Beauty from Pain(63)

She drops to her knees in front of me and reaches for my belt buckle. “You know what I can do for you and you love it. I know you remember how much you love being in my mouth.”


I try to push her hand away, but her grip is like steel. “No, Audrey. There’s someone else.”


She immediately stops, but her grip doesn’t loosen. She’s angry. I see it in her eyes. “There will never be anyone else for you but me. I’m the only one who knows you, Jack.” She puts emphasis on my name as she says it.


“You might know who I am, but you’ll never be the one for me.”


“This new woman doesn’t know your name. She’s just another no one to you. You don’t owe her monogamy.” Again, she’s fumbling with my belt. “I’m right, aren’t I? She’s no one special. Just another one of your fake relationships.”


I’ve had more than enough of this and there’s only one way to make her stop this nonsense. “Quit, Audrey.” I lean forward until we’re eye to eye. She thinks I’m going to kiss her, but she’s dead wrong. “I know you started the fire at Chalice. I also know you poisoned Marguerite and I’m here to give you the courtesy of a warning. Don’t f*ck with me, Audrey.”


She sits back on her heels. “Jack …”


“I don’t want to hear it. I came here to let you know I’m on to you. Now I’ve done that, so put your coat back on and get the f*ck out of my sight. I never want to see you again.”


She grabs her coat from the floor and cinches the belt. “You’re going to regret what you’ve done to me.”


“I already do.”


After I leave the hotel and I’m closed up in my car with her scent, the only thing I can smell is that damn sweet, floral fragrance. It’s on my skin and clothes and I despise it. I can’t believe I ever thought it was pleasant, let alone appealing. It’s nauseating and I want it gone. Now.


As soon as I’m back at the vineyard, I forgo calling Laurelyn and head straight to the shower. I have to wash away the last bit of physical contact I hope to ever have with that crazy bitch.


I hear Laurelyn’s ringtone, “Crash Into Me”, as I stand in the shower scrubbing my skin, but she’ll have to wait until I erase the last evidence of Audrey’s touch from my body.


I listen to Laurelyn’s voicemail as soon as I’m out, not even waiting until I’m dressed. “Hey, caveman. I just wanted to tell you something before I went to bed. Call me back when you get a chance.”


I walk toward the bedroom wearing only a towel and call her immediately. I don’t want to wait another minute to hear her voice. “Hello.”


“Hey, baby.”


The tone in her voice elevates. “Hey, you. I’m glad you called. Normally, I’m not all that excited about this and needing to share it with anyone, but you wanted to know, so I’m calling to tell you I got my period.”


Hmm. I’d forgotten about it, so I guess I wasn’t as worried as I thought. “That’s good to know.”


“I thought you’d like that. Have you been very busy today?”


What’s kept me busy while I’ve been here disgusts me. “I’ve been busier than I wanted to be, but I’ve still thought of you.”


“That’s a sweet thing to say. Everything okay at the vineyard?”


I fully expect it to be now that I’ve told Audrey I’m onto her little game. “There are some definite issues at Marguerite, but I think I’ll have them under control soon.”


“So, they just needed the big man to come along and take care of things. Show them how it’s done, right?”


Yes, the big man is on campus. She has no idea how big the big man really is. “You’ve got it, babe.”


“Will you still be staying until New Year’s Day?”


I don’t want to, but it’s necessary. I wish I could be back to celebrate with Laurelyn. “I’m afraid I have to. Will you be making plans with Addison for New Year’s Eve?”


“She’s going to The Blues Club with Zac and they’ve invited me to go. It’s open mic night again.”


I’m certain that means Ben Donavon is going too and will probably consider Laurelyn his date, but I don’t ask because I don’t want the confirmation.