* * *
Daniel watched the man in front of him warily. He didn’t trust the guy. The last time he came face to face with him, it was on the receiving end of his fist. Not that Daniel had a problem with that, he just didn’t want to be taken off guard again if the guy decided to swing another unsuspecting right hook at him. For all he knew Tristan still had harbored feelings for Sonya and use the opportunity to vent his jealousy.
“Daniel, right?” His host asked as he opened a cupboard and began removing wineglasses. “Sorry, I’ve never been too good with names.”
“Yeah, it’s Daniel.” He confirmed, watching the man with caution.
Tristan glanced over at him and noticed the look of watchfulness on his guest’s face. He produced a grin. “I owe you an apology. Our last encounter wasn’t under the friendliest conditions.” He shot a cautious glance toward the kitchen entrance, then back at Daniel. “A bit of a misunderstanding. I hope you forgive me. It’s amazing what happens when a man feels he needs to protect the woman he loves.”
Daniel sat staring at him. His insides lurched in anger. With as much control in his voice as he could manage, he asked, “You’re in love with Sonya?”
Tristan looked flabbergasted, then quickly said, “No. Audrey. I thought you were some guy making indecent propositions on Audrey.” His face turned dark. “I could have easily killed you—him.”
Daniel recalled Audrey tripping into his lap right before Tristan decided to use him as a punching bag. The story rang of truth and Daniel couldn’t find a reason to believe he may be lying. Other than the fact that Sonya had misunderstood that little scene herself. She had felt that Tristan’s anger was out of jealousy for her benefit.
They returned to the main living quarters where the females along with Patrick had made themselves comfortable on the plush furniture in Tristan’s sitting room. Tristan carried a small round tray of drinks where he first offered two glasses to Maura and Patrick who sat sharing the love seat. With only two glasses left he turned around and started toward Audrey who sat solo in the only lounge chair in the room. There was a vacant spot next to Sonya on the sofa and it was in that direction that Daniel headed with their wineglasses.
However, before he could reach his destination, Sonya arched her back and gave Tristan a bright smile, patting the seat next to her. “Your cottage is wonderful, Tristan. I love the view of the lake, its spectacular.” Without asking, she reached up and took one of his remaining glasses from the tray.
Daniel hesitated, his eyes shooting in Audrey’s direction. Sure enough, a tiny frown dipped the corners of her mouth. He moved quickly and handed her one of the glasses he carried, then took the only vacant seat left in the room.
“I bought it over two years ago.” Tristan informed Sonya but addressed the group. “I was able to obtain it at a decent cost since the previous owners were going through a messy divorce.”
“Isn’t that typical.” Sonya rolled her eyes.
He arched a brow. “That I obtained it a good price?”
She giggled and gave her wrist a flick. “No, silly. Yet another marriage certificate ends up on the cutting room floor of some lawyer’s office.”
The room went silent. Daniel’s glass froze midway to his mouth. Without moving his head he surveyed the room. Everyone’s expressions had grown either puzzled or peeved, depending on who was doing the looking.
Audrey spoke first. “Aren’t you and Daniel planning on getting married?”
“Christ, no!” It was out before Sonya could bite it back. She glanced around the room and saw four pairs of eyebrows drawn together. She shot a quick glance at Daniel and discovered his eyes downcast as if he suddenly found the contents of his glass fascinating. Some help he was. Scrambling, she blurted, “I mean, he hasn’t asked yet.”
Foreheads began to unfold and she was given understanding smiles and sympathetic nods instead.
“How could one blame me?” Daniel’s quiet but unexpected voice interrupted the silent musings of the room. “When it is obvious Sonya has a belief that all marriages end in divorce. I would like mine to last forever.”
She sat staring at him. What was he doing? Trying to make her look like the bad guy? He was supposed to be on her side, not help flush her down the gutter. Grimacing, she would have a word with him about that later tonight in bed. An unexpected shiver of delight crept down her spine at this last thought. With an angry thrust she closed her eyes and gave it a mental push.
Far too much as of late she had been stimulated at the mere thought of Daniel. Far unusual than normal. He was anything but her type. Tristan, now there was a man meant for her. It must be her lack of sexual activity that she was finding him suddenly attractive. Not to mention a glorious set of grayish silver eyes that had a hint of glimmer reminding her of tiny broken pieces of diamonds glistening in his eyes.
Her gut all at once didn’t feel so well. Turning an indifferent shoulder to him, she pivoted in her seat and gave Tristan all of her attention. “But they are so much fun while they last.”
He gave her a curious grin then got to his feet. “Can I refill your glass, Audrey?”
“I’ll come and help.” The blonde bestowed him with one of her lovely smiles, then got to her feet and followed him out to the kitchen.
Beside Maura, Patrick stretched and yawned. “Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve had one heck of a work day and a long drive down here. I think I may call it a night.”
Sonya couldn’t stop from rolling her eyes. Such a stick in the mud.
“Of course, darling, you must be exhausted.” Maura gave his shoulder a soothing rub. “Go on ahead. I’ll be right there.”
He nodded, bid everyone in the room goodnight then disappeared down the hall. The trio sat silently in the room, until the stillness was unbearable. Daniel leaped to his feet. “I think I’ll go check out this wonderful view you were mentioning Sonya.”
She gave a detached nod, not bothering to glance his way.
“Would you like to join me?” Daniel asked by the exit.
She shot him an irritated glare. How was she supposed to get Tristan’s attention outside? “Not right now.”
Maura glanced from one to the other, then said to Daniel, “Would you mind, Daniel? I haven’t had a chance to chat with Sonya all night.”
He shook his head politely, then sauntered out of the room, running his hand along the back of his neck as he did.
When he was safely out of earshot, Maura scooted over to the spot vacated by Tristan and gave her friend a serious look. “Okay, what is going on?”
“Nothing.” She frowned at the raven-haired girl then took a long gulp of her wine.
“Come on, Sonya, don’t play games with me.” She looked stern as her eyes bore into her. “What are you and Daniel up to? I know you’re not an item.”
“Who told you that? Daniel?” She would kill him. They hadn’t even been there one night and he was already letting the secret out of the bag.
“No, you.”
“What?” She looked incredulous. “I never told you any such thing.”
“Maybe not in so many words, but definitely in action,” Maura said. “You’re all over Tristan and could care less about Daniel. If you don’t think it’s obvious, you’re mistaken. If I can see it, so will Tristan. And Audrey.”
Sonya gritted her teeth. “I am not playing any games. Daniel and I are a couple. Have been for a while now, if it looks like we’re a little, say, relaxed, it’s because we’ve known each other so long and feel completely comfortable with one another.”
“Then why haven’t I known about it?”
“Because it’s Daniel.”
Baffled, Maura shook her head. “So?”
Sonya shuffled uneasily. She really hadn’t thought she needed to say more. “Well, he’s kind of nerdy and not like us.”
“What am I, thirteen? Why would I care? Have you looked at Patrick?”
Her friend was not making this easy.
Even more so, hearing her claim her indifference to Daniel’s persona unsettled her. She needed to keep him firmly where he belonged. She couldn’t bear to lose his friendship.
Sighing, she said, “We were trying to keep it a secret.” Then shrugged and tried to appear nonchalant. She needed to drop the subject. She felt horrible about lying to her friend, but if she wanted things to go her way this weekend, then that was exactly what she needed to do. It all had to come together and since there seemed to be a question already about their relationship, Sonya would have to work a little harder to convince everyone that she and Daniel were a couple. “You know how I feel about marriage. I don’t want anything to jinx it.”
Her friend looked skeptical but nodded her head in understanding. “That’s true. Maybe I did jump to the wrong conclusions, but I also know Sonya that you won’t stop at anything until you get what you want.”
She smiled then leaned forward and gave her friend a reassuring pat. “You’re absolutely right. I want Daniel, very much, and I won’t stop until I have him. All of him.”
“Really?” Daniel’s voice from the patio doors took her and Maura by surprise. They spun around in their seats to see him standing leisurely in the entrance, listening without guilt to their conversation. “Because there are some parts of me I’m quite partial to. Do you think we could take stock of inventory first? Divvy out the parts now so that when we end up in a lawyer’s office years down the road, they won’t end up on his floor.”
She glared at him behind Maura’s head, but in a more gentle voice said, “Very funny, Daniel. Didn’t your mother ever teach you it’s impolite to eavesdrop?”
He made an exaggerated grimace. “Have I created a mortal—sin?”
She refused to allow him to draw her into his snide banter, so instead turned back in her seat and decided to ignore him. That was easier said than done.
“I’m afraid, like Patrick, I too have had a long and rough day at the office and bed sounds good just about now.” Daniel told them.
With her back to both him and Maura, Sonya rolled her eyes. Now why wasn’t that a big surprise?
“Care to join me, Sonya?” The question alone would have surprised Sonya, but with the addition of his voice suddenly gone husky, she was totally caught off guard.
Her head jerked swiftly to the left to give him a startled glance. Her view, however, was interceded by Maura’s small grin and one black questioning brow. Sonya’s mouth clamped shut. She knew she couldn’t very well turn him down again, that would appear too suspicious in Maura’s eyes.
She glanced past her friend to shoot him a flat look and said, “Fine.”
Pushing herself to her feet, she added, “But first I’ll go and say goodnight to Tristan and Audrey.”
“Oh, I’ll send your evening tidings.” Maura stopped her. “You just go off to bed with your man.”
She stared down at her friend and couldn’t tell whether she was saying this out of treachery or sincerity. Deciding not to take a chance, she nodded her thanks then turned toward the hall and headed for their bedroom.
* * *
Daniel followed her obediently. It was clear to him that she was greatly displeased. He wondered if her friend of numerous years had perceived as much. She was already suspicious of their relationship. He had overheard as much from the patio door. Was she waiting for the perfect moment to call their bluff? He wouldn’t have thought so. The woman was a virtual stranger to him, but a very close and dear friend to Sonya. He didn’t think she would betray her friend. The question was then, how far did they have to go to conceal the truth?
Ahead of him, Sonya stormed into their bedroom and grabbed her suitcase whereupon she tossed it onto the bed. “I was having a perfectly good night and am nowhere close to being tired.”
He closed the door behind him, then leaned back against it and watched her toss her clothes angrily out of her travel bag. “Then why go to bed?”
She shot him a piercing glare. “Don’t play innocent on me, Daniel Keller. There are a few things we need to sort out here—”
“I agree.” He pushed himself away from the door and went over to pick up his own luggage.
“You do, do you? Well, that’s just fine, because it is very obvious that you haven’t the slightest clue on how to snare a man.”
“Must have missed that course in college.” He went about the task of opening his suitcase and rummaging through the contents.
“Oh, you’re just a comedian tonight aren’t you?” Upon uncovering her nightgown, she whipped it out of the pile of clothes, not caring that the remaining garments were left in a state of disorder. She slammed the lid of the suitcase down, then turned on him again. “How am I supposed to capture Tristan’s attention if you keep pulling me out of the same room as him?”
He gave a weary sigh. “Has it occurred to you that Tristan already has a girlfriend?”
“Has it occurred to you that I’m doing this for her as well?” She declared, crossing her arms over her chest, nightgown in one hand. “The sooner she discovers what a louse of a boyfriend he is, the better.”
“And again, you admit he’s a louse but you want him for yourself?” He looked plainly perplexed.
“Not forever.” She sneered with disgust. “Just for a couple of nights—weeks at most. Then I’ll drop the little low-life and stomp all over him for hurting me and my friend.”
“That sounds ethical.” He shot her a frown. “So you’re doing this out of charity? No personal gain?”
Irritated, Sonya sighed at his annoyingly innocent perception. What he needed was a reminder of what type of woman she was. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she angled her chin and shot him a wink. “Only good hot sex.”
A black look darkened Daniel’s eyes before he turned away and headed toward the bathroom. “Good to see your scruples haven’t lowered.”
Groaning, she slumped down on the bed. “For pity’s sakes, Daniel, it’s only sex. Men and women have it every day, all over the world. Why should I be any different?”
He stopped and looked back at her. “Because I thought you had better sense than that. Or at the least, more selective.”
“Then you thought wrong.” She met his eyes briefly before looking away.
“I don’t think so.”
“Have you not been paying any attention? I’m an unabashed hussy. At least according to Mrs. Stirling. Sex holds no meaning to me except the pure pleasure I receive from it.”
“And you’d sleep with anyone to achieve it?”
“Absolutely.”
“I don’t believe you.”
She groaned, whirling on him. “Stop it, Daniel. I’m not who you wish I were.”
“I know exactly who you are.”
He sounded so self-assured, he caused her to pause, almost believing him. Shaking her head, she turned back to her luggage. “No you don’t.”
“Then prove I’m wrong.”
“Believe me, I’m trying.” A brief chuckle preceded her words. “But if you haven’t noticed, Tristan’s attention has wandered elsewhere.”
“Then have sex with me.”
She nearly fell over her own tongue, her jaw had become slacken. “Excuse me?”
“If you’re as promiscuous as you claim, having sex with me would be no biggie.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re insane. I’m not having sex with you.”
“Why not?”
“Daniel!” she cried, but didn’t give him an answer.
“Why not?” he persisted.
“Because it’s you,” she declared with a wave of her hand in his general direction.
“What? You don’t think I could give you an orgasm?”
She nearly choked on the shock that bull-dozed its way down her throat. Hearing the word orgasm from Daniel’s mouth left her feeling oddly disturbed. She was perturbed to realize it was not an uncomfortable uneasiness. Rather, arousing instead. Turning from him angrily, she needed to end this conversation before
it got out of hand.
“I’m sure you would perform just fine,” she said very formal like so he wouldn’t get any ideas.
Though somehow she couldn’t prevent the throaty tone in her voice when she thought about that kiss they had shared. She suspected sex with Daniel would be spectacular. “But sex would only ruin our friendship. I wouldn’t want that.”
There was silence behind her, and she feared she might have insulted him again. She chanced a glance over her shoulder and saw him watching her with a softness in his eyes.
“What?”
“I thought we weren’t friends? Neighbors at best?”
“Oh.” Her brow creased and she sat down on the bed to stare up at him. “We are friends aren’t we, Daniel?”
“I like to think so.”
She smiled then. “Me too.”
The smile he returned her had her stomach doing funny things, so she quickly stood back up and changed the subject. “Listen, Maura is becoming suspicious. So will the others soon if we don’t do a better job of convincing them we’re a couple.”
“Then I suggest you make up your mind.”
She shot him a confused glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m either the devoted jealous boyfriend, or I leave you and lover boy alone. Which is it to be?”
“Well, certainly not the jealous boyfriend.” She bit her lip and looked away. “I think that would be pushing your acting skills a bit too far.”
He paused, staring at her hard then took a deep irritated breath. “Look, the truth is, I’m here to make him jealous.”
“No.” She shook her head. “You could never do that.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She frowned and played with one of the spaghetti straps on her nightgown. “Didn’t you see him tonight? I’ve never seen him that way. So devoted.”
Silence from Daniel, then, “Is this about your career?”
“What about it?”
“You’ve been wanting to perform down at his bar for a while now.”
“Hardly,” she snapped. “I’ll have you know that I achieved this gig purely on my talent. I didn’t need to sleep with anyone to get it.”
Misunderstood: In Love with the Nerd (The Miss Series Book 2) Page 13
