by Penny May
“And you like Raife.”
It felt like he’d slapped her in the face.
“I….” She had to take a moment to collect her thoughts. Had Olivia told him? Surely not. But if Olivia hadn’t told him then…
“Have you been digging into my personal information in the OCS?”
His stony expression suggested that she’d hit the nail on the head.
“I see. So, if I won’t be exclusive to you, then you’ll violate my privacy? Do you think that’s okay?”
He opened his mouth to say something, then stopped and closed it again.
Courtney shook her head and headed for the door, avoiding the direct path since it would take her too close to Bo. It meant it took her longer to escape his apartment, but it also gave her time to say, “You know, you’re no different than Daniel. Possessive and demanding that I serve your needs. With Daniel, at least what he wanted was straightforward: a girlfriend who would also be his maid. With you, it’s worse: it’s acting as your puppet and lying to the public for you.”
She yanked the door open just as he said, “Courtney, wait.”
Her eyes flashed with anger as she spun around. “Don’t worry, I’ll be at your little event tonight. I already said I’d go, and I’m not one to go back on my word.” With that, she stomped out the door and slammed it behind her.
Chapter 11
Though Courtney wanted nothing more than to hide in her suite for the rest of the day, she had more appointments to get through before the dreaded charity event.
How am I going to stand by Bo’s side tonight and pretend I’m not mad at him? She wondered.
She’d have to employ all the acting skills she’d learned while working as an assistant for Michelle. If she could pretend to like her job and that woman when being constantly demeaned at work, then she could handle pretending to enjoy Bo’s company for one night.
The thought made Courtney straighten her back as the make-up artist worked on giving her a smokey eye. They were t-minus forty-five minutes until she’d meet Bo downstairs for their date. And they’d be using the front doors this time rather than leaving through the garage.
Super.
“Okay, remember,” Olivia said for like the fifth time, “the press are going to shout all kinds of things at you to get a reaction. Don’t let them ruffle your feathers and don’t engage.”
“I know, Olivia.” Courtney tried not to sound exasperated, but it was difficult to keep the annoyance from her voice.
“I’m sorry,” the assistant said. “I just want to make sure everything goes well.”
“Is this what it would be like all the time if I were really dating, Bo?”
Courtney saw the fleeting look that the make-up artist gave to the woman currently styling Courtney’s hair. Whatever. She wasn’t trying to keep any secrets here. Plus, she was sure staff had to sign the same NDA she had to keep their mouths shut about what they heard or saw at the Temple.
“Ladies, could you give us a few seconds?” Olivia asked the two women. They quickly vacated the bedroom where Courtney was getting ready in front of the vanity.
Uh oh, I’ve done it now, Courtney thought. She didn’t feel very remorseful though. Then again, it wasn’t Olivia’s fault that Courtney and Bo weren’t exactly getting along.
Olivia leveled a look at Courtney which she probably reserved for the people on her shit list. “What is going on with you today? I know you had a run in with Daniel, but that’s no reason for this sudden attitude.”
Courtney almost fell into the defensive position of copping more attitude, but then deflated.
“Bo asked me about Raife.”
Olivia’s head rocked back.
Courtney really didn’t want to ask, but she had to know.
“You didn’t tell him, did you?” She really hoped Olivia hadn’t said anything to Bo. If she had, it would ruin any trust she had in Olivia. She knew that Olivia ultimately worked for Bo, but there were some things you just didn’t share with your boss, right?
“I would never tell him something like that, Courtney. That’s yours to tell.”
“So, does that mean he can look at my private messages in the OCS system?”
Olivia’s expression turned dark. “He shouldn’t be able to do that...then again, part of the privacy statement you signed when you accepted to stay here was that the Temple can gather data on you but won’t share it with third parties.”
“But, technically, Bo isn’t really a third party, is he? I mean, he is the company. So, does he look at everyone’s information? Or does he just invade the privacy of the women he dates?”
Olivia wasn’t sure what to say to that. After a moment she went with, “Bo’s never dated a guest here before. Maybe that’s why. Maybe the temptation to access your information was too much for him.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, Courtney. Are you sure you still want to go tonight? I’d understand if you backed out. Hell, I’m pretty sure Bo would understand. Or he should. Especially if he really did look at your encounters with Raife.”
“No. I said I’d go, and I will.”
Olivia could tell from the set of Courtney’s face that her friend didn’t want to talk about it anymore, so she called the hair and make-up stylists back into the room. Rather than spend the next forty minutes in awkward silence, Olivia put some music on in the background. It didn’t erase Courtney’s anger, but it at least lowered the intensity in the room.
She had selected the black and white halter top gown. Though its neckline was modest, the back had an opening that plunged almost all the way down to her butt. It was almost impossible to wear underwear with it, so she opted not to. The open back made her feel sexy. While putting the gown on, she almost messaged Raife to set up an encounter for later that evening.
The thing that stopped her was the idea that Bo might be monitoring her messages. That and she wasn’t sure what time she’d be back from the event. She’d just have to get through the night without looking forward to an encounter with Raife. Maybe when she got back, she could set something up with him for tomorrow.
Before she knew it, it was time to go. Olivia rode the elevator down with her.
“I know you’re not happy with Bo,” Olivia murmured, “but this evening will be as fun as you let it be. You can still be mad at him while having a good time.” She watched Courtney’s face for some acceptance of her suggestion, and when she saw none, she went on, “And watch out for Kitty. She is one deceitful bitch. No matter what she says, remember: she is not your friend.”
For a split second, Courtney thought, The enemy of my enemy…but then, was Bo really her enemy? Or had he just overstepped his reach? She wasn’t willing to forgive him yet, but she wasn’t willing to side with Kitty against him. Not if Kitty had really set Bo up like Olivia had said.
No, she had a job to do tonight and that was to smile for the cameras that would be downstairs waiting for her.
But Olivia had a point. She could still have a little fun tonight, right?
The smile that Courtney turned on Olivia made the other woman question whether this was a good idea. The elevator doors popped open, revealing a pristine check-in area for guests. Courtney had never been in this front entrance area before since she’d always come and gone via the underground garage. The space was all white marble floors with coppery-gold accents. A few chairs tastefully dotted the lobby in clusters here and there. Courtney doubted anyone ever had the need to use them since the Temple probably ran a very tight check-in process that didn’t involve guests seeing each other.
Now that she’d seen the opulent check-in area, she kind of wished it had been part of the experience on her first day here.
Bo stood near the front desk, speaking with the male employee behind the counter.
The opening elevator doors caught his attention, and Courtney saw him stand up just a little straighter when he saw her.
“I’ll be fine, Olivia. And so will Bo,” Courtney said, then she stepped off the elevator
and made a beeline for Bo. Without hesitation she asked him, “Ready?”
His expression suggested that he wanted to say something else, but the situation didn’t dictate that he should. “Yes. The driver is waiting outside...along with the press.”
“Well, let’s not keep them waiting.” She turned and offered him her hand. “Might as well keep up the charade.”
After an awkward moment, he took it, and Courtney forced herself to ignore the feeling of how right her hand felt in his. Not to mention how delicious he looked in his almost form-fitting tux or the way just laying eyes on him had sent a shiver of need down her spine.
Firmly taking her desire for Bo in hand, Courtney moved toward the glazed glass doors and Bo fell into step. Mutely, they marched outside and into a cacophony of reporters and journalists.
Though the sun was only just beginning to set, the photographers were using bright flashes to capture the best pictures possible of the couple as they emerged from the Temple. The brief flashes caught Courtney by surprise for just a moment before she forced herself not to look at them.
The shouting started up as soon as they opened the doors.
“Courtney! Courtney! Over here! Are you and Bo an official item now?”
“Courtney! How long have you and Bo been dating?”
“Bo, what do you think about Kitty Summers being engaged to Ace Lockhart?”
That one was new to Courtney. Though she kept a smile on her face, a quick glance told her that the last question had hit home if she was judging by the slight grimace on Bo’s face. She almost felt bad for him.
Almost.
But then she remembered his invasion of her privacy, and she forced herself to keep moving.
They were almost to the waiting SUV when someone nearby shouted, “Courtney! Is it true that you and Bo started seeing each other when you were still with your last boyfriend?”
She couldn’t help but swivel toward the woman who had asked that question. Of course, that was like throwing chum in the water. The reporters, or really, paparazzi, she reminded herself because she was pretty sure none of these folks worked for anything more prestigious than the tabloids, started peppering her with questions related to Daniel.
“Is it true you kicked him out of the Temple when Daniel came to confess his love to you?”
“Courtney! Did you sleep with Bo while you were still with Daniel Clevins?”
“Your ex, Daniel Clevins, says you left him penniless and brokenhearted when you left him for Bo and that you were seeing Bo Ryans long before you won the contest! What’s your response to this?”
The last was asked by a man who shoved a microphone into Courtney’s face. Her automatic response was to jerk back, but not before she opened her mouth to answer. Sensing an impending statement, a weird hush fell over the reporters closest to the couple.
The sudden quiet somehow made Courtney feel obligated to respond even though Olivia had drummed it into her not to say anything. But the moment she opened her mouth, she knew exactly what she wanted to say.
Looking the reporter dead in the eye, she ignored the camera phone he had on her. “Daniel broke up with me the day I won the contest. I only met Bo after winning. It’s true that Bo and I had dinner in New York, as I’m sure you know from the many pictures plastered all over your tabloids, but it was a congratulatory dinner that was strictly business. Only after coming here did Bo and I start dating.” She glanced over and up at Bo with what she hoped was the smile of someone newly in love.
Bo correctly responded by returning a sappy grin of his own.
“That’s all I have to say on the matter,” Courtney finished. They closed the distance to the car then they were speeding off to the casino.
“It’s not a great idea to talk to them,” Bo commented without emotion. “No matter what you say, they’ll just twist your words and somehow you’ll wind up the bad guy.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Courtney kept her gaze out the window. She didn’t like that things were this awkward between them but wasn’t willing to pretend things were fine. Sure, she’d do that for the cameras and for the public at the event tonight, but there was no reason to pretend anything while they were alone.
“Are you going to be like this the whole night?”
She whipped her head around. “You mean, am I going to continue being angry at you for invading my privacy? Yes. Yes I am.” She tried to settle back against the leather seats but was too livid to relax. “I’ll play the game for the cameras, but I don’t have to pretend to be happy with you when it’s just the two of us.”
“You didn’t have to come tonight.”
“I said I would, and I don’t go back on my promises.”
There was another few moments of awkward silence before they thankfully pulled up to the casino.
“Courtney,” Bo said, touching her arm before she could open the door to get out. His touch made her hesitate. She looked back and lifted a brow in question.
He sighed. “I...I should have said this earlier, but I didn’t invade your privacy.”
“Oh really?” Could her eyebrows possibly get any higher on her forehead? “Then how did you know about Raife?”
Bo opened his mouth to answer but before he could, the door was yanked open by an attendant and Courtney was helped out of the vehicle. His chance to erase Courtney’s anger with him had just disappeared, and now he knew he’d be in for a long night of pretend happiness from Courtney and real ass-kissing from the other attendees. The two things he hated the most. Great.
Everyone inside was dressed to the nines. The women wore a variety of black and white dresses and made up for the lack of color with bright jewelry that winked in the low lighting. The men wore expensive black tuxes and bow ties with little difference between them. Apparently big money seemed to require giving up all individuality.
Courtney looked down at her own black and white gown, half-glad that Olivia had helped her dress appropriately but also slightly tempted to go change into something more colorful to galvanize what she assumed would be a snooty crowd.
Then again, she already felt like she was living in a fairy tale lately. No reason to stand out like the proverbial princess.
It’s not like she had come with Prince Charming, after all.
Casino staff, mostly women, Courtney noted, milled around serving flutes of champagne and hor d'oeuvres. Courtney snatched a flute off the first passing tray and took a gulp. If she was going to have to be here, then she would at least try and have a good time.
Seeing Courtney’s champagne, Bo spied a bar set up at the side of the crowded room. “I’m going to get a drink. Do you want something stronger than that?” He pointed at Courtney’s drink.
“I’m fine with this, thanks.”
He nodded then turned and melted into the crowd, leaving Courtney on her own among a sea of rich strangers. She smiled at those who made eye contact with her but was too unsure of herself to approach any of the groups.
It was going to be a long night if she just stood around sipping champagne by herself the whole time.
A cheer from the corner caught her attention. A group of people had gathered around, blocking her view of what was over there. Rather than continuing to stand there looking ridiculous, she decided to go see what everyone was so interested in.
She approached the group and stood next to an older black woman wearing a wine-red form fitting dress that Courtney could only tell was red when she stepped closer. The woman had a real air of nobility Courtney hadn’t gotten from the other guests. The woman offered Courtney a welcoming smile.
Courtney smiled nervously back. “What’s going on over here?”
“Roulette. Wanna give it a go?” She jerked her head, and suddenly Courtney could see the table as a couple strolled away.
“I’m happy watching, but thanks,” she told the other woman.
“Oh, come on. It’s easy. And I bet with a young woman like you beside me, I’ll have better luck.” She
stepped up to the table. “What do you think, go big and put it all on one number?”
Her sudden grin was contagious. Courtney couldn’t help but smile back and take a step closer. She looked down at the table with its black and red wheel at the other end.
“Hmm, you might want to start small first,” Courtney noted since she had no idea what else to say.
The woman winked at her. “Good idea.” To a young man beside her, she said, “Let’s put two-hundred on red like the young woman says.”
As the man pulled chips from a tray he held, Courtney said, “Two-hundred dollars seems a bit much, don’t you think?”
The woman turned back to her. “Two hundred dollars? Oh no, dear. That’s two-hundred thousand dollars. But don’t worry. Anything we win goes toward the charity, and if we lose, well, the casino has promised to donate that as well.”
Courtney caught her breath. She knew the people here had money or they wouldn't be here, but two-hundred thousand dollars seemed a ridiculous amount of money to just gamble away! She could buy a house with that much!
She also realized she’d have no way to play any of the games here. Not with those kinds of stakes.
The woman was still watching Courtney as she took the chips from the young man and placed them on the table, so Courtney smiled and said, “Oh. Um…good luck?”
The dealer started the ball and wheel spinning. Courtney held her breath, sure she’d just jinxed the woman. Finally, after what felt like forever, the ball fell on a red eight.
The woman jerked her head at Courtney and elbowed the young man. “See? What’d I tell you? She’s a good luck charm. How about another round? And why not be a little riskier this time? How about a split bet between two numbers?”
Courtney fumbled for how to politely back out of the situation and, seeing this, the woman shook her head. “We’ve already donated the money to charity, so it’s not like we’d really be losing anything. Anything we win also just gets donated. It’s a win-win for everybody.”