Bliss (7 page)

I grabbed our beers and pushed through the crowd to get back to the table where Ana was
busy groping the new guy in front of everyone. Including her so called boy toy Carter.

Abbi followed on my heels eager to get in on the action. “This is different than my usual nights. He looks like he might kick that guy’s ass. Is that her boyfriend?”

Ana did a double take shocked to see Carter heading for the table.

“I thought you were home sick tonight, Ana.” Carter said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ana’s eyes were ready to pop out of her head. “I-I was, but I took some Tylenol and felt better.”

I took my seat, ready to watch the
showdown.

“I can totally see that,” he said. “I’m going to go get a drink. Anyone want anything?”

Abbi shook her head, I raised my beer indicating I was all set.

“You want another one?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

I shrugged. “I suppose so. What the hell.”

Carter kept his eyes on me. “Then get your ass up and help me carry drinks back to the table.”

I raised an eyebrow.

He nodded his head, as if whatever he was thinking I
understood and I had not a clue.

Ana reached for Carter’s arm, stroking the tattoos on his forearm. “Babe, are you upset?”

Carter flexed his jaw, leaning down and planting a kiss on her lips. His lips devouring hers in the most dazzling pda I ever witnessed.

I clutched my chest, shooting a look in Abbi’s direction. She too seemed to pick up on the sexual electricity Carter
exuded.

Ana gripped his belt buckle letting go after the lip lock was over.

“Why would I be upset?” Carter asked, giving her every opportunity to explain why he would be.

The blonde guy next to her shifted in his seat. “I think I need to head out.”

Carter stopped him. “By all means, hang out. Don’t think twice about it buddy. We’re all friends here.”

“Do you think he’s mad at me?” Ana asked. She smoothed her hair, watching Carter.

I rolled my eyes. “You told him you were sick and he catches you at a bar. Gee, what do you think?”

Ana didn’t get it. We watched every girl around the bar check Carter out. Was she that oblivious to how much of a hot commodity this guy was? Did she not see that just about anyone near him
wiped drool from their mouth?

“Carter is hard to read.” She tried explaining, and I don’t think a single person at the table wanted to
hear it. I was sure the guy desperate to leave didn’t. And I knew I didn’t.

Abbi clutched her beer, looking down at the table. “Well, are you two seeing each other?”

Ana shrugged. “Are we sleeping together?”

Abbi touched her face. “Whatever you want to call it.”

“Yes, we are sleeping together. That doesn’t mean he’s the guy I want or need.”

“He’s not what you want?” I asked. “Then why the hell are you leading him on?”

Ana refused to look at me. “Just stop. All you and every other girl sees is the hot piece of ass with the killer smile. He’s fucked up and he knows it. I’d be an idiot to fall for him or act as if I cared that much.”

I stood up walking away before I socked her right in her smug little face.

Carter was a sex toy to Ana.

Ana seemed to think she could have whatever she wanted. Including Eric. Was Eric just a romp, just a fling, a thrill? I wondered if she thought sleeping with my husband was worth it.
Or if it was some sick game to her.

“So, am I standing next to the next big thing?” I asked, trying to inject some amusement into the moment.

Carter pushed off the bar. “I guess you’re going to have to wait until I call you to find that out.” He playfully pushed me.

I pushed him back. “It’s been days, you never planned on calling me.”

His lips parted. “So does that mean you were waiting to hear from me?”

“No, that doesn’t mean that at all.”

He stepped forward, erasing the distance between us. “What would make you want to come hang out with the girl who fucked your husband then?”

I swallowed, my hand grazing my mouth as I looked at him. “Boredom.”

He stroked his neck, nodding. “I can think of better things to do with your time than hanging out with Ana.”

I smiled. “I’m sure you could.”

Carter released a sigh, his expression softer, we locked eyes.

“What?” I asked.

He smiled, a sweet knee knocking smile. “You’re testing me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I am?”

He moved closer, allowing the people behind him by, staring down at me. “You want me to give in first.”

I bit my lip, tilting my head to the side. “I don’t know what
you’re talking about. I’m just here to get my beer.”

Carter brushed my hair from my eyes. “Maybe I was right at one time. Now I think
you’re mad at me.”

I opened my mouth, but stopped myself from saying anything more. I didn’t want to put him down.

“What do I have to be mad about?” I asked.

“Ana. I stopped you from telling her about your husband. And now she’s hanging out with that douche and I don’t say anything.” He shrugged.

I sighed. “She said your fucked up.”

“And she’s right. I’m not afraid to admit that.”

Boy did he have pride. “She also told me you weren’t the kind of guy she wanted to be with.”

“Oh did she now?” Carter eyes were on Ana.

“Yes, and as much as you want to say that you don’t care and that you guys aren’t a thing, I think it bothers you.” I could feel my heart beating in my chest.

“And that’s when I would tell you that your wrong,” Carter said.

I wanted him to see that I was worth his time, not Ana. “She’s not the girl for you.”

“I agree.” He shrugged. “So you can stop being mad at me. Let’s go back to giving in.”

“Giving in?” I asked, Carter leaned down, his mouth at my ear. He smelled amazing and I could feel the heat from his skin.

“See that hallway over there?”

I nodded, I hadn’t but I was sure if I needed to find it I could in a few seconds. This wasn’t my first rodeo.

He very discreetly
led me down the hallway, we slipped into the darkness, the only light illuminating was from the lights in the parking lot. I leaned against the wall, staring him down. I refused to be some little bitch that gave in that easily.

He was going to work for what
he wanted from me. And I was dying to find out what it was.

“They call this sexual frustration,” he said,smirking.

I nodded. “I think only one of us is frustrated.”

He touched my face, licking his lips. This was the moment, I was about to kiss him. “
Every time I look at you, I can’t get the thought of your lips out of my mind. And what I want them to do to me.”

I was entranced. I wanted to hear more.

“I can see right through those pretty brown eyes.” He traced my jaw line with his fingertips, leaning even closer, challenging me to pull away. With my head against the wall I stared him down. “Amazing eyes.”

I swallowed.

He cocked his head to the side, his lips inches away from mine. “You ready to give in?”

Oh I was, but I was also stubborn. “Nope. If you want to kiss me then kiss me. I don’t beg.”

“You say that now,” he teased, a playful smirk on his face.

The moment was ours, the world ceased to exist and I didn’t hear anything but his voice egging me on.

I lifted my chin. “I’m not going to kiss you.”

“Why not?” He
took me by the chin, bringing my lips to his. Softly he pressed his into mine, his other hand on my ass guiding me against him, pressing our bodies together.

I pulled away. “I’m not going to chase after something that I can’t have.”

He took my hand, resting it against his chest. I stroked his chest through his t-shirt. I could feel his heart pounding. “I’m right here. God damnit just give in.”

I shook my head refusing again. He pressed his lips into my forehead settling on simplicity. “You’re a stubborn girl.”

I looked down at the floor. “I need to tell her that I know. She’s not the kind of girl you want to involve yourself with. Let me tell her and then whatever it is you want to do I’ll give in.”

Carter shook his head. “She’s not worth the drama, Morgan.”

“She doesn’t deserve you,” I insisted.

“That’s the first time I ever heard someone tell me that. You don’t even know me.” Carter shook his head.

I pushed him away, laughing at his absurd response. “Then what is this?”

“This is me liking what I see, it’s impulse.” He wouldn’t look at me. He knew he sounded ridiculous.

“You win, Carter.” I threw my hands up. “Once again I am going to keep my mouth shut. I wish you the best with your career.”

He grabbed for my arm. “Morgan.”

I ignored him, and walked away.

“Morning, Morgan,” Dr. Lopez said as I entered the office.

“Morning,” I said back, I slipped my purse into the drawer of my desk and settled into my chair.

I rubbed my temples, worn out from the night before.

Lilith settled in at her own desk, cheerful and ready to start the day.

She shook two sugar packets
for her coffee, like she did every morning. “How was your night?”

I brushed my bangs out of my eyes.
Carter’s lips forever imprinted into my mind after the night at the bar, I wondered why I hadn’t kissed him, because now that was all I wished I would have done.

“Last night was a disaster,” I muttered, more to myself than Lilith. But she heard and she was staring me down waiting to hear
the details.

“You know that I’m always here to listen,” she said.

I tapped my finger against my lip debating sharing my feelings toward Carter. How we hid in the dark of a bar ready to tear each other apart if only we had the balls to do so.

“A friend of mine, she’s dating this guy and doesn’t
appreciate what she has.”

Lilith
lifted a file from her desk. “Don’t you just hate that?”

“I hate her,” I admitted. “She’s everything I strive not to be.” A cheater. A liar.

Lilith raised an eyebrow. “I get the feeling there is more to this story.”

I turned away, opening up my file drawer. “For sure.
But nothing worth talking about, I just wish this guy would see her for what she is and dump her.”

Lilith stood
walking over to the fax machine. She sighed. “I hate this god awful piece of crap.”

I sighed, standing up.
“Just give it to me. I need something to do before I go off the deep end.” I stared at the paper, another trip to
the agents
on my agenda.

***

The elevator doors opened and like every day the agency was crammed full of aspiring men and woman dying to land a gi
g. I was sure most were starving trying to pay their bills.

I leaned over the desk. “Fax machine is down again. Here is your paperwork.”

The young girl smiled taking the paper. “Thanks.”

I didn’t know her well. “
You’re welcome. Is there anything you need me to bring back with me?”

She raked a hand through her hair staring down at the pile of paperwork in front of her. “I have no idea. This is my first week and I am swamped.”

I felt for her. I couldn’t imagine the stress of handling so many types of people.

“Morgan,” Mr. Cosgrove said coming from his office. He carried a coffee mug in one hand a file in the other.

I gave a wave. “Hi, Mr. Cosgrove.”

“
Were you here to try out for the damsel in distress role today?” He joked.

I smirked, that was never going to happen. “
Nope. Just here because our fax machine bailed on us again.”

Mr. Cosgrove fix
ed his tie. “Have you talked to Ana today?”

I shook my head. “No, but I saw her the other night.”

“She’s yet again surprised me and her mother.” He leaned against the counter, resting his coffee cup on the marble. “I didn’t know she was seeing anyone, let alone getting married. What do you think of this young man?”

I raised an eyebrow, dropping my hands to my sides. “What do you mean, Mr. Cosgrove?” He had to be mistaken.

“Carter Sterling.  She brought him to the house for dinner a few days ago, and now she calls to tell me she’s engaged. I didn’t even see it coming, especially since I pulled several strings to get him in front of some very important people.”

I shook my head dumbstruck. It had to be a mistake. Carter and Ana getting married, that made no sense at all. “She never said anything to me
, Mr. Cosgrove.”

He nodded. “Well, she’s
heading over to bring me lunch, maybe if you wait around you two can iron out the details.”

I waved a shocked hand watching him head for his office. Carter fucking Sterling, if that wasn’t his middle name it should have been.

I turned, running a hand through my hair, waiting for an elevator to open up so I could get the hell out of the agency and back to work. The elevator dinged.

“Morgan,” Ana said.

“Ana,” I said back dryly. “Sorry, I have to go back to work.”

She stared me down, her nose wrinkling. “Another fax malfunction?”

I nodded, carving a trail through my hair with my fingers.

“Everything alright?” She touched my arm. “I
need to talk to you. Something important.”

I didn’t even want to hear it. I wanted nothing to do with her news. But what was I supposed to say? I don’t want you
to marry Carter because I want a chance to get to know him better?

“Carter and I, we sort of got engaged.” She smiled, shoving h
er ring in my face. A ring more impressive than one I ever got. “He’s on cloud nine ever since he landed his role. And I think my dad loves him.”

I swallowed. “I guess congrats are in order. So congrats, I hope you two are happy together.”

Ana nodded, biting her lip. It wasn’t the reaction she expected. “Would you be my maid of honor?”

I looked away, a sigh escaping. “Sure.”
Anything to make her stop talking about the worst mistake she could ever make.

She squeezed my arm. “I knew you’d say yes.”

I let out a long slow sigh. “When’s the date?”

“I’m not sure. We haven’t set it in stone. A few months maybe. You like him right?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Carter?”

Ana nodded.

“Sure, I do. But that doesn’t mean I think you should jump right into marriage with him.” It slipped out before I could help it. “You hardly know him.”

Ana smiled. “I’m not getting any younger. You were married for three years before Eric died. What’s the big deal?”

The big deal was Carter was not the guy for Ana. And she didn’t deserve him or anyone with what she did to me.

“Some things in life aren’t all they seem, Ana,” I said. She would know that better than anyone.

Ana tossed her hands up, palms to the ceiling and shrugged. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means I’m sure there were better things I could have been doing with my life than devoting it to a man and a marriage.” I drug my hand through my hair, unsure where to look. The entire conversation was going in the wrong direction and pretty soon I was sure I would end up confessing what I knew if I did
n’t make it out of there soon.

“I thought you would approve, Morgan. Carter talks about you all the time. I thought the two of you hit it off,” she insisted, her smile wavering.

Sure we hit it off. But not in the way that she wanted us to. I wondered what he said about me. I wondered a lot of things. Like why he still hadn’t called me after saying that he would.

“Ana,
it’s not my life. If that’s what you want to do, then I wish you all the luck in the world.” I hit the button on the elevator. “I have to go.”

The elevator opened,
and I ran smack dab into Carter.

“Morgan.” He
said a tight grip on my arms.

“Congratulations,” I said, forcing a smile.

Carter’s brows pulled in. He wasn’t stupid, he knew what I meant. I looked away from his brown eyes. “I have to go.”

“What about the other night?” he said low, making sure Ana didn’t overhear.

I pulled away. Oh how great, using me as his reason for making the worst decision of his life. “I bet you’re excited.”

I stepped inside the elevator, Carter’s shocked expression the last thing I saw as the door’s closed.

I leaned against the wall, wondering why I let it bother me. Carter was a player, since the first day I met him. He would do whatever it took to get what he needed in life even if it meant look the other way when he was doing the wrong things.

I didn’t need to involve myself with someone like that.

My phone vibrated. I dug it out of my pocket, staring at the unfamiliar number. But that didn’t matter because the text was all that I needed to know who it was.

I don’t understand why
you’re upset.

Oh that was hilarious. And I was sure just what a guy like him would say.

Why are you even texting me?

Morgan, be honest with me.
Why are you so pissed?

I rubbed the middle of my forehead, closing my eyes. Why was I so pissed?

I don’t think that matters anymore. You’re marrying her.

What are you doing tonight?

Sleeping.

Let’s meet up and talk about this.

I stared at the screen, why Carter wanted to talk to me about his mess I didn’t know. And I didn’t know why I was about to say what I was, but I said it.

Fine. I’d love to hear your stupid reasoning behind marrying that bitch.
And I sent it.

Let’s meet up.

I racked my brain for the most obscene place to meet up.

Brass Kettles antique shop.

One hour. See you there.

I didn’t expect him to accept. But now that he was a small part of me was over being angry with Carter and bent on changing his mind.