He looked away, and his body went rigid with anger as he caught the ring in mid-air and stood up without saying a word. When he walked out I heard him lift his keys from the table where he left them ten minutes ago. Ten minutes ago….when I was still foolish enough to believe that I could hold on to the few precious things I had left.
I woke abruptly to the sound of a knock on my door. What time was it? I must have cried myself to sleep. I looked at the clock. 8:00 PM. I dragged the covers up higher not wanting to move, but the knocking continued until I reluctantly swung my legs over the side of the bed to find my flip-flops and shuffled to the door. Cracking it open I was met with the twisted worried expression on Nina’s face.
“Lo, are you okay? Why haven’t you called me?”
“Nice to see you, too” I retorted as I headed to the cupboard to find the bottle of vodka I was draining before deciding to crawl into bed and never get up.
“I’m heading home. The meeting is on for 8:30 tomorrow morning, and I’ve heard a few good ideas already.”
“Sounds fabulous, Nina” I said without bothering to turn around.
“Seriously, Lo. What’s going on now? I saw Jake’s truck peel out of here like a bat out of hell a couple hours ago. Did you tell him about Evelyn?”
“Let’s see, where to start? Well, how about if I start with the fact that I have no family left, my stepmother made away with my inheritance, and if that wasn’t enough, now she’s trying to take the family business away? The Grandview’s future depends on me, and in case you haven’t noticed I’m a real dependable fucking girl these days! Oh, and let’s not forget that the wedding is definitely off!”
“What? What do you mean the wedding is off? Lo, have you been drinking again?”
Yep, you got to love Nina. She let me ramble on unchallenged, and the only thing she heard was “the wedding is off!” Then she actually had the nerve to ask if I was drinking?
“No, Nina. I haven’t had a drop in a few hours, but as a matter-of-fact I am heading down to the bar right now. Let me buy you a drink, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
I expected her to decline after my sarcastic outburst, but she was always a true friend and loved me whether I was good, bad or ugly, so five minutes later we were sitting on barstools in the tavern. We ordered two Grey Goose martinis, and I began pouring my heart out to my best friend drink by drink by wonderful mind-numbing drink.
Everything that happened up until now seemed like a blur, but after saying it out loud to Nina it seemed more like reality. Jake was gone. He forced me to choose between him and The Grandview, and now he was gone. I told Nina what he said, his exact words, his tone of voice, his body language, and she helped me analyze each detail like only a best friend could. I also told her about the money my dad had left me, and confessed every sordid detail about my weekend with Parker. I was careful to leave out the other conversation that transpired in Barry’s office…although I’m not sure why. I was outraged at the time, but now… Was I actually considering it?
“What time is it getting to be?” Nina’s voice broke through my thoughts.
“It’s midnight” Steve said from behind the bar, “I was thinking about wrapping this up for the night ladies. Unless of course you would like another?”
I saw Nina yawning and knew she was ready to go. “Thanks Steve. I think we’re all set, but I’ll take one to go.”
“Sure thing, Lo. Coming right up. Oh and, Nina, if you want I can give you a ride. It’s right on my way.”
Nina blushed. Even a fool could see it. Even a fool who’d just downed five martinis. “Is it serious?” I whispered in her ear.
“I hope so,” she beamed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to tell you I was happy when you’re so…” She didn’t have to finish.
“Nina,” I stopped her, “I love you. I’m just glad to know there’s one fucking ounce of happiness left in this world, and if anyone deserves it, it’s you.”
The flicker from the candles on the bar reflected in her teary eyes. “I love you, too, Lo. Do you want us to help you upstairs?”
“No, thanks. I’ll be fine”. I no sooner uttered the words when I felt the whole room start to tilt. “Um, yeah, maybe that would be a good idea”.
I didn’t remember the walk to my suite, but at one point I felt the cool breeze on my face and heard the waves breaking on the beach, and I remember thinking I wanted them to deposit me in a lounge chair on my balcony. The sounds soothed me. But before I knew it I was lying in bed, and Nina was removing my shoes.
“Don’t forget the staff meeting at 8:30. I’ll set your alarm for you.”
She’s setting an alarm for me. Thank you, Nina. When the door closed I started to wiggle out of my clothes piece by piece. I rolled over on my side and could almost feel the moonlight from the window floating over my body. A clean breeze tickled across my back and swirled around the undersides of my breasts. Within seconds I was imagining Parker’s hands on my body. What’s wrong with me? Wetness pooled between my legs as flashbacks of our raw lovemaking went off in my mind like scenes from a home movie. Didn’t I love Jake at all?
Maybe the gravity of what happened hadn’t hit me yet. It wasn’t safe to love him anymore. I needed to put the entire idea of love to rest. By now I was good at picking up the pieces after losing someone, and I knew I could take care of myself. Love was something that wasn’t worth the risk, and I vowed that I wouldn’t set myself up for the fall. I wouldn’t let anyone that close again.
Thirteen
THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS
As soon as the alarm blared my eyes opened, and I knew what I needed to do. I picked up the phone and dialed.
“Good morning, Lauren. I was hoping you would call.” I could hear Barry’s million dollar smile through the receiver.
“When do I leave?” A charge of anxiety surged through me as the words left my mouth. I didn’t sound like myself. Butterflies gathered in my stomach, and I immediately began second guessing my decision.
“This afternoon. I don’t want to give you time to change your mind. Mr. Blackwell will send his jet, and I’ll call you with the details within the hour.”
The image of being delivered in Parker’s private jet like a shipment of expensive cargo he purchased rubbed me the wrong way. “No. I have one condition. I want a roundtrip ticket on a commercial airline. I’m agreeing to be a paid prostitute not a hostage.”
“Lauren, you’re really taking this out of context. It’s more about companionship than sex.”
“Save the bullshit, Barry. This is non-negotiable,” I hissed.
“Very well, have it your way. In that case I’ll pick you up at 9:30 and drive you to the airport myself, and remember no one can know about this Lauren.”
“Then what do you suggest I tell them?”
“Tell them you’re doing a consulting job for a friend of mine outside of Vegas. Your staff knows you need money, right? You’ll be out of town this week for five days returning on Tuesday of next week. Oh, and pack light. Got it?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“I’m not sure how well you know Mr. Blackwell, but he’s one of my best clients, Lauren. He’s a complete gentleman, so you’ll have nothing to worry about.”
“I doubt he’s much of a gentleman, Barry, but then I’ll be the judge of that. See you at 9:30.”
Barry was laughing as I hung up the phone. What am I doing? Selling your soul to the devil, Lo, that’s what you’re doing. Unfortunately, it was my only option, the only way I could save what was left of my life. The thought sobered me. This was my one shot. I had to shut down any feelings I had left. Feelings were an overrated luxury I could no longer afford. The clock was ticking, and I needed to do whatever it took to make three hundred thousand dollars before my time was up. After the conversation with Jake last night it was clear that going to Vegas was my only option. I was angry, but deep inside I couldn’t deny my curiosity. I was going to see Parker Blackwell’s world first hand. I was e
xhilarated, and at the same time it scared me to death.
Funny how just when you think you have it all figured out, life throws you a curve ball. Only days ago, even hours ago, I was going to marry Jake and run The Grand and live happily ever after. Maybe things weren’t perfect, but I stopped expecting perfection the day my mom died. Life was stable and that’s all I could ask for. How could Jake expect me to leave? How could he expect me to give up everything that mattered in my life without a fight? I wondered if he ever really knew me at all, if he ever really loved me. Bitterness filled my chest. Determined I wouldn’t let myself fall apart, I desperately searched for something good that I could cling to, and somehow I already knew what it would be. The idea itself was dangerous, and I knew I should leave it alone, but I needed something, anything to get me through this. I had to let down my guard and admit it.
Maybe it was just an illusion I chose to create, but seeing Parker after all these years brought me back to a place I had long forgotten. The moment his eyes searched mine, the moment our bodies connected for the first time, I became the girl I was before my world was shattered, and for a moment I felt unbroken, alive. Against all logical thought and ignoring my inner voice’s warning, I threw caution to the wind and fell into his arms. I knew we were two different people now, but when I was with him I felt like nothing had changed. Our connection was so strong it drew me into him. It fulfilled some dark need that only being with him could satisfy. But I had to be careful. I had to keep my heart in a safe place. Parker was a player, a man who could have any woman he desired at any time, and by the sounds of it he never let his desires go unfulfilled. I tried to recall what he said about love and sex. I didn’t remember his exact words, but it was something about there being a difference. I wondered why he chose to separate the two. Was casual sex his defense against falling in love?
I needed to stop trying to figure out what made Parker Blackwell tick. The truth is I may never know, and I didn’t have the time or energy to waste worrying about it. The only thing I could be sure of was no matter what I had to do I was going to save The Grand. This was a business transaction and nothing more, and my contract said I just had to get through the next five days. How tough could it really be? I already had sex with the man, and the word “sex” couldn’t come close to describing what he did to me, the way he claimed every part of me, his body sending signals mine just couldn’t resist. Pheromones! I’d never felt so desired, and it was exhilarating beyond anything I’d ever experienced. Yes, in my mind I was livid that he resorted to extortion, blackmail even, but my body was begging for more, and in the end we would both get exactly what we wanted. He purchased me to be his high priced call girl, and for the next five days I intended to give him exactly what he bargained for. I’ll swallow my pride and play the role he was paying me to play. It would be worth it in the end when I left with his money and never looked back...at least that’s what I told myself.
By the time I was dressed and ready for the meeting my mind felt clear. I was confident I was making the right decision. Before walking out the door I instinctively checked my cell phone to see if Jake had called. Stop it, Lo. There’s no going back now only forward.
I took the porch around to the large dining room. It took longer, but I wanted to feel the sunshine and breathe the fresh air as long as I could before I had to deliver an award winning performance to my staff. On the way, I rehearsed my lines one last time. Don’t say too much. Keep it brief. You might get caught up in the details if you’re not careful.
As I approached the conference room I could hear voices behind the door. I opened it, looked around and smiled at everyone confidently. My palms were wet, and I tried to keep my hands steady, but seeing their faces only confirmed that I was making the right choice. I couldn’t let them down. My staff was top notch, and their families depended on the paychecks I signed. I stood behind my seat at the head of the table and leaned in close to whisper into Nina’s ear,
“The box of money from my dad is in the safe. Take it to the bank, and make sure payroll gets out on time while I’m gone. Don’t worry. I’ll call you soon.” I gave her a little hug and a reassuring smile before addressing the staff, but she just blinked at me and looked confused.
“Good morning everyone. I have some news I need to share, but first I want to thank each and every one of you for stepping up to the plate to keep things running smoothly these past few months. It’s because of you that we’re the best on Lake Michigan, and we’ll continue to welcome our guests back year after year,” I pushed through the lump in my throat and continued, “I called you here this morning to personally ease your fears and stamp out any doubt you may have about the future of The Grandview. First, I want to announce that I’ll be buying Evelyn’s shares sometime within the next three months. It’s not going to be easy. I’m going to have to take on some extra work to make it happen, but I know you’ll keep this place running like a well-oiled machine while I’m gone, and things will get back to normal in no time. I have a plane to catch, so I’m going to turn the meeting over to Nina.”
Nina’s eyes opened wide when she heard her name. She shot me a concerned look, but then quickly recovered and pushed back from the table to stand next to me.
“I’m leaving this morning for Vegas. Mr. Stanton ugh has found me a job as a consultant to a small resort owned by a friend of his. I’ll be home on Tuesday, but while I’m gone please see Nina if you have any issues. Thanks again, everyone. Things can only get better from here.”
Standing up straight, my shoulders squared, I forced my best smile, making eye contact with each person at the table before turning and leaving the room. I’d made it through the meeting without falling apart, and my bag was packed. I was one step closer to fixing this damn mess and getting back home.
Barry pulled up in his Lexus right on time. As I wheeled my suitcase through the door he climbed out to give me a hand, and I did my best to hide my contempt as I watched him stow my suitcase neatly in back. What a gentleman! Wonder if your wife knows about your little business in Vegas?
He pulled his Ray Bans down to inspect me. “Lauren, you look radiant!” he beamed.
“Mmm hmm,” I managed with a fake smile.
When he climbed in the car he handed me my ticket and a clipboard. “Your flight leaves at 12:30. You’ll be flying out of Traverse City to O’Hare then connecting non-stop from there to Las Vegas. When you arrive my assistant will pick you up, and then Mr. Blackwell has arranged for a special surprise. Oh, and I need you to sign that paper,” he threw in casually.
I raised my eyebrows suspiciously and examined his face. “Special surprise? What kind of surprise? And what exactly am I signing, Barry?”
“You’ll see. Something to help you relax, maybe take the edge off a bit. Mr. Blackwell is a very important client of mine, Lauren. We need to make sure he’s happy. Very happy. And the paper is a non-disclosure agreement. It basically says that you agree to keep this arrangement and anything that may happen during your stay confidential. Do you understand?”
So even hookers signed contracts these days? I scribbled my name quickly and shoved the clipboard at him asking him to elaborate in my most business-like tone. “What exactly does very happy mean, Barry? I thought you said sex wasn’t required?” I wanted him to say the words. I wanted him to say it.
He quickly avoided the question, but I noticed with satisfaction that his knuckles were turning white from squeezing the steering wheel. That’s right you bastard. I want to see you squirm.
“I think you’re aware he’s a world class poker player, right? Have you seen him on TV? When he comes to Vegas I make sure he’s in good company for a few days before his tournaments. Helps him relax.”
I wanted him to shut up. The smug son-of-a-bitch thought he was doing me a favor by feeding me meaningless details about a man with whom I’d exchanged much more with than just sordid business deals.
I sat with my fists balled in my lap, and before I could think I sn
apped, “Barry, two days ago I had the man’s cock in my mouth, so unless you can tell me about something more meaningful than his hooker fetish, please spare me the small talk.”
Barry’s jaw dropped open in shock, and I smiled inside. Smacking him in the face couldn’t have gotten his attention more effectively. When he finally looked back at the road he had to jerk the wheel to keep us from going off the edge. Maybe I was a little too bold, but it served him right, and besides, if I’m going to be nothing more than a high priced hooker for the next few days I might as well try on the shoes.
There was an awkward silence in the air during the rest of the ride, and I looked out the passenger window to avoid any further conversation. Once we reached the airport I felt Barry’s eyes on my ass as I exited the car without saying a word and made my way through the revolving door. How did I never noticed what a pig he was before? I boarded the flight and found my seat quickly. The whole idea of going to Vegas seemed so surreal until this moment, and I wondered whether Jake heard that I’d left by now. I wondered if he even cared. Since my cell phone had been silent all day, I had to assume he didn’t. Honestly, it didn’t matter considering what I was about to do, and there was no turning back now.
In a weird way, pretending to be somebody else in a faraway place seemed like a luxury. For a moment I could escape reality and forget that everything around me was falling apart. I could stop trying to be strong and let go of all that I couldn’t control. These thoughts seemed to calm my nerves, and I felt a faint smile on my lips as I thought of Nina and silently wished they could clear my chakras, too. I leaned my head back and reminded myself that in five short days The Grand would be mine, and for now that’s all that really mattered.
Just Fall (The Fall Series) Page 10