by Jessie Cooke
Bella sat in the conference room of Fort Worth Dreamscapes the next day, her head in a fog. Rita was visiting for their quarterly vision meeting. Usually Bella found herself immersed in the discussions that revolved around new directions, new clients, and exciting projects that were happening at the Dreamscapes offices, but today, she was finding it hard to concentrate, sometimes even losing herself in her thoughts only to hear her name called to abruptly snap her back to reality.
And it was a reality with which she was not comfortable, not since Reece had sent the picture of himself with her naked form in the background. Finally, during a break, Luke gently grasped her elbow and directed her outside the conference room.
“What’s going on?” he asked gently.
“What do you mean?” Bella answered as she forced an innocent half-smile.
“Your head’s not in the game. You’re staring off into space, and anytime someone says something to you, you act as if you’ve no idea where you are or how you got there. This is not like you.”
Bella put her fingers to her forehead and pushed in. “I know. I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Well, get your mind back on this. You know how Rita can be: one minute you’re her protégé and the next you’re on the fast track to the bottom all over again. Don’t give her any reason to rethink the way she’s been feeling about you. It’s been all positive up until now, and you’re well on your way to stardom . . . if you don’t blow it right now.”
I hugged him, resting my head against his strong chest. What would I care if there were more to him than he had let me know? We’d have that conversation, I was sure; as sure as I knew how much he cared for me and my status with Rita in this very moment.
“Thank you,” I said. “After lunch, I’ll be totally on; don’t you worry.”
And she had been. Rita even made the comment that “someone must have finally woken up” when Bella came back revitalized and energetic after a quick lunch break. She was determined to remind Rita why she had been putting her faith in her lately, and it seemed that everyone in the conference room rode her wave of energy when she returned to the meeting.
At the end of the day, Rita stopped Bella as everyone else packed up, headed to their office for their things, and piled out of the office. Bella sat back down in the chair closest to Rita as she waited for her boss to finish giving instructions over the phone to her assistant back in Dallas. Putting her cellphone down on the table between them, Rita folded her black-brown lacquered fingernails across her fingers and rested her chin on the bridge her hands had created.
“You’re liking it here, in Fort Worth?” she asked.
Bella nodded. “I am. I like the smaller office. It’s been more intimate, and everyone is really great here.”
“Some more great than others,” Rita said out of the side of her mouth, causing Bella to blush as she realized Rita knew about her relationship with Luke.
“Yeah, I guess.” Then she sat up abruptly. “Is that a problem?” Her eyes were wide, and she mentally slapped herself for not checking company policy when it came to dating co-workers. She knew plenty of businesses that had very strict rules against it.
Rita laughed and reached over to pat Bella’s hand reassuringly. “Did I never tell you about how I met my first husband?”
Bella shook her head slowly.
“He’s a designer. Great one. I worked for his firm as an intern. Got fired when someone from Human Resources caught wind of our little tete-a-tete. I swore then that I’d never have a policy so asinine. Great design can come from many muses and inspiration from all sorts, and I figured the passion that could bring coworkers together and inspire each of them to create wonderful ideas would also work in everyone’s favor if they happened to break up. Competition and jealousy is fueled by passion too. It was a chance I was willing to take anyway, and I wasn’t going to let stupendous talent walk out the door because of a little office romance, either. So, don’t you worry. In fact, keep up what you’re doing. I’ll be the first to admit that Luke’s work has improved since you’ve gotten here. I just always thought . . . well, never mind.”
Bella had a sinking feeling she knew what Rita had always thought about Luke, but she appreciated her for stopping the thought from being verbalized.
“Luke has some really good ideas,” Bella offered.
“He does, and he’s a great team player, but we’re looking at needing to downsize, Bella. The economy isn’t bouncing back like everyone had forecast, and there are fewer and fewer clients. The office in Dallas is going to have to cut down, and I feel it’s only fair to do the same here.”
Bella swallowed hard. “But, you aren’t thinking of cutting Luke, are you?”
“I’m not sure who we’ll cut yet, but I wanted you to know that I’ll be relying on a lot of your input with this decision. You’re my eyes and ears here, but I need those eyes and ears to be unbiased, so come up with a system to begin thinking through this with as little emotional attachment as possible. Okay?”
Bella looked at her boss. This was the first time she’d ever been asked to take such a role, and she wasn’t sure she had the heart to do it, but she knew she wanted to go further with Dreamscapes.
“Do you understand what I’m saying, Bella?”
She nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll start thinking through everything, and I can promise you I’ll do my best with my head, not my heart.”
“With these greater responsibilities and with the great press you’ve gotten us through the Grayson project, I think it only fair to offer you a bonus, and the opportunity to renegotiate your contract early, if you like.”
Bella’s face lit up. “Yes, ma’am. I would really like that.”
“We’ll put it on my calendar. Get you back to Dallas for a few days to meet on the downsizing as well as your contract. Call Stacey sometime this week to set it up.”
Bella’s heart was racing. She felt that familiar sense of elation mixed with heaviness that she’d become so accustomed to lately. Back in her office, she packed her things, and once she was outside, she walked past her car and across the road to the small park that sat just beyond the view of the office building. She reached down and slid off her shoes letting her feet sink into the soft carpet of clover as she made her way over to a bench, slung her heavy purse down, and then plopped herself down beside it.
She thought back over her day and the roller coaster ride it had been. How she had begun feeling exposed, used, and down-right mixed up in regards to Reece. The way he violated her trust enraged her, but he seemed to rationalize that those violations of her trust were for her—but that didn’t make it right or acceptable to Bella. Then there was the whole gay/bisexual thing with Luke, and the more she thought about it, the more she thought it was most likely possible, nay quite probable, that his sexuality was a little more than what she had assumed. But she thought she understood. It would be a hard conversation to have with a lover, and maybe he was working his way up to it with her. Perhaps he was really in denial, and she would help him discover who he truly was. But would she be okay with that?
Her mind flashed back to when he took her out of the office today and gave her the pep talk; the way his chest had felt so strong where she lay against him, making her feel like he was always there, her steadfast support. He had proven himself to her over and over again, and their bond was instant friendship, not just some crazy sex scandal.
She dug her phone out of her purse and dialed.
Luke’s phone vibrated, and he shifted his pelvis upward so that he could dig the phone out of the pocket of his tight faded blue jeans.
“Hey there, gorgeous. How’d your conversation with Rita go? Are you in the doghouse or on the pedestal?” He smiled as he spoke.
“I think I’m on the pedestal,” Bella answered. “There’s gonna be some changes at Dreamscapes, and I have some meetings coming up, but she offered to renegotiate my contract.”
“That’s great!” Luke said w
ith enthusiasm. “I knew you were on the fast track with her. I’m glad you ended the day strong with her.”
“Me too. Thanks to you for that pep talk. I really could have blown it today had you not straightened me out.” She winced at her choice of words.
“I didn’t want to see you crash and burn,” he provided. “You’re too good for that, and . . . well, I kinda like you.”
Bella laughed on the other end. “You kinda like me, eh?”
“Just a little bit,” he answered. “In case you didn’t know.”
“Well, how about I come over and you can kinda like me all night?” Her voice had dropped in an attempt to sound sexy.
Luke heaved a sigh. “Damn, girl. I would if I could. I’m actually in a meeting, and it’s looking to last for a bit.”
“Oh, crap. Sorry, babe.”
“No problem, really. How about I call you when I get home? I can at the very least like you over the telephone.”
She could hear the smile in his voice, and to her ears, he sounded delicious causing her body to respond with a tickle down below that she wanted him to scratch. If he wouldn’t be able to, maybe he could at least talk her through a scratching of herself.
“Sounds good. I’ll talk to you then, and I’ll be sure to wear something tantalizingly naughty so that I can tell you all about it.”
“Can’t wait,” Luke murmured before he said good-bye and hung up the phone.
He smiled at the phone as he placed it on the table. She was becoming quite the adventurer, that Bella. Perhaps, soon, they’d embark on a few new adventures of his own liking.
Footsteps coming from the kitchen brought his head up, and he smiled into tawny eyes as he took the beer being offered to him and uttered, “Thanks.”
“Who was that?” the question came as Luke took the first sip of his beer.
“Nobody, Reece,” Luke responded.
45
Luke Berringer moistened his lips before putting the brown beer bottle up to them and sipping down some of the dark brown liquid. He sat in Reece Hamilton’s apartment unable to tear his eyes from the life-sized nude portrait of Bella Ryan— his recently acquired girlfriend— that hung on the wall behind where Reece sat.
Luke had been trying to make polite conversation to avoid telling Reece what Luke was sure Reece didn’t want to hear.
“I think they’re making some cuts at work,” Luke said.
“Well, good thing you’ll still be getting paid for ‘freelance’ work, eh?” Reece laughed into his beer.
Luke sighed, “I guess. I mean, I do have a certain image to maintain.”
“I don’t know that you’ve got anything to worry about anyway. Doesn’t everyone believe you and Bella are the best of friends? Seems like you’d be protected by the boss.”
Luke smiled. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right, but . . . well, I know my design work hasn’t been on par lately. I think there’s only so much Bella can do to protect me.”
Reece winked at Luke. “Then it’s a good thing you’ve got ol’ Daddy Reece protecting you, huh?”
“Been riding lately?” Luke said steering the conversation away from Bella altogether.
Reece laughed at the absence of segue, but he knew why Luke had forced him off the path, so to speak.
“I’m telling ya, man, if it weren’t for that damn mountain bike, I think I’d be a bundle of raw nerves and stress. Between work and Nicky’s yammering about child-rearing and diapers and checking into preschools and colleges, if I don’t get out on that bike, I think I’d explode. I knew Nicky to be demanding, but having this baby has made her even more extreme in her demands. It’s like she’s got a vise grip around my nuts, man, and any little thing she wants or thinks she needs for the baby, she’ll give that vise a good squeeze.”
“But you like being a dad, right?” Luke asked.
“Love it. Looking into Hayley Jo’s eyes makes the vise feel a little less tight, for certain, but . . . well, it’s a lot of responsibility. And when I have her here, I hardly sleep.”
“Not a good sleeper yet, huh?”
“No, she’s great. Sleeps like a rock through the night. It’s me—I’m always worried if I can’t hear her breathing, or I wonder when the fire extinguishers were last checked and if they’re up-to-date, and if there are fresh batteries in the carbon monoxide machine and the smoke detectors.”
“Don’t they beep if they’re low?” Luke asked.
“Yeah, but, I swear—become a father and all logic and rationale goes out the window, and you fear everything . . . especially if the baby’s mom is like Nicky. I think what scares me more is that something tragic will happen on my watch, and then I’ll spend a lifetime with no nuts because she’ll take them as consolation along with everything else I own. The only time I feel free of Nicky is when I’m riding. I’ve just got to figure out a way to put a little more distance between us and still have a healthy relationship for Hayley’s sake.”
“Where do you ride?” Luke asked.
“I usually hit Boulder Park. It’s got a great ten-miler. That’s usually plenty of time to get my head right. Why? You thinking of taking up mountain biking?”
Luke smiled, pleased with himself. “Already did. Last time you told me about a ride you’d just had, not to mention you looked really hot in your spandex. That was enough inspiration for me. Went to the store, got myself outfitted, and began on a few lower intensity runs out at Windmill Hill. I’m loving it. Wanting to try something a little more challenging. Was even thinking of taking Bella for a ride sometime.”
“Well, I’d rather you take her for that kind of ride than any other,” Reece smiled sardonically.
Luke laughed nervously. He knew that sooner or later the truth was going to come out. He eyes traveled up to the portrait again.
“Stunning, isn’t she?” Reece asked.
“I’d swear you sat me here on purpose,” Luke said before taking another swig from his beer.
“Now why on earth would I do that?” Reece asked feigning innocence. “What would possibly motivate me to put you facing this gorgeous picture other than to share in the delight of her beauty?”
Luke allowed his eyes to try to penetrate into Reece’s, but it was too dark and Reece sat too far away for him to really get a good read on him.
“Does Bella even know about this? She doesn’t strike me as the type that would willingly sit for a nude portrait.”
“Don’t be deceived by her apparent naiveté,” Reece said draining the rest of his beer. “She’s quite the animal in the sack.” He set his beer bottle down with definitiveness.
Luke smiled contemptuously. “Oh, there’s this one little detail I did forget to mention.”
Reece felt his heart stop for a brief second, but surely Luke couldn’t mean . . .
“I know I told you that I’d fallen for her unexpectedly, Reece, but . . . well, I guess part of what I didn’t tell you is that I am pretty sure the feeling is mutual.”
“How could you be so sure?” Reece scoffed.
“Let’s just say I’ve seen her repertoire, and I’m hoping to expand it,” Luke said, his grin spreading slowly across his lips.
Reece slapped his thighs. “Damnit, Berringer! Now you’ve put a big stick in the works!”
“Interesting word choice,” Luke smirked, “Yes, big stick indeed.”
“Shut up, you juvenile! You’ve made things even more complicated than they need to be. I’ll tell you one thing, if you don’t stop sleeping with her, then there’s no reason for me to pay you. You’re not getting both the girl and the dough.” Reece was seething.
“I don’t know that I could stop things, and frankly, Reece—and you should understand this first hand—I don’t know that I want to. She’s worth more than your money.” He looked up at the giant portrait and nodded towards it. “You may have the picture, but I’ve got the girl. Besides, I’ve done exactly what you paid me to do,” he said to Reece.
“And more,” Reece coun
tered as he leaned forward towards Luke. “None of this was supposed to happen: you weren’t supposed to fall for her; you sure as hell weren’t supposed to bed her,” he hissed. “Part of the reason I trusted you was because you professed to be gay. That means no real affinity for straight sex the last time I checked.”
Luke swallowed the last of his beer before he repeated the movements Reece had demonstrated earlier, placing his beer bottle next to Reece’s in a weird sort of beer-bottle checkmate. “Look,” he said, “it was just as much a surprise to me as it was to you . . . falling for her. I’ve never experienced this with anyone and especially not a woman. But we can both attest to the fact that there’s something about her—something neither of us can deny or avoid. I’ll give you your money back,” he conceded.
Reece laughed. “You don’t think she’ll actually choose to stay with you once she knows the truth, do you?”
“What are the chances she’ll want you when she knows the truth?” Luke asked.
Reece shook his head condescendingly and clicked his tongue as if Luke were a wayward child. “Oh, Luke. You think you know her so well, but one thing you’re forgetting: Bella is the type of woman who doesn’t share. Will she truly be able to insert herself into this bisexual ideal you’re most likely conjuring in your head? I really don’t see it happening. Just keep doing what you’re supposed to be doing.”
“If you’re sure, boss,” Luke said.
Reece stamped his foot. “You know what I mean. Get out of her panties and just make sure she’s not letting anybody else in them. That’s all you were supposed to do in the first place, damnit.” Reece ran his fingers through his hair. “It’s probably best you leave now,” he said to Luke. “I can tell that I’m about to blow a gasket, and I can’t be held responsible for what might happen afterwards.”
Luke rose from the overstuffed leather chair. He didn’t bother to say goodbye as he turned on his heel and headed to the front door. Once the door slammed shut, Reece lay his head back on the sofa, lifting his eyes to the portrait from below, almost as if he hoped to catch a glimpse of the beauty between Bella’s legs from his vantage point.