Secrets In Manhattan

By Savannah Denise

All is fair between love and the upper east side of New York, where our rich parents are even more scandalous than we are, and even better at keeping a dirty little secret. They would rather hand over their black credit cards and personal drivers than to put up with our shit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9780359931149

Book preview

Secrets In Manhattan

Secrets in Manhattan

Secrets in Manhattan © 2019 Savannah Denise

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Savannah Denise

Cover Art by Daniela Owergoor

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-359-85482-0

Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-359-93122-4

eBook ISBN: 978-0-359-93114-9

All is fair in love and the Upper East Side of New York, where our rich parents are even more scandalous than we are, and even better at keeping a dirty little secret. They would rather hand over their black credit cards and personal drivers than put up with our shit.

Praise for Secrets in Manhattan

I fell in love, I got angry, I wanted to slap Peyton. I felt sorry for the Selinas of the world. I couldn’t understand why a man would beat up a woman just like that or someone would abuse a kid. It also made me wonder about life as a whole. To me that is mark of a great writer. If you can’t move your readers one way or the other, then something is wrong. You moved me. Let’s not talk about the cliff hanger. That made me want to shake you and ask you what will happen next. It was great reading your book.

−Florence

Secrets in Manhattan is a edge of the seat, nonstop page turning book that’s filled with laughter and tears!! Seriously for me it captured my attention quickly and I was wanting more and more!! I felt like I was inside the book literally everything around me was tuned out as I read the story. From the details of Megan’s clothes, to the depths of her cries. I’m so excited to see what’s next for Megan, Carter, Lauren and Uncle Tom!!!! Like I’m already praying part 2 is coming very soon!!! Yes, it’s that good!

−Sam

This novel is great. I found myself being able to relate to different characters. I was on the edge of my seat and could not put the book down. I look forward to new stories. I want, no need to know what happens to them in the next book...

−Jessica

Dedication

To my kids Arielle and Amari, for the experience of a love so true and pure. To my spouse, thank you for your love and support. To my cousin Samantha and sister Star, thank you for taking the ride on this journey with me and sticking it out. To my beta readers, thank you for giving me your time and dedication. To my editors Jess and Mike, thank you for believing in me.

To Harry Winston, Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and more for making such delightful designs and inspiring me to write a story with such fabulous taste and for giving me every reason to love fashion. To my favorite soap operas and teen dramas that influenced me as a kid and gave me a reason to want to tell a story.

CHAPTER ONE

Can You Keep a Secret?

Panic gripped Meagan Harper as the second line on the pregnancy test emerged, and she frantically tore open another box.

That can’t be right, Meagan thought, looking at the back of the pregnancy test box and glancing over at her sparkling granite countertop where one pregnancy test lay.

This just can’t be happening, she whispered, as her confidant and maid, Marie, knocked urgently at the door.

Meagan completely ignored Marie as she ripped open the pregnancy test and started to read the instructions. She figured she must had done something wrong for the other test to come back positive, because there was no way she could be pregnant. She walked across the white marble tile to make it to the toilet and urgently pulled down her light blue denim capri pants to sit.

Come on, come on, dammit, Meagan whispered as she sat and tried to gain the urge to pee again. After several minutes she had the urge and just enough urine to cover the pregnancy stick. Meagan set the pregnancy test on the back of her elegant toilet, wiped herself, and pulled up her pants before walking over to the marble sink and scrubbing her hands with soap and water.

She started to pace the bathroom, walking back and forth, biting her fingernails and hoping—better yet wishing—for negative results so that she could resume her day and prepare for her high school graduation. Meagan finally walked over to the glossy white French doors and unlocked them, letting Marie walk in.

Remember last year when my mother walked in on me and Carter having sex the night of my debutante ball? That is nothing compared to this. I have no idea what she will do to me when she finds this out. Meagan said to Marie, the longtime family housekeeper.

Calm down, mija. Did you take both tests?

Meagan walked away from Marie and over to the counter to expose the pregnancy test that had two lines on it.

I took the other one, and I haven’t looked at the results yet. Marie, I’m scared. What am I going to do? My mother is going to be furious, and my dad? We know how he tells everyone he loves his princess, but will he still be able to love me after finding this out? And Carter.

Marie stormed over to the toilet where she spotted the second pregnancy test.

Don’t stress until we find out the final results, mija.

Meagan turned to face Marie and watched her as she picked up the test and stared back at Meagan, and Meagan burst into tears.

It’s okay. We’ll figure it out I promise.

Meagan walked through the bathroom doors that joined her bedroom, nervous and angry at herself for breaking the one rule her parents had.

* * *

The world Meagan lived in on the Upper East Side—with her classmates, her best friend Lauren Montgomery, and her boyfriend Carter Gilbert—was quite abnormal for the average American teen. Underage drinking and sex were normal. The friends she surrounded herself with were privileged. They all had unlimited access to money that their parents worked hard to earn then threw at their kids, so they didn’t have to deal with them.

Their parents didn’t have many rules: They only asked that their kids got good enough grades in school to get accepted in an Ivy League college and that their kids didn't create a scandal or embarrass the family name. Last but not least, they were not to get themselves (or someone else) pregnant.

Graduation was less than three hours away. All the seniors who attended St. Mary’s private school had gathered at brunch to celebrate their success with their extremely wealthy and self-centered parents. They returned to their huge apartments on Fifth Avenue after brunch to get ready for their big day.

Meagan’s parents—Peyton Lewis Harper and Gabriel Harper—were downstairs working on the catering arrangements for the dinner party they were throwing for the parents of the graduating class.

The seniors who mattered were all going to the biggest graduation party of the year at the same time. Meagan's best friend, Lauren Montgomery, had been planning this party since eighth grade. Since Meagan and Lauren were the most popular girls in school, everybody wanted an invitation. The rules of exclusivity meant not every graduating senior received an invitation. Those seniors would have to go to one of the other parties and convince each other they were having more fun, when they all knew they were missing out on the greatest graduation party ever planned.

* * *

Downstairs in the living room, Meagan's parents were having a heated conversation. Peyton pointed her finger in her husband’s face, and although she whispered to keep others from hearing, their conversation was not friendly.

How dare you invite her tonight! Are you trying to embarrass me and this family? Peyton hissed angrily, folding her arms and stomping her feet. She was dressed in one of her custom pantsuits and Jimmy Choo pumps.

Don’t blame me for your whoring around! He’s the best attorney in New York and knows everyone who's anyone, damn it! I need him as an ally, Peyton, and I won’t let the fact that you sneak away to screw him every chance you get ruin that! She is coming to the dinner, and you are going to pretend like the previous year’s charity ball didn’t happen. You’re going to smile to her face and act like you aren’t sleeping with her husband. Gabriel Harper brushed a piece of lint from his tailored Giorgio Armani suit and walked away, bumping shoulders with his wife.

Peyton stood there speechless and upset that her husband would do something so spiteful, although she knew he was capable of much more than that. The previous year, he had given her an ultimatum: Either she let go of her lustful feelings for another man, or he would make her life in the City a living hell. Peyton never doubted her husband could deliver on his threat.

Gabriel was nouveau riche, though no one dared confront him about it.

Meanwhile, back upstairs in Meagan’s bedroom, Marie stood inside the bathroom staring at the pregnancy test that read Pregnant in bold black letters. Meagan sat at her vanity set attempting to get undressed. Meagan unclipped the Chanel hair clip from her long golden blonde hair and slammed it on the vanity set. She took off the pink-and-black Chanel tweed blazer (and the elegant pearl choker and bracelets to match) then kicked off her size-seven hot pink Louboutin pumps. She was so distracted and couldn’t help but replay the events almost two months ago that led her up to that moment.

It started with her boyfriend, Carter, with whom she’d been in love since the day she laid eyes on him. The two of them made their relationship official in their eighth-grade year and remained loyal to one another through the four years of high school.

Unfortunately, three months earlier—on the day of love, February fourteenth—his parents, Timothy and Juliet Gilbert, were on their way to France to celebrate their eighteenth wedding anniversary.

Their private jet crashed not ten minutes after taking off, and the only thing left of them was ashes. Their bodies were never recovered, and there had been no evidence of foul play. The following week, Timothy's and Juliet's deaths were ruled accidental.

Not everyone believed it. Carter struggled with accepting the fact that his parents were gone but had an even harder time accepting the fact that their death was an accident. He was sure it wasn’t. He spent a month working with his father's private investigator. They found no proof of murder. Nonetheless, Carter knew his father was a powerful man, and he knew that kind of power came with a lot of enemies.

He hated the thought that his mother had to pay for the sins of his father. Juliet Gilbert was a beautiful and loving woman. She was a woman no one would dream of hurting, an innocent victim.

After losing his parents, Carter went off the edge. He missed more school than he attended. He moved out of his parents' apartment and into his father's hotel in downtown Manhattan: The Royal Hotel. He couldn’t bear the thought of living in the family's apartment without them. Having only maids and chefs to keep him company was depressing—not that moving to the hotel helped his grief at all.

Meagan tried her best to be there for Carter through it all. No matter his repeated attempts to push her away, and there were quite a few, she stayed loyal. Sadly, there was only so much she was able to take before breaking down, herself. Carter’s birthday, March thirty-first, was a little over a month after his parents' funeral. She hadn’t heard from him in two weeks, so to say she was worried would have been an understatement.

After contacting the Royal Hotel several times over the prior two weeks and being told Carter was in but rejecting all calls, Meagan decided to surprise him. She went shopping on the morning of his birthday and had picked out some of his favorite lingerie. Her best friend, Lauren, went shopping with her, since she had encouraged Meagan to dress up and surprise Carter. Whenever the couple argued, Meagan would dress up in sexy lingerie and wear nothing but a trench coat over it. She would go to Carter's apartment to make up with him. It always worked to fix their problems.

On Carter's birthday, she did just that. Meagan's hair was pulled back in a long ponytail, and she was wearing his favorite red lipstick—along with a green pantie and brassiere set that matched her beautiful green eyes. When she showed up at the Royal Hotel in her trench coat, she had to bribe security to get up to Carter’s penthouse. She got off the elevator and couldn’t believe her eyes. 

Carter lay on the couch. Two naked women were on the floor. Cocaine was scattered all over the table, along with half-drunk glasses of liquor and partially smoked joints. Meagan walked to the couch to wake him. When Carter opened his eyes, Meagan didn’t recognize him.

What are you doing here! Didn’t I tell you I didn’t want to see you? I don’t want to talk, Meagan! I need you to give me my space! he yelled, rubbing his eyes and lifting off the couch. Carter was clearly still high off some combination of drugs and alcohol, because he could barely stand up.

Carter, whispered Meagan, tears making her eyes shine as one then another slid from the corners of her eyes.

He walked over to his mini bar and poured himself a glass of bourbon. You’re not my wife, Meagan. I wish you would get that through your head, he added, lifting the crystal glass in the air before taking a sip.

She stood there in her trench coat staring him in the eyes, waiting for the real Carter to return. But her sweet Carter didn’t. This cruel Carter was so cold and disrespectful to her. She stood there silently, tears falling down her face. I just want to be here for you. I know this isn’t you, and I know you don’t mean it. You're just hurt and upset. I’m not giving up on you, Carter. I love you, she explained, wiping the tears from her face and walking toward him. Just let me be here for you, she begged as she placed her hands on his face then took the drink out of his hand.

For the last time, I don’t need or want your help! He pulled away from her and snatched his drink out of her hand, gulping the last of it. You can let yourself out. He bumped her shoulder as he stalked into his room, shutting the glass doors behind him.

A part of her wanted to chase after him and talk some sense into him, but when she looked around the room and saw the two women still sprawled on the floor, Meagan turned and walked away. Not wanting to go home and drown herself in tears, she stayed at the hotel after deciding to have a few drinks at the bar. Carter and she had spent a lot of time at his father’s hotel throughout the years, so the bartenders knew her well and were more interested in her cash tips than her driver's license.

She sat there for a while by herself, ordering martinis with green olives back to back. Accepting that it was over with Carter, Meagan decided it was time to leave. When she stood up, someone was standing next to her ready to take a seat on the empty bar stool. She mumbled that the seat was all theirs then turned around.

Tom Gilbert, Carter's uncle, was standing there.

They had met a few times, mostly after the death of Carter's parents. Tom was new in town and had only reconnected with his brother Timothy a few months before the crash. It was considered a tragedy that the brothers had only a short amount of time together. Because they hadn’t had a lot of time to get to know one another, Meagan felt awkward running into him at the hotel bar after a few drinks.

She looked at the bar. The evidence of her martinis was gone. Sheepish, she looked at Tom. Not that it should’ve been a big surprise to her to see him there, since he was running the hotel for Carter—as Carter's father had made clear in his will. Tim Gilbert had wanted Tom to take over until Carter was of age to run things himself—after Carter had finished college then graduate school.

Hey, it’s Meagan, right?

Tom took the seat next to the one Meagan was getting up from. Looking back on that moment, she should’ve followed her first instinct and left the hotel. But she didn’t.

She sat down, and Tom tapped the bar in front of her twice with his index finger. A new martini appeared as if by magic, so she stayed and sat there chatting with Uncle Tom. He was charming and funny, and soon she was laughing and giggling.

Even that wasn't so awful, really. It was the first time in weeks Meagan actually smiled, even though she kept looking behind her. Meagan remembered watching the elevator, hoping Carter would realize what it meant when Meagan showed up in a trench coat, but he never came.

Just give him some time. He’ll come around. Trust me: My nephew does not want to lose a girl like you, Tom assured her, taking sips of his bourbon then setting the glass down, all while staring at Meagan with his beautiful, bright gray eyes. The almond shape of his eyes reminded her so much of her sweet Carter’s eyes that Meagan didn't want to look away. Tom's eyes had little lines on the edges, ones her sweet Carter would have someday. Tom also had gorgeously strong cheekbones and beautiful dark hair that was almost jet black. He’s still young, and he doesn't know how to handle his pain. He lost his parents, and now he wants to shut everyone out. Don’t feel bad, honey. He isn’t exactly keeping in touch with me either, and I'm family.

She took a sip of her martini. Tears filled her eyes, so she fought to hold them back. What am I supposed to do in the meantime, Mr. Gilbert? He is completely out of control. I have never seen him like this, and I’m scared. She wiped her eyes before even one tear could escape. Then she bowed her head and stared into her martini glass.

Tom leaned over to grab her hand. If he doesn’t come around, he doesn't deserve you. Any man would love to have a girl so beautiful, smart, and kind. Tom took his hand and moved aside the lock of hair that was hanging from her forehead. But he'll come around. Like I said, he just needs time.

She had never paid attention to how handsome Tom was until that night. Maybe it was the martinis she drank, or maybe it was the fact that her boyfriend had cheated on her and was being a complete douche. Whatever it was, Meagan invited herself up to Tom’s suite. She knew it was an awful idea, but she did it anyway. Tom didn’t hesitate to take her up on her offer, so the two left the bar and headed to the elevator.

When they made it to his room, she made herself comfortable. I love what you’ve done with the place, she joked, walking to the bar to pour herself a glass of bourbon—even though she normally didn’t drink dark liquor. Tom sat on his couch watching her every move. He was admiring her, and she needed that affirmation she was still worth Carter's attention.

After drinking half of the drink she had poured, Meagan set the glass on top of the bar. She strolled to the couch to take a seat next to Tom. You know, I never realized how beautiful your eyes were until now, he told her, staring at her in the most seductive way. That color of green is breathtaking.

Is it hot in here? Or is it just me? she asked, pulling her coat off her shoulder to reveal her naked collarbone. Tom rested his arm behind her on the couch. Something in Meagan woke up and let her know she would regret staying one more minute. I should get going. It’s getting late, and it’s been quite a night for me. She stood up and started walking toward the elevator.

Or you could stay the night. I mean, that’s if you want, he suggested. There’s plenty of room for you here, and I won’t bite—unless you ask me to.

Every bone in her body ached to leave, but her martini-affected mind wanted to feel wanted. Her desire to be desirable won, so she reminded herself that Carter had dumped her and asked her to leave. She caught him cheating. It was over.

Suddenly single in her own mind, Meagan made the decision that would soon come back to haunt her: She decided to stay the night with Carter's uncle.

She walked back over to the couch, and this time, she was making the first move. She stood in front of Tom while his eyes were glued to her. She untied her trench coat and revealed the dark green pantie and bra set she was wearing. Leaning forward, her red lips slack and pursed slightly, just like that cheating Carter had loved, Meagan whispered, And what if I want you to bite?

She sat on top of Tom, straddling his hips, so he took complete control. Kissing her neck and biting as she requested, Meagan let herself indulge in bittersweet pain. She gasped then let out shuddering breaths, which made his touches more needy. Tom picked her up as she clung to him. Meagan's arms around his neck and legs around his waist, Tom carried her to the bedroom.

When he lay her on the bed, she gazed at him. He appraised her like a treasure, and she invited him with her eyes to do more than look, so he accepted the invitation. He unhooked her brassiere and revealed her perky, rounded breasts. He mumbled that he had a thing for girls with perfect breasts like hers as he caressed each one softly and gently. Then he sucked on each nipple with care, adding just enough aggression that Meagan let out loud moans as she dug her nails into his shoulders. She writhed, and her panties disappeared just like her brassiere had.

He unzipped his pants and kicked them to the floor. Then, with Meagan's help, Tom pulled his shirt over his head. She was surprised when removing Tom's shirt revealed his tan six pack of abdominal muscles, and she skated her fingernails over them. Carter was fit, but he was not cut like his uncle.

She lifted her shoulders up from the bed to pull him down to her then wrapped her legs around him. He entered her wet and craving vagina, coughing out in surprise before breathily whispering how amazing she felt. Meagan moaned so loudly that she later wondered how Carter couldn’t hear her.

Tom kissed her body in ways she never imagined; he sparked in her pleasure she had never experienced. Meagan flipped Tom over to get on top of him, and she put her hands at either side of his neck while slowly grinding on him. He touched her cherry-red lips, so she sucked his finger into her mouth and stared him in the eyes. Tom's eyes rolled back, and he closed his eyelids as he exhaled breathily then looked into her eyes and smiled. Meagan sped up her pace, and Tom focused on her pleasure. She was nearing orgasm, so he gripped her thighs. Slow down, honey, he whispered urgently.

MHMMMM! she moaned, not stopping as she ignored his plea. Tom groaned and accepted Meagan was taking for herself. Her knees started to go weak, and her whole body shook as Tom's voice joined hers. The two of them climaxed together.

She lay on top of him, and they panted together until their breath slowed. He pet her golden hair then kissed her forehead gently. Meagan rolled off Tom and lay at his side to go to sleep. Tom turned to hug her to him.

When she woke in the morning, Tom still held her to him. Guilt ate at her, so Meagan slipped from his bed. She dressed in ashamed silence, Tom watching her with an equally regretful expression. She turned away and finished dressing then left the hotel room.

The next day, feeling ashamed and guilty about his recent behavior, Carter showed up at Meagan’s apartment. That time it was he who was begging and pleading. (If only he knew that not even twenty-four hours earlier, his sweet and pure Meagan was having hot, dirty sex with his uncle!) Carter opened her bedroom door without knocking, holding a dozen pink roses and standing in the doorway with puppy-dog eyes.

What do you want Carter? I’m busy, Meagan said to him, swinging her hair back and staring down at the Vogue magazine she was reading. Her attitude was in full effect as she lay there wearing nothing but her black silk full slip and knee-high tights.

Completely ignoring her attitude, Carter walked all the way inside her bedroom. Making sure to close and lock the door behind him, he walked to the bed and sat next to the beauty who was trying her hardest not to give in. Meagan loved Carter so much that sometimes she wondered if she loved him too much. She didn’t want to lose herself as a woman loving him. Meagan was destined to be powerful, and being powerful meant standing for something—not falling for anything.

I was wrong. I’m sorry, Carter told her, touching her shoulder with confidence. She moved his hand away slowly and continued to read the magazine, though she was distracted. I don’t know who I am anymore. I didn’t want to hurt you or say any of those things I said! I’m lost. I don’t know what to do without my parents or you. I need you. He cried, hanging his head down. He didn't want her to see his tears.

As badly as she had wanted to torture him more, how could she have? Losing his parents was a good-enough excuse to act the way he had. Then again, maybe Meagan had felt guilty knowing what she had done the night before and just wanted to call it even and over with. Whatever it was, she had a change of heart while watching the love of her young life completely fall apart next to her. She closed the fashion magazine and sat up on the bed.

I’m sorry about your parents. I can’t imagine how you must have been feeling. I guess considering everything that we’ve been through, we owe it to each other not to give up on us. She sympathized with his pain, staring deep into his brown eyes. I’m so sorry, she told him, leaning to the side to comfort her man.

At last, all was forgiven, at least on her side. Of course, Carter didn’t have anything to forgive her for, because he'd cheated then thrown her out. They weren't a couple the minute he told her to leave, so he could go back to the drinking, the drugs, and the two girls lying naked on his floor. What Meagan had done as a single woman over the hours between him pushing her away and her allowing him back wasn't Carter's business. She comforted him while he cried on her shoulder, unafraid to show Meagan his sensitive side, which made him all the sexier in her eyes.

After his outburst of sadness, Carter was ready to make up. He stood in front of Meagan longing to devour her, looking into her green eyes with love and lust at the same time. With her feet flat on her ivory carpet, she helped Carter pull the white v-neck shirt over his head while staring into his eyes.

He was gorgeous, she had to admit to herself, as she raked her polished fingernails across his tan abdominal muscles. She was madly in love with his short and soft dark brown hair, his deep brown eyes, his smooth skin, and his sexy lips. Everything about him.

She lay back on the bed as he climbed on top of her, with his dark blue jeans at his knees. I love you, he told her, running his fingers through her hair and staring into her soul. She pulled him in for a kiss, which was the green light for him to make sweet love to her. Her vagina still craved him as if she hadn’t had sex with another man the previous night, as if he could tell the difference after she spent all morning relaxing in a hot lavender-scented bath.

Meagan massaged Carter’s tongue with her own until he pulled away to tease her body with his mouth. He kissed from her forehead down to her belly button, which was Meagan’s secret sensitive spot. While Carter used everything he had learned over their relationship to satisfy every inch of her body, Meagan slid her fingers through his thick, lovely locks. She bit her bottom lip to keep Marie and whomever was home from hearing her appreciative moans.

She came to her first of many climaxes that morning as a result of Carter's talented tongue and fingers and couldn’t take it anymore. Her body needed Carter,