The Deal

by Becca Steele

  “Don’t you ever insult Avery again.” His words were quiet but filled with so much venom that Clarissa took a step backwards in shock, her hand flying to her mouth.

  “Ethan, I—”

  “I don’t want to hear it. You know nothing about me anymore, Clarissa. We haven’t spoken in years.” He spun on his heel, dismissing her, and strode away, holding on to my arm. I had to almost run to keep up with his long strides. We reached the edge of the room, and he slowed his steps, letting go of me.

  “I’m sorry.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t mean to drag you away.” His troubled gaze met mine. “I can’t believe she was so rude to you. First my mother; now Clarissa. I’m so sorry for putting you in this position. Maybe this was a bad idea.”

  “Come with me.” Grabbing his hand, I moved towards the door, and he had no choice but to follow me. We entered a darkened corridor, and I blinked until my eyes adjusted to the light.

  “Umm…let me see.” I tried the first door handle we came to. Locked. Thankfully the second door opened with a creak, and we found ourselves in a small sitting room. The curtains were open, and moonlight illuminated the space. I spied a low table with a lamp, and letting go of Ethan’s hand I crossed to it, fumbling around until I found the switch. Perching on the edge of the sofa next to the table, I crossed my legs, inclining my head towards Ethan. With a sigh, he sank down next to me, stretching out his long legs in front of him.

  I angled my body so that I could see him. “I thought we could both use a break to cool off.” Our eyes met, and I could see the unease still plain in his gaze. “I want you to know that you have nothing to apologise to me for. I can handle it.”

  “Yes, but you shouldn’t have to. If they knew you like I do, they’d know what a beautiful woman you are, inside and out.”

  My stomach flipped at his words. “You think I’m beautiful?” My voice came out as an unsure whisper.

  He studied my face intently, then reached out to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. His thumb traced the side of my cheek.

  “Avery. None of these women here could hold a candle to you.” He withdrew his hand, and I gathered my courage.

  “What’s going on here? Are we still acting?”

  His voice came out as a low rasp. “Do you see anyone here we need to put on an act for?”

  My heart rate kicked up, and I felt short of breath. I opened and closed my mouth a few times.

  We stared at each other for a long, charged moment, before I lowered my gaze.

  The corner of Ethan’s mouth turned up. “Come on.” His voice was back to normal. “Let’s rejoin the others. I think we can get away with”—he glanced at his watch—“calling it a night after another half an hour or so of socialising.”

  Later, lying in my huge bed in our suite, I couldn’t help analysing everything in my mind. There was no denying that I was attracted to Ethan. But on his part—how much had been real, and how much had been an act?

  7

  Avery

  I glanced at my phone, yawning, then flew up in bed when I noticed the time. 9:42 a.m. I never slept this late. I threw on the hotel robe and hurried into the shared lounge area of the suite. No sign of Ethan. My eyes scanned the room, and I noticed the note propped up against a glass on the table that held the complimentary teas and coffees, a jug of orange juice standing next to it.

  Avery,

  Gone to the rehearsal & have lunch plans with family that I can’t get out of. Booked you a spa appt. for 10:30. Massage & pedicure.

  Sorry if the phone woke you. Needed to make sure you got up in time for the spa.

  Buffet lunch in the dining room between 12 and 1:30, help yourself.

  Meet me in the foyer at 2:40 for the wedding.

  - E

  As if on cue, the room phone started ringing, and I fumbled to pick it up, a smile spreading across my face.

  Ethan booked me a spa appointment.

  Warmth filled me. Quickly followed by panic. I was going to be late if I didn’t get a move on.

  Relaxed after my massage and full from my lunch, I finished dressing for the wedding. I pinned my fascinator into place in my hair and slipped on the same nude heels I’d worn the previous night. After applying one final coat of red lipstick, I checked my reflection, twisting around to try and view the back of the dress. Duck-egg blue and midi length, it had a high neckline and a fitted top half that cinched in at the waist, with a flowing skirt. It was backless—maybe a little daring for a wedding, but I draped a gauzy shawl over my shoulders to cover my exposed skin. I headed out of the room, dropping the key inside my little clutch bag.

  Gripping the smooth wooden banister for support, I descended the wide staircase carefully, concentrating on where I was placing my feet. Glancing up for a moment, my eyes met a pair of dark ones and I sucked in a breath. Ensnared by his gaze, I couldn’t have looked away even if I’d wanted to. His eyes raked over me, a slow, leisurely perusal, and I boldly stared back at him, noticing the way his polished black Oxfords shone, his tailored morning suit fit like a glove, and his hair was perfectly parted and styled. He looked so handsome standing there, confident and commanding. A giddy excitement filled me. The way he was looking at me…surely he couldn’t be faking it. Could he? Was I reading too much into his actions because I wanted them to mean something?

  As I came to a stop in front of him, he reached out and touched my arm and bent his head to kiss my cheek. Butterflies took flight, and I grasped his other arm for support. His scent surrounded me, some kind of spicy, woodsy smell, and I breathed in deeply.

  “Are you sniffing me?” His amused voice sounded close to my ear, and I took a step back, dropping my hand from his arm, my cheeks heating.

  “Umm. Maaaybe?”

  “Okay then.” One finger reached up under my chin, gently tilting my head upwards so that our eyes could meet.

  “Hi,” I whispered.

  “Hi. You look beautiful, Avery.” He smiled down at me.

  “You look…um…good. Great. Nice suit.”

  “Thanks.” The amusement was back in his voice, and his eyes sparkled at me. On impulse, I reached up and brushed my mouth against his, another featherlight kiss that barely counted but still sent shivers racing through me. Well, since he was my pretend boyfriend, I had to make the most of it. Any woman would, with the way he looked at that moment in time. So gorgeous, so powerful, so imposing. He was impossible for me to resist, even if I’d wanted to.

  “Oops. You have a bit of my lipstick just here.” I touched my finger to his lower lip, the rest of my hand grasping his chin lightly. His lips were so soft. His rough jaw flexed under my hand, and his eyes darkened even further. I deliberately trailed my finger across his lip, and his breath hitched. He swallowed hard, his grip on my arm tightening almost imperceptibly.

  I dropped my hand and moved back to give him some space. He stared at me for a moment, the air crackling between us. The silence stretched, and I bit my lip, worried that I’d gone too far.

  “Ethan? I’m sorry if I overstepped the mark.” My voice came out as a hesitant whisper.

  “You have no idea, do you,” he murmured, almost to himself. “Fuck.” He pinched his brow, a pained expression on his face. “I need a minute. Wait there.” He strode off, disappearing around the corner.

  Maybe I shouldn’t have done that. I just couldn’t seem to help myself. I crossed the foyer and sank onto the chaise longue, waiting and watching as wedding guests began to file in through the doors and descend the stairs. Five minutes passed as I sat, watching the guests milling around, talking and laughing. Five long, uncomfortable minutes. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Ethan reappear, glancing around the foyer. I stood up and gave him a small wave, and he strode over to me, back to his usual cool, composed self.

  “Let’s head into the wedding ceremony and I’ll find your seat, then I’ll need to leave you to walk Victoria down the aisle.” I nodded, and he held out his arm. Tucking my arm into his
, I tottered a bit on my heels, trying to keep up with his brisk pace.

  “Sorry.” His steps slowed. “I’m so used to striding everywhere, I forget that not everyone can keep up with me.”

  “It’s fine. It’s these heels. I’d be able to walk much faster if I was wearing flats.” We smiled at one another, and I felt that pull between us again.

  The moment was gone as quickly as it had appeared with the sound of Ethan’s mother, Georgina, calling to him.

  “Hurry, Ethan darling. Victoria mustn’t be kept waiting.”

  “Yes, Mother. I know. We have plenty of time; stop worrying.”

  “I can’t help it. My baby girl is getting married to the man of her dreams, and I want everything to be perfect.”

  “Hardly the man of her dreams,” Ethan muttered under his breath. I couldn’t help smirking, turning my head so Georgina wouldn’t see my face.

  We reached the front of the drawing room where the wedding ceremony was taking place. Rows of chairs covered in flowing ivory fabric were placed either side of the room, with a wide aisle between them. White flowers filled the space, the overpowering scent making me want to sneeze.

  Ethan directed me to a seat in the front row. “I’m going to find Victoria now. Once the ceremony has begun and I’ve walked her down the aisle, I’ll sit with you. Are you going to be alright?”

  “I’ll be fine, but why am I in the front row?” My panicked gaze flew to his.

  His gaze darted between his mother and me. “Because I need to sit in the front, and I want my girlfriend next to me.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

  I melted. At that moment in time, I would have given anything for his words to have been real.

  I watched him walk away, knowing that I was in way over my head.

  “Things seem serious between the two of you.” Georgina’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

  “Sorry, what was that?”

  “Things seem serious between the two of you,” she repeated, a little impatiently. “I wanted him to make a go of things with Clarissa.” She sighed wistfully. “They were together when they were younger, and I always imagined they’d get married. I thought that when he saw her again, he’d want her back, but I hadn’t anticipated that he would already be in love with someone else.” Her eyes, pale blue and so different to Ethan’s, met mine. “I suppose I owe you an apology.”

  “Yes, you do.” I stared right back at her.

  A wry smile crossed her lips. “I apologise for the way I spoke to you yesterday. I will be honest and say you aren’t who I was expecting my son to end up with, but it appears you make him happy, so I will accept it.”

  “Very generous of you,” I commented dryly. “I accept your apology. Your son is an incredible man.” I stumbled over my words, my throat suddenly closing up. “I-I’m so lucky to have him in my life.” My mouth twisted. If only I had him in my life, for real, not just for this weekend.

  She nodded, then turned away, effectively dismissing me. I watched as she headed in the direction Ethan had gone, slipping out of the doors. The room began to fill with people, and I sat, an empty chair on either side of me, and Ethan and Victoria’s uncle, who had introduced himself as Jack, directly behind me.

  “I’m the black sheep of the family,” he told me in a conspiratorial whisper, his blue eyes twinkling merrily. “Poor Victoria didn’t get any say in this bloody farce of a wedding, but the one thing she insisted on was having me in the middle of all the action. No grandparents alive, see.” He swung his arm around. “No other siblings, so I get to sit up here as her favourite relative. Georgina was not impressed.” He snorted with laughter. “I thought she was going to have a conniption when Victoria put her foot down.”

  I couldn’t help grinning. “I like you already. Now, tell me, you’re not really Georgina’s brother, are you?” He looked so similar to her, they could almost pass for twins.

  “The one and only.” He smirked. “Georgina likes to pretend I don’t exist most of the time. Don’t get me wrong—she’s my sister and I love her to death, but she’s got impossible standards that most of the rest of us fall short of.”

  “I’ve already experienced that. She wasn’t impressed by me.”

  “I’m not surprised. She wants Ethan with some trust fund brat, or someone ‘influential.’” He made air quotes with his fingers, pulling a face.

  I laughed, a little too loudly, and people turned to look at me. “Oops. I hope I can get through today without embarrassing Ethan.”

  “Ah, you’ll be fine. Don’t worry about impressing this lot. You’ve already ruined your reputation by talking to me.” He winked at me, then glanced to the front of the room. “Looks like the ceremony is about to begin. We’ll talk more later.”

  A hush fell over the gathered guests as the organ began to play. All eyes turned to the back of the room as the doors swung open.

  8

  Ethan

  Victoria clutched her bouquet with a shaking hand, the other gripping onto my arm for dear life.

  “V? It’s not too late to back out, if you want to.”

  She lifted her gaze to mine, her heart-shaped face pale. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, and she bit her lip, hard.

  “No. I’m doing this.” Squaring her shoulders resolutely, she faced the doors leading into the drawing room.

  “You look good, Ethan.” Clarissa wafted past me in a cloud of overpowering perfume to take her place in front of us with the procession of bridesmaids, led by my mother, who was being escorted up the aisle by one of the ushers.

  “Thanks,” I muttered through gritted teeth. Next to me, Victoria’s grip on my arm tightened, and she swayed on her feet. All thoughts of Clarissa flew out of my head, concern for my sister filling me.

  “V. Do you want to get out of here?” I whispered.

  She shook her head. “No.” Her voice was so quiet that I could hardly hear her. She took a shaking step towards the doors, then another. The usher holding the doors for the bridesmaids held up a finger to indicate that we should wait. Finally, the last of the bridesmaids had gone through, and the music changed. The usher swung the doors open dramatically, and we stepped through. Victoria raised her chin, her faltering steps turning sure.

  “I can do this,” I heard her breathe. We made our way down the aisle. Ralph waited at the end. The expression on his face…not the look of an adoring groom, but a smug, knowing grin. I knew, deep in my bones, that Victoria was making a mistake and she’d end up hurt. Ralph cared about Ralph. Everything he did was in his own interest.

  As we drew closer to the end of the aisle, my eyes sought out Avery’s. She watched us, a concerned frown on her beautiful face. I relinquished Victoria and went to stand next to her. Her hand slipped into mine and squeezed it tightly.

  “Okay?” she mouthed, her eyes darting from me to Victoria. I shrugged, unable to articulate my worries, and she leaned into me, placing her other hand on my arm, her touch a comfort and a reassurance. I lifted our entwined fingers and pressed a grateful kiss to the back of her hand, before turning my attention back to the ceremony.

  Vows were exchanged, Victoria never once smiling, Ralph grinning like the cat that ate the canary. I’d never once been in a fist fight, but I would have loved to punch that smug smile from his face. As they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife, Avery and I trailed after the procession. It was done. My sister was married. There was nothing I could do now, other than wait for the inevitable fallout.

  The next hour passed in a blur of posing for hundreds of photos, before I could finally make my way back to Avery’s side. She’d made firm friends with my uncle Jack during the drinks reception, and I joined them in the middle of Jack telling her one of his tall tales about his travels in the Amazon rainforest. I rolled my eyes, smirking, having heard it all before.

  “…and the only way we could escape was to jump in the boat as quickly as possible. We left nearly everything behind, barely escaping with ou
r lives.”

  Avery’s eyes were round as Jack recounted his greatly exaggerated story, her mouth almost a perfect O. My gaze locked on that mouth. Those ruby red lips. Her tongue, darting out to lick those lips.

  My cock jumped, highly inappropriate images flashing through my mind. I gritted my teeth, tearing my eyes away. Quick, think of something else before Avery notices anything. I desperately scanned the room, accidentally catching Clarissa’s eye. She gave me what she probably thought was a sultry smile, but it did absolutely nothing for me. What it did do was cause my dick to rapidly deflate. Thank goodness.

  “Hi.” Avery smiled brightly, noticing me standing there. “All finished with the photos?” She slipped her arm into mine, her touch already feeling familiar to me. I dropped a kiss on her head. It was becoming so easy to be around her. In this unfamiliar setting, it was easy to forget we were boss and employee. Here, we were a man and a woman, friends who were… I had to be honest with myself. Friends who were starting to feel more than friendship for one another. I shook my head to dislodge that thought. No. I needed to remember that nothing could happen, should happen. We were far too different, we worked together…it was a disaster in the making.

  Once Victoria and Ralph had finished their photos, we were called into the formal dining room. I studied the table plan in the entryway. I was, of course, seated at the top table. Avery was on a different table, over to the side. At least Victoria had the foresight to seat her with Jack.

  As we reached the end of the receiving line, I gave Victoria a warm hug. “How are you doing?” I spoke softly into her ear.

  “I’m good,” she assured me. I scrutinised her, unconvinced. “Ethan, really. I’m fine.” Her voice was insistent.