Sugar Love Page 21

  Fear clawed its way up Zander’s neck. He shook his head back and forth. “No fucking way am I going to set foot in a room with her.”

  Kent flashed him a compassionate gaze. “I know you went through a rough time with her. But, it’s over. Part of your past. She can’t get near you, remember? You have it in rock solid writing. And we have obligations to the company.”

  Zander’s breath grew ragged. “No, Manning. I can’t. She’s using her connection with Bryant to get near me. I saw her outside of the gym a couple of weeks ago. She got in my face. I refuse to go.”

  Kent frowned. “Are you all right? What’s going on? You’re not going dark again, right? I thought your sugar thing was getting you out of your funk. You’ve been better the last few weeks.”

  “I am better. I’m fine. Everything’s perfect.” Zander rose and began to pace. “But, I can’t go to this event.”

  Kent watched him circle his office. “Look. There will be a lot of people there. I’ll be there. I’ve got your back. You know that. I won’t let Trisha pull any of her tricks again. Besides, you don’t want to look weak in the eyes of the public, right? If you don’t show up at their event, everyone will think you’re scared to face Bryant and our rival company.”

  Looking weak and caring what the public thought had been part of the problem. He should have taken out a restraining order on Trisha. But, no, instead he’d done something stupid, she’d done something deadly, and they’d finally called it quits. And, Trisha agreed not to go public with his actions if he stayed quiet about hers. He’d had a contract drawn up, outlining their no-contact/no social media agreement. As far as he knew, no one knew about their arrangement but him, Kent and Trisha. And that’s how it had to stay.

  “So, you’ll do this, right? You’ll come to the party tomorrow night?”

  “Huh?” Kent’s voice yanked Zander back from chasing his thoughts. “I really don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “But, we need to think of the company. And, if you bring your sugar, she’ll make it okay for you. And I promise to watch out for you.” Kent stepped toward Zander and clapped him on the back. “I’ll text you the details.” After giving Zander one last assessing look, he left the office.

  Numbly, Zander shuffled to his desk and picked up his phone from where he’d tossed it earlier. He sat down, stared at the tumbler of whiskey next to him, and tapped Effie’s number.

  “Hello, Zander,” she said, sounding stiff and formal.

  “I need you to go on a date with me,” he said.

  “A date? Not just a workout?” she said.

  “Right. A real date.” He clutched the phone. “All glamour and pretense. We have to make an appearance.”

  “I see. What do I need to wear?”

  He felt like he was talking to stranger. “I’ll have something sent over.”

  She said nothing. Her silence said everything. She didn’t seem to want his money, his gifts…she didn’t want him.

  He needed to feel the soft Effie, not this automaton he’d created by pushing her away lately. “Effie, look. I’m in a rough situation that has nothing to do with you. I enjoy your company. Very much.”

  More silence.

  “You probably think…” He picked up his drink and tossed it back. “I don’t know what you think. But, I realize I’ve been cold lately. I know I don’t have a right to ask this of you…but I really need your support at this event. My ex is going to be there. And Bryant. I need you by my side to get through it.”

  A long sigh met his ears. “Okay. Fine. I’ll be there for you in whatever way you need me to be.”

  Her unspoken sentiment was clear—even if you don’t let me in.

  “Thank you. I’ll make it up to you, I promise,” he said.

  Her voice emerged all soft and sweet, like honey over apples. “You don’t have to make anything up to me, Zander. You’ve already given me a chance at my education. I promise, I’ll do what I can to help you.” She paused. “I haven’t been very nice to you, either. You shared something huge with me in Oregon and I haven’t forgotten it. I figured you needed time to process it.”

  “Does that mean we get to kiss and make up?” he said, grinning.

  “Maybe,” she said, in an inviting tone.

  “Thank you for considering the kiss,” he said.

  “You are a good kisser,” she said.

  His mood brightened. Maybe Kent was right. He might survive the night with Effie by his side. “I’ll pick you up at eight.” He disconnected the phone and prepared himself, mentally, to spend a night in the same room with Trisha Banks, his worst nightmare.

  Chapter 27

  Zander

  Zander braked the Lexus Sports Coupe to a dramatic, soul-screeching stop outside of Effie’s dorm at Elliott Hall. He glanced up at her, and his jaw dropped into his lap.

  She gripped the parking meter in the guest spot.

  Her typically messy hair had been smoothed and styled to a glossy sheen of lush, begging to be touched. It shone like liquid gold in the setting sun. A silken coat hung from her shoulders. Her sexy red dress shaped itself to her curves, pleading to be torn from her body when the time was right. She wore red stilettos, making her long legs look like a climb-on-top expedition would soon be in order. And her face…She’d been transformed by subtle make-up, enhancing her perfect features.

  He had to play this night right. He refused to let Trisha wreck him.

  When he realized he wasn’t breathing, he took a quick breath, reassembled his face, then leaped from the car. He hurried over to her.

  “My God, Ms. D’Archangel, you’re stunning,” he said. He leaned forward to kiss her cheek, careful not to mess with her makeup.

  She lowered her gaze.

  “Thank you,” she breathed. She cocked her head coquettishly and eyed him. “You are, too. I love the red piping on your collar. That’s classy.”

  Zander glanced down at his attire. Wanting to look perfect for Effie tonight, he’d chosen a slim-fit, “made for him” suit in charcoal gray designed by a guy he’d met in Italy. Red lapels with red piping, a red tie, and a dark gray shirt completed the look.

  A dark cloud of memory flitted past his brain. He always felt like Trisha’s special project. She told him what to wear. How to wear it. Even how he should hold his shoulders while walking. Now that she was gone, he dressed however he chose, which usually meant Henleys and jeans.

  “Thanks. I love the suits this up-and-coming Italian designer makes. K. Napoli. You heard of him? Most people know him as K.”

  Effie shook her head. She kept a tight grip on the parking meter.

  “You trying to strangle that thing?” he said, amusement forcing the corners of his mouth upward. He inclined his head toward the meter.

  “What? No. I, um…” She ducked her head, her skin assuming its typical deep scarlet blush. “I can barely walk in these things.” She lifted one foot, then put it down when she started to wobble on the other. “You should have seen me totter down the stairs. I almost fell, twice.”

  He chuckled.

  “We can’t have that. I’d prefer if you could move freely. Allow me to assist, then,” he said, proffering his arm.

  “I’m serious. These heels are designed to kill me.”

  “If you haven’t mastered them by the time we get to the party, I’ll buy you something flat and glamorous,” he said, beaming. “Easy to move in.”

  “Fancy mules with soft red fur?” she said.

  He laughed. “I was thinking more of a shoe, but if it’s slippers you want, slippers you’ll get.”

  She released her stranglehold on the meter and clutched his arm.

  “Whoa, girl. Let up a little,” he said, still laughing.

  “Sorry,” she said, loosening her grip.

  “That’s better. Relax. I’ve got you. Are you ready?” he said.

  “I think so.” She took a tentative step. “Go slow.”

  They shuffled toward the Lexus. As Effie s
tepped along, hugging his arm, she seemed to grow wings of confidence. Before they reached the car, she paused, releasing him.

  “I think I’ve got it. Watch this.” After steadying herself, spreading her arms out for balance, she sashayed away from him. Her arms fell by her sides as she glided along.

  He kept his gaze glued to her sexy hips.

  She spun around and strolled toward him, her hips moving seductively side to side.

  With his arms loosely crossed, he darted his tongue along his lips. “Damn, girl. You’re sexy as hell.”

  She grinned at him, clearly pleased.

  He helped her into the sports car, closed her door, then proceeded to the driver’s side. After starting the car, he drove toward the waterfront of Bellevue, where Bryant lived.

  When they arrived at his mega-home, overlooking Lake Washington, Effie groaned.

  A stately, pretentious masterpiece, it perched on the side of a gentle slope along Lake Washington. In the distance stood downtown Seattle, with a distant backdrop of mountains. Elegantly dressed individuals and couples milled around the front of the house, smoking or heading inside.

  “Oh, my God,” she said. “I already feel under-dressed. Do you think what I’m wearing is good enough?”

  “You look fabulous, Effie. If I could, I’d kiss you until I was the only man you could see, the entire night. But I don’t want to mess with your pretty make-up.”

  She inclined her head, looking at him through her lashes. “Haley helped with my makeup. I didn’t know where to begin. And, I already only see you,” she said, in a low voice that made his cock twitch and his heart thump like a rabbit’s back leg.

  Swallowing hard, he said, “Well, tell Haley she did a good job at enhancing perfection.”

  The light in Effie’s eyes let him know he’d said the right thing.

  He navigated the car along the circular driveway, behind a Porsche. Attendants stood at the ready, waiting to park cars.

  He exited the car and handed his keys to a kid whose name-tag read “Ralph.”

  The attendant on the other side helped Effie out of the car.

  Zander swiftly rounded the vehicle to be by her side, lest she trip. “You okay? Got your feet under you?”

  She nodded and took a deep breath.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m out of my comfort zone here. All this glamour. But, when have I not been out of my comfort zone with you?” A warm smile crossed her pretty face.

  “God, I wish I could kiss you,” he said. He leaned toward her ear and whispered, “You can bet I’m going to kiss every inch of your clothes and makeup off of your body later.”

  She shivered. “I look forward to it.”

  As she took his arm, heads pivoted to stare at them.

  “Yipes,” Effie whispered. “Why are they staring?” She turned to face him, placing her arms along his chest, her fingers over his shoulders.

  “Because you’re so stunningly gorgeous.”

  “Stop,” she said, smiling. She ducked her head.

  “I mean it. Hold your head high, girl.”

  She lifted her head and affixed a fearful, pinched gaze at him. “I’m afraid I’m going to trip in front of everyone. I turn into a klutz when I’m nervous.”

  “That’s what you used to do,” he said, stroking her upper arms. “You work out, you rock climb—you’re much more physical now. You were like a young foal before. But now that foal has turned into a beautiful, graceful young woman.” He kept his eyes pinned to hers.

  She huffed out a sigh. “Okay,” she said. “I can do this. But, give me your arm to cling to.”

  “Of course,” he said, half-turning until they were side by side. He extended his elbow.

  She slipped her small hand into the crook of his arm, holding tight.

  They strode, arm in arm, across the slate and concrete walkway toward the elegant post and beam entrance, weaving through onlookers. A glimmer of the setting sun created a halo around the roof.

  Zander nodded and smiled at a few people, but mostly he kept his attention on Effie.

  A pretty staff member, dressed in a simple black sheath and black pumps, greeted them at the door. Her eyes had been lined with some dark, dramatic make-up, giving her a catlike appearance. She took Effie’s silk coat and draped it over her arm.

  “Right this way,” she said, gesturing toward the great room at the end of the foyer. She handed the coat to a pimple-faced teen who scurried away with the garment.

  Ahead, a soaring ceiling and windows captured the sweeping views outside the window. Expensive furnishings had been artfully arranged on top of Persian rugs that must have cost the prick, Bryant, a fortune. Photos featuring Bryant hung from every wall.

  Effie leaned close to Zander, scanning their surroundings. She whispered, “This house. It’s so over the top. All the chic-chic decor, blown glass vases, and metal sculptures are one thing, but the pictures of Bryant with celebrities…” She tsked and shook her head. “He’s really full of himself, isn’t he?”

  “That he is, Ms. D’Archangel.” He kept his arm tucked around her, enjoying the feel of her next to him. He glanced around nervously, trying to keep his nerves in check. So far, so good. He felt awkward for a different reason than Effie. He had hidden from the world for months.

  Most people read about the accident—it had been big news.

  How would they receive him? As a person to be pitied?

  He inhaled deeply and put on his best game face.

  Guests, several Zander recognized from his past or from his work, milled about the room, sipping champagne from slender flutes and munching on appetizers snagged from waiters who ghosted through the room. Many of them turned to stare at him and Effie. They gawked at the sight of Zander with a woman on his arm.

  He straightened to his full height. He had nothing to be ashamed of—he had a beautiful woman by his side.

  Women eyed her with envy. Men eyed her with interest. And, for tonight, at least, she belonged to him.

  Mia snaked through the guests, wearing a black dress that draped to her ankles. The sheer top had red embroidered flowers concealing her breasts. A slit crawled up the left side of the satiny skirt. Her glossy black hair had been piled high on her head, held in place with red enamel butterflies.

  “Zander, over here,” she said, waving to him. She dropped the formal “Sir” and “Mr. King” she used at work. “Come to join Kent, Charlie, and me.” She stepped toward them, her eyes opening wide at the sight of Effie. “Hi,” she said, extending her hand. “You must be Effie. I’m Zander’s assistant. I do everything but clean his teeth.”

  Zander reddened. “She’s right. She’s essential to my business. I couldn’t do it without her.”

  Effie’s hesitant gaze slid toward Zander for, what? Assurance?

  He placed his hand at the small of Effie’s back and nodded.

  Effie seemed to relax. She shook Mia’s hand. “Effie D’Archangel.”

  “That’s a lovely name, Effie. It’s my pleasure. You’ve lifted this guy from a dark, dark place.” She glanced at Zander, a warm glint in her eyes.

  Effie beamed. “He’s transformed me, as well.”

  “So I hear. You’ve become Zander’s workout partner.” She smiled. “Come, come. This way.”

  “Fucking hell,” a male voice said from behind Zander. “King, is that really you?”

  Zander glanced over his shoulder and brightened at the sight of one of his closest friends—at least before he’d pushed the guy away.

  “If it isn’t my long-lost friend, Zander King. Where the hell have you been?”

  Chapter 28

  Zander

  As if emerging from a nightmare into a place where joyous breathing could take place, Zander stared, grinning like an idiot, at his longtime, good friend, Dante Vega.

  Several people at Bryant’s glittering party turned and gawked.

  Dante strode into the room like a true rock star god, with h
is beautiful wife, Kennedy, by his side. He threw his arms around Zander, pulling him close for a hug. “I’ve missed you, man.”

  He released Zander.

  “Said the guy who just got back from his third world tour,” Zander said, surprised to not feel a whit of self-consciousness. “What was this one? Global Temptation?”

  “That’s the one. Not done yet. We have three more shows. We’ll be at the Key Arena this weekend. You know you always have backstage tickets if you want to come.”

  “Thanks. We might. So, what brings you here to this event? You haven’t taken sides with Bryant, have you?” Zander said.

  “Fuck, no. He’s a prick. His event coordinator asked me to play a couple of solo tunes tonight. Kennedy’s cat pens need some repairs, so I could use a little more cash. Gia, Keys, and Heat are still in San Francisco.” He sobered for a moment, giving Zander a clear, unflinching gaze. “I tried calling. A bunch of times. I always went to voicemail.”

  “Yeah. Guilty as charged. Sorry about that.”

  “I’m sorry about your accident, man. That had to suck.” Dante shook his head, his long, wavy locks swirling around his head. He didn’t seem to exhibit any dripping sympathy, however. Didn’t even glance at Zander’s arm. Only extended genuine care.

  “It did. I wallowed for a long while. Fell into a pit of depression. Stopped reaching out to people. But then I met Effie.” He pulled her close.

  “Effie, huh?” Dante said, glancing at her, flashing his stage-smile. “No longer with the Trish-bitch?”

  “No,” Zander said. “She drop-kicked me when I became a cripple. She already hooked up with Riptide Johnson before I got out of the hospital. Now she’s with Bryant.” He kept the rest of their fucked-up relationship with its endless endings out of the conversation, too ashamed to say anything.

  Dante shook his head. “Oh, that’s harsh. You know I can relate. I had my supermodel moment, too. Marquise.” He spat her name from his lips. “But now I’ve got the real deal.” Dante slung an arm around Kennedy, then extended his free hand to Effie. “Hey, gorgeous. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His eyes danced.