Society Girls: Rhieve (10 page)

"We are. Except well, I guess I should tell you your assistant is sleeping with Chet, and passing him information."

"What?"

"I was bored, and technology's not my strongest thing, so I decided to play around a little. I cloned her phone when she brought me lunch. After that, it was easy to find the dummy emails. Don't you have an IT guy?"

"Son of a bitch. And yes. He said he couldn't find anything."

She hands me some papers, and stands up. "Well, I'd look into him then, too. Now, if you'll excuse me, my work here is done."

"I'm going to do everything I can to protect her from being hurt any further," I tell her as she walks towards the door.

"We'll be watching, so you damn well better."

Once she's out of the room, I call down to security. Within the hour, a crying Kaela is removed from the building by MI-5, and my IT guy isn't far behind as they easily get him to admit he was in on it, too. As my firm invests for many politicians as well as some of the wealthiest people in the U.K., they are taking this more seriously than you'd think, and Chet is going to be getting a visit from them as well.

R
hieve

I was photographed shopping all over Oxford Street, and now I'm more than ready for lunch. It would be nice if I was eating alone, but duty calls. As I walk through the doors of one of the trendy London eateries, I smile at the hostess. Taking my name, she leads me to a table in the back.

I'm expecting one woman, the wife of Calum's investor. What I get instead are three women. Two are strangers, but one is my worst nightmare come to life. Julia. The girl who tormented me mercilessly throughout my middle and high school years. I don't know what she's doing here, and there's no way I'll let her see that her presence affects me, but the insecure girl who still lives inside of me wants to run.

"Hello," I say, as I take the empty chair to her right.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Ice Queen."

"Be nice, Julia," one of the other women says, holding out her hand. "Hi, I'm Lynne, and this is Justine."

I smile at her, and nod at the other woman. Lynne is the wife, but I still have no clue why these other two are here. "I wasn't expecting everyone else."

"Oh, we wouldn't have missed this for anything," Justine tells me.

"Am I missing something?"

"My friends here have both been
involved
with Calum. No one ever thought he'd settle down with just one woman, so we're all intrigued by you."

"Not me. Intrigued isn't the word I'd use," Julia says.

"What word would you prefer, Julia. I'm all ears, so please tell me." If she thinks I'm still the scared girl who cowered before her, she's about to get a rude awakening.

"Fake, phony,
frigid
. Calum is a hot fuck, and there's no way you're satisfying him."

"Julia! You said you wouldn't be so catty if I let you come. Rhieve, I need to apologize."

"It's fine, Lynne. I got used to Julia's jealousy of me long before I got engaged to Calum."

"Jealous? Of you? Why would I be jealous of some trophy wife? Calum was with me first, and he'll still be with me even if he marries you."

"Oh my God, Julia. You need to chill," Justine tells her.

"What? At least now she'll know where he is when he claims to be working late. Balls deep inside of me."

"If he's working late, it will be because he's
working late
. I don't know what your end game is with me, Julia, but it's not going to work. It didn't work when we were in school together, and it sure as hell won't work now. You won't break me, and it's about time you stopped trying."

"You've always thought you were better than me, but you're not. Ask him. Ask Calum how he always comes back to me."

"I don't intend to ask him about anyone who was in his past. Because, that's what you and the other women are—his past. I'm here in the present, and I'm going to be in his future. You can deal with it, or not, but it won't change anything. Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I seem to have lost my appetite."

Lynne stands with me, and walks me to the front of the restaurant as Justine chastises Julia once again. "I shouldn't have let her come today, Rhieve. I knew she had a history with Calum, but I didn't know she had one with you as well. You handled that with more grace than I would've. I hope we can have some time to talk at the dinner party tonight."

"I'd like that."

We do the two cheek kiss, and I walk outside, forgetting I'd told my driver to pick me up in two hours. I could call him to come back for me, but that would mean I'd have to stand out here, waiting. I don't need to give Julia any more ammunition to hit me with; the knowledge she was with Calum—frequently—is already making me want to throw up. I decide to just walk a bit, find some food since I'm still hungry, and then take the tube back to Calum's place. I call the driver to let him know, and then I'm on my way.

As I'm walking, an outfit in one of the shop windows catches my eye, and I go in to look closer. It's not what I'd normally wear to a dinner party, but the soft sweater attached to silk pants appeals to me for some reason. I love the champagne color, and after trying it on, I decide that even though I'm usually more Audrey than Katherine Hepburn, I kind of love it. I have a little more spring in my step when I walk out of the shop, feeling like I'm becoming more "me" every day.

* * *

C
alum

I'm running late from the office after all that happened, so I don't have time to go home and pick up Rhieve like I should. Instead, my driver brings her to me at the office. I hop in the car, and note her outfit, which is not at all what I was expecting.

"No dress tonight?"

"Is that a problem?" she asks, her voice cold.

What did I do now? I haven't even seen her all day. I know she can't be over what happened with Chet and Rhys, but we were at least civil this morning.

"Of course not. You look as beautiful as always. I like your hair like this," I tell her, fingering the waves that are flowing down her back.

"I don't need your compliments, Calum. I know I look good."

Whoa! I was not expecting this, either. She's never been vain, preferring to downplay her looks and blend in. She won't blend in amidst the sea of black dresses we’re sure to encounter at the party, but as far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing.

"How was lunch?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"It was fine."

I want to ask her what the hell is going on, but we're at the house where the party is being held, so it's time to put on a show again. We take pictures as we get out, and Rhieve gets compliments on her outfit. She smiles and thanks the photographers, which makes me want to punch them all.

Once inside the house, we play the happy couple until I'm pulled away by some of my clients to have an after dinner drink and cigar. She goes off with Lynne, which makes me breathe a little easier about their lunch today. There are more people here than I knew were coming, and dinner was a buffet and tables everywhere instead of the seated affair I'd expected. Rhieve handled it all like the pro she is, and I need to think of something special to do for her to thank her again for keeping her end of the bargain.

"There you are," one of my ex fuck buddies, Julia, says to me when I turn the corner to go look for Rhieve after my cigar. I haven’t seen her in a couple of months, and I don’t really want to see her now. Since I can’t really tell her that without causing a scene, I try to play nice.

"Oh hey. Nice to see you, Julia."

"Why don't you ditch your uptight fiancé, and we can go have some fun?"

"While that sounds fun, I'm a one-woman guy now. Thanks for the offer, though."

"You're turning me down for
her
?"

Knowing Julia can be bitchy and more than a little bit of a bully, I try to calm her down so she won't go after Rhieve. She doesn't need the hassle. "I'll call you soon, okay?"

"I knew you would. I mean, God, what is she even wearing tonight? Pants? Who wears pants to a party like this?"

Someone with class, and style, I think to myself. Again, not looking to incite any catfights, I allow myself to lie. "I don't know what she was thinking. You look way hotter. She should get a dress like yours." Not. The tight black dress is not classy, or even really sexy.

"I'll wear it when we get together," she says, rubbing herself against me as I mentally cringe.

"Great. I have to get back, but I'll be in touch."

"I'll be waiting."

I smile, and walk away. I'm shaking my head when Lynne walks up to me. "Did Rhieve find you?"

"No. I was just looking for her."

"I want to apologize for lunch. I'm not sure I could've held my own like Rhieve did without slapping Julia."

"Julia was there?" I ask, trying to remain calm.

"Yes. Julia said she wanted to know the woman who tamed you. She didn't tell me they went to school together. I got the impression Julia bullied her. The things she said to her today were vile."

I clench my jaw, and ball my fists. "What did she say?"

She tells me, and if I could ever bring myself to strike a woman, I would do it right now. If I'd known about all of this, I wouldn't have played along with her right now. In fact, I have half a mind to find her and tell her how she'll never be the woman Rhieve is, inside or out. I thank Lynne for telling me, and assure her it's not her fault, which she says Rhieve told her as well.

I can't find Rhieve in the house, so I go out into the backyard. She's shivering in the cool weather, as she looks out onto the garden maze. I whip my suit jacket off, and place it over her shoulders. "What are you doing out here, love?"

"I'm sorry. Am I shirking my duties? I thought I could have a moment alone."

"You can have whatever you want, but it's getting cold out tonight."

"Good thing I'm not in a sexy dress then, huh? Just this boring outfit your lover wouldn't be caught dead in."

Shit. I had no idea she heard us talking. "I can explain. I didn't mean what I said to her."

"I want to go home. You can go with me, or I'll go alone, and you can sneak off with her. I really don't care at this point, so tell me what you want to do."

"Definitely not her. It's been over with her for months. She doesn't want to believe it, but it's true. After what Lynne just told me, I can promise you I'll never even give her the time of day again. I had no idea she was one of the ones who hurt you."

"Now you know. You don't have to ignore her for me, though. I’m a big girl."

I cup her face as she stiffens under my hands. "I promised to always have your back. I know you don't trust me, but I'm going to keep that promise for the rest of my life. Your enemies are mine too, Rhieve."

I lean towards her, and when she doesn't stop me, I kiss her. It's soft and sweet, but longer than the little pecks we've given the press. Too soon, she's pulling back. I try to follow her with my lips, but she presses on my chest while smiling at me. Leaning in she whispers in my ear.

"We were being watched, but now you need to take me home."

My heart sinks as I realize she only let the kiss happen because we had an audience. I have no one to blame but myself, but that doesn't mean I like it. I have to play by her rules and not spook her, but I won't give up. "Of course. Let's say our goodbyes, and then we'll go."

R
hieve

The past few days have been interesting. Chet has apparently fled the country illegally, and although the corporate espionage he partook in has been kept out of the media, the magistrates in the court case know, and they ruled against him in his absence. Ainsley's team is still looking for him through cyberspace, while I barely got to say hi to Jade before she took off in pursuit of him as well. The twins are in custody, and they told the authorities everything in exchange for lighter jail sentences. Calum got what he wished for, but it's still too soon for us to call things off. I can't damage my reputation just to save myself a little heartache.

Everything's been okay as far as going out to dinners, and taking in some shows with Calum. He's really trying to prove that he cares, and while he's been wearing me down a little, I'm still wary. Tonight is the first night we have to sleep in the same bed since he hurt me again, and I don't know how I'm going to deal with him being so close. My mind and body don't agree on what they want me to do, and I'm afraid my body will win out. Or maybe I'm not so afraid of that, and there lies the problem.

I want to forgive him, but how can I? He dropped me once without caring how it would destroy me, and now he completely disregarded me in order to keep his company. I mean so little to him, and yet I can’t stop loving him, or wanting him. What does that say about me? I’ve vowed to finally be strong, and live my life the way I want to live it, but does including Calum in that make me weak? I can’t live life waiting for him to hurt me again, and I’m afraid that’s what I’ll be doing if I trust him again.

The soft knock on the door snaps me from my thoughts. “Come in, Calum.”

“Hey,” he says, walking in the room. I can’t stop the laugh that breaks free when I see him in a pinstriped pajama set that looks like it came from the 1950s. “What?”

“You look like a retro sitcom husband.”

“I wanted to look non-threatening,” he says, on a sigh.

“You’re definitely that.”

“I mean it, Rhieve. I don’t want you to think I’m going to try anything with you while we have to sleep in the same bed. Unless you want me to, of course.”

Damn him for being sweet. “Thank you. At the moment, I don’t want that.”

“Okay. I get it.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah. I know it’s going to take more than a few days of being considerate for you to trust me again.”

“It is,” I agree. “I don’t know that I can ever be at that point with you again, but I want you to know I appreciate the little things you’ve been doing for me.”

“I want you, Rhieve. All of you. I’m willing to wait as long as it takes you to realize that while I lied to you about Chet and Rhys, everything else I’ve said to you since we started this has been the truth.”

“I want to believe that. You don’t know how much I want to believe it, but I can’t. I’m trying to see if I can, but I’m not there yet. If I ever will be.”

“Well, while you’re deciding, I’m going to keep doing things for you, and dressing like a ‘retro sitcom dad’ when we sleep together.”

“Thanks.”

We climb into our respective sides of the bed, and I turn off the lights. I turn away from Calum, and try to go to sleep, but it’s just not happening. Thirty minutes later, I’m still lying stiffly on my side, trying not to breathe in the scent of the man on the other side of the bed. It’s a losing battle, and I’m afraid I won’t get any rest tonight.

“Rhieve?”

“Yes?”

“Apparently neither one of us can sleep.”

“This shouldn’t be awkward.”

“Remember when I used to sneak into your room and sleep on your chaise lounge so you wouldn’t be scared a monster from under the bed would get you?”

Yeah, I do remember. That’s been the problem all along. I need to think of him as the cold-hearted businessman he is now. “That was a long time ago.”

“It was, but I could still help you if you’re not tired.”

“I’m not having sex with you.” Although I would honestly love to do just that; forget my problems for a little bit while I just feel good.

“I was thinking more of the sparring help I promised you.”

“You want to spar? Now?”

“Honestly, I’d rather have sex with you, but since that’s off the table, and neither one of us can sleep, why not?”

“Okay.”

I get out of bed, pulling down the long t-shirt I’m wearing over my panties, even though he’s seen it all before. Things are just weird now, and I don’t want him to think I’m giving him mixed signals—I’m only giving
myself
those. After changing into a sports bra and yoga pants, I meet him downstairs.

“We’ll go down to the gym where there’s more room, and mats to break my fall when you kick my ass.”

“Yeah, we both know that’s not going to happen.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think you’re stronger than you let on.”

“You better not let me win, Calum Benson. I need to pass my test, and Jade’s not going to go easy on me.”

“No doubt. I won’t go easy on you, but I think you’re going to surprise yourself. From what I heard, you held your own against Chet, and he’s a scrappy motherfucker.”

“You’ve fought?”

“Yes.”

“When you found out he was your brother?”

“No.”

“What’s with the one word answers? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

He looks to the ceiling before meeting my eyes again. “I heard him call you the Ice Queen when you were in a relationship with him. I didn’t like it, and I used my fists to let him know that.”

He fought Chet for me, even before we were “engaged”? “I-I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

There’s so much I should say—and ask—but I’m not ready for answers I still may not be able to believe. “Well, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Let’s go fight.”

* * *

C
alum

I don’t know why I told Rhieve that I fought Chet. Maybe my subconscious wants me to tell her that I’ve been looking out for her since I ended up back in her orbit, even though my waking mind isn’t ready for that yet. If I tell her too much, I’m afraid I’ll tell her everything.

“Is there a specific technique you’re having trouble with?” I ask her, trying to rid my mind of the thoughts troubling it.

“Street fighting.”

“They teach you that?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow.

“Of course. Not every bad guy or girl is going to fight fair. I’m good enough at Tae Kwon Do, and Jiu Jitsu because they’re orderly, and I’m orderly. It’s the fighting dirty I can’t do.”

“You can. When you’re in a life or death situation, instinct kicks in. With the training you have, you are skilled enough to take someone out, no matter how you have to do it.”

“You really believe that?”

I do. “Without a doubt. You’ve always been more than what everyone sees.”

“Do you see me?” she blurts out, and then covers her mouth with her hands.

I reach out to tug on her ponytail. “Always.”

The air is thick with the tension between us, and we just stare at one another until the elevator opens on the basement gym. I hold her eyes as I gesture for her to exit ahead of me. She hesitates for a moment, and then nods. I get an excellent view of her perfect ass as I walk behind her to the center of the room.

As she turns back to me, I take a swing at her. She blocks it, but stumbles back a little. I continue on her, nodding as she fights me off. I’m not a real threat to her, but her instincts are there, just like I told her they would be.

“No faces,” she tells me, as I land a jab on her shoulder. “We have pictures tomorrow.”

“It’s today already, but yeah. Got it. Below the neck.”

With her next spin, her tits almost pop out of her bra top, and while I’m momentarily distracted, she sweeps my legs out from under me. I go down hard with a grunt when I hit the mat.

“Are you okay?” she asks, when I don’t get up right away.

“Yeah, but I told you I’d be getting my ass kicked by you.”

“You didn’t see it coming?”

“No. I was too busy watching your tits try to free themselves from that torture device.”

“My bra is not a torture device,” she says, as she holds out a hand to help me up.

That’s the wrong thing to do in a street fight, and I have her on back before she can even blink. “It’s torturing me.”

She rolls her eyes as she springs up to her feet, and we start to fight again. Two hours later, we’ve both been knocked to the floor more times than I would care to count. My ego isn’t bruised because I believe women should be tough, and able to defend themselves. Seeing the woman I want best me, and slowly start to become evenly matched with me, is a huge turn on. So much so that I turn away from her as I take a drink from one of the water bottles we brought with us. My athletic shorts are hiding nothing, and I don’t need her to see how hard I am.

“Thanks for this, Cabe. I’m not entirely ready for my test yet, but I feel better about it.”

She called me Cabe. I mentally jump up and down, but manage to remain calm on the outside. “You’re welcome. We can do this anytime you want.”

Once we’re upstairs, we take separate showers, and then climb back into bed. This time, she faces me, and I do the same. There’s still the physical distance between us, but I feel like we’re bridging the mental gap again. I just have to make sure not to screw it all up again, because I don’t know if she’ll be able to forgive me a third time.