Chapter 30
We Don’t Talk Anymore
Gemma
TRAFFIC IS TERRIBLE, but then again getting from Oceanside to downtown San Diego is never a picnic.
From the back seat, I try to keep my eyes off the rearview mirror, off Caleb’s, but then I look at my watch and start to panic. “We should have been there five minutes ago,” I inform him. “I can’t be late.”
Caleb finds my stare in the mirror I can’t seem to look away from and gives me a solemn nod. “You won’t be. Why do you live all the way up here anyway when you work at the museum?”
Fair question but I can’t tell him the real reason—that when Enrique told me he wanted me to move from my small apartment in Centre City into something more suitable, I picked the beach farthest from him but still close enough that he would allow it. “Because I love its palm-dotted beaches and the giant-sized marina.”
His eyes back on the road, he’s weaving in and out of traffic, moving faster. “San Diego has plenty of beaches and marinas,” he says. “Isn’t San Diego known as California’s Beach City?”
“Yes, sure it is, but none of the towns are as laid back as Oceanside,” I tell him.
He snickers. “Right, because Cruz is so laid back.”
Crossing my arms, I can’t suppress my scowl. “No, he’s not, but there was a time I was.”
His green eyes are back in the mirror. “What changed you?”
I’ve told him something about myself I shouldn’t have. “Life,” I offer. For some reason, lying to Caleb doesn’t seem right. I do enough of that with Enrique.
“Care to expand?"
I shake my head and close my eyes, trying to remember what my life was like before. With each passing day it gets harder and harder to remember there was ever a time in my life when things weren’t so convoluted and complicated. Then again, my entire family’s life changed because of me—because I wore that necklace to Enrique Cruz’s house and he wanted it—because Enrique always gets what he wants, one way or another.
It’s sixteen minutes before twelve when Caleb pulls onto Broadway and thirteen minutes before twelve when he pulls into my dedicated parking place at Emerald Plaza. Still, if we don’t hurry, I’m going to be late, and late is not permitted.
With Caleb doing his bodyguard duty, he quickly leads the way inside and to the private bank of elevators reserved for the Serenity Center. Clearly, Caleb has been informed.
Alone in the elevator, I have to ignore the sexual tension that fills the small space.
Acting professional, Caleb stands in front of me, and I can tell he’s doing his best not to look over his shoulder. I’m behind him, doing my best to ignore the illicit thoughts I’m having of him.
When he pushes the button for the thirtieth floor, I think about talking to him. Consider what to say. How to tell him to stay away. That my life is complicated enough and last night was a mistake. But that’s a lie, and I know I can’t lie to him. I’m so completely lost in my own thoughts that when the doors reopen before they’ve even fully closed, I barely notice someone else is stepping inside.
“There you are, my angel.”
The voice is gruffer than normal, but still, the sound is one I know all too well. I jerk my gaze in Enrique’s direction. However, as soon as I see his tailor-made suit and silk tie, a lump forms in my throat as hard as a pebble and I can’t manage a hello.
Having Caleb and him in the same small space is unexpected. It’s almost too much. I take a deep breath. I just don’t think I can pretend.
Enrique steps toward me and moves a piece of hair from my eyes. “I’ve been calling you all morning. Why haven’t you answered?”
It dawns on me then that I never checked for his calls this morning like I always do. I push the lump out of my throat and answer. “I forgot to charge my phone last night and my battery died. I didn’t realize it until it was time to leave.”
That is the truth.
His hand slides down my cheek and he takes my chin firmly between his thumb and finger. “You seem to be very forgetful lately.”
“I’m sorry.”
Staring down at me with that dark gleam, he whispers, “Let’s do better.”
I nod. “I will.”
“Good,” he says and takes a step back to appraise me. After a few moments, he finally speaks. “You look lovely today.”
Somehow, I force myself to smile. “Thank you, Enrique. I hoped I might see you today.”
Lie.
Lie.
Lie.
Pretending to be happy to see him in this elevator with Smith and Caleb standing in front of us is worse than anything I’ve had to do with him alone.
“I’m surprised that you’re joining me for my session, though,” I allow myself to admit.
His knuckles caress my cheek. “I won’t be able to join you.”
I feign disappointment, forcing a frown on my face. “Oh, I just thought that was why you’re here.”
He shakes his head. “Smith, Holt, leave us,” he orders.
“Sir?” Smith questions.
“Stop the elevator and take another. Meet me at the top.”
I watch over Enrique’s shoulder as Caleb’s body goes taut and Smith quickly hits the next floor on the keypad. When the car comes to a smooth stop, both men exit. I don’t dare make eye contact with Caleb.
When the doors close again, I’m alone with Enrique.
“What’s going on?” I ask. “Are you still upset with me?”
He looks at me. Stares. His eyes moving up and down my body.
I can’t read him. It makes me uncomfortable. Makes me wonder if he’s come here to break things off.
I shift uneasily. I can’t allow that to happen. I have to remind him what attracted him to me no matter how much it sickens me.
The St. John dress I’m wearing is vintage and has a flared skirt. It hits me just above the knees. I curl my fingers in the luxurious material, inching it higher without looking at him, my gaze focused on the floor indicator above the elevator door.
Twenty.
Twenty-one.
Twenty-two.
All at once, I feel like I can’t breathe.
Twenty-three.
He’s moving closer, so very close. And then his arm is around my waist and my body is up against his. “I hate being away from you, but Penelope is suspicious of us. I have to stay away for a little while.”
I press my body against his. “Suspicious?” I ask, my heart pumping with a fear that she’s going to force him to choose. “Why? You’ve been careful.”
He forces himself to take a step back. “I know I have.”
Higher, I slowly move my hem, revealing the first teasing hint of the edge of my stockings.
His gaze is on me. “She says I’ve been distracted, and you’re the reason why.”
I point one toe, cocking a hip as I ease the fabric of my dress just high enough to show him the flash of a garter and the pale flesh of my inner thigh. “Have you been?” I ask, almost purring the words.
“Of course, I have been but not because of you. It’s because everything I’ve worked for is in jeopardy.”
There must be more going on with his business than he’s mentioned. And the low blow that was meant to hurt me does anything but. “How long do you have to stay away?” I ask in a timid voice.
His throat seems dry and I can see his cock throbbing. “Just until after the benefit, angel.”
Knowing I still turn him on puts me at ease and I let my hem fall. “I understand, Mr. Cruz.”
He smiles at me and draws me close. “By then my business should be in order and I hope to be able to tell her about you,” he says.
I can’t hide my shock. “Why would you do that?”
He grasps my chin firmly in his hand. “As long as you’re pure, you’re not considered a pollutant in our marriage, and she has no grounds for complaint. I thought you already knew this?”
Tell her?
Tell her!
Why?
Nothing good can come from that.
The elevator doors open just as I’m blinking a few times and shaking my head no. As I step out, all I can do is hope that time never comes. Hope my plan goes as planned. Hope I’ll have what I want by then.
Hope he’s dead by then.