More Than A Four Letter Word Read Free Page A

He envisions all
the sex games they'd play in his bed. The mere thought of tasting
the warm honey between Clarissa legs makes his erection rise
against the zipper of his pants. He loves the hunt and Clarissa is
undeniably worth the chase.
    "I have other business interests in Orlando,
but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see you. That's my only
excuse for joining Aaron and Daniel at the meeting. It's been
awhile since I've wet my hands with a new acquisition. Lariat Games
has been on my company's radar for several years. It saddens me to
hear that you were selling Lariat Games just to settle down and
become a good little wife."
    Clarissa drank from her glass before
responding. Julian's baiting her, but she didn't understand why.
"There's nothing wrong with marrying the man you love and raising a
family."
    Julian put his elbows on the table, clasping
his hands together, gazing deeply into her beautiful eyes. She's
finding his conversation irritating, no more than he considered her
marriage to Lawrence Tate an abomination. "There's only one problem
with your scenario. You don't love your fiancé, and he certainly
doesn't satisfy you sexually."
    "Are you certain of that?"
    "Seems to me that you're settling for a
marriage you don't want that will surely end in divorce."
    "Why did you ask me to lunch? I can't believe
it's just to insult my fiancé and me.
    Julian ignores her last remark. He didn't
want to be caught up in discussion of a marriage that won't take
place. He needs to rein in his condemnation over Clarissa horrid
taste in men and focus on his latest project. "I apologize if I
sound cynical about your upcoming nuptials. I consider marriage a
futile endeavor and can't quite understand why anyone would enter
into such an arrangement."
    Clarissa couldn't decide if she should be
leave or laugh. Julian didn't necessarily oppose her marriage to
Lawrence he's against the institution of marriage altogether. "You
shouldn't knock marriage until you've tried it."
    "I've been married."
    Clarissa seemed shocked, "You were
married."
    "You seem surprised. I assure you that I'm an
extremely good catch. At one time, I did believe in love and
marriage. All stupid things should be done at a young age; this
limits the chance of repeating careless mistakes."
    "Your wife must have done a number on you.
Obviously you're not still her, or you wouldn't be the biggest
playboy in Chicago."
    "She was an agreeable woman, in love with the
idea of love. I made a good living, and she was a stay at home
wife. Unfortunately, for her, she expected me to be at her disposal
24/7. I was on the fast track, working 15 hour days and I didn't
have time to hold her hand every time she felt insecure.
Eventually, she quickly became disillusioned with our
marriage."
    Clarissa sighed in relief when her eyes
caught the waiter bringing their food. "I'm sorry to hear about
your wife."
    "She was a good woman; she just married the
wrong man."
    Wow that's a telling statement, Julian let
her know that he's not the marrying kind. As you say, some mistakes
are best forgotten."
    "After today's negotiations I would think you
would like to relax, sure you don't want any wine."
    Clarissa followed his example and welcomed
the change in topic. "It's too early in the day to drink. Besides I
have to go back to work after lunch."
    "I thought you'd be planning a celebration
after selling Lariat Games."
    "I think I'll prepare a memorable dinner for
my fiancé tonight. So I guess it's a celebration of sorts."
    “ I'm curious Clarissa. Why
would a woman with your qualifications take a position as a
security analyst for an insurance company?”
    How many times has she been asked that
question this week? Everyone rates success with money, but money is
nothing if you aren't happy with your job. “Lariat Games has been
my baby for five years. I love creating and developing video games,
but I hate the management aspect."
    "You could stick to the creative side of the
business. If creating