“I know a guy, don’t worry about it,” I smirked.
Shaking her head, she asked, “Really? Did you just smirk at me as you told me you know a guy who got you a fake marriage license? What the hell are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that I love her and I want to marry her.”
“You want to marry her or Sterling wants to marry her?”
“She loves Sterling.”
Becca placed her hand on top of mine on the table. “She would love him just as much if she knew he was Daniel.”
“I’m a different man when I’m with her. She makes me happy and she gives herself to me body and soul. I want that, damn I crave that.”
Becca released my hand and finished her drink in one gulp. “This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard, but you seem so damn happy. I can’t say that it’s wrong even though I know it really is. I wish that I could meet her and see the kind of woman that has you all wrapped up in knots.”
“She’s a special woman, Becca. She really is.”
“Can I at least attend the wedding?”
“Of course you can. I’ll make sure you’re on my guest list.”
“And how should I refer to you?”
“Becca, that’s not funny. You’ll refer to me as Sterling or you can stay at home.
“Fine, whatever you say, Sterling.”
“Thanks.” Reaching out I grabbed her hand in mine. “You have no idea how much you mean to me, Becca. Since my mother died, and my father is completely out of my life you’re all…”
“Shut the hell up! You know I’d do anything for you, Daniel. However, I do think you need to get your damn head screwed on straight. Other than that tiny issue, you’re pretty awesome.”
“Awesome? Yep, that’s totally me.”
“Did I mention arrogant, cocky, and a little assholish also?”
“They were unspoken, but I knew they were implied.”
“Good answer, Mr. Raider.”
“Thank you, Miss. Davis.”
After I spoke with Becca about the wedding it was time for me to do something traditional. Something that most men did before they asked a woman to marry them. I was going to ask her father for permission to make Skye my wife.
Stepping into the elevator filled with men wearing expensive suits would’ve made Daniel Raider feel extremely out of place. However, Sterling Smith felt right at home. My suit was extremely expensive, but the sales clerk had ensured me it would be well worth the price. So, I bought five. Being Sterling Smith required nice suits, an expensive car, and only the best of everything.
Skye had always had the best and I was more than able to continue her life of luxury. I had every intention of doing just that. She deserved it. She deserved so much more than her parents had ever given her. Love wise. From the few times we’d met them for dinner it was clear to me that they saw her as more of a possession than a daughter. I assumed they loved her, but it was not something they’d ever shown her or expressed in any way besides showering her with her gifts. I would show her that love was more than just money.
When we arrived at the floor for Buchanan Enterprises I slowly exited the elevator. Looking to my left my eyes were drawn to a huge piece of modern art on the far wall. Immediately, I knew that Skye had obtained this for her father. It was so her. It was huge, spanning the entire wall. Brightly colored blocks of all sizes were scattered in every direction all over the painting. It stood out prominently among the serene decor that surrounded it. The desks were all chrome and the seating was all covered in black leather. There was a small seating area in front of the painting with two large sofas facing each other and flanked by two large hard chrome chairs.
The young blonde with the sleek ponytail, red lipstick, and skintight black dress was sitting at the reception desk having a conversation with someone through the headset that was attached to her ear.
“Excuse me,” I said quietly.
When there was no response I spoke a little louder. I used what I would now refer to as my “Sterling voice”. “Excuse me, miss.”
“One moment, Mr. Davison.” She pushed a button on her headset and finally looked up at me. Her attitude changed once she caught a glimpse of me. I had to admit Sterling had quite the effect on women.
Clearing her throat slightly she said, “So sorry, sir. How can I help you this afternoon?” She tilted her head and shot me a look that said, “Take me to the back office and screw me hard against the copy machine.”
“I’m here to see Mr. Buchanan. He should be expecting me.”
“Your name, sir?”
“Sterling. Sterling Smith.”
“Yes, he is expecting you. Please wait here and I’ll make sure he is ready for your appointment.”
“Thank you.” I smiled and her eyes held mine for longer than was appropriate. I finally looked away and thought what I would’ve given to be flirted with like that last year. Things were different now. Now I had Skye and I didn’t want meaningless sex with some waiflike little blonde.
My eyes wandered back to the amazing piece of art in the entry and my mind wandered back to Skye. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. Damn, I had it bad for that woman.
“Sterling. So nice to see you again, son.” Mr. Buchanan walked toward me from his office.
When he reached me he patted me on the shoulder and then stuck his hand out to mine. We shook hands and he led me into his massive corner office.
It was decorated much the same as the rest of the place. Except there was no artwork on the walls, instead they were covered in some type of black leather panels. The large credenza behind his desk was chrome with a large mirror in the center with glass shelves running across it. The shelves were stocked with every type of liquor you could imagine. It almost looked more like a bar than in an office. He had two large black leather sofas and four identical chrome chairs situated to where they were facing the front of his huge mahogany desk. The desk seemed rather out of place and I couldn’t help but stare at it as he led me over to one of the sofas.
“So you think my desk looks a little out of place in here, don’t you?”
“Well, actually sir, that is what I was thinking. It’s a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, but it doesn’t seem to fit in with the other furnishings.”
“Sure as hell doesn’t, but I don’t give a damn. This is my office and I will have whatever desk I want. That was my father’s desk. He passed it down to me and every big deal I’ve ever made has been made at that desk.”
“Then maybe we should be talking over there.”
“What type of deal are we going to be making today, son?”
“I’ve made a decision about something and I needed to ask you before I move forward.”
“How much?” He snarled.
“What?”
“How much do you need?”
“What are you talking about?”
He stood up and walked over to his desk. Sitting down he slid open the drawer to his right and pulled out a rather large checkbook. He lifted the pen to his mouth and lightly licked the tip. “How much money do you need, son? I don’t have time to screw around. Just tell me how much you need.”
“I don’t need your damn money. I have plenty of my own. Probably even more than you have.”
He looked perplexed. “Then why the hell are you here? You said you needed to ask me something.”
“I came here to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage. Not for your money.”
“You what?” He laid the pen down and pushed away from the desk. “You want what?”
“I want to marry Skye.”
“You want to marry my daughter? You came here to ask me if you could marry my daughter?”
“Yes.”
“Well, aren’t you traditional? I didn’t know men still did that. Hell, I didn’t even do that, but of course I wasn’t given the choice on who I’d marry. Well, more power to you, son. If you think you can handle my spoiled princess, she’s all
yours.”
My fists were balled up at my sides and now I was standing directly in front of his desk. I leaned over the desk and said, “With all due respect sir, please understand something. I will not allow you to speak about Skye that way. Ever.” Leaning down closer to him I growled, “Do you understand me?”
He smirked and chuckled a bit. “Well, I’ll say one thing for you - you’ve got a steel pair. I’m going to let this one slide, because I like you Sterling. I think you’re perfect for my daughter. She needs someone like you. Someone with the means to support her, the strength to control her and the heart to comfort her. I believe that you fit the bill perfectly.”
“I’m going to ask her next week. I’ll contact you and let you know where to be and when.”
As I was turning to leave his office, he spoke again, “Please keep in mind, Sterling. This one was your freebie. Do not ever disrespect me again.”
This conversation probably would’ve rattled Daniel, but Sterling handled it very well. I sure as hell wasn’t scared of the old bastard. I had things to do, like planning the perfect way to ask Skye to become Mrs. Smith.
***
Our wedding went off without a hitch. Skye made sure everything was perfect and I more than willingly let her. All I had to do was show up. Becca was there, but we didn’t speak much. I introduced her to Skye as a friend I worked with occasionally. My two worlds collided for a brief time and the world didn’t implode…all in all it was a great day.
Immediately after the wedding we flew to Paris where we spent three months exploring the city and each other. The honeymoon was perfect, just like my new wife.
For the most part I really was happy. Daniel Raider was happy because he was Sterling Smith. Damn, that really does sound fucking insane, but it was my life and I was basically enjoying it. When we finally came home we enjoyed spending time together and being married. We didn’t need anything else that lasted until around our first anniversary. I was starting to feel, I don’t know, unneeded.
Skye’s gallery was growing bigger everyday and it made her so happy. If I were being honest with myself, I’d have to admit that I was a little jealous of her business. She loved it so much, it was her passion. I wanted to feel that strongly about something, anything.
Even though I was happier than I’d been in years, I was worried. I was afraid to let Skye be the center of my world the way my mother had done with my father. There had to be another reason for me to wake up every morning.
There was only one person I could talk to about this, so I called Becca and asked her to meet me for lunch.
“I think I need to get a job.”
“Where the hell is this coming from?” Becca asked. She seemed rather shocked by my revelation.
“I don’t have anything. I have no hobbies, basically no life.”
“You have a wife that you’ve only been married to for like a year. Are you already bored with her? That didn’t take long at all.” She took a huge bite out of her turkey sandwich. We’d been coming to this deli ever since she moved here. They made the best sandwiches on earth.
“Shut up. I’m not bored with her, but she works a lot and I don’t. She’s all I have, Becca. What if she leaves me?”
“Have faith in her, Daniel. She’s not your father.”
I took a big sip of my soda. “I know that, but it still scares the hell out of me. I can’t end up like my mom-a sad shell of a person, because the woman I love left me for someone else.”
“Okay, first of all, we need to make something clear here, are you a man? Because men don’t say shit like that.”
“Wow, thanks for the support, friend.”
“Daniel, I’m always here for you. You know that, but you aren’t going to be like your mother, I won’t allow it. So get that thought out of your head.”
“I need more. This whole being a different person thing is harder than you’d expect.”
“No shit. I told you to tell her the truth. You can’t keep this up forever.”
“I can and I will. Skye will never know who I really am. I won’t hurt her like that. I’m not my father.”
“Exactly my point. You are not your father and you’re not your mother, and you never will be, so stop talking like that. How about this? I’ve got a big client I need to go work with in Texas for a couple weeks. Why don’t you come with me? Tell Skye you’re going on a business trip, for one of the many little endeavors your grandparents left you. We rarely get to spend any time together with all of your ‘I’m living a dual life business’ going on. I miss you.”
“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. She wouldn’t question a business trip.”
“Exactly. That way you could have a change of atmosphere and remember how much fun we had on our summer road trip? That was the most fun I’ve ever had.”
“It was a lot of fun. Okay, let’s do this. So, where are we going? Texas?”
“I leave for Dallas on Monday. We will be gone about a week or two. I hear that city is chock full of hot cowboys. I can’t wait.”
“I’ll pass on the cowboys, but a change of scenery sounds like a great idea.”
Chapter Four~
Becca and I arrived in Dallas and checked into our hotel. It was an historical masterpiece. I immediately thought to myself that Skye would love this place. It was like a piece of fine art.
The old colonial style structure had been completely restored in recent years. You didn’t see architecture like that anymore. The interior was just as spectacular. From the gilded grand staircase, to the stained glass windows, and huge chandelier the place was nothing if not grand.
Each morning, I would wake up, throw on my running clothes, and take off. That was one thing that I’d done every day since I was fifteen years old. I’d always been a runner at heart. In high school I participated in track and running was the way I got in my daily exercise. So no matter what I started every morning with a brisk three mile run and I would try to work in another three miles every evening. Running definitely kept me in shape and it gave me time to think about things. My wife, my non-existent job, my future…you know nothing important. What a joke….
When I got back from my morning run I took a shower, snuck in a little nap, and then I ran downstairs and grabbed a bite to eat. The whiskey I downed at lunch helped me work up the courage to make the phone call I had been dreading all week. Calling Skye to tell her I wouldn’t be attending our first anniversary party was not something I wanted to do, but nevertheless it had to be done.
There wasn’t a single part of my being that wanted to hurt her, but it couldn’t be avoided. I couldn’t stand the thought of attending a big bash right now. I knew her parents had a huge event planned and I just couldn’t do it. The thought of schmoozing with all of her parents’ friends and her friends made my heart race.
Lying to Skye was hard enough, but keeping up the lie in front of everyone else was almost too much to bear. I knew when I left for Texas that I wouldn’t make it home for the party, but when Skye had asked I lied - shocking, I know - and told her I would.
I’d set up special surprises to be delivered to her all day that day. She would love the little gifts, well all but one. But she’d grow to love her new puppy too. I was sure of it.
After breaking the news to her, I could feel the tension settle in my shoulders. The only way to work it out was to head out for another run. So, I quickly changed into my running shorts and t-shirt and took off from the hotel, running through the park at the end of the street.
This park was not real big, but it was very well taken care of. It was lined with a bunch of old trees and there were some kids playing on the swing set. The little curly haired boy waved at me as I ran past him. I smiled and waved back, continuing my run around the park.
A flash of white caused me to divert my gaze over to one of the trees on the opposite side of the park. There was a woman with long blonde waves spreading out a white quilt under the tree. She plopped down on it and pulled somethin
g out of her bag. She appeared to be trying to hide under the tree. All tucked away against it lying on her pretty quilt.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, but I had to.
What the hell was I doing?
I was married. I wasn’t supposed to be checking out women like that. Skye would kick my ass for even thinking about being with someone else, but something about this girl hidden away under the tree was drawing me to her.
When I got back to the hotel, Becca was sitting downstairs in the bar.
“Wow, you’re covered in sweat. Get upstairs and take a shower, then come have a drink with your best friend,” she slurred.
“Sounds like my best friend has already had a couple too many.”
“Pish posh! There’s nothing that will help you forget a rough day like sex on the beach. Ha! That could go ways, the drink or the act.” She laughed hysterically.
Pulling her into my arms, I said, “Let’s get you up to your suite. No more booze for you.”
“Party pooper.” She turned toward the rest of the bar. Waving her arms she said, “This man is nothing but a damned old party pooper.”
When I finally got her over to the elevator we rode upstairs in silence. I contemplated whether or not to tell Becca about the girl in the park. The draw to her had been so intense.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I had to talk about it with someone, but was it a good idea to talk about it with my drunk friend? Probably not, but when did I ever claim to be smart?
We got into her room and I sat down on the couch while she took a shower. Looking up as she walked out of the bathroom, I noticed she was wrapped in a towel.
“I ain’t that drunk. Turn your ass around while I get dressed.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Then I snickered as I turned back around and waited for her to get dressed.
Within a couple of minutes she came around the couch and plopped down beside me. She was wearing pajamas and still had her hair up in a towel.
“So, what’s on your mind?”
“What do you mean?”
“I always know when you need to talk, Daniel. Spit it out.”
“I don’t want to. You’re not going to like it,” I admitted.
Four Letters Page 22
