Page 25 of Wheelie's Challenge
“I thought you’d be home later,” Mallory cried out from the balcony.
Russ put the car keys down on the counter then opened the sliding screen door and stepped out. Mallory, clad in a white bikini, lay on a chaise lounge, taking in the rays while sipping on a large glass of iced tea. It was her favorite drink, and Russ never knew anyone who drank as much tea as she did.
“I was anxious to get back to you. I missed you, sweetheart,” The lie tumbled out smoothly from his mouth.
She pulled her sunglasses halfway down her nose and smiled. “You’re so sweet, baby.”
He sat on the chair across from the chaise and looked over the balcony. The boardwalk was teeming with people, and the beach was cluttered with colorful towels, volleyball nets, chairs, umbrellas, and men, women, and children. The waves rolled in long white fringes; over and over they caressed the sand, casting a spell upon him.
“Was it a good meeting?” Mallory’s voice broke the spell and he glanced at her.
“I think so. I need to look at some things and crunch some numbers, but it sounds like it could be a great business that would make a lot of money.”
She took another sip of tea. “What kind of business is it?”
“We’d set up a virtual shopping center. Other vendors would pay rent for a space. Sort of a mini version of Amazon.” It surprised him how easily the bullshit flowed out of him. “Of course, it’d take a chunk of change for upstart costs. I don’t know. The man I met with is putting in thirty thousand dollars and he wants me to do the same. I’d get back the investment in about six months or less. The potential to make twenty to thirty thousand a month is not unrealistic.” He stood up and went into the kitchen, retrieving a pitcher of tea from the refrigerator. Back on the balcony, he refilled Mallory’s glass.
“Aren’t you the best?” she said, sweeping her fingers across the back of his hand. “I can invest in the business. You need to do something, and I know you’ve been trying to get a job but haven’t had much luck.”
“I couldn’t take your money,” Russ said as he sat back down.
“You wouldn’t betakingmy money. I’d be investing. The same as if I were buying rental properties or investing in stocks. My brokerage firm does all sorts of investing for me. I’ve got the money and you’ve got the brains. How can I lose?” She stretched out her hand and grabbed his shirt, tugging him toward her. She kissed him then pulled back. “Maybe we could have a little bit of fun before we go out for dinner.”
All of a sudden his dick tightened and he knew that he’d satisfy her the way he should’ve the night before. Everything was taken care of, and the tension that had been a congealed ball of anxiety in his belly slowly unraveled.
I’ll call Tucker in the morning. The sooner I get rid of Wheelie the better.
Russ grasped Mallory’s wrists and pulled her up as he rose to his feet. He wrapped his arms around her petite frame and kissed her deeply while his hand slid inside her bikini bottoms.
“Let’s finish this in the bedroom,” he said thickly.
Things are definitely looking up.
Leading her inside, he closed the screen door behind him.
Chapter Nine
“Lizzie called off.Did you want me to stay for another shift?” Miranda asked, tapping her long nails on Wheelie’s desk.
“Again? That’s like the third time this week,” he said, glancing at the calendar. “It’d be a big help if you could cover her shift.”
“Sure. I need the overtime, and I don’t have much of a life.” The dark-haired cashier turned away and walked out of the office.
“I have to find someone to replace Lizzie. She’s mediocre at best and this shit she’s pulling isn’t gonna work,” he said to Animal, who sat slumped in one of the leather chairs, fiddling with his phone.
Animal looked up. “Hire my sister. She needs a job and she won’t fuck up ’cause she knows I’ll kick her ass.”
Wheelie laughed. “How old is she?”
“Eighteen. She just graduated from high school and has been trying to get a full-time summer job but hasn’t had any luck. She’ll like the overtime.”
Opening the bottom drawer, Wheelie took out a folder. “Tell her to fill out this application.” He handed it to Animal. “If she can add, smile, and show up, she’s got the job.”
“Cool. I’ll bring it back to you tomorrow.” He looked back at his phone. “You said you needed help unloading some shit.”
“Yeah. A shipment of car accessories came in, and it’d be a big help if you could unload everything while I inventory all of it.”
“I’m ready when you are.”
