Chapter Eighteen

Roman

Claire thinks she’s so smart. She knew she had me when she asked if I’d stand by and let her live with her boyfriend before she got married. Well, no. Obviously. And not because I’m some sort of prude, but because Claire has never had a whole lot of common sense. I’ve always looked out for her when it comes to guys. She’s bright, very bright, but a little ditzy.

Which is why I wouldn’t let her date Ryker Cannon, owner of Cannon Security. She didn’t see that he wanted her just to get back at me. Good thing I found out before things got out of hand. But that’s also part of her reasoning behind taking Tessa from me. She’s rubbing that little issue in my face, because she can.

And she’s the only person who can hold that over me. She knew that, so on that note, she’s smart, or shrewd, I should say. But she’s still a little dingy too. How do I know? Because twice in the last three days, she’s called an Uber and not noticed that the driver was her own brother. See?

I’ll admit, I took a little extra care in my disguise. Damon helped, because the only thing he likes more than giving me shit is dishing it out to Claire. This afternoon, he helped with teeth and contacts. The gap-tooth was his idea. He wanted me to wear a prosthetic hump on my back too but told him to fuck right off.

I drive along the quiet streets. It’s almost midnight. A few snowflakes twirl in the night sky, settling on the windshield. Every so often I have to run the windshield wipers to clear the snow. Tessa and Claire and one of Claire’s friends sit in the backseat. The friend, Suzette, is also a hairdresser, and they’re going over Claire’s dossier wedding information. My sister has taken the whole wedding deal and run with it just like I knew she would.

Claire and Suzette debate Tessa’s earrings. I can hear the pages flip back and forth. My sister’s a teensy bit buzzed and not paying attention. This gives me the perfect opportunity to give Tessa a long smoldering gaze.

She knew the minute she saw me. I stood by the car, held the door open for them and watched her intently as they left the restaurant. Her jaw dropped. Her eyes widened, and she stared in disbelief. I shook my head and she got it immediately. I have the rearview mirror tilted so I can catch a glimpse of her when I get a chance.

I pull up to the apartment and come to a stop. Claire and Suzette climb out. Tessa gets out last and offers to pay the fare.

“What do I owe you, sir?” she asks.

Claire and Suzette stroll up to the entrance. They’re out of earshot, but not so far away that I can touch Tessa. If Claire turns around and sees us standing too close, she’ll get suspicious and my fun will be over.

Tessa’s playing along, taking out her wallet.

“Would you like my special rate, miss?”

“Sir! Really!”

“I could give you a deal, honey.”

Her lips curve into a smile. She looks over her shoulder at Claire and Suzette, but the two girls are involved in conversation. Tessa lowers her voice. “I’ve heard about men like you. Men who want to take advantage of a girl.”

“Just you, honey. I don’t offer a special rate to just anybody.”

“Oh sure. I bet you say that to all the girls.”

“Just one girl.”

“Really?” She gives me a coy look and drawls out the word, acting like she doesn’t believe me. “Just one?”

I nod. Snowflakes fall around us. One lands on her lashes. When she doesn’t notice, I’m tempted to brush it away, but remember that I can’t. If I reached out to touch her, that would be the moment Claire looked back and she’d know instantly.

I shove my hands in my heavy coat, to keep from breaking character. “There’s only one.”

Sparks dance in her eyes. “Like the Highlander?”

She’s a brat and a half, and I’m so close to stealing her back from Claire. This girl owns me. One minute she makes me think of spanking her ass, the next minute I want to wrap her in my arms and never let go.

“The Highlander isn’t the love of my life, Tessa. You are.”

Her smile fades. Her eyes soften. Her scent washes over me and makes me forget for a moment. The charade falls away and it’s just me and Tessa standing face to face on a cold winter’s night.

“I miss you, Tessa.”

Her eyes shine. “I miss you.”

“I’m counting down the hours.”

“I am too.”

Claire turns around and shouts. “Everything okay, Tessa?”

“You better go while I still let you,” I mutter.

She takes out a few bills from her wallet and puts them in my hand, letting her fingers trail across my palm. “Keep the change, sir.”

Her tone is edged with sassiness once again.

“You better watch it, little girl.”

“Or what?”

She doesn’t wait for an answer, but turns and walks away, catching up with Claire and Suzette.

I hear Claire’s voice. She’s talking to Suzette. “That guy was kind of rude.”

Suzette mumbles something I can’t hear, but then Tessa pipes up. “I thought he was kind of hot.”

Claire stops dead in her tracks and whirls around to look at me. For a second, I think she’s going to charge back down the walkway, but Suzette gives her a nudge. “C’mon, I’m freezing.”

Claire turns away and goes inside. Tessa pauses in the doorway, glances over her shoulder and smiles at me. I touch my lips and watch her go.