by Beth Mikell
"You! How…?" My eyes shot around the room, looking for any sign of Noah until meeting the eyes of the she-devil.
Jasmine looked impeccably gorgeous standing beside the bed in a strapless sea-green cocktail dress, the color enhancing her tanned skin and toned body. Her hair was drawn-up into perfect blonde curls, her face flawless and she reeked of expensive perfume.
"He's not here, honey bunny," she said, fast-forwarding the video, and then pushing play. "Brought something for you…a gift from me to you."
I was transfixed, my attention completely absorbed by the scene unfolding before my eyes. The television beamed the she-devil kneeling before Noah, naked, blindfolded, and her hands tied behind her back. He looked…dangerous. Different. He was still fully clothed and mind numbing handsome as he circled around her with hard precision and decisive dark mastery. However, it was his eyes and facial expression, which transmitted the darkest of all…cold. Every calculating inch of him sent pinpricks of disgust through me as his hand descended in her gauzy, blonde hair, angling her face up in a tight fist until she gasped in pain.
"I'm going to fuck that mouth of yours," he pressed out between clenched teeth. "How bad do you want it?"
The she-devil only whimpered in her throat.
"Beg."
At his command, nausea rolled over me, threatening my equilibrium. I knew the video existed, but I never thought to actually see it in my lifetime. "Shut it off!" I fumed, and Jasmine giggled. "Shut it off!" I shrieked, completely ready to kill her, if necessary. Judging by her presence in my hotel room, it was more than necessary. I couldn't think about what I saw, other than wanting to scrub my eyes out with a wire brush. Where was Noah?
Her laughter boomed, but she complied, stopping the video. She turned to me, pouting. "Ah, we were getting to the good part. Don't you want to see how Noah…gives it to me?"
"Shut up!"
Jasmine's laughter subsided, her eyes narrowed. "Don't you want to see how Noah gets off inside my mouth? Come on…it must be hard knowing you weren't the first."
I hated her, I really did. Before I could form a protest powered by a thousand expletives, she bulldozed over me producing a sheet of paper in her hand.
"Noah left a little while ago, sweet pea. Allow me," she said, clearing her throat and read Noah's words. "Emergency call, baby. Be back soon…with breakfast. I love you." She pouted again, looking up. "Touching." Then grimaced, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "God, it smells like a whore's used cunt in here." She brought her hand up to cover her perfectly painted lips, "Oops, my bad."
Oh my god, I ached to slap her smug face. I lifted my chin in defiance. "How did you get in here?" I moved off the bed, tucking myself into the forgotten bathrobe, uncaring of my naked state before facing the she-devil.
Jasmine shrugged a bare shoulder. "It's amazing what fifty bucks to a Spanish speaking maid can accomplish--such simpletons." She folded Noah's note and stuffed it in her dress before flicking her diamond drop earring with a perfectly manicured fingertip as she sat down.
"You have no shame, obviously. I'm surprised you only offered fifty," I declared, still trying to erase the image of the sex video out of my mind.
She smiled her beautiful, smug face tight with triumph. "I offered ten, she negotiated fifty, but I would have paid one hundred. See how the whole thing works? Give people what they think they want, and eventually they'll come around. Classic."
"Is there something you wanted other than ruining a perfectly good day? I'm sure you have spa treatments waiting, men to fuck, or servants to beat."
She tsked under her breath. "Such language, it's a wonder Noah can even stand you, sugar cookie. You must really try his dominant side…either that or he beat you into submission. You're nothing more than a toy to him--a very cheap one, but a toy."
I gave her a taunting smile, refusing to lower myself to her level. "If you truly thought so, why even bother gracing me with your presence or showing me your video exclusive?"
"It's an amusing sport, doll face. Call it my daily entertainment--it's better than a blog."
Fiery anger burst through my stomach, twisting the urge to wring her neck with my bare hands. "You can't win this," I seethed.
Jasmine scoffed. "I already have, cupcake. It's just a matter of time. Noah will see what kind of hayseed you really are and come crawling back." She picked a piece of lint off her couture gown, looking up distantly as if contemplating a grand plan, so confident--so sure. "I think we'll move to New York permanently. I wouldn't want him distracted by…you."
I had no fear of her words. In fact, in some way I pitied her stupidity. "Why all the drama?"
Jasmine chuckled, meeting my gaze. "Noah's a rich bastard, isn't he?" She sighed. "Just between you and me, my father and I saw an opportunity and we took it. Easy, peasy. But, it's my word against yours--no one will believe a quadruple relationship flunky whose own roommate was beaten to near death by your latest hopeful. They'll just call it sour grapes of a rejected woman."
I gasped in horror and she soldiered on. "What? Didn't think I'd know all that? I have my ways of knowing things too, butter muffin. What a small world you were related to my stepmother, Abigail--shocking to say the least. Besides, she has loose lips when drugged out on her antidepressants. Anyway, my father wanted me married, and I picked Noah. And…Noah's breast cancer foundation wanted the property my father held…so we just worked accordingly. A simple plan of profit and gain, really. Or extortion." She smiled, bringing one finger to her lips. "Shh, no need to shout blackmail or cry foul. I always get what I want, doll face."
The hotel door flung open.
"Not everything."
Jasmine leaped off the bed in surprise and I turned in shock as Noah stood in the doorway, flanked by police.
Chapter 24
Chains of steel will rust with time, but chains of the heart will only grow stronger. Unknown.
Noah held me in his arms so tight I thought my ribs might crack, but I didn't care. I needed his brand of strength around me. I buried my nose in his neck, inhaling deeply of his rich scent, and comforting protection--hungered for it. If there hadn't been a room full of investigators and police, I'd have kissed him senseless.
He explained the head of his security team, Miles, found indisputable evidence on Jordan Wright and Jasmine…enough for a conviction. Apparently, Noah wasn't the first man they tried their extortion and fraud tactics on, swindling their way into millions. In the defining moment…not only had Miles delivered the long awaited news, but also warned Noah, Jasmine lurked around the hotel. With some fast maneuvering and clever technology offered up via Noah's phone and a Bluetooth hands-free, along with Miles' surveillance genius and a quick call to the mayor and police captain, they made months of investigation conclude through speedy clear thinking and decisive command.
The Wrights were prison bound.
Noah pulled back, his fierce eyes worried with concern as he cupped my face, thumbing my bottom lip. "Are you okay? God, I've never been that worried in my life! I didn't want to place you in that situation, baby, but Miles assured me you'd be safe. Shem and I were waiting outside the door in case…" He trailed off and took a deep breath. "I had no way of knowing if she was armed with a weapon or if…she'd try to harm you." He closed his eyes against his fear, his body thrilling in a shaky vibration. "If something had happened to you…"
I brought my hands up to his wrists. "Noah, look at me--I'm fine. She's the bitch of bratty past, nothing more." His eyes opened, but he didn't speak, shaking his head with his jumpy cheek action back in place and the offering humbled me. "It's over now."
He lowered his head to my forehead. "Never run, never leave, and never stop loving me, Reyna," he whispered. "I'm truly shit without you."
I thought my insides might explode from his words, pleasure licking through my veins in a familiar swoosh of desire. I'd never been loved, cared for, or pampered in such a way and the novelty lifted me far out of my single-cell confinement into
the most beautiful belief in love. In that moment, I recalled the song Noah and I danced to in my bedroom…"The Very Thought of You" by Frank Sinatra. Wasn’t it though? Wasn't every thought of him enough to send me spiraling into nirvana with no wish to ever crash to the ground?
Before I could respond, a gruff voice shattered the perfection. "Excuse me, Mr. Alexander." We turned to face the police captain, Jason Abernathy of the Bradenton Police Department. "We're all finished here, but Detective Shultz will call Ms. Lourde and yourself in for questioning concerning the events this morning--stay close to your phone. On behalf of the mayor and City of Bradenton, we appreciate your cooperation."
Noah and Capt. Abernathy shook hands with other words regarding the events, while my eyes cut across the room, noting the she-devil locked in handcuffs and I couldn't be happier. I made to move out of Noah's arms, he squeezed me tighter, but I gave him a reassuring smile before walking closer to Jasmine.
She sneered at me, of course. "What do you want?"
I lifted my chin a tad higher. "I believe you have something that belongs to me."
She snorted. "As if! You've destroyed my perfect life! What the hell else could I possibly have?"
Without so much as a thought, I reached in her gown and snatched Noah's note. I looked at the female officer, "I'm done."
Jasmine lunged forward, but the officer jerked her back in place. "I hope Karma slaps you in the face before I do!" she seethed.
My hand met the she-devil's cheek with an audible crack and I stared her down. "Oops, my bad! Karma's a bitch, didn't you know?"
"Hey!" Jasmine cried. "She just brutalized me while in cuffs! I want to press charges."
Capt. Abernathy stepped closer. "I didn't see anything. Did anyone else?" Everyone in the room shook their head no. With that, Jasmine was dragged out of the room whining about her three thousand dollar dress and threatening to sue the police department if they so much as broke a fingernail.
I felt Noah's arm encircle my waist, pulling me up against his side. "Are you okay, baby?" He whispered, nuzzling my ear.
I closed my eyes, relishing his closeness with greedy elation, yet I thought about his words seriously. I wasn't completely perfect. There was still the matter of Claire's assault dangling over my head. I was so worried about her. I turned in Noah's arms, meeting his shard-like blue gaze warm with…love.
"Do you think I can see Claire this morning?"
A soft smile touched his lips and he cupped my face. "I know you can. Let's have some breakfast and change clothes, and then I'll take you to the hospital. Though--"
"Reyna!" Danny and Liz burst through the last remaining officers exiting the hotel room, worry etched on their faces. "Dammit, carrots, with you its prime time all the way, huh? What the hell happened? Liz and I were getting breakfast downstairs when hell rained a shit load of police through the lobby."
I drew a weary, deep breath. "Some unfinished business. Everything is all right now." While Danny and Liz deserved a full explanation, I didn't have the nerves for another blow-by-blow outpouring. With Aunt Abigail married to Jordan Wright, Danny would come into the full facts soon enough.
My cousin huffed. "I just saw Jasmine carted away in handcuffs. Not that she doesn't deserve it, mind you, but care to explain?"
Noah leaned down to my ear. "Go take a shower, red. I've got this."
I'm not sure what I loved more about Noah…his ability to know me better than I did or that I loved him more each time I saw him. "I'm a lucky woman."
He shook his head, kissing the tip of my nose. "We'll hash that out later, and I'll win the debate." Noah sent me off with a small pat on the ass.
As the bathroom door closed…I heard Noah's commanding voice cover the basics, answering Danny and Liz's questions with confidence and ease. For the first time in my life, I didn't worry about the future. Noah was my future.
~~~
By mid Saturday morning, Shem weaved the limousine through the hospital parking lot, swarming with reporters, news vans and tons of spectators--another shit-circus of the media variety. Perhaps it was understandable considering the reason…Claire was after all a senator's daughter and her assault was premier interest to many. In all my years' friendship with her, I never celebrated her rise to fame, nor had she ever cared for it. Our friendship went far beyond frivolous matters. We knew each other's deepest secrets, goals, dreams, managing to survive day to day. And it worked. Or had.
My stomach rolled as I peered out the dark window, not only for the horde of gawkers, but also for how guilty I felt. Had I not accepted a date with…Brett, none of this would have happened. Right? He wouldn't have met Claire…he wouldn't have…hurt her. He wouldn't have felt rejected or the need to humiliate another female and add her to his list of victims. Then again, her own desire for BDSM may have dumped her in the situation without my help--I just had no way of knowing. The only conclusion I had was…I was somehow to blame.
"Hey, enough already," Noah whispered, squeezing my hand before brushing his lips over my knuckles. "Stop the guilt fest, baby. Your thoughts are making my ears bleed."
I met his somber gaze, frowning. "What?" His warm touch zoomed up my arm, laying waste to my guilty feelings with a fresh wash of renewal-mixed-love. He was the only person in the whole universe to manage such a feat…thrusting me out of darkness into heaven via one nanosecond.
He turned in the seat beside me, cupping my face. "You're the most kind-hearted, loveliest, and forgiving woman I know, red. I feel your tender sensitivity and every thought that crosses over your beautiful face and stormy gray eyes. I know you're nervous right now, baby, hurting even, but there is something you must always remember…" Noah leaned his forehead against mine. "You can't blame yourself for other peoples' actions, Reyna. They are accountable for themselves. I love you. You have me, day…night…rain or shine." He drew a deep breath. "And…if you'll let me, I want to make that official."
I gasped, but his finger came up to still my words.
"Shh, it's the wrong fucking time for me to ask, baby, I know. But, I've already wasted enough of my life stuck in an endless loop of nothing. I need you, Reyna. I need you beside me…in every way possible." He drew an unsteady breath, fearful even. "I'm not trying to garner a promise, but a fact--I need you with me. I want to look across the breakfast table with my wife's beautiful face smiling back at me. I want to travel the world--enjoy a new life with you, baby. I love you. Be mine, please." Noah brushed his lips across mine.
I inhaled a sharp breath, seventh heaven piercing my soul. "You had me at official," I breathed. "I love you so much, Noah."
He grinned, his chest vibrating with happy radiance--his joy evident. "Really?" And he crushed me against his chest. "Oh, Reyna…"
His hand sank into my hair as his balmy offer and love bathed my senses in a warm afterglow. I felt his heart thunder against my chest, proof of his feeling and happiness bleeding out and absorbing into my skin…veins and heart. I nuzzled his shoulder, kissing up his neck with soft touches while inhaling his deep rich scent. His offer was as it should be…unexpected and wonderful…my no bounds man.
"How soon, baby? Tomorrow? My jet is on standby. Vegas looks promising."
I snorted (embarrassing), but I couldn't help it. "No. I mean, I need my family around me," I whispered. "And so do you. We need to give them all a lasting memory of our contentment. I never want them to worry."
Noah smiled. "I knew that, but I was hopeful."
I bit my lower lip, burning under his intense gaze. "You know I'd marry you right now…no question."
"I'm relieved, Ms. Lourde," he said dryly, his grin stunning. "But, is a month enough time?"
I shook my head with a smile. "You're incorrigible…do you know that?" He really was, but God…he was beautiful. Not just on the outside, but his heart. He was everything I never thought to find. More than the forgotten, craptastic four ever could be.
Noah's face darkened, the smoldering depths of his eyes changing w
ith fierce desire. "With you, baby…I'm completely incorrigible…" he whispered, kissing my lips softly. "Crazy…" His tongue swept along my bottom lip in a sexy offering. "Obsessed…" His mouth smashed over mine in a deep, deep offering, sealing our impending engagement.
~~~
Noah and I streamed through the throng of reporters with Shem pushing back the inquisitive crowd shoving microphones and cameras in our faces. I shouldn't have found their knowledge of my name surprising, but it did. I hadn't been exposed to such things and questions such as…'Ms. Lourde, what can you tell us of Senator Smith's daughter? What is her condition? Were you aware of her BDSM lifestyle? What about Brett Adams? Was he your boyfriend?' burned heavy through me, shocking my system with a strange reality.
Noah tensed beside me and a quick glance up to his face revealed his jumpy cheek action on high speed. As irritating and revolting their questions, there was no way to refute their claims with half-truths or full claims. Claire did enjoy a BDSM lifestyle and I did at least date Brett once. Yet, in the ride over, Noah cautioned me on silence…Senator Smith's people were handling the press, but that didn't mean it wasn't hard to hear.
We passed the horde, making it through the lobby towards the elevator to find Tom Reynolds, Noah's brother-in-law waiting. He was still handsomely dressed much the same as the night before in a dark suit with his light brown hair perfectly in place. I didn't miss the strange, telling look pass between the two, but pleasantries kicked in as Tom offered his hand to me seconds before my own questions formed.
"Hello, Reyna. How are you?"
My emotions were two-faced, that's how I was. One emotion flew high in love, the other…slipping in the direction of hell. There was no balance for me--no smooth yin or yang to shoulder the slippery slope. I couldn't separate the two…happy in one hand, devastated in the other. Claire. Noah. Best friend. Fiancé. I was totally submerged in quicksand, sinking fast.
