The Engagement Game (Engaged to a Billionaire) (10 page)

"Where are you going?"

"I have a phone call to make," I answer.

"Don't you want my advice?"

"I know.
 
I know.
 
Be yourself.
 
Ditch the traitor of a friend.
 
And date you."
 
I laugh.
 
My muscles start to relax from a morning of tense spasms.

"Okay."
 
Jack stands up and pulls at his t-shirt.
 
"My second attempt at advice?"

"I'd love it," I lie.

"You want something?
 
Go get it.
 
Sometimes even the people we're closest to try to shut us down.
 
Quit being scared."

"And when I get a wedding invitation in the mail with Rex and Holly's face on it?"

"That won't happen."

I roll my eyes again.
 
It was like I said before.
 
He didn't know Holly, and my window of opportunity was slowly closing.

"And if it does," he continues.
 
"I'll let you . . . shave the scruff."

"That's a dangerous promise," I giggle.
 
"Fine.
 
But only because Earl will thank me later."

*          *          *

Rex didn't answer my call but that didn't stop me.
 
I dashed straight home after my shift and grabbed my lucky bra.
 
I stuffed the essentials into my purse and braced myself for a night of romance.
 
A night in paradise.
 
My skin tingled as I thought of Rex holding me, telling me
I
was the one.
 
I walk into the lobby of his building.
 
It seems emptier and less intimidating than it did before.
 
But that doesn't stop me from anxiously twiddling my fingers as the man at the front desk eyes my trench coat while he dials Rex's number.
 
Yes.
 
I didn't have much on underneath.

"Go on up."
 
The man gestures towards the elevators.
 
My heels echo on the tile floor as I step into the elevator, my heart beating faster than a baby hummingbird.
 
This was it.
 
No more daydreaming.
 
No more wondering what Rex looked like with his shirt off.
 
A typical thought that crossed my mind every morning when I did my makeup.
 
I would soon find out.

With an abrupt
ding
the doors open.
 
I'm standing in the foyer of Rex's flat.
 
A wave of heat swirls underneath my trench coat as Rex comes around the corner looking surprised.

"Hi."
 
I bite my lip, hoping for a hello kiss.
 
"I should have waited for you to call.
 
I know.
 
But-"

"Kat," he exhales.
 
A slow burn fills my body as he walks close enough to grab me around the waist.
 
"I wasn't sure I'd be seeing you again . . . after last night.
 
I owe you an explanation."

"Later."
 
I do something bold.
 
I tangle my fingers in his silky hair and press my lips against his.
 
Our bodies move together and his hand instantly teases the buttons on my coat.
 
My desires take over and suddenly I'm yearning for him to remove the layers preventing our skin from touching.
 
My abs tighten preparing for their debut.
 
All Rex had to do was remove the coat.

Rex pulls away, grabbing my hand and pulling me further into the apartment.
 
I crush the voice in my head telling me I was moving too fast.
 
That this wasn't the way to make him love me.
 
It
was
working.
 
Rex's eyes gleamed at the sight of me.
 
He couldn't break his gaze.
 
And the way his firm chest heaved, leaving little doubt that he liked what he saw, was enough.
 
I seductively play with the collar on my coat, pulling it to the side to reveal the strap of something red.
 
Rex bites the corner of his lip.

"Soon darling," he says quietly.
 
"First, we have some guests to entertain."

"Guests?"
 
My entire body freezes.

"Yeah, just toss your coat in the office."
 
Rex winks as he points to an empty room across the hall.
 
As we walk deeper into the flat, I can hear light chatter in the adjacent room.
 
My legs feel like they're paralyzed.
 
I can't take another step.

"Uh-"

"Sorry love," he says quietly.
 
"I have some associates of mine over for drinks.
 
Perhaps that was why I didn't hear your call?"
 
He waves for me to hurry up.
 
"I'd love for you to meet them."
 
He calls to his guests and leaves me mortified.
 
I can barely speak or even open my mouth.
 
My eyes dart to the bathroom and I force my legs to take me there so I can think - get out of this awkward situation.

I tiptoe to the bathroom and lock the door behind me.
 
As soon as I'm alone, I'm overwhelmed by a sea of hormones.
 
Don't cry.
 
Don't cry.
 
I reach for my cell phone and automatically search for Holly's number.
 
She'd be the first person I would call in this situation.
 
Only . . .
 
I couldn't call her this time.
 
I sit down and rub my face, careful not to smudge the eyeliner and mascara I'd spent an hour applying.
 
I wanted it to look flawless.

Who was I supposed to call?
 
As Rex would say . . .
bollocks.

My fingers scroll through my contact list.
 
I
have
to talk to someone.
 
I couldn't just sit here and I couldn't just leave.
 
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea?
 
Maybe I should have stuck to waiting by the phone - periodically checking Holly's relationship status on facebook.
 
I dial a number and hold the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Thank midol you answered," I blurt out.
 
I hear Sadie laugh.
 
"I'm stuck.
 
I don't know what to do.
 
Help me, Sadie."

"Whoa," she responds.
 
"Major panic attack goin' on.
 
You need to recon before you go nuclear."
 
Her weird way of speaking calms my nerves.
 
A familiar voice.
 
"Where are you?"

"I'm at Rex's apartment."

"Phew.
 
I thought you were gonna tell me you were hammered on the back of a truck somewhere.
 
Can't really help you with that one unless your Prada handbag happened to come with mace."

"Sadie."
 
She was rambling like usual.
 
"Pay attention for a second."

"Geez," she answers.
 
"Why did you call me again?"

"Because I'm trapped half naked at a business meeting!"

"Yikes."
 
She's quiet for a second.
 
"If this is some new hobby of yours, there's no shame in it if you're making bank."

"I'm not a freelance stripper Sadie," I bluntly explain.
 
"I showed up at a guy's apartment with nothing but lacy underwear and a trench coat on."

"Oh-"

"And he invited me in to meet his friends.
 
His
work friends
.
 
What the hell am I supposed to do!"

"Call him next time," she suggests.

"Helpful," I sarcastically comment.
 
"Maybe if I jump in my magic time machine I can undo all this?"

"See?
 
Now the wheels are turning."

"Sadie," I raise my voice.
 
"What do I do?"
 
She pauses again, seemingly as puzzled as me.
 
I'm startled by a knock on the door.
 
My heart jumps.

"Kat?"
 
Rex's voice brought back the paralysis.
 
"Kat?
 
Are you in there?"
 
Great.
 
Now his guests were going to think that I was having bathroom issues.
 
That'll make for a comfortable opening line.
 
"Are you okay?"

"Yes," I manage to reply.
 
"I'm just . . . finishing up."
 
I hit my forehead.
 
What was that?
 

"Um okay?
 
Don't be too long."

I can't tell if he's concerned or grossed out.

"He's waiting," I whisper into the phone.
 
"I can't leave the bathroom without a game plan.
 
I need a game plan."

"First of all, take a deep breath."
 
Probably Sadie's first useful suggestion.
 
I slowly inhale and let my lungs take a break from barely breathing.

"Now what?"

"That's all I got."

"Sadie!"

"Wait," she changes her mind.
 
"Something else is coming to me."
 
I hear her take a few breaths herself.
 
"Flash him."

"WHAT?"
 
I narrow my eyes, glad she isn't standing next to me.
 
Though that would have been Holly's advice.
 
Holly would waltz right in, remove her coat, and sip cocktails in her underwear.
 
"No way I'm doing that."

"You were
going
to do that anyway, weren't you?"

"No . . . I . . . no."

"Leave then," she adds.
 
My surefire way to seal the deal had backfired
again.
 
Crappy metaphor or not I
did
shatter a mirror of perfection.
 
I just hoped it wouldn't cost me seven years of bad luck with men.
 
I gulp.
 
Rex was going to be disappointed.
 
Unimpressed.

I dig for the courage to be bold again.
 
If I left, Holly would win.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow."
 
I hang up before Sadie can say another word.
 
Rex was waiting for me and guests or no guests, I couldn't leave until I'd finished what I'd started.

I open the bathroom door to an empty foyer.
 
My chest pounds as the footsteps return.
 
Rex turns the corner and the mystery in his eyes give me the guts Holly said I never had.
 
What do you think of this Holly?
 
I quickly open my coat, letting Rex in on what I'd come here for.
 
The red, lacy bra and matching bottoms had been sitting in the back of my closet waiting to fulfill their purpose.
 
I suck in my stomach, showcasing everything I have.