Page 108 of Nothing to Deny

“You wouldn’t be the first woman to be played like that either.”

“But he let me into his life, Rox. I met his family, his father; I went to his home. He doesn’t do that with every client, and I know that because his father told me Baer never brought women around.” Wouldn’t take them long to figure out what he did if there was a constant parade of affluent women and a lot of cash coming in. “Why did he do that? To hurt me? And then…” Her glass met her lips again. “I tried to talk about it when we were away, and he made up his stupid rule…”

“His stupid rule?”

“I had a no sex while I was paying him rule—”

“Good rule.”

Roxie inspired.

“And he said we couldn’t talk about money.”

“Because you’d fight about it.”

“You know, it’s worse than that. He didn’t willingly let me into his life at all, I forced myself into it. I didn’t think at the time that I—do you think it was all about the payday? The vacation—”

“Maybe. But if he’s that kind of guy, you’re well rid of him.”

Roxie was being her friend, supporting her, and it was appreciated. She just couldn’t believe Baer was that good an actor. Had it been fake all along?

“I think you’re right…” Tipping the liquid into her mouth, she gulped until it was gone. “Let’s call the spa.”

THIRTY-FOUR

PLENTY OF CHAMPAGNE later, with more than a few cocktails thrown in, the music and intoxication were doing their work. Baer…? Baer who…?

Sigh. If only…

The Ruby Room was a place of joy, oblivion, openness. For those granted the right to be there. It was the super-restricted playroom of Zairn and Roxie. Ensconced beyond the VIP area of the exclusive Crimson nightclub, it was an extension of the Lomonds’ home, seventy-something floors above. Full of friends, safe, where anyone could get anything at any time. Hosting was what the resident couple did best. Publicly anyway, she wouldn’t venture to guess what they did best in private.

Bar visits weren’t necessary, unless someone particularly wanted to prop it up. Guests were taken care of there. Nestled in the corner of the couch perpendicular to the one reserved for Zairn Lomond, she was enjoying the latest full glass brought to her by a server.

Someone dropped onto the couch at her side. “Dere! You’ve been tucked up here all night. Time to hit the dance floor. Come on.”

“Tripp Breckenridge, you’re a secret sweetheart, aren’t you?”

“Secret? No secret, everyone knows I’m a teddy bear.”

“I know Roxie wants to take care of me…” Or more accurately, wanted him to take care of her. “But what would your mother say?”

“She’d have the church booked before breakfast. You’re one of her favorites.”

As they laughed, he threw an arm around her.

“You only get one shot with Roxie’s girls. We have rules. Don’t waste that shot on me. I’m not your forever girl.”

“No such thing. No woman will tie me down.”

They would if his mother had anything to say about it. Family was a big deal to the Breckenridges. A big, huge deal. While Deres were scarce, there was an abundance of Breckenridges. Alice Breckenridge, his mom, would always support her boys, no matter what, and the woman believed in the joy of love.

Did she believe in the joy of love anymore? Had she ever? Maybe once upon a time… to still believe would be sort of ridiculous.

A woman stepped up, out of the bodies dancing nearby to approach. Astrid. One of Roxie’s assistants. Young, sometimes a little uncertain, but a beautiful person with a heart of gold.

Astrid crouched in front of them and Tripp leaned in to listen to the words whispered less than an inch from his ear. A young woman like Astrid could learn a lot from an experienced guy like Tripp Breckenridge. But he wouldn’t teach, not Astrid… would he? Tripp liked women, that was for sure, but he wasn’t indiscriminate, he had his own… parameters.

She bet everyone in that room had had sex of some sort in the last two weeks. Not her. No. She’d slept with the hottest man she’d ever met and somehow had been stubborn enough, ridiculous enough, to demand he keep certain body parts to himself. What had she been thinking? Stupid rules. Why couldn’t she just let loose and have fun? What was wrong with her?

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