Whisper (The Voice trilogy Book 1) (14 page)

“I don’t know what you mean.” 

“Come now, Sophie, I know you girls like to talk. What did you tell her?”

“I…” My mouth snaps back shut, not sure that I should divulge. “I didn’t tell her anything.”

“You are not a very good liar.” His cool tone sends ice through my veins. “But, I won’t hold that against you. How are you this morning? Not too frustrated I hope.” The crooked grin at the corner of his lips is sharp. My mind is blank sitting in such close quarters. The smell of his skin teases my senses.

“I am fine, how are you?” I quip back, trying to keep pace with him.

“Anxious, and
hungry
,” he grins “Are we still having fun?” His eyes twinkle with mischief. I nod my head in agreement and try to recollect my thoughts.  

“I
,….um.” My tongue has disappeared and left me to fend for myself. What is he asking? I look into his eyes and a jolt of electricity grounds me to the spot. I am without any weapon to defend myself. His mere presence topples my defenses and brings me to my knees.

“I just want to make sure we are on the same page.”

“I am under no false assumptions, Rhys. I know what this is. I also know that I am booked on a flight tomorrow, so don’t you worry about me getting too attached. I will be leaving on a jet plane,” I wink. “I see you, and I will not be one of those girls, begging for scraps of your attention. I don’t usually do things like this, but believe me when I say that I can handle myself. So don’t worry about me.” I rush the words, unconvinced of my own declaration. “This whole rule thing makes me feel a little disposable. I don’t want to be humiliated or used, but I can reconcile what this is.”    

“Ouch.” The comment presses him into the seat. He crosses his arms and cocks his head. “I am using you,
Sophie, and you are using me. As we all use each other. It is the human condition” The wind is sucked from my lungs. Like a punch to the gut, his words remind me of the deep chasm that lies between his reality and mine. He is right, I have nothing of value to him, nothing that he cannot find elsewhere. I am just a body to play with, something to quell his boredom. Disappointment cripples my smile, and it’s hard to hide the hurt in my eyes.

“I am not using you
,” I whisper.

“Sure you are.” His response is swift, sliding across the seat, trapping me with his body. I want to say I told you so, to call his bluff. I open my mouth to speak when he kisses me, hard. Crushing his lips against mine, leaving me breathless, shaky and wanting.

“I want this,” he mutters against my mouth, “and so do you.” Pulling away from me, his face aflame with a challenge, he cups my face in his hands and swallows me with his eyes. I am lost in the green pools, warm from his lips and eager for more. “I will use your body to make me feel good, as you will use mine, and it will be glorious.” I wind my arms around his shoulders and pull him to me, desperate for his touch, his kiss, him. “Believe me when I say you are not disposable. Now, let’s just do what feels good,” he coaxes, gently wrapping me in his arms, his tongue sweeping along my bottom lip before pushing into my mouth. His tongue dances against mine, teasing, until my head spins. The car ride is swallowed by the back and forth. Moments after he pulls me into his lap we are pulling into the circular drive of his family’s house, our bodies desperate for more, he twists his hand in my hair and pulls my head back exposing my neck, holding me still. His lips are hot and moist against my throat. 

“You are
mine tonight,” he murmurs. The vibration of his words leaves me breathless, his promise too good. “Say yes,” he demands.

“To be used?” I whisper as the car door opens and the light of day spills in. He blinks up at me through those
thick, dark lashes, a genuine sparkle playing on the gold flecks of his eyes.              

“Stop thinking so much,” he pleads, his vice grip tightening around my hand. My body relents, softening, humming with anticipation. My mind, however, is dragging. 

Olivia prompts me from the car, following the wedding planner who is calling out orders like a drill sergeant. “
Ladies in the house
for hair and makeup, men in
the pool house
.” I turn back towards Rhys’ waiting eyes, knowing that I am ready to surrender, at least for now. I want to, I need to. 

“Yes,” I mouth, being pulled from the car. I follow the parade of dresses and women, all the while watching Rhys. His face lights up, a triumphant grin curls his full lips. The force of that grin bores straight to my core and a lovely memory crawls up my body from my toes, gaining momentum as my mind is wiped clean by the thought of his weight upon me. He winks before disappearing around the side of the house, with Matthew and the others. As soon as he is out of my
sight, my mind reels at what I have just agreed to; to be used, and to use him.

Chapter 10

The suite is teeming with activity. Olivia and her mom are inspecting the dresses while the wedding planner drones on about the minute to minute schedule. Kylie and Melissa sit in front of a large vanity in the expansive bathroom. One woman paints each of their faces while another coifs their hair, messy buns with smoky eyes and a nude lip. They sip their champagne from silver straws and whisper quietly to one another, giggling and groaning in unison. I decide to clear the air between us. They both clearly have a past that involves Rhys in some capacity, that which I really do not want to know. Feeling strong and newly confident with Rhys’ desire hovering around me, I will not let her intimidate me. I step into the large bathroom and bring the silence with me. Both women stop chatting and look at me in the mirror. Melissa’s eyes are cold, rimmed with kohl. The gold flecks in her eyes sparkle against the dark eye makeup while she scrutinizes me. Kylie flashes her whitened teeth and excuses herself from the tension filled room. I take a seat in the chair next to Melissa and pin her down in the mirror.

“How was your night?” She sips from her silver straw, offering nothing, watching me, waiting. 

“My night was amazing,” she bites back, so certain, so easily distracted by a roll with Wes, I assume. I take a moment to chew my tongue and collect my thoughts. She huffs at my non-reaction and hops out of the chair, grabbing her sippy cup and phone before sauntering out of the bathroom, leaving me alone, and confused.

We form a circle around Olivia to help her into her dress. It is delicate organza and silk, billowing in the air like a cloud above her, as we all help to pull the dress over her head. The top is sheer with a dramatic boat neck, capped at her shoulders. The embroidery over the bodice is delicate and detailed. Tiny Swarovski crystals cover her chest and cascade down her narrow hips, with a satin sash at her waist. The skirt is full, layer after layer of blush colored organza with a slit up her thigh. The finishing touch is her ballet heels, with satin wrapped around her ankles. The dresses she chose for the bridesmaids are equally delicate and ethereal. Tea length blush organza skirts with the sheer V-neck top, capped sleeves and equally beautiful embroidery. Olivia pulls me aside and hands me a gift bag.

“What is this,
Liv? I am supposed to be giving you a present. Not the other way around,” I squeak, embarrassed by her generosity when I have nothing for her in return.

“Just a little something sassy to go under your dress.
I know how you are, Sophie, you don’t treat yourself enough. I bought you some things to make you feel good. Wear them tonight and I promise Rhys will lose his shit,” she whispers with a sly wink and a nibble of her lip. I open the bag to find a contraption I have never seen. A small swath of nude lace with dangly bits, another, even smaller strip of matching silk, and a pair of what looks like stockings. I look up into Olivia’s eager eyes and cannot help but laugh. “It’s a garter belt, stockings and a thong,” she whispers. My heart leaps into my chest. I have never worn lingerie, never even tried it on. I have always been a cotton panty and bra kind of girl. I am going to look ridiculous in this. Panic must have shown on my face because Liv immediately went on the defense. “Trust me, Sophie, you are going to look so hot Rhys won’t know what to do with himself, not to mention they will make you feel so sexy. Trust me. Now, go put them on.” And with that she shuffles me into the bathroom to figure out the puzzle.

The rest of us get dressed and we share a toast to Olivia and Matthew before Kylie excuses herself to check the details. I am glad that I am not the Maid of Honor. Olivia was worried that she hurt me when she didn’t ask, but I know it is for the best. I do not have the time or
capital to be a proper Maid of Honor at a wedding of this caliber. I am just glad to be here, sharing her wedding day. I watch her primp, as her mother fusses over every detail of her delicate dress when a soft rap on the door catches us all by surprise.    

Rhys enters the room and all logic and reason goes out. Giddy like a school girl, I jump for joy silently and grin, like an idiot. He wears a tuxedo like he was born for it. He is perfect, comfortable, self- possessed, a gripping combination of elegance, sex and power wrapped in Armani crepe. Watching him cross the room and engage every woman like a true gentleman is mesmerizing. His eyes dance at the sight of Olivia in her dress and he compliments her as he hands her a small black box.

“A gift from Matthew, something new,” he offers, pulling a velvet pouch from his pocket. “And this is from me, something blue.” He grins at her, innocent and genuine. “You look beautiful, Matthew is very lucky.” She smiles and he kisses her cheek. She opens the box to find an Art-Deco diamond and pale blue sapphire bracelet. Rhys helps her secure it on her wrist and then opens the pouch, dropping the contents into Olivia’s open hands, two delicate diamond and sapphire drop earrings, set in the same fashion of the bracelet. The blue of the sapphires mirrors her clear blue eyes and are the crowning touch. She glows from within while her newly acquired decorations sparkle. She starts to tear up and pushes Rhys away like a brother, admonishing him for jeopardizing her perfect makeup.

He turns his attention to me, and I nearly melt. The force of his gaze is enough to knock me off of my feet. He licks his bottom lip and brushes my cheek.
             

“You look lovely,” he whispers with a warm smile, running his thumb along my mouth. I part my lips and nip at the pad. I don’t recognize myself. I am brazen and bold, but I cannot stop myself. He makes it so easy, oozing sex and control. It would be a crime not to revel in
every last drop of his sexual prowess. And he reads my mind without difficulty. That beautiful crooked grin raises the corner of his mouth and he winks. 

“Tonight,” he murmurs before he gently kisses the back of my hands and turns to leave. As he makes his way to the door Melissa emerges from the bathroom. Rhys turns to her and she shoots me a look of triumph. My heart sinks watching him whisper something to her that first elicits an unnerving smile. She watches me, hoping for a reaction as he shares an intimate moment with her in front of me. But, her wide smile quickly falls and her eyes fall away as he wraps it up. He backs away from her, locks her in his eyes and nods, as if asking if she understood. She drops her gaze to the ground and nods in response, before returning to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. That is the second time I have seen him shut her down. It is as if he has some power over her; power she seems eager to surrender. I try not to focus on her, or their odd relationship. He has made it clear that he wants to be with me, here and now. It is temporary anyhow, so why think too hard. Just lie back and enjoy the ride.

“Rhys, wait,” Olivia calls to him as she pulls a small package from her luggage. Wrapped in gold foil paper and tied with a large tartan bow, her gift to Matthew. “Please tell Matthew that I cannot wait to be his wife,” she tells Rhys handing him the package. He turns to me and winks before taking his leave.      

                                          ***

Everything about the wedding was flawless. The low hanging wisteria created a breathtaking canopy over Olivia as she walked down the aisle. The ocean breeze gently released tiny blossoms as she moved towards Matthew, showering her with thousands of tiny flower petals. Each time I glanced across the aisle, my eyes were dazzled by a Rhys’ crooked grin. I could feel him watching me as I stood behind Kylie and Olivia, Melissa hovering behind me, his eyes daring me to look, roping me in, trying to tangle me up. Every glance felt intimate, private. Reminding me of last night, and the promise he made in the car.

After the ceremony there were cocktails on the pool deck, pictures with the photographer and a private moment for Matthew and Olivia. We were all led into the opulent dining room for a formal sit down dinner and dancing. All night I have been sitting next to Melissa, yet she has not said one word or even looked in my direction. I watch her walk out towards the powder room and decide to follow her, unwilling to let her unwarranted judgment of me go unchecked. I duck into the powder room after her and shut the door quietly behind me. Following her to the vanity, I know she is aware of me, but she acts like she is alone. 

“Melissa.” I try my best to remain calm and fill my tone with an undeniable power, but it just comes across as weak and unsure. “What is your problem?” She flashes her fiery eyes at me, a wide grin spreading slowly across her sour face. 

“You have no idea what you are in for do you?” She turns on me, a shifty fire in her eyes. “Whatever you
think
is happening with Rhys is sadly temporary you know that right? You will never have him, no one can have him. He is unavailable, unreachable.” She moves to the mirror, gazing at her reflection with a perverse admiration. “And you better hope that you are not around when she shows up, and she will show up, she is already here. She will make you wish you had never laid eyes on our beautiful Rhys Slate.” She finishes her speech with a swipe of fresh lipstick and a quick pop of her fiercely red lips. Turning away from the mirror, she faces me, humor, pity and something else seeping from every over done pore. “You are way out of your league.” She chuckles to herself and continues. “You think he likes you? You think you are any different from the rest of us? He just wants to tie you down and fuck you. That’s what he does. He will take a piece of you for himself. You were an easy mark. I’m surprised you have lasted this long, must be some kind of record.” She doesn’t wait for a response; my fallen face says it all, while pleasure paints her gloriously triumphant. “He is playing with you and you don’t even know it. You are nothing, just a number. ” The triumph of her tone stings, she shakes her head and laughs. “He has never loved anyone but himself, and that twisted bitch Nadja.” Reaching around me she pulls the door open, stepping into the hall.