The Wrong Man (3 page)

“I thought I should repeat it.” Ryan sipped his beer again and pinned Tomas with a lethal stare.

“I don’t blame you for your reaction, but I’m not a monster,” Tomas said dryly. “It’s not like I pillage villages and ravish blushing virgins. I tell women my philosophy on dating upfront so there are no misunderstandings.”

He had nothing to offer in the way of commitment and most of the women he slept with wanted the same type of arrangement. If they were interested, they were treated to an exciting short-term relationship, and at times his generosity involved sending them on their way with parting gifts. He preferred to live his life without the trappings of monogamy and couldn’t understand why Ryan and other men chose to settle down. Shawna was a good woman, but there were so many other women out there to sample.

Black, white, Asian, Latin. Blondes, brunettes, redheads.

Voluptuous, slender.

Introverts, extroverts.

An endless list of possibilities existed. How could a man limit himself to one? The very idea bordered on the ridiculous. Till death do us part went against nature. He was certain of it.

“Normally I’m indifferent to whatever or whomever your latest conquest is,” Ryan said. “Personally, I think karma’s going to get you one day. But this time, I’ve got to run interference, buddy. Talia’s my wife’s best friend, and she’s my friend, too.”

Tomas understood his friend’s need to protect, but still…

“I’m not the Grinch who stole Christmas,” he said.

“You’re not exactly Santa Claus, either,” Ryan countered. “Don’t go there.”

“If you continue, you’re going to hurt my feelings,
amigo
.”

“I’m trying to put this into perspective for you and make sure you lead with your top head and not the bottom one.”

“I always lead with the top head, but the second one does follow close behind.”

Injecting humor into the conversation should have lightened the mood, but Ryan didn’t respond to his effort. With a thoughtful frown on his face, his friend twisted the beer can in a circle several times on the tabletop. “Leave this one alone.”

“It’s not me, it’s the women,” Tomas said. That was partially true. Women threw themselves at him all the time. Was it so wrong to give them what they wanted? “They love the accent.”

“The accent, huh?” Ryan said skeptically. “See if you can turn off the charm. Your love ’em and leave ’em tactics are not a good idea this time around. She hasn’t even been divorced two months yet. I would hate to see her get hurt.”

“
Coño
, I understand,” Tomas said, throwing up his hands. “You want the Big Bad Wolf to stay away from
Caperucita Roja
. I promise not to eat her.” He couldn’t resist a lascivious smile at the double entendre.

Ryan sighed heavily and shook his head. “You’re hopeless. Speaking of eating, have you eaten yet?”

“I had a piece of chicken.”

“Come on, then. You have to help us get rid of this food, and make sure you take a plate with you. Hell, take a couple of plates.” He stood and patted his stomach. “I think it’s about time for round two for me anyway.”

“Only round two?” Tomas gave him a good-natured slap on the back. “You’re slipping.”

They made their way across the lawn, stopping to speak to friends on the way in. Once back in the house, Shawna hurried over.

“I haven’t found Talia. Where is she? Have you seen her?” The words rushed out of her mouth and she looked decidedly worried.

Ryan gave his wife his full attention. “What’s wrong?”

“Carter’s here,” Shawna whispered.

Ryan frowned. “What’s he doing here? You didn’t invite him, did you?”

“Of course not.” Shawna gnawed a corner of her bottom lip. “Well, not exactly. When I sent out the invitations two months ago, it went to their house because Talia hadn’t moved out yet. He must have assumed he was still invited even though they’re divorced now. The thing is,” her voice lowered even more, and Tomas strained to hear, “he’s not alone. He brought Paula with him.”

“He brought his new girlfriend? He’s got some nerve.” With a hard set to his jaw, Ryan set his plate on the counter. “See if you can find Talia, and I’ll get rid of him.”

“I last saw him in the living room,” Shawna said as Ryan walked away.

Tomas knew he should mind his own business, but he couldn’t help but be curious to see the man Talia had been married to for ten years. He followed Ryan to the foyer.

“Hey, Carter, how’s it going?” Ryan said to a tall, fair-skinned black male coming out of the living room on the other side of the staircase. A black woman almost as tall as Carter, but who appeared to be about twenty years younger, followed closely behind.

“Ryan, it’s good to see you.” Carter shook his hand. “Congratulations on the new house.”

Then, perhaps the worst thing that could happen, happened. Talia descended the stairs, laughing and talking to Yvonne. When she saw Carter, she stopped and her eyes widened. At the same time, Shawna hurried from the kitchen and screeched to a halt when she observed the catastrophe about to take place. William strolled in the front door, and a group of children raced ahead of him, screaming and giggling and almost knocking over the adults in the entryway.

No one moved. No one made a sound as they waited for Talia to react. And then she did.

She stormed down the stairs and marched over to Carter and his girlfriend, her body rigid and face contorted in anger.

“How dare you come here? And how could you bring
her
?”

Chapter Four

Polished, educated, Carter Anderson III was the perfect man. Now he had the perfect girlfriend, Paula, beautiful and very tall. Her height felt like an insult, a strike at Talia’s diminutive size.

The fact that he hadn’t batted an eyelash when she’d asked for a divorce didn’t sit well, and Talia’s anger had only magnified when he’d arrived at the company picnic a couple of weeks ago with his new girlfriend in tow. Now, for him to show up at the housewarming struck a nerve.

She’d let him have the house and most of the possessions they’d accumulated while together, but these were
her
friends. He had no right to be here and bring another woman. Her nails bit into her palms as she curled her fingers into angry fists.

“Talia, I didn’t know you’d be here,” Carter said. “If I’d known—”

“How could you not know?” Talia shouted. “Shawna’s my best friend!”

“Calm the hell down,” Carter said.

Ryan stepped forward. “Guys, this isn’t the time or place. Carter, you should go.”

“You were seeing her before we got a divorce, weren’t you?” Talia asked. The question had haunted her since she’d found out about their relationship. “And you couldn’t wait to flaunt your little slut in my face.”

“I’m not a slut,” Paula said from behind Carter, looking hurt and incredulous.

“She’s not a slut, and for the record, I never cheated on you, but I don’t think anyone would have blamed me if I had. I should have, because God knows you could push a man into the arms of another woman.”

“You are absolutely despicable,” Talia said.

“What’s the matter, upset because you can’t find anyone yourself?” Carter’s voice dripped with venom, and the caustic remark cut her to the core.

Guests slowly approached the scene, some peeking around the corner to find out who the raised voices belonged to.

“Who says I don’t have someone?” Talia lifted her chin.

“Who would put up with you?” he shot back.

The stinging words constricted her throat, but she swallowed past the pain. “You think
I
was the problem?” she asked, wanting to lash out. Wanting to hurt him. “Maybe it wasn’t me. Maybe I had to find the right man; one who could make me happy and
satisfy
me.”

She narrowed her eyes and felt a perverse sense of satisfaction when a small gasp erupted from the group. Carter’s cheeks darkened to a ruddy hue.

Ryan held up his hands. “Guys, really, this is getting out of hand.”

William nodded his agreement. “He’s right. Enough already.”

“Nice try, Talia,” Carter sneered. “You’re as cold as a dead fish, and I know you’re not seeing anyone.”

Cold. She hated that word. She wasn’t cold or unfeeling, no matter what he thought. It bothered her that he found it skeptical that she could be seeing someone. As if she couldn’t find another man if she wanted to. Because he didn’t want her, he thought her undesirable. It hurt but made her angry, too.

“Shows how much you know. I have a man.” The lie tumbled out easily, because if Carter could move on, then dammit, so could she.

“Oh really?” Carter mocked, looking around. “What’s his name, and where is this mystery man?”

Silence descended on the group, and with all eyes on Talia, she froze. Heat rushed up her neck. Her mind went blank and she couldn’t think of a single answer. Within minutes the day had gone from bad to worse. First, chewed out by Maybeth, and now she was about to be embarrassed in front of all these people.

“I’m right here.”

Her heart jumped when she heard a deep voice speak up, one she never expected. Like everyone else in the room she swung in the direction of the sound. Tomas came forward, his walk slow and cocky. She barely managed to refrain from hugging him with a rush of gratitude.

He stopped beside her, and as she looked up into his brown eyes, her muscles relaxed and the weight of embarrassment eased from her shoulders.

“That’s right,” she said, her voice more confident.

She placed a hand on his arm and her heart jolted. She’d never touched him before. He had big man hands and arm muscles so rigid she thought he could crack nuts in the groove of his elbow.

She ignored the shock on the faces of her friends and their guests and relished Carter’s dumfounded expression. She couldn’t have picked a better replacement than Tomas. Younger, virile, large and muscular, anyone could see the improvement.

“When did this happen?” Carter demanded. His gaze flitted from one to the other.

Tomas moved closer and slipped his arm around her back, plunging deeper into his role in the deception. His hand landed low on her spine. A little too low. So low he grazed the top of her behind. She stiffened at his touch, though at the same time it triggered warm sensations in the lower half of her body and sent her pulse into a riot of movement.

“We don’t owe you an explanation,” Talia replied, “but it…it just sort of happened.” Residual nerves from the contact with Tomas still shook her, and the inviting smell of him filled her nostrils. Bergamot and lime.

“Yes,” Tomas agreed. His eyes mischievous and twinkling, he added, “You could say it…happened out of the blue, no?”

Talia nodded her head vigorously. “Yes, that would be a good way to sum it up.”

“You have some nerve talking about me when you’ve already moved on yourself,” Carter said through gritted teeth. His eyes flashed angrily at Talia.

Talia lifted her chin triumphantly. “What did you think? I’d be sitting at home, twiddling my thumbs and pining away for you?”

Carter laughed, an ugly, contemptuous sound. “You know what, Talia, I’d hoped we could take the high road and find a way to get along, but that’s simply not possible with you.”

She left the semicircle of Tomas’s arm. “You don’t know anything about the high road,” she hissed. “Once I got the job
you
wanted, you couldn’t wait to end our marriage because of your insane jealousy.”

A muscle in Carter’s jaw flexed. “You think I cared about the VP position? The problem with you,” he said, jabbing a finger in her face, “is your entire life revolves around success and work. I swear if you could have sex with your job, you would. Our marriage was over long before you got that position. You’re heartless and selfish, and this guy better know what he’s getting himself into because he’s in for a rude awakening.”

“Watch your mouth when you’re talking to her,” Tomas said, a menacing undertone to his voice. He stepped up beside Talia.

“Trust me, buddy,” Carter said, “you’re going to regret ever getting involved with her, because all she cares about is her social standing. She’s a selfish, inhumane bitch, and she doesn’t have a warm bone in her body.”

Talia didn’t realize she was about to slap Carter until her hand landed across his cheek with a loud crack, leaving red marks on his skin. In the next instant, he lunged at her with pure fury in his eyes, fist raised. She cried out when his hand caught the top of her blouse, but the fabric slipped between his fingers as Tomas pushed her out of the way and grabbed Carter by the neck, slamming him into the wall.

“Have you lost your mind?” Tomas growled into Carter’s face.

Talia gaped at the unfolding events in a breathless fog, watching in helpless panic as Carter swung at Tomas, but he dodged the blow.

“Whoa! Whoa!” Ryan jumped between both men and shoved Tomas away. At the same time, William grabbed Carter and twisted one arm behind his back. Both men scuffled until Carter gave in and stopped struggling against William’s hold.

Heart hammering, Talia pressed a hand to her throat. Shawna pulled her close with an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. A tremor rattled through Talia at the rage her ex-husband had expressed. She’d never seen him lose control before. They’d had their arguments, yes, but not once had he ever made a move to put his hands on her, no matter how much she pushed his buttons. His reaction chilled her.

“You see what you did, Talia? You have me acting like a maniac,” Carter shouted.

“Let’s go,” William said. “You should have never come here in the first place.” He continued to restrain Carter and steered him toward the door. Paula followed, her gaze glued to the floor.

“She’ll drive you nuts,” Carter yelled over his shoulder to Tomas. “You can’t compete with her lifestyle and you’ll never be good enough. Good luck. You’re going to need it!”

The door shut behind them and an ominous silence settled over the entire entryway. No one moved. The guests were in a state of shock, mouths hung open, eyes stretched wide. A couple of parents had covered the eyes of their kids.

Talia heard Ryan apologize and encourage everyone to go back to what they were doing. Yvonne, who had remained immobilized on the staircase, hurried down and helped him usher everyone in the direction of the kitchen.