12. THE STAGE
CHLOE
“Well, don’t you look pretty.” Bryce waited for me at the bottom of the stairs.
“Thank you. You look handsome like always.” My husband wore a dark suit, blue dress shirt, and blue tie. He looked every inch the billionaire CEO. Bryce held out his big hand for me, and I shivered as I took it, remembering how his hands had roamed down my naked body only hours before…
“Don’t look at me like that,” he growled. “Otherwise I’ll throw you over my shoulder and take you back upstairs.”
I fought the urge to fan myself. “Okay.”
“Chloe, stop . We have to go out tonight. Don’t give me blue-balls before we even leave the house.” He pulled me close, and I could feel an erection already stirring.
“Stop,” I admonished, but I didn’t mean it. I’d love for Bryce to drag me back upstairs and have his way with me again!
“Hey, guys!” Colby strolled in with Tate glued to his side. A pissed-looking Jake trailed behind them.
Jake Windsor was the middle child, tall and handsome like his brothers. He looked a lot like Bryce but had a more narrow face, hazel eyes, and lighter hair. His scowl looked like Bryce’s, though.
“Hey, Jake. I haven’t seen you.” I hugged my brother-in-law.
Jake gave me a quick smile. “I’m glad you’re back. We missed you.”
I blushed with pleasure. “Thanks.”
As soon as I stepped back, his scowl returned.
The reason for this became immediately apparent.
Colby had his hand on Tate’s ass, rubbing it.
She was snuggled up against him, batting her long lashes.
The vibe between them was so sexy it felt uncomfortable to witness, inappropriate for company.
I should know! Bryce and I had at least stepped away from each other before his burgeoning erection had taken center stage.
Colby and Tate were so busy making goo-goo eyes at each other that they didn’t bother saying anything else to the rest of us.
“Hey, little brother.” Bryce raised his eyebrows. “Hey, Tate.”
“Hi.” She tore herself away from eye-fucking Colby long enough to grace my husband with a megawatt smile.
“Hey, Bryce.” Colby grinned at him, hand never leaving Tate’s ample backside. “You guys ready for this party?”
“Not yet—can I speak with you for a moment? You too, Jake.” Bryce turned to me. “This’ll just take a second.”
“Sure.” I nodded.
“No problem!” Tate said brightly, her eyes trailing appreciatively over Bryce’s muscled form.
I counted backward from ten. If I lost it on her—and got into yet another fight—Gene Windsor would have my head on a platter.
Once the men were gone, she tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder and gave my dress a once-over. “You look like a grandma.”
The yellow dress Midge had chosen was long, flowing, and had a high neckline. I had to admit that it was more my style than the sexy dresses she usually chose. “Tell me how you really feel, Tate.”
“I just did.” She gave me another blinding, fake smile, and I again fought the urge to smack her.
“You look…nice.” The truth was, Tate looked exactly like what she was—a high-end escort.
Her one-shoulder black jumpsuit was skintight, showing off her trim figure and killer curves.
Her sky-high heels would be out of place on the Nguyen’s rolling lawn, but they made her butt stick out—which Colby had definitely appreciated.
“Listen, I’ve been wanting to talk to you.
I’ve heard a couple of things from the staff. ”
Tate’s nostril flared. “Is this about that stupid Mexican chef? He accused me of stealing ! Can you imagine that? I just wanted some snacks and wine for my room!”
“Woah, okay. First of all, he’s Spanish, not Mexican.
Second of all, no, that’s not what I was talking about.
It’s more about how you and Colby have been getting…
close…in various public places.” I took a deep breath.
“It’s making people uncomfortable, Tate.
My little brother lives here, you know? I can’t have him seeing something like that. ”
“Just because you dress like a grandma and don’t have sex with your husband doesn’t mean you get to be the morality police with me .
” She puffed her chest out. “What Colby and I do is our business. He’s a Windsor too, remember?
This is his home, his island, his all of it.
If he can’t keep his hands off me, that isn’t anybody’s business. ”
“First of all, it’s not actually his home—it’s Bryce’s. Second of all, you’re right: it isn’t anybody’s business what you guys do with each other. That’s the whole point! There’s staff around, family, little kids, and there’s still paparazzi—”
“Did someone say paparazzi? Aw, my favorite topic!” Olivia Jensen strolled in, her fiery-red hair cascading in waves down her emerald-colored dress. I hadn’t seen the PR executive since I’d been back. She looked as lovely and poised as ever, and also, as laser-focused.
She eyed Tate up and down, her perfectly groomed eyebrows arching slightly. “That’s an outfit,” she said by way of a greeting.
“Oh hey, if it isn’t the actual morality police.” Tate snorted. “Who invited you ?”
“You two have met?” I looked between Tate and Olivia. They were now openly glaring at each other.
Wow, this was going to be a fun night.
“We’ve met several times. Haven’t we, Tate?” Olivia gave her a final once-over before turning back to me. “It’s nice to see you, Chloe. You look great.”
“Thank you.” I didn’t miss Tate’s eye roll.
I hoped Olivia could help me talk some sense into her.
“We were just discussing the fact that the paparazzi are still watching the island. I was telling Tate that we need to be careful about how we act when we’re out in public.
Even just outside the house.” I flushed, remembering how the press had followed Bryce and me out into the island woods, catching us during some very private moments…
“Funny, Tate and I have had the same conversation repeatedly.” Olivia straightened her shoulders. “I’ve explained that the Windsor family is on a press detox, as I like to call it. We must be vigilant about every image we present to the world.”
“Why do I feel singled out?” Tate motioned to me. “Mike Tyson here’s the one who just threw down at that wedding. All I’ve done is make out with my new boyfriend.”
Olivia threw up her hands. “The staff at the pool club said you were screaming your head off in one of the cabanas—”
“Hey, Olivia.” Colby ambled out and protectively put his arm around Tate. “Everything okay?”
“Not really,” Olivia said, direct as usual.
“Chloe and I were just explaining to Tate that this is a delicate time for the family because of Gene’s arrest. We all need to be cognizant of the roles we have to play.
We need to build trust in the family name again.
I have a couple of guys who will be taking photos tonight—we need to present a unified front.
The board’s been up my derriere, so to speak, about cleaning up the family image. ”
“I understand,” Colby said quickly. “Bryce and I were just talking about it.” He turned to Tate. “We’re going to grab you a jacket to wear, okay? I think you look great, but Bryce wants us to be super conservative because they think it’ll help the business. Okay, babe?”
“Sure, babe.” She looked up at him and nodded, eyes wide, as if he were a king and she was his most loyal subject. “Whatever you think is best.”
“Great.” He kissed the tip of her nose, and they strode off, arms wrapped around each other, without further argument.
“That was easier than I thought.” I eyed Olivia, who was still watching them. “That should make it better, right?”
She sighed as she turned back to me. “Not really. Colby was under strict instructions not to start seeing someone until things quieted down around here. The fact that he met this girl and she’s practically living with him three days later is a red flag.
Not to mention all the other red flags, like the fact that she’s completely two-faced and already has his balls in her back pocket. ”
I grimaced. “Yeah, there’s definitely a red flag or too.” Like the fact that she’s an escort and Colby doesn’t know it. And also, she’s threatened to blackmail me. Just a few minor details!
Olivia forced a smile. “How about you, huh? Are you happy to be back? I know we’re scheduled to chat tomorrow, but I’d love to know how everything’s going. Are things settled down between you and Bryce?”
“Yes. And I’m sorry about how I left. I was having a hard time.” I grimaced. It was hitting me that we had to go to this party and that everyone would be talking about me and the fact that I’d fought Felicia Jones. “But yes, things are settled and good.”
“So, are you staying? And are you planning on any more fights?” Olivia Jensen didn’t beat around the bush too much.
“Yes I’m staying, and no, I don’t plan on any more fighting.” I raised my chin. “That sort of behavior’s behind me now. I’m going to stay with Bryce tonight, and no tequila, I promise.”
“Great.” But Olivia grimaced. “As you can tell with Tate, the old PR adage is true: there’s always another fire to put out. Help me if you can, okay? Tate’s a handful. And I thought Daphne was bad!”
* * *
The party was in full swing by the time we arrived.
Twinkle lights glittered from the nearby trees, a string quartet played instrumental love songs in the background, and the enormous banquet table was decorated with vases bursting with fresh local flowers.
As always, the sky above Mount Desert Island was the real showstopper, blanketed with stars as far as the eye could see.
Well-dressed guests dotted the lawn, sipping cocktails and gossiping.
One thing I’d learned since I’d married Bryce?
Rich people loved to get dressed up for each other.
You’d think that the small group of wealthy islanders would tire of the same parties night after night.
Still, judging by how harried the waitstaff and bartenders appeared, no one seemed to be ready to end the non-stop party season just yet.
Kelli and Kenji Nguyen greeted us warmly.
They were a bi-coastal power couple, dividing their time between California and Maine; Kenji was in real estate, and Kelli was a Hollywood executive.
I hadn’t seen them since the wedding, but they were well-bred enough to not mention anything about the fight.
Kenji started asking Bryce about business.
Kelli leaned in for a hug, enveloping me in a mix of her toned arms and tawny hair.
“I was worried about you, Chloe. Are you doing better?” She kept her voice low.
I hugged her back. Kelli had always been kind to me. “Yes—thank you.”
“I had to invite the Jones family tonight, of course. So Felicia’s here.” Kelli pulled back and inspected me. “Are you okay with that?”
“I’m not going to fight her if that’s what you mean.” I smiled, putting on a brave face. “Is she here with Finn Ryder?” Felicia had been dating a British guy from a band, and she’d seemed pretty happy with him—a massive relief for me. Bitch had finally stopped texting my husband!
“He’s on tour, but from what I hear, they’re still dating. So that’s good.” Kelli tilted her head toward the bar. “She’s over there with her parents.”
Mimi, Michael, and Felicia Jones were indeed at the bar.
I watched as Mimi drained her glass, then held it out for a refill.
“Ugh, her drinking has been so intense ever since she found out about Michael’s affair.
” Kelli peered past me at Daphne, glowing and resplendent in a patterned, multicolored dress.
“I hope there isn’t a scene tonight. I heard Daphne’s looking for a huge payday. ”
I watched as Mimi Jones knocked back another martini. “You might want to close the bar down.”
Kelli followed my stare. “Oh boy. Let me see if I can get them to water down the vodka.” She hustled off toward the bar.
Daphne was immediately by my side. “Mimi’s getting sloppy, huh? Michael won’t look at me, of course. He’s probably sweating bullets about telling his wife how much money he’s going to have to cough up for this baby. And Felicia’s giving you a death stare, FYI.”
“Great.” Why the hell had I come to this party?
“Ooh, by the way, I heard you and Olivia tried to talk some sense into Tate. Do you think it helped?”
We glanced over and saw Colby spoon-feeding Tate some sort of mousse canapé. She licked her lips suggestively and stared up at him with fuck-me eyes.
“Maybe not so much.” I grimaced.
“Oh boy—here comes Bryce. I better move over. You’re supposed to be next to him all night, right?” Daphne winked at me and hustled away.
“Right.” Gene Windsor had been crystal-clear that I was to stand by my husband and stay out of trouble all night.
But…how the hell did Daphne know about that?
Before I could ponder it further, Bryce was at my side. I smiled at the man I loved, vowing to do what Gene asked.
I didn’t know what would happen if I played my cards right.
But I knew exactly what would befall me if I played them wrong.