Devious Little Lies (19 page)

Chapter Thirty-One

The days started to bleed together as Shane went through the motions. Moping had never been his style, but he hadn’t been able to help himself. In the past few days his thoughts had strayed to Rena more than they should have. He couldn’t stop thinking about their kiss, and the silkiness of her skin beneath his hands. But there was no reason to keep hoping for something that was clearly not in the cards for them.

Sighing, he looked at the reports he’d brought home from the office. There was so much information to decipher, but the last thing he felt like doing right now was crunch numbers. Getting up from the sofa, he walked over to the glass doors that led to the patio and stared out. A summer storm had the city in its grip and as he watched the pelting rain he could only think about how the weather matched his mood.

He needed to get himself together, but it was hard. The moment he’d looked into Rena’s eyes, he was lost staring into their gray depths and losing a piece of his soul. Turning away from the stormy scene in front of him, he dropped back down on the couch and picked up another report. The words swam in front of his eyes and he blinked hoping to find some renewed energy. He’d read through another ten pages when his cellphone rang. He picked it up without bothering to look at the caller ID.

“Hello?”

“Shane?”

The report dropped from his hand.

“Rena, what is it?”

There was silence on the other end and then she was crying. The sound of her hurt pierced his heart like an arrow.

“Please talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong?”

Her sobs subsided as she took deep breaths as if to compose herself.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you, but I just need…someone.”

“It’s alright. I’m glad you called and whatever you need, I’m right here.”

“I don’t even know where to begin. I feel like the worst kind of fool.”

“You’re not a fool, Rena.”

“Yes I am. You were right about everything. I should’ve listened to you, but I let this foolish hope cloud my judgment and keep me hanging on to something that never really existed.”

“What are you talking about? You’re talking in circles.”

“I know it’s inappropriate. I know I shouldn’t be asking, but can you please come over? I really need someone right now.”

“Of course. I’ll be there right away. I don’t want you to worry because whatever it is, we can fix it.”

“No. This is one thing that can’t be fixed, Shane.”

The phone clicked and then he was listening to the dial tone. Putting the phone down he quickly dressed, grabbed his keys, and left. From the moment he’d met Rena, he’d seen her strength, the way she carried herself like a queen. And while he’d also seen her vulnerable and sweet, he’d never seen her broken. But tonight he feared that might come true. Speeding through town in the storm, a million thoughts and emotions ran through his mind. He didn’t know what he was going to find when he arrived at her home, but the fact that she called him meant something. It meant that even though she fought it, Rena understood that he cared for her and was willing to be there when she needed him.

* * * * *

Rena felt like shit. She wanted to rip her heart from her body and put it in a box so she no longer had to feel. Going into the bathroom she ran some hot water and wet a washcloth before pressing it to her face. The hot water felt good against her sore eyelids. She hoped she didn’t still look like shit when Shane arrived. She knew it was wrong to call him on so many levels but she’d done it anyway. Despite a bevy of protests she’d received, Rena had sent her guards away. The last thing she needed was for them to see her as some vulnerable, crying, weak woman. A boss didn’t have time for emotions.

The house was silent around her. Perhaps she should be afraid to be alone. There was no telling if someone would want to take another shot at her again, but tonight she didn’t care. Rena finally understood there were worse things than a bullet.

Removing the towel from her wet face, she left it in the bathroom and headed downstairs to the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of champagne, popped the top open and quickly brought the bottle to her mouth and drank. The suds tickled her tongue as they went down her throat. Swallow after swallow she drank. By the time she came up for air, over half the bottle was gone and she didn’t feel the slightest buzz. Dejected she went to the living room and sat on the couch. Clutching the bottle she closed her eyes. Tears burned hot, but she refused to let them fall. She’d done enough crying.

Rena never thought she’d be the kind of woman that needed someone to come to her rescue, but she was so wrong. Right now she needed a knight in shining armor to ride to her emotional rescue. It had been foolish to think that her husband wouldn’t cheat on her again. After all it was what all mob guys did. Bitterness welled up hot and wet in her throat again. The doorbell rang and she rose to her feet taking a few more swigs of champagne as she walked to the door. Not bothering to look out the peephole, she unlatched the locks and swung the door open. Water droplets soaked her skin.

“Rena.”

“You’re soaked. Come in.”

She moved and allowed Shane to enter. He pulled the hood of his raincoat down, before taking it off and leaving it on the stand by the door. Closing and latching the door locked behind her, Rena tried not to notice that despite his attempts to keep dry, his button-up shirt was still damp and clinging to his chest. He stared at her waiting. Taking another gulp of champagne, she frowned when she realized the bottle was empty.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the weather was so bad outside. It was dangerous for you to be out driving in this storm.”

He shrugged and stepped closer to her. Rena’s heart fluttered a bit as his hand came up to cup her chin. Shane’s thumb brushed over her cheek. “Nothing could possibly be more dangerous than what we went through a few days ago, now could it?”

Suddenly tongue-tied, she shook her head no. Rena didn’t know if the champagne was finally starting to take affect or if it was just being in his presence, but suddenly she was loose and at ease. Her tongue wet her lips as she moved closer to him still.

“I need you.”

His eyebrows lifted. “I’m right here.”

Before she could lose her nerve she was kissing him. His hand dropped from her face and he pulled her to him, arms tight around her waist. A thrill passed through her as his tongue invaded her mouth. He tasted of peppermint and Sprite. Moaning against his mouth, her core grew wet as she felt him rise against her. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. One of his hands grabbed her ass, taking control. She didn’t know where his lips ended and hers began.

“I want you,” she mumbled against his lips.

When he stopped kissing her and stepped away wiping his mouth, it was as if ice water was thrown on her.

“Damn it, Rena.”

He swore some more and shook his head.

“I don’t understand. I thought this was what you wanted.”

“Not like this.”

“Not like what?”

“You’re drunk and from the red around your eyes, I’d say you’ve been crying. I don’t want you when you’re vulnerable, Rena.”

Her lips curled. “Oh is that right? So you only want Queen Bitch Rena like the other men who want to fuck me? You don’t want Rena, the vulnerable woman. And here I thought you were different, another mistake I’ve made. I’m sorry for bothering you. Why don’t you go on home?”

She turned, but before she could take a step, Shane grabbed her, holding her close once again.

“You know damn well, that’s not what I mean,” he whispered in her ear. “When I have you I want you to remember every second I make love to you and I damn sure don’t want it clouded by anything else.”

His voice against her ear made her pulse beat a little faster. When he drew back to look her in the eye, nothing could hide the fire in his eyes. Though he was doing his best to be a gentleman she knew all she had to do was push him the right way to get what she wanted.

“I thought you were the one man I could be vulnerable with,” she whispered.

“I am.”

He took her hand and kissed it, while staring at her intently. She exhaled.

“He’s been cheating on me.”

Shane’s eyes grew hard and flinty. She tried to give him some space, but he refused to let her move. Suddenly it was as if she was staring at the cold, calm man who saved her life not long ago.

“That shit-eating bastard.”

She smiled at the vehemence behind Shane’s words. It felt good to have someone on her side who understood she was the one who’d been done wrong.

“My thoughts exactly.”

“I don’t understand something though. He’s in prison so…” Shane’s voice trailed off.

“He’s not fucking a man. It’s another woman. There’s been another woman all this time. They have children together.”

Tears leaked from her eyes and as they fell she tried her best to wipe them away, but she wasn’t fast enough. Cradling her face in his hands, he gently wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs. There was such gentleness in his eyes. A part of her feared that he would condemn her, berate her for not listening to him and staying trapped in a loveless marriage. But she should’ve known better. In the short time they’d known each other Shane had proven he wasn’t like other men.

“How did you find out?” he asked with softness in his voice.

“I’ll show you.”

Stepping away she grabbed his hand leading him through the house. When they reached the stairs he paused for a minute.

“Rena…”

“What I need to show you is upstairs.”

He nodded and together they climbed the stairs heading towards her bedroom. Once inside he stood watching her ill at ease. In front of her bed were the photographs. Picking them up from the floor she held them out to him.

“Come on. I won’t bite…unless you want me to.”

“Don’t tempt me,” he said finally stepping towards her.

He took the pictures from her hands and Rena sat down on the bed as he looked through them.

“As you can see, the ones with my husband and that tramp are dated about six years ago. Oh and the most recent ones with the two little girls are from a few weeks ago, so not only was he seeing that whore before he went to prison, he’s still seeing her now. And this is the real kicker, all the while he’s declaring his heartfelt love for me, promising to be a better man when he gets out and begging me not to ever leave him. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.”

“Where did you get these?”

“They came in the mail today with no return address.”

He sat down beside her still glancing through the pictures. “And you didn’t think there was anything suspicious about that?”

“Of course I did, but they say what you do in the dark always comes to the light so I took it as a sign.”

“A sign of what?” he asked.

“That it’s really over. That me and our marriage never meant anything to him to begin with.”

Shane put the pictures down on the bed and took both of her hands in his. “You don’t deserve this. You’re a diamond and your husband is a damn fool for thinking a cubic zirconia could compare to you.”

“Somebody has a way with words to be so young.”

Shane rolled his eyes, with a smile. “Before things go any further, let me clarify something. I think you’re making a wrong presumption.”

“Oh, and what’s that?”

“I’m not that young, Rena. I’m twenty-seven.”

She looked at him from head to toe. With thick brown hair and clean shaven he looked like a barely legal baby face.

“I don’t believe it.”

He smirked. “Of course you don’t.”

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his wallet and handed her his driver’s license. The date was there in black and white. She handed the card back to him.

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

“You haven’t seen anything yet, sweetheart.”

“Sweetheart. It’s been so long since anyone called me that.”

“You should hear endearments like that all the time just because.”

“I know. It just took me some time to admit it.”

“So what now?” Shane pressed.

“Well, considering Tony has continued an affair with the same woman I caught him fucking in our bed years ago, I’d say my marriage is over. There’s no coming back from this.”

He nodded. “Have you talked to him?”

“No. He hasn’t called.”

“Even though he’s the one who fucked up I doubt he will want to let you go so easily.”

“Too damn bad for him. My heart is closed to him now and forever.”

“Is it closed to me too, Rena?”

His hands reached for the straps of her black tank dress. Watching her, he slid them down before he kissed her throat and shoulders. If it were not for her breasts holding the dress up, the soft material would no doubt have pooled around her waist. Shane’s eyes were dark as he stared at her. She let her hands caress his chest through the material of his shirt. Biting her lip, she slowly undid the buttons before touching his bare chest.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with us. You’ve made me feel what I never thought I would again and when you look at me it’s as if I’m the only woman in the world that matters.”

“You are. You know you are.”

“I know, but I’m wounded and hurting like I’ve never hurt before. I don’t want to cause you any more pain than I already have, but I can’t make any promises beyond tonight.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m fighting a battle between walking away or staying here and giving in to what I know is the inevitable.”

“Why fight what we both want?” she said.

“Because I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

“I won’t.”

“How can you be sure?” he pressed.

“Because I know what I want.”

Shane sighed. “What
can
you promise me tonight?”

“That I’m yours.”

Kissing him briefly she removed herself from his reach. Shane grabbed for her but she evaded him. Standing directly in front of him she tugged her dress down over her breasts and it pooled at her feet. A black demi-cup bra and silk thong were the only things keeping her naked body from his gaze. He leaned forward and reached for her. When her eyes fastened on the bulge in his pants, her nipples hardened. The time for fighting their attraction was over. He wanted her as much as she wanted him and tonight she intended to fulfill all his fantasies.