by Dara Girard
“Ah too bad. I can’t kiss and make them better.”
He rolled the bandage back up then turned to her and lifted his shirt. “Actually there are a few external ones.”
Tanna leaned in closer to examine the beautiful column of skin he displayed and squinted, her fingers itching to touch him. “I don’t see any.”
“You have to look closer. Maybe if I took my shirt off—”
“That was your brother’s idea,” Tanna said quickly in her defense. “I didn’t ask him to do it and even tried to stop him. It’s the truth,” she said when he looked doubtful. “Besides, he was only helping me to stop the bleeding.”
“Yeah,” Doran said in a sour tone, unrolling the bandage once more. “A real gentleman.”
“I know you’re not jealous.” She lowered her voice. “So I’ll guess you’re worried that I broke my cover. You can be assured that I didn’t. I only wanted to make sure he liked me.”
“You succeeded.” He rolled the bandage up. “You weren’t supposed to get hurt.”
“It was an accident. A minor accident.”
“I said you’d be safe,” he said unrolling the bandage with more vigor.
“I am safe.” She covered his hand. “Will you cut that out?”
He took a deep breath. “I will, just let me finish.”
“Finish?”
“I have to roll it back up.”
The tone and look made it clear that he had to. She removed her hand and watched him roll the bandage back into place. He looked around the kitchen as if searching for something.
“What are you looking for?” she asked.
“I have to get this out of my sight or I’ll start again.”
“Give it to me and close your eyes.”
He did.
She put the bandage on a stool hidden underneath the island. “Okay, you can open your eyes now.”
He rubbed the knuckles of his fist. “I’m not crazy. I just—”
“You don’t have to explain.”
He rubbed his knuckles harder. “I should have warned you about Raymond.”
“Not much you could have done. To be honest it was almost a relief. I’d already made an idiot of myself. I’d grabbed Dillon’s arm thinking he was you at first then started rambling about something I can’t remember now and then boom! I was on the ground. I went from one embarrassment to another, but I decided to look on the bright side. My nose hurts, but it’s not broken and I don’t have a headache. Besides, I was in good hands and your brother came up with a great story for the party tomorrow. Isn’t that clever?”
Doran turned his gaze to one of the large bay windows, rubbing his fist even harder, and mumbled under his breath, “Of course, he’s the smart one after all.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Tanna removed the bandage from its hiding place and put it on the counter. “Here. I prefer you toy with this than rub your hand as if you’re trying to start a fire.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll stop.” He nodded to the bandage before closing his eyes. “Put that away, but somewhere else since I now know where it was.”
Tanna tossed the bandage under the kitchen table. She’d retrieve it later. “Okay.”
He opened his eyes. “Thanks,” he said, but his eyes looked sad. He reminded her of the man she’d found outside the castle looking lost. She knew the reason for his sadness back then, he’d suffered a broken heart, she could only imagine what his mother had said to put that expression on his face now.
She lightly touched his sleeve. “Could I get you a drink?”
The shadow of a smile touched his lips. “Maybe another time.” He gently tore off the creative bandaging on her nose. “If the bruising is really bad tomorrow, we’ll use makeup. You don’t need this. You’re fine just the way you are,” he said in a soft voice.
“You too,” Tanna said, wishing she could erase the sadness from his eyes. She jumped up and sat on one of the stools so that they were almost of equal height. “Do you know what’s better than a drink?”
“What?”
She held out her arms. “A hug.” She knew it was corny, but she’d do anything to lift his spirits, even a little. She hoped to make him smile, instead his gaze darkened and in one smooth motion his arms encircled her body and he clasped her body tightly to his.
Tanna swallowed, her mind racing as her hands felt the rope muscles of his back. His brother, half naked, didn’t affect her as much as Doran did fully clothed. She briefly closed her eyes indulging in the luxurious pleasure of being so close to him. She should have offered to hug him before. Maybe he felt something too? Maybe his feelings towards her were beginning to change. The sound of footsteps hurrying into the kitchen dashed her hopes, pounding on her dreams with their cruel reality. He’d probably heard them coming before she did. All his actions were part of the pretense. None of it was real.
The sound of the footsteps stopped then a female voice behind Tanna said, “Your brother told me to clear up the First Aid kit and make a new ice pack.”
“We’ll take care of it,” Doran said. But even as the footsteps faded he didn’t let her go, and she wasn’t sure if she imagined it or if he had really held her a little tighter before finally stepping back and releasing her. “It’s not better than a drink, but it will hold me for a while.”
“Until the next round?”
“Don’t worry,” he said, the look of sadness gone from his gaze, replaced by a mischievous glint. “I’m fully prepared for that.”
Chapter 18
Dillon didn’t realize he was whistling as he walked to his son’s bedroom. So that was the woman his brother planned to marry? She wasn’t like any of the others his brother had paraded in front of him before. She was pretty, not as striking as the women his brother usually chose, but her big brown eyes and bright smile made up for a lack of perfection. He liked her laugh and how she hadn’t gotten angry at Raymond.
His good mood fell. Raymond. He had to deal with him and wasn’t sure how.
He took a deep breath before he walked into his son’s room and found Raymond sitting on his bed with his legs drawn up, pressed against his chest. “I didn’t mean to hurt her,” he said in a small voice. “Is she really angry?”
Dillon sat on the bed. “No. Why did you disobey me?”
“I’m always picked last for gym and I thought if I got better with my kicking that maybe they’d choose me.”
“You could have told me that.”
“You’re always busy.”
“I would have made time.”
“I don’t like when you get mad.”
Dillon sighed. He did get impatient with Raymond. It was hard having such a clumsy son. But he tried his best not to show it. As a kid, Dillon had succeeded at every sport he chose, his son tripped over his own shoes and was as coordinated as a drunk octopus. “I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you I just want—”
“Me to be better,” Raymond finished. “I wish I was better. I wish I wasn’t so stupid. Gran says I’m useless.”
Dillon rested his hand on his son’s head, taking control of his temper. His mother had a wicked tongue and it hadn’t softened with age. It had only gotten worse. He’d never been the object of her criticisms, he’d worked too hard to please her. His brother, on the other hand, had gotten the brunt of it, leaving little left for him to deal with. Now his mother had set her sights on his son who, unlike Doran, took every cruel remark to heart. “You’re not stupid or useless,” he said, wondering how often he’d have to say those words so that his son would believe them, “and you will get better. I’ll help you with the soccer later. Okay?”
Raymond nodded, opened his mouth then closed it.
“What?”
“That woman, is she really going to marry Uncle Doran?”
“It looks that way,” he said, still surprised his brother was ready to settle down with a woman so opposite his usual type.
“I’m glad. I
didn’t like the other ones.”
“They each had their own charm,” he said determined to be diplomatic.
“I like her.”
Dillon sighed again, remembering Tanna’s laughter and smile. “Me too.”
It wouldn’t work. Whatever that conniving, disobedient son of hers was up to, it wouldn’t work. She wouldn’t let it.
Vanessa lay on her massage table as the masseuse kneaded her muscles. She was tight. Too tight. How dare he! And at such an important time. The irritating little brat. What did he think he was doing? How could he just look at her as if nothing she said mattered?
“You’re really tense today, ma’am,” the masseuse said, a lanky woman with big hands. Vanessa could imagine her cracking walnuts with her thumbs.
Tense? She thought she was tense? I know that you idiot, why do you think you’re here? “It’s been a trying day.”
“Are you doing the breathing exercises we’d discussed?”
Was the child actually lecturing her? She’d have her replaced tomorrow. “Hmm.”
“If you—”
“Let me explain something that you’re forgetting. I ask the questions, not you. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Vanessa took a deep, steadying breath, but could still feel the beginnings of a headache. To think that tomorrow she’d have to introduce that woman—such a woman!—as a potential daughter-in-law. No, she wouldn’t. If she had to introduce her at all she’d refer to her as her son’s friend. But he seemed bent on ruining things. Even though he’d treated her with such nonchalance when she’d finally gotten him alone.
“The Hayfields are coming and I’m hoping to have them invest in my foundation.”
“I’m sure you’ll succeed,” Doran said sounding bored. “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”
“They like to see a stable, successful family,” she said undaunted by his lack of interest.
He lifted a brow. “Are we supposed to find them one?”
“Megan will be there.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“It’s your chance to tidy up whatever misunderstanding transpired between you two.”
He trailed a finger along the arm of the couch. “There was no misunderstanding.”
“If you would just tell me what happened, I could—”
“Nothing happened. It just ended.”
“But you were—are so perfect for each other.”
“I’m with Tanna now.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes and bristled. “What a god awful name.”
He waited.
“I’ll never accept her.”
“You haven’t given her a chance.”
“She has a degree in what?”
“She’s a home stager. You should see what she did with Rosemarie’s place.”
“A man in your position needs someone who will—”
“I’m not joining the company. You already have Rosemarie and Dillon at your beck n’ call. I’m fine doing what I do.”
“Yes,” she said. She clasped her hands together and lean forward with feigned interest. “How is your little hair salon doing?”
“The three branches for my men’s grooming business are doing very well.”
Vanessa sat back disappointed, his jaw didn’t even twitch this time, she must be losing her touch. She’d needle him another way. “I still can’t believe you abandoned your family obligation for such a ridiculous venture.”
“And it makes me a ridiculous amount of money.”
She didn’t know how he managed it. His greatest problem was that things came too easily to him. In school he was popular and well liked. He’d started making money even then. At fourteen a local store offered to give him free clothes because whenever he wore something other kids would follow. He later got paid, even though he didn’t need the money “I’m worth it,” she remembered him telling her one day when she saw him counting his money. He eventually went into business with the store owner and it expanded into his men’s grooming business. She’d thought it was a passing phase. She didn’t think it would become so lucrative since he was so careless when it came to business. He’d gotten lucky in the partner he’d chosen.
But choosing a wife was something else entirely. Soon he’d get tired of his rebelliousness and join the company, but to start a family with such a woman. A woman with a face as wide as a plate and skin as dark as a raisin…no. A woman like Tanna was everything she couldn’t stand. One of those unsophisticated, upstart immigrants who came and stole jobs other scrambled for. Her family had struggled and built a life in this country after being brought in chains from Ghana. Theres was a proud heritage of betrayal, sacrifice and victory. What would someone like her know about their history? Their heritage? Their traditions?
Megan understood the subtle, important nuances of their culture. Tanna had no such finesse. And that figure. How could a woman let her body go like that? Did she have no shame? Vanessa closed her eyes. If her husband was still around he could advise her. Doran always seemed to listen to him more. He was being stubborn, but she’d find a way to change his mind.
But a least she’d had one minor triumph, Vanessa thought when she recalled the small surprise she’d sprung on Doran.
“Are we finished now?” he asked, beginning to stand. “I told Tanna I’d give her a tour.”
“In a moment. Someone wants to see you first.”
His face changed and for a moment he looked like a trapped animal. “You didn’t.”
Vanessa didn’t know what had given her away, how he could have guessed at her surprise since he wasn’t the brightest, but he had. She smiled, pleased to see the look of boredom and smug defiance wiped from his face. “She wanted to drop something off before the party. I said she could.”
Doran jumped to his feet, but it was too late. Megan walked into the room. “Hello, Doran,” she said, saying his name with an intimacy that was telling.
Vanessa remembered the look on his face—shock, mingled with fear and hurt. A beautiful combination.
Shock she’d expected. Fear had its place, but the hurt. She smiled at the memory. The hurt in his eyes was just the ammunition she needed. Hurt was good. Pain she could use. It was one of the few ways she could manipulate him.
He still felt something for Megan, he could deny it with his mouth, but it was clear in his face and the feeling was strong.
Vanessa felt her muscles relax. She didn’t care that Doran had given Megan curt replies to her questions or that he’d cut their conversation short before storming out of the room.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Megan had asked her. “I’m not sure this will work.”
“Just do as we discussed and everything will be fine.”
And she knew it would be. Doran still loved Megan. She planned to use that to her advantage.
Chapter 19
He’d run right into her pitchfork.
Doran sat on the edge of the pier and stared over the still lake waters, the fading light of the summer evening slowly settled around him, the waning sunlight cascading over the waters. He’d left Tanna alone after dinner to give her time to get used to their new sleeping arrangements. He was beginning to wonder about them himself, but he’d handle that later.
Right now he had to think.
He should have been more prepared. He should have expected his mother would have something up her sleeve. If he had been more on guard she wouldn’t have caught him unaware and hit his soft spot. What shocked him the most was that he still had one. The strength of his feelings at seeing Megan again nearly toppled him. His heart cracking and bleeding all over again as she spoke to him. He stared at her, angered that she could still affect him.
He didn’t even remember what he said before he left. It didn’t matter anyway, his mother had won that round. And that kind of triumph would make her bolder. He’d planned to tell Tanna that she had to be careful, then heard her laughter. When he walked into the kitchen a
nd saw her with his identical twin brother—his shirtless twin brother—fury almost choked him.
Tanna was his.
Dillon could have his mother’s praise and love. He easily escaped her wrath. His brother could have Rosemarie’s respect and the admiration of all the employees of their family’s business.
He could not have Tanna, even in a small way.
Although it was just pretend, he wanted all of Tanna’s attention, her smiles and her laughter. He wanted her to think he was smart. He wanted to be the one she turned to.
Doran gritted his teeth. But he hadn’t gotten that chance. He hadn’t been there when she’d gotten hurt, instead Dillon had come to the rescue, cared for her and made her laugh.
He gripped his hand into a fist. He wasn’t falling for her. He was still raw from seeing Megan again and that had made him vulnerable.
No, he wasn’t falling for her. When he fell, he fell hard and he wasn’t going to do that again. He’d been burned once, twice would be stupid. And he wasn’t stupid.
It wasn’t his fault she was so likable, right? There was no harm in liking her a little bit. He couldn’t have come this far in their plan otherwise. And was it his fault that she seemed to say just what he needed to hear?
He probably shouldn’t have hugged her. Kissing her was one thing, but hugging her…hugging her brought out a craving he’d long kept buried. Feeling the soft give of her breasts against his chest, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against him. Holding her in his arms, he forgot about his mother and Megan.
That’s what shook him the most. For one wild moment, Megan meant nothing. His cracked heart became whole once more and he felt as if he could achieve anything. He felt renewed, as if he could do battle with his mother and win.
Doran leaned back on his elbows and stared up at the sky as the silhouette of a flock of birds soared overhead. A soft smile spread on his face.
No, he probably shouldn’t have hugged Tanna. Sleeping close to her tonight would be a challenge and he’d have to fight hard to stay on his side of the bed, but he wouldn’t change a thing.