“It’s the only fucking copy and now you’ve deleted it. Happy?” Luc was also getting snappy although his stomach churned at his foolish bravado.
“Go away then Mr Vincent and don’t come back if you know what’s good for you. And if you so much as breathe a fucking word to Jess and Lucy I will personally see to it that your future in the City will be an extremely short one.”
Luc stiffened and straightened to his full height putting him nearly as tall as Joe. “Oh don’t worry I’m off, but because of Rachel not you. You have no fucking idea what shit storm you just created for yourself. That’s Rachel Renton you just pissed off, not some fickle bottle blond ready to pander to your every need just ‘cos you’re some kind of New York aristocrat.” Joe raised his eyebrows at that. “Yeah – we’ve all Googled you, mate.” Luc sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “Tread carefully old man, or you just might find yourself in the same position as me. I’m telling you – she’s worth it.”
Joe’s hands fisted by his sides but he made no move towards the boy remembering his warning that Rachel would be upset if he hurt him. He wasn’t sure he really cared less at this juncture, but just in case there was a semblance of rectifying this god awful mess, he knew it wouldn’t help his cause if he let loose on Luc.
“Just get out of here.”
A big grin spread across Luc’s face, apparently the boy had fucking dimples. “Despite everything, I’m not sorry for the most amazing Easter of my life. I am so jealous of you Joe – don’t fuck it up man. We will be great friends one day; I feel it.” The boy was certifiable but before Joe could react, Luc had disappeared into the depths of the underground station out of sight.
Joe sagged against the side of the building and let out a long breath raking his hands through his hair. He was so out of his depth with all this emotional turmoil he didn’t know which way to turn. Not a feeling he was used to. His brain told him to try and process all this recent information about Rachel in a logical, sensible fashion. However, rage kept bubbling to the surface making him question everything she had ever said to him. How could she lead him to believe that she was bereaved over Nate when all along she’d been screwing Luc’s brains out? Who knows; they could have been having an affair for years – God, what kind of woman was she? But maybe it was a one-time thing; everyone makes mistakes; he should give her a chance to explain before he sent her packing, literally. No more Genesis and no more Rachel Renton in his life sounded like a good plan he told himself. Then why did it fucking make his heart ache so much?
“Goddamit!” he cursed loudly causing passers by to jump in shock. He just scowled at them when they glared his way which sent them scurrying away like frightened mice. “Shit, shit, shit.” Grabbing his phone from his pocket he scrolled through his contacts until he reached the number he was searching for.
“Fucking bad timing Joe…. Jesus fuck baby that feels good…” Ryan groaned at the same time as Joe, but for very different reasons.
Joe rolled his eyes. “Tell your boy toy to get his face off your cock or out your ass or whatever – I need to speak to you. Now” Joe waited for the inevitable cursing to die down.
“Joe for fuck’s sake this has better be good.”
“Ry…” Joe voice faltered and he heard his friend sigh. Ryan prodded the man in bed next to him and pointed to the door not paying him any more attention.
“Joe man – what’s up?” Ryan’s tone had switched from aggravated to concerned. His friend was not one to ask for help but it sounded like he was upset.
“I think I might have just gone and fucked up the best thing that ever happened to me and I have no fucking idea how to make it right.”
“Shit – just tell me. Don’t leave anything out…”
**********
“I have to get back to reception – are you sure you’re ok?” Angela was reluctant to leave Rachel alone; she was a mess, constantly wringing her hands and checking her phone.
“Oh thank goodness.” A whoosh of relief escaped Rachel’s lips as she read a text from Luc who was apparently still in possession of all his limbs, major organs and dignity. “Luc’s ok” she told Angela, “I’ll be fine now.”
“What about Joe?” Angela asked tentatively.
Rachel snorted inelegantly in Angela’s direction. “I don’t want to see that ignoramus right now. How dare he throw his weight around behaving like a big bully? Fuck him and the horse he rode in on.” Rachel was spitting feathers now she knew Joe hadn’t touched Luc. Angela had recently suspected an attraction brewing between her boss and Rachel but she’d obviously missed something epic going on right under her nose.
“Ok but he’s going to be back any second. I’ll try and deflect him, but I suggest you leave. I don’t know Joe all that well yet but I’m guessing when the boss gets angry all hell’s bound to break loose.”
“Thanks Angela – you’re probably right.” Rachel one again gave up a silent prayer that Luc had gotten away in tact but that still didn’t resolve the issue that Joe had a right to demand an explanation for why she hadn’t told him about their affair. He was right; it was lying by omission and relationships demanded honesty above all else. If Joe couldn’t trust her, what right did she have to keep him? Rachel had been an ignorant fool to think he would understand; the thing she had with Luc was unconventional and selfish and she should have felt guilty about it. The fact that she didn’t would make it harder for Joe to forgive her, and Rachel braced herself for the possibility that they may not make it past this latest revelation.
Angela gave Rachel a reassuring smile as she headed off back to her desk at Reception. She’d wanted to ask her a bit more about the Abercrombie model who’d rocked up earlier but perhaps now wasn’t the most tactful time to do it. She was looking forward to playing back the security video later though; the boy was simply delicious. Dreaming of Luc’s dimples, Angela braced herself for Hurricane Joe.
Rachel stepped into the lift half heartedly waving goodbye to Angela. Every bit of her yearned to wait for Joe but they needed to give each other some space. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, weighed down with the complexities of betrayal and love.
Joe meanwhile was on a mission. Ryan had talked him down from his rage and soothed away some of his fears. His best friend knew him better than anyone and was the only person Joe allowed free reign of speech. Ry had always had his back and they loved each other like brothers. The fact that Ryan was gay had never bothered Joe unless someone bothered Ryan. They were fiercely loyal to each other and Joe knew that whatever advice Ryan gave would have his best interest at heart.
Feeling confident and eager to confront Rachel armed with Ryan’s encouragement; Joe came barrelling out of the stairwell his big frame heaving from the effort it had taken him to run up the stairs. He was going to confront Rachel and find out once and for all if she was a lying cheating bitch or the love of his life.
“Where is she?” he snapped, tearing through Reception.
“Joe Mason, stop right there!” barked Angela at her boss. He stopped dead in his tracks and shot her a look of pure disdain.
“Who the fuck are you to give me orders?” he yelled at her. Angela narrowed her eyes at him; stood up and placed her hands on her hips daring him to say one more thing to her in that tone of voice.
Joe’s shoulders sagged as he realised how inappropriately he was behaving, especially in his place of work. “Shit! Sorry Angela, I didn’t mean it. Oh shit…” the man looked desperately unhappy and confused and Angela’s heart went out to him. She stood up and walked over to him gently tugging his arm and guided him to his office.
“Go and freshen up boss; I’ll get you a drink and then we’ll discuss what you should do next. Tell me it’s none of my business if you like, but I think you need some advice honey.” Joe’s energy levels zeroed out as the adrenalin rush dissipated and it took a huge effort just to move one foot in front of the other. He disappeared into his bathroom and Angela poured him a Jack Daniels on th
e rocks just as she knew he liked.
Once he’d washed and changed into a clean shirt, Joe collapsed onto one of his couches. Both elbows resting on his thighs, he held his head in one hand while dangling his glass in the other. Swirling the amber liquid in circles he brought the tumbler to his lips and took a long swallow. Angela knew Joe was off limits but she couldn’t help admire the pure masculinity of his movements. She appreciated the way his big muscles bunched under the cotton of his tight fitting shirt and felt a fleeting moment of envy towards Rachel.
“You’re hovering” Joe mumbled.
“Actually, I’m waiting” replied Angela standing over him with her arms crossed over her chest. He raised his head to look up at her momentarily side lined by the dominating stance she’d adopted.
“For what?”
“For you to get your head out of your arse and take a minute to consider your behaviour this morning.”
Joe slumped back into the leather scowling at her. He wondered why he let her get away with talking to him so directly, but he guessed he needed to hear it. He swallowed the last of his drink and rattled his glass for another.
“Only if you promise not to drive.” Joe huffed but nodded his agreement. Angela gave him a refill.
“Joe, seriously, do you want to talk about this? You know I’m discreet.”
“I trust you Angela, but there’s nothing to talk about. Unlike you, some people around here can’t be trusted; end of.”
“That’s bullshit. I’m guessing you two have been seeing each other and that Luc Vincent is part of Rachel’s past. And I mean ‘past’ Joe. Rachel would never cheat on you. She is the most honest person I’ve ever met – it’s not in her nature to be anything but. You interrupted something and didn’t permit her to explain and so you have jumped to conclusions. I’m surprised that such an accomplished lawman as yourself would act on assumption without knowing all the facts.”
Joe shook his head gesturing for another drink. Angela sighed but did the honours none the less. “That’s your last one,” she warned.
“I know what I saw.”
“Do you indeed? What exactly was that huh? It couldn’t have been so bad or unforgiving because Rachel stayed behind even when Mr Vincent left. Why did she do that Joe?”
“I don’t know…” thinking about it the way Angela put it made sense and now he sounded unsure. “For me?”
“That could be the reason, but you’ll never know unless you listen to what she has to say? ‘Listen’ being the operative word Joe. Ranting at her isn’t going to get you anywhere.”
Placing his empty glass on the coffee table, Joe ran his hand through his hair then down to his beard stroking it as his mind reeled trying to sort out the turmoil raging through him. One thing he was sure of; no woman had ever elicited such strong emotional reactions from him. He was so angry with her but the over riding fear of having driven her away permanently was killing him. God he was a pathetic wreck.
“Fine – I get it. Thanks for the advice. You can go.” Joe dropped his head to his hands; Angela had pretty much just reiterated what Ryan had told him although she put it a lot more politely. Angela squeezed his shoulder as she departed.
“I may sound a little cheesy boss – but follow your heart for once. You both deserve to be happy.”
**********
CHAPTER 23
Rachel’s tube journey home was a nightmare. Her carriage had the obligatory nutter praising the Lord and cursing the Prime minister with equal fervour. Everyone else had turned up their IPods so all she could hear was white noise coming from everywhere as a background. The woman next to her was wearing perfume cloying enough to make her feel nauseous and was shouting down her phone in Russian. Additionally, the weather had turned warm so that she was all sticky and clammy by the time she got to her station. At least it gave her the perfect excuse for a long soak in her tub accompanied by a bottle of wine and some serious hard rock music she could scream along to. She was so mad at Joe she could barely breathe. But that wasn’t the only reason; she was so drawn to him on every level his masterful display of alpha male raw energy channelled into controlled aggression was fucking awesome to behold and it turned her on. Alot. Knowing he had restrained from seriously hurting Luc, Joe must still feel something for her surely?
**********
Having polished off one bottle of wine in the bath, Rachel was well into her second. She was sat out on her garden patio her mood slowly shifting from angry to melancholy. She missed Jess and Lucy; she missed Nate; she missed Luc but she was craving Joe. Just this past week she had finally begun to relax and hope for a possible future with him in it – hell, if she was being honest, she was probably falling in love with the arrogant bastard.
“Big hands, big head, big cock – big fucking temper…” she was muttering to herself when the sound of her doorbell startled her making her jump and spill a little of her wine.
“Who is it?” she yelled.
She waited for a reply but the bell just continued to ring followed by the heavy brass doorknocker banging loudly non-stop. “Alright, I’m coming.” Blimey someone was impatient.
Swaying slightly from the effects of the alcohol on an empty stomach, Rachel carefully made her way to the front door. The outline of someone rather large and familiar leaning against the frosted glass halted her in her tracks.
“Forget it mate. Go away!”
“Open up Rachel” Joe bellowed.
“No – not happening.” She finished the rest of her wine in one long go and tipped her glass at him in a mocking salute.
“I’m not leaving.”
“Me neither” she screamed at him, followed by a burst of hysterical giggles when she realised she was in her own bloody house and didn’t need to go anywhere!
“What? Of course not – you’re already here…wait a minute – are you drunk?” Joe’s face was pushed up against the door panel but behind the frosted glass, he was all shadows.
“Piss off and go away.” She sounded quite adamant if a little slurred.
Joe banged hard on the door rocking the very foundations of the house. “Open this goddamned fucking door. Now!”
“Shut up – the neighbours will hear you.”
“Don’t. Give. A. Shit.”
Rachel snorted. “You made that clear enough.”
She waited for another clever response but none came. After a short while she realised he had indeed gone and was acutely disappointed in him. Was that it? She couldn’t believe he’d given up that easily. When did the oh so mighty Joe Mason ever give up on anything? What a dipshit. And now the wine had gone straight to her head and made her incredibly horny – wouldn’t she ever learn?
A loud bang followed by a crash from the garden made her jump and she gingerly made her way out the back fearful of what had happened. Stepping out through the kitchen door onto her patio she was greeted by the sight of a large section of her side fence completely destroyed scattered on the ground. Rachel blinked repeatedly until her brain processed a fairly dishevelled Joe standing on her lawn. He was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.
“Oh my god – did you just destroy my fence?”
“Yes.”
Uh oh; Menacing Joe.
“You ripped your suit pants.” Rachel was mesmerised by a flap of his trousers that had torn over his right thigh; or more correctly the taut muscle and enticing glimpse of skin that was now visible. She licked her lips then hiccupped.
“You are drunk” Joe narrowed his eyes at her accusingly.
“It’s your fault.”
“I’m not having this conversation until you’ve sobered up.”
“What fucking conversation you presumptuous, arrogant, ignorant bastard?
Rachel flipped him the bird; grabbed the bottle of wine elegantly necking it as she stormed back into the house. As angry and confused as Joe was with her right now; he couldn’t help the swell of desire that had his dick hard at the sight of her all mussed up and tipsy. Her rob
e had fallen open enough to expose the fact she was naked underneath which was extremely distracting to say the least.
Joe followed her leisurely into the kitchen ignoring her death glares; she was seriously cute all riled up and he knew she must be horny after all that alcohol. Still – he didn’t dare approach her or try to sweet talk her while she was in this state. He needed Rachel fully sober for what he wanted to say. Making himself scarce until such time, he walked right on past her; out through the hall and settled himself in one of her massive couches in the den. Rachel followed fast on his heels.
“Who the fuck invited you to stay?” she shrieked at him, her words slurring slightly.
Joe kicked off his shoes and plonked his feet on her coffee table crossing his legs at the ankles. Grabbing the remote he started flicking through the channels settling on an action movie. He didn’t bother to look at her when he spoke.
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