***
I’ve been through worse, I tell myself as a confidence booster as I walk across the lobby of the Marriott toward the lounge.
It’s 6:46. The sooner we start, the sooner we can finish. And I intend to finish this as soon as possible.
Barry is already here. He’s eager. Of course, he is.
He’s sporting a new suit and a fresh shave, too. Not that it makes him any less of a dick.
He sees me immediately, his smile growing wide. Then his eyebrows crease. Probably, he doesn’t approve of what I’m wearing — a cardigan over a turtleneck and a skirt over leggings. Nope, I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of gawking at me or trying to steal a glimpse down my shirt.
His smile returns, though, as I sit across from him.
“I knew you’d come.”
I pick up the menu. “I didn’t have anything else to do.”
We order. Steak and wine for him. Just salad and a glass of juice for me. I don’t intend to stay long, after all.
“Watching your figure?” Barry asks, eyes on my breasts.
What figure? “I’m not that hungry.”
Who would have an appetite dining with scum?
“Too bad. I’m paying. A man always pays on a date, after all.”
I want to tell him it isn’t a date, but I have a feeling he’ll insist it is so I drop the subject. Besides, there’s something more important we need to discuss.
“Where are the pictures?” I ask.
“Impatient, are we?”
“I just want to make sure you’re going to live up to your end of the bargain.”
Barry grins as he touches his chin. “Feisty as ever, I see. It’s what I like about you.”
Whatever. “The pictures?”
“Dinner first. Then the pictures.” He holds up a USB stick.
“And how can I be sure those are the only copies you have?”
“You can’t.” There goes that mischievous grin again. “Although I must say, you looked beautiful in that gown.”
Every word from his mouth makes me shudder.
As if that’s not bad enough, he suddenly places his hand over mine. “You’re better off with me, you know. Now that he’s fucked you once, he’ll forget all about you, whereas I… I’ll never get tired of —”
Thankfully, the waiter comes and Barry lets go of my hand.
I’m saved. For now.
We start eating. Finally, Barry shuts up. He seems to be hungry and the thick slab of beef in front of him seems to be perfectly cooked, the smell of the spices in the gravy wafting to my nostrils. Even my salad looks divine, the vegetables fresh and colorful, the portion just right.
Thank goodness.
Then just when I’m down to my last forkful, I hear the waitress speak somewhere behind me.
“This way to your table, Mr. Landers.”
Mr. Landers?
“Thank you, Anne.”
There’s no mistaking that voice. It’s Nathan Landers, all right.
Shit.
Of all the restaurants in town, why did he have to walk into this one?
My mind races. What do I do? Just sit still and pray he doesn’t see me?
Nope. So far, I’ve been unlucky, and I don’t expect my luck to turn anytime soon. I can’t take any chances.
I shove the last bit of salad into my mouth and wipe my lips with the napkin. “Excuse me. I have to go to the ladies’ room.”
Without waiting for Barry to say anything — he can’t since his mouth is full — I rush to the door.
As I cross the vast expanse of the lobby, its black, white and gold tiles gleaming beneath the multiple pendant lights, I see the sign for the restrooms. I turn the corner, but just as I am about to go to the ladies’ room, I catch a glimpse of glass doors leading to a garden. I go there instead, thinking that I need fresh air.
I gulp in deep breaths as I sit on an empty bench beside a lamp post, willing it to clear my mind.
Why? Why does everything have to be so messed up?
First Nathan. Then Barry. Now Nathan again. What am I supposed to do? Go back in there and face them both? I want to see Nathan again, sure, but I don’t think I can after what I did to him. Nor do I want to see Barry again. What then? Do I just let Barry do what he wants with those pictures?
I exhale. I should have snatched that fucking USB stick when I had the chance.
I’m still trying to find a way out of my dilemma, my face buried in my hands, when I hear footsteps approaching.
I lift my head, frowning when I realize Barry has found me.
“I thought you’d left.” He sits beside me on the bench and lights a cigarette. “But I knew you were smarter than that.”
“Sorry. I… needed some fresh air.”
“You should have told me. I would have accompanied you.”
“It’s fine.”
He takes a puff. “And here I thought you were running away from Nathan Landers.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Wait. You didn’t invite him, did you?”
“Hell, no. Why would I?”
“To blackmail him, too, of course. He’s got lots of money.”
“Do you think he cares if a picture of him and you gets out? The guy doesn’t give a shit.” He leans back and takes another puff. “I swear that asshole must have sniffed you out. Maybe he wants to see how you’re doing the night after he fucked you.”
“He didn’t—”
“Or maybe he wants more. Maybe you were too good.”
I don’t like how Barry’s looking at me. “Just give me the pictures already. You promised.”
“I said after dinner.” He moves closer. “Thanks to you leaving, I didn’t get dessert.”
Sensing danger, I get up, but he grabs my arm and pulls me back to the bench, then places one arm around me.
“Barry…”
He whispers in my ear, “Do you want that USB stick or not?”
Shit.
I’m trapped. Literally. His mouth clamps down on mine. It’s nothing like a kiss. Messy. Disgusting. More like a leech trying to suck the life out of me.
I can taste the beef, gravy, wine and nicotine on his tongue. And it makes my stomach turn.
Please… stop.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a leg comes swinging, kicking him off the bench so hard he hits the ground with a thud, his cigarette flying.
“What the hell?”
Quickly, I get off the bench, wiping my mouth with the sleeve of my cardigan as I catch my breath. I stop, though, when I realize who has just saved me.
Nathan.