For One Night Only (Siren Publishing Classic)

by For One Night Only (lit)

  Lying at her side, spent and panting afterward, Ruben suddenly went quiet. Sitting up, he cocked his head, as if trying to hear something. Nudging her hard, he pointed wordlessly to the handset of the phone lying on the floor.

  ‘Hello? HELLO?’ it said in a tinny voice. ‘Are you there? Can you hear me?’

  Bethany’s eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth in mock horror as she began to laugh. Hitting her with a pillow, Ruben scooted to edge of the bed, retrieving the phone.

  ‘Byron? You still there?’ He stifled a snort. ‘Sorry about that. It was the TV. I must have sat on the remote,’ he lied. Bethany convulsed into a fit of the giggles as he tried to finish the call. Laughing out loud, he had to turn his back on her.

  The journey to his condo in Manhattan from her friend’s apartment in Bayside took The Fan about an hour by train. Many month’s had passed since she had last made the trip and she enjoyed seeing the old haunts of her childhood.

  Arriving at the familiar building, she almost felt as if she had never left. Soon after she had first visited Ruben’s condo months ago, she had gotten into the habit of sitting in the coffee shop opposite, where she could see the comings and goings of the residents.

  The waiter recognized her as she entered, smiling in welcome as he commented on how long it had been since he saw her last. She didn’t know why she’d come. Ruben was out of town for a couple more days so there was no chance of seeing him.

  The idea of seducing the guard came to her as she watched him craning his neck to check out all the girls walking by from his position at the door. He seemed to like the ladies and expected them to like him too, apparently believing that his age and appalling physical condition was no barrier. The gold band on his ring finger didn’t seem to cramp his style.

  Men were so easy to figure out, and he had been no exception. Approaching the short, fat man with badly dyed black hair on the premise of asking for directions, she’d been able to calculate—almost to the minute—just how long he would take to invite her inside.

  From then on, it was a simple matter of playing to his ego. Tony couldn’t wait to tell her about the clientele living in the building and how important his job was. Trying at first not to give too much information away, he folded like a deck of cards when she had teased that he was lying about the famous people he alleged were residents. Constantly amused by how easy it was to distract and fluster an aroused man, she hitched up her skirt a little more as she feigned surprise and delight at the mention of Ruben’s name.

  Tony wasn’t as stupid as he looked, and it didn’t taken long for him to get the message she was sending—that the pretty girl panting over Ruben might pant for him if he impressed her enough. Within minutes, he had locked the street door, and was leading her up to Ruben’s apartment. Pausing, he made her swear never to tell anybody. She nodded quickly; pushing passed him before he changed his mind.

  Moving through the huge rooms as fast as her feet would carry her, unsure how much time she had, she took in as much detail as she could. The tasteful, Eastern inspired décor was a surprise. Muted browns and creams dominated the impressive interior, accented by touches of bronze and flashes of red. Asian art adorned the walls, complimenting the many pieces of Buddhist sculpture used to full effect in all the rooms. By the time she reached the bedroom on the upper floor, she was aroused to the point of dizziness—the heady thrill of entering his inner sanctum made her body throb.

  Tony shouted in protest when she threw herself across Ruben’s giant hand carved, wooden bed. She was surprised at the plain, functional linen—Egyptian cottons and thick chenille rather than the satin sheets and exotic fabrics her imagination had conjured up.

  Moving to pull her up, Tony stopped dead in his tracks as she rolled over onto her back and opened her legs for him. Pulling the crotch of her panties to one side, she showed him her glistening flesh, happy to let him believe that he was the one she was getting hot for. Recovering his composure quickly, he lumbered onto the bed beside her, scrambling to get his penis out of his pants.

  Having sex with him in Ruben’s bed was surprisingly enjoyable, the knowledge of where she was making up for Tony’s lack of technique and stamina. Closing her eyes to the horror of the old, sweaty man grunting on top of her, she managed to block him out and focus purely on her surroundings and her feelings for Ruben. The encounter was blissfully short, thanks to her partner’s physical limitations.

  The sudden bleeping of his radio sent Tony into a blind panic and he became abusive and dismissive toward her. In his haste to get them both out of Ruben’s apartment, he didn’t notice the discarded condom as he rushed to straighten up the bed. Anticipating what the consequences would be for him when it was found, she kept silent, deciding that his disrespectful attitude towards her—and Ruben, for that matter—shouldn’t go unpunished. Walking away from Tony without a backward glance, she returned to her booth in the coffee shop. Signaling the waiter, she sighed. If something didn’t happen with Ruben soon, she was going to have to push a little harder. Fate alone wasn’t bringing them together. She was gonna have to find a way to get to him.

  Chapter 14

  So this was the jerk she was pining for? Ruben threw the dossier onto his desk in disgust, sending the picture inside floating to the floor. Retrieving it, he stared at the image, stunned at how different he and Simon were.

  He and Beth had been back in New York for a week. The short break in the schedule had been a perfect opportunity for her to move into his permanent residence. Stupidly, he’d thought the idea of living in a condo that was part of a prestigious, upscale development in Manhattan would make her happy.

  After a few days of watching her walk around the place like she was still in a hotel, he’d lost his temper. Questioning why she was refusing to put down roots and make herself at home, he’d been furious at her reply. He was getting pretty sick of how every new step for them reminded her of mistakes she had made with Simon. Ruben hated a guy he had never met, thanks to Bethany’s insistence on punishing him for someone else’s mistakes.

  Having someone dig up the info had been wrong, but he couldn’t help himself. Ruben needed to know why Simon still had such a hold over Bethany’s emotions. He was almost a silent partner, ever-present in the middle of their relationship, and Ruben felt like he was constantly being compared to him.

  He didn’t understand what she could have seen in the dirty blonde haired man staring out of the picture with the flabby, pasty face and watery blue eyes. The corporate haircut he had did nothing to strengthen unimpressive features. Ruben could tell by the slope of the man’s shoulders that he had very little muscle definition and a relatively slim physique.

  Strangely, he didn’t feel reassured by the knowledge. Beth’s attraction to the guy certainly couldn’t have been physical, which meant it was emotional, and much more difficult for her to overcome.

  Ruben scanned the other documents, wondering if Bethany knew that Simon had moved back to Vegas about six months after he’d run out on her. Married and divorced since then, too. No kids to speak of.

  The desperation and futility of his actions hit him suddenly. Shaking his head, he slammed the folder into a desk drawer. He felt no better than before, even with the newly acquired information that was certainly far more impartial than any Beth had given him. In fact, he felt worse. Now he felt deceitful as well as confused.

  The unwitting victim of the shameful intrusion into her past life walked into the room, moaning that her feet were killing her. He watched as she kicked off the high-heeled pumps she wore, wriggling her toes to encourage the blood to circulate again.

  ‘Here, let me do that,’ he said, helping her onto the sofa before lifting her feet onto his lap.

  ‘Thanks, sweetheart,’ she smiled, pricking his conscience with her trusting gaze.

  His brain raced as his fingers worked, smoothing the ache out of the arch of her foot before turning his attention to her toes. He knew he should tell her. How would she re
act? She’d be mad, as she had every right to be.

  ‘Ouch!’

  Her shout scared the crap out of him, jolting him from his thoughts. ‘What?’

  ‘You nearly broke my toe,’ she grimaced, taking her feet back and rubbing the pain away.

  ‘I’m sorry, Beth…’ He dropped his head, brushing away an imaginary speck of dust on his jeans.

  ‘What’s wrong Ruben?’ The concern in her voice made him feel more of an ass than he did already. ‘Have you had a bad day?’

  He brushed the hands she had placed on his shoulders away before moving across the room to retrieve the folder. Handing it to her silently, he stepped back a couple of spaces, giving her a moment to realize what she was reading and watching her face for any sign of reaction.

  Neither of them moved for a couple of minutes. About to cave in and explain himself, Ruben was glad she finally broke the silence.

  ‘Where did you get this?’ She didn’t look at him. He guessed she was pissed.

  ‘Byron…he knows a guy who does this kind of thing.’

  She closed the dossier and placed it on the bed, her face still giving him no clue what to expect. ‘I’d have thought Byron would have had the sense to talk you out of it.’

  ‘It’s not his fault, I wouldn’t take no for an answer.’ He tried for humor. ‘You know me.’

  She didn’t return his nervous laugh. ‘Are we eating dinner in the suite tonight?’

  Ruben was confused. That was it? No fireworks? ‘Aren’t you angry?’

  Bethany shrugged, shaking her head. ‘A little I guess. Mostly though, I’m just sorry I made you feel this was necessary.’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault, Beth,’ he began to explain.

  ‘Agreed. It was your macho pride that made you search him out.’ She hugged him to soften her words. ‘But it was my obsession with the past that made you feel insecure enough to do it.’

  She accepted his kiss before continuing. ‘After being with you, I could never go back to a man like Simon.’ Ruben smirked into her neck, exhilarated by the words. The sharp slap on his ass took him by surprise and he leaned back to stare at her in mock horror.

  ‘What was that for?’ he laughed, rubbing the spot where she’d stung him. He couldn’t say he found the sensation unpleasant.

  ‘You know exactly what it was for,’ she laughed. ‘I know how cocky you are.’

  ‘Tell me more about how Simon could never satisfy you after me,’ he begged on a smile, unconcerned that he had totally corrupted her words. Beth was trying to look stern, but he could see right through her. She was enjoying his banter. ‘Just how much better in bed am I?’ Her shocked laugh delighted him and he knew he was truly forgiven.

  ‘Behave, Ruben,’ she smiled.

  ‘Why, will you slap me again if I’m bad?’ He waggled his eyebrows for emphasis, causing her to giggle.

  ‘Only if you want me to, darling.’ Her voice had dropped an octave and took a direct path through his ear to his penis, making him suddenly and painfully hard. Bethany noticed his reaction, and hooked a finger into the loop of his jeans to pull him closer. Ruben groaned as she grabbed his ass roughly, pulling his groin hard against hers.

  ‘Now…just how bad have you been?’

  Chapter 15

  Bethany was excited. This was the first time since they had begun dating that she was going to one of his social events. It had taken her all week to find the perfect dress. Newfound sexual confidence made her consider clothes she would only have dreamed of a few months ago.

  She remembered why she never wore sexy clothes as she got out of the limo. Finding it hard to keep her breasts from tumbling out of the revealing slashed neckline, she was careful not to flash her panties to the waiting press as she stepped onto the kerb. Ruben’s eyes roamed over her as he took her arm, flicking frantically from her neckline to her thigh and back again. He looked like a kid in a candy store who was spoiled for choice and, wanting everything, could focus on nothing.

  His reaction earlier had been almost laughable. He had frozen mid-stride and swallowed dryly, and then a familiar gleam had appeared in his eyes. She had only just managed to talk him out of having her on the hallway floor at home. Still, he had done enough to make her very hot and wet until the driver disturbed them by ringing the bell.

  Ruben looked stunning in his tux and she felt lucky to be with him as he put a protective arm around her shoulder and they rushed through the crowds into the hotel. After being shown to the table hosting many of his friends and industry colleagues, the wine and conversation soon started to flow. He seemed to be enjoying himself and introduced her proudly to everyone who stopped by their table. She was aware that the men seemed more interested in her chest than talking to her, but Ruben noticed too and reacted every time by giving her a little kiss or a gentle touch, just to remind them who she was with.

  Business got in the way as usual and she only had him to herself for about an hour before he got dragged off to meet someone. Bethany wasn’t happy, but what choice did she have? Just once she wished he would keep their time together sacred. Why was she always expected to be so flexible regarding her demands on him?

  Turning her attention to Jeff, one of Ruben’s longtime friends and the only other person left sitting at the table, she resigned herself to making small talk with a complete stranger. She hoped he was at least fun.

  Bethany had no need to worry—the guy was an absolute joker and had her giggling within minutes. His flirtatious nature seemed to be part of his charm so she thought nothing of it when he dragged her laughing onto the dance floor.

  It took her about ten seconds to realize how wrong she was. The snake got her into the middle of the floor and got real sleazy, real fast. Ignoring the up-tempo beat, he attempted to slow dance or rather, dirty dance. At close range, she could smell the booze on his breath and realized he was pretty drunk. Bethany began to pull away but he resisted, causing her to lose balance. She fell against him briefly, struggling to right herself as he took his chance and locked slimy lips over hers.

  Wriggling out of his grasp, she managed to put some space between them. Voice shaking with anger, she rounded on him. ‘Keep your filthy hands off me!’

  Turning to exit the dance floor, she smacked straight into Ruben who seemed to be coming to get her, thank God. Her relief didn’t last long as she felt the anger emanating from him and realized it was directed her way. Bethany began to explain what his ‘friend’ had just done, but he cut her off.

  ‘I can see with my own eyes what was going on,’ he snapped.

  Brushing passed her; he grabbed the guy by the collar of his shirt. Unable to hear what Ruben was saying over the music, Bethany watched as Jeff went pale, shaking his head vehemently, apparently denying everything, until Ruben let him go. For one brief moment, he looked like he wanted to do the same to her until the arrival of security forced him to drop the disgusted glare he was leveling at her and deal with them.

  She headed quickly back to the table, grateful for a moment to compose herself. Almost immediately he appeared beside her, leaning down to growl into her ear that they were leaving.

  Bethany stared at him incredulously. Did he really think she would take orders from him? She raised an eyebrow and very deliberately picked up her glass of wine.

  ‘It’s your choice,’ he said, his voice deceptively smooth, ‘you can walk out, or I will carry you out.’

  ‘You wouldn’t dare!’

  ‘Try me…’

  Deciding that this was not the place to assert herself, she gave in. They moved quickly through the crowd, his hand squeezing hers a little too tightly. The brewing storm abated a little due to the people outside so he had no choice but to wait for the limo in furious silence. It still arrived way too soon for Bethany’s liking as she was dragged in behind him, all of his earlier chivalry gone. Snatching her hand away as soon as she was inside, she composed herself.

  Bethany took a deep breath and waited for the explosion, but it
didn’t come. Shooting a quick look at him, she saw his thunderous expression coupled with a nerve ticking in his jaw, as he repeatedly ran a hand through his hair—a sure sign he wasn’t happy. Her temper began to rise. What the hell was he mad at her for? She bit her tongue, guessing the driver was the reason he was silent.

  They arrived home quickly. Ruben jumped from the car without waiting for her and stormed into the entrance of his apartment building, leaving the door open behind him. She toyed with the idea of staying in the limo and finding a hotel for the night. How dare he treat her like this? A desire to make him apologize for his behavior won out and she followed him.

  He was at the bar pouring a large brandy as she found him. He never drank that way. ‘What the hell is going on?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know,’ he replied coldly. ‘Seeing my woman draped all over one of my friends always makes me drink.’ His eyes flicked over her in anger. She screamed at him in frustration.

  ‘You leave me alone all the time. Is it any wonder other men think I’m available? Does it hurt you to think that you may not be the only person interested in me?’

  ‘The way you are dressed tonight, any man would want you,’ he replied, ‘but I had hoped that the only man you wanted was me.’

  Bethany couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘And I had hoped that you would be defending me from men like that, not accusing me of wanting them.’

  He looked embarrassed for the briefest moment and seemed ashamed to realize that he hadn’t considered her feelings at all. She took a step towards him before he raised a hand to stop her and turned his back. Was he still sulking?