Chapter Ten

Annabelle

The “house out in the boonies” turns out to be a mansion. A huge one, with gates, a long winding driveway and a large garden.

I stare at it open-mouthed through the Maserati’s window. “Oh my god!”

“You like what you see?” Elliot says.

“It’s like something out of Gone with the Wind.”

Elliot grunts. Mr. Blasé. He’s probably seen it all, but I’m not quite that cool.

“Gavin’s commute must be terrible.” The OWM offices are downtown.

“That’s why he has a driver, so he can sleep in the car.”

I shoot Elliot a look. “Does he really sleep in the car?”

“He didn’t use to, but I bet he does now. He’s gotten lazy over the years, ever since Amandine had their first baby.”

“A boy or a girl?”

“A boy. His name is Jeremy.”

I fidget as Elliot pulls in in front of the massive entrance. It has a wide portico and enormous Grecian columns. “I feel so underdressed.” I smooth down clothes. I’m in a butterfly-motif ensemble, complete with gleaming peep-toe patent leather pumps that make me feel like the proverbial million bucks. They’re brand new, and they scrape the back of my feet, but they are gorgeous. “Maybe I should’ve put on something fancier.”

“Don’t. You look perfect.” Elliot links my fingers with his and brings my hand to his lips. “If I didn’t think you’d enjoy their company, I would’ve turned down the invitation.” His warm breath is on my skin, sending shivers up my arm. “If you don’t relax, I’m going to drag you into a bathroom and finger you until you come a few times.”

My face heats. “Elliot!”

“Nothing like a few orgasms to loosen someone up.” He kisses my knuckles, then lets go and opens the door for me.

“You are awful.” But I’m fighting a smile as I say it.

“Gavin wouldn’t mind. Trust me. He’d probably take the opportunity to seduce his wife. He’s totally whipped.” He puts a hand to the small of my back. The gesture is ineffably possessive and protective as he leads me to the main door.

It opens before we reach it, and a woman smiles. Her dark hair is pulled back in a no-nonsense bun, and she’s wearing a white polo shirt and khakis. “Welcome, Mr. Elliot.”

“Hello, Luna. This is my wife Belle.”

“Hello, Ms. Belle,” she says. “Amandine says she’s sorry she can’t come, but she’s resting in the living room. I think she’s a bit tired. Jeremy has been very energetic today.”

“No problem,” Elliot says. He hands her the wines and chocolate in a glossy paper bag, and she takes our gifts and leads us in.

We follow the housekeeper. Everything inside is spotless and gleaming from the chandeliers to the marble and hardwood floor. Every nook and cranny we pass has fresh flowers. The mansion is redolent with their rich scent.

The living room is spacious with huge windows facing the pool and garden. A slim blonde sits in one of the dark leather couches, her feet up on a matching ottoman. Her shiny hair is pulled in a sleek ponytail, and the light makeup on her face highlights her cheekbones and even features. The sleeveless green dress is loose with an empire waist, the soft material draping over a baby bump.

She smiles at the sight of us and gets up. “Sorry you have to see me like this,” she says. “I’m so drained.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Elliot gives her a quick hug. “This is my wife, Belle. Belle, Amandine Lloyd.”

“How do you do?” We shake hands. “Thank you for the invitation. You have a lovely home.”

“Thanks, but you haven’t seen the Lego blocks littering the place. Jeremy’s determined to build a castle big enough for him and his baby sibling.” Her palm rests on her belly briefly.

“How much has he gotten done?”

“Not much,” Amandine admits. “But he won’t let us touch his ‘construction material.’ Apparently the Lord of the Castle needs no interference from those not in his clan.” Even as she shakes her head, a smile lights up her face. “Would you like something to drink? Gavin decanted a bottle he got from Mark. It’s supposed to be very good, not that I’ll get to have any. He swears he’s going to get another after I have the baby, but he’s apparently forgotten that I won’t be able to drink when I’m nursing either.” She turns to me. “Or we could just have dinner. It’s already after six anyway. Jeremy’s had his meal, and Luna’s going to put him to sleep before leaving. It’ll just be the four of us.”

“That sounds great,” I say, even though I wonder where Gavin is. I haven’t seen the man at all.

“I want to say hello to Jeremy before he goes to bed,” Elliot says.

“Luna’s probably about to wash him right now,” Amandine says. “Upstairs.”

“I know where it is.” He glances at me, and I give him a slight nod. He takes off.

“Elliot is incorrigible,” Amandine says brightly. “I’m pretty sure he smuggled in some toys for Jeremy.”

I laugh. “I didn’t notice any.”

“Oh, he’s extra sneaky, but he always brings something special to spoil my son.” Her tone is soft with fondness. “He loves children. I’m sure he’ll make a great father when the time comes.”

I flush. “I’m sure.” The idea of having a baby with Elliot… No way. We already agreed to no kids. Talk about complicating things!

And there are my misgivings—mainly, I’m not sure if I’ll make a decent mom.

“I should go get Gavin, let him know you’re here.” She puts a hand on her lower back with a wince.

I rush forward to support her. “Why don’t you sit down? I can go get him.”

“Sorry. I think I pulled something earlier when I was playing with Jeremy.”

“It’s fine. Where is he?”

“In his office on the second floor. The fifth door to your left.”

“Okay.” I help her to the couch and arrange the ottoman so she can put up her swollen ankles. Then once she’s settled comfortably, I take the winding stairs.

The second floor is huge, with a high ceiling and lots of interesting artwork. Some pieces are abstract while others are more realistic: portraits and landscapes. I spot a few with a baby boy who must be Jeremy, from infancy to toddlerhood. The family must’ve spent a fortune on getting the portraits done because the painter’s quite talented. There’s a sweet lovable innocence glowing in those bright brown eyes and the cherubic smile. I swallow, thinking about what Amandine said about Elliot and me. He will one day have a baby that looks just like himself, but it won’t be with me. The thought sends a pang through my chest, and I rub the spot.

Come on, heart. One day at a time.

I find the office without any problem. The door’s open, and a tall dark-haired man is on his feet, looking down at a monitor on a huge desk. A hand rests by the wireless mouse, his palm flat. The first two buttons on his white dress shirt are undone, and the rolled up sleeves reveal sinewy forearms. His slacks mold to his lower body, revealing tight muscles and lean lines. He isn’t really handsome per se, but he is somehow magnetic in his own way, with a dynamic intensity that’s alluring.

But he isn’t alone. A young woman is standing next to him, and for a moment I think I’m hallucinating.

But I’m not. It really is Traci Burton.

The hazel eyes in that round face are looking at him with such softness, the particular expression I’ve seen on her face when she’s crushing hard on a guy. Her dark brown hair cascades in curls, and I know she must have spent hours doing it since her hair is naturally straight. Her black skirt is half an inch too short to be called professional, although just long enough to be acceptable in an office. Paired with tottering high heels, the skirt shows off her long, trim legs. The green top mutes the brown in her eyes, and the V-neck is low enough to show off the deep cleavage created by breasts that are definitely getting some help from a push-up bra. She’s standing too close, her chest almost touching Gavin’s left arm.

He seems completely unaware of her. The man speaks in a fast, clipped pace into the Bluetooth headphone hooked to his ear, a cool authority and energy vibrating in his voice. His dark eyes are one hundred percent focused on whatever’s on the monitor.

He straightens, then barks out a few rapid orders, using words I’ve never heard before. “Everything. Now,” he adds firmly at the end.

Traci stumbles backward at his abrupt movement, and her gaze falls on me.

Her eyes widen, then her mouth drops open. A multitude of emotions cross her expressive face. She glances at Gavin, who’s still engrossed in the monitor, then hurries out of the office and closes the door behind her, taking me with her. “Annabelle…?”

“Traci.”

“Oh my god!” She hugs me tightly. “I had no idea you were in L.A.”

“You either.” I squeeze her back. “How did you end up here? What’s been going on?”

“I just finished college last year and got a job at OWM. I was in HR for a while, but recently I got a position as Gavin’s executive administrative assistant’s assistant.” She pauses, then giggles. “Kind of a mouthful, isn’t it?”

I nod with a small smile.

“But it’s a great job, much better than HR. I had to leave Lincoln City, you know? My parents… They haven’t been coping well.”

Just like that, the crushing old guilt comes back. “I’m so sorry.”

She shakes her head. “No, it wasn’t your fault. I…I didn’t handle it very well before. I’m sorry. I should’ve realized the whole thing hurt you as much as it hurt me and my family. You didn’t know, and we could’ve been kinder. After Mr. Smith shot your parents…” She exhales a shaky breath. “I felt terrible, but didn’t know what to do. By the time I thought to reach out, you were already gone.”

“I had to leave.”

“I know.” She smiles, and it’s almost like the last two years didn’t happen—my father’s idiotic scheme or her lashing out at me in anger. And for that I’m profoundly grateful. “So what are you doing here?”

“Well…I’m married.”

Her eyes go as round as her face. “No way! Really? To who?”

“Elliot Reed is my husband. He’s Gavin’s and Amandine’s friend, which is how I’m here. They invited us for dinner.”

Her face stills for a moment, then a quick smile splits it. “Nice. Congratulations.” She looks away for a second at the door behind her. “Anyway, I have to make sure he’s okay with the documents I dropped off and go.”

It didn’t look like that was all she wanted, but I don’t say anything. There’s nothing wrong in a harmless crush, especially on a young, dynamic boss. She knows he’s taken already and has a child, with another on the way. “Okay. I need to let him know everyone’s here and ready for dinner.”

“Here’s my number.” She gives me her card. “It has my mobile on the bottom. Call me! We need to catch up.”

“Absolutely.”

Just as she turns around, the door opens and Gavin emerges. He looks at Traci. “Thanks for the documents. I’ll review them later tonight.”

She straightens, pushing her chest out in the process. “You’re welcome, sir.”

“You can go now.”

If she’s disappointed at his cool but polite dismissal, she doesn’t show it. She gives him a smile. “Have a good evening.”

As soon as she starts walking away, he turns to me. “You must be Belle.”

“Yes.”

“Gavin. Nice to meet you.” He extends his hand, and we shake.

I like the way he firmly grasps my hand. He seems solid. “Amandine asked me to get you for dinner. Everyone’s here.”

Instant concern pinches his face. “Is she not feeling well?”

“I think she’s just tired. She’s on a couch with her feet up now.”

He compresses his lips. “I don’t know if we should’ve gone for a second child. Really. She had some difficulties with the first, but she swore the second one would be fine because she’d already had practice.”

“Elliot said something similar.”

“Just regurgitating what I told him.” He shakes his head. “Sorry. You don’t want to hear me moan about my wife’s condition.”

“Not at all. I think it’s quite sweet.”

We walk downstairs together. Amandine is where I left her. As Gavin bends, she tilts her head up for a kiss like it’s the most natural thing in the world. They make a handsome couple. The glossy veneer of wealth and power doesn’t detract from the obvious love they have for each other. It’s in the way they angle their bodies toward each other, the tender gaze, the soft smile. I ache with longing—because I want that with Elliot.

Gavin helps his wife up. “Sorry. The call went longer than I expected.”

“Are you finished with the currency markets?” she asks.

“Yes.” Triumph glitters in his eyes. “It was quite profitable.”

Just then, Elliot enters the living room and wraps his arm around my waist. The contact feels sublime, and I can’t help but lean into him.

“So…ten billion dollars profitable?” Elliot teases.

I stiffen, stunned at the amount he’s talking about so casually. Surely they’re joking.

Gavin snorts. “That would be greedy and reckless. Three,” he tosses out as we walk toward the dining room.

“You’re losing your touch in your old age.”

“Three isn’t that bad, considering it only took me two days. I could’ve squeezed half a billion more if I was willing to cut it very close, but a few minutes longer, and the window would’ve been gone, and I would’ve lost the whole thing.” Gavin shoots an arch look in Elliot’s direction. “You should be kissing my ass for making you so much money.”

Elliot puts a finger under my chin and closes my mouth. I can feel my face heat.

“Don’t feel bad,” Amandine says softly. “I had the same reaction the first time I heard him talk about his work.”

“But three billion?” I ask in awe. “For real?”

Gavin shrugs. “It isn’t that bad.”

My knees go weak. It seems insane that he gambles with that kind of stakes. “Oh my gosh.”

“Leveraged in ways I don’t even want to think about. You could’ve lost three billion instead,” Amandine says, shaking her head slightly.

“Could have. Didn’t.” Gavin smiles cockily.

“As you can see, your money is handled very well,” Elliot says, squeezing me closer.

“I…yes.”

Amandine laughs. “Now you’re scaring her. Stop.”

“I never told her what a lunatic Gavin was.” Then Elliot dips his head to whisper, “Don’t worry. He’s a genius with money. I wouldn’t let him touch your fund otherwise.”

I nod, still dazed and having trouble processing what he’s saying.

“And I have the sense to hire the best housekeeper in the world.” Gavin rubs his hands together. “Luna makes killer enchiladas!”

We sit around a dark wooden table. It’s surprisingly intimate, just big enough for six people. The dining area has a gorgeous centerpiece made with fresh pink roses. The stereo system plays soulful jazz. The food smells absolutely divine, and the taste doesn’t disappoint. The housekeeper also made a big bowl of fresh green salad, chocolate cake and brownies.

Despite the opulence and wealth in every inch of their home and on their persons, Gavin and Amandine are surprisingly laid back and easy to talk to. Amandine sips a ginger ale and turns to me. “So tell me how you two met. I thought Gavin was pulling my leg when he told me Elliot had gotten married. I can sort of see Ryder marrying. Sort of. But Elliot? Only a really special woman could’ve gotten this guy to settle down.”

I flush and squirm, unsure what to tell her. Obviously the sordid truth is out of the question. “Uh, we—”

“It was love at first sight,” Elliot says smoothly. “She dazzled me, and I was lost.”

“I knew it!” Amandine beams, turning to her husband. “Told you it had to be love at first sight.”

Gavin sighs, but his eyes are bright as he gazes at her.

She faces me. “Can I see your ring?”

Feeling somewhat awkward, I extend my hand her way.

She moons over the diamond. “It’s gorgeous. I bet the proposal was just as divine.”

Not missing a beat, Elliot grins. “I did what I could.” He takes my hand on the table and kisses my knuckles.

I flush even as apprehension shivers through me. Elliot is good at giving her what she wants to hear without lying about all the details, but he’s too good, like he’s had tons of practice. It is all I can do to smile and pretend the way he’s describing it is exactly how it went.

Amandine sighs again. “I love a good romance.”

“It’s why you love me so much. The romance I give you is like wine—just gets better with age,” Gavin says. “I’m pretty sure Elliot isn’t going to give her a jet for their anniversary.”

My eyes widen. “A jet?”

“You still haven’t built Amandine that yacht, I presume.” Elliot reaches for another enchilada.

“Stop encouraging him,” Amandine slaps Elliot playfully on the forearm, then turns to me. “We ought to ignore the men. No sense of proportion, and no common sense, either. Next time you and I will have lunch, just us girls.”

“I’d like that,” I say.

The rest of the dinner passes at a leisurely pace. Elliot laughs easily, his body utterly relaxed in his seat. He reaches out and twirls a section of my hair around his finger over and over again as he and Gavin discuss the best tropical islands for getaways and work.

Amandine looks at her husband indulgently, then pulls me into a discussion about art and charitable foundations, asking if I plan to go to Elizabeth’s charity dinner later this month.

“I…don’t know,” I say, somewhat embarrassed. Why hasn’t Elliot said anything about it? He has to be going…but maybe he already has a date. I’m sure the invitations went out before we met.

On the other hand, it’s awkward to think about staying home while he takes another woman to a public event. No, it’s more than awkward. Pain twists in my gut.

Elliot’s hand rests on my shoulder and he squeezes. “My fault,” he interjects. “I forgot to mention it to her.”

“You should come,” Amandine says. “It’ll be fun. Besides, Elliot can afford to give extra to the cause.”

“What is the cause exactly?” I ask. Except for Ryder, I don’t know that much about Elliot’s siblings.

“She’s been focusing on domestic poverty recently, so it’s going to be about funding and building community centers for inner city youth. Her plan is ambitious, but really inspiring. No one does better work than Elizabeth when it comes to that sort of thing.”

“Certainly she’s had lots of practice,” Elliot adds. “Since she was eighteen.”

“I’d love to support something like that,” I say.

Amandine beams. “Fabulous.” She glances at the chocolate cake, and I can see the culinary lust of a pregnant woman at the mercy of her hormones. “Now, is anybody else ready for dessert?”