Chapter Nine
S amantha arrived early at work. Never mind that she’d had to borrow clothes from Brandy, she was here, coffee in hand, ready to face the day and her ex. Leaving her latte on her desk, she strode out of her office and Brandy winked as she passed.
“Good luck, Tiger.”
Rolling her eyes at her friend’s humor, Samantha kept walking. By coincidence or design, and she was beginning to think the latter, Jeremy’s space was on the other end of the floor they occupied.
Ignoring the stares, she concentrated on the click of her slightly too small, borrowed heels as she made her way to her destination. She approached Jeremy’s assistant/fuck buddy’s desk.
Marley smartly remained in her chair and even slunk down in her seat.
Samantha rapped twice on the door and let herself in without waiting for an invitation, slamming the door behind her.
“Samantha!” Jeremy jumped up from his desk.
She took one look at his tall, lean physique, slicked-back hair and arrogant expression, and wondered what she’d ever seen in the man. Worse, she found herself comparing him to Dex, the former pro-football player with broad shoulders and muscular arms, a six-pack, and an Adonis belt that made her swoon. But what she found most endearing about Dex was his warm, charming personality and protective nature, all things Jeremy lacked. Too bad she hadn’t realized it sooner.
“You’re back!” he exclaimed.
“Obviously,” she said, gritting her teeth.
“I’m glad because we really need to talk.” He walked around his desk, making his way toward her, and she stiffened, not wanting him near. Maybe he’d sensed her resistance because he paused a decent distance away. “I’ve tried to reach you but you wouldn’t take my calls. Darling, I’m so sorry. Marley was a mistake and it will never happen again.” Though he sounded contrite, she wasn’t fooled nor was she stupid.
Her eyes were open now, both to his betrayal and her own complicit behavior in ignoring the signs and warnings given to her by friends, family, and Jeremy himself. He glanced at her face, his gaze penetrating hers, obviously looking for an in somewhere. When he didn’t find one, his shoulders drooped.
Now, it was her turn. “You’re right. It won’t happen again because I no longer want anything to do with you.”
He paled beneath his tanned skin. “You don’t mean that. All couples go through ups and downs. We can fix things.” He reached for her hands and she took a step back.
The arrogant prick. Did he really think she’d accept his cheating and planning to steal her money? He’d obviously forgotten that part of his conversation with Marley. Though she’d love to throw the reminder in his face, she took Ian’s words to heart. He’d texted her this morning, warning her not to discuss business with Jeremy, or her plans regarding their partnership until she’d spoken to a lawyer.
“You’d be amazed what time away from you did for me. I’ve done some reflecting and the fact is, the life we shared isn’t the life I want to live.” Spending time with a sexy, confident, attentive man like Dex had pointed out all that was missing in their relationship.
Jeremy’s lips pulled in a firm line. That was his tell. She was aggravating him. Good, she mused, unable to control her smile. It was time the tables turned.
“You’re just hurt and upset,” he said, clearly gearing up to try and sway her again. “But I’ll convince you we’re meant to be.”
Ignoring that piece of stupidity, she focused on what was important. “We’re partners in the business, so I want to set some ground rules for work.”
His gaze narrowed. “Go on.”
“I want Marley gone.” Not only couldn’t she look at the other woman but she didn’t trust her with any Dare and Rollins business. Not even as Jeremy’s assistant. Besides, taking away his toy would give Samantha immense pleasure.
“Done,” he said immediately. “I told you I want us to work and I’ll do whatever I have to, to make that happen. Just tell me what else I can do.”
That was the easiest question yet. “Get out of my apartment.”
He flinched as if she’d slapped him. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do.” She straightened her shoulders. “We’re over and I’m going to make sure you understand that.” She turned toward the door and paused. “Do your best to stay out of my way at work, too. I don’t want to see you any more than necessary.”
Without waiting for an answer, she let herself out of the room, only to find Brandy waiting for her a few steps away from Marley’s desk. The other woman had disappeared.
“Did you scare off the witch?” Samantha asked, as they walked back to her office.
Brandy let out an evil laugh. “I glared until she mumbled something about a coffee break and scurried away like the mouse she is. How’d it go?”
Samantha waited until they were back in her private office with the door closed. “He groveled and I made myself clear. It’s over between us and Marley is gone.”
“He agreed to that?” Brandy asked, sounding surprised.
Samantha walked around to her desk and began to gather her purse, laptop, and a few other things. “He actually thinks he can win me back, the delusional asshole.” Drawing deep breaths into her lungs, she waited until she calmed down and as her heart rate slowed, her anger grew. “I hate him for what he did to me.”
“He’s not worth the expended energy,” Brandy said in a soothing voice.
“Maybe not but I’m not finished fixing my life.” She reached for her phone inside her bag, pulled up Ian’s contact details, and dialed her brother’s number. “Ian? Can you meet me at my apartment?”
“Whatever you need,” her brother said.
“Thank you. I’m leaving the office now.” She disconnected the call and glanced at her friend.
Brandy grinned. “Go home, talk to Ian. You two work out a plan to kick Jeremy’s ass. Just make sure I have a front-row seat when you do.”
Samantha laughed. “You’re a good friend.”
“The best,” Brandy agreed. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll handle things here.”
Samantha gave her friend a grateful hug, picked up her bag, and walked out of her office, plan in mind. She was Samantha Dare and her slimeball ex-fiancé would not get the better of her. No way, no how.
***
Dex sat on a barstool at The Back Door. He’d arrived around noon and talked to Remy until he’d been called into the kitchen. It was twelve-thirty and he was now on his second beer. This one he planned to nurse until he’d figured out what the fuck to do about the woman he couldn’t get out of his head.
“Hello, big brother.” Fallon slid into the stool next to him, taking him by surprise.
“Shouldn’t you be at the gallery?” he asked.
She nodded. “But rumor has it you need a female perspective on life, so I’m here to give it to you.”
“Remy,” he muttered. “That’s what I get for spilling my guts.” Something he was not used to doing, but apparently when Samantha burrowed her way in, she was impossible to get out and he’d needed advice. Remy told him to go for it, which wasn’t much help analyzing, something he liked to do.
She laughed, then placed her elbow on the bar and her chin in her hand. “No, that’s what you get for having siblings. So, you can’t stop thinking about Samantha.”
“I’m worried about her.” He told himself thinking about her nonstop and being worried about her well-being was a whole different animal. “She has to face her bastard fiancé for the first time and I’m just concerned.”
“So much so that you’re here, sulking over a woman you can’t stop thinking about.”
He opened his mouth and she held up her hand.
“A woman you’re concerned about.” She shifted on the stool, adjusting the long flowing skirt she wore. “Which begs the obvious question, if you’re so worried about her, why don’t you just go see her and find out for yourself how she’s doing?
“We had this conversation and I told you to turn on the charm and work your way out of the rebound thing, but now I’m going to adjust. Get your ass over there and check on the woman. Settle your mind. She’ll see you’re a good guy but that’s not the purpose of the visit. Those things are secondary benefits.” His sister stared at him, her lips lifted as she tried not to laugh.
He decided to humor her. “And what, may I ask, is the primary benefit?”
She lifted her hand and flicked his head with her thumb and forefinger.
“Ouch! What was that for?” He rubbed the side of his head where it stung.
“Stop driving yourself crazy and go see her. I guarantee the second you look at her, you’ll know whether or not you’re in.”
He was in, all right. Way over his head.
“Thanks, sis.” Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. “If I haven’t said it lately, I appreciate you.”
She smiled. “And you can show me by buying me lunch.”
Once they finished, he walked Fallon out to her Uber and dialed Samantha to find out where she was and when they could meet. Her phone went direct to voicemail.
Now that he’d made the decision to see her, he didn’t want to wait. A quick Google check and he called her office, using the directory dial to reach her.
“Hello? Samantha Dare’s office. Brandy Bloom speaking.”
He recognized her name as Samantha’s PA. “Is Samantha in?”
“I’m sorry. She can’t come to the phone. Who may I say is calling?”
“It’s Dex Sterling.”
“Dex!” Brandy said, as if they were best friends. “Samantha left for the day. Did you try her cell phone?” she asked.
“It went to voicemail. Can I leave a message?”
A few seconds of silence followed before Brandy answered. “She actually went home for the day. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind me telling you, she wanted to pack up douchebag’s things. And since you’ve played white knight for her before, I should add I just saw Jeremy walk out the door and he didn’t look happy.”
He narrowed his gaze at the woman’s surprising revelation. “Are you sure she’d want you telling me all this?”
“You? I’m positive. You can find her at…” She proceeded to ramble off Samantha’s address. “In case you don’t have it. Oh, and I’ll have the doorman let you up. I have the code to add you to her list. Nice talking to you, Dex. Bye.”
Brandy disconnected the call, leaving him with his phone in his hand and Samantha’s address on repeat in his head.
***
The locksmith worked on the front door while Samantha sat in the kitchen with her brother, relaying all the information she’d been keeping from him. By the time she finished, Ian had run his hand through his hair so many times, the strands stood on end.
“No prenup? Have I taught you nothing?” He rose from his chair in her living room, pulled on his tie to loosen it, and began to pace. “Thank God you didn’t marry the motherfucker or I’d have to have him killed.”
“Ian!”
“What? Am I wrong?” Before she could do any more than shake her head, he held out his arms and she walked into them. He wrapped her in his brotherly warmth and kissed the top of her head.
“It’s going to be okay. I texted you the best business lawyer in Manhattan. Call him as soon as you can.” He released her and she stepped back, grateful for her big brother. No matter how nervous she’d been to tell him, he’d come through for her in the end.
“Okay I’ve got to get going but if you need me, don’t hesitate to ask and I’ll come back.”
She smiled. “Give those kids a hug from Aunt Samantha, and thank you, Ian. Love you.”
“I love you too.” Turning, he left her apartment.
The locksmith finished his job a few minutes after Ian departed. Samantha paid him and closed the door, turning the deadbolt with a satisfied smile on her face.
She poured herself a glass of wine, because what was a good purging and cleansing without a celebratory drink and putting Taylor Swift on speaker? Then she began her mission: throwing Jeremy’s things into large boxes she’d had delivered to the apartment before she left the office. Her ex was a neat freak, so she tossed his things in haphazardly, not bothering to fold the shirts and sweaters, all the while envisioning the aggravated expression on his face.
Her plan was to text and tell him to come get his things and if he gave her a hard time, she had no problem calling the police to have him evicted. After all, his name was not on the lease.
After an hour of work, she needed a break. The music still played about broken hearts and betrayal and she let herself mourn. Not for Jeremy, she knew getting rid of him was a gift she should have given herself a long time ago. But for the life she thought she wanted and would have. So she kept Taylor playing and lowered herself onto the sofa.
No sooner had she sat down than she heard sounds from the hallway outside the apartment and seconds later, banging on the door. Apparently she wouldn’t have to text Jeremy to come here after all.
She braced herself for the confrontation to come, rose to her feet, walked to the door, and opened it. Jeremy stood on the other side, fist raised to knock again, his cheeks flushed red with anger.
“Jeremy! You saved me a call. Come on in. You can start dragging your boxes to the elevator. Or you can go downstairs for a luggage cart. Or, if you aren’t feeling up to exerting the effort, I’m sure the doorman will help you. As long as you tip him, seeing as you aren’t a tenant in this building.”
“You can’t do this, Samantha. I live here.”
“Lived here. And only because I allowed it. Now I don’t. So take your things and get out.” She made a show of glancing at her watch. “You have ten minutes.”
He shoved her aside, literally put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her out of his way, walking toward the bedroom.
Startled, she stared after him and drew a deep breath, trying to relax and breathe until he was gone. Jeremy was an arrogant, gaslighting jackass, but he’d never touched her in anger before.
Swallowing hard, she left the door open, feeling somewhat safer if someone could hear her, and walked to the windows overlooking the city. Jeremy’s voice carried from inside the bedroom, though she couldn’t make out the specifics of his conversation. A few minutes later, a knock sounded and she looked up to see Andrew, the doorman, standing with the luggage cart.
“Hi, Andrew.”
“Hello, Ms. Dare. Mr. Rollins asked me to bring the cart up for him.”
She smiled. “Thanks. You can leave it there. He’ll be loading it up and heading down soon.”
With a nod, he turned and strode down the hall, his footsteps sounding as he walked to the elevator.
Jeremy came out a few minutes later, dragging a box behind him. “I can’t believe you rolled up one hundred percent cashmere,” he muttered, picking up the box near the door.
“It’s summer. You have plenty of time to get them dry cleaned.” She leaned against the window and watched as he hefted the box onto the cart and stormed back inside.
“What did you say?” he asked, stalking toward her.
“I said you have plenty of time to get them cleaned,” she said, enunciating each word.
He entered her personal space and she stiffened. With the window behind her, she felt trapped. He stood way too close, giving her a whiff of his overpowering cologne, which she’d never loved but now turned her stomach.
“Back up,” she said, her tone firm.
“You’ve pushed me to my limit today.” His voice rose and once again he was red in the face, his voice rising. “I agreed to let Marley go and now you’re throwing me out of the place I’ve been living with no notice! Not to mention you disrespected my things—”
“You disrespected me , you cheating son of a bitch!”
He raised a hand and slapped her. Stunned, she stared at him, her hand resting on her heated, hurting cheek.
Equally shocked, he gaped back. “Samantha, I didn’t mean—”
Before she could catch her breath or process the pain, Jeremy went stumbling. She blinked away the tears and saw Dex holding her ex up by his shirt, arm pulled back, ready to throw a punch.
“Dex, no! He’s not worth it. Please, just make him leave.” Her cheek stung, she wanted an ice pack and time alone to breathe.
His hand shook as he turned toward her. Something he saw penetrated his fury because he released Jeremy who tripped and scrambled back.
Eyes narrowed, jaw clenched, he said, “Get the fuck out and don’t bother her again.”
Still pale, Jeremy looked from Samantha to Dex, who was more muscular and taller than him. “Send the rest of my things downstairs and I’ll come get them,” he said, and rushed out.
“Jesus, sweetheart.” He stepped forward and placed a gentle hand under her chin, examining her cheek.
“How bad is it?” she asked, still stunned anyone would hit her.
“Just a light handprint,” he said through gritted teeth.
She sensed from his rigid stance, he was holding back his anger while he took care of her and she was so grateful he’d shown up when he had.
“Come on. Let’s get you some ice.” He put his arm around her waist and led her to her kitchen. She directed him around the apartment and soon, he had an ice pack wrapped in a soft T-shirt and pressed it to her cheek. “Okay?” he asked.
“Yes. I can hold it.” She gingerly took over. “What are you doing here?” she finally thought to ask.
He was leaning against the wood cabinets, his gaze on hers. “I’ve been worried about you. What you would be going through when you faced Jeremy again. Turns out I was right to be concerned.”
She still felt the anger in him pulsing beneath the surface but to her, he was sweet and kind. “I’m glad you were here,” she admitted.
Though Jeremy appeared stunned after he’d slapped her, she was aware enough to realize if he did it once, there was a good chance he’d do it again. She shivered at the prospect.
Dex stepped closer, his scent delicious and arousing. “I want to kill him for hurting you.”
“Why do I find that sexy?” She ran her tongue over her bottom lip.
He reached for her chin again and rubbed his thumb over her jawline. “Once again, we have bad timing.”
“I’m not drunk,” she said, staring at her lips.
“No, you’re hurt.” He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers. “Don’t worry. There will be a right time. I intend to make sure of it.”
Her entire body trembled with need but her cheek throbbed and she knew Dex had a point. How could she think about him when Jeremy and her messy life stood between them? On the other hand, how could she not?