Love In Strange Places (4 page)

“Five thirty.” He said, getting out of his bed.

She sat up. “I have to leave before my
ex comes by with the kids.”

“What time is he bringing them?”

“At eight,” she got up and began putting on her clothes.

He went into the bathroom, and did his morning ritual, then peeked out. “Have a good day.”

She put her hair in a ponytail and pick up her purse. “You too.”

He stepped out of the bathroom. “Leann.”

“Yes.”

“We need to talk.”

“I cant right now. I have to get home before my ex finds out I’ve been gone all night, he’ll hold it against me.”

“I’ll call you.” She turned and left his room. He heard the front door shut.
I have to stop this…

The ringing of the phone startled him.
Who could it be so damn early?
“Hello.”

“Hi, Andrew.” Shannon’s bubbly voice echoed through.

He smiled. She was always so happy, even with everything she’d gone through, but she’d beat the cancer and was still winning, having marked another year cancer-free. “Hi, sis! Why are you calling so early? Is everything okay?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m on my way to work and knew you would be getting ready too.”

“Okay.” She was up to something.

“We’re going to Vegas for our anniversary and wanted to know—”

“Yes, I’ll babysit, but you better make sure she’s not sick.”

“That’s not why I’m calling. I wanted to know if you would come along? And before you say no, we got a suite with three rooms, and Matt really wants you to come. You wouldn’t say no to your little brother, would you?”

He laughed. “Nope. I’m not going to be a third wheel. Anyways, it’s your anniversary. You should enjoy each other.”

“We’ll enjoy each other plenty. I told you we got a big suite with three rooms, and you won’t be the third wheel, because
Sherry is coming along.” There was a moment of silence. “So, what do you say?”

“Okay, let me know the days.”

Shannon smiled when she hung up with Andrew. “Yes. One down and one to go.” Her plan was working. Matt didn’t know what she was up to, and she prayed
Sherry would say yes. “No time like the present.”

She hummed as she dialed
Sherry.

“What do you want, Shannon? It’s too early in the morning.”

“Dang, you would think you’d be happy to hear from your only sister.”

“Yes, dear loving sister, what can I do for you?” She giggled.

Here goes
. “We’re going to Vegas for our anniversary and wanted to know if you—”

“Yes, I’ll babysit.”

“What is up with everybody thinking I need them to babysit?” She sighed. “No, silly, I wanted to know if you would like to come.”

“Shannon, it’s your anniversary, not mine. I don’t think your husband would appreciate you inviting me, so my answer is no.”

“But Andrew’s coming.”

There was a moment of silence.

“We got us a huge suite. Please say yes….” She giggled, covering her mouth. “Please…its been a long time since we partied without the kids.”

“I’ll see if I can get some time off.”

“I already talked to Tiffany, and she doesn’t have a problem covering for you, and anyway you never take time off. I already got your tickets. Bye.” She hung up before her sister could change her mind, but that had been too easy. Sherry became very quiet when she’d mentioned Andrew. The spark was there. Shannon had seen the change in both of them at the wedding. She just needed to get them together, away from it all.

Andrew thought about what he’d just done. He’d called Sherry and told her something was wrong with his computer—and he needed her help. She was hesitant until he told her he had a huge case and everything was in a file in his computer. What he didn’t tell her was that he’d pulled the plug that connects the monitor to hard drive.

His secretary buzzed. “There’s a Ms. Jones here to see you. She says you called her to fix your computer, but I told her that couldn’t be, because we have our own IT department here.”

“Nancy, do you remember the last time the IT department fixed your computer?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“We had to order you a new one,” he laughed. “Send her in.”

The doorknob opened and
Sherry entered, looking sexy in a black pin-striped pencil skirt, white blouse, and black pumps that showed off those sexy, toned chocolate calves. His gaze rolled over her entire body.

Her eyes shot daggers at him. “Your secretary needs training in customer service.” She placed her left hand on her hip, and
pointed her index finger with the other hand.

“I’m sorry about that.” He stood.

“But she did make sense. Why call me when you have your own IT department?” She looked at him with one eyebrow arched. “I work, too….”

He moved from behind his desk. “You said you’re the best at what you do.”

“I am.” She moved closer.

“I needed the best. Those files are very important.”

“For some reason, I don’t believe you.”

He smirked. “Please take a look.” He said, pointing at his computer.

She went around his desk, sat, and powered the computer on and waited, glaring up at him.

“So, I hear your going to Vegas.” He said, staring her down.

“I am.” She began messing with the keyboard. “I’m a single woman. It’s time I let go and have fun.”

“For how long?” he whispered. She didn’t hear him.

“Wait.” She stopped what she was doing, and looked up at him. “I thought you were going.”

“I am.”

Her smile
.
Damn, she has the sweetest smile
. She touched the buttons around the computer, checked the back, and then got down on all fours and went under the desk.

He couldn’t resist. He moved slightly to watch her ass. Her ass was bigger than what he was used to, but he would give anything right now to smack or squeeze it.

“Andrew!” she said, kneeling up to look at him, with a cord thrust outward in her hand. “This VGA plug wasn’t connected to your CPU.” She said, annoyed. “I wonder how that happened?”

He gave her an innocent smile. “I have no idea.”

“Well, your computer is fixed.” She stood, straightening her skirt.

“How much do I owe you?”

“Whatever. I don’t charge family.” She said, coming around the desk.

“I’m considered your family.”

“You know what I mean. I have to get to work.” She said, passing him.

He grasp
ed her arm.

“Thank you.” He moved his hand down to hers, and he could see her blushing. “Why did you leave the other night?”

She was so still, like she was afraid to move. She swallowed. “Obviously, you called Leann before me, but she couldn’t make it, so you called me, and anyway, I just didn’t want to be in the way.”

He squeezed her hand gently. “You assumed that I called her first, but I didn’t. I called you first, but you
hung up on me. I didn’t think you were coming, so I called her. She has kids, and would know what to do.”

She tried to pull away, but he stopped her.

“You do know what they say about assuming.” He released her hand and tilted her chin.

Her eyes told him she wanted the same thing he wanted. “Don’t run away from me.” He said, lowering his head until their lips barely touched. At that moment his office door opened wide.

“Mr. Johnston, your client is here,” his secretary said, holding a notepad in her hands.

He sighed and gazed at
Sherry, trying to convey how sorry he was for their interruption. He turned and glared at Nancy. “Next time, knock on the freaking door. Do you hear me?” He raised his voice.

“Yes, sir.” She spoke the words but did not move.

“Leave!” he yelled.

Nancy was about to close the office door, when
Sherry stepped back. “I have to go.” She took long strides out his office.

“
Sherry!” he called, but she was already down the hall.

In Vegas, all bets are off.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas—but not this time.

“Shannon, why did you have to invite them on our anniversary getaway?” Matt asked his wife, watching his brother Andrew, who was gawking at his sister-in-law.

Shannon put her hands around her husband’s neck. “I just thought they needed some time away, too.”

“This is supposed to be our celebration.”

“It is.” She kissed his lips.

“Please stop playing matchmaker.” He kissed her back, placing his hands around her waist. “One moment they like each other and then the next they hate each other.”

“I think they will make a powerful couple. Matt, they have so much in common, but they are too strong-headed to notice. They just need a push.”

“And this is the little push.”

She gave him an innocent smile.

He held her tighter. “No more talk about them. Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

Shannon had put her hair up in a high ponytail, and had decided on a strapless black dress with four-inch sandals.

“Yes, but you can tell me again.” She smiled.

“
Estas bella
.”

“Gracias.” She
answered back in her Spanish accent.

“I thank God every day for giving us a second chance in love and life. You and the kids are my world.” He leaned his head down and kissed her neck. “I love you,
mamita
.”

“I love you too,
papi
. You’ve given me so much.” She turned around in his arms, staring at her sister having fun. “That’s what I want for Sherry. She deserves it.”

Andrew drank his second vodka and coke, staring at Sherry, grinding on the dance floor. She’d avoided him since they’d arrived. It seemed like she was running from him. Her moves were intoxicating, driving him crazy, steering up things he shouldn’t be feeling for her. She’d recently cut her hair shorter, tapered in the back and longer in the front into a V-cut. He usually went for women with long hair, but the short haircut made her look sexier. She wore a long-sleeved white top that revealed her cleavage, a short black skirt, and sexy white and black pumps.

He clenched his jaw
as he turned. “Shannon, you need to get your sister.”

Shannon and Matt both looked over at the dance floor. “She’s not doing anything wrong. She’s having fun.” She said, turning back around.

“Matt, tell your wife to get her sister.” Andrew glared at his brother.

“What is she doing wrong?” Matt asked.

“She’s making a fool of herself.”

Matt was about to say something as his wife began to talk. “Look, Andrew, if you have a problem with how my sister is acting, you go tell her.” Shannon said with a smirk.

Andrew swallowed the last gulp of his drink, set the glass down, and marched over to the dance floor. He stared at Sherry for a minute as she moved her body in a sensual way, moving down and up, and then he grabbed her arm.

She turned angrily, apparently not knowing who’d touched her. “What the hell are you doing?” Her gaze met his.

“You’re making a fool of yourself.”

“I’m dancing.” She tried to tug away from him, but he wouldn’t release her.

“Sherry, let’s go.” He tried to move her, but she stood her ground.

“Is there a problem?” The guy she’d partnered with stopped dancing.

Andrew glared at him. “She’s with me.” He answered in a stern voice, making sure the guy understood he wasn’t playing around.

The guy sh
ook his head and walked off.

“What’s your problem?”

He stared at her.
She’s so damn sexy.
Everything about her turned him on.

Sherry
continued dancing, and tried to grab his hand. “Dance with me, then.”

“No….”

She stopped dancing, rolled her eyes, and glared up at him. “I asked you to dance and you’re saying no. I guess you can’t handle me.” His hold on her got a little tighter and pulled her out of the hotel club to the lobby. “You’re hurting me.”

He released her. “You think I can’t handle you?”

Sherry just stared at him with her mouth slightly agape.

He took one swift move and began devouring her mouth. He teased her tongue with his, tasting chocolate and ru
m. He explored every corner of her mouth and luscious lips. He couldn’t stop himself even if he wanted to.