Tangled in Chains (7 page)

“Do you mind if I hang out here today? I can mist the arrangements for you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, they always cheer me.”

For the rest of the day she worked around the shop, sweeping the floors, watering plants and tending the flowers, making sure that everything was fresh and pretty. Her thoughts drifted back to the day she and Blaze had met. She didn’t recall seeing Shook at that event but didn’t doubt his words. He had described her perfectly and she now doubted her fiancé would possess the same level of attention to anything beyond his needs.

Blaze had been charming, sophisticated and a fabulous dancer. Once she’d completed her work they had danced the entire night. He taken her on a date nearly every night since their first meeting and even whisked her off to Venice for a romantic getaway. All her friends were jealous of the handsome sophisticate with gorgeous blue eyes and a head full of brown curls. Not many men in their forties could boast as such.

He’d been divorced once long before they met and didn’t have any children so he was known as one of the most eligible bachelors in her age group. She could understand why Shook had stood back. Obviously he’d seen Blaze in hot pursuit and as his best friend, didn’t want to steal his happiness. Shook was clearly the better man and she wished he’d been the one to ask her to dance at that wedding.
Maybe he is telling the truth. But can I trust him? How can I be sure they weren’t in this together all along?

Why Blaze chose now to bring him into their relationship baffled her.
Is he that cocky? Did he want to flaunt his victory over Shook one last time?
If Shook truly did want me, wouldn’t
watching us get married be torment enough?
Or is Blaze just so utterly consumed with lust that he used his friend’s vulnerability to his benefit? What kind of person does this to his best friend? And to his fiancé yet! Tricking me into making some sick movie, it’s too much and I can never forgive him for that level of deception. He’s not who I thought he was and there’s no way I’d ever marry a man like him.

She primped the flowers in the display case and the arrangements waiting in the cooler, giving them one final inspection for the day before turning off the lights. A light tap on the door made her turn around. Her heart raced at the sight of Shook even though she wasn’t sure she wanted to let him in. She felt hurt, betrayed and most of all sullied.

“Sapphire, please open the door,” he called from the other side. “I’m not leaving and I’m not giving in this time. I’ve wanted you since the first day I saw you and I’m willing to fight if that’s what it takes to win your heart.”

Slowly she opened the door. “Why the change of heart? You seemed certain that Blaze and I would work things out.”

“I watched the video.” A mix of open rage and remorse shadowed his face. “I had no idea and I am very sorry to have unknowingly played a part in this devious charade. He doesn’t deserve you and you’d be a fool to take him back after what he’s done.”

“No more talk about me forgiving him then?”

“Hell no! I was on my way over to confront him before kicking his sorry ass but then I thought of you and how hurt you must be. My revenge on Blaze can wait until I’m sure that you are okay. Can we go somewhere and talk? Coffee maybe?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, I’m finished here for today.”

They found a cozy table in a local all-night café and ordered mocha lattes. His appeal hadn’t diminished one bit, making her realize that perhaps she did trust him. Had she felt in her heart that he’d been a part of the deception, she couldn’t possibly be attracted to him.

“What did you do with the video?” she asked.

“I erased it.” He placed the mini cam on the table. “You can check if you don’t believe me.”

Picking up the tiny unit she looked it over and breathed a sigh of relief. The dent on the side from her mishap in the bedroom proved it was the same camera.

“You really didn’t know? You weren’t conspiring with him against me?”

Gently he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “No…never would I be a part of anything this bad.”

The ringtone from her cell phone interrupted them.

“It’s Blaze. What should I tell him?”

“Nothing, make something up. I have a plan but we need to talk first.”

She nodded while receiving the call.

“Where have you been, babe?”

“Marge needed me at the last minute to check on the shop. She had urgent business and couldn’t come in today so I filled in.”

“Oh…it looks like someone was in our apartment today.” Suspicion hung on his voice. “My Picasso replica has been destroyed and things seemed out of order around the place. Did you notice anything before you left?”

“No. I was in a bit of a hurry so I probably didn’t pick up after myself, sorry.”

“Are you coming home soon?”

She sighed and thought for a moment. “I may just sleep at the shop tonight if you don’t mind. It’s a long commute across town and I’m very tired. We have an early day tomorrow. Didn’t you say that you’d also be busy this week? Isn’t that why you pushed for our time with Shook last night?” She decided to put him on the defense.

“Yes, I do have a hectic few days ahead of me. I believe he flew back to England today so it’s good that we had one more visit with him.”

His willingness to continue the lie astounded her. “I’ll probably catch up with you tomorrow night then, okay?”

He relented with a sigh and they said goodnight before ending the call. For the first time she was glad he didn’t say
I love you
, because she didn’t want to say it back. She tucked her phone into her bag then stared at Shook.

“Something has been bothering me about those sexual romps. Why did you permit Blaze to call all the shots?”

A sincere expression swept over his face, softening the hard lines. “He’s known you intimately. I thought it was what both of you wanted. I was informed that it was a trial run and if you took to me, then we’d discuss the future. I wanted to please you so I followed his lead, thinking that he knew what he was doing.”

“But you’re a gorgeous, single man. Why would you want to be a third member in a relationship instead of having a woman of your own?”

“Because I’ve been in love with your photograph for almost two years. Why do you think I spend most of my time abroad?”

She was stunned by his reply but hid her feelings. “I have no idea.”

“Once I saw that you and he were a couple I took off. It was too hard watching him flaunt something I wanted but couldn’t have.” Reaching across the table, he took her hand in his. “He would send me pictures of you all the time and boast about the great sex. Some of the photos he sent were extremely sexy.”

“Oh.” She sipped her coffee, feeling anger and shame that Blaze had been exploiting her all this time.

“I’m a one-woman-man, love, and not into shallow relationships. When he invited me to join you with the possibility for something long-term, I couldn’t pass it up. Although our meeting came about through his malicious intent and we ended up in each other’s arms because of his deception, I have to confess I don’t regret it.”

“As bad as that sounds,” she said with a light laugh. “I don’t either. I’ve never been with a man like you.”

“Have you ever been married?”

“No. Never saw the need. I was raised in a very conventional home with good parents. They put me through college and I found my way in life. Actually, I was having second thoughts about marrying Blaze because he’s been making noise about me giving up my career to become his socialite wife.”

“I’ve never married either. After college I landed a job in my chosen field of business management and promotion. I’ve always enjoyed the music industry and the travel suited me. I couldn’t see a reason to settle down…until now.”

She stared at him with arched brows. “I’m not sure how to respond.”

“Then don’t. Let me love you the way I want to, the way I’ve dreamed of loving you since the day you passed through my world many months ago.”

“I am very attracted to you…”

“But…” He seemed openly disappointed.

“I’m finding it rather difficult to process everything. It feels like there’s an elephant between us and I don’t know how to get around it.”

“An elephant named Blaze.” He sighed while continuing the gentle caressing of her hand. “We need to find each other on our own, develop a bond outside of the threesome.”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Is that possible after all that’s been done?”

His eyes searched hers in a most intense gaze. “I believe so. I’ve held you in my mind for so long, holding you in my arms is better than I ever dreamed. I’m not willing to let you go now that we’re this close.”

The words he chose and the softness in his voice floated over her like a beautiful melody. She didn’t break eye contact but simply allowed herself to become lost in those dark, alluring depths and feel his spirit. He didn’t seem evasive or closed off at all. Everything about this strikingly handsome man felt right. Long moments passed as they remained in a soul-searching gaze.

Eventually he broke their silence. “I have a plan.”

“Yes…I recall you saying that.”

“I could kick his ass and deliver just payback with violence. However, I’ve come up with something more effective—an idea that will not only be the perfect revenge but punish him as well.”

“Punishment, I like that. He should be punished. What do you think he intended to do with the video?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged with a scowl. “He really shocked the hell out of me. I never thought him the type to do something so underhanded.”

“So what is this brilliant strategy of yours?” She found a smile hiding behind the day’s tears and offered it to him.

He returned her smile with shimmering eyes. “A plan that will help you and me put his lies behind us and move into the future together.”

“I’m listening.”

“Would you like to spend the night at my place?” he asked with a wink that reignited her desire for him.

Chapter Five

Shook escorted her to his waiting car parked in a lot two blocks from the café. Having grown up in the city, she’d never owned a car, as public transport served her needs. She didn’t like the idea of driving alone at night anyway. Though her knowledge of automobiles was scant, she did know that his was extraordinary.

“Awesome car, what kind is it?”

“Thanks. This is my Dodge Viper.” He failed to hide his pride behind the flattered grin. “I’ve always liked fast cars. Does zero-to-sixty in three-point-four.”

“I don’t know what that means, sorry. I didn’t exactly grow up with cars and Blaze doesn’t have one either.”

“I can get this little baby up to sixty miles per hour in less than four seconds.”

“Oh…wow that sounds very fast.”

“Are you up for it? We can take her out on an expressway and stretch her wings before tucking her in for the night.”

“Um…” She toyed with an end of her hair. “Okay, why not. I’ve never ridden in a fast car.”

“Ah, now you’re talking. My kind of woman.” He opened the passenger door then placed a tender kiss on her lips. “Beautiful
and
brave.”

A mix of fear and excitement raced through her as he started the engine. It sounded powerful and growly. They zipped through the city streets at a frightening speed. He zigzagged through traffic, shifting gears like a pro. Once clear of the congestion he picked up more speed and the street lights whipped past like dots.

“Do you always drive this fast?”

He gave an easy laugh. “At night, yeah
—
during the day I can’t get away with this. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she replied, a little less confident than she wanted to sound.

He laughed again and flashed a charming smile. “No worries, love. I’m a good driver. Just relax.”

“If you drive as well as you…never mind…I can see that I’m in good hands either way.” She spied the spark in his eyes before he looked away.

They hit the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway doing ninety and the thrill of it stole her breath. Watching him maneuver the car excited her in a new way. This was the first time she caught a glimpse of the real man behind that mysterious allure. He seemed wild and free. Within minutes she felt herself falling into his world and losing her heart. The windows were down and their hair whipped about furiously as he poured on the speed, showing her what his car could do.

Every now and then he’d glance over to check on her. She’d offer a smile because speaking seemed futile at this pace. Words would simply be lost beneath the growl of the engine and the sound of wind whooshing by. Besides, it felt like they were sharing something special and talking might ruin the moment. She stole a glance at the speedometer and gasped, clutching a hand to her chest.
One-hundred-thirty miles per hour!

Shook laughed with a toss of his head, then shifted gears again and they shot off down a dark stretch of highway at blazing speed. Her stomach felt like the air had been sucked straight out and her body became one with the seat from the sheer force holding her against it.