Take Me Now (9 page)
“You know, you really didn’t have to take my phone.” I smooth my dress over my knees as Ryan accelerates through a yellow light in his Jeep. I’m onto him. He’s not fooling me.
“The tickets say cell phones are prohibited. I just thought it’d be easier if you left it behind at the office, that’s all.” He’s so smooth. It’s scary. Too bad the holes in his argument are big enough to ram an elephant through.
“I think the warning implied turning them off when the movie starts, not ditching them altogether.” I’m seething inside but I can’t let it show. I can’t believe Ryan’s taking Lauren’s side over mine. I guess you can never discount the pull family loyalty has over friendship.
And I can see what this is all about. Lauren is utilizing every means at her disposal to draw me back to the office when the gala is over. I don’t have a car so I can’t leave on my own afterwards. I’m dependent on someone to drive me back. I don’t have a phone so I can’t call anyone to come get me. I’m trapped into relying on them if I have any thought of returning to my dorm room. But I have no intention of sleeping in my bed tonight. I’m going home with Eric.
“Yeah, well I know how you reporters are. You’re always on the phone. It’s like an impulse you can’t resist. And I want you all to myself this evening, no distractions. We need to talk.” For a fraction of a second, I allow myself to get lost in his eyes. He’s my oldest friend. There are so many memories and shared experiences between us that I’m not ready to throw away. But I can’t believe he’s making me choose between him and Eric. So what if he has a little crush on me? It’ll pass. It’s not worth destroying our friendship over.
“Ryan, you do realize you’re taking me to an event where I’m supposed to be Will’s date, right? Just because you’re my chauffeur doesn’t mean we’re together.” I’m determined to reestablish our boundaries. If it seems rude, then so be it. He despises Will, but based on what Lauren’s told him, I think he feels more threatened by Eric.
“Jeez, I know that, Ivy. Seriously?” Tension is running through his body as he squeezes the back of his neck.
“Well, the last time we spoke you were telling me about how you thought about me naked, so I just want to make things clear. We’re not on a date. We’re never going on a date. Got that?” I shake my head and my curls tumble over my shoulders. He looks at me furtively but doesn’t respond. “Did you hear what I said?”
He slams on the brakes, pulling the Jeep off the road. His mouth is on mine before I even have a chance to blink. His kiss is hungry, desperate. He tangles his hands in my hair, pinning me against him. Nothing about this feels right. It’s fueled by anger. I grip his upper arms, trying to push him away, but his hold is too strong and he won’t budge. He forces his tongue into my mouth as his hands keep my head locked in place. His seatbelt comes undone and he’s on top of me. The soles of his shoes scrape my bare legs as he hoists himself into the passenger seat with me.
I can hear him unzip his fly as he shoves my dress above my waist. I can’t believe this is happening. He has stopped kissing me but he has one hand over my mouth while the other clumsily attempts to remove my panties. I look down and see him exposed before me. Oh my God. He’s really going to do this. I pound against his chest but it’s no use as he clasps my wrists above my head. I wiggle underneath him, doing everything I can to keep my legs closed, but he inserts his knee between them.
“I’ve been thinking about doing this for so long. Please stop fighting me, Ivy. You know you’re going to enjoy it once we get started. C’mon, don’t deny me this. You have no idea how much I want you, and if I don’t have you, I’m going to go insane. I need this, Ivy.” He removes his hand from my mouth as he uses it to guide himself into me. I gasp frantically for air as I feel him near my entrance. His body is like a dead weight over me. There’s only one thing I can do.
I rear back with everything I have and head butt him right in the face. Our skulls crack when they connect, and he staggers off of me writhing in pain. “What the hell did you do that for?” He’s momentarily distracted as he holds his forehead. I’m seeing stars myself but I have to get out of here. Flinging open the door, I kick off my underwear that has fallen around my ankles and roll to the ground. I make a break for it, hauling myself onto the road. A lone car whizzes by. I wave my hands, willing it to stop even though I must look like a raving lunatic.
“Ivy, get back in the Jeep.” Ryan’s voice is deadly calm as he drives behind me, inching the front bumper closer to my legs. “I won’t touch you. I promise. I thought it’s what you wanted.”
“I’m not some porn star fantasy that you intend to score with, asshole. I’m your friend. There’s a difference.” I choke back my tears, unwilling to comprehend what he was about to do.
“I know we like to argue but I thought you were getting off on it. You look damn good in that dress, and we’re all alone out here.” He beats his hand against the side of the door like he’s explaining something that’s obvious.
“Are you crazy? Especially after I ran away from you at the pizzeria after you told me what you were doing? You repulse me, Ryan! No way in hell would I ever be attracted to you!” I shout the words at him. He’s delusional if he thinks I was sending him come hither vibes. He couldn’t be more mistaken.
“Well that’s nice coming from the office slut.” He revs the engine behind me as I stop in my tracks.
“What did you say?” I’m beyond livid at this point.
“You heard me. You’ll go down on every guy who crosses your path except me. Well, I have needs too, Ivy—needs that have to be met.” I turn around and catch a predatory glint in his eyes as he stares me down.
“I don’t know what it is you’re talking about but you’re dead wrong.” The tears begin to flow down my cheeks as I struggle to keep my voice steady.
“Oh yeah? I don’t think so. My stepsister told me about you…all up on that garden center dude that she likes. And she heard about the tongue action Will gave you in the restaurant. So cut the crap, Ivy. You’re not fooling anybody.” His taunts burn like fire on my skin. If he’s seeking to hurt me, he’s succeeding.
“It’s none of your business what I do or who I do it with. You’re just a boy who knows nothing about women. I’d never give myself to a spoiled brat who only takes what he wants.” It’s still sinking in that I’m walking on the side of the road because of what he intended to do to me.
Gunning the engine, he swings up alongside me, throwing me off guard. “Get in the Jeep.”
“After what you tried to do to me? I don’t think so. I’ll walk to the nearest payphone if I have to. No way am I getting anywhere near you.” I cross my arms across my chest and keep moving.
“Ivy, quit being so damn stubborn. I promise I won’t lay a hand on you. There, are you satisfied?” It’s hard to reconcile the contempt in his tone with the boy I thought I knew. When did he turn into such a monster? How could I have missed the warning signs?
He stops the Jeep, and I really don’t know what to do. It’s going to be getting dark soon and there aren’t any streetlights on these back roads. Plus I’ll be at the mercy of every other asshole driving by. Maybe now that Ryan understands he’s not getting anywhere with me, he’ll back off. All I need him to do is drive me to the gala. As soon as I get there I’m running into Eric’s arms and I don’t care who sees me.
“Fine. But if you even think about…” I point my finger in his face.
“I won’t. Just get in.” He’s not the least bit contrite but I’m out of options. I’m going to have to trust him.
Ignoring my instincts, I grip the door handle and reenter the vehicle. My panties are on the floor. Before I can ball them up and stick them in my handbag, he floors it, jerking me back in the seat. He doesn’t even give me a minute as he immediately retakes the road. We sit in silence for the remainder of the journey and that’s fine with me. I don’t think I’ll ever speak to him again after tonight.
I rack my brain, trying to think if I sent him any mixed signals for him to come on so strongly. He’s a teenage boy riddled with hormones but that’s no excuse. He definitely needs to work on his technique. No girl likes to be seduced by an attacker. Is that fleeting glimpse he caught of my naked body over a year ago really enough to provoke him to act like this? It’s like he viewed me as an object, a piece of meat, definitely not as a person, and that’s what disturbs me the most. What’s driving him under the surface? Awkwardness around women or some kind of uncontrollable sex drive? Either way, it’s no excuse for what he did. There are steps to lead up to that and he just blew right by them to satisfy himself.
As we approach the theater, I peer anxiously out the window, trying to spot Eric but he’s nowhere to be found. It’s Will who is waiting at the curb as Ryan inches the Jeep forward, seemingly reluctant to let me go. Little does he realize that he’s already blown it. There’s no going forward from here. Our friendship is over effective immediately. He should get down on his knees and kiss my feet for not pressing charges.
Will opens my door as Ryan hands his keys to the valet. The theme of the gala is the red carpet experience and it’s sure starting off on the right foot. The lights of the marquee are glowing but the name of the movie is yet to be revealed. In an attempt to salvage at least some portion of the evening, I smile at Will as he kisses my hand. He’s here to make a good impression, and after how I was treated by Ryan, I can’t help but play along. One thing about Will is his intentions are usually clear and up front. He’s never wanted me, not like that.
Will offers his arm and I take it. My legs are still a tad wobbly after my ordeal on the side of the road. My heels are scuffed and I hope no one notices. I took such pains in getting ready for this gala and already my appearance has been ruined. I’ll never present a put-together face to the world. I have too many people trying to drag me down.
All of the attendees seem to know Will, and he pauses to chat to nearly every one of them. I smile and laugh when required, but otherwise I scan the crowd for Eric. I still don’t see him, and my nerves feel like they’re stretched to the breaking point. Where is he? He said he’d be here, and I don’t see Lauren either. This can’t be good. Damn Ryan for swiping my phone. I have no way of knowing what’s going on and Eric doesn’t even know I’m without it.
We reach the end of the line and a sense of panic starts to descend. I start to feel light-headed. The room begins to spin. My hands get clammy. My stomach clenches. My knees buckle. Because at the door leading into the theater is Lauren and she’s full on making out with Eric.
I arrive at the gala a half hour early but I enter through the supply room door in order to avoid the contrived hoopla out front. If this is Will’s idea of impressing the Hollywood bigwigs then I’m afraid he’s doing himself a disservice. Nothing’s tackier than trying to make our small town into something it’s not. Glitz and glamour don’t blend well with tractors and hay bales. I have no idea if these execs are going to be impressed with Will’s efforts to transform our humble one-screen theater into a cultural mecca, but I can’t be the only one who thinks he’s kidding himself. I no sooner turn the corner, dodging a vat of homogenized butter in the process, when I bump into the man himself.
“Not outside to greet the minions?” I’m satisfied that I’m quick enough to deliver the first insult.
“Hardly. I’ve been waiting for you. I knew you’d slip in the back.” He grabs me by the arm and I shove him off.
“Whatever it is you have in mind, I’m not falling for it. Sorry.” I move to turn my back on him and walk in the opposite direction but his next words make me reconsider.
“Lauren wants to talk to you about a certain late night incident in her office, if you catch my drift. You wouldn’t want innocent hearts like Ivy’s to get broken, now would you?” He has the audacity to laugh and I’m not surprised. He’s never cared about Ivy. Why would he start now?
“I thought you would’ve hit that a long time ago, Will.” Determined to regain the upper hand in the conversation, I kick him where it counts, albeit verbally.
“Who says I haven’t, dumbass? Lauren’s a lady who likes to explore her options. Besides, her uncle produced at least a dozen films over the last ten years, and it’s going to be fun getting to know him a lot better. I don’t mind lending a hand to break up whatever you think you have going on with Ivy. All I have to do is snap my fingers and she’ll come running back, guaranteed. Too bad she never lived up to the potential I thought she had. But I guess she’s good enough for you, huh?” Will smirks and I don’t even bother restraining myself. I throw him up against the wall, bruising his shoulders as they connect with the sharp corners of a framed movie poster, nearly knocking it down.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, as much as I’d like to kick your ass and end this. If you have any chance of salvaging your relationship with Ivy, you’ll follow me now or else I can’t predict what Lauren will do. You know how driven she is when it comes to getting her way.” I let him go but I regret letting him off so easily. This isn’t over, not by a long shot. No one’s going to insult Ivy to my face and get away with it. There will be a reckoning in terms of the unfinished business we have between us. It’s only a matter of time.
He strides over to the rickety steps that head to the projection room. What could possibly be up there? What is he going to do? Tie me up and lock the door so Ivy won’t be able to find me? He’s got another thing coming if he thinks I’m going to submit that readily. I’m willing to negotiate but on my terms.
He walks through the doorway and I linger on the stairs. Somehow I feel my fate is about to be decided in that room. There’s a tangible sense of danger wafting from above, like if I take one more step my whole world is going to come crumbling down around me. What have I gotten myself into?
Taking a deep breath, I enter the room. And waiting there is Lauren.
“Close the door and keep Ivy occupied,” Lauren commands as if Will is nothing more than her boy toy. He’s such a pussy. I had him pegged all along. He’s an opportunist. His services belong to the highest bidder, and he has no qualms about sleeping his way to the top.
I follow his retreat with my eyes, but all of a sudden he’s too much of a coward to look at me. He’s being horsewhipped by this egomaniac, and it kills me that Ivy’s going to be in his presence for the remainder of the evening. Surrounded by liars and frauds, I can do little to protect her trapped up here.
“What do you want, Lauren?” The hard edge to my voice makes her pause, but she quickly brushes any misgivings aside.
“You realize this little dalliance you’ve been carrying on with my intern is over, right?” She smiles at me from her position atop the control panel. She thinks it’s so easy to get people to do what she wants, like flicking a switch or pulling a lever. She doesn’t know how mistaken she is.
“I don’t remember granting you authority over my love life, Lauren.” I slide my hands in my pockets and watch the people file into the seats below.
“Oh, but you did, Eric. You let down your guard with me before, and it won’t take much for you to do it again.” She crosses her legs suggestively in front of me.
“That was different, and you know it. I was drunk. It was late. I wasn’t thinking straight. Nothing happened.” I’m adamant in my response, but I’m not so sure if I’m buying my own story.
“Funny, that’s not what I recall about that night. You seemed so needy, like you couldn’t get enough…” She begins tracing the toe of her stiletto up my leg and I jerk away.
“Stop it, okay? Just tell me what you want me to do to keep you from telling Ivy.” I’m willing to bargain with her so I can explain things to Ivy about what went down. I certainly don’t want her hearing it from Lauren. I’ll do anything to prevent that.
“Well, it’s quite simple really. I want you to be my boyfriend for the night.” She gets to her feet, stalking me across the cramped room.
“What? Aren’t we already doing that?” I’m lost and she’s reveling in my confusion.
“Technically, yes. But I want more from you—much more.” She slides a hand up my arm, and it takes everything in my power not to shrug it off.
“Such as?” I dread hearing the details of her awful scheme.
“I want to participate in some very public displays of affection, if you catch my drift.” Her fingers twist through the fabric of my tie, drawing me closer.
“And how is that better than just telling Ivy what happened?” Her expensive perfume is filling my head, making me unsteady on my feet.
“So you do admit something happened…” She yanks my tie, startling me.
“No…it’s just…” I can’t believe I’m at a loss for words.
“Just?” She purrs seductively inches away from my mouth.
“I don’t see how this is better for me.” The bright red color of her lipstick fills my vision as she licks her lips.
“Let me clarify things for you. When we had our one moment of bliss, you didn’t know Ivy then. She has no idea what went on between us or for how long. But if you have some fun with me this evening, you can fluff it off as some charade you had to participate in to secure the donors for the continued support of the theater. You two have to have talked about how you were going to have to play a part here tonight. If you’re so caught up in each other like you say you are, I can imagine that having to escort me to this event is a bitter pill for Ivy to swallow.” Lauren has me up against the wall before she grabs the lapels of my jacket. Striding forward, she deposits me into a chair before settling onto my lap. “Why put more thoughts in her head about whatever happened between us in the past when you can so easily erase what she sees between us tonight? I mean, there will be limitations to how far I can push the envelope in such a public setting. Whereas her imagination is free to roam about what went on in my office. I would be more than happy to supply her with all of the details.”
“That won’t be necessary.” I’m backed into a corner, but what can I do? I hate to admit it, but she’s right. I’m left with some control in regards to how this all plays out and that’s better than nothing.
“So you agree?” She sizes me up like she can’t believe that I’ll go along with her.
“How do I know you won’t tell Ivy later?” This is the one caveat on which the whole bargain hinges.
“Well, you don’t, silly. But it’d be better than my telling her in front of all these people here tonight, wouldn’t it?” Her hand is in my hair as she brings her lips closer to mine. “Let’s seal the deal with a kiss, shall we?”
My mind blanks out as her mouth consumes mine like I’m what she’s been thirsting for. But all I can think about is that I’ve somehow been conned into cheating on Ivy when it’s the last thing I ever intended to do. Will Ivy ever forgive me for this?
