Tiana (Starkis Family #3)

by Cheryl Douglas

  “Basically,” she said.

  “Tiana, are you sure this is what you want?”

  She leaned forward to caress my jaw. “How can you ask me that? I told you I want to be with you. If my father is forcing me to choose, I choose being with you.”

  “I love you so much,” I whispered, closing my hands around her angelic face. “I promise to do everything in my power to make you happy, Ti.”

  “You don’t have to do anything.” She kissed me. “Just being with you makes me happy.”

  Knowing I’d finally found a woman who didn’t want anything from me felt incredible. She just wanted me as much as I wanted her. I knew my money would enhance our lives, but I was equally certain we didn’t need it to be content. Just being together was enough.

  “We’ll make this dance studio a success, sweetheart. I don’t want you to worry about that.” I’d already done some of the preliminary research because I didn’t want her to be disappointed, and I was pleased to learn it definitely was a viable business opportunity.

  “You really think so?” she asked, resting her palm against my chest. “I don’t want you to feel obligated to help me with this if the numbers don’t make sense or the market is saturated. I’m sure I can get a job as an art curator at a museum or something. We do live in New York City, after all. There are plenty of opportunities, and I’ve established my own connections in the art world, apart from my father.”

  “I really do think we can make it work, but this has to be your call. I don’t have to recite the stats to you. You know a large percentage of businesses fail in the first year.” I didn’t want to bring her down, but I refused to blow smoke just to give her something positive to focus on to distract her from her problems with her family. Tiana was stronger and more resilient than she gave herself credit for, but she would have to learn to believe in herself and her own abilities for this to work.

  “Why do you suppose that is?” she asked, seeming genuinely interested as she eased back on the leather sofa and propped her bent leg between us. “I mean, I don’t want to make the same mistakes, if I can avoid it.”

  I loved that she had asked that. In my experience, few entrepreneurs wanted to hear about the potential pitfalls before embarking on a new enterprise. “I think it varies, but the primary reasons are lack of funding and experience. Even with a rock-solid business plan, a lot of banks are conservative. They don’t want to assume that kind of risk. That’s why Damon and I are flooded with proposals from people who need funding.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it,” she said. “I’d like to provide the seed money myself.”

  I was touched by her sentiment. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to do that. I want to help you.”

  Her eyes softened to mirror her smile. “And I love you for that. But I really want to do this on my own. I can sell my place. I’ll just get something smaller, in a less expensive area, and use the extra money for my business. Or maybe I could rent for a while, until the business is profitable.”

  “Or you could move in with me.”

  She shook her head. “I have to learn how to take care of myself, without my father’s help and without your help.”

  It killed me that she was so determined to do this on her own, especially since I knew it could only bring us closer if we collaborated on her dream. “I won’t push, but just know that I’m here if you need me.”

  “I do know that.” She wrapped her arms around me. “I wouldn’t have the courage to even consider doing this without your support.”

  I knew she wouldn’t have to consider doing this if it weren’t for me.

  ***

  Tiana

  While it seemed the rest of Las Vegas was out partying and gambling, Blake and I were holed up in our hotel room working on my business plan. We could have done this at his place or mine, but I appreciated the change of scenery. Being so far away from my father, knowing he couldn’t show up at my door to resume our argument, made me more relaxed.

  “This looks like a good one,” Blake said, pointing at his computer screen. “Needs a lot of work though. Unless the building owner will build to suit, renovations would be expensive.” He scrolled through the listing and clicked on another link. “Interesting.”

  “What is?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck from behind.

  He wasn’t wearing a shirt, which was proving to be a serious distraction. I kissed his shoulder, trailing my tongue up his neck until I felt a shudder tear through his massive body, making me smile. Knowing I could still distract him, even in business mode, was nice.

  “It’s for sale or lease.”

  “Why is that interesting?” I flicked my tongue over his earlobe while my hands caressed his chest. “I can’t afford to buy the place.”

  “But I can.”

  “Blake,” I warned, sinking my teeth into the slope of his collarbone, “I told you I want to do this on my own.”

  He captured my wandering hand before it could slip beneath the waistband of his athletic shorts. “And you will. You’d pay me rent just like you would with any other landlord, but I’d agree to retrofit the space to meet your needs.”

  I knew what he was trying to do, but I couldn’t be annoyed with him. That he was so determined to help me succeed was sweet. I climbed into his lap, effectively blocking his view of the laptop.

  He laughed when I reached for the tie on the robe I’d slipped on after our joint shower. “What are you doing? I thought we agreed we’d get some work done?”

  “We have,” I said, hooking a thumb over my shoulder. “We’ve been working for over an hour. Now I want a little break.” I shrugged off the robe, trying to suppress my smile when his nostrils flared slightly as his hungry gaze perused my body. “What do you say? You game?”

  “What am I supposed to say when the woman of my dreams is sitting on top of me naked? No? Maybe later? Not a chance.”

  I giggled when he pulled me close and buried his face in my neck, but the laughter died when his tongue lazily circled the pulsing hollow at the base of my throat. His hands moved over my back and down the curve of my spine before inching around my ribs and finally closing over my breasts.

  I kissed him greedily, rocking over his erection while I felt my self-control slip away. I was someone else with him, not at all reserved or contained. I was greedy to sample everything I’d been missing while living a life of propriety, and Blake was just the man to help me uncover all of life’s elusive mysteries.

  “I want you,” I whispered, feeling drunk on him and the lust he roused in me. “I want all of you.”

  He groaned while I gripped the back of his chair, shifting restlessly, trying to claim my own satisfaction. Before he could stop me, I was on my knees at his feet, pulling his shorts down, impatient to take what I’d already claimed as mine.

  “Ti, baby, I—”

  Before he had a chance to protest, I was exploring him thoroughly, stealing his ability to speak. I never imagined giving pleasure could be as satisfying as receiving, but Blake’s reaction proved me wrong. Every swipe of my tongue was met with a helpless moan. The deeper I took him, the more helpless he seemed, and I loved it.

  “You can’t…” he hissed, flexing his hands in my hair.

  Oh, but I could. And would. I was deaf to his half-hearted protests as I urged him to completion. I felt a sense of accomplishment I never would have associated with sex until I realized how much control I wielded over this formidable man who was used to calling the shots. But I was calling the shots, and he was at my mercy. I licked my lips as I looked at him, my eyelids at half-mast.

  His breathing was still ragged, his heart visibly battering his chest. “You’re… I’m…” He shook his head as though he was trying to clear it. “So in love with you.”

  A self-satisfied smile curled my lips as he tugged on my hands, helping me to my feet. His feet inched mine apart, giving him access to the part of me that craved his touch the most. One of his hands enclosed my breast
, his tongue surrounding the peak, while the other slipped between my legs.

  My breath faltered as I curled my fingers into his broad shoulders for support. Anticipation thrummed through my body, jolting me. His fingers finally curled inside me, finding that spot that destroyed me every time. My cries bounced off the walls, but I couldn’t control the sounds emanating from me any more than I could control the mounting rush of adrenaline overtaking me. I was his for the taking, just as he’d been mine only moments before.

  That was when I understood the meaning of complete trust and surrender, of giving myself over to another person, believing they would always be there to take care of me.

  When my legs shook, I slumped over, allowing the tremors to move through me as the slow descent began. He stayed with me through it, stroking me gently, licking and kissing my body leisurely before pulling me into his lap to recover.

  He chuckled softly. “You’re tempting me to keep you locked in this room all weekend. You do know that, don’t you?”

  I smiled against his cheek, savoring the closeness. “You won’t hear me complaining.”

  A knock on the door made me groan but made him smile. He tapped my butt playfully. “That’s a delivery I’ve been waiting on.”

  He helped me into the bathrobe I’d shed before he slipped on his shorts and ran a hand through his tousled hair. I watched him walk across the large suite. He looked totally sexed-up, making me want to lure him back to bed and forego the dinner reservations he’d told me about. Though we’d made love in the shower earlier, I was insatiable. I could never, ever get enough of him. Then I noted the sudden stiffness in his posture, but I couldn’t see his face.

  “Oh, hey, I wasn’t expecting you. I just assumed you’d send someone else,” he said.

  I clenched my teeth, watching the well-dressed woman at the door ogle Blake’s muscled torso before a blush stole over her cheeks. She was a stunning blonde wearing a tight black dress and stilettos, the exact type I’d seen Blake with dozens of times in pictures. I cleared my throat, interrupting her perusal of my man.

  “I wanted to bring them up myself to ensure you were satisfied with my selections.”

  “Come on in, Bev,” he said, stepping back. “I really appreciate you taking care of this for me on such short notice.”

  Bev? My eyes wandered to the gold name plaque pinned to her chest. Beverly. Just how well did he know this woman?

  “Always a pleasure, sir.”

  Sir. The way she said that single word made my blood boil, as though they shared a private secret.

  “I assume this is the lucky lady,” she said, finally turning her attention to me. Her smile was too bright, obviously forced, as she took in my oversized bathrobe. “Mr. Kessler said you were a size four. Is that correct?”

  I realized the garment bag she’d set down was for me. I felt a twinge of guilt when I saw Blake’s smile, but that didn’t quash the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach when she sized me up. “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry,” Blake said, moving to my side. “I didn’t even introduce you. Beverly, this is Tiana Starkis. Ti, Bev runs one of the boutiques downstairs. She’s the best.” He winked at Beverly. “I knew she’d come through for me.”

  Beverly’s smile was genuine as her eyes locked with Blake’s. “You’re one of my favorite customers. Anything for you. You know that.”

  I didn’t know who to smack first, him or her. She was openly flirting with him right in front of me, and he seemed willing to play along. What the hell?

  Her eyes narrowed as she reluctantly tore her attention from Blake. “Tiana Starkis? Any relation to Demetrius Starkis?”

  “He’s my father,” I said. He was the last person I wanted to discuss at the moment.

  She quirked an arched brow at Blake. “I should have known your tastes would run more Bollinger.”

  I could not believe she had the audacity to compare me to expensive champagne, as if Blake was just using me to satisfy his thirst.

  “We don’t want to keep you from your work,” I said, crossing the room to open the door.

  She gestured to the garment bag. “But I haven’t had a chance to go over the selections with you.”

  Blake finally got the message when I shot him a dirty look. “Uh, we’ll take them all, Bev.” He cleared his throat before walking her to the door. “Thanks again.”

  “My pleasure.” She squeezed his hand. “It was wonderful to see you again.” Her disdain was obvious when her eyes landed on me again. “Miss Starkis, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope you enjoy the gowns I selected.”

  “I’m sure I will.” I slammed the door with more force than necessary as soon as she was on the other side. I forced myself to take a few deep breaths until I heard the ding of the elevator announcing her departure.

  “What’s the problem?” Blake asked, spreading his arms, palms upturned. “I was trying to surprise you with—”

  “Have you slept with that woman?”

  A flush crept across his cheeks before his chin hit his chest.

  I pushed past him with my hands clenched at my sides. “I can’t believe you would have your former lover—”

  “Oh my God, Ti. We were only together a few times, and I sure as hell didn’t think she’d be the one to deliver the dresses. I thought she’d send up one of her employees.”

  “Is that why you wanted to stay here, because of her?” I felt physically sick when I considered that possibility. “You wanted to see her again?”

  “Are you insane?” he asked, grasping my shoulders. “She means nothing to me. We hooked up sometimes when I was in town. That’s all.”

  “You didn’t introduce me as your girlfriend. Why?”

  He released me before rubbing the back of his neck. He seemed to be searching for the right words and coming up short. “Uh, I don’t know. It’s not like I was—”

  “Trying to make her think you were still available?” My eyes burned, along with my chest. I was hurt and angry, but I refused to let him know how powerless I felt.

  He tilted his head back. “You’re being ridiculous. She’s just a hookup.”

  I knew Blake and I had very different views on sex and intimacy, but it was difficult for me to imagine how he could take a woman to bed if he didn’t feel something for her. “She clearly thinks it’s more than that.”

  “I don’t care what she thinks.” He gestured to the bed. “I asked her to select a dress for you. She walked into the room, and we were both half-naked. I think it should be pretty obvious what’s going on.”

  “I’m sure she thinks I’m just another one of your hookups.” It pained me to think that was how the world would see me, because everyone knew Blake Kessler didn’t do relationships. “Here today, gone tomorrow.”

  “Come on,” he said, tugging on the tie fastening my robe. “That’s not fair.”

  “Did you ever buy her a gift?”

  “What?”

  I could tell by the way his eyes shifted away that he had. “So what would make her think I’m any different than her?”

  “Who cares what she thinks?” Blake looked exasperated when I stepped out of his embrace. “I know how I feel about you. You know how I feel about you. That’s the only thing that matters.”

  “No, actually I don’t know how you feel about me,” I said, thrusting a finger into his solid chest. “See, I thought you respected me. But you don’t bring a woman you supposedly care about to a hotel where you know she’ll cross paths with one of your former lovers.”

  His shoulders sagged in defeat as he hung his head. “Okay, you’re right. That was stupid. I wasn’t thinking. I always stay here. It never occurred to me to stay somewhere else, but we should have.” He tipped my chin up with his index finger. “Baby, I’m sorry. I never meant to make you uncomfortable.”

  “I need a shower,” I muttered. I crossed the room and slammed the door before turning the lock.

  I sank to the tile floor, lowering my head into the she
lter created by my folded arms. Was that the way it would always be with Blake, trying to pretend his past didn’t exist while questioning whether I really was different from all the rest?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Blake

  “Stupid idiot.” I tossed the couture gowns across the room before sinking down on the bed and grasping my head.

  I wanted so much for Tiana to believe in me, in us, yet I continued to make bonehead mistakes, like asking a woman I’d had sex with to select a gown for her. I should have known Bev would be curious about the woman I wanted to impress. While I’d made it clear to Bev from the onset that I wasn’t interested in anything more than a hookup, sex on three separate occasions may have given her the impression I was willing to entertain more.

  Furious with myself and her, I picked up the phone and hit the digits that would connect me to her boutique. “What the hell were you thinking?” I demanded when she picked up the phone. “Why would you deliver those gowns? Couldn’t you have sent someone else?”

  “You can’t blame me for being curious. When my assistant manager said you’d called and requested our very best, I wondered who the lucky lady was.”

  “Yeah, well, now she’s furious with me. Thanks a lot.”

  I knew it wasn’t her fault. It was my fault for thinking I could distract Tiana from my seedy past long enough to convince her to trust me. I couldn’t undo the things I’d done. I knew I’d never look at another woman as long as Tiana would have me, but that didn’t change the fact that I’d be reluctant to put my faith in someone like me too. I needed to do something, say something, to convince her that she was the only woman I would ever want or need for the rest of my life.