Beyond the Velvet Rope (18 page)

“I see you’re speechless,” Elliot cooed. “Try not to make a habit out of it. I prefer my women to be a bit more vocal.”

Thandie could feel blood rushing to her face. “What makes you think I want to sleep with you?”

Elliot gave her a chastising look. “Come now, Thandie. Surely we aren’t playing that game again.”

She gave a humorless laugh. “You’re cute, Elliot, but not that cute.”

He gave her a disbelieving snort. “So you say.”

Arriving at Warren’s home at last, Elliot pulled into the circular driveway and parked the car. Swiveling in his seat, he stared at her until she met his gaze. “I think we should get a few things straight, Thandie. I have every intention of screwing you. Keep up this act, and I promise you’ll find yourself in a lot of trouble with me.”

“I’m not interested,” she said through gritted teeth.

Placing his hand on her headrest, Elliot leaned forward. “I could make you.” His finger brushed a wet lock of hair behind her ear. “Quite easily.”

With a swiftness that left her breathless, Elliot cupped the back of her head and moved her forward until her lips were mere inches from his own. His gaze was heated as he stared at her mouth. And then his lips came crashing down on hers.

Momentarily stunned, Thandie struggled to remember to breathe. Her fury assailed her at the exact second her senses returned. A strangled screech of outrage vibrated in her throat. Bringing her hands up, she pushed against his chest with all her might. In response, he dug his fist into the hair at the nape of her head and pulled. Thandie wanted to fight him, wanted to scratch his eyes out with her nails, but his dominance over her body and intoxicating scent overwhelmed her.

Sensing her surrender, his tongue swept into her mouth, plundering every corner with relentless possession.

Elliot pushed aside the material of her dress shielding her breast, groaning the moment he cupped her bare flesh in his hand. He rubbed the pad of his thumb across her nipple until it puckered under his touch. Although she wanted to be disgusted by him, Thandie was quickly melting under his seduction. The more he pressed, the more she wanted to submit. A throaty purr escaped her lips. Her blood was boiling, and her skin tingled. No longer pulling away from him, but moving toward him, Thandie pressed into him, savoring the taste of him.

Just as suddenly as his passionate assault began, Elliot pushed away, his eyes glowing with desire as his gaze focused on the junction of her thighs. “You’re wet for me,” he said. His eyes lifted to meet hers. “I can smell you.” He caressed her breast one final time before stroking his groin. “Sweet dreams, pussycat.”

“Huh?” His words unbalanced her. “I—”

“Good night,” his voice was shockingly stern.

Anger flared inside her. How dare he force himself on her and then kick her out? If this was how he normally treated women, she wanted nothing to do with him. “Good night,” she said through gritted teeth before all but jumping out of his car. Using her purse to cover her head from the downpour, she ran to Warren’s front door and quickly let herself in.

Resting her head against the cool surface of the door, Thandie fought to calm her racing heartbeat. Elliot Richards was truly a bastard. He’d known she was attracted to him, had probably planned that scene days ago. And she had fallen for it. Hook line and sinker. That bastard! Did he think himself so superior that he could toy with women at his will?

“Just who the hell do you think you are?” she whispered into the darkness.

Thandie vowed she would not play the fool again. Elliot Richards might easily be able to control other females, but she would not fall into that trap. He might be sexy, but not unbreakable. She would fight fire with fire. She would bring The Great Elliot Richards to his knees.

There was only one thing an arrogant man could not withstand. Rejection. His ego would be his downfall. A smile snaked across Thandie’s lips. Elliot Richards would never be invited into her bed.
Never
.

Chapter Twelve

“I
hear you’re the talk of the town in Miami. Cheers.”

“Thanks, Gage,” Thandie said as she switched the phone to her other ear. “I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

Gage gave a heavy sigh. “Don’t get all mushy. I haven’t the stomach for it, you know?”

Thandie laughed. Gage never changed.

“I understand
Us Weekly
is doing a mention on Club Babylon in their next issue,” Gage informed her.

“So are
People
and
OK! Magazine,
” Thandie said. She was thrilled and exhausted by all the attention the club had been receiving over the last few days. They’d finally managed to secure a performance date for Will.i.am. Even though the appearance was only for an hour and a half DJ spot, and on a Thursday night, the place had been packed with partygoers. It helped that a handful of local celebrities chose that evening to visit the VIP rooms. Security had their hands full holding curious guests at bay.

Long after Thandie had seen to Will’s safe exit from the club, she’d stayed behind to help Adam cater to their special visitors. The night had been long, and her rest had been short. Thandie was up extra early taking calls from columnists and TV reporters.

“You’re quite the little worker bee,” Gage mused. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to prove something.”

Gage was taunting her, but the comment held more truth than her friend knew. Thandie had been trying to make a point to someone. Elliot. Ever since their conversation in his car, she’d skirted around Elliot at every opportunity. As much as she disliked the company of his assistant Romero, lately she’d relied on him to pass on messages to his employer. Likewise, she filled her days with work, even taking on responsibilities she normally delegated to the girls.

Thankfully, Elliot seemed to have lost interest in her. He did not make any effort to seek her out.

Rex, the person she might have spent her extra time with, had unfortunately taken a trip to California to visit some advertising company Elliot did business with. At first, Thandie had assumed this had been a ploy by Elliot to prevent her and Rex from dating. However, when Elliot made no advances toward her during Rex’s absence, she figured she’d been wrong.

She had to face the fact Elliot might simply be all talk. Or he’d become bored by the idea of seducing her. If nothing else, life appeared to be business as usual for Elliot. He and his partner-in-crime Nico, a man who seemed to have nothing better to do than indulge himself, took care to flirt with the prettiest women in the room and eventually sneak away to some secluded place. Without question, not having to encounter Elliot made Thandie’s job less nerve-racking. It was exactly what she needed.

So why did the idea piss her off?

Her unexplainable attraction to Elliot was not the only thing that Thandie lost sleep over. For the last week, she’d been keeping a suspicious eye on Warren. He had yet to mention his family to her again. In fact, he was careful not to mention anything remotely related to what had happened earlier this week. As far as Thandie could tell, Warren was fully restored to his old self. There was no trace of the broken old man she’d witnessed that night. He never betrayed any trace of embarrassment or vulnerability. The burst of emotion had either been a random occurrence due to his drunken state, or Warren was masterful at concealing his pain. Whatever the case, he appeared to have blocked out his drunken confession entirely.

About the most exciting thing to happen at the Radcliffe residence were visits from Warren’s divorce lawyer, visits that had become more frequent lately. Apparently, things were heating up in the legal proceedings.

Nibbling on her bottom lip, Thandie sat on the edge of the bed to slip on her heels. “Gage, I’m hurrying off to a meeting. Can I call you back later?”

“Who are you meeting with?”

“Mira Dietrich.”

“Hmm,” was all Gage said.

Thandie stopped fiddling with her shoes. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing really.” Casually, Gage asked. “Have you ever met Mira?”

“No, her secretary set up the appointment.” Actually, it had been more of a summons.

Gage tsked. “Well, I have met her. My advice is don’t let her gray hair fool you. Mira Dietrich is a shark. She’ll swallow you whole and pick her teeth with your bones.”

“That’s a comforting picture,” Thandie grumbled.

“The good thing about Mira is she’s direct. If she wants a piece of you, she’ll let you know. Better to know where the knife is coming from, rather than guess. Be careful what you say.”

“Noted.” Thandie looked around the cluttered bedroom, searching for her purse. “Is there anything else you want to add before I jump into shark infested waters?”

“Nothing comes to mind,” Gage chirped. “Have a good meeting.”

“Thanks for the heads-up.”

“No problem. I—ah! I forget to mention my sighting.”

“Sighting?” Thandie, tossed aside a garment, still looking for her purse. “Who did you see?”

“Cam.”

This news made Thandie pause. “Cam?”

“The one and only,” Gage said with a laugh. “I ran into him the other night.”

“You did?” she asked. “Where?”

“At the premiere for the new Brandon Audrey movie.” As if reading her mind, Gage added, “He was there with a group of people from BHP. No female companion, just in case you were wondering.”

“I wasn’t,” Thandie said quickly.

“Of course not,” she said. “Well, better be hurrying along. I have a phone call coming through.”

Thandie stared into space long after she hung up with Gage. Hearing Cam’s name caused a fresh wave of guilt to wash over her. Gage had seen Cam out alone. That was curious. She’d been led to believe Cam’s relationship had survived what had happened during Fashion Week. Had Cam and his girlfriend broken up?

Spotting her clutch purse on the dresser, Thandie snatched it up and headed out the door. When she was downstairs, she stepped into the living room, and found Len working on her laptop. Len looked up and beamed at Thandie.

“Mira?”

Thandie nodded. “I should be back within an hour. Will you and Raja be all right without the car?”

“Sure,” she said lazily.

Pulling her keys out of her purse, Thandie waved. “I’ll let you know how it goes—”

Both women jumped when Raja burst into the room. Without saying a word, she pulled Thandie and Len with her to the farthest corner of the room. Her face was bright with excitement. “I have gossip!” she whispered loudly.

“What do you got?” Len demanded, suddenly all business.

Raja looked around the three of them, ensuring they were indeed alone. She leaned forward. “Warren cancelled all Wife Number Five’s credit cards two days ago.”

Thandie and Len gasped.

Raja nodded her head, agreeing with their shock. “Supposedly, she’s livid. She was still in Rio, living it up and now she’s stuck there with nothing.”

“Why now?” Thandie asked. “Warren’s been hesitant to do anything to upset her.”

“Because,” Len said with a dramatic sigh, “the divorce negotiations have been going so badly lately. Warren’s lawyer insisted she be cut off to put pressure on her to cooperate.”

“That’s right,” Raja said thoughtfully. “I forgot about that. Well, she’s pissed off now.”

“Serves her right,” Len declared.

Thandie looked between the two girls. She did not want to know how Len and Raja had come by this newest information. Deciding it was better she leave now before things got too interesting, Thandie slipped from the room. She doubted the girls realized her absence. They were too busy coming up with new theories for the outcome of Warren’s divorce.

Turning her thoughts away from Warren, Thandie focused on what was to come. She had dinner plans with Mira Dietrich, the reigning editor of
Look,
a premier social newspaper in the Miami-Dade metropolis.
Look
was a weekly syndicate which played double duty of reporting high society events, fashion updates, and spreading gossip about Hollywood celebs. It was a one stop shop to get the pulse of Miami nightlife. Making it therefore imperative that Thandie gain Mira’s favor to promote Club Babylon.

Thandie arrived at the Tides Hotel at exactly one minute ’til seven. Handing her car keys to the valet, she smoothed her suddenly clammy palms over her skirt. She had dressed carefully, accessorizing herself conservatively. She did not want to risk offending the temperamental editor. Since Warren’s house party, Thandie had tried to get in touch with Mira. Every attempt had been unanswered. Mira clearly did not see Thandie as a credible contact. But that had been over two weeks ago. Now, due to a string of successful performances, Club Babylon was the talk of the town. The call from Mira’s office had been welcome.

Giving her name to the hostess, Thandie was led to the terrace where Mira Dietrich sat at a bistro table. Dressed in all black, with pale wrinkled skin, and oversize eyeglasses she looked formidable. Her long fingernails and thin lips were painted blood red. She seemed as welcoming as an ill-tempered witch. Clutching a cigarette between her boney fingers, she stared at Thandie, unsmiling and unapproachable.

“You’re late,” was the first thing she said.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting,” Thandie said, nonplussed. She slid into the seat opposite Mira. Thankfully, the wind was blowing against her back, making the cigarette smoke float away from her.

“My time is valuable,” Mira snapped.

“I’m sure it is.”

Mira narrowed her gaze at Thandie, making the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepen. The setting sun glinted off her oversize glasses, intensifying her stare. She clicked her tongue and then gave a snort of laughter. Tapping the ash of her cigarette into the wind, Mira said, “I like your spunk. I’ve decided I’m going to like you.” She tilted her head to the side. “It’s hard to impress me.”

Thandie raised her brow. “I’ve impressed you?”

“For the moment,” Mira agreed. “You should know I’m easily disappointed.”

She gave a tight smile in response.

Thankfully, their server chose that moment to come and take their orders. Once they were alone again, Thandie tried to engage her in light conversation. Mira did not attempt to hide her boredom. Finally, after five painful minutes of forced civility, Mira decided to put Thandie out of her misery. She explained why she’d invited her to dinner.

“I want pictures inside the club,” Mira said, pointing her cigarette at her. “And you’re going to get them for me.”

Thandie smiled pleasantly. “I’m sure you know as well as I do that Elliot enforces a ‘no camera’ policy.”

“Your job is to change his mind,” Mira informed her. “You’re the publicist for goodness’ sake.”

“Yes, Mira, I’m aware of that fact, but Elliot still needs persuasion.”

“Well, then,” the older woman made a shooing motion with her hands. “Persuade him. Meanwhile, I want pictures of VIP guests. See if you can get me some of Shaun Cross. He’s a personal favorite of mine.”

Thandie shook her head. “I’m not committing to anything, Mira. Not until Elliot gives the okay. And it doesn’t look like that will happen anytime soon.”

Mira pursed her lips and then extinguished her cigarette stub in her water goblet. “I want those pictures.”

By the time dinner was over, Thandie did not feel her chances of working with
Look
were good. Mira needed more convincing to give Babylon a mention. She would have to talk to Elliot about the “no camera” policy.

* * *

When Thandie arrived at Warren’s home, the windows were brightly lit. Just as she was letting herself in, Len and Raja were coming down the stairs. They were dressed in nearly indistinguishable strapless mini dresses and sparkling stilettos.

Len smiled when she saw her. “How did it go with Mira?”

“Well enough,” she replied.

“I knew you would work your magic,” she boasted. The comment was watered down by the inattentive trailing of Len’s voice. She’d found a mirror in the foyer and set about playing with her hair.

“Where is Warren?” Thandie asked.

“He left for the club about an hour ago,” Len said distractedly.

“Are you coming with us?” Raja asked.

Thandie shook her head. She had not planned on going to Babylon, or anywhere else tonight. She was too tired. Reaching into her purse, she held up the car keys, and said. “Here you go. Have fun tonight.”

Len clapped her hands together. “Can we drink?”

“Absolutely not,” she said firmly.

Len gave a pout worthy of a two-year-old.

Thandie sighed. “I can’t afford for one of you to get a DUI down here. It wouldn’t look good.”

Raja snatched the keys out of her hands. “That’s fair. Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“I’m sure,” she said. An image of Elliot Richards flashed in her head. “In fact, I’m positive I want to stay here.”

“Okay,” Len chirped. “Don’t wait up.”

“I won’t,” she assured her. “Be careful,” she called after them as they made their way out the front door.

“We will,” Len promised.

“And don’t get into trouble,” she said.

“We won’t,” Raja shouted back.

“We won’t drink and drive,” Len added.

“And we won’t get caught doing anything illegal,” both girls chanted in unison.

Thandie shook her head. It was doubtful they would be back before sunrise. She was well aware the girls ventured to the club as often as possible to party with the locals and drool over Elliot. Any other time, Thandie would have been nervous to let them roam free, but tonight she couldn’t care less. Her dinner meeting with Mira had drained her.

Thandie headed straight to her room. Taking a quick shower, she crawled into bed and checked her emails on her phone. For a fleeting moment, she considered calling Cam. Just as before, she rejected the idea. It was too late to call.

Tossing her phone onto the comforter, Thandie nestled beneath the covers. The days of constant work had finally caught up with her.

* * *

Thandie woke up screaming.

There was a woman standing over her with a wild look in her eyes. Thandie leaped out of bed and grabbed the bedside lamp for defense. Outrage spread over the woman’s face.