The Invisible Bond
Vera
Iwasn’t the only one who worked on Sunday afternoons. A few of my colleagues, including my boss, were in the office, dressed casually instead of in our usual business attire. Just as I reviewed documents that needed signing, I heard a familiar baritone voice call out my name.
“Vera.”
There he was, drawing one foot back and forth in an imaginary line, while his hands remained in his jeans pockets.
His gray T-shirt emphasized his toned physique and contrasted well with his bright eyes.
He wore his signature Rolex. The tight ache in my heart plummeted to my stomach, releasing an intense craving for the man whose hair showed glints of gold.
I placed my pen on my desk and straightened my back. “Mister Scott, is there anything I can do for you? Brenton is in his office if you need to see him.”
“I want to see you,” Alistair said. He moved toward me like a panther prowling in the jungle, hunting for prey.
“No,” I answered. I shook my head and folded my arms. “Not now.”
“I need to talk to you, sweetheart.”
I stood up and started marching toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Alistair asked, grabbing my hand. I shook it off as if it were poison.
Distancing myself from Alistair’s nearness, I placed my hands on my hips and sighed. “I need to get some air.”
“Would you like to grab some coffee together?”
“No.”
“Why not? It’ll just be coffee.”
“Why not? Hmm, let me think.” I paused, then released a breath of hot air. “You played me. First, I’m not a rich man’s toy you can pick up and drop when it suits you. Second, your psychotic girlfriend, oh right, sister-in-law or whatever the hell she is, came to my home and threatened me.”
“I had no idea she would pull something like—”
“Third, you and Erin are expecting a baby. When’s the baby due?”
“In December. She and Oliver are expecting the child because I signed away my rights.”
“You shy away from responsibility.” I jabbed my forefinger at his chest.
“Oliver has Klinefelter syndrome.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a chromosomal disorder,” he answered. “It causes abnormal development of the male reproductive organs. In other words, Oliver is infertile.”
“Oh,” I whispered, barely moving my lips.
It made sense why Oliver was willing to take the child as his own.
He wanted an heir, and Erin’s infidelity with Alistair was the golden opportunity.
I bet Erin knew on the night she conceived.
“Thank you for the explanation, Mister Scott. Now, if you don’t mind, I don’t need the drama that comes with you. ”
“Vera. Call me Alistair.”
“I don’t address strangers by their first names,” I retorted, still pissed at the man. My feelings were off-key, and my emotions became irrational in love and war.
“We’re hardly strangers.” Alistair smiled, leaning closer to me. The smooth touch of his thumb running along my face was enough to tranquilize the raging beast of my angry hormones that were ready to explode.
“Alistair,” I said with a loud sigh. Why did I feel as if there was an invisible rope from him to me, binding our souls?
“Are you seeing anyone?” he questioned. His eyes pierced mine while he caressed my cheekbones.
“Yes, there’s someone I see on a casual basis, but it’s not a relationship.”
“What’s his name?”
“Does it matter?”
“I want him out of your life,” Alistair ordered. He released a small chuckle and lifted my chin, murmuring, “Vera, Vera.”
“Her name’s Holly,” I said. “Holly James. A doctor I met at a social event. Petite with sky blue eyes, blonde curls, and pouty lips. I even mentioned her that night we caught up for drinks after your date didn’t work out.
Remember?” A smile tugged at my mouth. “Funny thing? The one topic Holly and I clicked on was you. She hears gossip about your family through her friends, who are supposed to be in your circle.”
“Is it serious with her?”
“No. We meet up, and we fuck. That’s it. Is there anything else you want to ask?”
“Have you fucked another man?” Alistair cornered me, his hands stroking down my arms, breath growing heavier.
I stayed silent.
“Vera?” His voice sharpened. “Have you slept with another man?”
“Yes.” The word slipped out, jagged.
“Fuck.” He tipped his head back, jaw tight, raking both hands through his hair.
I fired back. “Have you slept with another woman?”
“Yes.” His five o’clock shadow grazed my cheek as his forehead pressed against mine.
“Was it Erin?”
“No. Just a few one-night stands.”
“Just a few?” A bitter laugh caught in my throat as my fingers curled into the sleeve of his shirt. “You’re changing, Scotty.”
“There’s nothing between Erin and me.” His eyes bore down on me, drilling my soul. “She’s my ex-girlfriend who’s now married to my brother. That’s all she is and all she’ll ever be.”
“Alistair,” My voice thinned, heat racing through me as his scent wrapped around me, dark and familiar.
“Did you miss me?” he murmured, his lips dragging against my neck. “Because I’ve missed you. More than you know.” His body pressed into mine, his grip claiming every curve. “You can’t imagine what it did to me, thinking I’d never see you again. Saying I missed you doesn’t even come close.”
“You’re not good for me,” I whispered, even as my lips burned against his. He swallowed my protest, deepening the kiss, his tongue fierce, hungry, demanding mine. Time blurred, stretching like it wanted us trapped there forever, locked in that desperate, reckless embrace.
Sense clawed its way back. I pulled away, breath ragged, his eyes dark and wild with a desperation that scared me as much as it thrilled me.
“Don’t pull away,” he pleaded. “I’m still crazy about you. Possessively crazy.”
“I’m at work. Brenton’s office is just down the hall, and if he catches us—”
“Vera, please,” Alistair begged. He pressed his body into mine, groped my ass with one forceful hand, and squeezed my left breast with the other hand. His grip caused ferocious pain, making me yelp.
“Stop.” I raised my hand, signaling him to stop right there. “You’re hurting me.”
“Oh, shit. Shit, I’m sorry, sweetheart. It’s been too long, and I struggle with control.”
“You do not get to touch me that way,” I hissed, recoiling from Alistair. Memories of Ace flooded my head, pounding with the painful recollection of his abusive nature.
“I’m sorry. I promise it won’t happen again,” Alistair apologized, rubbing the back of his neck. “The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
“I can’t do this. We’re better apart,” I whispered, breath catching on the wreck of feelings tearing through me.
“Old sport, I thought you got lost on the way up here. Do you still want to see me about your case?” a familiar voice asked.
Alistair and I spun toward the doorway. Brenton leaned against the frame, eyebrows lifted, mouth tight. My boss wasn’t an idiot—he’d walked in at the worst possible moment.
“McCormick.” Alistair cleared his throat, nodding as if nothing was amiss. I fumbled with my denim skirt, tugging it down, heat still burning across my lips.
“You might want to button your blouse,” he murmured against my ear before striding over to greet his buddy with a pat on the back, smooth as ever.
I looked down and noticed Alistair had unbuttoned my garment, revealing a little lace. Guard your heart, a silent voice whispered. A storm is coming.
Guard your heart.