by Opal Carew
“For the good of both our families.”
Anger blazed through her and she thrust his jacket back at him as she gritted her teeth and pushed past him. Clearly, his apology was all a lie.
He grabbed her arm gently.
“No, Stefani. Please don’t go. I didn’t mean to justify what I did. I told you I know I was wrong. But back then … I was still so young … I didn’t know how to stand up to them.”
“And you do now?”
“It’s not easy to stand up to an empire, but if that’s what it takes to win you back, I’ll do it.”
Her blood ran cold and spots flashed before her eyes.
“You want me back?” Of course that’s the only reason he’d chase her like he had. This wasn’t just about an apology.
Oh, God, she had always wanted him to regret his decision. She’d wanted him to suffer the loss of losing her as much as she’d suffered at his rejection. Because she wanted to know that he’d longed for her as much as she had longed for him.
And him saying he wanted her back … she’d always thought that would somehow ease the pain just a little.
“Why?” she demanded.
“Because I’ve never forgotten you. Or forgiven myself for letting things fall apart between us. After I lost you, my life became so empty. I distracted myself with work, and cars, and women, but none of it filled the void.” He wrapped his hands around her arms, his hazel eyes glowing with warmth. “Because, Stef, I’ve never stopped loving you.”
The depth of longing in his eyes held her mesmerized, even as he drew closer. This time she couldn’t force herself to pull away. His lips brushed hers, then his arms swept around her and he deepened the kiss. Forgetting herself, she leaned into his body, responding to his tender touch. His familiar lips.
She felt lost. She’d wanted this for so long but at the same time … she didn’t.
She thought she heard someone behind her and she started, then found the presence of mind to pull away. In a daze she glanced around in time to see the French doors to the house closing as someone disappeared back into the house.
Chapter Fifteen
Stevie’s stomach clenched.
Oh, God, what was she doing kissing her ex-fiancé on the terrace? What if someone saw her and told Reid or Dylan?
She couldn’t let that happen.
“Please, Stefani,” Sean said. “Tell me. Do I have a chance with you?” He gazed at her with hope in his hazel eyes.
“I don’t want to continue this here. Are you an overnight guest?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Good.” She took his hand. “Let’s go to your room.”
* * *
Reid watched Dylan step in from the terrace, stride to a waiter and grab a glass of wine, then down it. Reid walked to him.
“Did you find Stevie?” Reid asked.
When they’d returned from their talk in the den with Raphael, solidifying some of the terms of the contract, one of the staff told them they saw Stevie go outside. Dylan had gone out to see if he could find her while Reid had perused the room for her.
“Uh … yeah, I did.” Dylan’s face was pale and his eyes haunted.
“What the hell’s wrong, man? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
A waiter passed by and Dylan grabbed another glass of wine and took a sip, but Reid was distracted by a flash of emerald-green satin. Stevie’s dress. She was hurrying across the room with a man following her and …
“What the hell?” He watched as the two of them disappeared through a side door that he knew led to the guest rooms in the west wing. “Where is Stevie going with that guy?”
“If I had to guess,” Dylan said, “she’s going to his room.”
Reid’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you say that?”
“Because…” Dylan’s gaze locked with Reid’s. “I just saw the two of them kissing on the terrace.”
* * *
Stevie stepped into the guest room Sean was staying in and Sean closed the door behind them. It was a beautiful room. Not as big as the master bedroom in the suite she shared with Reid and Dylan, but still a generous size. The curtains were open, displaying a lovely view of the moonlit lake. A plush love seat faced the window and a few feet over was a very large bed.
Oh, God, what would Reid think if he knew she was in a bedroom with another man? A man she had history with. A man she’d had sex with.
Guilt washed through her. But it wasn’t like she intended for anything to happen between her and Sean. She was here to set him straight.
Sean strode toward her and rested his hands on her arms and started to draw her into a kiss, but she backed away.
“That’s not why I’m here, Sean.”
“Stefani, you know we’re right together. Everything about us—our families, our upbringing, our interests—we’re perfect for each other.”
She frowned. “Sean, do you know what I’ve been doing in New York the past five years?”
“I don’t know. Socializing, charity work, maybe starting your own business venture? Obviously you’ve done some excellent networking, associating with people like Raphael Allegro and Reid Jacobs.”
“Yes, well … I have started my own business venture. I bought a taxi medallion and I drive a cab for a living.”
Sean laughed.
“I’m not kidding,” she said.
Sean’s chuckle faded and his eyes widened.
“Seriously? You drive a taxicab?”
She nodded.
“Why would you do that?” Then he smiled. “Of course. It’s a lark. You drive a cab to see how the other half lives. Then when you tire of it, you’ll go back to living the way you should.”
Her eyebrow arched. “The way I should? You mean like my parents did? Spending every waking moment of their lives adding to their obscenely large pool of family wealth? Or perhaps I should treat people ruthlessly, the way they did. You realize that my parents’ company polluted numerous lakes and rivers, crushed small businesses that stood in their way, and laid off employees indiscriminately in order to improve their bottom line?”
“There’s nothing wrong with being powerful, Stef. And if you marry me, you can do whatever makes you happy.”
“I’m already doing what makes me happy. I’d like to work a little less, maybe, and pursue my hobbies a little more. But I’d never be happy going back to the life I grew up in.”
Her writing was more than a hobby for her, but she wouldn’t tell him about that.
He stepped closer, his eyes beseeching. “But Stef…” He took her hands, his big fingers enveloping hers. “The way I feel about you…” He drew her close, his warm brown eyes oozing desire. “I love you.”
Then he pulled her into a kiss. His lips moved on hers gently, as his arms tightened around her. The sizzling chemistry that she felt every time he took her in his arms rose inside her again and instead of pulling away when he deepened the kiss, she melted into it.
When he released her, he smiled, gazing down at her as he stroked her cheek.
“There’s still the same magic between us. You felt it, too, didn’t you?”
She gazed deep into his eyes and rested her hand on his cheek.
“Yes, I did. But I’m afraid…” She drew in a deep breath, not wanting to hurt him, despite the pain he’d caused her. But she had to say it. “It’s nothing compared to what I feel with Reid.”
* * *
Stevie walked to the door, desperate to get away from Sean and the devastating pain in his eyes. He wasn’t a bad man. And she knew now that she couldn’t really blame him for the pain he’d caused her. He’d been a product of his upbringing, never learning to question his family. It had been too much to expect him to fight for their love back then.
Now, deep in her heart she knew …
What she felt when she was in Reid’s arms … the magic that pulsed through her … it wasn’t just desire for the intensely pleasurable sex between them.
What she felt w
ith Sean—which she’d believed to be undying love for a true soul mate—paled in comparison. But when she’d thought she loved him, she’d had no idea what real love felt like.
Reid’s touch ignited a need deep inside her. A yearning to be in his arms forever. And that scared her so much, she’d convinced herself it was just lust.
But now she couldn’t run from the truth.
She was deeply and hopelessly in love with Reid Jacobs.
* * *
Reid strode down the hall, Dylan following close behind.
“What are you going to do?” Dylan asked. “She has every right to—”
Anger flared inside Reid. “She has no right to hook up with another guy while she’s here with me.”
Dylan caught up and fell into stride beside him. “You mean us, which has a certain irony that you’re upset she might have sex with another guy, but I really doubt she’s hooking up with him. She had trouble being with me without feeling like she was cheating on you, even with your explicit permission.”
A couple exited their room behind them and headed toward the party. After Reid and Dylan had put a bit more distance between them and the couple, Reid turned his head toward Dylan as they walked.
“You’re the one who saw them kissing,” Reid growled under his breath. “And suggested she was going to his room.”
“Okay, I was a bit in shock. But I didn’t say she was going to have sex with him. I don’t believe Stevie would do that. There’s some other explanation.”
After a few more steps, Dylan said, “Do you even know which room they’re in?”
Chapter Sixteen
Reid stopped. Fuck, he didn’t know what the hell he was doing. He just knew he had to stop Stevie from slipping away from him. He raked his hand through his hair.
“We could go back and ask the staff if they know,” Reid suggested.
But as he started to turn, a door opened. He held his breath when he saw Stevie step into the hallway, smoothing down her dress. Her hair was disheveled and her lipstick smeared. Jealousy surged through him.
She turned and her eyes widened when she saw him facing her in the hallway.
She drew in a deep breath and started to stride forward, quickly closing the dozen or so feet between them. But before she could dodge past him, he stepped in front of her.
“We need to talk,” he said in a tight voice.
“Yes, I agree, but”—she gazed over her shoulder at the closed door she’d just exited—“let’s get away from here.”
A sudden surge of protectiveness knocked him off balance. What exactly had happened in that room? Had the man forced himself on her? Was she hurt?
She grabbed his hand and towed him along with her.
“Dylan, is there a way to our suite without going through the party?” she asked.
“We’ll find a way,” Dylan said.
Dylan found a sliding glass door to the backyard where guests could go out and enjoy the patio. They passed a few guests enjoying the view of the lake, but most were inside at the party. When they reached the other side of the grand house they found another glass door leading inside.
Once they were back in the suite, Dylan closed the door behind them.
“Are you all right?” Reid asked, his concern more for Stevie and her well-being than thoughts of jealousy.
“What were we running away from?” Dylan asked.
She shook her head and sank onto the couch, resting her face in her hands. Reid’s chest constricted, worried about what she’d say. She still hadn’t answered his question.
“Just an awkward situation,” she mumbled.
He drew in a breath.
“Dylan told me he saw you kissing a man on the patio earlier. Then we saw you leave the party to go to his room.”
* * *
Stevie lifted her head and sighed, then stared at her folded hands resting in her lap.
“He’s a man from my past. In fact … I was engaged to him.”
“He’s the reason you don’t want anything to do with rich men.” Dylan observed. “He’s the one who hurt you.”
“When he decided not to go forward with our marriage, it did hurt. We were young and had so much in common … and I was so in love with him. It tore me apart that he could walk away from what we had so easily.”
Dylan sat down beside her and took her hand. “I’m sure it was very difficult for you,” he said in a soothing voice.
“So he was rich and he jilted you? That’s why you reject a relationship with any wealthy man?” Reid asked.
“It’s not just that. It’s everything I’d seen about the wealthy. Sean isn’t a bad guy. He just did what his family wanted. Because they felt it was better for the family if we didn’t get married, he did as he was told and broke up with me.”
“Because you didn’t come from a rich family?” Dylan asked.
“No. That wasn’t it. In fact, I do come from money. If I had been willing to be the good daughter, I’d have quite a healthy bank account right now. I’d never have to work a day in my life. I could even take on a branch of the family business, or start a venture of my own, financed by the family. But, to me, the cost was too high.”
“So you walked away from it all for a simpler life,” Reid said, nodding in understanding.
“Yes, that’s how I came to be a cabdriver. After our families broke us up … or rather, when Sean decided to follow their order to break up with me…” She frowned. “Well, that was the last straw. I refused to be manipulated for the good of the family.” Her heart contracted. “I mean, it’s not that I didn’t love my family. And I would do whatever I could to help any of them emotionally. But with them, money and power were the driving forces and that went beyond anyone’s feelings.” Pain lanced through her. “Their business sense was incredible, but ruthless. What they wanted … in love and in business … always came first.”
Reid sat down beside her and took her other hand. “So why did he break up with you?”
She drew in a breath. “Because when our parents met … it was a big weekend away at his father’s country house so that the two families could get to know each other.… Well, my mother and his father, who were both divorced … hit it off. They got to know each other quite well that weekend and over the course of about a month, had a fling. But it turned serious and they decided to marry.”
“That’s crazy. So why did that affect your engagement?” Dylan asked.
“They didn’t want any hint of a scandal because, of course, one they got married, Sean and I would be step-siblings.”
“So your ex-fiancé is your stepbrother?” Reid asked.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Are we still considered steps now that our parents are divorced?”
“So what you’re saying,” Reid said as he squeezed her hand, “is that your mother put her happiness ahead of yours. Then she used her money and power to control you, driving you away from everything you held dear.”
Stevie’s gaze shot to Reid’s. That’s exactly what it meant. Reid had pushed right through the crap and gotten to the heart of it. She’d never thought of it in just that way, but now the sense of betrayal overwhelmed her.
She choked up and tears flooded from her eyes.
* * *
Reid’s heart constricted at the sight of Stevie’s tears. He enveloped her in his arms and held her close. Her soft face rested against his chest and he could feel dampness on his shirt, but he didn’t care about that.
He stroked her soft hair, still nicely coiled behind her head, and murmured, “It’s okay, baby.”
Which was insane. It wasn’t okay that her mother had treated her that way.
His heart ached. He wished there was some way he could fix it.
Dylan retrieved a box of tissues from the bathroom and set them on the coffee table while Stevie sobbed against Reid’s chest.
But soon, she drew back and snatched a tissue from the box, then wiped her eyes. She glanced at Reid.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” She waved her hands, wiping her eyes again.
“No need to be sorry. You must know I’m always here for you,” Reid said. “Dylan is, too.”
She nodded, blowing her nose.
“Thank you. I’m fine. It was just hard seeing him again.” Her lips pursed. “Dealing with all of this again.”
Reid stroked her cheek, running his fingers through the soft wisps of hair around her face.
“You don’t have to deal with it alone,” Reid said, gazing into her eyes. “We’re both here for you. Whatever you want…”
She stroked his face, her soft hand gliding over his raspy jaw.
“Thank you.”
Reid slid his arm around her and drew her close to his side.
“Hey,” Dylan said, “why don’t we all curl up together and watch a feel-good movie?”
“If we’re going to do that, I’m going to change,” Stevie said and headed to the bedroom.
After changing into her pajamas, she went into the en suite to let down her hair and brush it out, then take off her makeup. When she returned to the living room, the men were both in casual pants and T-shirts. She sat down on the couch between them.
Dylan had located a list of movies using the on-screen menu.
“Maybe a classic black-and-white romance? How about this one with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr?”
He clicked on one of the movies on the list.
Reid glanced up at Dylan, his eyebrow arching.
“You like old romance movies?”
Dylan shrugged. “I think Stevie’ll like it. My mom used to cry through the last half of this one.” He glanced at Stevie. “But not in a bad way. You’ll love the ending.”
Stevie laughed. “I think it’s a great choice. I like to watch old classics. I think that’s what first got me interested in writing.”
“Okay, good,” Dylan said. “I’ll go round us up a bottle of wine and some snacks from the staff.”
Dylan disappeared out the door and Reid tightened his arm around Stevie, loving the feel of her snuggled against him.
“You know, I think writing is more than a hobby for you. I know you don’t want help getting published. Dylan told me he already offered that. And I get it. You want to succeed on your own. But I would love to read some of your stories sometime.” He stroked her hair from her face. “I know it takes a lot of trust to share something so close to your heart with someone.” He cupped her cheek. “And I really want you to trust me that much.”