Your Wish Is My Command (23 page)

Jamie shook her head, hating that she felt sympathy for someone she'd spent a good long time not liking very much. “And I guess when you popped into Edgar's life not too long after that, Angel saw history repeating itself.”

“Exactly. He and Edgar had had some rocky times before that too. The college thing was only part of it. Angel had tried to get Edgar to stop giving his dad money. But Edgar couldn't cut his only son off. And
he never let either of them know the truth about the debts he'd racked up keeping his son in style.”

“Stupid male pride. What is it with them?”

Ree smiled a bit sadly. “If I'd known half of this, I'd have made him talk about it, made him deal with it. But he never told me. When we got his various investments solvent again, he gave Angel one of them.”

Santini's.

Ree nodded. “It was his clumsy male way of trying to mend their past. But by then it was too late. Angel had made derogatory comments about me, and Edgar split with him for good. Angel paid him back in full for the restaurant. So they had no ties at all between them.” She sighed.

“Except the will.”

Ree nodded. “It wasn't even about the money. Angel just hated to see what Edgar had spent his life working for given to—”

“A floozy. Like one of his dad's.”

A small smile curved her lips. “Right. Now, I know that this didn't give Angel total license to treat me the way he did. But I got a goodly amount of what revenge I needed when I informed Angel last night of Edgar's past financial woes and my role in reversing them.”

Jamie laughed. “I'd have paid money to see his face.”

Ree only smiled. “I am human, after all. He apologized for not giving me the benefit of the doubt. It was just that Edgar really hadn't had any relationships after his wife died, and considering his father's lifestyle, Angel didn't exactly have me in mind for a companion for his grandfather.”

“Did you tell Angel you were just that? His companion, not his sex partner?”

“I didn't have to. He'd already figured that out. In a way I wish I'd tried to explain all this earlier, but I was
so pissed at his automatic assumptions that I refused to give him the benefit. At that point I doubt he'd have listened to me anyway. We were both pretty raw.”

Jamie shook her head. “I don't know, Ree. I hate to be such a stick in the mud, but it still seems an awful sudden turnabout.”

Ree squeezed her hand. “I need you to trust that I know what I'm doing here. Even if I haven't a clue.” She laughed and her eyes twinkled again. “He understands me, Jamie. Now that we're past all the emotional bullshit of his past and mine, I can't just walk away from what he's offering me.”

Jamie's eyebrows went higher. “Offering you? Now he's offering you something?”

Ree shook her head. “Not in that way.” She paused, turning more serious. “I know you won't believe this, but now that the emotional blinders are off … How can I put it? When he looks at me, Jamie, he sees me. He sees Ree Ann. Not the body, not the beauty, not even the brain. Just the person I am. And he's interested in getting to know that person better.”

“What about him? Are you interested only because he's interested in you?”

“See, that's the scary part. Once we cleared the air, we really began to talk, to get to know each other. And, amazing as it sounds, I like him. He's a fascinating man. We share a lot of common tastes and beliefs. We've debated philosophy, movies, business management, and who was the better rock band, The Rolling Stones or The Who.”

“The Stones, no question.”

Ree grinned. “Naturally.” She shrugged. “Who knows how long it will last, Jamie, or where it will lead? But I want to find out.”

Jamie just shook her head, but she squeezed Ree's hand before letting it go. “Then I'll be here for you. I just want to see you happy, Ree.”

Ree tugged Jamie into her arms and hugged her tightly, then set her back with her hands on Jamie's shoulders. “And that's what I want for you too.”

The night before flashed vividly through her mind. Jamie stepped away. “Let's not go there.”

“But sugar, you and Sebastien—”

“Ree, I've said I'll stand by you, but I need you to return the favor. Right now. I don't want to discuss Sebastien. Okay?”

She tilted her head. “You two have a fight?”

Jamie sighed in defeat. “No. Yes. I don't know. I just don't want to talk about him, okay?”

Jamie swore when she came back here last night that she was going to put it all out of her mind and concentrate on her life as if Sebastien weren't a part of it. Of course, then she'd dreamed about the man all night. Hot, sweaty dreams that she'd awoken from with full recollection of every seductive, drenching detail—and the knowledge that she could have had the reality instead of the dream. Except that she'd walked away.

Ree brushed a hand across her cheek, smoothing Jamie's hair back. “Well, when you're ready, sugar, I'm all ears.” ButJamie knew Ree, and she was not capable of leaving that timetable completely in Jamie's hands. As if to prove her point, she added, “But I'm beginning to think that man might just be tellin'the truth about himself.” At Jamie's gaping reaction, Ree raised her hands. “I know, I know. But, I mean, Jamie, he's two for two.”

“Hey, it's not like you're walking down the aisle yet.”

“I know. But soulmates notwithstanding, both Marta and I
are
doing the happy-heart dance.” Just then Ree's eyes went wide and a look of understanding lit her face. She grabbed Jamie's arm. “And now that Marta and I are fixed up, he's going to go match you up with someone else. That's it, isn't it?”

“I don't want anybody else.” Jamie raised a hand to stop Ree from speaking. “That didn't come out right. I don't want anyone,
including
Sebastien. I want to be on my own. I've just gotten used to it.”

“Sugar, I'm not sure who you're tryin'harder to convince.” She stroked Jamie's hair. “I don't know what advice to give you. It's all too supernatural for me. But, then, I'm truly falling in love for the first time in my life, and right now that makes me feel like just about anything is possible.”

“Well, me being with Sebastien is not possible.”

A sudden look of curiosity crossed Ree's face. She leaned closer and whispered, “Because of … whatever it is that he is, does that mean he can't … you know.”

Jamie blew out a sigh of frustration. “Oh, no, he
canyou know
just fine. In fact, he's made it clear he'd like to
you know
with me.”

Ree's eyes went wide. “Well, then?”

“I just told you. I don't want a relationship just now. And one with Sebastien has disaster written all over it. It can't go anywhere, Ree.”

“Maybe that makes it the perfect relationship, then. Did you think about it that way? You don't want to settle down, and he's a temporary man at best. So why not enjoy yourselves while it lasts?”

Jamie didn't answer for a moment. Not because she didn't know what the answer was—she did. That was what scared her. Quietly, she said, “Because maybe, just maybe, I've fallen a little bit in love with him after all. And maybe I can't take having my heart broken one more time.”

“Oh, Jamie, I'm so sorry.” Ree pulled her into her arms.

Jamie was a good head taller than Ree, but she hunched down and let her head drop down to her friend's soft shoulder anyway. “I think I convinced
him not to match me with anyone else,” she said softly. “So at least I don't have to go through that.”

Ree smoothed her hair. “Well, that's one good piece of news. Who did you pick as number three, then?”

Jamie couldn't help the smile that curved her lips. She straightened and stepped away. “Jack.”

Ree clapped her hand over her mouth, but laughter hooted out anyway. She dropped her hand. “Oh, Jamie, you didn't.”

She nodded, laughing herself. It felt good, even if it was at her cousin's expense. “He's been looking for Mr. Right forever. This will just expedite things. And it will finish Sebastien's mission.” Her smile faded. “Which means he disappears for good and I can finally get my life back under control.”

“I'm so sorry it has to be that way, sugar, but you're probably doing the smart thing. Although I still say the two of you should just go ahead and burn each other out of your systems before he goes.” She fanned her face. “I know I would have.”

“Well, I'm not you. I can't handle that kind of thing. If I could, I wouldn't have been divorced twice.”

Ree nodded pragmatically. “True, true.”

“Gee, thanks for agreeing so quickly,” Jamie said dryly, but she knew Ree was telling it like it was.

Ree patted her arm. “You're doing what's right for you, Jamie. I'm proud of you, even if I am sorry it didn't work out better.”

“Yeah, me too.” She pasted on a fresh smile and said, “Now, maybe we should get some work done?”

Now Ree did blush. “Actually, speaking of Jack, he should be here any minute to relieve me. I, um, have a lunch date.”

“Oh? Well, I can certainly cover for you for an hour or so. No need to drag Jack in here.”

Ree's lips curved into a rather wicked grin. “Well, sugar, if my plans for lunch work out, I won't be back this afternoon. Or evening.”

Jamie rolled her eyes. “Why am I beginning to think this relationship is going to be harder on me than it is on you?”

Ree laughed. “I promise I won't shirk my responsibilities,” she said. “Much.” Jack bustled in just then. Ree gave him an exuberant kiss on both cheeks. “Hi there, sugar. Thanks for covering for me today. I owe you one.” She sent Jamie a conspiratorial wink. “A really big one, if I'm lucky.” Her laughter filled the air as she flitted out of the store.

Jack didn't bother wiping off the red lip prints adorning his cheeks; he merely waved good-bye and turned to Jamie. “Spill.”

Jamie cut him off before he could get too excited. “I'm not going to gossip. You'll have to ask her yourself. I'll be in the back if you need me.” There were no books to shelve, but she simply had to have a moment to herself. Several long moments, perhaps.

She'd meant what she said to Ree about why she turned Sebastien down. But those dreams crept back into her mind, making her all itchy and hot and un-comfortable. Doubt crept in right along with it.
No, no, no, Jamie. Don't let your hormones do the talking here. Stay strong.

Sebastien found her there, staring unseeing at the stock cart. “Jack told me I might find you here.”

She didn't jump this time when he spoke. She groaned. She'd spent too much time thinking about Sebastien's flesh to be seeing him in it again this soon. “Why are you here?”

“Good day to you as well, mademoiselle.”

She rubbed the bridge of her nose, then took a deep breath before facing him. “I thought we agreed last night to not see each other.”

“I don't believe that was the agreement we reached at all. I was under the assumption your fondest wish was for me to return to my sword as soon as possible. For that to occur, I must find Jack's soulmate. I thought, as his cousin, you would be the best one to give me guidance. Otherwise, my research could take me much longer.” He stepped away and bowed. “But I will bid good day and go to his other place of employment.” He turned with a graceful flourish that had her eyes attached to his—

“Okay, okay, don't get all dramatic.”

He turned back to her, a smile curving his beautiful lips. Lips she'd spent most of last night dreaming about, lips that had—

She shifted her weight back and forth, suddenly irritable. “What exactly do you need to know?”

“Can we take a walk? I thought it would be best to have this discussion out of earshot.” He nodded his head toward the front, where Jack was helping a customer.

“I can't. Ree is gone for the day and Marta won't be in till this afternoon. I have to help hold down the fort.”

“Fine, then. Would this evening be more suitable?”

There was no suitable time if it meant time spent alone with him, Jamie thought. Her heart was beating faster and her palms were all damp—and he wasn't even doing anything but standing in the same room as she was. Seeing him alone, after hours—in the dark? No, not a good idea at all. “I'm … I'm busy tonight.”

He cocked his eyebrows. “Oh?”

“This is so hard to believe? That I might have plans? I do have a life, you know.”

“I do not question your desirability, mademoiselle.”

The way he was looking at her—there ought to be
some sort of law. There wasn't a nerve ending in her body that wasn't on full alert. She turned her back to him and pretended to sort books on the nearest stock shelf. “Maybe some other time.” She'd tried for nonchalant. She hadn't come close.

He said nothing for the longest time, and she won-dered if perhaps he'd left. Then his voice came from a point far too close to her left shoulder. She stilled, unable to even pretend she was working.

“Is my presence so abhorrent to you, Jamie?”

Did he have to use her name? All dark and dreamy like that? “I …I said I have plans.” She didn't dare turn around. “It's impolite to question a lady's word.”

Again a pause, then, “Perhaps you've mistaken me for a gentleman.”

“You said last night I'd turned you into an honorable man.”

“I also warned you not to test my honor.”

“I didn't come to you.”

A long moment passed. “I know. It would have been easier on my conscience if you had. I told myself I came here merely to expedite the matter of my return to the sword. Now that I am here, I realize that for the lie it was.”

Well, there went what was left of her oxygen. She swallowed hard against a parched throat. “Maybe … you should leave, then. Now.”

He put his hand on her shoulder and turned her slowly to face him. Jamie knew she was a goner when she looked into his eyes. The desire she found there was hot enough to melt the polish off her nails. If she'd been wearing any.

“Maybe I'm not so honorable after all.” He leaned closer. “Because leaving now is the very last thing I plan to do.”

And he tilted his head down—and kissed her. It was
no tame meeting of the lips either. True to his background, he plundered her mouth. He took with abandon and reveled in the treasures he sought out and found.