“Yours?”
“I bought my aunt out this morning,” Natasha explained. Then she shrugged morosely. “Rotten timing on my part. Now I don’t know what I’m going to do”
“You’re kidding, right? Oh my God, no wonder you and my asshole brother are so great together. You both run away when things start to suck.”
“Hey, that’s not fair,” Natasha protested at the bitter sting the words caused. Drew ran, not her. “I never said I was running”
“I can’t believe you,” Audra said, clearly not listening. “You and Drew. You see this rosy picture of what something is supposed to be. But when the real thing doesn’t fit in that picture, you just toss it aside.”
“Dammit, I’m not tossing anything away.” She looked at Lanie for backup, but her friend was busy studying the red dregs of her strawberry margarita.
Okay, so maybe she’d been thinking about options.
But not because the picture wasn’t rosy. Because she didn’t know how she could make it all work.
“I just think I might be in over my head,” she admitted quietly. “Even if I hadn’t lost the design, C.C. Crews still wanted me to do more with color and fabrics. I’m not that good with those. I don’t even know that I have enough money in my savings account to make the down payment on the business. And even though Aunt Sharon was willing to carry the loan, who knows how I’d bring enough business into the boutique to justify taking a salary large enough to live on?”
Except that she’d planned that all out while she’d laid in bed this afternoon resting her eyes. Like the Tantra energy flowing through her the night before, the answers had just sprung to life before the questions were barely formed. It had been perfect.
“Tash?” Lanie shot a hesitant glance at Audra, then with a grimace continued, “All these years you’ve talked about letting your wild child out to play. Today you moved her into a playground of her own and gave her permission to live. I hate to say it but I think you’re using this as an excuse to shove her back in a box.”
Audra looked confused. “You have a kid?”
“No.” Natasha glared at Lanie, then explained. “She’s talking about my inner wild child, that crazy part of me I usually keep under control.”
Like Audra would understand that. Natasha wished the alcohol would hurry up and provide a little numbness, because she was hurting something awful.
“Sorta like a yin/yang balance thing?”
Lanie stopped slurping her drink to join Natasha in a shocked stare.
“Maybe?” Natasha offered.
“You know, we all have these outer personas. Sometimes they aren’t conscious creations, but most often, they are. So if you’ve got this mellow, kinda repressed outer persona, it stands to reason your inner one is a little crazy.”
“It does?”
“Sure, basic balance.”
“So what does that mean your inner persona is?” Lanie asked. The redhead leaned forward in her seat, her attention obviously snared.
“A little brainy. Sometimes kinda shy,” Audra said with a blush. “But I try not to let that get out, you know?”
Natasha laughed. There was balance in the world after all.
“Audra, I think I like you.”
Now wasn’t that a shock?
“Well, if you promise not to tell Drew, I think I like you too.”
They all laughed and for a second, Natasha felt a little better. Her stomach still ached and her head throbbed, but at least she didn’t feel like the world had collapsed in on her anymore. Maybe it was the booze, or the company, but she suddenly felt like all things were possible.
Sensual Supports.
Drew.
The future of her dreams.
“I guess balance is good, huh? And...,” She nibbled contemplatively on her bottom lip, “...to be honest, there’s no way I can give up Sensual Supports. You’re both right. I felt so free when I resigned, when I told Aunt Sharon I’d buy the company. And it was a total rush to meet with C.C. Crews and those other accounts. I think I did damned well, too.”
“So what are you going to do?” Lanie asked.
Natasha worried her lip, trying to figure out that answer. She knew what she wanted to do, but could she do it? That was a whole other story. While she tried to figure out the right answer, the other women carried on as if she’d left the room.
“I think she should stick with it,” Audra claimed.
Of course she did. Audra had clear reasons to think people should see things through.
“Well, yeah, I do, too. But Natasha needs to have some security. This isn’t exactly a stable business.”
Oh, man. Natasha’s stomach churned. Security? She’d learned just how insecure the business was already, and she’d barely been in it half a day.
“So? She’s got what it takes to make it work. The designs rock. Sure, some of them—well, a lot of them—are a little boring, but the basics are there. And she’s got that boutique, so there is a little bit of ready-made security right there if she plays her cards right.” Audra gave a modified version of her patented sneer and shrugged. “What else d’ya want? A freaking guarantee? Where’s the fun in that?”
Where was the fun in that? She was tired of seeking that guarantee, that approval. Natasha realized that for the first time in her life, she had the most important approval ever.
Her own.
“I’m keeping Sensual Supports,” she informed them. Audra and Lanie stopped their analysis of her future to turn and stare. Both wore matching grins, although Audra’s was a bit of a know-it-all smirk. “And I’m going to find a way to make Rufus Randall pay for stealing that design.”
“Pay, huh? How will you do that?” Lanie looked excited at the prospect.
“Kick him in the nuts,” Audra suggested.
“No, I’ll do better than that,” Natasha vowed. “I’m going to find a way to make him desperate to relinquish my design.”
Chapter Eleven
There was no way he was letting Tasha lose her dream.
Not able to stay still any longer, Drew got up to pace the room. He hadn’t expected much when he’d first arrived in Vegas. A few laughs, a little gambling and maybe a show or two. He’d planned to see the sights, feel the energy. Get his sister’s business launched and her settled on the path of responsibility.
Instead, he’d hooked back up with the best part of his past... Natasha. The one woman he’d never been able to—
or now, would ever—forget.
Drew dropped to the bed and scrubbed his hands over his face.
When the hell had he fallen in love with her? Shouldn’t something that important have been accompanied by fireworks? Or at the very least, a flutter of confetti and a balloon or two? Instead of fanfare and light bulb moments, it just... was. He was in love with Natasha Stover.
Should he be worried? Scared? He couldn’t be when it felt so right. It wasn’t a rush of wild excitement, it was more a smooth warmth engulfing him. Something he knew would be there forever.
And now, because of all this crap with Rufus Randall, he’d likely lost Natasha before he’d been smart enough to know he wanted to keep her.
He continued pacing, not that it was an easy thing to do in Audra’s room. She didn’t believe in empty floor space. She did, however, believe in honesty.
Which in his anger this evening, he’d forgotten.
He turned at the click of the lock and watched his sister enter the room. She looked worn out, and now that he looked closely, he saw what Natasha had earlier. Signs of tears, signs of betrayal.
And damned if he wasn’t the one who’d betrayed her.
“What? Hadn’t you finished bitchin’ me out? Did you have to stick around and rip at me again?”
“No. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Tough shit. I don’t want to talk to you.” She let the door slam behind her and shoved her keycard in her back pocket. “And I really don’t want to see you, so why don’t you scram?”
“Fine. I’m not staying anyway.” She went to the dressing area and rifled through her make-up bag. “I just needed something for a headache. Who knew I’d have a bigger one stalking me in my room?”
She grabbed a tissue of some kind and started swiping off her streaked makeup.
“Don’t be a brat, Audra. I just need a couple minutes then I’ll go.”
“Brat?” She eyed him in the mirror, then rolled her eyes before going back to rubbing some creamy gunk over her face. “Nice change from thief. Or is that a bratty thief?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about—”
“What?” she interrupted. “You want the details? A full confession? Maybe you want to let me know you’re disowning me. Again.”
God, could he feel any worse? Drew frowned at her, but knew she had the right to make all of those accusations and more. His heart ached at the pain in her eyes. She looked so young.
“Damn, Audra. I’m sorry, okay. You’re right, I screwed up.”
“Come again?” She paused in the act of coloring her eyes with a heavy black pencil and stared at him, her shock clear even in the reflection.
“I know you aren’t a thief. I don’t know how Ruf got a hold of that design, but contrary to the idiocy I was spouting earlier, it wasn’t through you.”
“What changed your mind?”
“I finally stopped overreacting long enough to think clearly. Even if I wasn’t there for you when you were a kid, I know you well enough to know you are too strong to steal anything.”
Audra held his gaze for a moment, then set down her eye pencil and turned to face him.
“You were there as much as you could be. I know my mom made it hell for you. I remember you calling to talk to me once. I was in my room and heard the phone ring, so I came out to see who it was. I heard her tell you I didn’t want to see you, that I was away for the summer at camp or something.”
Drew remembered that summer. It had been the first one after their dad had died and he’d wanted—needed—to connect with his sister. But Lorna had insisted that her little girl had to go to camp, a damned expensive one at that. Drew had paid the fee, but asked that she spend a week before or after with him. Lorna had told him Audra wasn’t interested.
“Well, camp was important.”
Audra snorted. “Please, do I look like a campfire girl to you? I’ve never been to camp in my life.”
It only took a second for realization to dawn.
“She lied?” Maybe he’d used up all his anger earlier because he couldn’t even muster a frown.
“About a lot of stuff. I didn’t think I could say anything, cause she made it pretty clear you didn’t want me.”
Drew shook his head. All it would have taken was direct contact. A little open communication and he’d likely have had a helluva lot better relationship with his sister.
“You know that isn’t true, right?”
Audra sniffed and gave a half-hearted shrug.
“Look, I’m not gonna get mushy here and make a bunch of dorky declarations that’ll embarrass both of us. But we’re family, Audra. That means a lot to me. So do you.”
She grinned. A lot of the stiffness left her face and Drew saw the pretty little girl he’d played Candyland with all those years ago.
“So you gonna save that mushy stuff for Tasha?”
Drew snorted. He had no idea if Natasha would let him get close enough to spout mush. He planned to try though.
“In case you’re worried, Natasha doesn’t think you did anything wrong either. She basically called me an idiot for accusing you.”
Audra snickered. “You were an idiot.”
“Yeah, well, Natasha is one smart woman.”
“You’re looped over her, aren’t you?”
“Looped,” Drew agreed.
“Hmm.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Just, you know, you really screwed things up by acting like a Neanderthal tonight.” Audra looked like she had something else to say, but then changed her mind. “How are you gonna make it up to her?”
“I don’t know.” He paused and stared off in space. “I guess I’m going to have to save her dream.”
“Yeah?” Audra grinned and socked him in the shoulder. “Now that’s romance.”
“Hey, I can be a romantic guy.”
“Oh, sure. You’re Mr. Romance.”
Drew grinned.
“You know, Drew, you deserve your dream, too.”
The grin fell from his face. Now Audra? Was he clearly a dream dropout or something?
“Who says I don’t have dreams?”
“You work your butt off. You party with the best of them, and if it wasn’t for all this goofy dream talk, I wouldn’t have clued in. You bailed on yours, didn’t you?”
Had he? Maybe, in a way.
“I wouldn’t say I bailed. Just that my priorities shifted.” She rolled her eyes and Drew heaved a deep sigh before admitting, “Natasha is my dream. And for once, I plan to fight to make that dream come true.”
Audra whooped and did a little happy dance around the room. Then, all misty-eyed, she shocked the hell out of Drew by throwing her arms around his neck.
“Have I ever told you I’m proud you’re my brother?”
Ignoring his own burning eyes, Drew hugged her close.
“Probably as often as I’ve told you I’m proud you’re my sister.”
They looked at each other and laughed.
“Okay, dream saving time,” Audra said. She plopped, cross-legged, on the bed and patted the floral bedspread beside her. “Let me give you some advice.
* * *
Her heart pounding, Natasha smoothed her hair, ran a hand over her hip and took a deep breath. Then she knocked on Ruf’s hotel room door. To hell with the fact that it was only seven in the morning. She, Lanie and Audra had plotted into the night and she didn’t want to waste any time setting their plan into action.
She cast a sidelong glance down the hall toward the bank of elevators and saw Audra’s head peek around. She sure hoped this would work, but even if it didn’t, she’d realized two things last night.
First off, she could, and would, make Sensual Supports a success. Second, Audra Walker might very well be instrumental in assuring her of that. As she’d sat up all night chatting with her and Lanie, a kernel of an idea had taken root in Natasha’s mind. She wasn’t sure if she’d follow through, or even how she felt about it yet. But, she’d deal with that later. For now, she had a snake to charm. Then she’d chop off his head.
The snake opened the door, a look of surprise on his face when he saw her. Surprise and something else she didn’t understand.
“Sweet thing?” Isn’t it a little early for visiting?” He glanced at his watch. “If you’re here to apologize for your little snit last night, I’m open to hearing it. But this isn’t really a good time for me. How about we get together a couple hours from now?”
“No, Ruf. I really need to talk to you before the convention opens and you make your announcement.”
“Ah, yeah, about that...”
“Please, can I come in and discuss this with you?” She needed to get in the door so Audra could sneak in behind her. Their plan depended on Audra getting into his bedroom undetected. Thanks to the time the young woman had spent avoiding Ruf's advances, she learned that Ruf kept things of value—like a stolen bra—hidden inside. Hopefully, he’d back down and admit he stole it himself when confronted with the evidence.
“Um, yeah. Sure, come on in.”
Natasha squinted at him. The older man seemed nervous. And awfully disheveled for such a fastidious snake. Granted, it was pretty early in the morning, but his hair was a mess and his shirt looked all wrinkled in front, like someone had been holding it in their fist.
“Thanks.” She waited until Ruf held the door open, then just as she was entering, strategically dropped her purse. “Oh, go a
head, I’ll be right there,” she said, bending to pick it up.
When he did, she carefully caught the heavy door and as it swung shut, slid her keycard in the jam so it didn’t latch. There, phase one of their plan worked perfectly. Exhilaration surged through Natasha and she walked a little straighter. Yes, this was all going to turn out fine.
Then she reached the sitting area of Ruf’s suite and stopped short. Shock raced through her system.
“What are you doing here?” Hell, what was he even doing out of bed? And, from the clear, self-satisfied look in his eyes, he was completely awake.
“Ruf and I were having a little debate this morning. Weren’t we, Ruf?”
“Sure. A debate.” From the sick look on Ruf’s face, he was losing.
“What’s going on?” Natasha asked loudly, both because she really was shocked and to cover the sound behind her, a faint squeak of the door opening. Audra was in. But seeing Drew here in front of her, Natasha had no idea how to carry out the plan. Her breath tightened in her chest as she tried to find composure. They’d rehearsed and hashed out all the options. But they’d never considered a scenario with Drew in it.
Her eyes ate him up, wishing she could curl into his arms and brush her lips over his. But she couldn’t forget how easily he’d turned his back--on his sister, on her, on himself.
She just wasn’t ready to deal with him yet. All her energy, all her attention, had been focused on recovering her design. That’s where she wanted it. Needed it. She’d been trying to ignore the fact that she still needed to recover her heart.
But like so much else this week, she apparently didn’t have a choice. Her newfound confidence screamed for confrontation, but Natasha figured there was wisdom in understanding the lay of the land before she did anything.
“So... what’s going on here?” she asked. Again.
“Ruf? Want to fill Natasha in?”
“You don’t have anything on me, Walker. Don’t think you can come in here and make threats and get away with it.”
Natasha arched her brows at Drew. He continued to give Ruf a menacing glare.
“You threatened Ruf?” Her hero.
Lucky 7 Bad Boys Contemporary Romance Boxed Set Page 49
