by Kalia Lewis
“Hi, mum’s told me everything about you. You’re my dad, but you didn’t know about me and George is my Great Gramps and we’re going to Texas and mum is sorry about everything.” Only the innocence of a child can gush out six days of deep talking in one sentence.
Tristan looked down into bright, intelligent eyes. The very sight of them both rounding the corner was nearly enough to bring him to his knees, but the words from this own daughter’s mouth rocked the crux of his foundations. Not sure what to do, he bent down and stuck out his hand. “I think we need a proper introduction, don’t you? So, hi April, I’m your dad and it’s wonderful to find out about you and I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”
April smiled in response, ignoring his hand she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
His breath hurled itself out of his body and his heart burst open with the force of his emotions. Lifting her up into his arms, he twirled her around as she laughed into his neck.
Annabelle watched them both and felt a deep surge of guilt. This moment was proof to her that keeping them apart had been a huge mistake. Wiping a tear from her eyes, she made a deal with herself to be friendly to him and make this trip a happy one for April to always look back on.
Putting April down Tristan faced Annabelle and caught her wiping away a tear. Sympathy was far from his mind right now. This last week had left him feeling raw. It was time to take back the control of his life. He assessed her with a cool stare. “Are you ready to go?”
“How did you know we were here?” she asked roughly.
He shrugged. “People talk.” It had taken him a day to locate her and he’d stayed in a nearby hotel whilst allowing her the time she needed to tell April. “Rose was very helpful.”
Knowing that it would be petty to put up a struggle and fight this trip, she gritted her teeth and walked past him to enter the little house. “I’ll just get our bags.”
Without turning around, she knew he’d followed her. The warmth of his breath on her neck as she climbed the stairs was making her nerves tingle. There was no mistaking the warning in his voice as he whispered into her ear.
“You have a lot of explaining to do.”
Stiffening her spine, she ran up the rest of the stairs to collect the cases, but he nudged her out of the way to pick them up and then marched back down the stairs.
Following him, she bit her lip. This was not good. “I have to go back home for the little things that I’ve forgotten.”
“There’s no need. I have your passports from your mother and you can buy what you need in Texas.” His drawl held a final note to it. Opening the boot he threw the cases in the car. Everything about her fired him up and even though he was angry at her for running away, he wanted to hold her, touch her and lose himself in all of her softness and warmth. These last six days had been a slow living hell. Many times he’d thought about coming to the cottage and dragging her out and throwing her onto his jet, but he was trying to show her that he did have a patient side.
“Can we just stop and talk about this for a moment?” The feeling of being cornered was mounting.
“No.” His patience had just been spent.
Panic was rising and she felt a little breathless. “But…I –”
“Annabelle, don’t speak, just get in the car.” The message of her having no other choice rang out loud and clear.
The trip to the airport was filled with silence and tension. Thoughts of what was to become of her life streamed through her mind. All the ‘what ifs’ taunted her. What if he finds out that Daniel isn’t her lover? What if he doesn’t allow her to come home? What if he files for custody whilst they’re in Texas? The possible answers to those questions filled her with trepidation.
At the airport they were met by security personnel and ushered through the terminal to board his private jet. A stewardess was on hand to help with April. The luxuriousness of it all took Annabelle’s breath away and all of her troubles were forgotten as she shyly perched herself in a large cream leather chair.
“This is just amazing Tristan.”
Smiling, he took the seat opposite her. “The Company has a fleet of jets and helicopters for the sole purpose of business travel.”
The stewardess handed her a drink. “I’ve never flown before.”
“Me neither!” came an excited voice from across the aisle.
Tristan winked at April. “I think you and I are going to experience a lot more new things together once we arrive at my ranch.”
Giddy with excitement she shuffled in her seat. “Do you have any horses we can ride?”
“Sure do.”
“Is it a cattle ranch?”
“Yes, cattle provide us with one avenue of income.”
“What about dogs. Do you have any dogs?”
“Yep, two yellow Labradors. There’s also lots of other wildlife on the ranch too. We have lakes and forests where they all like to hang out. We can take a tour tomorrow if you like?”
“Wow!” April’s eyes were so wide that Annabelle burst out laughing.
The crew signalled to them and the jet began to move. Annabelle and April spent the next thirty minutes looking out of the window in awe. Once the seatbelt sign went off Tristan called over the stewardess. A trolley was wheeled in and a light dinner was served.
Finally feeling relaxed after all the tension from earlier, Annabelle took a sip of wine and looked at the freshly prepared salmon. She let out a little puff of air in contentment. “This is just sinful, having all this mouth-watering food served like this.”
Lifting his head to meet the innocence shining from her eyes, a surge of hope fluttered in his stomach, but the visual of her with Daniel quickly snuffed it out. Tautly, he replied, “I’m surprised at your delight. I’d have thought Daniel would have bombarded you with luxury romantic dinners, or maybe you never got further than the bedroom door?” He instantly regretted his words as he watched the light of innocence drain from her eyes.
Feeling the tension return in vengeance, she quickly looked at April, who was busy with a chocolate mousse and then hissed at Tristan. “Why do you make everything so difficult? I’m trying to be friendly here for the sake of our daughter.”
Pushing his food away, he leaned forward. “I’m not the one who ran away.”
She sighed. “I didn’t run away. I just needed some space to prepare April.”
“And ten years wasn’t long enough?” he replied sarcastically.
She took another mouthful to keep from biting his head off, but he refused to look away, and then he gave her a look she remembered well from ten years ago. A look that said, ‘Give me what I want and I might let you live’.
“Tell me Annabelle, how come you never married and had more children?”
She swallowed what felt like a hard lump. She wanted to live. The earlier pleasure of the food dissipated as she realised that getting out of this line of questioning was going to be virtually impossible. “I…I was too busy raising April and working.”
“But you’ve had other relationships since we –?”
“Of course, I’m in one now,” she snapped. Crap! She’d just lied again. A hot flush heated her cheeks. Why was she so afraid of telling him that Daniel was gay? Self-preservation popped into her mind. She was using Daniel as a barrier.
“I see. So, what was it about Daniel that drew you to him?”
“Well, he’s intelligent, warm and he’s my best male friend.” Smiling openly, she felt relieved. No lies needed this time!
“Hmmm, you didn’t mention sexy, irresistible or hot.” Leaning back, he watched her expression of surprise.
“What?” Had he seen through her?
“Your description of him had about as much passion as a bowl of cement,” he replied dryly.
Feeling flustered at being hemmed in, she answered, “Of course there are those things too…”
A moment of silence fell between them and his eyes turned to slits as he coolly assessed her. �
�Do you know what I think?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.” Unease settled low in her belly, she knew he was fishing her out.
A slight smile spread across his face. “I think that Daniel doesn’t give you much sexual satisfaction.”
She gasped. How had she allowed him to corner her like this and make these deductions? If her façade crumbled there’d be no barrier to him and she knew without a doubt he would pursue her until she gave in to him. All she had to do was get through this, allow April to have time with him and then go home. “I’ve told you before. My sex life is none of your business.”
“I disagree with you. April is my business and any relationship you’ve had affects her, which now affects me. So, other than me and Daniel, how many lovers have you had?”
Throwing a sidelong glance at April to see if she’d heard, she threw him a disgusted look. “This is not the time or place to discuss my private life.”
Everything about her right now was primed for flight mode. Was it his questions she was uneasy with or was she hiding something? Not backing down, he replied, “We don’t need to chat about it – just a number will suffice.”
Why was this man so infuriating? How dare he ask her private things in front of their daughter and the crew? Taking a slow sip of wine from her glass, she deliberately looked at him over the rim and narrowed her eyes at him as she replied casually, “Oh, probably about the same number as you.”
Enjoying this verbal sparring, he copied her stance by slowly sipping from his glass of brandy whilst allowing apprehension to build in the air. Finally, he leaned forward and whispered, “So by now you should be quite masterful at pleasuring a man?”
Nearly choking on another sip, she fiercely whispered back, “Well, that’s not something you’ll ever find out.”
Purposely rubbing his thumb around the base of his glass, he raised a mocking eyebrow. “Oh, I’m not so sure about that. Ever since we met again there’s been this sexual chemistry between us.” Wanting to test her response, he smiled wickedly. “And now I know that Daniel lacks the skill of delivering satisfaction, I’d like to explore that chemistry further. Discover exactly what talents you’ve learnt these last ten years.”
The thought of exploring him made her stomach lurch and a warm pool of sensation gathered at the nub of her sensitive parts. Shifting in her seat at how easily he was able to affect her, she knew any outward sign of weakness would have him swooping down like a hawk to claim its prey.
The temptation to take him up on his offer and have a little fun on this trip was almost overwhelming, but the hurt from ten years ago was still raw and she just couldn’t go through that again.
Seething, she snapped at him, “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m not interested in quenching your sexual curiosity about me. I agreed to this trip in order for you to get to know our daughter, but I’m not part of the bargain, so please, just leave me alone!” Throwing her napkin over her plate she stood up and turned her back on his amused look and spoke to April. “Come on, let’s go to the bedroom to wash and rest.”
Having a small bedroom on a jet wasn’t something she’d ever heard of or seen before, but Annabelle ignored all the luxury of it as she smouldered in her angry stupor. Just who did he think he was, barging into her life, forcing her to go to Houston and then demanding a little sexual fun on the side! “Go to hell,” she muttered under her breath. After cleaning up she lay down on the bed with April.
“Mum, don’t you like dad?”
Like him, she would rather throttle him. Stroking her daughter’s hair, she rested her chin on the top of her head and replied, “Yes, he’s a good man. Why do you ask?”
April yawned. “Well, you always seem to be angry with each other.”
Mixed in with a whole portion of lust, it was a lethal combination. Silently cursing she answered, “That’s because he’s only just found out about you and we have a lot of things to sort out and catch up on.”
April nodded her sleepy head. “Okay.” A long silence followed before she asked, “What does love feel like?”
Annabelle smiled. “Oh, it’s like a warm summer’s day, where everything feels happy and wonderful, like bubbles in your tummy.”
April nuzzled back down and sighed. “But that’s how I feel about you.”
Annabelle kissed the top of her head. “Ditto Miss April Summers,” she whispered sleepily in reply.
“No mum, it’s now Miss April Hemsley-Ford.”
Tristan watched them from the doorway. His heart beat ferociously in his chest and he clenched his fist. Is that how Daniel made her feel, happy and wonderful? Jealousy stabbed at his heart. How come all they seemed to do was argue and tease each other or end up in a passionate clinch? It must be a huge case of lust. Maybe if they could exhaust the lust, then he could be released from this torment that raged through his veins or maybe he should play it cool, dangle himself like a carrot and make her come to him. Smiling wickedly at the plan formulating in his brain, he gently closed the door.
An incoming message alert on his laptop brought him back to the repercussions that were occurring from his engagement breakup with Cara. The message was from his father, asking him to reconsider. Cara must have also spilled the beans about April, as there was a demand to meet his grandchild.
****
Feeling a sharp tug on her shoulder, she sat up with a start. She must have fallen asleep. Tristan was looming over her.
“Wake up, we’re about to land.”
It was the dead of night as they embarked off the jet and before she could pull herself fully awake, they were ushered to another terminal and into a waiting helicopter. “Aren’t we driving?”
“No, it’s quicker this way. Our luggage will arrive by the morning.”
Tristan was curt and distant after her rejection of his sexual invitation on the plane, so she just nodded and looked out of the window. Dog-tired, she was relieved to be ignored and left to her own thoughts. Maybe this would continue at the ranch, giving her some much needed space to sort through all of her mixed up emotions.
They landed and Tristan put his hand on the small of her back and grabbed hold of April as he guided them towards the huge building.
Outside, she could only see its imposing shadow against the dark night of the sky, but inside completely took her by surprise. It was not at all what she expected. Being the epitome of arrogance, she thought it would be all alpha male, a statement of bachelorhood, but it was light, bright and airy with soft furnishings decorated in creams and duck-egg blues.
Catching her look of surprise he smiled a full smile that showed his dimples. “My housekeeper, Elsa, makes sure it has the woman’s touch!”
That full smile caused her hairs to stand up and a tingle ran down her spine. He was utterly captivating. “Well, she has excellent taste.”
“Do you want a tour of the house or do you just want to retire?”
She took one look at April’s sagging form and decided that a good few hours of sleep was more needed than a tour. “I think sleep is in order. We’ll take the tour in the morning.”
Leading them upstairs, he opened a door at the far end of the hall. “I thought you might like this room April as it looks out over the stables.”
April dived on the bed. “This is so cool, thank you!”
Turning to face her, he gave her a mischievous grin and waggled his eyebrows. “And your room is further down the hall, right next door to mine.”
So much for the space to sort out her emotions when he’ll be right next bloody door! Giving him her very own sarcastic smile, she replied, “how thoughtful.”
Chuckling, he opened the door to her room. It was lovely. Decorated in pastel shades of violet with a huge canopied bed and arched windows. She moved towards them and looked out at the blackness, jumping slightly as she felt his breath on her neck.
“It overlooks the back of the property and one of the smaller lakes.”
The warmth of h
is voice melted her insides. It would just take a small rock backwards on the soles of her feet to meet with the hard of muscle of his chest and be enfolded within the circle of his arms, but she resisted.
Turning round to face him their eyes locked and everything in the room faded away. The air intensified and her fingers itched to reach out and touch him. There was no mistaking his look. Pure unadulterated lust and she knew she was looking at him with the same lust.
The resolve from earlier dissipated, as her mouth salivated. Just one little bite, surely there’s no harm in that? Leaning forward slightly, she licked her lips. Kiss me, she thought to herself.
Looking down at her half-closed eyes and moist lips sent the bulge in his pants into over-drive. It would only take one tiny step forward and she would be exactly where he wanted her, but he’d felt her resistance as she’d looked out of the window. No, the time wasn’t right yet; she needed to come to him without one iota of defiance. Swiftly, he turned away. “I thought you could use something to sleep in, so I had some nightwear set out for you.”
Whoa, what just happened? One minute she was on the verge of giving in and the next thing she knew the moment was broken and she was left blinking furiously. Feeling foolish, she looked to the bed and saw the cream flimsy silk nightgown and robe laid out for her. Heat infused her cheeks as she replied, “Erm, thank you.”
“You’ll find other things in your bathroom.”
The tension in the air felt suffocating. It felt like he was waiting for something, but she didn’t know what it was. It was pulling at her insides like a magnet, making her question what she believed about him. “Well, I guess this is goodnight then?”
