I go through the motions and end up at work before the sky shifts to blue from its inky blackness. My desk phone begins to light up as I read the headline story of a fake hedge fund manager who siphoned money from his investors for personal use. It’s going to be a long day as I put my headphones on to start taking calls from worried clients. Luckily, my father has seen the story and has already determined that we haven’t invested any of our clients’ money in that hedge fund.
I’m dragged into an impromptu meeting to determine how we will communicate with our clients. We’ve already had several companywide that wanted to pull their money out of fear. Luckily, my portfolio of investors has been placated so far.
When my dad pokes his head in the door, I almost growl until I realize it’s him.
“Benjamin, I’m busy with the fallout from this scandal. I need you to see to a client of mine at two o’clock. Actually, my client passed away and the trust has been reverted to her grandchild. We need to secure this account. So do whatever you have to do to ensure they don’t move to another firm.”
Before I can ask any further questions he’s gone. I check the time and it’s half after one. I have no idea how we currently have this client’s trust invested. I sit at my desk and send an e-mail to Dad and his assistant requesting the information.
Not too long after, my computer signals an incoming email. And thanks to Trudy, Dad’s trusty assistant, I won’t be flying blind. Luckily, after reviewing, I find the portfolio mix is similar to another client of mine. I can play off that until I find out more.
I sit back in my chair and absently pick up my phone. Somehow I find myself thumbing through my pictures. When a snapshot of Samantha comes up, my thumb hovers. She’s stunning in her bikini top. She didn’t know I took the picture on the boat and I’d forgotten about it after the way the date ended.
Her breasts are heaven sent and my dick leaps to life. My eyes close and I remember what she felt like when I was inside her. A knock at my door comes and I see Lisa standing in the doorway.
I sit up and scoot to the desk to hide my bulging erection.
“Your two o’clock is here.”
She steps aside and a man walks in. I have no choice but to stand. I lean over the desk to shake his hand.
“Ben Rhoades.”
The guy’s eyes trail down and I know he’s checking me out.
“Well, Ben, it seems you’re happy to see me.”
“Um,” I stammer, not sure what to say.
It isn’t often I get hit on by a man. And this time it’s a client I need to secure.
“Tongue tied?” He winks. “I get that a lot. I’m Horace. Horace Winston.”
It’s not lost on me he’s still holding my hand. I gently tug it free.
“Nice to meet you, Horace.”
The name is an old-fashioned one and doesn’t actually suit him. If he hadn’t thrown me off with the blatant come on, I might have laughed or joked about it.
We sit and all thoughts of Sam have fled. My dick relaxes back into position.
“I have to tell you, it feels good to be free.”
My only response is an arched brow. I feel like a therapist all of a sudden and believe I should just keep my mouth shut and figure this guy out.
“Yes, the old biddy is dead and I can finally live my life.”
“You mean your grandmother.”
He nods. “I had to pretend to get engaged.” He groans. “Not that I don’t enjoy Cecily. We’ve been dating since high school and, well, she’s great. You, on the other hand, are more my speed.”
I shake my head briskly. “Nothing wrong with being with who you want, but I’m into women.” I pause and then mutter under my breath. “Maybe too much.”
It’s his turn to turn a questioned brow my way. “It’s hard to come out. Especially if your family has certain expectations, but you don’t have to lie to me.”
I laugh, because what else can I do. “No, honestly, I was looking at her picture when you showed up.”
Leaning towards him, I flash him my phone screen where Sam’s sexy image still graces it.
“Oh.” He purses his lips. “Too bad. She is quite nice. Not my type though.”
“Your type. I thought you were into guys.”
He shrugs. “When you’re in my situation, you learn that in the dark, a hole is a hole, especially if the woman has a lot less going on up top than your girl. A woman like that can help the imagination go where it wants to go.”
Something about this guy has me asking an inappropriate question. “And your fiancée? Are you planning on telling her?”
“I don’t know. Cecily is great. I’ve tried to get her to accept the truth many times because I do love her, just not enough to give up on pursuing other options. But we get along well enough. She’s convinced that I’m confused. In fact she’s encouraged me to try out other relationships before I make any decisions.”
I can’t come up with an appropriate response, so I lift my shoulders in a shrug.
“I know, right? She’s a great girl. But …”
I almost hate to ask, but it’s as if he needs a friend to unload on. I need his business, and oddly enough he’s fairly easy to talk to.
“But?”
He sighs. “The one guy I’m interested in won’t leave his girlfriend. He likes women. Hell, he likes me to go all she-male on him before I blow my load in him.”