by Dara Girard
Chapter 20
She was starving. Was that grassy stack of greens supposed to be dinner? True, the large mandarin salad was beautifully made, but after finishing it she was so hungry she could have eaten the plate. Fortunately, she’d been left alone and planned to do something about it. Doran had disappeared somewhere upstairs, Dillon and Raymond were in the TV room and Mrs. Gibson had slithered into her den early.
With the delight of a child on the hunt of a cookie jar, Tanna tiptoed into the kitchen and opened the fridge, hoping to find something—anything!—that would make her feel full.
“What are you looking for?” Dillon asked, Raymond following shyly behind him.
She froze. Caught! She let her shoulders drop. No use denying it. “Food.”
“Dinner wasn’t enough?”
“I don’t know why you even use utensils. You might as well just swallow air.”
He grinned. “You’re in luck, I brought a secret stash.” He opened up the freezer.
Her mouth dropped when she saw the carton. “Ice cream,” she said in awe. “Do you have cones?”
He opened up a cupboard, pushed some boxes aside and pulled another to the front.
“My savior,” Tanna said wanting to hug him. “I don’t suppose you’d have caramel, colored sprinkles and a cherry, too?”
“That’s asking too much.”
“Then I’ll improvise.” She saw a jar of nuts then looked at Raymond as if he were a coconspirator. “How would you like a nut covered ice cream cone?”
He nodded and climbed up on one of the stools.
She grabbed the cuttingboard and chopped up some nuts, rolled the ice cream in it then handed it to him. “There you go,” she said with a flourish.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice eager. He took one lick and the scoop of ice cream toppled to the ground with a splat.
His shoulders fell.
“You know what?” Tanna said, quickly snatching up the ice cream and throwing it away. “I’ve always thought milkshakes were sooo much better.” She looked at Dillon. “Don’t you think so?”
His eyes twinkled. “Yes, much better.”
She wiped her hands. “Let’s have that instead.”
She quickly chopped up some strawberries and bananas that were sitting in a bowl on the counter and made a milkshake then handed it to Raymond, holding her breath. He took it and drank it without incident.
“Good save,” Dillon whispered as his son happily sipped his drink.
“I try.” She handed him his glass.
Doran entered the room. “How come I keep finding you two alone in the kitchen?”
“We’re not alone,” Tanna said, nodding to Raymond.
“I had to see how my patient is doing,” Dillon said.
Doran nodded at the drink in his brother’s hand. “What is that?”
“We’re having milkshakes,” Raymond said, swinging his feet. “It’s sooo good.”
Doran walked over and stood beside Tanna. He shook his head. “If Mom catches you.”
“It’s worth it,” Dillon said.
Doran took Tanna’s glass just as she was about to drink. He took a sip. “Mmm not bad.”
“I could have this every day,” Raymond said.
Tanna reached for her glass. Doran moved it out of reach and kept drinking. “It’s not good for you,” he said.
“Yes it is. She used fresh berries and bananas. I saw her.”
Tanna made a face at Doran then grabbed a small glass and filled it with the remnants of what was left in the blender and drank it—about three sips worth.
He finished his glass then set it down. “Thanks, honey.” He kissed her, his lips cold from the drink.
Five, she mouthed when he drew away, making sure he knew he’d reached his limit of kisses. “My pleasure,” she said through clenched teeth. “Although I didn’t expect you to finish it all, dear.”
“You can have some of mine,” Dillon said.
She eagerly held out her glass. “Thank you.”
Doran pulled her close to his side. “I’m sure there’s no need for that.”
Dillon noticed the possessive gesture with a smile. “If you hadn’t been so greedy, you would have noticed that she was hungry.”
“Then I’ll help her make another one.”
“Why make her go through all that trouble? Oh, I forgot your priorities always come ahead of others.”
Doran’s tone hardened. “She’s a top priority to me.”
Tanna waved her hand. “Still here in case you didn’t notice.”
The two brothers ignored her.
“You have a funny way of showing it,” Dillon said.
“If she’s really hungry, I’ll take her somewhere.”
“I don’t want to go somewhere,” Tanna said. “I just want a milkshake.” She held her glass out to Dillon. “Thanks for the offer to share.”
Doran took the glass from her. “I’ll help you make another one.”
“Can I help too?” Raymond said.
“Sure,” Tanna said.
“No!” His father and uncle said in unison.
“You don’t want him around sharp objects,” Dillon said.
“The last time he tried to put something in the toaster it caught fire,” Doran said.
“I’m sure it will be okay,” Tanna said. “But I can’t have you both standing there like that making him nervous. Scram.”
Dillon shook his head. “Tanna, I don’t—”
“We’ll be fine.”
He looked at his son. “You listen to everything she says, understood?”
“Yes, Dad.”
He headed towards a cupboard. “The First Aid kit is—”
She pushed him towards the door. “Go.”
Doran looked at Raymond then her. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do. And if I get hurt…” She smiled and fluttered her lashes. “I can blame you.”
“Where’s Tanna and Raymond?” Rosemarie asked when her brothers joined her on the patio.
“In the kitchen,” Dillon said, taking a seat. “She’s showing him how to make a strawberry-banana milkshake.”
Rosemarie blinked. “She’s letting him help her?”
He nodded.
“She’s a brave woman. Do you think she’ll scream when she loses a finger?”
Dillon jumped to his feet. “Maybe I should check on her.”
Rosemarie laughed and shook her head. “It was a joke. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
Dillon sent a nervous look at the door. “You didn’t see what he did to her this afternoon.”
“Sit down, if anyone is supposed to be racing to her rescue it should be her fiancée.” She shot Doran a look.
The silent rebuke didn’t faze him. “Tanna doesn’t need rescuing,” he said.
She nodded. “Of course.” A naughty grin quirked the corner of her mouth. “However, if she were Megan…” She let her words fade away, her challenge hanging in the air. When he didn’t take the bait, she continued. “I heard she stopped by. Sorry I missed that reunion.”
“Megan stopped by?” Dillon asked.
“Yes, Mom mentioned it.” She looked at Doran. “How is she?”
“You’ll see her tomorrow,” Doran said. “Why are you asking me?”
“Oh dear, am I upsetting you?”
“Leave him alone,” Dillon said. “I’d hate it if my ex showed up here too.”
“Yes, but you’re not still in love with her.”
Doran rested his chin in his hands and gazed out at the water.
Dillon leaned back in his chair. “Neither is he.”
“Maybe, but something improved Mom’s mood at dinner and I don’t think it was her massage.”
“It wasn’t Megan,” Dillon said. “Doran’s completely over.”
“How do you know?”
Doran looked at his brother equally intrigued.
“Have you met Tanna yet?” Dillon asked her.
“Yes.”
“Isn’t she amazing? A breath of fresh air.”
“Sure, but—”
Dillon nodded at his brother. “Go on and tell her.”
“Tell her what?” Doran said confused.
Dillon looked at his sister. “She could tell us apart.”
Doran stiffened; Rosemarie’s gaze sharpened. “What did you just say?” she said.
“Tanna can tell us apart,” he repeated emphasizing every word.
Rosemarie leaned forward with interest. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. She grabbed my arm then looked at my face and knew I wasn’t Doran. You know what that means.”
“Oh my God,” Rosemarie said. “Doran you sly thing.”
“Don’t make a big deal out of this,” Doran said.
Dillon frowned. “I thought you’d be happy.”
Rosemarie sniffed. “What does he have to be happy about? It’s not real.” She lifted a brow at Doran, urging him to disagree. “Is it?”
Doran rubbed his chin.
Dillon looked at them both. “What’s going on?”
“I think our little brother is trying to pull a con.”
Doran stared off at something in the distance.
Dillon frowned at him. “What is she talking about?”
Rosemarie folded her arms. “Nothing. Just don’t be surprised if our brother is suddenly free and single in a couple of months.” Rosemarie swung her foot. “However, if Mom finds out that she can tell you apart that may change things.”
“Mom’s not going to find out anything,” Doran said. “And you aren’t going to mention it. I’m sure it was just luck. Her two younger sisters are twins, so perhaps she developed a knack.”
“You know it’s a big deal.”
“No, it’s not.”
“I ignored the warnings and look what happened to me,” Dillon said.
“Your marriage didn’t break up because of some family myth.”
“I’m not so sure any more.” He shook his head confused. “Why are you fighting me on this? You can use this information as ammo against Mom. She tried to surprise you with Megan and you can blow her away with this. It will be hard to fight.”
Doran stood. “I’m going to check on Tanna,” he said before he left.
Dillon looked at his sister, baffled. “What’s wrong with him?”
“You honestly don’t see that this is all a lie?”
“What’s a lie?”
“Tanna and Doran’s engagement. I think he’s using her to pass off as his fiancée so that the dragon will leave him alone.”
Dillon shook his head. “No, it’s real. When he’s with her, he’s different.”
“Then why isn’t she wearing one of the family rings? It’s tradition to offer it during an engagement.”
“You know Doran likes to break traditions. He’s probably waiting to give it to her on their wedding day.”
Rosemarie shook her head. “No, it’s proof their relationship is not real.”
“I think it is.”
Rosemarie rubbed her hands together and smiled. “Wanna make a bet?”
“Sure. A hundred.”
“Why so conservative?”
“Okay, two hundred.”
“Why not a thousand? Unless you’re not sure,” she said her smile widening. “I wouldn’t blame you for having some doubts.”
“I don’t. Let’s make it fifteen hundred.”
She held out her hand. “When you pay me, make sure it’s cash.”
Chapter 21
Doran walked into his bedroom then stopped when he saw Tanna lying on her side reading a book. She wore a long blue satin nightgown that swept over her generous curves, sending a subtle invitation. He gripped the doorframe, his body responding to her.
She sat up when she saw him, swinging her legs over the bed, giving him a brief glimpse of her dark chocolate legs before her nightgown covered them. He could picture slipping it from her shoulders and letting it fall to a puddle at her feet. Or better yet, he could slowly slide it up her legs, up her thighs, over her hips and…
He silently swore. If he stayed, he wasn’t going to behave himself. He was too close to making his plan work to ruin things now. It didn’t matter that he wanted to sink in-between her thighs with his tongue, with his hand, with his body. He wanted to find out if she was noisy or quiet. If she liked it slow or fast or somewhere in-between. Was she bossy or submissive? Did she like to be on top or below? He didn’t care which, he’d let her ride him all night long and then switch places and take her to the moon and back.
“Are you really that surprised to see me all in one piece?” Tanna asked.
“What?”
“Why are you just standing there?”
Because I’m afraid to move. “Did you enjoy your milkshake?”
“Very much and Raymond was fun. Doran, are you sure something’s not wrong? Did you have another meeting with your mother?”
Oh damn, she was standing and coming towards him with that look in her eyes. He could dive into those brown eyes of hers and drown with pleasure. If she offered to hug him, he wouldn’t be able to control himself. No, he could, he wouldn’t want to. He’d find out the answer to every question he had about her and then come up with more. He darted sideways and made a big arch away from her as he headed to his suitcase. “Nothing’s wrong.”
She folded her arms. “You don’t have to avoid me.”
“I’m not avoiding you,” he said, opening his suitcase before remembering it was empty. Why did the staff have to be so efficient with putting things away?
“Then why are you acting as if I have something catching?”
Yes, he wanted to catch her and hold her and… “It’s not that.” He closed his suitcase. He needed to get out now. He took a deep breath and looked at her.“I have some business I have to take care of.”
“Is it bad? You look really worried.”
He stepped back when she reached out to touch his sleeve. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll see you later.”
“Should I leave a light on?”
He headed for the door. “No, I’ll find my way.”
“I don’t mind. I’d hate the thought of you groping your way through the dark.”
Groping. That would be fun. “You’re right, better keep a light on. Sleep tight,” he said, then left knowing he wasn’t going to sleep at all.
She’d worried for nothing. He hadn’t even come to bed that night. She’d worn her longest, loosest nightgown to hide her traitorous body and it hadn’t mattered at all. Where had he spent the night? What business had he needed to attend to? Was that real or an excuse? Did it matter?
Tanna showered and changed. She was in the bathroom putting her makeup on when she heard the bedroom door close. She came out and saw Doran sitting on the side of the bed wearing the same clothes he’d worn from yesterday, looking tired and disheveled.
“Did you work all night?”
He jumped up when he saw her. “No.”
“You look awful.”
He rubbed his cheek. “I need to shave and shower.” He rubbed his eyes. “Or is it shower and shave?”
“Were you up drinking?”
“No, but that probably would have been a good idea.” He stepped into the bathroom. “See you at breakfast,” he said, then closed the door.
The man would continue to be a mystery to her, but that wasn’t her problem. Today was an important day. The day of the party. She could already hear movement outside as the staff prepared for the festivities, and no cloud darkened the sky as if Vanessa had ordered it to be so, but first she had to survive breakfast with the family.
Except there was nothing to chew. Tanna stared at the bowl of yellow-orange colored mush in front of her not knowing what to make of it or the tall green drink that stood beside it. She’d taken a sip and had to fight hard not to gag at its bitterness.
“Excuse me
,” Tanna asked Dillon who sat beside her. “What is this?”
“It’s best not to ask,” he said in a low voice.
“Yes,” Raymond said on the other side of her. “Gran will get mad.”
Tanna looked up at Rosemarie who had already finished half of her green drink. The chair next to her, where Doran was to sit, was still empty. Maybe he had the right idea.
“I wouldn’t want that,” Tanna said, lifting her spoon.
“Do you have a question?” Vanessa asked from her position at the head of the table.
“I was just wondering what this is.”
“It’s a breakfast puree filled with all the best nutrients and excellent for digestion. Haven’t you ever had it before?”
You say puree, I say gruel. “My father makes something similar with gari. But usually it’s sweetened with—”
“I’m not a big fan of sugary foods,” Vanessa smoothly interrupted. “It takes getting some used to, but your body will thank you.”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“What is cari?” Raymond asked.
“It’s called gari and it’s made out of cassava. It can be made into many different things. My father likes to soak it in cold water, mix it with sugar and add evaporated milk. Sometimes my mother adds peanuts. I’d say it’s lighter than your oatmeal because the gari tends to settle at the bottom.”
“Is that what you eat for breakfast too?”
“Oh no. Tea, bread and fried eggs with plenty of fresh tomatoes, peppers and onions.”
“We don’t fry food here,” Vanessa said. “We prefer to treat our bodies like a temple instead of a garbage dump.”
“Mother!” Dillon said, just as Doran took a seat at the table. He looked much better than before, although his eyes still looked tired.
“Nice of you to join us,” Vanessa said. “Your fiancée was just telling us about some of the native cooking you can expect after you’re married. Be prepared to have your arteries clogged within a month.”
“I know fried eggs aren’t the healthiest,” Tanna said. “And I try not to have that dish too often.” She winked at Raymond. “Although it is my favorite and I like to indulge a little.”
“I think you like to indulge more than a little.”