She, the Kingdom (She #1)(8)
“What about Nick? Doesn’t he pay like seven-hundred and fifty-something a month in child support?”
“He called me after I left the office the other day. He can’t pay this month.”
Amelia’s sweet, hopeful expression twisted. “That… that… jerkasaurus.”
“Whoa… whoa now. Don’t want you going to Hell over me.”
Amelia combed out her long waves with her fingers, calming herself while checking for split ends. “We’ll find something. Don’t you worry. I have to get going, though. There’s a,” she looked at me with wide eyes, and she grabbed my hands. “There’s a gala tonight! John’s sister is running it. We have two extra tickets! It’s the perfect thing to help you get your mind off everything.”
“No. No way. Absolutely not.”
Amelia pouted. “But you’ve been so stressed. Your kids are gone for the summer and you haven’t done a thing.”
“Because I can’t afford to.”
“There’s free food and an open bar. I wasn’t looking forward to going until now. Please? Please?” she whined.
“I don’t have anything to wear to something like that,” I said, pulling away from her.
She stood, bringing me with her. “I do!”
“We’re not the same size, Amelia. Don’t be silly.”
“Almost! We’ll find something. If we do, will you go? Say yes!”
“No,” I said firmly.
She blinked. “But… what if you met someone there tonight who could give you a lead on a job? Or even hire you? There will be a lot of business owners there.”
I thought about it for a few seconds, and then closed my eyes. Damn it. She was right. “Fine,” I said, looking up at her. “Thank you, Amelia.”
She squealed and threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “Okay, let’s go! We have a lot of work to do.”
Chapter Three Amelia’s dress was a bit snug, but the empire waist and flowing skirt gave me more room than any of her other dresses. The neckline was plunging, much lower cut than I would normally wear, and the white floral material felt light and comfortable, even in the miserable July heat. The southern Kansas temperatures were sweltering during the day, and muggy at night. The breeze felt more like a heater blowing than a reprieve. We strolled about the courtyard of Dr. Collier’s backyard, admiring the fountain in the center. I’d already attacked the catered buffet, full of BBQ and finger foods. Nothing like the fancy inedible art I’d imagined.
I stood with my hands on the concrete railing, peering out over the dark water of the doctor’s vast, private pond. The surface was calm enough that I could see the moon’s reflection. I breathed in fresh-cut grass and a hint of dust from the combines driving just down the road from a long day of harvesting wheat. Even with the sweat, dirt, and humidity, summer was my favorite time of year. I often fantasized about snagging the kids for a weekend to take them to the water park, but the custody agreement forced me to let Nick have the kids for the full nine weeks. I bit my glossed lip, trying not to cry. No party was enough to take my mind off my problems.
“Sophie, please,” I heard a voice say.
From my peripheral, I saw a woman standing next to me. Her silhouette was lean with subtle curves. Her long hair cascaded down her back in soft waves. I turned with a smile, thinking it was Amelia, but it wasn’t.
The woman held out her hand, eager. Her pear-colored eyes glowed against her porcelain skin, her fingers and long, elegant neck dripping in diamonds. She fluttered her lashes gracefully together, like feathers each time she closed her eyes. She was stunning. “You’re Morgan?”
“I am,” I said, shaking her hand.
“I’m Sophie Kingston.” She let go of me to sweep her platinum hair behind her shoulder. Her sharp features had been fine-tuned, but she was a living work of art. Until that moment, I’d thought Amelia was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in real life. Instead—and of course—it was Max Kingston’s wife.
I glanced to her left, at Max, and swallowed. He seemed to feel just as awkward as I did.
“Oh, please, forgive me. It wasn’t my intention to upset you. I just wanted to say hello. To introduce myself, and to let you know that,” she glanced over her shoulder, “I understand how strange your conversation with Max must have been.” She elbowed him. “He’s not the best at explanations, and… oh, my… there’s just no amount of explanation that could soften the shocking nature of his needs.”
I swallowed, hoping it would circumvent the bile rising in my throat. I felt dizzy, and then nauseous, and it only grew worse the longer I stood in front of the beautiful creature that was the wife of the man who had offered me an obscene amount of money for sexual favors.
“Morgan,” Max said, concerned. “Are you okay?”
“I’m afraid I’ve upset her,” Sophie said, amused.
“Morgan, I apologize. I asked Sophie not to, but she insisted,” Max seethed.
“Please, sit next to me.” Sophie took me by the arm and led me to a nearby bench.
Amelia took one look at me and waved. She seemed surprised, but not at all concerned, having no clue the situation I was in. I hadn’t told her that Max Kingston was this beautiful, perverted, overgrown baby who had asked to go down on me while he fell asleep. Sophie was right. There was just no way to explain it, even if I hadn’t signed the NDA. I didn’t want to give Max a reason to sue me for the little I had left, and I knew he wouldn’t hesitate.