Get Married

Lucia POV

"Hey, married man," I greeted my friend, Carter from college.

"I saw I missed your call earlier. What's up? Need another shell company?"

Carter worked in computer technology and could create an entire world to look real on the internet from nothing. He was a genius, and the best software engineer that I've ever met and trust me, I've met alot. I utilize every of his God-given talent to my cause—my revenge.

"Maybe I just missed your voice."

"Oh, yeah. You like that," he said in a more deeper baritone.

"Tell Lucia I said hi," his wife shouted from the background.

"Tracy sends her greetings."

"Do greet her for me. Shouldn't she be worried to find you talking like that on the phone?"

"Nah, I only talk to you like that. I use a different voice with her."

"I don't want to hear it."

"We both laughed before he sobered and asked again what I had called for earlier."

"I just wanted to check up on any new information you gathered. More stocks are coming up on the market, and I want to make sure I'm prepared for all possibilities."

"You know I would call you if I had anything. So far, all is quiet."

"Yeah, it's just been a while since I could acquire new stocks. I'm a bit jumpy."

"Have you tried calling up one of your the ladies in your Red Book?"

My mind flashed to the stunning angel with brown hair I saw at the club the other night. I'd been unable to get off my mind. Shaking my head, I shoved it aside, annoyed that I'd only looked at her and still thought of her a week later. "Not since I've been in this d*mn city," I grumbled.

"Oh, yeah. New York always makes you pissy. Go get laid and know I'll call you if anything comes up."

"Thanks, man."

"Anything else? You sound more irritable than usual, which is saying something."

"Yeah, it's just work. I've got a day full of interviews ahead of me."

"Still trying to replace that one chick?" he asked, laughing."

"Carly," I grumbled.

"You could always call her," he joked. "Or…who was the other one?"

"Shut up, *ssh*l*."

He laughed at my luck of hiring women who had applied to the job just to get close to me in hopes of bagging the boss. Carly was the most recent culprit and had started by offering to blow one of the supervisors to get placed on a project I headed.

Being desired for my money wasn't anything new, but I hated it even more because it f*ck*d with my business…which f*ck*d with my plans, and that crossed a line. My life centered around making this company successful enough to take what I wanted.

Add in my disgust for anyone cheating their way to the top, and I fired her the moment I saw her on her knees.

"I don't f*ck employees."

"Hey, don't knock it. I f*ck*d Tracy all over the office and now look at us."

I choked out a sound of disgust. "Guy, I know you guys are married but don't say it like that."

"Yeah, happily married. Nothing wrong with it."

"Maybe not. But I'm good without it. Women are a distraction, and I've got plenty who are perfectly fine with the occasional meet."

"Such a playboy," he joked. "Doesn't your Grandpa want to see you happily married with kids?"

My lip curled at the thought. "How is he by the way?"

"He's stable." I love my grandfather. I'd do anything for my grandpa to make him happy, but that request was too much.

I was still on the call when my Derek entered signalling me the applicants have arrived.

"On that note, I have to go."

"Mr. Romano. Your first appointment has arrived," Derek called through the intercom.

"That's my first interview," I said to a laughing Carter. "Pray for me and perhaps I'll call someone tonight."

"You better, or I'm sending you a hooker. And not a top-shelf one."

"Why do you have a hookers number. You know what, I don't care. Thanks, man."

"Anytime."

With that, I got off my phone and shoved it away, clicking the intercom to talk to Derek. "Send them in, please."

A tall blonde walked in, dressed in a confident manner. When she spotted me standing from my desk, she stumbled over her feet a bit.

"Okay?" I asked, rounding my desk.

"More than okay," she said with a slow smile.

I should have seen the siren ringing when her eyes locked with mine, and she bit at her lip. Trying not to judge the book by its cover, I held out my hand cautiously, hoping she wasn't anything like Carly, but not holding my breath. "I'm Lucia Romano, nice to meet you."

"Juniper," she said, sliding her hand in mine. She held on longer than necessary and scanned my body head to toe.

Tugging my hand back, I rounded the desk, eager to put space between us. I watched her sit down and barely held back my cringe when she tugged her black skirt further up her legs than necessary and stroked her finger along the v of her blouse.

Oh Jesus! This was going to be a long f*ck*ng day."