Page 34 of By Invitation Only

“Tell me.”

“What if we got married and you applied for a Green Card? That way you can become a permanent resident, and you’ll only have to renew every ten years—or whatever it is.”

I started to laugh. “You want to get married?”

She rolled her gunmetal colored eyes. “You know I’m never getting married.”

“Just because you like pussy doesn’t mean you won’t ever get married. California might change their laws or another state.”

She started to laugh as if she didn’t believe me. “Right.”

“Fine. I’ll make you a deal.”

“What’s that?”

“Look for a job for a civil rights law firm. I want you to specialize in LGBT rights, and once the changes happen and you can marry a fit bird, we’ll get divorced.”

“Let me get this straight. You want to tell me what to do with my career before you’ll marry me? I think I’m getting the short end of the stick here, Book.”

I grinned. “No, sweetheart. There’s nothing short or small about me.”

“You’re so cocky.” She slapped my arm.

“What? You want my cock now?”

She rolled her eyes. “No, thanks.”

I lunged for her and wrapped her in my arms. “Getting married might work for real. And I know one day I’ll walk you down the aisle.”

Carrie lost her father in a motorcycle accident when she was a little girl. I’d heard stories about how, when she was growing up, he would dance with her as if they were at her wedding.

When she got older, she realized she liked women and not men. I knew the time would come when she could marry whatever woman she fancied, and I also knew that I would be the one to walk her down the aisle and give her away.

So, the day before we graduated from UCLA Law, we got married at the courthouse. It wasn’t anything to write home about. In fact, I didn’t. My parents didn’t know I’d married my best mate so that I could stay in the States. They just thought I’d found a job and was on a work VISA. The only people who knew were our friends Amelia and Randy because we’d needed them to witness our nuptials. There was no reason for anyone other than HR to know.

Yes, two attorneys were breaking the law. And now Carrie had opened her mouth and told someone outside of the “need to know” circle.

I parked my black Mercedes in my assigned spot of the garage at L&T, and then took the elevator up to the eleventh floor. I had an agenda for the day, and it needed to happen before I lost my fucking mind.

I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to make things right with Peyton. Before Saturday night, the only thing we’d ever mostly talked about were cases. What I did know was that she was beautiful, and that had made me cockier around her. I was like a little boy with a crush on a girl who had to be mean to her for attention.

Now I couldn’t get her out of my head.

I’d never had that problem before. I’d been with many women.Many. That was what I liked about Sensation. I could go have safe, no strings attached sex, and I didn’t have to worry about someone wanting me for my money or anything of that nature. And I had money. L&T paid me well because I had the most billable hours and hooked the wealthiest clients. In fact, I was on my way to making partner.

“Hey, Booker.” The receptionist smiled and waved at me as I stepped off the lift. I knew she wanted to fuck me. All the women in my office eye-fucked me on a daily basis.

But I had a rule: don’t eat where you shit.

I’d actually learned it the hard way. My old assistant and I were having an affair until her husband found out. That was a bloody mess I’d had to deal with, and it almost got me fired. Luckily, L&T couldn’t afford to lose me, so they paid her a handsome amount of money to quit.

“Morning, Sandra. Hope your weekend was a good one.”

“It was, thank you.”

I continued toward my office, passing the conference room/library. That was where my old assistant and I used to shag. Good times.

My new assistant, Monica, was at her desk as I walked up. “Morning, Monica,” I greeted. “Can you get me Peyton Winters’ office number, please?”