“So what did you do today, Luc?” she asked clearly trying to keep the conversation friendly. Only the answer was going to be more than she expected.

“I went to a gala I hold every year to raise money for an abused women’s shelter that I started up two years ago. The gala was at the Plaza Hotel this afternoon and we raised two million dollars. We beat last year’s record. The shelter is called, 'A Place to Go' and it basically provides food and shelter for abused women with their children. With the funds we raised today, we will be able to help these women get on their feet once they leave the shelter. That means finding them a new apartment in a new town so their abuser can’t find them and helping them with jobs, furniture, and food.”

Once I finished speaking I realized she had stopped chewing her food. “And you say you are bad because…”

“Vicky, you don’t know what my intentions are for setting this up. The shelter is to make me feel better about my past mistakes. It’s not selfless; it’s selfish. I am not a good guy. Keep remembering that as we eat because you will need to stop me from coming on to you at some point this evening if I hang out any longer.”

“You keep saying you're bad and I get you’ve made some mistakes in your past but can’t you forgive yourself? You’re clearly a good guy and you go out of your way to help people. There has to be a time where you need to let whatever you did go,” she said, admonishing me.

“Are you ready to let go of your past, Vicky? Are you ready to figure out what’s happening between us?”

Her green eyes go round and she popped a rice and avocado roll into her mouth. “No, Luc, I’m not ready,” she admitted sounding defeated. We continued to eat our meal quietly. I thought she would have more questions for me about why I run the shelter, but maybe her own imagination was running wild so I let things be.

Once we were finished eating, I cleaned up and put the leftovers in her fridge. “Are we on for dinner tomorrow?” I asked, hoping the answer would be yes.

“Why?”

“Because I enjoy your company, is that not enough?”

“Yeah it’s enough, Luc. Dinner tomorrow, same place same time.”

I moved in close to give her a kiss and I noticed how her breathing quickened. My own heart was beating fast. I wanted nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and tell her that everything will be okay, but I didn’t know that it would be, and I’m done making promises I couldn’t keep. I gave her a small kiss on the forehead as I took in the fresh smell of her shampoo. Her eyes closed and then opened. When she looked into my eyes, her own eyes were soft and caring.

“Thanks for helping me, Luc.” Her lips curved up and my chest warmed at the sight of her smile.

“It’s my pleasure, Vicky,” I grinned and turned away. “Lock your door.”

I entered the elevator and pressed the button for the twenty-fourth floor. My heart had been left behind on the twenty-third floor. I knew I needed to do something drastic because as much as I wanted to help her, I would be no good for her. She has been broken and beaten. She didn’t need to know the likes of me.

Chapter 12

Vicky

I woke up in a large comfortable bed feeling lonely and horny. I thought I might have had more than one wet dream about Luc and the many ways he could get me off. My body and mind were clearly at war because my mind said that Luc was right, neither of us were in a position to commit. Yet my heart was calling out for something else and breaking down my defenses in the process.

I quickly went through my morning routine, knowing that I needed to be at Bryce’s office that morning to start my internship. He hadn’t gone into any detail about what would be involved and I had already agreed. The man was good at convincing people.

***

Twenty minutes later I was dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans and a short sleeve turquoise blouse. It was the most professional outfit I had on such short notice.

Derek was waiting for me on cue at nine o’clock sharp to drive me over to Tyson, which was luckily a short drive in the morning traffic.

As I made my way up to the fortieth floor my stomach turned, wondering if Scott Wellington would be in the building and wondering if Luc would really be able to find those tapes. The thought of being outed publicly sent me into fits of panic. Walking briskly through the busy lobby I took in all corners of it, but Scott was nowhere in sight. I was relieved when the elevator filled up with people so that there was no chance for him to be alone with me. As the elevator climbed more and more people stepped off and fear began to claw its way up my throat at the thought of him finding me.

When the elevator finally landed on the fortieth floor, I felt slightly sweaty and relieved that Scott hadn’t found me. I stepped out of the elevator to walk down the long hallway to Bryce’s office, as memories of the wretched night that Scott raped me invaded my mind. Walking up to the secretary’s desk I asked to see Bryce and was nervous to find out if Scott had already been here and revealed the truth or even worse, if he would have had the nerve to blackmail Bryce.

“Of course, Vicky…he’s waiting for you, he is just finishing up with someone,” the secretary replied with a kind smile. She knew my name…wow… I took a seat in the waiting room. I could hear Bryce’s voice from down the hall telling someone that he would be in touch. Then he walked out to the waiting room and when his gaze landed on me, his eyes were warm. I returned his gaze with a smile but my stomach dropped when I saw the man he would be in touch with was Scott Wellington. My heart suddenly felt like it would burst out of my chest and my throat felt like a noose was tied around it. Scott spotted me out of the corner of his eye but didn’t pause. He continued walking giving me a brief wink that only I noticed.

“Vicky,” Bryce said, extending his hand for me to join him. I walked toward the office putting one foot in front of another. I was shaking from the inside out. I know I’d paled and I hoped that Bryce didn’t notice, but I was thinking fat chance. We entered Bryce’s large office and I felt small, like the small town girl that I was in the large extravagant space. I took a seat in the chair situated in front of his desk and he leaned back on his desk.

“Are you okay? You look a little pale?” he asked. Yes, I look pale I just came face to face with my attacker, who is now blackmailing me.

“Uh yeah,” I picked at a non-existent piece of lint off my pants and felt Bryce’s eyes boring into me. He looked from me to the door and ran his hand along his chin. I didn’t think he would be that observant to notice the effect Scott had on me. Men don’t notice small details.

“Vicky, how are you? Did you get settled into the apartment okay, last night? I meant to call you to check in but I had a teleconference with China that lasted longer than I expected.” He spoke fast, but his grey eyes were warm and soft as he smiled kindly. I was relieved that he didn’t pay my physiological situation any more attention. I was still dizzy and my breaths were fast and clipped, but I tried to remain focused on his words.

“Thanks, Bryce, the apartment is more than I could have dreamed of. You are too generous. I would like to return your credit card though, that won’t be necessary,” I said politely, not wanting to offend his kind gesture. I put my hand into my purse searching for the card and then pulled it out. “Here.”

“Vicky, I know you didn’t want special treatment but all my kids have a credit card that I pay, you wouldn’t be any different in that regard,” he explained. He was wearing a tailored blue suit and his demeanor seemed light and relaxed as his hands were tucked into his front pockets.