Howl at the Moon by LeTeisha Newton Read Free Book Online Page B

slid through traffic quickly. He loved feeling the power of his 335i around him. So it was an older model. It was his and he loved it. Something about the car spoke to him. The pickup, the sound, the lines, and the rumble, silent yet felt. It was something that always kept his darker spirits. He supposed he couldn’t to be too angry that he had been going to meet his maker just a few short days ago, when it would have happened in his baby.
    Of course he was happy that he wasn’t going to die just yet. He wasn’t ready and he knew it. It was why he was on his way to Mansil Enterprises. If he knew his charge as well as he thought he did, he was sure that she hadn’t completely followed his advice. As such, he was going to go into that building and check on her. Lunchtime was a good time.
    Once inside he took the elevator up to the thirtieth floor. The designers had done well. Industrial lighting warmed the modern space. Once he left the elevator, his custom loafers stepped on rust-colored carpet, which was plush and thick. The automated, three-panel glass doors slid open with a whoosh and the receptionist area was a study in golden neutrals. Beige seats, accented by dark wood tables, were intimate and inviting.
    Everything together created a calm environment before traveling through to where one could very well lose their company after a meeting. It was a smart, calculating move. One that Aaron couldn’t help but admire. Clyde was a corporate raider at the end of the day.
    Aaron’s own store was designed to inspire fantasy. The windows were darkened to make someone feel like they were going into another world. Once inside, the startling white walls, blocked ceiling, and floors made Aaron think of Cinderella’s castle, complete with strategic placements of mock towers, the color inside all came from the items in the store. They were the focus. They were the important part. Mirrors lining the back wall allowed his clients to model what they tried on as often as they wanted.
    Aaron understood designing for a reason.
    A smartly dressed blonde looked up at him with a broad smile on her face. He watched her catalog his Z Zegna suit, Thomas Pink tie, and manicured appearance. He knew he looked like money, and as Aaron, a wealthy man who was up for grabs. He’d worked hard to get where he was. As sole proprietor of The Fairy Drag Mother, both online and in store, he’d made good money with little time for much else. Selling to some of the most famous drag queens of the world—who he refused to name, bad for business—he was well off.
    Many people couldn’t imagine having that kind of money, but he could. He understood men like Clyde. Knew how they worked and who they rubbed elbows with. He was no millionaire, but he was pretty damn close. Give him a couple more years and he would be. Of that, he had no doubt. Until then, he knew how to make it look like he was, and, if the pretty little thing in front of him was anything to go by, he was doing a good job.
    “Welcome to Mansil Enterprises. Can I help you?”
    “Yes, actually,” Aaron began, leaning over the counter. “Mrs.…”
    “ Miss Sharice Duboir. Very nice to meet you,” she added, lifting her hand for him to shake. He took it in his, kissing the top softly and bowing over it before standing back up.
    “Well. Miss Duboir, is Tatiana Henderson available?”
    “Tatiana?” Sharice said a quizzical look on her face. Aaron wondered if Tatiana played the wallflower at all times. If so, he would have to fix that. Things weren’t going to work like that anymore.
    “Yes. Tatiana. You know. Beautiful, smart, and one-of-a-kind?”
    “Well, yes. I am her assistant. She is on a conference call right now, would you take a seat?”
    “Never you mind, I see her coming this way now,” Aaron finished, seeing Tatiana’s lithe form come around the corner. That the little twit at the front lied to him was evident. Her answering red blush served to make him want to give her a