by King, Dean
“It was strictly an act of no self control.” Nina confessed sadly. “And no, I don’t know his name, I saw some of his face, he was wearing a mask. I can’t blame it on liquor because I didn’t have any and I’m pretty sure he was very sober.”
“A mask, he was wearing a mask?” Sharon frowned, and Nina’s heart sank. “Why?”
“It was required,” Nina looked Sharon in the eyes. “The place was…well…it was different.”
“It sounds cool.” Sharon gushed. “I should check that out.”
Nina nodded, then jumped when Sharon clapped her hands and gave a wild yell. “Woo hoo! Cool! You had fun?”
Nina flushed but gave a tight nod, she couldn’t deny it.
“Well, I say you go girl!” Sharon clapped her hands again and nearly jumped from her seat. “That is so cool I wish I could do that.”
“No Sharon, it’s not cool, it’s wrong. I think I should feel dirty, I should feel horrible about what I’ve done.”
“But you don’t?”
Nina shook her head. “No, and I can’t stop smiling, I know it’s wrong, but I don’t think I’d fix it even if I could.”
“What did he look like?”
“Black curly hair that was a little longish, and he had piercing gray eyes. Every time I touched him muscles rippled under my hand. The best part was, every time I touched him, he shivered.”
“So you weren’t the only one to feel the attraction?”
“I don’t think there was an attraction, it was just an instant where two lost souls met. And now it’s over”
“Is it?” Sharon lifted a brow at Nina and her cheeks darkened. “I’d say you two met, and fell instantly in love.”
“No, no,” Nina vehemently shook her head. “No that’s not it at all. I was in the wrong place at the right time. I think he needed someone as much as I did. It may never happen again.” She sighed and her gaze went to the ceiling. “I shouldn’t have been there, but I’m glad I was.” She shot a look at Sharon. “It’s wrong to think like that and I know it but my mind won’t let it go.”
“I’d say it was love at first sight.”
“Do you believe in that?”
“Yes,” Sharon sighed. “I think I’m in love with Wayne. If he would make a move I’d be in his arms, ring or no ring.”
“Why don’t you go to him?”
“Because for all my bold words I’m still a country girl at heart. The guy is supposed to make the first move.”
“You must think terrible of me.”
“Oh no,” Sharon rushed to assure her. “I think it was very modern of you. You saw what you wanted and you acted on it. I’m proud of you, I would’ve never thought you would do something like that.”
“I surprised myself,” Nina murmured. “It’s not at all like me, it was still a very wicked thing to do.”
“Wickedly fun.” Sharon giggled. “So where did you meet this hunk of man and why was he wearing a mask?”
“Cathy and some of the girls asked me out. I was stupid enough to say yes. Then after Cathy picked me up, she said everyone else cancelled, so it would be just she and I. I should’ve known better, but I needed to get out. I wanted to have some fun. I know I’m different I thought going out with her would be a step in the direction of becoming friends.”
“You went out with Cathy?” Sharon’s mouth snapped closed in an unladylike pop. “Tell me you didn’t.”
Nina nodded, her hands clasped in front of her on the table top. “I know it was stupid, but I couldn’t help it.”
“Where did she take you?”
“A place called the Dream Maker.”
Sharon’s skin paled and Nina stared uncertain of what that look meant. “The…the what?”
“The Dream Maker, do you know it?”
“No,” Sharon was quick to say. “Was it nice?”
“It was the most disgusting place on the face of the earth. I could’ve killed Cathy for taking me there, and then she left me at the bar to fend for myself.”
“So you got out of there fast?” Sharon asked, but there was an edge to her voice.
“Just as I was about to leave, he came up to me.”
“Any man you meet there isn’t boyfriend material. He maybe the exception to the rule, but most of the people who go there are interested in certain games.”
“He kept saying that, then I finally made him see I wasn’t there for any games.”
“And what did he say?”
“Nothing he just kissed me.”
Sharon nodded, her look thoughtful, Nina wondered what was going through her mind. Then Sharon murmured. “I’ll have to show Cathy how much we appreciate her kindness.”
Nina didn’t care for the look on Sharon’s face. “Actually,” Nina said, hoping she’d misunderstood Sharon. “She was anything but kind.” The sarcasm in Sharon’s voice concerned her greatly, but she didn’t know what to do about it. “I could’ve gladly strangled her, but it did turn out better than Cathy hoped I’m sure.”
“I could still strangle that hateful witch.”
“I appreciate the thought but we don’t need that on our heads.”
Sharon gave a shaky laugh and dismissed it with a wave of her hand. “I wouldn’t really do it, it’s just a reverent thought.”
Nina nodded, somewhat relieved. “Should I meet him?”
“That’s up to you, you said you liked him.”
“Yes, but he is theoretically a stranger, I don’t really know him. And that place is awful.”
“Is that the only place he’ll meet you? Because if it is then you shouldn’t go. Tell him you aren’t that kind of girl. If he agrees to meet somewhere else then he maybe worth giving a second look.”
“You really hate that place don’t you?” Nina asked quietly.
“I’ve never been there,” Sharon said softly. “But I know lots of people who have, and it’s not pretty.”
“This may not be pretty either,” Nina added. “How do you trust a stranger?”
“You don’t,” Sharon said quickly and Nina shot her a quick look. “You trust yourself to know the right thing to do. Besides, the only way to make him not be a stranger is to get to know him.”
“But do I want to?”
“Sounds like you do.”
“But it’s a sin, I really shouldn’t.”
“It depends on what you are talking about.” Sharon shrugged. “If you are just interested in getting to know him at, say a burger joint, then no it’s not a sin. But if you want to sleep with him again then in your book that would be a sin. In my book it would be fun. It’s all up to you Nina.”
Nina took a deep breath, then released it. “I want to get to know him before we do anything physical again. The problem is, I’m afraid if I get near him I’ll lose myself again.”
“That bad huh?”
“Yes,” Nina sighed. “I don’t trust myself around him.”
“Wow! That sounds like a wonderful problem.” Sharon exclaimed. “If it happens then so what? Your slate is so clean you could eat off it. Besides, if God thought you were a bad person you wouldn’t have made it as far as you have, and those beautiful children wouldn’t be as happy as they are.”
Nina nodded, “Maybe you’re right, but I still feel wicked. I mean, I can’t believe I did that.”
Sharon’s pixie nose wrinkled and she smiled. “Doesn’t it feel good to be bad, even if it’s just for a little while?”
Nina nodded smiling widely. “He asked me to meet him there this Thursday. What do you think?”
“Do you want to go?”
“I shouldn’t,” Nina bit her lower lip and looked away. Then she looked back at Sharon. “But I do.”
“Well if you go, make sure you only talk to your guy. Those other perverts don’t even need to know you’re alive. See your man, then leave, that place can contaminate anything and everything it touches.”
“I do believe that,” Nina nodded. “I’ll tell you what, if I go and he’s not there, then I’
ll never step foot there again.”
“Deal.”
“Okay, now let’s get back to work.”
“Yes Ma’am Boss.”
*****
Rafe stood in the middle of his office, a note pad in one hand. He wanted to believe he was just checking on the security of his investment. But deep in his heart he knew better, he clenched his teeth against the need to go back in the security room and see what she was doing. He threw the notepad to the desk and took a seat. This woman was nothing to him, but he couldn’t get her off his mind. That night had been thrilling, he couldn’t go one second without seeing her green eyes smiling at him from behind the mask. She had given so much of herself that night and yet she had taken even more of him.
Buzzz. He jumped as the buzzer for the intercom broke into his thoughts. He looked at it with hate in his eyes. “Yes Paula?”
“Sir Mr. McCollum is here to see you.”
“Send him in,” Rafe let go of the button and leaned back in his seat.
Wayne came barreling through the door with a manila folder clutched in his hand. “Rafe you need to go to Singapore, I had Paula book you a flight out in two hours.”
Rafe held up his hand. “Hold it right there.”
Wayne froze at Rafe’s tone. “What? We need this contract. That bridge they want to build will put us in a totally different tax bracket, we can’t let it slip through our fingers.”
“Sit down Wayne,” Baffled, Wayne did as he was told, and Rafe took a deep breath. He already knew about Hide and Company trying to wine and dine the contract out from under them. “I know what’s going on. I’m wanting you to go.”
Wayne blinked, then his eyes narrowed. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” Rafe grabbed a pen and looked away. “I’m needed here.”
“Am I missing something?” Wayne stared hard at Rafe. “When do you not want to make money?”
“Are you saying that if I send you, you wouldn’t be able to secure the contract?”
“No,” Wayne scoffed. “I’m not saying that at all. I’m saying what’s wrong with you? This is your baby, you have been in it from the beginning, now all of a sudden you’re bowing out? Something is going on.”
“I have every faith in you, besides, I’ve already done all the leg work, you just have to keep Maygiin on our side, he is the only one that counts right now.”
“But he knows you Rafe, he respects you. Do you think we should take this kind of chance right now?”
“I can’t go, Wayne I’m asking you to take over. Just go in with that smile and charm them, I’ve seen you do it a million times.”
“Is it a woman keeping you here?”
Rafe frowned and threw Wayne a look that said he must be crazy. “When have I let a skirt blind me?” Rafe thought about his words the minute they left his mouth. Was it because of Lily? No, of course not, she was just in it for the game. Even knowing that, his stomach tightened at just the thought of her. The way her eyes caressed him, the way she made him feel, her gentle… Stop it! His brain commanded.
“Rafe…” Wayne looked at him with concern. “Are you with me on this?”
“Yes,” Rafe slammed down the pen and stood up, he went to Wayne and took the file. “When did you say that plane was leaving?”
Wayne looked at his watch. “Two hours.”
“I’ll be on it, keep an eye on things here and keep me informed.”
“Sure thing Boss.” Wayne left the room with a soft whistle.
As soon as Wayne was gone Rafe gathered his things. He didn’t have to look at the calendar to know the date, he knew it by heart. It was May fifth, a Thursday.
*****
“Nina!” Nina jumped at the sound of her name, sitting up straight in her leather executive chair. She blinked rapidly, and stared wide eyed around the room. She looked at the faces of her co-workers as if seeing them for the first time. She was tired, so tired she couldn’t concentrate on anything. It was taking all her energy not to think of that club, but the harder she fought it the more she realized it was a losing battle. She couldn’t bring herself to go to that disgusting club again. But she couldn’t shake the fact that he might be there. Waiting for her, and she was being a coward. She had gone the second time, only to wait in vain. He hadn’t shown up. At the time she’d laughed it off, as if it were some wishful dream that had never really been. She had left and vowed to never go back. But the longing to see him was never far from her heart.
Rafe focused on Nina’s lovely, distracted face and cursed himself for being a fool. He had sent Clem on an errand, which allowed Rafe to observe this mornings meeting without an audience. But he was man enough to admit this was insanity! That was the only way he could describe what was happening to him. He had to be losing his mind. That thought gave him some comfort, allowing him the peace of mind he needed to explain this obsession. Rafe had been in Singapore for two weeks, which was all he could stand. He had to see for himself that she was just a woman. Nothing special about her. Just a woman who knew how to use what she had. Once he had proven that to his besieged mind, then he could get back to business as usual. He sat at the security monitors and watched Nina’s every movement. The cameras had been placed throughout the building, conveniently allowing him a chance to view all the meetings without having to attend. There would be no way for Nina to find out who he was. He had made sure of that, at least until he was ready to tell her. This twice weekly meeting was his only chance to see her and try to make sense out of what happened. During the sixteen days since their encounter, he’d experienced an ever present urge to be with her or, at the least, observe her, even if only through a camera.
He had been plagued with the need to know how she’d come to be in the club in the first place. And after interrogating some of the staff, one of them, Ben, came forward: his cousin Peter had been finessed into letting the ladies into the club for free. It seems Cathy had used her association with one of Frank’s most affluent clients to convince Peter to let the two of them in. It was easy to let Peter go, but there was no way to confront Cathy without telling her how he knew. Or revealing his identity, which was imperative Nina not learn. For now, Cathy would have limited access to the club as punishment for coercing Nina into the perverse place. And if her benefactor found other diversions, then too bad for her.
Rafe couldn’t take his eyes from Nina. It was pure lunacy. He wondered what the hell was so different about her. She was the same as she had always been, ordinary, typically self-contained. She would’ve never caught his attention any other way, but now, after that wild night when he’d lost himself in her arms, he couldn’t rid his mind of her. That night had been feral, crazy, and he’d never felt so free and satisfied. It was a first for him, he had even forgotten where he was.
He watched as Nina’s manicured yet unpolished fingernails dug into the thick padding on the arms on her chair. Her smooth cheeks were flushed, as if she'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Rafe wondered if she were thinking of their night together. If, after all this time she still remembered what they had shared.
Nina cleared her throat and pushed the glasses higher on the bridge of her pretty nose with her index finger. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch that,” her voice was hushed, and her gaze was focused on the tabletop.
Rafe sat back, studying the monitor, he had long given up any pretense. Clem had laughed when he’d come into the security room and found Rafe staring at the monitors, and said he knew some educated guy would come along and sweep her off her feet. Clem had given his blessing and was keeping Rafe informed of any problems she might have with the staff. Rafe lifted his hands, and clasped one inside the other, then rubbed his knuckles. She was clearly distracted. He hoped her thoughts were of him, she was never far from his mind.
A secret smiled touched his lips as he watched her pull the pencil she always wore from her tightly bound hair. Tapping its eraser on the tabletop, she cast a glance around the room. There was something about her,
here with these people, which struck him as odd. The woman he’d met was bold and demanding, yet sweetly innocent and giving. But here she seemed cool, withdrawn, as if afraid to speak.
Frowning, he leaned forward and placed his elbows on the desk with his fists under his chin. I can’t wait until tonight, with any luck she may show up.
The thought flashed across his mind, and his blood raced. They’d stayed in that room all night. He had taken her four times and she loved it, if the scars on his back were any indication. She didn’t talk much, which he liked in a woman. She was also wild and spontaneous. He liked that, too.
Today was Thursday, a full four weeks after that faithful night. At the end of their first time together he gave her his card and told her simply to meet him there any Thursday night. He had already checked with Ben, she had returned once, but had promptly left. Rafe was determined to be there if she did by some miracle, show up. He couldn't wait. Excitement nearly made him rush to the club, even though it was only two in the afternoon. He wanted to get things ready for her, but he stopped himself. She was just a girl, like any other, nothing was different. But he paused, in the same breath he admitted there was something different about her and he would keep seeing her until he found out what it was, then he would fix this fascination and get on with his life.
Through narrow eyes he watched as the heads of each of his company’s departments sat around the long mahogany conference table talking freely. That no one spoke to her wasn’t lost on him. Nina sat with her head bent over a writing pad. None of them could know he was watching through the network of hidden cameras throughout the building. One of his father’s little security ideas.
“Nina, when are you going to go to the Macgregor site?” Edgar, the project supervisor wanted to know. His tone was less than friendly. “You should've been done with this by now!”
Rafe frowned. The first and only thing anyone said to her all day and it's to criticize?
“Edgar, you know why I hate going to that site. Those men have no respect for women.” Her nostrils flared as she spoke, her hand tightened around the pencil.