Boys, Toys - Oh My! Volume 3: Business of Sex, #3

By A.M. Willard

I'm no longer the girl who blushes at a drop of a hat or from the sight of a novelty toy. No, I'm bold and brazen, the one who stands up and takes what she wants. Well, until it backfires on me and the plan is no longer in my favor… Or is it? 

Cooper has a way with words, a way with my heart, and not to mention my body. I shouldn't have been surprised when he tricked me, or should I say made the front-page of the newspaper with an anonymous announcement that even has me at loss for words. 

Don't worry, I still sell toys and I might still have the guy of my dreams. It's just all happening backward for us. I've learned along this journey that life is full of surprises and you have to roll with the punches. And boy if this surprise just isn't one that has left me in shock and awe. But I'm Charlie… nothing will hold me back from what—or who—I want. Mixing business with pleasure may not be suggested, but I've learned to take risks…

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.M. Willard
• Release date: Jun 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386328803

Book preview

Chapter One

It’s been six months exactly since Cooper and I agreed to start dating, and I have to admit it’s the best thing I’ve ever agreed to do. Ginger, on the other hand, thinks it was me agreeing to sell novelty items, but we just let her think that.

Hurry up, Charlie, we’re going to be late, Ginger yells from my living room.

Grabbing my red clutch from the top of my dresser, I check my hair one last time before opening the door to join my friend. Tonight we’re going to meet Cooper, Glynn, Greg and his wife, Lauren, for drinks and dinner. It’s a celebration in Ginger’s honor as she just got the big promotion she’s been waiting for. Ginger’s been with the same software company for five years now. Working her way up from receptionist to the new administrator for the CEO of the company. It’s been a long road, but I knew she had it in her to get the job. Tonight, we celebrate, and of course I’m excited to see my dashing boyfriend, Cooper.

He’s been away for business the last week, and it’s been the longest we’ve gone without seeing each other. If I’m not at his apartment, he’s here with me. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve made the best of it at night with this newfound thing called phone sex. Never did I think I’d do something like that, but Cooper Fields pulls the wildcat out of me. Each day I surprise myself with something new that I do.

Take yesterday, I was standing in line at the grocery store and this rude guy behind me kept talking on his cell phone really loud. Like, I couldn’t hear the cashier tell me my total. I literally stopped, turned around, and stared at him for the longest time. Even going as far as clearing my throat, which didn’t make a difference. After that I reached down, slid my heel off, and banged it on the conveyor belt as hard as I could. Yes, I admit now that I might have looked like a crazy person, but I got his attention. Apparently, men in dark suites don’t expect petite little ladies to slam shoes around while yelling at them to get off the phone. Needless to say, this earned me a round of applause. I left that register with my head held high and felt like I had just taught him a lesson. It wasn’t until I was pulling out of the parking space that I witnessed him walking across the lot back on his phone lost in conversation. I just shook my head and went the other direction. It might not be considered grand and daring to some, but for me to just flip like that and speak my mind—that’s new and exciting. When I told Cooper about it… Well, that led to some amazing phone sex. I’ve been so worked up since that I’m dying to have him to myself tonight.

Ginger and I head out of my apartment toward the elevator. Clenching my clutch in my hand a little tighter as I envision the possibilities of tonight, Ginger clears her throat. Where are you, and please don’t tell me in Cooper’s pants?

Then I won’t tell you, I say with a devilish smile as I punch the button for the lobby. She should blame herself for my inner dirty thoughts of Cooper and me tangled in the sheets later. If it wasn’t for her I don’t think I would’ve ever ventured into the sex toy business. But then I might need to give the other half of that credit to Cooper… I mean, would you blame me? Cooper’s the real deal…

He’s smart.

He’s handsome.

He’s wealthy.

He’s got one hell of a package down under and not afraid to use it or tell me what he wants.

He makes me feel like I’m the only one in the room, no matter where we are. Last month we went to a company cocktail party for Fields and Manner. My whole body was scattered with nerves, but Cooper stayed by my side the entire night. He made sure to introduce me to everyone he spoke to, and only broke contact when we needed to excuse ourselves to the restroom or to order a drink. Even at the table his hand was rested underneath on my thigh.

Come on, sultry slut, let’s get you to your guy before you combust over there.

I won’t be combusting until later, I say as I enter the backseat of the taxi.

Please tell me you left Buzz at home?

Maybe, maybe not… Want to see him? I ask, causing her to laugh and change the subject quickly.

Ginger goes on and on about her day as I stare out at the cars and people filling the streets of New York. I remember when I was researching to move here that everyone I spoke with complained about the noise of the city, and I’ll admit that the first week here I felt like I was trapped in one of those wind tunnels because of all the noise. Now, I love it and find myself often unable to think straight unless the city is surrounding me. Being in the confines of this taxi blocks out the rest of the world, other than the honking of cars. I crack the window some to let the world filter throughout.

Leaning back, I allow my eyes to shut for a moment as I prepare myself to see Cooper. It’s always like a fresh date with him. When our eyes connect from across the room, I know that he felt me enter the room. It’s the same when he nears me. Every nerve ending I have ignites with pulsation that I’ve never had with anyone else. If my back is to him, the hair on my neck stands at attention like the National Anthem is playing in a stadium. That’s the connection we have and what I hope never fades away.

Just as the taxi pulls up to the curb, I toss some money up to the driver and slide out with Ginger fast on my heels. My eyes are focused on the door to the bar. I don’t need to text or call Cooper as the butterflies swirling within are in full flight as I approach. He’s inside, and I can’t wait to see him seated next to Greg and the gang when we enter. Once inside, my eyes dart around the dark room in search of our friends. Spotting Greg, Lauren, and Glynn immediately, my feet take me toward them. My head’s bobbing around the room in search of my other half, as I’m surprised that I haven’t spotted him yet.

It’s when we approach the group that I follow Greg’s eyes toward the bar. I’m not sure if he heard the hitch of breath I just took, because the sight before me isn’t what I was expecting. Cooper’s leaned against the bar with one arm resting on the wood while his other is holding his tumbler of Maker’s Mark—his signature whiskey when we’re out. That’s not the surprising thing though; it’s the woman who’s running her hands down his arm, locking eyes with the man I love. The smile on her face, the smirk on his face, and the way their bodies are so comfortable together leads me to believe that they know each other or have a history together.

Turning my head toward Greg, I wait for some kind of explanation. Instead, I get a shrug and an I’m sorry smile… My head’s telling me to march over and stake claim on what’s mine, but my feet are cemented to the dingy wood floor not allowing me to move an inch. Confused to why he hasn’t felt me arrive, I watch the encounter in slow motion. It’s like those instant replays during a football game with the announcer explaining each move, pass, and fumble. Is this a fumble in our relationship? Cooper’s never spoken about a past love or lover, even though he knows everything about my past and Dean.

What seems like an hour later, I’m still in the same spot as I was when we arrived. The rest of our party is in deep conversation, and I respond when needed. Ginger noticed sometime ago the awkward situation and has offered to go over and beat her down, but I blew her off. It’s now become a simple fact that I want to see how long it takes him to notice I’ve arrived or even if he does. Greg is still mum with who she is, and that leads me to believe that there is more to this story than I realize. I’m downing my second vodka cranberry when I notice Cooper and the bimbo heading this way. My fingers tighten on the leather material of my purse, gripping it tightly to hold my emotions in as watch her wrap her arm in with his and laugh at something he says. This is how Cooper walks with me—not his friends.

Stepping over to me, Cooper places a kiss on my cheek before pulling away quickly. Charlie, this is Jacqueline,