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Lennox sighed harshly. “Why must you turn me into a jackass?”

“You’re a liar. I know we didn’t have sex. What I don’t understand is what was the purpose of you lying?”

“If you know that, then why are you so mad? That should make you feel better, right?”

“Why did you lie?”

“I never said we had sex. You assumed it.”

“You insinuated it!”

“I still never said we had sex.”

“Okay, have a good life.”

“Ah, ah… I need a plus-one at this party. You need to be here within the hour.”

“It’s never happening.”

“Never say never.” His voice grew ominous. “You know what I have that could not only ruin your relationship with Mr. Rose but also your career. What would your principal or director over Academy Preparatory College High School think when a nude picture of their teacher shows up online? And doll, you look wasted. You saw the picture. It’s not a good look.”

“You son of a bitch. How can you do this to me? I’ve never done a single thing to you to provoke this. Why?”

“Simple. I need you. I still love you, and if you give me a chance…”

Carla scoffed. “Some love! You left me, remember?”

“Yeah, you won’t let me forget it.”

“I would if you’d leave me the fuck alone! I mean, how dare you? Now you’re blackmailing me? And this is what you think will make me want you more? You’re crazy.”

“I might be. In fact, you’re right. I am crazy over you. Now get your ass down here in the next forty-five minutes, or this picture will haunt you for the rest of your life. You know I mean it—whether we had sex or not. There’s no denying you laying there in your ex-boyfriend’s bed.” He paused and rattled off the address. “I’ll see you soon.”

Lennox disconnected the call, and Carla screamed.

* * *

She paced backand forth in front of her Infiniti, dressed in a pinstripe pants suit that covered her curves nicely. Her hair had been brushed into a tight ponytail and the extensions she added sprouted from the top in a bounce of layered curls. She was beautifully and intelligently dressed. However, being at the venue had her stomach in knots.

She stopped pacing and took in a deep breath.

“You don’t have a choice,” she whispered to herself. Locking her jaw with an attitude the size of the Grand Canyon, Carla left the parking and entered the building.

The venue was packed with businessmen like CEOs and presidents of one corporation or another. Men in suits, women in cocktail dresses, some with arms linked while others were standing idly by.

Jacob checked his Cartier watch. He was donned in Armani. The royal blue suit fit his muscular physic immaculately. A crisp white button-down left two buttons undone, showing off the pillar of his throat. Though he was there to mix and mingle to garner support for Mayor Luke Steele, he was relaxed, ending his day with Carla on his mind.

Contact between them had been scarce. Jacob was well aware that, between Carla’s classes and her falling ill, it would have to be that way. Well, according to her.

Moving through the private party, Jacob turned the heads of fellow businessmen and women, leaving them lingering in admiration or wanting to gain his attention.

“Mr. Rose.”

Jacob spun on his feet, a smile ushering up into a devilish grin. “Mayor Luke Steele, I thought I was going to miss you for a moment.”

Luke smiled and slapped Jacob on his shoulder, deep laughter coming from the two. “Gentleman,” Luke turned to his circle, “You’ve met Jacob Alexander Rose before, yes?”

“Well, of course,” they muttered, one after another. As Luke made the introductions, Jacob’s mind veered back toward Carla.