Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Pencil Dick looked back and forth at the two of us. I could see he had no idea what to make of Layla’s attitude. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure he was enjoying it, since I’d tried to buy him off, but I got the feeling he had no idea of the history between Layla and me. I decided to test that theory.
“You look familiar, Oliver, yet I can’t place it. Have you ever been up to Otisville Federal Correctional Facility?”
It was the first time I’d spoken to him directly since the men’s room.
“Me? No, I haven’t.” He looked to Layla. “But that’s where you taught that prisoner appeals program class for a while, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She flashed me what I thought might be warning eyes.
Oliver was obviously quick at math, putting two and two together and all. “Is that where you did your sentence?”
I lifted my drink to my lips and smiled. “It is.”
He looked at his loving girlfriend, then me, then back to her. “Did you two ever come across each other?”
And his loving girlfriend lied right to his face. “No.”
It made my fucking day. I offered Oliver my first genuine smile. I’d thought Pencil Dick would hamper my ability to gauge whether Layla had any interest in trying to figure things out with me. But her lie said more than she would’ve admitted on her own.
Unless you’re pathological, you don’t lie without a reason. And there’s only one reason you lie to the guy you’re dating about another man: so he won’t get jealous. Which meant there was something there for him to be jealous about.
I arched a brow and smirked at Layla. She scowled, and her eyes darkened even more.
“Why don’t you fill us in on your legal needs, Mr. Westbrook,” she said. “What kind of a business are you starting?”
“A venture capitalist firm. We plan to focus on technology and communication investments. So I’ll need someone to perform due diligence on the license requirements of potential investments, handle the purchase agreements, draw up loan agreements, and make sure we’re not getting into bed with any crooks.”
“That last part is interesting.” Layla sipped her drink. “And you’re planning on applying for your securities license back?”
“I am. But not just yet. I’d like to focus on the new venture for now while I work on a few things that might help improve my application for licensing.”
“You know, the chances of the FINRA reinstating your securities license after a felony conviction are very slim,” Layla said. “It’s an automatic ten-year disqualification.”
“Technically I wasn’t convicted. I accepted a plea deal rather than risk a trial. At the time, it was the lesser of two evils.”
“In the eyes of the law, acceptance of a plea deal is the legal equivalent of a conviction.”
“I understand the consequences of accepting the deal. However, I’ve read you can get special permission for licensing notwithstanding disqualification.”
“The rules say you can. But it’s not easy. We’ve applied for a few and never had one go through.”
“Well, then, I see lots of firsts for us in the future.” I raised my glass to her.
After dinner was over, the three of us walked outside to the valet together. I took my time digging in my pocket for the ticket stub that would retrieve my car. Lucky for me, the first car to arrive belonged to Oliver, and another car that wasn’t mine or Layla’s pulled up right behind it, which meant he couldn’t linger.
He stalled, trying to wait it out, probably hoping Layla’s car would pull up so he wouldn’t be leaving the two of us alone. But it didn’t.
When a couple got into the car behind him, I lifted my chin to point at it. “Looks like you’re blocking a car that’s ready to leave.”
He looked at Layla, then back to me.
I smiled and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she gets into her car safely.”
If the shoe were on the other foot, no way would I leave my woman alone outside a restaurant with an ex-felon who’d already made it clear he had a non-business interest in her—potential large client or not.
Although he looked conflicted, Oliver’s decision came down on the wrong side of manhood.
“I’ll see you in the office tomorrow.” He squeezed Layla’s shoulder, then extended his hand to me. Soft shake…pussy. “It was nice meeting you. I hope you’ll be joining Latham & Pittman.”
My answer was a firm handshake. “Goodnight.”
Layla and I watched in silence as her interference drove away.
“Oliver is my boyfriend,” she said in a warning tone.
“I know. He mentioned that in the men’s room when I tried to pay him off to take a hike. Nice kiss goodbye, by the way.”
Her eyes flared. “You didn’t. God, you’re such an asshole!”
My gaze dropped to her lips. “I missed that wicked mouth.” And I can’t wait to fuck it, although I was smart enough to know it wasn’t the right time to mention that.