by Shadow, Lisa
“This was nice—” She paused, screwing the lid back on the bottle and thanking God that her back was to the bed. “—but nothing’s changed. It’s better we don’t see each other anymore.”
The bed creaked and she felt him behind her, the heat from his body, the scent of him, it nearly crumbled her.
“What’s really going on? I don’t buy this cold shoulder act. You think I didn’t see your face when you were under me?” His breath whispered against her ear. “You think I didn’t feel it too when I was inside you?”
A hot shiver left her light headed. She reined it in. Now she had to convince him. She lifted her chin and turned, forcing herself to look into the heat of his gaze. “You should believe it. I don’t owe you any explanation.” Her gaze shifted from his and settled at his collar bone. “This is what you wanted. You told me yourself. You’re not interested in personal. Well here we are in your sex suite, perfect isn’t it?”
“Is that it?” He held her shoulders. “Listen to me Claire, things change. If you’re worried I’m only after sex then—”
Claire stepped out of his grasp. “No. I’m the one who’s only after sex, and now I’ve had enough.”
His mouth snapped shut and a pulse ticked in his jaw. “I see. In that case don’t worry. I sure as shit won’t be coming back for more.”
He moved around her, tugging on his pants. The bedroom door slammed shut, cracking a part of her in two.
Chapter Eight
An hour later, Claire tucked the bag of donuts under her arm and knocked on the door. Donuts were a pitiful offering considering the crap that was about explode. Hopefully a little sugar would help the medicine and all that.
“It’s open.”
She pushed on the door and stepped into Geoff’s room. He glanced up from his laptop then looked at the bag in her hand.
“For you.” Claire set the bag on the side table next to him.
Geoff shut the lid of his laptop and set it next to the donuts. “Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like this?”
“You might not. But I want to talk to you calmly, like adults.”
Geoff leaned back in the armchair and lay his hands on the arm rests. “I know this has been stressful, but if you’re having second thoughts—”
“Please hear me out before you say anything.”
“Go ahead.” He folded his hands and crossed his thumbs.
Claire perched herself on the end of his bed. “I want you to know I have thought about this, I know what’s at stake, and I’ve made up my mind.”
Great, he had that look that told her he’d switched to lawyer mode. That made her the opposition. He was just letting her speak while he planned his killer closing argument to win the case. Well, not today.
“When we agreed to all this I was desperate and angry and bitter. Mostly desperate. And you know I’d do anything for Penny.” She swallowed heavily. “But this is all wrong, and each step we take, the more wrong I know it is. It has to stop. I won’t go through with it anymore. You can’t change my mind.”
“Are you quite finished?” Geoff stood slowly. He might be in lawyer mode, but the flush creeping up his neck was far from court room professional.
“Yes.”
He came to stand in front of her. “You might think revenge is no longer good enough, you might even think Penny isn’t enough of a reason. But you’re forgetting one thing.”
“And what’s that?”
Geoff leaned over her. She refused to let him intimidate her. She’d known him since he was a kid, and seen the worst he had.
“I won’t let you.” He straightened and tugged at his tie. “There’s no backing out of this. Not after all I’ve invested. All you have to do is what you’re told. “
Claire slid to her feet. “No, Geoff. I’m sorry. I’m not going to do another thing. I’ll get an annulment. I won’t divorce him for the money.”
“Sorry? Sorry!” The color on his neck exploded into his face. “All this work, all this planning, and you say you’re sorry?”
“We should never have done this.”
Geoff sprung forward, standing so close she had to tilt her head to hold his gaze.
“You think I don’t know what this is, Claire? You couldn’t control yourself again. You just fall for whoever gets you off.”
Claire lurched back, her face flaming. “That’s not what happened.”
“Well, what do you think is going to happen? You can just betray me, go to Liam, and live happily ever after? Do you think he’s never going to find out what you’ve already done?”
Claire blinked and looked away. “I’m not stupid enough to think that. I made sure he knows it’s over. I could never be with him after what I’ve done.”
Geoff snorted. “Do you forget that what you’ve done is also illegal? What’s going to happen when all the evidence materializes at his door? If you go to prison, how will you get Penny then?” Geoff’s hands closed around the tops of her arms, pinching her skin.
Claire’s gaze snapped to Geoff’s and she threw his hands off, stepping around him. “So that’s what it’s come to? No more pretense, just outright blackmail?”
“If that’s what it takes to stop you thinking with what’s between your legs.”
Claire’s fingers scrunched into her palms. “What’s between my legs and what I do with it is none of your business. You might like to think of yourself as the only one with cards to play, so it might pain you to learn I’ve compelling evidence of my own.”
Some of the red drained from Geoff’s face. “What kind of evidence?”
“Emails and voicemails. Detailed instructions telling me exactly what to do.”
“How? I told you to delete everything…”
“Well luckily for me I didn’t trust you quite so much as you thought I did.”
His stiffened and she saw it. He knew he’d lost. Silence stretched between them. She was free. Geoff exploded and lunged for her, palm raised.
She stepped back, raising her arms in front of her. Geoff stopped, his hand fisting at his side. He stalked to the door and opened it. She rushed through the space, heart pounding. Geoff caught her by the elbow. “This isn’t finished.”
Claire pulled her elbow free. “Yeah, it is.”
She strode to her room and locked the door.
Claire surveyed the store. Everything was ready. Sure the muscles in her arms had pretty much packed up and left, and her feet may well refuse to ever wear shoes again, but she had finished. Light bounced off the newly painted lemon walls behind the counter, a small gold sofa rested in one corner with a matching armchair, and bright white curtains draped either side of the large window.
But nothing could beat the satisfaction of seeing the gown in the window. The ivory folds of the skirt cascaded to the ground and beading glittered along the bodice. It would give some lucky girl her dream wedding. Funny, when she’d first designed it she’d pictured herself wearing it. The idea seemed laughable now.
Her satisfaction dimmed. This whole thing was laughable really. In fact the store itself might turn out to be nothing more than a well-executed exercise in futility. Knowing Geoff, he’d turn up any minute to shut the store down. After all, she was no longer able to fulfill her end of the bargain.
Claire stalked to the windows and tugged the curtains. She glanced across the street at Liam’s office building. The modern reflective glass front made it impossible to see inside. He could see out, but she couldn’t see him. Unnerving. It was hard to believe there was ever a time she’d thought working across from him could have worked.
If she’d gone through with the plan, could she have really sat across the street and watched him suffer? Not likely. Not even if he had turned out to be the monster she’d expected. It would’ve been a bitter victory. She was just sorry she’d let it go so far.
A silver Jaguar pulled up in front of the store and Claire yanked the curtains closed. Great, cue plug pulling…
The front doo
r squeaked open. Geoff stepped inside, clad in jeans and a T-shirt. Claire blinked, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him in something other than his high-powered lawyer regalia of overpriced suits and shirts.
A day’s growth of bristles roughened his cheeks. Claire bit her cheek. The only familiar thing about her cousin was the designer sunglasses perched on top of his head. This was all kinds of bad. He walked towards her, a brown paper bag clutched in his hand.
What could be in that little bag—tricks most likely. She folded her arms. Geoff paused, grimacing at her expression. He stopped at the counter and opened the bag, withdrawing a small tub of ice cream. Cookies and cream, her favorite. He set the tub on the counter along with a plastic spoon.
“A peace offering of my own.”
Old memories panged of Geoff sneaking her ice cream when his mother had been especially cruel. She pushed the memories aside. No doubt exactly what Geoff intended with the gesture. “I told you, I’m not changing my mind.”
“I know. That’s not why I’m here.”
Claire let silence speak for her.
“I came to apologize for my behavior yesterday, and for everything.” Geoff walked to the gold sofa and sat. He looked down at his hands. “I’m deeply ashamed, Claire. This was never fair to you.”
She gazed at her cousin’s subdued form. Could it be her narcissistic cousin was actually sorry? She’d save her judgment. Geoff leaned back and patted the sofa next to him. Claire hesitated, then took the arm chair opposite.
“I’ve done so many bad things. You have no idea,” Geoff said softly.
“No kidding. So have I.”
“Yeah, but I’ve done worse than sleeping with a politician going through a divorce.”
“There’s worse than that?” She cocked an eyebrow.
“There is. Like when you came to live with us. You’d just lost your mom, your dad, and your home within months of each other. You needed compassion and all you got was a hard time.”
Claire rubbed her arms. The pain rose just as fresh and as raw as it had been then. “That wasn’t your fault.”
“No, but when mother was treating you the way she did, I could’ve stood up for you. I could’ve been there for you better than I was.”
She closed her eyes. Could he have done more? He’d been older, an adult in law school, perhaps he could’ve.
“And after the scandal broke and mother threw you out, I could’ve helped you. Instead, when you came to me for help to get Penny, all I offered you was a plan I knew you were never going to be able to go through with.”
A tear escaped from her clenched eyelids.
“I’m so sorry, Claire. Can you forgive me?”
She opened her eyes and looked into her cousin’s unshaven face. It was like looking at a stranger. Did he mean it? She wanted to believe he did.
“I don’t have enough family left to be holding grudges.” She wiped at her cheek. “So this means no more evil plans? That’s a big change of heart…”
Geoff looked back at his hands and his cheeks sucked in. “No more evil plans. It was what you said yesterday that did it. About being desperate—I’ve been desperate too.”
“Why would you be desperate? You’re a divorce lawyer with a trust fund.”
“I’m in trouble…” He covered his face. “That’s why I’ve been such an asshole about all this.”
“What do you mean? What kind of trouble?” Claire leaned forward and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Geoff dropped his hands and presented her with his bloodshot eyes. “I started getting carried away at the races. I owe a lot of money. People will be after me soon. Part of why I was so eager to get out of the city.”
“Oh, Geoff.” She sighed. “You should go to your mom. She might think I’m worthless, but you’re her precious boy. She’ll help you.”
Geoff leapt to his feet. “Yeah, and she’ll have it over me forever. I’ll always answer to her.” He rubbed his palms on his jeans. “That’s not your problem. You’re right. I’m going to go to Mom.” He met her gaze again. “You open the store tomorrow. Who knows, maybe you’ll hear from some of those Vegas buyers and be able to afford to get Penny on your own.”
Getting Penny would take more than a handful of sales, and they both knew it. But she forced a smile. “You’re letting me keep the store even though I reneged?”
“I think I owe you that much.”
Claire stood slowly and embraced her cousin. “Thanks Geoff, you’re doing the right thing.” She stepped back and froze. “What about Liam, the divorce?”
“Don’t worry. I got him married without him knowing, I can manage an annulment. It’ll be as though it never happened.”
She absorbed his reassuring smile but her heart sunk. More sneaking. But this time they were righting a wrong. This way Liam wouldn’t be hurt again—and no one needed to go to jail.
“Okay. Do that.”
He smiled and walked to the door. He paused at the handle and turned towards her. “You know, if you really like Liam, you should go for it. We all make mistakes. You haven’t let what he did stop you from coming to care for him. I can see it all over you. Don’t let a mistake you’re fixing stop you from being happy.”
Her smile cracked and leaked away. “You’re right, I care about him, but I’m not sure I forgive him. Then there’s what I’ve done…it went too far.”
Geoff’s expression darkened before it softened again. “Just think about it, Claire. I want you to be happy.”
He stepped out and the door shut behind him.
Happiness? Something that only slid further from her grasp—and seemed to have Liam at its core.
Chapter Nine
Liam crouched in front of the reception desk and tightened the laces of his sneakers. His office shut an hour and a half ago but he hadn’t gone home. He couldn’t. Not in this mood. Lexi didn’t need to see him like this—a rabid bull that was god-damn ready to skewer someone with his horns.
He needed a run, a hard run. All freaking day, half the town had traipsed in and out of Claire’s store. As if the majority of them visited for the bridal wear. More men than women casually wandered in, most of whom were usually to be found at Hopetown Bar. They weren’t going for the free opening day champagne.
No doubt Claire knew he could see her, see just how many options she obviously had. Not that she would give a damn how he felt, she’d made that clear. Maybe she was trying to make him jealous? Liam tied a tight knot and pumped up the volume on his iPod, then turned to his other sneaker. The thumping beat pulsed through his earphones but he still heard her words.
“I’m the one who’s only after sex, and now I’ve had enough.”
Part of him couldn’t believe she’d meant it. How could he after that rocking lovemaking? Yeah, lovemaking not screwing because that’s what it was. But damn her excuses, the result was the same. She rejected him. And yet, even still all he wanted to do was march across the street and set this town straight, Claire Jones was his.
Liam rose to his feet. A blunt force connected with the back of his skull. Pain slammed through his head.
Darkness descended in a sickening swirl.
Claire glanced out from behind the curtains. The light still shone in the windows opposite. The store opening went fabulously. Well, fabulously, considering she’d had a steady stream of visitors—even if the majority appeared to be busy-bodies and sweet-talkers. But she had an excuse to be working so late. What was Liam’s? He had his adorable niece waiting for him at home. What was he doing?
She switched off the lights and sighed. No good pondering Liam’s movements. No good thinking about him at all. They may work opposite but she had to be professional. Turn off useless feelings. She grabbed her bag and stepped out the front door, locking it behind her.
A faint tang of burning synthetics brushed her nose. She spun around, eyeing Liam’s store. It was a little brighter than usual. Unease curled through her insides and she rushed to the
window. She pressed her face to the glass and cupped her hands around her eyes. Bright orange flames licked the back wall.
Liam!
Her gaze scanned as far as she could see inside the office. He hadn’t left, his car was still in the street. She peered hard though the smoke. A dark shape sprawled on the floor. Her heartbeat exploded in panic.
Claire raced to the door and pulled on the handle. It was locked. Her chest squeezed. She ran back to her store, fishing for her keys and shoving them in the door, then dashing for the fire extinguisher in the front entrance. Extinguisher gripped in both arms, she sprinted across the road to Liam’s office and slammed the base into the door.
Glass shattered and crumbled with a tinkling sound. Claire stuck her arm through the gap and unlocked the door. Smoke wafted out and she pulled her blouse over her nose, then gripped the nozzle of the extinguisher in her left hand.
Fire stroked the carpeted wall at the back of the office building near the bathroom. Claire stalked towards it and pressed the trigger on the extinguisher, spraying foam in an arc. Her eyes burned and heat stung her fingers. She kept spraying. The light dimmed and the fire folded under the thick white stream.
The flames fizzled out and Claire dropped the extinguisher. She turned to where she’d seen Liam. She coughed deeply, her lungs rejecting the toxic air. What was it she’d been told in school? Get down low? She dropped to her knees and scooted towards Liam’s office door. He lay on his stomach, unmoving. She gulped and more coughs savaged her.
Oh God, be okay…
She shoved his shoulder. It was like shoving a sack of flour. He needed to get out of here; out of the smoke. She grabbed his hands and stood, dragging him step by step towards the front door where the air was clearer.
Glass still littered the floor. She dropped Liam’s hands and kicked as much as she could out of the way, then hauled him the rest of the way outside.
She laid him on the pavement and tapped his cheek.
“Liam!”
A trickle of blood oozed down his forehead. His features remained slack, his chest too still. A sob caught in her throat and she leaned over him. She tipped his head back a pushed open his jaw. She took a breath, covered his mouth with hers, and exhaled deeply, watching his ribs expand.
