The Violet Widow? (Shattered Heart #1) Read online

  “Right, so I have one position and two girls. Both different in their approach to the business, but both with amazing qualities that would be perfect for the role. Papi, who would you choose?” I ask.

  He opens his eyes wide and shakes his head. “Oh, hell no, Boss, don’t do that to me. I can’t choose between them,” he says almost like he’s begging me not to make him choose. It’s hard for Papi because he secretly… well not so secretly to me… loves Star, but Sheila is his best friend and she scares the hell out of most people, Papi included.

  “Okay, so here’s what I’m gonna do. I think there are positives for both of you. When you merge the two together, it creates one perfect person—”

  “So, I’m not perfect then?” Sheila asks defensively and I chuckle.

  “Shut up and let me talk. I love you both. I can’t decide, so you’re doing the job together. Both of you will be the new Public Relations Manager. You will work together with the clients you have and then, as a well-organised team, you’ll both bring in new clientele. Thoughts?” I ask while I watch their faces light up.

  “Are you serious?” Sheila asks.

  “If you don’t want to do it together Sheila then Star can do it on her own,” I reply and she shakes her head adamantly.

  “No, I mean are you serious? I get to work with my bestie? Fuck yeah, bitch! We got this shit covered, woman. No one can hold us back now. We rule this place,” Sheila exclaims making Star and Papi chuckle and me shake my head.

  “Doesn’t mean you can boss everyone around though, Sheila. That’s my job,” I say and she nods with a big smile as she wraps an arm around Star’s shoulders and pulls her into a tight embrace.

  “We won’t let you down, Boss,” Star says and Sheila nods.

  “Fuck yeah, Boss. You made the right decision,” Sheila insists making me laugh.

  “Sheila, tone it down. I know you’re tougher than steel, but just be normal in front of the clients, yeah?” I ask and everyone laughs.

  “I can be normal! Would you like a cup of tea with those scones that you have shoved up your arse?” she teases making me laugh.

  “No scones up my arse, thanks. Now get back to work! We have a busy night ahead of us, lots of new clients coming in. So be on your best behavior, okay?” I ask and they nod and walk out of my office with a renewed spring in their step.

  Papi stays in my office while they shut the door behind them. “Hey Boss, that was a really cool thing you just did. I know they’ll both be happy that they’re able to do the job together. Together they are a master team, but against each other it’s like a bloody tornado. So thank you for making all our lives just that little bit easier.”

  “Anytime, Papi. It was actually Rosie who came up with the idea, so you should thank her. Without that idea I don’t know what I would’ve done,” I say and he nods and opens his eyes wide in shock when he realises what I’ve actually just said.

  “Wow, sometimes that little blonde bombshell shocks me,” he says and then walks to the door. “Oh, and Boss, I know yesterday was rough with Scarlet leaving, but we’re all here for you, no matter what. We’re family, yeah?”

  I smile at him, little does he know exactly how hard yesterday was for me. “Thanks, Papi, now go make me some coffee,” I joke and he scoffs.

  “I’m your third in charge, not your fucking PA, get it yourself you lazy bitch.” I raise my eyebrow at him, giving him a stern glare. He chuckles and nods. “Yes Ma’am, coming right up, Boss lady,” he says and winks at me.

  Our relationship has always been one of jokes and teasing, so when he calls me a bitch I know it’s out of love not disrespect. But he also knows that I won’t take shit and if you say it seriously you’ll be very quickly put in your place or out on your arse. My staff love me, and I love them. All thirteen of them. But they know who the boss is and they know how to treat me, and if they ever cross the line then they know it will cost them everything. I’m hard like that, cross me and you’ll pay.

  I get on with my day once Papi brings me my coffee and I spend most of it out on the deck with coffee in hand entering all our new clients into my laptop. The sun sets in its beautiful hues of pinks and turquoise over the palms and sandy dunes of the beach and I relax as my crappy mood is swept away by a gentle breeze.

  I make my way inside as the mosquitoes are out in full force tonight, so I head back to my office and spend the early morning working on rosters. I find myself casually thinking back to last night, back to me masturbating over a man I’d just met, instead of how it should’ve been with my husband. I can’t seem to shift Rock’s amazing eyes from my daydreams. They’re so unique and I keep feeling a pull. I don’t know what it is, but I can feel myself wanting to leave work and drive. I don’t know to where, but it’s getting stronger. I’m distracted and I can’t concentrate so I leave for the night. Some of the girls are still working in their rooms, but I’ll let Angel deal with that. She lives here, like literally, she has a bedroom at the very back of the building and she spends all her time here. She came to me a year after I started my business and said she had nothing, but would work hard and prove herself to me. She did, and so I let her live here rent free because she is such an asset.

  I lock up my office and close the vertical blinds. I take my briefcase and walk out and down the hall to the reception area.

  “Night Angel. Make sure you get some sleep tonight, okay?” I ask and she smiles and nods.

  “Sure thing Boss. When Rosie gets back I’ll shut up for the night,” she says and I nod and blow her a kiss. She smiles and I walk outside to my Stingray and open the door getting in. I start the engine and she roars to life sending a vibration through me that I always love. The pull is getting stronger and so I move my car out onto the street and drive. I don’t know where I’m going and I know it’s bad, but I’m on autopilot. I’m tired and I’m day dreaming of multi-coloured eyes when I find myself at Amor, the bar I always frequent and pull up. I swallow the lump in my throat and shake my head.

  This is bad. I didn’t even know where I was driving and now, somehow I end up here?

  What the fuck!

  I move my hand to turn the ignition to start the car again to drive home, but then I see a Harley Davison pull in behind me. I look in the rearview mirror and my heart starts to pound a little faster. I bite my bottom lip while he pulls off his helmet and runs his hand through his gorgeous short brown hair. He turns toward me and it’s Rock. My stomach does a little flip and my breathing increases. He walks into the bar and out of my sight while I shake my head.

  “What are you doing?” I ask myself out loud and turn to start the ignition of the car again. I pull out onto the street to drive home… to my husband.

  As I drive toward my home, the home I shared with my husband and son, I can’t get the image of Rock and his leather jacket, gorgeous brown hair and amazingly beautiful eyes out of my head. It’s like I’m in a trance and I can’t think of anything besides him. Every time I realise I’m fantasizing over Rock I try to turn my thoughts to Danny, but one green and one blue eye always wipes my mind and takes me right back to last night at the bar. I don’t know what the hell is happening to me, and not only does it terrify the fuck out of me, but it also excites me. And I haven’t been enthusiastic about anything in five long years. Not even when I opened my business did my stomach flutter the way it is now.

  I pull my car up and my mind flashes back to reality. I shake my head slightly again, thinking how bad it is that I somehow go on auto-pilot in my car and stop concentrating on where I’m heading. I take a deep breath and eventually I take in the surroundings around me. I crease my eyebrows when I realise I’m not home, but back at the front of Amor.

  “What the fuck?” I say hitting the steering wheel because I thought I was driving home. Stupid auto-pilot! I hold tightly and shake my head.

  “What are you doing?” I say out loud as I go to start the ignition yet again.

  I look through the window and see Rock sittin
g at the bar with his light beer and a smile crosses my face. I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat and rub the back of my neck. He’s all alone and he looks like he’s waiting.

  For me?

  Maybe, I don’t know!

  But I can’t let him drink alone now can I?

  That’s just not cricket!

  Plus, he looks so good and I already feel my thighs clenching together to ease the dull ache. That scares me a little, but I turn the ignition off and open my car door. I walk across to the door of Amor and stop, taking a deep breath before I open it. Once centered, I open the door and look toward the bar. I see him looking right at me like he knew I was coming in. I exhale while he smiles brightly and lifts a Cosmo up in the air presenting it to me. I chuckle and walk toward him taking the drink from his hand.

  “Thanks,” I say and take a sip.

  “You know, you shouldn’t take a drink from a stranger. What if I put a roofie in there or something?” he asks with a smirk.

  “Then I’d say you’re in for a lucky night then, eh Rock?” I question and his mouth opens a little.

  “And why would I be lucky, TVW?” he asks while I sit down on a stool at the bar.

  “Because Rock, a night with me would blow your mind whether I’m drugged or not,” I say raising my eyebrow and shrugging.

  He laughs and nods his head. “Well, I’ll keep that in mind,” he replies, takes a seat and then a sip of his light beer.

  “So, I ah… didn’t think I’d see you again,” he says and I look at him and purse my lips together.

  “Honestly, I didn’t think you would either.”

  What the hell are you doing?

  “Well, whatever reason that made you change your mind, I’m glad.”

  I nod. “So Rock, what brings you here at stupid o’clock, again? Good company or bad alcohol?” I say tilting my head toward his beer.

  He chuckles. “Bad alcohol. I haven’t had any good company yet, but it’s looking up now. I’ll let you know,” he says and I furrow my brows at him in mock disgust.

  “Careful, these Cosmos aren’t as much fun to wear as they are to drink,” I say and he nods and half-smiles.

  “Wanna go to a booth? These seats hurt my delicate arse,” he says making me laugh out loud.

  “Your delicate arse?” I repeat to make sure I heard correctly.

  “Yeah, I like comfortable seats. Is that a crime?” he asks raising his eyebrow which enhances the glimmer in his green eye, while the beauty of his eyes really hits me.

  “You okay?” he asks raising an eyebrow again.

  I shake my head slightly and smile. “I’m fine, just trying not to insult your arse, considering how delicate it is and all,” I reply and he smiles brightly making me clench my thighs together tighter.

  “Well, let’s get my fine arse to a booth then, yeah?” he asks and stands up with his hand out for me to take. I look at it and tense up a little, but place my hand in his. A surge flitters through me and I instantly feel like I’m on fire. I gasp slightly. It feels like I’m touching an electric fence the spark is so strong. He looks at me and his lips part infinitesimally. I can’t help but look at them and wonder what they would feel like against mine. My tongue darts out and I lick my bottom lip inadvertently and I notice him start to smile which breaks me from my trance. I swallow hard and look back up into his eyes and they’re gleaming brightly like he’s beyond ecstatically happy.

  “Fine arse?” I say finally realising what he said. “I thought it was delicate. It can’t be fine and delicate. Don’t be greedy. You can only have one,” I say as he starts to walk us over to the free booth by the dance floor.

  He laughs and nods his head. “Okay well, you tell me. Is my arse fine?” he asks with a cocky smirk.

  I try to hide my smile and I lean back to have a look. His arse is tight in his dark jeans and I suddenly get the image of me gripping onto it tightly while he fucks me hard. I shake my head and bring myself back into the moment.

  “I dunno. I’d probably go with delicate,” I tease and he frowns with an air of playfulness.

  “Oh, what? You really thought I would compliment you? You should know me a little better than that by now.”

  “Yeah, I guess I had that coming.”

  We take a seat in the booth facing each other. I take a sip of my Cosmo and then place it on the table between us. He’s watching me intently, and the pure ruggedness of his features is making me practically pant with want. I don’t know how he’s doing it, but I want him and that scares the living shit out of me.

  “So, TVW, what brought you back to me?”

  “Back to you? How do you know I’m not here for Drop Dead Fred over there?” I ask looking at the man dancing on the dance floor all by himself. He’s got a fluff of red hair and he’s wearing a green suit, hence the name Drop Dead Fred.

  He laughs and shakes his head.

  “What?” I ask and he smiles.

  “You’re intriguing you know that?”

  “Yeah, I know, I’m a mystery wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in—”

  “A tight as fuck red dress?” he interrupts making me laugh.

  “What’s wrong with my tight as fuck red dress?” I ask and he raises his eyebrows and shakes his head.

  “Oh, little firecracker, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with your dress. Nothing at all,” he says making my cheeks flush red hot.

  “TVW, blushing? I don’t believe it,” he states and smiles. His perfect smile making my panties wet instantly.

  “Shut up,” I retort.

  “Oh yeah, good comeback.”

  I purse my lips and furrow my brows in disapproval. “My comebacks are amazing, thank you very much,” I joke and he laughs and nods.

  “Oh yeah, they really put me right back in my place,” he teases and I lean over and punch him in the arm lightly. He laughs again and touches his arm where I just hit. “You punch like a girl.”

  I cross my arms over my chest and huff. “Shut up! I am a girl,” I say and his smile fades and a serious look crosses his face.

  “Little firecracker you’re no girl, you’re all woman in my eyes,” he states making me blush again. “Jeez, I’m on a roll tonight, making you blush twice in as many minutes. I must have some sort of effect on you.”

  I laugh and scoff. “The only effect you have on me Rock is my up-chuck reflex,” I say and he puts his open hand to his chest and winces sarcastically like I’ve broken his heart. I laugh and he shifts in his seat, his leg brushing mine under the table. My breath catches and I swallow hard.

  “See I affect you,” he says with a smirk.

  “Fuck off! Stop with the bullshit or I’ll leave,” I berate and he raises his hands in defeat.

  “Okay, my bad. I’m sorry. I keep forgetting you can’t take as well as you give,” he says and smiles at me like he means his apology.

  “That’s right. Only I’m allowed to be the smart-arse, you’d do well to remember that.”

  “Right, well now I have to go to the men’s room, but the question is will you be here when I get back?” he asks sincerely.

  I smile and nod. “Yeah, if you play your cards right.”

  “Well, that sucks. I was never very good at poker,” he says and stands up.

  “Well then, I guess I’ll have to make my escape when you leave,” I joke standing up and he frowns, furrowing his brows like I’ve upset him.

  “I’d really like it if you stayed, just a little longer,” he says in all seriousness.

  I exhale and sit back down in the booth. “Guess you just played your first winning hand, Rock,” I reply and he smiles brightly.

  “I’ll be just a minute, okay? Don’t leave,” he reiterates just to reinforce the issue.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be here when you get back. Just make sure to wash your hands. I don’t want to touch your hands again if they’ve had your dick all over them,” I say and he laughs a full on belly laugh.

  “Aaaand, she’s back l
adies and gentleman,” he says and winks at me then turns and walks toward the bathroom. I watch him walk away and my eyes instantly focus on his arse. I open my eyes wide and exhale forcefully. He really is perfection on a stick.

  I’m in way over my head!

  I take a large gulp of my Cosmo trying to calm myself. When Rock is around, I can’t help but notice my heart races a little faster than its normal pace. My senses seem to be heightened and my palms seem to sweat. I never sweat! I’m lucky like that, but around Rock my hands are continuously damp. He makes me nervous, he makes me horny, but the one thing he makes me feel the most, is safe. He’s not a sleazy, dirt bag like every other guy in the world. He sets me on fire and at the same time calms me down. I haven’t had this before, well not since Danny. And to be honest I never… ever… thought I would feel it again. I don’t know whether to run or to embrace it and see where it goes?

  My heart starts to race and I begin to think about Danny. My beautiful, loving husband. I’m still in love with him and delving into something now wouldn’t be fair on me, Rock or Danny. I look toward the men’s room and there’s no movement. So I stand abruptly and go to walk out, but as I turn toward the door, I bump straight into Drop Dead Fred. He takes hold of my arms and steadies me as my heel tips and I nearly fall over.

  “Shit. Sorry,” I say as I look up at him.

  He smiles and I can tell, by the way his eyes are rolling around in his head that he’s beyond pissed. He’s sloshed!

  “It’s okay lovely lady,” he says and his hands, which were holding my arms, start to run up and down my skin caressing me slowly. I cringe and shake myself free from him.

  “Thanks for catching me, but I was just leaving,” I say and go to walk past him.

  He grabs my arm and stops me making me spin back around to face him. “Hey, don’t leave, our party is only just beginning,” he says and leans in to kiss me. I back up and put my hand on his chest stopping him from coming any closer.