by Linzi Basset
“That’s better.”
“Shall I ask one of the servers to take it to Mr. Walker?” Andre asked.
“No, thank you, Andre. I’m planning on a personal delivery,” she said with a wink as she disappeared through the door.
Her steps were light as she walked toward the admin building. It was almost three in the afternoon. Perfect timing for Mason’s tea break, which Rachel had every intention of crashing with an enticing offer.
Since their visit to her parents, she’d been living on a cloud of bliss. Mason spoiled her rotten. He loved to shower her with flowers and well-thought-out gifts. Most of her weekends were spent with him on his farm in the hills, a short distance from the resort. During the week, she was forced to stay at her cottage because her work called for early hours. Which was also the reason for her regular midday trips to Mason’s office. Five days were just too long to be without his touch, his kisses and his hard body possessing hers. Logan had joined them once or twice and it had cemented Rachel’s desire to indulge in their lifestyle. She’d secretly been wishing for them to join Noah and Alexis.
Today, she was going to make her intentions known. She was aware that Mason had been easing her into it but it was dragging on too long. She wanted to have what Alexis had—three men, with her sandwiched between them.
Rachel peeped around the receptionist’s door and smiled widely when she saw no sign of Lily. It had become a battle of wills every time to keep her from entering Mason’s office, which Lily was determined to win at some point. Personally, Rachel believed she was taking her responsibility of buffering Mason from interruptions too seriously. She quietly walked to Mason’s office door, rapped on it and pushed through, removing the cloth covering the fig tarts with flair, a sultry smile on her lips.
The warmth left Rachel’s body and a quivering chill raced down her spine. It felt like she was wracked with fever. She was running hot and cold as she battled to grasp what she was staring at.
The curvy brunette atop Mason’s lap was curled around his body with her arms locked behind his neck in a familiar clasp. Rachel knew instinctively that they were old lovers.
They were right. Oh, god. I failed again.
Rachel tried to suppress the negative thoughts but they rushed to the surface as their passionate kiss continued. Mason’s hands on the woman’s hips held her in place as his lips slanted over hers.
Rachel hadn’t realized she’d moved until the plate clattered onto the boardroom table. It startled the couple apart. The woman was clearly disorientated but Mason’s eyes found hers with unerring accuracy and an annoyed twist on his lips.
“My apologies for interrupting you.” Rachel had intended to sound unconcerned but her voice came out all wrong. She spun around and forced her legs to continue through the door at a normal pace while her mind screamed at her to run; to put as much distance between her and the scene that had shattered all her hopes for happiness.
“Rachel, don’t go. I’d like to introduce—”
She pivoted back so fast, her long ponytail swung like a whip around her neck. She swallowed hard. Her vision blurred as she stared at Mason who now stood beside the sofa with his arm around the woman’s waist.
“I guess that explains why you haven’t told me you love me.” Rachel cursed when the words she had no intention of uttering left her mouth, especially when Mason’s jaw went rigid in response. She didn’t wait for an answer, but turned and ran, left and right into hallways, until she was completely lost.
She sank onto her haunches with her back against the wall somewhere in a hallway, painful sobs wracking through her body.
“Who is making such a god awful noise?” Alexis’ voice penetrated her mind but she was too distraught to respond. “Rachel? What’s wrong? Come with me,” she ordered and helped her to her feet.
“No, I’m fine. I need to go,” she whispered and before Alexis could stop her, she briskly walked away. With an empty mind and a shattered heart, she stumbled into the restaurant kitchen.
“That was quick,” Andre teased but swallowed any further comments when he noticed her pallor. He’d come to know her well enough not to pry. “Do you want me to arrange with David to take you home?” He asked gently as he handed her a handkerchief.
“Yes, please,” she mumbled, wiping her nose. She stumbled to her office to fetch her coat and handbag. She had cleaned her face and appeared composed when she climbed into the silver shuttle minibus.
“Just relax, missy. I’ll get you home in a jiffy,” David, the designated driver, said gruffly.
He didn’t have to guess the reason for her distress, seeing as he had been the one to pick up the new arrival from the airport earlier.
July Davenport was a woman who had made the cover of numerous fashion magazines over the years. She’d openly enquired about Mason on the way and then blurted out that she was there to turn the bachelor into a happily married man. David still didn’t understand what she meant about second chances but it hadn’t been his place to pry.
David parked the shuttle in front of Rachel’s cottage, jumped out and opened the door. He held her hand in his.
“I don’t know what happened, missy, but sometimes all is not what it appears to be on the surface.”
Rachel looked at him with dull eyes. Her lips twisted into a grimace. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she said quietly, not in the mood to listen to him. She waved at him and quickly walked toward the front door. “Thanks again, David.”
“Usual time in the morning, missy?”
“Of course. I can’t afford to fuck up my job too, can I?” She said morosely, giving him a small smile in apology for her rude response before she closed the door behind her.
Rachel fell onto her bed, staring blindly at the ceiling; a sense of loss filled her heart. She tried to blank out her mind but visions of how tenderly Mason had cradled the woman against his chest kept flashing through her mind. His betrayal hurt. It pulsed inside her like a growing boil—throbbing, stealing all joy. She had felt his love, even though he hadn’t said the words. Now, all she could see was the dullness in his eyes when he’d looked at her with the brunette by his side. Within a couple of minutes, he’d taken the love he’d willingly offered and locked his heart again.
The sound of her cell phone ringing in the kitchen penetrated her mind. She closed her eyes and allowed the tones of ‘You light up my life’, which was the ringtone she’d set for Mason, lull her to sleep. It was the only escape Rachel knew.
Rachel slept a deep sleep that pulled her under. She didn’t hear the car screech to a halt in front of the cottage. Or Mason hammering on the door. She was oblivious to the string of curses that filtered through the door as he finally accepted that she was either not home or refused to open the door for him.
“You’re not going to run away from this, Rachel. Do you hear me? We need to talk. Rachel!”
Still, Rachel slept on, a lone figure curled into a little ball of misery on the bed.
* * * * * * * *
“I’m telling you she’s in there, Noah,” Alexis assured him, trying to peep through the bedroom window but the curtains were closed.
Noah sighed but walked toward the small porch of Rachel’s cottage.
“How, luv? Mason has been here three or four times in last two days, with no luck. You’ve been calling her yourself, but she’s not responding.”
Alexis gave him a pleading look. “Please, Noah, I know it’s against your beliefs to invade someone’s privacy but I know Rachel. When she’s hurt or upset, she sleeps.”
“For two days?” Noah asked skeptically.
“Yes! Noah, open this goddamn door or give me the keys and I’ll do it myself.”
Noah’s eyes narrowed in a warning. Alexis clamped her lips together before she said something that might end up in punishment. She pushed him aside the moment he turned the key and the door clicked open.
“Rachel? Honey, where are you?” Alexis glanced around the living area. Everyt
hing was neat; no dishes were lying around. “Rachel . . . oh, darling girl, there you are,” she cooed as she walked into the bedroom to find her curled into a tight ball. Shaking her or calling her name served no purpose.
Noah felt for her pulse and sighed in relief when he found it throbbing strongly in her neck.
“Water. Bring a glass of water, babe.”
“She’s not going to appreciate—”
“I’m well aware of that, Noah Harris! Now, bring me some water,” Alexis demanded. She was paying too much attention to Rachel to notice the smile on Noah’s lips. He loved it when she openly sassed and ordered him around.
“What the—” Rachel sputtered and surged upright when cold water splashed on her face. She wiped her eyes. “What the devil did you do that for?” She snapped at Alexis.
“Two days, Rachel.” Alexis retorted. “We’ve been trying to get hold of you for two days. Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? Are you seriously telling me you’ve slept for two solid days?”
Rachel blinked her eyes while she wiped her face with the sleeve of her shirt.
“What day is it?” She asked in a groggy voice.
“Saturday morning,” Noah drawled, which drew her eyes to him.
“I guess that does mean I’ve slept for two days,” she grumbled. “Ugh, my mouth feels like it’s filled with cobwebs.”
Noah handed her the half-full glass of water which she gulped down greedily.
“Amazing,” Noah said. “I’ve never known anyone to sleep through days.”
Rachel didn’t respond. It had always been her defense mechanism during the summer holidays she had to spend at home. Her body shut down and she drifted in the dark nothingness for days.
“So, you found her,” Logan said from the doorway. His gaze seared over the distance, but Rachel refused to look up. It would be the last straw and would severe the tenuous hold she had over her emotions. She wasn’t going to cry again. Over no man. Not even Mason Cooper.
Noah had noticed Rachel’s reaction and ascertained that Logan would be the best one to talk to her and yank her from the well of self-pity she was drowning herself in. He clasped Alexis’ arm and dragged her toward the door.
“Lemme go,” she protested under her breath.
Noah dragged her against his chest just outside the bedroom door. He pressed his face close to her to reason in a deep commanding voice, “Look at her, luv. See how she responds to Logan? He’s been with her and Mason a couple of times. She needs him now to rise above the despair and start fighting.”
Alexis looked at Rachel. Her cheeks were a deep rosy color as she continued to avoid looking at Logan. It was so unlike her. Alexis realized Noah was correct.
Noah noticed the reluctance in her eyes and tilted back her head. He brushed his lips with gentle care over hers.
“She’ll always treasure you as her friend and advisor, Alexis, but this time she needs more. Like you needed Mason to make you see the light.”
Alexis nodded and smiled. “You’re right, my love. As usual. Let’s go.”
Chapter Eleven
Logan paid no mind to Alexis and Noah as they left. He contemplated the petite, disheveled woman on the bed.
“You should leave too, Logan. I want to take a bath. I’m all sticky,” Rachel finally mumbled.
“Why, so you can hide behind a façade, like you’ve done all your life? Hiding your pain and needs from your friends and those who love you?”
“Don’t you dare delve into my past, Logan Chance. You’ve got no idea what you’re talking about,” she snapped, but was still careful to avoid his eyes.
“Don’t I? Do you really think you’re the only one who has had to suffer physical abuse at the hands of others, Rachel? Well, here’s a newsflash for you. You’re not alone. There are millions of people with similar pasts, and yet we’ve all survived. Some of us had to pass through the fires of hell first, before we saw the light. Only then we realized that no one is going to pull us out of our despair; that we have to fight for our future; to show the world that we have self-belief to rise above it all.”
He sat down next to her, gently cupped her cheeks and tilted up her face.
“I saw the misery inside you that first day we met, Rachel. Yet, I could also see the strength and determination you showed in the face of your demons. Come on, honey. You’re stronger than this. There’s only one thing to consider, no matter what you believe you saw. Do you love, Mason?”
“Yes. I do love him and that’s exactly why! I should’ve known it was too good to be—”
“Hogwash! Stop right there. Goddammit, listen to yourself. There you go again—bringing yourself down, because then you won’t need to question your own actions.”
She pulled her face from his hands. Her throat convulsed. She blinked furiously, forcing the tears back.
“My actions? I’m not the one to blame here, Logan! Do you even know what happened? No, it’s easy enough to barge in here and accuse me of being wrong.”
“Accuse you? No, Rachel, I did no such thing. I am just reminding you that you have the strength to fight for your love and happiness.”
I do believe in myself and my love for Mason. I will fight. This time I will fucking fight back!
“Believe me, Rachel, it’s not what you think.”
“It’s not? I saw them kiss, Logan and it wasn’t a brotherly kiss either. There were sparks between them that alluded to a physical connection. Somewhat like old lovers reigniting the flame.”
“Looks can be deceiving, Rachel.”
“Who is she?”
“It’s something Mason should tell you, sweetie. Go and talk to him.”
“No. I want to know what I’m up against. Tell me, Logan. Who is she?”
Logan sighed. He ran his hand over the back of his neck. His shoulders flexed.
“July Davenport, his ex-fiancé.”
Rachel shoulders slumped in defeat.
“Rachel,” Logan sighed when he noticed her reaction.
“What do you expect, Logan? He never told me that he’d been engaged. I told him everything about my life. Everything! What does that tell you?”
“That he needed time. Mason has been through a lot in his life, Rachel. He had to struggle out of a rut that nearly killed all emotions inside him years ago.”
“I don’t understand,” Rachel said softly.
“July was the reason he built that wall. You have unlocked his heart, little one. It’s you who holds the key. Be brave, love.”
“How do I know he even wants me to fight for him?” Her voice sounded wary.
“He’s going out of his mind with worry, Rachel. Check your phone. There are probably a hundred missed calls. He’d been here a few times every day. Does that look like the actions of a man who doesn’t care?”
Rachel pondered for hours over everything Logan had said. Finally, she made up her mind.
It was time to be the woman she’d been fighting to become all her life.
It was time to make her dreams come true.
It was time to be her, Rachel Melinda Cooper, chef extraordinaire and the future wife of Mason Walker.
But he had better have a fucking foolproof explanation for kissing July when he’d already declared his intention to make Rachel his wife.
* * * * * * * *
“Ah, petit chef, you’re back,” Andre beamed when Rachel walked into the kitchen the following morning. It was in the middle of breakfast shift and the kitchen was milling with activity.
Rachel hugged Andre, to his surprise. His cheeks bloomed with color as the sous-chefs teased him. He brushed them off with a snort.
“Everything good, Chef?” He asked with a concerned look on his face.
“It will be, Andre. Soon,” she smiled at him in passing as she trotted toward the swinging doors leading into the restaurant.
“Ehm . . . well, I’m glad to hear that,” he chased in a rush, intent on stopping her.
Her fists found the
ir way to her hips while she tapped her foot on the floor.
“Get out of my way, Andre.”
“But—”
Rachel was too fast and slipped past him while he was still searching for the right words. She stood on her toes to look into the room on the other side of the doors. Her gaze homed in on him like it always did. Only, this time he wasn’t alone.
July Davenport. She couldn’t place the name before. Now, looking at her, Rachel recognized her. She used to be a supermodel until she got a lead role in a movie; which, if memory served her right, was the role that had catapulted her into stardom. That had been eight years ago.
The fact that she was still there with Mason, seared painfully through Rachel’s heart.
I can do this. I believe in our love. I believe in him. He wouldn’t have lied to me. I know he wouldn’t have.
Rachel forced the voice that reminded her that he’d never said the words to her. But love was shown in many forms and he’d done it with every kiss, touch and caress over the past couple of weeks.
She squared her shoulders and turned to face the kitchen. Her eyes glimmered with determination.
“Have they placed their order?” She asked no one in particular.
“Yes, Chef. She ordered muesli, yoghurt and fruit. Mr. Walker wants his usual―eggs Benedict.”
“I’ll take care of his order,” she asserted with a manic smile.
Sometime later, the entire kitchen staff was huddled around Rachel and peeping through the two round windows when Andre handed Mason and July their meals. They weren’t privy to what Rachel had done but the evil glint in her eyes was enough to pique their curiosity. Everyone wanted to witness Mason’s reaction to his first bite.
They didn’t have to wait long. His curse, “Holy fuck!” echoed throughout the large dining room.
“Look! His face has turned beetroot red!” Lucy, one of the young line cooks, laughed while Mason coughed and gulped down a glass of water. They could see his chest heaving with the deep breaths.
Rachel giggled when he pushed July away when she pressed against him, trying to pat him on his back.