by Carsen Taite
She pulled over in a residential neighborhood off Hyde Park Road and got out of the car to assess her strategy. Looking for Ainsley would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. She was willing to bet Ainsley was still at the El Dorado, but in a different suite. She was definitely not going back there. She hoped Ainsley was still in town. At least if she were still in Santa Fe, Greer had some hope of finding her, but if she’d gone back to Chicago it was hopeless. She thought about item two on her list, talking to Drew. As much as she dreaded a confrontation with her, at least she knew where Drew was.
Greer glanced at the Vette. The press had probably figured out she was related to the Lancers by now, and she wasn’t likely to get off on the right foot with Drew if she showed up with reporters in tow. She decided to leave the car where it was and walk down the hill, back into town to the Lancer Hotel. Before she left, she reached in and snagged the wolf fetish from the dash and slipped it in her pocket. Safe journey. She knew the way, but she could use as much help as she could find to get there undetected. As she approached the door, she spotted a few out-of-place characters who were probably reporters. She was glad she had remembered her casino cap and sunglasses. She waited till she was sure they weren’t looking, pulled her cap low, and ducked in the side entrance. She started toward Drew’s office but was abruptly pulled back by strong arms. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Wherever the hell I want,” Greer growled, despite knowing she didn’t have the muscle to slip out of the grasp of the gorilla who held her. What is it with me and hotel lobbies today?
“I’m going to need to see your room key and identification,” the gorilla said. He turned Greer around, keeping a tight grip on her arms. The minute she saw his face, which was not gorilla-like at all, she laughed. She had wrestled with Joey Vega before, but they’d been crazy teenagers back then. Joey was a freshman when Greer was a senior at Santa Fe High School. He had professed to be in love with her and followed her around like a lovesick puppy. Greer felt sorry for the kid who didn’t seem to get the hint. She finally told him in no uncertain terms why he had absolutely no chance at a lifetime of wedded bliss with her, but assured him that if he would stop dogging her, they could be friends. After graduation, Joey actually joined Greer’s tour as a roadie. He had eventually stopped working for her, but she didn’t remember why. Something about him having to move back to Santa Fe, no longer being able to travel.
She saw by his facial expression that he finally recognized her, and she put a finger to her lips to keep him from voicing his reaction. She motioned to the storage room by the bell stand and they both ducked in.
“Joey Vega! I haven’t seen you in forever. How’s your family?” Greer instantly knew she’d said something wrong by the way Joey shifted his feet and wiped away the trace of a tear. “Hey, what is it?”
“Mom died last year.” The words triggered memories. Greer cursed her own stupidity. She now recalled Joey asking for leave from the tour to take care of his mother. She thought he would eventually return, but he never did. She never asked or even wondered why. She hoped against hope someone on her staff had at least sent flowers. Greer gave him an awkward hug before she plunged into a discussion of her own drama.
“I’m looking for Drew. Is she around?”
“Isn’t she always?” Greer didn’t hear any judgment behind Joey’s question, but rather a sense of pride. Drew had always worked hard. She had probably expected this place would be hers to run as she wished someday. No wonder she was in such a foul mood lately. Greer was more determined than ever to clear the air. Hell, she’d buy Drew her own hotel if she would cut her some slack. “If you’ll let her know I’m here, I’ll wait for her in the office.” Greer started to walk out of the cloakroom, but Joey grabbed her arm.
“Be careful, there’s press everywhere.”
Greer shrugged. “Actually, I think they may be chasing their tails looking for me in Hyde Park. Matter of fact, I could use a favor.” Joey nodded, and Greer pulled a car key from her pocket and handed it to him. “I can find my way to the office, but I left my car parked in Hyde Park, on Los Altos. It’s a black Vette. Would you mind getting it for me? I’ll need it to get back to the ranch later, but feel free to take it for a spin if you want. I think you might attract a few camera snapping chase cars, but she’s supercharged so you should be able to lose them.”
His face lit up like a kid at Christmas. “Sure, Greer. I’ll have it back here and ready for you in no time. The office is in the same place. Drew will be glad to see you.”
Greer flashed a smile at Joey’s optimism and made her way across the lobby to face her angry cousin. She started to barge in, but decided she should knock if she wanted to start off on the right foot. A familiar voice called out for her to come in, but it wasn’t until she actually entered the room that she realized whose voice it was. Ainsley Faraday, seated at Drew’s desk, looking for all the world like she owned the place. At least until her face registered the same shock Greer was feeling. They stared at each other, jaws slack, unable to speak.
Greer finally recovered from her initial shock to flash a broad smile at Ainsley. It was time for them to be properly introduced.
*
No freaking way. Ainsley had looked up expecting to see Paul and instead, standing in front of her, smiling like she hadn’t a care in the world, was the infamous Greer Davis. Ainsley stood, nearly toppling her chair. She needed her full height to deliver the scathing message she was about to impart. She started to speak, but Greer beat her to actual words. “Hi, Ainsley, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. I’m—”
Ainsley shot out her hand, palm out. Like magic, Greer stopped talking. As if I don’t know who the hell you are, you scheming tramp. How dare you think you can skulk around town in your scrubby little outfits, playing the role of regular girl about town, playing me for a fool! You must have known all the while I was working at your cousin’s hotel. I bet you and Drew had a few laughs about how you were bagging the boss lady. The rational part of Ainsley’s brain knew that last wasn’t true, based on Drew’s obvious dislike of Greer, but rationality wasn’t winning the battle raging between her thoughts and emotions. Ainsley was furious, too furious to actually speak the curses flowing through her head. She stared daggers at Greer as if the force of her gaze would send her screaming from the room. Finally, realizing her mind-bending powers were lacking, she mustered two words and hoped they would do the trick. “Get out.”
It didn’t work. Greer Davis was still standing in front of her desk. Her eyes sparkled, but she shuffled her feet in a strange combination of confidence and contritition. Ainsley’s resolve sagged. She knew she was seeing a glimpse of Tray, and she struggled against the urge to go to her and brush her hands through Tray’s wayward, mussy, adorable hair. Damn it, Ainsley, Tray doesn’t exist.
“Why are you still here?” Ainsley shook off her double vision. Greer Davis was standing in front of her, not Tray Cardon. Whoever she was, Ainsley was done with her antics. Whoever she was, she was getting tossed out right now. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. I want you to leave. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
Greer moved, but toward Ainsley, not the door. “Come on, baby, you can’t mean that.” Tray’s sultry voice. She circled her arms around Ainsley and pulled her close. Tray’s gentle touch. She nuzzled Ainsley’s neck, her warm breath sending waves of heat to melt Ainsley’s resolve. And then she kissed Ainsley, deep and long. Tray’s masterful lips and tongue.
Ainsley succumbed. Unable to resist, she returned Greer’s intimate kiss and lost herself in the tangle of touch. Locked together at the lips, both of them used their hands to consume what they could without breaking contact. Ainsley grabbed Greer’s ass and pulled her close with one hand while running the fingers of her other hand roughly through the short spikes of Greer’s hair. She couldn’t get close enough. She jerked up Greer’s shirt and shoved her hands inside, molding her breasts against Greer’s naked flesh.
Still not close enough. Still pressed hard against Greer, she lifted her own skirt and shoved Greer’s hand into the band of her thin panties, holding it in place while she ground against her. She couldn’t get any closer, and still it wasn’t enough.
Tears rolled down Ainsley’s face as she realized she couldn’t meld the woman she craved with the one she despised. Only one of them really existed, and it wasn’t the one she had fallen for. Greer Davis was bigger than life, but she was standing right here in front of her. Cute, sweet Tray was nowhere in sight. Ainsley was done mistaking chemistry for something more. This little experiment had resulted in sharp burns. She disentangled herself from their intimate embrace.
“Ainsley, baby, why are you crying?”
The voice was Tray’s, but Ainsley knew better. Greer Davis didn’t give a shit about anyone but herself. Ainsley leaned her head back and stared at her. She looked like she really cared about Ainsley’s feelings, but Ainsley knew it was a mask. Greer was merely trying to get Ainsley past her issue and back into a lip lock. Ainsley felt the anger swell and rush up from her core. She concentrated all her power on containing the rage, but it crashed against her resolve and shot to the surface. Well then, you can find someone else to use, Ms. Davis. I’m not your flavor of the week. She opened her mouth to deliver her scathing good-bye, but Greer, apparently oblivious to the raging volcano Ainsley had become, dove in for another kiss. It was too much. Ainsley abandoned the power of speech and slapped the shit out of the approaching face. Before either one could recover, the office door burst open.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,” Drew said in a dry tone. Ainsley was paralyzed, her hand still in the air. Greer held her reddening jaw and looked like she’d seen bats fly out of the top of Ainsley’s head. In contrast, her sister Melanie was standing next to Drew looking like she had just seen the funniest thing ever. Ainsley focused on the familiar and barked at her sister, “What the hell are you smiling about?”
Melanie’s smile graduated to a full-on chuckle. “You, dear sister. You’re always so composed, so particular, even when you’re playing the field. Too good to be an ambassador for your older sister, but here you are, not only getting it on with this infamous bad girl, but apparently you like it rough. Who knew?”
“Fuck you.” Ainsley spat the words at her.
“Language,” Melanie gasped.
“I’m not a bad girl.” Greer was petulant.
Drew barked, “Tell it to Oprah.”
“I meant it as a compliment,” Melanie offered.
“Shut up!” Ainsley yelled. How in the hell did her confrontation with Greer disintegrate into this free-for-all multifamily feud? She returned her focus to Greer. “Leave.” All her will was forced into the one word, and she hoped it was enough.
It wasn’t. Greer was nothing if not persistent. She shot a glance at Drew and Melanie, then leaned in, out of slap reach, to whisper, “Ainsley, honey. Come on, you know what we had was special. Tell them to go away. I’m sorry for everything. Let me make up for all this craziness.” Why is she still talking? Ainsley heard the words, but they were empty, coming as they were from this stranger who didn’t look like she was going anywhere. Why is she still here?
Ainsley summoned all her inner strength. “Let me be clear. I want you to leave. Now.” Ainsley watched Greer shoot a look at Drew, as if asking her to override the order. Drew shook her head. Defeated, Greer made her way to the door, but Ainsley wasn’t going to be satisfied till she cleared the room. She shot a pointed look at Drew and then Melanie.
Drew answered. “I’m going, I’m going. Your sister wanted to see you, and I came in to tell you I’m going to be late for our afternoon meeting. I have to pick up my dad from the doctor.”
Ainsley noted Greer, who was almost through the door, paused for a second. To her utter disbelief, Greer walked back into the room. “Hey, cuz, I can pick him up.”
“No, you can’t.”
“Yes, I can.”
Ainsley felt like she was in the middle of a three-ring circus. The most puzzling part of the act was the third ring. What was Melanie, her stuffy, corporate sister, doing there? Not only here in New Mexico, but here in this room. She didn’t believe for a minute Melanie had flown to a city with no major airport or metropolitan banking center for the sole purpose of checking on her only-on-special-occasions sister. Melanie was dressed like she was on a business trip, but Ainsley couldn’t imagine this tourist town had much to offer in the way of securities trading. Melanie caught her glance and delivered a sly smile. No doubt she was up to no good. It was time to clear the lot of them out of the office if she planned to get any work done. Paul had probably heard the commotion and taken cover somewhere far away.
“Drew, for God’s sake, let her take care of your dad. We have a lot to do this afternoon and I need you here. Melanie, I am working here, so why don’t you enjoy your stay in the parts of the hotel meant for visitors.” She focused on Greer. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
Ainsley watched Greer and Melanie shuffle from the room. She heard Melanie whisper, loudly enough for Ainsley to hear, asking Greer for her autograph. Had Drew not been in the room, she would have thrown the heaviest object from the desk, and damn the consequences.
Chapter Fifteen
“Greer, your car’s safe and sound,” said Joey.
“Is it here?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He leaned closer and whispered, “A few of the cars following me were hard to shake, but your wheels go from zero to one hundred in about five seconds. Those reporters are on their way to Raton by now. No way they could have seen me double back.” He rifled through his pockets and produced a key. Greer waved it away.
“Keep it. I need a favor.”
“Whatever you need, ma’am.”
“First of all, what’s with the ‘ma’am’?”
Joey looked embarrassed and muttered something about her being a big star and all. Greer would have laughed out loud except she didn’t want to draw attention to herself. “Drop the pleasantries, buddy. It’s me, okay? Now, is your car here at the hotel?” He nodded. “I need you to take the Vette and drive it to St. John’s. I’ll meet you there in your car and we’ll switch. If you feel like you’re being followed, call me on my cell and we’ll pick another place. Okay?”
Joey’s expression was a mixture of excitement and angst. “I’m supposed to be on duty till four.”
Greer gave him a hug and flashed her superstar smile. “No worries. Drew won’t mind. Hell, we’re almost like sisters.”
Within moments Greer was on her way to St. John’s College in Joey’s beat-up Chevy Cavalier. She had no trouble sneaking out of the parking garage in the nondescript vehicle. Greer used the short drive to reflect. She understood Ainsley’s anger. She’d expected Ainsley would not be happy when she found out Greer had lied about who she was, but she was totally unprepared for Ainsley’s resistance to her charms. Greer Davis was used to fighting women off, not fighting to win them over. Punk. Irresponsible. Ainsley’s words echoed. Whatever impression Tray had made was quickly eclipsed once her true identity was revealed. Well, not entirely. Greer flashed back to the lascivious embrace she and Ainsley had shared moments earlier. The physical attraction was still electrifying, but it wasn’t enough to revive their emotional link.
Greer shook her head. She realized her usual methods weren’t going to work with Ainsley Faraday. Successful in her own right, Ainsley wasn’t impressed by her fame and fortune. Any chemical attraction they shared wasn’t enough to overcome Ainsley’s impression that Greer Davis was an irresponsible punk. Not the kind of woman Ainsley would want as a lover. For the first time in her life Greer wanted someone to want her for more than the image she projected. She wanted someone to want her for the person she hid behind her rock-star persona. And she wanted that someone to be Ainsley Faraday.
Within moments she arrived at the campus. She parked in back near the hiking trails that led to the Santa Fe National Fo
rest. Joey called to say he had to take a detour to shake his press followers, but was confident he could rendezvous at the designated spot. Greer climbed out of the car to stretch her legs and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the scents of sage and pine. Both smells evoked memories of days Greer had spent mountain biking on these very trails when she was in high school. Not much had changed in this town. Sure, new development was scattered around, but it was all still done in the same adobe with nothing to block the beautiful mountain views, Sangre de Cristos to the north, Sandias to the south.
I should call Rick and have him send me a bike. She wondered if Rick was still speaking to her. She hadn’t spoken to him since he left the whiny message on her cell. Her problems were big enough without having to smooth his ruffled feathers. He’d said something about her uncle tossing him out. Wait a minute. Rick is here. Or at least he had been in New Mexico as recently as yesterday. Nothing short of a sold-out show would get Rick out of promotion tour mode, but he’d obviously thought something was important enough to make the journey. Greer wondered if the police had found drugs at the hotel, if they planned to charge her with something. Of course, then it would have been the local sheriff who showed up knocking, not her micromanaging agent. The simple answer was probably Rick needed her to do her job, kiss the ass of every reporter in the country so they would take the focus off her recent troubles and put the focus on her music. As if they ever did.
