Daring Confessions (Bend To My Will #10) (4 page)

Chapter 5

During the week, Vivienne found herself daydreaming at her desk. It couldn’t be helped. Images of Jacob in the heat of passion captured her thoughts, distracting her from the mundane. Submission was a feeling that all might not understand, but it was one of Vivienne’s greatest pleasures.

Outside the playroom, Vivienne was strong-willed and independent; she considered herself dynamic. Yet when the doors of the intimate room shut, she was Jacob’s to command. It was a relief, as she didn’t have to decide or control. She had only to obey and enjoy. It was sexually thrilling, and each new interlude increased her appetite for more.

What she hadn’t predicted was that sex outside the playroom would also be hot. Jacob had a talent for satisfying her, and he didn’t need any special furniture or toys to do so, although those were delectable too. It was the way he knew what she liked, and took care to provide it.

Vivienne loved Jacob for many reasons, not exclusive to sex. But those intimate moments drew them closer, and bonded them inextricably. After having such affection and deep emotion, she couldn’t accept anything less.

Jacob had spoiled her, and now Vivienne would prefer loneliness over being intimate with any other man. She was encouraged by the change in him, as well. It was subtle, but she sensed he didn’t resist the relationship as much as he had. Jacob accepted how she felt about him, and was less reserved than he had been before.

It was a good sign, and Vivienne hoped for more such changes. Yet she didn’t push it, knowing better now what she was up against. Her closeness to Jacob was extremely gratifying, and she cherished it, trying to be happy with what she had. But she couldn’t give up hope that he would someday tell her that he loved her.

Vivienne’s phone vibrated on her desk, startling her out of her dream world. It was Alfred. She let it ring a couple of times, and took a breath to refocus on the present.

“Good morning, Alfred.”

“Hi, Vivie. Am I interrupting something?”

“Nothing I can’t get back to later.”

“I wanted to run something by you.” Alfred proceeded to go over the recent developments in their online venture. He detailed facts and figures that showed profitability and steady expansion. Vivienne was pleased about all of that, and relied on Alfred to keep her up to date.

“So I’m thinking of cloning our online operations and implementing the same in my business,” Alfred said. “It wouldn’t be exactly the same, as my customers are stores and their perfume counters. But I don’t see any reason that I couldn’t sell online and eliminate the need for marketing visits.”

“That sounds brilliant to me, Alfred.”

“There are some kinks I’d have to work out. My customers are used to seeing me, so I’d have to visit some of the time. But I could increase my book of business by taking on new stores, without doing it all in person.”

“I can see it working. It’s all about what they get used to. With new business, you’d just set it up that way from the start,” Vivienne said. “Your regular customers would shift to the new system gradually, I imagine.”

“That’s the way it will probably go.” Alfred seemed satisfied with that. “And the new scents? When can I test them?”

“Very soon. There’s a quality check I want to do, then you can come by for them. It’s always good to have your feedback,” Vivienne said.

“How are you otherwise? How’s it going with Jacob?”

“Better than you’d think,” Vivienne said, “but the future can be unpredictable.”

“I’d really like to see things work out for you. It took me a bit to get to know Jacob, but he’s a decent guy. He seems good for you.”

“He is…very good for me.” Vivienne’s heart warmed at the mention of Jacob. “So how about you? Have you met anyone that you really like?”

Alfred laughed. “I’m still playing the field. I don’t know, Vivie.” He sighed. “I may be too old for dating. It’s a struggle. A woman can seem interesting, but after a date or two I can see we aren’t a good match.”

“That’s too bad.”

“It’s the little stuff, you know. I like theater, she doesn’t. She wants to drink and dance, when I prefer a cozy night at home. I guess I’m too picky.”

“You’ll find someone, Alfred. I know you will.”

“I do hope so. The single life doesn’t suit me,” Alfred said. “I need someone to share things with.”

When the call ended, Vivienne pondered what he’d said. Her issues with Jacob always seemed to be about the big things. In all the smaller ways, they were very compatible, and a good match. The relationship was better than she had been able to imagine having with a man before she’d met Jacob.

Yet the issues they had seemed insurmountable at times, and she had trouble envisioning getting past them. But recently Jacob had given her hope without realizing he was doing so. Vivienne sensed that the wall around his heart was crumbling, little by little.

Pushing aside her personal issues, Vivienne went out to see Michele. Despite merging with Jacob’s team, much of the daily tasks hadn’t changed. There were still customers coming in to make purchases, larger accounts to deal with, and counters to shine up for the best presentation of the perfume bottles.

She checked on things, and Michele assured her that she had everything in hand. There was some good news too. When Luke graduated from college, he wanted to come on full time. “He’s a computer programming whiz,” Michele said. “And there’s plenty of opportunity within your new management structure.”

“I’m happy to hear that,” Vivienne said. “It would be good to have Luke continue with us. He’s been very loyal.”

“Yes, it won’t be a problem hiring for the warehouse. In fact, with the new staff that has already been added, we might not have to worry about replacing him.”

Vivienne let her manager get on with her duties, and resumed her final blending of the new scents. They were nearly finished, and Alfred was anxious to have them. She was proud of the perfumes, and couldn’t wait to see if he agreed they were marketable.

*****

Later that week, after aerobics, Vivienne grabbed coffee with Lana. Her friend’s new agent was coming through, and several auditions had been scheduled. “For some really good parts, too, Vivie.”

It was good to see her friend so upbeat about her career. Maybe Lana would get one of those parts. Better yet, it might be a breakout role for her. Vivienne could see that happening, not only because Lana wouldn’t give up, but because she was truly talented.

More notable than the upcoming auditions was Lana’s news that Trace had talked about her moving in with him. She hadn’t agreed yet, as she wanted to make sure things weren’t moving too fast. But it looked likely.

“I’ll give you plenty of notice,” Lana said. “I am seriously considering the idea. But I would miss you, Vivie.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” Vivienne laughed. “Besides, you almost live with Trace now. I rarely see you at the apartment.”

Lana giggled. “You have a good point.”

Vivienne couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to move in with Jacob. It would eliminate all the back-and-forth between her apartment and the penthouse. Plus, she’d have all her clothes in one place. Even better, she’d get to see Jacob every day, instead of mainly on weekends.

Yet it wasn’t realistic to think that would happen anytime soon, if at all. Jacob hadn’t suggested making their relationship permanent; the subject just hadn’t come up. He still avoided discussing such things as love and romance. Vivienne sighed, and wondered if that would ever change.

Later that day, Vivienne took a long lunch to meet Sophia. When Jacob’s mother had suggested they shop on Fifth Avenue, then have lunch at the café in Armani, she was delighted. “It will give us a chance to get to know each other better,” Sophia had said.

First, Vivienne met her inside Armani for some shopping. “It’s so good to see you, Sophia.”

“It’s good to see you, Vivie. I thought it would be nice for us to visit. And you can help me find a couple of things for our trip.”

“When do you leave for Sardinia?”

“Next week, so we’ll be gone for the holiday.”

“Does your family usually get together for Thanksgiving?”

“It’s always been sporadic,” Sophia said. “With so many different careers, and so much travel, it’s difficult to get everyone together at the same time.”

They browsed the store, and it didn’t take long for Sophia to find a quilted wool coat that fit her well. “That looks marvelous on you,” Vivienne said, noting that the light blue matched Sophia’s gray-blue eyes.

After trying on a few other items, Sophia settled on a piped chino jacket in a misty gray color. “I can wear this on the days that aren’t as cool.” She handed it to the sales clerk to put it in a bag and charge her card.

A cropped embroidered jacket caught Vivienne’s eye, so she tried it on in front of the mirror without bothering with the dressing room. It was a lovely cream color with embroidery detail. She went back to the counter, where Sophia waited for her transaction to process.

“I’ll take this one,” Vivienne said, handing the jacket to the clerk. She smiled at Sophia. “I need something for the holiday. This will work great. It’s very versatile.”

Once the bags were handed to them, Sophia suggested breaking for lunch. “I skipped breakfast,” she said. “I got up too late.”

They went to the Armani Ristoranti on the top floor. The décor was trendy Italian and very dazzling. After settling into one of the white circular booths, they studied the menu. Sophia suggested a glass of Grillo, a white wine from Sicily.

“I’d love to try it,” Vivienne said. “That’s not a grape I’ve heard of.”

“I’ve had it here before, and it’s very crisp. I’d describe it as sunny.”

The wine was served promptly, along with a basket of bread. Vivienne ordered sea scallops with potato gratin, and Sophia chose the pasta. While they waited for the food to arrive, they chatted about a variety of subjects.

Sophia was very relaxed, and she talked about her family. Vivienne was intrigued to hear more about her other sons, and also about Daniela, having met her once. The closeness of the family was evident in how Sophia spoke of them, and talking with her made Vivienne feel like a part of the family.

She told a few stories that made Vivienne laugh. And she talked about Rinaldi Imports, and how things were when Vico was in charge. “Jacob does an outstanding job of running things,” Sophia said. “I’m glad he took an interest, because my other sons chose different career paths.”

Vivienne was dying to learn more about Jacob, and felt like she knew her well enough now to ask her. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I’m curious…about Jacob.”

“Yes, dear, I’m sure there’s much more you need to know.” Sophia sipped her white wine, and it struck Vivienne how elegant she was with her classically styled sandy blond hair and her delicate features.

“You know he told me all about the adoption, and how you and Vico accepted him into the family.”

“Yes, Jacob is my son, as much as the others. It was tragic what happened.” Sophia looked thoughtful. “Not many young men could have survived it as well as he has.”

“I’m sure that has a lot to do with the love he was surrounded with in the Rinaldi family.”

“I’m certain that was important. And we do love him very much. Having witnessed the whole thing at the time, it’s still difficult to believe how his biological father treated him.”

“Jacob still harbors bad feelings about all of that.”

“I know he does,” Sophia said. “We did get therapy for him when he was very young, but after that, Jacob wasn’t interested.”

“Didn’t the therapy help?”

“I think it did,” Sophia said, “but it only went so far.” She looked sad. “Jacob needs something we couldn’t give him. He needs to…resolve the issue…for himself.”

Vivienne’s heart went out to Sophia, knowing how her own mother would feel if she was unable to do anything about the impact of such a traumatic event.

“Flora died because of the abuse,” Sophia said. “We don’t talk about it anymore, but I know Jacob blames himself for his mother’s death.” Her eyes glistened with tears. “He was only a boy, Vivie. It was Carl Hahn’s doing, not his.”

“I know that,” Vivie said, “but it still eats him up inside.”

Sophia put her hand over Vivienne’s. “You’re good for him. I haven’t seen him behave with any woman like he does with you.”

Vivienne wondered how her relationship with Jacob looked through his mother’s eyes. “I love him, Sophia.” She sighed. “I just don’t know how to make the past go away.”

“That’s up to Jacob. But I am so happy he has you, honey. I was afraid he might remain alone…not let a woman in,” Sophia said. “But I know what it is to have a wonderful marriage. I can’t imagine life without Vico. I wish the same for Jacob.”

Vivienne couldn’t imagine life without Jacob either. Yet marriage seemed so far out of reach. “Sometimes I don’t know what to do, Sophia.”

Sophia leaned over to give her a hug. “Just love him. That’s all you can do, honey. And have faith.”

It was such a relief to share her feelings with Jacob’s mother, the one woman in the world who understood. She had raised Jacob, been with him since his tortured youth. And she clearly adored her son. Sophia’s encouragement gave Vivienne a warm feeling inside. She thought things might work out after all…and prayed that they would.