Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the Heir\Secret Silver Nights\Someone Like You\Indulge Me Tonight (62 page)

“No...
I
need to be right where I am.” He took a moment or three, inhaling deeply before pulling away from the wall and taking her with him.

“I can get another shower in my room.”

“It'll be more fun with me...”

Smoothing her hands across the magnificent ridges of his shoulders, she let her gaze soften with the love she still had for him. She studied his damp hair smattered across his head in wavy ringlets. Drops of water glistened in his close-cut beard to present an irresistible combination. It solidified Tielle's certainty that if she gave in to one more request, they'd be indisposed for the rest of the day.

“Grae, this is my business,” she said to him in the language of entrepreneurship, hoping it would penetrate the erotic haze through which he was operating. “Reporters at a business like mine could cause a lot of panic that I can't afford.”

Silently, Grae could admit that he wanted the reporters to do their worst. Her business dissolving would leave her free to come back to him, right? The more rational side of him triumphed, however, encouraging him to let her go but not before he backed her against another wall. He treated Tielle to a kiss that coaxed her to toss her earlier cautions right out the door. Her moan was a mix of delight and disappointment when she realized he was allowing her to slide down the length of the wall.

“It'd be best for you not to find yourself alone with me again today if you plan on focusing on your business,” he advised.

“Understood.” She cast a fleeting look around the room.

“Good.” He gave a caressing squeeze to her upper arm.

The brief pump around her arm was enough to initiate a wince from Tielle. Her reaction was faint but enough to draw attention.

Grae cocked his head inquisitively. “What?”

“Grae—”

“Did I hurt you? Was it last night? Just now?”

“It's fine, Grae—”

“Dammit, Tel.” He bowed his head, grinding down hard while his jaw muscle flexed. “Please don't give me that lie when—” he pumped her arm again and grimaced at her wince “—I can see proof that you're not.”

“Please listen to me.” Keeping her expression cool, she patted his bare chest in a reassuring fashion. “I'm all right. You didn't hurt me it—it's just an aftereffect.”

“Aftereffect.” He repeated the word as though it was obscene.

“Just please get downstairs.” Tielle was too preoccupied by that morning's goings-on to spend added time soothing Grae's concerns. She kissed his cheek and left him with a smile that was not reciprocated.

Chapter 10

“W
here's Faro?”

“Where's Grae?”

The two questions were bandied about in the midst of conversation regarding the slew of reporters at the gates of Turner Estates and Gardens. While the main gates couldn't be seen from the house, a morning golf game between a few early rising of the family revealed the media presence. Some of the craftier members of the press found their way on the property by taking the long way around to the course where they proceeded to ask the golfers a few choice questions.

“What's all this about new management?”

“Why don't
we
know about it?”

“What will your stockholders do when they ask why
they
didn't know about it?”

“Where's Faro?”

“Good question,” Tielle said to Laura after they arrived in the dining room and caught remnants of the various conversations.

“How'd all this get traced back to Faro anyway?” Tielle warmed her hands over the cashmere sleeves of the sweater she'd changed into after her second shower.

“Apparently the press who talked with the family this morning told them Faro had an important announcement to make, so they just threw in some of their own assumptions.”

“And since he's yet to make an appearance...” Tielle raised her eyebrows.

Laura reciprocated the gesture. “Right...What do we do, Ti?”

Tielle massaged a mounting ache near her temple. “What else? Go into the lion's den and try to calm the lions.”

“Faro!” Someone saw the man entering the room, and the din of conversation raised several decibels.

“He looks calm,” Laura softly noted.

Tielle wasn't convinced. “Yeah...calm.”

“Everyone, please.” Faro waved his hands toward the group in a request for silence. Questions continued to abound. Faro eventually cupped his hands around his mouth. “Silence, please! Now, everybody, I'm sorry about the uproar out there, I really didn't expect such a turnout.”

“Turnout for what?” someone asked.

“What's the press mean by ‘new management'?” another asked.

“Everyone, please,” Faro repeated when the mélange of voices began to take on new life. “Now the press is aware of our family retreat because I told them. I thought we could use the occasion to handle a little PR,” he said as the family began to go wild again.

“Folks, think of how positive a sign our stockholders will take this to know how hard we're working to become a united front.”

“Why would they come all the way up here to watch us hold hands and sing love songs around the fireplace?” someone queried.

“You're right.” Faro smiled. “Chances are we've got so much company because they're hoping all the love and togetherness would turn foul and they'll have a story.”

“After what happened yesterday, the press might get their story if they wait a little longer.”

“Everybody, please,” Faro urged as the nervous pitch of combined voices rose. “Maybe it'd be a good idea to take a break for a day or two, just to relax and enjoy the beauty of Tielle's place.”

Tielle waited for some slight against her place of business. There was little dissention, and she gave a prayer of thanks for small favors.

“Does that sound good to everyone?”

A low murmur of voices seemed to agree with Faro's suggestion. He looked toward Tielle. “Sorry about this, Ti. Will changing things around upset the events planned for us this week?”

“We can make it work,” Tielle said.

Faro nodded, turned back to his family. “Enjoy a great breakfast, folks, and we'll see each other for lunch and dinner.”

“Whew, that was a lucky break,” Laura noted, watching the group.

“Yeah...” Tielle sighed. “Lucky...”

* * *

Following another colder shower, Grae decided to give Leo a call. The way things had ended with Tielle had Grae turned almost inside out. Having her again felt like sheer joy. Yet that joy was marred by the realization that his excitement had thrown his aggression into such a state that he'd bruised her. He should've anticipated that. He was always a tad overly aggressive when he'd gone too long without her. Not to mention him being under added stress with the goings-on of the supposed family retreat.

He was ready to force his brother's hand, put an end to this and focus on repairing things with his ex-wife. Grae didn't know if it was just a stretch of bad timing or a sign of things not to be when Leo called and told him he was on his way up there and why.

Grae was too stunned to be angry. “What's he want with the land deed?”

“You should talk to Des about that, son,” Leo said.

“Why would she go along with that—giving Faro that deed?”

“I only hold her power of attorney,” Leo said. “All the rest is for her to share, but your father left that thing with her for a reason. We both know Ken intended for you to have it when Desree passes on.”

“And my brother's strong-arming her for it.” Grae seemed to be speaking to himself. He leaned back against the pillow-lined headboard of his bed and recalled the strange exchange he'd witnessed between his brother and aunt the day before.

“It's time to do what I'd planned before all this crap got underway. Turn around, Leo, save yourself a trip up here.”

“Grae...man, think before you do this. Faro's a snake, but he is family, and he has support among a few. Moving forward with this plan may not fare well for you.”

“Hell, Leo, I don't care about a future at Clegg.” Grae pushed off the bed and applied a harsh massage to the back of his neck. “I've given way too much of myself to that place already, and I wound up losing what I value most.”

“Look, I'm already halfway there,” Leo said. “Just wait till I get there or at least until after you talk to Des.”

“There's no waiting, Leo. It's already done.”

“What?” Leo only needed a moment to answer his own question. “You've gone through with it but haven't told anyone?”

“Only a few needed to know.” Grae drew closer to the windows overlooking a forested expanse of the property. “After Ti divorced me, I was so insane I—I put it all in motion, made plans for my revenge on Faro. I blamed him for losing Tel, when it was me and my...ways... Even so, I never said anything. Part of me still hoped there was a relationship to salvage with my brother. Stupid, huh?”

“No, man, no... So where do things stand?”

“If you're on your way here, chances are I can tell you that in person.”

“Talk to Des,” Leo urged.

“I will,” Grae promised with a sigh. “But I think tolerating Faro has played itself out.”

“Remember, he brought the family there. His plan is to bring you guys together. It'll make you look like the black hat to set things in motion that'll tear that apart.”

“Has to be done.” Grae turned his back on the view. “My family's been torn apart for over a year. Guess I'm a little lacking in the sympathy department for anybody else.”

“Grae—”

“See you when you get here, Leo.”

* * *

“Looks like the bulk of the media's losing interest.” Laura sounded exhausted when she entered the office. “Chances are we'll still have a few stragglers, though.”

“It's hard to call off the dogs once they smell blood.” Tielle reared back in her desk chair. “We'll just have to deal with it. With any luck, this'll be over soon without the place being any worse for wear.”

“I need coffee.” Laura tugged on the tassels hanging from her casual tan knit sweater. The cook staff provided a cart stocked with fresh coffee and tea every day around noon. Laura was making sure her coffee held just the right amount of cream and sugar when a knock fell upon the office door.

“Mrs. Clegg,” Laura greeted Desree when she saw the woman in the hall.

“Des?” Tielle stood behind her desk, a mix of delight and surprise on her face.

A soft smile curved Desree's mouth. “Can we talk for a minute?”

“Please.” Tielle rounded her desk while waving toward the office living area.

“Would you like some tea, Mrs. Clegg?” Laura was already heading back to the cart.

Desree nodded, her smile remaining. “That'd be nice.” She chose a spot on the sofa.

“Looks like we've got a reprieve,” Tielle said once Laura had provided Desree with her tea and left the room. “It was good of Faro to suggest we break for a couple of days.”

Desree absently stirred her tea. “That's what I came to talk to you about, child.”

“Des?” Tielle's smile shadowed with concern. “You okay?”

“I want you to get Grae out of here.”

“What? Des, uh—”

“Just take him someplace where it can be the two of you.”

“Desree, why?”

“Lord, Tielle, couldn't you both use time away from all this?” Desree's teacup clattered in sync with her tense words. She set aside the cup and saucer. “Do you still love my nephew, or has the year changed things?”

Tielle bristled. “No, Des, a year hasn't changed anything. But something's wrong here, and getting Grae, of all people, to leave in the midst of it will be beyond impossible.”

“Honey, please.” Desree rolled her eyes as a playful light returned to her face. “It won't matter
what's
going on here. As long as he can be with you, he'll be happy as a clam. Do you really still love him, baby?”

“I really do.” Tielle's confirmation held no hesitation. “Why are you pushing this, Des? It has to do with more than sending me and Grae off for private time, doesn't it? Has Faro done something?”

“Nothing I can't handle.” Des retrieved her teacup.

“Then—”

“But I can only handle it if Grae
isn't
here.”

“Des!” Tielle gaped. “How do you expect me to go off and leave my business with this kind of upheaval in the wind?”

“Honey, your staff is a marvel.” Des sipped at the fragrant herbal blend filling her cup. “I'm sure they're fully capable of handling this family, but
I
need to handle Faro, and I can't do that with Graedon around.”

Tielle smoothed shaking hands across her cotton skirt in an attempt to dry her damp palms. “He was never worth it, was he? Faro? Me standing up for him and trying to mend fences between him and Grae? I threw my marriage away for nothing, didn't I?”

“Honey.” Desree set down her tea again and then scooted closer to Tielle, squeezing her hands and giving them a tug. “What happened between you and Grae was between
you
and Grae. Faro was only an issue that shed light on a bigger problem. When the two of you focus on
that
problem, that's when you'll start to mend the only fence that matters—the one between the two of you.”

“What happens if we can't?” Tielle watched her fingers, entwined with Desree's, grow blurred beneath her moistening gaze. “What happens if Faro's...dealings...put us in another bad place?”

“You don't worry over that.” Desree squeezed Tielle's hands again. “That's for me to handle. All I need is for you and Grae to get out of here tonight.”

Tielle was more stunned than ever by then. “Des, I can't just head off for some lover's retreat just like that.” She snapped her fingers.

“Tielle.” Des shook her head. “Sweetie, if I know my nephew, he'll soon get tired of pretending he cares about this family stuff and press for time with you, business be damned. My guess is Grae won't offer any apologies for leaving you precious little time for anything other than him.” She reached for her tea, took a healthy sip and dabbed her mouth with a napkin. Moments later, she left the office as coolly as she'd arrived.

* * *

Lunch was a surprisingly quiet affair held in the main dining room. Tielle had arranged to meet there with Laura to draft revised plans for the rest of the week.

“I'm sorry to leave you with all this on your plate so I can go traipsing off for romance.”

Laura gave her colleague a knowing look. “I'm surprised you guys waited
this
long. My guess is you could've used a trip like this months ago.”

“Humph, try a year.” Tielle scooted her chair closer to the table then. “You call me for anything. Anytime, you hear?”

Laura lifted her brows. “Anytime?”

“Stop.” Tielle rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. “There's a strong chance he'll refuse my offer.”

Laura began to cut into her salad. “Girl, even
I
know your ex-husband better than that.”

“Yeah.” Tielle sighed out a laugh. “So do— I'll be damned...” Her eyes narrowed in recognition when she saw Grae passing the dining room's wide entryway with Leonard Cartright. “Let's finish this later.” She tapped a finger to the table and set off to catch up with the men.

* * *

“I didn't realize you were so close when we talked before,” Grae said as he and Leo walked the mural-lined corridor.

“Faro wants the deed by Friday.” Leo grimaced. “Figured I'd better get out of town ASAP before business called me back to the firm.”

“What's his rush?”

“Guess we'll know Friday.”

Grae muttered an expletive. “I want to get this over with, Leo.”

“I know, man, I know.” Leo clapped Grae's shoulder. “Just don't act too hasty on whatever you have in mind, all right? I know you're at the end of your rope with Faro—”

“What's he got on you?” Grae's expression sharpened with suspicion. “I could see it before when I overheard Faro talking to Des, and I see it now on your face. What is it?”

Leo's dark face seemed to tighten with curiosity. “What'd you hear?”

“Leo?”

The men turned to see Tielle approaching them. She beamed while holding out her arms toward Leo.