Without Warning: A Billionaire Romance (Playboys of New York Book 5), JA Low [book suggestions .TXT] 📗

in the city life for the suburbs, which I’m surprised about because Emma is a city girl through and through. They bought a place near our friends, Lenna and Chloe.

Lenna has her gorgeous little man, Jagger, and will probably be knocked up again at any moment. I swear that woman is going to have a football team. Chloe’s getting married in the winter after being engaged to Noah for a year. She’s had quite the journey too, but they are stronger than ever.

Then there’s EJ and Stella, who have just gotten together over the summer, even though it’s been six years in the making. Now it’s full steam ahead on creating a life together. They’ve purchased a farm in Connecticut and are slowly transitioning from the city.

Now it’s just me in the city, all by myself. Which is fine. It’s not like I’m not out there having my fun. It’s my choice to be by myself. I don’t have time for a relationship, but maybe that will all change tomorrow night with Rhys.

“So, we’re looking for the hottest lingerie to get you laid?” Emma asks.

“Yeah, pretty much.” I grin as I run my hands along the silk of the intimate attire hanging up in front of me.

“Please tell me you have done your research on this guy?” Emma raises a brow in my direction. I know she’s just looking out for me, but since my friends are all happy in their relationships, it means they are way more concerned about mine. Emma, of all people, knows how the single scene in the city works. She was way worse than me with her hookups.

“Yes, of course,” I reply as I continue looking through the racks of the overpriced strips of material.

“And everything checks out?” she pushes. “’Cause, you know, no dick is worth losing your life over,” she warns me.

“I will let you all know the address. The time. Even the passcode to his building, so if anything happens, you can find me.” Shaking my head, I continue looking at the pastel garments.

“Good.” Emma grins. “It’s great seeing you excited about someone.”

“I think this guy is different,” I confess. “But we shall see how tomorrow goes. He might be all talk and no action.”

Emma shivers at the thought. “How’s work going?” she asks, changing the subject to one that I am even more reluctant to talk about.

“Urgh. I’m so overworking at Davenport Architects. They are a bunch of misogynistic, private school boys’ club and a bunch of dickheads.” Emma’s eyes widen at my reaction, then we both burst out laughing.

“Tell me how you really feel.” Emma grins.

I let out a heavy sigh. “I need to get out on my own, but I don’t have the money for it yet,” I explain.

Emma remains silent for a while as we continue looking at underwear.

“I still have my apartment in the city,” she explains. “I’m happy for you to move into it rent-free if that means you can get out on your own.”

I still at Emma’s generous offer. “Ems…” I begin, but she shakes her head.

“No, Ari.” She holds her finger up at me. “I never use it, but I also can’t bring myself to rent it out to randoms either. When I’m in the city, we stay at Anderson’s apartment. It’s just sitting there,” she tells me. “If you don’t have to pay rent, then you have a roof over your head. EJ owns a restaurant, so you will always have food on the table.” She grins. “So, tell me again why you can’t go out on your own?”

Tears well in my eyes. I turn and reach out to Emma and pull her into me and hug her tightly at her generous offer. “You think I can do it?” I ask her. Now that my dreams might be in my grasp, self-doubt has decided to creep in.

“Of course, I do. You’re an extremely talented woman. If our new home in Connecticut wasn’t so perfect, I would be hiring you to change it. Actually, I wouldn’t mind a larger boathouse.” She smiles.

“I love you,” I state, looking at one of my closest friends.

“Being married to a billionaire has its perks, and I should be able to share them with my friends.” Emma chuckles. “Now. Let’s buy you some of the hottest lingerie, so we can get you laid. Rhys Bailey isn’t going to know what’s hit him when he sees you.”

After choosing the most beautiful white lace bra and panty set, as per Emma’s wise words, ‘Men like white lingerie. Makes them think of innocent, virginal shit. And they like that fantasy. Plus, the white against your tanned skin is stunning.’ I’m hoping she’s right.

We are meeting Stella and Chloe at EJ’s restaurant for lunch after our shopping expedition, so we head off.

“You made it,” Stella greets us at the door. Her limp from where she broke her leg has improved immensely, but I know when she’s walked too much, it comes back. Emma and I both greet Stella as she ushers us into the private dining room. Moments later, Chloe rushes in, looking a little disheveled. Her cheeks are flushed, her blonde hair is a little messed up, and her lipstick looks like it’s been smudged off.

“Look at the hussy walking in like she hasn’t just been thoroughly fucked on her way here.” Emma grins.

“Right, that’s my cue to leave.” EJ enters from the other side of the private room and walks straight back out again.

“Emma.” Chloe tries to hush her.

“You can’t walk in looking like that and not have your friends question you?” Emma crosses her arms in front of her.

“Whatever.” Chloe ignores Emma. “I need a drink.” Chloe looks over at Stella, grabs the champagne bottle in the middle of the table, and pops it.

“Sure, you don’t need a cigarette?” Emma goads her with a grin.

“Ari, how did your shopping trip go?” Chloe changes the subject as Stella hands us all a glass of champagne. We take our seats at the