The Invitation (6 page)

“Relax, everything’s going to be fine,” I
tell my client as I head to baggage claim.

“But we weren’t scheduled for meetings until
next month. What do you think it means?”

I can hear the worry in his voice, so I make
my tone extra-soothing. “It means they’re scared. They know they
don’t have a case. Seriously, relax, get some sleep. I’ll see you
for the first deposition tomorrow.”

I hang up and grab my bags. I have no idea
how long this work trip will take, so I packed pretty much
everything. There’s nothing like a pair of three-inch heeled
leather boots to make me feel invincible walking into a
boardroom.

And I’m going to need all the good luck I
can get. I’m only a third-year associate, I’m not supposed to be
lead counsel on a case, but my dick of a boss just got himself
thrown in jail. I’m the one who’s prepared most of the research,
and developed a relationship with the client, so my firm put me on
the first flight out.

Sink or swim. It’s my chance to prove I’ve
got the goods to make partner, and I plan to blow them all out of
the water.

I’m breezing through the Arrivals lounge
when I see a sign with my name on it. A driver is waiting.
“Courtesy of Miss Fawes,” he smiles, taking my overstuffed
cases.

I call my best friend, Keely. She moved out
here months ago, and she’s made this last-minute trip so much
easier. “I can’t believe you sent a car for me! Thank you so much,”
I say, grateful to be waltzing past the fifty-deep taxi line. “I’m
exhausted.”

“I figured you would be,” Keely laughs. “I’m
just excited I get to see you again. Still good for brunch
tomorrow?”

“Absolutely! I have time before my meeting.
I can’t wait to see you.”

“Everything’s ready at the apartment, just
go on up,” she adds, before saying goodbye.

I sink into the back seat of the car and
thank the universe for awesome BFFs. Awesome BFFs who just happened
to inherit a massive fortune, and have luxury penthouse apartments
sitting empty waiting for someone to borrow.

My phone buzzes with new emails, so I scroll
through before my brain shuts down for the night. There’s a couple
from my old law school buddies, wanting to get together while I’m
in town. They probably just want to boast about the size of their
bonuses, but I tap out a quick reply saying I’ll meet them for
drinks.

Law school... It’s only been three years,
but it feels like a lifetime ago. Back then, I wore jeans to class
and splurged on cheap takeout. Now, I’m on partner track at a big
firm with an expense account and a taste for designer shoes. The
day I got my first big bonus, I moved mom out of her crappy
apartment complex and into a small bungalow in the good part of
town. She’s got a yard now where she loves to garden, and my sister
is doing great in college, thanks to the pricy SAT tutor I hired to
get her there.

Things are good. Great, in fact. Everything
is working out the way I dreamed -- and worked like hell to make
happen.

I wonder how Ash is doing now...

I feel a familiar pang of rejection, but
it’s softened over time. I haven’t seen or heard from him since
that night we spent together. He never called from England, and
after sending a couple of emails and getting radio silence, I gave
up on the hope that I would see him again.

Sometimes I’ll remember the time we spent
together; a joke, or conversation, and it hits me all over again.
But that was years ago, and I’ve moved on. Only curiosity keeps me
checking online from time to time, but I never find anything about
him at all.

“We’re here.”

I look up. We’ve arrived outside a fancy
building on the Upper East Side. The driver takes my bags, and the
doorman greets me out front.

“Welcome, Miss Jenkins. Here are your keys
and security card.” He passes them to me. “You also had a package
delivered,” he adds. “I placed it on the table inside.”

“Thank you.” I head to the elevator. It’s
gorgeous in here, all gleaming marble and fresh-cut flowers.
Upstairs, the apartment is on its own floor, with an entrance
hallway, and a huge open-plan living area. I tell the driver to
leave the bags, and tip him generously on the way out.

Thank you, Keely.

I’m too tired to take it all in, but it’s
bright and airy and impeccably decorated. There’s a small table by
the door, and a package is waiting for me.

At first, I think it might be a delivery of
more documents for the case, but when I look closer, I realize
there’s nothing business-like about it.

The box is small, wrapped in silk, about the
size of a paperback book. It’s tied with a beautiful gold ribbon,
and there’s a card tucked underneath with my name written in
flowing calligraphy.

Justine.

I pull the ribbon undone, curious.

Inside, I find a key nestled in layers of
plum satin. But it’s not just any key. Elegant and old-fashioned,
it’s set with dozens of tiny sparkling crystals, with a fine gold
chain looped through the top.

There’s another card underneath. Heavy paper,
swirling script.

Welcome to your wildest fantasy.
Are you ready to play?

I look around, but the apartment is empty.
No return address or name on the card.

I catch my breath. There’s something so
beautiful and seductive about the gift, but I have no idea where it
came from.

Who sent it?

What does it mean?

I feel a shiver of excitement. I love games, and I
already can tell, this one is going to be fun.

* * *

The game is only just beginning.
Justine’s sexy adventure continues in
THE INVITATION: SURRENDER
-- coming Sep 28th 2014.

Pre-order your copy now!

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