Chapter 37

Eric’s POV

I kick the chair as the door to the bathroom slams shut behind her. Stupid.

That’s the last time I let my emotions take over logic. I run my fingers through my hair. I shouldn’t have done that. Then I laugh. If she is exactly who I think she is then I have every right to do that.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the hallway mirror. I need a shower. I look at the closed bathroom door and I know she’s probably leaning up against the wall, listening for my fading footsteps.

I open my suitcase and grab my swim trunks I guess, the chlorine from the pool will have to do.

We managed to avoid each other for a whole day. Part of me wonders if she booked a plane back home, but then I see her come off the elevator and into the hotel lobby. We make contact and she goes rigid. Anger flares up inside me.

I take advantage of the fact that she’s vulnerable right now. I’m her boss and more than that I know she’s attracted to me, whether she wants to be or not.

I go in for the kill, but this time I’m going to lure her in.

“Would you like to accompany me to a business dinner?” I ask her trying to sound as if I don’t care one way or the other. She looks at me with big brown dough eyes, that suddenly go cold.

“No thank you,” Renee says, and her icy tone since a chill over my body. This may be harder than I thought, but I would be lying if I said the chase didn’t turn me on.

“I doubt you have had anything to eat since breakfast this morning,” I tell her.

Renee holds my gaze. “I appreciate your concern, but I am going to have to decline,” She says keeping up the business formal tone, and it pisses me off.

I look her over and note the striking contrast of her appearance from breakfast this morning to how she’s stressed now. Her once thin sheet of fabric and bare face are now covered by makeup and a business pantsuit with a jacket. She still looks wildly sexy, but it’s a clear outward sign that walls have been built.

“It’s just dinner Renee it’s not that big of a deal,” I tell her, losing my patience.

“What is a big deal infidelity towards Mia,” Renee snaps dropping her act only for a minute. Her remark feels like a slap in the face. It’s no wonder why she is so hesitant to soften towards me, she thinks that I don’t care about her because I am showing her that I don’t care about Mia.

“You don’t understand,” I try to explain.

“What’s there to understand?” Renee sneers. “You’re an alpha male who expects every woman to throw herself at you because of that you get bored and then chase after the next, who catches your eye,”

I laugh. If that’s what she thinks then there’s no point explaining to her that the only reason I suffer Mia’s presence is because her mother saved my life one lonely night after my wife left and I was obliterated stumbling my way through the highway.

But there’s no way Renee needs to know that. I’d rather her think I’m some pig than some pathetic drunk overcome by emotions.

“You’re exactly right,” I tell her. Renee’s face falls like she wasn’t expecting me to admit that to her, but why not? She already believes that about me. “Don’t be out late; we’re seeing the client for breakfast at his home and I won’t have your tardiness adding to your already grave mistake,”

I hate that I’m being harsh to her but I can’t help it. She’s hit a nerve and if she claims to not be my ex-wife then who is she to talk to me like she does?

“Understood, boss,” Renee says, knowing her title of me is anything but respectful.

Later that night, I come into the hotel room slightly buzzed. I just wanted to numb Renee’s words. I come into the room and the lights are off, I flick them on.

“What are you doing?” Renee groans. “Turn them off,” she says from the bed. I ignore her. I can’t see with the lights off.

“In a minute,” I tell her and kick off my shoes. I take my time. I get a glass of water, I unbutton my shirt, I rifle bag for my toothbrush all the while Renee sits halfway up in bed staring at me. I ignore her. Only when I start to have fun and remove my shirt does she quickly throw herself back down on the bed and pull the comforter over her.

I laugh to myself. At least I know I physically affect her. Though that’s nothing new when it comes to women, and despite wanting more than just a physical connection with her my pride still swells.

I turn the lights off.

“Don’t even think about coming to the bed,” Renee says and I can’t honestly tell her the thought never occurred to me.

“Not to worry,” I tell her, shaking the sheets out over me on the couch.

“Good,” she says but I swear there’s a twinge of regret in her voice. We don’t say another word until sleep comes over us.

The client's house is huge. It’s too flashy. The bright green grass stands out against the otherwise sandy and desert-like terrain that’s common in Arizona.

The house is a Spanish-Colonial style with large open arches and a terra-cotta coloring, with a clay tile roof. A fountain of a dolphin spouting water sits tall in the center of the front lawn.

“Eric,” a voice greets us from the deep enclosed porch. I look up to see James standing underneath a low-bearing roof decorated with ferns. He’s still in his burgundy silk pajamas never mind that it’s nearing mid-morning. “Come, breakfast is being served,”

Just then a servant comes running down the driveway. “He’ll fetch the designs,” James Arrington says with a flick of his hand and my blood boils at how casually he regards our designs. Renee’s design.

The servant reaches out car. I pop the trunk for him and just as he’s about to grab the box I grab a hold of his arm. “These fabrics are worth a fortune. You’d be wise to treat them as such,” the servant withdraws his hand, now afraid to touch the box. As he should be.

Renee walks past us, her heels clacking off the brick driveway. She hardly said a word to me on the drive here.

I slam my car door shut and follow.

“So kind of you to make the trip, and for the gift for my wife. Speaking of whom, she should be coming down now. I don’t know what could be taking her so long, I told her it’s only breakfast but you know how women are,” James says and then casts a glance at Rene. “No offense,”

“None taken,” Rene answers swiftly. My jaw twitches. I never spend more than five minutes on the phone with James at a time and now I’m reminded why.

“Here I am!” A woman sings, off-key, Mrs. Arlington I presume. She comes through the screen doors wearing the tennis outfit that was mistakenly sent to her. “I thought you’d want to see your design in action,” she says and pivots on her heels giving an amateur model poses.

“You look divine,” James says and leans in to kiss his. I advert my eyes.

“And who is this pretty little thing?” Mrs. Arlington asks delightedly and tilts her chunky sunglasses to the tip of her nose and eyes Renee up and down.

“Please to meet you, my name is Renee,” Renee says and extends her hand intending to shake Mrs. Arrington’s hand. Mrs. Arrington looks down at Renee’s hand and giggles. “You are adorable,” she says. “Spin for me,”

“Excuse me?” I say.

“Darling not now, they just got here,” James says but is clearly interested in seeing Renee give a twirl.

“Never miss an opportunity, James,” Mrs. Arrington gives a slight playful slap to her husband's side.

Renne arches an eyebrow and puts her arms out to her side and slowly turns in a circle. Mrs. Arrington cocks her head to the side and squints like she’s studying Renee. I don’t like what’s going on here.

“You have to come model for me,” Mrs. Arrington urges.

“Model?” Renee says like she’s never heard the word before.

“Dear she already has a job,” James says as a pathetic attempt to correct his wife.

“Whatever you’re being paid I can double it,” Mrs. Arrington blurts out and now I’m infuriated. She not only seeks to take my employee right in front of me, but questions my financial standing.

“I think our business is done,” I say inserting myself between Renee and Mrs. Arrington. James steps forward.

“Let’s just relax, this is all in good fun.”

“No, anyone who seeks to undermine authority is no client of mine,” I straighten my suit. “My employees cannot be bought,”

“You realize if you leave here now, that’s the end of all our future business arrangements.” James asks like I’m stupid which only angers me more.

“That’s the hope,” I say and escort Renee off the patio. “Not a word,” I whisper harshly into her ear.