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    Vital Company
    Vital Company
    Vital Company
    Ebook188 pages2 hours

    Vital Company

    By Crystal Perkins

    5/5

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    About this ebook

    Father. Friend. Diver. Playboy.

    Cohen Covington has been through a lot in his life. He had it all and lost his dream, but now his son is his priority. An angry swim mom pushing him into the pool helps make him realize a change is in order. Friends and a new job offer him everything he thinks he wants.

    Mother. Doctor. Friend. Lover.

    Dr. Quincy Morris isn’t about to let any man disrespect her or her daughter again. Her ex-husband has too much power, but the Corrigans have more. Taking a job with them will bring her closer to her friends and give her the protection she needs. Until the idiot swim instructor from back home shows up in her exam room.

    Injury. Fear. Secrets. Love.

    Cohen works hard to win Q over, but just when it looks like things will work out, they’re both faced with their pasts. One of them will long for a second-chance to fix their past mistakes, while the other one runs away in an effort to protect themselves.

    Can they both forget the past and plan a future—or will they drown in the fear love can sometimes bring with it?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCrystal Perkins
    Release dateNov 23, 2017
    ISBN9781370299652
    Vital Company
    Author

    Crystal Perkins

    Crystal Perkins has always been a big reader, but she never thought she would write her own book, until she sat down and did it. She lives in Las Vegas, where you can find her running author events when she isn’t reading, buying too many Sherlock t-shirts online or watching the Vegas Gokden Knights. A mac and cheese connoisseur, she travels the country looking for the perfect version, while attending book conventions and signings as a cover for her research. She writes Romantic Suspense, New Adult, Romantic Comedy, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, and even a little Horror!

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      Book preview

      Vital Company - Crystal Perkins

      Prologue

      Cohen

      Two years ago my life was very different. I was sleeping around with any woman who caught my eye, managing my best friend’s swimming career, and never thinking about the future. Now, I have a two-year-old son, I’m giving swimming lessons to kids, and the future is always on my mind. I still have sex with women, but I’m more discreet than I once was, and I always make sure to suit up—with my own condoms. I love my boy, but I’m not ready to be responsible for two kids in the near future.

      Excuse me, but are you Colin?

      I turn from the deck I was spraying down, forgetting the water’s still on as I douse the woman before me. The scrubs she’s wearing are now plastered to her slim curves, and while I’m sorry for soaking her, I appreciate the view.

      Shit!

      I cannot believe you just did that. I have to go to work after this!

      It was an accident, I tell her, taking in dark black hair, sexy lips, and grey eyes that are looking like storms as she glares at me.

      Just like moving my daughter down a class without talking to me—or her—was an accident too?

      Huh?

      Listen, Coby. I’m going to talk slowly so you understand what I’m saying.

      Cohen. My name is Cohen.

      Whatever. It doesn’t matter to me anyway. What matters is that you moved my daughter down a class without talking to me about it. I’m not sure what kind of work background you have, or if you’ve ever been around kids before, but what you did was shitty.

      Fuck. I’ve made my brain stop looking at women unless I plan to fuck them in a few minutes, since I’m where I am right now because of a psycho one. Now, I recognize this woman—mom—and I know I deserve her ire. I don’t deserve the condescending tone, but yeah, I get her being a bitch right now.

      She isn’t ready for my class.

      Then you should’ve discussed it with me.

      This isn’t Harvard, it’s swim class. I made the choice I needed to.

      You embarrassed her. When someone else told her she’d been moved, she was mortified. Who does that to a little girl?

      Me, apparently. Yep, I’m that ass who hurt a kid’s feelings. I relax my stance, and soften my voice. Maybe this chick wants to go to war, but I was wrong and I’m man enough to admit it.

      I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to embarrass her.

      Well, you did, and it’s not okay.

      I should’ve talked to you both, but I’ve already apologized. I don’t know what else you want from me.

      I want you to say it like you mean it. I feel like you’re just saying what I want to hear, but you should really understand what I’m saying. You’re teaching children here, and they need more from you than just to go through the motions.

      I never go through the motions, I tell her with a smirk, and whoa, where did that come from? I don’t flirt like this anymore. Especially not with one of the swim moms.

      Are you seriously hitting on me while I’m fighting with you? she asks, her eyes getting even stormier as her chest heaves. I can see her small breasts rising and falling, and yeah, I’m liking what I see.

      Maybe? I truly am sorry, though. I mean it.

      Before I can even react, I’m being pushed into the pool next to us. Damn, even that was hot. I surface to see her stomping away, a perfect ass outlined by the scrubs. If I wasn’t sure her daughter didn’t belong in my class, I would totally move her back, just so I could see her mom up close again.

      Quincy

      I cannot believe what an ass Cohen is. Granted, I was a bit of a bitch, but not one messes with Bianca. Especially not some hot beach dude, who thinks he’s God’s gift to the world. Yes, I know who he is and what his name is, but I’ve also seen and heard about how large his ego is, and I wanted to take him down a bit.

      I drive to the hospital, thankful I keep the spare set of scrubs in my locker. Slamming open the locker room door, I run into the one person I don’t ever want to see again.

      Rough day already, Quincy? Mika asks, looking me over. She looks perfect, because of course she does. Lots of money and a douchebag husband will do that to you.

      Just a run-in with a sprinkler, I lie.

      She smirks, and I want to punch her. Well, I suppose that’s par for the course with you.

      Bitch. If you’ll excuse me, I need to change, I tell her, pulling out the scrubs I keep in there.

      Bye.

      She saunters out the door like she owns this place, probably because she practically does. It’s not bad enough she stole my husband, but her family has donated enough wings to the place that everyone seems to forget about it. Friends no longer speak to me, and if I wasn’t so damn good at my job, I know I’d have been fired by now.

      My phone rings as I come back out of the bathroom and I smile when I see the name on the screen. How are you, Ken?

      I’m well. I’m calling with a proposition for you.

      Does your girlfriend know about this?

      I can almost hear him rolling his eyes as he sighs. I need more help here in Las Vegas and I’ve been authorized to hire someone of my choosing.

      Corrigan & Co. has that much need for a second doctor?

      I primarily work with the C&C Foundation, and yes.

      I’d love to say yes, but I don’t know if Rick will let me move Bianca.

      Waverly said you told her he cancels almost every weekend he’s supposed to have with her.

      He does, unless it’s something he’s doing publicly. Heaven forbid he be seen as neglectful when the press is around.

      Moving won’t be a problem if you’re interested.

      How do you know?

      I can’t explain until you’re here and agree to work with me, but you can trust me on this.

      "I do trust you. You and Wave were my best friends back in Boston, and I was so happy when she reached out last year. I miss you both, and I’d love to have B get to know her Godparents better."

      Is that a yes?

      Yes. I’d love to quit this job, and come work for you.

      It’s the truth. I don’t even know what the pay is, but from everything I’ve read, Matt and Reina Corrigan keep their employees happy. I’m ready to leave this place and make a new start for myself—and my little girl. No more asshole swim instructors, and no more bastard fathers. It’s just what we both need.

      Chapter 1

      Cohen

      Shane is being extra two today. I refuse to call him a terrible two, but he’s definitely a handful some days. Even as he approaches the three-year mark.

      Daddy, I want the other waffles.

      These are the waffles I always make for you.

      Grammy makes the other ones. The ones with swaberries on them.

      We don’t have any strawberries, but if you’re good at school, I’ll buy some later.

      No school!

      He used to love his daycare center, but lately he’s been complaining about it. School is cool.

      Not when you don’t have a mommy. I don’t have a mommy!

      Whoa. You have me, and I love you more than a mommy ever could.

      But there’s a mommy party next week!

      This is something I haven’t been informed about until now, and I’m more than a little pissed. I know for a fact that I’m not the only single parent whose kid goes there, but the others are mostly women. I get them wanting to celebrate the moms, but a little warning would’ve been nice.

      Do you want Grammy to go with you?

      No, he insists. I no go.

      We’ll figure something out, I promise him.

      I clean up, and drive him to the center. After asking to speak to the director, I take a seat and wait. And wait. I know she’s making me wait on purpose, and I’ve had my fill of women who think they’re better than me this week. First the doctor—because yeah, I looked at Bianca’s file and saw her mom’s info—and now this woman who’s in charge of my son’s happiness for a few hours every day.

      What can I do for you, Mr. Horton? she asks, once I’m seated across from her in her office.

      Why am I just now hearing about a ‘mommy tea’ that’s taking place?

      You’re not a mommy.

      She says it with such derision, I have to fight the urge to jump from my chair and defend myself. No, which is why this should be a ‘parent tea’ and not one specifically for mothers. I’m not the only single father who brings his child here.

      There are far more single mothers and their situations are harder.

      The fuck. You don’t know my situation.

      You really think you go through what a single woman trying to raise her child goes through?

      I’d imagine our situations aren’t that different.

      Of course, you would. Perhaps this isn’t the right place for you if you can’t respect women.

      Are you insane? Nothing I’ve said today has been about me not respecting women.

      I think this conversation should end now, before either of us becomes more agitated.

      I’ll be in touch, I tell her, walking out.

      I know I’m going to have to move Shane somewhere. She didn’t take my concern seriously, and actually tried to make me feel like I was anti-woman. Totally not true, but if that’s the way it’s going to be here, my son is better off elsewhere.

      I think I know where we should go and it’s not to a new daycare here in San Diego. We both need something different. I’m hoping the chance I was offered a couple of months ago is still available.

      What’s up? my best friend Knox asks, answering my call.

      Just driving to work, but I was wondering if the job you asked me about is still available.

      Here? I’ll ask Matt, but I’m pretty sure it’s available. If not, I can totally find you something else.

      I don’t want you to find me something. I can do it on my own. I know I’m being an asshole, but I don’t want to ride on his coattails any longer.

      Shut up, and don’t even think about saying I was your meal ticket again. You kept me balanced, did a kiss-ass job managing me, and were there when I needed you. Matt doesn’t offer people jobs just because they’re friends with his friends.

      Okay, yeah. I’m the best friend ever, I say the words, but we both know he had my back when I needed it too. And, I needed it way more than he ever did. If the job’s still open, I’d like to try it.

      I’ll call him right now, and call you back.

      The job Matt Corrigan offered me is basically what I did for Knox, but on a bigger level. He and his brother have assistants who go through their mail, and a publicity department for press releases, but he wants someone to take on the extra work. I can understand why he’d rather have his assistant helping him with business stuff rather than going through gala invites or deciding where to put sponsorship money. Those are both things I know I’m good at. Not just from Knox, but from helping with my family’s fortune as well. Yeah, I’m rich and still giving swim lessons, but my parents always encouraged me to do what I love, and I love to

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