Chapter 11
Jane was shuffling through the five stages of grief faster than a Formula 1 car on the racetrack in Monaco, but not necessarily in order. Last night she’d gone straight to anger. It wasn’t until this morning that she awoke in disbelief. Not that he’d issued the NDA. He was a protector by nature, so wanting to protect his family made sense. But that she’d actually allowed herself to be vulnerable enough to give herself to a man she barely knew, which was something she didn’t take lightly.
She’d mistaken a moment of heightened intimacy for the real deal, when it was nothing more than being swept up in the moment. She’d like to think she wasn’t shallow, but maybe she’d been more affected by the champagne and caviar lifestyle than she’d admitted to herself. Or maybe she’d just been bamboozled by his magnetism and charm.
This was why Jane didn’t do charm, it tended to bite her in the ass.
“You made a mess of things,” she grumbled to herself, picking up the pillow and smothering it over her face. “Now you have to clean it up.”
And the only way to do that was to forget about last night. If she pretended that it didn’t happen, then it didn’t happen. She’d played larger roles; she could pull off this one. She just needed to get Henry on board.
He wasn’t going to make it easy. Last night he’d called her five times and sent her a dozen texts. He’d even knocked on her door. When she didn’t answer, he said, “This isn’t over.”
Too bad for him, she’d already moved on. All she had to do was come clean with Roxy and then invent a story as to where she’d disappeared to last night. Because instead of returning to the party, as Professional Jane would normally have done, she’d let her emotions get the best of her, marching her way back to her hotel room, grabbing a bottle of champagne on the way, which she’d polished off before passing out. Which explained the pounding behind her right eye.
With a groan she pulled herself out of bed and, after starting the coffee pot, took a steaming shower. Sliding into the hotel’s plush robe and wrapping her hair into a towel, she poured herself a cup of hot joe, took the first sip, and practically moaned in ecstasy.
She was about to take a second sip when there was a knock at the door.
The sound woke her up faster than the caffeine and she made a beeline for the peephole, relieved when she saw Sarah on the other side of the door. Then her heart lodged itself in her throat.
What if she knows?
What if Jane and Henry hadn’t been as inconspicuous as they’d thought? Heck, they’d practically been having sex on the dance floor. What was she going to do? The only thing she could. If Sarah asked her a direct question about hooking up with Henry, Jane would tell the truth, pack her bags, and march her ass to the airport to fly home—broke and humiliated.
Sarah was looking one way, then the other like she was playing a role in Mission: Impossible and being followed. Jane opened the door, grabbed her by the arm and yanked her in, slamming the door behind her.
“What happened to I’ll come to you?”
“I texted and you didn’t answer.”
“I was in the shower.”
Sarah looked at the robe and head turban and narrowed her eyes. “Well, what I had to say couldn’t wait.”
Jane’s heart went from NASCAR to Formula 1 speeds. Did Henry tell Sarah? Had she figured it out? Was she here to fire her? God, she was such an idiot—so much was resting on this gig and Jane had risked it all for one night with a guy who didn’t even trust her to keep her word.
“Okay,” Jane said with her chin up, ready to take whatever Sarah had to dish out. She deserved it after all.
“I wanted to apologize for last night. I shouldn’t have left you to clean up the mess between my dad and Henry.”
Jane had to blink twice to make sure she’d heard correctly. Then she stuttered with guilt before getting out an answer. “You needed to get to your mom, I get it.”
“No, I should have handled it myself as soon as my dad said he was coming. I hate confrontation, but I need to get over it or I’ll be a doormat for the rest of my life.”
“You’re not a doormat,” Jane reassured her, feeling guilty since she was the one who should be doing the apologizing. She’d broken her main rule, getting personally involved with the family.
“I just want everyone to get along.”
“And there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Sarah smiled. “Then you’ll say yes when I ask you to come today to Henry’s shoot.”
Panic settled like a boulder in Jane’s throat. “It’s a family thing. I don’t want to intrude.”
“You wouldn’t be. Henry wants you to come. He asked me himself to bring you. Even put your name on his account at the team shop to get you clothes so you’ll have something to wear to the event. It’s very casual. I’m wearing designer jeans and my new red Jimmy Choos, to match his driver’s team T-shirt.”
“I don’t need him to buy me anything. I can buy my own shirt.” And she knew exactly what shirt she’d get.
Sarah lifted a brow. “Most people would take the money and run with it.”
“I’m not most people.” And she didn’t want to take a penny from him. But to play things cool she added, “It would be a conflict of interest to take something from him. You already gave me a budget for clothing for the event. It would be like double-dipping.”
“I thought it was because of how I talked to you last night,” Sarah said, and Jane felt like a traitor.
“What? No, of course not.”
“Thanks again for playing referee. I know my brother can be an ass and if he took out his anger with my dad on you, I’m sorry.”
“He didn’t. I was just a distraction to take his mind off things.” Sadly, the more she thought about it, that’s what it had been. But going into that dance, she’d known that, right? It was why she’d approached him. So then why was she so bummed that things had ended the way they had?
“So does this mean you’ll come?”
“I’ll go.”
Sarah squealed and pulled Jane into her arms. “We’re going to have so much fun. And I can’t wait to see the look on his face when we show up.”
“I thought you said he asked me to go.”
“He did, but I don’t think he expected you to agree.”
Well, that changed things. Maybe she should renege on the offer. Then again, she’d come here to make Sarah happy and be the best bridesmaid she possibly could, and this seemed to fall under that category. So she’d suck it up and maybe pull off a favor for a friend at the same time.
“Can I bring a plus-one?” she asked, thinking of Georgia’s Wish Foundation recipient.
Henry was goingto knock out his lights. A bloody plus-one! What kind of game was she playing at? Sure, he’d made a mistake of epic proportions last night, which was why he’d asked her here, but bringing another guy to his event was complete bollocks.
He’d spent the entire night trying to figure out how to make things right between them, because he’d be damned if this was a one-time thing. He’d barely had a taste of her and he was desperate for more.
At least Sarah had given him fair warning to prepare. But instead of gathering his bearings, he was getting angrier by the second. And more nervous. The nerves came from seeing her, wondering if his mistake was too big to come back from. He hadn’t just cockblocked himself, he’d hurt her deeply. For that he’d never forgive himself.
The look on her face when she’d realized just what she was holding would forever be tattooed on the insides of his eyelids, so that every time he closed his eyes, he would relive it. And that gutted him.
“I’m guessing by the murderous look on your face, you went with the NDA last night?” Enzo asked, standing next to him in nearly identical race suits.
Besides their numbers and last names, they were interchangeable. Their race suits were unzipped and slung down low, riding their hips. Underneath they had on their team body-armor shirts with their sponsors’ names and logos running the length of the arms and upper chest. They were also wearing team ball caps.
The event had yet to begin, so they were sitting in one of the private offices drinking coffee and eating breakfast, waiting for an assistant to call them out.
“I decided not to give it to her, but then she found it.”
“Before or after you made love?” Enzo asked.
“Who told you?”
Enzo smiled. “You just did.”
“Bollocks,” Henry mumbled. “Don’t say a word to anyone.” That’s all he needed was for Elle to think he went bragging to his friends. It was bad enough she thought he’d used her as a passing fancy.
“Jake already has his suspicions after you left with her and didn’t come back, but your secret is safe with me, Amico.”
Henry ran a hand down his face. “It’s a mess. I was going to ask her out. On a real date, and then she found the papers and walked out on me. She’s so mad she brought some guy here today to take the piss out of me.”
Enzo laughed. “She’s a—what would Jake call her—a firecracker.”
Henry had to bite back a grin. She was more than a firecracker. She was turbocharged with a stubborn streak the size of the English Channel. She was also more fragile than she let on—something he’d seen last night. Beneath that impenetrable mask was a soft and vulnerable woman he’d hurt.
“I have to make this right.”
Jane purposefully stoodat the back of the room behind the crowd, waiting for Finn’s family to arrive. She didn’t realize just how many people would be there. Everyone from the engineers and mechanics to corporate, family, and press. Had she known the last she would have absolutely gotten out of it.
Anonymity was crucial to her business. How could she go undercover as a bridesmaid for hire if everyone saw her at a high-profile wedding as Elle, the famous socialite?
Today was risky. But it was a risk she’d have to take. Plus, it was too late to back out now. Not to mention, she refused to let him think he’d scared her off. It was bad enough that, in a weak moment, she’d walked away last night rather than kicking him out; no way was she letting him win today.
So she’d stand there and stare him down as if nothing had happened.
“Elle?” a woman said, sounding relieved and placing a hand on Jane’s shoulder. She was dressed in an Apex red shirt and holding the hand of a very excited young boy who was decked out from head to toe in Apex gear. “Are you Elle?”
“You must be Mary,” Jane said, then squatted down to address the boy, who was on the thin side and looked way too small for his age. “And you must be Finn. I have a gift for you.”
Finn had just been cleared to leave his home after a lengthy recovery and his only ask had been to see the famous Henry Norris. When Jane had explained who her plus-one had been to Sarah, the bride-to-be had immediately set up a first-class day, including a limo ride for the boy and his family and a ton of swag, shirts and team jackets for the whole group. Turned out Henry’s store credit came in handy after all.
Jane held out a bag overflowing with swag. “It looks like you’re already pretty set on Norris gear, but all of this came from the official team shop. It’s shirts and hats and things you can’t get anywhere else.”
“Really?” The boy’s eyes lit up as he took the bag. Dropping his mom’s hand, he opened it and glanced inside. “Thanks!”
“Yes,” Mary said, her eyes wet with what appeared to be a mix of exhaustion, gratitude, and relief—the kind of relief that came from getting a second chance with your child’s life. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Of course. When Georgia called, I knew I wanted to help. I was just glad that I could.”
“This means everything to him,” Mary said, getting choked up, which had Jane choking up too. She knew what it felt like to lose a loved one. But she couldn’t imagine the fear and impotence that came with almost losing a child. “Henry Norris is his hero. So being here…”
Mary waved her hand as if unable to continue and Jane’s heart doubled at the emotion in the woman’s words until it nearly pushed through her ribcage. Jane pulled her in for a comforting hug.
“Thanks. I needed that.”
“Me too,” Jane said honestly.
“Do you think I’ll get to meet him?” Finn asked. He’d already swapped out his ball cap for the new one.
“I’m not sure,” Jane answered, and the kid’s smile didn’t even falter.
“It doesn’t matter. This is so cool. I can’t wait to tell my mates.”
“Thank you again for making this happen,” said Mary.
“Really, it was all Henry’s sister Sarah. All I did was pass on Georgia’s request and she jumped into action. Now, why don’t you go and hang with the family in the front?”
Mary looked stunned. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not. Plus, Sarah said it was okay. In fact, she all but demanded it.”
“You’re an angel.”
Mary wrapped Jane in the biggest, warmest, and most genuine hug she’d ever received, and Jane held on like it was the only thing keeping her tethered to the world. She wasn’t sure why, but she’d felt one breath away from tears all day.
She watched Mary and Finn disappear into the crowd and that’s when she felt it, intense and consuming.
Henry.
He’d somehow spotted her, all five feet, three inches—okay, five-six with her knee-high boots. When their gazes clashed it was like a match striking gasoline. His immediately went from relief to rage as he broke contact and searched the crowd around her. Why in the hell was he mad at her? If anyone had the right to be angry, it was Jane!
So when his eyes locked back on hers, she lifted a single condemning brow and he smiled. She frowned, which seemed to amuse him.
Way to go, Jane. Two minutes and you let him get to you. Even worse, you let him see it.
Shit. This was not going to plan.
Unable to control her racing heart nor her growing anger—not to mention her hormones, because who knew how sexy racing suits could be?—she unzipped her team jacket, which she’d bought with her own money thank you very much, to show the T-shirt beneath. It matched Henry’s—all except for the name and number, which read Enzo Rossi #33.
It took him a moment to realize it and when he did, she could see something akin to jealousy boil over in his glare. She smiled the smile of an innocent woman and stood proudly with her chest puffed out for all the world to see the big number thirty-three on her right boob. She could have gone with the generic team shirt, but she wanted to make a point, get under his skin. And her plan had worked. Better than anticipated.
He wanted to play games? She could too. Only the moment she unveiled her betrayal, she regretted it. Because today was his big day, and it was not the time or place for this. There he was on stage in front of hundreds of people, and she was playing games.
A dangerous game.
“What were you thinking?” she mumbled to herself.
She hadn’t been. She’d been angry and hurt and she’d reacted. Something Jane hadn’t done since she’d been a heartbroken kid on a base in Germany. She hadn’t attained the results she’d wanted then, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to get the results she wanted now. She wasn’t sure what those results were, but the Norrises had gone out of their way to make today possible for Finn and she’d gone and pissed off the head of the family.
Disappointed in herself, Jane went in search of a restroom to catch her breath. She found a single unit bathroom not far down an empty corridor and let herself in. She turned on the cold water and let it rush over her hands, which were trembling.
Closing her eyes, she’d just rested her head against the mirror when there was a bang at the door.
“Sorry, someone’s in here. I’m nearly done.”
“Open the fucking door, Elle,” Henry said. “Or I will kick it in.”
Her breath lodged in her throat at the fierce conviction in his tone. She took a step back, hoping he’d just give up and go away.
“I will stand out here all day. The press will come looking for me and then they’ll find me standing outside your door.”
That was all it took for her to unlock the deadbolt. She’d barely turned it when he burst in.
“Take it off,” he snarled.
“What?” She was so overwhelmed by just how much of the bathroom he took up, her brain ceased to function.
“Take off his bloody shirt.”
And that’s when she saw that he’d grabbed another T-shirt, likely boasting his own name and number, on the way to find her.
“It’s just a shirt. What’s the big deal?”
He ground his teeth. “Do it or I will.”
“Or you’ll what?”
He walked toward her, forcing her back until she was stuck between his heaving chest and the wall. “Or I will rip that thing off your fucking body and put this on myself.”
Memories of last night flooded back, of him lifting her dress, pushing her down on the desk and taking her from behind, causing her breath to catch.
“I’m thinking about it too. It’s all I can think about.” His hands cupped her hips, and he backed her so far into the wall, she went up on her tiptoes. “Which part do you replay?” His fingers slid under the hem of her shirt until they met bare skin. “Which part, love?”
“The part where you had an NDA.”
Genuine regret overtook his expression, but he didn’t step back. “I am so fucking sorry. I never should have even had the thing written up.”
“I’m not mad about that. I just feel stupid that I didn’t see it coming. I went against my number one rule and got involved, Hank, and for what? Every time I look at your sister, I feel like shit. Every time I think about what happened between us, and the way it ended, I feel like shit.”
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “It doesn’t have to end like that. Give me another chance, Elle.”
“What’s the point? I leave in a few days. You live in Monaco. I live in the States.” And my name isn’t Elle.
“How about we just focus on the next few days and then take it from there,” he said.
No matter how amazing that sounded, she couldn’t. The second she boarded that flight home, her carriage would turn back into a pumpkin and this Cinderella would go back to being just a run-of-the-mill plain Jane—actress, liar, and con artist.
While her ex’s cruel words had hurt, deep down she’d never believed them. That was, until this very moment. Jane had never felt like such a fraud. But it was easy to bury that when Henry was looking at her as if she were the most amazing thing in the world.
“Then let’s focus on the next few days,” he said again, as if setting a countdown clock would make all the problems disappear. Then again, maybe they would. Just because she’d been mad didn’t mean she’d stopped wanting him. With him standing all up in her personal space, it reminded her of just how much.
“What about your sister?” Because that was a big problem.
“We keep this between us.”
She liked that answer. With that problem handled, it made her think what harm could possibly come from continuing this affair for just another few days? It wasn’t as if either of them had time for a proper relationship. And the sexual tension between them was almost unbearable. Too much for one little Clitorator to handle.
He must have sensed the change in her because his voice was rough like tossed gravel when he asked, “What are you thinking about?”
“All of it,” she admitted.
“Good girl.” His thumbs slid over her flat stomach as he glided his hands up, higher and higher until her shirt was bunched at her armpits. “Lift your arms.”
Unable to resist his allure, she did as asked and poof, her shirt was gone, leaving her in nothing but racing-red lace.
His gaze lowered, eating up every inch of her. “I like the team spirit.”
Before she knew what was happening, he dropped to his knees and was sucking her through the lace, her nipples going hard beneath the delicious friction of his mouth and tongue.
He devoured one and then the other, before kissing his way down the flat of her abs to her stomach, then resting his forehead there.
“Who is he?” His lips moved against her skin.
“What?” she asked in a sex-filled haze.
“The guy you brought.”
She chuckled. “Finn?”
“He even sounds like a pompous prick.”
“He’s a little too young to be pompous, since he’s only twelve and just survived a kidney transplant.” Henry looked up at her through his lashes at her words. “His only wish is to meet his hero, who was shooting daggers at the crowd the whole time.”
“You didn’t do this to screw with me?”
“I did this because a kid who just went through hell wanted to meet you and I could help facilitate that.”
“Of course I’ll meet him. I can even get him an up-close look at the car.”
Her heart went all gooey. “Finn would love that. As for the miscommunication about my plus-one, that was all your sister. I think she’s onto us.”
“So is Enzo.”
Jane let her head fall back against the wall and closed her eyes. “This is a bad idea. I take my job seriously and that was definitely a line crossed last night.”
“What do you mean your job?”
Jane’s eyes snapped open and perspiration broke out on her forehead. “I just meant that as a bridesmaid, supporting the bride is like a full-time job. Sleeping with the bride’s brother can get complicated, not to mention cliché, and I don’t want to do anything to make Sarah’s wedding week harder.”
“Then we keep it to ourselves,” he said. He kissed her belly and then stood. He tugged the new shirt over her head and then tucked her arms through the holes and pulled it down. “Be discreet.”
“I’m still leaving. And once I do, this has to end. No arguments.”
“When do you go home?”
“I’m staying four days after the wedding to vacation around London.”
“Well, I know the perfect guide.”
“And when it ends, this ends,” she reiterated.
“If you say so.”