Tease (15 page)

I spent most of the next two days avoiding everyone.

Nic had called, and so had Beth, but I hadn’t felt up to talking to either of them. I’d waited until Mia had gone to work before I left my room, then calculated what time she would be home so I could be sure not to be there.
The plan kind of fell off track when she arrived home earlier than I’d expected on day two.

“Hey.” She smiled, sitting down next to me on the sofa. “I was worried about you.”

“Hey,” I mumbled. “I was about to watch a movie.”

What I was really doing was avoiding the news channels, because they were still eating up the Melinda scandal. Mia shrugged and smiled, showing no signs of leaving. Sighing, I stood up and slipped a DVD in and sat back down, pressing Play. I cared so little about what we were watching that I didn’t even pay attention to which one I’d put on. I sat back down, my hand brushing past her thigh.

God, did she feel that?
My hand felt as though I’d just placed it on an open flame.

We sat side by side, both pretending to be interested in some shitty movie. My phone buzzed in my pocket. The police still had my work phone, so I knew this was likely to be Nic, Jake, or Beth. I pulled it out and saw it was from Beth.

Hope you’re okay. Call me if you need me xx

I rolled my eyes, and put the phone away. Mia raised her eyebrows at me. I shrugged, turning my attention back to the TV. Halfway through the movie, she stood up.

“Are you hungry? I was going to make a stir-fry.”

“Sure. Thanks,” I replied. I felt bad about making her feel bad. Not knowing how to fix it made me feel even worse. “Can I help?” I stood up and followed her into the kitchen.

“You can cut this. And this.” She reached into the fridge and handed me an onion and two carrots.

I nodded. I could handle that. Grabbing a knife and a cutting board, I began to
slice,
ignoring the stinging the onion gas was causing my eyes.

“How was work?” I asked. The silence between us was killing me. Things had never been awkward between us. Not like this, anyway.

“Good.” Her voice sounded brighter as she smiled. “I’m really liking it, actually.” She snuck a glance at me. “I put in an application for two places today.”

“Oh?”
I don’t want you to go anywhere. I want you in my bed every night, up against my body. I want to fall asleep with you curled up in my arms.

I flushed at the thoughts that were escaping my head.
It was that damn cream-colored work shirt.
I could see her hard nipples through her thin bra.

“Yes. Both are close to the hospital. I should hear back this week. You can get your freedom back.”

“Great,” I said, clearing my throat.

She bent down at the fridge to get the garlic, which caused me to stop and stare.

God, look at that ass
.

The curvy silhouette of her ass, enhanced by her position, stared up at me, begging to be touched. Slowly, I moved toward her, my actions overtaking my thoughts. My cock began to swell as I stood behind her, my hand running over the outside of her skirt.

She jumped, shocked by my behavior, but remained bent over. My hand traveled down to her legs and then ran up the inside of her thighs. I lifted up her skirt, stopping just short of her lace panties. She gasped, her legs buckling as she reached out for the counter to steady herself.

“I want myself inside you so badly right now,” I whispered, my finger trailing the edge of her panties.

“Coop,” she gasped, her palms spreading flat on the counter.

“
Shh
, stay still,” I mumbled, as my finger entered her wet pussy.

She groaned, her fingers pressing into the sandstone of the counter so hard they were white. I slid a second finger inside of her, my mouth pressed up to her neck, my erection aching against my pants.

“You’re so beautiful, Mia. Everything about you amazes me,” I whispered as my fingers swept over her entrance again. Whimpering softly, she parted her legs for me.

Slipping my fingers outside of her, I unzipped her skirt, letting it pool around her ankles. A deep groan vibrated from my throat. Watching her bent over in front of me was almost unbearable. My hands wanted to be all over her soft skin all at once. She was there, with me; it made me lightheaded, as though a part of me was expecting to awaken at any moment.

At any other time, with any other woman, the sight of her red lace thong and messed shirt would’ve sent me over the edge. But that wasn’t what I wanted from this woman. The velvet-smooth feel of her skin; the scent of her perfume lingering behind her ears and in the divot between her collarbones; and that damn shampoo that smelled like honey…it was all busy torturing me every moment I wasn’t allowed to touch her.

“Come here,” I whispered.

She turned around, her arms wrapping around my neck as our lips melted into each other. I parted her lips gently with mine as my tongue eased onto hers.

My heart pounded faster, not knowing what she wanted from me. I wasn’t in a role, and I had no more games to play. This was
me
, Liam. She was getting a part of me that no other woman had ever been with. I wasn’t the Dom; I wasn’t the cabana boy; I wasn’t the actor, the playboy, or Coop the Escort.

I was just
me
. And the idea that I might not be enough for her scared the shit out of me.

I hoisted her up to my hips and carried her down to the bedroom, our lips not breaking apart for even a second the entire way.

“I love everything about you,” I mumbled, burying my face in her neck, breathing in her sweet scent. I lowered her onto my bed as she unbuttoned my shirt. I hovered over her, slowly unzipping my fly, and her eyes followed my every move.

The moment I parted her legs, I felt my erection ache for her. I rubbed once against her sensitive bare pussy, and I almost fell apart.

Quickly, I grabbed a condom from the nightstand and tore it open. I rolled it on with one hand while my other cradled her beautiful face, and eased myself inside of her.

Her breath caught. And I stopped breathing altogether.

There was nothing about that moment I wanted to change as I saw a lone tear escape her
one of her
green eyes. She swiftly wrapped her legs around my waist and pulled me closer to her.

This was what I’d been missing. Sex was an act that I had given and received on a whim. The intense feeling of making love to someone special was something I had convinced myself wasn’t missed. But it was.

Making love to Mia had just proven that.

My eyes fluttered open. It took me a minute to process my surroundings. Bed.
My
bed. Mia’s arm draped over my bare chest. Fuck, she looked so sweet, lying there asleep. Her mouth was open slightly and a little snore escaped from her mouth. I smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

Easing her arm off me, I sat up and reached for my phone. Four missed calls. Two from a number I didn’t recognize, and two from Jake. There was also a text from Beth.

How are you Coop? Call me xx

Grabbing my robe, I threw it over my shoulders and crept out of the room. Walking into the kitchen, the first thing I did was
make
a coffee. The second thing I did was sneak out onto the balcony with said drink.

I called Jake. He answered on the first ring.

“Hey, Coop. How are you holding up?”

I shrugged. “Yeah, I’ve been better. What’s up?”

“I found out something that might cheer you up. The coroner has ruled Melinda’s death natural causes. She had a stroke. There was nothing you could’ve done to prevent it.”

I leaned against the brick wall, overwhelmed with relief.

Thank fucking god.

“Coop? You there?”

Shit.
“Yeah, I’m here,” I replied. “Sorry, I’m . . . speechless. How did you find out? I mean, are you sure?”

“I’m a lawyer. I know people.” He chuckled.

“How’s Nic?” I asked tentatively.

“She’s okay. Still a little shocked, but you know her. She’ll be fine.”

“Thanks for calling me.” I hung up the call and dialed Beth.

“Coop?” she said breathlessly.

“Yeah, why are you . . . never mind.” I chuckled. Some questions were better left unanswered. “Good news
—
Melinda’s death was caused by a stroke.”
Shit, that sounded horrible.
“The stroke was not good news . . . you know what I mean.”

“I’m glad you’re in the clear, Coop.” She paused.

“What is it?”

“I just wanted you to know . . . I had a journalist call here asking about you. Only the one, but I just wanted you to be aware . . . “

Fuck.

“Okay.” I sighed. “Thanks for letting me know. What did you tell them?”

“Nothing. I hung up on him,” she said.

“Okay,” I said again. “I’ll speak to you later.”

I paced the balcony, still in my robe, thinking about what to do.

First thing I needed to do was to contact my clients and fill them in. I grabbed my phone, thankful that I’d had the sense to copy their details onto it, and sent out a group text. I filled them all in on what was happening. If a reporter was sniffing around Beth, then there was a chance he might get on the trail of some of my other clients.

Shit!
I opened the web browser on my phone and went to the news headlines. I needed to see what the latest was on Melinda. I skimmed the articles available, my throat constricting as I read.

Melinda Diveno dead.
Stroke. Escort.

Nothing new. Yet.

Did I tell Mia, or did I leave it and see whether my name was leaked?

If I didn’t tell her, things would look bad if the truth did get out. On the other hand, I could potentially be ruining something wonderful by telling her. I laughed suddenly.

What the fuck did it matter? I couldn’t commit to Mia. This whole dilemma was fucking useless, because there was nowhere this could go. Even if she didn’t find out, eventually I’d need to tell her what I did for a living. Quitting? Not a fucking option.

I wanted to throw some shit at the wall. Smash a few plates.
Something
. I needed to do something to ease the ache inside me. I had so much frustration built up that I felt like I was going crazy. Everything, it was all too much. Why couldn’t life just be easy?

I was in deep fucking shit, no matter what my next move was.

As I walked through the doorway at
Childerdale
, I forced myself to forget everything.
Leave it all outside, Coop, because that shit’s not going anywhere. Spend some time with Mom, and try to clear your head.

“Hey Lucy,” I said, walking to the desk to sign in. I’d needed to get away from my own mind and get out of the apartment, and I decided visiting Mom was the best way to do that.

Lucy froze, a blush creeping across her cheeks.

“Uh, Coop.” She averted her eyes, looking anywhere but at me. “Real busy today,
gotta
go.” She dashed off down the hall, leaving me standing alone at the desk, trying to figure out what the fuck that was all about.

I walked down to Mom’s room. She was sitting out of bed in her chair, looking through a magazine. I knocked lightly on the door. She looked up and smiled.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Mom, it’s Liam.” I walked over, sitting down on the
bed
as she looked me up and down, confused. “Your son. Liam,” I repeated gently.

She smiled and shook her head. “I’m sorry, honey, but I don’t have any kids. Not yet, anyway. I’m only recently married.” Her brown eyes blinked back at me. “My husband should be here for me any minute.”

“Maybe I could wait with you,” I said softly.

She laughed and nodded. I had never fed her delusions, until today. Today I couldn’t handle seeing the pain in her eyes. Just this once, I wanted to see my mother happy.

“Can I get you a drink?” She glanced down at the two empty cups on her table. “I, uh . . . I’m not sure . . . “ her voice trailed off as she became lost in her confusion.

“I’m fine,” I assured her. Inside, my heart was breaking. Was I being selfish, trying to prolong Mom’s life when she spent more time than not in a state of confusion? Never had I really considered what she must go through when she didn’t remember. Having to be constantly reminded that the love of your life was dead must have been heartbreaking.

What if everything I was doing for Mom was really for me, protecting myself from my fear of letting her go?

I stayed with Mom for another hour, listening to her stories of her husband and their newfound life together. Before I left
,
she thanked me, and told me she hoped I found my mother. I smiled, swallowing the lump in my throat as I blinked back tears.

As soon as I got back to my car, I texted Beth.

Can I talk to you? Do you mind if I come over?

She texted back almost immediately.

Sure

Starting the car, I headed for Beth’s apartment on the Upper East Side, not far from my own. I’d been to her house a few times over the last year. She lived in the penthouse of a forty-level building that overlooked the shopping district.

I parked outside and walked over to the door, pressing her number into the intercom. After she buzzed me up, I walked down to the elevator and pressed level forty.

Beth was waiting for me when the elevator opened, concern etched into her face. Her arms crossed over her chest as she ushered me inside.

“Sit down and I’ll get you a water,” she ordered.

Nodding numbly, I walked over to the sofa and planted myself down on the soft beige leather. I thanked her as I took the water from her, taking a sip.

“You look like shit, Coop.”

“Thanks,” I muttered dryly.

“So, I’m guessing you know,” she said sympathetically, her eyes gazing at me with sympathy.

My head snapped up. “Huh? Know what?” I asked, confused.

Beth’s mouth dropped open as she realized she’d just put her foot in it. “Oh, crap. I thought that’s why you were here,” she said, her voice uneasy.

“What are you talking about?” I cut in, frustrated and anxious.

Wordlessly, she reached for the remote and clicked on the TV. The twenty-four-hour news channel flashed up Melinda’s picture. Next to hers was a picture of me.

No.

Fucking hell, no.

I sat forward, setting my drink down on the coffee table. I felt sick.

Beth hovered over me, her eyes fully of worry. “Are you okay, Coop? You don’t look too good,” she said uneasily.

“What have they been saying?” I asked, burying my head in my hands.

“Just that you’re the escort who was last with Melinda.” She coughed. “And that I am also thought to be a client of yours.”

“Fuck,” I groaned. “Shit, Beth, I’m so sorry.”

“You’re sorry? Coop,
I’m
sorry. They got a picture of us in that coffee shop. They also have surveillance of you going into Melinda’s room,” she added meekly.

“How the hell did they get that?” I exploded angrily.

“Same way they get anything.
Someone out to make a quick buck.
Probably a hotel employee or something.
Look, I don’t give a damn about me. I mean, it’s not like this is going to ruin
my
reputation,” she said dryly.

“This is bad.” I sighed. No wonder Lucy had looked at me strangely.

“Is there anything I can do?” asked Beth, her eyes full of sadness.

I shook my head. I didn’t see what anyone could do.

Oh, shit. Mia.

“I’m screwed,” I said flatly.

“It’s not that bad, Coop. This will blow over really quickly.”

“By then it will be too fucking late,” I said through gritted teeth.

Beth’s face dropped, and I immediately felt bad. She was only trying to help. All she’d done since this thing began was just try to help me.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that this will screw everything over. I don’t give a shit about me . . . “

“Then what is it? The girl you like?” Beth’s mouth went hard.

“Mia.” I nodded. “She won’t want anything to do with me once she knows the truth. But it’s not only that.” I shook my head, angry
at
myself, at everyone. “Mom is pretty sick. She has Alzheimer’s. Pretty advanced. I managed to get her in a trial at
Childerdale
, but it costs a ton. There is no way I will be able to afford it without my job, but if I want Mia . . . “

“You can’t have both,” Beth finished.

Exactly.

“Go talk to her, Coop. Explain things to her before she finds out on the news.”

That sounded great in theory, but what if I was too late?
Why the fuck hadn’t I just told her that morning when I’d had the chance?