The Other Woman: A Steamy Contemporary Romance (The Bidden Series Book 6)

by Crystal Cierlak

  She started to lose her nerve by the second ring and was praying for a voicemail by the third ring when Natalie suddenly answered, “Hello?”

  Shit. “Natalie. Hello.” She cleared her throat. “This is Audra Robertson.” Why did she sound so formal?

  “Good evening, Audra. What can I do for you?”

  Why did Natalie sound so formal with her? She shook her head as she tried to remember why the hell she called in the first place. “I understand you were out sick today. Are you feeling any better?”

  “I am. Thank you.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Oh, right! She wanted to make amends for putting her in the position of finding out Celine was pregnant and breaking the news to James. That must have been harder than Audra could imagine, and she felt guilty for it. “So, you’ll be attending the conference in Arrowhead this weekend.”

  Wait, shit. She wasn’t supposed to know that. Was she supposed to know that? She was way too tipsy on wine and TV drama to remember what she knew and what she was supposed to not know.

  “Yes, I’ll be going with a co-worker.”

  There was a strange silence on Natalie’s end of the call. Like she was putting the final pieces of the puzzle together now that Joe was in the picture.

  “Have your hotel arrangements been booked yet?” she asked awkwardly, dying on the inside from how awfully juvenile she sounded.

  “Um, to my knowledge they have not yet. That is being taken care of by my co-worker.”

  “Yes, unfortunately, this is the lakes’ busiest season and it can sometimes be difficult to find adequate accommodations.” There was no way Natalie didn’t realize how drunk Audra was. This was way too unprofessional. But for James…

  “To that end, I own a house on the lake. It’s a short drive from where the conference is being held and an even shorter boat ride. You’re welcome to stay there for the weekend.”

  There was another brief moment of silence before Natalie asked, “Why are you offering, Audra? I’m no longer on your account and while I certainly respect you we aren’t exactly friends, if I may be so blunt.” Ouch. Bluntness was a quality Audra appreciated in very few people. Natalie among them. If anything it made her respect her more.

  “I should think it would be obvious, Natalie,” she laughed.

  “Maybe it’s because I've spent the majority of my day bundled up watching the dumbest TV shows re-running on daytime television instead of at work being a productive adult, but it’s not obvious to me at all why you would be offering.”

  Fueled by the wine, Audra unleashed a bit of blunt truth herself. “I like you. You have a good heart. You’re intelligent. You’re sweet but you don’t take shit from anyone, least of all from James. And he loves you.”

  That was, of course, the most important part.

  She sighed deeply. “He may love me but he’s got some things to figure out with your sister first.”

  Audra couldn’t agree more. “Because she’s pregnant?”

  “You know?”

  “Of course I know. I’ve been trying to get my sister to tell James for weeks, but she has her own agenda. Which is why I insisted on taking her to Kate Mantillini last night.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  If she was going to help James keep his relationship with Natalie, Audra was going to have to refocus her anger.

  “I knew that once you found out she’s pregnant you would tell James one way or another. Even if it meant sacrificing you won relationship you would do the right thing because that’s the kind of woman you are. Unfortunately, Celine underestimates people, herself especially.”

  “You set me up?” she whispered in a low tone.

  Not purposefully, she answered to herself. But it was all close enough to the truth to be a plausible version of what actually happened. And if it in any way helped Natalie find her way back to James, she would do it. For him.

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I love James.” It took her almost a full minute to remember that Natalie didn’t know Audra was gay, or that she and James had always been strictly platonic. “Not in a romantic way,” she corrected herself. “I’ve known him longer than he’s known my sister, and I consider him family.”

  “So why not just tell him yourself?” Natalie scoffed. “Wouldn’t that have been easier?”

  “I didn’t want to play a part in Celine’s game. So I rigged the outcome.”

  That part was true. Every word of it.

  Natalie gasped. “Joe Gallo!”

  “I’ve known Joe a long time. He’s a good man. I suppose offering my house is a way for me to apologize for the position I put the both of you in yesterday. And it will give you an opportunity to impress Harry Brucker. Folks from Vegas always appreciate an impressive showing.” And there was no house on the lake more beautiful than hers. She reserved the house for winter holidays and summertime escapes. It’d been too long since her last visit, and the house could always use a little TLC. Who better to open the doors to than the woman her business partner was in love with?

  “Thank you for the generous offer.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll leave the house key and a packet of information – security codes, staff names, and lake rules for boating – with Kelly at the Jacqueline for you to pick up tomorrow evening.”

  “Thank you again, Audra. I’ll make sure we leave it in pristine condition.”

  “Hmm, don’t concern yourself too much with that, Natalie. Work on impressing Harry Brucker and let the staff take care of the house.”

  “I will. Good night, Audra.”

  “Good night, Natalie.”

  Audra tucked the empty wine bottles into a large paper bag underneath the kitchen sink and poured herself a tall glass of water before sitting at the island, laptop open in front of her. It was as good a time as any to get some work done.

  The next morning she drove to The Jacqueline before heading into the office, carrying a thin black box that contained all the necessary information Natalie would need for the cabin. Names of staff members, gate codes, lake regulations, a copy of the Lake Arrowhead Association test for earning a boating license. And at the last minute, a Jacqueline key card coded for the penthouse. Natalie would never understand the symbolic nature of the gesture, never realize it was Audra’s way of finally letting go of whatever dreams she had of Natalie. An apology for using her to force Celine’s pregnancy to come to light. And a token of her appreciation for how happy Natalie made James.

  With a release of a very deep breath, she left the box in Kelly’s very capable hands and departed for her office with every intention of refocusing her energy and attention back into the company she founded and ran with James. That was the larger picture at play, not whatever feelings she may have had.

  She would get over Natalie Harlow starting that morning. She would get back to being Audra Robertson, Chief Operating Officer of a billion-dollar business that employed thousands of Americans around the country and maybe, later on, she may find someone of her own to love and cherish.

  Until then there was work to be done.

  AND THEN THERE WAS HER

  T he next week in a strange turn of events Natalie was fired from her job, pregnant by James, and taking some time from their relationship. A few days after that she was officially in business with Joe Gallo and had a multi-million dollar contract from Harry Brucker, in spite of all the drama of Lake Arrowhead.

  She didn’t know what she felt more – impressed or proud. Based on the rumors circling around that James had shown up in the middle of a party in a fit of jealousy and confronted Joe Gallo over his relationship with both Natalie and Celine it was damn good luck that Harry Brucker was able to see past the interpersonal relationships and hire Natalie and Joe for their talent.

  And then, fate changed again.

  Natalie suffered a miscarriage.

  James was proven to be the father of the child Celine was carrying.

  And the romanc
e of James and Natalie came to an end. Seemingly for good this time.

  In more than one way they were right back to where they started. Celine and James were making a family, Audra was married to her work as usual, and there was no trace of Natalie Harlow in their life.

  Until the night Audra left her office at The Jacqueline and found herself standing behind the woman herself.

  Audra approached Natalie carefully, quietly so as not to startle her. Her hair was swept back into a ponytail, her face clear of any makeup, and she was dressed down in a pair of jeans and a Cal State sweatshirt. Her driver’s license was left out on the bar; clearly, the bartender thought she looked too young to be drinking, too.

  She looked around for any sign of James. What other reason could there be for Natalie to come to The Jacqueline if not to see him? But there was no sign of her business partner in the room. It was late and all she wanted to do was go home and soak in her bathtub while listening to Sade. Instead, she put her hand on Natalie’s shoulder.

  “If you’re going to be your own boss you’re going to have to build a minibar in your office.” She regretted the words almost immediately when she saw how swollen Natalie’s eyes were, how even in that moment tears were slowly falling from the corners of her silvery-blue eyes onto her cheeks. “Not that I don’t appreciate you spending your hard-earned money in my hotel,” she said, her own way of apologizing while still trying to make her laugh. It worked, sort of.

  “We have one, actually,” Natally mused aloud, her voice so quiet Audra could barely hear her over the ambient noise of the elegant bar. “But I don’t know how to mix drinks and Quinn is out of town tonight. She’s the one who knows all the bar recipes. Hiccup!”

  Audra set her bag down on the seat next to Natalie and eyed the bartender as she asked, “How much have you had to drink tonight?”

  “Not enough to forget why I started drinking in the first place.”

  The bartender signaled her with his fingers, and she, in turn, signaled him to bring a glass of water as she took a seat. She crossed her legs and swiveled in place until she was nearly facing her, her knees a breath away from brushing against Natalie’s thigh.

  “I just saw James. He didn’t mention you were here. Does he know?”

  Natalie lifted her chin and stared straight ahead as she nursed the drink in her hand. “No.”

  “Do you need me to call him for you?”

  She shook her head slowly. “No.”

  Audra let out a long sigh. “Is there anything I can do?”

  Only when Natalie turned her head did Audra notice just how physically close they were. She could make out the exact color of Natalie’s eyes, bluer than silver as well as the smattering of freckles on her face, which were usually hidden behind even the light touch of makeup Natalie typically wore. Sometimes Audra forgot how young the redheaded beauty was. She hadn’t even crossed the threshold of her mid-20’s yet, while Audra was about to cross into her mid-30’s.

  Natalie held up her phone, and with it, a text from James confessing he would always love her. “Convince me to go upstairs and tell James that I love him, too.”

  “No.” Audra turned back in her seat and flagged down the bartender. “Can I get coffee here? Thanks.”

  “No?”

  “If that’s what you came here to do tonight you’d be upstairs in the penthouse already, making up with him. If you need convincing then you probably shouldn’t be doing it at all. Besides, I’ve had enough of being involved in your relationship.”

  Natalie bristled at Audra’s side, clearly not ready to hear the blunt truth. But rather than giving in to her tears, Natalie cleared her throat and straightened in her seat.

  “You’re right. I came all the way over here and I can’t even bring myself to get in the elevator and go up to the penthouse. Ugh, I think I drank too much.” She slouched in her seat again, a moment before Audra picked up the glass of water waiting for her on the bar and handed it to Natalie.

  “Drink some water. I’ll drive you home if you like.” Audra checked her emotions. She wasn’t getting involved, she was merely helping out a friend who was too inebriated to drive home herself. After all, Natalie was still a part of the extended Fitson family by way of Joe Gallo, who was her business partner the same as James was Audra’s.

  “Okay.” But by the time they were buckled into Audra’s car, Natalie was singing a different tune.

  “You know, I’m sorry, Audra, I just…. I don’t want to go home. I’ve been working my ass off launching this business with Joe and getting accounts so we’re not strictly beholden to The Gentleman’s Show for revenue. If I go back now I’ll just get pulled into more work, and I really don’t feel like working right now.”

  Audra laughed as she put on her blinker to change lanes and direction. “Fair enough. I have plenty of space at my house. You can stay in one of the guest bedrooms if you like.”

  There was no reply from Natalie, and for a moment Audra assumed it was because she’d fallen asleep in her seat. But when she turned to look at her companion, she found Natalie curled up in her seat, staring directly at her.

  “What?”

  “You’re prettier than your sister.”

  “Thank you?” Audra laughed again. “Don’t tell Celine. She prides herself on her looks. I might too if that was all I had going for me.”

  “You two don’t get along?”

  Rather than answer right away, Audra focused on the road before her. This was maybe the first conversation she’d ever had with just Natalie that didn’t involve work or accounts or James but was instead about life. And it felt rather… comfortable. In spite of Natalie’s inebriation.

  “I’m guessing you’re an only child?”

  “Mm-hmm. I always wanted a sister though. Someone close to my age who I could share clothes with and talk about boys.”

  “Can’t say I’ve ever wanted to wear anything from Celine’s closet. And, well, we wouldn’t have discussed boys for obvious reasons.”

  “Obvious reasons?” Natalie parroted. She probably couldn’t see the look Audra side-glanced her way.

  “The most obvious being that I’m gay?”

  Natalie knocked her head to the side. “Did I know you’re a lesbian?”

  “I don’t know?” she laughed again. “It’s not something I announce. I don’t walk around with a rainbow flag but neither am I in the closet.”

  “How have you managed to be with James day in and out for all these years? He’s so…. So-“

  “Annoyingly charming and passably good looking?”

  “Passably? No, you have to admit that James is like stupidly handsome.”

  “And he knows it.” Audra slowed the car as she pulled up into her driveway and waited for the gates to part for her. “I understand the attraction. Rich, good looking-“

  “Fantastic in bed,” Natalie finished for her.”

  She ignored that part. Though she didn’t doubt it was true for the women he slept with. “James knew I was a lesbian before I ever told him. He’s not someone who thinks he can try to convert me into not being gay. I think that’s what helps make our relationship work. There’s no sex drama between us.”

  She parked the car and killed the ignition, then waited a moment for Natalie to glance out her window before she said, “Welcome to my home.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Natalie purred as she stepped out of the car and looked up at the two-story estate. “Do you live alone or with your girlfriend?”

  By sheer force of habit Audra’s thoughts went first to Victoria. “Just me. My ex-girlfriend lived here when she wasn’t working out in DC. But she’s since moved permanently to New York.”

  Natalie followed Audra through the door and into the grand foyer, their voices echoing against the ceiling and the walls.

  “Is that why she’s your ex-girlfriend? Because she moved to New York?”

  Audra set her bag down on a table situated underneath the foyer chandelier, right next to a vase
of fresh flowers her housekeeper replaced every few days. “That’s part of the reason. The other part is… well…” she sighed and looked around at all the space around her. She had more money than any one person needed in a lifetime and had purchased a house to match her status and lifestyle. But it was large and too formal at times, even by her standards. Maybe that’s why she often found herself pulling late nights at the office, or at the Jacqueline. Buying a condo would have been too close to living in a hotel room for her tastes. She loved having space, just not so much of it.

  “Not every relationship works out, right?” she finally finished.

  “Mmm. Fair point.”

  “Ahem. Well, follow me and I’ll show you to the guest room. The ensuite bathroom is completely stocked so feel free to make yourself at home.” She led Natalie upstairs, down a hallway and to a closed bedroom door. Suddenly she felt self-conscious as Natalie stepped into the room and appraised her surroundings. It was a nicely appointed room with a Cal King bed, exquisitely comfortable bedding, a small walk-in closet, and a wardrobe filled with extra robes, pajamas, and slippers. The ensuite bathroom was white on white with gold fixtures. A departure from the decoration of her own master suite, but this room was meant to be a blank canvas.

  “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it looks like a hotel room. A very upscale hotel room,” she added with a smile for Audra’s benefit.

  “Sallie Cochoran did the interior design work on this house. She also worked on the office at Fitson and Serpentine,” she said, referring to the ultra-posh bar at her Las Vegas resort.

  “I’m familiar with her work.” Natalie turned in place, taking in the site of the room before looking to Audra again. “Thank you for this, Audra. I know it probably violates some professional code of ethics-“

  “There’s a professional code of ethics on friendship?” she teased. From the way Natalie’s eyes widened fractionally, she guessed the last thing Natalie considered them was friends, which was a sobering thought. “You’re welcome, Natalie. Help yourself to anything you like. The chef always keeps a few pre-cooked meals in the refrigerator if you get hungry. My bedroom is the double-door entrance to the right of the staircase downstairs. If you need anything just ask.”