Wine Whiskey & Lipstick Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Dedications & Acknowledgments

  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

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  WINE, WHISKEY, & LIPSTICK 2

  FULL THROTTLE 2

  THANK YOU

  INSPIRATIONAL PLAYLIST

  OTHER BOOKS BY LASHAWN VASSER

  WINE, WHISKEY, & LIPSTICK

  By

  LaShawn Vasser

  WINE, WHISKEY, & LIPSTICK © 2022 LaShawn Vasser

  All Rights Reserved

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead are entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved.

  SIGN-UP TO LASHAWN VASSER’S NEWSLETTER FOR THE LATEST NEWS & RELEASE INFORMATION.

  *EXPLICIT ADULT CONTENT*

  WARNING

  This novel is considered romantic fiction with erotic elements or erotica. This book is for mature audiences only. This book contains profane adult language, mild violence, and strong sexual content.

  Dedications & Acknowledgments

  This book is dedicated to my love. I can exhale because you breathe life into me every minute of every hour of every day. Thanks for being on this journey with me.

  Melissa Harrison you always do the impossible! Thank you for always being up to the task.

  Tiffany you push me to be better even when I don’t want to. Thanks for the sunshine!

  Chapter 1

  Benjamin Cash couldn’t keep still. He tapped his cell against his right knee while bouncing his leg up and down. Something isn’t right. A nagging sense of foreboding had Ben’s mind racing, and the feeling of dread wouldn’t go away.

  For the third time, Ben checked the time on his cell. His plane had been in a holding pattern for almost half an hour, waiting to land and pushing his return time back even further. He needed to get home ASAP. He’d called his wife several times before boarding, but she never picked up. She should have picked up. Where are you, Lana?

  Almost immediately, Ben had second thoughts about leaving in the first place. Unfortunately, he needed to take this trip because it was too important to his business. I shouldn’t have been gone this long. He had been apprehensive about leaving for so many reasons but mostly because it took him away for more than a week. This was a bad time to travel. Ben took little solace in having spoken with Lana several times while he was out of town. Those calls hadn’t been reassuring because she seemed distant—more so than usual. If Ben were honest, he and Lana hadn’t been clicking for a while. Over the last couple of months, she had threatened to end things, but this time, Ben thought maybe she would make good on her promise. His thoughts were interrupted by the voice that came over the intercom.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to O’Hare Airport. The local time is now five-fifteen p.m., and the temperature is currently a balmy thirty-eight degrees.

  “As we make our descent, and for your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the captain turns off the fasten seat belt sign. This will indicate that it is safe to move about. Once the fasten seat belt sign is turned off, you may also use your cellular device.”

  It took several antagonizingly long minutes before Ben’s plane was finally on the ground. As it taxied toward the gate, he looked at his phone once more. Damn, still no reception. Frustrated, he sighed heavily and rubbed the back of his neck, waiting impatiently for the plane to come to a complete stop. It took an eternity, but that green fasten seat belt sign finally turned off.

  Immediately, Ben checked his phone. This time he thanked God services had been restored and tapped the redial button. Ben’s call immediately went to voice mail. “Hi, you’ve reached Lana. I can’t come to the phone right now. But at the sound of the beep, you know what to do.” Ben waited for that all too familiar tone. He held the cell between his ear and shoulder as he stood to retrieve his carry-on bag from the overhead bin. “Hey. It’s me. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve landed. Call me when you get this message. Miss you and ladybug.” Reluctantly, Ben disconnected.

  Dammit.

  “I remember those days.” Ben turned to see an older gentleman watching him with compassion. “It’s one of the reasons that I always fly first class.” The man smiled. “I don’t like to waste any time getting home to my wife either.”

  Ben returned the man’s smile with one of his own. “It’s been a long week.” He then threw his bag over his shoulder, stepped back, and allowed the man to walk ahead of him as they got off the plane. Fortunately, Ben didn’t have any checked luggage and didn’t need to stop by the baggage claim. He could go straight to get a Lyft or an Uber.

  Hailing a car almost immediately, Ben tossed his bag inside the trunk. He slid into the backseat and, once the driver pulled away from the curb, decided to call home again. This time he dialed the landline. It also went straight to voice mail. He released an exaggerated breath as he glanced out the window. It was only five-thirty in the evening but looked more like nine. This time of year was always dark but seemed to foreshadow the feeling he had in the pit of his stomach. Ben could arrive home in about thirty minutes if traffic were good, but that felt like thirty minutes too long.

  “Let me try Aimee,” Ben said aloud. His live-in nanny should be around as he knew she wouldn’t have Rylee out after dark. Someone should be home. Ben punched in Aimee’s number. It rang several times before also going to voice mail. Why the fuck isn’t anybody answering their goddamned phones?! Ben hoped he was overreacting, but he had a strong sense that he wasn’t.

  After an excruciating ride, his car finally pulled up into the circular drive of Ben’s high-rise condo. He retrieved his bag and tipped the driver. Quickly, he walked into the building and waved to the on-site security on his way to the elevator.

  “Good evening, Mr. Cash.”

  “Hey, Ronald.” Ben stopped in mid-stride and backed peddled. “By chance, have you seen Lana in the past couple of days?”

  Ronald stood up from behind his desk as he took a quick minute to think about it. He frowned. “Actually, I haven’t. Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen Aimee or Rylee either since Thursday night. However, I did take a vacation day on Friday and switched shifts with Tony yesterday. So, it’s possible I just missed them.”

  “Everything seemed fine, though?”

  Ronald nodded. “Yeah. Everything seemed fine.”

  “Good to hear.” That bit of information should have given Ben a bit of
relief, but he knew that lately, Lana had been frustrated. More frustrated than usual. “I’m sure everything is fine. I’ve just come home from visiting my family and taking care of some business. I miss them like crazy. I haven’t been able to reach them today and can’t wait to hug my girls.”

  “Then quit talking to me and go see about them.” Ronald laughed.

  Ben put his hand up waved him away. “You’re absolutely right.” Unfortunately, Ronald’s words didn’t relieve his unease. With a sense of urgency, Ben rounded the corner and pressed the button on the elevator. The doors slid open, and he stepped inside. Ben pushed the button to the thirty-seventh floor.

  He glanced up and watched the numbers of the building’s floors changing inside a little digital box. As the elevator ascended, Ben’s heart beat a little faster with each passing floor. As soon as the doors opened, he bounded out and walked swiftly to his door. What if they are . . . Ben admonished himself. Don’t panic. Lana and Rylee are probably home, watching a movie.

  Ben put his keycard inside the slot on the door and pushed it open. It was evident from the moment he stepped inside that Ben’s greatest fear had occurred.

  Chapter 2

  Dillyn Anderson was more than satisfied with her efforts as she glanced around the living room. She placed a hand on her slim hips and admired her hard work. “Perfect,” she whispered. Everything was in place. Dinner had been delivered and set up in the formal dining room. Dillyn strategically placed candles throughout the downstairs giving her home an ethereal glow while soft music played in the background.

  She heard a noise. Going completely still, Dillyn listened intently until she recognized the sound she had been waiting for—the garage door—it was opening. He was home.

  Dillyn smoothed her hands down her now svelte figure, and a satisfied grin appeared on her face. It seemed impossible, but Dillyn was finally back to her normal weight. The fertility cocktail she’d been taking had wreaked havoc on her body. It had taken Dillyn all of six months to get herself back together after deciding not to continue with the process. It was the hardest decision she’d ever made, but after making it, Dillyn was relieved. Afterward, Dillyn worked her literal ass off to get back into shape just for this moment—for Steven.

  He was so visual. Appearances meant everything. Dillyn knew that her stomach wasn’t completely flat, but it had lost most of its bloated appearance. Those squats she’d subjected herself to in recent months had kept the hands of time from completely dropping her ass to the ground. It was plump, rounded, and firm, just like it had been on the first day they met. Dillyn’s sheer black teddy was going to drive Steven insane. It didn’t leave anything to the imagination and made her breasts sit up like a Playboy Bunny. Dillyn’s body wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary.

  He was inside. The door from the garage to the kitchen opened and closed. Dillyn hurried over to the dining room and picked up one of Steven’s ties from off the table. She put it loosely around her neck and sat down in her chair. Why the hell not? Dillyn lifted her leg and rested it on the table, displaying a good bit of inner thigh and a brand new pair of black stiletto red bottoms.

  “Dillyn?” Steven called.

  “In here.” Dillyn positioned herself in the sexiest pose she could manage.

  Seconds later, Steven appeared in the doorway, carrying a bouquet of roses. His smile grew slowly from ear to ear. “What a way to come home.”

  Steven was still the sexiest man Dillyn had ever seen. He stood just over six feet and almost filled the entire doorway. His body. Those wide shoulders. Absolutely everything about him was almost pure perfection. It wasn’t his sex appeal that drove Dillyn crazy, but it was the way he looked at her. The magic he wielded with those gray eyes was surely a crime. Anytime he really focused on her, Dillyn would become putty in his hands. Tonight, she wouldn’t be distracted. Not when this plan had been six months in the making.

  Dillyn knew she had outdone herself when Steven bit into his lower lip in anticipation of their night ahead.

  “Welcome home.” Her voice was husky.

  “It is indeed.” Steven walked over and bent low. He planted a kiss hard on her lips with a silent promise of more to come. Slowly, he pulled back. “These are for you.”

  Dillyn locked eyes with his for the briefest moment before forcing herself to pull away. She glanced down at the flowers. A slight frown appeared on her forehead. Is that a sticker price for $9.99?

  Dillyn sighed softly. “Thank you.” No. She would not get upset that her flowers seemed like an afterthought. Follow the plan. You’ll get your reward later, Dillyn reminded herself as she accepted the flowers and laid them on the table. She began to caress the tie around her neck. “Why don’t you have a seat and let me pour you a glass of champagne?”

  His voice was a husky timbre warm as honey. “I think I’d rather have you instead.”

  Dillyn pretended to pout. “C’mon, be patient. A lot went into pulling this night together.”

  After a moment of hesitation, Steven nodded in agreement and took a seat opposite her. Slowly, Dillyn lowered her leg and placed it on the floor, and his eyes followed her every move. Knowing she had his full attention, Dillyn added a little extra sway to her hips and wiggle to her strut as she walked over toward him. She was being extra and knew he was eating it up. Dillyn picked up his champagne glass and filled it with the chilled bubbly that she had placed on the table.

  As she handed him a glass, her eyes connected with his. The corners of her lips edged up into a sultry smile. It won’t be long before the real fireworks begin.

  Steven couldn’t stop staring as he accepted the glass. His eyes had darkened to a charcoal gray. Dillyn knew that look. He was so turned on. Even if his eyes hadn’t revealed it, the large bulge in his pants was a dead giveaway. Good. That’s how I want him. Hard and needy.

  Attempting to be patient, Steven seemed to go along with Dillyn’s plan . . . for now. He brought the champagne glass to his lips and took a sip.

  Dillyn watched as she continued to caress the silk tie that was hanging around her neck. Steven was nothing if not predictable. She didn’t know how much longer he would last. Suddenly, she was hit by a spray of liquid from Steven’s mouth, drenching her. “Dill . . . what the hell is this?”

  “You don’t like the champagne?” she asked, seemingly confused as she picked up a napkin, dabbing herself dry.

  Steven wiped his mouth with the arm of his jacket. “I don’t even know if you can even call it that. It’s terrible.”

  Dillyn knew Steven liked the finer things in life. He demanded it. Still, she pretended to be surprised. She lifted a perfectly sculpted brow. “Really? I thought it was just right for the occasion. A cheap ass drink for a whack ass man.”

  “What?!” The confusion on his face almost made her laugh. It was clear Steven had no idea what was about to hit him.

  Dillyn took off the tie she knew he didn’t recognize and threw it at him. Narcissist. “Sam sent you the tie. I’m pretty sure that’s her shade of lipstick smeared on it, along with that.” She pointed to the manila envelope sitting on the table beside the champagne bottle.

  “Sam? Why would your friend send me anything?”

  He deserved an Oscar. Lying bastard. Dillyn’s tone was calm when she was anything but. “Open the envelope. The answers you seek might be in there.”

  Steven was hesitant but tentatively picked it up. He pulled out some papers. Dillyn could see the rise and fall of Steven’s chest. There was no explaining that shit. “Six months ago, my so-called friend, accidentally—or hell—maybe on purpose, sent naked photos to my phone. Clearly, they were meant for you. I blew them up and printed them out just to make sure you didn’t miss anything.”

  He glanced up. Steven’s words started to tumble out like vomit. “Dillyn, you are overreacting. I can explain. Sit down, and let’s talk.”

  Dillyn clenched her hands at her sides. She had too much anger st
ored up to sit. “Am I? Please explain how a wife, who received nude photos of another woman meant for her husband, could possibly be overreacting?”

  Steven raked a hand through his perfectly styled dark hair. “This is not what it looks like.”

  “I knew you would say that. I knew you would continue to lie. If we must play this game, then you might as well take out the rest of the contents in the envelope.”

  “This is crazy, Dill. I’m not about to do this with you.” Steven stalled. He wasn’t an idiot. He knew that Dillyn was nothing if not thorough.

  “Good because neither am I.”

  “Sam doesn’t mean anything to me.”

  “Oh? Now the woman you’ve been sleeping with over the past year doesn’t mean anything to you?” Dillyn blinked back tears. “You tried to break me, Steven. You tried to make me feel inadequate by suddenly complaining about the things you claimed to love, like my hair. After all these years, I wondered why you would want me to straighten it? Or start making rude and insensitive comments about my body every time I gained a pound or two.”

  “That’s not tru—”

  She cut him off. “We were trying to bring life into this world! Why would you let me start taking fertility drugs if you’d already checked out of the marriage?” Dillyn was doing her best to stay calm but held on by a thread. She spoke through gritted teeth. “The day I saw those photos was the day I stopped taking them. We didn’t need to bring a child into this mess.”

  “You act like this is all on me!” Steven started, trying to turn the tables. “The breakdown of our marriage isn’t just my fault. If you would have—”

  Furious, Dillyn raised her hand to slap him but managed to stop herself in mid-motion. “You’re really going to stand there with a straight face and blame me for you being a whore?!” Dillyn glanced heavenward and took a few deep breaths. “Yes. I knew that our marriage was in trouble way before you started sleeping with Sam, but it took those pictures to snap me back to reality.”