Until You're Mine (15 page)

Opening the front door, I stepped aside and extended my hand to Alex. “C’mon in, Katherine’s just finishing up dinner.”

“
Katy
you mean,” Alex corrected, releasing my hand.

I returned his critical stare and crossed my arms. “She’s Katherine to me.”

“What else is she to you?”

The fuck is his problem?

“Alex,” Katherine’s voice pierced the charged air between us. “That’s none of your business.”

I heard him grumble a response as he walked into the foyer. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I sure as hell wasn’t ready to answer questions about us, especially to her overbearing older brother.

Katherine had gone all out for dinner, salad, sweet tea, my grandmother’s recipes. I looked over at her. That radiant smile and those sweet chocolate eyes continued to weaken my steel resolve. I was dying to show her my gratitude.

“Here,” Alex handed Katherine a white envelope.

Confusion scrunched her forehead and mine. “Uh, what’s this?”

“Plane ticket,” he answered.

I heard the gasp before her hand covered her mouth. “Alex,”

“Listen, regardless of if you decide to move there for a while or not, I still want you to come. Stay awhile. You’ve always wanted to go… this is your chance.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly to the envelope in her hand.

The fuck?

Awkward silence hung heavy in the air. “Go where?”

“Paris,” Alex sneered.

A cold chill trickled down my spine and my eyes darted to hers. “I thought you said you didn’t want to go.”

“I said I didn’t want to move there, I never said I didn’t want to go,” she corrected.

Relief flooded my chest. “Oh, well you can give him back the ticket. You wanna go to Paris, I’ll take you,” I announced and I had no idea why. 

“Is he the reason you don’t wanna go? Because if you ask me, you’re wastin’ your time,”

“Alex,” Katherine’s sweet voice was drenched in anger.

He leaned over, hissing between gritted teeth. “Seriously sis, what the hell are you doin’ with the guy?”

Sliding my chair back, I stood up. “I’m right here asshole, you got something to say, fuckin’ say it.”

“Fine, I think you’re a dick, and there’s no way you will ever be good enough for my sister. I’ve heard about you. I know exactly who you are.”

Blood raged in my veins and my hands curled into fists. If it weren’t for the fact that he was her brother, I would’ve beat the shit out of him right here in my nice dining room. “You have no idea who the hell I am, better yet, what I’m capable of. Best you don’t make assumptions boy, they are the mother of all fuck ups.”

“Boy? Who the fuck you callin’ boy?”

Katherine stepped between us, frantically pushing me back. I wasn’t going anywhere.

They were.

“Get the fuck out of my house,”

“No fuckin’ problem. Let’s go Cami. Katy, you need a ride?”

“No,” she snapped, pulling away from his guiding hands. Her wounded eyes shot to mine.

I tried to maintain control of my voice as I turned and walked away from her. “Go. He’s right. I’m not good enough for you. I never will be.”

She followed me into my office, shutting the door behind her. “Archer listen,”

“No, you listen. I should’ve never let it get this far. I’ll never be able to love you the way you deserve. I can’t give you what you need.”

“Archer, please,”

“This is over,” I raised my voice this time, her begging and pleading were beginning to break me down and I needed her to leave.

“You don’t mean that.”

“Yes the fuck I do.”

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she stepped closer.

Fucking relentless.

“No you don’t. You’re just scared.”

She hit the nail on the head with that one, causing my anger to bubble over. “I ain’t scared of shit, especially you. Now get the fuck out!”

She stifled a sob, her eyes squaring even with mine. “I’m in love with you.”

No! No! No!

My fist pounded the desk, torn between letting her go and keeping her. “You just don’t give up do you?”

“I never give up on someone I love.” She took a step closer, black tears streaming down her red cheeks. “I know this is hard for you, but if you would try. We could…”

“I told you from the beginning what this was. I haven’t promised you anything more than that.” I knew I was being cruel, but it was the only way I could break her determined spirit.

That’s what you love about her asshole.

No.

I can’t love her.

I’d loved before and it damn near broke me. My heart and my bank account.

Fuck love
.  

Her chin quivered and she muffled another sob. The sight of her heart breaking behind those once trusting eyes gutted me, but my mind convinced my heart this was the right thing to do, for her and for me.

“Whoever hurt you in the past, owns you. You know that right? You will never be happy unless you let it go.”

“That’ll never fuckin’ happen.”

She took a retreating step, swiping angrily at her face. “I think deep down I knew that all along, but for some stupid reason I still had hope. Prayed like hell that my love was enough to make you see. I realize now that it wasn’t. I wasn’t enough. I never will be.” Shaking her head, her sobs came harder and her voice got higher. “The fucked up part is, I’m not even angry with you, I’m angry with myself. I should’ve known better.” Crossing her arms, she looked anywhere but my eyes. “I can’t work for you anymore. I can’t see you day in and day out knowing where we’ve been.” Those pain filled eyes locked with mine, and like a bullet from a gun, she shot the final bullet right through my heart. “Goodbye Archer.”

Then she was gone, leaving me confused, angry and...

My hands fisted my hair, pulling and tugging, anything to distract the sudden ache in my chest. I didn’t want to feel this way. I never asked her to love me.

Opening my contacts, I called the casino host to let her know I was on my way. Maybe some time at the tables would help me forget about this shit, if that didn’t help, maybe a piece of ass would.

I checked into the presidential suite of the hotel then found my way down to the casino floor. VIP services offered here weren’t as accommodating or extravagant as some of the perks offered out West, but my hostess Lisa was good at her job. She’d taken care of me for several years now.

“How are you, Mr. Brooks. Very nice to see you again,” Lisa was well versed in ass kissing.

“Lisa, I’m good. How’re you?” I greeted, shaking her outreached hand.

“Excellent. I have you all set up. Follow me.” Popping a mint, I followed her to my chair.

The high rollers room was a private space with several table games set up from 5 Card Stud to Texas Hold ‘Em. My game was 21. Blackjack held better odds, enabling me to take higher risks. The rush I got when I played the game was the best fucking high in the world. Well, it
was
the best high.

Stop fucking thinking about her.

“I’ll send your waitress over in just a moment. Amy will take good care of you Mr. Brooks.” Lisa patted my shoulder, leaving me with her reassuring smile.

The dealer pulled back the dead cards from the other three players, prompting me to place ten black $100 chips down as my minimum bet. I always lowballed coming out of the chute. See how the other guys bet before I started making big moves. From what I could tell, they were betting anywhere between $2000 and $5000 a hand. Chump change compared to the bets I’ve thrown down before. These men were high rollers, but they didn’t have my kind of money. I never really cared how much was on the table. I just wanted to win. However, right now, I just wanted to forget.  Sliding her hand in a semi-circle across the green felt, the dealer finalized all bets, dealing the first card to me.

Queen of hearts.

Second card, she dealt the ace of diamonds.

Blackjack
.

Adrenaline spiked, excitement rushing through every vein.

Yes, this was exactly what I needed. 

“The usual, Mr. Brooks,” The pretty blonde handed me a tumbler full of Jim Beam.

“Thanks,”

“I’ll be back to check on ya soon,” she crooned in a sugary southern drawl, leaving me with a wink and a smile that told me exactly what she wanted.

Fat tips and my dick.

And that’s exactly what Blondie would get tonight. I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve taken a few of these girls up to my room before. What can I say…a man’s got to fuck, and these girls were all too willing. Most of them were all fucking gold diggers anyway. Out to financially and emotionally
fuck
any swinging dick they could slide their money hungry pussies on. At least I knew what I was getting and I always made it perfectly clear what they were getting…no confusion, no fear, and no fucking consequences.

I played for another three hours, losing a few big hands but still coming out ahead. Before I cashed out, I found little miss Amy and gave her my room number. Just as I thought, she was good to go.

When I made it back to my suite, I poured myself a drink and took a seat in the chaise. Three drinks later, my blood quieted and a blanket of exhaustion washed over me. I looked down at my half empty glass. Staring into the warm liquid, I tilted it back and forth as if it held all the answers. I knew better. I’d tried to find peace and truth at the bottom of a bottle before and it didn’t work then, just like it wouldn’t work now. No matter how much I drank, I could never drown her, or her memory. She’d had been a snake in the grass all along, slithering her way into my life, waiting for the perfect moment to strike…when I was weak and in love. My senseless heart should have known she was too good to be true, just like Katherine.

No, she’s different.

I swallowed two large gulps of the comforting amber. “Last time I listened to you, we ended up heartbroken and homeless. No fuckin’ thanks.” My heart was a dumb fuck. Better to let my head sort this shit out with a little help from Jim and a nice piece of ass. Speaking of which, I looked down at my watch. Fuck, forty-five more minutes. I sunk down further into the chair and closed my eyes, reminding myself of all the reasons I could never love again.

I spent most of the day at the club, finalizing a big event we had planned for later that evening. We didn’t open for another few hours and the event wasn’t until ten, so I thought I would surprise Megan with an early dinner. She’d been distant lately and I was doing my best to show her more attention. Business kept me away from her more than I liked, but my marriage was important to me and when it boiled down to it…she would always come first.

Out of the hundreds of beautiful women that frequented my club, she was the one who stole my heart. She played like hell to catch, refusing my advances over and over before she finally agreed to go out on a date with me and we’d been together ever since. She was intelligent, beautiful and best of all…she was mine.

When I walked in the door, I was greeted by a mountain of luggage piled up in the foyer. Mostly mine and some that were new.

Confused, I called out for her. “Megan,”

Were we going somewhere? Fuck, why didn’t I think of that? God knows we needed a getaway. Smiling, I dropped my keys on the buffet table. A tremor ran through my gut and warning signs flashed left and right when she walked into sight.

Megan’s eyes were cold and her glare had blood freezing in my veins. I couldn’t move anything but my mouth. “What’s up with the luggage?”

She flipped her golden blond hair behind her shoulder and folded her arms across her chest. “Today is D-Day love,”

I rubbed the back of my neck, a rock of dread hitting me in the center of my chest. “D-Day?”

Fisting a large manila envelope, she walked towards me and extended her arm. “I want a divorce.”

Fucking what?!

I knew we were having problems, but divorce?

With my heart in my throat, I reached for her. “Megan,”

“Don’t fucking touch me. Here, take it,”

I snatched the envelope from her hand, tossing it to the floor, my heart breaking with every word. I softened my voice. “Megan please, we can work this out. I know it’s been rough lately, but I don’t want a divorce, and I know you don’t either. Let’s talk about this?”

“If you sign those papers and contest nothing, this will end well for you. But if you don’t, it will get ugly. Very ugly.”

“Can you please tell me what the fuck is going on right now!?”

“God, to be so smart, you’re so fucking stupid.”

“Fuckin’ talk.” I roared, my entire body shaking with rage.

How could she say these things? The woman I loved was kind and sweet and loved me with a fire so deep absolutely nothing could douse the flames. That’s what she’d told me.

“I don’t love you. Never have. Wait, I take that back, I do love your money and your cock was fun too. I’ll always miss that.”

What the fuck was she saying?

Shudders tortured my spine as I stared into her loveless eyes. With a malicious smile, her perfect face completely shattered. She’d betrayed me, claimed to love me for what…my money? It felt like an anvil had just been dropped on me, crushing me and my heart forever.

Fury like I’ve never known pulsed through my veins. “Get the fuck out!”

“Why do you think I married you, Archer?”

I stalked toward her. “I said get out!”

“Don’t,” she ordered, throwing her hand up. “I’m warning you. Leave quietly and give me what I want or you’ll be sorry we ever met.” 

“I’m already sorry. I’m not goin’ a motherfuckin’ place. This is my house, in case you forgot. You moved in with me,”

Clucking her tongue, she shook her head. “That all changed the moment you gave me your name. This is all mine now and I want you out. I had Anne Marie pack all your shit as you can see.”