front door. I almost lost my footing when I spied the long white stretch limo parked in front.

  “Is that for us?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she said, as if it was no big deal. “When was the last time you rode in a limo?”

  “This will be my first time.” I continued viewing the limo in awestruck wonder.

  A man dressed in a suit opened the back door. Victoria hustled me in. White and red rose pedals covered the seats and floor. A bottle of champagne chilled in a bucket.

  “What’s all this?” Dazed, I sat down.

  “I’m giving you romance because it’s what you want.” She pointed to the champagne. “Want a glass?”

  “I don’t know!” I burst into happy tears.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “I can’t believe I started crying. How embarrassing.” I clutched an untouched flute of champagne and blotted my eyes with a tissue Victoria had given me.

  “Are you still emotional because of your period?” She hadn’t taken me in her arms and comforted me or even acted perplexed by my crying. Instead she just patted my knee, but did leave her hand there.

  “It’s pretty much done with.” I sipped my champagne and then proceeded to sneeze from the carbonated bubbles hitting my nose. I wish I had a rewind button to redo the last few minutes.

  “Maybe I should cancel the surprise I have before dinner. I wouldn’t want you swooning on me,” Victoria said in good humor and handed me another tissue.

  “Swooning? Like in a romance novel?” I asked, sniffing.

  “I wouldn’t know. I never read one.” She stroked my cheek. “Your eyes are still glossy and your face is red.”

  I pressed my fingers to my forehead. “I’m a total mess.”

  “Not at all.” She kissed the side of my mouth. “You look exactly like the first time we had sex.”

  My belly clenched. “Is it a good thing?”

  “A very good thing.” Her eyes had become drowsy and she sipped from her glass.

  “Oh.” I couldn’t think of another response. I blew my nose and then finished my champagne.

  The limo came to a stop in front of Nox headquarters.

  “What are we doing here?” I asked.

  “It’s part of the surprise.” The door opened on her end and she climbed out. I followed her in the building.

  “Good evening, Miss Nox.” A middle-aged man behind the security desk met us and he and Victoria shook hands.

  “Same to you, Denzel.” She looped her arm around mine. “Is everything ready?”

  “Yes. The pilot is waiting for you,” he said and motioned for us to walk ahead.

  “Pilot?” I asked her.

  “We’re going up to the launch pad on the roof. That’s where the helicopter is.”

  “Helicopter?” I squeaked, trying to wrap my mind around all of this.

  Denzel typed in a code on the keypad to the elevator I’d taken the first time to Victoria’s office. The doors opened and we went inside.

  “We’re taking a helicopter ride around the city. I thought you’d enjoy the ride.” she announced, looking all too satisfied.

  Holy smokes! A helicopter ride had to be crazy expensive.

  “You reserved a helicopter ride for us around the city?” I asked, blinking away any tears before they formed.

  She must have noticed how emotional I had become again. She curved her arm around my waist and kissed my cheek. “The helicopter is owned by Nox. It’s available any time I want to use it.”

  The doors pinged and then opened to the roof. The view of the city, forty stories up was breathtaking. The sun began setting, casting a glow over the skyscrapers and buildings. Victoria didn’t rush me while I viewed the majestic urban landscape.

  “This is amazing,” I said, bowled over.

  “I didn’t think to ask if you’re afraid of heights.” She sounded disgruntled.

  I wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but we had witnesses, two pilots waiting near the helicopter. Instead, I hugged her. “Thank you for doing this.”

  She hugged me back. “I’ve never taken a helicopter ride around the city with anyone else. You’re the first.”

  Dam
n. A tear slipped from the corner of my eye. I’d blame it on the wind.

  She drew me toward the helicopter. A woman opened the door for us and we were belted in. As the woman and her counterpart started up the helicopter, Victoria kissed me.

  We rose in the air and my stomach lurched. Victoria took my hand and held it the entire time we flew through the sky.

  ***

  “You’re trying to get me drunk.” I wagged a finger at Victoria as I finished off my glass of wine. I had lost count of the glasses the server poured us. But it was a lot. A warm fuzzy feeling had taken over my body.

  She speared her fork in the salted caramel torte we shared. “You should eat more to soak up the alcohol. I don’t want you passing out on me. We still have a full night ahead.”

  She lifted the fork to my mouth and I took a bite, moaning as the rich caramel invaded my mouth. “More surprises?”

  “Many more.” Victoria had a healthy glow to her face and was completely relaxed. We shared a booth in a faraway corner in one of the most exclusive restaurants in Manhattan. The food had been decadent and plentiful. I didn’t have a clue to what the price of things was because we weren’t give menus. Victoria had ordered the dishes prior to our arrival.

  “Does this include us getting naked?” I dipped my finger in the sweet sauce.

  Catching my finger, she sucked in it her mouth. A surge of pulsating pressure landed in my core.

  She tickled my finger with her tongue and then pulled it out of her mouth. Lust flared in her eyes, making my vagina clench with need. “You want me as much as I want you?”

  “I ache so much it hurts.” I lowered my hand to my stomach, as if it would calm the storm inside of me.

  “Open your legs,” she commanded, curling her hand around my knee.

  “People will see,” I complained on a shaky whisper, my eyes closing as she glided her hand under my skirt.

  “We’re hidden in the back with a tablecloth covering us. No one will notice I’m fingering you.”

  “Oh god,” I dug the back of my head into cushion behind me and lifted my hips when Victoria cupped me through my underwear.