She felt his cold gaze flash over her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him shrug and raise a brow. “It looks fine, I suppose.”
Allie just smiled at the comment and turned her face toward the partition. She didn’t know where they were going for dinner, didn’t care. In the past three days, she’d interacted as little as possible with Trevor. Except when he’d made her take tea with him, go on ridiculously long, rambling walks in the garden—which under normal circumstances she’d have enjoyed—and forced her to play chess with him until late in the evening.
The last activity had her nerves frayed. She kept expecting him to try and seduce her. And she would give in to him too, because, as she’d reminded herself enough times, that’s why he kept her around. But to actually let him kiss her, touch her, slip inside her body would be almost more than her faux cheerful attitude would be able to take. So, she’d tried to prod him into sex, at least that way she would be in control. “Would you like to have sex now, Trevor?” He’d been shocked the first time she said it. His eyes widened, his cheeks paled. But she kept asking, in a cool, polite voice. But after a while, he’d snapped back and she didn’t dare push him any further. Knowing Trevor, he’d take her up on it out of irritation.
And to be honest, for all her pep talks to herself about having sex with no emotion, she was almost positive she couldn’t do it. The times they’d had together haunted her. She dreamed about them, played them over and over in her mind. She’d never felt so satisfied, so emotionally connected. She knew Trevor didn’t feel the same. He’d told her that in a dozen different ways.
No, she needed to keep up the pleasant façade, needed to keep her emotional distance. It was the only way she’d survive this. Survive him.
Simmons dropped them off at one of the largest casinos on the Strip. Trevor didn’t speak at all but placed a hand on her lower back and guided her through the door and into the elevator. As they slowly climbed to the twenty-first floor, he stood with his back against one wall, his hands thrust in his pockets, and stared at her. She looked straight ahead and did her best to ignore him but could see his reflection in the brass doors. It was going to be a long night without Brynn, Mags, and Nigel as a buffer.
The doors slid open, and still not speaking, Trevor escorted her to a restaurant she’d only heard about. It was even more beautiful than she’d imagined. The white and ivory décor should have felt impersonal but, instead, was inviting. As they were shown to their table, Allie’s eyes traveled upward to the enormous glass bubble chandelier that encompassed the middle of the restaurant. The maître d’ took them to a corner table by the window, which allowed them a view over the lighted city, making the Strip’s neon signs look exotic in the night sky.
Trevor held Allie’s chair before taking the seat across from her. “What do you think, Allison?” he asked, nodding toward the view.
“It’s very nice.” She watched his jaw tighten. She was getting under his skin and she was glad. He deserved it.
She picked up a menu. She’d never heard of most of the dishes listed, but when the waiter appeared, Trevor ordered for the both of them. She hated when he did that.
“I think we’ll start with the caviar and a bottle of ’96 Cristal. Then we’d each like a tasting menu with the wine pairings. Thank you.” He handed the waiter his menu.
She didn’t like caviar. He probably remembered that and ordered it on purpose. Allie thought back to some of her worst customers. The ones who were angry about having a room too close to the ice machine. The drunk ones she’d caught peeing in the hallway. The ones who called her a fucking bitch for not having two queen-sized beds in one room. She smiled as she handed the waiter her own menu.
Trevor leaned back in his chair. “You look lovely tonight.” He didn’t sound happy about it.
“Thank you.” Her eyes skidded over him and got caught in his gaze. Those gray eyes were so penetrating, so intense… She blinked and looked away, directed her attention to the street below. She ignored him, refusing to look his way again until the waiter brought their champagne and caviar.
Trevor fixed her a plate of blinis and topped the thin pancakes with a scoop of caviar and a dollop of crème fraîche. “Here you are, darling. Eat up.”
Allie took the plate and nibbled the blini. This stuff was disgusting. She swallowed it with a gulp of champagne.
Wearing a concerned frown, Trevor reached out and patted her hand. “I forgot, you don’t like caviar, do you, darling?”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s an acquired taste. You’ll get used to it. I’m sure that if I ate…” He waved a hand at her. “What did you eat? Something made of hamburger no doubt.” He gave an affected shudder. “I’m sure it would take me a while to get used to that.” He gave her his most charming, sexy smile.
“I’m sure it would.”
She poked at her food and even managed to choke down a couple bites by the time their dinner arrived. The waiter poured a red wine, and when she glanced down, she wasn’t sure what was on her plate. A small steak with something on top.
“Filet Mignon Rossini,” the waiter said. He turned and left.
“Steak with foie gras, black truffle, and cabernet sauce.” Trevor cut into this steak.
Allie did the same. After taking a bite, she decided it was the best thing she’d ever tasted in her life. She glanced up to find Trevor staring, a strange look on his face. When he saw her notice, his blank mask slid in place. She shifted her gaze and stared at his nose.
“How is it, darling?”
“Very nice, thank you.” Her cheeks were becoming sore from smiling so much. But she wasn’t backing down. Not when it bugged the hell out of him.
“By the way, since we’re here, I got a room. We haven’t fucked in a few days, what with the relatives in the house. Try your wine, love. It’s absolutely delicious.”
Allie continued to smile, but it was an effort. He was pushing her as far as he could. He wanted her to break. And a part of her wanted it too. She wanted to tear into him, tell him what an ass he was, how much she hated the sight of him. Still, she refused to give him the satisfaction. And she knew that her pleasant persona was driving him apeshit and this was his retaliation. Well, she wasn’t backing down. He wanted a fuck-toy mistress, he was going to get it. With both barrels.
She tilted her head, her heart pounding in her chest. No fear of tears now. She was pissed. “Whatever you want, Trevor.” She took another bite of steak, but it had lost its flavor.
“Excellent,” he said in an equally pleasant tone.
Allie cut her food but ate little of it. Eventually, the waiter took away her almost-full plate. She wanted to eat, just to show him she wasn’t bothered, but her stomach wasn’t that strong. She felt unsettled and suddenly nervous. Could she go through with it? Or would she back down and let him win?
The waiter was back immediately with a green sorbet. Her stomach twisted into knots.
Laying down his spoon, Trevor regarded at her coolly. “Not hungry? Anxious for the rest of the evening?” He didn’t seem to expect an answer. “I know how you feel. Let’s get out of here, yes?”
He pulled out his wallet and left a few folded bills on the table, then walked around and pulled back Allie’s chair. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “So nice to have an eager partner.”
When she stood, he placed a hand on her elbow, guiding her out of the restaurant and back into the elevator.
***
What was it going to take to wipe that insipid expression off her face? He couldn’t take it anymore. This wasn’t Allison. The Allison he knew was loving and gave him hell and pulled him out of his cross moods. This woman was a bloody automaton, and it was pissing him off.
They got off on the seventeenth floor. He pulled the key card out, and with an electronic whoosh, the door opened. “I
knew we wouldn’t be here that long—unless you’re up for multiple rounds, darling—so I didn’t book a suite. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” A king-sized taupe-covered bed dominated the space.
He spun her around and, with his hands on her shoulders, pulled her to him, her chest pressed against his. “Have you missed fucking me, Allison?” If he’d been hoping for a blush, a gasp, or any reaction at all, he was sorely disappointed.
“Yes, of course,” she said. “Would you like my hair up or down?” She stared past him with wide blue eyes and waited, that stupid smile etched permanently on her lips.
Trevor was in a vicious mood. He knew exactly what she was doing. At first, she’d been acting aloof and pleasant because he’d hurt her, but now she was doing it just to get his wick. Well, if she thought she could push him over the edge, she didn’t know who the hell she was dealing with.
He released her and took a step back to slide out of his jacket. Tugging at his tie, his gaze never left her face. “Hair down.”
He watched as she once again removed the pins, placing them on top of the dresser to her right, her hands shaking slightly.
Good. She wasn’t as indifferent as she pretended.
She ran her fingers through the long tresses and rubbed her scalp a few times before letting her hands fall to her sides. Her hair was in disarray now.
He unbuttoned his shirt but left it on and unfastened the cuffs. With detachment, Trevor looked her up and down. “Take off the dress.”
He watched her throat move as she swallowed. She hesitated briefly, then reached behind her and began to unzip the back.
“No, slowly. I want to savor it.” His voice was icy, but he was hot, wanting her so badly, he ached. But if he showed her one ounce of empathy, then she’d continue this idiotic behavior, and he was going to end it, once and for all.
She still refused to look at him, pinning her gaze to his collarbone. Taking her time, Allie unzipped the dress and slowly peeled the dark red satin over her breasts. Her strapless bra was red as well. Trevor gritted his teeth as his cock grew even harder. Rubbing a hand along his chin, his heart slammed into his chest. He’d missed this—seeing her skin, her breasts, her long, smooth legs. Missed touching her.
Allison leaned forward, giving him an eyeful of her plump, confined breasts as she slid the dress over her hips and thighs, finally stepping out of it and tossing it on the bed. She turned toward him, and it took a moment, but her eyes slowly made their way to his before dancing away, that polite, annoying smile glued to her lips.
He took one step toward her. The smile dimmed a bit. He took another step, and her eyes widened and filled with panic. Damn, he didn’t want that reaction either. He wanted her as she had been, receptive and laughing and touching her body. He wanted what they’d had before, not this…lack of emotion, this detachment.
Reaching out, he pulled a strand of her hair between his fingers, rubbed the silky texture. Then he bent toward her. He’d wanted her mouth, the taste of it, the feel of those full lips beneath his. But she turned her head at the last second, and his lips grazed her jaw.
He snapped his head back, eyes narrowed. “I’m in charge here, Miss Campbell.” He wanted to kiss her, had been fantasizing about it. He liked kissing her, goddamn it. “Every whim, remember?”
“But fuck toys don’t kiss.” She smiled serenely. “Would you like me to touch you now?”
Livid. No, he was past livid. Couldn’t remember being this pissed off. Ever. She wanted to play with him? Fuck her. Literally. He would slam inside her and she could wear that smile while he did it. He didn’t give a damn.
“Take your knickers off.” He was breathing hard and fast. Pulling the shirt off his shoulders, he let it drift to the floor.
She hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her thong and wiggled her hips as she slid the red material off her legs. She straightened and placidly stared at his throat.
With his jaw clenched, he unbuckled his belt, jerking it out of its loops and tossing it on the dresser. She wanted to push him, aggravate him—to what end? Was this the reaction she wanted? His anger?
“Now the bra,” he bit out.
She stretched her arms behind her and unhooked it, holding the cups over her breasts with her hands. Her disheveled hair slid over those full tits, making his cock throb. The dark blond hair covering her pussy had him licking his lips.
“Drop it.”
Her smile tightened a bit before ratcheting up a notch, and she dropped the bra at her feet. Dear sweet Lord, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. And she wouldn’t look him in the fucking eye.
Trevor rubbed his chest. “Allison.” His voice was so hoarse he almost didn’t recognize it. “Look at me.”
Swallowing, she lifted her chin and stared at his forehead.
“Look at me, Allie. Please.”
“I am, Trevor.” The smile slipped, but she tried to hold on to it. And failed. She pressed her lips together in a grimace.
He should be glad. Glad that fake expression was gone. But in its place was a look of such sadness, such despondency. “Look me in the eye,” he pleaded.
She stood there, naked and beautiful, and hesitantly, finally, met his gaze. “What would you like me to do now?”
She could do anything she wanted, demand whatever she liked. He would be clay in her hands.
Damn her. He couldn’t go through with it. Couldn’t touch her like this. He’d tried to push her, get her to surrender, but he was the one who broke. He glanced away, ashamed. “Get dressed.” He grabbed his shirt and jacket, hastily shrugging into them. “I’ll meet you downstairs in the lobby.” He turned on his heel, closed his eyes for a moment, then left the room.
Chapter 15
Allie let out a shaky breath and staggered three steps to the bed, falling onto it. No time for crying. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Still, tears flooded her eyes. Looking up to the ceiling, she blinked them away.
Why had he left? Wasn’t this what he wanted? Yes, he wanted to push her, she got that much, but this was Trevor. He never stopped until he got his way. But he’d stopped with her.
So what? That made him a hero?
She brushed a stray tear from under her eye. With trembling legs, she went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Her cheeks were pale for a change, and she felt sick to her stomach. She walked back into the room and numbly put her clothes back on, shoved the hairpins into her purse. She stared at his belt, lying there on top of the dresser, and left.
Trevor stood near the entrance, waiting for her to join him. He didn’t say a word as he led her out of the casino and into the limousine. Simmons held the door for them, and when Allie climbed in, she stared straight ahead. If she looked at Trevor and his cold, blank face, she’d wind up in tears again.
The car moved forward. As it pulled into traffic, Trevor reached out and grasped her hand, pulling it onto his thigh. Surprised, Allie did glance at him then, but all she saw was his profile.
“I was angry and I hurt you. I’m a complete and utter ass. Please forgive me.” He still didn’t look at her, but he gave her hand a little squeeze.
Now he apologized? Now, after that craziness upstairs? After forcing her to the brink, almost pushing her into fucking him? She pulled her hand out of his and placed it back in her lap but kept her eyes trained on his face. “No.”
He turned then. “What can I do?” His voice sounded raw and jagged.
She shrugged. She tried to plaster the smile back on, but it was gone for good. Her heart had shattered like a piece of glass and she was hollow. “I don’t know.”
He took her hand again and placed it on his cheek. “Tell me what a horrible prick I am. Hit me. Throw something at me. Just forgive me.”
Her tears came now. They fl
owed freely, and she was powerless to stop them. “I’m not sure I can.”
He pressed his lips into her palm. “I won’t give up until you do.”
Allie didn’t speak again. She was confused, and although still angry, Mags’s words came back to her. His heart’s very fragile, you see. Allie heard the vulnerability in his voice when he asked for forgiveness.
Part of her—the small, stupid part—wanted to comfort him. God, how pathetic. The only thing that was fragile around here was her brain.
But he apologized. Trevor never apologized.
Did he get an award for acting human? He should have apologized days ago. Should never have said such a hateful thing in the first place.
When they pulled in front of the house, Simmons opened the door. Allie tried to muster a smile for him but couldn’t manage it, so she nodded instead. As she walked across the drive, she felt Trevor’s presence behind her, but he didn’t touch her, didn’t place his hand on her back or elbow. She shouldn’t miss it.
When she walked through the door, Brynn sat waiting on the bottom step with her arms clutching her knees. She hopped up when she saw Allie.
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for over an hour.”
Allie rushed to her sister, placed her hands on her Brynn’s shoulders. “What’s happened? Are you all right?”
Trevor moved behind her. She could feel his body heat at her back.
“What’s wrong, Brynn?” he asked.
“Monica’s in jail. She needs bail money.”
“Oh my God.” Allie’s hands fell. Trevor gently gripped her arms, offering support. She fought the desire to lean back against him, to take comfort from him. No, she could handle this on her own. She tried to pull away, but his hands tightened. “Why was she arrested?” she asked.
“Possession of pot and underage drinking.”
“Crap, I need to call Dad.”
“I already tried,” Brynn said. “I got his voice mail. I couldn’t get ahold of you either.”
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