“Zada’s performance in the courtroom is the reason you’re standing in the hallway now with no place to live,” Bob reminded him. “If it weren’t for her, you’d be heading out the door to start your new life in your old house.”
Rick sighed. “Maybe. But I doubt Zada was totally responsible for the ruling. Parkins was already upset that we hadn’t reached a property settlement.”
“Zada’s outburst still didn’t help matters,” Bob insisted. “And I wouldn’t be a good attorney if I didn’t use her outburst completely to our advantage.”
Bob looked down the corridor and grinned again.
Rick turned around.
Zada.
Standing farther down the hallway with her attorney.
And staring right at him.
“I’ll go break the news that you’re moving back in,” Bob said. “Give me a few minutes, then you show up to back up my threat. And really play it up, Rick. Make Zada cringe at the thought of you moving back into the house with her.”
“Dammit, Bob, wait!” Rick called out.
Too late.
Linebacker Bob was already charging down the hallway in touchdown mode, straight in Zada’s direction.
“Here comes plan B,” Angie said and nodded at Rick’s attorney who was hulking down the hallway toward them. “Just don’t let Bob intimidate you with his super-jock attitude,” Angie added. “He forgets sometimes that his college football days are over.”
Zada looked Rick’s attorney over with cold regard.
Bob Thompson might as well have been chanting Win! Fight! Win! as he charged down the hallway toward them.
“And don’t expect a miracle,” Angie said as he got closer. “Bob wouldn’t give in that easily. He’s probably going to increase the amount Rick is willing to spend on buying you a new house or condo. His way of enticing you to give up the house in Woodberry Park.”
“Then he’s wasting his breath,” Zada said, crossing her arms stubbornly across her chest. “I don’t give in that easily, either.”
But that was before Rick walked up behind his attorney.
Before Rick was standing only a few feet away.
Before brooding blue eyes drew her in like a magnet.
No! No! No!
She was not going to give in to that mind-boggling power Rick had over her. That unexplainable can’t-live-without-him feeling. That desperate feeling had been her biggest downfall—one she didn’t intend to succumb to again.
The power Rick had over her was the main reason she’d refused to see or talk to him during their entire six-month separation period. She just couldn’t trust herself in Rick’s presence. Her heart overruled her head every time.
If she couldn’t win the game, she simply wouldn’t play.
First grade?
Yes.
But Angie’s earlier accusation about her playing first grade was really rather ironic, when Zada thought about it.
She’d just started first grade when her father walked out and put a quick end to her happy childhood. Had her mother not fallen into a deep depression, blaming herself because her father had left them for another woman, Zada might not have been so devastated herself. But having to take care of herself and her baby sister while her mother stayed in bed for days on end, had taught Zada a very valuable lesson at the ripe old age of six: The only person you can truly depend on in this life, is yourself.
A hard lesson for any six-year-old to learn, true. But a useful lesson, nonetheless.
She had always been able to take care of herself. Just as she could buy her own damn house or condo.
And I don’t need Rick Clark to buy one for me!
Bob Thompson stopped in front of them, his six-foot-four frame towering over even Zada, who was five inches taller than petite five-foot-two Angie. He looked at Angie and smiled. But Zada didn’t miss the blood in his eye.
“I’m afraid your client’s outburst in the courtroom is going to cost you, Miss Naylon,” Bob told Angie.
Angie shrugged nonchalantly. “And your point is?”
“My point is,” Bob said, “that your client’s rude behavior has left my client in an extremely unfortunate predicament. He gave up his apartment this morning.”
Intimidated, Angie wasn’t.
She took a brave step in the big bully’s direction.
“That’s your problem, Mr. Thompson,” Angie said, and flashed him a sweet little screw-you smile. “Your client’s unfortunate predicament is of no importance whatsoever to my client.”
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong,” Bob said, flashing exceptionally white teeth right back at her. “Since the judge didn’t rule in anyone’s favor today, that means the house is still joint property. And since the house is still joint property, my client is going to exercise his right to move back into the house this very afternoon.”
Zada heard the gasp.
It took a second to realize the gasp came from her.
Bob looked over at her and grinned even wider.
“Of course,” he said, twisting the knife a little further, “whether your client decides to stay or leave when my client moves back in, is strictly up to her. But rest assured, my client is moving back into the house as soon as he leaves this courthouse.”
Angie threw her head back and laughed.
But there was no laughter in her voice when she looked back at Bob and said, “And you can rest assured, if your client is foolish enough to step one foot on the property he willingly left when he abandoned my client, he’ll be arrested for trespassing.”
Arrested?
I’d never have Rick arrested.
Arresting him wasn’t an option.
But neither was Rick moving back in with her.
Absolutely not!
I’d never survive Rick moving back in.
Zada was ready to pull Angie aside to ask about other options. There had to be some law Angie could use to keep Rick from moving back into the house. Anything other than having Rick arrested.
She was quickly approaching a panic attack, until Rick’s voice snapped her back to unflappable.
“Zada can’t risk me moving back in. Can you, Zada?”
Rick’s question caught her off guard.
He was looking directly at her now, with a cocky grin that made Zada’s blood boil.
Chomp!
Zada grabbed the bait before she could stop herself.
“And that’s supposed to mean?”
He had the nerve to laugh.
“Do you really think I’m that dense?” Rick taunted. “Do you think I don’t know exactly why you’ve refused to see me during the entire six months we’ve been separated?”
“Let’s see,” Zada said, putting a finger mockingly to her chin. “Could you possibly be referring to the fact that you became dead to me the minute you walked out the front door?”
“That’s your version,” Rick said. “Care to hear mine?”
“No,” Zada said. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say, Rick. I thought I’d made myself perfectly clear about that.”
Rick told her anyway.
“Sex,” he said. “That’s why you can’t risk me moving back in. We’ve always found each other irresistible, Zada. Give us five minutes alone together and we’d end up in bed, and you know it.”
Zada’s signature color flashed before her eyes.
Why, you arrogant ass!
How! Dare! You!
Zada was so angry, she was seething, but she managed a deadly get-over-yourself smile.
“Poor, delusional Rick,” Zada mocked. “I hate to break this to you, but I was over you by the time you backed down the driveway.”
“Prove it,” Rick challenged.
Zada’s heart almost stopped.
When will I ever learn to keep my militant mouth shut?
He said, “You know we’ll never be able to reach a compromise when it comes to Simon and the house. If you’re really over me, let’s turn this situation
into something we can settle between us.”
Run! the little voice inside her head screamed.
Slip off your sexy red pumps.
Turn your badass, red-dress self around.
And run like hell!
“I’m advising you not to listen to him, Zada,” Angie spoke up. “These guys are double-teaming you. Don’t let them push you into a situation you can’t win.”
Zada looked back at Rick.
His expression was smug now.
Infuriating!
Show no fear, dammit!
Call his stupid bluff.
“What do you have in mind?” Zada heard herself say.
“A real-life game of Survivor,” Rick said. “Your favorite reality show. Winner takes all.”
“You hate reality shows,” Zada reminded him.
Rick said, “Because there’s nothing real about the shows on television, Zada. But this is reality. Your reality, and mine. You want Simon and the house. I want Simon and the house. The first one to outwit, outplay, and outlast, wins the whole enchilada.”
“Zada, don’t do this,” Angie warned.
“Keep talking,” Zada said.
“We’ve already proved we can’t live together,” Rick said. “That’s why me moving back in will be a challenge worthy of settling our property dispute. If I move out first, you win. If you move out first, I win.”
“Not so fast,” Angie said. She looked at Zada. “Don’t risk violating your separation agreement by letting him move back in. You let Rick move back in, and you’ll have to start your separation period all over again.”
“Not so,” Bob said, calling Angie on her erroneous statement. “Law dictates that two parties can still live separate and apart in the same house while they’re going through a divorce. The parties just can’t share the same food or the same bed.”
Rick said, “And sharing the same food certainly won’t be a problem for us, will it, Zada?”
There was that smirk again.
Zada felt like smacking it off his face!
“Sharing the same bed won’t be a problem, either,” Zada said, staring Rick down. “In fact, I’d actually gag on one of your rancid tofu burgers before I’d let you back in my bed again.”
There!
Mr. Irresistible can take his smirk and stick it…
“Well,” Bob said, rubbing his hands together. “Do we all agree, then? Have we finally figured out a way to settle the property dispute, people?”
Angie held her hand up. “Again, not so fast. What happens at the end of ninety days if neither party has moved out of the house?”
“I guess we’ll renegotiate,” Bob said.
“There won’t be any need to renegotiate,” Rick said with confidence.
His smirk faded.
A challenging smile replaced it.
“My thoughts exactly,” Zada said with just as much confidence. “I’m sure walking out the second time will be even easier for you than it was the first time you walked out on me, Rick.”
Rick lost the smile.
Zada found it.
This time Angie motioned to Zada.
They walked down the hall, away from Rick and Bob.
“Can’t you see he’s playing you?” Angie said the second they were out of hearing range. “Rick knows your weakness, Zada. He knows you’re not the type of person to back down from any challenge.”
You’ve got it all wrong, sweetie.
Rick is my weakness.
Resisting him is going to be my challenge.
“Don’t do this, Zada,” Angie pleaded. “Tell Rick to forget it. If he tries to move back in, we’ll have him arrested, just like I said we would.”
Zada shook her head. “No. I’d never have Rick arrested and put a blemish on his record. He could lose his government contracts if I did that.”
“And you could lose Simon and the house if you go along with his stupid Survivor game idea,” Angie reminded her.
“I am not going to lose Simon and the house.” Zada even believed it herself. “I give Rick two weeks, tops. Believe me, he’ll run screaming from the house after living all neat and tidy by himself for the last six months.”
Angie let out a deep sigh. “I still think you’re making a big mistake.”
Zada said, “Maybe. But like you pointed out earlier, unless I plan on trading in my all-about-me dress for a prison jumpsuit in ninety days, I really don’t see what other choice I have.”
“Good point,” Angie said. “Plus, you’d have to change your signature color to orange.”
“Very funny,” Zada said.
“It would be funny, if this were a laughing matter,” Angie said. “But this isn’t a laughing matter, Zada. If you’re really going through with this, you’ll have to stay ahead of the game. Rick could decide to play dirty to get what he wants.”
“Meaning?”
“Rick knows you inside and out. What’s the one thing Rick could do that would make you walk out the door and never look back?”
Zada blinked.
Several times.
Another woman.
Walking out was bad enough.
But bring another woman into my house and I’d walk out and never look back.
Even the thought made Zada want to throw up.
“Remember the stakes,” Angie warned again. “Winner takes all.”
Chapter 3
“Hot damn!” Bob said, slapping Rick on the back. “Now that’s the Rick Clark I know.”
Bob’s enthusiasm was wasted on Rick.
Rick was still in shock over the dumb stunt he’d just pulled. And mortified that he’d let Bob suck him into a potential no-win situation.
Bob said, “Man, your Survivor challenge was pure genius, buddy. All you have to do is move back in, be your usual obnoxious self, and Zada will never be able to hold out the full ninety days.”
Usual obnoxious self?
Rick frowned.
“You think I’m obnoxious?”
“Hell no,” Bob said, “I don’t think you’re obnoxious. I know you’re obnoxious.” He punched Rick playfully on the arm. “You’re a good friend, Rick, but you carry that boot-camp mentality of yours too far sometimes. Like that fishing trip we went on with the guys a few months back. No one wants a drill sergeant barking out orders about keeping the camp in tip-top shape while you’re trying to have a good time.”
Rick frowned again.
Is that how the guys really see me?
A drill sergeant barking out orders?
Well, screw them!
He was an army brat, dammit. An army brat whose real drill sergeant dad had naturally run his household military style. Besides, what was wrong with maintaining order and keeping everything in tip-top shape? Control was the key in any situation.
Control achieved power.
Power achieved victory.
He’d eaten those words for breakfast right along with his preservative-free granola every morning of his life since he’d been old enough to chew!
Victory.
That was his goal: keeping Simon and the house. The main reason he’d offered Zada the challenge.
Pure genius?
Or total insanity?
Rick wasn’t sure.
He’d decided to play along with Bob when he saw the expression on Zada’s face after Bob announced Rick was moving back in. Not the expression Rick had been expecting. He’d expected Zada’s chin to come up, ready for battle. That panic-stricken look on her face, however, told Rick something he hadn’t realized until that exact moment.
Zada didn’t detest him at all. Quite the contrary.
Zada was still attracted to him. That’s why she’d been avoiding him the last six months!
In a split second, Rick decided to make his move.
By forcing the issue, he’d truly hoped Zada would finally put an end to the madness, accept his offer to buy her a place of her own, and hand over Simon and the keys to the house.
The
y both needed to get on with their lives; ending their marriage was the only solution. Zada knew it. He knew it. Simply put, they drove each other bat-shit crazy.
Yet, Rick still couldn’t stop thinking about the stern lecture Judge Parkins had given both of them back in the courtroom.
A mockery of the institution of marriage.
That’s what Parkins had called it.
Would they have ended up in divorce court if they’d given the same commitment to their marriage that they’d given to Simon and their careers? Could they have gotten past their differences and salvaged their marriage if they’d been more tolerant of each other’s little idiosyncrasies, instead of expecting instant gratification in their married life?
Valid questions.
Questions that would never be answered now.
Zada had taken control away from him the second she filed for the separation papers, leaving him with no choice in the matter whatsoever.
Now, the tables had turned.
Now, he had a chance to get that control back.
Only a damn fool wouldn’t take it.
Rick kept watching her.
She was standing farther down the hallway, talking innocently to her attorney, yet arousing every nerve ending in his body at the same time.
Drop-dead gorgeous.
No doubt about it.
Everything about her body turned him on.
Everything about her personality drove him nuts.
Sadly, he knew Zada felt the same way about him.
Despite what she said, Rick knew he still turned her on like crazy. But he also knew his preference for order and discipline drove Zada insane. That’s what was so frustrating about the whole situation.
They loved each other.
They desired each other.
There was just no middle ground.
They were either making mad, passionate love or they were yelling at each other.
Middle ground.
That’s what he’d been trying to achieve by going along with Bob’s madcap idea. Hoping Zada would feel the same way he did. That living together again—even temporarily—definitely wasn’t an option.
He glanced down the hallway again.
Zada and her attorney were still deep in conversation.
Hopefully, Angie was talking some sense into Zada. Convincing Zada to accept his offer and put an end to the property dispute once and for all.
Your Bed or Mine? Page 3
