Forgoing breakfast, Alyssa darted down the hall and took a side door outside. She removed her sandals and started around the path to the back of the house and down to the beach. Only when the long stretch of shoreline came into view did she remember Cullen’s invitation to come where they’d first met. Damn, she was not feeling him today, or any man for that matter. Nathan’s actions and attitude the night before confused her, so she wanted time to think on her own.
She turned in the opposite direction than the one she’d taken that morning of meeting Cullen, but she hadn’t taken three steps before she heard him calling her name. Didn’t the man have work to do? Or was he the type to slip out and do his own thing when no one was looking?
“Alyssa, wait,” he called and jogged over to her. Even his movements were fluid and graceful, his sculpted calves golden brown from the sun. He looked as good as the last time, dressed in white shorts and a white T-shirt.
“Don’t you ever work?” She smiled. “How’s it going?”
He grinned. “Not when the boss is away on business.”
So she had been partially right. “Don’t I know how that is. Even on vacation, they are not.”
“Can I take you to lunch? Better yet, I have use of my boss’s boat. We could make a day of it.”
Her eyes widened. “Won’t he find out? I don’t want you to lose your job.”
He held up his hands as if that explained it. “I’m a jack-of-all-trades. I drive the car, sometimes the boat. If minor repairs are needed…”
Oh, he was the chauffeur, not a servant in the house. If his employer had left the islands, of course there wouldn’t be work. She sighed. “Listen, I appreciate your offer and your interest in me. If this was another time and place…” She bit her lip. “Maybe we can catch up when we’re in New York, but right now, I’m with someone. He’s…” She thought of Nathan. What could she say? Not the truth. If Cullen’s boss ran in the same circles with Nathan, and Cullen told him of her fake status, it could get around, and the Cordes did not deserve that. Not with all they dealt with in Leo’s health already. “He’s important to me.”
Cullen’s gaze flashed anger, but then it was gone. He smiled and took her hand. “I understand. Damn my timing, huh? I hope you’ll give me a chance to be your friend. I feel like we get each other. If not, I’ll just have to hope to see you in New York. Can I give you my number?”
She hesitated and then nodded. After all, things with Nathan were coming to a close. That could not be avoided. She wouldn’t be his mistress, and he hadn’t offered anything else.
Cullen stroked her cheek. “I hope he recognizes what he has.”
She lowered her gaze to the sand. “Thanks. I have to go.”
By the time she reentered the house, all lay in silence. The dining room had been cleared out, but the moment she crossed the threshold of the room, Talia appeared. Alyssa started. “Oh, Talia. Is it okay if I make myself a sandwich in the kitchen? I know I’m late for breakfast.”
“No, ma’am. You can’t serve yourself.”
Alyssa rolled her eyes. “I think I can, and I will.”
The maid followed her through to the kitchen and hovered while Alyssa searched the refrigerator. The cook stared but said nothing. Alyssa had the feeling they both thought her insane.
“There you are, Alyssa.”
She turned at Leo’s voice and found him leaning hard on a cane. “Are you okay, Leo?”
The older man glanced around the expansive kitchen. “I don’t think I’ve been in here. Odd. Talia, two sandwiches, please. One for me and one for Alyssa. Join me in the dining room, won’t you, my dear?”
She couldn’t ignore him and sighed. While he had relayed the message to Talia, the cook was the one who started on the food. Alyssa gave in to defeat and followed Leo. They took seats at the table, and soon Talia brought iced tea for her and coffee for Leo. He waited to speak until she left. Breakfast hadn’t been that long ago, but apparently Leo wasn’t in the dining room when Lydia and Piper argued. Of course they wouldn’t have done it with him around and risk overtasking the man.
“How is my son treating you? Has he spoken of a ring yet?”
Alyssa froze in the act of sipping her tea. “Um, not yet.” Damn, she couldn’t continue to lie to him, not in his face and with him looking so feeble. Their sandwiches arrived, and she busied herself taking a bite of hers while her appetite evaporated.
Leo winked and patted her hand. “You have nothing to worry about. I think he will soon if I know my son.”
You don’t know him at all, it seems.
“I’m not holding my breath.” She could have bitten her tongue at how harsh she sounded and scoured her mind for words to mend the situation.
“Sounds like you two have had a spat?”
She cursed Nathan for putting her in this situation. “Not exactly.” Then she tried for the truth. “Sometimes he pisses me off. I mean, last night he said we were going to a beach party, and we get there, and it’s some stuffy hotel shindig. A blonde bimbo insulted me, and that fool took her side. Crap, I must sound like an immature brat.”
“You sound like a woman who demands to be treated with respect. There’s nothing wrong with that. I prided myself on raising my kids to respect others no matter their station in life. Everyone has value. Perhaps I need to have a talk with the boy.”
Alyssa shifted in her seat, wanting to escape. Leo did not need to get involved. “I’m good. Thanks. I can handle him.”
The man’s eyes sparkled despite the tired appearance around them. “I knew you were the right one as soon as I saw you.”
She could find nothing to reply to this.
Leo leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “Let me let you in on a little secret about dealing with Nathan.”
“Um, okay.”
“Whatever he says or does, give him the benefit of the doubt if it upsets you. He is a good man, and often there’s more to why he does what he does than you know.”
So what did she do with that little tidbit? Leo hadn’t really given her much to work with in understanding Nathan. Even if he did, she was not a doormat. Leo might or might not know his son, but he didn’t know her.
“I’ll keep it in mind,” she said rather than question him further.
Lydia appeared in the doorway. “There you two are. I wanted to let you both know we’re having guests for dinner tonight.” The way she almost bounced into the room spoke volumes, but Alyssa decided not to speculate on why. Maybe Lydia got off on having people over. Of course, some did. She almost never had visitors, but that wasn’t by choice. If her neighborhood were better, she would entertain. As it was, she had a hard time convincing Trinity to visit. Instead, they spent time together at her cousin’s or at her uncle’s house.
Lydia’s popping about giving instructions to Talia, Aziz, and the cook somehow prevented her from getting around to sharing who was coming to dinner. Extra maids were called in to give the house a good scrubbing, although Alyssa hadn’t spotted even a speck of dust in the place. She managed to stay out from underfoot of all the activity. She swam in the pool, walked the beach, and took an afternoon nap. The idleness after the long hours running her bookstore felt incredible. She might as well soak it up.
The white dress she chose for the evening featured ruching at the center front, highlighted with a rhinestone-and-beaded brooch. The halter V neckline extended over her shoulders to crisscross in the back. She loved the soft material and how the dress ended just above her knees—not too short or too long, a simple style yet elegant at the same time. When Nathan strode into the room, she was just slipping into medium-heeled silver slingbacks. He paused upon spotting her, and she waited for the verdict.
“Incredible.”
Pleasure warmed her from head to foot, and she lowered her gaze to hide it from him. “Thanks.”
He strode over and rested his hands at her waist. When he leaned in to breathe deep at her neck, she bit her lip at her body’s reaction.
“You smell good enough to eat. Forget dinner and stay here with me.”
“Lydia won’t hear of that.”
He sighed. “You’re right. Do you know who’s coming to dinner?”
Her eyes widened. “You don’t?”
He shrugged. “Mom is too excited to sit still more than a second. I tried asking Dad, and he doesn’t know either. Then again, he always did indulge her. As long as she’s happy, he’s okay with it.”
She studied his face, wondering if he would be that way with the woman he fell in love with. Not her concern. She shook her head and moved out of his hold. He loosened his tie and pulled his rumpled shirt from his pants.
“I’ll be ready soon. Work took longer than I thought it would.”
“Does it follow you around the globe?”
“Alyssa.”
She shrugged. “Whatever.” Before he could grab for her again, she moved away. A bit of last-minute rearranging of her hair, since a few pins had escaped the style she’d put it in, and she was all set. “I’m going down.”
“Wait for me.” He strode into the bathroom naked, and she took in the sight of his back, ass, and thighs with a sigh.
“Is that an order?”
He peeked out from the bathroom. “Please.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Fine.”
To the sound of his chuckling, she moved to the window and pushed the curtains aside. A dark car was just pulling up the drive. She strained to see as they disappeared from sight, and curiosity sent her to the doors leading out to the balcony. Voices rose from the driveway, Lydia’s unmistakable manic tones included. Alyssa leaned out to get a better look. A knot formed in her belly, and her fingers spasmed on the rail.
“Get a look?”
She jumped and turned around. Nathan stood in the doorway.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
Did she dare tell him the truth? Better to do it now rather than deal with the drama later. Why the hell would Cullen be a dinner guest, and the woman with him was without a doubt Piper’s girlfriend. Had she told her mother the truth about them and Lydia had been that excited to invite her over? That seemed unlikely.
Then she remembered. Of course, Cullen had mentioned being a chauffeur. Stupid. And he’d been dressed up because many of the rich families required their servants to wear a uniform. Why had he gotten out of the car and gone inside, though? Maybe he knew Aziz or Nathan’s chauffeur and wanted to shoot the breeze with them until time to drive his employer home. Of all the dumb luck, though, that he’d work for her.
“Alyssa?” Nathan stood above her. She hadn’t seen him move.
“I didn’t see. They were inside before I got out here.” That bought her a little more time to think this through. She’d told Cullen they couldn’t see each other, and she’d done nothing wrong. Not exactly. Yet, knowing it didn’t stop the guilt and nerves fighting each other in her belly.
When Nathan was dressed, they descended the stairs to the first floor together. He held her hand and drew her to his side when they reached the bottom. Voices from the living room led them in that direction, and Alyssa drew in a deep breath. Her balance off, Nathan had to tighten his hold a couple times, and she felt his gaze on her but refused to look up at him.
“Are you okay?” he whispered. “You’re not getting sick?”
“No, I’m fine.” Her heart hammered until she wondered if he heard it.
They entered the living room to find everyone present, including Cullen. The man’s blue gaze snapped to hers, but not a lick of recognition shone in their depths. The friendly smile did not waver.
“Oh, here is Nathan and his sweetheart now,” Lydia chirped.
The woman at Cullen’s side was indeed Piper’s lover, but as much as she smiled, Alyssa sensed her anger. Why should she be angry when they were finally admitting to the relationship? From Lydia’s open happiness and Leo’s calm acceptance, the two women should be relieved.
“Cullen, of course you know Nathan, but this is Alyssa,” Lydia went on. “Alyssa, this is Cullen, Piper’s boyfriend she’s been keeping a secret from the entire family.”
“No way,” Alyssa blurted.
“Hell no,” Nathan growled.
All conversation stopped, and the fake smiles from the younger people died away. Nathan glared at Cullen as if he was two seconds off rearranging his face. Piper clenched her hands at her sides, scowling back at her brother. The girlfriend—what was her name?—seemed just a bit in love with Nathan at that moment. Alyssa tried processing what she’d just heard around her own rising anger.
“You know each other?” she repeated.
“Of course.” This time Leo spoke from his seat near the window. “The James’s and the Cordes have known each other for years. Their vacation home is not far from here, and they have holdings out of New York.”
“Smaller holdings,” Nathan found need to add.
Cullen’s jaw twitched. She figured Nathan had made the dig on purpose. So there had to be history between them. Well, the lying bastard deserved that and more, making her think they were on the same level, trying to make it in the world.
Lydia came over and swatted Nathan’s arm. “Now, don’t you start, Nathan. I know you two had a little tiff years ago, but it’s all water under the bridge. I just wish your parents were in town, Cullen, so they could have come over. Oh, where are my manners? This young lady is Cullen’s sister, Emma. Everyone sit down. Let’s have drinks. Talia?”
They took their seats, Nathan all but pulling Alyssa onto his lap. He wound an arm around her shoulders and sealed her to his side. She shifted in her seat to get more comfortable, noting how Emma was just about to take the love seat with Piper but instead took an armchair. Cullen parked his stocky frame next to Piper, and neither seemed happy about it.
Alyssa welcomed the cosmopolitan she’d requested and took a huge drink to settle her nerves. Nathan claimed her free hand, lacing his fingers between hers. She frowned up at him. What was with the overaffection all of a sudden? Did Cullen threaten him with his presence? She needed to set the man straight. Cullen no longer interested her in the least.
“How long have you two been seeing each other?” Leo asked Cullen and Piper. His daughter paled and remained mute. Cullen opened his mouth to answer, but Nathan released Alyssa and leaned forward.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s not going to continue long.”
“I think I can decide who I date, Nathan,” Piper snapped.
“Really?” Ellen chimed in.
Alyssa grabbed Nathan’s arm and whispered in his ear, “Do you think now is the time to voice your disapproval of the relationship?” She flicked her gaze in Leo’s direction, and the fight left her lover in a heartbeat.
“You’re right. I apologize, Dad, Mom, for my rudeness.”
Alyssa rolled her eyes. He didn’t feel the need to excuse himself to Cullen or his sister. Piper’s red cheeks said she didn’t appreciate the slight, and Alyssa saw a flash of something in Cullen’s eyes. She was so over this dinner already, and they hadn’t yet sat down to eat.
“Dinner is served, Mrs. Corde,” Talia announced.
Lydia stood up. “Let’s go in, everybody.”
Aziz assisted Leo, and when Alyssa stood, she found Cullen at her elbow. His smile transformed his handsome face. “Can I take you in?”
Nathan slapped him on the back too hard and smiled, leaning in close to the man. “How can you do that without arms?”
Alyssa bit off a curse. “I think I can get into the dining room under my own steam.”
She walked ahead of them, ignoring the muttered oaths from both men behind her. At the dinner table, Nathan held her chair and sat between her and his father, who headed the table. Lydia occupied the end opposite her husband, and Piper sat on her right. Rather than Cullen taking the seat next to Piper, he swiped the open spot on Alyssa’s right, and Emma sat next to Piper. Nathan’s glare should have struck the man dead.
“He
y.”
Nathan glanced down at her when she caught his sleeve. She reached up to stroke his cheek and pressed her lips close to his ear.
“The jealousy thing is getting old. Can you tone it down? I think everybody gets it. I’m yours. It’s starting to be obvious that it’s fake.”
He blinked at her, and if she didn’t know better, she’d get the impression he thought her thickheaded. The insult rankled, and she scowled at him. Sensing Cullen had shifted closer to her, she turned in his direction. When his father engaged Nathan in conversation, Alyssa took the opportunity to question Cullen.
“I thought you were a chauffeur.”
His eyes widened. “I never said that.”
“You never said you were rich.”
“I’m not on the Cordes’ level. Believe me.”
She didn’t even bother to dignify that comment with a response, and he turned on the charm, covering her hand in her lap and stroking the skin. She tugged to get free, but he refused to let go.
“You’re a lying bastard. Let me go.”
His face almost met hers. The man was too obvious. “I only wanted you to give me a chance, Alyssa. When I first saw you get out of the car the day you arrived—”
“Wait, you knew I was here?”
“I only saw a beautiful woman I wanted to get to know.”
She thought back trying to remember if she and Nathan had shown each other affection to indicate they were a couple. Cullen might have thought her Nathan’s secretary, down to help him with work, or even a new servant. Because of who he was, he might have been hesitant in case he intimidated her.
“Forgive me,” he pleaded. “I never meant to hurt you.”
“Please, I’m hardly hurt. We don’t know each other like that.”
“Then say I’m forgiven. I promise I just wanted to get to know you better, and there wasn’t time to explain everything before my sister asked me to pose as Piper’s boyfriend.”
Alyssa peeked at the others around the table. No one appeared to pay them any mind at the moment. She lowered her voice a little more. “You know she’s gay?”
False Pretenses Page 10
