Love & Lies Read online

  Miguel could feel Alex’s hands trembling as she rolled the condom on. He’d never been with an escort like her. Usually the women couldn’t wait to undress him and he never had to take the lead, they just always took care of him. This one here though, she wasn’t your average escort, she was different. Miguel almost felt like he was forcing her and that wasn’t sitting right with him.

  “Alessandra, I won’t hurt you if that’s what you’re afraid of?”

  Alex felt embarrassed now. She didn’t want him to know she was afraid or hesitant; she liked to appear to be strong. She fought long and hard to get to where she was now. Yeah, long and hard…that’s literally where she was at now.

  “I’m not afraid.”

  Miguel grabbed her hands. “I can feel your hands trembling.”

  “I’m just cold. I’m sure once we get started here, I will warm up.”

  Alex walked over to the couch and kneeled up like Miguel asked. It felt cold and impersonal but she wanted to have sex with him, even if it was only this once, she was going for it.

  Miguel didn’t like the fact that he found himself ogling her body. He used women and didn’t really pay any attention to them. He wasn’t proud about it but it was what worked for him. He considered it a business transaction.

  Alex looked down at the floor, her heart was pounding. She could feel Miguel standing behind her.

  Miguel inserted a few fingers inside Alex to loosen her up. Alex tried not to but she moaned. Miguel went deeper and then faster and Alex lost it and came. She was embarrassed, she hoped Miguel didn’t notice.

  “I hope that warmed you up?”

  “Yes, Mr. Cruz.”

  “Really, I just gave you an orgasm and you’re still calling me Mr. Cruz?”

  Alex rolled her eyes, he knew. She was officially mortified. Thank God after this plane ride was over she would never have to see him again.

  Miguel pushed himself inside of Alex and started pounding away. Alex couldn’t help but moan…again.

  “You feel so good.”

  Alex didn’t know what to say to that so she kept silent and just enjoyed feeling him inside her.

  Miguel wrapped his arm around Alex and started playing with her clit. Then he whispered in her ear, “Cum for me.”

  Alex closed her eyes and she came. Now she felt weak but so good.

  “Good girl,” Miguel whispered before cumming himself. After he pulled out he tore off the condom and tossed it into the trash and then pulled on his pants.

  Alex got up from the couch and began dressing.

  Miguel’s phone rang. He looked at Alex and then his phone. “I have to get this.”

  Alex nodded as Miguel answered the phone and walked towards the other end of the plane.

  ALEX SPENT THE LAST few hours messaging her mother and her best friend while she looked for a new job. So far her mother was upset that she would miss Sunday dinner. Her bestie, Faith, was jealous that she just joined the Mile High Club with none other than Miguel McHottie.

  “How’s it going?”

  Alex looked up and Miles was standing there holding out a plate of fruit and a glass of wine for her.

  “Ok.”

  “You don’t sound ok?”

  “I think I’m just a little tired. It’s been a long day.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Well, I’ve seen the other uhh…women Miguel has had accompany him on his trips and you, well you, seem so different.”

  “Different?”

  “What made you choose this line of work?”

  “I love the challenge.”

  “Challenge?”

  “Yes, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction knowing that the funds I am given to work with are well spent and a penny isn’t wasted. I also like the investment aspect. It was a struggle to climb as high up as I have, being a woman and all. It seems so much easier for a man.”

  Miles was a bit puzzled. She didn’t seem like your typical escort but her explanation of climbing as high up as she had, on what she claimed was her first day…how high can a glorified hooker go? Maybe the wine had gone to her head.

  “I see.”

  Alex smiled. “How long until we land?”

  “Less than an hour.”

  “Is Miguel still on his call?”

  “He is still on the phone. A client had a security breach and he is working with a team to rectify the situation.”

  “I see. He seems to be a very intelligent man from what I’ve heard and read.”

  “That he is. I just wish he would take a break and enjoy life sometimes.”

  “You don’t become a billionaire by playing games.”

  “No, you don’t but at this point in time if Miguel never worked another day in his life, nor made another penny as you call it, he could live a very good life.”

  “You really do care about him?”

  “Like a brother.”

  “Have you told him how much it upsets you that he isn’t taking any time for himself?”

  “Yes, plenty of times but he seems to think that hiring you, well an escort to accompany him on trips and give him sex, is a form of taking time for himself.”

  Escort? Miles and Miguel think she is an escort? As horrified as Alex was, it did make more sense than Miguel treating his new CFO the way he had her. Now what? What does she say or do? Nothing, just go with the original plan; get off the plane and fly home and never see him again.

  “Why an escort, why not a girlfriend? I can’t imagine it would be difficult for someone as gorgeous as he is to snag a girlfriend.”

  “For two reasons; One, he is picky and wants someone who has signed a NDA like you have, so he goes through a company to weed out the nut jobs and Two, he refuses to allow himself to get attached to anyone. He treats his escorts as a business transaction.”

  “Sounds like he has some issues.”

  “A few. I have to get back to the computer and monitor a few things. I will talk to you later.”

  Miles got up and walked away. Alex downed the rest of her wine. What in the hell had she gotten herself into? She couldn’t wait to land and just go home and forget Miguel Cruz ever existed.

  Miguel walked back into the sitting area where Alex was. She had fallen asleep. He stood there for a few minutes just watching her sleep. She looked like an angel.

  “She’s beautiful isn’t she?”

  Miguel turned and looked at Miles who was standing there smiling at him.

  “I guess.”

  Miguel walked over to the bar and poured himself a drink.

  “You know one day you’re going to wake up and regret never settling down or having a family.”

  “I have family, I have you and Eden.”

  “Migs, don’t you want to have children?”

  “I wouldn’t want any child to have to grow up the way I did.”

  “But they wouldn’t. Your life isn’t anything like it was when you grew up. You could give your children everything that you never had.”

  “It doesn’t matter because I could never…”

  Miguel stopped talking when he saw Alex open her eyes. Miles turned around to see what Miguel was looking at.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, the wine must have knocked me out.”

  “I’m sorry Miles and I woke you.”

  “I need to use the restroom. Excuse me.” Alex got up and walked out.

  Miles patted Miguel on the back, “Just think about what I said. Life is short, I don’t want you to have regrets.”

  “I don’t see you running off to get married or have children.”

  “I met someone a while back, we just can’t seem to get it together.”

  “How did I not know about this?”

  “If we ever find a way, trust me, you will be the first one to know.”

  Miguel made a mental note to find out who the mystery lady was and see what he could do to help out his friend.

  Alex packed up her laptop a
nd gathered her things together. The pilot had announced that they would be landing in ten minutes. Now all she needed to do was figure out how to slip away.

  “Time to buckle up!”

  Miguel downed his drink and then sat down and buckled up. Alex looked over at Miguel who was gritting his teeth. Miles however was shaking his head and laughing at Miguel. Alex unbuckled her seat belt and walked over and sat down next to Miguel. Once she buckled her seat belt she reached over and laced her fingers through Miguel’s.

  “Try to relax, exhale a few times.”

  “I’m ok.”

  “No you’re not. Your palm is sweaty and you’re grinding your teeth.”

  “I can take care of myself, thank you.” Miguel pulled his hand away. He didn’t like feeling vulnerable nor did he want someone caring about him.

  Alex placed her hand in her lap and didn’t say another word. When the plane landed she got up and grabbed her bags.

  Miles looked over at Miguel and then glanced over to Alex. Miguel just shook his head. Miles gave him a look of disgust as he walked over to Alex.

  “He acts like a jerk sometimes when he’s stressed.”

  “Don’t apologize for him.”

  “Well, so you know, I think what you did was very thoughtful.”

  “Thank you.”

  Miguel walked up behind them with his bags.

  “Let’s go.”

  They all walked down the stairs and headed to the awaiting limo. Miles grabbed for the door and opened it for Alex. Alex stepped back.

  “I’m not going with you. I’m going home.”

  “You accepted an assignment and you will complete it!”

  “I didn’t sign a contract and you can’t legally hold me against my will, unless you would like to be charged with kidnapping?”

  Miguel didn’t say another word he just climbed in the car. He knew she was upset because he gave her the cold shoulder but he didn’t think that constituted leaving.

  “Are you sure you won’t change your mind?”

  “This whole trip was a mistake, which I am sure you and Miguel will eventually figure out. Goodbye, Miles.”

  Alex turned and walked toward the airport.

  THREE DAYS HAD PASSED since Alex returned home. She avoided being intimate with Allan, she knew she had to tell him about Miguel but she wasn’t prepared to lose him. She felt so guilty and disappointed in herself. That man pretty much ruined her life. She cheated on her boyfriend, quit a job she loved to become the CFO at Cruz Contracting and worst of all she allowed him to use her for sex because she was so attracted to him.

  “Alex, are you home?”

  “I’m in the bedroom, Allan.”

  Alex decided she might as well tell Allan the truth before she made herself any sicker by keeping her indiscretion a secret. Maybe he could forgive her?

  “Hey, I keep missing you.” Allan leaned over and kissed Alex on the cheek.

  “I’m sorry. I know I have been scarce.”

  “How about we have dinner tonight?”

  “Allan, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  “Is this where you tell me that you don’t want to see me anymore?”

  “Allan, I really care about you and maybe you can find it in your heart to forgive me because I don’t want to lose you but…”

  “You don’t want to lose me?”

  “Allan, I had sex with someone else. It wasn’t planned, it just…”

  “You don’t want to break up with me?”

  “Allan, did you hear what I said?”

  “Yes, you had sex with someone else but do you still want to be with me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Alex, we never said we were exclusive. I’ve seen other women since we’ve been together but it’s you I always come back to.”

  Alex didn’t know whether she was relieved or saddened to hear that the man she thought was her jealous boyfriend was clearly not hers.

  “I see.”

  “You’re not upset with me are you?”

  “Upset? No. I am a bit stunned to find this out now. I had thought we were exclusive and I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you what happened and ask for your forgiveness and you basically just said it is alright for me to have sex with other men, that you are ok with it and I should be too.”

  “Do you want to change that? Just be with one another?”

  “I don’t know, Allan. I need time to think. Are you just saying this now because you’re afraid to lose me?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “I thought our relationship was so much more and now I find out…”

  “Alex, don’t do this. Don’t analyze this. I care about you and I want you in my life and that is all you have to know.”

  “I need some time to think.”

  “Alex…”

  “Please go, I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Allan stood up, grabbed his coat and left. Alex sat there wondering what in the hell else was going to happen in her life this week?

  Miguel sat behind his desk reading the same email for the third time. He couldn’t seem to concentrate since Alessandra left him at the airport. Nobody had ever walked out on him. As angry as he was, it kind of turned him on that Alessandra had enough courage to stand up to him.

  “Mr. Cruz.”

  “Yes, Lacey.”

  “Welcome back.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I need to ask you a few questions about Alex DiPietro.”

  “Ask me? I don’t know anything about the guy…”

  “Guy?”

  “Yeah, the Board hired him, remember? I never met Alex, he was a no show.”

  “Mr. Cruz, you met Alex the other day, you know that pretty woman I brought up to your office. The one you said wouldn’t wash dishes in this Town, that Alex.”

  Miguel was speechless, Alessandra was Alex? What the hell had he just done?

  “Let me get this straight, Alex DiPietro was that woman?”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought Alex was a man. Oh God, I need to apologize.”

  “So does that mean we aren’t taking Alex off the payroll? I was going to pay her for the day and then remove her.”

  “Don’t do anything until you hear back from me.”

  “Mr. Cruz, I don’t know what you did that needs to be apologized for but by the look on your face you may want to consult with someone from the legal department.”

  Miguel shook his head, Lacey was right; Alex was probably going to show up at any moment to accuse him of sexual harassment and sue him.

  Miles hung up the phone, he couldn’t believe what Jane, the woman from the escort service just told him. He knew there was more to Alessandra. He couldn’t wait to see the expression on Miguel’s face when he told him that he paid for an escort that didn’t make it onto the plane and the one that did was a mystery woman. Alessandra did tell him before she walked off that they would figure out who she was, but who was she? Miles headed for the elevator to go see Miguel.

  The elevator doors opened and Miguel was standing there about to step out.

  “I was on my way to see you.”

  “I was on my way to see you.”

  “You won’t believe what I just found out.”

  “You won’t believe what I just found out.”

  “Miles, stop!”

  “You stop!”

  “I don’t know how we do that.”

  “Alessandra, she wasn’t from the escort agency.”

  “No, she wasn’t.”

  “Wait, you knew?”

  “Lacey just enlightened me. How did you find out?”

  “Jane called to ask what happened that your escort spent two hours waiting at the airport before she finally left? I told Jane we would pay her double for her inconvenience and I apologized for the mix up.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Ok, so are you going to fill me in on Alessandra and what Lacey told you?”

  “Alex, the new gu
y who didn’t show up…”

  “Yeah, what about him?”

  “Him…well it turns out that him is a her.”

  Miles’ eyes opened wide, he looked at Miguel who was shaking his head, “Alessandra is Alex?”

  “So it seems.”

  “Damn, Migs, you really fucked up this time.” Miles was trying not to but he couldn’t help but laugh.

  “I know. I just spent thirty minutes discussing this matter with my lawyer.”

  “Lawyer? Do you really think she’s going to give you trouble?”

  “I don’t know what to think at this point.”

  “I saw her with you, she wanted to be with you.”

  “Maybe so, but if she believed she was my employee and views what happened as sexual harassment then I could have a big problem on my hands.”

  “I don’t think Alex is like that but what I do think is that you should find her and apologize.”

  “I agree but what do I say?”

  “The truth.”

  “The truth? Hi, I’m sorry I mistook you for my escort and had sex with you.”

  “Maybe not in those exact words.”

  Miguel didn’t like mistakes, especially if they were his own. He was making himself sick.

  “Go see her. Explain, maybe she will even find it funny?”

  “Funny? I don’t find any humor in this.”

  “That’s because you’re so uptight. You need to relax.”

  “Relax! Miles, my reputation is on the line here. I had sex with a woman who didn’t sign a NDA and who could sue me for sexual harassment.”

  “I’m telling you Alex isn’t like that and if she was then she would have stayed for the rest of the trip and used you for all she could. She wouldn’t even use the money you gave her for the clothing she purchased for the trip. She handed it back to me. Just go and apologize and move on.”

  “She didn’t let me pay for her clothes? Damn, I guess the Board did pick a good one for the CFO position and I completely fucked it up.”