Tell Me No Lies: The Black Orchid, Book 1 (10 page)

“Your self-esteem took a hit. Maybe you no longer believe you deserve better.”

“Shut up!” That came out louder than I meant. I looked around the room. Several patrons watched us with concerned expressions on their faces.

I pasted a smile on my face and lowered my voice.

“Like I thought, you have no idea what I’m going through or how to help me. I was an idiot to even talk to you.”

“I think I could be very helpful. I could be just what you need. And I mean that in the least possible arrogant way. But you’re stubborn, I can tell. You don’t want to listen.”

He followed me to the front door. “What are you afraid of? What’s holding you back?”

“Dude, I get it. You’re deep. You think you know women. Now drop it. I no longer want your advice.” I opened the door but he blocked my path, a worried look on his face.

“If you’re not attracting the man you need in your life, you have to ask yourself, what are you doing wrong?”

“Are you seriously preventing me from leaving?” I fished my phone out of my purse and unlocked the screen. “The police can be here in five minutes.”

He removed his arm from the door. “Hey, I’m just trying to help you. You said you wanted some advice. Here’s a tip, leave that guy alone. He’s bad news.”

“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

I left the coffeehouse without a second glance.

Chapter Fourteen

”Does she know why you’re here?” Zelie looked over her shoulder at me.

“Go back to brushing your hair.”

She turned around but continued to watch me in the mirror before her, dragging the heirloom silver brush through her long, heavy hair. Her lips parted into a glossy smile. “Does she think you’re here for her or me?”

I looked up from the blueprints I’d been studying for the past hour. “Zelie, she doesn’t know you’re here. In fact, she doesn’t know much of anything about you.”

“Why is that? Why do I know all about her and not vice versa? Who are you stringing along? And who do you really care about?”

She rose from the vanity table and turned toward me. “Should I call her and tell her that I’m here?” She reached for me, sliding her arms around my waist. “Should I tell her that you’re only pretending for your job?”

I gently removed her hands and pressed them to her sides. “I am here to meet with your uncle when he comes here.” I tapped the schematics before me. “In secret.”

“Ah.” She dropped to the couch, allowing her silk gown to part, revealing shapely, porcelain-white legs. “Perhaps, it is me you are using.” She ran her fingers along my spine.

It felt good but I would have preferred that it was Rain beside me, nearly naked and caressing me. I shifted a few inches away from her.

“Tomorrow, you will arrange for me to speak to your uncle alone and I will tell him about the corruption in his cabinet.” I looked at her then. “No one is suspicious that you arranged this economic empowerment tour through the South for your uncle?”

She slid away from me, her eyes simmering with heat. “Of course not. It fits into his plan for international development. We purchased three factories in Wake County. The president and his advisors should see it firsthand.”

I rolled up the plans, confident that I could sneak in and out without the press or the president’s security detail seeing me.

“And your American girlfriend?”

“Will be helping me on another project.”

“For an accountant, you certainly get around.” She narrowed her eyes.

I reached for a pair of reading glasses on the table and slid them on. Accountants wore glasses, didn’t they? “Forensic accounting is a surprisingly demanding field.”

She stood, wrapped her robe around her and stalked to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of white wine. “I suppose I should be grateful you came across the budget discrepancies when you did.” She leaned against the wall, sulking and sipping a French Grenache. . “Uncle might be dead if it weren’t for you. And now at least, he’ll know exactly who the vipers are in his nest.”

I placed the plans into my briefcase, glancing at Zelie as I did so. With her dark hair, exotic features and milky-white skin, it was challenging to continuously fight off her attempts at seduction. She was hot sex on wheels and she knew it. But I didn’t want her in that way. Not anymore.

I was saving myself for the off chance that Rain let me back in her bed. There was something to be said for living life as a monk. Well, almost a monk.

Zelie ran a hand through her hair. “I still don’t understand why we can’t make love, Kael.”

“You’ve been a naughty girl, Zelie. I can’t reward your past behavior, now can I?”

She pouted, her eyes narrowing with arousal. “You could spank me. I’d probably learn my lesson that way. Should I get the paddle? Or the cane?” Her girlish voice thickened with desire. “I brought them both just in case.”

I thought of Rain’s creamy gold complexion, golden eyes and curvy runner’s body. “There will be no spanking tonight, Zelie.”

I headed for the door. The sooner I left her suite, the better.

“I had you first,” she said, her voice rising. “That should count for something.” Heavy raven-colored bangs framed a sweet, innocent doll-like face that belied her true nature. She was anything but.

“I was with you in Jamaica when you met her. She’s the one, isn’t she?”

“Zelie, I explained to you—”

“You thought I didn’t know?” She gave me a knowing look. “Why else would you pawn me off on your friend?” A teasing smile played on her lips. “He was a nice consolation prize by the way. Did I ever thank you?”

I stared at her, unsure of how to respond. She didn’t seem angry but I could never be sure with her.

She fluttered her eyelashes at me. “Does she know what you’re like?” She caught her full bottom lip between small teeth. Her pink tongue slipped out and licked her upper lip. “Does she know what you need to be satisfied?”

I couldn’t respond to that. No, Rain didn’t know. She couldn’t know. Sometimes I wondered if I was insane to think this could work.

“She doesn’t know, does she?” A light string of laughter looped around her and settled between us. “How can she ever love you, if she doesn’t know the real you?”

My heart sank because that was the truth. And yet, I was determined to try, determined to make Rain fall in love with the cleaned-up, sanitized version of me she’d first met.

He’d barely existed when I met her in Jamaica. But fast-forward two years and he was all but dead. Extinct. I’d gone dark, completely dark a long time ago. But I had to try. If anyone could resuscitate me, it was Rain.

I paused at the door, hand on the knob. Damn Zelie’s manipulative, scheming sexy ass. She knew me so well.

“What if I told her?” She eyed me slyly. “What if I let it slip to her that you had peculiar tastes in sex?”

My vision blurred and I let go of the door. I stalked toward her, grabbed her by the throat and pressed her against the wall, her toes almost off the ground. “You will say nothing to her. Do you understand?”

Her face was turning pink but she smiled at me. “Squeeze harder, daddy. You know I love it when you choke me.”

I let go of her then, shaking the darkness from my eyes. Yeah, I know she liked it. So did I.

She gasped for air. “I’m so wet, Kael. Want to check?”

I shoved my hands into my pockets, lest she taunt me into doing something stupid and headed for the door.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” she called to me, now letting her robe swing open to show the black lacy bra containing her breasts.

I gritted my teeth. “I’ll be there. But you probably won’t see me, so don’t look for me.”

I shut the door behind me and sighed.

Chapter Fifteen

“What do you mean, you’re quitting? I just offered you an opportunity of a lifetime!”

I stood in front of Sam’s desk startled by the intensity of his response.

“I don’t understand. I had you completely pegged wrong.”

My legs trembled.
Have I made a mistake?

“I thought you were ambitious. I thought you were on the fast track.” He fixed me with an interested stare. “What are you going to do? Do you have a better offer? Do you want more money?” He rubbed his fingers through his hair. “I’ll make it forty thousand over your existing salary, but that’s as high as I can go.”

“Sam, it’s not about the money.” He watched me skeptically but remained silent. I continued, “I’m going to cook.”

“What?”

“I’m going to open a dessert boutique downtown.”

“What are you talking about? You’re an accountant.” He leaned back in his chair and laughed at me. “And I thought you were serious.” He couldn’t stop chuckling. “Is that what the new hair is about?”

My hands went to my hair. It was still curly but pulled back into a neat, tamed bun. I was tired of the hair comments. First Asa and now Sam? Was it really that weird, the way my hair looked? It was my natural hair, after all.

“I am as serious as a heart attack, Sam.” I stood up and began to pace his office. I gained strength from his laughter. “I’m glad you find this amusing. My resignation is effective immediately.”

He stopped laughing then. “No two weeks’ notice?”

“I think I’ve waited long enough to pursue my dreams.” I waited for him to comment.
Not so funny is it?

He shrugged. “Of course I’m going to have to fill your position but if you ever decide you want to come back, I’ll try and find a place for you within the company.”

“What will you do about taking a leave?” I felt guilty about that. I knew he was overworked. Holly being deployed only added to his problems.

“William in HR can do it. He was my second choice anyway. When I get him up to speed, I’ll take my leave.”

I nodded, feeling suddenly misty-eyed. This place had been my home for four years. “I’ll stay in touch,” I said as I stood. He also rose, walked around his desk and gave me a bear hug.

* * * * *

Scents of curry chicken tickled my nose when I stepped across the threshold of my home, a two-story house built in the Neoclassical Revival style.

We lived in a neighborhood of historic homes in downtown Raleigh that was known for its quiet and well-manicured oak-lined streets. I went directly to the kitchen and placed my purse and tote bag on the table.

Charlotte stood at the stove stirring a steaming pot. She turned when she heard me come in.

“Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes. It’s your recipe, one you created after Jamaica.”

Funny she should mention Jamaica…

She looked at me coyly. “Pretty flowers.”

“Thanks.” I opened the refrigerator door, ducked my head inside and hoped she’d drop the subject. She didn’t say anything, so I selected a cup of organic Greek yogurt and closed the door. Bullet dodged.

I grabbed a spoon from the silverware drawer and sat on a barstool.

“I’m really liking the new do. What did your mother have to say?” She gave me a knowing look.

I rolled my eyes. “You don’t want to know.”

She made herself a cup of decaf Earl Gray and sat down beside me.

“Have you decided if you’re going to take the promotion? Sounds like a great opportunity.”

“I quit my job today.”

Charlotte was silent for a moment. “As long as you can pay your half of the mortgage.”

I smiled. “Your support means a lot to me.”

She shrugged. “You just need to make it big before your money runs out.”

I told her about Haley’s friend and offer of investment.

Eyebrows raised, she stared at me. “Well, aren’t we charmed?”

I thought about Kael and his check.
Maybe.

“So, who sent the flowers? Someone new or one of the usual suspects?”

I swallowed. Hard. Should I lie? No, I couldn’t lie to my best friend. Besides, she’d find out eventually.

“Kael,” I coughed out.

Her eyebrows dipped down. “What did you say?”

“Kael.” I closed my eyes and waited for the shit storm.

“Kael?” She scowled at me. “Kael
who
?”

I looked at her. “You know there’s only one Kael.”

She set her mug on the counter with a loud clank. “I hope you told him where to shove his flowers.”

I looked away from her, careful not to make eye contact.

“Rain!” Her eyes almost bulged out of her head. She looked at me, her face twisted into an ugly mask.

“I didn’t sleep with him!”

“What is he doing here?” Her voice went up an octave. “How did he find you? I don’t understand, I thought you were over him.”

I could only stare in disbelief. Her cheeks were red and her eyes dilated. She had never hated anyone I’d dated this much.

“Remember when we tore up his letter, how cathartic that was?”

I nodded.

“That was supposed to be the ceremonial end of you pining over that loser.” Her voice sounded harsh. “You were pathetic over him, don’t you remember?”

“Of course, but I—”

“I even called your mother, I was so worried about you.”

My mother. So that’s how she knew. “I can’t believe you called her.”

“She told me to give it one more week, and then she’d come over and whack some sense into you. That’s when I decided to have the little letter burning ceremony, that and get you in yoga class. I had to do something to pull you out.”

It was an embarrassing time. I didn’t want to recall the memories. I’d never been so affected by a man before, and never would again.

“Look, I appreciate everything you did for me.”

She stood up with a hard laugh. “I thought you were smarter than that. You’re letting him back into your life?” She gave me a hard look and shook her head.

And I truly felt like shit.

She took her tea and rushed by me like a cold wind. A moment later I heard a door slam upstairs.

I couldn’t believe my best friend in the world thought I was an idiot. I stared at my yogurt. It was a gelatinous mass of white lumpiness. My stomach roiled with nausea and I shoved the carton away.

First, I allowed Kael back into my life. Then I quit my job. Was Asa right? Was I being self-destructive? My parents and Charlotte couldn’t all be wrong, could they? Maybe I really didn’t know what the hell I was doing.

Clearly, I was being a fool. I knew Charlotte was going to be mad at me. She saw firsthand the destruction Kael caused in my life.

On the other hand, I could ask who was she to judge? She’d been engaged to a man for four years and refused to set a date. She was totally in denial about that relationship. Jax was never going to marry her, and everyone who knew them both had told her.

Everyone has his or her weak spot.

My cell phone rang in my purse. I jumped up to get it, wondering if it was Kael. I paused, hoping it was not. I looked at the screen and saw my sister’s face smiling at me. Okay, I was disappointed. It wasn’t Kael.

“Hey, sis, what’s up?”

“You got my message about dinner?”

“Yeah, I got it. I cancelled our reservation. How’s Quinn?”

She hesitated. “He’s fine.”

I knew my sister. She didn’t sound fine. “What’s wrong? Did you two have an argument?”

She hesitated a moment longer. “Do you think Quinn will still want to invest in your business if…we’re not dating?”

“Haley! Are you breaking up with him?” I thought of the money wire I’d just received from his attorney this morning. I hadn’t even had time to buy one bag of flour.

“We’ve both signed a contract to work with each other, so he can’t pull out now even if he wanted to.” I tried to laugh. “But it can’t be that bad. I thought you really liked him.”

“I’m afraid he’s not ambitious enough.” She sighed into the phone. “He’s always going to make NFL minimum wage.” I could hear her pout through the phone. “I want a super star.”

Was there really such a thing as minimum wage in the NFL? I wanted to laugh but Haley sounded upset.

“I think you should pursue a relationship with Quinn. He seems genuine. He has kind eyes.” I could see the money he’d invested disappearing into a puff of green smoke. “Where is he now? Have you discussed your concerns with him?”

“He and a few other players are doing an obstacle course or something with some Army Rangers at Fort Benning. It’s a PR thing,” she huffed into the phone. “Anyway, I need to think about what will help my career. Hard decisions can’t be made with your heart.”

Her voice had taken on a flat tone and I could tell she was getting bored with the conversation. I tried to hide the exasperation in my voice. “Try and see the good in your relationship with Quinn. Do you have any complaints about him besides his apparent lack of ambition?”

“No. I like him a lot. He’s just not what I envisioned for myself. I feel like I’m settling.”

“You obviously watch too much reality TV. The life you’re striving for is not going to make you happy.”

She laughed. “But it will probably make me rich, right? By the way, I can’t make lunch tomorrow. Sorry. I’m flying out in the morning.”

“Where are you going now?”

“New York. I’m going to be a spokesmodel for some new Cuban rapper’s fashion line.”

“What’s going on with your plan to transition to mainstream modeling?”

Silence.

I tapped the phone like a microphone. “Hello, is this thing on?”

She laughed. “You’re so silly, Rain. I’m working on it. But right now hip-hop is where the money is for most ethnic models. Since casting directors aren’t sure how to categorize me—am I Hispanic, Brazilian, Indian, freaking Tatar—I get the role as the ambiguously exotic beauty
in music videos.” She huffed into the phone.

“But unlike most hip-hop music video models, you actually have the height and build to model haute couture fashions.”

My sister sighed heavily into the phone again.

“What will you be doing in New York?”

“Oh, you know, walking around looking cute in the sponsor’s clothes, and getting my pictures taken with some celebs.” She laughs. “I hear Kim Kardashian will be there. Maybe I’ll try to become her new best friend. Being on her show would be awesome for my career.”

I could hear Charlotte stomping around upstairs. A minute later she came bounding down the steps in a canary yellow, chiffon cocktail dress.

“You look nice. Where are you going?”

She rolled her eyes at me. “Wine tasting with the girls from work. They’re forcing me.”

A wine tasting. She knew I enjoyed those. Normally, she would invite me to go out with her and her friends from work.

She sniffed the air. “Don’t forget to turn that stove off. The chicken dumplings are almost done.” She stepped into a pair of nude high-heeled sandals.

Charlotte didn’t make eye contact with me the entire time.