Power, page 15
The fuck? Did something just move behind the garage? I lift my head, but don’t pull out as I search for whoever was watching.
“What’s wrong?” Raven turns her head.
“Nothing, I thought I saw someone.” I look back at her and kiss her berry lips.
“Wait, what? Who?” She tries to look again, but I see nothing, and I’m still riding the high of having one of the best orgasms of my life.
I’ll have Iain check the property to be sure. Right now, I’m gonna eat pizza, drink wine, and cuddle with Raven. I slowly pull out as she groans in protest.
“It was nothing, baby.” I kiss her again, because I can’t seem to stop, and stand. Reaching for our wineglass, I walk over to the brick outdoor oven where the bottle sits and look over at the spot where I thought I saw something.
Nothing.
I flick on the bistro lights, still nothing. Grabbing the bottle and glass, I return to Raven who is smiling, her legs crossed, looking so beautiful and happy. A feeling of contentment flows over me as my eyes caress her face.
“Put your robe on, my love. I’m gonna have Iain turn the cameras back on and walk the property.”
“Really? I wanted to go skinny-dipping.” She pouts, and for a moment I almost say fuck it. But Rachel could come home anytime.
“Not tonight.” I hand her the wine and pick up her robe as her eyes peruse my body.
“You’re so hot.” She grins. Sitting up, she places one leg on each side of the lounger. My eyes dip to her wet pussy on display for me, and my cock is hard already.
“Robe, Raven,” I hiss.
“Oh, alright.” She takes a sip of the wine.
Gritting my teeth, I watch her neck as she swallows. She’s testing me. My hands ball into the robe. I’m ready to spank her ass, then make her gag on my cock. Maybe we should go back upstairs to her room?
Finally, she stands and takes the robe. “I’ll be back. Let me get some clothes.” Not waiting to see the look on her face—I don’t need to—I can feel her disappointment.
I rush up the stairs. This is the right thing to do. Rachel may be a bitch, but she doesn’t need to see me with Raven.
I frown, kicking my door open and grabbing my sweatpants and a T-shirt. Christ, when did I become a hypocrite? I don’t give a fuck if anyone sees me fucking. But it’s different with Raven. The need to share her is not there. In fact, it’s the opposite, if I’m honest. I’ve developed an almost animalistic rage at the thought of anyone touching her besides me.
Control, Jett.
Get these urges contained.
Rachel is your fiancée, and Raven… you shouldn’t even be thinking about anything more than having pizza and watching TV with her.
This is what you want, I keep telling myself as I walk down the stairs.
This life, my job, everything that I’ve worked so hard for. No worries, no feelings, no drama.
Order.
So why do I feel robbed that I can’t go skinny-dipping in my pool with Raven?
RAVEN
I turn over and open my eyes. Something woke me. Blinking again, I try to clear away the cobwebs from the wine and get my mind to focus.
Something’s wrong. I sleep like the dead. Sighing, I prop myself up on my elbows. My mind replays last night. Jett and I made love. He was mine, connected, kissing me, loving me. I probably didn’t need to be so transparent about my feelings for him, but whatever. I’m sick of lying. I’m crazy in love with him, and he needed to know.
“Why are you smiling?” Someone sitting in the corner chair leans forward.
Bolting up, I grab the sheet.
“What the fuck, Mom?” My heart and head pound. “Seriously, what are you doing in my room?” My voice is getting louder. What the hell?
“Your room?” She stands and walks over to the window. This is creepy, even for her. Like this is a whole ’nother level of crazy.
“Yes. My room.” I toss off the covers, only to remember I’m naked as my skin pebbles with uncomfortable goose bumps.
She looks like she hasn’t gone to bed yet. Her makeup is a mess; her perfect clothes are wrinkled. God, how long has she been sitting here, watching me?
“This is not your room.” She slants me a look.
I try to rationalize things and calm my terror. Surely Jett will save me if I scream.
“Whatever.” I straighten my shoulders back.
She turns to full-on look at me, as though she’s just now taking me in.
“I have no idea what’s going on, but get out.” I spin around, moving to my dresser for a bra and panties.
“You stupid, delusional girl.” Her voice is low. She lights up a cigarette.
Wow, she’s got to be plastered. Jett hates smoking, and my mom knows it. She never lights up in the house.
I take a deep breath, my eyes shifting to the door. When did this room get so big? It feels like that door is miles away. I can still yell…
Stop it.
She’s your mother. She’s not going to hurt you. Pull yourself together, Raven, I repeat over and over. Biting my bottom lip, I slip my panties on.
“You come into my house and try to steal my man? Oh, sweetheart, I think we need to have a mother-daughter talk.” She blows smoke up at the ceiling, and my heart thuds. This is bad.
“Excuse me?” I say slowly, grabbing the first shirt I see in my drawer. Screw the bra.
“Oh, save the innocent act for Jett.” She snorts. “I knew you were seducing him for a while, you little traitorous cunt,” she screams. Her red lips look bizarre, like she has four balls injected in them, two on top and two on the bottom. Jesus, she reeks of booze.
“You’re drunk, so I’ll pretend this didn’t happen, okay?” I snap back while pulling out some black yoga leggings. I just want to get clothes on, some kind of barrier from her madness.
“Oh, I don’t think so. You need to go. Here.” She tosses what looks like an American Express Black Card on my bed. “Take the card and get out. You don’t need to bother showing up for the wedding.” She takes another drag.
Ugly words, hurtful words.
She’s got to be the worst person alive. To be honest, I don’t think she ever loved me, but this, buying me off, it’s almost laughable. My heart skips. If she is this desperate to get rid of me, that must mean she thinks I’m special to Jett.
I take a breath. “Mom, I’m not doing anything with Mr. Powers besides going to work with him. I have no idea what this is all about.”
She takes a step closer to me, and I despise being short, or as my father lovingly says, petite…whatever that is. Though I try to move away from her, she reaches for me with that claw of a hand.
“Mine. He’s mine. Don’t think I won’t do anything and everything to keep him.” She shakes me.
“Get off me, you old hag.” I rip my arm away. My face is on fire with humiliation and anger. I’m done with her. This abuse stops now.
“Hag? How dare you—”
“I dare everything. You have zero idea who I am.” I face her, and her eyes widen.
“You really are a stupid girl,” she sneers, smoke dancing around her pale face, making her look cartoonish.
“I’m far from stupid. Now, take your bribe money and get out of my room.” I look at the bed and the card.
“Maybe use it to get some more shit injected in your face. You’re looking a little tired today.” It’s petty and beneath me, but she’s a terrible person, and I have no intention of letting her destroy me anymore.
Straightening, she brings the cigarette to her mouth and inhales deeply. The smoke escapes her nostrils. “Well, well, well. It looks like you just might have some of me in you. But you’re playing a game you can’t win. You think you know Jett?” She smiles, and I want to cover my ears because I know what she’s going to say will hurt me.
“You think you can actually keep someone like him interested?” My mother shakes her head. “Has he shared you yet, Raven?” She smirks as my brain starts to buzz, like little bees trying to protect me from what’s coming next.
“Because that’s what he likes. He gets off watching, and fucking, other women. It’s what he does. So you thinking you’re special is kind of laughable.” She licks her lips, dropping the cigarette and putting it out with her heel.
“This, my stupid little girl, is why he’ll never leave me. Because I like it too.” She saunters to the door, then turns. “You don’t believe me? Make sure you’re home tonight, my love. You’ll see firsthand exactly who and what Jett Powers really is and what he likes.”
She walks out, her heels clicking on the floor, or maybe it’s my teeth. I’m shaking.
“What the fuck?” I look around as if the room can answer me, give me the strength I need to compete with someone so awful.
“Think, Raven, think,” I say, closing my eyes, then opening them.
I need Jett.
I rush over to my phone and stare at it. What am I going to say? My mom might finally have snapped. You’re engaged to a bad person who says you will want to share me. Oh, and by the way, I’m in love with you in case you didn’t get that last night…
“Oh my God.” I drop my phone and pace the room. Okay, I need to get ready for work. I can do that; then I’ll get some coffee and try to talk to Jett.
“Perfect.” I march toward the bathroom. I’m in and out of the shower, barely even remembering it, my mind is spinning so much. What did she mean about tonight? Are they planning some kind of… what? Orgy? Threesome? I grab on to the sink because I refuse to believe her. He’s not like that. He can’t be. She’s just trying to scare me. I look up at myself in the mirror and stare. Somehow, I look different. I don’t know what it is, but I’m certainly not the same person who showed up a month ago.
Clearing my throat, I straighten and grab some lip gloss. I’m pale now that the horror has worn off, so I apply some light blush… I need to talk to someone.
Cher.
I need her. There’s no way I can handle this alone.
After tossing all my cosmetics back into my bag, I pull my hair into a tight bun and get dressed for the day, secretly hoping he’s sitting in the chair my mom was in, waiting for me.
He’s not. Of course, he’s not. Quickly, I put on some flared dress slacks and a white starched shirt, then roll up the sleeves. I slip on a pair of plain black pumps and reach for my phone. Huffing in and out in short breaths, I call Cher.
“Pick up, Cher,” I grumble as the phone just rings. Finally, I hang up and text.
ME: I can’t begin to get into how fucked I am. Where are you?
She’s probably not gonna see this for hours, and I need to go to work. How am I gonna sit next to him and pretend I’m fine? Should I tell him what happened?
I grab my bag and slowly walk out, looking to make sure my mom isn’t around, then speed walk down the stairs, almost colliding with Jett. I scream.
Frowning, he holds me. “You okay?”
“I—”
“Oh, there you are, Raven. Jett and I were just discussing our date night tonight. I’ll have Maria make you dinner. You don’t mind, right?” She’s wearing her stupid red silk robe again, hair wet and off her face, but she’s reapplied her makeup.
“Rachel.” Jett sighs as he lets go of my arms. “Raven can eat with us.” He walks over to grab his suit jacket.
“Why would she? That would be… uncomfortable.” She slithers over to him as he looks down at her. Bile rises in my throat. Watching him, with her, is making me physically ill. What can he possibly see in her? Because all I see is a manipulative, hateful person.
“I’m not feeling well,” I announce, watching my mom smile up at him, then glance over at me, eyes narrowed. My hand is tingling. Jesus, for a second I actually saw myself slapping and clawing at her fake face.
“Let’s go. We’re late.” He buttons his suit, frowning at me.
“I really don’t feel well at all.” I was wrong. I can’t be near him right now. It hurts too much.
I need to think, regroup, get a plan, because this one has matured into a situation my heart can’t seem to handle.
Not after last night.
“Oh dear.” She cocks her head at me. “Jett, Raven should stay home today. If she has something, you don’t want her giving it to everyone.”
I barely hear my mom’s voice as I stare at Jett. His beautiful blue eyes search my face, and for a split second he looks like he might actually touch me. Instead, he nods.
“Get some rest. You’re pale.” He turns to leave.
I don’t wait to hear anything more, not from him, or my mom. I take off my pumps and dart up the stairs, slamming my door and locking it. In a moment of almost paranoid terror, I rush over to the giant leather chair my creepy mother was sitting on and push it in front of the door.
“What are you doing?” I drop into it, trying to catch my breath as my phone starts ringing.
“Shit.” I reach for my handbag, praying it’s Cher, but deep inside I know it’s not.
“Breathe, Raven.” I shouldn’t answer this phone call, should ignore all calls from him, but it’s like a compulsion. I need him, or at least that’s what it feels like right now.
“What?” My voice sounds like I’m ready to cry, which I am, but he certainly doesn’t need to know that.
“What’s wrong with you?” His voice is so strong, powerful. I close my eyes, feeling the tears already trickling down.
“I… just don’t feel well,” I whisper.
“You’ve been taking your birth control, right?” His voice, which only seconds ago seemed magical, makes my eyes bolt wide open.
“I never said I was on the pill.” And I know I haven’t. I’ve been surprised he never once questioned me about any sort of birth control. Actually, I figured he’d had a vasectomy. Clearly not.
“Do you think I’d come inside you if I didn’t know you were on birth control? I don’t want kids. I always wrap it up.” Again, his voice is so calm, in control, I almost want to lie and say I haven’t been taking it just to hear some sort of emotion rather than his sanctimonious tone.
“What are you talking about?” I’m two seconds from losing it. “How could you know that I’m on the pill?” I demand, covering my mouth with my hand. My leg starts to bounce.
“I have all your medical records.”
“So you spied on me?” Though I’m tempted to scream, or lose it, I keep my voice steady.
“Of course,” he says like it’s no big deal.
And I start laughing. It’s either that or break down and sob.
“Why?”
“You know why.” His voice is calm, almost soothing. It’s how he always wins. He stays calm, controlled, no surprises.
I shake my head and stare out the window. I’m completely in over my head with a man who seems to have zero conscience. Strike that. I’m in love with him, even knowing exactly what he is: an asshole.
What’s wrong with me?
Shaking my head, I close my eyes and speak slowly. “Jett, I’m not sick because I’m pregnant… I’m in love with you.”
There, I did it.
It’s out there, and I don’t regret it. If anything, his silence actually makes me smile. Slumping back in the large chair, I wait as the seconds tick by.
“Did you hear me? I’m in love with you, and seeing you with my mom makes me sick. I want to throw up, probably will. Thinking about you, and how you feel when you’re inside me, and knowing you’re doing that with her…”
“I’m not.” His deep voice makes me sit up.
I try to calm my racing heart, but can’t breathe. Holy shit, this is it. He’s going to say the words I need to hear.
“We will talk about this later.” His voice is clipped, almost annoyed sounding.
“That’s all you’re going to say? I’m not? I’m not what?” I demand, because I’ve come this far, so why stop now?
“I’m not discussing this on the phone.” His voice is full of warning.
Inhaling deeply, I nod, then let the hysterical laughter come out.
“Well, at least you don’t have to worry about pregnancy. You have a good day, Mr. Powers.” That’s enough humiliation for today, or any other day. I’m about to hang up.
“Raven.” His voice stops me.
“What?”
“I haven’t been with your mother, or anyone else, since the day I took your virginity.” And then the line goes dead.
JETT
“Becca, call Doug Jefferson and tell him I’m passing on the Hopper case.” I walk past a stunned Rebecca who jumps up from her seat as if I’ve scared her.
“Yes, of course. Do I give him a reason?”
Glaring at her, I swing my massive office door open.
“I’m so sorry. Coffee?” she calls after me as I shut the door. She’ll bring me coffee and every kind of Danish since she knows she fucked up by questioning me.
I should just call it a day, I think, looking at my Rolex. It’s almost three. I spent way longer than I wanted to today in court, only to be hit with nonstop messages about taking this murder case as soon as I got out. It’s the type of case I should jump at: wealthy woman killing her husband of twelve years. She said it was because he had just found out he was dying and that it was a suicide. I can definitely work that, even with the lack of weapon or any real concrete testimony saying that he was indeed terminal.
It will be a major event. Paparazzi will eat it up. They need something since the Disciples case is over. Young, beautiful Mrs. Hopper, a former Playboy bunny, found depressed, older husband dead because he couldn’t handle going through a lengthy death.
Yeah, I’d kill it, but since I’ve fucked myself into a predicament, literally, the thought of work doesn’t hold any allure at the moment.
Raven.
My little Lolita, speaking her truths, not letting anything stop her.
Fucking balls.
I admire that. Today she put it all on the line, and I know I need to end it. Standing, I walk to my liquor cabinet and grab a bottle of whatever is closest, then drop back into my chair and spin around to look out of the giant office windows. I unscrew the top of the bottle and drink as though it’s water instead of fucking whiskey burning a path from my throat down to my esophagus.
