Cherry Creek

by Dani Matthews

  I see him run his hand through his hair as he swears softly. “Look, you're hot as hell, but Khristos will kill me if I have sex with you.”

  That's why we're stopping? I smile and walk up to him. “I don't plan on telling him,” I promise as I reach out to finish unzipping his jeans.

  Trace grabs my wrist firmly. “Livvy, stop.”

  “Why?” I ask with confusion. “No one needs to know.”

  “This isn't like you, are you drunk?” he asks tightly.

  “I had one drink. Tatum gave it to me.”

  He mutters something under his breath and shoves my hand away from his body. His hand slides against the wall, and a second later the light in the foyer turns on. I blink at the sudden brightness and find Trace's face inches from mine. He holds my chin in place, but it’s a struggle for him to keep me there, because I keep trying to jerk my face from his grip so I can look at his body. He holds my head prisoner and peers into my eyes. I give up trying to see his body and instead push my head forward so I can kiss him, but Trace jerks back abruptly. His eyes darken to a charcoal gray as I see barely veiled anger within their depths.

  I shrink back. The need I'd felt for him moments ago fades with my bewilderment. “Did I do something wrong?” I whisper as I stare up at him.

  His jaw clenches briefly before his eyes soften. “No. You haven't done anything wrong,” he assures me quietly. “Let's go get you a little something for your head.”

  “My head?” For once it's not bothering me.

  “Yeah. You're drunk off of whatever Tatum gave you. It'll make your head hurt in the morning, so let's get you a little something now to save you from a really bad hangover.”

  “But...” My eyes run over his bare chest with longing. He's broad and powerful, with defined muscles that urge me to run my fingers over them. I lick my swollen lips, and I can still taste Trace on them. I feel that burn within me beginning to spread again.

  “Nothing's happening, Livvy,” Trace says firmly as he leans down to grab his shirt off the floor. I'm disappointed. Like really, really disappointed. I watch as he jerks the shirt over his head, and that beautiful chest disappears under the material. He quickly fastens the button of his jeans, then bends down and retrieves his belt off the floor. “Go up to your room, and I'll grab something for your head,” he tells me as he straightens up.

  “I have some stuff in my room,” I mutter as I realize I have no way to ease this burning inferno that's been awakened inside me. I look at him with feverish bewilderment. How do I regain control of my body? Why is this happening to me?

  “This is better, I promise. Go,” he says gently.

  When I realize he'll be coming up to my bedroom, I perk up. I might be able to change his mind. “Okay,” I say immediately as I turn and walk away, making sure my hips sway a little more than usual. I hear him mutter a curse under his breath, and I smile. As soon as I reach my room, I leave the door open as I turn on the light. I quickly take off the heels and shimmy out of the dress. I'm left in just my white, lacy bra and lace panties.

  When Trace walks in, I'm standing there, waiting for him. He has a bottle of water in one hand and a white pill in the other. He averts his gaze when he sees me. “Take this,” he orders.

  “What am I doing wrong?” I whisper with frustration. Why does he no longer want me?

  Trace meets my questioning gaze with strained eyes. “Take the pill, and then we'll talk.”

  I take the pill, swallowing it down with a sip of water. I look at him expectantly. “If this is about Khristos, we don't have to tell him.”

  “You're not yourself tonight, Livvy. Trust me, this isn't what you really want.”

  “Yes, it is,” I insist. Then, it’s as if someone's dimmed the lights in my room until I realize it's my vision that's darkening. I blink with confusion. Trace's arms wrap around me, supporting me as the world tilts. “Wha..?”

  Everything goes dark.

  Chapter Nine

  The next morning, I awake with the hazy recollection of last night. It’s a little fuzzy in certain areas, but I do remember the two men who'd cornered me. And...I remember throwing myself at Trace in the foyer. In fact, my lips still feel swollen and raw from the kisses we shared. I stay in bed longer than usual as I work through my humiliation. I don't know what got into me last night. I've never thrown myself like that at anyone. Not even Brad. None of my actions last night make sense. Yes, I am very attracted to Trace, but I've always been able to control it. I'm not sure why I did the things I did, but I can only pray that I never have to face Trace again.

  It takes me a while to work up the nerve to face the day. When I make my way downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast, I pause outside the doorway. I hear raised masculine voices coming from Khristos's office down the hall, and they sound angry. I'm curious, but since Adelaide's looking at me expectantly, I step further into the kitchen and cross it to take my usual seat at the island counter. “What's going on?”

  She smiles slightly with a hint of wryness. “Roman's in a bit of trouble this morning.”

  “What did he do?”

  “That would be up to him to share. Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Adelaide brings me my tea and breakfast a minute later. The voices in the office have quieted down, and I wonder what's going on. What had Roman done to get in so much trouble? My thoughts shift, and I can't help but dwell on my own predicament. “Addie?”

  “Yes?” she asks as she turns away from the stove to look at me.

  “Have you ever done anything completely out of character for no reason?” I ask quietly. It still bothers me that I'd acted...like a dog in heat last night. That's what it'd felt like. I'd been mortifyingly desperate, and I can feel my face heating at the memory.

  She smiles gently and walks over, standing on the other side of the island counter. “A time or two, yes.”

  “I did something really stupid last night,” I reveal.

  “Do you want to tell me about it?”

  I look down at my plate as I pick up my fork. “Not really. I...owe someone an apology, but I'd rather avoid them instead.”

  “Sometimes it's hard doing the right thing,” she says kindly as she gives my shoulder a motherly squeeze before walking back to the stove.

  A door slams down the hall, startling me. I look up to see Roman stride past the kitchen doorway and down the hall. Trace walks past a second later, not even glancing in the direction of the kitchen. Humiliation washes over me again at just the sight of him. But then it sinks in that he might have told Khristos about last night. What if Roman was in trouble because I got drunk? Wasn't that the one thing Khristos was adamant about not allowing in his club?

  “Excuse me,” I blurt to Adelaide before I rush after Trace. I'm assuming he's leaving, so I hurry towards the front of the mansion. The last thing I want to do is face him, but I need to know if Roman's in trouble because of me. When I don't see him, I open the front door and see that he's walking to his SUV parked out front.

  “Trace, wait up!” I call as I hurry out the door and cross the circular drive to him.

  He pauses near his car and turns to looks at me. He smiles easily as if I hadn't literally jumped him last night. “Feeling better this morning?”

  I'm pretty sure my face is fire engine red. “Uh, yeah. About last night...”

  “It's fine. No need to apologize,” he says as his eyes roam over my face as if searching for something.

  “I'm sorry!” I blurt out. “I'm not...that isn't...” I'm at a loss for words. How do you apologize for trying to seduce someone and refusing to take no for an answer? And it's not lost on me that today I feel in complete control around him. Yes, I want to touch him, but I can control the urge. I can admire how great he looks today in jeans and the long-sleeved dark shirt he's wearing, but I don't act upon my attraction.

  “You weren't yourself, I know that. Don't worry about it, Livvy.”

  “But...”
<
br />   He smiles slightly. “I was willing to kiss you back, wasn't I?”

  My heart skips a beat, and I nod.

  “No harm was done,” he says simply.

  “Okay,” I say with relief as I feel the initial awkwardness of seeing him fade. “You and Roman were in Khristos's office, and Addie tells me Roman’s in trouble. Did he get in trouble because I got drunk? You didn’t tell Khristos about what I did, did you?” I ask as my face scrunches up with dread. Roman and Khristos knowing I threw myself at Trace would be worse than the actual act itself.

  “Livvy, do you really think I'm going to tell my boss I almost slept with his niece?” he asks pointedly as his silver eyes glint with dry humor.

  I breathe out a huge sigh of relief. “Oh, good. The last thing I want is for anyone to find out how off the hinges I was last night.” I look up at him questioningly. “Why is Roman in trouble?”

  “All I can say is he handled a delicate situation very badly last night.”

  ***

  After what feels like weeks but was actually only one—well, six days to be exact—I hear from Sheffield. It's Monday, and I find a voice mail from him on my phone during my lunch break. He wants me to stop by his office when I get the chance. Has he found my mom already? I feel excited, and I wish I had a longer lunch break, but I just spent ten minutes of it walking—actually window shopping—on my way to a burger joint a few blocks away from Sinfully Yours. There's not enough time to go all the way over to Dunhill Street. I'll have to wait until after work.

  The rest of the afternoon, my mood is bright and cheerful as I realize I just might be leaving town tomorrow. If I know where my mom is, I will set my plan in motion and go to her. I'll be out of the state before Khristos even realizes it. I still haven't figured out what he's hiding. I have a choice between sticking around to find out or going back to my old life. I choose my old life.

  When I enter Sheffield's office later that evening, I am full of anticipation.

  Sheffield looks up from his computer when he sees me, and he struggles to his feet. “Miss Vauss,” he greets before he picks up a manila envelope off his desk and holds it out to me.

  I walk over and accept it, noting that it feels thick. I can't help but grin at him. “You found her.”

  “No,” he says as he gives me a sympathetic look. “I landed a huge case, unfortunately I don't have the time to track her down for you.”

  At first, I don't believe him and shake my head. “No, you said you'd look for her.”

  “I no longer have the time to put into your case.” He nods at the envelope. “It's all there. You can count it,” he offers.

  “You're serious,” I realize.

  “Sorry, kid.”

  I clutch the envelope tightly in my hands as desperation rises in the depths of my chest. “You don't understand, I need to find her. Please. I'll pay you five times what you regularly charge.”

  “As I said, I can no longer take your case.”

  His mind is made up, and I can't sway him with money. “Okay,” I say quietly, giving in as gracefully as I can.

  He sighs. “You can try Kramer, he's located in Minneapolis. He might be willing to take your case if the price is right. But if you go to him, kid, keep it on the down low.”

  I nod. “Thanks, Mr. Sheffield.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Get out of here,” he says gruffly.

  This time around, I'd driven to his office, and I walk over to my car which is parked at the curb. I climb in the driver's seat and toss the envelope onto the passenger seat. Great. Now I'm back to square one. I try to look on the bright side as I start the car up and it purrs to life. Sheffield had been kind enough to give the name of someone who might take my case regardless of my minor status.

  By the time I park my car in the garage at the Deveroux mansion, my head is throbbing. It's got to be from stress. It seems like the more emotional I am, the worse they are. I need to start managing my stress and anxiety better.

  That last thought causes me to mentally roll eyes as I walk up the stone path towards the mansion. If people weren't keeping secrets from me, I wouldn't be this stressed out. There is no way to not care when nothing seems to be as it appears.

  The mansion is silent and feels deserted when I step inside. I slip off my heels and pick them up as I go to the kitchen. Adelaide is gone for the day, and I'm disappointed. I have no idea what's in her tea, but they seem to help with my headaches. I set my shoes down, then start opening up various cupboards and peering inside. She knows I love that tea, so she should have some packets laying around somewhere. She makes it for me every morning.

  “What are you doing?”

  I yelp, abruptly releasing a cupboard door, causing it to slam shut loudly. I turn to find Roman standing in the kitchen, his blue-green gaze full of curiosity as he studies me. “Addie makes me a special tea in the morning, it helps with my headaches. Do you know where she keeps her tea packets?”

  “She makes her tea from scratch.” Roman’s eyes sharpen. “Are your headaches getting worse?”

  “I think it's just stress,” I murmur lightly as I walk over to the refrigerator and pull open the door. I scan the shelves for my dinner, spying a saran wrapped plate with my name on it. Adelaide's taken to writing names in marker on everyone's meals when last week Roman had unintentionally eaten my dinner.

  “Are you usually prone to headaches?” I hear Roman ask.

  I grab the plate and shut the refrigerator door. After I pull back the saran wrap, I glance at him. “Not usually. I've had a few in the past, but aspirin took care of them.” I ball up the saran wrap and peer at him worriedly. “Do you think I should see a doctor?”

  “I would give it another week or two,” he says lightly. “If they don't go away, I would bring it up to Khristos.”

  “Can we talk about Nathan?” I ask, switching the topic. I've been wanting to bring him up to Roman, but it never seemed to be a good time. Roman's been moody lately after he'd gotten in trouble, and this is the first time I've seen him not looking grumpy.

  “What about him?” He crosses his arms over his broad chest as he smirks.

  I hate that smirk. “He seems interested in me, but I'm not into him. He tried to kiss me Friday night. Again. Can you say something to him?”

  He looks at me with laughing eyes. “Nathan's a total player. He's just looking for a good time. I think you could use his kind of fun.”

  “Yeah, I don't think so,” I say dryly. “Guys are the last thing on my mind,” I tell him as I grab my plate and walk to the microwave.

  “They should be your first,” Roman mutters.

  I turn and stare at him. “What did you just say?”

  “I said, you shouldn't always think the worst. When it comes to guys,” he clarifies.

  ***

  I can't sleep.

  All my suspicions are swirling around my head. Why am I here? Why had Khristos been watching me even before Brad's attack? How long has he been watching me? Am I still being watched? I haven't felt like it lately, because the odd sensation of being followed has disappeared. What does Khristos want with me? Why hasn't my mom contacted me? What if something happened to her? There are so many questions floating around in my head, and they are starting to cause my temples to throb.

  I need a distraction.

  I'm climbing out of bed and walking to the door before I'm even aware of what I'm doing. I haven't really gone out of my way to explore the mansion.

  I guess I will tonight.

  The last thing I want to do is wake anyone up, so I make my way to the back of the mansion where I know there's a set of stairs leading down to the lower level. The stairwell is dark, so I feel around the wall at the top of the stairs, searching for a light. When my fingertips brush against the flat switch, I flip it on. Small overhead lights turn on, giving the stairs a well-lit but muted glow.

  I cautiously make my way down the carpeted stairs, and at the base of the stairwell, I reach for the light switch th
at will light up the darkened room before me. I blink as my eyes adjust and look around with interest. It's a lounge room. A large, flat screen TV is the central focus on the farthest wall, and in a corner is a fireplace. I'm guessing in the winter time the fireplaces come in handy if they actually work. On the other side of the room are dark brown couches. It's very neat and simple, and once again the color scheme is earth tones. I've noticed Khristos seems to be a big fan of tan, brown, and cream.

  The hallway to the very left catches my eye, and I walk towards it. Somewhere down the hall, I can hear the low sound of music. Someone's awake? I debate whether I should continue my exploration or go back to bed.

  Nah, I'm nosy.

  The first door on the left is open in the darkened hallway, and I can see just enough to not bother turning on the hall lights. I want to know where the music is coming from, and I don't want to startle whoever is awake, because I want to see what they're doing.

  I peer in the darkened doorway next to me and turn on the light. It's a theater room. My eyes nearly bug out of my head as I take in the large screen that takes up almost one entire wall. I slowly scan the rest of the room. It's simple with only red carpet and ten black leather reclining chairs across from the big movie screen. The walls have no décor, because the main focus in this room is the movie screen. I can't believe Khristos has his own movie theater room! For a few minutes, I just stand there and ogle it until I eventually turn away to turn off the light.

  There’s another doorway on the right that’s open and dark. The doorway beyond that is open and light filters out of the room, lighting up the hall. That’s where the music is coming from, but I want to know what's in all the rooms, so I pause at the next doorway first and turn on the light. It's a billiards room. There are two, large pool tables, and along one wall are a bunch of arcade games. On the opposite wall is another flat screen TV and a dart set.