Opulence by Angelica Chase Read Free Book Online

up a stool.
    "I like my privacy," I said, taking the cup she offered as I approached her. I had a service come once a week, but my choice to have a house this size without a staff was out of pure paranoia. Devin and I were very indiscreet sexually and often we would meet in my home. I was too afraid we would have an audience.
    Don’t have to worry about that now. And now my house is tainted.
    "Well, I figured when we got off the phone you would hit the bottle hard." She chuckled as she slathered cream cheese on a bagel before taking a bite. She pushed the bag toward me and I cringed.
    "No thanks," I said, taking a large sip of my tasteless, non-fat latte.
    "You know the saying to get over one man you need to get under another?" Taylor said, absently sipping her latte as she eyed my reaction.
    I smiled and shook my head in astonishment. "Is that what works for you?" I asked, curious.
    "There is absolutely nothing a man can do for me but get me off, and even then he has to contend with me on quality, because I can do that for myself as well." She winked. I stood there open mouthed as she laughed before taking another sip of her coffee.
    "Wow, you’ve never been attached?" I asked, completely awestruck.
    "I’ve never met my equal, but I look for him," she said in a tone, as if to dismiss the conversation. "Now, I would love to tell you that I will leave you in your misery, but besides the obvious suicide watch, I am here on business." She opened a large folder and pulled out a stack of papers requiring my signature, eliciting a frustrated groan from me.
    We spent the better part of the day pouring over it. I never signed a damn thing I didn’t fully understand.
    After Taylor left, I lay in bed the rest of the day, telling myself that it wasn’t a pity party, that I was simply recovering from a horrific hangover.
    I no longer had lunch at the anchor club on Thursdays. I no longer had Fridays at the Preservation Society. There would be no charity functions to collaborate on. And though I had dreaded most of those events, I now had a completely clear social calendar and nothing to look forward to.
    Well, maybe one thing.
     
    Aiden: See you tomorrow. Any requests?
     
    Aiden.
    I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

    The next morning, I awoke feeling refreshed and renewed. I spent an hour in my own personal hell—the gym—working off the prior evening’s indulgence. I had worked incredibly hard on my body the last three years, losing twenty pounds and toning it into a figure I was proud of. It was one habit I refused to part with, and though I hated every minute, I loved the results.
    Around nightfall I slipped into a sexy, light blue, slink dress and matching heeled sandals after spending a large amount of time lathering my skin in clean smelling moisturizer. I left my hair down in soft waves, dusted my eyes with a smoky, dark brown shadow, and finished with a simple clear gloss.
    Walking into the bar, I was a complete and utter bundle of nerves as soon as I heard Aiden’s voice. He was singing Eric Clapton’s "Layla." I made it a point not to look at him as I walked in, taking the closest seat to the entrance and glancing up to see Dave.
    "Decide to stay a little longer?" Dave asked with a smile, though his eyes raked me with inappropriate appreciation.
    I did wear this dress.
    "Something like that," I said absently. He turned to pour my draft and I shook my head quickly. "How about a vodka, soda with a lime, please."
    "Sure thing." He looked at me oddly, as if he wasn’t seeing the same person. That made two of us. After taking two very big sips of my drink, my eyes wandered to the stage. Aiden was sitting on a stool playing guitar, and completely surrounded by eager women. As soon as I drank in his black, long sleeved, cuffed shirt, dark jeans, and motorcycle boots, my eyes shot up to his face. He was staring dead at me as he sang. I smiled and drained my drink, letting the hard liquor soothe my nerves.
    I could think