by Carrie Elks
“You tied to my bed for all of next Saturday, so I can do what I please with you.”
“That sounds very boring.” Her flashing eyes told him she was lying. “How about I tie you to the bed and make you watch all seven seasons of the Gilmore Girls with me?”
“That sounds like torture. What I have planned is all about pleasure,” he murmured, kissing her softly.
She arched against him, kissing him back, then drew away when the sound of the doorbell echoed through his mother’s house. “Saved by the bell,” she whispered, smiling.
“Not saved. Just postponed.” He took her hand. “Come on, let’s get this over with. And by the way, my mother may have made up two rooms for us, but you’re sleeping with me tonight.”
“All right, but no funny business, not with your mom here.”
“You owe me funny business,” he whispered in her ear, pushing the door to his bedroom open so they could walk down the hallway toward the stairs. “You owe it to me big time.”
The guests were milling about in his mother’s drawing room, a low hum of conversation echoing through the doors as they made their way inside. The room was beautiful, facing west, so the setting sun cast a warm glow through the glass doors that led to the gardens.
Daniel poured a glass of water for himself and a gin and tonic for Becca. She smiled with appreciation as he passed the glass to him.
“Darlings, I was about to come searching for you.” His mother walked toward them, a big smile on her face. “Though I would have knocked first, of course.”
Daniel rolled his eyes. “Happy birthday. Again.” He kissed her cheek, and she patted his. “Can I do anything?”
“Just be here. That makes me happy enough. Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes,” she told him. She knew he’d need to inject his fast acting insulin before they ate. He glanced at his watch, noting the time.
She turned to hug Becca. “I’m so glad you’re here. Thank you for coming.”
Becca shot him a smug glance. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
“And thank you for your gift. The flowers were beautiful and that vase is perfect.”
“You’re so welcome. The painted ceramic reminded me of the beautiful plates you have on the walls. I thought it would fit in nicely.”
“It really does. And as for you,” Eliana turned to Daniel. “You spoiled me. A week in Tokyo?”
“It was from Nathan and me.” Daniel shrugged, avoiding Becca’s knowing smile. Okay, so it had been her idea. But he’d organized and paid for it. “He can’t wait for you to visit.”
“I’m so excited. I just wish you two could come, too.” She pouted a little.
“Who would run the distillery?” Daniel asked, his voice light. “And anyway, it’s your gift, not mine.”
The doorbell rang again, and Eliana nodded at one of the staff, who walked into the hallway to answer. A moment later he walked back in, followed by Nina and Charles, along with Lawrence and Melissa, the four of them standing together in silence as they looked around the room.
Daniel exhaled slowly, keeping his expression impassive. Becca hooked her finger through his, and it made him relax.
“I’m so pleased you could make it,” his mom said warmly, as she walked over to greet his siblings. “Nina, you look beautiful. Where did you get that dress?”
“I see the McHaggersons have made it,” a throaty voice whispered in Daniel’s ear. He turned to see Julia grinning at him and Becca. “I told your mom to give up on the happy family harmony, but she still keeps trying.”
“She’s very trying.” Daniel lifted a brow.
“Becca, how are you, darling?” Julia asked, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. “I’m so glad you came. I have a feeling you’re the reason this grump is here, so thank you. Eliana’s been so excited that you’re both here to celebrate with her.”
“I’m glad to be here.” Becca smiled. “I love your hair. Is that purple?”
“Pink and purple streaks.” Julia patted her head. “I figure I may as well grow old disgracefully.”
Daniel could see his family moving toward them from the corner of his eye. A better man would have walked over and welcomed them effusively. But then he’d never pretended to be that.
“Daniel.” Lawrence nodded at him. “Ah, and the beautiful Becca.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, and Becca held her breath until he’d moved away. For a moment there was small talk, as Nina and Charles hugged them both, and Becca spoke softly to Julia about something he couldn’t quite hear.
Melissa was silent. She looked strange, her eyes red rimmed as though she’d been crying. Not her usual unflappable self, at all. Not that it was his problem, but it made him feel awkward.
“Can I get you a drink?” he asked.
She shook her head. “One of the waiters is bringing them over.”
“Are you all right?” He frowned. To his left, Becca was still holding his finger. She squeezed it and he squeezed back.
“I have a headache.” She glanced over at Becca who was deep in conversation with Julia, then touched her forehead, wincing. “I wasn’t sure I should come.”
“Are you upsetting my wife again?” Lawrence asked, sliding his arm around Melissa’s waist. A grimace flickered over her features, as though she hated him touching her. “Darling,” Lawrence said, kissing her cheek. “Are you feeling any better?”
“I’m just feeling a little weak,” she said, exhaling softly. “Maybe Daniel could take me to the library, and ask one of the staff to make me a cold compress. I’ll rest for a little while.” Her smile was tremulous. “Hopefully, I’ll feel better by the time dinner is served.”
She really did look faint. Her face was pale, her lips almost blue.
Daniel looked at Becca and pulled his finger from hers.“I’ll only be a moment.” His smile was tight.
Becca nodded, her brows pulled with concern. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s fine. I’ll be back. Don’t move.” He kissed her cheek and he felt her skin tighten beneath his lips. She was smiling. Good. He’d take Melissa to the library and then take his rapid insulin in the kitchen. Rona would be able to find a cool cloth for her, make her feel better.
“Okay.” He nodded. “Let’s go.”
Melissa slid her arm through his.
“Interesting, aren’t they? Your boyfriend and my wife.” Lawrence’s voice was low. Becca was still standing with him, along with Charles and Nina. Julia had gone to find Eliana to see if she needed help with anything.
“In what way?” Becca curled her hand around her glass. She hadn’t drunk her gin and tonic at all. Daniel’s water was on a table where he’d left it to escort Melissa to the library. Ten minutes ago. She could see Eliana looking at her watch, as though she was about to call everybody through for dinner.
“I guess there’s still a pull between them,” Lawrence said, his voice almost whimsical. “That happens when you’re with somebody for years. Your lives become intertwined, your emotions, too. Suddenly you don’t know where one ends and the other begins, even after years apart.”
Becca tried to ignore the twisting jealousy in her gut. Lawrence was being Lawrence. It wasn’t as though Daniel hadn’t warned her. “You don’t seem very sure of your wife’s attachment to you,” Becca murmured, looking around to find an escape from him.
“Oh, she loves me. The same way an abandoned puppy loves its rescuer. She’s grateful to me. I’ve given her a beautiful home, a lifestyle she always wanted, and more importantly, I’m there for her. Daniel ignored her for years. And then of course, everything went wrong. She was heartbroken when she came to me. I took her in, made her feel better, made her want me.” He shrugged. “Sometimes the good guys do win.”
“Daniel’s a good guy,” she said softly.
“Are you sure about that?” Lawrence looked at her, his expression full of sympathy. “Do you know why she left him?”
Becca frowned. “For you.”
“You see, that’s no
t quite true. She left him and came to me, yes. But that wasn’t the reason they imploded. I simply took care of her when she needed somebody. When he wasn’t there.”
Her throat felt tight. Like there wasn’t enough space for oxygen to get through. “It doesn’t matter. It’s history.”
“History’s replaying itself in the library right now. If you’re so sure of him, why don’t you go see what they’re doing?” He lifted a pale brow.
“Your wife is the one who’s ill. Why aren’t you checking on her?” She didn’t like what he was insinuating. But she also didn’t like the thought of Daniel and Melissa being alone either. Her hands felt shaky.
“That’s a good point.” A smile played on his thin lips. “We can go together. Give them a surprise.” He held his arm out. “Shall we?”
She’d been played. Either she refused to go and all but admitted she didn’t trust Daniel. Or she went along with Lawrence, no doubt making him happy because he’d gotten what he wanted. Again.
“All right.” She ignored his proffered arm. “I’ll see if he needs any help.” She stalked across the drawing room, turning left at the hallway, her heart hammering against her chest as she heard Lawrence following close behind. The last time she’d been in the library was to play games with Daniel. Was that only two weeks ago? It felt like a lifetime. The day that intersected her life before him, and her life after. The pivot on which her world turned.
She stopped outside the door. Inside, Melissa was sobbing softly. For a moment she wondered if Daniel was in the kitchen, getting the cold compress she’d asked for. But then she heard his voice. Low but clear.
“Why her? I thought you were too busy for relationships. Too focused on work to think about anybody else. So why did you bring her here tonight?”
“That was a long time ago. I’ve changed. She’s changed me.”
“So why couldn’t you change for me?” Melissa cried.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He sounded almost tender. It made her heart ache. “For everything.”
Another sob from Melissa. “I just can’t get over what happened. No matter how much I try. And I do try. I do. I was so happy then. Before we lost her.”
“I should have been there for you and I wasn’t. None of this was your fault.” She could almost picture him, wringing his hands.
Lawrence shifted next to her, his beanpole body a few inches from hers. If he touched her, she thought she might scream.
“Do you think about her?” Melissa whispered.
Daniel cleared his throat. “Of course I do.”
Becca could feel the heat of Lawrence’s gaze on her face. She turned to look at him. There was a cruel smile pulling at his lips. “She lost a baby at twenty weeks,” he told her. “And he wasn’t there for Melissa. By the time he made it back and to the hospital, it was over.”
“A baby?”
“Their baby. She was pregnant with their child. A time for celebration, you’d think? But not for Daniel. He was too busy trying to prove himself to take care of his girlfriend.” He sounded almost pleased about that.
Becca’s chest felt like it was going to explode. Daniel had lost a child and he hadn’t told her? Her eyes stung with tears. She blinked them back, knowing Lawrence was enjoying this. Like a vampire, he fed off her.
“You didn’t know, did you?”
Becca ignored him, trying to catch her breath.
“I wonder why he didn’t tell you,” Lawrence mused. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.” He leaned across Becca and she almost jumped out of his way, watching with horror as his long fingers curled around the door handle, the hinges creaking as he pushed it open for them both to look in.
Daniel was standing in the center of the room, next to the table where they’d played cards. Melissa’s tear-ridden face rested on his chest, her body shaking as she cried. Her hands clutched at Daniel’s shirt, bunching the cotton against her palms.
It took them a moment to realize they were being watched. But when they both looked up, Daniel’s eyes darkened as he saw them standing in the doorway.
Becca had to curl her fingers around the doorjamb to stop herself from sinking to the floor. Her legs trembled beneath her, her breath caught in her throat. All she could think was that Daniel had lost a child and never told her.
She lifted her hand to her mouth in shock.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Becca, wait!” Daniel called out, as she stepped backward, her fingers reluctantly releasing her hold on the doorjamb.
She shook her head, not because she was answering him, but because she couldn’t think straight. Maybe movement would help, because right now everything felt blank. She didn’t run. She walked. Down the hallway and to the stairs, her blood pounding in her ears as she took them one riser at a time in her pretty shoes. Only an hour ago she’d walked down them, feeling so damn happy in his arms.
And now all she wanted to do was curl up and cry.
“Wait.” It was a command. She could hear his breath as he ran up the stairs to catch up with her. “That wasn’t what you think.”
“What do I think?” Her voice was stretched thin. Maybe he knew, because she sure as hell didn’t.
“I’m not having an affair with Melissa. There’s nothing going on.”
“I know.” She’d reached the top of the stairs. Daniel was a step behind her, his breath caught, his face creased into a frown.
“Then why did you run?”
“Because...” She sighed heavily. She wasn’t ready to put her feelings into words yet. They were too strong, too painful. “I just need to be alone.”
“No.” He shook his head almost frantically. “I need you to talk to me. What’s going on?”
“You want me to talk?” Her voice rose up. She knew how hysterical she sounded. “I’m not the one with all the secrets here.” She pushed open the door to the guest wing, letting it fall close behind her. Daniel must have caught it, because she could hear the slap of his dress shoes against the floor. “Please, let me be alone. Go down to dinner. You’ll be missed.”
“I’m not going down there without you.”
She turned to look at him, and he winced at the tears falling down her cheeks. “I can’t go back to the party. I’m not making a scene on your mother’s birthday. Please, Daniel.”
“I’ll go if you tell me what’s going on.” He leaned around her, opening her door. She stepped inside and he followed, pulling the door shut behind him. He took her hand, pulling her toward him, but she resisted his tug.
She couldn’t think when she was this close to him. His body called to her like a siren on a rock. She needed space. Needed to think.
“Becca?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your baby?” She wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. A black smudge of mascara stained her skin.
Daniel grimaced. “You heard us?”
“A little. Lawrence filled in the blanks.”
“Fucking Lawrence.” Daniel shook his head. “I’m going to kill him.”
“No.” Her voice was firmer than she’d expected. “It isn’t his fault. You’re the one who should have told me. You had plenty of chances.”
“When did you want me to say something?” His eyes were narrow. “When we were having sex at the hotel? When my head was buried between your thighs at my place? Maybe you wanted me to walk into the still room and make an announcement. Would that have been the best thing?”
She hated the way he was looking at her. His eyes were cold and dark. “You asked me about children. I told you I wanted some. Do you know how much guts that took? Everybody knows that you don’t tell guys you want a family too soon. That you hold back, as to not scare them.” She shook her head. “But I wanted to be honest with you. I thought the truth was important. So I told you and exposed my biggest damn fear. Maybe then you could have told me. Or last week when I asked you why you didn’t want to come to this dinner party. You could have told me any
time, but you didn’t.” She wiped her eyes again. “Do you know how much enjoyment Lawrence got from telling me?”
“I can imagine.” There was a tic in his jaw.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because…” He sighed and turned away, raking his fingers through his hair. “I was protecting—”
“No, don’t you dare say you were protecting me.” Her voice was hard. “Because that’s a damn lie.”
He spun to look at her. The darkness in his eyes felt like it was getting bigger. She almost didn’t recognize him. “I was protecting myself.” His voice was as harsh as his expression. “Does that satisfy you? I was protecting the one good thing that has happened to me in years. Because I knew as soon as I told you, you would have left.”
“You don’t know that at all.” She shook her head.
He gestured at her. “You proved me right. You heard it and you ran.”
“But not because you lost a baby. I’m not that cruel.”
“So why are you shouting at me? Why are you looking at me like I’m a piece of shit?” His face was red. She noticed his fingers were trembling.
“Because you lied to me. By omission, at least. You hid something important from me, and let me find out in the worst of ways.”
“Because I knew you’d leave.”
“I wouldn’t have.”
“Yes, you would.” He spat out the words. “You would have left, and you should have left, because you deserve so much more than me. So much more than the kind of guy who was too busy to be with his girlfriend when she lost their baby.”
His words felt like a body blow. She tried to catch her breath, and failed. “She was alone,” she said raggedly, remembering Lawrence’s words.
“I was traveling. She kept calling and asking me to come back.” He scrunched his face together. “I was too busy working to bother listening to what she had to say. She was having cramps, and I told her it was fine, probably growing pains. I’d take her to the doctor when I got home. That it would be nothing to worry about.” He shook his head, lost in his memories. “I was so damn full of myself, I didn’t think of her or our child. And that’s why she left me. Because I’m a heartless asshole who puts himself above everybody else. Is that what you want to hear?”