Chapter 12
12
J AMES
“Thank you, Mr. Harrington,” the man says.
The chef, a silver-haired man with perfect skin and a glowing tan, exits Lex’s suite as Rain and I walk in.
The smell of coffee and freshly cooked food greets us in the hallway while a gray winter morning filters through the windows.
I pull a chair out for Rain.
Lex runs his gaze over her before locking my eyes, shaking his head slowly.
She wears the same outfit as last night––a fitted navy dress and matching heels––her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders, her eyes sparkling between her silky lashes, and a mesmerizing smile draping over her lips.
Lex shifts his eyes to me, quickly noticing my attire––tailored dress pants and a black fitted shirt.
“Where are you going?”
“To the auction house. You want to come?”
He searches my eyes, pondering.
“It’s going to be fun,” I toss at him.
“Sure,” he says.
He pours two cups of coffee and glances at Rain.
“Cream? Sugar?”
“Cream. Thank you.”
He fixes her coffee and brings the cups to the table.
He hands me mine. Black.
“You slept well?” he throws at Rain, stretching a knowing smile while taking a seat.
Blush colors her face, her lips curving into a soft grin as my heart does a little dance.
“Shut up, Lex,” I admonish him, grinning.
“No. It’s okay,” she says in a mellow voice.
She moves her focus to the plate while Lex and I lock eyes again.
“Are we doing some shopping today, or what?” he says, suddenly more upbeat, his good mood matching mine. “Have you been to an auction house before?” he asks her.
She nods, smiling mysteriously.
Lex winks at me behind her back.
I flick my finger up, signaling him to keep his mouth shut and mind his own business.
He does that, and we spend the next half an hour enjoying our breakfast, talking, and laughing about nothing.
Early afternoon, we leave the auction house after spending a few million dollars on a few collector’s cars––a Lamborghini Miura, a Bugatti from the 30s, and a Ferrari Enzo.
People glance at us as we slip out of the building and head to our car. Lex and I flank Rain, her hands linked to our arms.
“I need to make a quick stop at home to change,” she says.
“Sure.”
I motion to the driver and give him the instructions while Rain and Lex climb into the limo.
I follow their example.
The car glides away before we merge in with the traffic and take a turn on Fifth Avenue.
“That’s not what I had in mind,” she says, smiling as the car pulls to a stop in front of a building.
“It’s easier,” I say, helping her out.
We stroll into the store before the manager leads us to a private area with a fitting room.
Lex and I are sprawled on a couch while the sales clerk assists Rain.
“Pick up a few evening gowns and some summer clothes,” I toss at her before moving my eyes to my phone, avoiding her questioning look.
She follows my instructions, and we leave an hour later after arranging for the shopping bags and boxes to be delivered to my suite.
The following days fly by.
Rain and I return to the auction house, and this time, we bid on collectible art and jewelry from the last century. It turns out she is an expert in spotting a good buy.
She’s educated herself, or maybe it’s the byproduct of her occupation, something she’s learned from her wealthy clients.
We go out to lunch with my business partners and their wives.
Well-mannered and articulate, Rain engages in effortless conversations, smiling charmingly and offering her balanced opinions of current issues.
Everybody loves her, although something doesn’t quite fit the people’s common perception of women like her.
She looks like a trophy wife, yet she has more depth than that. And she’s smooth, poised, and has the erudition of a more mature person, despite her age.
She delivers above and beyond, and my entourage fully buys into the idea that she is one hundred percent mine, everything she does and says solidifying that concept.
She showers me with her affection and attention, drinking me in with adoring eyes and swooning over me.
I almost believe her.
I can barely tell what is business and what is pleasure when it comes to her. Or if there is a line between the two of them.
I guess I’m a little tempted to fool myself into thinking that what she does for me is real.
One thing is for sure. The more time I spend with her, the more blurred that line becomes.
And yet, she’s never let her guard down. Not even once.
* * *
JAMES
“Black or white?” she asks, holding the two hangers up, one evening gown in each hand.
My eyes fall on her body.
Her breasts spill out of her bra, the corset-style garter belt highlighting her small waist. A lace triangle covers her pussy, her heels making her toned legs look even longer.
I’m hard.
“James?”
“Huh?”
“The gowns.”
“Yes. The gowns,” I murmur, struggling to regain my focus.
I weigh the two options while buttoning up my shirt.
Pinching the ends of a starched cuff together, I align the holes before inserting and securing my cufflinks.
“Black,” I say, swinging my eyes back to the mirror.
She drapes both evening gowns over her arm, her stare burning the back of my head.
“What?” I ask, glancing at her in the mirror.
She throws a seductive look at me, a smile tugging at her lips as she lets the dresses fall to a nearby chair and walks to me.
She pivots in front of me.
Running her hand over my neckline, she fixes my bowtie.
A moment later, she lets her fingers slide through my hair and sweeps a few strands back.
A lustful grin tugs at my lips as I check her butt in the mirror.
My eyes dip to her mouth, a sly grin giving me away.
“What are you doing?” I murmur as she runs her hand down my hard dick.
She does it a few more times.
“I’m getting your attention.”
“You got that, babe. A long time ago,” I say, slipping my jacket on.
Running her hands down my chest, she gives me a quick once over.
“You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet,” she says, flashing a smile.
“And yet you’re paid to say that,” I retort, unable to push those harsh words back.
She jerks away, her face darkening, tears glinting in her eyes.
“Rain?”
I swing my arm to grab her.
Faster than me, she snatches the black gown from the chair and storms into the bathroom before slamming the door in my face.
“Rain?”
No answer. No sound.
Mumbling a curse, I move away from the door and pace to the window.
Pissed, I yank a cigarette out of my pocket and light it.
The smoke hardly takes the edge off.
The door opens a few moments later, prompting me to turn to her.
Evading my eyes, she saunters into the room.
The chiffon gown flows smoothly over her body, the big satin bow on her shoulder making her look like a fucking prize.
Her blonde hair shimmers in the dim light, her red lips, nails, and ruby-encrusted jewelry oozing timeless magic.
She doesn’t spare a glance in my direction, and I keep my mouth shut for a change.
I hold the satin mantle for her and drape it over her shoulders, the enticing scent of her perfume tickling my nostrils.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur, my hands resting on her shoulders, my lips buried in her hair. “It was a stupid joke,” I say.
She turns to me, her eyes glistening between her lashes.
“It wasn’t a joke, and you know it.”
“Then you must know how much I regret it.”
“Maybe,” she says in a mellow voice.
Her eyes soften as she brings her hand to my face and trails my lips with her fingers.
“I told you the truth, James.”
Without breaking our stare, I gently tear her hand away from my face and kiss her palm, the sweet smell of her perfume transferring to my lips.
Her eyes light up, tears veiling them.
“And you’re a damn good lover, too,” she says, smiling this time, a contrast to her gleaming eyes.
“Too bad we’re late,” I say quietly.
She looks at me, intrigued, not sure what I’m referring to.
Without offering her more, I grab her hand and lead her to the door, hiding my bitter smile.
* * *
RAIN
We ride in silence, his hand holding mine, his eyes rooted on the winter scenery outside.
Our bodies touch from time to time, the scent of his cologne drifting over me.
Minutes later, the car veers smoothly to the right before coming to a stop.
We climb out and enter the venue when a dark-haired hostess wearing a tight green dress leads us to a large table where Lex rises to his feet, greeting us.
The ballroom is vast yet filled with people.
Large windows line one side of the room, round tables sprawling along the other.
A tall Christmas tree with vibrant lights sits next to an impressive spiraling staircase in the back, the high vaulted ceilings and crystal chandeliers speaking of lavish opulence.
“Rain?”
Ed’s voice rolls in my ears.
I swivel around and take him in. His eyes beam with surprise.
James’ face brightens as he notices him as well.
Draping his arms around me, Ed kisses my cheek.
“I’ll be damned,” he says, breaking our hug, stepping back, and soaking me in.
His gaze slips to James before sliding back to me.
He hasn’t changed a bit.
And he looks stunning in his tuxedo, the warmth of his eyes melting my heart.
“You look great,” he says, giving me a swift once over.
Curling his fingers around my neck, he leans closer to me.
His lips brush my earlobe.
“I’m happy to see you,” he says quietly––as if sharing a secret with me.
He kisses my cheek again before pulling away.
Later, we get seated at the table, Ed and James flanking me.
Within minutes, people stop at the table and start chatting with them. At one point, James and Lex leave their seats and walk across the room.
I turn to Ed.
“Hey, sweetie,” he says, running his fingers across my cheek. “What have you been up to? I missed you, baby,” he murmurs, smiling warmly.
My cheeks are warm with a blush.
“No, you didn’t,” I say, smiling, amused.
He looks at me solemnly.
“Yes, I did. Why is it so hard to believe?” he says with conviction, giving me no choice but to believe him. “You haven’t been home for a while,” he says, motioning to a server for a drink. “Do you want something to drink?” he asks, glancing at my half-empty glass.
“I’m good.”
The server slides his drink onto the table and smoothly walks away.
Ed takes a sip, his eyes coming back to me.
“I’ve been busy,” I say, not knowing whether anyone has filled him in on the real reason I am here.
“So I’ve heard,” he says, flashing a secret smile.
Seemingly, he knows.
“I don’t blame you, Rain. Life is not always what we expect it to be.”
He shifts his gaze away from me, and I notice the sadness in his eyes.
“What’s new with you?” I ask.
“Not much. Everything’s the same. The business keeps me busy. The Casino in particular.”
“How’s your mother?”
He stares blankly at his drink, his eyes darkening.
“She passed away this summer,” he says, suppressing his emotions.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur, sliding my hand over his.
He smiles.
“It’s fine. I knew it would happen and made peace with it.”
He pauses, a different expression sliding over his face.
“How’s life in New York?” he asks. “Aside from what you’re doing for a living,” he adds, no innuendo.
“There’s not much else. Eve, my friend from back home, lives here too, but she’s busy with her life, so we rarely see each other. My family is scattered everywhere, and we hardly keep in touch with each other these days. That’s pretty much it.”
His gaze stays connected with mine for a few seconds before he motions to the dance floor.
“Do you want to dance?” he asks, pushing out of his seat.
“Sure.”
I rise too.
He locks my hand and leads me to a less crowded spot, away from our table.
His arm snakes around my waist as he pulls me into his chest. He rests one hand on the small of my back and the other on my neck.
He splays his fingers over my skin and softly strokes me.
“I wish I’d met you first,” he murmurs in my hair. “Maybe, none of this would’ve happened.”
I glance up.
“What do you mean?”
He tips his gaze at me.
“We didn’t know back then... None of us did.”
“Know what?” I ask quietly.
“That you weren’t just another girl. Perhaps James knew it, but it took him by surprise, and he hesitated. By the time he figured things out, you were gone. The one time he needed to be decisive, he chose poorly and let you go. I would’ve never done that.”
“It had nothing to do with him. Besides, he didn’t know I was planning to leave.”
“Maybe. Or perhaps he made you leave. Had he behaved differently, you would’ve stayed.”
“It wasn’t that simple. And it wasn’t only bad timing or a misunderstanding. It was more than that… You know him. He always does whatever he pleases.”
He chuckles.
“Yeah... That’s true. But if there was one woman who could’ve taken him down, it was you. You had that power. I don’t think any other women could’ve done it,” he says.
A few moments of silence pass.
“How come none of you have already found the right woman to settle down with?”
The corners of his mouth lift into a faint grin.
“I can’t imagine women are not interested,” I say, smiling.
“They are interested. But never the right woman. Besides our money and, um, looks,” he says humorously, “we’re not exactly marriage material.”
The tune ends before I glance around, looking for the restroom.
“I’ll be back in a moment,” I say and tear away from him, heading across the room while he saunters back to the table.
Minutes later, I exit the restroom and walk across the ballroom when the festive Christmas tree grabs my attention.
My eyes linger on the throbbing lights when a familiar voice rings behind me.
“Rain?”
I freeze before I turn, a foreboding sensation barreling through me. My smile dies out as I take in the man in front of me.
“David??”