CHAPTER NINE
CeCe
There’s a new beat in my heart and dance in my step as I arrive at the bank the following morning. The date that I was so nervous about with Gabe turned out to be more than I could have ever hoped for, and the sweet bastard didn’t even give me an orgasm.
Instead, he gave me a kiss that gave kisses new meaning, one that skipped its way through my whole body and made my heart sing. I probably could have had an orgasm just from that one kiss had he not turned and walked away with a sexy-as-sin smirk on his lips.
He told me he liked me and wanted to see me again. He showed me respect and that changed everything. Changed the dynamic of the bizarre relationship we’ve found ourselves in. He’s no longer the arrogant fireman who made me want to punch him in the dick.
He’s become so much more.
Hearing him talk about his family and job last night showed me another side of him, one I desperately want to know more about.
We didn’t set an exact date to see one another again but he did take my number this time and even sent me a text as I was crawling into bed. The way my heart fluttered in my chest when I received that goodnight message is a little scary. I’ve decided to take things one day at a time. I need to take it slow because I have a feeling that man could ruin my heart the way he ruined my body in one damn night.
A blast of cool air hits me as I enter the bank. Clutching the portfolio in my hands, I head up to the reception desk with a smile.
It’s time to finish making my dreams come true.
“Good morning,” the receptionist greets me.
“Hi, I have a meeting scheduled with Graham Davis.”
Her eyes scan over her computer screen. “CeCe Kensington?”
“That’s me.”
She returns my smile. “Mr. Davis is just finishing with a phone call. He should be done shortly. Would you like some coffee or tea while you wait?”
I shake my head. “I’m fine but thank you.”
I walk over to the waiting area, hitching one of my favorite Louis Vuittons higher on my shoulder. My good luck charm. This handbag has been in my life for a long time. We’ve had some good times together. I got it from Emily for my seventeenth birthday. The hot pink Épi leather was handcrafted in Paris. It’s the kind of bag that will never go out of style. It even has a platinum four-leaf clover charm that hangs from the hook of the strap. It’s the perfect accent to my black floral Kate Spade sundress.
“Ms. Kensington?”
Turning around, I find the receptionist standing from her chair.
“Mr. Davis can see you now.”
Here goes nothing.
Clutching my portfolio tighter, I follow her down to his office. She stands to the side of the open doorway and gestures for me to enter.
“Thank you.”
Walking in, I find Graham Davis, one of my father’s biggest confidants, a family friend who has been in my life since I was a little girl. One I haven’t seen since the funeral.
“Well, if it isn’t Princess CeCe,” he greets with a charming smile, opening his arms for me.
I don’t hesitate walking into his embrace. “It’s good to see you, Graham. Thank you for meeting with me.”
He steps back, his hands gripping my bare shoulders. “Of course. I was delighted when you called. It’s been way too long.”
“It most certainly has.”
His eyes drift over me. “You look as radiant as ever.”
“So do you.”
It’s the way of the social circle. It doesn’t matter how old one gets, there’s always Botox and plastic surgery to remain youthful. Graham is no exception to that rule. His salt and pepper hair works with his fake tan and bleached white teeth.
There’s something in the way he gazes back at me, something that’s never been there before, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. It doesn’t help the nerves I’m already trying to fight off.
Thankfully, his mouth pulls back into the familiar smile I’ve always known.
“Let’s get down to business, shall we?”
I nod, both excitement and hope surging in my heart.
He moves to close his office door while I walk over to take a seat at the front of his desk. He doesn’t end up joining me. Instead, he moves for the leather sofa. “Join me over here, dear. We’ll be more comfortable and you’ll have plenty of space to lay everything out for me,” he says, tapping the coffee table in front of him.
I find the suggestion odd but oblige him. Once I take a seat, he does too, sitting much closer than necessary. My earlier apprehension returns with a vengeance.
Am I going crazy or is he giving off some weird vibes today?
Clearing my throat, I shove the internal thought aside and lift my portfolio onto the table, pulling out my business plan.
The tension I felt moments ago fades as I present my proposal to him. He listens intently and even seems impressed with the plan I lay out. Which is something he confirms when I finish showing him the first year’s return on his investment.
“You’ve really outdone yourself, young lady.”
I straighten, beaming with pride. “You think so?”
“Absolutely. Your father would be so proud of you, CeCe.”
The compliment has my heart pinching in my chest and a lump forming in my throat. “Thanks.”
“How are you dealing with everything?” he asks, softening his voice.
“As good as I can, I guess.” I shrug but the pain in my heart contradicts the easiness I try to portray. “I miss him every day and wish he could be around to see all I have accomplished.”
“He sees your successes, darling.” His hand finds its way on my bare knee, giving it a gentle squeeze.
The lingering caress of his fingers yanks me out of my sadness. My eyes lift to his, that uneasy feeling burrowing deep in my gut as he peers back at me. I don’t know what has gotten into him but I decide it’s time to end this meeting and quickly.
Casually, I shift my knee out from under his hand and start gathering up all my papers. “So, what do you think? Will the bank back me?” I ask, avoiding his gaze that I feel burning into the side of my face.
“I think you might have something really solid here but we should discuss all of your options. I have another meeting soon but how about we pick this back up tonight, over a drink perhaps?”
Every muscle in my body tenses, dread sinking into the pit of my stomach. Pulling myself together, I turn to him, finally making eye contact. “I don’t understand what else there is to go over. I’ve given you all the details you need.”
“There are still things I’d like to discuss.”
“Okay. Well, why don’t we discuss them now?”
The smile he flashes me sends those alarm bells banging around inside my anxious heart. “CeCe, you’re a beautiful, bright woman. I’m sure you see where I’m going with this.”
“I’m not so sure I do,” I croak, refusing to believe this is actually happening right now.
He scoots closer to me, his hand sweeping my hair off my shoulder. “You want something…I want something…”
The graze of his fingers on my shoulder sends me to my feet. “Don’t touch me!” I snap. “What the hell are you thinking? You’re my father’s best friend!”
He’s not the least bit put off by my anger. If anything, he’s amused by it. “You’re not a little girl anymore, CeCe. There’s nothing wrong with us engaging in a little fun.”
My teeth grind, disgust crawling up my throat. “What you’re doing is illegal. What would the bank think of their respected president offering up a loan in exchange for sex?”
That wipes the smugness off his face. His eyes narrow as he stands. I grip the portfolio to my chest, my heart racing, feet retreating as he advances on me.
“Are you threatening me?”
My chin lifts, refusing to show fear, but my shaking body gives me away. “It’s not a threat. It’s the truth.”
“Do you think anyone will believe you over me?” The back of my legs hit his desk and I realize I’m cornered, his body crowding me. “You breathe a word of this to anyone and I will ruin you. You can kiss that entire boutique good-bye. I have the means to do it. You know I do.”
I stare back at him, having no idea who I’m looking at. This isn’t the man who laughed with my father. Or who came to all my birthday parties and bounced me on his knee… The image trails off and has bile inching up my burning throat.
“Now you have a choice here,” he says. “You can meet me tonight and the loan will be yours. Or, you leave here now without a word and I’ll let you keep what you already have. What’s it going to be?”
My heart plummets at the thought of losing everything I’ve worked so hard for but not enough to sacrifice my self-respect.
“Go to hell.” Lifting my knee, I nail him between the legs, hard enough that he doubles over. I tear out of his office, ignoring the look of concern on the receptionist’s face.
Betrayal races through me on the ride home, my mind scrambling as I wonder how I could have been so wrong about him. Graham Davis is no different than the men who are responsible for my father’s death. My entire life feels like a lie and I’m beginning to wonder if I ever really knew anyone.
By the time I stagger into my empty apartment, I’m a total mess. The first thing I do is take a hot shower, wanting to wash the filth from my body. Then I crawl into bed, my arms wrapped around myself as I cry into my pillow, feeling lost and alone.