The Player - Part 8
By Cherie      
 
Day 8

A girl had to have some comforts. And after the last few days, Meliza was more than happy to indulge in a few of those. Starting with the French toast Miguel had fixed for breakfast. Her friend had let himself in with his usual key around eight to start breakfast. Meliza had cut up a bowl of fruit and was currently picking at it while she sat at the counter as Miguel poured over the stove.

"So...did you read the paper this morning?" Miguel asked.

"No. Why?" Meliza immediately snatched up the item in question, rifling through until she reached the gossip column.

What she saw made her eyes widen in shock as she read aloud.

" 'Quick ladies! Take advantage of this opportunity while you can! Meliza Rinaldo is currently in distracted la-la land with her mysterious new friend. This reporter ran into Sebastian Monroe yesterday and he confirmed that Meliza was seen intimately sharing a meal with a man who matched my description of the man at Brentworth's party. Whoever this man is, on behalf of all single women, thank you. Also, you'd be surprised to learn that local hotel mogul Ron Owens is interested in the hiphop business...' I notice that the article fails to mention that I invited Sebastian to join us..." She gave her friend a sharp look as he began to laugh.

"Oh, that would have been too funny..."

Meliza immediately realized what she just said and smiled. "Okay...I walked into that..."

When the laughter subsided, Miguel turned the toast over. "So what happened between you and Devlin?"

"Nothing," Meliza shrugged.

"I meant after yesterday. Please tell me you did not give him your 'I like being single and I'll call you if I'm ever bored' speech," Miguel scolded. When she said nothing, he gaped at her. "You didn't! Meli, the man saves your life and that's all you can say?"

Meliza crossed her arms over her chest, recalling that Locke had said similar lines. "You know my policy on men."

"Yeah. Never go out on more than two dates, never let them close and bed them only if you feel the need." Miguel shook his head. "You once told me that Devlin is different...and not only that...he's an old friend of yours. So why are you treating him the same way you treat the others?"

Meliza looked away. "Because." She didn't care how weak her argument sounded.

"Because what?"

"Because I don't know his agenda," Meliza countered. "Two years ago, I told him to look me up. He chooses now to contact me? What was he doing for two years? What's in it for him?"

"Did you ask him?" Miguel asked.

"He said something about getting to know each other again...spending time together..." Meliza waved her hand in dismissal.

"And you didn't believe him?"

"Of course not!"

"So you automatically assume that he only wants two things from you that you naturally think every man wants from you?" Miguel pressed.

"Well...he doesn't need my money, he's got plenty," Meliza murmured.

"And the other thing?"

Meliza smiled wryly. "Oh, he's definitely interested. But only if he's the only one in the picture."

"Are you crazy?" Miguel demanded, waving his spatula in the air. "An old friend wants to hold back from sleeping with you because he wants an exclusive relationship?!"

When her friend put it like that, her own perspective did sound...ridiculous. But still...

Meliza sunk down in her chair as Miguel handed her a plate of sweet toast drizzled with maple syrup. "I don't do commitment. You know why."

"Mi'ja, sorry, but you can come across as a cold #%$##. And I know that you don't mean to..." Miguel helped himself to his own portion. "Anyway, a man of high caliber would never agree to your silly idea of a relationship. Not if he knew the woman I know and love like a sister."

"Who said I want those types anyway?" Meliza grumbled. "I like my terms. They-"

"You set those terms so you can avoid getting close to anyone."

Meliza swallowed, quickly picking up her fork to slice into her toast. "That's not true."

"You haven't exactly been fair to the men interested in you," Miguel argued.

"He isn't exactly being fair to me," Meliza retorted.

Miguel sighed.

"What man decides after barely a week that he wants to be in a relationship?" Meliza's eyes widened. "Wait a minute. That's not what this is...he wants to be in control."

"Like you?" Miguel quipped.

Meliza glared at him. "Think about it. Suddenly I'm supposed to stop dating because he decided he wants me all to himself? I don't have any opinion on this at all?"

Miguel looked heavenward. "Like he's supposed to suddenly be your live sex toy at your beck and call?"

"Whose side are you on?" Meliza demanded, dropping her fork.

"Yours," Miguel replied smoothly. "I'm sure the average guy would love the opportunity for an uncomplicated affair, but something tells me that your friend isn't average. Stop assuming the worst from men. Stop blaming men for what your husband did."

"I'm not-"

"Yes, you are," Miguel interrupted. "I'm sorry he left you to deal with his problems. I'm sorry he kept secrets from you. But what I'm most sorry for, is the fact that you're unable to let anyone near you. You have a lot to offer, and it isn't fair for you to act this way towards a man who genuinely cares about you. He's not asking for marriage. All he wants is to be with you."

"There are too many factors."

"How about I put it in easy terms. A good investment is work the risk."

Meliza went back to her breakfast. "You know me, Miguel. When it comes to business, I need all the information."

"No one ever has all of the information. You make a decision based on what you have. The man's already put your safety before his own. And to be honest...you haven't been around many men like that. Doesn't that say something?"

She really hated it when her friend was right.


000


Locke carefully folded the cuff of his sleeve before glancing up towards the hallway that led to the police station's front desk. Smith had called him, requesting that he come in to provide his statement about what had happened with Hendrick.

"She's not here yet," Detective Smith announced.

Locke lifted a brow. "I wasn't aware we were waiting for her."

"I thought it best you provide your statement at the same time."

"If your day job doesn't work out, you'd make a great matchmaker," Locke responded dryly.

"I wasn't aware you needed help in that department." Smith shot him a speculative look. "I take it that you two still aren't together."

Locke was quiet for a moment. He preferred to keep his personal life private. How many times had he told Miguel to back off? "Are you married, Detective?"

If he was surprised by the question, he didn't show it. "Yes. Took me three times before she finally said yes."

"What convinced her?"

He shrugged. "The usual. Flowers, gifts...talking on the phone...not giving up...letting her know that I just wanted to make her happy." He looked at him. "Why? Did she turn you down?"

He didn't have a chance to answer. They both looked up to see Meliza making her way down the corridor. A light green top with off-the-shoulder fluttering sleeves and draped neckline held by two thin straps contoured to her frame. Khaki capris hugged her hips and thighs. Her hair was half-pulled up by a brown clip, several tendrils falling loose around her ears. Inch and a half brown espradilles cased her feet.

"Hi," she greeted both men with a polite smile.

"Glad to see you made it on time," Smith declared.

After getting them drinks, Smith escorted them to a room. He took his position at the table across from them, recorded the date and time on the recorder, setting the microphone on the table. He glanced at Locke, then Meliza before setting a notepad and folder in front of him.

If he had been in a lighter mood, Locke might have laughed. For two people who were very good at masking their moods, they weren't doing a very good job of it. Meliza's arms and legs were crossed, and she would occasionally play with the string of her teabag.

"Why don't we start with you first?" Detective Smith looked at Meliza.

Locke sat back, taking a drink of his coffee as Meliza summarized the events starting with Hendrick's phone call.

"I was lucky, I guess, that the backseat wasn't upright all the way," Meliza commented as she reached the later part of the story. "I tried to stop him from behind, but that didn't seem to work, he kept shoving me away. I tried opening a door...and the next thing I knew, Dev was beside me and the car was on fire."

"You were lucky he was careless about the backseat."

"He wasn't the only one careless that day," Meliza agreed, drawing an arched look from Locke.

Locke added, "He just hadn't planned on kidnapping a troublemaker."

Meliza stared hard at him.

Smith cleared his throat. "Do you two...need some privacy?"

"No, we're fine," she assured him.

Smith glanced between them. He added something to his notepad and turned to Locke. "Why don't you tell me what else happened?"

Locke began from the moment Smith's last phone call and quickly reached the part in the story when he arrived at Hendrick's office. "He drove off. The car went left and right...smoke started to come from the front...it crashed into the garage pillar. I went to the car but Meliza wasn't inside. I found her near the dumpster and checked to make sure she was alive. Then I pulled Hendrick out and went back to Meliza. By that time, the fire department and paramedics were arriving."

Smith made a note on his pad of paper, asking them if they had anything to add. When they didn't, he turned the recorder off.

"I can't say it enough...you're very fortunate, Meliza," Smith said. "I wish we could say that we always solve kidnapping cases, but we don't."

"So...what happened to Hendrick?" Meliza asked.

Detective Smith explained what he had found out yesterday, from the bad gambling to the marriage certificate inquiry. "He paid a discount hitman, hoping no one would ever find out about your marriage..."

"Jerk," Meliza muttered.

"And when that didn't work, he kept going after you. We...may need you to testify, but that would involve putting your marriage in the limelight," Smith warned. "And I know you two were pretty secretive about that."

Meliza sighed. "I'd prefer to keep that low...at least until the trial. But once it starts..."

"There's the possibly of putting yourself out there for the press. Gossip columns would have a field day," Smith mused.

Meliza nodded. "That's fine. I'll deal with it then. Besides...it'd be good to start fresh..."

Once outside the police station, Meliza finally spoke up. "You were right."

"About?" Locke prompted.

"I should have told you where I was going," she said quietly. "Maybe Smith would have caught him before-"

"It's irrelevant now," Locke interrupted.

They were quiet for a long time.

"Listen...there's a craft fair going on several blocks from here," Meliza said. "I need to buy a couple things...would you like to come with me?"

He stayed silent. Considering her mood yesterday afternoon, he was surprised she issued the invitation. Which meant what?

Only one way to find out.


000


After agreeing to drive separately, he followed her in his car to a parking lot two blocks from the fair. They paid the meter box and made their way towards the streets full of vendors and booths. Occasionally, she'd stop at the locations that sold scented candles or potpourri bags and make purchases.

She shopped quickly and efficiently. Almost as if she had a mental list of things to buy. When she stepped off the curb to cross the street to the next booth, Locke noticed a group of cyclists not bothering to slow down.

Meliza suddenly found herself yanked backwards. She stumbled, frantically reaching out for Locke to gain her balance as the cyclists zoomed by. Her right hand caught his forearm.

"Are you all right?" he asked quietly.

She swallowed. "I...think so."

Slowly, she lifted her head to meet his gaze. As usual, his expression revealed nothing. A second later, the dazed look in her eyes faded and her hold on him loosened.

"Thanks," she mumbled.

He released his hold on her and watched as she went to another vendor's stall across the street. He crossed the street, and she easily picked up a pair of white and blue crystal dangle earrings, holding them up to her ears. Their gazes met in the small mirror of the stall, and even with the few feet between them, the heat in her eyes matched his.

"Now what?" she asked.

Locke reached into his pocket, extracting his wallet to pull out a twenty dollar bill, handing it to the vendor. The vendor eagerly accepted the payment and handed him a small bag.

"That was generous of you," Meliza commented as she took out her current earrings, replacing them with the ones he had just purchased.

"Actually, it was selfish," Locke corrected.

"How so?"

"Every time you wear them, they'll serve as a reminder of who bought them for you," he answered.

Her eyes widened. "You don't give up, do you?"

"One of us has to keep going in that direction."

"So what's next in your campaign?" The sarcasm was not even hidden from her voice.

Locke's eyes fell to a hotel down the street, its outdoor cafe inviting with quaint tables and simple decor - pastel tablecloths covered round tables, a single vase holding an orchid perched on top of their surfaces.

"A hotel is a good start," Meliza said wryly.

Locke's eyes flicked to hers. "That isn't what I meant and you know it."

"Well, that's sad. Not that I'm making promises, but you just might be able to seduce me into a relationship with you," Meliza said airily.

Locke grasped her by the elbow. "Didn't you know? There's more than one way to seduce a woman...and it doesn't always involve hotel rooms."

Meliza's hands automatically flew to her new earrings. Before she could do anything...like...take them off, Locke grasped her hand to head in the direction of the cafe. He took two steps before she resisted, digging her heels into the pavement to stop any further movement.

"Look, just because you bought me earrings doesn't mean you get to take any liberties," she declared, that false sweetness in her voice again as she attempted to tug her hand free.

Locke turned to face her, dropping her hand as if it was a hot object. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Liberties," Meliza echoed.

"I asked for clarification, not for you to repeat what you said."

Her eyes flashed. "We're not together. So don't hold my hand. And even if we were...I don't do hand-holding. Or arm-holding."

His eyes narrowed. "So...you're saying that you save all physical contact with a man you're interested in for the bedroom."

"Or dining room...or living room..." she said casually with a shrug. Then she added with a smile, "Or bathroom hallways. As you well know."

"No wonder you're called the ice queen," Locke mused aloud.

She stared at him hard. Then she abruptly snatched his hand to drag him down the street to their destination. Locke hid a smile.

Half an hour later, with warm food and wine glasses in front of them, Meliza picked up her fork to start her meal.

"You're making me nervous," Meliza announced.

Locke focused his eyes on her. She was in the middle of picking a clam out of its shell with her fork, apprehension obvious in her expression.

"Why is that?"

After swallowing her food, Meliza picked up her wineglass. "Because you haven't spoken in over ten minutes. I'm all for companionable silence. But..." she shrugged. "You look like you're somewhere very far away."

He held back a frown. Was he really becoming predictably easy to read? Granted, he'd changed a lot over the years, but there were some things that never really went away, right?

"You know...it's interesting seeing you in between," Meliza spoke up.

"In between?" he echoed.

"In between," she replied. "The assassin and the every day guy." Meliza shrugged. "I don't know...you seem...warmer."

"Warmer how?"

"A little more...approachable." Then she grinned. "Is that bad for your image? Or do you enjoy coming off as cold?"

"That side has diminished over the years," Locke admitted. "But it might be because you knew me before. My assistant tells me that I still scare some customers."

"I see." Meliza leaned forward. "We...need to talk."

Locke sat back, studying her. "You sound very serious."

"Wherever you're hoping this is going to go...it's not going to happen," Meliza declared.

His eyes narrowed. "Really."

"I just don't want you to make too much effort into something-"

"Are you always this quick to turn down a man's company when he's interested in more than..." His eyes lowered pointedly below her neck. "...your wealth?"

She carefully set her fork down. "Listen...I respect that you put high value in relationships. But that's not how I play the game."

"This is a game to you?"

"If a man can have a girl in every port, then every woman is free to do the same."

"Don't you ever get tired of playing the field?" Locke asked.

Her answer was mere silence. That answer spoke volumes.

"Let me ask you this," Meliza spoke up. "What makes you think that a woman who enjoys living her life the way she does...would think about entering into a serious relationship after a week?"

"The woman can see beyond her peripheral vision?" Locke replied, deliberately keeping his voice neutral.

Meliza released a sigh, leaning forward so she could place her hand on his. "This is exactly why I told you in advance how I feel regarding relationships. I didn't want to upset you."

He didn't want her pity. He wanted her to stop being so stubborn. But if she wanted to act that way, fine. He could be just as determined. "I knew where I stood. It hasn't changed my mind yet."

"Then you're wasting your time."

"I don't consider it that way." He leaned forward. "How many men have you offered that proposition and they accepted? And you actually called them to follow through with it?"

Meliza immediately lowered her gaze.

Interesting...Locke narrowed his eyes. "Meliza. How many?" When she didn't answer, he began to guess. "None? Twenty?"

Her eyes met his. "I know this city thinks I have a black book labeled 'friends with benefits', but I don't. I don't even have friends with...well..." One of his brows lifted. "Okay, maybe one. Two."

"Two?" Locke echoed, fighting back the streak of jealousy. He knew that he had no reason to feel that way, given that there wasn't any established relationship between them, but...

"You wanted to know," Meliza reminded.

Locke set his jaw. "When was the last time you saw either of them?"

"Am I grilling you on your last relationship?" Meliza retorted.

"Answer my question." He didn't care if he sounded like a possessive ass. He figured the more he learned about her, the better prepared he'd be.

"Seven months ago," Meliza admitted quietly.

Locke sat back, thinking. Seven months was a long time. Doing the math...her husband had been gone a little over a year ago. Meliza's voice cut off his train of thought.

"It really bothers you, doesn't it?" Meliza pressed. "That I prefer casual affairs." Her fork circled her plate, and she studied him for a long time. "Since we both want different things, maybe it's best that we just be friends," Meliza spoke up with a cordial smile. "A girl can never have enough real friends...the kind who are willing to back her up with no question."

Locke paused. What just happened? "Friends."

Meliza nodded. "It makes sense. To be perfectly honest, I enjoy your company, and it'd be much better if we didn't have to worry about relationships, casual or serious." She pursed her lips. "And neither of us would have to worry about the pressure of sparing the other's feelings. I think I'd prefer to have you as a friend than anything else."

Like hell you would. Locke deliberately kept his expression attentive, but neutral. The sudden decisiveness in her eyes really bothered him. At what point could someone turn off the attraction response to someone else? Or was it just Meliza in particular?

He doubted it. No one was that cold.

Meliza checked her watch and quickly pulled out money from her purse, tossing the bills on the table. There was enough to cover his meal as well.

"I have some things to take care of. Thanks for hanging out with me." Meliza rose from her seat. "So I'll see you later? I still have to pick up some of my stuff at the Flagship..."

"I...can drop them off," Locke offered. Besides, it might be a good time to bring up this 'friends' issue. After she had time to rethink and regroup.

Her eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

He nodded his head once. "What time works best?"

"Four?" Meliza cleared her throat. "I...have a date tonight, and I need to leave around five..."

She had a date? The woman really did work fast.

"That's fine."

"Okay. Thanks a lot! See you later," Meliza waved before turning away.

Locke stared at the bills on the table as she walked away...still reeling from the quick turn of conversation...and wondering why he hadn't left Atlantic City yet.


000


He was being punished. He was sure of it.

'Let's be friends' was the worst thing a woman could say to a man who was obviously interested in her.

It didn't make sense. She was curious about what he looked like naked. She'd even...a little reluctantly at first...held his hand. And she kissed him like she wanted to for hours.

Once he got back to his hotel, he must have analyzed their conversation twelve times before he left to deliver her bag. He hadn't reached a conclusion. He'd had several ideas on what would prompt her to say that. But he had no clue which of his guesses was the correct one.

Locke reached up and rang her doorbell.

After a few minutes, Meliza opened the door, greeting him with a smile. Wearing some satin material that was apparently supposed to pass off as a robe. It was much shorter than anything else he'd seen her wear and had cap sleeves. She was also wearing stockings - a clear indicator that he'd caught her in the middle of getting ready for her 'date' later tonight. Did she dress like this around 'friends'? Miguel, maybe. Or just around people she had a decent-sized comfort zone with. Which would put him...

She stepped back to let him in. "Thanks so much for dropping off my stuff."

Locke merely set her overnight bag down on the carpet. "You're welcome."

"Did you want to stay for a little bit?" Meliza asked. "I don't have to leave for another hour."

"I-"

"I just finished boiling some water for tea," Meliza offered.

"Sure." Locke mentally kicked himself. Like he wanted to be around when she was about to go on a date. She was acting...normal. Normal. Like...a 'friend' would.

Holding back a scowl, he followed her into the kitchen. Meliza opened the cupboard and reached for two cups. The hem of her robe shifted and he got an eyeful of...lace top thigh highs? The satin shifted again, hiding the lace.

At that moment, Locke had an unusually violent thought. He wanted to strangle her date tonight.

Locke had never considered himself the jealous type or the possessive type. Then again, he hadn't exactly pursued a woman who enjoyed her freedom as much as she did. He released a breath. The logical part of his brain told him that he had no right to hold thoughts of strangling her date - or any other man she decided to go out with.

Locke turned away and moved to sit at the table. Meliza set a steaming mug of green tea in front of him and sat in the chair next to him.

"So when are you planning to go back to New York?" she asked.

"I...haven't decided."

He had finished his tea thirty minutes later - thirty agonizing minutes later. Meliza's easygoing manner made her a great conversationalist, and she didn't even bring up anything between them, leading him to believe that she had really grown to like her 'let's just be friends' idea. He supposed he should be grateful - from what he knew about Meliza, her network of social friends was fairly large - but there were only a select few that she could call her 'real' friends. The kind, as she had said, would back her up with no questions.

He actually missed her obvious come-ons.

He'd been so caught up in his brooding that he almost didn't hear her question.

"Would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow?" When he said nothing, she continued, "My parents anniversary is coming up. There's a vineyard about an hour and a half away from here - I always get them their favorite wine from there - and since you seem to like wine, I thought you might want to try the place out."

"Sure."

"Okay, great. I'll pick you up at ten?"

After putting their cups in the sink, Meliza walked him to the door. It was only when he was about to slip inside his car that he looked up to see Meliza leaning against the doorframe, watching him. She gave him a brief smile and after a moment, took a step back to close the door.

Locke slid into his seat and closed the car door. He glanced outside again, reflecting on his last sight of her.

What he felt for Meliza...and that in itself was even complicated right now...wasn't something he was willing to let go just yet. He wasn't quite sure where things would go...or even how long they would last...but he was willing to take a chance on it. After months of occasional dates and bouts of solitude, he'd actually found a woman who was more than a passing interest.

"I don't see what's wrong with what I'm offering. Casual relationship. No complications..."

"I'm glad you had a chance to start over again, Locke. You seem to be handling it just fine..."

Locke narrowed his eyes in thought. Friends. She could not be serious.