Read Lost in Time (Forever and Always #20) for Free Online Page A

chair and shrugged. “You
either want the operating system or you don’t.” Judging the look in
her eyes, she wasn’t bluffing.
    The waiter placed the food in front of us
then walked away. I wasn’t hungry at all. This woman offered to
have an affair with me then changed the terms of our deal. A more
unethical woman I’d never known. She may be beautiful, but she was
hideous deep down inside.
    She ate quietly, picking at her food.
    I had nothing to say so I concentrated on my
meal.
    “I’ve given you five minutes to think about
it. What say you?”
    “No.” I didn’t need five minutes to think
about it. “It makes no sense for me to sell something with no
profit. I may as well utilize what I have and hope I can compete
with the competition.”
    “But you never will.”
    “Be that as it may.” I opened my wallet and
through down ample cash to pay the tab. “It was nice meeting you.” Not really. “Good luck.” I stood up and pushed my chair
in.
    “Wait.” She sat up, panicked.
    “What?” My patience was waning. “I don’t
negotiate with someone so unethical. Once we agree on a new price,
you’ll change your mind. That’s not a type of business partner I
wish to have dealings with.”
    “That order came from my father, not me.”
    “I really don’t care where it came from.”
    “Sit down,” she commanded.
    Only one woman bossed me around and got away
with it. I stayed on my feet.
    “I’ll offer you something else instead.”
    I sat down, interested to hear her deal.
    “I can convince my father to change his mind.
But you need to do something for me…”
    I didn’t like the sound of that.
    “I want you to make love to me like you do
your wife. Then I’ll persuade him.”
    “You’re blackmailing me?”
    “No, I’m offering you a deal. We both get
what we want.”
    “Are you always this unethical?” I
snapped.
    “Let’s cut the crap, Mr. Preston. Don’t act
like you don’t want to be with me. Only a gay man wouldn’t.”
    I laughed. “Wow. You’re really full of
yourself.”
    Her eyes burned in offense.
    “My company could be on the threshold of
going under without this deal and I still wouldn’t take your offer.
My wife is everything to me. I could lose everything; my job, my
house, my family and I still would be happy as long as I had her. I
don’t want you and never will.” I stood up and adjusted my tie.
“The meeting is over. I’m not interested in anything you have to
sell, Ms. Augustine.” I stormed out, not looking back at the whore
who couldn’t catch my attention if she tried.
     
    I stayed at work a little later than usual. I
was pissed at how my day went. I really needed that operating
system, but it wasn’t worth it if I had to deal with that slut. My
dad said the new technology would help the company and Cortland
agreed, but I couldn’t sacrifice my marriage to attain it. They
would both understand. And even if she didn’t ask me to whore
myself out, the other deal was ridiculous. We’d figure out some
other way.
    Scarlet texted me. Are you still at the
office?
    I stared at the screen for a moment before I
responded. Yes.
    Are you coming home soon?
    Yeah. Leaving in 5.
    Good. I miss you.
    My heart pained in longing at her words. I
miss you too.
    Drive safe.
    Always.
    I put my phone down and sighed. Should I tell
her what happened? She knew that the company was trying to acquire
new software but she didn’t know the details. I didn’t talk about
work when I was at home. I just concentrated on her.
    But then I remembered what she said. She
didn’t care if women hit on me, and it didn’t make her jealous. She
trusted me so there was no reason to be suspicious or doubtful. So why should I even bother? Was it even worth mentioning? No, I
guess not.
    When I came home, she greeted me at the door,
giving me a hard kiss. “I missed you.”
    “I missed you too.” My hand moved into her
hair while I held her close to me. Her breasts were pressed against
my