Bound to You: Volume 2 (14 page)

Here I am again. For some reason, I wanted to go to
Riptide.
I think it’s partly because this was the beginning and end of any real relationship I could’ve had with Nicholas. This is where I found out he had a fiancée. The club is bustling with New Yorkers as Ken guides me to a booth far enough from the dance floor. The closed off corner lends itself to a very intimate setting. We slide in the booth and I order a Midori Sour, my favorite.

“Thank you for inviting me out,” I say as our waitress leaves.

“You’re welcome.” Ken smiles and rests his arm at the top of the booth. “I’m glad you accepted.”

“I needed a night out.”

“Good, I was afraid Nicholas was going to fire you.”

I want to tell Ken everything, but there’s no easy way of explaining it – if there’s even an explanation. “Ken, there’s something I need you to know."

“Oh no, he didn’t fire you, did he?”

“No…” My heart squeezes at the memory of Nicholas’s hands on me.

Our waitress returns with our drinks and I order another. I’m going to need a couple more drinks to get through this conversation.

“Something happened between Nicholas and me.”

Ken looks at me like I’ve gone insane. “What do you mean something?”

“Well the other week when we were in the elevator…”

“You did something in the elevator?”

I laugh nervously. “He took me to his office, and at first I thought he was going to fire me, but then he started kissing me.”

Ken’s mouth drops open. “I thought I told you to be careful,” he says, shocked. “I didn’t know you were actually interested in him.”

“I’m not,” I say defensively.

“But you guys kissed?” Ken argues.

“Yes, and it went too far.”

Ken’s eyebrow arches. “How far?”

“We…we had sex.” I blush. This was a bad idea. How can I ever look at him again without thinking of this awkward conversation? I take a sip of my Midori Sour, hanging my head in shame.

Ken’s expression makes my heart ache. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Sorry, Becca, I just thought you were better than that.”

Ouch.
I don’t even know what to say to that…

“I’m sorry, I’m being an ass,” Ken says, rubbing my shoulder.

“Why would you say that?” Tears slip out from the corners of my eyes. I can take most people thinking I’m a floozy, but Ken thinking it is not okay. I look up to him. I like him.

“Becca, I’m an idiot. I’m sorry. I’ve liked you since I met you, and I know you don’t feel the same, but I want you to know…you’re amazing.”

Ken’s revelation nearly knocks the wind out of me
. You like me?

I wish my heart could sort out my feelings. I know Ken is a great guy, but the reality is – I can’t get Nicholas out of my head. I’m sure I would be happy to be with a guy like Ken. He’s caring, smart, and, although he’s a little shyer than me, I know that doesn’t mean he’s not a tiger in the sack. I pull Ken in an embrace and kiss him on the cheek.

“Thank you, Ken. You’re amazing, too.”

“Thanks.” A small blush traces his cheeks. It’s adorable. “Thank you for being my friend.”

“Always.” Ken raises his class and clinks it against mine.

As we sit there, quietly observing the crowd of people around us, Carol’s words about Ken not being my type slowly resurface.
Why can’t I be attracted to a nice guy?
It’s like I’m bound to always fall for the asshole.

“It must not be your night,” Ken says.

“What do you mean?”

“Your Mr. Tall, Blond, and Dangerously Gorgeous just walked in with his fiancée,” Ken says sarcastically as he nods toward the club entrance.

“Huh?” I turn and look over my shoulder to see Nicholas walking in with Alison on his arm. Her creamy pink Chanel dress reminds me of a more contemporary version of Jackie Kennedy’s dress. But even Alison doesn’t compare to the way Nicholas looks tonight. The jeans and plaid shirt he’s wearing hugs his muscular frame. I can’t help but remember his warm hands trailing down my skin. I squeeze my knees together, fighting off the desire between my thighs.

We watch as Nicholas and Alison make their way to the second level of the club reserved for VIPs.

“Are you sure you want to stay?” Ken asks.

I look back at him. “I know you’re worried about me, but I’m okay.”

“Let’s get a couple drinks in us and get on the dance floor,” he offers.

After yet another Midori Sour I’m starting to feel unstoppable as we head to the dance floor.

“You’re a really good dancer,” Ken yells over the music.

I feel a warm sensation creep over me as we move to the music together. The drinks are starting to kick in to my system. I usually have a high tolerance, but tonight I’m really feeling the alcohol. I giggle in excitement as the DJ starts playing “I Feel So Close to You” by Calvin Harris. The club comes alive as bodies flood the dance floor in groups.

We spend the next five minutes laughing as we try out new dance moves. I show Ken my infamous running man move, and he shows me how to do the water sprinkler. Ken may be shy, but he’s just as fun as Carol. We make our way over to the bar, and just as I’m about to order another drink, Tristan Knight appears only a few feet away.

He heads toward Ken and me as we bounce to the music, waiting for the bartender to pay attention to us. It’s a little surprising to see him here. He wasn’t with Nicholas when he arrived at the VIP section. I wave to Tristan, wondering if he’ll remember me. The last time we were at
Riptide
seems like ages ago.

His face breaks into a smile as he spots me. He’s wearing a sharp blue shirt and dress pants.
He must be coming from work.

“Do you know him?” Ken asks.

I smile. “I do.” Tristan gives Ken a once over as he passes by another couple to get to us. He doesn’t seem too surprised to see me here.

“Hi, Rebecca,” Tristan says, slightly bumping as someone passes him from behind. He ignores the stranger and keeps his eyes trained on me.

“It’s nice to see you again.”

“It’s great to see you. How are plans going for the opening of the art exhibit?”

“Wonderful. Carol is very talented.”

“She is,” I say. Ken clears his throat, reminding me that I haven’t introduced him. I step back and introduce the two gentlemen to each other.

“This is Carol’s cousin, Kenneth Phillips.”

“Nice to meet you.” Tristan’s smiles briefly before turning his attention back to me. The crowd on the dance floor disperses as the DJ changes the track to a slower song. John Legend’s voice bellows out across the dance floor as the DJ plays
All of Me
. A handful of couples make their way to the center of the room. It’s like Jr. High all over again. Slow dances were the awkward moments where I spent most of my time being the wallflower in the room.

“Ken, do you mind if I dance with your date?” Tristan asks.

“If she doesn’t mind,” he says with some reluctance.

“I would love to.” I’m surprised Tristan would want to dance with me.

I turn to Ken and he looks just a little disappointed, but it doesn’t stop him from encouraging me to have fun. He takes a seat at the bar and orders another drink, leaving me alone with Tristan.

“Shall we?” Tristan offers me his hand and we head to the dance floor. Unlike me, Tristan seems confident on the dance floor. He gently grabs my hand and twirls me in once graceful motion. I feel the air knocked out of me as he pulls me in close so that our chests are touching. My nerves are going haywire. It’s hard enough being around one gorgeous man, but two is just overwhelming. I sneak a quick glance up at him. His hair falls back in waves of black and his shirt makes his hazel eyes lean more toward blue.

“Nicholas tells me you’re doing a wonderful job at the company.” Tristan smiles as he catches me looking at him. I’m sure Tristan knows he’s handsome but you could never tell from his demeanor.

I look up to find Nicholas watching us from the VIP section. By the scowl on his face, he isn’t happy to see Tristan dancing with me.
What’s his problem? He’s here with her.
Alison sits beside him, engaged in a conversation with a waiter.

I laugh. “I’m surprised he thinks so.”

Tristan follows my gaze. He chuckles, ignoring the glare Nicholas shoots down at him. There’s a silent exchange of words between them. My heart flutters as Nicholas grips the rail of the second level.

“Nick can be an asshole when he wants to be. But he’s under a lot of stress.”

“I’m sure,” I say, unconvinced. Tristan grins as I roll my eyes.

“His father wants him to marry Alison because it means being able to keep their biggest investor.” The thought of Nicholas not marrying Alison had never crossed my mind until now.

“And if Nicholas chooses not to?”

“He’ll lose everything.” Tristan’s words shake me to my core. The few times I’ve talked to Stefan, he’s always seemed agreeable, charming, and extremely fair. It surprises me that he would even think of doing that to his son.
Who else would he give the company to?

“I grew up with Stefan. He was a wonderful father to me. He took me in and adopted me as his own, but he always had certain expectations of Alex, Nick, and Emily. When Alex died, it tore our family apart. Nick wasn’t himself after that. He was always getting into trouble with the paparazzi. For a good long while, he didn’t even want the company. He didn’t want to be the one to replace his brother.”

“That can’t be a good feeling,” I say.

“No, but I think he’s come to terms with reality. He’s not replacing his brother. He’s helping keep his memory alive by taking over the company. It’s as much a part of the family as he is.”

“He doesn’t really talk about his mother.”

A dark, clouded look crosses Tristan’s face. “She was poison. She married Stefan and then gave him hell. When Alex died, she sold the story to the tabloids, only she lied and trashed his memory. She said he was on drugs when he had his accident.”

“Wow, she sounds like a bitch.”

Tristan’s eyes connect with mine as he nods his head in agreement. “She was leaving Stefan and she wanted money – as much as she could get. It didn’t matter who she hurt. Every year around the same time she left, she contacts Nicholas and Emily, hoping they’ll send her money.”
Wow.

“That’s pretty heavy.”

“It is. I’m not trying to make excuses for Nick, but I know he cares about you.”

“He does?” I ask.
He sure has a fucked up way of showing it.

“Yes, whether it something he wants to admit or not.” Tristan spins me out and then into his arms. “Is he still looking?” he asks.

I look up to find Nicholas still watching us. I hate to admit it, but I wish he were down here dancing with me. “He’s still watching.”

“Good. I wanted him to see this.”

“What?”

Before I have a chance to move, Tristan dips me and then pulls me back up. The gesture seems innocent, except when he pulls me back up he kisses me straight on the mouth. For a few brief seconds our lips are locked. I can’t say the kiss is bad. In fact, if I had never kissed Nicholas, Tristan would be a runner-up.

“Sorry, Rebecca. I needed to do that.”

“Why?” I ask, breathless.

“For Nick.” His statement is so strange that I find myself frozen in place. My mind races to unravel the puzzle before me. I don’t understand. Tristan squeezes my hand and thanks me for the dance. The crowd suddenly breaks as I spot Nicholas speed-walking over to us.

Everything happens so quickly that I hardly have a moment to breathe, when Nicholas punches Tristan straight across the jaw. The crowd of gasps echo from all around us.

Holy shit.
Tristan stumbles slightly, but quickly regains his composure. He smiles, wiping the split in his lip. I’m not sure why he finds it funny, but it’s like he was expecting it to happen.

“Don’t you ever touch her again, you piece of shit,” Nicholas says, steaming with anger. He turns toward me and grabs my elbow, practically lifting me off my seat.

“What were you thinking?” he growls.

I snap out of my shock. One minute Nicholas is punching Tristan in the face, and the next he’s talking to me like he owns me.
Like I did something wrong.

“What do you mean, what was I thinking?” I maneuver out of his grasp and push his hand away. Tristan takes the opportunity to walk away, but Nicholas turns and punches him again.

“You fuck.” Nicholas hits him just below the eye, sending Tristan spiraling to the floor.

“What is wrong with you?” I yell, turning on Nicholas.

From the corner of my eye I spot two bouncers quickly approaching us. It doesn’t matter if I’m with two VIP members, they aren’t going to put up with a fight breaking out. A moment later I spot Alison making her way over to us. Apparently, she saw everything go down, too.

“Nicholas, what the hell?” Her voice rasps against her throat. “Why are you fighting with Tristan?”

“Alison, take the car and go,” he says without any explanation.

She stares at him, openly shocked. He doesn’t even move or flinch when she pushes past him in a huff of anger. Her angry glares sear me with hate.

“Jesus, Tristan are you okay?” I lean down to help him up.

“I’m fine,” he says, half-smiling. “I told you, Nick.”

“What?” I ask.

“I told you I would prove it to you.” Somehow, I think I’m missing out on something in this weird conversation.
And why isn’t Tristan angry?

“Leave him,” Nicholas commands. “We’re going.” He dusts off his shirt and grabs my hand as he ushers me toward the front door of the club.

“I’m not leaving with you!” I say, fighting the pull to be near him.

“Oh, but you’d leave with him?” he asks, pointing to Tristan. “My best friend?”

“Fuck you,” I blurt.

“You wish, sweetheart,” he says, laughing. “In fact, why don’t I take you to my car right now?”

“I’m sure Alison would love to know her fiancé is cheating on her.” I know it’s a low blow, but he’s ruined my night. He doesn’t answer me. He just stares at me in a way that I’m unsure if it means he wants to fuck me or fight me. Maybe both. “Yeah, exactly. Fuck off.”