CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Bill Jacobs had a two day medical conference in New York City. Barbara agreed to accompany him, although she had a million legitimate excuses to stay behind. Her life was out of control—a typical day began at six and ended around midnight. She lived on her cell phone and in her car, dashing from one meeting to the next.
She had every reason in the world not to spend a weekend in the City, and only one reason to go. Her husband had asked her; he wanted her there. For the sake of her marriage, she’d put everything else on hold.
Bill had a meeting the first afternoon, but he expected to wrap it up around five. He promised they’d go out for a nice dinner. Alone.
When they checked into the elegant Waldorf-Astoria, Barbara knew she’d made the right decision. They hadn’t spent a night in the city for years, and she still had fond, if slightly vague memories of the last time. Besides, who could resist a luxury suite and a night on the town with a still-handsome, successful, doctor-husband? Especially one who had a lot of making up to do.
Bill hung up his suit-bag, laid out his toiletries and the suit he’d brought for the evening, and ordered up a bottle of champagne, with a side-wink to his wife.
She smiled back at him. This would be a nice weekend, a time to rekindle the love and passion between them that had somehow disappeared.
He sat on the bed and began to pull her down beside him. “I told them to bring it in an hour, which gives us a little time.”
Barbara kicked off her shoes, and semi-reclined against the headboard and stack of pillows. He took her in his arms and kissed her. She felt nothing. He kissed her again, and she tried to put a little anticipated warmth behind it. She wanted to do it; she just wasn’t in the mood. Perhaps if the foreplay lasted long enough, or if she had a glass of champagne, just enough to relax her, it would elicit the proper response.
She straightened up. “Let’s get the champagne first. I could use a drink to loosen up.”
“You could always use a drink to loosen up,” he grumbled. “It’ll cut into our action time, but if it makes you happy, then fine. Anything to make you happy.”
Now she was feeling even less in the mood. She snapped back, “Well, if you knew I would want the drink, why would you not order it? You think one kiss is going to make me want you all of a sudden? When I’ve barely seen you for months? I think it’ll take a little more than that, buddy.”
He grabbed the phone, nearly knocking it off the table. He pushed the button for room service. “My wife wants the champagne delivered now.” He hung up and looked at her. His eyes had gone cold. “Maybe, I should have made it two bottles. Perhaps that would help you unthaw.”
She bit back the sting of tears, and turned her head toward the window.
He stepped away from her. “I think I’ll go down to the lobby and see who has checked in. If I’m not back, enjoy the rest of your day. I’ll call you if I’m going to be late. Go have a massage, or do a little shopping.” He gave her a disgusted glance. “Just don’t sit here and get pissed. I want to have a serious talk with you when I get back.” His eyes softened for a second as they regarded her flushed face. “We need to talk, Barbara.”
So that was what this was all about, she thought. He’s probably trying to find a nice way to say he wants a divorce. He wants to marry Mary Evans. Barbara felt a stab of jealousy. Mary was attractive, seemed very nice, and probably adored him. How long had it been since Barbara felt that way? Too many years to remember.
She couldn’t blame him. In fact, she’d been thinking about it, too. But how were they going to tell the kids?
He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Don’t look so upset. Things will work out, don’t worry.” He stepped into his loafers and pulled on a jacket.
Barbara’s heart sank as she watched him leave. Why had she insisted they order the champagne? She didn’t even want it now. She didn’t really drink that much—just when he was around, because he would say or do something to set her off. A drink always soothed her nerves and was also a way to get back at him, because he didn’t like it. They had been married long enough to know which buttons to push, and she was especially good at it.
Barbara had an empty afternoon in front of her, and wished she could be home, tackling the thousand and one things that needed her immediate attention. She’d left her laptop behind, in a futile effort to spend her time and energy on Bill. What a joke.
She wandered around the suite opening and checking drawers. A knock on the door interrupted her search. She let in the uniformed waiter and tipped him generously.
“Do you know if the suites have computers, or if I can get access to one?” she inquired.
“I believe so. Just call down to reception, and they’ll set you up.”
Hours later she glanced at her watch, surprised at how the afternoon had flown by. She’d managed to accomplish more than she’d hoped. Now it was time to jump in the shower and get dressed. Bill should be back any minute.
After her shower, she noticed that the red light was flashing on the phone next to the bed. Don’t let it be Bill. Don’t let us have a fight.
Instead of voice-mail, an operator relayed the message. “Your husband tried to reach you. He says the meeting is running overtime, and that he’s sorry. He will try to call back, but to expect him no later than seven.”
She dropped the phone back on its hook and sat on the bed. Damn him to hell. She pounded the pillow with her fist in a little fit of temper.
That’s it. I’m not waiting one more minute. She got off the bed, slipped on her high heels and grabbed her hand-bag.
* * *
Barbara wore a figure-flattering little black dress and stiletto heels when she stepped into the hotel lobby, searching for the first bar she could find.
At the bar, she spotted a nice looking guy sitting alone, and took a seat at an empty table nearby. She swiveled in her seat to face the door, in the unlikely event Bill cared enough to search for her.
The dark oak walls, the dim lighting, and muted sounds were just what she needed to calm her down. A glass of wine would also help take away some of the sharp edges. She beckoned to the bartender, who quickly appeared at her side.
“What’ll it be, miss?”
“A chardonnay. Sonoma Cutrer, if you have it by the glass.”
“Certainly.” He placed a cocktail napkin in front of her, and left to get her drink.
She glanced around the room again, and saw the lone guy at the bar watching her. He was dressed in gray pleated pants, an open-necked white shirt, and a silk sports jacket in charcoal-black. He was blonde with deep-set eyes, a fine nose, and a strong jaw. Handsome enough to make her husband take notice, she decided.
She crossed her legs, giving him a flash of her toned thighs. A part of her hoped he’d initiate conversation, so that when Bill finally walked in, he’d see her laughing and joking with this much younger man. It would serve him right.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him get up and walk toward her. She knew that at moment he would ask if he could join her. She didn’t have a clue what she would say. Yes, she wanted to get a reaction out of her husband, but she didn’t want to encourage this stranger either.
She glanced up when he walked on by. He stood outside the door, and pulled out his cell. She watched him chatting with someone, just as another young lady arrived.
He nodded to the new arrival, and indicated that he’d be with her in a minute. She walked into the bar and sat down next to the seat he’d vacated.
She ordered a drink, and sat there for several minutes, drumming her fingers, watching her date outside, still talking on his cell. She looked royally pissed off by the time he ended his call and returned to the bar.
Barbara could hear snippets of their conversation and turned her head, straining to listen.
“I’m sorry I was late, but you sure took your time on the phone,” the pretty blonde sniped. “Who were you taking to?”
“Nobody of im
portance.” He shrugged. “I’m here now, and you have my full attention.”
“When I walked by, I heard you say you’d meet her later. What the heck is going on?”
“Later is later.”
“Are you kidding me?” She leaned forward and glared at him. “Were you making a date with someone else for tonight?”
“Well, I thought you were standing me up.”
“But I came and you ignored me.”
“I didn’t ignore you. I was busy talking with someone.”
She stood up. “You’re a jerk, you know that.” She grabbed her full glass of Zinfandel and threw it into his face.
He sputtered, and wiped the pink wine from his eyes. “Crap. I didn’t deserve that.”
“You certainly did. And do me a favor. Don’t ever call me again.” The young woman turned on her heels and marched out, muttering obscenities under her breath.
Barbara laughed, and the guy glanced her way. She quickly uttered an apology. “Sorry. I know it’s not funny.”
The bartender handed him a white tea towel, which he used to dry his chest and mop his face. Once he’d tidied up the best he could, he chuckled too.
“I should have seen that coming.” Running his fingers through his wet hair he did his best to comb it back.
“And I shouldn’t have laughed.”
He shrugged and flashed a devilish grin. “Well, guess that makes me free for the evening.” He nodded his head and waved the white towel. “Now that you’ve seen me at my worst, won’t you let me buy you a drink?”
Before she could say no, he’d already moved to her table. “Come on, you have to. I can’t sit here by myself soaking wet.”
She shrugged. “Okay. I haven’t had such a good laugh in a long time.”
His grin was infectious and she couldn’t stop from smiling back. He signaled the bartender. “A bottle of whatever she’s having.”
She said softly, “You know you deserved what you got.”
“Maybe, maybe not. It’s not like we know each other well. It was a Romance.com hookup. We agreed to meet here at six-thirty. Wasn’t my fault she was late.” Grinning, he stuck out his hand. “I’m Lee Waters, by the way. So how do you like me so far?”
“Barbara Jacobs,” she smiled to take the sting out of her words. “Not too much.”
“Ouch.”
“So, who was the other lady on the phone? Another Romance.com hopeful?”
“She’s not important. You’re important, and I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A half hour passed quickly, with Lee doing most of the talking. Keeping one eye on the door and the other on her watch, she knew it was quarter to seven. What if Bill was back in the room waiting for her? She should call the room and check for messages. Barbara waited for a pause in the conversation so she could take her leave.
He didn’t give her an opening. And although she made some agreeable sounds every so often, she’d lost the thread of conversation a while back. Her mind kept returning to her argument with Bill, wondering what he wanted to say to her. Perhaps she’d jumped to the wrong conclusion because if he planned on telling her he wanted a divorce he wouldn’t have tried making love to her, now would he?
She was a fool. Sitting here with a man when her husband might walk in any minute and see her.
She touched his arm, smiling apologetically. “Sorry, hold that thought. I’ll be back in a second. I just need to make a quick call.”
Barbara was gone for only a few minutes, but she returned more upset than ever. She tossed back her drink, trying to calm down. Bill hadn’t returned to the hotel, but had left another message. Something about an open panel of doctors and being on the hot seat, saying he couldn’t walk out. She didn’t believe a word of it.
He wasn’t giving the lecture, he was merely attending one, and normally they wound up on time, usually by four-thirty or five. Even if he had been cornered by someone, he could have cut it short, made his apologies and kept his promise to her. But as always, she was a last priority in his life.
Lee’s face seemed to blur and his features looked distorted. He peered at her closely. “Are you all right? You look a little strange.”
“I feel a little strange.” She slurred her words. “Perhaps I drank that a little too fast.”
He threw enough money on the table to cover the bill, and helped her out of her seat. “You could use a little fresh air before you meet up with your husband. Let’s go for a quick walk around the block.”
“Notmeetingmyhusband.” Her words all ran together in a hard-to-decipher jumble.
Lee took her arm and put a steadying arm around her waist as he led her out the door. He nodded affably to the doorman. “Hold on to me. You’re not walking too well.”
“Not feeling so good, neither,” she mumbled. She clutched the back of his jacket tightly as the pavement kept floating up towards her. Thank heavens his arms supported her, or she’d have fallen on her face, she realized. How had she gotten so drunk? She didn’t have any champagne this afternoon, and only two glasses of wine tonight, but she couldn’t seem to stand or walk without pitching forward. She pulled away from Lee, determined to see if she could stand without weaving, and tottered for a second before staggering back into the safety of his arms.
He flagged down a taxi and she got in, not sure where they were going, and not caring about anything except the fact she could lie down and close her eyes for a few seconds. Near Washington Square, he had the cab stop. He paid the driver and half carried her out. She whimpered a bit, but didn’t completely come around.
Again she was lying down, and the world continued to spin. She kept her eyes closed and felt his hands removing her clothes. Good, he was taking some things off so she could breathe. Ah, much better.
Hmm, the cool air felt nice. His hands felt nice against her skin, touching her, fondling her stiff nipples. She sighed with pleasure. Everything felt wonderful, and she was feeling extremely sexy. Bill should be pleased. He was a little rough with his hands tonight, but she couldn’t remember being this turned on in years. She closed her eyes and let her mind float away.
* * *
Barbara moaned softly, shaking her head back and forth. Something was wrong. She couldn’t open her eyes or sit up. Her body felt like a dead weight, and she was cold. The air conditioner was up too high; she couldn’t feel any blankets or clothes. A draft of cool air danced over her skin, causing her to shiver. She tried to cover herself.
But her hands wouldn’t move. Her head throbbed as she tried to figure things out. Where she was? And what in hell was wrong with her hands? A whirling noise in the background made her wonder if someone was there. She tried to speak, but her tongue felt thick and swollen, her mouth dry as sandpaper.
Had she had some kind of seizure? Was this a hospital bed? She knew it wasn’t her bedroom, and the person making strange clicking noises was not her husband. She didn’t know how she knew, she just did.
She forced an eye open and saw her feet were tied. A surge of panic quickly dispensed the head full of cotton balls to free her brain. Both eyes flew open, and remembrance came. She sprang forward but nothing happened. Her limbs were tied with silk scarves to the four corners of the bed. And Lee was on the other side of the room doing something she couldn’t see.
A fury so deep and potent raged in her, erupting in a guttural scream. Her lungs forced the cotton from her mouth and the fog from her brain. This prick was not going to get away with it. Whatever he’d done to her, he would pay dearly for it.
Lee jumped at the sound of the scream, and stopped whatever he was doing. “Jesus H. Christ. Keep the racket down, Barbara, you don’t want to bring anyone running. You did tell me you were married and had two sons. They’d never be able to look at you the same way again.”
“You bastard. Untie me at once. If you don’t I’ll scream my head off until somebody comes.”
“I’ll untie you, of course. But you didn�
��t mind it at the time. You went along with everything, don’t you remember?” He slid up next to her and leaned over her semi-naked body to untie the loose scarf at her wrist. Then his fingers stilled as he changed his mind. “But what’s the hurry? First, I think you should get a little reward.”
He moved his head down between her thighs.
She recoiled, struggling to untie her other hand. “You filthy, disgusting bastard. I’ll kill you for this.”
“No, you won’t. You’ll pay me, that’s what you’ll do. Because if you don’t, your family and friends will see these pictures.”
“You pig. You won’t get a cent. I’ll see you in jail first.” As she spoke, she worked at freeing her hands.
Her wrist sprang free, but he grabbed her hands, and laughed in her face. “The bartender saw us having a drink together. The bellman saw you leave with me, and you weren’t walking very well, I might add. And the taxi driver saw you draped all over me.” He shook his head sadly, “I had to carry you out of the cab and up the stairs, because you’d had too much to drink. Witnesses will say you came with me on your own free will.”
He stroked her breasts with his free hand.
“I’m going to kill you, so help me God.” She shuddered in revulsion as his hand continued a downward path. It planted itself on the tiny silk swath of her panties, and he hooked one finger, pushing it aside.
Once again he lowered his head.
Barbara felt the silk scarf on her ankles give. She relaxed her thighs as if to give him better access and wiggled her feet free.
“Aw. That’s a good girl. Might as well enjoy it.” He laughed as he stroked her; then his mouth moved in as he let go of her hands.
Barbara used the inner muscles of her well-toned thighs to capture his head. She had him in a deadlock that would make any mud-wrestler proud. She squeezed until he was red, then blue in the face, and when he was gasping she opened them slightly, then crunched his ears with her knees.
She slid one leg up high, then unleashed the heel of her foot against the top of his head with all the power in her. He jerked back, but not before she got another good kick in. This time she made solid contact with his nose, and he howled in pain as blood spurted onto the discolored white sheets and the putrid green-striped cover.
ESCAPE INTO ROMANCE- 4 Book Bundle Page 81