The Man Without Rules (29 page)

"Why is it always that I've done something?" he shouted. "I buggered her arsehole."

Juliet's eyebrows went up. "Oh? And what does Holden say about that?"

"The husband was on the phone the whole time."

She nodded again like she understood. "What did he say?"

"Excuse me?"

"What did he say? He must have said something that pissed you off. Or did she say something?"

"I'm not having this conversation with you."

"She warned you, Sebastian."

"Juliet, that's enough!" He slammed his fist against the marble counter top, surprised to hear something crack.

Juliet looked down at his hand. Pain shot through it when he tried to unfist his fingers. Sebastian winced and let his hand drop down at his side.

"I'm sorry." Juliet's eyes were sympathetic and pained for him. "I really am."

"Please, just get her to my mother's. I'll be staying here a few more days."

She nodded. "Do you want me to bring your things from your mother's?"

"Please. I'll call her later." He tried to flex his hand, but it sent sharp pains to his shoulder.

"Let me know if you need anything. See a doctor for that hand."

Sebastian nodded slowly. They both knew he wouldn't. He reached for his dinner, trying to ignore the pain as he finally got his hand open, but he couldn't lift the bag. There was too much pain.

"I'll get an x-ray in the morning."

"Good. Call me, Sebastian."

"I will."

Juliet left him. Sebastian used his good hand to sort out his food. He took the tops off and poured himself another glass of whisky. As he raised it to his lips, his hand spasmed. Pain ripped through his arm and the glass slipped from his hand. It hit the edge of the counter before it crashed to the floor. Liquor splattered his feet and trousers.

With a guttural cry of frustration and an angry sweep of his arm, Sebastian threw the food to the floor. Lo Mein, chicken, and sticky white rice hit the tile. It stuck to the chrome refrigerator and oozed down the wooden cabinets. The whisky bottle clattered to the ground. Amber liquid glugged onto the floor, but he made no move to stop it. Sebastian went to the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of something strong to nurse his hurt feelings.

***

The x-ray showed a few hairline fractures. Sebastian stepped out of the drug store and slipped on the wrist brace the doctor had suggested. Almost instantly, the support helped soothe some of the strain.

"Sebastian."

He turned to see Henry coming his way. "Hello, Henry."

"Nice to see you again.
I'm sorry about canceling lunch yesterday. I hope Mariss wasn't too upset."

"No, not at all."
The mention of her name filled him with butterflies of despair.

"What's happened to your hand there?"

Sebastian held it up and inspected it in the sunlight. There was a little bruising near his wrist.
"Slammed it in a door.
It's nothing too serious."

"Well, that's good. I'm glad I ran into you. I heard what happened at the dinner. I hope you won't think me too nosey, but is it true?"

Sebastian felt his face drain of all emotion, even as he knew he would give himself away. "That's really none of your business, is it?"

"I feel it's my business. Mariss is a close friend of mine. I'm sure she explained the nature of our relationship. It's my duty to protect her."

"Mariss is in no danger of harm from me. I can assure you. She and her husband came into my club one evening about a year ago," he said to appease the man. "They were looking for a third partner. We have a mutual agreement. That's all. No harm. No danger."

"You should know that some are saying she's your new project."

"Project?"
Sebastian scoffed. "No. More like a chore."

"That's a bit harsh isn't it? She's a lovely woman."

"Is it harsh? I'm not sure."

Henry half smirked. "That's interesting. You two were pretty cozy at the awards the other night for her to be nothing but a chore."

"I'm going to be late for lunch with mother," Sebastian said, his voice flat.
"If you're done fishing for gossip?"

Henry shook his head, but said, "Of course. Don't keep your mother waiting. I'll be seeing you."

Sebastian watched him walk away,
then
got into his car. He purposefully kept his mind off the night before. Thinking about it made his chest hurt. He spent the twenty minute drive trying to decide if he wanted to do the Burberry shoot or not, giving himself reason to, then every reason not to. By the time he got to his mother's home, he couldn't remember why it mattered.

Martha was in the kitchen waiting for him when he walked in.

"Juliet told me something happened." Martha looked up at him. "She didn't give me specifics, but I know enough. What the hell were you thinking, Sebastian?"

"Mother, this is none of your concern."

"It is my concern. Did you sleep last night?"

Sebastian frowned. "No."

"Why not?"

He shook his head. He did not want to be having this conversation with his mother, because all of the rationalizing and denial he'd spent the night doing would be shot to hell. Sebastian rubbed at his aching hand.

"Sebastian, answer the question. Why didn't you sleep last night?"

"Because she wasn't next to me."

"Hm.
What happened to your hand?"

"I hit the counter. Juliet was asking too many questions."

Martha shook her head. "That girl is too hard to scare by punching granite. How much did you have to drink last night?"

"Not fucking enough. Can we stop with the twenty questions? I'm hungry and I'd like to take some pain medication."

"Fine.
But you listen to me, Sebastian Fenwick. If you do anything to hurt that woman, I will pray your life falls down around you."

"Thanks, Martha. That's lovely to hear from my own mother.
Just fantastic."

Almost Eloisa

Sebastian looked up when Juliet walked into his office. It had been a month since the incident at his flat and he hadn't heard from Mariss in all that time, nor had he tried to contact her. The dreams hadn't stopped, but he could finally get a full night's sleep again.

"Mr. Boa, your car is here."

"Thank you, Jules. Are you joining me today?"

Juliet made a tolerant face.
"Checking out mostly naked men.
Can't wait.
I ought to get a bonus for being your cockblock."

"There's no need for cockblocking if I'm not going to fuck anyone."

Juliet snorted, but didn't say anything else. He knew she and Mariss had lunch together on occasion. He was fine with it as long as she didn't come back telling him stories. And he could accept that Mariss had told her all of what happened at his flat. He would have told her eventually. But things were tense between him and Juliet now. On top of it, he hadn't spoken to Hellena since the awards ceremony.

Sebastian gathered his mobile phone and keys. The car was out front when he got there. It wasn't a long drive, but it seemed to take forever. What was going to happen when they arrived? How would Mariss act? He had no intention of getting involved with her again, if you could call their previous relationship "involved". He'd been involved no doubt, but she'd been… What had she been?

"Nervous?"

Sebastian frowned at Juliet.

"You're shaking your leg."

He looked down at his knee and forced it to stop bouncing. Juliet turned to the window, but he saw the grin that she tried to hide. Sebastian sighed.

"What has she said?" Juliet just looked at him.
"About me.
About what
happened.
Has she said anything I should know?"

"No." Juliet shook her head. "Anything she's told me is confidential, Mr. Boa. You know that."

"There's nothing you can tell me that might make this…easier?" He hated admitting vulnerability. He hated begging Juliet to divulge secrets just so he could manage a situation that shouldn't need managing.

"She's fine, Sebastian. She wants you to be fine, to let it go and move on."

Was it that easy for her? He sucked in a deep breath and forced it out hard. "I am fine."

"You're shaking your leg again."

They stopped in front of the building. Sebastian let Juliet precede him inside and they got on the elevator, another ride that felt like it took longer than it should have. The doors finally opened to the lobby and Mariss, Brit, and Eloisa were waiting for them.

"Hey, chicky."
Mariss enveloped Juliet in a hug. When they pulled away, she turned to him and extended her hand. "Sebastian."

"Mrs. Red." He shook her hand. The little bit of contact made his body react in ways it was hard to hide.

"We're in the green room. There's coffee and doughnuts." Mariss eyes were bright and clear. Sebastian fought, and failed, to look away.

"And men!" Eloisa exclaimed.
"Since you've been ignoring my calls."
She thumped him on the arm.

Sebastian let his most charming smile lift his lips and made sure Mariss was in line of sight. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I've been busy, but I promise to make it up to you."

"Yeah, yeah.
Just words."

Eloisa pushed him away, but there was a hunger in her eyes that had nothing to do with romance. That was what he needed; unattached, rabid sex with a woman who wouldn't expect him to call her later.

"Why don't you show me where the coffee
is.
" He smirked at the Latina woman.

"Of course, Mr. Boa.
Anything for you, darling."

"Please, call me Sebastian." He caught Mariss' burning gaze and shifted his eyes away quickly. He wasn't going to feel guilty. He was still the man he'd been before he met her.

Eloisa fluttered her eyelashes and her cheeks flushed.
"This way, Sebastian."

Mariss blinked at him, dubious. Sebastian shoved his hands into his pockets as the elevator buzzed and three men stepped off.

"Mrs. Red?" one of them asked. He was Sebastian's height with a little more bulk. His head and face was covered with the brightest orange hair, his goatee trimmed tastefully.

"Oh, my ginger is here!" Mariss exclaimed.
"Paul, right?"

"Yes, ma'am" he said with a southern drawl.

"Oh, that's sexy," Brit said and flashed a smarmy grin at him.

"I'm sure you know of Sebastian Boa."

Mariss motioned to him and he offered his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Boa," Paul said.

"Likewise."

"If you'll all follow me this way."

Mariss led them down the hall. Sebastian noticed for the first time that she was wearing a pair of grey jeans instead of her usual professional skirt. Her blouse was red and her shoes
a pair of shimmering black flats
.

"Mrs. Red, you're wearing jeans in the office?" he asked.

"It's casual Friday."

Sebastian frowned. "It's Wednesday, if I'm not mistaken."

"Casual Friday on a Wednesday," Mariss, Brit, and Eloisa said at the same time.

"Oh, well of course, then." Juliet snickered along with the three models. "Why didn't you dress casual?" Sebastian asked his assistant.

"I work for you, not Mariss."

"You could have asked."

Mariss turned before she pushed the door open to the green screen room. "I forgot to tell her."

She held the door for them. Sebastian stepped past her and into the room. Paul took the door from her, holding it for the other two models. Sebastian scowled.

There were eight other models present. With a weathered eye he looked them over and knew who would work and who wouldn't. They were lined up against the wall where they'd obviously been told to wait. The one at the farthest end must have just come out of the military. He stood with his back stiff as a board, his head erect, and his chest puffed out like he was at drill. The white shirt that he wore - they'd all been told to wear white shirts and blue jeans - stretched tight over his broad chest and shoulders.

"At ease, soldier," Mariss called to him. She kicked off her shoes by the door and smiled. "This is really quite casual."

The soldier smiled back and instantly relaxed.

The one next to him was shorter by a good foot with long, shaggy black hair that touched his shoulders. He had some tattoos and his lip was pierced. Sebastian noticed that the girls couldn't seem to look away from him.

Next to him were twins. They'd been doing this for a while. He'd seen them around before, though they hadn't garnered much notoriety. Sebastian walked over and shook their hands.

"How's it goin'?" they asked in unison.

"Nice to see you," he offered.

The man standing next to the twins was older. With some grey around his temples, he had a more distinguished look that Sebastian thought Mariss would probably like. He nodded to him and crossed to the other side of the room to sit next to Mariss.

The other three men weren't much to look at. They were pretty with smooth faces. He wasn't sure they could even grow facial hair. Then, of course, there was Paul the ginger, and the two
muscle
bound body builders he'd arrived with.

"I could put bets on the ones you'll choose," Sebastian said to Mariss.

"Oh yeah?"
Her eyes were carefully empty, as if she wasn't sure how to act or what to think.

Sebastian felt himself teetering on the same tightrope of indecision. He crossed his ankle over his knee and nodded. "Yes. Shall I write them down? We can check and see how correct my choices were at the end."

Mariss nodded, still wary. "Sure. I'll run to the office and get you some paper."

"I'll go. I'll just get some off your desk." He winked and stood.

"Where's he going?" Eloisa asked as the door closed behind him.

The hall was strangely quiet. The receptionist wasn't at the front desk either. Sebastian pushed into the office and stopped at Mariss' desk. Her notepad lay on top of a pile of papers. He ripped off a piece and wrote down his predictions with a pen that said
The Tea Room
. How did she get one of his pens? It didn't matter. He folded the piece of paper and put it in his pocket, leaving the pen on the desk.

Eloisa was standing in the door when he turned. That same hunger burned in her eyes again.

"I never got you that coffee," she said, her thick accent curling around the words.
Somehow, being alone with her, his body started to react.
Maybe because he hadn't had sex in a month.
Or maybe his hurt feelings were about to get him into trouble.

"No, you didn't."

She inclined her head toward the illumination room. It was a bad idea following her in there.
A really bad idea.
But Sebastian did what Sebastian did best.

Eloisa punched the button to frost the wall of glass and closed the door. Her shirt was over her head before he could blink. She hopped up on the edge of the bed and Sebastian went to her like her breasts were magnets. She didn't wear a bra. His hands slid over her skin and his thumbs caressed the sides of her breasts as his mouth covered hers.

Eloisa's hands went to his waist. She unbuckled his belt and undid his fly quickly enough to suggest she got a lot of practice. It was really no wonder with the way she threw herself at him.

The shame of it was, Sebastian felt himself reverting to the man he used to be. Whatever good he'd made of himself in the time he'd spent with Mariss began to slip away. He'd never realized how miserable he really was, nor did he know what to do with it. He let go of everything holding him back and kissed Eloisa with a fervor only the dying should have. It was through a haze that he heard the door open.

"We're waiting."

Sebastian turned at the icy tone. Mariss glared at him, her brown eyes almost black in her fury. He watched her process Eloisa's naked torso and his open fly. Her face went empty and any fire behind her eyes winked out. Had she slipped away?

What reason did she have to be angry? No one could do her like her husband could. She'd used Sebastian, though he was still unsure of what her real game was. She had no right to judge him.

Sebastian turned back to Eloisa to plant a sloppy kiss on her mouth.

"Almost, Eloisa."
He flicked her nipple, pulling a little yelp from her. "I like that sound," he said as he zipped himself up and buckled his belt.

Eloisa looked from him to Mariss. Her eyes filled with fear and she quickly pulled her shirt back on.

"What's wrong, Red?" Sebastian asked, unable to mask his smirk. "Can't you get as well as you give?"

Mariss blinked at him. He squeezed through the door ignoring her empty eyes. Eloisa scurried along behind him like she was using him for a shield. He put his arm around her, but she ducked from beneath it and ran off to the green room.

Mariss brushed past him, her bare feet making heavy thumping sounds on the carpet.

"Are you angry, Mariss?" he taunted.

"About what?" she asked without turning around.

"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you. "

She didn't answer. When she yanked the door open to the green room she didn't bother to hold it. Sebastian pressed against it with one hand and let all of
himself
fill the room. Everyone's eyes were on him, men and women alike. He sat down next to Mariss, but she didn't stay seated long. Sebastian watched her move about the room, her agitation keeping her from staying in one place long.

"The ginger first," she said.