Scarlett's Temptation (23 page)

"Seriously feel free to ask me anything Scarlett, I would love for you to consider me and Janie your mentors." David smiled down at Janie lovingly.

"I really appreciate that David," she was beginning to like him more and more.  "For now I'd better get home and get ready to start hitting the pavement tomorrow for a job."

"I'll have my driver take you
girl’s home, I need to do a few hours’ work before I lose some clients," he leaned down and kissed Janie deeply.  "Call me later babe," he let her go and walked them out to the car.

chapter Twenty-two

Tempted

When they walked into the condo the transformation was amazing.  They now had an incredible new living room set up and Scarlett was floored at how everything was arranged neatly.  "Um, someone has been busy?"

Janie shook her head, "Apparently Jackson decided to arrange everything for us."  The big screened television was already on the wall and Janie saw the remote on the glass coffee table and clicked the power button, not surprised when it powered up.  "David should give him a raise."

They walked back to their bedrooms and those had been perfectly arranged as well.  "He definitely is thorough," Scarlett grinned, and decided she could finally unpack her clothes.  "I'm going to get my clothes out of the boxes."

"I need to do the same, not being able to find underwear is a situation I'd like to resolve as soon as possible." 

They spent the next hour getting all their clothes arranged and Scarlett allowed that task to take over her thoughts.  The doorbell ringing had her heart slamming in her chest and she stood as still as a statue until she heard Janie thank someone.  She'd been worried and excited at the same time that it might be Rhett.  Obviously it hadn't been or Janie would have been a little more vocal, she thought with a grin.

"Scarlett, you have a package," she had thought for a moment about refusing to sign for it, but decided that was her decision to make.

Walking out into the room, she nibbled her lip not sure if she wanted to open it.  No one but Rhett would be sending her anything and she wasn't sure if she had the strength to deal with whatever he might have given her at the moment.

"Just put it on the counter Janie," she didn't have to decide to open it just yet, she told herself. 

"We really need to make a trip to go get some food for this place," she knew that Scarlett was having a hard time and hoped that shopping might take her mind off of things.

"I know I brought a few dishes with me, but we could definitely use some more pots and pans too."  It was idle talk but it seemed safer to think about this than Rhett at the moment.

Janie grabbed her keys and they headed off to the store.  The next few hours were saved by a shopping spree. Scarlett knew that they couldn't keep doing this.  Sooner or later she'd have to face the realization that she had to deal with his memory. 

When they made it back home, she waited for Janie to go take a bath before she opened her package.  As she pulled the beautiful figurine of a belly dancer out and sat in on the counter, she felt the tears fill her eyes.  Opening the card, they fell down her cheeks as she read his note.

"The first night you danced for me my heart came alive for the very first time.  I'm sorry I hurt you Scarlett.  RH"

The beginning of their ten nights together, it felt like a hundred years ago at the moment she thought wiping her cheeks.  It would be so easy to call him up, she thought.  Placing the beautiful dance back in the box, she carried it to her room and put it in the top of her closet.  She knew if she looked at it, then she would be constantly reminded of him.

Her iPhone message alert went off, and she had forgotten she left it home last night.  Reading over the dozens of messages he left, she felt her heart break with every text.  From I'm sorry, to I know you hate me, I was such a fool, Please forgive me, and on and on it went until her eyes blurred from the tears.  Turning off the phone she put it on the dresser and walked away.  This was killing her, she thought.

She walked into the kitchen and put together a Caesar salad for her and Janie.  Just don't think about him, her mind demanded as she focused all her concentration on the food.  When Janie walked in, she was feeling a little more composed.

"So what would you like to do tonight?  Movie, or maybe go hit some new club?"  She knew that Scarlett needed to keep her mind busy.

"Seriously Janie, why don't you and David do
something.  I need to work on my resume."

"I really don't want to leave you alone right now honey," the thought of hanging out with David was tempting, but she knew her friend needed her more.

"I promise I'll be fine Janie, I really want to get that resume done, then research some companies online and hopefully find some great job leads."  She appreciated what her friend was doing, but she needed some alone time.

"If you're absolutely sure you don't need me?" There was a new club that David wanted to take her too, and she knew that Scarlett probably wasn't ready to be around the lifestyle stuff again yet.

"I promise I will be just fine," smiling at her friends worrying she shooed her with her hands.  "Go have fun with your man, we can hang out tomorrow."

"Okay, well you have my cell phone number, so if anything changes, or you just get freaked out, you call me immediately!" Reaching over impulsively she hugged her tightly.  "I mean it Scarlett, call me if you break a fingernail even."

"You are starting to freak me out mommy dear," giggling she shook her head, "please go have fun with David before you drive me nuts!"

"I'm going to get dressed then,
” running back to her room she quickly slid on one of the new dresses David bought her and fixed her hair and makeup.  Before leaving she asked Scarlett several more times if she was going to be okay and felt safe leaving her alone.

She was exhausted when Janie finally made it out the door.  Knowing her friend was worried about her was sweet, but it was driving her nuts.  Hovering over her was so not the norm for Janie and she needed a little normalcy at the moment.  She took a long hot bath by candlelight, one of her favorite things to do that she'd neglected for the last few weeks.  By the time she got out and slipped into her most comfortable pajamas she felt human almost.

After she'd devoured half a carton of her favorite rocky road ice-cream she felt invincible, if a little nauseated from overindulging.  Setting up her laptop in the living room she worked on her resume until she felt like it was perfect enough to land the job of her dreams.  With that task complete she searched up internships for business majors in the Chicago area. There were a few decent companies listed, and she decided to send in a resume to each of them. 

She found a few employment agencies that sounded like they had decent leads as well, and marked them down on her to do list to contact in the morning.  All in all she felt pretty productive.  Turning off her laptop she decided to watch some television until she got tired.  Sleeping in late today was really going to mess with her schedule she thought with a sigh.

Flipping on the TV she groaned when she saw Rhett's law firm commercial.  This is really helping me not think about him, she thought as his beautiful face was plastered across her screen.  Turning the channel quickly she demanded that her heart stop racing but it didn't listen well.

Allowing her mind to dwell on last night she decided it was just time to get this over with.  She couldn't avoid thinking about him forever and now, here alone, seemed liked the best time to come to grips with what happened last night.  Turning the television off she replayed the scene last night in her mind without all the emotional baggage she'd dealt with at the time.

Did some submissive's actually enjoy rape scenes, she wondered.  It honestly had never crossed her mind before, but then again her fantasies only really focused on straight sex before Rhett because that was enough of a stretch.  Maybe women really did like that kind of thing and she was just too naive to know it?

Pulling her laptop out again she searched up rape fantasies and was flabbergasted that it wasn't that uncommon of a fantasy.  In fact it was talked about on several different entries.  She was amazed that women would want to fantasize about something that was so completely degrading.  Laughing at her own thought, she guessed it was probably pretty degrading for most women to get off on having a guy spank them as well.

She read through other fantasies that woman had and gasped at the scenarios Rhett had given her.  Her heart lurched as she noted that everything he had done with her had been one of the fantasies that most women dreamed about doing and never have the nerve to ask for.  What had she done?  He had given her the same thing that other women were wishing for, it was right in front of her face as she stared at her computer.

Okay so the rape fantasy had completely freaked her out and been way above what she'd ever been willing to experience.  But how would he have known that?  If he'd been with women that knew what they wanted in the bedroom, and had obviously enjoyed living out fantasies, then that fantasy might have even turned them on. 

She read on through the other women's ideas of what they dreamed of a lover doing to them.  It was more than a little obvious that she had lived out the desires that many women only got to dream about.  Each woman's admission made her feel a little worse about how she had ended things with Rhett. 

He wasn't an angel by any means, she remembered his caveman complex with clarity, but he obviously wasn't an unfeeling bastard either, she surmised.  She walked into the bedroom and picked up her phone.  Nibbling on her lip nervously, she dialed his number.

"Scarlett, I'm so glad you called me back sweetheart, can you ever forgive me?" her number showing up on the caller ID had filled him with relief.  He had worried she'd never want to talk to him again and that thought destroyed him.

"I think we need to talk," she spoke the words softly, her heart aching at just hearing the sound of his voice.

Breathing a sigh of relief he felt like he wasn't on the verge of a heart attack for the first time since she ran out on him.  "I would like that very much, where would you like to meet?"  He was willing to do this on her terms.

"Could we do it at your house, tomorrow night?" She wanted to see him right then, but she had to get herself together and think about what she needed to say first.

"Would nine o'clock work for you?"  He was so worried that he'd say something wrong and she'd refuse to talk with him that he was on his best behavior.

"That would be fine," she didn't know what to say to him.  She hated that it had come down to this.  It made her heart ache to know before last night she had worshipped the ground he walked on and now she was at a loss for words.

He didn't want the conversation to end, he was afraid she would change her mind if she hung up and had time to think.  "I'm really sorry Scarlett, I wish I could take back last night."

"I'm sorry too," she hated that they both seemed on edge it was killing her.  "I should get some sleep."  She was about to break down and didn't want to be on the phone with him when it happened.

"I don't want to keep you up if you're tired," he didn't want to hang up the phone, he wanted to demand she come home to him.

"Goodnight Rhett," she whispered softly.

Goodnight Scarlett," he refused to hang up, and waited until the line went dead before disconnecting.  At least she'd agreed to meet with him, he thought.  He had one last chance, and he hoped that their last night together might change everything.

It took hours after their conversation for her to finally fall asleep.  She had no idea what would happen tomorrow night and even wondered if she was crazy to
meet with him at all.  The truth was that as freaked out as she had been the other night, she couldn't stand the thought of never being in his arms again. 

He had pushed her beyond everything she was comfortable with, but at the same time she hadn't truly been alive before she met him.  Everything about him confused, excited, terrified, and pushed all the right and wrong buttons.  It might be insanity to need anyone this much, but at least with him she could feel something.  She couldn't even remember the person she was before he came into her life anymore.

As sleep finally pulled her into its embrace he consumed her dreams.  Standing on a sandy white beach he waited for her, his arms outstretched.  Streaks of lightening painted the sky with each step she took forward.  Closing the distance between them he held her against his chest and she thought in her dream world that their relationship was like a summer storm, filled with heat and emotions that were so volatile it might consume them both in the end.

chapter Twenty-three

Full Circle

"You know this is insanity, right?"  Janie was furious that she was willing to put herself back in a situation that was only going to hurt her again.  She sat down at their island bar looking at her best friend like she needed mental help.  Short of tying her to the chair she could tell by Scarlett's look that her opinion wasn't going to budge her decision.

"Scarlett I know it seems that way to you but I'm going to drive myself nuts if I don't talk to him."  Her nerves were strung tight as hell as it was, and she didn't need to deal with Janie's feelings on the subject to compile on top of what was already a monumental decision for her.

"Damn it Scarlett, it will get easier, but you don't just throw yourself right back into a fire when you barely escaped the last time!" Exasperated she threw her hands up in the air and walked away.  They had been talking in circles for the last twenty minutes, and nothing she'd said made a dent in her resolve.  "Do you really expect me stand by and watch you destroy yourself over him?"

"I expect you to be my friend, and accept that I have capability of making my own choices and dealing with the consequences!"  She was getting pissed now as well.  Enough was enough.  She told Janie what she planned because she didn't want to lie to her, but she was a grown woman and this was her choice.

"I will always be your friend, even when you're being about as stupid as a person can get.  I love you Scarlett, but when he hurts you again, just remember I warned you."  Standing up, she grabbed her purse and headed out the door.  She couldn't stand by and watch her fuck up her life and if she was going to go through with this, she would do it on her own.

She cringed as the front door slammed and forced herself to take a few deep breaths to calm her nerves.  The last thing she'd wanted was to make her best friend unhappy.  Janie had valid points, but this was about what she could live with.  The chime of the doorbell pulled her out of her thoughts about how hard it was going to be to fix this with her best friend.

Signing for the package, she thanked the delivery guy and her heart raced at the large package in her hands.  Walking back into the kitchen she tore open the box and began unwrapping bubble tape from around the large square object.  It was a beautiful chess board carved out of marble.  To say it was an unusual gift was putting it mildly, she'd never played the game in her life.

Reaching down into the box, she pulled out the beautiful pieces noting that they were all carved out of ivory and what she assumed was black onyx.  She loved the little objects, and knew they had names but couldn't recall them.  Lifting up the ivory horse she ran her fingers over the smooth texture, puzzled.  Opening the card she couldn't stop the grin that found her face as Rhett explained his gift.

"This game should have been where we started sweet girl.  In Chess when there is no known move to escape or win the game it's called a checkmate.  I concede princess.  Checkmate.  Truly, RH."

Did that mean he was giving up?  The message was so cryptic she thought about calling him and then stopped herself.  What if he told her not to come tonight?  She wasn't sure she could deal with that.  Attempting to keep herself busy she pulled out her laptop and searched Chess.  Setting the board up took her mind off the need to call him and she decided to learn a little more about the game to waste some time.

The rest of the day she forced herself to do meaningless tasks to stop herself from going insane.  She swept floors that didn't need sweeping, rearranged her clothes in the closet, took a long hot bath and stayed in until the water was icy cold.  The day just wasn't passing fast enough.  As she started getting ready for her meeting with him, it wasn't long enough.

Her hands shook as she slid a pale pink dress over her head.  It was one of the few outfits she'd bought that wasn't as revealing as the others on her trip with Rhett.  She loved how it cuddled her small waist then fell over her hips and a few inches above her knees in soft folds. It was a soft as butter and while it covered her modestly the material itself felt sensual to her. 

Sliding on thigh high stockings, she clipped them to the garter belt of the baby doll teddy she wore.  She told herself she was only going to talk to him tonight, but the teddy made her feel confident and sexy, and she needed all of that for this conversation tonight.  Sliding on a pair of white three inch heels, she walked into the bathroom and studied her reflection in the full length mirror behind the door. Thinking this was about the best she could do, she turned away, grabbed her purse and walked out of the condo with her legs shaking so badly she was shocked she could stand.

Concentrating on the road did little to help her mindset, she felt like she did the first night she'd met him alone.  Pulling her car into the driveway, the valet opened the door for her.  "Thank you," she handed him the keys, wishing her hands would stop trembling.  He only nodded and smiled and she forced her legs to walk
..

The front door opened before she had the chance to ring the bell and the stoic servant that usually had a stern expression on his face as he answered smiled warmly at her, and held the door open.  "Master Rhett is waiting for you in the gardens, Ma'am." 

"Thank you," she managed to speak the words through lips that were suddenly parched, reminding her again of the first night she'd come here on her own.  She followed behind him, hoping her legs wouldn't fold as her heart raced painfully in her chest.

He opened the veranda doors at the back of the mansion and her eyes widened at the path of white and red rose petals scattered down the long flight of stairs and onto the deep green grass of the lawn.

"Enjoy your evening Ma'am," the butler closed the doors as he retreated back inside with a smile on his face.

Scarlett looked behind her for a moment and then slowly began following the trail of rose petals, her heart racing more with each step she took.  The path was illuminated by torches that were lined as far as her eyes could see and it was almost like something out of a fairy tale.

As she continued to walk she noted the large gazebo surrounded by sheer white curtains blowing gently in the breeze.  Finding it hard to breathe she finally made it to the curtains that covered the entrance and a gasp escaped her lips as she saw Rhett down on one knee holding up a small velvet covered box. 

He was dressed in a black tuxedo that fit his incredible body perfectly and the look on his gorgeous face was one that she knew she'd remember for the rest of her life.  Uncertainty filled his deep blue eyes and he looked up at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Scarlett, I know I've been a stubborn, blind, fool and you deserve someone who could give you so much more.  I have never felt this way about another woman in my life and the thought of not being with you every day for the rest of my life destroys my soul.  I know I don't deserve you sweetheart, but if you will do me the honor of being my wife, I promise to spend the rest of my life making sure that you have everything your heart desires.  Will you marry me?"

Her mouth opened, but as hard as she tried she couldn't force any words from her mouth.  The last thing she'd expected when she showed up here tonight was for him to offer marriage.  The thought filled her with nervous anticipation and a joy that surpassed anything she ever thought herself capable of feeling.  Her eyes filled with tears and her hand went to her mouth as she tried to control her emotions and think past the fairytale dream he was offering her here tonight.

"Sweetheart please say something," his own heart was racing at the thought that she might reject him.  He didn't deserve her, he knew that.  She was too perfect, too kind and so much more than a bastard like him could ever hope to have return his love.

She could only nod her head, they had a million things to discuss and probably more than that to agree or disagree over, but the thought of being Mrs. Rhett Hammond was more than she'd ever thought possible.  The look of shock in his eyes at her simple nod made her smile.  His hands shaking as he slid the huge diamond on her hand would be in her memories until the day she died.  It was the first time she'd ever seen him nervous since they met.

"If you don't like the ring, we can go pick out one together tomorrow," he looked up at her uncertainly, hoping he was doing this right.  He'd never thought he could find a woman that would thaw his cold heart, and his sweet little Scarlett had him feeling more unsure than he had ever felt before.  The only thing he knew for certain was that he was willing to spend the rest of his life making her happy. 

"Sir, I love the ring and I love you," lowering to her knees, she wrapped her arms around him tightly.  She managed to find her voice at the sight of him humbled before her.  It was a vision that she'd never thought to see, and in all honesty one she wasn't sure she felt comfortable with.  She loved him from the strong, decisive man he'd shown her and even though he pushed all her buttons and scared the living hell out of her most of the
time, that was the man she'd fallen in love with.

"Princess, you never have to call me Sir again," he held her against him tightly willing to try with everything inside of him to be the man she needed him to be.

Pulling back enough to look in his eyes, her hands went to each side of his face and with a strength of mind she wasn't aware she had, she spoke to him honestly.  "I fell in love with the man who showed me that passion could be found when I truly submitted my heart, body and soul, Sir.  Please don't ask me to give that up to spend my life with the man that showed me that." 

He was overwhelmed with emotion that she was willing to still submit to him.  He had been willing to give that part of his life up to have her in his life forever.  She meant more to him than even his strongest desires to command and conquer.  The thought of her willingness to give him not only her love, but surrender her will was more than he could have ever hoped for.  For the first
time in his life he was speechless.  His lips lowered to hers and he kissed her with all the passion that he'd held in check, showing her without words what her submission meant to him.

When he finally pulled back, he looked into her emotional hazel eyes his heart was filled to overflowing.  "You have given me more than one man deserves in this lifetime Scarlett." Standing up he held out his hand to help her to her feet. 

She put her hand in his and smiled up into his fathomless deep blue gaze.  There was no doubt in her mind that this was what she truly wanted.  "Sir, this is our tenth night together."  Smiling as he held her hand, she blushed deeply as allowed her eyes to roam over the man that would be hers for the rest of her life.  "What will you teach me?"  She couldn't stop the small smirk that found her face or the challenge that filled her hazel orbs.

He chuckled at the spirit of his future wife and the beautiful woman that had just agreed to surrender her body to his desires for as long as they lived, the thought of all the things he would share with her was irresistible.  Lifting her up into his arms he looked down into her beautiful face and grinned wickedly.  "I will teach you everything your incredible body desires, and push you beyond anything you think you can handle."

Laying her down on the cushioned bed, he walked over to the gazebo entrance and pulled the curtains closed so they were isolated from the rest of the world.  The look of innocent curiosity on her face took his breath away.  Lowering to his knees beside the outdoor bed, he reached over and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand gently.  "And I'll be here to catch you so you never fall sweetheart."

In ten nights she had discovered passion, love, fear, heartache, and so many emotional and physical changes that it took her breath away.  As he joined her in bed and brought her body to the edge of paradise she couldn't help but wonder what she could learn in ten years.  Closing her eyes she surrendered her body and her heart to the one man that knew how to push her to the point of no return.