A Friendly Engagement (23 page)

The group twirled faster, and then they danced their way around the yard to quickly help pick up toys as the lightning moved in.

She was so damn beautiful. If he could ever picture himself with someone it’d be—

The cupboard door behind him banged shut, and he glared over his shoulder as Brian grabbed a mug and poured himself a cup of coffee.

“Omar,” he said, before slugging back a mouthful.

Omar greeted him with a nod. “Price.”

The other man strolled over to where he stood and eyed Devi. His smile made Omar’s gut clench.

“It’s hard to take your eyes off her. Even wet.” Brian laughed, his gaze raking over Devi with interest. “You really got lucky when you found her. She’s something.”

Omar nodded. “She is. And so is your wife.” The other man should learn to pay attention to the woman he already had instead of sniffing around elsewhere.

Brian laughed, a mixture of bitter and harsh. “She’s definitely an improvement over Anita. She has way more spunk. Your taste in assistants has improved.”

At the mention of his former assistant, Omar clenched his fists.

How could Devi think Omar had misjudged this man? How come she couldn’t see him for the asswipe he was?
Might help if you told her what happened.

Even standing in the same room with him raised the hairs on Omar’s arms. Bad news with a capital
B
. He didn’t like spreading gossip, but maybe he should clue Devi in as to how this man operated.

“Excuse me. I’m heading back. Enjoy your coffee.” Omar moved past Brian, knocking him in the shoulder.

“And the view.”

Omar clenched his fist at his side, gripping the handle of his mug tighter with his other hand. He didn’t need much of an excuse to deck this pig, but he wouldn’t sacrifice the chance at this contract for the satisfaction. Knowing Brian, that was exactly his aim.

But the next time he could pull Devi aside, he’d tell her about Brian and exactly why she needed to steer clear.

…

Devi rested her chin in her palm and gazed out the windows lining the wall of the small kitchen. She’d just hung up from a quick phone call with Grams who’d called her because she had plans with Gramps for an early dinner and a bingo night at the nearby lodge. Devi hadn’t minded cutting their conversation short, the less time they talked, the less questions Grams could ask.

The view of the pool and the ocean from the granite bar top soothed Devi’s anxious nerves, sweeping away the guilt she felt about not being up-front with Grams.

She refused to think about what would happen between her and Omar after this week ended. Nothing would get her down. She’d make the most of whatever they had for however long they had it.

And the feelings coursing through your mind?

Of course she’d have different feelings. Hell, she’d had the most amazing sex of her life for three days running. Her feelings were bound to change about the man who’d shown her a whole new world.

She smiled and gazed out at the late afternoon gray. The rain had teetered off, but a light drizzle fell from the sky and a slight chill filled the air. Earlier, the kids and most of the adults had made their way into the large living room where one of William’s staff had lit a fire in the huge fieldstone fireplace. There they played board games and read, but Devi had taken the opportunity to run up to her room for her trusty laptop and now she sat in the kitchen intent on research.

So far she hadn’t gotten very far. She had narrowed down her list to four investigators, but most of her time had been spent daydreaming about Omar.

And he didn’t help matters when about an hour before he’d wandered in with Amad Singh to refill his coffee. They hadn’t spoken, but their eye sex had sent a shiver over her skin with promises for tonight. She could only hope he’d need another cup soon so she could get her second fix of the day.

She missed him. How crazy was that? There were times at work that they went days without seeing each other. Now that they’d become intimate she couldn’t go a few hours?

This obsession had the potential to ruin her good track record as an employee if she let it. She didn’t want to become the needy woman Omar feared. And although her feelings for him had changed, and it’d be easy to fall for him—care too much—a relationship wasn’t something she wanted.

Was it?
Don’t lie to yourself.

She sighed and let the truth sink in.

If there were a man on earth she could fall in love with, he’d be Omar. But why ruin a good thing like awesome sex with thoughts about a future. She’d only wanted to go with the flow and live by her life’s motto. Why the hell was she even thinking about anything long-term with Omar?

She flung her hair over her shoulder, determined to step back from her Omar obsession and pick an investigator tonight.

If Omar, William, and the rest of them were locked away in talks, she’d have plenty of time to accomplish both. She’d find the man who would help her locate her father. As for Omar, their motto would strictly be friends with benefits, for however long it lasted.

Funny how their little friendly engagement had morphed into an even friendlier affair.

Her belly rumbled, and she eyed the clock on her laptop. Going on four. The chef had come through earlier to grab a few veggies for a salad he was preparing in the larger kitchen to go along with whatever else he had planned. But she didn’t know if she’d be able to make it another couple of hours. Good thing William stocked this kitchen with a few snack items that were easily accessible to the kids and anyone who might wander in from outside.

Devi peered into the fridge and moved aside some hard-boiled eggs, a tray of veggies, and several containers with various fruits. The small fruit salad she’d had for lunch wasn’t enough to hold her over until dinner. When she spotted the cheese and a bag of apples in the crisper, her tummy made another loud noise.

Her heart jumped into her throat when a warm pair of arms circled her from behind and squeezed.

She dropped the apple back in the crisper and ran her hand along the hairy arms, then looked down. Her heart stalled in her throat.

Those weren’t Omar’s hands. His fingers. Or his wedding ring.

She stiffened and tried to pull away, turning her head. “What the hell?”

“I decided to take a snack break, too, Devi.” Brian’s breath fanned her ear, and she cringed before trying to free herself again. He tightened his grip and rubbed up behind her.

“You smell good.”

“Let me go, Brian.” Her gaze skittered around the room, as if she could reach something and bonk him over the head with it to get away. Only there was nothing close by.

Brian touched his lips to her shoulder. They felt clammy and…and wrong. “You have the softest skin.”

“And you have a wife.” She jammed her foot over his and squirmed to get out of his arms. “What the hell are you doing?”

He chuckled, and the sound sent shivers of revulsion through her body. Just how the hell would she get out of his grip? He was a good foot taller than her, at least a hundred pounds heavier, and much stronger.

“Oh, come on, sweets. You sent me the message loud and clear yesterday.”

Anger welled up inside of her. “What are you talking about?”

He brushed his cheek against her hair. “You told me that Omar doesn’t tell you what to do. I’m assuming he doesn’t tell you who to do it with, either.”

She wanted to smack the smugness out of his voice, but she couldn’t even loosen his hold on her enough to turn around, much less free her arms.

“Let me go, Brian. I’m not interested.” She yanked her body one more time, and he chuckled again.

“Maybe a little taste will change your mind.” He spun her around and yanked her up against his chest. She could smell his cheap aftershave mingled with sweat, and her nose flared.

His head loomed over hers, blocking out the overhead light. She wanted to be sick as his stale coffee breath fanned her face. She squished her eyes shut and pressed her mouth closed, moving her head from side to side.

“Get your fucking hands off her.” Omar’s voice boomed through the room.

Brian was yanked away with such force she lost balance, staggering back until she came up hard against the counter with her hip.

A loud crack permeated the room as Omar’s fist connected with Brian’s jaw. Devi cringed, rubbing her hip, pressing her eyes closed, and turning her head. Brian might be a jerk, but the sound of Omar’s fist hitting him square in the jaw made her body ache.

The older man hit the floor, landing with a solid thud on his backside. Omar’s stance—shoulders back and jaw tight—issued a challenge she knew the other man couldn’t accept. Or if he did he’d be mush.

Omar motioned for him to get up. “Come on. You want to be a big man, prove it.”

Brian slid as he tried to get back on his feet. Omar grabbed him by the shirt and jerked him to his feet, but before he could punch Brian again, Devi grabbed his arm.

“Stop. He’s not worth it.”

Omar flexed his fingers as he loosened his grip and shoved Brian in the chest so hard his shoulder hit the fridge. The other man rubbed his chin, then his shoulder, his eyes wide.

“You just lost any chance you had of getting a contract with William Bartow,” Brian sneered.

“You’ve got that wrong, Mr. Price.”

They all turned to find William and Pam standing in the archway. William’s jaw ticked, and he balled his fists at his sides. Pam wiped a stray tear from her cheek, before her gaze hardened and her lips compressed.

“This is the final straw, Brian. You’ve humiliated me for the last time. How could you?” Pam turned on her heel and walked away with a rigid back.

The look on Brian’s face was priceless. He’d never expected Devi to refuse him, and he sure as hell didn’t expect an audience.

He shoved past Omar and William. “Pam. Pam, wait. It wasn’t my…”

His panicked words faded as he ran after her. The muffled sounds of their conversation sent a shiver down Devi’s spine. His poor wife.

Devi’s legs shook, and she plopped onto the nearest stool, pressing her hand to her throat, gaining a small amount of comfort from her locket. Her eyes darted between William and Omar.

Damn, she’d gotten lucky. First Omar had chosen just the right moment to come into the kitchen. And then William had walked in and witnessed firsthand what Brian was all about.

The only downfall being Pam had seen and heard, too. Devi’s heart broke for the woman. It wasn’t her fault she had a slimy bastard for a husband.

She took a shaky breath. “I-I can’t believe that just happened. What was he thinking?” Her hand shook as she ran it through her hair.

William came up beside her and pressed a glass of water into her hand. “You okay?”

She nodded, unable to speak.

“I’m going to check on Pam and make sure to help Brian pack and walk him to the door. I’ll be back.” William turned toward Omar. “I’m sorry this happened. I had no idea.”

“O-okay.” Devi took a shaky breath as William walked from the room with forceful strides. She took a small sip of the water before putting the glass on the counter with shaky hands.

Omar knelt down until they were eye to eye. He rubbed her arms, and she welcomed the warmth. “You okay, babe?”

She nodded.

“Shit. I should’ve told you the complete story about Brian from the beginning.” He rubbed the side of his neck.

“Is this his M.O.? Was that why you warned me to keep my distance?” Devi searched Omar’s face. “Oh my God. Poor Pam.”

“Unfortunately for Pam, she’s all too aware of Brian’s history. He has a wandering eye, and that’s putting it mildly.”

“I can’t believe he thought I was interested…that I would even consider…” She shivered and hugged herself.

“I didn’t think he’d try anything in a house full of people.” He stood and scrubbed his hands down his face. “This is all my fault. Shit.”

“This isn’t your fault. You saved me, O.”

“If I’d told you up front, you’d have been better prepared.”

She shook her head. “No. He came up behind me when I was rummaging in the fridge. I didn’t even hear him come in the room.” Would she ever be able to trust her judgment again? She’d never gotten someone so wrong.
But you did pick up on something being off.
And she’d brushed her inner warning aside.

“You can’t blame yourself.” Omar lifted her chin. “Devi, you’re a good person. You always take people at their best until they prove you wrong. Unfortunately, Brian was one of the ones to prove you wrong.”

When she opened her mouth to speak, he pressed his finger over her lips.

“Don’t doubt yourself. I know you, remember?”

His smile comforted her, and she blinked away the tears stinging the back of her eyes. “I’m sick to my stomach. More so for his wife. I can’t even imagine.”

“I’d like nothing better than to wipe up the floor with him.” Omar’s jaw ticked and his eyes hardened.

In all her years, in all her travels, she’d never experienced anything like that. Her stomach clenched, and she pressed her hand against it. So sad that there were pigs in the world.

“Was that why your dad asked him to resign?” Devi’s voice came out small.

Omar hugged her—one of his bear hugs that she could always depend on. He rocked her in his arms, even though she remained seated, and she found comfort in his warm, wide chest. His strong hands.

“He made a move on one of our assistants. Anita.”

She’d heard the name around the office. Devi had taken her place, although they’d waited a year or so before replacing her, letting Nancy take over much of her workload.

“And he’s why she left?”

He nodded against the top of her head. “She fell for his sweet talk. She believed his lies. After she found out his true colors, she resigned.”

Devi felt pain for the woman she’d never met. More proof that love hurt and could ruin your life if you weren’t careful.

She stepped out of Omar’s arms and ran her fingers through her hair. “I feel horrible for Pam, and Anita. But I’m so glad you came in when you did.”

“Me, too. I told you I’d always be here for you.”