“Of course not.” I said lamely, with little evidence to support myself.
I’d moved here to avoid the drama, but here I was, wrapped up in even more than normal.
“Come on, Tess.” Eric mumbled, his gaze not bothering to even meet my own, “Let’s get some coffee.”
My once friend grabbed the ebony haired, furious woman by the elbow and practically dragged her down the hall. I could hear each of her high heeled steps storm furiously along the way.
She deserved to be made at me of course. She deserved to be mad at both Jake and myself.
Jake.
I needed to warn him that his spited woman was on the loose.
Groaning, I rubbed a hand across my suddenly exhausted forehead as I slid around the corner, rapping quickly on Jake’s desk.
I had to make this quick, or else rumors were going to start flying about our torrid affair quicker than I could even keep up.
Jake opened the door, blinking in surprise as I shoved at his chest and entered the office, quickly closing the door behind myself.
“I wasn’t expecting you so soon, Caroline.” He said, big green eyes blinking in surprise, “I mean I can’t blame you…”
His tan fingers flicked at his buttons, undoing the top two with ease as his tie came undone easily.
Distracted by the hint of muscle that his bare chest gave away, I swallowed quickly and shook my head. This was no time to be remembering the slick feel of his flesh beneath my hands, or the way our bodies melted together only hours prior.
“No!” I said aloud, more to myself than him, though it made him go still, “Is something wrong, love?” He asked curiously.
“Tessa.” I whispered, and his face slowly went a new shade of pale.
“Ah.” He said, sinking down in his seat, “I suppose I should have guessed she would be angered by something like this.”
“She’s in love with you.” I offered, sliding down into the seat across form him, “Of course she’d be unhappy after finding out…what happened.”
“She’s a woman who loves many things, Caroline, you’re right about that one. She has a taste for wealth, fashion, and sex. I’m simply a pawn to get those things.”
“What are you saying?” I asked, frowning at him.
“We’re not in a relationship, if that’s what you’re trying to ascertain.” He concluded, folding his hands sagely in front of him, “There was nothing more to our tryst than the desires of the flesh.”
“Like our own.” I laughed, shaking my head.
“Is that what you think?” Jake asked curiously, leaning back in his chair as his arms crossed over his chest, “You think that was just a one night affair, then?”
“Well, what else could it be?” I began to ask, only to have Jake’s office door fly open behind me.
“How long has this been happening?” Tessa screeched, stamping one foot on the ground like a spoiled child, “How long have you been seeing each other?” She demanded.
“It was only the one time, Tessa.” Jake said simply, glancing towards Eric who hovered in the background, “Is this everyone’s business then?” He asked coolly, eyes cold.
It was so strange, one minute Jake could be warm, melting my heart with his earnest kindness, and the next it was though his entire soul just flipped off like a light switch.
I wondered if that was how I was, as well. It must be, after all, I was willing to sleep with another woman’s man.
Or was that the case? Was it supposed to assuage me that Jake was much less invested in Tessa than she was into him?
Did she truly only want his money? Is that why tears smeared her mascara right at this moment.
“She can’t give you what you want.” Tessa suddenly whispered, her voice dripping with so much venom it sent a shudder down my spine, “She can never provide you with that one thing, Jake.”
I glanced back and forth between them, utterly confused. What couldn’t I give Jake?
“Why don’t you tell him, Caroline?” She whispered, “Why don’t you tell him how you’ll never be able to provide Jake Roma with an heir to his family fortune?”
My heart dropped suddenly into my chest, my entire body going completely still.
How did she know?
“I read into your file, you little slut.” She continued, “I read all about how you murdered your husband and lost your baby. But you lost more than that in the accident didn’t you?” She cackled, sticking a finger at me, “You’ll never have another baby again!”
“That’s enough!” Eric yelled, the first and only time I would ever hear his normally smooth voice rise an octave, “Tessa, that is enough.” He continued, much more calmly this time, as he gripped her arm and pulled her from the office.