Chapter Seven
Upon exiting the conference room, I took a quick detour to the ladies room to fix my hair and makeup. My clothes were still a little wrinkled, but that could easily be explained; having sat in a conference room for nine hours. But I couldn’t have explained my smeared lipstick or my tangled tresses. Rafe’s lovemaking had wreaked havoc on my hair. Doing my best to finger comb the tangles out, I twisted it back up into the familiar chignon and secured it with my clip. This would have to do.
Leaving the ladies room, I scanned the lobby real quick to make sure the coast was clear before heading to the elevators. My heart pounded in my chest and didn’t calm down until the doors opened and I was safely inside. Pressing the button for my floor, I leaned my head back against the wall. But my relief was short-lived.
A hand shot out just before the doors closed. To my dismay, the hand belonged to none other than Alistair. What was he doing downstairs? Why wasn’t he with my father?
“Going somewhere?” he sneered at me.
His tone caused the tiny hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. Something told me this wasn’t his usual obstinacy. He was vibrating with undisguised anger. I didn’t want to spend even a second alone with him. Not with him like this.
“Actually, I just remembered I forgot something,” I said as I made to exit the elevator.
But he was too quick. “Not so fast,” he hissed as he sprang in front of me blocking my way. I couldn’t shove past him before the elevator doors closed.
“What the hell do you think you are doing Alistair!” I yelled.
His face flushed with rage, his blue eyes seething. Scared, I took a step back.
“I think the better question is, what do you think you are doing? Or rather, WHO do you think you are doing!” he spat as he advanced toward me.
He knew. I don’t know how he knew. But he knew. Rafe and I had been so careful. But somehow Alistair knew we had been together. There was nowhere for me to go. I was trapped in the elevator with him.
Trying to diffuse the situation I put my hands up. “I don’t know what you mean Alistair,” I said as I tried to remain calm. But that only seemed to enrage him more.
He grabbed my wrists and screamed,“You know EXACTLY what I mean! I saw the two of you leave the conference room.”
“I don’t know what you think you saw Alistair but…”
“Shut-up!” he screamed, spittle spewing from his mouth. He was really scaring me. “I’m not stupid. I know what I saw, you stupid little cunt. I know when someone’s been fucked, and honey you looked like you were ridden hard and put away wet!”
“What I do or don’t do, is none of your business,” I yelled back, fighting his grip.
This only succeeded in angering him more. “Oh, it’s very much my business sweetheart. What would daddy think if he knew his precious little girl was really daddy’s little whore? Using her sweet little cunt to secure business deals.”
I cringed at his vulgarity. “Ow! That’s enough. You’re hurting me Alistair,” I pleaded as I tried to wrench my hands from his grasp.
But he only gripped them tighter. “What, you let Rafe put his hands on you; a commoner, an American at that,” he said in disgust. “Well, I want a little piece too.”
He was surprisingly strong, and he wrenched my hands back pinning them to the wall. Fear and bile rose in my throat as he pressed his knee in between my legs forcing them open. I could feel his erection pressing into my belly, and it made me want to hurl. I fought like a wildcat, hissing and spitting, trying to kick my way free.
He let go of one of my hands, only to slap me across the face so hard I saw stars. I would have fallen if he hadn’t pinned me against the wall with his body. Taking advantage of my disorientation, he ripped open my pants sending the clasp flying. Wrenching the zipper down, he forced his hand into my pants. He palmed my sex roughly, and I cried out as he forced first one finger than the other. Tears ran down my cheeks as my brain disconnected from my body, not wanting to accept that it was being assaulted so violently.
But I refused to give in. Alistair was going to rape me right here in this elevator if I didn’t do something. And quick. Blocking out the pain, I let a low moan escape my lips and feigned swooning.
Mistaking the moan for pleasure, Alistair released his grip on my other hand and began to press sloppy, disgusting kisses all over my face and neck. Taking advantage of his distraction, I slammed my heeled foot down on his instep sharply.
“What the fuck!” he yelled in pain.
I didn’t give him a chance to recover. As soon as he backed up hopping on his good foot, I reared up and kneed him in the balls as hard as I could. He dropped like a stone, only a faint gurgling sound escaping his lips.
Hitting the ‘door open’ button I cried with relief when the doors opened on my floor. Racing out of the elevators, I pulled my key card from my pocket almost dropping it in my haste to escape Alistair. I glanced worriedly over my shoulder to make sure he wasn’t coming. The elevator doors had closed, and there was no one in the hall. Finally, I heard the click of the lock and wrenched the door open.
I slammed the doors shut, my fingers shaking as I frantically grabbed for the security chain. It took three tries before I got it lined up properly. Once it was in place, I sank to my knees against the door. I don’t know how long I sat on the cool marble of the entry way, violent sobs and tremors wrenched from my body as I replayed the events in the elevator over and over in my mind. I knew Alistair was trouble, but I never thought he would be so violent or cruel.
Finally, the sobs turned to soft hiccups, and I felt a little more in control of myself. I struggled to my feet and headed straight to the bathroom. I didn’t dare look in the mirror. I couldn’t bear to see any reminders of Alistair’s attack. Putting the jets as hot as they could go, I quickly stripped off my clothes and stepped under the scalding spray. I stayed in the shower, long after the water grew cold trying to scrub the memory of Alistair’s touch from my skin.
Chapter Eight
These last few hours were the longest hours of my life. Trying to wait until 10 o’clock to see Angelique nearly killed me. As it was, I left a few minutes early because I just couldn’t wait. Standing outside the door to her suite, I was as nervous as a senior with his date on prom night. I don’t know why I was feeling this way. I was a former Navy Seal for crying out loud, but here I stood with my hand raised hesitant to knock.
Giving myself a mental kick in the ass, I forced my hand to knock on the door. Waiting with breathless anticipation, I listened for the sound of her footsteps. After a moment, I could hear the slide of the safety latch and the click of the lock.
I was barely able to contain the Cheshire grin, as she opened the door. My heart stopped as I took in the site of her; bare-foot, clad in one of the hotel’s soft plus robes, hair still damp from a recent shower. Envisioning her naked beneath it, I smiled with satisfaction until I saw her face. My mouth dropped open in shock. Her green eyes normally shined, but they were masked by pools of tears threatening to spill over. But that wasn’t the worst part. Not even make-up could hide the swelling and bruising on her face.
Without hesitation, I stepped through the door and pulled her close. I nudged the door closed with my foot as I cradled her in my arms. My heart broke as she clutched my shirt and cried, “Oh, Rafe. I’m so glad you came.”
Someone had touched her. Someone had hurt my woman. I would kill them. But I needed her to tell me who first. Reigning in the angry beast that threatened to explode, I gently tipped her chin back. The pool of tears that had threatened to spill over did; cascading down her cheeks.
“Shhh…it’s okay. I’m here,” I said as I kissed the trail of tears.
“What happened? Who did this to you?”
Eyes downcast, she slipped out of my grasp and walked over to the windows. I could see her reflection, eyes blank staring out past the nightscape. I walked up behind her, careful not to startle her. Putting my hands on he
r shoulders, I turned her around to face me. Her eyes were downcast, and she was biting her bottom lip as it trembled nervously. I could tell she didn’t want to tell me. But I had a good idea of who it was.
“It was Alistair wasn’t it?”
She didn’t speak but gave me a tiny nod.
“Did he…do anything else?” I could bring myself to finish the question.
She shook her head no, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze. I knew she was lying to me, but she wasn’t in any condition for me to grill her about it. My fists clenched as Rage boiled inside.
I wanted to find him and punish him. There was nothing more cowardly and weak than a man preying on a woman. I would end him.
She must have read my mind because she placed her hand on my forearm. “Don’t,” she whispered. “Whatever you are thinking, he’s not worth it.”
“You are worth it to me. He put his hands on you and that is unacceptable.” Caressing her swollen cheek, I said through gritted teeth, “He marked you. I can’t forget that.”
“Please,” she said, stroking her fingers lightly on my arm. “I just want to forget it ever happened.”
Loosening the belt of her robe, she let it fall to her feet.
“Angelique, you don’t have to do this,” I stammered backing away from her. She was beautiful, and I yearned to touch her. But she had looked so fragile, so broken when she had opened the door. I didn’t want to hurt her.
It was her turn to shush me. “Shh…I want to. I need to. You make me feel alive…and safe.” Pressing her naked body to mine, she stood on tip toes to nibble at my bottom lip. Despite my best intentions, my cock came to immediate attention at her light teasing. “Make me forget.”
My body wavered, still trying to be a gentleman and do the right thing. But one word and I was completely undone.
Staring up at me with those wide, jeweled eyes, “Please,” she begged.
I wanted to take her right then and there, but I knew that’s not what she needed. She needed tenderness, someone who could cherish every delectable inch of her. I scooped her up in my arms, kissing her deeply. Carrying her into the bedroom, I laid her down in the middle of the king size bed, her dark hair fanned out behind her.
I shed my clothes quickly and joined her on the bed. Vowing to take my time and erase all the bad thoughts from her mind, I proceeded to make slow, sweet love to her well into the night. Exhausted from our lovemaking, she finally fell asleep in my arms.
I hated to leave her like this, shadows from the moonlight highlighting her feminine curves. I wanted to keep her in my arms forever, but there was something I had to take care of first. Even though she had made me promise not to hurt Alistair, I had to make sure that he could never hurt her again. Kissing her brow, careful not to stir her, I quietly left the suite.
Chapter Nine
I hadn’t really expected Rafe to stay the entire night, but I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointed when I woke up to find his side of the bed empty. Deliciously sore from our lovemaking last night, I stretched my limbs. The crinkling of paper distracting me.
Searching the covers, I found a note in what I assumed was his handwriting.
Angel,
I couldn’t bear to disturb you this morning.
I had some business to attend to first thing before our meeting.
Meet me in the lobby at 8:30.
Rafe
Unsure of what to make of his letter, I wondered what business was so urgent that he had to slip away in the middle of the night. And why did he want me to meet him at 8:30? Our meeting wasn’t until 9, if we even had a meeting. Fear clutched at my belly, at the thought of having to face Alistair again. How would he react after last night’s altercation? Would he try to pretend it never happened, or worse…what if told my father about Rafe and me? Surely, not.
There was only one way to find out. I had never been one to shy away from whatever life had thrown at me, but even I was weary of facing this firestorm. Resigned to the fact that I had no choice, I crawled out of bed and got ready for the meeting.
The swelling had gone down on my face, but there was not much I could do about the bright purple bruise that covered the left side of my face. I had a nice shiner forming. I did what I could with cover-up and then just blow dried my hair straight so that it fell over that side of my face in soft waves. It didn’t mask it completely, but it helped.
Curious about what Rafe had been up to, I arrived in the lobby a little earlier than 8:30. I spotted him off to the side, and he waved me over.
“Good morning, Angel.”
I was beginning to love the little pet name he had for me now. Eyeing him speculatively, I asked, “So, are you going to tell me what was so urgent that you had to leave me in the middle of the night.”
His blue-eyes twinkled. “Trust me, leaving you last night was the last thing I wanted to do. But, I just had to tie up a few lose ends before this morning.” With a guiding hand on the small of my back, he ushered me towards the boardroom, “Come on, I want to get to the room early.”
Uncertain, I asked, “Are you sure you want to do this? Walk in together, I mean.”
He squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Yes, I’m sure. Whatever happens, we will face it together.”
Walking together to the boardroom I hoped that since we were twenty minutes early, we would at least be the first ones to arrive.
Unfortunately, luck was not on our side. My face fell as we opened the door. We were not the first ones in the room. My father and Alistair stood at the back wall in deep discussion. At our arrival, all conversation ceased, and their gazes turned to us.
Judging from the expressions on their faces, my worst nightmare had come true. Alistair’s swarthy ass stared back, his eyes moving between Rafe and me not even trying to hide the smug grin on his face. My father, on the other hand, gave nothing away. His face a mask of stone. But the muscles in his jaw clenched, and he couldn’t quite look me in the eye. And that told me everything I needed to know.
“Daddy, I can explain,” I rushed.
“STOP.” I halted in my tracks at his harsh tone. “Just stop right there, Angelique.” I’d never heard him speak to me like that.
“Sir, if you could just let us explain,” Rafe tried, but my father was having none of it. His brown eyes were as dark as midnight, as he settled his gaze on Rafe. Standing tall, Rafe met his stare unwilling to wilt under his scrutiny.
“I’m surprised you had the audacity to even show up Mr. St. James.” His gaze flicked to mine before settling back on Rafe, “Let alone show up with my daughter.” I winced at his words. ‘My daughter’ had been said with such disappointment.
It didn’t help that I could see Alistair’s shoulders shaking with laughter behind him. Flushing from both embarrassment and fury, I shook my fist at Alistair. “What did you say to him!” I demanded. But he just ignored me.
“Enough Angelique. He told me enough,” my father responded sharply.
Tears threatening to fall yet again, I walked toward my father, eyes pleading. “Did he now?” Surprise marred his features at my tone. Never in a million years would I ever defy my father or speak to him in such a way, but I was furious.
With the tears falling freely now, I continued, “You think you know everything. I won’t deny that Rafe and I have been together.” My father’s jaw dropped slightly at this admission but said nothing. So I continued, “I’m sure Alistair was quite forthcoming with only part of the story. Did he also mention that he tried to rape me in the elevator?”
“Unbelievable!” Alistair exclaimed, outraged. “The lengths that you will go to hide your transgressions. It’s simply appalling Angelique.”
My father swiveled to look from myself to Alistair and back again, unsure of what to make of latest revelation.
“Made it up did I? If that’s true than how did I get this?” Pulling back my hair I pointed to the large bruise that circled my left eye. “How do you explain this?”
A shock
ed gasp escaped my father at the sight of the ugly bruise. His hands went up to touch it, but I backed away from him, still hurt by his actions.
“Well…er…Rafe could have just easily done that to you,” Alistair sputtered. “I’m sure the two of you dreamed up some ‘cockamamie’ story once you knew that you were found out.”
My mouth dropped. I was completely speechless at the ridiculousness of his suggestion.
Unsure of what to make of all this my father just stared open mouthed at the two of us.
“Excuse me, sir,” Rafe interjected. “I know that I am the last person you probably want to hear from but…”
“Of course, he doesn’t want to hear from you!” Alistair interrupted.
Shutting him up with one piercing gaze, Rafe turned back to my father. “I have proof of Alistair’s assault.”
“That’s impossible,” Alistair blustered. “Because it never happened.” But he didn’t look so confident. He was paler than usual, and a sheen of sweat had broken out on his forehead. My father regarding him closely, eyes narrowing. “Show me this proof,” my father ordered.
“When Angelique told me about the assault, I was ready to go after Alistair myself,” he said sending him a murderous gaze. “But she begged me not to. So I did the only other thing I knew to do. I have connections with the hotel and was able to secure the video surveillance tape of that assault.” He pulled his Tablet with a video already queued up and handed it to my father.
“I’m sorry,” he turned to me and said, his eyes apologetic. “This may be difficult for you to watch.”
Pressing play, the three of us stared at the video of the elevator assault. Despite there being no audio, it was quite clear that I was telling the truth. Unable to relive the ugly experience again, I hid my face in Rafe’s shoulders.
“Angelique,” my father called softly, but I didn’t turn around. “Angelique, please.”
Slowly I turned to face my father.
Fake Fiancé Next Door_A Small Town Romance Page 31
