Chapter Four
Carina
Carina could admit her faults, but being late for an appointment was not one of them. She peered at her watch and noticed she had made it to work with fifteen minutes to spare.
“Hold that door!” Carina turned and watched her friend try to juggle a tote bag and a stack of books in one hand and a paper plate with what looked like a waffle on top in the other. A thermos, hopefully full of caffeine, was somehow wedged under her arm. The dark circles under her eyes bled through the thick layer of concealer, but Melissa Cafferty still had a smile on her face. “Thanks, hon!” Carina waited until Melissa had cleared the door before she crossed the threshold. “Trying to get back into this routine is killer. Where did the summer go?”
“Is this your breakfast?” Carina asked, eyeing the waffle.
“Yep. Ran out of time this morning. I need to set aside a few more minutes for the daycare drop-off. Charlie’s preschool teacher had to pry him off my leg again.”
Carina grabbed the books out of Melissa’s hand. “I’m sure he’s fine. Probably laughing, roughhousing, and running his teacher and the assistants ragged as we speak.”
Melissa laughed. “Oh, he is. I already called to check on him, to make sure that I hadn’t traumatized my two-year-old by leaving him, and learned that he and another little boy had already gotten themselves into trouble for painting a girl’s braid blue.” Melissa took a bite of her waffle. “That boy’s going to put me into an early grave.”
Charlie was cute as a button, but he was a ball of energy. Carina had no idea how Melissa juggled everything. Being a single mom, working a full-time job. She was absolutely amazing. And exhausted, Carina could only assume. When they did get a chance to talk now, which was typically in the hallways at school or over coffee in the teachers’ lounge, it was usually about day-to-day stuff, nothing too personal. Melissa knew that Carina had been dating someone, that he was in education and lived over an hour away. Carina had also told her that they had broken up over the summer. But that was about it. Melissa didn’t know the details. Which meant her friend didn’t know that the man Carina had been seeing was now their new boss. Carina so wanted to keep that little gem a secret, not only from Melissa but from the rest of the staff. Because what would they say if they knew? The rumors that would circulate around the building…
But she had to be realistic. It was naïve to believe that her secret could remain hidden. Not in this day and age. But she wasn’t helpless. She could control the how and when that secret was exposed.
This would take some planning.
“But I love him to pieces,” Melissa said.
Carina shifted her attention back to Melissa. “You know what you need? Some alone time. A bed. A remote. And a movie that isn’t animated.”
Melissa sighed. “No. I need a drink. A stiff one,” she said.
Carina chuckled. “Well, I would invite you to happy hour but the crew has dwindled from five to one.” At twenty-six years old, Carina wasn’t the youngest teacher on staff, but she was the only woman at Glenview at the moment who was neither engaged, pregnant or married. Over the past four years there seemed to be an epidemic of weddings and births. The vice principal had made a joke at a faculty meeting that there must be something in the water. Carina had laughed, but she couldn’t help but wonder why she was the last one standing.
“Ah…those were the days,” Melissa said.
Carina set the pile of books down on Melissa’s desk. “Well, I’m here. And those watering holes we used to frequent aren’t going anywhere either.” Carina gave her friend a hug. “Call me when you can. I would be happy to throw back a stiff drink or two with you.”
“Like old times?”
“Exactly,” Carina said. Melissa smiled and thanked her for her help.
Carina did miss hanging out with Melissa and the small group of teachers she had gotten to know over the years but they couldn’t compete, not that they were trying to, with Mia and Morgan. Those two girls were like sisters to her. When she had learned that Mia had left New York and moved to a town in New Jersey, just minutes away from her, Carina had almost lost it. Now if only she could talk Morgan into leaving Boston…
Carina left and went to the front office, expecting to see the Italian family Eric had spoken of, but found the lobby empty. Only the secretary was present and she greeted Carina with an annoying sing-song voice.
“Good morning, Carina. You’re here nice and early,” she said. Carina got the sense that the secretary wasn’t expecting her. She immediately felt uneasy.
“Hi, Alice. Mr. Ross asked me to come in early. A new student is registering this morning and I was asked to help translate for the family.”
With a furrowed brow, Alice shifted her attention to her computer. After a few clicks of the mouse, Alice said, “Carina, I don’t have any new registrations lined up for today, or for any day this week.”
Carina could feel her fury mounting. “Did they cancel?”
“Who, honey?”
“The Italian family Mr. Ross told me to help out this morning,” Carina said. Her tone could have been kinder, but she had run out of patience.
Alice looked at her computer screen again. “No, Mr. Ross’s calendar is clear until nine o’clock. No appointments have been made and no cancellations to be had.”
That son-of-a-bitch!
“So is Mr. Ross in his office now?”
“Um…yes,” Alice said, her voice a bit shaky. “I can see if he’s available to speak with you.” Alice picked up the phone.
Alice was in mid-dial when Carina saw a flash of color out of the corner of her eye. A man wearing a green shirt and a baseball cap was walking toward her carrying a vase full of flowers in one hand and a tablet in the other. His eyes were fixed on his tablet as he approached the front desk.
“I have a delivery for a Carina McGinnis,” he said.
“Oh, isn’t that convenient. She’s standing right next to you,” Alice said, pointing at Carina. Alice’s sing-song voice was back.
“Fantastic. Ms. McGinnis, mind signing with your finger?” the delivery man asked rather briskly.
“Uh…sure.” Carina took the tablet and scribbled her name. “Who are they from?”
“Don’t know, but there’s a card attached,” he said. The delivery man looked at her. His eyes softened and he said, “Sorry, I was up all night with a colicky baby. I’m a little tired this morning, which unfortunately brings on the crankiness.”
Carina chuckled at the man’s candor. “Not a problem. Sorry to hear about your sleepless nights, though.”
“Thanks,” he said.
“Hang in there,” Carina said, handing the tablet back to him.
“Will do.” He smiled and left Carina holding the enormous vase of flowers.
Carina almost forgot that Alice was there looking on, most likely hypothesizing who could have sent her the flowers. Carina too was curious, as there were no men in her life; her four brothers and father excluded, of course.
“They’re gorgeous, Carina,” Alice said. “Go on, read the card.”
Carina tore open the envelope, read the two short phrases…and smiled:
Lunch at the Reading Terminal. See you at noon.
- Josh
He was so fucking sure of himself. Arrogant ass. Sexy ass.
“Ms. McGinnis, may I have a word with you in my office?” Carina’s smile melted away at the sound of Eric’s voice. She looked up from the card and met his icy stare.
“Of course,” she said, a little too sweetly. She tucked the card in her purse and said, “Alice, mind if I leave my flowers with you for a sec?”
“Don’t mind at all. They’re lovely to look at,” Alice said, grinning.
Carina smiled at her and then made her way into Eric’s office. His tone a few minutes ago had seemed a little on the clipped side, but she wasn’t expecting him to slam the door closed behind him. She jumped at the obnoxious sound. Carina looked at her boss and noticed the smug smirk on his face. The prick was enjoying the power he had, that he could still frighten her.
“I think it’s highly inappropriate for you to receive flowers from your boyfriend at your place of employment,” Eric said, rounding his desk and taking a seat in an oversized leather chair. The previous principal who had graced this office had been modest, kind and fair. He had an open-door policy and had never been interested in asserting his power. Carina had started looking into teaching positions the moment she found out Eric was announced as the new principal. She had spent her Sunday polishing her résumé and shooting it off to a handful of districts, with Mia’s school being one of them. “Sit, Carina.”
Carina didn’t budge. She wasn’t taking orders from this asshole, even if he was her boss. “And I think it’s inappropriate that you lured me here under false pretenses. I asked Alice. No one is registering today or any day this week.”
“Are you calling me a liar, Carina?” he asked, sitting back into the plush leather.
Carina took two steps forward. “Liar, cheater, power-hungry scumbag, and my personal fave…abuser of women,” Carina said. She didn’t know what exactly had given her the strength to tell off her boss but there she stood, finally giving that coward a piece of her mind.
Eric leaned forward and rested his chin on his folded hands. Black, cold eyes peered beneath his lashes when he said, “Careful, Carina.”
He didn’t yell; in fact, his warning was barely a whisper. His tone made her take a step back, as it was a distinct reminder of what he was capable of.
“Or what, Eric? Are you going to fire me? Or try to show me who’s boss by taking another swing?”
Eric leaped out of his chair and before she knew it, she was pinned against the wall.
“You heal quickly,” he said, caressing her cheek with his fingertips. “No marks, not a blemish on this perfect face.” He sighed dramatically. “You would have looked wonderful at my side, the perfect…”
“Stepford Wife? The obedient spouse who looks the other way when her husband comes home smelling like another woman?” she supplied, meeting his heated gaze.
His fingers trailed from her cheek to her chin. Carina felt the bile rise in her throat as he raised her chin with two fingers. But she also felt something very hard pressed against her core. She tried to wiggle out from beneath him, but it only seemed to arouse him further.
“Get your hands off me!” she seethed.
He pressed his erection against her and chuckled. “I remember how my hands made you whimper, how I could make you gasp with just a thrust of my fingers, how you would melt around them.”
Carina stared into his ravenous eyes, dark orbs that were now dripping with lust. It was obvious he continued to believe he was the answer to women’s prayers everywhere, a sex god who had mastered the fine art of pleasuring a woman. He still had no idea she had faked every orgasm he had attempted to give her during their relationship. She initially believed that the problem had been with her because she had minimal experience with men. Despite multiple encounters, she could not find her climax. His touch could never get her there. Fortunately, she never got the chance to discover if his cock could stimulate her. Eric had insisted they wait for their wedding night to make love.
At the time, Carina had been overwhelmed and touched that he was willing to put his own wants and needs on hold so they could have a traditional wedding night. That was until she had discovered he was fulfilling his desires elsewhere…
Carina stared at the enormous rock and though it was beautiful, she couldn’t help but feel that it didn’t quite belong on her finger.
It’s nerves. That’s all. The ring is beautiful. And I’m going to be Mrs. Carina Ross.
She smiled at her husband-to-be. She grew up in a loving household with a mother and father who adored each other. Their commitment to one another was evident in everything they did and Carina knew she would never settle for anything less when it came time for her to choose a life partner. And she believed she could have that with Eric. Over the last six months, Eric had courted her, treated her like a lady. Just moments ago, he had gone down on bended knee in the middle of their favorite Italian restaurant and asked her to be his wife. Diners and the restaurant staff had looked on in anticipation, waiting for her response to the ancient question. She had not been overly surprised he had popped the question, as he had been dropping hints about their future together.
In a quaint Italian restaurant with the pianist in the corner playing Sinatra, and feeling the pressure as dozens of people stared and waited with bated breath, she had said yes. Everyone in the restaurant had clapped, a bottle of champagne with two flutes had been quickly delivered to their table and Eric had stood and thanked everyone for their excitement and congrats.
He doted on her, feeding her a sinful dessert from his own fork and whispering sweet promises of their life to come. Carina felt like she was in a drunken stupor, as if she were watching a movie…one that didn’t include her, just someone who resembled her perfectly. She remained quiet throughout dinner, as the realization sunk in.
I’m getting married. I’m. Getting. Married.
She thought about her mother. About the way her father had proposed to his bride so many years ago. Her mother still grew misty-eyed every time she told that beautiful story, described the moment she realized she was marrying her soul mate…the happiness she felt.
Carina wasn’t happy. She was fucking terrified right now. Her head started to spin and her stomach twisted into knots.
What’s wrong with me? Eric is perfect. He loves me and I love him. Nerves. That’s all it is. Please say that’s all it is!
Eric didn’t notice that she was unraveling and second-guessing her decision, because his perma-grin never wavered. He appeared to love the attention his proposal invoked and the slaps on his back and the ‘well dones’ from the men in the restaurant, men he most likely had never met before.
No, he did not notice that Carina was in a state of shock. She couldn’t pinpoint at the moment why she had her doubts about marrying him, a man who had treated her like gold over the last several months, lavishing her with attention, taking interest in what she deemed was important, and supporting her in her career and aspirations. But that uneasy feeling lingered and rooted itself at the pit of her stomach, even when he walked her home and kissed her lovingly.
She awoke the next morning with her stomach still a mess. That uneasy feeling had not dissipated as she had hoped. Carina decided she would make the uncomfortable but fair decision to let him know she could not be his wife, at least not right now. She wanted more time to decide if Eric Ross was the man for her.
Carina didn’t want to wait; she needed this grueling weight off her chest. She wrapped up her summer tutoring session with her two students and made her way to Maddon Middle School, where Eric was the vice principal. She was thankful, especially now, that they didn’t work in the same school district, as she anticipated some awkward moments ahead.
Carina felt her heart sink and her stomach doing somersaults as she approached Eric’s secretary. The older woman appeared surprised to see her, even though Carina had visited Eric at work a handful of times over the past several months. But it occurred to Carina that each time she had dropped by, she had called ahead.
“Hi, Kay. Is Eric busy?” Carina asked.
The secretary started to fidget and fiddle with her pen. She seemed twitchy for some reason. “Um, hi, Carina. Did he know you were coming?”
Carina watched Kay nervously glance at Eric’s closed office door. Carina couldn’t dismiss the tension any longer. “Is something wrong?”
Kay looked back at Carina but this time fixed her gaze on her left hand; her ring finger, to be exact. “Is that an engagement ring?” Kay asked, her eyes wide, obviously taking in the rock’s obnoxious girth.
Carina slipped her hand into her pocket. “Kay, I need to speak to Eric. Is he in a meeting or something?”
Kay stood from her swivel chair and walked around her desk. For a minute, Carina thought Kay was physically going to deny her access to Eric’s office. But then, with a smile that seemed more somber than happy Kay stepped aside, inviting her to disturb whatever was going on behind Eric’s office door, a door that until today, Carina realized, she had never seen closed.
Her gut continued to churn as she neared his office. Carina looked back at Kay. With sympathy in her voice, Kay said, “I wouldn’t knock, Carina. Better to go right in.”
Carina nodded and stepped into Eric’s office without making a sound…and shuddered at the sight before her.
Eric Ross, the man who had proposed to her less than twenty-four hours ago, the man who had promised to love and honor her for the rest of her life, was leaning against his desk with his pants and boxers gathered at his feet and his cock buried deep inside some woman’s mouth. His hands fisted her red hair as he pummeled her mouth over and over again.
Carina raised her hand to her lips as she stared in confusion and utter revulsion. The woman moaned as he fucked her, even when he called her a filthy whore and a disgusting slut. Carina had never heard him speak like that before to her, or to anyone for that matter.
Carina was just about to announce her presence when she heard Eric growl and say, “I bet you take it real good up that pretty little ass of yours.”
He didn’t wait for a response. Instead, he yanked the woman off his cock. He rolled on a condom, bent her over the desk and rammed into her from behind. The woman’s eyes flew open and for the first time, the couple discovered they were not alone. Eric pulled out of the woman’s ass and ordered her to get dressed and leave his office.
“You told me you locked the fucking door!” the woman spat. She slipped on her skirt and blouse. She was in the middle of stuffing her bra and panties in her purse when Eric told her to get out of his sight. The woman flung her purse over her shoulder and flipped him the finger before she stormed out of his office. Carina watched Eric casually tuck himself back into his boxers before zipping up his trousers.
Carina finally found her voice and through clenched teeth said, “You piece of shit.”
Their gazes locked as he buttoned his shirt. A malicious grin spread across his face. He closed the space between them within seconds and then all went black. The last thing she saw…and felt…was the back of his hand. With her hand clasped over her tear-stained cheek and her head a bit fuzzy, she rushed toward the door. But he moved quickly and she was still recovering from being cold-cocked.
He held the door closed, trapping her against the cool oak. “My fiancée will speak to me with kindness…always.”
Was he crazy? He still believed she was going to marry him? She had just watched him shove his cock up some woman’s ass!
“Let me out or I’ll scream,” she whispered.
Eric leaned in, close enough for her to smell that woman’s cheap perfume on his neck. “Wouldn’t be the first time Kay heard a woman’s scream coming from this office.”
And that explained Kay’s behavior when Carina had arrived unexpectedly…and with a ring on her finger. Kay probably had reached her breaking point when she learned that her boss’s relationship with his naïve girlfriend had become more serious.
Without thinking, she kneed the prick in the balls and fled the office. She looked over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of his undoing. Although he was bent over, clutching himself and cursing, she did not feel vindicated. She felt stupid. For being so foolish. For trusting a man with her heart.
Never again.
“Why did you come here?” she asked. His new assignment as principal of Glenview Elementary, her beloved school, could not be a coincidence.
“Because I’m not through with you, Carina.”
There was a knock at the door, prompting Eric to retreat. Carina took that window of opportunity and bolted out of his office, almost colliding with Alice. Carina didn’t stop to apologize for nearly knocking the poor woman on her ass. No, she simply escaped to her classroom, where she could be lured to distraction by preparing for twenty first-graders.