Reign on Me

by Zoe Devereaux

  “You’re nervous about everything tonight, aren’t you? The engagement party, the dress fitting in the next couple of weeks…” her mother smiled sympathetically. “When you marry Richard, all of these things will become treasured memories.” She frowned in careful thought. “I know that your father has already mentioned that he’s considering making Richard our associate pastor. Well, I’ll go ahead and tell you that it’s pretty much a done deal. Even though, he will be an associate pastor, your duties at the church will increase extraordinarily.” She smiled again. “Guess what? We can tag-team and get a lot of things done. Oh, I have to go. I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with Sister Margaret tonight. Excuse me.”

  She returned her hug. “We’ll catch up later.”

  Taking a moment, she looked around the convention hall. It was decorated nicely in peach and ivory-colored ware. From the ceiling, the white strings of confetti hang, matching those draped along the back of the iron-wrought chairs. The rectangular tables were covered with lacy white table cloths, and at the center of each one there was a beautiful floral arrangement.

  Also, she was dressed elegantly in the ivory-colored evening dress. With her every step, it seemed to sweep across the floor. Tonight, she’d even worn her hair fully down, and it curled along her face.

  But, as perfect as everything was, nothing about tonight seemed right. Plus, it didn’t help matters that things had become increasingly tense between her and Christopher here lately.

  In fact, they hadn’t spoken in two weeks.

  “I can’t think about that right now,” she said to her ears alone, sweeping a gaze along the room. “…nor is it the best time to deal with it.”

  Richard stood in a huddle with about four or five friends, and more than once, they broke out in boisterous laughter. When he spied her, he broke from the crowd. “There’s my girl.” He hugged her tight before pulling back. “You okay?”

  “I think that I’m just getting a little overwhelmed,” she said quietly. “I’m going to take a walk outside and just take a breathing moment.”

  “I’ll come with you---”

  “No. You’re having fun with your friends. After being here so early with Mama, seeing the caterer, and decorating, I just need to catch my breath.”

  “In other words, you need some ‘me time’.” He kissed her cheek. “Go ahead. But, don’t be long.”

  “I won’t.”

  A few seconds later, she’d wandered down the short hallway, and it was then that she spied them several feet ahead of her. Champagne bottle in one hand, Christopher carried two goblets. Laughing flirtatiously, Alyssa snaked her arm around his waist and moved closer. He gave a throaty response that caused her to laugh even more.

  They passed through the door leading to the terrace. Though common sense said to return to the engagement party, she followed in their wake.

  ***

  “Tell me, Christopher.” Alyssa angled the goblet in his direction. “How is it that an attractive and successful business man like you isn’t taken?” After he filled the glass, she raised it to her lips. “The women around here are blind or either stupid.”

  He swirled the wine around the glass and shrugged. “There’s no hurry. I have all the time in the world to find the right one.”

  “Like your brother found Hayven? If there’s anyone head over heels in love, it’s him. They make the perfect couple.”

  “That’s what everyone says.” With that declaration, he drained the wine before refilling the goblet again. For some reason, it left a bitter taste in his mouth. “So, I guess that it’s true.”

  Alyssa placed her goblet on the patio table, and then snagged his before placing it down as well. She faced him with a suggestive smile. “While everyone’s inside, why don’t we make our own magic out here?” she purred, gliding her hands up his chest, and her touch issued an invitation. “From my perspective, while we don’t know one another that well, that’s not reason enough for us not to enjoy one another.”

  “I say that we’d be taking one hell of a gamble. Unfortunately, tonight, I don’t think that I’m in the mood to take that kind of risk.”

  “Well, leave it up to me to change your mind.”

  He barely had time to react before she hurled herself at him. Her lips made contact with his. There was an aggression in her approach, and it didn’t stoke his interest any more than her lips did. “Hey, slow down a bit,” he muttered and pulled back. “While you’re a beautiful and intelligent woman, I’m not interested in becoming involved. If our casual conversations have made you believe otherwise, let me apologize.”

  “Who is she?” Alyssa challenged, and as she slumped against him, he sensed her defeat. “With all hope, she cares about you just as much.” Then, patting his chest, she strode away. ‘Whoever in the hell she is, she’s a lucky woman.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” Frowning, he picked up his glass again. “I’d say that I’m the most unlucky bastard in the world. The fact that the woman I love is marrying someone else is solid, concrete proof.” He raised the goblet to the sky in a mock toast. “Cheers to my miserable life.”

  ***

  Just as she passed through the door, they were embracing. Stunned, hurt, she watched until he pulled back. From her distance, she couldn’t make out his words. Obviously, it’d been enough to satisfy Alyssa, she thought angrily, watching as she sashayed away.

  Did he really think he had the right to carry on like that out here---seducing a woman in plain sight?

  There was such things as honor, respectability, and not to mention, responsibility!

  She, for one, was going to remind him of those very facts!

  Facing the balcony, drink in hand, he took in the surroundings, and he was totally oblivious of her presence. It was only when she slammed the door that he turned. Then, arching a high brow, he regarded her aloofly. “What are you doing out here? I thought that you’d be breaking the party in good about right now,” he quipped tightly and downed the alcohol fast. The anger seethed at the edges of his carefully controlled demeanor. “You’re out here for a reason. What do want? A personal toast…words of congratulations in private?”

  “I want you to stop it.” As she crossed the space, her light brown eyes shot fire. “I will not allow you to make a spectacle of yourself, especially with that woman.”

  “Oh, you mean Alyssa, and exactly, what am I doing?” He gave her a lazy arrogant smile before running his eyes over her. “From my standpoint, I’m having one helluva good time and so is everyone else. If you’d get off that high horse of yours for a damn minute, you might be able to do the same thing.”

  “This is an engagement party. People are here celebrating,” she said strongly, voice trembling, and stopped a few feet away from him. “It’s a dignified event, not some stage where you put your whorish antics on display. You will not use it for your slanderous pleasures.”

  “Whorish antics?” Throwing his head back, he laughed, yet there was hardly any humor it. As he watched her, his eyes glazed over, and she easily sensed his rising temper. “What in the hell are you yakking about, woman?

  She drew in a sharp breath. “Yakking? Don’t you dare use that chauvinistic and barbaric word with me. You know exactly what you’re doing.” Hurt, she watched him and finally lashed out. “I saw you….you were all over her.”

  “And what in the hell is it to you? Time and time again, you’ve shown that you don’t want me. So, what I do or whomever I do it with, it’s none of your damned business.”

  “There’s no reason to be so cruel---”

  Releasing a violent expletive, he hurled the glass to the ground. As the glass smashed against the floor, he regarded her with a thunderous expression. “You know what’s cruel? Subjecting everyone to this farce of an engagement party. I mean, look at you,” he taunted, edging closer. “You’re supposed to be a grown woman. But, you’re more concerned with placating Daddy and this fucking community that you can’t even live for yo
urself.”

  She moved to slap him.

  But, this time, he caught her hand mid-air.

  The moment was fraught.

  Their raw emotions were on full display.

  Giving a hurt wounded cry, she snatched her hand free. “Don’t you ever say anything like that to me, not ever again! How dare you make this about you---”

  “How in the hell is any of this about me?” he raged and jabbed his chest. “You’re marrying the perfect man. He has no ghosts or demons in his past. Isn’t that what you’ve been after all along? To find someone who’ll measure up to everyone else’s expectations and standards?” His eyes snapped at her. “Guess what? No one’s going to stop you. If you want to throw your life away and be miserable, I sure in the hell can’t do anything about it.”

  “Ever since you’ve come into my life, it’s been like a rollercoaster.” Her lips trembled so badly she could hardly speak. “I don’t know how to be around you--”

  “Well, guess what? You don’t have to be. After tonight, I’m gone.”

  Her startled gaze clung to his.

  “What? B—but, you can’t go.”

  “Fucking watch me.” He turned away before whirling around to face her again. “But, you know what? Before I go, I’m going to tell you some hard truths---hard truths that you don’t want to hear.”

  “You’re upset.” She blinked fast at the hot tears. “You’re going to say things that you regret---”

  “The only thing that I regret is taking all this time and playing this game with you. You blow hot. You blow cold. Shit,” he spat. “You don’t know what in the hell you want.”

  “That’s not true,” she whispered hurt. “You’re not being fair.”

  “Maybe I’m not being fair, damn it!” he raged. “But, staying here, playing this friendship game with you when I know that there’s something more---it has to end right now.”

  “Christopher, wait…please!”

  She watched as he crossed terrace, and then he stopped once reaching the door. “When you’re ready to stop running, when you’re ready to face this thing head on, you know where to find me.”

  Shattered, weeping, she watched as he left.

  Chapter 28

  A few weeks later, her thoughts on their messy triangle had changed.

  She could no longer run. As difficult as it was, she had to face her unresolved feelings for him. No matter the consequences.

  At exactly 11:15 am, the elevators opened to the 10th floor at Clayton Towers. Taking a steadying breath, she stepped off before heading in the direction of the executive offices. Just ahead, the CEO office loomed, and once more, she questioned her lunacy of even coming. Before her nerves could desert her, she pushed the heavy mahogany-hued door open and entered the executive suite.

  The young, stylishly dressed receptionist passed her a cordial smile from behind the desk. She placed a stack of papers aside before addressing her. “May I help you?”

  A warm flush spread across her face. “I’m here to see Mr. Alexander.”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  Her embarrassment flamed higher. “No, actually, I don’t---”

  The door leading to his office swung open, and both she and the receptionist turned in that direction. Christopher was dressed handsomely in a white crisp business shirt and dark gray trousers. Another man was with him, fiftyish or sixtyish , she’d guess. It seemed that the meeting between them had gone well, considering the satisfied expression on the man’s face.

  “After you’ve conferred with the rest of your associates, give me a call,” Christopher uttered and gripped the man’s hand in a firm handshake. “We’ll go over the remainder of the contract. With all hope, we can break grounds on the hotel in the next several weeks.”

  The man pumped Christopher’s hand before releasing it. Then, grasping the front lapels of his suit jacket, he eyed him with a serious expression. “We don’t find too many business partners like you, today. Honesty and openness seems to have died with ages except with your case. It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Alexander. Your grandfather would be proud of the things that you’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time.”

  “Appreciate the compliment,” Christopher muttered with a tight grin. Only someone who really knew and understood him would’ve caught the sudden dimming of his mood. No doubt, the mention of his grandfather had that effect and for good reason. Still, though, despite the slight setback of his attitude, he played the role of the accomplished gentleman and businessman. “My hope is to keep the legacy intact and improve it in the areas that are needed. Again, I look forward to hearing from you and soon.”

  After a final customary remark, the man departed.

  When the man had passed through the door, Christopher finally acknowledged her presence. Based on his unreadable expression, she didn’t know whether to stay or flee. She looked at him wide-eyed and stayed silent.

  The receptionist stood. “Mr. Alexander---”

  “Hold all of my calls for the next three hours,” he said sharply, keeping his intense stare leveled on her, and she nearly squirmed under his close perusal. “Ms. Grace and I aren’t to be disturbed for any reason whatsoever.”

  “Of course, Mr. Alexander,” the receptionist nodded and sat back down. “I’ll make sure that you aren’t bothered.”

  Stepping aside, he pushed the office door open wider. “Ms. Grace.”

  Back straight and stiffened, with a warm flush staining her face, she marched towards him. Once she reached him, she brushed past him fast and made sure to keep enough space between them so that there wasn’t any physical contact.

  She stopped dead center of the suite.

  Again, she was taken aback by the impeccable decorations and stylish embellishments of the executive office. The plush seating and furniture undoubtedly cost a fortune.

  He strode past her and motioned to the chair positioned before the huge desk. “Please, have a seat.”

  She stared at his tense posture.

  They were back to square one.

  In the weeks that they’d been apart, it was obvious that the barriers had been placed between them once more. But, what’d she expect, she mulled, grasping the purse strings tightly in her hands, and sat down stiffly in the chair.

  For the longest time, she’d been so indecisive, and he didn’t know quite what to expect from her. With the way that he was approaching her now, it was a sure sign that he wasn’t going to make things easy. As he returned to the swiveled seat behind the desk, she swallowed hard before attempting to explain. “I’m sorry for intruding upon your day like this. It’s just that I had a dentist appointment this morning. So, I took a full sick day.”

  “So, let me guess.” Leaning back in the chair, he propped his thumb and forefinger under his chin before studying her closely. Then, amusement gleamed in his hazel green eyes. “I take it that you were in the neighborhood and just decided to stop by?”

  Her face flamed hotter as she nodded. “Y—yes, it was something like that.”

  His stare turned more probing if that were possible, and a deep interest flickered in his eyes. “Well, that excuse certainly works for me. But, are you sure that there’s not another one?”

  The purse straps nearly cut her flesh in two as she gripped them tighter. “Like what?”

  He grazed his thumb along his cheek. “Like the fact that you actually want to see me. But, rather than admitting that, you concoct some lame reason for being here.” He ran his eyes along her prim white dress shirt and gray skirt, and a roguish grin snaked along his handsome face. “Considering our circumstances, I guess that I have to take what little crumb you’re willing to toss my way.”

  “I---I’m not trying to play games with you despite what you may think.” The pulse at her neckline beat erratically at his probing stare. Suddenly, the carefully pinned bun at her nape seemed too tight. Then, she gulped past the huge lump in her throat. “Well, truthfully, I wanted to apologiz
e for my behavior the other week. I’m still ashamed of myself.”

  “Well, like I said back then, the situation is fucked. I can see that you’re still grappling with things now, and I had high hopes that it wouldn’t be the case. I see that I was wrong,” he said, straightening in the chair, and sat upright. As the fall sunlight filtered into the room and slanted across him, it made him even more devastatingly handsome. “Tell me. What do you think about all of this?”

  “You mean Clayton Towers? I think it’s incredible.”

  “Hell, I still wake up in the middle of the night and find it hard to believe that I’m making legitimate money now. I’ve come a long way, haven’t I, princess? All the way from a seedy dark alley to an Atlanta skyscraper---hell, I’d consider that quite an accomplishment.”

  “And I’m so proud of you,” she said truthfully, eyeing him close. “With everything that’s happened to you in the past, it’s a wonder that you had a belief in anything. Many people wouldn’t have the drive that you have. Your willingness and dedication shows your true character. You’re a winner in more ways than one.”

  “My very own personal cheerleader.” As he leaned forward in the chair, his deep penetrating stare defied her need to run. “Be careful. I just might take your position all too seriously. Actually, there’s a lot that can be taken from that fact.”

  As the sensations took flight within her, she didn’t dare look away. “Please, don’t twist my words and make them into more than what they are.” Surely, her face was searing hot, she surmised, gulping hard again. “The truth is you know that I’ve always admired you and with the way that you’ve turned your life around. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that.”

  Though he shrugged, a knowing look filled his features. “If that’s the way that you want to assess the situation, then so be it. Again, I’ll take these trumped-up excuses of yours for now. Eventually, that’ll end, however, and you’ll be forced to admit the truth to yourself and me.” Sighing, he stood up from behind the desk. “Seeing as you’ve interrupted my busy schedule, the least that you could do is accompany me to lunch.”