Steamed 2 (Steamed #2) Read online

  Steamed #2

  By Nella Tyler

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2015 Nella Tyler

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  Chapter One

  There was a great park not far from my home that had some pretty incredible landscaping. It was one of my favorite places to visit when I wanted to go for a walk. You could run, hike, bike and I often seen people running up the hills for exercise. It was certainly a great place to do that. Many people went there to get their sweat on. The weather was clear and sunny and it was just a great day to be outdoors. That was exactly what I wanted. I needed to get out of the house for a while. There was just something about the sun that made you instantly feel great about life and your place in the universe. It just energized you and made you feel complete. It was really hard to have a bad day when you were out in the sunshine. That's why I often enjoyed exercising outdoors because the sun made you feel as if the torture of exercise wasn't really all that bad.

  I was determined to go on a hike and clear my head…that was the plan for my morning anyways. My mind had been spinning for days and I couldn't even begin to figure out what had gone wrong with my life. Yesterday had been enough of an experience talking to Marcus and it had left me feeling ill. I had gotten myself into a real pickle. Not only was there a chance that my brother was lying to me, but also I had got mixed up with a man that my brother was at war with. If that wasn't bad enough there was a chance that man was lying to me too. I had no idea how to get to the bottom of things because I couldn't determine which one of them was lying to me. Or maybe they both were. It was all enough to give me a headache. I didn't need another headache in my life. I lived a relatively stress free existence and I wasn't about to add any unnecessary stress, especially over a guy. I would rather stay single than be with a guy that caused me undue stress. No thank you! I often heard my girlfriends talk about the guys they were dating and oftentimes they were so stressed out over the relationship. What was the point in that? If you were upset all the time then chances are you would be happier being single than dealing with male bullshit. That was just my opinion anyways.

  As I was walking along the trail I came upon a couple that were sitting against one of the trees. The guy was reading to the girl and she was looking up at him with the most adoring look I had ever seen. It was both endearing and irritating to witness. I don't even have to explain what couples that engage in PDA do to the people around them. It takes a pretty special guy however to sit there and read a book to a girl. He's probably sitting there wishing that he was at a baseball game or something, but he loved her so much that he would do anything for her. So there he sat, reading a book and watching her melt right before his eyes. He was probably guaranteed a blowjob out of it anyways, and that's really what was important.

  I sighed deeply and thought that I could go for an easy relationship. That couple probably hadn't met through such awful circumstances like I did. They probably met like two normal people, maybe exchanging glances over a cup of coffee. They were just two strangers finally finding one another. That certainly wasn't the case for me; no, I had to get myself tangled up with a man that my brother hated. I had to try to forget that the sex between us was mind-blowing, though it was; it only got me deeper into a relationship that I probably shouldn't be in. I shook my head as I continued on the trail, leaving the lovebirds alone. What to do...what to do about my own life?

  Link was a great guy, at least from what I could tell from spending time with him. Had we not been in the situation that we were in, I doubt I would have anything to worry about. I just needed to determine whether he was being totally honest with me, if not I needed to find out why. Maybe the whole story was really simple. It may not even be as bad as I thought it was; it's pretty easy to assume things. But that wasn't entirely my fault when the men in my life talked circles around me.

  When I was with Link things were amazing and our repertoire was natural and relaxed. I didn't feel in any way that he wasn't being genuine with me. That's what I found so confusing about the situation that I was in. Everything felt right when I was with Link. At this point I didn't know who or what to believe but I knew what felt right in my heart. So how could it be wrong? That's why I hadn't bailed on the situation even though I probably should have. I still had yet to tell Jared that I was seeing Link. It was a conversation that I was not looking forward to at all. He could only blame himself though. If he hadn’t sent me over there to pretend I was his lawyer than I may never have met Link at all. It almost seemed fated the way we had come together. Really what were the chances of us dating after that initial meeting? Slim to none, was my guess. I know my brother Jared would think the same thing.

  My phone started buzzing and I stopped to check who it was. A smile came across my face as I realized that it was Link. He was asking me what I was doing that night. He was straightforward and to the point. The one thing that I liked about Link was that he didn't play games with me. He didn't try to play it cool with me and make me wait for several days to hear from him. That was a game that most guys played and I was often annoyed by it. If you liked someone you let them know it and you don't mess with their heart by making them wait to find out; it was just cruel. I hated guys who played games and it appeared as if that wasn't something I needed to worry about with Link. There was a really good chance that Link was the one.

  Chapter Two

  I was pretty ravenous after my hike and I couldn't wait to get some food in my belly. Sarah and Lisa were meeting me for lunch and I could not wait. I had advised them of a good restaurant this time. The last thing I needed on an empty stomach was terrible food. I wanted nothing but a delicious and satisfying meal.

  Sarah had groaned when I had told her where to go but I didn't care, with my luck she would have picked another dive and I would have to gag down another entree that I didn't want to. I planned on eating a ton of delicious food since my hike burned off so many calories. The service at the restaurant was a class act as well so I knew we wouldn't wait for food for long.

  I walked into the restaurant and was happy to find they were already there.

  “Hey ladies, how are you doing?” I said and smiled.

  “Gemma! I have been dying to talk to you!” Sarah squealed.

  I chuckled, “Yeah, I figured as much.”

  “You dirty little secret keeper!” Sarah laughed.

  “Easy ladies. I'm ordering food before we get into things here. I am so hungry that I could eat a horse right now.”

  “Fair enough. I guess we can wait a few minutes.”

  I sat down with them and perused the menu. I knew I wanted a cobb salad but I wasn't sure what else to get. Maybe fish of some sort; I had been craving that lately.

  “We are all ready to order girl, so whenever you are ready.”

  I looked up at Sarah and smiled. It was all on me.

  I decided on the spring roll appetizers and the salmon and wild rice. All sounded very delicious and the chef was amazing there so I knew I would be happy with the dishes.

  The waitress arrived and we ordered some wine as well as our lunch orders. She swiftly went away and we were left to talk. I was probably going to get bombed on my first glass with an empty stomach but I couldn't turn down wine.

  “That guy y
ou were with...Link is his name? Cool name by the way...but I've actually eaten at his new restaurant and the food there is some of the best that I’ve tasted in a long time,” Lisa said.

  I gasped, “You're kidding me? I haven't even eaten there yet. I know that he's a good chef because he used to work for my brother, but I haven't actually been to his place at all.” I was terribly jealous to find out that Lisa had been to the restaurant before me. I guess I could have suggested that we go there for lunch but that might have been awkward. I didn't want Link to think I was getting pushy; it wasn't like he was my boyfriend or anything.

  Sarah laughed, “Well how did you meet him then if it wasn't at his restaurant?”

  I groaned. “You wouldn't believe it even if I told you. It's a long story.”

  “Well good thing we have all day,” Lisa added.

  I knew I didn't have a prayer of getting out of talking about it. I would have to explain the whole embarrassing situation and reap the judgement I so deserved from my friends. There was no way around it. I had to spill the beans about my day as a lawyer.

  “Oh god, does it have anything to do with the fact that he called you Jared's lawyer,” Sarah burst out laughing. “What did you get yourself into this time Gemma?”

  I shook my head with a smile on my face. They were already enjoying the moment together. I hadn't even begun to fill them in and they were revelling in it. It sure didn't take much.

  “Okay ladies, that's enough.”

  “Come on Gemma! How did you meet Link?”

  I filled them in all right on the whole story, from beginning to end. I reminded Sarah about the day that I had left her at the restaurant to go and see Jared. From there I explained about Jared's plan for me to impersonate his lawyer and go to pay a visit to Link. The meeting didn't go well and when I returned to my brother he wanted to continue having me impersonate a lawyer for him. Sarah was now the one shaking her head as I talked. I told her that I tried to get out of the mess but it was too hard. I explained the war between the two men was over a supposedly stolen recipe, that Link claimed had always been his.

  “So Link thinks you are Jared's lawyer?”

  “No actually. Link was on to me from the beginning. He used to work for Jared, remember? Well I guess he recognized me. He blew that out of the water at the club. It was embarrassing to say the least.”

  Sarah was laughing which was not surprising. “Oh my god Gemma! How did you manage to let Jared convince you fake being a lawyer?”

  “To be honest, I have no idea. But I love him and I thought he genuinely needed help. Now...I have no idea what's going on. I haven't talked to him. Last I heard he was getting a real lawyer to go after Link with.”

  “Gee that shouldn't complicate your relationship with Link.”

  “Yeah well, I never said it was easy. Besides, Link and I aren't in a relationship.”

  “Then what are you?”

  “Well I've only seen him out once and that was at the club and it wasn't a date…it was more like a random encounter.”

  “Well I have to admit he is so hot! Gemma, you are one lucky lady.”

  “God I know, it's hard to believe sometimes. Just looking at him drives me crazy.”

  “Ah, I’m jealous that you get to spend time with such a hottie!” Lisa gushed.

  I giggled.

  “Oh I know, when we saw him walk up to you at the club we couldn't believe our eyes. Did I mention how hot he is?” Sara added.

  “Yeah I get it.” I said laughing.

  The waitress arrived with three glasses of wine. I took a sip of mine and closed my eyes. Yep, that was exactly what I needed at the moment. “Thank you,” I said to the waitress. She smiled, “I will bring your salad and some bread shortly.”

  “Sounds fabulous to me,” I said.

  We watched her leave and then got back to Link.

  “So what happened between you two that night, you seemed attached to each other all night. When we left we couldn't find you.”

  “Yeah, I think I left before you.”

  “Did you guys hook up?” Sarah asked with a smile on her face.

  “Let's just say that I got more than I bargained for in the VIP lounge,” I said laughing.

  “Oh my god Gemma!” Sarah shrieked.

  Lisa was just grinning.

  “I cannot believe you did that! Hell, what am I talking about, I'm so jealous. So how was it? Was he hung like a horse?”

  I almost spit out my wine.

  “Stop! Sarah you know that I never kiss and tell.”

  “Come on; give us a little something to go on.”

  “He's a damn good kisser, I'll give you that. And he bought us a $400 bottle of champagne!”

  “What? Are you serious? That's insane!”

  “That's what I thought too.”

  “He's clearly a man after my own heart.”

  “I'd say. Any man that buys you $400 champagne is definitely your soul mate,” Sarah said.

  I giggled, “You think so?”

  “I don't know much about love… you guys know my love life is a disaster, but I know you and a guy that pulls out those stops for a girl that he doesn't even know, well that says something. Imagine what will happen when he actually knows you well.”

  I smiled, “You're right.”

  “You definitely need a guy like that. He sounds perfect for you Gemma, good for you. I'm happy for you,” Sarah said.

  “Me too,” Lisa added.

  “Thanks guys, I feel the same way. But I also feel guilty about Jared too, he's going to be so mad at me when he finds out I've been with his mortal enemy this whole time.”

  The waitress came and delivered our salads and some bread. We dug in right away and I started feeling the grumblings in my stomach disappear. The salad was fresh and tangy, just delicious. I cut a piece of bread and buttered it with a garlic spread. Biting into the soft warm bread put a smile on my face.

  “This is delicious!”

  “Look Gemma, you need to understand that Jared is a big boy, a grown man. He put you into a difficult situation that he shouldn't have involved you in the first place. It's like he's still a child sometimes. It's not your fault you fell for Link, my god who wouldn't?”

  I laughed. “Thanks.”

  “My point is, maybe Jared will be a little ticked but so what? I don't think you did anything wrong. Jared will get over it. This will all be water under the bridge. In the end you have to do what's right for you and your life and I think Link could really be good for you if you let him.”

  “Wow, thanks a lot. You definitely helped me feel a lot better about things. It's always good to chat with you.”

  “Anytime girl,” Sarah said with a smile.

  We dug into our lunches and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon together. Although I still held some guilt about Jared, my friends had really helped make me feel a lot better about the whole situation.

  Chapter Three

  After I left the girls for lunch I headed home. I wanted to have a bubble bath before my date with Link that night. My day had been going fantastic so far and I wanted an opportunity to relax before I saw him. I always found that if I was fully relaxed before I went out on a date, I wasn't so nervous and things typically flowed naturally. I always seemed to be on edge with Link, but he was just so damn sexy. Just looking at him made me feel nervous. My stomach always did cartwheels around him. That was probably a good thing though, if you were dating a guy that didn't excite you then there was probably something wrong. Life was too short to date a man that didn't spark something inside you.

  I pulled up to my building and walked through the lobby area. The doorman winked at me and I just smiled and waved as I went by. I got on the elevator and made my way up to my apartment. I was so looking forward to opening up another bottle of wine and sinking into a hot tub. When the elevator doors opened I got out and walked towards my apartment. As I grew closer to my door I noticed that there was something sitting outside my door. W
alking up I saw that it was a bouquet of red roses. That was why the doorman had winked at me. I must have received a delivery and he had brought them up for me. It was the most beautiful arrangement of red roses that I had seen in a long time. There had to have been at least 20 of them. The arrangement had to have cost a fortune. I picked them up off the floor and noticed there was a card. I plucked it off the bouquet and let myself into my apartment.

  Bringing the flowers to my kitchen counter I set the vase down. Slowly I took the card out of the tiny envelope and smiled. Of course it was from Link, who else could it be from? The card was intriguing.

  The other night was just an appetizer. I’m looking forward to the main course.

  I grinned as my heart did flips. I couldn't help but think about the last time I had seen Link in all his naked glory. Was there a chance we were going to have sex again that evening? I could barely contain myself thinking about it. God, I would love nothing more than to wrap my body around his again. The sex between us had been phenomenal. There was no doubt that I wanted to have sex with Link again, but would it happen that night? I smiled as I thought about him. So bold, sexy and spontaneous. I loved it and I knew it would be really easy to fall for someone like Link; he was just such a great catch.

  I set my flowers up in a location in the living room where I could admire them at all times. They were just so beautiful. How thoughtful it was for him to send them before our date. Thoughtful or sexy? The fact that he was thinking of me made me a little hot.

  I went back into the kitchen to fetch myself some wine. I opened up a fresh bottle and poured myself a glass. I stood at the counter and sipped at my wine as I remembered how it tasted to have Link's cock in my mouth. I got wet just thinking about how his cock moved in and out of me slowly. His mouth had tasted like champagne and the thought of putting my lips on his again caused an ache inside of me.

  “Mmmm....girl you better get a hold of yourself.”