by Ana E Ross
“I guess that’s true love,” Tashi murmured, awed at the kindness of this woman’s heart.
“I wasn’t about to make the same mistake with Precious,” Michelle continued. “I love that little girl like she was my own child. I would jump in front of a speeding train for her just as quickly as I would for Little Erik or Tiffany. Erik suggested that we see Samantha, and in no time, we were back on track. Precious and I are closer than we’ve ever been. You have to forgive even when it’s hard, but especially when it’s least expected.”
Tashi’s heart warmed to the group of remarkable women God had placed in her life. They could teach her so much about life and relationships and love. She didn’t feel so naïve when she learned that both Kaya and Shaina had been virgin brides like her, and that Michelle had only been with one other man before Erik. It was nice to have sisters with whom to share such intimate details and still walk away feeling dignified and sophisticated.
Before they parted, they made plans to shop for the perfect dresses at Joanne’s Boutique the next day. Bryce’s parents were celebrating their forty-fifth wedding anniversary at Hotel Andreas the day after. According to the girls, it would be a night to remember.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
A few hours after her lunch with the girls, and after stopping at the hotel boutiques to say a quick hello to Mindy, Tashi walked into the room that used to be Adam’s home office before he moved to the more spacious one across the hall. Glancing around, she bit into her lower lip as she tried to visualize the photography equipment, furniture and other decorative pieces Kaya had promised to help pick out to beautify the now empty spaces.
During breakfast with Adam this morning, she’d mentioned her desire to advance her photography career. She needed something to occupy her days while he was at Andreas International Headquarters in downtown Granite Falls. Adam had suggested this room as her home office, the place where Tashi Holland Photography would come to life. He’d also pointed out the added benefit of merely crossing the hall to indulge in her sweetness on days he worked at home.
Tashi’s cheeks flushed with memories and promises, but knowing they would leave her in a state of frustration, she pushed the thoughts aside, and gave the room a sweeping glance. It wasn’t even half the size of Adam’s, but it was still a lot more than she needed. Heck, it was bigger than the apartment she had in New York, and even in that cramped space, she’d still been able to carve out a nice little corner for her photography apparatus.
She’d left so much personal stuff in her apartment in New York—stuff she wondered if she’d ever see again. Agent Dawson had promised to pack it up and keep it safe. Had he been able to, or had her landlord auctioned off her belongings to pay for the rest of her lease? She had no idea, and no way to find out without revealing her whereabouts to the wrong people.
Sighing deeply, Tashi walked to the glass wall and stared down at the gardeners in the courtyard, trimming the shrubbery and mowing the green lawn that had been neglected for two weeks. She looked beyond the domestic scene to the still green tree line, the majestic mountains, and a gray sky in the background—the calm before the storm, much like her mood. When she’d spoken to Adam this afternoon, he’d told her that he’d already commissioned someone in New York to find Agent Dawson. That bit of news had brought a bittersweet taste to Tashi’s mouth.
She wanted him to be found alive and well for a multitude of reasons—first because he deserved to be. She would thank him for saving her from a life of degradation and imminent death, and then in advance for testifying on her behalf to help exonerate her for killing that driver. But it would also mean that her temporary marriage to Adam would come to an end. She would no longer need his protection. But if he weren’t found alive, how long would she have to keep living in limbo with bodyguards following her everywhere?
And then there were Adam’s feelings to take into consideration. Tashi never missed the flashes of dread that swept across his face each time they spoke about Agent Dawson who was as close to him as his three billionaire friends. It would crush him to find out that his friend was dead.
Tashi had only spent a few minutes with the agent, and yet it brought her pain each time she remembered the mixture of sadness and anxiety in his gentle brown eyes when he’d told her to run. He’d risked his life to save her and she might never know why.
“Mrs. Andreas.”
The sound of the voice, rather than the utterance of her name made Tashi turn her head toward the door. She had to get used to being called Mrs. Andreas. A plump woman, whom Adam had told her had been head of the kitchen staff since he was a child, stood just inside the door. She was wearing a red skirt and a white top with a black apron tied around her waist—the official Andreas household employee attire.
When Adam had introduced her to his household staff, Tashi had given them permission to call her Tashi. None had acknowledged her request, but had insisted she addressed them by their first names. Tashi didn’t understand this blurred line of formality and informality between employer and staff, but according to Adam that was the way it had been for as long as he could remember. If the servants didn’t mind, she supposed she shouldn’t. One thing the staff all had in common was their determination to make her feel at ease.
Tashi had returned home to a household bustling with activity. Window washing, dusting, floor polishing, gardeners gardening, cabana boys pooling... It would take her a while to get used to people hurrying about the house after the tranquil two weeks she and Adam had just shared.
“Mrs. Andreas.”
Tashi harnessed her wandering thoughts and smiled at the woman. “Yes, Prudence.”
“The garden is prepared and everything you requested for dinner has been delivered and stored in the refrigerator. Everything, that is, except the oysters.”
“You couldn’t find any oysters?” Tashi asked, walking toward her.
“Oh, no. I’m just waiting until it’s closer to the time when Mr. Andreas arrives. He likes his oysters freshly shucked.”
Tashi felt a tweak of embarrassment that this woman knew her husband much better than she did. Upon her return to the mansion, Prudence had approached her about dinner choices and arrangements. Tashi had been at a loss. Since he’d brought her to his home, Adam had been in charge of the meals—both choosing and preparing them. She had no idea which appetizers or wine complemented which main dishes, and which dessert completed the meal.
She had so much to learn about the etiquette of the rich and famous. But to save herself from seeming like a fool in front of her staff, she had announced that she and her husband would have a moonlight picnic in the garden. The girls had told her that men loved surprises—sexy ones—and that she had to be creative in keeping Adam interested and their passion alive. Recalling Claire’s threats, Tashi had decided to give her husband a sexy surprise tonight. She didn’t want him thinking that he was missing anything.
“What time does Mr. Andreas usually get home?” she asked Prudence.
“It depends, Mrs. Andreas, but usually between six and seven o’clock. And sometime he doesn’t—”
She caught herself and stopped, dropping her gaze to her white slippers—the only type of footwear allowed on the second and third floors.
Tashi knew exactly what she was going to say. It was no secret that Adam had spent many nights at his penthouse suite with his former lovers. Claire Forsythe was one of those lovers, she thought, as her insecurity raised its ugly head. Even though the ladies had told her to forget Claire, Tashi couldn’t forget the woman’s questions about Adam’s love or lack of love for her. But ‘had’ and ‘former’ were the operative words here, and the fact that Adam never made love with Claire or any of the others in the bed they’d shared gave her a hint of hope that she was different, a little more special than any of the women in his past. She didn’t have to fight any images of Adam and any other woman in his bedroom. The only memories he would have of making love in his huge white bed were with her. He was coming
home to her tonight and every night as long as they were married.
Home. The word filled her with ecstasy. She shared a home with Adam. A home, where hopefully, they’d welcome a baby soon. Her hand automatically went to her stomach. Was this the way her mother felt when she’d found out she was pregnant with her? Tashi wondered. Was she excited even though she wasn’t married, and didn’t know the identity of the father of her baby? Shaking off the shattering reality that she might never know her father, Tashi jutted her chin and straightened her shoulders with dignity. “Seven o’clock, you said? That’s kind of late.”
Prudence smiled as if asking for forgiveness for her near implied insult. “If you would call Mr. Andreas to confirm his estimated time of arrival, I would have a better idea of when to shuck the oysters and have them delivered, Mrs. Andreas.”
“Thank you, Prudence. I will do just that and get back to you.”
Prudence curtsied as if to a queen and backed away.
I’m never going to get used to all this bowing and reverence, Tashi thought as she left the empty room and walked across the hall into Adam’s office.
***
Adam rocked to Robin Thicke’s “Good Girl” blasting through his car stereo as he sped west on Route 80 toward Mount Reservoir. A huge grin was splattered on his face as he thought of his ‘good girl’ wife who’d turned nasty on him. He chuckled, still unable to believe she’d actually said the word “cock” in their way-too-brief phone sex conversation this morning.
His sweet little innocent virgin Tashi had evolved overnight into a wanton hussy. He loved it, and so did his cock, he thought as it stirred against the restriction of his trousers. He couldn’t believe how excited he was about going home after a long day’s work to someone he cared about, someone in whose arms he longed to spend himself, and then fall asleep. But as he turned off Route 80 on to Mount Reservoir Way, and passed the road that led to the Forsythes’ home, Adam’s excitement ground to a halt.
He glanced at his dashboard clock. He had just enough time to make a quick stop before arriving home at the appointed time he’d promised his wife he’d be there. Adam applied his brakes and pulled to the side of the road. He waited for several cars to pass by before making a clean U-turn. This wouldn’t take long. Not at all.
Five minutes later, he was knocking on the front door of the Forsythe mansion, and a few seconds later their prim-faced butler opened it. “Good day, Mr. Andreas,” he said bowing to Adam.
“Good day, Jimmy. I’m here to see Ms. Claire. Is she in?”
“She is, sir.” Jimmy stood aside and ushered him inside. “I believe she’s reclining at the outdoor pool, sir. Is she expecting you? Should I announce you?”
“That won’t be necessary, Jimmy. Thank you.”
Adam walked through the house that he’d frequented ten years ago when he and Claire were seeing each other, and it was as stuffy and boring as it was back then. He couldn’t believe that he’d even considered becoming a member of this snobbish family. He turned right at a long hallway, paying no attention to the two maids who were busy dusting off paintings on the walls. He was grateful that Claire’s parents were out of town, sparing him the trouble of suffering through meaningless pleasantries with them.
He’d seethed with rage earlier today when Daisy had informed him that Claire had approached Tashi at the esplanade. Luckily for him, Daisy read lips, so she was able to tell him exactly what Claire had said to his wife. No way was he going to let this slide. Tashi would not become another Pilar. No way in hell.
“Adam!” Claire rose from her lounge chair as he took the few steps from the patio to the poolside. “This is an unexpected surprise, darling.”
Adam swallowed his repulsion as she ran forward, scantily clad in a navy blue bikini that covered very little of her ashen white body. What did he ever see in her? Adam took a backward step as she attempted to embrace him.
“What’s the matter, darling? Not even a hug for old times’ sake?” Her lips ruffled and her eyes narrowed with mock confusion as if she didn’t know why he’d darkened the doorway of her family’s home for the first time since she’d left him at the altar.
“This is not a social call, Claire, as you well know,” he said, staring at her painted face. She wore far too much makeup. “I’m here to warn you, in person, to stay away from my wife.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “I was just toying with the little thing, Adam. She obviously can’t take the heat of competition. She ran straight to you whining like the insecure little girl she is.”
Competition? She actually believed that she and Tashi were in some kind of competition for his affection? Had she taken a good look at his new bride? And how could she be so mean and insensitive when she herself had once been the victim of abuse and ridicule? Adam felt pity for her more than anything else, but he would be damned if he’d let her demons inflict pain on his wife, or him for that matter. Perhaps he should have been blunt when she’d come begging him for another chance. There was no reason for him to be cruel back then, but now…
He cleared his throat. “I never told you before, Claire, because I didn’t want to hurt you, but perhaps I should have, if for nothing else, to spare us this futile conversation ten years after our near fiasco. So here it is: I never loved you. Not even for a minute, and that’s why—as you’ve mentioned in the past—you never heard those words from me. However, I love my father, and I was willing to marry you to make him happy, give him the grandchildren he wanted. You spared our families a lifetime of misery by unceremoniously dumping me at the altar. It was the best thing you ever did for me. Looking at you now, it would have been the worst mistake of my life to breed with you.”
She clasped her hands to her flushed cheeks. “Adam, you don’t mean that.” Tears formed in her eyes, but Adam wasn’t moved. “You’ve never said anything unkind to me before, not even after I left you at the altar, for which I have apologized profusely. You’ve changed.”
Yes! Love changes you.
“Look at what this girl has turned you into. She’s definitely not of our social status. What hole did you dig her out of, Adam? She must have tricked you into marrying her, but I can save you, darling.” She reached a hand toward his face.
Adam jumped back again, knocked his heel against the bottom step, and almost lost his balance. He quickly straightened himself up. The woman was delusional, and quite frankly, it scared him a little. “Claire,” he said in a lethal cold voice, “I’m warning you. Stay away from my wife. If you even look at her, much less approach her again to engage her in conversation, I swear I’ll—”
“What Adam? What will you do?” She stared, challenging him.
Adam fisted his hands at his sides. He swore to God he could strangle her with his bare hands and feel nothing as he watched the life drain out of her. His stomach churned with disgust at the thought that he’d once been intimate with her.
“You don’t want to find out, Claire.” Adam turned a deaf ear to her gasps, and his back on her appalled face. He retraced his steps through the house and made his way to the front door, slamming it behind him.
***
Twenty minutes later, Adam walked into his master suite to find a note from his wife: Adam, join me in the garden for dinner. We’re spending the night. Tashi.
After a quick shower, and instructions to his staff not to disturb him, even if the sky was falling down around them, Adam left his cell phone behind and set out to join his wife.
His heart was beating a mile a minute as he passed the flagpole with the white flag flying at full staff. He tried to remember ever being this nervous about going to meet a woman, and he couldn’t think of one single occasion. When it came to women, he was always in control, especially of his emotions. Tashi Holland Andreas had stripped him of that power.
Since the night he’d rescued her, today was the first day they’d been separated, and he’d missed her something awful. He’d been experiencing moments of breathlessness every time he
thought of her. Yep, he’d been suffering from Tashi Withdrawal. He was hooked, addicted to her.
The rushing sound of the waterfall alerted Adam that he was nearing the garden. His steps quickened as his mind wandered back to the first time he’d brought Tashi to his home. That night while Tashi’s specific reason and her benefit for meeting him had been as clear as day, he’d wondered about his reason and benefit for meeting her.
The answer was simple: Love. Just by being, Tashi had shown him what it meant to love someone so genuinely and unconditionally that without her existence, he had none. Love was his benefit, not just love for Tashi, but love for himself, because loving Tashi meant loving Adam—something he hadn’t done for years, because he hadn’t really liked the person he’d become—the temporary man who’d been hesitant or afraid to commit. Well, he was committed now.
He liked that Tashi was taking the initiative in planning intimate moments for them only days after her first sexual experience. She was still somewhat shy when it came to matters of lovemaking, but she was quickly learning about what he liked in bed, as he was learning about her needs, which were infinite and insatiable.
It was the first time they would spend the night in the garden and he suspected that it was the suddenly crowded mansion that had prompted her to plan their night of seclusion. After two weeks of solitude and quiet with her, the return of his household staff wasn’t something he’d been looking forward to. He wanted more alone time with her—private time and space, without thoughts of, or intrusion from the outside world. The garden would provide that, for now.
