In the Heir

by Ruth Cardello

  He looked her over appreciatively, then smiled. “Ready?”

  To spend another day with you, pretending we’re just friends?

  Their eyes met, and her heart began to thud in her chest. Yes. I know I’m crazy to do this to myself, but I want to be with him—even if it’s only like this. She put her lanyard with her key around her neck and closed the door behind her. “Let’s go.”

  “Did you sleep well?” he asked with an innocent expression on his face.

  She could have lied, but she didn’t. “Like crap.”

  They looked at each other and both laughed. He bent and placed a hand on one of his knees in preparation for racing. “I bet I can beat you to the elevator.”

  “I bet you can’t,” Alisha said, holding her room key so it wouldn’t fly free as she took off in a run.

  “What do I get if I win?” he asked, falling into stride beside her.

  She quickened her pace. “No need to ask because you won’t.”

  A couple opened their door and made sounds of disapproval as Alisha and Brett thundered by them. Their opinion didn’t matter, though. Alisha felt young and free as she rounded the corner with Brett at her heels.

  She was preparing to announce victory when he snaked an arm around her waist and swung her around. She came to a full, sudden stop against the length of him. Any protest she might have uttered against his last-minute cheat was forgotten as her body settled against his. She didn’t wonder if he was as affected by her: evidence of his excitement surged against her stomach.

  In a near whisper she said, “I won.”

  “Then what do you want?”

  She bit her bottom lip. Would one kiss break her promise? What was a kiss in modern society? Little more than shaking hands, right? As long as I don’t sleep with him. “One. One kiss. But only that.”

  With a groan he swooped down and claimed her mouth with his. It was the kind of kiss a woman might wait her whole life for—hungry and primal. She opened herself to it, gave herself over to the pleasure of it. Had they been anywhere else but in the elevator foyer, they would have been tearing each other’s clothing off, but they confined their passion to the kiss.

  “Eww, they’re kissing,” a young girl said.

  “Don’t look. Just keep walking. We’ll take the other elevators,” the woman, likely her mother, said firmly.

  Alisha and Brett jumped back from each other. They both fought to catch their breath.

  “You’re killing me,” he said in a strangled voice.

  As she came back to her senses, Alisha was confused and embarrassed by her request. “Oh my God. I’m an idiot.” How do I expect him to believe I’m not going to sleep with him when I melt every time he touches me?

  He cupped her face with his hand and ran his thumb gently over her lips, silencing her. “I’m the idiot. I can’t keep my hands off you.”

  “I wish—” Alisha stopped. What do I wish? That being with him didn’t feel as good as it does? I didn’t know anyone could make me feel the way he does. Because of him I know I can trust a man, really trust him. He can be strong without being cruel. He’s giving me back a piece of myself I hadn’t realized I’d lost. How do I wish that away? “I wish you weren’t Rachelle’s brother.”

  He let out a harsh breath. “Another unfortunate reality I can do nothing about.”

  Brett knew he wasn’t being fair to Alisha. He listed the reasons in his head, again and again, why her request that they remain just friends was for the best.

  But when she’d asked him for one kiss, every shred of sense left him. That was the wonder of being with her. Before he met her, he would have described himself in terms of who he was at work: relentless, focused, controlled. Not even the boy he’d been before he’d taken over his father’s company had ever laughed too loud or raced down a hallway not caring what others might think. There’d been no room for foolishness in the life that had been mapped out for him.

  Piano? Waste of time.

  Vacation? Only if it had networking potential.

  Relationships were private. Public displays of affection such as what he’d just indulged in with Alisha would have been considered below him. Westerlys had a reputation to uphold. They kept their feelings and their scandals to themselves, and they always came out on top. Always.

  But at what cost?

  When it comes to what really matters—we lose every time.

  He sighed and pulled Alisha into his arms, this time simply holding her. He tucked her head beneath his chin. She was tense within his embrace for a moment, then relaxed and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on his chest. “We’ll figure it out, Alisha. It won’t always be like this.”

  She nodded but didn’t raise her head. He inhaled the light scent of her shampoo and nuzzled the side of her head before he could stop himself. That little indulgence was enough to affect their breathing, and he stepped away because if he didn’t, he knew he couldn’t resist tasting her sweet lips again. “I don’t know about you, but I need that run.”

  She pressed the button on the elevator, then glanced at the stairs. “We’re only five decks down from the track.”

  Without another word they both charged up the stairs and paused only to catch their breath when they reached the right floor. He opened the heavy glass doors, and they walked out together into the bright sunlight. As if they’d done it a hundred times before, they fell into a comfortable matched pace.

  The workout felt good, even better with her company. He wasn’t one who talked much as he ran. For him, half of the benefit was emptying his mind and letting the fall of his steps lull him into a sort of meditation. He always ran alone because the few people he’d tried to run with chattered nonstop, which had denied him what was usually the only peaceful part of his day. Alisha either understood that or also preferred the silence.

  He normally ran five miles a few times a week, but the track on the ship was small. He lost count after about thirty times around and decided it was close enough. When he slowed to a walk, Alisha did as well. “Shower, then breakfast?”

  Wide-eyed, she blushed. “Oh. Sure. That sounds great.” She tucked a loose tendril of hair back into her ponytail. “It’s really windy, but it’s beautiful up here, isn’t it?”

  It sure is. He was enjoying every aspect of the cruise more than he’d ever imagined he would, but she was to blame for that. “What do you feel like doing today?”

  “I had planned to check out the shops and then lose twenty dollars at the casino,” she said.

  “Only twenty? If you don’t risk big, you can’t win big.”

  “I’m okay with that. I’ve worked too hard for what I have to throw it away like that.”

  “At least tell me you play blackjack.”

  “Penny slots only. I dare you to try them and not have fun.”

  He’d try anything she suggested if she asked him in that cocky tone of hers. “You’re on.” He caught his reflection in the glass window of a restaurant they passed, and the expression on his face took him by surprise. His smile was wide and bright. The corners of his eyes were wrinkled with laugh lines. He looked—happy?

  My family is in a state of crisis. I’m lusting after a woman who has no intention of sleeping with me. Why am I smiling?

  He pulled open the glass door that led back to the stairs and had his answer as soon as he looked at Alisha. Because she is.

  It’s that simple.

  And that fucked up.

  A couple of hours later, Brett walked into the ship’s jewelry store with Alisha. She’d said they could skip it, but he wanted to know her taste. “Do you prefer diamonds or rubies?” he asked.

  She shrugged and tucked her hands into the front pockets of her jeans like a child who had been told not to touch anything. “I’ve never cared much about jewelry. I’d rather spend my money on a new lawn mower or a hot water heater.”

  He turned and frowned at her. He didn’t see the world the way she did, but he liked the way
she thought. Unless her practical side stemmed from desperation. “Do you need either of those?”

  “Not yet, but when I do, I’ll have the money to buy them because I didn’t spend it here.” Pride shone in her smile.

  He tried to imagine the wives of his work associates saying something like that and doubted any of them ever had. They wore their diamonds like war trophies. Alisha wasn’t like that. She wasn’t in constant competition with the women around her. She was simply herself. And unlike the women he usually dated, the more time he spent with her, the more he found to like about her. Still, he wanted her to leave with something—a tangible reminder of this trip. “If you had the money, what would you buy?”

  She gave him a funny look. “I don’t need anything.”

  “It’s not about need.” He put his hand on her lower back and guided her toward a display. A salesperson came over and said all the precious stones were half-price for that one day only.

  Alisha shot Brett an unimpressed look and said in a tone for only him to hear, “Which means they are all normally priced at twice the value.”

  He silently agreed, but it wasn’t the cost that mattered. He wanted her to wear something he’d given her. Something more personal than the lanyard.

  “Are you shopping for something in particular?” the salesperson asked.

  Brett pursed his lips and kept his gut response to himself. Yes, do you have a necklace or a bracelet that says, “Don’t even look at me, because I’m taken by a man who has to sort out some family issues before we can fuck? He’s not here with me because he flew home, but I’m definitely taken.”

  “No, just looking,” Alisha answered politely.

  The salesperson not so subtly checked her left hand, then said, “We have our own jeweler aboard who designs incredible engagement rings for much less than you’ll find in the United States. And they come with a guarantee. If you need it repaired or resized, it’ll be covered. Cruises are a wonderful time to pop the question. We even have a wedding coordinator on board if you feel that spontaneous.”

  Alisha tensed beneath his hand and said in a rush, “We’re not . . . he and I are . . . we’re just friends.”

  Brett fought a sudden urge to punch the knowing smile off the salesperson’s face. Instead, he said, “We’ll call you over if we have any questions.” The salesperson took the hint and set his sights on another couple. Once they were alone, Brett decided not to address the awkwardness of what the salesperson had said. He returned the focus to his original goal. “I know your taste.”

  She visibly relaxed, and her smile returned. “Really?”

  He leaned in and pointed at a pair of two-carat diamond earrings. “You’d never wear those.”

  “You’re right.”

  He hovered his hand over a large emerald pendant trimmed in diamonds. “Too flashy.”

  She nodded and leaned closer to inspect it. “It’s beautiful, but you’re right; that’s not my style.”

  He walked to another case. “Now, these remind me of you. Blue diamonds. Rare. Colorful. You’d never wear the square stones because you’re too practical and they’d catch on everything. You’d want beauty you could wear while you teach. Something simple. Understated, but built to endure. Like that one.” He pointed to a bracelet with round blue diamonds spaced out between links of white gold. He nodded at a salesperson who came right over. “She’d like to try that one on.”

  “Of course.”

  “It’s not necessary.” Alisha protested as the woman opened the case and took out the bracelet. “I don’t even wear—” She stopped, held her wrist out to the salesperson, and allowed her to put the bracelet on. “Wow, that’s beautiful. I guess you do know my taste.” She looked up. “How much is it?”

  “Four thousand today. Eight tomorrow,” the salesperson said.

  “We’ll take it,” Brett said.

  Alisha’s eyes flew to his. “No. It’s too expensive.”

  He shrugged. “Hardly.”

  She removed it, placed it on the case, and walked away. Never in his life had he chased a woman, but she was a confusing laundry list of firsts for him. He caught up to her in the hallway outside the store. “Alisha.”

  She stopped and clasped her hands in front of her. “Don’t ruin the day by doing this. I said I don’t want it, and I meant it.”

  Then why do you look about to cry? “Look at me, Alisha.”

  She raised her eyes to his.

  “Talk to me.” He didn’t understand how offering to buy her something could have upset her.

  “Don’t push me. I already feel terrible that we’re together.” She rubbed a hand up one of her arms. “Could we go back to having a fun day? Maybe go to the casino or for a swim?”

  He planted his feet and waited. “The bracelet was merely meant to be a souvenir of this trip.”

  She looked uncomfortable with his persistence, but the answer mattered to him. Finally she said, “Brett, I know it’s not much money to you, but please, please don’t buy me any more gifts.” She looked away as if to compose herself, then added, “It only makes it worse,” in a whisper.

  “Worse? Because of Rachelle? It wouldn’t affect her.”

  She went white. “It would affect me. This is about how I feel. None of this was supposed to happen. It’s bad enough that I’m having so much fun with you when I told Rachelle I’d stay away from you. When I accept things from you, it says I’m not strong enough to do the right thing. I don’t want another reason to feel that way.”

  Loyal to a fault. She gives the feelings of others more importance than her own. A person like that deserves to have good things happen to them. If I want to spoil her, I damn well will.

  The hallway of the ship wasn’t the place to talk out her feelings on the matter, so Brett asked, “Penny slots, then?”

  “Yes,” she said in a relieved tone. “Want to see who can make twenty dollars last longer?”

  He nodded and was rewarded with a smile. He wondered if she realized how much her happiness was beginning to matter to him.

  It was something he’d fought at first, but now saw as part of his newfound journey. There were many things he’d had to concede were beyond his ability to control. He couldn’t change the past. He couldn’t prevent the people he loved from disappointing one another. But he could put a smile on Alisha’s face.

  Somehow, that made everything else bearable.

  Chapter Eighteen

  A short time later, Alisha laughed out loud at the frustrated expression on Brett’s face when she won forty dollars on the penny slot machine. She’d led him to two identical machines that were side by side and unoccupied. After convincing him to only bet twenty dollars, she’d challenged him to match her spin for spin until one of them lost. He’d enjoyed it until his balance had gone below five dollars and hers was nearing sixty.

  “Did you see that woman trip? I hope she’s okay,” he said as he pointed toward the other side of the casino.

  Alisha scanned the room for a woman either on the floor or righting herself after a fall but didn’t see either. “Where?”

  “Next to the man in the orange shirt.”

  “I don’t see a man in an orange shirt.”

  “They must have left.”

  She turned back and looked from his suspiciously happy expression to the credit balance on his machine. He now had sixty-three dollars and change. “You cheated!” She gave his shoulder a shove.

  He continued to look pleased with himself. “I merely took advantage of a loophole in your rules. You stated that we both start with the same amount, but you never stated we couldn’t add as we please.”

  “It was implied.”

  “Which may work in kindergarten, but would never hold up in the business world.”

  Alisha’s chin rose. “You did not just go there.”

  His chin rose as well.

  She folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t care if you’re five or fifty, cheating is cheating. If you want
to play with me, go back down to your original balance or the game is over.”

  “You’re taking this far too seriously.” There he was, dismissing how she felt again. Her temper rose.

  “And I expect an apology for the kindergarten dig.”

  Some of his smugness left. “I can see how that might have sounded—”

  “Might have?” Oh no, he was not getting off that easily.

  “Let’s cash out and go for a walk.”

  “Seriously? You’re so afraid of losing that if you can’t cheat, you’ll quit?” She told herself to drop it, but she couldn’t. Rachelle had said that Spencer had always been in competition with Brett. Did it go both ways? She didn’t like to think she might be a pawn in a game she had inadvertently wandered into.

  A storm raged in his eyes that belied how he was attempting to rationalize his reaction. “It’s just a game.”

  “Is it? Or are you a sore loser? How do you handle losing in real life?”

  “I don’t. I make sure I win.”

  “No matter what?” Nothing he was saying was making her feel better.

  “You’re naive if you think anyone in power follows the rules. We make them.”

  “Wow.” The coldness in his tone was new to her experience with him. Here is the dragon Spencer said destroys all in his way. How can this be the same man who seems so considerate the rest of the time? “This is a side of you that’s hard to like.”

  His eyes darkened, and he looked away. “I added money as a joke. I thought it would make you laugh. It didn’t. Let’s go.” He punched the button to return his winnings to his card.

  She didn’t move. He’s not in charge of my emotions. I am. I may not like what he’s saying, but how I respond is my choice. If he is looking for someone to cower and apologize whenever he is less than pleased, he picked the wrong woman to spend time with. “I didn’t take you for someone who runs away.”

  He froze. “I don’t.”

  “Then don’t dismiss what I said or how you made me feel. Don’t talk down to me. I’ve seen you do it with Spencer, and it’s why he doesn’t go to you with his problems. You are not better than me, but you talk like you think you are. Which man are you? The kind, gentle man who took care of me when I was sick—or the condescending asshole I thought you were the first time we met?”