“Of course you can. Stay as long as you like.”
I turn away, shielding myself from the sight of him.
“Are you okay?” he asks. There’s a whisper of softness to his voice.
With tears in my eyes, I glance up and meet his worried gaze. “I’m fine.” My voice is sure and steady, even if my body is still shaking.
A few moments later, the door closes softly behind him, indicating to me that if I ever held a piece of this man’s heart, I certainly don’t now. Feelings of pain and confusion flash through me, and I hug the pillow tighter, noting his scent still lingers. Why in the world I thought this would be all fun and games, I have no clue. Reece’s rejection stings way more than Tony’s cheating ever did. I rub at an achy spot in my chest, trying to figure out what in the fuck that dull throb is coming from, and how I ended up so far over my head again.
Shit.
When I finally work up the strength to move, I get dressed and head out, hoping to get out of this club without Reece spotting me. I’ve never been good at hiding my emotions, and I’m sure my sullen mood is written all over my face.
“Macey?” A woman’s voice stops me in my tracks.
Shit. So much for escaping unnoticed.
I spin around to see Chrissy—one of the workers here—dressed in the same black lingerie as last time.
“Hello,” I say, my voice hoarse.
“Hi there. Everything okay?”
She must have noticed my attempt at making a hasty retreat. I consider shoving off and telling her I’m in a rush, but as much as I don’t want to admit it, this woman might know Reece better than I do. She could be a valuable source of information to me. And since I’m completely at a loss about what I just experienced with him, I stop and take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
Taking a deep breath, I try to smile. “I’m fine, really.”
Her gaze fixes on mine and her nose crinkles. “Are you sure? I saw Reece come out of his room looking . . . upset.”
“We just . . . never mind. It’s not important.” I hate how true those words feel. In all the years I’ve known him, Reece has never made me feel as insignificant as he did just now. I blink back a fresh wave of tears.
She frowns. “You can talk to me, you know. I’ve worked here alongside him for years. I’ve gotten to know him pretty well. Maybe I can help.”
“When did Reece get that rose tattoo?” I ask.
She lifts an eyebrow, considering it. “He’s always had it. Since I’ve known him, anyway. He built the rest of his sleeve around that piece. I’ve always figured it was important to him, but ever the secretive type, he’s never dished on its significance.”
“I see.” It makes me more curious than ever.
“You guys have been spending a lot of time together. Has he finally taken a submissive?”
“No, it’s not like that. I’m new to all of this, and honestly, I was just looking to blow off a little steam. It was supposed to be three lessons, and we’ve had two.” Two insanely erotic lessons that were hot and should have been fulfilling. But they lacked any real intimacy, and have left me feeling more lost than ever.
There’s a faraway look in her eyes. It’s obvious she’s recalling some memory of her and Reece. A fond one, if the slight smile on her red-painted lips is any indicator. “Is it still true?”
“What?”
“That he only fucks in the mouth or in the ass.”
I shudder. Holy shit. That’s . . . insane, if it’s even true.
I hate that she knows so many intimate details about Reece—the man who’s grown cold and distant in the years I’ve been away. I shrug. “Maybe.” Despite that being exactly what our first two sessions consisting of, something in me doesn’t want Chrissy knowing all the juicy details. Yet there’s something more about the way she says it, as if it’s a fact that he has some weird hang-up about sex. “Why would he do that?”
She sighs. “I asked him once. In my mind, the only reasoning could be that he didn’t want to have sex where he could get a woman pregnant.”
Interesting theory.
“But he scoffed at that and said it had nothing to do with it. I guess it’s just a personal kink of his. Who knows?”
“So you and he . . .” I swallow the painful lump in my throat.
“No, not really. Nothing serious, anyway. We played a little a few years ago, but that was before I became an employee of the club. He runs a tight ship here and keeps everything professional. If you want something with him—something real—trust me, I’d never stand in your way. Besides, he doesn’t see me that way.”
It stings to know he’s treated me exactly the same as he would any submissive he took to his chambers for a session. But I’m not just any submissive. I’m not a submissive at all. And we have a history. We should mean more to each other than that. Yet, he didn’t deviate one inch with me. For me.
At first I assumed it was because of some childish oath he made to Cameron. But now I’m beginning to see it’s because maybe it’s like Brie said—he’s been hurt and has an ironclad wall up around his heart.
I still want the same thing I did six years ago. God, have I learned nothing? Despite my tough-girl persona, I’m still every bit in love with my older brother’s, very unobtainable, best friend. Shit.
Chapter Ten
Reece
Just fucking awesome. Now Hale isn’t answering my calls, and I’m positive it has everything to do with my relationship with Macey. I just wanted to congratulate him on his engagement properly, and invite him and Brielle out for a glass of celebratory champagne. I knew he was planning to propose, and I knew Brielle would say yes, but I haven’t actually spoken to him in days. Since I’m unable to get through to him directly, I call his secretary to leave a message.
“Are you calling about tonight’s engagement party?” she asks, interrupting me.
“Yeah, I am,” I say with smug satisfaction. A sinner like me is destined for hell, anyway. What’s one more lie?
“I’ve been getting calls all day. It’s been moved to the Estate Gala ballroom due to room-size constraints.”
“And that’s at North Oaks Country Club?” I take a wild stab in the dark. It’s the nicest place in the whole city.
“Yes, sir,” she confirms.
“Great, thank you.” I hang up, fuming and in disbelief that my supposed best friend wouldn’t invite me to his own fucking engagement party. The cocksucker.
Next I call the North Oaks Country Club and find out the event begins at seven tonight. I grab the dry cleaning bag that contains my one and only suit, and toss it on the bed. Glancing at my watch, I see I’ll have just enough time to shower and pick up a suitable engagement gift, before fighting the Chicago traffic to make it there on time.
When I arrive, I’m pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a smiling Brielle.
“You made it.” She hugs me. “Hale said he didn’t know if you’d be here.”
I nod and return her smile. The asshole didn’t even bother tell her that he snubbed me. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Hale stalks up, confusion etched across his face when he spots me. “Reece. You’re here.”
“You sound surprised, brother.” Now I’m just toying with him. The fuckwad.
“I didn’t know if you’d be able to tear yourself away from your activities at the club,” he returns, scowling.
We’re skirting around the elephant in the room. We both know we’re talking about Macey, yet we’re not.
“Of course I could. This is for you both.” I hand him an envelope containing a check for a thousand dollars. There’s nothing better to make him feel like shit for excluding me than cold, hard cash. “Congratulations.”