Heard It All Before (27 page)

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Authors: Michele Grant

BOOK: Heard It All Before
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“So basically if you two had been anywhere the slightest bit private ...”
“Horizontal bugaloo, knocking boots, the hookup, wild thing, down and dirty, whatever you want to call it, it would've been
on
.”
It was too much for me to take in. Roni Mae and Greggy. “Oh my.”
“So you see the problem.”
I couldn't hold it back. All of a sudden, I'd had it with all this mess. I let it out. “Roni, I see that Greg was nice to you when you needed someone to be. I see that you two were thrown together in an unique situation and you acted on those feelings. I also see that Renee and Greg are headed for a fall, and maybe Greg wants someone there to pick him up when it happens. I see that you have feelings for someone you know is completely off limits. He's Renee's fiancé, for Christ's sake! That's what I see, Roni. Now let me tell you what I think. I think you need to forget that kiss ever happened. And I think that you need to go to this party tonight, ignore your libido, and look around for a nice guy who comes without strings that could trip you up badly. Put you on a nice dress and dance with a good-looking man. Mind over matter. That's what I think, Roni.”
She looked at me, tight-lipped and glassy-eyed, for a long time before speaking. “You're right.”
Even though I knew I'd been bitchy about it, I smiled at her. She would do the right thing. Thank God we were close to the mall. My sympathy-empathy quota was used up for the day. I wanted nothing more than to find a killer dress, get to this party, and get Roman back into my life. Slowly but surely, he was becoming the only sane relationship I had left.
Roni Mae smiled. “I'm gonna get me a new dress and a new man.”
I patted her hand. “That's good, girl. You're doing the right thing.”
“I know. I just needed someone to tell me.”
“That's what I'm here for. Besides, you hid behind Ritz crackers for me today, girl. I owe you for life.”
We grinned at each other as I turned into the mall parking lot.
26
Let's Get the Party Started
Renee—Saturday, February 4, 8:17 p.m.
 
 
F
inally got a minute to chill out and catch my breath. Nothing has and nothing will go wrong this evening. Put plain, I was the shit. No, really. I looked like a million bucks—got a sweet deal on this leave-nothing-to-the-imagination, electric-blue, off-the-shoulder sheath cocktail dress with a killer slit up the back. Sexy ankle-wrap peep-toe pumps in silver. Ring just a-winking and a-blinking in the light. Greggy was looking fly as all that in the
GQ
tux. Company president came over to me and congratulated me on putting this shindig together right. YES! I felt like breaking out in a Hammer dance and singing “Can't Touch This,” but that would age me in this crowd.
And that wasn't all—Roman was here with some little hoochie on his arm. Guess he and Jewel were splitsville. Like I didn't see that shit coming! For the icing on the cake, got Beauregard Montgomery standing not two feet away from me. That boy was hot sex on a silver platter and damned if he didn't know it. Greggy was somewhere networking the crowd, so I could just take this minute to gaze my fill at the black Adonis here. Um, um, um. Good to the last drop. I was about to take a step toward him when a familiar voice spoke from behind me.
“Hey, girl, whatcha doing?” That couldn't be Jewellen. No way. I turned slowly. Hot damn. This girl showed up in the damnedest places. She looked good too. Bright purple halter evening dress in satin with the cleavage going on and a slit right up the thigh of that long, tight skirt.
“Hey, girl! Whatta surprise!” In other words, why you here? Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Beau move away. Another chance blown thanks to Jewellen Rose. Buster! Always saving me from myself—even when I didn't want a life preserver!
“I ran into Mrs. Montgomery, and she gave us tickets.” She was speaking to me, but her eyes were scanning the room. From her expression, I knew the instant she laid eyes on Roman and his companion.
“Us?” I shifted a little so she could get a better look at Romeo and the fly girl.
She looked behind her. “Roni was with me a minute ago.” We searched the crowd for a minute, but I didn't see Roni anywhere. “Oh, there she is,” Jewel said in a funny tone.
“What? Where is she?” I couldn't see her anywhere.
“Over there dancing with Greg.” She looked out at the dance floor with a strange expression on her face before turning to look back at Roman.
I scanned the dance floor, and it took a moment to place her. Roni looked great. Had on a sequined black minidress. “Wow, I hadn't noticed how much better she's looking. That's sweet of Greg to spend some time with her.” Greggy was a good guy. Not only did he love me, but he was also considerate of my friends. He knew Roni had been having a tough time of it since the thing with Aaron went up in flames. She looked at him and laughed. At least she was having a good time.
“Yeah, he's a saint,” Jewel said drily before turning away. “You will excuse me, won't you?”
I caught a glimpse of Beau out of the corner of my eye. He was holding up two glasses of champagne with a questioning grin on his face. Brother was wearing all on that tux. Looked like an ad for something sinful.
Quick survey: Greg with Roni, Jewel headed for Roman, my boss was drooling over Kat. All clear. “Yeah, girl, catcha later.” Jewel and I parted and headed toward our respective Montgomery men.
 
 
Roman—Saturday, February 4, 8:23 p.m.
I didn't see baby 'til she was fifteen feet in front of me. Carla was going on about something, and I was just thinking how much I missed intelligent conversation. I looked up and BOOM! Like a vision, she came sailing toward me in a dress meant to make me beg. I started from the high-heel CFM shoes with the strap wrapped all around her ankles and worked all the way up to the curly do. Christ Almighty, baby fine. The look on her face was serious. But I was determined to play it cool. I slid a hand in my pocket and watched her approach.
She stopped a foot in front of me and stared right into my eyes. Without blinking, she reached out and put a hand on Carla's arm. “I'm really sorry to do this, honey, but you're gonna have to excuse Roman. I'm afraid he's already taken.”
Carla's mouth dropped open. “Now wait a minute ...”
Still, she looked straight at me. Sending me the look that drove my temperature straight through the roof. When she spoke, it was in that husky let's-get-it-on tone. “Much as I hate to treat a fellow sister girl like this, trust me, it's better this way. Look at it this way—now you have the whole rest of the night to land another fish. This trout is on my line. It's time I reeled him in.” She took her hand off Carla's arm and took my hand in hers. “Dance with me?”
I let her pull me onto the dance floor, and we began a reserved side step. “So what brings you out, Miss Jewel?”
“Had a few things to say to you.” She stepped in a little closer, meeting my gaze.
I looked down and caught a truly applause-worthy view of the cleavage. Um, I had missed this girl in so many ways. Lifting my eyes back to hers, I joked, “You thought that dress would get you listened to tonight?”
She smiled. “I needed to get your attention.”
“You succeeded.” The music turned slow and sultry. She slid her hands up my arms to my shoulders.
“Shall we?” It was then I saw what I was looking for. That slight uncertainty that showed she was a little nervous, vulnerable but putting herself out there ... for me.
I nodded and placed my hands on her waist. I lowered my head and said in her ear, “You came in here like a woman on a mission. Wanna tell me what's up?”
“Came to get my man.”
“Your man, huh? Is that what I am?”
“Not gonna make this easy, are you?”
“You walked away a little easy. Think I should let you walk back in the same way?”
“I didn't walk away; you shoved me.”
“I had a reason.” At the time I did. I really did.
“You had a grudge.”
“Is that what you think?”
“No, no, I'm doing this wrong.” She wrapped one hand around the nape of my neck.
I needed to focus. “Yeah ya are.”
“Will you give me a chance to explain? Make it right?”
“Think you can?”
She sighed. “God, I hope so. I want you back. I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I pulled her in a little closer.
“Will you come home with me?”
I stepped back and raised a brow. “Brazen girl, I ain't easy. We are deeper than the sex, babe.”
She flushed and shook her head. “I meant, come home with me so we can talk, Roman.”
“You wore that dress to get talked to tonight?” We shared a laugh. We both knew that the way we were feeling, the heat we were generating just standing next to each other, there would be a lot more than talking going on.
She swayed her hips a little bit as she stepped backward. “You coming, player?”
I swallowed and forgot all about playing it cool. “As soon as you want me to, baby.”
She grinned. “I hear you—let's go.” She turned around and headed toward the exit.
I was fast on her heels; it never occurred to me to do anything other than follow.
27
The Party Is Over ... So Over
Gregory—Saturday, February 4, 9:34 p.m.
 
 
“G
reg, where's your fiancée?” Veronica asked me.
I jumped back a little, startled at the reminder. I hadn't seen her in a little over an hour. I laughed. “Do you know I have no idea?” I figured she was off impressing some company bigwig.
“Do you care?” she asked in that Veronique voice. Veronica and I were sitting at a table in the corner of the room. When she came in, I could immediately sense that she was uncomfortable, so I asked her to dance and pretended like nothing ever happened. No easy task on my end. This girl can wear a minidress. I was engaged, not dead. Who'd've thought it? Roni Mae with a set of killer legs. Roni Mae, a sex kitten?
Anyway, soon as she was a little more at ease, we worked the room a little. I was surprised at how many people listened to her show and had complimentary things to say about it. By this point, she was completely comfortable with me, so I shuffled her over to a corner for a little chat. I did something I rarely do with a woman—I was totally honest with her. I told her that I wasn't going to pretend we never kissed and that I was both surprised and unnerved that I was attracted to her. I told her I knew she was attracted to me. I said there was no reason to rehash all the reasons we couldn't do anything about it. It was best just to acknowledge it once and then shelve it. She agreed, then asked me a messed-up question.
“What do you mean do I care? Didn't we just have that discussion?”
She didn't flinch at my tone. “All I'm saying, Gregory, is that your fiancée has been invisible for the last hour, and you never once stopped to look around for her. Usually you keep an eye on the person you came with, fiancée or no. Nor did it even occur to you to wonder where she was.
I
brought it up. That's all I'm saying.”
When she put it that way, I felt less than committed. So I went on the offensive. “Well, what about Jewel? Do you know where she is and what she's doing right now?”
Veronica smiled. “Jewel is not my fiancé, but to answer your question, I can pretty much guess that she's somewhere with Roman getting wild and loose right about now.”
“Oh.” I hadn't even noticed them leave. “How're you getting home?”
“I drove; I'm fine.” She looked at her watch. “As a matter of fact, I need to go and get ready for my show.” She picked up her purse and stood up.
I checked my watch and stood too. “You don't go on until midnight on Fridays.”
She smiled at me as if I were a dim-witted child. “I know that, Gregory, but I want to go home, change, get to the station, and look over tonight's playlist ... that sort of thing.”
For some reason, I didn't want her to go. “Well, come with me to find Renee and then you can go.”
She gave me a long look before shrugging. “Okay.”
We circled the ballroom a few times before someone said they thought they saw her going into one of the hospitality suites. Riding up in the elevator, I stood close to Veronica. With her sexy high heels on, we were eye-to-eye. She smelled like some sort of exotic tropical flower. I reached over and touched her hand. “Hey, Roni.”
“Hey what?” She looked down at our fingers as I linked them.
“Thanks for tonight; it was nice. Did I tell you how lovely you look this evening?” I didn't know where it came from—just fell out of my mouth.
She looked at me. “Aren't you supposed to say that to the person you came with?”
“Veronica ...” I stroked my thumb over the back of her hand.
She shrugged and smiled. “Okay, okay, I'll leave it alone. Thank you—it has been nice. I think we'll make great friends ... but, Greg?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you hold hands like this with all your friends?”
“Oh.” I dropped her hand.
Good going, Gregory.
“Sorry about that.”
“No harm done, friend.” She placed emphasis on the word
friend
.
We arrived upstairs and looked through the two suites. No Renee. I was about to give up when Roni turned down another hallway. “Isn't this room reserved for Royal Mahogany too?”
It was the executive suite. “Yeah, but I don't think she'll be in there.”
“Well, won't hurt to look.” Roni walked over to the door. She swung it open, stopped short, and shut the door quickly but quietly behind her. When she looked at me, her eyes were wide and her mouth was kinda hanging open. “You're right; she's not up here. Let's just go downstairs and look some more.”
I laughed at her expression. “Well, okay, but what'd you catch a glimpse of in there? One of the executives getting busy with someone from the modeling agency?”
Veronica looked flustered as all hell, and she laughed shortly. “You know how it is at these things. Let's go down.” She slipped her hand in my arm and started easing me back toward the elevator. Her hand was shaking, and she was out of breath.
“Hey, what's up with you?” I stopped and tilted her chin up so I could examine her expression. She was really freaked out. “What? Is someone dead in there?” I turned back toward the room, and she grabbed my arms.
“Gregory, don't go in there!” She was frantic. “Let's go downstairs now.”
Well, hell. Now she had me wondering. What could make her so panicky? I mean, what could be going on in that room that she didn't want me to ... I pushed her away from me roughly and was at that door in two seconds flat. Without ceremony, I pushed the door open. There, splayed out on the coffee table, was my loving fiancée. Legs wide open, dress hiked up to her waist while none other than a buck-naked Beauregard Montgomery knelt between her thighs, feasting away. Renee was thrashing about and moaning, sounds I'd heard before and was all too familiar with. For a minute, I couldn't believe this was really happening. Not to me!
Nobody played off on Gregory Samson. Nobody. Damn. My heart was in my throat, threatening to jump out and run screaming with pain into the night. My stomach was churning, yet somehow I couldn't rip my eyes away from the scene. This was the woman I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with, and she's giving it up like a common slut to that no-good sleazy-ass Louisiana gigolo.
Veronica came in behind me and tried to pull me away. Beau and Ray never looked our way. I shook off Roni's arm and walked over to them. When I was standing right beside them, they both looked up and froze. Beau made to get up. I put a hand on his shoulder. “Might as well stay where you are.” I reached down to Renee's hand and disentangled it from Beau's hair. I was amazed at my ability to appear cool, calm. I wanted to plunge a sharp object through the both of them. If I was one of the gun-toting brothers, I'd've been spraying lead left and right just then. I wanted to rant and rage and rave. But for what? Nothing would change the fact that I was standing here looking at another man's head between my fiancée's thighs. Nothing. So I did the only thing I could do. I kissed the back of Ray's hand and slid that rock right off of there. Hell, I was stunned, not stupid. “Bye, Ray.” I looked at Beau, who had his head turned to the side. Like what was there to hide now? “She's all yours.” I thought about taking a swing at him.
“Greg ... ,” Veronica said, and I turned around. Thank God she was there. She was the only thing that kept me from punching the living shit out of both of them. I should've listened to her and gone back downstairs to wait.
“Let's get out of here,” I said, and handed her the ring. I didn't want to touch it. Everything felt just a little tainted. We turned and walked out, leaving the door open.
“Greggy, wait! It's not what it looks like.”
Now that stopped me in my tracks for a minute. It wasn't what it looked like? I balled my hands into fists and made a quarter turn to look at her. Renee was struggling to get her legs together and her dress in place. “Roni Mae, help me! Talk to him for me! Beau, dammit, I thought you locked the door.” Roni put her hand on my arm and turned me back around. Renee's shrieks followed us all the way to the elevator.
When the doors closed, I started shaking. Shit, I never shake. Never. This painful soreness welled up in my throat, and I turned helplessly to Veronica. She put her arms around me and held me. “You come home with me. Everything will be just fine.”
Dammit, this hurt like hell. I was in literal physical pain. I laughed shortly. “I guess I should've listened when you said she would always want more. I guess I should've listened.” I stood there in her arms, furious. I was mad at Ray for doing this. I was mad at me for not foreseeing it. And I was mad that I was standing there shaking like a punk. I should've hit somebody. I still wanted to. “I'm going back up there.”
Roni grabbed my hands and squeezed them. “No, you're not. You come with me. Everything is going to be all right.” She put her arms around me again and stroked my back.
Probably because I so desperately needed to believe something, somebody ... I closed my eyes and believed her.

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