5. Like a Moth to the Flame
CHAPTER 5
LIKE A MOTH TO THE FLAME
Paloma
Why do I let him do these things to me? I touch my fingers to my lips with one hand and my neck with the other. He has no right to manhandle me this way. And to make matters worse, he’s my brother’s best friend from Oxford. Did he know who I was last week when he agreed to pay for a night with me?
I fall back on my heels in the middle of the room where he left me. How embarrassing. For a moment when Chuck first introduced us, I thought for sure Archer would turn me in. Dad would be so disappointed if he found out what I did to Archer. Not to mention, Chuck would be mortified that I asked his friend for money. But what was I supposed to do? Let those scary men beat up my brother again?
Chuck is the act-now-ask-questions-later kind of guy. And yeah, his serious lack of judgment gets him in trouble at least once a week, but he’s my brother and I love him. When Archer approached me with a super expensive bottle of whiskey, I figured he wouldn’t miss a few thousand dollars. I saw the opportunity, and I took it.
The frigid air blowing in through the French doors brushes my back. I wait for the cold to seep through my chemise and cool every inch where Archer touched me. But it doesn’t help. I feel him everywhere. Every time I picture his perfect face, the way he looks at me like I’m someone important, I’m overwhelmed by what I can only describe as desire. Luckily, after tonight, I won’t have to see him ever again. Especially after Chuck goes on another one of his long trips.
I pull on the string of the bustier and find that Archer had already loosened them up for me. When I came up the stairs earlier, it was because I couldn’t breathe, and I needed to get out of this dress. I hate feeling trapped. It’s why I keep my balcony doors open even when it’s freezing outside.
Pushing the bustier down to my hips, I rise to my feet and then step out of it. I take a few minutes to collect the dress and crinoline and put them on the vanity chair. Sole will collect them tomorrow when she comes in to make the room. I go around the suite and quickly tidy up before I climb into bed. For some reason, I can’t fathom removing the chemise I wore under the brocade dress. His scent is still on it.
I shake my head to clear it and stare at the ceiling straight ahead. If I close my eyes, if I fall asleep, I know I will see him again. And I don’t want to. Eventually, I do doze off, and his face comes into full view. He’s in the hotel bar again. Danger oozes from him, and I’m drawn to it, to him. And then he notices me, and I’m sure that I won’t be able to say no to whatever he proposes.
His lips brush that sensitive spot behind my ear. And before I know it, we’re in his hotel suite and a stage at the same time where a familiar melody plays. I’m the Swan Queen, and he’s my prince. I don’t care that my brother needs money. I don’t care that, in a moment of insanity, I chose Archer as my mark. I don’t care about Pierre’s stupid assignment to seduce a stranger.
Archer turns me around and sucks on the cord of my neck. His hand cups my sex, and I surrender to him. His free hand fondles my breast while he kisses me. “Yes,” I repeat over and over again. I need this release. He reaches inside my panties and buries his fingers in my folds.
“Don’t leave.” My hand finds his as he increases the pressure there and draws circles around my clit.
He holds me tight, and then, I fall apart as a surge of pleasure powers through me. I can’t contain it. I’m grounded and floating. And my whole body feels alive with this heat growing inside me. Oh God, it’s starting again. The music around us reaches its crescendo as I orgasm, harder this time. My fingers are wet and warm, but I don’t stop. I keep going until every last bit of my release is spent. I turn on my side and press my face into my pillow.
“Don’t run,” he whispers.
My eyes fly open as I pant to catch my breath. What the hell? I sit up and look around the dark bedroom. What is wrong with me? I can’t be having wet dreams about some stranger. I suppose anything is better than my usual nightmares. Waking up to his voice is a thousand times better than waking up screaming.
I glance down at my body. At some point, I kicked off the covers and stripped off my chemise. I was lucky Dad was busy with the party downstairs and didn’t have time to check on me before he retired for the night. Looking around the room, I realize Sole came in at some point to start a fire in the fireplace and close the French doors. Pressing a hand to my forehead, I squeeze one breast and then the other to ease the tingling sensation that lingers there. Instantly, I imagine Archer’s mouth on the tight peak.
“No.” I throw my legs over the side of the bed.
No more thinking about Archer. And definitely, no more dreaming about him. He’s gone now. My feet touch the cold hardwood floors, and that’s the jolt I need to wake up and put away my silly thoughts.
I hop in the shower and immediately regret not doing this last night. My hair reeks of day-old hair spray and smoke. The makeup on my face feels dry and crusty. I stay under the warm spray, absently shampooing my hair and washing my face. Today was an important day, but somehow, I can’t get myself to be excited for it. For years, the goal has been to make Swan Queen. That dream is finally a reality. So why am I dragging my feet this morning? His intense blue eyes appear in my mind’s eye before I can stop it.
“Enough,” I shut off the water and step out.
Running a paddle brush through my hair, I glance up at the mirror. My face is blotchy from the good scrub I gave it. Once my hair is up in a tight bun, I moisturize and apply sunscreen. No sense in putting on makeup if I’m going to spend the whole day at the Performance Arts Centre.
When I’m dressed in a black leotard, tights and a rehearsal skirt, I make my way to the dining room to meet Dad for breakfast. He’s usually up at the crack of dawn, same as me.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” he greets me from the head of the table, then stops to look at me. “You look stunning. So much like your mother.”
“Good morning. And thank you.” I kiss his cheek on my way to the buffet set up on the opposite end of the room. “It’s not that late,” I say as I eye the breakfast options of fruit, yogurt, bagels, smoked salmon, and hard-boiled eggs.
“It’s later than usual.” He winks.
“The party last night drained me.” A half-truth isn’t a lie. Being around people is exhausting to me. But it wasn’t the guests that put me on edge last night.
“Are you ready for rehearsal? First day.” He beams at me.
“Yeah, first day.” I add a spoonful of fruit to my plate. When I don’t find anything else I’m able to eat, I amble back to the table and sit next to Dad.
“We’ve been waiting for this a long time.” He reaches for my hand and dips his head to kiss it. “I’m very proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” My chest inflates like a helium balloon and suddenly I’m excited to get started with my day. “The fundraiser was a success last night.”
“It was. And for once, your brother helped.” He wipes the corner of his mouth, sets his napkin back on his lap and cuts into his omelet. “Well, that’s if we forget about his drunken display.”
“Don’t be so hard on him, Dad. He gets overwhelmed when there’s so much riding on his shoulders.” I pierce a piece of green apple and put it in my mouth.
“Coffee?” He grabs the carafe and pours it in my cup. “Extra sugar.” He winks and places the sugar bowl and creamer set in front of me. “You’re going to need it.”
“What did Chuck do to help?” I place another piece of apple in my mouth, then drink my coffee.
“His friend, Mr. Archer.” Dad smiles. “Chuck wasn’t exaggerating when he mentioned his friend is well-to-do. Last night he donated a hefty amount to my campaign and bid four million dollars on your mother’s necklace.”
“That’s great.” I bring my hand up to my chest and my heartbeat spikes when I realize the pendant is gone, and I don’t remember taking it off.
Last night I went to sleep without my usual bedtime routine and forgot all about the necklace. Did it come off while I was sleeping? I make a mental note to look for it before I leave, while I think about the last time I felt it on my neck. I definitely had it on when I returned to the room. Didn’t I?
“I think showing it off on your beautiful neck paid off.” He drinks from his cup. “Make sure you’re wearing it again this weekend.”
“Of course.” My head is still buzzing from the panic of not knowing exactly where my mother’s heirloom is. “What’s this weekend?”
“Your brother’s birthday party. We discussed it last night. Don’t you remember?” He furrows his brows. Dad doesn’t like to repeat himself.
“Yes, of course I remember.” I nod.
“Good. Because I already invited Mr. Archer. I’m sure we can get him to up his bid for at least another two million.”
My heart races again. And my brain chooses this time to inundate me with images of him touching me in my room. So much for staying away from Archer and not seeing him ever again. But Dad was right. Maybe he was the key to helping our current situation.
“We need as much as we can get.” Dad’s gaze drops to his empty plate before it lifts to meet mine. “Do you understand, Paloma?”
“You know I do, Dad.” I reach for his hand, swallowing the lump in my throat. “It’s not your fault. We’ll make it right. I promise.”
I can’t ruin this for him. That necklace is his only way out. Last month, Dad had a rough day at work. Afterward, he decided to gamble at his favorite club to blow off some steam. Before he knew it, he was in too deep and the only way to climb out of the hole was to use campaign money. Now the mob is involved, and Dad needs to pay them back in two weeks’ time.
Auctioning Mom’s necklace was my idea. I know that if she were still with us, she would’ve made the same offer. Anything to save Dad. I would do anything to keep my family safe. Letting go of a family heirloom was an easy choice for me.
I cover my mouth to hide the downturn of my lips.
“Are you ok? You look pale.” He glances behind him. “Sole. A little help.”
Sole runs into the room immediately as if she had been standing by the door waiting to see if we needed anything. I shake my head to let her know it’s nothing. She’s been like a mother to me since I was four. When Mom passed away, Dad moved Sole from housekeeper to nanny. If I remember anything about the woman who gave birth to me, it was because Sole took the time to show me pictures and tell me stories from before I was born.
“She does look pale.” Sole touches the back of her hand to my forehead.
“Enough both of you.” I force a smile. “I drank the coffee too fast.”
“Here.” She sets a glass in front of me. “How about some juice?”
“Okay.” I drink the orange juice to appease them both. “All better now. I should go and get my things. Rehearsals start at nine and I still have that long commute into the city and warm-up.”
“Are you sure?” Dad mirrors me, standing when I stand.
“Yes, Dad.” I kiss his cheek. “Have a good day at the office.”
“Good luck,” he calls after me.
As soon as the dining room door closes behind me, I bolt toward the grand staircase. If that necklace is not wrapped up in my sheets or the dress, I don’t know what I will do. I shove my bedroom door open and dart toward the bed. The timbers in the fireplace make the room unbearably stuffy. But I don’t stop to open the French doors.
When the bed produces no results, I move on to the dress lying neatly on the vanity chair. It has no pockets. But it has enough layers to catch a piece of jewelry. I plop myself on the floor and spend five minutes going through every inch of the fabric and come back empty. I check the closet next. But with every passing moment I realize it’s not in my room. I know it’s not, but I can’t stop searching in hopes that it will magically appear. I even go across the way to search Dad’s room. Though that makes no sense. I was the one who had the necklace last.
It’s gone. It’s really gone.
Omigod.
Tears brim my eyes, and this time, I can’t contain them. I fucked up. I fucked up big time. I lost my mother’s most precious jewelry, and with it, Dad’s only way to get the mob off his back. They threatened to kill him. I sob, muffling my cries with my hand. What am I supposed to do now? That diamond can be anywhere right now.
I stand in the middle of the hallway, retracing my steps. And in the end, I can only come up with one name. Archer. He was in my room last night. Though, why would he take it when he can simply pay money for it? It couldn’t be him, could it? My eyes flutter closed as images of his hand sliding over my sex flash in my mind. The same needy desire that consumed me when he was here in the flesh burns through me again.
“Stop,” I mumble to myself and head for Chuck’s room.
I’m angry at him for no reason. Or maybe I do have a reason. He brought Archer into our lives. I could’ve spent the rest of my life not seeing that man again. Now I have to endure his presence next week, and the possible embarrassment of having to ask if he saw me wearing the necklace when I came in the room and found him standing there.
I push Chuck’s door open and walk up to the bed. “Chuck.” I shove his shoulder.
“Water,” he mumbles.
“You missed breakfast with Dad.” I amble to his chest of drawers and pour water into a glass. “Sit up.” I wait until he slowly comes up and put the glass in his hand.
He chugs the whole thing, then lies down again. “I’m sure he’ll live.”
“Are you okay?” I sit on the edge of the mattress. “Last night?—”
“I know. I’m sorry.” He opens one eye, a charming smile pulling at his lips. “I didn’t mean to be rude to you. And in front of Archer, no less. He must think I’m an asshole.”
“Well, you can be.” I grin.
“True.” He grabs my hand. “Do you forgive me?”
“Yes.” I release a breath and shift my weight toward him. “Do you remember if I had Mom’s necklace before you came upstairs.”
“Everyone saw you wearing it. Don’t worry.” He pulls the sheets over his shoulder. “Archer couldn’t stop looking at it.”
“I didn’t notice.” Of course I noticed.
But I’m certain Archer wasn’t looking at the huge rock on my clavicle. He was looking at the woman who conned him out of ten thousand dollars.
He chuckles. “Sure you didn’t. You don’t have to pretend with me,” he mostly says to his pillow. “All the women like him. It’s one of his gifts. All the women he can possibly want. All at his disposal.”
“Really?”
I don’t doubt Chuck’s words. I have first-hand experience of what Archer can get from a woman. With his wealth and his good looks, I can see why women would be throwing themselves at him. In my defense, I didn’t throw myself at him. He came into my bedroom. The question is, if he went looking for me to get what he had paid for, why leave me hanging?
“Don’t take him from me,” Chuck mumbles.
“What?” I squint at him.
“I saw you two making eyes at each other. He’s my best friend, Paloma. He’s my only friend. If you make him fall in love with you, what am I going to be left with?”
“Are you still drunk?” I laugh and pat his head. “I can’t make him fall in love with me. That’s not a thing.”
I don’t miss the sadness in my voice. Because who wouldn’t want a man like Archer. But Chuck said it himself. Archer already has all the women he wants. And I would never do anything to hurt Chuck. He obviously cares about Archer and their friendship.
“I meant lust,” he corrects his statement. “Just stay away from him.”
“I will. I promise.” I pull the covers over him and rise to my feet.
Before I turn to leave, he grabs my wrist. “Hey, how much do you love me?”
“A lot. You know that.” I free my hand.
“I love you too, little sister.” He opens both eyes. “Any chance you can spot me for tonight?”
“Again? I gave you ten thousand last week.” I shake my head. “Tell me you paid your debt with it.”
“I did.” He rolls his eyes. “Dad cut me off and now I can’t even play cards with my friends.”
Dad didn’t cut him off. He just doesn’t have money to throw away anymore. And Dad’s debts are not the kind that can be easily paid off. I would have to con a thousand men to save him.
The thought pops into my head, and before I consider the consequences, the words spill out of my mouth. “Dad invited Archer to your birthday party.”
“My birthday party? Please. Call it what it is. Another fundraiser for the illustrious senator.” He places his arm over his eyes. “He just wants to shake another million out of Archer. He’s pathetic.”
“Another million?” My voice goes up a few octaves. “What does he do for a living?”
“Real estate. He’s in New York to acquire a few hotels. I don’t know for sure. The guy just does whatever he wants. He has more money than you can imagine. He’s so lucky.” Chuck shakes his head at the ceiling before he turns to me again. “Hey, so how about it? Can you spot your brother who loves you so much?” He pokes my ribs. “I saw you last night. Don’t play innocent with me.”
For a moment my heart races. He saw me? With Archer? In my room? I swallow as the panic settles in my chest. For one, Dad would kill me if he finds out I had a man in my room. And worse, that I made out with him. But Chuck can’t be referring to that.
Jesus, calm down, Paloma.
“What did you see?” I ask.
“That you’re back to your little klepto ways.” He pokes me again “Come on hook me up and I won’t tell Dad. It’ll be like old times. I’ll find the buyer and we split the profits.”
“That only happened once.” I raise my eyebrow. The problem with siblings is that they know all your dirty little secrets. Like this incredible rush I get when I take from men who are total assholes. I like seeing their faces when they realize they have lost something precious.
The irony is not lost on me. Now I know exactly how it feels.
“Fine. Wait here.” I amble to his dresser and reach way in the back until I touch the metal. I grab the Rolex and toss it on the bed. “Keep the money.”
“You hid it here?” He laughs. “I should’ve known. God, I miss you.” He sits up and kisses my hand. “Thank you.”
“Promise me you’ll be good at your birthday party,” I beg him.
“I promise. Archer will be here to keep me in check. You have nothing to worry about.” He presses his lips to my hand again.
“Do you really think he can help Dad?” I ask, hoping he asks if I mean with the campaign or his other financial problems. I want to share the burden with him, but what can he do to help?
“If Archer wanted to, he could buy Dad two senate seats.” He puts up two fingers. “But Archer won’t do it. He’s my friend. He won’t do it unless I ask him to.”
Right. What would happen if I asked?
I know for a fact Archer can be a generous person. Would he help Dad for me? I only have one thing I can offer. Would that be enough? No, that’s crazy. Who in their right mind would pay five million dollars to be with me. Ten thousand was already too much.
No, that’s not the solution here. But if Archer is as good as Chuck says, maybe he can help me find the diamond. Archer and I are far from being friends. If anything, he scares me. And it’s not just because I seem to lose my mind when I’m around him. It’s him. The energy about him is both dangerous and intoxicating.
Like a moth to the flame that can’t resist the light even though it knows the fire destroys.
That’s what I feel like when he’s near me.
But for Dad, I have to try. Even if I burn in the process.