It's Not Love, It's Business (Young In Love Book 2) Read online

  It’s Not Love, It’s Business

  Elle Wright

  Contents

  Dear Reader

  Recommended Reading

  Dick Hangover

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  Coming Soon

  So…

  It’s Not Me, It’s You

  Excerpt: It’s Not Me, It’s You

  Acknowledgments

  Connect with Elle!

  Also by Elle Wright

  About the Author

  This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  It’s Not Love, It’s Business

  Copyright @ 2021 by Elle Wright

  Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9994213-9-0

  Excerpt from It’s Not Me, It’s You

  copyright @ 2021 by Elle Wright

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  No part of this work made be used, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Elle Wrights Books, LLC

  Ypsilanti, Michigan

  www.ElleWright.com

  Editor:

  Rhonda Merwarth

  Rhonda Edits

  Proofreading:

  Paulette Nunlee

  5-Star Proofing

  Cover Design:

  Sherelle Green

  It’s Not Love, It’s Business

  How one night turned into fifteen and counting is beyond me. I never imagined ending up here. I’m a Marriage Broker, not a matchmaker… Especially for myself! It was always a ruse. Perception, not reality. For a purpose, not for always. Business, not romance.

  Want to know my plan? A simple assist, a favor.

  Want to know my potential downfall? Him. His sincere eyes, his intoxicating smile, his scintillating personality. Oh, and our out-of-control chemistry.

  Formal galas, public dinner dates... that's what this was supposed to be. Lazy mornings, Netflix and chill, impromptu road trips… that wasn't our thing. Until it was.

  Spoiler alert: I can’t resist him, so I won’t. Everything is bad but he’s so good. Ironic, huh? I thought so too. Just like I thought this arrangement was only temporary. Except… what if it’s everlasting love?

  Dear Reader

  Sometime ago, I embarked on this journey to write about the Young Family. While I knew this series would be a game changer for me, I didn’t know how much it would challenge me.

  Dallas Young had a rep to protect, not just with the public, but with herself and her family. I loved that she was unapologetic about her ambition and her candor. She was a true boss. I LOVED her.

  I introduced Preston in my Once Upon a Funeral novella, Finding Cooper. I knew that he was for Dallas, but I didn’t know him. Writing his story has been a highlight of my career. I so enjoyed him.

  I told myself that I wouldn’t go into this series unwilling to let my characters do the talking. So far, every single Young sibling has transformed these books into something amazing. These characters tell their stories to me in ways that frustrate me, but I’m so glad that I let them lead.

  It’s Not Love, It’s Business is a story is dear to my heart, and the perfect book commemorate my 25th release! I hope you enjoy their journey.

  Love,

  Elle

  www.ellewright.com

  P.S. Don’t kill me for the plot twist!

  Recommended Reading

  Meet the Young Family

  It’s Not Love, It’s Business is not the first book featuring a member of the Young Clan. If you’d like to get acquainted with this family before you read, I recommend starting with the following books:

  IT’S NOT ME, IT’S YOU is book one in the Young In Love Series. I would highly suggest you start with that story.

  The Young Family have also appeared in several of my other novels/novellas.

  Paityn Young found everlasting love in my Park Manor novella, HER LITTLE SECRET. The twins, Blake and Bliss made their first appearance in her story.

  Blake Young appeared again as Ryleigh’s friend in my Once Upon a Baby novella, BEYOND EVER AFTER.

  Duke Young burst onto the scene in my Pure Talent novels, THE WAY YOU TEMPT ME and THE WAY YOU HOLD ME. And he stole the show.

  Dallas Young made her presence known in my Once Upon a Funeral novella, FINDING COOPER.

  Please Note: Several of these stories take place around the same time. Some events may happen in multiple books from a different POV.

  www.ellewright.com

  For Lina, thanks for being you. You are an inspiration to me.

  Dick Hangover

  A Dallas Young Original

  Dallas

  October, Last Year

  Crazed…or crazy? It could’ve been either or both. Crazed, because this man was too fly, too fine, too sexy, too off-limits to resist. Crazy, because the invisible line that had kept me in check during our years-long, sorta-friendship was pretty much non-existent. In about three minutes, I was going to do something I probably—no, definitely—shouldn’t do. Like fuck Preston Hayes.

  It was his damn fault. He’d entered the venue earlier, dressed in the perfect costume. His World War II Soldier to my muthafuckin’ Carmen Jones. My sister Bliss might’ve called it destiny, but nah… I wouldn’t go that far. Happenstance was the better word. Could I really waste the chance to fulfill a fantasy? Still…

  I tried to never make the same mistake twice, no matter how horny I was. Hooking up with a friend of a friend was a no-no. I’d learned that hard lesson a long time ago. And fucking a sorta-but-good friend was a disaster waiting to happen. Especially since I had no intention of ever doing him again. Yet…

  Despite him looking all kinds of hot in that uniform, the night had started innocently enough. We’d exchanged quick side hugs and toasted my birthday. Sometime between nine o’clock and Juvenile’s voice ringing “Cash Money Records taking over,” things had taken a turn. I’d noticed him dancing with some woman. And I hated it. Hated her. For just a brief second before I’d snapped myself out of that shit. I hadn’t been quick enough, though. Because he’d recognized my slip. Then, I’d seen the mischievous—and entirely too damn sexy—smirk spread across his full lips. But…

  The mood had been set from the moment our eyes had met across the dance floor. It was his lips for me. And his body. And his eyes. Shit, it was just him. He was serious, but never took himself too seriously. Funny, but not clown-like. Smart as hell, but he didn’t know it all. Sexy, but subtle about his shit. And…

  He’d joined me shortly after his dance, overwhelming me with his tall frame, his baritone voice, his cologne. The music, the drinks, and the conversation amped up the sexual tension. Yet, there were no shots fired, no flirtatious brushes of my hand against any part of his body. There was witty banter, frank language, and mutual respect—the way we’d always been with each other. Except… I knew tonight was his night. Our night.

  As he led me across the dance floor, a
way from prying eyes and nosy siblings, I experienced an uncommon emotion for me. Anticipation. Odd development, considering I wasn’t an overly emotional person, which benefitted me personally and professionally. And unlike my sister, I hadn’t put myself on punishment from yak or dick, so I wasn’t willing to hump any dick that presented itself to me. I loved sex. Hell, my last good orgasm had been just over two weeks ago. But it’d been a while since I’d craved it this badly. I wanted what I wanted. Him. For one night only.

  The click of the lock interrupted my thoughts; the echo of his footsteps against the bathroom tile brought me back to reality. A rush of adrenaline shot through me as he approached me. Just outside the door, my party was in full swing, my sisters were probably looking for me, my parents were more than likely doling out relationship advice to our friends, and the DJ would cue the birthday song in a matter of minutes.

  “How do you want it?” His voice was a low, smooth confirmation of what was to come. Leaning closer, he murmured against my ear, “Because I’m ready to give it to you.”

  Oh, the possibilities. Hard and fast was my only requirement. Hard, because I liked it that way, and fast, because it was almost time for cake.

  “Surprise me,” I murmured. Usually, this was the point of the evening when I’d take control, get my orgasm and bounce. But my feet were rooted to the floor as I waited for him to make the first move.

  His gaze dropped to my mouth, and I braced myself for a kiss, the brush of his lips against mine. If I was going to break my own personal rule and have sex with Preston, I wanted all of him. I wanted his arms around me, his tongue on my skin, and his dick in my pussy. Full stop. Given my desire for him in that moment, I could’ve been swayed to let him cuddle me a quick second before I made my exit. Maybe.

  Seconds passed, and the kiss never came. Dammit, I wanted it. Instead, he treated me to his slow smile, the intoxicating hint of mint and tequila on his breath, his hooded gaze on mine, his hands gliding over my hips to my ass. Shit. Maybe I didn’t need the kiss. His tongue darted out and licked his lips. Oh, my. I definitely needed it.

  Stepping up on the tips of my toes, I kissed him, sucking his bottom lip into my mouth and biting down on it hard. The groan that escaped his mouth shot straight to my core.

  Hot, bothered, and extremely wet, I was prepared to hop up on the counter and get the show on the road. Before I could move, though, he spun me around and smacked my ass. “Bend over. I want you like this.”

  I peered at his reflection in the mirror. His intense stare nearly took my breath away. Four words flitted through my mind on repeat. One night. One fuck.

  He unzipped my red skirt, and it fell to the floor. “Bend over,” he commanded softly.

  Leaning forward, I arched a challenging brow. “Alright now, Hayes. But just so you know…once we leave this bathroom, we’re right back to me not giving a fuck about your orders.”

  He smirked. “But until then…”

  Oh, damn. Preston was too damn sexy for my own good. Maybe tomorrow I’d sit down and try to figure out why. For now, I’d settle for the heat of the moment or the shots or the costumes—whatever it took to get to my happy place.

  He traced the line of my spine with his thumb and hooked his fingers under the band of my panties. “I’ll take these.” The thin fabric of my thong gave way to his pull as he ripped it off and tucked the lacy material into his shirt pocket.

  Finally, I did what I was told and bent over, maintaining eye contact with him. That didn’t last long, though, because—Oh, God. My eyes fluttered closed as he brushed my clit with his talented fingers.

  “No, Dallas,” he prodded, slipping a finger inside me. He placed wet kisses down the back of my neck, over to my bare shoulder. “You’re going to watch me fuck you.” He gripped my chin with his free hand and kissed the shit out of me.

  Even with his lips on mine, his tongue moving against mine, I wanted more. I moaned when he slipped another finger inside me and increased the pressure of his movements. “Hayes?” I whispered between kisses.

  He didn’t answer and he didn’t stop. Not even when I climaxed for the first time. Not until I was on the brink of another delicious orgasm. Then, he stepped away, taking his warmth with him.

  I stopped short of begging him to finish, but I wanted to simultaneously plead with him to keep going and cuss his ass out for leaving me hanging. My body felt like a live wire. Every nerve had sparked to life from his touch. I was drunk on him, helpless to resist his pull.

  “Damn you,” I grumbled.

  He snickered. “Don’t rush me.” He stepped into me, letting me feel his erection against my butt. “You’ll come again. Very soon.”

  My control snapped under the weight of his stare, the chemistry of our bodies. Thoughts of him, of us together, pushed every bit of my common sense aside. In a matter of minutes, he’d stolen my mind and my body. “Condom,” I managed to get out. He’d stolen all the other words.

  The only thing left to do now was wait. The moment I felt him pulsing against me, I wanted to turn around and take a look. Because the dick felt pretty damn impressive—and rock hard. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t break the eye contact. A moment later, he was inside me, every thrust stealing something from me I knew I couldn’t get back. He filled me completely, drove me insane with need. We came at the same time, our lips fused together, and his arms wrapped around me tightly. It was our first time—our only time. But it felt like we’d already mastered each other, like we’d been doing this for years.

  Hung over from the experience, I knew I could fall to the floor at any moment. I sagged against the countertop, holding myself semi-upright. No sense in losing my last cool point for the night. Let’s see…in the past twenty minutes, I’d offered my wordless consent for sex in the public women’s bathroom of the venue where everyone was celebrating my birthday. And I wanted to beg him to do it again and again.

  Dallas, get your shit together right the fuck now.

  Preston buried his face in my hair, gave me a gentle kiss, and backed away, pulling up his pants before I could get a good look at the dick that had almost made me forget my common sense. He disappeared into one of the stalls.

  Sighing, I glanced at myself in the mirror. Not only did I feel dick-wasted, I looked it. My pin curls were on their last leg, my black, off-the-shoulder blouse was twisted around my waist, and my cheeks were flushed.

  I opened my purse and pulled out my I-might-get-some-be-ready kit. Inside the small bag, I had an extra set of black lace panties, the same style he’d ripped off moments earlier. I grabbed my makeup bag, a washcloth, and body wash.

  Preston reappeared and watched as I cleaned myself up and touched up my makeup. He didn’t speak, he just looked, his dark brown eyes seeing everything he shouldn’t.

  I put my lipstick on, tossed everything back into my purse, and turned to face him. “Okay, I’ll talk to you later.” My voice cracked, which was out of character—like everything else that had just happened between us. “We don’t have to bring this up again. In fact, let’s just pretend it didn’t happen.” Yet, even as I said the words, I instinctively knew I’d never be able to forget his scent, his taste, the sound of us together, the feel of him inside me. Still, I was definitely going to give it my best try.

  He nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

  I sucked in a deep breath and walked toward the door. Before I unlocked it, I said, “Thanks. Happy birthday to me.” I straightened my shirt and exited the bathroom of iniquity.

  Outside the bathroom, the dance floor was packed, and our closest friends were dressed up like we’d requested. Having a Halloween birthday was always a kick for me. Every year, me and my twin brothers would throw a party with a kick-ass theme. This year, it’d been my turn to pick, and I’d decided on Black Movie Characters. Lined up against the wall, several girls wore cheerleading costumes, representing Gabriel Union and her friends in Bring It On. My mother looked like Foxy Brown, and my father cracked me up as Nick Fury fro
m The Avengers.

  To my right, I spotted Cooper chatting with some random female. He was dressed like Django Unchained. For a second, I considered interrupting him but decided against it. My best guy friend was very perceptive, and he might’ve put two and two together. Since Preston was his best friend and business partner, it was best Coop didn’t know that we’d gotten busy moments ago.

  As if he sensed my presence, Coop glanced over at me. “You good?” he shouted over the music.

  I nodded. “Yep.” It wasn’t quite a lie. I was good. My body was buzzing, on fire. But no matter what I’d said to Preston in the bathroom, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I need a drink.

  Swallowing hard, I made a beeline toward the VIP area. On the way there, I waved at several guests but didn’t talk to anyone else. My siblings were lining up shots of tequila when I stepped into the roped-off section of the venue. Tonight, only five of us were in attendance. Growing up with four brothers and three sisters was a trip, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I loved them all dearly. And I knew one or all of them would figure out where I’d been for the last several minutes. So…