Player

by T. N. King

  “So, when did he break up with her for good?”

  “Just after she caused Jensen’s housekeeper to quit after ten years of service.”

  “She… did that?”

  Stella nodded. “She was that horrible.”

  “Then why is Kristina still trying to contact him?”

  “She loves him in her own sick and twisted way. She wants the perfect husband and she seems to think Jensen fits the part. She isn’t one to give up very easily and I will tell you this. If she is still trying to get him back, watch yourself.”

  “What? Why?”

  “She is vindictive and I believe she will do whatever it takes to get what she wants.”

  “Great.”

  “Anyway, after she changed so much, I stopped hanging around her.”

  “You didn’t like her after that?”

  “I couldn’t stand her.” She started to laugh which made Megan laugh. She felt better knowing she wasn’t the only one who had a problem with Kristina.

  When dinner was on the table, Stella called everyone out and they all seated around a beautiful table with succulent roast beef, carrots, broccoli and potatoes with gravy. Jensen set a bottle of red wine in the ice bucket after uncorking it and they all sat down.

  “This looks amazing,” he said.

  “Let’s hope it tastes as good as it looks.”

  “Well, I’m sure with you ladies at the helm, nothing could taste bad.”

  “Awe, big brother, always wooing the ladies.”

  Conversation went well, even though Megan still felt quite intimidated around Edward and Penny. She tried to calm herself and enjoy the meal, but she was nervous and timid, worrying about making a good impression and living up to Kristina’s standards. If Stella was good friends with her at one time, Penny and Edward must have adored her. Maybe she put up a front when she was around them.

  “Megan,” Jensen said. “Did you tell Stella about the fashion show?”

  “Um, no. I didn’t.” She tried to divert her thoughts away from Kristina. “Are you into the fashion scene?” she asked Stella.

  “Very much so. I love going to the shows and I have even written a few reviews for some local fashion magazines.”

  “Megan and her roommate are going to London Fashion Week.”

  “Shut up! Seriously? That’s in a couple of days. How did you get tickets?”

  “Jensen got them for us.”

  “I am so jealous. Way to look out for your big sister,” she scolded, reaching across the table and slapping his arm.

  “You should come along. Meet my roommate, Lorena. She is obsessed with fashion. She even designs her own dresses. I bet you two would hit it off nicely.”

  “I would love to, but tickets to such an event are not so easily attainable, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh,” Megan said feeling awkward. She stuffed a forkful of potatoes in her mouth for lack of something worthy to say. There she sat, amongst a family with no financial burdens, happy as hell that she was able to go to such a renowned event, but feeling like a heel for inviting Stella to a sold out event.

  “Maybe we can get together for lunch or dinner afterwards,” said Stella, rescuing conversation. “You can tell me all about it and show me the dozens of pictures you are going to promise to take for me.”

  Megan nodded. “I promise, and I’d like that.”

  “So, tell me Megan.” Penny finished the wine in her glass and held it up toward Jensen. After he was finished pouring her another glass, she took a sip then continued her thought. “How did you two meet?”

  “Um,” Megan felt even more awkward. “I was in Paris… on business.” She didn’t want to mention Tristan’s name. “Jensen was there with Stella and I ran into her there. She introduced herself to me. I didn’t know she knew who I was….” Penny laughed as she set her glass down.

  “No, dear. I meant you and Jensen.”

  Megan’s face grew very warm. “Oh.” She smiled awkwardly and glanced at Jensen who seemed quite amused at Megan and her squirming. “I answered an ad for a job he put online.”

  “Oh so you work for his firm?”

  “Um, not exactly.” She realized she was just about to admit that she was his housekeeper and cleaned up after him. Not the most alluring job to have, especially in the eyes of family members who were all successful in their own ventures. In fact, the more Megan thought about it, the more she realized how different she was from them. How could they accept her after learning who she really was and where she really came from? How could she come close to measuring up to Kristina who is a highly successful fashion model?

  “Don’t you remember, mom?” And there was Stella again, coming to Megan’s rescue. “She was hired to help Jensen get his personal life back in order after Kristina and her tornado went through.”

  “Kristina,” Edward scoffed. “There’s a name I would love to never hear again.”

  “Edward,” Penny scolded. “Behave.”

  “I am behaving. I am just happy as a lark that my son is with someone other than that God awful woman.” He holds up his glass and smiles. When the others joined him, he made his small toast. “To Megan. Very pretty in mind, body and soul and hopefully a good fit for my son.”

  Megan didn’t know quite how to take that but she smiled anyway and took a sip of her wine. Did they like her, or just the fact that she wasn’t Kristina?

  Jensen pulled the bottle and gave his sister another half of a glass. “Would anyone else like a bit more?”

  “Oh, no.” Penny held up her hand. “I do believe I have had more than my limit.” She widened her eyes and looked at Edward. No words were said, but Edward knew Penny was tipsy enough that she was done for the night. He stood up and helped her out of her chair.

  “I suppose we are going to retire for the evening. Thank you for a wonderful dinner.” He nodded at Stella and Megan.

  “I’m so glad you enjoyed it,” said Megan. “Good night.” She watched as they walked off to the guest room before she turned back to the dinner in front of her. There was a lot of clean up to be done and she was exhausted from the stress of the Kristina drama and the questioning she got from his family. She stood up and started putting the dishes together.

  “Will you do me a favor?” Stella stood up and touched Megan’s arm. Megan looked at her with confusion.

  “What is it?”

  “Let me do this. You look exhausted and I am not the least bit tired.” Megan looked at the table full of leftovers and dirty dishes. “It will give me something to do.”

  “I can’t let you….”

  “Jensen, would you please put her to bed?”

  “I’d be glad to.” His voice was seductive and anything but sincere.

  “And keep the noise down will ya?” Stella cocked her head and smiled, winking at Megan when she looked over at her. Why was Stella so wonderful? Megan could see an amazing friendship forming with her. She let Jensen walk her into his bedroom and when the door closed, she turned and looked at him. He saw the worry in her face and the tension she had built up over the course of the night.

  “Come here,” he said. He sat on the edge of the bed and scooted back so she had room to sit in front of him. He massaged her shoulders and squeezed her muscles trying to loosen them and work out the knots.

  “Oh, that feels so good.” She flopped her head forward as he squeezed and worked his fingers on her shoulders.

  “I hope my parents weren’t too hard on you.”

  “They weren’t. I just get so nervous in unfamiliar situations and I forget what I’m doing.”

  He moved her hair to the side and kissed her neck. “Well, I thought you were wonderful.” He kissed her again, moving his small, lingering kisses down her neck and over her shoulder. He pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her. “They would be stupid not to love you.” He leaned her back and looked into her eyes. “I know I do.” He covered her mouth with his and his words made her shiver as she relaxed into his kiss.
She was beginning to feel like she could be part of something really wonderful and she didn’t want that feeling to end.

  Chapter 12

  Jensen took Megan back to London after Stella and his parents left the next day.

  “I really enjoyed meeting your family,” said Megan as they walked into his penthouse.

  “You did?”

  She nodded.

  “Because I was pretty sure you didn’t take a breath until they walked out the door.”

  “Okay, so I was a little tense around them. I just want to make a good impression. Is that a crime?”

  “Not at all. I’m not sure why you were so nervous though. They adore you.” That made Megan feel good. She didn’t know why, but she always worried about what others thought of her. “So, do you have something to wear for tonight’s event?”

  “Tonight’s event? Oh, God!” Megan quickly turned to Jensen. “The fashion show! It’s tonight!” And as if on cue, her cell phone bleeped. She grabbed it and read the text that came through. “It’s Lorena. She wants me to meet her at the apartment and get ready with her.”

  I’ll meet you there after lunch.

  Sounds good. I’m so excited! Lorena sent a picture of the dress she was planning on wearing and Megan frowned.

  “What is it?” Jensen stepped closer and looked at her phone.

  “Look at her dress. She is going to look fab and I’m... I need help.”

  “We can go shopping.”

  Can you help me? I don’t have a clue what I’m wearing?

  Absolutely! I have just the dress!

  “Lorena will rescue me.” She smiled at Jensen and went into the kitchen to throw a quick lunch together. Her phone went off again and she picked it up thinking Lorena was already in her closet and she was sending pictures of dresses. When she looked at it her stomach tightened. It was from Tristan.

  I wish you would contact me so we can talk.

  Megan erased the text and put her phone away. Why was he still texting her?

  In Lorena’s apartment, Jensen waited patiently in the living room as Lorena helped Megan try on another dress. They had gone through her entire closet but nothing felt right. When she came out in her robe, Jensen knew she had given up.

  “Should we hit Harrod’s?” he asked.

  “Will you try my dress on now?” Lorena asked.

  “But you made that dress. I couldn’t. What if I get something on it?”

  “Just come on.” Lorena pulled Megan into her bedroom and after a few minutes they reappeared. Megan looked down at the dress she wore then looked at Jensen for approval. “I made this a few months ago and wore it once. What do you think?” Lorena was smiling ear to ear at the daring black dress. It went to the floor but showed more skin than Megan was comfortable showing. The front plummeted down to her naval, showing more than just a little cleavage and the sides showed her entire leg from her ankle up to her upper thigh.

  “I… don’t think that is a fitting dress for Megan.” Jensen was shaking his head.

  “Thank you,” Megan mouthed, turning quickly and going back into Lorena’s room.

  “You people don’t know what good fashion is,” Lorena scoffed. She followed Megan back in and helped her into another dress she made. “Try this one,” she said, handing her a champagne colored dress. It was lace from the chest line to the bottom hem that reached just past her knees. A soft cashmere lined the dress underneath in just the right places, showing a little skin but tastefully, not tacky or racy. Jensen smiled immediately when his eyes took her in.

  “Perfect. You look stunning. Lorena, you made that dress?”

  “I did.”

  “Thank you. It’s perfect, Lorena.” She hugged her. “Thank you for saving my life!”

  "Awe, it was nothing.”

  They finished their hair and make-up and were on the road headed to the show.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to go in with us?” Lorena asked, getting out of Jensen’s car.

  “No, thank you. Fashion shows aren’t my thing. Besides, I have some errands I have to run. You ladies go and enjoy yourselves.” He kissed Megan before she got out. “You look beautiful. Have a good time.”

  “We will.” Her face beamed with excitement. “Thank you again. You rock.”

  “Let me know when you have had enough and I’ll swing by and pick you up.” She kissed him again and got out of the car. Linking her arm in Lorena’s, the two walked into the venue and looked around. There were models and agents everywhere.

  “Lorena, this is amazing. Your dresses are sure to get noticed here.”

  Lorena smiled and nodded. Megan looked at her, furrowing her eyebrows.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m great.”

  “You aren’t. You should be running and dragging me along behind to get inside. You should be jumping around and talking my ear off. Are you nervous?” Megan stopped her and hugged her. “Your dresses are stunning. They are going to love them. Come on.”

  They walked inside and stopped. The ambiance consisted of photographers, models, displays of make-up, hair products, beauty tips, artists, exclusive pricing on the new pieces in the show and so much more. The place was energetic with excitement and tension as they made their way through the crowd. Interviews were being conducted with some of the biggest names in fashion and Lorena could only stare in awe at the buzz that was happening around her.

  “Oh look! It’s Stella.” Megan grabbed Lorena’s hand and pulled her through the crowd.

  “Who?”

  “Stella! You made it,” she said as she approached her.

  “Unbelievable right?” she said excitedly. “I somehow managed to get VIP passes at the last minute.”

  “Somehow?”

  “Jensen got them for me. Ya know, sometimes I think he can do just about anything. Let me guess. This is Lorena?”

  “Yes. Lorena, this is Stella, Jensen’s sister. She is as in love with fashion as you are.” A waiter passed by with a tray of champagne and small hors d'oeuvres. “Excuse me,” Megan stopped him and they each took a glass. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, we are going to be great friends.” Lorena shook her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

  “Megan tells me you are a designer?”

  “Well,” Megan nudged her before she admitted to only doing it on the side. “Yes. I am. I design dresses.”

  “Do you have anything here?”

  “This one.” She put her hand out toward the dress Megan wore.

  “Oh, wow. You are talented. You made this?”

  “I did. Do you think it will get noticed?”

  “They would be stupid not to. You are extremely talented. Have you shown it to anyone yet?”

  “Not yet. We just got here.”

  “Who is your favorite designer?”

  “Christopher Bailey, hands down.”

  “Oh, yes! His Burberry collection is gorgeous. If only I could afford even a scarf.”

  “I can’t wait to see what he has here today. What about you Megan? Who is your favorite designer?”

  “I don’t know much about the designers but oh my goodness.” The girls followed her gaze and locked onto a male model in a pair of leather pants and long plaid coat who was being prepped for an interview with a fashion magazine. His eyes were a pale blue against his very dark coco skin and as soon as they started drooling over him, he looked in their direction. His smile broadened and the girls giggled like puberty driven school girls. He opened his jacket and posed for them before diverting his attention back to the make-up artist fussing over him.

  “Oh, yes. This is going to be a good time.” Stella linked her arms into Megan’s and Lorena’s and they made their way toward the catwalk, sitting close to the front.

  “These are our seats?” Lorena gasped.

  “Looks like it.” Stella watched Lorena size up the catwalk, enjoying her child-like attitude.

  They sat down just in time for the show to start, as the announc
er introduced the first model and what designer created her outfit.

  “I can’t believe this. Megan, if you don’t sink your claws into Jensen, I’m going after him.”

  “Not a chance, sister. He’s all mine,” she smiled. “Tell her, Stella.” Megan looked at Jensen’s sister when she didn’t get a response. She was staring out into the crowd on the other side of the catwalk and she didn’t look like she was very happy. “Stella? What’s wrong?”

  “Um, nothing.” She quickly looked at Megan and smiled.

  “What did you see?” She glanced in the direction Stella was looking in and her heart leaped into her throat. Kristina was sitting with a group of her friends on the opposite side of the catwalk a few rows back.

  Megan stared at the woman, a feeling of hatred and disgust forming deep inside her gut.

  “Oh no,” Stella whispered as she watched Megan’s face change. “It’s fine. I’m sure she doesn’t even know we are here. If we ignore her, she won’t bother us.” Megan kept her eyes glued to her. “Megan, just relax. She has no idea we are even here. We could get through the night without a problem from her and her friends.”

  Megan glared at her, barely listening to Stella’s attempts at trying to pretend Kristina didn’t exist. Lorena was oblivious as to what was happening. The only thing that existed in her world were the models walking quickly up and down the catwalk in front of her.

  “Come on, Megan. Let’s just try to enjoy the show.” Stella stroked her arm.

  Megan tore her eyes away from Kristina only for a few moments to watch the next model walk out and do her thing. As soon as the model turned, Megan’s eyes went back to Kristina. Anger bubbled out of her as she thought about the countless times Kristina tried to ruin her life. She thought about the dozens of texts and calls, emails and attempts at getting Jensen back.

  “You aren’t going to let this go are you?” asked Stella, worried that their perfect night was going to be ruined.

  “How can I?” Megan seethed.

  “Shit.” Stella pulled out her cell and texted Jensen. We may have a problem. Kristina is here and Megan wants a piece of her.