Society Girls: Rhieve

by Crystal Perkins

  "When we were kids I thought you moving to England meant a country house and you know, things from a Jane Austen novel. It's a little strange to see you living a modern life."

  "I have a polo pony if that makes you feel any better," he tells me with a smile.

  "A little."

  I turn around in a circle, taking in his modern loft. There are high ceilings, enough art to fill a gallery, and modern furniture and appliances. It's so cold and impersonal that I shudder a little.

  "You don't like it."

  "No," I answer honestly. "There's no warmth here."

  "I can light us a fire."

  I nod. "Not exactly what I was talking about, but that would be nice."

  "There are other ways of warming you up, love. Is that what you had in mind?"

  "Seriously? You...again?"

  "What can I say? I'm insatiable with you."

  "I can't say I mind that, except I had been hoping for a bath."

  "Shit. I forgot you've only been fucking limp dicks all this time. You're not used to being loved for more than a few minutes, are you?"

  "No, actually, I am not," I say, laughing because I know that truth is inflating his ego even more. "If you have a tub, and I can soak, I might be up for one more round."

  "Lucky for me, I do indeed have a tub."

  He picks up a remote from a table next to us, and pushes a few buttons. All of a sudden, the floor in the middle of the loft opens up, and a Jacuzzi tub rises from the opening. "Wow."

  "It meets your approval then?" he asks, pushing another button which starts filling the tub with water.

  "Do you have bubbles?"

  "No," he laughs, "that is one thing I can't provide you with. This is definitely a bachelor pad. And in case you're wondering, other than my cleaning lady and my decorator, you're the only woman to step inside the door."

  "Oh shoot," I say, remembering something. "I left my suitcase in the car."

  "I didn't forget.; I was planning on going back out once I got you settled."

  I look at him curiously. "You're really good at taking care of me, Cabe. Thank you."

  He pulls me into my arms, and kisses me softly. "I like taking care of you. Now you better check your water. I'll be back up in a few minutes."

  I pull him back to me, and kiss him again. I voiced my appreciation, but I want him to feel it, too. I wasn't expecting any of this when we made our deal. I expected a cold, mutually beneficial agreement with some sex. I won't lie about looking forward to the sex, but I only hoped for anything more. Since I've been hoping for years, I planned on being disappointed once again. Now that I'm not, I'm going to hold onto Calum until he trusts me enough to tell me why he disappeared.

  Calum

  Waking up wrapped up with Rhieve is comfortable. I don't know how else to describe it. It's like we fit together, and she belongs in my bed, and my arms. I know, without a doubt, that I could wake up like this every single day of my life and never feel any less grateful to be right where I am.

  I wish I could stay here with her all day, but I have to get back to London. I can only give her a part of my time and attention now, at least while I'm dealing with Chet. Once I have that all sorted out, I'll put everything into making this work, but for now, I have to believe she'll understand and be willing to take what I can give.

  I kiss her awake, and smile down at her scrunched up nose. "I was having a sweet dream about you, and you woke me up."

  "Sweet, and not sexy?"

  "Yep."

  "Was I in a meadow with some sheep?" I ask with a laugh.

  A pillow whacks me on the side of the head, and I laugh even harder. "I shouldn't have told you about that."

  "Yes, you should've. It's adorable. You're adorable, Rhi."

  "Adorably sexy?"

  "No doubt. If I didn't have to go back to London, I'd love to spend the day exploring both of those things with you."

  "Rain check?"

  "Absolutely."

  "Good. You go be the big, bad businessman who puts Chet in his place, and I'll be the spy girl who finds her brother."

  "Every hour."

  "I promise. Now go one before I try and have my wicked way with you."

  "Looks like someone else is insatiable, too."

  The pillow hits me harder this time, and is followed by ones thrown at me as I run laughing to the bathroom. After taking a quick shower, I come out to find a suit, shirt, and tie waiting for me on the bed. Smelling coffee, I spin around to see Rhieve holding out a travel mug for me.

  "Now, if you were still naked, this would be perfect."

  "If I were still naked, you wouldn't be leaving for work," she says, placing a hand on her hip, and cocking an eyebrow at me.

  "Feeling cocky today, huh?"

  "I'll leave the cock-y to you. I'm merely confident."

  She's smirking, but I see the vulnerability in her eyes, and I know she wasn't always the confident woman I see in front of me. There are traces here and there that tell me this public persona of hers doesn't reach all the way to her soul. It should, but it doesn't. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I vow to myself that no matter how this ends between us, I'll make her see how special she is.

  Right now, I really have to leave. I pull her into my arms for one last kiss, and a little pep talk, too. "You have more reason to be confident than most people I come into contact with. Don't ever doubt that, love."

  Her eyes are a little watery, and her voice is a little shaky, but at least she's smiling. "Thank you, Cabe."

  I touch my forehead to hers, and force myself to walk out the door. My steps are slow as I make my way to my car. Once inside, I activate my Bluetooth, and make the call that will give me some sense of calm in leaving.

  "Hey," I say when my best friend answers. He had a day trip to Paris for business and pleasure, but he should be home now.

  "Hey yourself. Are you back in London?"

  "Not yet. I'm heading to the airport now. I know you just landed yourself, but I need you to jump on the next flight to Norwich. I believe it leaves in an hour."

  "Are you going to tell me why?"

  "I need you to watch Rhieve. She's supposed to go shopping with the girls, and I don't trust her to not go off on her own if they offer her the chance."

  "She's already in with them? I'm impressed. Your woman must be something else."

  "Don't get any ideas," I growl.

  "Would I do that to you?"

  "No," I admit, sighing.

  "Now that we're clear about that, I guess I have a plane to catch. I'll call you when I land."

  "Thanks."

  I still don't like leaving her, but at least now I'm not as worried as I was before I made that call. She'll be safe with Guil, and I can breathe a little easier as I fight my own battle in London.

  10

  Rhieve

  I choose a sleeveless watercolor maxi to wear on my outing with the twins. It’s casual, but still screams “socialite” so my façade is firmly in place as far as clothes are concerned. I make a protest against it all by walking to the shopping mall instead of calling a cab, but I can always explain that away by pointing out my support of green initiatives over the years if I’m questioned.

  It’s a short walk, but I relish the extra minutes to gear myself up for pretending I care so much about the newest dress, or designer jeans. I could look at handbags and shoes all day, just not dresses and other pieces of clothing. While I like to look good, I don’t believe I need to spend thousands of dollars to do that. I’ve found gorgeous pieces at discount stores that I’ve paired with designer things, and no one but me knows the difference. I also like to shop in peace, looking through racks myself, but that’s never an option at the places I have to be seen in. I don’t mean to complain about my life, because I am very lucky in some respects, but I’m also very unlucky in others.

  Once inside the building, I give myself a mental shake, and walk up to the twins, who are twirling their hair. I know it sou
nds stereotypical and all, but they are seriously twirling their hair and looking bored. Fun times ahead.

  “Hi girls,” I say as I approach them, smiling.

  “Ooh, I love your dress,” Gwinevir says, reaching out to finger the material. “You should totally let me try it on now.”

  She starts pulling at her shirt, and I reach out to stop her. “You can’t take off your clothes here, honey.”

  “Oh yeah. Right. I don’t know why people are so uptight.”

  It’s not worth the trouble to try and explain to her why public nudity isn’t exactly an issue of being uptight, so I just move on. “Anything special you’re looking for today?”

  They look at each other and share a smile. “It’s a secret,” Peatra says. “Can you keep a secret?”

  “As a matter of fact, I can.”

  They beckon me closer, and I step right up into their personal spaces. “Our benefactor is having a party tomorrow night. We’re allowed to bring someone, and we wanted it to be you when we saw you at the club,” Gwinevir says.

  “But then Calum said you couldn’t play with us. You have to be ready to play at the party.”

  I have to get into that party. “How about you help me pick something out, and then I’ll try to convince Calum to let me play just a little.”

  They jump up and down, clapping their hands as I fight not to roll my eyes. “Yes! Please convince him. Our benefactor has the best plaything,” Peatra tells me.

  “We brought him there, and everyone loves him,” Gwen adds.

  I want to throw up now, but I have to ask. “What’s his name?”

  “That’s another secret. One we definitely can’t tell,” Gwen says.

  I force myself to look calm, even though I’m freaking out inside. I know they’re talking about Rhys, even if they haven’t said his name. “And he likes being a…plaything?”

  She shrugs. “He did at first. Now, I don’t know. It doesn’t matter either way. He belongs to our benefactor.”

  The hell he does! I keep the smile pasted on my face because I have to. “Let’s go shop, and find some things to wear for tomorrow.”

  “You’re really coming?” Peatra asks.

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  I somehow manage to smile as I try to help them pick out some things that are tasteful as well as sexy. I want to beat the truth and address out of them, but I’m not skilled enough to take on two people, even if they aren’t MMA fighters. I force myself to laugh and joke as we buy high-end lingerie, and eat at one of the counter service places here in the mall. By the time the afternoon is over, I need a beer.

  I change into jeans and a loose, off the shoulder tee back at the apartment, throw on a pair of my favorite lace-up, funky, heels, and head down the street to one of the pubs. It’s loud inside, with everyone rooting for their favorite rugby team. I snag a table as a couple is leaving, and order a pint and some chips—French fries in my part of the world—to munch on. I love being lost in a crowd like this, knowing anyone looking at me in here is just checking me out, and not cataloging my behavior to use against me later. Or maybe not.

  I sense someone watching me. I don’t know who or why, but I know they’re there. I pull out my compact, because I’m not ready to confront them yet. As I check out my makeup, I also see the Asian guy looking a little too casual behind me. He has jet black hair that’s long on top, but shaved on the sides, along with a mustache and goatee. He’s also got on reflective sunglasses and a motorcycle jacket, despite the dim lighting in the pub, and warm temperature from all the bodies packed in here. Yep, he’s definitely the one keeping an eye on me. I’d know that even if he wasn’t smirking at me in the mirror.

  If he thinks he’s going to intimidate me, or better yet, make me embarrassed by his perusal, he’s about to understand I’m not a woman to be messed with. I down the rest of my drink, grab my purse, and walk over to his table. He’s still smirking as he tilts his face up towards me.

  “Not interested.”

  “Really? What’s not to love about this?” he asks, gesturing to himself before pulling his glasses off.

  “Don’t make me start listing the reasons I would never date you.”

  “Who said anything about a date, Rhieve?”

  I open my mouth to say something, but then I look closer and recognize him from the pictures I’ve seen. “You’re Guil.”

  “Give the girl a prize. Or a session in my bed.”

  “I’ll pass on both.”

  “Shame.”

  I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. “Isn’t there some guy code or something that says you shouldn’t hit on your best friend’s fiancé?”

  “Probably,” he says with a shrug. “I don’t follow any rules but my own, and I was just messing with you.”

  Realization dawns. “He sent you.”

  “He’s worried about you.”

  “I can take care of myself. Go back to London, or wherever you’re supposed to be.”

  “Here is where I’m supposed to be, so you might as well sit down. I’ll even buy you another pint.”

  “I don’t need a bodyguard.”

  “How about a friend? Everyone can use another one of those.”

  “I was his best friend once.”

  “I know. I know all about you, Rhieve.”

  “He hasn’t told me anything about you.”

  I know it’s petty, but it hurts. Calum dropped me like I was nothing, and chose Guil instead. I want to know what he has that I don’t. Besides a dick, of course.

  “He didn’t choose me over you.”

  I turn my face away, because he’s already seen too much. “It doesn’t matter. That’s the past.”

  “I can’t betray his confidence, but you deserve to know that hurting you is his biggest regret in life. There were reasons why he felt had to do it, but that didn’t make it any less painful for him.”

  “Thank you for telling me that. I should go.”

  “Or you can stay, and we can get to know each other. Even though this engagement is fake, we’ll be spending some time together.”

  He’s right, so I take the seat he’s offering. “One pint, and then I need to go home.”

  “Whatever you want.”

  The list of what I want is too long for me to even mention at the moment. However, I do want to know this man who bonded with the boy who was once my world. I want to know how they met, and what they’ve shared over the years. If Guil is the good friend to Calum that I believe he is, he won’t tell me everything, but I’ll take what I can get right now.

  “I want us to talk about our friend. I don’t expect you to betray him, but I want to know anything you can tell me about when we were apart.”

  He looks at me thoughtfully, and nods. “Have a seat.”

  Calum

  "Is she okay?" I ask when I answer Guil's call.

  "If by 'okay' you mean cool as fuck and hot as sin, then yeah."

  "She was at the club?" I don't want her there without me, and so I'm not even trying to control my anger.

  "No. She was in a pub, wearing jeans and a loose t-shirt with her hair in a messy bun and no makeup on. Oh, and drinking beer. Again, hot as sin."

  "Oh. I mean, yeah, she's hot no matter what."

  "And hella cool. You are one lucky bastard."

  "I know."

  "We talked about you."

  "You didn't tell her, did you?" My anger is turning to panic, because I'm not ready for that yet.

  "No, and you should know that without even asking. We talked about fun things we did with you when we were young. She's jealous of me."

  "What? She thinks you...me?"

  "Not like that. She's really hurt that you dropped her completely and then made me your best friend."

  "I'd say you made me yours, but I get what you're saying."

  "Do you? I know it gutted you to cut her off, and I know why you think you had to do it, but I think it was really bad for her."

 
; "So do I. She hasn't told me about those years, and since I'm not ready to tell her my side, I can't push her to confide in me, but I can see it in her eyes sometimes."

  "This is one hell of a mess you've gotten yourself into."

  "I can't give my company to that ass."

  "No, you can't," he agrees. "Using her to advance your own agenda is not going to go over well with her."

  "I'm helping her, too."

  "Like I said, it's a mess. Anyway, she's safe and sound back at your flat. I saw her with the twins at the mall earlier, and I think something's up for tomorrow, but she wouldn't tell me what."

  "Damn it. She's going to go off on her own. I told her not to, but she's too stubborn to listen."

  "It's her brother."

  "I know. I need to get back to Norwich, but things are still a mess here."

  "This is going to be one of many times you'll have to choose between her and your company."

  "That's not a choice I can make right now. I'm needed here, but she also needs me, even if she won't admit it."

  "I'll watch her back this time, but if she's going anywhere near that warehouse, you know things are going to blow up for you."

  I do know that, but I have things about to blow up here, too. That's exactly what Chet wants; for me to be spread thin, and vulnerable. That's not going to happen. I fought my father for this company, and I'll fight his son even harder. As anyone who's gone against me before can attest, I don't lose. Ever.

  11

  Rhieve

  "Thanks for coming, Darcy," I say to my friend, hugging her as she enters the apartment.

  Today, she looks like the princess she is. Her husband, Brayden, was actually a king for a little bit, until he gave it up for her. He's still a prince, which makes this video game playing, former cat burglar, a genuine princess. She's also a member of the Society, and Brayden now works for Matt Corrigan doing something in International Relations.

  "Of course I came. You needed me."

  She came to help me, but she's also here to escape the public appearances she's been scheduled to do as part of her royal duties. "That boring, huh?"

  "You have no idea. Well, actually you probably do."