Page 89 of The Desire

Why would I want to go and watch El pretending to be happy and talking to some guy? Was it El’s idea to make me jealous and come home?

There are so many questions that I don’t even have the time or mental space to work through right now. These two were just the beginning. Because Tori’s words hit hard in my gut. She’s right, I need to find out once and for all who set up the cameras and then leaked it to the internet even after they were paid.

Pushing aside my own issues, I do what I do best. I compartmentalize.

Grabbing my things, I’m out the door and calling my second-in-charge to meet me at the office, but first I need to speak to Felisha Kentwall, just me and her, one on one, so we can get to the bottom of this. She might be as innocent as Flynn, but something has triggered this attack on the two of them. I need to work it out. Just getting past her damn security team will be the issue. But I love a good challenge, and today I need a distraction, so this is what I intend to throw myself into. And I’m not stopping until I work it out. By then I might have my head on straight and I can arrange to meet with Elouise so we can talk this out. I know it’s important, and she should be taking priority over work, but it’s just not possible right now and she knows it.

The time for talking was yesterday, and she wrecked that, so now unfortunately she will have to wait until I’m ready.

I’m in control now. I’m not taking orders from either one of the women who think they have me all worked out.

They’re wrong.

On my terms, they will find out who the real me is.

ELOUISE

“I don’t wear red. It’s too loud for me.” I’m standing in the dressing room, in shock at the way I look in the mirror.

Tori is behind me with the most wicked grin on her face. “Loud is the best way to make a statement. Look at me, there’s a reason I’m a redhead; I like to be heard.” Neither of us can deny that.

“Yes, but that’s you. I’m just the woman who likes to go unnoticed in a room. Come and go, and it’s a good night if no one knew I was there.”

I spent most of our nights out in a group just admiring Remington from a distance and wincing every time he spoke to another woman on their own. And there were plenty. He wasn’t as obvious as Flynn, but the single ladies in the room noticed him and made sure they got their chance with him.

“True. But this time we want every man in that room to notice you, well, except my man, but we want the rest wondering who this goddess is in the red dress.”

“I don’t want every man in the room looking at me, otherwise I’ll be as red as this dress.” I sigh at the thought of being on show. “I just want one man to look at me and to be unable to look away until we get through this.”

“Oh, that’s guaranteed.” Tori checks her phone, and I know I can’t take up any more of her time. She’s working, and just because she is engaged to the owner doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to just take time during the day to go dress shopping with your friend.

I take one last glance at myself, and this time, really looking at myself, I can see what Tori means. I do look good, and if I want to make an impression and show Rem that I’m a confident, strong woman, then I have to take a step out of my comfort zone. Because I want him to want to tell me what is going on and who Cherie is. To know that I can handle anything that he needs to share about his life. I don’t want him keeping secrets to protect me.

“Okay, let’s get this one.” I bite my lip with trepidation at what will happen tomorrow night, but I know I’m in too deep now and I just have to run with Tori’s plan, hoping that one day I will be telling my grandchildren about what wild thing she talked me into doing. Correction, my and Rem’s grandchildren.

“Right, now let’s move on to the underwear.” Tori takes my arm as I’m exiting the dressing room, but I stop her walking and stand my ground in front of her.

“No! You’re going back to work, and I’m going to choose my own lingerie. I want this to be something just between Rem and me. You understand, don’t you?” I hope that she won’t be offended that I want to do this on my own.

“Totally.” Leaning forward, she kisses me on the cheek as she backs away from me, smiling. “Make sure it’s something so seductive that his body heats up so hot that nothing will hold him back and you won’t be wearing them for long.”

“I think I’ve got the brief, now go.” I shoo her and turn away from her, and she leaves in the opposite direction. Then I head to the underwear section of the store.

Of course, all this might be a waste of time, if we talk and he can’t get past what I accused him of or his explanation of his actions doesn’t satisfy me. I feel like we are dancing around a box that we suspect may have some explosive material inside. And it could all be sorted out simply, except no one is ready to open the lid to find out.

Why are relationships so complicated?

Walking through all the racks, I know I could wear nothing underneath that dress, it’s so tight it holds everything in place. Knowing I had been walking around all night completely bare, now that would shock Rem completely, in the best possible way. But I know how much he enjoys unwrapping me. I already have a drawer full of the gifts he has purchased for our midday dates, but nothing red.

It’s time to up the ante and watch him enjoy his present. Me.

That’s if he still wants me.

After everything, please let him still want me!

Chapter Twenty

REMINGTON

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