Untrusting Hearts: A Contemporary New Orleans Romance (22 page)

He rolled off her and gathered her in his arms, cradling her against his side. She lay with her head on his chest, her heart swelled with emotion. This was a night she would always remember, no matter what came after.

His hand moved lazily up and down her arm, a soothing motion, yet strangely exciting, too. “I’ve never felt this way about a woman,” he said finally. “I’m captivated. And a bit lost.”

“Are you sorry we made love?” Jade whispered.

“Lord, no. It was amazing. In fact, it felt like coming home after being gone too long. This was meant to happen.” He paused. “It felt right.”

“To me, too.” She cuddled closer.

“I don’t know your heart and mind, Jade, but this was more than just sex to me. When I was younger, I was like most guys. It was all about conquest, or a lot of it was, and I had my share. But as a man, I find purely physical encounters to be less than satisfying and rather empty. I want something deeper.”

Her pulse, which had begun to normalize, now picked up. “What are you saying?”

“That you not only entice me, you also intrigue me. That I enjoy your company, even when we are at odds with each other. When we talk, for instance, I can’t wait to hear what you’ll say next. When you’re with me, I feel alive. When we’re apart, I look forward to seeing you again. This is more than just physical attraction. You matter to me, Jade.”

She was suffused with happiness. “You matter to me, too, Gage. More than you know.” Companionable silence filled the room.

“I’m starving,” he said suddenly and she laughed.

“Me too.” Jade wrapped herself in the plush softness of the hotel’s robe, snugging the belt tightly at her waist. Gage slid on his boxers before donning the other bathrobe.

A meal from room service and a bottle of wine later, they made love again and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Chapter 16

The insistent trill of a cell phone woke them in the morning. Pale sunlight illuminated the curtains and Jade wondered at the time. She blinked, trying to clear away the confusion of sleep.

Gage cursed softly and untangled himself from Jade’s embrace. “This won’t take long,” he promised, and slipped on his boxer shorts before taking the call. He snatched his phone from the nightstand, shooting her a look of pure lust, and stepped over to the window. Pulling back the curtain to look outside, he said, “Hello.”

Jade waited on the bed, delicious anticipation running through her like wine in her veins. Her mind had raced ahead of the phone call, when her lover would disconnect and return to take her in his arms. They would again feast their eyes on each other’s nakedness and run their hands over treasured flesh. Tingles ran delightful trails over her skin and desire flared hot and strong within her.

“There’s nothing to worry about; my meeting ran late and we decided to stay over.” Gage was silent, obviously listening. Abruptly, his angry voice penetrated Jade’s fantasy. “Is that right? How much?”

She saw the tension in his stance and her blissful mood began to slip away, though she tried desperately to hang onto it.

Gage’s hand dropped the curtain and clenched into a fist at his side as he took in what the caller was saying. “Did he?” After a short pause, “That son-of-a…I apologize for my language, but he’s gone too far. Is there anything else?”

He stood, jaw tight, knuckles paled against the dark-colored phone. Jade could hear someone speaking when Gage interrupted. “Fine. We’ll be back directly and I’ll take care of everything.” He disconnected the call and turned away from the window, his face set in hard lines.

“Is anything wrong? Did the investor back out of the deal?” She sat up and pulled the sheet over her breasts. “Has something happened to Maylene?”

“Maylene’s fine. Just dandy.”

“Then what’s going on?”

“You know, I’m not sure you could tell the truth if your life depended on it, but I’m going to ask anyway. Call me a fool or a glutton for punishment, whatever, but I’ll give it another shot.”

“What are you talking about? Ask what?”

Cursing, he found his pants, pulled them on, and jerked the zipper up. He was searching for his shirt, but stopped to stare at her. “Why did you really change your mind about coming to Baton Rouge?”

“I’ve answered that question already,” she said, her voice hesitant.

“Tell me again. Indulge me.”

Jade couldn’t imagine what he was after, what had changed. Under the onslaught of his sudden prickly mood, her intentions seemed obscure, like something from another reality. Why
had
she really come? The silence in the room was punctuated by the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. Outside, the sky had brightened; she could see a white sliver in the gap Gage had left between the curtains. The thrill of excitement she’d felt moments before drained away, replaced by agonizing dread. She scooted over to sit on the edge of the bed. “Judging by your attitude, I don’t think any answer I give will satisfy you.”

“That phone call was from Maylene. I guess you didn’t realize she’d tell me about the money.”

She stood and grabbed her robe, slid her arms into the sleeves, and tied the sash across her waist. Her palms were damp though the air-conditioned room was cool.

She remembered the gist of her conversation with Maylene, if not the particulars. But she had definitely not mentioned money. Maylene had told her she was expecting company. She had also said Ty had needed some space to prove himself, time to put together a presentation without Gage breathing down his neck. Maylene had wanted to make sure Gage was distracted and unavailable to interfere. What had Ty done? Had he failed again? “Gage, I have no idea what you mean.”

“I’m waiting for your answer.” Gage approached with the dangerous grace of a large predator.

Choosing her words carefully, Jade said, “Not only did I want to see Baton Rouge, I also wanted to spend time with you.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice how you were schmoozing Ty and Maylene at her little
soiree
? Was that when you made your plans?”

“We didn’t make any…” She tried to interject but Gage talked over her.

“Figured out a way to take advantage of me being out of town? Out of the way? Made a little deal that would benefit all of you.”

“Stop it.” Her voice was firm, but she edged toward the bathroom, intending to lock herself inside, if his anger got out of hand. She didn’t know if he would become violent, but she’d never seen him this upset. “Ty had nothing to do with it. Maylene was the one who wanted us to go to Baton Rouge together. Remember?”

“Good lord, but I’ve been an idiot.” His brown eyes glittered with disgust. “If I hadn’t had my head in the clouds lately, I’d have seen something like this coming. Dubois fawning all over you at the ball. Showing up with Liv to throw me off my game. And you...changing your mind like you did.”

And here she was, back to being accused. And he was right back to being suspicious.

“What kind of deal do you think I made with Ty? Explain yourself,” she said.

“Like you don’t know.”

“
I don’t know
,” she fairly screamed.

“Fine,” he said with a smirk. “I’ll lay it all out for you. In return for keeping me
busy
, Dubois encouraged Maylene to write you a check. An advance on your inheritance, if you will. And while I was preoccupied with you, he went behind my back and moved a squeeze of his into one of my best accountant’s position and into his office. He actually had the gall to demote Warren, a man who’s been with me for years. And, to rub salt into the wound, Ty stuck him in a room no larger than the janitor’s closet. But do you care? No. Not as long as you get your share.”

“I’d never take Maylene’s money! I can support myself.” Jade flushed with outrage, fists clenched at her sides.

“Too late, babe. The check’s already been cut. Money’s yours now. A hundred thousand dollars worth of suck-up, just waiting for you to squander. Maylene fell for your sob story about needing to find a job. She knows how bad this economy is for most people and didn’t want you to run into financial trouble. She couldn’t bear the thought. Your little act worked like a charm on her soft heart.”

“I don’t believe it; there’s no way she’d do that,” Jade said, but there was a ring of truth to the story.

“I have to hand it to you. You’re really quite convincing.” He shook his head in mock admiration. “If I didn’t know better, I’d almost believe you myself.”

“I didn’t know anything about this, Gage.”

“It’s a real coup for Dubois. You know, he couldn’t have pulled it off without your help. So you can stop playing innocent.”

“Why would Ty do this?” The shock made her weak and she sank onto the nearest chair. “Lead us to believe he needed the time to set up a presentation that would show his worth. Lie to us.”

“What’s one more lie between friends?” he sneered. “Sleep with dogs, Jade, and you get up with fleas. There’s no honor among thieves, and all that. He who lies
for
you will also lie
against
you.”

“Stop spouting clichés. It doesn’t impress me and it doesn’t solve anything.”

“Impress you? Oh, yes, that’s my cherished hope and dream. To impress you.” He ran a hand through his thick dark hair, leaving it tousled. “Now that you’ve brought it up, what
does
it take to impress you? I really want to know. A lowlife like Ty? A man who’ll scheme with you to take advantage of a lonely elderly woman and make a fool out of the guy who...”

“The guy who what?”

He said nothing for a long moment. “Never mind.”

“No, finish the sentence. A guy who what?”

“Oh, just me. Make a fool out of me.” When his eyes met hers they were filled with more than just rage. They were brimming with pain.

“I haven’t made a fool of anyone.” Her hands trembled as she pulled the lapels of the robe together. “This isn’t my fault.”

“You’re right; it’s not entirely your fault,” he said, voice hard. “I have to accept some responsibility. After all, I was gullible. I fell for you.
It
, I mean. I fell for it, your ploy. Let down my guard and stepped right into the setup.”

“There was no setup.” But she wasn’t being completely honest. She
had
been part of a deception of sorts, although she’d had no inkling of what she was agreeing to. At least that much was true. If she was guilty of anything, it was of trying to help Maylene help Ty. She hadn’t been informed of any money changing hands or the duplicitous nature of Ty’s plan. And she certainly hadn’t colluded with Ty about any of it.

She started to argue her case, but changed her mind. Nothing she could say would repair the damage to their relationship. Actually, it had been doomed from the start. Real love could never bloom in an atmosphere seething with distrust and insecurity, in spite of the fiery attraction they shared for each other. “Maylene’s astute, but anyone can be deceived. As far as Ty’s ruse, I doubt Maylene was aware of any of it. At least in this instance.”

“There’s no doubt she’s intelligent, but her loyalty to family mars her judgment. As you’ve proven. It certainly didn’t take you long to exploit her weakness.”

Jade marched toward him and poked her finger in his face. “Here’s a cliché for
you
and I think it fits. Ever heard of the pot calling the kettle black?” At his stunned look, she continued, using her finger to punctuate her words. “That’s right. You’re the one fixated on Maylene’s money. It’s all you can think about. Morning and night, day after day. All the time.”

“Just what are you suggesting?” He stared down at her waving finger. It was almost comical, but neither felt like laughing.

Daylight filtered through the curtains and lent an ambient light to the room, but the cozy feel was unappreciated. Jade couldn’t believe she’d been thinking of this space as a love nest only a short time earlier. She faced off with Gage, a fire burning in her eyes. “It’s not a suggestion. It’s a fact. You’re inappropriately concerned with her wealth.”

“My concern is inappropriate?”

“Entirely. I think you’re worried someone else will dig into your share of the money. Ty pretty much let me know where you stand. He said I pose a threat to you because I’m a blood relative. It’s the same with him. He’s related by blood to Jean Pierre. You’re an outsider. That explains your disdain for us. You’re worried you’ll have to stand in line behind him, and now me, and take whatever’s left over.” She dropped her accusing hand and time seemed to pause. It was hard to maintain her dignity in a bathrobe.

Finally he spoke. “And you believed him? You just said not five minutes ago that he’s a liar.”

“I don’t know who to believe or what to think, especially when it comes to you. It does make a certain sense, given the way you behave. All I can presume is maybe you’re suspicious of me because you are motivated by greed.”

“Listen to yourself! That’s absurd.”

“No, it isn’t. You present yourself as some kind of protector for Maylene, but when it’s all said and done, you’re just another potential beneficiary. Although, to be honest, I don’t consider myself to be in line for Maylene’s money. I’ve only met the woman and I’m not a gold digger, no matter what you think of me. Looks to me like you need to examine your own intentions.”

“My intentions aren’t at issue here.”

“Perhaps they should be.”

“Stop right there before you say something you can’t take back.”

“It’s a dirty feeling, isn’t it, having your own suspicions turned back against you?” Without waiting for an answer she swept her clothing from the chair and marched toward the bathroom. Pausing at the door, she said, “I want to leave as soon as I’m dressed. I won’t spend another minute here.”

“I agree completely.”

When she emerged from the bathroom, she found him fully clothed. Shoving her feet into her shoes and the book and magazine into her purse, she threw the strap over her shoulder and glared at him. He grabbed his briefcase and opened the door for her.

They were silent on the awkward ride home. Halfway there, Jade realized they hadn’t eaten breakfast. She crossed her arms over her empty stomach and stared out at the landscape as the miles rolled by. Memories of their night of passion kept trying to invade her thoughts, but she blocked them all. Tears pressed behind her eyes and she fought a Herculean battle to contain them. She wasn’t sure which was harder to manage, her simmering anger or her deep sense of disappointment. Her heart was devastated and she felt bitterly betrayed, not only by Ty, but by Maylene as well.