by D. A. Young
“There’s no joke. Are you enjoying the party, sir?” Noelle asked politely, stepping back to put distance between them. He grinned, leaning his shoulder against the wall which put him in closer proximity to her than she liked.
“I am indeed. You and your lovely partner are responsible for putting it together, right? Maybe we should get together to discuss an event that my brother and I are considering having for the Fourth of July? Pardon me; I just realized that we haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Joel Rothman,” he said charmingly and held out his hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rothman. My name is Noelle…Kramer,” she said stiffly, realizing that she couldn’t give her married name as much as she wanted to. Joel took her hand and held onto it, looking into her eyes.
“No, Noelle, the pleasure is all mine,” he said and reluctantly let go of her hand as she tugged it away. Joel reached into his pocket and pulled a small leather case out. He extracted a business card and handed it to her. “Please come by so that we can talk about it.”
Noelle glanced down at the blue card with silver writing and took it from him. Joel Rothman, Vice President of Rothman Capital Investments. “Is Ira Rothman your father?” she asked curiously.
Joel smiled blandly at her. “Yes he is, and I believe he made the loan for your business. It was the last one he did before semi-retiring. As a matter of fact, you really should come by Friday. He’ll be in the office, and after I tell him about the raging success of this event, I’m sure Dad will want to talk to you about expanding. It was a great party, Noelle. Call me,” he said persuasively, before turning to leave, as his gaze lingered again on her body, clad in a black, clingy dress that accentuated her curves.
Jack was furious as he watched Joel walk away from Noelle. First that British pussy, and now Rothman. His fingers clenched his glass as she slipped the card Joel gave her into the small beaded clutch she was carrying, before continuing to mingle with guests and speak to her staff. Knowing Rothman, he was probably pissed that Vaughn had sought him out. Joel would probably be even more pissed to find out that it was in regards to retaining Casey as her attorney when she filed for divorce from his sorry ass.
Good for her. Although Jack had a great deal of respect for Ira, his boys could kick fucking rocks as far as he was concerned. They were lazy motherfuckers that were just waiting for Ira to die so they could fuck up his legacy. A couple of years ago, he and Vaughn had dated on and off. She wanted a commitment, but he didn’t and they ended things a week after he met Noelle. Now she wanted to meet with him to brainstorm ideas for her new purse company, she claimed, but he knew from the way her brown eyes flirted and she clung to his arm, that wasn’t all she wanted to do. In no uncertain terms, he told her no. He wasn’t going to screw anything up with Noelle.
Jack was filled with pride as he looked around the beautifully-decorated venue. Everyone was having a good time. The food and drinks were amazing as was the music Sid was spinning; and he wished Ronald and Alicia were there to see Noelle in her element. They made eye contact, and her eyes briefly squinted at him, letting him know that she wasn’t too pleased about something. He started to walk across the room but was stopped by Art Sanchez, a reporter with the NY MAG.
“Jack, I think I have enough coverage of Tarik’s party. Thanks for getting me in here,” Art said sincerely.
“Not a problem, Art. Hey, a friend of mine at the Times was looking for a really good freelance reporter,” Jack said nonchalantly. He could see that Art was drooling at the thought of getting in good with the Times. “Think it’s something you might be interested in doing? Nothing really big but some solid pieces to get you in the door. If you’d like I could put in a good word.”
“Yeah for sure, man. That would be great! Thanks for looking out,” Art said enthusiastically as Jack clapped him on the back and gave him a friendly smile.
“Not a problem, man. Listen is there any way you could get a picture of the event planners and maybe add something on them. I’ve got a feeling that their business is going to take off after tonight, and they’d be some great people for you to network with. What do you say?” Jack asked, looking Art squarely in the eye. The other man didn’t even blink as he said, “I was thinking the same thing myself.”
Jack spied Joel heading out to the terrace for a smoke and shook Art’s hand before walking away. “Good seeing you, Art.”
The terrace was empty except for Joel smoking his cigar and talking on his cell phone. Jack quietly shut the doors behind him before approaching him. “Enjoying the party, Rothman?”
Startled, Rothman whirled around, cursing as some of the ash from his cigar flicked onto his hand. “What the hell, Sullivan?” He took a quick puff of his cigar and sneered. “As a matter of fact I am. How about you? Are you enjoying my soon-to-be-ex whore- wife hanging onto your every word? Just like old times for you, right?”
Jack stepped closer to him, anger coursing through his body. Although he wasn’t the least bit interested in Vaughn and hadn’t been in years, she didn’t deserve to be talked about like that. Silkily he replied, “Tell me, who is the whore when you’re banging your unsuspecting brother’s wife? You or her?”
Joel froze in shock, but quickly recovered, “Who the fuck told you that-”
“No one had to tell me anything. I do my homework. What I’ve found is that The Ace Hotel is a great place to have some Rothman family fun time on Thursdays between noon and three,” Jack smirked nastily at him.
Joel’s face was purple with rage. “You bastard! You even attempt to say anything, and I will deny it. You’re nothing but white trash aspiring to be better. You’re just mad because I stole Vaughn away from you,” he finished triumphantly. “It kills you that she didn’t want to marry beneath her status.”
Jack stared at him for a long moment before bursting out laughing. He laughed long and loud which angered Joel even more. “Where do you get these stupid-ass ideas from? Shit, no wonder Ira refuses to retire. I’d be scared too of leaving everything I’ve worked my whole life for to a brainless, conniving, little shit that’d stab his own family in the back and a moron too clueless to know he was being fucked over. I can’t do this with you or even stand too close to you, because your stupidity might be contagious. Later, Rothman.”
Shaking his head and still chuckling, Jack turned away to walk back to the terrace doors; but Joel wasn’t done yet. From behind him he heard, “I don’t think I’m so brainless that I can’t figure out that you’re interested in that fine piece of chocolate who’s throwing this event. You’ve been watching her all night,” he laughed spitefully as Jack stiffened and slowly turned around. “That’s your client Senator Kramer’s daughter, right? Hell Jack, I didn’t know you liked them like that. Maybe I should just call you Willy Wonk-”
Jack’s fist smashed into Joel’s face, and he felt immense pleasure as bone crunched underneath it and the bastard landed flat on his ass. Blood spurted from his nose uncontrollably, covering his white dress shirt. He glared up at Jack evilly as he yelled, “You son of a bitch! You broke my fucking nose! I’m going to sue you!”
Jack stood over him shaking with rage. He wanted to pick this piece of shit up and toss him over the balcony. “Keep Ms. Kramer’s name out of your mouth. My business relationship with your father has nothing to do with you or your brother, and it would be in your best interest to remember that. See Rothman, your problem is, you’re too arrogant. You want to run with the big dogs when you’re just a fucking chihuahua nipping at our heels, barely keeping up. This is your only warning. Stay your ass on the porch, and you won’t have to find out how hard I bite.”
Jack waited to see if the other man would retaliate and was disappointed that he chose to wisely remain on his sorry ass and stay quiet. “Hmmm, just like I thought. Now you can have a goodnight.”
***
The party was over and the ladies were standing outside talking about what a great success it was. “Ladies, this might be my last gig fo
r a while,” Sidra said with an excited smile. “I’ve been chatting with Dominick, and he wants me to be a DJ apprentice for his upcoming world tour!”
Noelle and Avery squealed in delight, hugging their friend. Sidra smiled amidst their words of encouragement.
“Thanks, lovelies! I’m so excited for the experience. I’ll be shadowing two other guys for the first half of the tour, but then I‘ll get to spin. It’s all-expenses paid, and it will be good to get away for a while,” Sidra said with a pensive look in her eyes. Lately to Noelle, she’d been acting a little out of the ordinary, but when she asked what was wrong, Sidra just waved her off saying she had a lot on her mind.
“So are you going to tell us where you were yesterday? We were worried about your crazy behind,” Avery said teasingly, although her gaze held concern as she pulled gently on one of Sidra’s springy curls.
“I just had to take care of a problem that came up,” Sidra said evasively. A big, Irish problem that showed up on her doorstep the day before yesterday. She still wasn’t sure why she let him in; but one look into his lust-filled eyes, and Sidra, strong-willed as she was, had been powerless to resist him. Casey stayed until this morning, when they had a big argument over her poor eating habits. She didn’t think she would be seeing him again anytime soon.
The time away would be great for clearing her head. This thing between the two of them was beyond her comprehension. They didn’t like each other and were barely civil to each other around other people, but that wasn’t enough to stop them from fucking like rabbits every chance they got. “It’s taken care of though. What’s up with you and the hubby? You guys were acting like you didn’t even know each other tonight, and don’t get me started on blondie-”
“It’s not like we’re running around trying to broadcast our relationship,” Noelle interrupted her, holding up her hand to halt Sidra’s rant. “Besides, I’m here to work, not sit up under my man.”
“Well here comes your man now, and he doesn’t look too happy,” Avery warned. They all turned to watch Jack striding purposely towards them, his face drawn in angry lines. “Damn girl, Jack is wearing the hell out of that tux.”
“Isn’t he though?” Noelle acknowledged with a beaming with pride. Her man was fiiiiine. Although right now he looked really pissed which in no way detracted at all from his good looks.
“Ladies, you were amazing tonight,” Jack said with a smile before turning to Noelle. “I’ve got to go, baby. There’s a big problem with a client, and I need to leave town for a couple of days.” His jaw was clenched tight from what he wasn’t saying. “I’m leaving you the car and catching a cab to my place for clothes. I’ll call you when I get to my destination.” He pulled her close for a sizzling kiss that left her weak and clinging to his jacket lapels. A flash went off in their faces. Noelle blinked and Jack cursed, but didn’t make any attempts to shield them away from the intruder. Sidra and Avery yelled at the photographer, but he was already gone. Worried, Noelle looked at Jack who shrugged his shoulders unconcernedly. “Guess the cat’s out of the bag, darlin’.”
Chapter Thirty
The news of New York City’s most eligible bachelor being off the market was superseded by the national headline of his client Inez Gaines’s arrest for assaulting and stabbing her ex-boyfriend. Though Noelle’s phone was ringing off the hook and she had two photographers camped out on her doorstep, it wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. The only calls she was taking were from Sidra, Avery, and Ian, but bracing herself for a visit from her parents after hearing her mother’s blistering voicemail.
It was 3:00 p.m. the following day, and she’d yet to hear from Jack; although she did see him on TV as he held a courthouse press conference in the small town of Baymoor, Maryland. Casey was representing the beauty queen, and Darby was on her security detail. Noelle was filled with pride as she listened to Jack control the conference, southern charm oozing out of him. He cut a dashing figure in a brown Armani suit as he fielded reporters’ questions. Her phone buzzed and she saw a text from Sidra.
Turn the TV on! They’re talking about you and Jack!
Noelle quickly turned it on and saw the blonde anchorwoman commenting on the big screen picture of her and Jack kissing last night. Although she was horrified to be caught in a PDA moment of such a large magnitude, she couldn’t help but smile because she and Jack looked good together. Their eyes were closed, and they were totally into each other.
“Turns out the mystery woman seen in the scorching lip lock with elusive bachelor and PR whiz Jack Sullivan is none other than Noelle Kramer, one half of the company On a Whim that created Tarik Owens lavish birthday celebration last night. Mr. Owens is a client of Sullivan’s firm and another interesting twist about the beautiful Ms. Kramer is that she is the youngest daughter of Senator Ronald and Alicia Kramer, who are also represented by Jack’s firm. Talk about keeping it all in the family.” She winked at the camera as the screen changed to a picture of her parents smiling faces at her father’s election celebration two years ago.
Noelle turned the TV off with a sigh of frustration. She just knew her mother would try to use this against her husband, and if she got her father worked up enough, he would be demanding Jack’s head on a platter as well. Her phone rang again, and this time it was her sister Sloane, who was currently traveling in Europe with her family. She answered with a smile.
“Hey Sloane, how are you?” Noelle said cheerfully. She could hear her niece and twin nephews shouting hello to her in the background.
“It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for. Ms. Thang,” her sister said smugly. “I should have known from the way he was always watching you that something was going to happen sooner or later. You should hear Mother ranting and raving about his improper conduct and possibly suing him.”
“She’d better not try it. Jack and I are a consensual thing. As in we’re in this together. Anyone who has anything to say about it can kiss my ass, present company included if you called on Mom and Dad’s behalf,” Noelle snapped angrily.
There was a pause on the other end and then a long whistle. “Okay, sis, no need to get riled up. So am I allowed to ask how long it’s been going on?” Sloane asked cautiously. “Despite the way it may come off to you, we only have your best interests at heart.”
“That’s fine if you have my best interest at heart, but I’m a grown-ass woman who’s capable of making decisions that don’t require any hand-holding from anyone in the Kramer family. And you can certainly ask how long it’s been going on, but I’m not telling you. That’s our business. All any of you need to know is he makes me happy, so you should support our relationship,” Noelle said with finality, resisting the urge to pump her fist in the air. Damn, it felt good to be taking a stand!
Her sister gave a soft laugh. “Well go on then, girl. I’m really proud of you for standing up for yourself and what you believe. Took you long enough. Just know that I’m always here for you if you want to talk. So how’s your business going? From what I could see of last night’s event, you and Avery did an amazing job.”
Noelle grinned happily. Even though she’d been in business for a couple of months now, it was the first time her sister had ever inquired about it. “It’s going really well. Thank you for asking. Last night was amazing! You should have seen...”
She launched into some details that she was at liberty to disclose, and her sister seemed genuinely happy for her. They talked for about fifteen minute more before Sloane said. “By the way, I’m sorry to hear about your friend Remy.”
“Remy? What about him?” Noelle asked sharply. It was sad to say but most of the time she forgot all about that idiot, because she trusted Jack one hundred percent to handle it, and her time was far better spent on growing her business.
“Girl, you don’t know? I guess it wouldn’t be a big deal in the States because he isn’t American. Well apparently he was murdered in Paris three weeks ago. He was caught in bed with the Ambassador from Cameroon’s
wife, and the man shot him in the knees before throwing him over the balcony onto a crowded street where he died on impact. The French want his head on a platter, but the ambassador is claiming diplomatic immunity. In the meantime, the wife has disappeared and is rumored to be pregnant by Remy. Tensions are escalating daily, and there have been protests and riots for the last couple of weeks. It’s a big freaking mess; and Andreas feels that we should probably skip Paris which saddens me because you know how I love Paris this time of the year,” Sloane groaned.
Remy, her blackmailing scumbag ex, was dead. Noelle’s heart was pounding as she grabbed her laptop to look up his first email to her. It was dated three and a half weeks ago. She tried to compile the time frame of events in her head.
“Elly, are you still there?” Sloane’s use of her childhood nickname made her smile.