His Ward (13 page)

“Fine,” he said stiffly, even though he was anything but. He watched as she made her way across the room, anger eating at him like cancer. It seemed that no matter what he did, he ended up hurting her. He just couldn’t win.

“I see…”

Misha glanced over at Asha, who was watching him with a sad expression on her face. “What exactly is it that you think you see?”

“I see why I’ll be going home alone, and why I never stood a chance with you.”

“Asha…”

She placed her finger against his lips to silence him. “She’s a wonderful girl, and the only one you want, so do it, before it’s too late.”

“She is wonderful, and, yes, she’s a girl, but she’s also
just
my ward.”

“She’s so much more than that, because if she was just your ward, then I would fight her tooth and nail for you, but looking at her, I realize I value my life far too much to even suggest such a thing. I’d be fighting for a man; she’d be fighting for her life.”

Misha didn’t even bother trying to deny the obvious anymore. “She’ll get over it. One day she’s going to wake up and find out it was just a misguided crush, and I’m not going to be the cause of her heartbreak when that happens. What we have now is enough. Because it’s all we’ll ever have.” No matter how strongly he wished otherwise.

“I could stay and argue until I’m blue in the face, but it’ll do neither of us any good.” Asha linked her arm with his. “I’ll allow you to graciously escort me to the car so I can return to my hotel. I have a long flight to make tomorrow, don’t I?”

Misha admired her straightforwardness. If his heart hadn’t been taken long ago, he could have seen himself falling for someone like her. “Yes, but it’ll be first class, if that’s any consolation.”

“Never doubt it, my friend, I can be bribed with the lap of luxury into feeling better about this misconnection.”

“I didn’t mean to lead you on.”

“You didn’t, and that’s why I’m leaving here as your friend. If you ever need to talk or vent or cry.” Misha arched an eyebrow. “Not that you do,” she added with a soft laugh. “I’m only a phone call or flight away.”

“You’re quite a lady, Asha.”

“Yes, but just not the one you want.”

“Unfortunately.”

“Then I’ll just settle for us being grand friends.” Asha gestured toward the doors. “Shall we? And can you give the warmest of regards to Tionne for me?”

“Yes, we shall, and, yes, I will.” Misha looked around the room and watched as Tionne slipped into the alcove. “First let me get you the car, and then I’ll say the good-byes later.”

* * * *

Tionne walked out the French doors and onto the patio. She strolled over to the stone railing that overlooked a romantically lit garden with a stone pathway that led down to a small manmade lake. It was beautiful and peaceful and exactly what Tionne needed to get her head together. She was really beginning to think if it weren’t for bad luck, she wouldn’t have any luck at all.

Maybe Misha was right. Maybe she shouldn’t concentrate on a love life, because it seemed ever since she turned her focus that way, the rest of her life had taken a huge nosedive into the shitter. Tionne wasn’t sure if she walked under a ladder, split a pole when she was out with friends, or had a black cat cross her path, but whatever was the reason behind her run of luck right now, she needed to find an antidote to get everything on the mend and fast.

Seriously, not only was she guyless, thanks to an overzealous suitor and a possessive guardian, she was also jobless. Her fault this time, although she was sure she could figure out a way to tie it back to Misha, and it wouldn’t take that much stretching of her imagination. And now she was best friendless…also because of Misha. Obviously, her bad luck came in the form of one towering, bossy, too-handsome-for-his-own-good package known as Misha, the fun sucker.

It was a serious shame she could Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon her recent turn of bad events all using Misha as the common denominator. The worst part was, she’d not only shaved her legs for all this, she’d also waxed her hoo-ha. All cleaned up and no one to blow. This was seriously going down in the books as the saddest almost date in her entire life.

“Here.” A glass appeared within reach of her. “You look like you need this.”

Startled, Tionne turned and came face-to-face with a member of the waitstaff. Normally she avoided strangers bearing gifts, but alcohol was much needed after the evening she was having. “You must be a mind reader.”

“No, just a waiter with one glass and twenty minutes left on his shift.”

“Twenty minutes?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to put that out there in case somebody might be interested in that little bit of information.”

“Somebody?” Tionne raised her glass and took a small sip.

“You’re a body, aren’t you?” The young man ran his gaze over her. “A mighty fine one at that. I’m Tosh. What’s your name?”

The dark-skinned young man exuded confidence and charisma, and Tionne couldn’t help but be charmed a bit, but that didn’t mean she was going to fold so quickly. “Bold much?”

“Life is too short to be timid.”

“Well, although that’s a splendid life motto, it still doesn’t tell me enough about you for me to give you my name.”

“That’s easy; there are only three things you need to know about me. One, I don’t waste words, and two I don’t waste time.” He paused as if that was all there was to say.

After a second or two, when she realized he wasn’t going to continue, she said, “That’s only two things about you.”

“It is, isn’t it?” He grinned deviously, and Tionne couldn’t help but respond to his smile. She was in no way interested in him, but she was amused nevertheless.

“My name is Tionne.”

“Wouldn’t you know, that’s my favorite name.” His eyes widened joyfully, as if he’d just told her the best news in the entire world.

Tionne placed her hand mockingly over her heart. “You don’t say.”

“It really is.”

“I’m sure.” She laughed before taking another sip of her champagne.

“So, Tionne, I’ve been kind of watching you tonight.”

“Stalker,” she teased.

“Merely observant. I’m trying to figure out who, exactly, you belong to.”

Tionne raised her chin haughtily. “Myself.”

He grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

“I bet you were.” Amused, Tionne turned away from him and peered back out across the water. “You’re awfully forward for staff.”

He came over to her and leaned his hip on the rail. “And you’re awfully sad for a socialite.”

“I’m not a socialite.”

“Right, and I’m working the gig for the snazzy clothes.”

“Makes sense to me.” Tionne gave his outfit a once-over. “I mean, you can’t go wrong with a penguin suit.”

“Exactly, and since it’s obviously turning you on, what do you say we do something about it?”

“Like what?”

“Well, since you say you don’t belong to anyone, does that mean you’re free to leave with anyone?”

“Ever since the Emancipation Proclamation, I’ve been pretty free to do whatever the hell I want.” More or less, she added to herself.

“Good, how about you get out of here with me?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I’m fun, and you look like you can use a bit of fun.”

Tionne looked down into her glass and sighed. “I could. I really could.”

“Then do it.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Do you only do things that are a good idea?”

“Pretty much.”

“Even this?” To her surprise, the young man reached up and traced her tattoo. “Was this tattoo a good idea?”

“Yes.” And no matter how upset Misha made her, it always would be.

“What does the M stand for?”

Before Tionne could reply, Misha spoke in a firm voice from behind them. “Mine.”

Tionne closed her eyes and sighed. Of all the times he could have walked in, it had to be now. There was no doubt about it. She was truly cursed. Trying to keep her temper in check, she opened her eyes and turned around. “I was gone for five minutes.”

Misha ran his gaze over the waiter, who appeared confused as all hell. “And look what you managed to pick up in that time.”

“I didn’t pick anyone up. We were just talking.”

“He was touching you.” Misha stared at the young man, who wisely took several steps away from Tionne. “You know how I feel about that.”

“Says the man who brought a date. Where is she, by the way, headed to your room?”

“No, on the way back to the airport.”

Damn…maybe the night was looking better already. “I didn’t get to say good-bye.”

“Send her an e-mail.” Misha turned his cold glare to Tosh, who was standing back watching the entire exchange with a confused expression on his face. “You’re still here!”

“Ap-parently.” Tosh looked over at Tionne. “I’m missing something here? I thought you said you didn’t belong to anyone.”

“Telling that lie again, are you?” Misha said coolly.

“Remember that whole Emancipation Proclamation we were talking about earlier? Well, Misha is the only one who didn’t get the memo.”

“If you want to leave, I’ll take you.”

“So brave,” Misha chided as he took a step closer to them. “Yet so close to death.”

Tosh blanched. “Is he kidding?”

Tionne sighed and shook her head. “Sadly, no. It was very nice to meet you, but if you like living, you should probably leave.”

“I guess.” Tosh turned to leave, but Misha sidestepped into his way.

“And I suggest if you want to hold on to this job and your life, you learn to keep your hands far away from things that don’t belong to you. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Sorry, sir. Yes. I’m…” He stumbled over his words and his feet as he quickly fled the scene.

Tionne was torn between amusement and exasperation as she watched Tosh hurry away. “Nice.”

“I thought that was nice. He still has the ability to walk.”

“You are a serious coc—”

“What’s going on?” Nicholi asked as he and Lauren came out onto the patio. “We were almost run over by a very frightened-looking waiter.”

“Ask your cousin. No, don’t.” Tionne turned to Lauren. “Do you mind if I borrow Nicholi for a dance? I promise to bring him back in one piece.”

“Please do.”

“Is anyone going to ask me if I mind?” Misha growled.

“No.” She smiled. “I don’t think I am.”

Nicholi offered Tionne his arm and led her back into the room and over to the dance floor. She waited until he took her in his arms before she let out a heavy sigh. “Your cousin is evil.”

“No, he isn’t. He’s just really confused.”

“We’re all confused, Nicholi.” And Misha wasn’t doing anything to help clear things up with her. One minute he wanted her and the next he didn’t, but he didn’t want anyone else to have her either. He was like a never-ending merry-go-round of fuckery, and she was convinced he was destined to drive her insane.

“Not you,” Nicholi said softly, bringing her attention and her gaze back to him. “You’ve known what you wanted from him for a very long time.”

Tionne looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you don’t.”

Slightly annoyed, she glared up at him. “If he can act as if he doesn’t notice, why can’t you?”

“Where you’re concerned, Misha puts on a lot of acts,” Nicholi said drily.

Confusion filled her as quickly as irritation had mere seconds ago. “Now I truly have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Really?” Nicholi maneuvered them so she was the one facing their table instead of him. “Glance over at them, casually, mind you, and tell me what you see.”

Tionne leaned a little to the left and moved her head just a bit so she could peer around Nicholi’s massive frame without being too obvious. To her surprise, Misha was staring at them, and from the scowl on his face, he was none too pleased about something. Confused, Tionne looked up at Nicholi, who was smiling down at her. “What’s wrong with him?”

“The same thing that was wrong with you when you first saw Asha. The little green monster.”

“I wasn’t…”

Nicholi arched an eyebrow. “Yes.”

“Okay, maybe a little bit.” Also known as with every fiber of her being. “But Misha doesn’t have a reason to be. I didn’t even come with a real date.”

“Obviously you’ve vastly underestimated the effect your outfit is having on a good portion of the men tonight, Misha especially.”

“And you’re vastly underestimating your cousin’s stubborn will of steel. I could prance in front of him naked, and he would not be moved.”

Nicholi snorted. “I think you don’t give yourself enough credit, little one.”

“I think you give me too much.”

He moved them farther onto the dance floor and away from the prying eyes of Misha. “Do you want to put this to a test?”

“What sort of test?”

“We can call it a battle of the wills.”

“Me against Misha?” Heavyhearted, Tionne looked away. “No dice. He’ll win hands down.”

“No.” Nicholi removed his hand from the lower portion of her back, then used it to tilt her chin back in his direction. Once she was looking at him again, he moved his hand back into place. “Misha against Misha. Let’s put the one who wants you against the one who wants to protect you, and see which wins.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

“By sending you home.”

Confused, Tionne frowned. “How exactly does me going home solve anything?”

“Because you’re not going to go home alone.”

Tionne stopped midstep, no longer caring about keeping time with the song. “Are you suggesting I pick up a strange guy and take him home with me?”

“No.” Nicholi pulled her a little tighter to him and forced her to begin dancing again, and as they moved, he took her farther and farther away from where their table was. “I’m suggesting we let him think that.”

“And when he comes to my place pissed as all hell, what am I supposed to do then? Say
psyche, just playing
? “

“No, you’re supposed to do what the two of you should have been doing since your twenty-first birthday. I mean I would say eighteen, but at twenty-one, you’re as legal as legal gets.”

“And what, exactly, do you think we should have been doing?”