All's Fair in Love and Lion (6 page)

Chapter 10: Sasha

“Welcome home,” Monroe says when I enter my apartment.

“Ahh, chamomile.” I breathe in the aroma. “How did you know?”

“I thought you might want something soothing.”

Setting my things down, I smile. “I could get used to this.”

The corner of his mouth quirks upward. “Say the word and I’m yours.”

I accept the cup from him. Uncomfortable, I say, “Oh?”

“I’d be honored.”

Unsure of what to do, I wander out of the kitchen and into the living room. “Thank you.” He follows me and we settle on my old suede couch. Setting my mug on the coffee table, I turn my attention on him. “What did you do while you waited for me?”

“I made your tea.”

“Did you have a nice visit with your friend?”

He shrugs. “Bast is an idiot, but I tolerate him.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do.” He gives me a slight smile. “Although, he’s been loyal for years and one of the few, besides my manservant, who can put up with me.” He strokes my hand. “Aside from you.”

Electricity shoots up my arm. “He sounds like a good friend.”

“At times. What else has happened?”

I try to ignore the sensations he causes. Too many racing thoughts. Did he tremble, or was that me? “We’re beginning Act Two of
The Tempest
. Most of the quizzes from act one weren’t as bad as I feared. Some of my less avid students managed okay.” Monroe’s hand slides over my shoulder. I turn around and he begins massaging my sore muscles. My words seem to tumble together. “The Junior-Senior Prom is in April, and I have to chaperone with Carl Darrenmore. He wants to pick me up early and have dinner together.”

He kneads harder. “Do you want to go to dinner with Carl?”

Why does he sound jealous of my colleague? “It makes sense since we’re both going to the same place and we both need to eat. I’d be happier if I could get out of it. I usually avoid prom. I didn’t even go to my own.”

“Why? You would’ve been the belle of the ball.” He turns me around. “You can’t tell me you didn’t have anyone ask you.”

I bite my lip. “I was asked by a couple of the guys in my class. I’m not much of a dancer and back then making conversation with guys scared me.”

“Yet, you have no problem talking to me.”

“I blush around you.” How I wish I were more like my best friend, Mel. Even before she got married, she seemed so confident and assured around men.

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I like your blush.”

My cheeks burn. “Makes one of us.” I pick up my tea and stare into the amber depths. “Maybe one of my old dresses will do for chaperoning the prom. Perhaps my Easter dress from two years ago.”

He gently lifts my chin with his hand. “Leave it to me.”

Should I be worried I can’t tell what he’s planning?
“I can figure something out.”

He places my cup back on the table. “I insist. What date is Prom?”

“April twenty-seventh.” What sort of dress would he give me?

He strokes his chin. “Plenty of time.”

“What about measuring me?”

“Not necessary. My seamstresses are very clever. Your dress will be delivered to you the day of the prom and will fit perfectly.”

Butterflies flutter in my stomach. “Why don’t you accompany me, instead?”

“As much as I want to, I can’t take you away from a man who already asked. It’s bad manners. I’d like to dance with you sometime. My parents had me trained with the best instructors in my realm. I would love the opportunity to show you how a real gentleman guides a lady across a floor.”

“You don’t lack a healthy ego, do you?”

“Ego has nothing to do with it. It was bred into me.” His face clouds. “Heaven forbid I don’t have all the proper social graces.”

A sensation I don’t understand keeps me from asking for an explanation. “I think I’d enjoy seeing you prove yourself.”

“Then, I’ll find a way to be there.”

The population of butterflies in my stomach doubles. “How would I explain you to my coworkers?”

“Who cares what they think?”

“I do! My job is important to me.”

“Shouldn’t matter what they say.”

“Work is the one place I have control. It’s where I shine and I’m confident.”

“Sasha, you’re an incredible woman. I think you shine everywhere.”

“That’s your subjective opinion.”

“What if it isn’t?” His eyes challenge me. “If a man truly cares for a woman he should think the world of her.”

I look down. “We made peace not too long ago, can we not fight again?”

“I hope,” he says, his voice softer, “one day you see how truly amazing you are.”

Before I can answer, a shrill ring fills the air.

Monroe’s head jerks up. “Don’t answer that.”

I jump from the couch. “It might be important.” Hurrying into the kitchen, I grab the receiver. “Hello?” Maybe it’s a solicitor so I can hang up and go back to Monroe.

“Sasha?”

I nearly drop the phone. “Mel! I didn‘t expect to hear from you so soon.” I can hardly believe it. It’s been a whole month since I’ve seen her. Her end-of-January wedding seems ages ago. Until her call, I hadn’t realized how much I missed her.

“I had to call you.”

“Everything okay? How was the cruise?”

“I’m doing great! The cruise was spectacular. We toured the Virgin Islands, and went all over the place. Before the cruise, Ted took me to Hawaii. It’s gorgeous there, too.”

I feel a twinge of wistfulness. Would Monroe and I go there someday? “You and Ted must be so happy. Did you take lots of pictures?”

“We took a ton of photos! I must’ve used two memory cards on my digital camera. And, yes, we’re beyond happy.” She laughs. “What’s up on your end?”

“I have to chaperone the Junior-Senior Prom. Carl Darrenmore asked me to go with him since he also has to chaperone.”

“You have a date?” Her voice affects and eager tone.

“No, it’s not a date.”

She clucks her tongue. “You aren’t getting any younger, Sasha.”

I hold back a laugh. “Oh come on, thirty isn’t old. Besides, you and Ted haven’t been married long, so you can’t say anything.”

“Is there anyone?”

I lower my voice. “There might be.”

“Tell me!”

Her high-pitched squeal hurts my ears and I wince. “Not yet. I’m still getting to know him. Look, Mel, I have a guest, could I talk to you later?”

“He’s there, right now, isn’t he?” she teases. “I’d suggest we talk this weekend, but Ted and I are settling back in. How about next Saturday? We can do lunch.”

I glance through the doorway at Monroe, who beckons to me from the living room. “Sure, we can go to the café.”

“Can’t wait to see you, Sasha.”

I swallow a lump in my throat. “You, too.” I hang up the phone and go back to where Monroe waits. “I’m sorry about that.”

“A friend of yours, I assume?”

“Yes, Melody. She married Ted in January and I was her maid-of-honor. They recently got back from their honeymoon. We’re going to have lunch next Saturday.”

“It’s good for you to spend time with a friend. I don’t like to see you lonely.”

“You’re usually around, why would I be lonely?” Aside from the fact I miss my mother.

His face becomes serious. “I get the feeling even with me here, you missed your friend. You’ve barely mentioned her, but I’ve known about her for a while.”

I blink. “What?”

“I thought you knew I’ve kept an eye on you even when I wasn’t in your dreams.”

“The thought never occurred to me.” A myriad of emotions fill me. My mind goes from shock to repulsion. “Don’t you respect my privacy?”

“I couldn’t resist looking in several times.” He looks contrite. “I’m sorry, Sasha, I had no intention of upsetting you.”

I back away from him. “Didn’t it ever occur to you I would be upset?”

“I suppose not. Truly, I am sorry.”

My voice rises. “You can’t go around violating people’s personal space, Monroe. It’s wrong.”

“Please, I meant no harm. Forgive me?”

“I don’t like the idea of being watched.”

“I swear I won’t.” He holds my gaze.

“I think it would be best if you left.”

He inclines his head, then is gone.

I wander to my room, hugging myself. Of all the creepy things to do. I sit on my bed with a shiver. Was he watching me while I showered? How could he violate me like this? He was sorry, though. He apologized. He’s always been polite. He promised he wouldn’t anymore. Hopefully he didn’t watch when I undressed. He seemed so honorable.

Two days have passed since I threw Monroe out, I drum my nails on top of the copier in the Teachers’ Lounge while it spits out duplicates of a quiz. Can I forgive him? What did he see?

The door swings open and Jill Michaels, the art teacher, comes in. In her multicolored skirt, and a ponytail held by a red bandana, she’s a walking rainbow. Somehow, despite her extroverted personality, I’m not uncomfortable around her.

Her face lights up. “Sasha, haven’t seen you much. What’s going on?”

“Work mostly. You?”

“I had to chaperone the Valentine’s Day Dance. Gus pitched a fit. He wanted to go out for dinner. I told him to move it to another day.”

“I guess life’s about compromise.”

She retrieves papers from her cubbyhole. “Marriage is, at least.” Juggling her papers, she heads for the door. “You know, you should find a good man. I bet underneath your calm exterior beats a passionate heart.” With a wink, she breezes out of the room.

Flustered, I almost walk right into Marjorie Taylor on my way back to the stairs. Dressed in a tailored navy blue skirt suit, she gives off an air of power, matching her position as principal of the school.

“Sasha,” she says, brushing her auburn hair out of her eyes, “how is the essay contest coming along?”

“There are few students who will turn in some award-winning ones.”

“Nice. You’re helping to chaperone the prom, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be there, too. I make a point of going every year.” She steps back. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your classroom.”

When I return to my room, I set the copies down and gather my things.

The final bell rings and the hallways fill with students. Carl waves as he passes in the hall and I raise my hand in response. By some miracle, I manage to push my way through the commotion and down the stairs.

I get out the door, and into my car. The mild weather lightens my heart. In Texas, March means the weather warms up and Spring begins earlier than most places. As if emphasizing the change in season, I sneeze several times on the way home.

At my apartment I’m greeted by the sight of Monroe sitting on the couch watching television.

“This is a surprise.”

He shuts off the TV. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“I admit, it’s unexpected.”

“I can’t bear seeing you upset, Sasha.”

My hands rest on my hips. “Clarify something, Monroe. Did you get some sort of sadistic pleasure from seeing me naked?”

His eyebrows shoot up and his eyes widen. “I’d never do that.”

“How can I be sure? You told me you watched me.” Angry tears blur my vision.

He stands. “Yes, I watched you. I saw you from my home in the Third Realm.” I flinch as he puts his arm around me. “You fascinated me from the beginning. However, I give you my word as a gentleman, I haven’t seen you without your clothes.”

I cover my face with my hands and try to make sense of my feelings. I believe him, yet, how do I reconcile what he’s done? Suddenly another thought occurs to me. It all makes sense. Trembling, I lower my hands. “I should’ve suspected as much. How else would you know about me?”

He draws me closer. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

I slip out of his arms. “As you know from watching me, I live a quiet life. There’re only a few people I trust.”

His eyes plead with me. “Let me earn your trust.”

“When I got up this morning I felt worse without you than when you told me. Something was missing.” He starts to speak and I put up a hand. “But, no matter what I felt this morning, you violated my privacy.”

“Again, I apologize. I didn’t intentionally mean any harm.”

Taking a deep breath I say, “Please go.”

“Sasha, please—”

“Leave!”

He turns from me and in a few steps, disappears. I run to my bedroom. Irritated with myself, I wipe the tears away. Resentment and betrayal make me feel hot all over.
What gave him the right to watch me, then show up in my apartment like nothing was wrong?
I pick up a pillow and bury my face into it with an exasperated scream. Too bad even my temper doesn’t mask the sense of desolation twisting around my heart.