Matchsticks & Gasoline

By Nathan Stacey

Leeman Forester is a self-made billionaire who is trapped in a loveless marriage but when he serves divorce papers on his estranged wife and she refuses to sign them, is it just a coincidence that she winds up dead?

Emily has been infatuated with her boss since she interviewed for the position and subsequently started working for Mr. Leeman Forester. She fantasizes about him whenever she isn't focused on her work.

Will the death of Leeman's soon to be ex-wife draw them together or will it push them apart? Is Emily's boss and fantasy lover capable of murder and is it safe to get close enough to find out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa Bell & Jordin Thiele Inc.
• Release date: Oct 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386279648

Book preview

Prologue

Leeman stepped into his office, the manila envelope he carried in his hand felt more onerous than the lunch that was sitting heavy at the bottom of his gut. He never thought this day would happen. Leeman had done everything possible to be a good husband and provider, but realistically it was never likely to be enough. Leeman knew he wasn't perfect. It had in fact taken a lot of sacrifices to get to where he was. However, in his mind, it had all been for the greater good. He owned the company which meant he answered to nobody but himself. He'd painstakingly grown the business from virtually nothing. He'd started out as one of the construction crew, and several years post-graduation, he’d finally hit the big time.

Leeman and Susan had met in college, and they'd married soon after they discovered she was pregnant. It was just eight weeks after they'd started sleeping together.

Leeman had done the honorable thing. The responsible thing. Even though he'd fought with his parents about his decision, he’d reminded them that it was how they had raised him. They’d taught him to own his errors in judgment and not to shy away from the consequences of his actions. So ultimately, his parents only had themselves to blame for his decision to marry a girl he barely knew. He refused to lie to himself or anyone else about his affections toward her. He reminded himself that he’d never loved her. Leeman had done his best to give her everything she ever wanted, and he’d even remained faithful to his vows through everything.

She'd lost the baby just before the end of the first trimester, but by then they were already knee deep in the legalities of married life. Which meant whether he liked or not, he was screwed.

Leeman threw himself into his work and Susan became distracted by whatever held her attention for longer than five minutes.

They’d been married for over six years -- if you could call it that -- when Susan announced that she was pregnant for the second time. The proclamation shocked the shit out of Leeman considering they barely had a sex life and he couldn’t calculate the math of it to figure out exactly when the last time they were intimate was. Regardless, he held fast, providing the wife he didn’t love whatever she considered a must-have.

At thirty-nine weeks Susan was rushed to the hospital, hemorrhaging due to the placenta detaching from the wall of the uterus. The doctors had to perform major surgery to save her life, and they were never able to have kids after the doctors were forced to perform a hysterectomy. While the doctors tried desperately to save them both, unfortunately, the baby didn’t make it.

Susan changed almost overnight, but Leeman stood by her. She made him feel guilty after she’d told him it was all his fault. If he hadn't gotten her pregnant in the first place, they wouldn't have been stuck in a ridiculous thing, called a marriage. It infuriated him that she just wouldn't leave, considering they were both so miserable. Sadly, she'd grown accustomed to the pampered lifestyle he'd provided her and had no intentions of giving that up anytime soon. Plagued by a high opinion of self-worth, Susan honestly believed that Leeman owed her something. Therefore, she continued to take up space within the walls of the residence he’d paid for.

The very last day they were in the house together, was filled with rage. His mind mulled over the memory of him arriving home early from a business trip, only to find her in his bed fucking another man.

He'd heard all of the vocals from their lovemaking when he'd reached the second landing. Throwing the door open, he'd stormed into the room, collected the discarded clothing and tossed them out the window. Leeman yelled furiously, with no regard to whether the neighbors heard or not. Both of you, get the fuck out of my house... Now!

Chapter 1

Leeman stood looking out over the city from his office window. Even though an unexpected peace seemed to settle inside him, he couldn’t help suspecting that the feeling was somehow just the calm before the storm. His thoughts were interrupted by a timid knock at the door breaking his solitude, and he reluctantly called out in a deep voice. Enter.

His assistant opened the door, and spoke softly, Sir, I've rescheduled your appointments for early next week and updated your itinerary as requested. If that's all? I'll finish up for the day. Emily smiled at her handsome boss who stood on the other side of the desk. She'd been fascinated by him ever since she'd first applied for the position three years ago. During that time, he’d never so much as glanced at her in any fashion other than as an employer looking at an employee. Accepting his silence towards her as a dismissal, she turned on the heel of her stiletto prepared to walk away from him at the end of another long week.

Emily wait.

Hearing Leeman Forester’s deep voice speaking her name, always shook Emily to her core. Holding her breath, she turned back to face the man she’d continuously gone home to dream about.

I have an appointment this evening that I can’t reschedule. I’ll need you to accompany me. Leeman avoided meeting her inquisitive eyes as he moved to sit at his desk. Is that going to be a problem? he asked.

Um no, Emily stuttered her response barely above a whisper. She cleared her throat then amended her reply. No sir, that will be fine.

Good, Leeman lifted the handset of the phone and waved to Emily as he set the protocol for the evening's event. "You’ll need to dress appropriately. I’ll have some evening wear sent over to your apartment for you to choose from. I’ll also organize the car to pick you up at around 7:00 pm.