New Beginnings (82 page)

“You’re not going to answer me, are you?”

I twisted the stem of my glass between my thumb and index finger. “That depends. Is this a deal-breaker for you?”

“Yes.”

“Fine,” I said, feeling resentful that I had to share more about my past than I wanted to. It was ugly, and now that I’d met her, I wasn’t proud of it. But I couldn’t erase it. “Yes. I had a relationship with Melanie. It wasn’t exclusive, but I did buy her the earrings as a birthday gift.”

The waiter appeared with our seafood platter. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

“No, thank you.” I hoped she would let it go after getting the answer she’d been seeking, but of course, that was wishful thinking.

“How many others?” She carefully selected a piece of grilled calamari, along with a shrimp, a scallop, and a spoonful of the accoutrements. “How many of the other models have you slept with?”

I remained silent, getting angrier with each question.

“You don’t have to answer me. Just be aware that I won’t be one of many. I have too much self-respect to—”

“Just stop it,” I seethed, leaning in. “That’s enough. It doesn’t matter how many others there have been—”

“It matters to me.” She sliced the calamari, popped a piece into her mouth, and chewed carefully as she met my gaze head-on. “I won’t be made a fool of by any man. I don’t care how much money you have. My body isn’t for sale, so if that’s what you—”

“Don’t insult me… or yourself. If I gave a lover a gift, it was because I chose to, not because I was trying to buy her. I know you’re not for sale, and the gifts I sent you weren’t intended to sway you. I saw those items, and they made me think of you. Period.”

Her expression softened. “I’m sorry if I sound harsh or judgmental. I don’t intend to. I just need you to know where I stand. I can’t be with a man who’s had sex with every one of my co-workers. Knowing that they’re talking about me behind my back—”

“Who cares what anyone else thinks?” People who catered to public opinion without considering their own thoughts and feelings first had always been one of my pet peeves.

“I know you don’t because people wouldn’t dare talk about you behind your back or to your face. But not all of us wield the kind of power you do.”

“Trust me—if anyone says anything about you, or to you, that hurts you, come to me. I’ll resolve the situation.”

“You can’t fight my battles for me,” she said.

“Yes, I can.” She’d been standing on her own two feet with no support for too long. It was time for her to realize I intended to relieve her of her burdens.

“I don’t want you to,” she said slowly, as though she were talking to a small child. “I like knowing I can take care of myself.”

I drew a deep breath, trying to see things from her perspective. It wasn’t easy. I was accustomed to forcing my opinions on people, but if I tried that with Mia, she would walk away without a backward glance. “Fine. I’ll let you handle things as you see fit then. Will other women tell you they’ve slept with me? Yes. Will it be true? Probably. Did it mean anything to me? No. Are you satisfied?”

“How do I know I’m any different?” she asked, looking at the food on her plate.

For the first time since she’d walked into the restaurant, I saw a crack in her self-assured veneer, and I liked it. I needed reassurance, and I liked that she did too. “Let me prove it you.”

“How?”

“Actions speak louder than words, my beauty. I won’t tell you. I’ll show you.”

***

I called Eleni into my office later that afternoon, intent on putting my plan into action.

“Hello, Mr. Starkis.” She smiled, putting a little sway in her hips as she crossed my office. “Your receptionist said you wanted to see me?”

“Yes, have a seat, Eleni.” I folded my hands, propping my elbows on my armrests. “I understand you and Mia are close.”

She frowned as she sat up straighter. “Yes, we are. Why do you ask?”

“Mia and I have become quite close as well.”

I could tell she was stunned. Good. That meant Mia had kept her word. She hadn’t told anyone, not even her best friend, about us.

“I had no idea,” she said. “I don’t understand why she wouldn’t have told me. I thought we told each other everything.”

“Please don’t blame her,” I said, trying to soften her with a warm smile. “I asked her to keep our communications private…for now.”

“I see. Then why are you telling me?”

“Things have changed. She broke up with the boyfriend.”

Eleni smirked, drawing a smile from me.

“This pleases me,” I said. “I trust you feel the same way?”

“You have no idea.”

“Her living situation is about to change, and I’m not sure I like the idea of her living alone in that building. It isn’t safe.”

She narrowed her eyes as though she were trying to figure out whether I was for real. “Just how close are the two of you, Mr. Starkis?”

I smiled indulgently. “Please, call me Deacon. Now that your friend and I are… involved, I’m sure you and I will be getting to know each other better.”

“You gave me your business card in the elevator the other day because you—”

“I knew you were Mia’s friend, and I wanted us to become friends as well. There was no hidden agenda.”

A slow smile crept across her face. “That’s why she got so freaked out when I told her about it. She was trying to play it cool, but I could tell it was bugging her. I couldn’t figure out why ‘cause normally she couldn’t care less about who I’m seeing, but the thought of us together really set her off.”

I was amused. Eleni was much more brazen and outgoing than her demure friend. I could see how they complemented one another. But I also sensed that Eleni could lead my Mia into temptation, creating trouble for me. “I know the two of you go out together a lot… clubbing?”

“What about it?” she asked, seeming suspicious.

“I’d like to ask you to take care of her for me. She means a great deal to me, and I would hate for anything to happen to her.” Of course, that would never happen as long as Mia’s bodyguard was on my payroll, but Eleni didn’t have to know about him yet.

“When you say take care of her, are you asking me to make sure she doesn’t hook up with other guys?”

“Has she expressed an interest in… hooking up with other guys?” I didn’t often use slang, and it felt foreign on my tongue, bitter and distasteful when I was using the words in reference to Mia.

She shrugged. “We talked about it before we fell asleep last night. She hasn’t been single in a looong time. I encouraged her to play the field, see what’s out there.”

“Hmmm… I was hoping you’d discourage that.”

Now that Mia was finally single, all of the men who’d taken an interest in her over the years would start lining up. I had no intention of letting them get close enough to tempt her. “There’s nothing anyone else could give her that I couldn’t.”

Eleni raised her hands. “Look, I know I could get fired for saying this, but Mia’s my best friend, and I love her like a sister, so I’m just gonna come right out and say it.”

Trying to conceal my amusement at her buildup, I said, “I wish you would.”

“You’re a… a… man-whore.” She blushed furiously. “Okay, maybe I could have chosen a different word. Player… is that better?”

I slid a gold pen through my fingers, tapping the end against my mahogany desktop. I let her squirm as she awaited my response, but to her credit, she didn’t try to apologize for offending me. I admired her courage.

“You’re right. I have enjoyed the company of many beautiful women over the years, perhaps too many.”

“That’s just it. I don’t want her to get hurt.” She leaned forward, cupping her hands over her knees. “Mia’s a good person, Deacon. She has a kind heart. But she’s also been blessed—or cursed, depending on how you look at it—with a gorgeous face and body. That makes her a target for rich, good-looking guys who want a trophy wife or girlfriend. Do you think you’re the first one who’s propositioned her? Trust me, it happens all the time.”

I wasn’t surprised, but hearing that confirmation made me uneasy. I knew Mia wasn’t impressed by my wealth or status. Since I had a lousy track record with women and was considered condescending and ruthless by most, why would she want to give me a chance?

“I’m sorry to have to cut this short,” Eleni said, glancing at her watch, “but I have another appointment.”

“Wait. We didn’t get to talk about the apartment. That’s the real reason I called you in here. Mia deserves a nicer place to live, and I really don’t want her to live alone.” Until I could convince her to move in with me, I would feel better knowing she had her best friend to keep her company. “I’ve asked her to let me get her a penthouse downtown.”

Eleni rolled her eyes. “Gee, I bet that went over well. You don’t get it, do you? She’s not looking for a sugar daddy. She just wants a guy who will love her and treat her right.”

Sugar daddy? I was twelve years Mia’s senior, but I still didn’t think the term fit.

“Well?” Eleni asked impatiently. “Do you think you can be that guy, or are you wasting her time?”

“Yes, yes, I can. I will.” I hadn’t planned to defend myself to Mia’s best friend, but I admired her protective streak, so I indulged her.

She beamed. “Good. I’m glad to hear that.” She clapped. “This will be fun.”

Mia

I was hanging out at Eleni’s apartment, waiting for Drew to clear out of ours, when she stormed in.

“When were you going to tell me?” she demanded, tapping a ballerina flat against the plank floor.

“Tell you what?” I barely resisted the urge to squirm. I hated it when she looked at me as though she’d caught me doing something I shouldn’t be. “What’s your problem?”

“I thought we were best friends,” she said, resorting to the puppy-dog eyes that made every man within a three-mile radius bend to her will. “Like sisters, you said.”

“Yeah…” I rolled my hand, encouraging her to continue. “And?”

“I thought we told each other everything.”

Clearly, she was building up to dropping a bomb I couldn’t see coming, which made me nervous. What did she have on me?

“We do.”

“Clearly,
I
do.” She folded her arms, raising her chin in her “haughty Lady Gaga stance”—as she called it. “While you enjoy keeping secrets.”

“Would you just tell me what I did already so I can either be outraged you would think so little of me or throw myself at your feet and beg for mercy?” We’d been down this road before, usually with me at fault since Eleni couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it.

“You and Starkis.” She narrowed her eyes. “When were you gonna tell me you’re hooking up with the boss man?”

Uh oh.
Time to do a little good old-fashioned groveling. “First of all, we’re not hooking up. But how did you know we were… talking?” Technically, that was all we were doing. I could still claim we were just friends since the man had barely touched me.

“He called me into his office today. Apparently, he’s concerned about your living arrangements.”

I couldn’t believe he’d outed us without even talking to me first, especially since he’d been the one demanding secrecy! “My living arrangements? Why is that any of his business? More importantly, why is he talking to you about it?”

Of course, he had tried to talk to me about it, but I wouldn’t tell my best friend he was trying to turn me into a kept woman.

“I’ll get to that in a minute,” Eleni said, sinking into the bright pink armchair across from me as she set her feet on the striped ottoman. Apparently, righteous indignation took a lot out of a girl. “First, I want you to start at the beginning, and don’t leave out a single detail. How did this happen? When did he contact you? Why? Have you two—”

“Would you just hold up a minute?” I said, raising my hand. “I’ll get to your questions one at a time.”

Since he’d decided it was time to let the cat out of the bag, I was finally free to unburden myself.
Hallelujah
. I wanted to know if Eleni thought I was crazy for getting mixed up with a controlling, sexy, opinionated, obsessive freak who was making me as crazy as he was.

“Fine.” She sighed. “How?”

“He just emailed me out of the blue one day. It started out innocent enough. He wanted to welcome me to the company and tell me how pleased he was with my first photo shoot. I responded politely, thanking him for the praise and opportunity. I told him I was excited to be a part of Alabaster’s and was looking forward to future opportunities with his company.”

“That’s it?” Eleni looked disappointed. “That doesn’t sound so scandalous.”

“No,” I said, stroking Rosie, who was napping with her chin on my leg. “His emails didn’t start shocking me until a few weeks later.”

Eleni looked delighted at the prospect of shocking information. She clapped as she tucked her legs under her butt and sat up straight. “Tell me more.” She beckoned with her hands. “What did he say? Did he tell you he wanted to do you?”

I winced at her tactlessness, even though after so many years of friendship, nothing surprised me. I was definitely the prude, and Eleni was the wild, adventurous one. Deacon probably should have emailed her instead of me. At least she wouldn’t have been on the verge of hyperventilating every time she was in a room alone with him.

“At first he just wanted to get to know me better. He asked about my family, how I got into modeling, where I went to school, what I studied, what my future aspirations are—stuff like that.”

Eleni fake-yawned. “Get to the good stuff. I need a nap before my date tonight.”

“Then he started asking about my relationship with Drew. He wanted to know how long we’d been together, whether I was planning to marry him, if I’d ever cheated on him.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That I’d never cheated and we’d talked about marriage but I was in no hurry. I said he was a decent guy, just not very ambitious.”

“That’s an understatement. His idea of a day’s work is going back and forth from the couch to the fridge a few times.”

“Anyway,” I said, determined to ignore her Drew jibes, “from there, the questions got more personal. He asked me how many lovers I’d had, about my sexual preferences, whether I’d ever experimented with certain things.”