Frog Prince Read online

  “Really. Perhaps you're not aware what a good artist can get for his work.”

  “How much were you paid for that thing out there?”

  Sam laughed. “That's none of your business. Besides, it's really rude to ask what a person makes.”

  “I got you the damn job,” Chase countered. “You should be a bit more grateful. Rebe, help me out here.”

  Rebe looked from Chase to Sam then back to Chase. But she didn’t say a word.

  Sam shrugged his shoulder. “Chase, perhaps you should check out a couple of galleries and price great art. By the way there's an art show─”

  “Forget it. If you have something to do with it, no way am I going.”

  Chase paced a few steps around the office throwing his hands up in annoyance. He stopped before Rebe and gestured toward Sam. After a few moments he glared again at Sam. “Would you leave us alone please?”

  For a moment it looked as if Sam had no intentions of leaving or of answering Chase. But the moment he turned toward her and gave her that, ‘I want to kiss you look,’ Rebe knew whatever came out of his mouth wouldn’t be good.

  “Rebe, don't forget that thing we were talking about.” Sam smiled then finally left the room.

  The instant the door closed, Chase was glaring at her. “Rebe what's going on? You know Sam did that deliberately and after I got the job for him. You’d think I’d done something to harm him. I was trying to help him.”

  “I’m aware you were trying to help Sam by recommending him to the partners. And I’m sure he does appreciate it. It’s just…well; Sam is not one of your biggest fans. I have to be honest. He doesn’t think you’re going to keep your end of the deal. He doesn’t hold out much hope that you can be faithful. And he is still pretty ticked about what he thinks was happening at the restaurant.”

  “I don’t care what Sam thinks. You’re clear on our arrangement aren’t you?”

  “I’m clear, but I guess to outsiders it does look pretty creepy.”

  “Are you saying you don’t want us to work together?”

  “I’m saying perhaps we should stop using sex appeal to get clients. To be honest just saying it sounds a bit sleazy. I didn’t really put that much thought into it before. We were having fun and playing a game that only you and I were aware of. Of course I know you’d never expect me to ever leave with one of our potential clients.” Rebe frowned and licked her lips. “At least I hope not.”

  “Rebe, do you truly think so little of me?’

  “It’s been a strange day, and I’m a little anxious right now. Let’s forget it. I told you, you should have apologized to Sam earlier. Perhaps all of this drama could have been avoided.”

  “At least tell me this, isn’t Sam behaving a bit strangely for being just your friend?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “I've thought about this, Rebe. The only possible explanation for Sam to have gone off the reservation is something we both want and something that only I have. That would be you. . Or do I have you? I hope you haven’t changed your mind about us. Are we still together? Are we committed?”

  “We are,” Rebe said softly

  “Then why would you laugh at that painting?”

  “I'm sorry, Chase. It took me by surprise. But I wasn't just laughing at you. The entire thing was funny, not what I expected. I thought it was going to be a stiff and stodgy painting. I actually like it.

  “You're kidding me!”

  “No. I do.”

  “I wasn’t kidding. I'm going to sue Sam. There has to be some clause in his contract.”

  “Sorry, but there isn't.” Rebe shrugged her shoulder. “If you don't mind my saying so, you're making this worst by appearing to be such a bad sport. Take it in good humor, the other partners did.”

  “He didn't portray the others as a frog.”

  “But did you see how he had Mr. Black starring at the behind of a woman in a magazine? For sure I thought he'd be in trouble for that. But Mr. Black laughed it off. Even if he's furious he had the good sense to not let everyone know he was crazed.”

  Oops. The tension amped way up. Okay so maybe she shouldn’t have used the word crazed. Chase had stopped walking and was staring at her. And if she didn’t know better the look he had in his eyes was a bit crazed. She almost laughed at the thought. “I’m ready to change the subject. We’ve done enough talking about Sam.”

  “Not quite,” Chase replied. “What were you doing in here with him with the door locked? This is my office.”

  “I'm aware of that. I needed to talk to Sam in private.” Chase was glaring at her so she slanted her head finding it amusing that he was behaving like a baby. “If you must know, I was asking him to redo your painting.”

  Chase was staring at her as though he wasn’t sure if she were telling the truth or not. Rebe couldn’t really blame him. She’d sounded more like she was on Sam’s side than his. She sidled up to Chase and caressed his back while placing light kisses around the corner of his mouth. “Baby, I’m on your side,” she purred. Finally Chase was giving the tiniest of smiles.

  “And Sam said no to your request same as he did to me, right? Darn him anyway,” Chase sighed and returned Rebe’s kisses. “I’m telling you, he's gone from hating you to having a crush on you. What did you do to that guy? You shouldn’t have ever kissed him.”

  “I don't think there's that much power in my kisses,” Rebe teased. That stopped Chase. He returned to glaring and moved her a bit away from him. She needed to be close to his body in order to not think of Sam. Chase was still glaring but a look of confusion was on his hero handsome face trying to figure out if she was having fun at his expense. “Seriously, Chase, my kisses never made you behave in a strange manner.”

  He walked closer to her. “I've never had any complaints with you in the bedroom.” He tilted his head slightly. “Are you ….faking it?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Then what’s going on? Every time I turn around you’re kissing Sam, and you keep defending him. We're a couple. You should be defending me. Where on earth did he ever come up with the idea to use a frog as my image?”

  “I'm afraid that might be my fault.”

  “You told him to paint me that way?”

  “No, but when he took me to the dance, I may have called him a frog prince and…”

  “And he's getting back at you through me.” Suddenly Chase was all smiles. “I get it. That was a good one, Rebe.”

  Rebe looked away wondering why the idea of Sam being a frog had gone over so much easier with Chase. Then before she could stop herself words she'd had no intention of uttering came from her mouth.

  “I'm going to fly and visit my parents in a few weeks. I need to talk to them. It’s really important. Do you think you could go with me?” She watched as a panicked look came over Chase’s face and he turned as red as though he'd been out all day in the sun.

  “Rebe, we're in a committed relationship, but not that serious. A man only goes to meet a woman parents when they’re talking marriage. We’re nowhere near being at that juncture. Besides, I'm pretty sure I'm booked solid for the next two months.”

  He gave her a quick swipe on her lips. She couldn't really call it a kiss. Then he glanced at his watch.

  “Listen, I have a client coming in a couple of seconds. I need my office.”

  “Sure,” you liar, she was screaming in her head. She'd sat behind his desk and like any good lawyer, or fiction writer, or even a woman, his appointment book had been opened and well to heck with it, she'd looked in it and she’d flipped the pages for several months. And it wasn't because of the trip to her parents which she'd had no intention of inviting him to. It was because in her heart of hearts she still believed Chase was a cheater and wouldn’t be able to change even if he really did want to.

  Without sparing another look in Chase’s direction Rebe left as quickly as a woman walking in too high stilettos could. She had no wish to further embarrass either herself or Chase.
/>   Rushing back to her cubicle Rebe halted. She should have known Sam would be there smirking at her. But she wasn't in the mood to be teased, she had a real problem. She’d given the man she was in a committed relationship with, the opportunity to prove what they were after was more substantial, and he’d failed, miserably she might add. And the truth of it was Sam had been right. It was past time for her to see her parents face to face. She loved them like crazy and because she’d waited so long to return home it was going to be hard. Being there without Jamie would be even harder. She didn’t want to return to the place where she’d had so much happiness and a feeling of safety alone. Like a big baby she wanted a buffer, a safety net. She wanted Sam to go with her.

  She might as well get it out of the way. She wasn’t a coward. Okay, she was a coward, but she wouldn’t behave like one with Sam. “What do you want, Sam?”

  “I'm sorry.” Sam walked directly in front of Rebe and spoke quietly so no one else could hear him. “I'm the one who told you to go to your parents, and I did tell you, I would go with you. I'll still go with you.” Her head was down and she didn't look up so he added, “Even if the hunk is going with you, I'd still like to go.”

  He saw the slight quiver of her lips and the way her hands curled into fists. She was going to cry. For two weeks she’d cried in his arms and he damn well knew her telltale signs. He tried to run his misdeeds through his mind. Sam wouldn’t be able to take it if he was the cause of her tears. He battled with pulling Rebe into his arms and consoling her, or making her laugh. He didn’t think pulling her into his arms was the right choice, not out here where so many would see them. She’d be embarrassed and later she’d fight with Chase over Sam’s actions. Not that he’d mind that. But he didn’t want to cause Rebe public humiliation.

  “Hey, I forgot to tell you, I added a fairy princess to the mural.” Sam watched as her fists released and she raised her head. The shine of tears remained in her eyes but a smile was on her lips.

  “You did not add a princess,” Rebe said. “And if you did who is she supposed to be?”

  “Why you of course.”

  Rebe wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “You haven’t had time to add in a princess. Why did you say that?”

  “You were going to cry and I didn’t want you to. I also knew you didn’t want to cry in the middle of your office. I had a choice to hold you or make you laugh.” Sam took in a breath and released it. “Rebe, I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

  “Is that the reason you’re saying you’re going to go with me?”

  “If you remember, I said that before the waterworks.”

  “I didn’t cry. Besides, how did you know I was on the verge of tears?”

  “You have this telltale thing about you before you cry.”

  “Do I?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sam, how in the world do you know so much about me?”

  Sam smiled but didn’t answer, at least not that question. “Would you still like for me to go with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “And as for Chase, I promise I’ll do my best to get along with him.”

  “Thanks, Sam, but you don’t have to worry about Chase. He's not going. He’s booked solid for the next couple of months and since I’ve made up my mind to go and told them I’m coming I’m doing just that.” Rebe attempted to walk past him, but Sam reached out his hand and stopped her.

  “Instead of flying how would you like it if we drove? We can take a few days, take our time and make stops along the way. I think it will be a lot more relaxing. Besides, I know you're not that keen on flying.”

  “I fly all the time.”

  “That doesn't mean you like it. So, are we driving?”

  “Sam, come on. Please tell me. How do you know so much about me?”

  Sam pulled in a deep breath wanting badly to not only kiss Rebe but to kiss her until she regained the use of her brain cells that had left her in search of a hero and had found Chase instead. Letting the breath out slowly he studied Rebe, wondering what it was she was truly after. He noticed the movement of chairs around them and knew as long as they’d stood there talking, others, were more than likely making them the focal point of office gossip. It would be wiser to just answer her question.

  “Rebe, you’re behaving as though my knowing things about you is some kind of magical trick. I know about you, because I care enough to find out. How are you doing with finding out five things about me?” Sam grinned. “Yeah, I know. You haven't had the time have you? Don't worry, Rebe, it's not like you're on trial or anything.”

  But that was exactly how she felt. And when he asked his next question Rebe was aware Sam wanted her to have that feeling.

  “Are you telling Chase that I’m going to drive you home?”

  She hadn't thought about it but knew she would. Now she wondered what kind of reaction he'd have and if she gave a darn about it. Lifting her eyes she held Sam's gaze. “Yes, I'm going to tell him.”

  “And if he says he doesn't like it?”

  “What are you really asking me?”

  “You're a smart woman, Rebe. I take that back. You were able to finish law school, pass the bar and take care of your clients. And you were able to put together a rock solid deal for me. So you should be a smart woman. I shouldn't have to answer questions you already know the answers to.”

  “Sam, I didn't appoint you to be the voice of my conscience. You've wiggled yourself into my life and you've been manipulating me for almost five years,” Rebe protested.

  Sam frowned and a smile appeared on his lips, his beautifully shaped, wonderful, kissable lips. Now where the heck had that thought come from? And why was she wanting to throw her arms around him and kiss him like crazy? She couldn’t even use the excuse of being on rebound, because she was still in a relationship. A serious relationship. Rebe groaned. Sam was eying her in a way that made her catch her breath as she wondered what he was going to say.

  “I have a question for you, Rebe. You’re the expert on romance, and especially on heroes. Tell me in this situation what exactly would a hero do? Would he leave you to your own devices? Or would he think you deserve better? Would he think you're still grieving your perfect hero?”

  For a moment Sam thought not to finish his thought, but he’d been skirting around the issue for the past two years. It was time to say it. “Rebe, no one can replace Jamie in your heart. A man would be crazy to try. But I know your brother wouldn't want you settling for less than you deserve because you're afraid of loving too much and getting hurt. That's life.”

  “Why do you care?” Rebe had wondered why after the way she’d treated Sam he still cared. She was hoping since they were having an honest discussion he would be honest with her.

  “The answer should be obvious. You’re worth my caring. Why wouldn't I help you? But I'm going to give you this one for free. Your brother asked me to look out for you. You've never wanted to know anything past his funeral. But we were friends, and Jamie knew if anything ever happened to him how hard his leaving would be for you.”

  “Why would he ask you that? Didn’t he know you couldn't stand me?”

  “He knew.”

  “Is that why you kissed me? Why you keep kissing me?” Oh crap if she could take the words back she would. Rebe closed her eyes briefly as she heard Sam laughing softly.

  “Kissing you didn't have a damn thing to do with your brother. That, I can promise you. By the way, I like kissing you. You have the softest lips. And you taste so good. It was really hard to stop. But of course I wouldn't have had a ton of experience with women, or kissing. And I definitely haven’t been magically changed by any woman into a prince, so…”

  “You're weird, Sam. And I don't believe you. No way in the world would my brother ask you to look out for me? Why on earth would he ask a man who hated me?”

  “Why indeed?” Sam replied. “Just so we're clear, I never hated you. I found you annoying, self-centered, a featherbrain airhead. I couldn't s
tand you. But I never hated you. Rebe, how many times do I have to reassure you of that? Why don’t you ask yourself why it’s important to you how I feel about you? Look… enough talking. I have a project to work on. I'll talk to you later. Just let me know when you want to leave”

  Walking away from Rebe at that moment was the hardest thing he’d ever done, but Sam had caught Rebe in a very vulnerable moment. Something had happened with Chase. He knew Rebe so well. More than likely he’d said he didn’t want to meet her parents and there was no way she wanted Sam to know that, considering he wasn’t a big fan of Chase. The thing of it was, Sam would never take advantage of Rebe in that way. When, and if she ever came to him, it wouldn’t be because of something that bonehead Chase had done to hurt her.

  Chapter Eleven

  It had been too long since Rebe and Kandi had had a girl’s night out. Sure they’d gotten together in their apartments and had been with Sam in attendance countless times. But it had been before Jamie died that the two of them had gone alone for dinner and clubbing. It was about time. As always when they were together they were having a good time. They’d enjoyed a fantastic dinner and had danced until they were breathless. It felt freeing to do nothing more than fend off would be suitors and laughing together. It also felt good that she’d dressed in a sexy short skirt and silk blouse and had done it for no other reason that she liked the outfit. No Chase wanting her to look sexy or Sam criticizing her for showing a little skin.

  “This feels good,” Rebe said. “Just the two of us. It’s been way too long.”

  “Yeah, it’s been too long,” Kandi agreed.

  The sudden sadness Rebe noted in Kandi’s voice and in her eyes had her feeling guilty that she’d pulled away from her best friend as well as everyone else she loved. She didn’t want to think about the possible damage she could have done to their friendship. She was thankful that those who loved her had understood. Reaching her hand out, Rebe took Kandi’s hand in hers. They remained as they were for a long moment just enjoying each other’s company. When Kandi focused on her, Rebe was certain she knew what it would be about.