“You, sweetheart, are a glutton for this stuff.” They walked back toward their room, and he had a better idea, for the time being. “How about we get out of here for now, then back in time for fruity drinks and comparing wallets.”
Laughing, she nodded. “Sounds like a good idea. You have an adventure planned, don’t you?”
“That I do.”
He wasn’t kidding. After they changed their clothes, he borrowed one of the estate’s complimentary vehicles — because that’s what rich people do, offer complimentary vehicles — and took her for a drive, showing her around the island. He had a place there as well, but only drove by it since there were plenty of other things to show her. The last thing he needed to do was flash money like the others already had. It was important to him that she like it there so maybe she would come back, with him, despite the terrible first impression. Their time together may be coming to an end, according to their agreement, but he wasn’t giving in — or giving up.
They returned to the estate, ready for the cocktail hour, when Nick had to take a business call. While he stepped out, she lay on the bed, reflecting on their day so far. So much had happened in such a short amount of time. Nick saw to it that the good far outweighed the bad, though. She was grateful for that — grateful for him. Why were they even wasting their time there? Why did she let Winnie and Phillip get the best of her? Why was Winnie’s expensive dress suddenly weighing on her mind?
After the cocktail hour, they would leave. Cori was done playing the game and had real life to deal with. Winnie was a bitch. A cold-hearted, snake of a bitch. She needed a taste of her own medicine — then they would leave.
Peeking out the bedroom door, she saw the halls were clear — everyone must have still been drinking mimosas and standing around with their croquette mallets, pretending to play. Who plays croquette at an engagement party anyway? She crept next door to the only other room in that wing and knocked. Winnie had said they were staying next door. This had to be the room. When nobody answered, she let herself in and found the room empty — thankfully. She didn’t know what she would have done had someone answered or been in there.
Sweat starting to bead above her brow, she found herself planning the ugliest thing she had done to date. She didn’t have to look far. The very thing she was looking for was hanging right in front of her — Winnie’s incredibly expensive, vintage lace dress. It was also a very white dress that would easily show a blot of makeup, or perhaps a bit of wine. Cori didn’t have either, other than the makeup she was wearing. Sick of being treated so poorly for so long, by two people who didn’t even really matter, Cori wanted to get the last word.
She leaned down, ready to blot her forehead with the neckline of the dress, just enough to get a little makeup mark to seal its fate, when her conscience stepped in. What the hell was she doing? This was beneath her, as was Winnie and her behavior. Following through would make her no better than the devilish duo, Winnie and Phillip. With a deep sigh, she closed her eyes and collected herself, embarrassed by what she was about to do, and proceeded to leave.
When she got to the door, however, there were voices — women’s voices. Shit! Looking around, she found few options for hiding. She knew that had to be Winnie. The only other room down this hall was hers. She quickly jumped into a coat closet adjacent to the entry just as the women walked in. Winnie and Eliza.
Backing farther into the small space, she could see very little through the louvered door, but heard them loud and clear. When a hand snaked around her waist and another large, warm one covered her mouth, she nearly screamed, until she felt the hard body behind her, and his unmistakable scent filled her senses. Nick.
“Shhh,” he whispered in her ear, pulling his hand from her mouth. “It’s me.”
“What…what are you…?” She didn’t even finish her question, just turned to him in time to see his eyebrows rise up as if he knew what she was going to ask. His expression clearly stated, I could ask you the same.
She turned around, facing away, tuned in to the ladies, because facing him right now was too embarrassing and liable to get them caught if they weren’t quiet.
“It is strange,” Winnie said. “It’s like they were a couple out of nowhere.”
“The timing is off. I don’t buy it,” Eliza said, as if she knew something.
“I don’t know…they definitely seem together. You should see them — it’s disgusting how good they are,” Winnie admitted.
“I guess we’ll find out,” Eliza promised, her words piquing Cori’s curiosity. Find out what?
“I guess I’ll find out tonight — if I hear them through the walls. A guy like that is sure to make you scream.”
Not liking where the conversation was going and feeling the tension in Cori’s body, Nick dragged his hand down from her waist to under her skirt. Cori shivered and her breathing became heavy. She liked what he was doing.
“Oh my God. You’re going to listen?” laughed Eliza. “What about Phillip?”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll enjoy it and want to screw to the sound of them doing it like bunnies. I’ll just picture the guy next door on top of me.”
Cori stiffened. She was referring to Nick. Her Nick. A jealous fury threatened to expose her when Nick took back control and distracted her. He slipped his fingers past the lacy barrier of her panties and began to stroke her with purpose now.
“I can’t believe you just said that. Poor Phillip.”
Winnie shrugged. “Phillip is the marrying type you want to celebrate your fiftieth wedding anniversary with. Dominic Blackthorne is the guy you want to fuck for those fifty years.”
On cue, his fingers entered her while his thumb pressed on her most sensitive spot, causing her to let out a soft cry. Not soft enough, though. He put his other hand over Cori’s mouth once again as Winnie walked by and opened the bedroom door, looking back and forth.
“Did you hear something? I thought I heard something?” Winnie asked of Eliza.
“Nope! Not a thing. We need to go, though. Grab your dress. Artimas should be in my room by now. You know he doesn’t wait for anyone. Time for hair and makeup,” Eliza said, headed out the door, Winnie right behind her with her dress.
The door closed, and Nick removed his hand from Cori’s mouth so he could hear her pant. She reached her hands behind her, wrapping them around his neck, and arched into the hand cupping and fondling her. Nick reached down with his free hand and undid his pants before pushing her body to lean forward. Bracing herself against the closet door, she cried out when he entered her from behind and drove into her hard and fast while still massaging and tweaking her bundle of nerves. The sensation his hand was creating, and the fullness is heavy, hard length gave her, were all nearly too much — and were completely her undoing.
After a moment to catch their breath, they emerged from the closet, both disheveled and completely satiated.
“Wh-What were you doing in here?” Cori asked, still intoxicated by what he just did.
“I can ask you the same.”
“I-I was…” she began, hanging her head, “going to do something to the dress, okay? She…she…pissed me off, and I almost acted like a complete mad person.”
Nick began to laugh. The kind of laughter that forces you in half and tears are born of. It was loud, it was obnoxious, and it was contagious.
“What?” She began to chuckle. “Why are you laughing? It isn’t funny. I almost just did a terrible thing! Something Winnie would do. Wait…Nick? Why were you in here?”
Still laughing, he found his words, “I…uh…I was going to sabotage the dress. It was the last thing she said, I…was going to act like a mad person too. What was your plan?”
“Makeup. Yours?” She giggled.
“I don’t know. I thought I would take it and throw it in the trash somewhere. I didn’t really have a plan.”
“So that was your business call?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Actually, I said I had business to t
end to. You assumed call.”
“We are both so much better than this. Let’s get out of here.”
“I’ll call Lyle. Let’s leave tonight.”
With his arm over her shoulder, he led her back to their room so they could get ready for the cocktail party. But not until after they showered…together, and practiced that thing they did in the closet once or twice more.
CHAPTER 20
When Cori stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom where Nick was waiting for her in his black suit, the sight of her brought a glowing smile to his face. He had a flicker of desire in his eyes that caused her to take a step back.
Her dress was black raw silk, classic in design, with a sleeveless bodice and plunging V neckline, front and back. It had a full skirt that hit mid-thigh and simple black satin bow in the front at the waist. With her hair pinned up and the diamonds Nick insisted she accept gracing her neck, she looked like a modern day Audrey Hepburn straight out of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
“Wow, you look like something out of a movie. Stunning, sweetheart. Just stunning.”
“Something out of a movie?” she teased. “I hope it’s a cute something.”
“No, it’s a beautiful something…I mean…someone. I can’t even talk around you when you look like that.”
“Good. Then my work is done here. The world can thank me later for shutting you up.” She was kidding of course. She loved the sound of his voice and hoped he never stopped talking to her. “Are you ready, Blackthorne?”
“Indeed.” He extended his arm to her. “Shall we? We have a little while before Lyle arrives. Let’s have some drinks, then get the hell out of here.”
The event was as expected. Rich people, pretty things, everyone trying to one up the other. But it was also nice, a romantic setting with plenty of booze and dancing. Eventually, the cocktail portion expired, and it was time to move to the ballroom for dinner. Who has a ballroom in their home? She bet Nick did, somewhere, but he’d never tell you about it. That was the difference between him and the rest of these people.
They danced, mostly. Several men tried to cut in, including Phillip, again, but Nick kindly declined on all counts. Winnie must’ve caught wind of it because she was having words with Phillip in the corner, and they didn’t seem like happy words. Phillip reached for her, to which she pulled away and put her wine glass in the direct path of his hand. Red wine. Which she now wore. It was like karma kicked in and finished what Cori and Nick couldn’t in clear conscience.
That was their cue. Everyone fussed over Winnie’s now stained dress — a great distraction for them to leave under. Lyle would be landing soon, and they needed to change and pack the few things left before they could get the hell out of there.
Nick took a call, interrupting their plan, and excused himself for a moment, agreeing to meet her down by the water. They would take the long way back to their room, and have a nice walk back together after taking in the night views. It really is a lovely night, Cori thought as she wandered down the beachy shore and across a dock that ended well into the water. They were leaving, together, planning to head back to the penthouse, also together.
Something was different. She didn’t know what, but it felt good. That sense of dread she had been carrying around was gone — their time was essentially up, but there was no talk of going separate ways. Their relationship felt very real. Nick felt invested, and she knew she was. It took her a while to realize it, but she had fallen hard for the other half of what started as a lie. Maybe she could do a relationship.
She remembered what Tony had said to her. It didn’t work out with Phillip because he wasn’t the man for her. What if Nick was? Even if he wasn’t, time would tell, and something told her it was worth the risk. There was nothing to regret if she at least tried, and a potential lifetime of regret if she didn’t. If his feelings weren’t real and just part of the game — the man deserved an Oscar.
Warm arms wrapped around her waist, and she smiled at his return until the arms felt weak and the body behind her soft.
“Miss me?” the whisper was more of a hiss and wreaking of expensive scotch and cigars. Phillip.
Like the wind had been knocked from her, she sharply gasped at the realization, and turned, breaking easily from his weak grasp. “What are you doing? Don’t touch me!”
“C’mon, I’ve seen the way you look at me. I know this thing with Blackthorne is all for me. Just a show to make me jealous.”
“You’re drunk,” she fired back, moving around him and slowly creeping back up the dock. “And you’ve clearly lost your mind, Phillip.”
Her pace quickened, and she turned to run because he began to follow. There was a look in his eyes she didn’t recognize and didn’t want to understand. He grabbed her from behind after stumbling along, spinning her against the small tackle shed at the shore side of the dock. He had an arm on either side of her, pinning her against the small building with his body — too close for Cori to get away.
“Look, we can play games or cut to the chase. I want you — you want me. Let’s get out of here. My parents have a place not far from here,” Phillip slurred.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m with Nick, and you’re with Winnie. You left me for my best friend. Remember? This isn’t going to happen, Phillip. I don’t want you.” At that moment, reality struck, and she realized exactly what she wanted. “I want…Nick.”
“Ohhh.” A dramatic eye-roll followed his long, drawn out thought. “So that’s what this is about? You want me to apologize first? Beg, grovel? I’m sorry, Cori. I didn’t mean to hurt your little feelings. Please forgive me? Pretty, pretty please? I’ll make it up to you, baby.”
The whine and sarcasm made her want to slap the shit out of him. She didn’t want an apology. There was nothing to forgive — he did her a favor. She wouldn’t have been happy with him and certainly wouldn’t have met Nick the way she had, had Phillip not done what he had.
“You’re forgiven, but I’m not going anywhere with you. You’re marrying Winnie. Go to her if you want to…you know.”
“Cordelia, c’mon. You’re being petty. Let’s get out of here.” He leaned into her, and she felt ill when his erection pressed against her belly. “I’ll still marry the stiff, rigid bitch, okay? Need her money anyway. But you — you, beautiful Cori — I want to fuck you…all…night…long. For old times’ sake. Maybe you’ll be my new Wednesday night.”
In an instant reaction, she raised her hand and slapped him as hard as she could, given how he had her pinned. He disgusted her. What had she ever seen in him?
“You bitch.” Phillip grabbed her by the hair and pulled her head back so he could easily kiss her, and he did, or at least tried.
Fight! That was all she could think. Fight the son of a bitch, because this was not happening. The more she swung and kicked, the more force he used to pin her where he wanted her. He may not have been half the size of Nick or as strong, but he was bigger and stronger than she was and getting the upper hand.
When he had her arms above her head, he leaned in like he was going to kiss her again, so she turned her head away. “Okay, so you wanna play rough — we can do that too. Blackthorne teach you that?”
“No,” came a booming voice just before Phillip was knocked away from Cori with such force, she nearly fell. Nick. “I don’t treat women like that, asshole.”
Phillip charged Nick, but he was ready for him. Nick had a good six inches and plenty more muscle, so Phillip didn’t sway him in the least with his barreling move. Nick was also sober, which helped. After a short altercation where Nick was the only one to land a few punches, Phillip found himself out of breath and hunched over, face bleeding. The restraint Nick showed was astounding, only putting his hand on Phillip enough to stop him when he could have kicked the shit out of him.
Rushing to her side, Nick gave Cori a quick once over, looking for more reasons to kick Phillip’s ass, but she was fine, only shaken. He pulled her into him and l
et out a deep sigh of relief. “Are you okay, sweetheart? Tell me you’re okay.”
“I am.” Nodding, with tear streaked cheeks, she looked up and gave him a small, reassuring smile. His angry expression eased into one of relief. “He didn’t hurt me. I’m okay.”
Nick turned, placing Cori behind him when more voices came into earshot. Winnie and Eliza were headed their way, and right behind was Lyle, of all people.
“You okay, mate?” Lyle asked Nick. “You need me to do anything with this bastard?”
“No, Lyle. I think we have it under control. Thank you,” Nick replied.
“I heard the miss and came running. What kind of man puts his hands on a woman like that?” Lyle said, looking at Phillip with disgust. “I’d beat the bloody tar out of ya, mate. You’re lucky Nicky got to you first. He has a bit more control than I.”
Nick appreciated Lyle’s loyalty, and that he was concerned for Cori. Cori did too. It was time to leave, get out of there, and never look back.
“What on earth are you talking about?” Winnie asked Lyle. “Who the hell are you?”
“I fly the chopper for Mr. B. Your boy had his hands all over the misses, and it wasn’t to be honorable, if ya know what I mean.”
“Phillip? He’d never!” she fired back. “Phillip, get up. Say something. What are you doing out here?”
“Let’s get out of here,” Nick said to Cori, wiping her tears. He grabbed her hand to lead her up the shore.
“We know all about your little game, Cori,” Winnie yelled.
Cori stopped and turned to face her. “Game?”
“This fake…whatever it is…” Winnie’s arms were flailing at Nick and Cori. Nick pulled her closer, urging her to move on. “Looks like you’ve succeeded…mostly.”
“Succeeded at what, Winnie?” Okay, she was game. What did Winnie think she knew?
Winnie’s chuckle was more of an evil witch’s cackle. “Trying to win Phillip back. Seducing him at every turn. Trying to make him jealous, using Nick to do so.”
Liar (a FAUX-MANCE novel) Page 13
