Chapter 46 #3
“Well if you do not play games, Amelia,” he drawled, “perhaps we need to find a room and you can act a little further on it then?”
Son of a bitch. I had no answer, it seemed that no matter what I did, it wouldn’t work, he’d always win, and I’d always hated losing.
“Just get him away,” I snapped.
Michael glanced up and there was a look of annoyance in his eyes.
I couldn’t help the pang of guilt in my stomach.
I turned heel and headed to the bar. I needed a drink.
A thousand drinks. My body cried out as if the physical deprivation had mortally wounded it.
In my game playing I hadn’t counted on turning myself on.
Great, now I’m frustrated emotionally and physically, great job, Amy, you really showed him.
I looked up. Ethan was still at the other end with the girl circling his finger in long motions on her arm. She’d moved her stool so close she was seated between his legs. Their thighs touched.
Standing at the other end of bar was Brian Jefferson, I made a beeline straight toward him.
I could at least spend my time getting information if I had to be stuck here.
The back of my left heel pinched, I was already getting a blister.
I hated heels as much as I hated dresses.
It took willpower not to limp. I sidled up beside Jefferson.
He glanced down. I deliberately paid him no attention.
I was hardly a pro at capturing attention, but I’d seen it in various movies so many times, I figured there must be something to it.
“What would you like to drink?” the barmaid asked.
“Whiskey, please.”
“On the rocks?”
“Straight.” I pulled a stool across and sat down.
She poured the drink and slid it across. I shot it straight down. The liquid gold displaced some of the fire in my mind but did nothing to remove it from between my legs. She poured another and slipped it across without asking.
“Amy, hi.”
I looked up to see Sam, the drama teacher. Her boobs bobbed dangerously in my face.
“Sam, hi.”
There was a strange glee in her voice. “I heard you were caught in the fire.”
I felt myself tense. I nodded, I didn’t want to talk about it. I remained quiet and hoped she got the hint. She didn’t.
“I mean, shit, how scary, but was it kind of exciting. It would have to be a bit exciting, wouldn’t it? Running through the forest to escape the flames. You must have felt like you were in some movie.”
A flare of anger simmered through my veins. I glanced up. Jefferson had sat down and was pretending not to listen. Ethan was looking across, frowning.
“People were killed, including two young children. Hardly exciting,” I clipped out.
“Oh right, yes of course, I mean, it’s tragic. Devastating.” She paused and drew in a big breath. “But what was it like, you know, feeling the flames right behind you?” Her eyes were shining with the prospect of the horrific details.
I gritted my teeth. “Hot.” I took a sip of whiskey and twisted away from her.
“And I heard.” She leaned in close, her breath reeking of champagne. “You’re living with Ethan?” She smiled like she’d just revealed a massive secret.
“Housemates,” I said, “and yes.” Christ. I took another sip. My head felt light and fuzzy.
“Oh, you aren’t dating?” And now she seemed hopeful. She didn’t wait for me to answer as she went on, “So, is he single, or seeing anyone, or—?”
“He’s down the end of the bar.” I jerked my head in his direction. “Why don’t you ask him.”
“Right, yes.” She ran a hand over her hair to neaten it. “I might go and say hi.”
She said goodbye almost absently and headed in his direction. I looked up, he whispered something in the girl’s ear, stood up, grabbed her hand and led her toward the door.
Sam stopped abruptly and watched them walk out the door and disappear into the darkness. I couldn’t see her face, but somehow I knew she’d be pouting.
I took another mouthful of whiskey. I felt Jefferson looking at me. I stared straight ahead and pretended not to be aware.
“It’s single malt, vintage, I assume it’s to your taste?” Jefferson asked.
Well, hello, and thank you movie producers. “It is.”
He indicated with his finger for another two drinks to be poured.
The barmaid poured them, sliding one to me, one to Jefferson. He was a handsome man, with dark hair, warm brown eyes, a chiseled jaw and tanned skin.
“I’m Brian,” he introduced himself.
“I know who you are.” I answered, which came out blunter than I intended, but not as rude as I think you murdered my friends. “I’m Amy.” I deliberately brightened my tone.
He nodded. “I know who you are.” Of course he knew. Church Heights, the place where everyone knows everyone. We locked eyes and both smiled. “It’s hard not to notice when a beautiful girl comes to a place like this,” he added.
I felt my cheeks color. I dropped my eyes and struggled to find a response.
It was one thing to act cool and captivating, but entirely another to have to speak.
Shit. I rummaged around for something half intriguing to say, a sentence, a word, a fucking syllable.
I took a sip of whiskey and studied the caramel liquid.
I could feel him watching me, waiting for a response.
“There’s something alluring about the smooth taste of maturity isn’t there.”
The words flew from my mouth before I could self-regulate them. I groaned silently into the back of my throat. They were douchebag, A-grade corny. But for some bizarre reason, unfathomable to the sound of mind, they appeared to work.
Jefferson looked surprised for a brief second and then he smiled. It was a confident, ‘I got this in the bag’ kind of smile.
Ladies and gentlemen, I applauded myself, and the Oscar goes to . . .
“Are you enjoying the night?” he asked.
“Yes.” I lied. “It’s quite the shin-dig you have here.”
“Shin-dig. That’s an interesting term from a lady so young.” He appeared amused. I scanned his face, looking for any hint he might be a killer or have a hidden dark side. I couldn’t find it. Not only couldn’t I find it, but he had a charisma that was appealing.
“I’m older than I look actually.” I took a sip, the alcohol burning down my throat. “Is the term a little too colloquial for you?”
“No.” His lips twitched up. “It’s quite refreshing, actually.”
I had to find a way to bring up the development casually. I reached for my glass, my fingers landed offside, I knocked the glass, nearly toppling it over. “Shit.”
“Steady,” he said, looking amused as he slid the glass back in front of me.
“I think I’m a bit tipsy,” I said, clutching the glass in my hand.
“I think you might be right.”
“How is the development going? You must be very excited,” I blurted it out, then immediately wanted to jam the words back down my throat. It was hardly the casual mention I had planned.
A clip of something uncomfortable flickered in his eyes. “It’s going well, it’s Cole’s area of expertise, I’m more the silent partner.”
“And this ball is to celebrate?”
He rested his forearms on the bar casually. A gold Rolex watch sparkled against the dim light. “Yes, we have the plans all done by mini replica, the first investors got a look today.”
“And did they approve?”
He nodded and took a mouthful of whiskey.
“I’m curious to know why you would choose Rutherford Estate for the development. It must be difficult when it’s owned by so many people to get the necessary approval?”
“It’s been a challenge, but I’m sure it will be worth it.” There was a blunt edge to his voice that suggested he didn’t want to pursue this topic.
Nonetheless, I smiled sweetly. “I have heard it’s quite beautiful. I might go up and have a look.”
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” he said, his response was abrupt. He shifted in his seat. “We have security up there, you won’t get in.” He corrected his tone.
“Why do you need security for an undeveloped forest?” That they hadn’t secured. Not yet, anyway.
He forced a smile. “In case some crazy tries to destroy the forest. With no beautiful forest there can be no development.”
That made sense, I supposed. “Oh, I see, that’s a shame. Well then, I look forward to seeing the big reveal.”
He analyzed me for a beat, his brown eyes glinting. “It’s in my office, I could take you now for a look if you’d like?”
I flashed a smile and held his eyes. “I’d love that, if you’re sure you can leave your own party?”
“I’m more than happy to disappear from this shin-dig with a beautiful woman like you, Amy.”
I tossed the rest of the drink down. I didn’t have an exact plan, but if I could get to his office it’d be a start. I could—
“Amelia.” Karson interrupted my thoughts. “I wondered where you went, sweetheart.” He smiled, but it went nowhere near his eyes. No, his eyes looked like he wanted to wring my neck. Sweetheart, what! For some reason I couldn’t fathom, he was staking a claim.
“Well, here I am,” I muttered, trying to force a smile but my lips felt like they were carved from plasticine.
“Karson, I didn’t know you were invited tonight,” Jefferson said coldly. What he meant was, ‘what the hell are you doing here!’ There was tension between them, and it was boulder thick.
“You should know by now, Jefferson, there is nothing that goes on in this town that I’m not aware of,” he answered as if he was chatting to an old friend, but the arrogance he normally wore like a coat of armor had been upgraded to a full suit.
Jefferson’s lips tightened. “What you think you’re aware of and what you can do about it are two very different things.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure,” Karson said, barely restraining a smirk.
They sized each other up like a pair of cage fighters. There was more testosterone than a nineteen eighties gym. Had they pulled their dicks out and started swinging them I wouldn’t have been surprised.