“What marriage? You’re sleeping in a strange bed, come and go as you please.”
“Am I supposed to keep you informed of my whereabouts?”
“I’d just like to share things the way most couples do. Right now we’re like two ships that pass in the night. If it weren’t for Andrew, I would never see you.” His gaze softens. “I miss seeing you at the end of my day, talking things over with you. I miss breathing in your scent, the feel of your body next to mine. I miss you, Elizabeth, so much I hurt with it sometimes. So forgive me if I can’t be happy about this venture of yours at Payne Industries. Because I see it as you putting more distance between us. You may go to work for him, but it will be without my blessing.”
“Why not?”
“When I married you, I had all these dreams. That you’d be my friend, my lover, my wife. We would share things, have children.”
Children? “I don’t know that we’ll have more than one. Right now it looks doubtful.”
“I know it was wishful thinking, that it was only a dream.”
“I never lied to you about what I wanted.”
“No, you didn’t. You made it abundantly clear you wanted a career in the law. I just thought . . . I could change your mind. I could make you want to be a wife to me, a mother to Andrew more than you wanted a career. Guess I was wrong. It’s hard to give up on that dream. I accept your decision, Elizabeth, but I fear happy is beyond me.”
I want to reach across the table and reassure him. But he’s so far away. The table is at least twelve feet long. The look in his eyes scares me. He’s in so much pain. I want to ease it, but it would mean giving up on my dream. The longer our separation lasts, the more it appears one of us will need to give in to the other. And that won’t work. Not in the long run. My breath hitches. I don’t want to lose Gabriel. I don’t want to give up on my career. What on earth am I to do?
“Excuse me.” Leaving the sorbet mostly untouched, he steps from the dining room, his limp more noticeable.
Should I follow him? Or give him space. Not knowing whether to comfort or leave him to his own devices, I hesitate. A door slams in the distance. Well, that’s that, I guess. I rise from the table and head down to Bri’s place to spend another endless night alone.
Chapter 15
______________
Elizabeth
“HI, I’M CHARLIE, your assistant. I come bearing gifts.” The red-streaked blonde thirty something rests a cup on my desk. Coffee from the scent. “Didn’t know whether you took it black, so I brought a couple of creams and some sweetener.”
I stand, shake hands. “Thank you, Charlie. Nice to meet you.” This morning I rose early, climbed the stairs to the penthouse in an attempt to make peace with Gabriel. But he’d beat me out the door. Recalling every moment of our last encounter, I’d showered in our bathroom, wishing he were there, wishing I could somehow change things and make everything right again.
“Just so you know, everyone in the office knows about the to-do between your hubby and Sebastian. They think he offered you a job because you’re shagging him.”
I choke on the coffee. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. It was all over the news.”
I bite down on my lip. “I really hate the British press.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“You don’t?”
She shakes her head. Her hair comes in a myriad of colors, red highlights on blonde. Or maybe it’s the other way around. She’s tall and very, very thin. “You’re not his style. He likes them blonde, busty and stupid. You might have the correct shape, but you’re not blonde and certainly not stupid. Besides, if anybody bothered to pay attention, Sebastian Payne does not poach on another bloke’s territory. What I can’t understand is the deal with your husband. Care to share?”
Have no idea what she’s talking about, but I’m not spilling my guts about Gabriel or my marriage, especially with someone I met a bare five minutes ago. “Sorry, Charlie. I don’t discuss my personal life.”
She shrugs. “Fair enough, ducks. Would you like the tour now?”
“The tour?”
“The loo, break room, office services, that kind of thing. Plus an introduction to all the players.”
“Okay.” I follow her out the door where she hangs a right.
“First up, Natalya. Man eater extraordinaire. They can’t stay away from her. Lucky duck.”
Natalya’s curvy, blonde, and stacked. She’s on the phone as we walk by, so all I get is a wave of her red-tipped, well-manicured hand.
We round the corner to find a fifty-something typing away on her computer.
“Bertha. Head secretary. Stay on her good side or she’ll make your life miserable. Loves chocolates.”
“Got it.”
After Charlie performs the introductions, I say, “How do you do, Bertha?” I say.
She nods. “Mrs. Storm.”
“Oh, please call me Elizabeth.”
“We don’t do that here, Mrs. Storm.” Lips tight with not even a hint of a smile.
I have my work cut out with her. But been there, done that, I know just what to do. A frame on her desk with a photo of two gap-toothed kids sits on her desk. “What gorgeous children.”
The ice cracks a bit. “My grandchildren.”
“They’re beautiful. I have one of my own.”
“Yes. I know.” She offers a glimpse of a smile. One point for me.
Moving on, Charlie points to the next administrative assistant. “Nicholas. Fucking gorgeous. Unfortunately, gay. Still recovering from a painful breakup. If I’m not around, go to him.”
After I exchange a few pleasantries with the gorgeous Nicholas, we continue the tour with Charlie making sub rosa comments about each and every one of the AAs.
After a tour of the entire floor, including the ladies room, the break room and the copy room, I’m back at my desk, where Charlie shows me how to boot up the computer. My password’s been handed to me in a folder, but I don’t have the slightest clue how to pull up anything. “Training will be tomorrow. They wanted to take it easy on you the first day. You have a meeting at eleven with Trevor Howard, the head of legal, and he and Sebastian Payne are taking you to lunch at one.”
Lunch with the director of legal and the head of the company? Seems a bit much for a part-time employee. “Do all new hires enjoy such a warm welcome?”
“No. Which will make life even more difficult for you. Watch out for Miranda Hopkins.”
“Who’s she?”
“Assistant Director of Legal, also known as The Witch. She thinks everyone’s out for her job. Word is she sees you as a threat and will make your life miserable if you let her.”
Great. One more complication in my life. As if I didn’t have enough. “Got it.”
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“Yes.” I girth myself to take another hit.
She waves a black-lacquered fingernail at me. “Your dress? Divine.”
I smooth down the skirt of the dress I spent half an hour picking out last night. The bodice, slashed across the bosom, offers just a hint of cleavage, before the dress tapers down to a fitted waist and flared skirt. I scrunch my face. “It’s not too much?”
“Darling, it’s the right combination of business chic and sophistication. The Witch will hate your guts for that alone. Where did you get it?”
“My sister-in-law found this new designer for me.”
“You’ll put that designer on the map, just you watch. Well, gotta jet back to my desk. If you need anything, just press this and I’ll pick up.” She points to a red button on the phone.”
“Thanks, Charlie. I really appreciate the 411.”
“Anytime, ducks.” And with that, she drifts off.
I laugh. If nothing else, she’s amusing. My working hours are ten to two. But I’m guessing it will go past that time today if they’re taking me to lunch at one, but I did promise Gabriel. And I mean to keep my word. I call to let him know I’ll proba
bly get home late and get his voice mail. After I leave a message, I call Jonathan and clue him in to the lunch. The arrangement is that I will not need a guard while at work, but the second I step a foot outside the building, he will be there.
The meeting with Trevor Howard goes great. After a brief discussion of projects they’re working on, he hands me the file of a troubled American company Payne Industries is thinking about acquiring. He’d like me to analyze the financials and get back to him by the end of the week.
I return to my office, a surprising sizable one given my part-time status, and immerse myself in the work. What seems like a short time later, someone knocks on my door. I look up to find Sebastian standing there.
“Ready?” he asks.
I glance at my watch. “Is it one already?” Where did the time go? Obviously ten to two won’t be long enough to work on assignments. I’ll need to take some of my work home.
“Hope you like the restaurant I’ve chosen,” he says, leading me down the corridor.
Before I have a chance to respond, Natalya rounds the corner and bumps into Sebastian. The papers she’s carrying scatter all over the floor.
“Are you all right?” Sebastian asks as he picks up the papers. Coming upright, he hands them to her.
She clutches the documents to her chest, putting her quite impressive bosom in full display, and whispers in a breathy murmur. “Yes. I’m so sorry. So clumsy of me.” Just to make sure she has his full attention, she bats her eyes as well.
In the next desk over, Charlie rolls her eyes. She’s probably seen this particular maneuver before.
“Well, as long as you’re all right,” he says, dismissing her and turning to me. “Ready?”
“Absolutely.” I flash him a winning smile.
Behind him, Natalya narrows her gaze at me. Well, I certainly made an enemy of that one and on my first day on the job too.
“Where are we going?” I ask as we near the elevator where Trevor Howard’s waits for us.
“Le Rêve.”
From the reception by the maitre ‘d to the white-gloved waiters, I can tell the restaurant is top of the line. After we’re seated, a plate of cheese biscuits is whisked in front of us. They look awfully tempting, but I’ve worked hard to watch my weight and limit myself to one.
Through the appetizers, we chit chat about projects they’re working on. It’s clear from Trevor and Sebastian’s conversation they would like me to succeed at Payne Industries. I’m very happy with my reception so far, and I tell them so. Charlie is wonderful and the assignment Trevor handed me is exactly the kind of work I thrive on. Seemingly relieved, they relax against the seats, and the conversation moves on to more mundane topics.
It’s only when the entree is served that disaster strikes. Gabriel being led to another table. Oh, God. Why does he have to be here? Today of all days. Samuel’s with him. I doubt they would discuss a security matter in such a public place. What is he up to? I never told him where we were going to lunch. Mainly because I didn’t know. Is this sheer coincidence? Or did Jonathan phone to tell him where I was going?
When he approaches our table, I stop eating and clutch the napkin on my lap. What is he going to do? He can’t possibly get into a public altercation with Sebastian, not here in such a classy restaurant. I hold my breath not knowing what to expect.
“Darling,” he bends over and drops a kiss on my lips. “How pleasant to run into you.”
Around us, heads turn in our direction. Maybe it’s idle curiosity. And maybe it’s more than that. The to-do between Gabriel and Sebastian received a lot of play in the press, so I can imagine more than a few of the diners are hoping for a round two. Sick to my stomach, I send a prayer to whatever divinity is on watch up above. Please let this not turn into another disaster.
“Ravensworth.” He sticks out his hand and offers it in friendship to Sebastian.
Sebastian, who’d come to his feet as soon as Gabriel approached, shakes hand all smiles. I breathe easy. Looks like this time no blood will be shed.
He introduces Trevor to Gabriel. I’m so glad Sebastian included him in the lunch. Otherwise it might look like we were having an intimate meal. And that I must avoid at all costs.
“Well, I’ll leave you to your coq au vin.” Gabriel kisses me again, squeezes my very cold hand. “See you at home, darling.”
“Yes.” I flash him a grateful smile. At ease now, I resume the conversation with my boss and his boss.
Lunch over, we return to the office. Since it’s past two, I turn off the light and head out. Expecting to see Jonathan, I slip into the familiar limo waiting for me at the curb. But it’s not my bodyguard waiting for me.
“Gabriel!”
He hauls me into the steel of his chest. “You’re mine and no one else’s, you understand?”
My sweet husband. Possessive to the last. I curl my hand around his cheek. “You’ll get no argument from me in that respect.”
With a growl, he captures my lips, kissing, licking, devouring. Clutching on to him, I fully return his kiss and give him full access to my mouth. He smells so good, and tastes like sin itself. When his hand raises the hem of my dress, I offer a small protest. “Now? Here?”
A crooked smile lights his lips. “We’ll be home in fifteen minutes. Just enough time to make you come.”
In the next second, his hand finds and rips off my panties. He pulls me across his lap so I’m straddling his hips.
“This is not enough. I need to see your tits.”
Practically dislocating my shoulder, I reach behind me and unzip my dress. As soon as it’s loosened, he yanks it down to reveal my lace bra covered breasts.
The front snap is child’s play to him and soon my breasts are spilling into his hands. He pauses for a moment to take them in before raising a lust-filled gaze to me. Has there ever been a time when I haven’t been captivated by those aqua blue eyes of his?
Curling his hand around my head, he whispers against my lips, “Beautiful, lovely Elizabeth.”
And, as always, I melt.
Chapter 16
______________
Gabriel
MY THIRD APPOINTMENT AT THE PSYCHOTHERAPIST. At the second, I revealed the events which led up to my marriage to Elizabeth, including the threat to her life. I’ve kept secret my mother’s involvement, instead explaining a disgruntled employee had been responsible for the threat and the fire which almost took Elizabeth’s and Andrew’s lives.
Dr. Langenfeld has made me see how badly I botched Elizabeth’s confinement prior to her giving birth to Andrew. Don’t get me wrong if I had to do it over again, I would. But I would have discussed it with her, explained why she needed to remain behind closed doors. And we would have come up with a way to keep her safe while giving her the bit of freedom she craved. Which might have made a world of difference. But what’s done is done. No sense crying over spilt milk.
Moving forward, all I can do is measure my responses. I’m possessive to a fault, insanely jealous of anyone who comes near Elizabeth. Her working for Sebastian is killing me, but I’ve learned to accept her decision, even if the thought of her being in the same building with that bastard drives me insane.
“So we left off with the events following your father’s funeral. When your wife walked out on you.”
“Only for one night. Not even that. She returned within a few hours. Couldn’t bear to be parted from our son.” A wave of sadness rolls over me. Yes. I’m happy she came back. But her reason did not involve me. If she could have taken Andrew with her, I believe she would have stayed away. Permanently. Oh, we’ve mended fences of a sort after her first day on the job, but she hasn’t returned to my bed. A sore point with me. For I miss her more than I can say.
“Why did she walk out, Gabriel?” Chris and I mutually decided to address each other by our first names. Dr. Langenfeld seems too formal for someone who’s shedding light on all the dark corners of my life.
“My fault, I’m afraid. She’d been
offered a job. After the fire almost took hers and my son’s lives, I called the man who’d hired her and told him she wouldn’t be working for him.”
“Without consulting her?”
“She almost died. Christ. She and Andrew. If she hadn’t . . .” My voice chokes with emotion. “If she hadn’t escaped through one of the castle passages, they both would have burned to death.”
“I see. And what did you hope to gain by your phone call? You would have known the man offering her a job—”
“Sebastian Payne.” I spit out.
“Surely you should have expected Mr. Payne to contact her and ask for an explanation.”
“I hoped my phone call would terminate their relationship. Obviously, I was wrong.”
“Their relationship?” Her brows draw together and her pen pauses over her notebook. “Do they know each other on a personal level?”
“No.”
“So basically they’re employer and employee.”
“Yes, but . . .”
“But?” She prompts.
“I don’t trust the bastard not to seduce her.”
“I see.” She jots something down on her pad. I can imagine the words. Extreme jealous type. Has trust issues. “Do you doubt your wife, Gabriel?”
“If you’re asking me if she would stray, no, I don’t believe she would. But . . .”
This time she doesn’t bother asking. She just quirks a brow.
“But in a moment of weakness, she might . . .” My gut clenches with the thought of her and Sebastian Payne in bed, his body surging over hers, pounding into her heat. I rise, tangle a hand through my hair. “Christ.”
“Has she shown an interest in this Sebastian Payne?”
“She admires his business acumen, and enjoys working for his company. But on a personal level, no, she hasn’t.”
“Then why do you believe she’d have sex with him?”
I pause pacing to glare at her. “They’re not having sex!”
“How do you know that, Gabriel?”
Storm Redemption Page 10
