He heard the swishing of silk against skin again. “Ours? Like yours and mine?”
He detected surprise in her tone and wondered why. “Yes, ours. Like yours and mine.”
“What about Alyson?”
He glanced over at her as he exited the interstate. “What about her?”
“Isn’t she going?”
“As far as I know, she wasn’t invited,” he said, coming to a traffic light.
“B…but I thought she would be going with you.”
He cocked his head. “I don’t know why you would assume that when I told you a couple of months ago that Alyson and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“Yes, but you’re seeing her tonight.”
“Because she’s giving you a party. Um, let me rephrase that. I’m giving you the party. Only thing is that it’s at her place and she’s acting as hostess.”
“And I’m sure you know the real reason why.”
He couldn’t help but smile. Evidently she thought he might be slow in some things but not in others. Instead of responding to her comment he concentrated on the road. Yes, he knew the real reason, and as far as he was concerned it was a wasted effort on Alyson’s part.
They heard the boisterous partiers the moment the car pulled into Alyson’s driveway. Kenna couldn’t help glancing around at the many cars parked just about everywhere when Reese’s car came to a stop. He glanced over at her. “Sounds like the party started without you.”
“Yes, sounds like it,” she said, letting go of her seat belt and wishing she could let go of her nerves as well. For the past five minutes her stomach had been twisting in knots, and she’d been trying to convince herself that she would be doing the right thing by coming to this party with the intention of finding a guy. This was the first time she’d gone on a manhunt, and if it hadn’t been for some online dating advice, she’d be totally clueless now. Rule number one: It’s okay to flirt, but don’t come across as too available.
She smiled at Reese when he opened the car door for her. “Thanks.”
He nodded as he closed the door behind her. She lifted a brow and glanced over at him as they walked toward the front door. She had been so busy trying to quell her nerves that it just dawned on her that Reese had gotten really quiet in the past few minutes.
She slowed when they reached the door and paused. “Hey, you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
She cocked her head to size him up, wondering why he’d given what she perceived as a smart-aleck answer, and was about to ask when the front door opened and a gorgeous-looking Alyson threw herself in Reese’s arms and proceeded to place a huge kiss on his lips.
Jealousy ran up Kenna’s spine and she realized at that moment that no matter what Reese had said earlier, he was going to have a hard time fighting off Alyson’s advances tonight. The woman was on the prowl, and Reese was her prey.
Alyson turned to her, smiling brightly. “Kenna, you look great, girl. There are quite a few people inside dying to meet you.”
Before she could open her mouth to respond, Alyson took her hand and pulled her inside and they immediately got lost among the crowd.
Reese didn’t need anyone to tell him he was in a bad mood, because he felt his less-than-pleasant attitude all the way to his bones. By the time he got inside and made it through the crowd of people, several things became quite clear. He knew less than half of them, and eighty percent of them were men. What the hell was Alyson thinking?
He frowned because he knew damn well what she’d been thinking and he didn’t like it. He paused in the act of taking a sip of his drink and glanced across the room. Kenna was surrounded by a group of men, as she had been most of the evening. Who in the hell did they think they were, crowded around her like that? They were flirting, and it was obvious she was flirting back. And he wasn’t sure just how he felt about that.
He took a swig of his beer and knew it was a lie the moment the thought popped into his head. He did know how he felt about it. He didn’t like it one bit. She was beautiful, damnit—a seductress in a blue dress. He knew it and every man in the room knew it. She looked beautiful. But it wasn’t just the dress. It was the entire package. Not surprisingly, quite a few men had latched on to her and had no intention of letting go.
He glanced at his watch. It was past midnight now and he had a mind to leave and take Kenna with him. But it was her party, and so he figured doing such a thing wouldn’t be a good idea. He glanced over at Kenna. It seemed some of her admirers had finally whittled away. And instead of being surrounded by a group of men, there was only one man who remained, determined to vie for her attention.
“Looks like you’re ready for another one of these,” Alyson said, suddenly appearing at his side. She took the almost empty beer bottle out of his hand and replaced it with a full one.
“Thanks.”
“And sorry I had to leave you for a moment. I had to make sure the caterers kept the food coming. In other words, Mr. Madaris, I intend to make sure you get your money’s worth tonight. I think the food is fantastic.”
He nodded as he took another swig of his beer, even though the catering was the last thing on his mind. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that she didn’t need to apologize for leaving him, since he’d needed the time alone. She’d remained tethered to him the entire evening, having left only briefly to deal with the caterers.
He glanced around the room but his gaze kept returning to Kenna. “Who is that guy who’s practically breathing down her neck?”
Alyson’s gaze followed his and she had the nerve to smile. “Oh, that’s Dr. Wendell Thomas, a well-respected neurologist who recently joined the staff at Park Plaza Hospital last month. Umm, look how she’s blushing. I think she likes him.”
Reese decided not to share his thoughts about that. But he would share his thoughts on something else that bothered him. “Why are there more men here than women, Alyson?”
She stopped sipping her glass of beer and looked at him. “The purpose of the party, Reese, was for Kenna to meet people.”
He gave her a cold stare. “I’m well aware of that, Alyson. But she was supposed to meet people, not just men.”
She frowned at him. “And why do you have such a problem with it?”
He couldn’t answer that. So he denied it. “I don’t have a problem with it.”
She twisted her mouth in exasperation. “Yes, you do, Reese.”
He was about to respond to Alyson’s accusation, but he looked across the room and discovered Kenna was standing alone for the first time tonight. Evidently the neck-breather had gone to fetch her another glass of wine or something. It didn’t matter where the man had gone off to. Reese refused to pass up an opportunity to snag Kenna’s attention, if only for a second.
Not giving Alyson a backward glance, “Excuse me for a moment,” he said, and then quickly walked across the room toward Kenna.
Chapter 9
Kenna glanced to her right just in time to see Reese heading across the room toward her—tall, dark and handsome, wide-chested and broad-shouldered. She couldn’t help but admire what a fine specimen of a man he was.
He was wearing a pair of dark trousers and a blue shirt, and as far as she was concerned there was no man at the party who looked better than him. No man who could make her heart jump in her chest like he could, including the very eligible Dr. Thomas, who was determined that she spend the night in his bed tonight. Fat chance! She needed a man in her life, not a sex partner.
“Here,” Reese said when he came to a stop in front of her. “You need this,” he said, handing her his beer bottle.
She took a couple of sips and then handed it back to him. “Thanks. And how did you know I needed that?”
He looked down at her, giving her his best grin. “Because I know you.”
She nodded. Yes, he did know her, and because he knew her it wouldn’t be long before he figured out her problem and the part he played in it. She couldn’t
let that happen. “Are you enjoying the party, Reese?”
“No.”
She glanced up at him. “Why not? I think Alyson did a fantastic job spending your money.”
“That’s not the point.”
She waited to see if he would clarify the point, but he didn’t. Instead he asked, “What happened to the good doctor?”
She lifted a brow. Was that irritation she heard in his voice? “Wendell was paged by the hospital and went out on the patio to take the call.”
“And left you alone?”
She chuckled. “Don’t pretend you’re agonizing over it, Reese.”
“But I am.”
She drew in a deep breath. Yes, he was probably agonizing over it, mainly because of that overprotective side of him. “Well, now is not the time. Wendell is returning, so put on a smile so I can introduce the two of you.”
“What if I said I didn’t want to be introduced to him?”
“Then I’d tell you to retract those protective claws. Every man I meet isn’t going to be another Terrence, Lamont or Curtis.”
She didn’t have time to say any more because at that moment Wendell returned. She smiled up at him. “Wendell, I’d like you to meet my best friend, Reese Madaris.”
Wendell raised his chin in time to see Reese tighten his jaw. “Your best friend?” he asked as he held out his hand to Reese.
“Yes, her best friend,” Reese responded, not giving Kenna a chance to do so.
Wendell studied Reese as if sizing him up. Reese did likewise. The man’s handshake was strong, and Reese respected that even if he didn’t like his obvious interest in Kenna.
“I’ve invited Kenna to go boating with me tomorrow,” the doctor said smiling. “She’s accepted.”
Reese looked at her as he took another sip of his beer. “Is that a fact?”
Kenna glanced over at Reese, and from her expression he could tell she was probably wondering what in the world was going on with him. He glared down at her and in response she glared right back.
Alyson seemed to suddenly materialize out of nowhere. “Excuse me, but Reese, may I borrow you for a second?”
He blinked and then shifted his gaze from Kenna to Alyson. “Yes, for a second.”
Kenna watched as the pair walked off toward the patio. She noticed Reese was striding powerfully, as if he was agitated. It was taking some effort for Alyson to keep up with him.
“They make a nice couple, don’t they?” Wendell said.
She glanced up at Wendell’s face. He was studying her expression as if to see what sort of reaction he would get from her. She smiled brightly, deciding not to give away the fact that her heart was slowly breaking. “Yes, Reese and Alyson make a nice couple.”
“What in the world is wrong with you, Reese?”
His eyes flickered at Alyson. She looked genuinely confused. And he was trying to refrain from saying, welcome to the club. She looked beautiful; he would be the first to admit it. And more than a number of people had remarked that the two of them looked good together. But what they lacked, which she evidently hadn’t picked up on in the ten months they’d dated exclusively, was chemistry.
He’d dated women before who’d been able to get his blood stirring, but not Alyson. Although they were okay together in the bedroom, whenever he thought of hot, sizzling sex her name never came to mind. He found her to be good company and someone who was fun to do things with…until she became jealous.
“Reese?”
“Yes?”
“I want to know what in the world is wrong with you? Back in there when you confronted Dr. Thomas you acted like a dog guarding a bone.”
He squared his shoulders, raised his chin and pierced her with dark eyes. “And what if I am?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and glared up at him. “Then I think something is definitely wrong with that picture.”
“Wrong in what way?”
“Kenna is supposed to be your best friend and not your woman. At least that’s what you’ve told me.”
“And that's what I meant.”
“Then explain your actions back there, Reese.”
He rubbed the back of his head annoyed. “I recognize the good doctor for what he is.”
“Which is?”
“A man on the prowl…” He’d been around Blade enough to know the signs.
“And what if he is? Kenna is old enough to take care of herself. Why can’t you accept that? Why are you playing the role of a jealous lover instead of doting best friend? Why?”
He blinked. Jealous lover? “I’m not playing that role.”
“Yes, you are. In fact, this whole relationship between you and Kenna isn’t normal. At times the two of you are almost inseparable.”
He ignored the fact that Dex had mentioned something similar. “We’re separated now, aren’t we?”
“Yes, but if you had your way, you would be right there by her side, making it impossible for Dr. Thomas to hold a decent conversation with her.”
The man might be holding a conversation with Kenna, but Reese doubted it was anything close to decent. “Is this what you pulled me aside to say, Alyson?” He watched her close her eyes and breathe in a few times, a sure sign there definitely was more to come.
She reopened her eyes and stared up at him. She was no longer glaring. Her eyes had gotten soft and he recognized it for what it was—a manipulative move on her part. “I thought we were close, Reese, and that our relationship had gone beyond games and that we were even contemplating marriage.”
“Marriage? That word never came up between us,” he said in a surprised tone. He definitely wasn’t expecting her to use that angle, since he knew for a fact he’d never brought the subject up before, although he’d picked up on her hints a time or two.
“I know, but I assumed that eventually we would get to that point.”
He figured now was not the time to tell her she’d figured wrong, and although he was certain she would make some man a good wife, that man wasn’t him.
“But I never had a chance. And although you might have cooled things between us because of my accusations about you and Kenna, I can now see that I was right all along. There’s more between you two than mere friendship, and the sad thing about it is that I’m not sure either of you knows it.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
The glare was back in her eyes. “What I’m talking about, Reese, is that you never act protective around Kenna, you act territorial. There’s a difference. And the two of you are so into each other it’s obvious. You drank out of the same beer bottle, for heaven’s sake. It’s such an automatic thing, I doubt either of you realizes you’re doing it. You’ve never even shared a glass with me like that.”
His chest tightened as a sense of panic settled in. How far was Alyson planning on taking this? “Kenna and I have been best friends for over eleven years. We’re used to each other.”
“And you and I dated for almost a year—exclusively. You should have gotten used to me, too.”
He drew in a deep breath. “Look, Alyson. I don’t know what to tell you. Things didn’t work out between us and I thought we had moved on.”
“I tried but I can’t. I want to get married, and you’re the man I want, Reese. I’m used to getting what I want. How can you deny me?”
Easily. Thanks to her parents, she was pampered, spoiled rotten and selfish. He knew just how those traits worked together.
“Sorry, Alyson, but when I ended things between us that was it,” he said.
“Just because you want Kenna.”
“No. Because things didn’t work out between us.” He hoped she’d let it go and wouldn’t ask for specifics. He wanted her to walk away with her pride intact, and she wouldn’t be able to do that if he were to be completely honest.
She scowled at him. “No matter what you say, I’m going to think otherwise.”
“That’s your prerogative and there’s nothing else I can say, is t
here? And I think it’s time for me to leave. Take care of yourself, Alyson.” He turned and walked away.
“Reese!”
He stopped and turned around. “Yes?”
“If you walk out of here, I won’t give you another chance.”
He didn’t recall asking her for another chance. Instead of telling her that, he turned and headed back inside.
Dr. Wendell Thomas gave Kenna a long, searching look. “So what time do you want me to come pick you up to go boating tomorrow?”
Kenna flashed him a smile. “Any time after noon. I was planning on sleeping late.”
“I was serious when I said you can sleep over at my place. I have several spare bedrooms,” Wendell said.
Yes, and she’d bet her diamond earrings—the same ones Reese had given her last year for her birthday—that the bedroom he intended to put her in if she spent the night was his.
“We just met, Wendell. What makes you think I’d spend the night at your place?” she asked sweetly, keeping her gaze fixed on his face. He was handsome, and she knew a lot of women who had no qualms about sleeping with a man they’d just met, but that wasn’t her style. She had agreed to go boating with him and that was as far as it would go for now.
“I was just being kind,” he said.
Yeah, right. “Thanks for the offer, but I have a comfortable bed to sleep in tonight.”
“The one at Reese Madaris’s house?”
“That’s the one.”
“And what’s your relationship to him again?” he questioned.
She frowned. The man had heard Reese loud and clear when he’d said that they were friends. But just in case he had hearing problems… “Reese is my best friend. I told you that when I introduced the two of you. And he told you that as well.”
“Yes, but I wanted to be sure, since he seemed quite annoyed when I told him about our date tomorrow.”
Yes, he had. “Reese and I have been best friends since college and he can get a little overprotective at times. He’s the big brother I never had.”
Inseparable Page 8
