by Leaona Luxx
"You seem so confident. I’m really surprised but pleased at the same time. He has it in his head this was about him and the other man. So another question, how does finding you on the beach crying, fit into this?"
She makes me feel like I was under a microscope, however, before I can say anything to defer her interrogation, a darkness blocks the sun and hovers over us. Glancing up, I find a blue-eyed, raven-haired woman who is built like an athlete. It’s the woman from the job site. Her condescending eyes appraise me before turning to Thayer. “Thayer, where’s One? And who is this?” She speaks as if she could spew acid from her mouth, and given her expression, it would not surprise me if she did.
Thayer barely affords her a glance before dropping her gaze. “Montgomery, none of your fucking business for any of it.”
Montgomery? I immediately don’t like her. She walked up to us as if she were the queen as if everyone owed her something. I have a name for people like that: bitch. Who is she to One? I want to ask and I have a feeling if I did, Thayer would give me the truth; however, before I can say anything, she barrels on, “Where the hell is One and who the fuck is she?” Her claw points at me.
Thayer’s expression tells me she is about to detonate, and I decide to light the fuse. “I’m fucking One. Does that answer your damn question? Now, if you will excuse us, you’re interrupting our lunch, bitch, and you are not welcome,” Slowly rising from my seat as I speak, my voice is soft and menacing, and Montgomery is stunned into silence. I can’t say the same for my lunch partner since Thayer is howling with laughter.
Check. Fucking. Mate.
Montgomery spins on her heels, taking off like a scorned dog. All the while, Thayer laughs so hard that she holds her sides and has tears rolling down her face. “Hell yeah! Get the little bitch. Oh my god! I love you. Montgomery is a twat. Oh and she’s One’s ex-wife.”
I’m speechless, and she knows it.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve used more tact with the last bit of news. Monty thinks she’s still married to One. For the record, no one, and I do mean no one, has ever left her with her mouth hanging open and nothing to say. Fucking epic!” Thayer practically cheers.
A rare thrill of pride runs through my veins. What the hell has gotten into me? I act as if One is mine, but I have no right to be territorial. This is bad. I can’t do this. I can’t like him. I can’t get possessive and mean. One is too good for me. There it is, my cue to exit.
Politely accepting my reasons for leaving, Thayer says her goodbyes, but I have a feeling this conversation isn't over. Maybe I should open up to her. She is my friend— my only friend— but I can’t. I’ve held it all inside for so long. My secrets are not meant to be discussed in such a casual open setting.
Maybe over a bottle of Tequila chased with vodka. Maybe then, but my secrets don’t come easy. Driving away, I think about how easy it is to talk to Thayer.
One and Thayer have me wanting to tell them my life story. I can’t do it. I can’t get close to them. There’s no winning here; I could never win.
One
Sitting in my truck around the corner from Lea’s, I’m on my cell with Thayer as she tells me about lunch with Lea and their unexpected interruption. “She just fucking walked up and started demanding to know where you were and who Lea was. I wanted to slap the shit out of her, but Lea laid into her ass without ever touching her. It was epic!”
Montgomery had walked in like the shit storm she is and Lea had shut her down. Where was I and why couldn’t I have been there? “So what exactly did Lea do?” I ask, curious to know.
She was cackling at this point, so this had to be good. “Lea looked at her, then me, and back at Monty. Then, and I quote, ‘I’m fucking One. Does that answer your damn question? Now, if you will excuse us, you’re interrupting our lunch, bitch, and you are not welcome.’ Epic. Brilliant. Lea is the best!”
That really is epic. No one has ever stood up to Monty, not since high school. I’m amazed and proud as hell. “Did Monty have rebuttal?”
Thayer bursts into laughter, again and I have to wait a few seconds for her explanation, “Not a word! Lea bitch slapped her with her own venom.”
Shaking my head at my sister, I believe she is having way too much fun with this…and I will admit that I am too— truth be told. Turning her attention back to something she brought up when she first called me, I press, “So she said she was interested, or you assume she is?”
Thayer whistles through her teeth, “Oh, my. Big brother is begging for information. Is that desperation I hear in your voice?”
She could be such a hard ass, but I guess that’s what happens when a girl grows up with two brothers. “No, I just don’t want to make an ass out of myself.”
“Okay, here goes. If you want her, in the beginning you need to let her come to you. After today, you and I both know she wants you, but you have to let her come to you. She’ll let you know when she’s ready; however, at some point in time, you will have to take control…as much as she’ll allow you to anyway,” she giggles.
I’m worried this is doomed from the get go and it would be best to let it go. “Okay, Thayer, I’ve got to go.”
Before I can hang up the phone, she rushes, “One, listen. I’m not sure you understand me. Lea seems to have had a tough life. She gets nervous when talking about her life and doesn’t like to share. On top of that, she has absolutely no self-confidence. I think she acts tougher than she is because she’s had to be. Her tough shell and keeping people at a distance has kept her feeling safe. Lea’s one hell of a woman but has no idea how amazing she truly is. I know she’s interested; I just also think she believes she has nothing to offer. She won’t make it easy for you.”
Resting my head against my headrest, I close my eyes. Thayer is right, Lea has probably had a tough life. The first night I met her, her heart-wrenching sobs full of mourning tore at my gut. She was guarded and reserved. I expel the air in my lungs with a hiss. “I know, sis. Lea is nursing some serious shit. I’m just not sure she has room for me in her heart. Thank you, though.” Ending the call, I continue to sit there thinking about the woman who’s never far from my thoughts.
What is it about her? I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. I have this inherent need to protect her, take care of her, love her, argue with her, hold her, and just be with her. Why can’t I just let her go? She’s like a magnet that I’m drawn to.
***
Sitting here in my three-piece suit, I keep thinking this tie is going to choke me. Normally, I never had a problem with dressing the part of the wealthy business owner, but lately, my mind is always on Lea. Walking the perimeter of the room, shaking hands, making small talk as I go…I want to leave already and keep hoping this evening will end quickly. My luck is against me, though, since the guest of honor is apparently late. That’s when my nightmare becomes a reality with Monty tapping me on the shoulder. Why didn’t I ask Lea to join me tonight?
“Well, hello, hubby.” She leans in close and tries to kiss me.
I’m not having any of this crazy shit. Grabbing her wrists to push her off of me, I growl, “What the hell? Don’t, Monty.”
She’s like a petulant child. “You used to like me touching you. Is it that bitch?”
Rolling my eyes in exasperation, I declare, “No. It’s just you. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
She’s in front of me before I can take a step. “Please wait. I miss you. Your hands on me, in me…”
Before she can continue, I sidestep her and speak in a low voice as I go, “Please don’t. I’m not interested, and I don’t want what you have.”
Every year, Montgomery made the beach her home. I don’t know how she does it, maybe a wealthy older gentleman taking care of her. Who knows? I only know it isn’t from me because she didn’t see a single penny from our divorce. I made damn sure of that.
And before I had to be subjected to her any longer, I was going to make my apologies and leave. The Coastal Carolina’s Busin
ess Association only held these things for the utmost influential companies in the game, and I had accepted the invitation because it would look good for my business plus provide additional business contacts. However, I could not be around Montgomery. Tonight’s dinner is to welcome a new mogul, whomever he/she might be.
As I make my way to a couple of board members in order to make my excuses, my mind once again drifts to the strawberry blonde that robs me of my peace as of late. I need to make her understand that I don’t want to hurt her. She’s swiftly becoming my reason to breathe. I can almost hear her voice, but I realize that I really am hearing her voice and I’m startled to see her in a makeshift receiving line. There she stands to one side shaking hands and making small talk with others. Why is Lea here? For a friend? For business?
My eyes track her movements across the room as she walks to the head of the table and sits. I slip into an empty seat a couple seats away from her and watch her fidget. I can already imagine her fingers are strangling themselves under the table.
When everyone is seated, the M.C. begins his introduction and my eyes are glued to Lea. “Thank you all for coming. As president of GCCBA, I’m thrilled to introduce our newest member, Hadlea Lloyd. She has big plans and has discussed some of them with me. I must say, her forward thinking can do nothing but help in the rejuvenation of our area with artisans’ flare. Ms. Lloyd has a Bachelor’s in Business and has experience with web design and the beauty industry. Our community, I’m sure, will benefit from her experience. Please give a Grand Coastal Carolina welcome to, Ms. Hadlea Lloyd.” He motions to her and she stands as the applause begin.
Shifting to see her better, her beauty hits me full on. I’m sure every man in this room stands to attention while every woman hates her. She’s perfection. The white dress she’s wearing hits her about mid-calf and has a black rose pattern on it. The slightest hint of black lace looking material at the hemline peeks out and matches the touch found at the collar, reminding me of a vintage dress from the fifties. Black stockings cover her perfectly toned calves, finished by red pumps with a silver stiletto heel. Small diamond studs with a simple diamond tennis bracelet. Perfect. I have to have her and my cock knows it.
“Good evening. Please, call me Lea,” she begins her speech. Oh yeah, her name was Hadlea. I like Lea, but Hadlea, I love. An unusual name, even for the South where we had some…shall we say interesting offerings.
“I migrated here from southern West Virginia. My initial online business was started with the backing of a small inheritance. I believe I was raised right and taught a staunch work ethic. I was also taught to be giving of my time and money. I hope to bring a breath of fine arts to a community teeming with an appreciation of such and to help small businesses for brighter futures. Every idea starts small, however, with the right person behind them, like dreams, they become possibilities for growth. I thank you for welcoming me with open arms.”
As she turns to shake hands with the president, I exchange seats so that I am now seated next to her. Returning to her seat, she turns her gaze to me and smiles as she sits. I’m a goner. To me, her smile could fix all that’s wrong in the world. I will make her mine.
“Hey. Fancy meeting you here,” she says with a sexy as sin drawl. Once in a while, I pick up a twang in her words.
“Hello. I must say, you seem to enjoy surprising me,” I tease, making her laugh. A real laugh that draws the attention from others near us. I love it.
“Not sure how I did it, but the look on your face tells me you’re genuinely surprised. Good. Now, do tell?”
“Ms. Lloyd, telling all my secrets on our first date is unheard of,” I huff and we both laugh at our easy banter. “Really, is there anything else you’re hiding?”
The question makes her shift uneasily in her seat. I must be close to crossing the line. “Surely, being raised southern, you understand it’s not gentlemanly to ask a lady such questions. Besides, I hardly know you, I wouldn’t even leave my back door open for you. Although, you do clean up nice.” Hadlea’s mossy green eyes give me a once over. Is that appreciation I see?
“As do you. I’ve never seen your hair like this; I like it. But, I also like it a mess. Not that it’s a mess when I see you. I mean, I like you.” Shit. Could I possibly screw this up more? She looks at me with a stunned expression, and I silently chastise myself. I need to regroup. “What I’m trying to say, not so eloquently, is that no matter how you’re dressed or not, you’re gorgeous.”
She begins to giggle, and her mouth turns up at the corners as her eyes sparkle, like a leaf dripping with morning dew. What did I say?
“I’ll try to make sure I’m always dressed around you. Okay?”
It finally dawns on me exactly what I said, making me laugh with her as the rest of the room watches, smiling at us.
All too soon, I’m reminded we are not alone nor amongst friends because I see Montgomery making her way to us. What the fuck? Her approach reminds me of a panther stalking its prey. I want to intercept her before she makes a scene with Hadlea, but the woman beside me doesn’t let me. The expression on her face says it all, and she grabs my hand under the table lacing our fingers together. For the first time since meeting Montgomery, my world feels right. Hadlea did this to me, for me.
“Well now, do you often take others’ husbands out in public or are you just a whore?” Venom drips as she glares at Hadlea.
“Funny. I don’t see a married man. As a matter of fact, I see a man that divorced his wife because she was a whore. I’m not married, are you?” Hadlea’s voice drips honey as she responds to my ex and then addresses me.
“No, I am not,” I grin.
“Well, he’s mine and always will be. That’s why he has never married again. I own his heart,” Montgomery boasts.
Hadlea leans in closely. I think she’s going to whisper so that no one will overhear us, but yet again, she surprises me. Her words are loud, proud, and very clear when she states, “Oh, how sweet. You still want him. I hate to do this, well actually I don’t, but the only person that owns this man is the one he can’t get enough of while she screams his name all night mid-orgasm. Surely, you can see the satisfied look on his face. Oh, wait! You’ve never satisfied him, so you wouldn’t recognize it. Now, we’re about to eat, so we can go fuck for the rest of the night.”
A few gasps accompany some chuckles come from those sitting close around us, but Hadlea sits back stone-faced as Montgomery, stunned and soured, stomps away.
“Tenacity and backbone with the guts to shock. I like her, Woods. Try to keep her around.” Brad Cook, MC of tonight’s event and President of the GCCBA, says as he nods in Hadlea’s direction. “Now it’s obvious how she succeeded in her business ventures,” he continues, and we all laugh.
Although laughing, I can tell Hadlea remains on edge. I don’t like it. Something is off, however, her phone dings with a notification cutting off my chance to ask.
And after reading it, she excuses herself brushing me off when I move to follow, “No need. I’ll only be a minute. Umm, business. Excuse me.” Stepping away from our table, she makes her way to an exit. Some ten minutes later, she returns. Hadlea’s cheeks are flushed, not from excitement, though. Tears still cling to her eyes, brimming on the edges. The gentleman I am, I help her into her seat and ask, “Everything good?”
Her eyes flit from side to side, but she remains stoic. “I’m fine, thank you.”
I reach for her hand and can feel her trembling. “You don’t look fine, Hadlea. You look….”
Before I can finish, she squeezes’ my fingers and interrupts, “I’m good.”
The same words from the night I met her on the beach given in an all too familiar tone of voice. The look in her eyes pleads with me to let it go, so I will for now. Instead, we spend the rest of the evening making small talk.
Hadlea as a person is breathtaking, and it surprises me at how easy it is to converse with her. Watching her leave after we say our simple goodbyes, I am certain, sh
e has taken my heart.
CHAPTER FIVE
Lea
Every time. Every fucking time I think I may be free, he’s there. Always close, never fully releasing me from the hell he’s created. You’d think the amount of money I’ve lined his pockets with would keep him happy. I’ll never be free of him, though. Cole has taken everything from me.
In the middle of my speech to the local business association, Cole sends me a text. The universe must hate me because it’s not enough that sex on fucking legs, One, is at my side, who I have to say is hot as hell in an all-black Armani suit and a blue satin tie—the same color as his eyes; but now I have to also deal with this asshole.
One and I have been sharing and enjoying an easy banter over dinner, even after the interruption of his ex-wife, but Cole will not let up. When I didn’t answer the first text, he sent another and I finally excuse myself to answer him.
A wave of desperation hits me, as I’m dragged into the hell of my past. There’s no way One will want me when he finds out about Cole, let alone the others. He’ll never want to be with me when he finds out the whole truth.
Cole’s not supposed to contact me, ever; and yet, even when I give him what he wants, he still wants more. Always more. He owns me in all the wrong ways. For that, I hate him. He’s here. Watching. If I had any backbone when it came to this man, he would never see the light of day again. He threatens that which is most important to me. I can’t take the chance of him hurting anything else in my life, which means I have to keep my distance from the man who is starting to dig himself into my heart: One. I can’t have him. I should have known better.
***
The weekend passes by at a torturous pace, and by the end of it, I’m ready to see One if only from afar. My memories need refreshing. I need to physically see him because unlike the night where I can escape and have him in my dreams, reality is unfair and deprived. And he’ll be here today, in my house working.