I want so much more than that, but I’ll take it for now. “I would never make it that way for you.”
“Perfect,” Candi says, and we both turn to stare at her. “What? The two of you looked like a loving couple. I got some great shots.”
Rhieve instantly removes her hand from my arm, and squares her shoulders. “Where do you want to propose?” she asks me, as if she still doubts that I know what she wants.
“I told you I remember everything,” I remind her, taking her hand in mine, leading her to the low diving board, and helping her sit down.
I go to a knee in front of her, and pull the ring box from my pants. “I know this isn’t traditional, or proper, but will you marry me, Rhieve?”
“Pretend to be engaged to you, you mean.”
No, that’s not at all what I mean. “Yeah, that.”
“Do I get to see the ring first?”
“Is that a deal breaker?”
“I told you it had to be spectacular.”
“I can assure you it is.”
“Open it. Please.”
Always polite, even when she’s demanding. I can’t help wondering if she’s like that in the bedroom, too. Then I think back to the men I’ve seen her with over the years, and doubt they would know how to handle her like that. I could handle it. I would let her be bossy sometimes, but I’d demand to be in charge as well.
I can’t and won’t deny her anything, so I snap open the box, and watch her eyes go wide. I can hear Candi’s camera snapping away, but I don’t let it spoil anything. Right now, it’s just me and Rhieve.
“Well?”
“It’s not an engagement ring.”
“For you, it is. You’re not a solitaire type of woman, Rhieve. You like statement pieces.”
“I do.”
“I know.”
She tentatively reaches out to touch the ring. There’s a square diamond measuring over five carats in the middle, surrounded by forty-two square and round diamonds totaling another five carats. The ring is big, heavy, and took a nice chunk out of my bank account. Nothing I couldn’t afford, and I would’ve paid ten times as much to see the wonder and happiness in her eyes that I’m seeing now.
“It’s perfect for me.”
“Does that mean you’ll let me put it on your finger?”
“Yes,” she says, and then looks up into my eyes. “Thank you for thinking of me. You could’ve just gotten me a standard ring, and I would’ve worn it, but this…this is stunning.”
“It’s only what you deserve.”
I slide it onto her ring finger before I say anything else. There’s so much I want to say, but it’s not time yet. She’s not ready to hear the truth from me. I’m finally ready to tell at least part of it, though.
2
Rhieve
I’m freaking out inside right now. This is supposed to be fake. All of it is supposed to be fake. There aren’t supposed to be flowers floating in the pool with candles all around. Calum shouldn’t be on bended knee while I sit on the diving board. And there definitely isn’t supposed to be a ring I absolutely love and would honestly be my dream ring if I saw it in the jewelry store.
Yet, I’m sitting her as he slides that ring on my finger, while all of my childhood fantasies are coming true. Including the one where I’m getting engaged to Calum, the boy I loved. Past tense. I’ve got to keep reminding myself that he’s not that sweet boy anymore. He’s the man who sleeps with any woman he can, owns sex clubs, and flouts every tradition he comes across. He needs me to make him look good, and it doesn’t matter that he’s doing some nice things for me. It can’t matter because none of this is real.
“You need to kiss,” Camari reminds us.
I knew this was coming, and I thought I was ready. All of this romantic stuff has thrown me off my game, and I need to get my head together once we’re done here. I have no hope of it while he’s in front of me with that strong jaw, and piercing blue eyes. I’m lost in him as he leans towards me.
I want to keep my eyes open, and make this not matter, but they flutter closed as his lips brush over mine. He’s still holding my left hand, but he uses his other hand to cup my cheek. It’s too tender, and when he flicks his tongue over the seam of my lips, I open for him, expecting him to get rough. His reputation precedes him, but he surprises me yet again.
His tongue strokes lazily inside my mouth, like he has all the time in the world. He doesn’t. We don’t. This is just for pictures, no matter how good it feels.
He’s either not remembering that, or it feels as good to him as it does to me, and he doesn’t care. I’m going to have to be the one to put a stop to this. In a minute…or five. Maybe ten, because his lips are magical, and his tongue is making me forget why this is a bad idea.
“Rhieve.”
It’s just one word whispered against my lips, but it sounds like a prayer as he says it. His accent is almost non-existent, reminding me of the little boy I loved. That shouldn’t be enough to break the spell I’m under, but it is. This isn’t him, and I don’t want either of us to pretend it is.
“Was that enough?” I ask, pulling away.
“Not even close,” he whispers, making my heart race even faster.
“Candi?” I ask again.
“Oh yeah. You two nearly burned up my lens. Do you want to touch up your makeup before the formal pictures?”
“Yes,” I say, jumping up and moving away from Calum as fast as I can. “I’ll be right back.”
Jade and Camari follow me into the cabana I choose for my escape. I pull lipstick out of my bag, and start applying it, hoping they’ll let what just happened outside go. I should know better, but I’m in denial about more than just that kiss, apparently.
“That wasn’t fake,” Jade says, stating the obvious.
I hang my head, and try to control my breathing. “I didn’t expect what he did, or the way he kissed me. He’s not romantic. Women talk about sleeping with him, but they never say he’s romantic, or even overly considerate. He satisfies them, but he doesn’t plan out proposals, or buy them jewelry he knows they’ll love.”
“He doesn’t,” Camari agrees. “I’ve heard all the stories, too. Many women have tried to get more than sex from him, but he doesn’t give it.”
“So why is he doing this with me?”
“Maybe you should ask him,” Jade tells me.
Yeah, that’s not going to happen. “No. I’ll just play along like I agreed to.”
“Good luck with that,” she tells me. I have a feeling I’m going to need it.
I can only stall another couple of minutes since Calum didn’t mess up my hair, and even his hand on my cheek was gentle enough to not mess up my makeup too much. With a final glance in the mirror, I nod to my friends, and walk back outside. Calum’s typing furiously on his phone, looking angry.
“Everything okay?” I ask, walking right up to him without him noticing me.
“Not really. I have some things I need to take care of, so we should finish up here.” His tone is dismissive, letting me know his behavior earlier was definitely an act.
“Of course.”
If he’s going to be all business, then so am I. I turn on my heel and move to where Candi motions for me to stand. I feel him at my back, but I don’t acknowledge him until I have to place my hand on his chest, showing off my ring. We both smile for the camera, moving our bodies and faces however Candi needs them. I’m closer to him than I was when we kissed, but there’s nothing intimate about what we’re doing. It’s all for show, and the show must be damn good, because Candi says she’s got her shot only a few minutes later.
“Be ready to fly out in the morning, Rhieve,” he tells me, jumping right back onto his phone.
“Tomorrow? You couldn’t have given me some warning?”
“I need to get to London, and you’re the one who asked me for help. You can fly with me tomorrow, or wait until I can come back again to bring you over with me. Your choice.”
; “I could just meet you there.”
“You’re my fiancé now, remember? Why would we travel separately?”
“Because I have a job, and other obligations. Camari can spin it.”
“Listen, Rhieve, I’m a busy man. I’m willing to give you some of my time to help you find Rhys, but I can’t just ignore my obligations.”
“Don’t act like you’re not getting something out of this.”
He sighs, and finally looks up at me. “I have to go, Rhieve. I’m sorry if you’re not ready, but this is what I have to offer you. I didn’t mean to be an ass, but I have to go.”
“You’re right. I’ll be ready,” I tell him, because he is helping me, even if I’m helping him, too. And if I’m being honest, he’s not asking me anything unreasonable. He has a business to run—well, more than one, but that’s not the point. I’m on his schedule now.
“I’ll text you the times, and put your name on the passenger list so you can enter the executive terminal.”
“Thank you, Calum. I mean it.”
“You’re welcome. Oh, and Rhieve, make sure you have some things to wear to the club.”
By “things” I know he means lingerie. Stella’s already helped me shop, so I’ve got what I need, and I let him know that. “Already taken care of.”
“Good. See you tomorrow.”
He walks out, and a part of me is sad that he didn’t kiss me goodbye. The other, smarter part—my brain—knows that’s a good thing. I’m going to have to kiss him again, but I can’t let myself get lost in those kisses, or hope to have another one. I have to protect myself, because if I fall fully for Calum, I know I won’t survive it.
Calum
Things are falling apart in London faster than I thought they would. I need to get my Vegas office set up and running, but that’s harder than it should be because no one knows about it. Well, no one but my best friend, Guil. We bonded after both of us moved to London in the same school year, and he came to work with me after my father died two years ago.
Neither one of us was expecting the surprise that came for me a few months ago, but luckily, I was already planning to move operations back to the U.S. My deal with Rhieve should help me achieve what needs to be done, but I need some time to get all the pieces moved into place. I expected to have it, but Guil just let me know I don’t. It’s time to make my move, and I’ve never been more grateful for Rhieve, or the fact that her need for my help intersects with my need for hers.
“We’re leaving in the morning. It’s the earliest I could arrange without making things too suspicious,” I tell my friend once I’m far away from the C&C apartments. I know they could still be monitoring me, but I’ll have to take that chance.
“You’re still not planning on telling her?”
“Not yet.”
“She’s going to find out, and then she just might cut your dick off.”
“With any luck, by the time she learns the truth, she’ll be wanting to do something else with that particular muscle of mine.”
“This is her brother you’re talking about. From what you’ve told me, family is important to her. She lives her life by what her family wants, and she loves her brother. Family isn’t something to mess with, man.”
“You don’t have to remind me of that,” I tell him, coolly.
“Just trying to keep it real for you, but you do you.”
“I Always do. I’ll take care of Rhieve and her brother. You just worry about keeping things together until I get there.”
“On it. See you soon.”
I disconnect as I turn into the JW Marriott. The sprawling resort is far from the lights and glitz of The Strip, but still offers all the luxury I’m accustomed to. Plus, it’s close to both the C&C office building, and the apartments. I’ll need to buy a place here in Vegas soon, but since I’m trying to keep things quiet, I’ve been avoiding it. I can live out of a hotel room for however long it takes to get things sorted once I’m here.
“Good evening, Mr. Benson,” the concierge yells as I walk into the lobby.
I stop in my tracks and glare at her, annoyed that she just announced my presence to the rest of the guests. I don’t get noticed as much in the States as I do in London, and I enjoy the anonymity my unknown face provides.
“Did you need something, or were you just trying to let everyone know I’m staying here?” I ask as I walk up to her desk, and lean forward on the counter, crowding into her personal space.
“I-I just wanted to see if you needed anything.”
“I can assure you that if I was interested in any services, I’d ask for them.”
“Oh. Of course.” She’s flustered, and she damn well should be. I wouldn’t ask a concierge to set up sex for me, and she looks too sweet to offer, but now I’ve put those thoughts in her head.
“I value my privacy, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t announce my presence again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted.”
I step away, and walk to the elevators, knowing I was a bit of an ass. It’s what most people expect from me, and I would hate to break character, and disappoint them all. Of course, with Rhieve by my side, I’ll have to try and behave. She’s probably horrified by some of the behavior she’s seen from me over the years, but there’s nothing I can do about the past. The present is a different story, and I vow to make it the best I can for her.
Entering my room, I strip out of my suit and into a t-shirt and lounge pants. I have work to do, and I’d rather be comfortable. Even after all of these years, I still feel like my tie is choking me every time I have one on. My custom suits are a necessary disguise in both my lines of work, and I’ve come to think of them as my armor, but that doesn’t mean I like them.
The sun has long since descended before I look up from my work, and I realize I need to eat. I call room service, and order what Calum Benson is expected to order—the most expensive items on the menu. I’d rather have a burger, but again, image is everything.
I should probably take a shower, but I feel like that would erase Rhieve from me. I know it’s been hours, but I can still feel the press of her lips on mine, and the way she leaned into my hand when I placed it on her cheek. I don’t know when I’ll have the chance to kiss and touch her like that again, so I’m going to savor her imprint on me for a little longer.
A psychiatrist would probably have a field day with that, so it’s a good thing my family has never been the type to approve of them. If I won’t tell Rhieve the truth, I’m sure as hell not going to tell some head shrinker my deep, dark secrets. I’ll just have to do what I’ve been doing for the past two decades, and let the world think I don’t care.
3
Rhieve
Reina and Jade are riding with me to the airport this morning, trying to finish briefing me on everything I need to know. I don’t know that anyone’s ever completely ready for their first mission, because people are not wholly predictable. But ready or not, I have to find my brother.
“I wish I could be there with you,” Jade tells me.
“I’ll be okay,” I reassure her. “Calum said he’ll protect me, and I believe him.”
“He’s helped us out, but I don’t completely trust him, Rhieve. There’s something off about this whole thing. If I thought I could talk you out of it, I’d try, but I know better,” Reina tells me.
“I appreciate your concern, but you’re right—you can’t change my mind. This handy dandy implant will allow you to keep track of me, so I feel safer than if I was going in alone.” I turn my forearm over, and marvel at how there’s no trace of what was put inside of me, even though it can do so much.
“Ainsley’s team will also be monitoring any cameras in places you go with him. Not to mention that Darcy will be in London with Brayden for another couple of days if you need her.”
“I’ll be okay, Rei.”
“We have to talk about the sex club,” Jade says, and I inwardly groan. I knew this was coming, but I
’m not happy to talk about it.
“I know I may have to put on a show.”
“Yes,” Reina agrees. “I’ve already said I don’t completely trust him, so I can’t assure you he won’t expect you to have sex with him. Can you do that?”
Well, since he’s starred in my sexual fantasies for years, yeah, I can. “Yes,” is all I tell her. No one else needs to know the extent of my issues with my feelings about Calum.
“Then you need to practice,” Jade tells me. “Kissing, touching, and sex. You have to be comfortable with all of that before you’re there. If you flinch or look stiff, you’ll blow your cover.”
“Did I look stiff in the engagement photos?”
“The first ones, yes. When he kissed you, it looked real,” Reina says.
It was real, at least for me. “Good. So I guess when we get to London, we can practice.”
“Why wait? You have a ten-hour flight,” Jade reminds me.
My phone rings, ending our conversation for the moment. I glance at it, already knowing who it is even though I don’t have any special ringtones assigned to people. I somehow always know when it’s my mother calling. I close my eyes, take the most calming breath I can manage, and accept the call.
“Hello, Mother. How are you?”
“I was fine until I saw pictures of you getting engaged to Calum Benson. Please tell me it was just a photo shoot for a magazine.”
If only I could. “No. It’s real. Calum and I are getting married.”
“No you are not.”
“It’s my choice, Mother,” I tell her on a sigh.
“He is not suitable, and besides, I haven’t seen the two of you interact at any events you’ve been at together. There is something else going on here, and I want to know what it is.”
“We were best friends once,” I remind her. “We ran into each other recently, and started talking. One thing led to another, and here we are. You had to have seen the other pictures of us out together.”
“So the rumors are true. I’d heard he was a god in bed, and you falling for him after an apparent interlude proves it.”
Society Girls: Rhieve Page 3
