Deception's Game (The Misses Book 2)

Not Him

Reeza sat up in bed, confused and still wearing her clothes from the night before. Classical music danced in the sunlight that penetrated the extra large windows. She was alone in a large unfamiliar room and she had slept alone. The covers next to her were still neatly tucked away in the mattress. She kicked her feet from under the covers and slowly tiptoed toward the music.

Lying on a gold embellished black velvet sofa was a Greek god. He slept with his right hand under his shirt, showing his perfectly structured muscles. His gray sweatpants were just low enough to see the beginning of his chiseled pelvis lines. She wanted to touch him. The moment she went to press her finger on his abs, he spoke “That’s s****l harassment but I’m glad you are up and about.” He said before even completely opening his eyes.

“Why are you acting like a good guy? You are clearly a villain.” Reeza taunted.

“I can’t argue with that but I promised I would clean up my behavior and my rap sheet for my Dad. Call your family and go home. They are surely worried.” Grayson retorted.

“Are you gay? Is that why you aren’t attracted to me?”

“It’s illegal for me to be in any non parental or guardianship position with you. I don’t care if you graduated college. You are TOO YOUNG! GO HOME! “ He got off the sofa and prepared to leave. “Oh and no funny business. I made sure everything was on camera, so lying will only embarrass you.”

Reeza looked down at her hands. His words stung. She could feel the tears start to flow.

Grayson turned back around and approached Reeza slowly. He almost forgot she was still a child, her innocence was still intact. He had dealt with his share of conniving women and never took chances but her pouty lips and naivete was enticing.

“You are beautiful. Don’t cry. When you turn 17 we can talk, with your parents' permission of course.” Grayson said then put his card on the bar counter.

Reeza watched him silently leave. He did not want the controversy, she came with. His actions made her grin. She wanted him more than she did when she first saw him. He was like a large prize awaiting to be won at the local fair. Even though the game was tricky, with the right moves, she knew she could win.

After she snapped out of thoughts, she went back to the bedroom to retrieve her phone. It was off but he had put it on the charger. When she turned it back on, hundreds of messages started to flow in. “Oh s**t!” She muttered to herself. Her mom and Debbie were having heart attacks. She quickly called her mom.

“Where the f**k are you!?” She screamed through the phone.

“Okay so calm down. I fell asleep after the party and my friend let me sleep over at her place. I’m okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize my phone had died. “ Reeza tried to sound as sincere as possible.

“Oh good grief. Text your location to Debbie so she can come and get you. We are having lunch with Levi today.” Marcy said then hung up.

She took the phone away from her ear then looked at it. The way her mother never properly ended calls with her was irritating. “Who doesn’t say ‘Goodbye' or ‘See you later.’ before they hang up? Sheesh, stupid old hag.”

Reeza made the call to Debbie then was met at the penthouse door by an older gentleman in an expensive suit. Without speaking, he led Reeza to the front of the lobby and waited with her until her ride arrived.

When they arrived at their penthouse, Reeza ran to her room to get ready. She shuffled through her closet looking for her cutest outfit. In about an hour, she would get to see Levi. The only good decision her mother had made since her birth. He catered to her mother’s every whim. He seemed to love her but he wasn’t around very often. When he came around, he made sure her schooling was paid for and her mother’s body didn’t forget his touch. The night before last was the second time she had walked in on them but she had heard them on numerous occasions.

She felt ashamed that she wished that she could replace her mother, if only for one night. Reeza slid into a vneck t-shirt with a pink kitten on the front and a short flowy lavender skirt, she felt like she was adorable but sexy enough to catch a wandering eye. She smiled at herself and twirled several times. When she stopped, reality set back in, she rolled her eyes at her stupidity. “I’m disgusting.” She whispered to herself.

She needed to be saved. But she would have to wait a little over 10 months before she could contact Grayson. He would be her hero. Her knight in shining armor. He would help her forget this man who was well into his 40’s.

She skipped out of her room with her anxiety and excitement intermingled and worn on her sleeve. She met Debbie at the front door of their penthouse and she escorted her to the limo. Reeza stared out the window of the car. She could not wait to see Levi’s smile. He smelled really good too. She wanted to hug him like he belonged to her, not like she was his step daughter. The thought made her sad. She frowned and looked down at the lines in the highway as they quickly passed under the tires.

Once they arrived at the restaurant, she could see her mom and Levi standing and talking at the host’s podium. Even though Levi was filthy rich he still stopped and chatted with the regular people. That was how down to earth he was. Reeza stepped out of the limo and made her way to the giggling couple.

Her mom hugged her and started her ‘look I’m a good mom.’ routine. They were then escorted, by the host, to their seats. Reeza worked hard to not stare into Levi’s beautiful eyes. But he was always engaging in their conversations. He knew everything about her and he seemed to enjoy talking to her. He was perfect.

As her mother and Levi sipped their wine. The conversation trailed off. The mood changed. “What’s going on?” was the appropriate question for the moment. Her mom tilted her head down, then started to chew on her bottom lip. Levi looked over at her and pushed his thumb against her lip as if to tell her not to be nervous. These lovey dovey transactions were so irritating to Reeza. She wanted to scream.

“Reeza, this may come as a shock or you may have already figured it out. But it had to be, and will need to continue to be, a secret. So before I spill the beans, you have to promise me, you will not tell a soul what I am about to tell you?” Her mother stared into her eyes. She was serious. This was the most serious she had ever seen her mother. The feeling she was conveying was the most complex she had ever witnessed. Without hesitation, Reeza agreed. Whatever was going on, she would not repeat it, no matter what.

Marcy took another sip of wine then cleared her throat.

“Your father’s father despises me. In fact, he despises my family. When I met your dad, my family was struggling to keep our name out of the mud. We were so far into debt that sometimes I was scared I would never see my father again. “ Marcy looked over to Levi for support.

Then she continued, “When I became pregnant with you, your father was over the moon. He had already planned to propose, so he had a ring on him. He got down on one knee. I screamed ‘Yes!’ and life should have been perfect.”

Reeza looked at Levi while her mom was going on and on about her father. He was grinning and looking at his hands, fiddling with his thumbs. “What is she thinking?” Reeza said to herself.

“He isn’t here though. So what are you going on about!?” Reeza angrily said to her mother.

“But he is here.”