“That,” she pauses with her mouth turned up,” is Rhys, Matthew’s best man. He said to send his regrets that he couldn’t come over to meet you, but he is off to New York. He should be back by morning, and then you two can meet and get to know each other.” Her sly wink puts me on alert, while she sips her champagne.
“I know what you are doing, Olivia. You cannot expect that man to be interested in me.” The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them and her jaw falters, slightly.
“Sophie! Why would you say that? You don’t even know him.”
“I can see him.” He is striking and I watch his lips take in the last drops of his drink, the ice reluctantly pushed back with his tongue, sadly clinking to the bottom of his now empty glass. His long fingers casually wrap around the crystal glass, tapping a mindless rhythm as he listens to one of the suits chatter about something. He looks in our direction and catches me dead in his sights. I watch him put the glass down, his eyes locked on me. His fingers caress the rim of the glass, around and around in slow circles, his fingertip slides across the fine crystal while he watches me. With every turn of his fingers a knot tightens deep in my belly. A small crooked grin raises the corner of his knowing mouth before we are torn from the moment by another of his suits handing him a cell. He turns his back to me and I snap back to the table, back to Olivia.
“No worries, Sophie. I promise not to interfere. Rhys is a distraction guy, not someone you want to get involved with.” She winks and raises her glass.” He is a short term kind of guy; you are a long term kind of girl.” What was that? Olivia is a master at backhanded talk and compliments laced with acid, but I let it go, washing it down with a sip of champagne.” I am so glad you are here.”
“Thank you, Olivia. I have missed you and I am so excited to be here!” And down the hatch goes my second glass of bubbles. I look over to see Olivia finishing her glass in one gulp, as well, and I’m comforted again by our familiar ways.” That was so nice of him to send us such a nice bottle, we have to finish it, right?!” I whisper, a Cheshire grin slowly spreading across my face. I haven’t been on the ground for an hour and already my head is swimming.
“Of course!” Olivia proclaims with another toast.” Then we will head back to the hotel. I have dinner with Matthew and his parents tonight. Will you be alright to entertain yourself? I know the girls want to meet you. Kylie and Melissa, remember?”
“Yes, I remember and I will be fine. I will most likely have to sleep off this champagne!” A champagne fueled giggle pops out. I love being back with my girl. There is such comfort in friends that you have known your entire life.
Once at the hotel, I get checked in and Olivia and I head up to my room. The hotel is beautiful, light marble floors and walls accented by dark wood and heavy furniture. Elaborate blown glass chandeliers hang throughout the lobby. Tall palms and other tropical foliage are fed by the sunlight that filters through the glass walls and ceiling of the inner lobby. The elevator is glass and looks into the lobby from one side and out onto the white private sand beach from the other. Everywhere I look I am overwhelmed by beautiful things and beautiful people. When we arrive on the sixteenth floor, we turn down the hall and find my room. The furnishings are light and airy, as you would expect in Miami. The entire back wall of the room is windows hung with gauzy curtains blowing in the warm salt air. The room overlooks the private beach. A terrace, three floors down, has a bar and chaises with private cabanas and an infinity pool. I turn to Olivia completely speechless. I have never been anywhere like this.
“I know, it’s amazing and it is only going to get better! These next few days are going to blow your mind so just take it in and enjoy, ok? You deserve this trip, Sophie, and I want you to enjoy every minute.” She hugs me tightly and turns to go.” You will be surprised at how fast you get used to all of this,” she says, waving her hand about the room.” I have to go get ready for dinner. If it’s not too late when we get back I’ll call you.”
“Sure.” I try to sound reassuring.” I’ll be fine, go. I am just happy to be here and I am so happy for you, and a little wiped out.”
“I am so happy you are here, too, I love you! Wish me luck!” And with that she was out the door.
“Rhys, I am so glad I caught you.” She breezes through my closed office door like an unwelcome draft, a heady cocktail of Chanel No. 5 and stale cigarette smoke. Just her presence in this office sets my body on high alert. To think of all the memories, all the surfaces we have fucked on. She is everywhere. I need to redecorate.
“You didn’t, Nadja. I am out the door, I am on a plane. I am in Miami.” I grab my duffle, slip my phone into my pocket and walk past her to the elevators. I was called away from the wedding festivities once already for this bullshit. I will not miss another minute of Matthew and Olivia’s celebration. Not for Nadja, not for her father, but I know her too well to think she will let it go. And as predicted when the elevator comes, she slides in next to me, thinking she has me trapped, no doubt. She needs some new tricks.
“Rhys, please.” Her faded Russian purr rattles down my spine like nails on a chalk board.” You know that this company is everything to my father. You cannot let this happen. Help him. Help him and I will do whatever you want.” She sidles up to me, her breath sickly sweet, an attempt to cover the smell of cigarettes and vodka, no doubt. I put my hands in my pockets and stare forward, determined not to give her an inch.” Please, for me?” Running her fingers down the lapel of my jacket, her eyes glow with an unearned triumph. I hate her ego, I hate that look. Batting her hands away, I push her into the corner and loom over her slight, stick like figure.
“You stay there,” I demand, glaring at her. She lowers her eyes, as she should. Straightening herself, she presses her hands against the cool, stainless steel walls of the elevator and waits. I back against the opposite wall and drop my bag. Scratching at the stubble along my jaw rouses the blood in my fingertips, it’s coarse and soft. Not my usual look, but I need a change. She raises her head, looking me dead in the eye, defiant little wench, watching me with those piercing blue eyes, and an inscrutable expression on her face. Narrowing her eyes at me, she rakes over my new scruffy face, wrinkling her turned up nose at the tight, dark, two day stubble that covers my jaw.
“You need to shave.” Her disgust is palpable, that alone makes me want to keep it.
“No, I don’t think I will. Now, I just spent the last three hours in meetings with Viktor and his investors. I am doing what I can to help him, within reason. I cannot take on a sinking ship, it is not good business. I am waiting for the final financials to come back. Once they do, we will have a better picture of what needs to be done. In the meantime, I am on my way to Miami. I will not be taking calls or working. I am a ghost for the next four days. I do not want to see you until I have to, do you understand?”
“What is in Miami, why go so early?” Her attempt to disarm me with her coy questions only fuels my frustration.
“You know very well that Matthew is getting married.”
“Oh yes, to that all American white bread girl. I don’t know how she managed to tame him. Do you need a date?” I watch her dull eyes dance and wonder about her motives.” Are you looking for white bread, too, Rhys? To be tamed? I can do that. Is that what you think will make you happy? These American girls that stand by their man, someone to follow you around like a devotee? Is that what you’re hoping for? Maybe you’ll find one of white bread’s Middle American friends. They are sure to be dazzled by all that you can offer, all that you have. Not to mention the things you can do.” She stalks slowly towards me.” Things we taught each other, remember?” Her hands are raised in surrender, but she is pressing in, ever the aggressor. I meet her in the middle of the elevator, clutching her arms. My hands wind easily around her small, bony wrists, her blood surges, pulsing against my grip.
“Don’t!” I growl, dropping her arms to her sides.” Do you want my attention, Nadja?”
“Yes,” she breat
hes, pressing into me, arching her back. She is so predictable, so needy. Like dangling a carrot in front of a trotting mare, she chases what she wants, blinded to anything else.
“Then you shall have it. If you can follow my instructions, can you do as you are told?” A slight curve to her pouty mouth tells me she is game.” I don’t want to see you until Thursday. Do you understand?” She lowers her eyes and nods.” Nadja?”
“Yes, I understand,” her voice is soft, her body curled into itself, passively waiting for further instructions.
“Good.” I gather my duffel and make a beeline from the elevator, onto the curb and into the waiting Town Car, leaving Nadja in the dust. She infuriates me, her defiance, and her aggression. She is so manipulative, using her body to get whatever she wants. All of her lies, her utter betrayal. She made a fool of me. I was sure that I was her white knight, destined to save her from herself. But, I wouldn’t save her now if she was drowning in front of me. She has become so wicked and twisted, taking pleasure in other people’s pain in the extreme. She is predatory, but you would never suspect from the outside. Her beauty masks the vicious animal inside. The more fame and attention she gets, the more horrible she becomes. And now she has created this façade, this mask she wears. Always appearing to be on her best behavior, when behind it all, rages an out of control, sex crazed, selfish, sociopath.
I rest my eyes and try to distract myself as we wind through rush hour traffic in Manhattan. Shit, I may as well take a nap, or do some work. Or maybe consider my pick for the weekend. Lord knows there will be a gaggle of willing ladies down in Miami this weekend for the festivities. Any one of them could help to distract me and occupy my time. Problem is, I have been with a good number of them already, and I don't like to double dip. As for the others, as I go over the catalog in my head my thoughts wander around to Sophie. Is that her name, Sophie? I'm not entirely sure. It is far too easy to tune Olivia out when she drones on. And, man does she drone on about this girl, Sophie, dropping none too subtle hints about me meeting Sophie ever since she invited her down to Miami. You are going to love Sophie. Sophie is so great! I don't know what could be so great about a small town girl who graduated from a state school and works for a local paper. I would be willing to bet that she has never even left the country. What on earth am I going to have in common with this girl? Does it even matter?
The way Olivia described her I was expecting some pudgy Pollyanna, but she is beautiful, what I could see of her. Olivia definitely undersold her there. It was a fleeting glance as they walked into the lounge. Her short, dark hair bounced around her face as she laughed, her giggle is what caught my attention, but it was her curves that kept me fixed. Round hips and a narrow waist. It was clear from looking at her that she wasn't the kind to starve herself or fret over a meal, the word buxom comes to mind. If it wasn't for that round little ass of hers, I doubt she would be able to balance the weight of those beautiful, no doubt natural breasts. What the hell? Snap out of it, man. It hasn't been that long. Besides, this girl is not the kind of girl I am used to. Women have been willing to do almost anything for my affections and attention for as long as I can remember. I have been surrounded by bright shiny objects my entire life, most of which I could have at a moment’s notice. But I have a feeling that this girl may not be so easy. The way she looked at me in the lounge and so easily shook me off. No, I should set my sights elsewhere, on a more seasoned target perhaps. I wouldn't want to do anything to upset the balance, or God forbid piss off Olivia. I run through the catalog of others as we pull onto the tarmac and the plane is loaded. I switch off my business cell with a satisfying finality and slip it into the outer pocket of my duffel, with no intention of switching it back on until Sunday. From now until then it is all about Matthew and Olivia, no business, just pleasure. And I will find my pleasure.
Noelle Bodhaine is the author of The Voice Trilogy:
WHISPER
SPEAK
SHOUT
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Copyright © Noelle Bodhaine 2014
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the US Copyright Act of 1976, no part may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, stored in a database, retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.
Authors Note: All events and people described in this story are fictional and a product of the writer’s imagination. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Published by
Naughty Nellie’s Pervy Press
ISBN-13: 978:0692208151
ISBN-10: 0692208151WHISPER
Obsession (Stalker #1) Page 23
