LAKE
I uploaded the video I made on my social media accounts and posted pictures of us in the city hall and during my volunteer that Owen and Homer took. It received a lot of buzz and likes, but I was not up for it. I’d still like to keep my private life private, but I was just proud of Maverick and to be in a relationship with her. Owen was right. I had changed a lot since my marriage.
I hadn’t told my dad about it. I didn’t give a damn about his opinion anymore if he didn’t like the idea of me marrying a working-class woman. I liked Maverick, and that was enough for me.
I read some comments. Venus was right. People were crucifying me online for being a cheat.
“Stupid people.”
“Whoa. What’s wrong?”
I lifted my gaze from my phone screen. “What are you doing here?”
Striker took a seat. As the CEO of Hover, he was respected around here. “That was quite a relationship soft launch.”
“You mean hard launch. Is that why you’re here, cuz?”
He laughed. He and London were inseparable. Sometimes, it was nauseating to watch, but I understood it now. If it was only possible, I didn’t want to distance myself from Maverick, but we both had to work, and she was still in college.
He took his phone from his pocket and scrolled on the screen. “Lake, Mave. You made me the happiest. Heart emoji. That’s from Aunt Bea. That’s my man.”
“Let me guess, Linden?”
“Yup. Here’s the most unexpected part. Proud of you, son.”
“Your father?”
“Nope. Your dad.”
“What?” I fumbled on the phone to go to the app and checked his comments. Striker was right. He commented on my post and rarely did that, if not for the PR. “It still doesn’t mean he wrote that. It could be his social media handler.”
“Cuz, take the win. Check his IG.”
I clicked his name, taking me to his account. He took the picture of me and Maverick on the couch, posted it, and pinned it with the caption, women can’t change men. Men change for the right women. My boy and Maverick.
I quickly typed a short comment and put my phone down, still finding myself speechless.
“You should throw a party,” Striker suggested.
“Yup.”
“You should take her to Paris or Guardion. It’s pretty romantic at this time.”
“I feel like I’m a terrible husband. I need a week off and take her on a honeymoon.”
Striker smiled. “You’re in love, cuz. And she’s pretty.”
“You only see her from the picture.”
“Yeah, but I believe Linden. He said she’s really pretty.”
“Stop saying pretty to my wife.”
He chuckled. “Are you coming this weekend? I know what it’s like to be newlywed, but we missed you, cuz. Just don’t show your ass up alone. Bring Maverick.”
“I knew it. You’re planning to embarrass me in front of my wife.”
“You know me very well.” He smirked and rose to his feet. “See you this weekend.”
My phone rang after Striker left. It was my father.
“Dad.”
“So you’re married, and you didn’t tell me?”
Of course, the comment and post were just to a front, and I never bought it because it would be an insult, a humiliation, an embarrassment for Wallace Winston to be not invited to his only son’s wedding. So, he pretended to know my marriage.
“You didn’t mention you need to be there, Dad. So, I got everything into my hands and married since you didn’t give me enough time.”
“This is unacceptable. I want to know about that woman. Everything. And I want to meet her.”
“Maybe you should ask one of your people to dig deeper into my wife’s life. She’s not the one who’s hiding skeletons in her closet.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know, Dad, but you asked for my marriage certificate. I’ll have your assistant a copy. Anything else?”
“You’re being disrespectful. Your marriage means nothing to the board unless you’ve proven yourself worthy of the CEO position.”
“This is getting old.” I released a weighted breath as I sat back in my chair. “If you want me to take over that position, you didn’t have to put me in this situation. I have a company to run. I’m happy with that.”
“A startup? Is that what you’re so proud of? How much did it profit?” Of course, he knew. I was even surprised he hadn’t heard of me having a wife or was waiting for the right time to scrutinize my poor decision-making.
“It doesn’t matter. What matters to me is the toxic working environment I am in. It gives me wrinkles and an early heart attack. Take it or leave it, but I’m not divorcing my wife to feed your ego. Before you throw questions, if I let her sign a hundred pages of prenup, yes, it’s ironclad with NDA and agreement. Anything else?”
“You could have asked for my opinion before you married that woman.”
“That woman has a name, and she’s my wife.” My anger was giving me a headache. I breathed deeply before I could throw curses at my father. “I don’t need anyone’s opinion to choose a woman for me, Dad. Since when did I ask for your opinion of the woman I wanted to sleep with?”
“Lake Archer!”
“You’re criticizing my decision because of her job. And she doesn’t come from a prominent figure. Well, like I told you, I’m not divorcing her.”
“Then you just lost your chance.”
“I don’t care. Put Stoll in that position. If you want me to resign as COO, just let me know. You’ll have my resignation.”
“You disrespectful brat.”
“Bye, father. Good luck.” I hang up the call. Yes, I hang up on him. I was so done with him belittling me, manipulating me, and controlling me. He could have promoted me without any conditions, and I’d done my part. I was done doing his bidding.
“Fuck the position.”
***
I went home to my wife and caught the smell of some spices.
“Maverick?” I called her before I could take off my suit.
“In your kitchen.” She put a slight emphasis on the word your, making me smile.
“Smells good.” I waltzed to my kitchen, and she looked so beautiful and homey. If this were the woman I would lose to be the CEO, I would have given up that position long ago.
“Hey.” She tiptoed to kiss me.
I held her hips so I could kiss her the way I liked it. Last night, I may have gone a little too far, but she didn’t complain. When tears rolled down her cheeks, I felt an immense pain in my chest as guilt crashed through my chest. At that moment, I realized she would do anything to make me happy, and I took advantage of that.
With my heart beating so loud, I poured all my emotions into the kiss, cupping her head and angling my mouth to deepen the kiss because I couldn’t get enough of her sweet, soft, plump lips. My cock instantly hardened, snugging my pants.
As if she had read my mind, she opened her mouth for me, and I glided my tongue inside. I tasted sweet and wine, and our tongues dueled. Our kiss turned torrid.
I grabbed her sweet ass so she could wrap her legs around my waist.
Before our kiss ended, both of us naked on top of the counter, she moaned and smiled, breaking free.
“Lake, the sauce is burning.”
“Sorry.” I loosened my hands and let her go.
“We’ll continue it later.” She smiled playfully, and a hand went down my crotch, rubbing it before we went to whatever sauce she was cooking. She knew I was hard, and she felt it poking her lower belly.
“I forgot to ask. Why did you drop culinary?” I saw a pot on the stove that looked like a creamy chicken. I expected a clatter, but she did know her way in the kitchen.
“Nana wasn’t fond of it.” She gave a good stir and adjusted the fire. “I guess I’m a people pleaser.”
I came and hugged her from behind and kissed her exposed shoulder. “I have a pretty good idea, baby.”
“What do you mean?” She turned around so she could look at me.
“I went too far the other night. I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, her cheeks flushing. She was cute when she blushed. “It’s fine. I had fun.”
“You have to stop me if you become uncomfortable because I’m used to people giving me what I want, even if it’s too much. You are my wife and deserve so much care and respect.”
“You’re a little dramatic today. Is everything okay at work?”
“Yeah. Everything is fine.”
“But you’re going to tell me if it’s not, right?” She pulled my tie loose and unbuttoned my shirt. “I mean, if I’m not invading your privacy.”
“Invade my privacy, beautiful. I’m not going to hide anything from you.”
She smiled. “I’m surprised with the posts. I even got followers. I guess that’s Lake Winston’s impact on someone’s life.”
“Yeah. My father called.” I could still feel the heaviness in my words.
Her smile quickly faded. “He’s upset, isn’t he?”
“I don’t give a shit about people’s opinions anymore, Maverick.”
“Maybe you should, Lake, because it’s your father, and your position is on the line. Isn’t it why we got married in the first place?”
Fuck. She had to remind me of that.