by Maya Hughes
The next four hours were a whirlwind of activity. I was tweezed, waxed and pinched to within an inch of my life. Any protests were met with a quick rebuke from Rachel, who popped in and out on phone call after phone call, when she wasn’t typing away on her phone. Her eyebrows got more and more furrowed throughout the afternoon as the sun set. The poor woman had enough to deal with when it came to Rhys. I didn’t want to make things any more difficult.
Rachel walked in after what felt like days in the chair. She clutched her phone between her hands.
“Wow, you look amazing, Mel,” she said, standing in front of me with a huge smile plastered on her face.
Whirling around in my chair, I came face to face with someone who looked like an oddly smooth and way fancier version of myself. I was tempted to run a hand over my face, but a quick smack to the back of my hand from the makeup artist stopped me. And an artist she was. It was hard to believe it was my own reflection in the mirror, staring back at me.
Without thinking I raised my hand again. The makeup artist tutted me before packing up and heading out. Then, it was time to put on the dress. After some maneuvering to keep my hair and makeup intact, Rachel zipped me up. I slid on my heels and wobbled a bit. I wasn’t a heels kind of girl, but I figured tonight called for them. Rachel, taking mercy on me, slipped a pair of foldable flats into my clutch, along with another tube of lipstick and some blotting tissue. Seriously, that’s all that fit into that thing. Rachel shoved it into my hand and hustled me out into the foyer. We passed by Esme’s room on the way and she ran out, giving me a huge hug.
“You look like a princess, Mel! So pretty!” she said, beaming up at me. Esme’s comment, along with the amount of pampering I had just received had truly made me feel like one, a real princess. The giant knot of nervousness eased up a tiny bit.
“Thanks, kiddo. I think it’s your bedtime, isn’t it?” I said, checking out the night sky through her window.
“Yeah,” she said in a huff, stomping her foot on the floor.
“Don’t worry, I bet Rachel is a great story reader, but you’ll have to tell her how you like the voices to go, okay?”
“Okay,” she sighed, glumly. “Have fun at the party with Daddy.” She bounded back into her room, shuffling through her bookshelf, probably looking for the longest story she could get her hands on. We made it to the foyer, with Rachel fussing over me the whole way.
“Don’t let her try to squeeze more than one book out of you. She’ll try to milk it and get as many as she can, so she can stay up. She likes you to do deep voices for the bad guys and don’t worry about sounding silly. She loves it when you ham it up,” I said, worrying about leaving Esme alone tonight.
It would be my first night away since I’d started. Had someone told me a few months ago that I’d be worried about leaving her behind for a night without reading her a bedtime story, I’d have laughed. But here I was. Worried about a little girl who’d become such a huge part of my life over the past few months. She and her dad, the dynamic duo, were turning my life upside down.
“Working to keep Esme happy at all times aren’t you, Mel?” Rhys’s voice sent shivers down my spine, the rich thickness of it coating me in complete awareness of his presence.
“I try,” I said, glancing over my shoulder, nearly choking as Rhys stepped out from the hall. “Black-tie” suited him. He wore his tuxedo like a second skin. The smooth, clean lines accented his strong jaw and the power he exuded. All the times I’d seen him before paled in comparison to how he looked tonight.
His eyes were glued to my back, which I knew was completely exposed in this dress. His nostrils flared and I smirked, It pleased me to know that his reaction to my cleaned-up appearance was as strong as my reaction to his. And he’d picked out the dress, so I don’t know why he was so surprised. When you buy a dress like this for a girl, she’s going to be showing a little skin.
Was this a date? We hadn’t gone over that. I assumed he’d asked because he’d been too busy to find another date for tonight, but he’d also gone through the trouble of getting me all dolled up. It couldn’t have just been a convenience thing, not after everything that had passed between us over the last few months.
“You look stunning,” he said, grabbing the coat Rachel held out and helping me into it. I blushed and I pulled my hair up, so it didn’t get caught and I swear I felt his breath ticking the back of my neck. The hairs there stood on end as I tied the coat’s sash around my waist.
“Rachel, I trust everything will be okay tonight? You know how to get in touch with me if you need me,” Rhys confirmed, keeping his eyes pinned to me.
“Absolutely, sir. Powering down right now,” she said, turning her phone off. “Esme and I will have a great time. Enjoy the party!”
“I’ll have to take you out like this more often,” he said, guiding me into the elevator, his hand on the small of my back. The heat of his hand radiated through me as we stepped inside. As the doors closed, a predator replaced the polite Rhys of the past few weeks. Every spot his eyes lingered on made my skin heat even under my coat. As we drove to the gala, I felt naked although I was bundled up in a coat and tucked away in the back of the town car with him. My fingers toying with the seatbelt while I stared out the window, trying to pretend that I wasn’t in a whole heap of trouble.
18
MEL
As we entered the museum, Rhys checked my coat and led me into the event. His hand that warmed me back in the apartment, set me ablaze as he settled it on the small of my back. His fingers were flush against my bare skin, making me hyper-aware of every bit of exposed skin and every inch of contact between us. I held my head high as we walked into the event space, which showcased various pieces of artwork. Heads turned as we made our way further into the room. My shoulders inched a little higher with each new set of eyes turned our way.
“Relax,” he whispered, tickling my ear with his warm minty breath. “I would tell you they’re not looking at you, that they’re looking at me, but I know with you in that dress they are definitely looking at you,” he said, plucking two champagne flutes off the tray from the waiter who had approached us. “Here you go. Don’t let it go to your head,” he said. I didn’t know what part of tonight I shouldn’t let go to my head. The fairytale makeover, him taking me out, the champagne, or the way he looked at me that made me want to drag him into an empty closet and beg him to end my misery.
But his remark cemented how much I didn’t fit in with this crowd. I didn’t know how to hold my champagne glass and my hands were super clammy for each embarrassing handshake, and the heels made me wobbly with each step. But his hand didn’t leave my back for most of the evening. He guided me through the crowd, introducing me to everyone we met, smiles all around. With him leading the way, I relaxed. I smiled and tried to play my part as his date without falling on my face.
After a couple of turns on the dance floor, his face got closer to mine and he talked to me. Told me stories about a lot of the people in that room. Our whispered conversation, so private even though we were surrounded by a room full of people. He moved like a man who’d been born dancing, and all my worries about face planting out there were swept away as he used his firm, steady grip to lead me where he wanted me.
As the night wore on, the mystery of his world grew even bigger. People were talking mergers and acquisitions, golfing, yachting and every manner of things so far out of my league, I couldn’t even comprehend that being my everyday life. Rhys was at ease, so in control of everyone around him. People deferred to him in almost every conversation. Waiting for his reply before they made up their minds about something and he took it in stride. I’d also never seen him smile so much before. This person he was in public was the one I remembered from the news stories and magazine covers, but he wasn’t anything like the man I’d shared the same apartment with over the past few months. I wondered which side was the real him.
While the smiles were there for every conversation with people who ap
proached him continuously throughout the evening, every turn to me, every glance turned on the heat. The butterflies in my stomach were flapping their wings so hard they threatened to sweep me away.
“Don’t drink too much champagne. I have plans,” Rhys said against my temple as he was pulled away, nodding to the glass in my hand. The tingling of the champagne was pushed aside by the throbbing I felt from the promise in his voice.
I licked my lips in anticipation of what that might mean, his eyes were riveted to them. When he glanced up his eyes brokered no argument that tonight would be one I wouldn’t soon forget. My skin flushed and I knew it wasn’t from the drinks, but from the heat pouring off him. I needed to get out of there for a bit. Cool down before I made a complete ass of myself in front of everyone. I wandered out onto the balcony. The frigid air kept most people inside, but it was perfect for my overheated body. My breath was visible, floating in front of my face as I gazed out over the city, lights twinkling. Headlights and taillights looked like tiny dancing decorations coating the streets.
Goosebumps pebbled my flesh and I rubbed my hands up and down my arms, welcoming the air to snap me out of the haze I’d been stuck in. I needed a clear head around him as much as possible. It was so easy to let things get out of hand. And as much as I wanted him. Wanted to feel him. I had to keep my wits about me or he might completely decimate me.
“Do you want some company?” came a smooth voice from behind me, making me jump. I whipped around and stared at the man who’d entered my icy retreat. The tall blond stood a few feet from me, admiring the city, but I knew his attention was also on me. Whereas Rhys wore his tux with confidence and poise, this man looked like he’d beaten it into submission before putting it on. He was large where Rhys was lithe. His muscles strained against the jacket that had to have been tailor made for him. Maybe a professional athlete?
“I’m okay. It’s a bit cold, I was just heading back in.”
“Keep me company then. These stuffy parties can be such a bore, and I always feel so out of place,” he said, standing next to me. I glanced through the doors to the balcony, where Rhys was still talking over whatever he’d been dragged away to discuss. And I knew all about feeling out of place there. Although I couldn’t imagine this guy felt out of place. He might not have looked like he was born to wear one, but he certainly looked good in it. The black contrasted with his light blonde hair and striking blue eyes. If I wasn’t already completely mindfucked by a certain green-eyed enigma, I might have been tempted by the man before me.
“Sure,” I said, checking the doors again.
“Here, take this,” he said, shrugging out of his jacket.
“No, it’s okay,” I protested. But he shook his head and put it around my shoulders.
“It’s the least I can do if I’m asking you to stay out here with me.” The warmth from his jacket immediately soaked into me, relaxing the muscles I’d tightened to keep the cold at bay. I wrapped the warm jacket around me tighter. The cold had settled in deeper than I realized.
“Thanks,” I said, following his gaze out over the city.
“You’re here with Rhys Thayer, right?” he said, peering over at me.
“Yes, I am.” Nervousness bounced around my stomach, ping-ponging back and forth.
“I have to say, there’s only a handful of things I’ve been jealous of in my life, but when I saw you two walk in, I wished it was my hand resting on your back. His stare turned from playful to molten in an instant. It set me ablaze.
My breath came out in stuttered puffs. I didn’t get the feeling this was just about me looking nice in this dress. Something was up, but I didn’t know what. Power pulsed off him, nearly overpowering me. But it wasn’t the same as it was with Rhys. This didn’t make me want to drop my panties, bend over and beg for his attention. It made me want to run away.
“Thanks.” I didn’t quite know how to handle this. I didn’t want to tell this guy off. I didn’t want to embarrass Rhys. Who knew who this guy was? A business associate? A potential client or something?
“Killian,” he said, extending his hand.
“Melanie,” I said, placing my hand in his to shake, but then the shake stopped being just a friendly formality when he covered my hand with his.
“So where did he find you?” he said, running his fingers along the back of my hand. I shivered, this time not at all because of the weather. I had the feeling I had the starring role of a bug stuck in whatever kind of web Killian wove and I didn’t know how to get out.
“I’m just the nanny. A last-minute person to come with him. He’s been working really hard lately and I don’t think he had time to find a real date.” I tugged on my hand, but his grip was strong.
“I don’t believe that at all,” he said, his eyes roaming all over me.
“I don’t know what to tell you. I’m definitely the nanny.” I managed to tug my hand free from his grasp.
“Oh, I believe that one hundred percent, but I don’t believe for one second that you weren’t his first choice for a date. Rhys isn’t known for letting anything slip through the cracks, so I’m sure he brought you here with a specific purpose in mind,” he said, taking a step closer. I took a step back, my back hitting the stone railing.
“Listen, I’m going to head back inside. It was nice meeting you,” I said, trying to step around him, but he sidestepped right along with me and I ended up banging into his chest.
“I’m sure there are all kinds of things you’re able to do for him other than just watch his daughter, aren’t there?” he said, touching my chin with his fingers. My first instinct was to jerk away, but I balled up my fist tucked in the sleeve of his jacket and was ready to deck him when Rhys swooped in and did it for me. The smack of his fist against Killian’s face made me jump, nearly toppling over in my heels. He glanced over at me before he leaned right back into Killian.
As happy as I was for his rescue, the look on his face didn’t spell out ‘prince saving me from a villain’ it was more like, “betrayed hero promising retribution.” My stomach dropped as I watched him lay into Killian.
19
RHYS
Only something this important could have pulled me from Melanie’s side tonight. When I had first seen her standing in the foyer, wearing the dress I’d chosen for her, it was all I could do not to tell Rachel to leave, so I could take Mel right there, up against the wall. But in that dress, I also wanted to show her off.
The past few weeks I’d been putting out fires and dealing with headaches left and right. This was the first night I’d been able to spend with Mel since the night in my office. That she was in the apartment had been good enough for me. She was there, safe under my roof. The temptation was so strong. I’d promised myself just a taste tonight. Just enough to take the edge off the need to have her.
Thomas, one of my fellow board members, pulled me aside. Rachel hadn’t been able to get much information about the coup being staged against me, which was unlike her. She was usually up for a challenge and delivered every time. Thomas was a family friend, and his allegiance was stronger than most.
Thomas leaned in and warned in a hushed tone, “I thought you should know. It’s Killian Thorne. He’s the one who’s convinced everyone to hold the elections.”
My blood ran cold at the confirmation of what I’d suspected from the beginning. Killian had had his sights set on me and my family for a long time. He’d fallen off the face of the earth after getting kicked out of school. Too proud to accept anyone’s help, he left and we lost touch. Old friendship or not, he wasn’t going to get away with this. It didn’t make any sense to me. Why was he doing this?
“When did he approach the board?”
“A few months ago. He made it known that there was a scandal brewing with you and it would be in the best interest of our foundation to disassociate ourselves from you as quickly as possible. He said no amount of money would be able to salvage the reputations of anyone associated with you,” Thomas said, whis
pering furtively.
“Did he say what information he intended to divulge?”
“No, not to me anyway, but whatever he shared with the rest was enough to get them to call for the election. He wants your seat,” Thomas said. A flash of red across the room caught my eye. Melanie opened the doors to the balcony, and the frosty breeze made its way across the room to me. She doesn’t have a coat. I needed to focus. Focus on the matter at hand.
“He’s not going to get it,” I said through gritted teeth. My blood pounded and my temples throbbed as I clenched and unclenched my fists. He thought he had the upper hand on me, but I’d be damned if I let his bullshit vendetta destroy everything I’d worked for and put my family in jeopardy.
“Perhaps it wouldn’t be a terrible thing if you weren’t on so many boards. I’m sure you’d like to relax, take some time with your daughter. You never took any time off after your wife died. I think maybe this could be a good thing,” Thomas said, attempting to reassure me.
“I’d much rather have a hand in all the good work being done out there. You know how much I enjoy being at the helm, being able to direct what’s going on with these foundations.” Thomas smiled and nodded.
I played my part perfectly. I was the perfectionist, controlling billionaire who didn’t want to see his money squandered. What he didn’t know, what no one knew was that my parents weren’t quite so sure I’d follow their do-gooder path in the event of their untimely demise. Every dollar I had was a result of the money I donated. I was required to donate a certain percentage to one of my charities. A charity vetted by the executor of my parent’s estate. Only then would I get any money from the trust in advance of my full inheritance. Every cent ran through this bullshit of hoops and hurdles. Apparently, they didn’t trust me. My parents would leave for months on end to be benefactors, heroes, even care givers to people all over the world, however their generosity and philanthropy ended the second they came back home, if and when they did. I was raised by a squadron of nannies. And I was a handful from the beginning. The nannies were as disposable as I was to my parents.