Beyond Love Lies Deceit (7 page)

“Fair enough.” He picks up his wine glass and drains the contents, clearly thinking over my statement. “If I had to pick my biggest regret, it would be getting into the car with one of my fraternity brothers my freshman year of college. We had been drinking and we ended up in pretty severe accident.”

“Really?” My intrigue is not fake; I truly want to know how he tells this story, knowing immediately that he’s talking about Sean. “What happened?”

“Most of the night is pretty foggy. We had been bar hopping, you know, the normal college crap. Sean, which was his name.” He adds, causing my heart to hammer wildly against my ribcage. “He wanted to take my dad’s Ferrari out for a spin. I knew it was a bad idea considering how much he had been drinking but I agreed anyways.”

“So he was driving?” I ask, immediately correcting the statement as to not draw suspicion to my comment. “I mean, after he had been drinking all night?” I tack on.

“Yeah, I know it was stupid. Anyways, we got a ways out of the city and Sean really wanted to see what the car could do so he gunned it. We had to have been going well over a hundred miles an hour when he hit a curve in the road too fast and lost control.” He pauses, not realizing that just feet from him I am trying to stop myself from lunging over the table at him.

How dare he...

How dare he turn the accident on Sean and use it to play the victim. I can feel my restraint wavering and I do my best to hold it together as I push him to continue.

“That’s horrible. Were you badly hurt?” I ask, like I have no idea of the outcome of the crash.

“I got knocked around pretty bad. Luckily it wasn’t anything too serious. Unfortunately Sean was killed instantly.” He acts like this is such a painful thing for him to talk about but I can quickly see through it. I know better.

“I’m so sorry Ryan.” It takes everything I have to say those words and even though I know it’s necessary, I can’t control the sick feeling that forms in my stomach as they leave my mouth.

“It was a long time ago.” He shrugs. “Worst part of it all was that the cops tried to pin the accident on me. Not only had I lost one of my best friends but then I had to answer for his actions.” He shakes his head, not realizing that he just verbalized the fact that he viewed this being worse than his friend dying.

“Well clearly you weren’t though. Surely they were able to prove that.” I say, refilling my wine glass and taking another long gulp.

Lord knows I need it right now. Every part of my body is fighting against my natural instinct to defend my brother and what the man sitting in front of me did to him.

“It all worked out in the end.” He gives me a lopsided grin and shakes his head. “Okay enough of that.” He sets his wine glass back down and quickly stands, his actions so abrupt they catch me off guard.

“Would you like to dance?” He smiles down at me, holding his hand out to me.

“Now?” I question, looking around, wishing there was a way to decline.

The last thing I want right now is to be forced into the arms of this man, especially after the ridiculous tale he just told.

“Why not?” He questions, his smile widening.

Despite the fact that it goes against everything inside of me, I take his hand and allow him to pull me to my feet. He leads me to an open portion of the deck just a few feet from the table and pulls me into his arms, my shoulders stiffening slightly at the close proximity of our bodies.

“Do you make a habit out of dancing with no music?” I try to keep up the charade, knowing the only way to get vengeance for Sean is to do exactly that.

The thought strengthens my resolve and I look up to meet his gaze, letting the effects of the wine flood through me and ease what I am about to do.

“Who needs music? I just wanted to hold you in my arms.” He lays on a line I’m sure he’s used countless times before.

I let him believe I bought it, hook line and sinker. I smile up at him, wrapping my hand around the back of his head. With the height of my heels, I only stand about four inches below him. Using this to my advantage, I guide his face downwards with my fingers threaded through the back of his hair until just a couple of inches separate our lips.

Closing my eyes, I lean forward, closing the gap between us. The moment his lips meet mine, I can feel the bile rising in my throat. I try to shift my focus, imagine that he’s someone else, but as his tongue skirts along my bottom lip requesting access to my mouth, I’m not sure how much more I can take.

But then it happens... Luke’s face flashes through my mind and I find the focal point I need. I deepen the kiss without another thought, my hand tightening in the back of Ryan’s hair as his needy hands roam my back, pulling me tightly into him as his lips work against mine.

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L
uke

The moment the two people on the deck of my father’s yacht come into view, I freeze, unable to look away from the scene unfolding in front of my very eyes. When I came here looking for my father, the last thing I expected to find was my brother locked in a passionate embrace with Allie.

I thought for sure my warning would have worked. She seems so uninterested in him and yet, here she is, kissing him like her life somehow depends on it. I just can’t seem to understand why.

Ryan pulls her closer, his hands skirting down her back before clamping down on her hips. The sight is enough to make my stomach twist viciously. I know I should walk away. I should walk away and pretend like I didn’t see a thing. Allie is a big girl; she can make her own decisions. But knowing what I should do and what I am capable of doing are two very different things.

Before I even realize my own actions, I step up onto the deck of the yacht and loudly clear my throat, the two people in front of me immediately breaking apart to look in my direction.

“Luke.” Ryan immediately speaks. “What are you doing here?” He keeps his voice casual for Allie but deep down I know he is pissed that I interrupted.

Smiling, I nod, knowing it will only further fuel his anger which is exactly what I want to do at this moment.

“Sorry to interrupt.” I flick my eyes to Allie whose cheeks are a deep crimson, her eyes focused downward as if she’s afraid to meet my gaze. “I was looking for Dad. I thought he would be here tonight.” I continue, turning my attention back to Ryan.

“Well as you can see, he’s not.” Ryan gestures around.

“No matter, you can help me.” I smile, seeing the fury that continues to grow behind Ryan’s eyes.

He thinks that I am doing this purposely and while that’s not entirely true, a small part of me is greatly enjoying taking a jab at him. It’s not like he’s not doing the exact same thing to me by being here with Allie.

“I’m kind of in the middle of something here brother. Can’t it wait?” He asks, darting his eyes to Allie who is looking anywhere but at me or Ryan.

“Actually, I should probably go.” Her soft words pull both of our attention to her as she turns towards Ryan.

“You don’t have to do that.” He insists, clearly not ready for her to leave.

“I know, but I really should be heading back.” She insists, stepping past him to grab her small wristlet purse from the table before crossing the space back towards us.

“Well at least let me call you a car.” He reaches out and tucks a stray strand of her hair away from her face, the action winding me, like a punch to my gut.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“No need. I can call a cab.” She says, leaning forward to lay a brief kiss to his cheek. “We will talk later.” She tacks on, patting her palm lightly against his chest before turning towards me. “Luke.” She nods, blushing again the moment her eyes meet mine.

“Miss Reynolds.” I nod in return, addressing her professionally.

She quickly passes me, her eyes once again meeting mine for just a fraction of a second as she does, and then she’s gone, disappearing into the darkness.

“What the fuck Luke?” Ryan’s voice completely changes the moment he’s sure Allie is out of earshot.

“What?” I play innocent, crossing the deck to where the two clearly had dinner.

Picking up the half empty wine bottle, I put it to my mouth and take a large drink before turning back towards Ryan.

“Pulled out the big guns did you?” I ask, looking at the wine label. “How does Dad feel about you drinking his private stock?” I ask, setting the bottle back onto the table.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” His eyes are wide like he can’t believe my nerve. “What the fuck was that Luke?” He gestures to where Allie just exited a few moments ago.

“Well since both you and our father refuse to answer your phones, you really left me no other choice.” I finally answer him.

“This has nothing to do with anything other than Allie. You’re pissed that she was here.” He accuses.

“I actually had no idea that you were out with Miss Reynolds tonight.” I answer truthfully. “I told you, I came here looking for Dad. I have a few important details I need to discuss with him about the Cyntech buy out.”

“Dad never comes here and you know it.” He bites.

“Well considering I had already checked his house and the office, I thought it was worth a shot. As I said, I have some very important information on Cyntech.”

“And it couldn’t wait until morning?” He spits, clearly finding my timing suspect.

“Actually no. I mean, unless he’s okay with us being cut out by Thomas Harding.” I answer casually with a shrug.

“What the fuck does Harding have to do with anything?” He bites.

“Only that his company made a play to outbid us under the table. I have a contact at Cyntech that strongly advised we close in and make a better offer before they sign tomorrow morning. I need to draw up the contracts and have Dad get in touch with them to close this deal before Harding pulls the rug right out from underneath us.” I explain.

“Who knew Harding had such a backbone? I’m actually kind of impressed.” Ryan nods in appreciation, my news somewhat distracting him from his anger at me for interrupting his date. “I’ll get in touch with Dad.” He nods, crossing the deck to retrieve his phone from the table.

“I will draft another contract and leave the numbers blank until I hear from one of you. And Ryan.” I turn, pinning my eyes directly on his. “Don’t fuck this up. I need a phone call in the next hour if you expect me to have time to cover all the bases before you make the proposal to Cyntech.”

“I’m not stupid Luke.” He doesn’t try to hide his displeasure over my comment. “Dad is working me into the CEO position for a reason.”

“Then maybe you should start showing me what those reasons are because for the life of me, all I see is an immature spoiled brat who can’t prioritize business over getting some.” I spit, quickly exiting the yacht before Ryan can reply.

I try to shake off the image that seems embedded in my brain; the sight of Allie and Ryan locked together still so fresh in my mind. While I disapprove of my brother’s antics with women employed by ScoTech, I have never really cared before now. There’s something about
this
woman. Something that makes me want to spare her the wrath that follows a relationship with my brother. But even I know that’s not all there is too it.

My stomach tightens at the thought of what might have happened here tonight had I not shown up looking for my father. Would she have slept with him? Would she have willing entered into his bed after everything I told her yesterday?

It just doesn’t make any sense. She seems completely uninterested in Ryan and yet, she continues to go out with him. I can tell by the way she looks at him that her hearts not in it. She doesn’t look at him with the same intensity that I see in her eyes when she looks at me. He doesn’t evoke the rush of blood to her cheeks the way I do or cause the nervous ticks that in just two short weeks have proven capable of bringing me to my fucking knees.

I know there’s more to this, though I am fearful that a part of me is just looking for a way to justify her actions. Maybe Ryan is truly who she wants and I am so blinded by my own lust for her that I am just seeing what I want to see.

Either way, one thing couldn’t be clearer; I have got to get Allie Reynolds out from under my skin.

––––––––

S
amantha

“Miss Reynolds.” I hear Luke’s voice behind me and turn just in time to see him step inside the small employee break room that sits at the end of the hall.

“Mr. Scott.” I nod, turning back around to finish making my cup of hot tea.

Dropping a teaspoon of sweetener into the small white cup, I try to seem completely unaffected by his presence. It’s only awkward if I make it so, right?

“I didn’t know you were a tea drinker.” He steps up next to me, giving me no choice but to look in his direction.

Like so many times before, the moment those crystal blues hit me a jolt of electricity shoots down my spine, causing me to shiver slightly.

“I find it soothing.” I answer weakly, looking back down to my cup of tea as I stir it.

“Is there something you need soothing from?” He asks his question laced with an underlying statement.

I know without a doubt he’s referring to Ryan even though his tone remains smooth and unaffected by emotion.

While neither of us has spoken about what he witnessed Saturday night, I can tell that it is very much at the forefront of his mind, even if he doesn’t say so. I can feel the tension between us, a heaviness that has always been there but has grown steadily more apparent throughout the course of the day.

“Just a long day.” I sigh, not sure how else to respond.

“Monday tends to be that way around here.” He agrees, waiting until I turn towards him, cup in hand, before continuing. “I wanted to let you know that I will be going out of town for the next couple of days.” He starts.

“Oh.” The word falls from my lips unintentionally and I can’t help the disappointment that seems to settle over me at the thought of being here without him.

I know it sounds weird that I would feel this way after such a short period of time but Luke is somewhat of a safety blanket for me. He has this way of grounding me and keeping me calm, even when everything else seems to be spinning out of control. And he does it without doing anything. Just being near him seems to give me peace. It’s the oddest feeling for someone like me who has found very little peace over the past eight years.