Resist

  “Nothing,” I mutter. God, I’m on the verge of crying. What the hell is wrong with me? “I just think you’re investing too much energy in this vendetta you have against Ryan.”

  As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. His eyes widen in disbelief and then slowly cloud with anger.

  “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” I mumble, going into damage control. “I just don’t think it’s healthy for you to be feeling this way. I’m just trying to help you.”

  “You want to help heal me? Then go after Ryan.” His voice is cold as he stands up. He snatches a shirt and threads his arms through it, briskly buttoning it up. “I didn’t employ you to fix me, Charlotte, so for God’s sake, just do your fucking job.”

  Taking a deep breath, I try to stem the shaking that’s overtaking my body as I watch him walk out of the room. The sound of the door slamming shut radiates through me. His words hit me hard. Is that all I am to him? Is our relationship nothing more than professional?

  This vendetta has taken over his life. He won’t let anyone in until this is over. Not even me. He’s left me alone in here. My heart races as I wet my lips and stand up. This might be the only opportunity I get to try to find something. I creep over to where his laptop sits next to his bed. My hands shake as I reach for it. I glance at the door, expecting him to walk back in at any moment. I take a deep breath and open the laptop.

  Password protected. Fuck. I fiddle with it, trying a few combinations, which all fail. I put it down and search through the drawers. Condoms, some money, mints…There’s nothing unusual in here at all. If not here, in his private room, where does he keep all his secrets?

  Sighing, I slam the drawer shut and sink onto the bed. There’s only one way I’m going to get the information I need. I reach for my phone and look up Ryan’s number, my career the furthest thing from my mind as I dial his cell.

  —

  I can feel the blood drain from my face when the door swings open and Kasey is standing there. I don’t know why, but I was expecting him to be home alone when he asked me to come over. I was sure he was planning to make a move on me, but he wouldn’t do that in the presence of his daughter, would he?

  “What do you want?” Kasey snaps, her dark eyes narrowing in disgust. “Don’t you have any shame, showing up here?” After what happened with her, she’s the last person I wanted to run into, and judging from the annoyed expression on her face, the feeling is mutual.

  I lower my head, because I can’t argue with that. From her point of view, everything I did looks bad. Hell, who am I kidding? It’s bad from any point of view.

  “I’m sorry you got hurt, Kasey,” I begin. And I am. What I did to her has been eating me up.

  “Are you?” she spits back. “Because it seems to me you’re not sorry in the slightest. If you were, then you wouldn’t be still working for that creep.”

  “I’m sorry,” I repeat. I’m only half listening to her response, because a question is burning in my mind. How does she know I’m still working for Jaxon?

  “Kasey, for God’s sake, I told you I was taking care of it,” Ryan says from behind her.

  He scowls as he approaches us, his tone scolding. Kasey turns to face him, a frown spreading across her face. She folds her arms across her chest and steps back.

  “Kasey,” he warns her.

  Her eyebrows shoot up. “What? I’m just talking to her. What the hell is she doing at our house, anyway?”

  “That’s none of your business. Now, don’t you have somewhere to be?”

  Kasey mutters something under her breath as she walks away. She turns back and glares at me every few steps until she’s out of view. My heart rate begins to return to normal, but the pit in the bottom of my stomach is still there.

  “Sorry about that,” Ryan murmurs, a smile spreading across his lips. He ushers me inside. I jump as his hand moves across my lower back. I could give him the benefit of the doubt that the gesture is innocent, but somehow I don’t think it is. “I take it you’re here because of Jaxon?”

  “What do you mean?” I ask. His arm around my shoulders, he leads me into his office. He closes the door and watches me as I walk over to his desk. I sit down, wishing he would take his eyes off me. I shudder at how uncomfortable this guy makes me feel.

  “I made it clear during our last chat that he’s not to be trusted.” He walks over and sits in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. “And here you are. Has he done something, Charlotte?”

  “Not really,” I reply. “I’m just…You said I can’t trust him. I need to know what you mean. Am I in danger?” I peer up at him, widening my eyes to make my fear more believable.

  He smiles and leans forward. “Are you asking me if I think he’s going to hurt you?”

  “I’m asking you what you think he’s capable of.”

  “You’re aware of what happened to his last girlfriend?” he asks. “Of course you’re not,” he adds before I can respond. “Because nobody is. You don’t just disappear like that, Charlotte.”

  “Are you saying he had something to do with it?” I ask. I squirm in my chair. A couple of months ago I might’ve believed what he’s saying, but now I just don’t think Jaxon is capable of that.

  “I’m not saying anything, Charlotte. Just be careful. Until you know the full story, don’t trust him. He’s had a lot of tragedy surrounding him for somebody so young and innocent.” He says innocent like Jaxon is anything but. Is he suggesting he had something to do with his family’s death? What crap is he going to try to feed me next?

  I stand up and try to ignore the way his eyes travel down my body. Slowly he raises his eyes to mine, making his thoughts very clear with a glint in his eye and a hint of a smile.

  “You’re leaving so soon? I’m sure there are other things I can help you with. Relieve some of that tension, maybe?”

  This guy has no shame. We’re in his house with his wife and daughter. What is he expecting, to throw me down on the desk and fuck me senseless while his wife watches the daytime soaps in the next room? I wouldn’t put it past him.

  “I have to get back to work before he notices I’m gone.” I try to sound apologetic, even though all I want to do is throw up. “Maybe another time?” I suggest.

  “I understand,” he murmurs, his eyes not leaving mine. “Job security is important, especially in this day and age.”

  Something in his voice makes me shudder. I can’t trust this guy. I don’t trust him, but I can’t shake the feeling that I really have no idea what I’m dealing with.

  Chapter 16

  Jaxon

  I sit at my desk, examining the figures for a merger I need to complete by the close of business today. I’ve been staring at the same page for the last fucking hour because I can’t get her out of my head. What the fuck was that last night? My reaction completely threw me. I don’t behave like that. If there’s one thing I do well, it’s guard my feelings.

  The meeting was last minute, and though I’d tried to get out of it, I couldn’t. Not without giving Ryan another piece of ammunition against me. What I’d hoped would last only ten minutes at most dragged on half the night, and even then we didn’t sort out all we needed to. All I could think about the whole time was Charlotte. I wanted to call her and say I was sorry, but by the time I got home it was too late.

  Swearing, I reach into the bottom drawer of my desk, under a thick stack of papers, and retrieve the small photo I rarely look at anymore. Brynne smiles back at me, her pretty green eyes sparkling in the sunlight. I’ve been hurt before, and I’m not sure I’m ready to take that risk again.

  Why did you have to turn out to be such a whore? I would have given you everything.

  Angry, I stuff the photo back in its place and lock the drawer. There was a time when all I wanted was her back in my life. But now I couldn’t care less about Brynne or what happened to her. There was no love or respect left in our relationship. She made sure of that when she crossed me.

&n
bsp; I reach for my phone to call Charlotte. I need to see her, to apologize for last night. Just as I’m about to dial her room, my door flies open and Ryan saunters in. My hand shakes as I place the phone back down on my desk.

  “Can I help you?” I ask coldly.

  “For once, I’m here to help you.” He sits down in front of my desk, folding one leg over the other. The grin etched on his face makes me feel uncomfortable. When Ryan’s happy, I’m sure not to be.

  “What are you talking about, Ryan? Surely you have better things to do with your time.”

  “Surprisingly, no.” He pauses long enough to shake his head and laugh. “I’m sorry, but every time I think about this I can’t believe it all over again.”

  “If you have a point, get to it,” I order through gritted teeth.

  “Oh, I have a point.” He leans forward, the look in his eyes enough to make me dread what’s coming. I know it isn’t going to be in my favor. “I’m actually surprised,” he adds. In typical Ryan fashion, he drags out the story. If he’s expecting me to beg him for whatever the fuck he has to tell me, he’s going to be disappointed.

  “I don’t have time for your games,” I say. I roll my eyes and turn my attention back to the computer. Inside I’m seething. I’m dying to know what it is, but there is no fucking way I’ll give him the satisfaction of knowing he’s getting to me.

  He continues as if I hadn’t even spoken.

  “Surprised you didn’t do your homework better. I mean, I know you’re a sucker for a hot piece of pussy, but no background check? I knew you were a screwup, but didn’t think you were completely stupid.”

  “What are you talking about?” I finally say through gritted teeth. I’m about five seconds away from launching my fist into his face.

  “Charlotte,” he drawls. His grin widens as he clasps his hands behind his head. I can feel the blood freeze in my veins at the sound of her name. His eyes laugh as they study me. “You didn’t know she’s a journalist, or aspiring to be?”

  “What?” I force the word out, too shocked to form any more of a sentence.

  “Our good friend Martin. You know he owns the Times. He recognized her from an internship she did last year for the paper.” He throws his head back and laughs. “This is just fucking perfect. I love it. Seriously, good work, Jaxon.” He stands up and pushes his chair in, chuckling to himself. “As much as I’d love to stay and chat, I have a meeting to get to.”

  I don’t even acknowledge his leaving. I’m too angry. Angry at Ryan, at her. But most of all I’m angry at myself. How the fuck could I not have seen this? And for Ryan, of all people, to have figured it out before me. Cursing, I hurl a vase across the room. I barely notice as it shatters against the wall, shards of broken glass flying everywhere.

  All I can think about is her and how much I’m going to enjoy making her pay. I shove my hand deep into my pocket and retrieve my phone.

  “Luic,” I bark into the phone. “I’m faxing you a file. Get me all the information you can find on her. Now.”

  If she thinks she can make a fool out of me and get away with it, she’s about to learn a very valuable lesson.

  Chapter 17

  Charlotte

  It’s early the following afternoon, after my visit with Ryan, and I’m walking through the grounds trying to find a spot to call Jess. I need to debrief, and Jess is the only person I can talk to about this. She’s the only person I trust.

  “What do you know about Ryan Hamden?” I ask after we get our greetings out of the way. The first rule of war is to know your opponent, so I’m keen to learn as much as I can about him from a perspective other than Jaxon’s.

  “As in Jaxon’s business partner? Not much. Why?”

  “Can you see what you can find out for me? There’s something about him I don’t like, and Jaxon asked for my help getting him to confess to something.”

  “What?” Jess asks, her voice laced with curiosity.

  “I’ll tell you about it when I see you,” I say, not wanting to go into too much detail. “I have to go, but I’ll call you in a few days, okay?”

  “Sure,” she says. “But you’re beginning to worry me. Stay safe, okay?”

  “I’ll try my best.”

  I press END, then notice a missed call from Mom and also a text asking me how I am. Like you really care. I can’t keep the bitterness out of my thoughts. Quickly I text back that I’m fine and I’ll call her when I can. I feel a slight sense of guilt as I slide the phone back into my pocket, knowing I have no intention of calling her anytime soon.

  Later that evening, at Jaxon’s request, I get ready to go out for dinner. He’s waiting for me when I walk into the sitting room. He eyes my dress, his gaze moving over my body appreciatively before something shifts in his expression. It’s like a wall has gone up and just like that, he’s devoid of any emotion.

  “We’re going to be late,” he mutters. I follow him out to his car. The silver paint of the Mercedes C320 glistens in the moonlight. What’s his problem? Just when I think I’m getting somewhere with him, he shuts down. I can’t figure him out. I glance up at the sky. Maybe the full moon is responsible? I suppress a chuckle as I open the door.

  “Where are we going?” I ask, trying to spark conversation. I slide into the passenger seat and buckle my seatbelt.

  “Out,” he replies, revving the engine. He slams it into reverse, the wheels spinning as he accelerates off the property. I breathe in sharply, my hands gripping the sides of the seat. “I’ve arranged for us to have dinner with a couple of my closest friends. You’ll like them, trust me.” He pauses before adding, “They’re very keen to meet you.”

  His tone makes me nervous, as does his attitude. One minute he can’t even look at me, and the next he’s excited to introduce me to friends? My head aches from trying to unscramble his signals.

  Dinner is at a private home on the beach down in Malibu. The mansion is nearly all windows, set on a huge property on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. I have to consciously keep my mouth shut as we walk through the foyer to avoid my jaw hitting the floor. This place makes Jaxon’s mansion look like a dive.

  “Come with me,” he commands. He holds out his hand. I take it, and knots form in my stomach as I follow him through the foyer. We go up an extravagant staircase to the second floor. Since we walked inside, we’ve passed nobody. Not even staff. Where are his friends we’re supposed to be dining with?

  “I thought we were having dinner,” I say. He has that look in his eyes again.

  “We are.” He smirks and leads me down a hallway, swinging open a door on the left. “You are on the menu.”

  Me? As I walk inside, it hits me what he’s referring to. I’m the only woman in a room full of men. There must be twenty men here, of all ages, all dressed impeccably in suits.

  In the middle of the room sits a small stage. A shiver races down my spine. Surely he’s not expecting me to perform for all these men? I’m not a stripper. Or a whore.

  Aren’t you?

  It’s hardly the same. I’m doing what I’m doing for the sake of my career. Even as I think the words, I know how ridiculous they sound. I’m the walking definition of a prostitute, no matter how much I try to kid myself.

  “What do you mean?” I ask. I’m not sure I want him to elaborate. Every pair of eyes in the room falls on us. I tug at the hem of my dress, suddenly feeling vulnerable. I know what they’re all thinking. They’re looking at me like I’m a piece of meat.

  Jaxon turns to me, his lips twitching into a smile. “Have you ever been watched, Charlotte?”

  “Watched?” I whisper, my voice breaking. Watched doing what?

  “Yes,” he says.

  His eyes almost mock me as he leads me over to the stage. His fingers curve around the nape of my neck. I close my eyes, trying so hard to ignore the intense desire I feel. Even in a room full of men, I can’t deny how much I need him.

  Slowly he backs me up against the stage. My legs shift apart
as he presses himself against me. His erection rubs against my thigh, teasing me. My body responds. I rock myself against him as his mouth finds mine. Out of the corner of my eye I see them, surrounding us, watching, waiting.

  I gasp, my head tilting back as he peels the dress from my body. His hands roughly cup my breasts as he rolls his fingers over my hard nipples. His hands move around to my back as he lifts me onto the cold surface of the stage. He nudges my legs apart, laying me back.

  “Everyone here is watching you, admiring your wonderful body,” he murmurs. His fingers close around my neck, tightening. “It’s amazing what turns some people on, Charlotte.”

  He leans closer to me, taking my nipple in his mouth. I squeal as he bites down, pain searing through me. From his pocket he retrieves a pair of handcuffs. He takes my wrists in one hand, lacing the cuff around each wrist and then securing them above my head to the pole that sits behind me. My eyes scan the crowd as Jaxon loosens his tie. He threads it from his neck. He kneels down until his gaze is level with mine.

  “You know what I hate, Charlotte?” he asks. He doesn’t wait for my response as he secures the tie over my head, the silky fabric soft against my eyes. “People who think they know better than I do. People who will do anything to get ahead in life, no matter who they hurt.”

  My breathing catches as panic begins to rise inside me. He knows. Oh, God, he knows. I twist my wrists against their constraints, trying desperately to break free. Being unable to see, I rely on my hearing to try to figure out where he is and what he plans to do with me.

  “Everyone out.”

  I jump, Jaxon’s cold, harsh voice cutting through me. I listen to the sounds of people moving around. The door opens and closes until there is silence. If I concentrate hard enough, I can make out the sound of his breathing. He’s close but not touching me. My body screams for his contact but my mind is nervous. His mood changes so quickly and so often it scares me.

  I flex my wrists against the cuffs. I have no way of escaping if this all goes south. My heart begins to thud loudly in my chest as panic rises. I’ve placed way too much trust in a man I barely know. A man I’m lying to. God knows what he’s going to do to me. My blood runs cold. I shiver, my body shaking as I feel his breath against my face.