Healing Kiss, page 13
“Yeah,” she lied. “That’s it.”
In truth, the mutation in her genes would override any other inherited diseases. If they had babies together, he’d have to worry about their children inheriting supernatural diseases, not neurological ones.
She left the room, but not before she caught the flash of hurt in his expression. One more reason she shouldn’t linger in Cleveland. The longer she remained, the more likely she would leave a permanent scar.
She navigated the stairs by focusing on each individual step. Why hadn’t her mother warned her how attracted she would be to a burner? She’d only mentioned their rarity and the power they generated. Not that she’d want to rip his clothes off every time she got too close.
She twisted the doorknob with slick palms and entered her room, her stomach doing a series of flip turns. How would she ever manage to stand by Tristan’s side and play the role of his date tonight when every molecule in her wanted it to be true?
A long, slow shiver slithered down her spine. And what if Dominic Raines had figured out her identity and arranged for her capture?
She moved to her suitcase and unzipped it, pulling out the party dress and shaking it in front of her, looking for wrinkles. Thankfully, the wine stain wasn’t noticeable. Was it only yesterday she’d worn this dress at Tristan’s home? What if she were recognized tonight by someone who knew her? It would be impossible to relax until the evening was over, and she was on the early morning flight to Boston.
Satisfied her outfit was in good shape, she undressed and tugged the garment over her head, eyeing herself in the full-length mirror in the humongous bathroom. The cut made her appear sleek and sophisticated even though she knew she was neither.
Her hands trembled as she added the sparkling costume jewelry to the ensemble. How would she be able to keep a low profile at the party when all eyes would be on her as Tristan’s date? Would Kinetica’s spies be present, waiting for the right moment to grab her?
She studied her reflection in the mirror, noticing the tiredness in her eyes and the apprehension on her face. A stranger stared back at her—red lips, pale skin, sad green eyes, and the blonde wig so different from her thick dark hair. Who was this person she’d become, flinching at shadows and unable to respond when a handsome man paid her attention? If only she were an ordinary girl living an ordinary life.
She stuck her tongue out, defying her troubled thoughts, then slipped into her heels and grabbed her purse. She took a parting look around the cheerful bedroom, knowing she’d never see it again once she left here. Someone had made the bed—a visiting maid perhaps? She hadn’t seen evidence of hired help, but Tristan was bound to have a cleaning service for this big house. She only needed to get through this one last evening, and she’d be back in the safety of her apartment in Boston.
When she entered the great room, Tristan stood in front of the fireplace, peering into the flames, his profile somber. He looked tall and confident in a black tuxedo, which was probably tailor-made to fit. He had tucked one hand into his pocket, the other clenched by his side.
Lillian shivered, and the movement must have alerted him to her presence because he turned to look.
Energy rushed between them, sending tiny tremors of excitement through her. If only this were a real date and not a forced outing for some murky reason of Tristan’s. If only she were just a girl who was free to fall in love. If only…
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said, scattering her thoughts to the four winds.
She blushed and fingered her dress like a child of thirteen and not a grown women of twenty-seven who knew better.
“So do you.”
His eyes glittered, and it was in that moment she understood the concept of “playing with fire.” She flirted with him at her own peril. He moved toward Lillian, stopping only when he stood directly in front of her, blotting out the light from the fire and looking every inch the billionaire computer genius.
“Zoey, look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t feel this chemistry between us.”
She wet lips dry as a desert and blinked to avoid his hot gaze, which blazed into hers.
“I…” she faltered, and a silence fraught with tension stretched between them.
He moved, crushing her to him and devouring her lips, his large hands framing her face.
Run, Lillian, run. Run fast. Run far.
Lillian didn’t want to listen to the warning in her head—not with the delicious heat of Tristan’s hard body surrounding her and the power in his kiss, which stripped her of every defense. Her body opened to him, unfolding like a hot-house flower sensing the right combination of temperature and sunlight. Her legs buckled, but it didn’t matter because he held her so close, he’d never let her fall. She snaked her arms around him, and God help her, she didn’t want the moment to end.
But even as she had the thought, he was stopping, pulling away from her and setting her aside while they both breathed hard.
“What was that for?” she gasped.
“Proving a point. I can’t ignore what is happening between us any more than you can. We need to sort this out, but we’re short on time. We have a party to get to, remember? If we leave now, we’ll be fashionably late.”
The party! How could she have let him distract her to the point she’d completely wiped it from her mind. Warmth flooded her face, setting her cheeks on fire.
“C’mon.” He snagged her hand and pulled her along until they reached the door, where he paused to look down, his blue eyes locking with hers. “Promise me you won’t leave until we’ve had a chance to talk after the party.”
His eyes flashed a challenge in their depths, and another long shiver chased down her spine.
Lillian crossed her fingers behind her back because this was a promise she might not be able to keep. “I promise.”
She managed to hold herself together during the short car ride to the fundraiser, which was held at a fancy party center not far from the hospital. As Tristan predicted, they arrived a little late and were the only guests entering the building.
He tucked her hand in his and pulled her close as they walked into the large banquet room. She imagined all eyes turned to stare at them. Well-dressed couples stood at tables scattered around the room, each covered with black tablecloths and glowing crystal centerpieces. They ate petite appetizers from gold trays carried by wait staff in black and white uniforms. Others moved together on the dance floor. She dropped her gaze to the polished wood floor, praying no one recognized her.
Tristan lowered his head to her ear and grunted. “Smile and try to at least look as if you’re happy to be with me.”
She raised her gaze to meet his, then cast another quick glance around the room. No one looked suspicious, but if Kinetica had men here, they wouldn’t make their presence known.
Her gaze moved to the far corners, where she spotted little window alcoves partly shielded by gold damask curtains, then settled on the band, who was cranking out tunes from the 1940s. She flicked a glance back at Tristan, who still watched her, and forced her lips into a semblance of a smile.
“How’s this?”
Instead of answering, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leaned in, and kissed her neck. The move was so unexpected she nearly screamed.
“Act natural,” he muttered.
There was nothing natural about what he had just done, so why he’d expect her not to react was beyond Lillian.
A familiar, silky voice greeted them from behind. “Tristan, I’ve been looking for you. You’re the guest of honor tonight. How are you enjoying the party? It’s fantastic, isn’t it?
“Oh, hello, Angelina.” Tristan sounded too polite. “The party’s great. You remember Zoey, don’t you?”
Angelina passed a brittle smile over Lillian. “Of course.” She sized Lillian up and down, taking in her outfit and costume jewelry, no doubt. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
Lillian nodded and cemented her smile in place. “Yes, although we only arrived a few minutes ago. I’m sure you two have a lot to catch up on. Why don’t I leave you to it?”She tried to escape, but Tristan pulled her backward, gripping her hand in his, with a look that said he was not happy she was trying to get away. “Zoey is here as my special guest tonight.”
Power overwhelmed Lillian’s senses, her heart pounding. She could read Tristan’s emotions better now. He was bothered by Angelina—not annoyed bothered, but frustrated bothered—like he wasn’t sure how to handle her attention. It was like Angelina repelled and attracted him at the same time…like…if her hand had been free, Lillian would have slapped it against her forehead. Could she be any more dense? Angelina had him so on edge because she was the woman who had hurt him in the past, the one who had left him because she’d wanted children.
Angelina shot a thin, cool smile Lillian’s way. “Ah, that’s right. So, kind of you to bring her along. You were always so thoughtful in this way. I’m happy to see that hasn’t changed. Speaking of which, would you be a sweetheart and get me a drink from the bar—you remember what I like, don’t you? I’ll keep Zoey company until you get back.”
Tristan hesitated but nodded and released his grip on Lillian to go after the drink. No sooner was he out of sight than Angelina protracted her claws.
“Tristan and I were engaged once upon a time. Did he tell you?”
Lillian shook her head, her stomach sinking with the knowledge that her instincts had been right. Tristan had feelings for Angelina, which explained why he’d wanted Lillian to come to this event as his date so bad. Someone who wouldn’t get attached. He obviously viewed her as a potential bed partner. Well, that was Lillian in a nutshell, wasn’t it? Available for a one-night stand and nothing more. She didn’t blame Tristan for seeing her that way, since she’d been blowing hot and cold since they’d met.
So why did it feel like Angelina had poked a hole into Lillian’s heart and blood was slowly spilling into her chest cavity?
Lillian swallowed. “I haven’t known Tristan long.”
“Well, so you know, I broke things off with him over a year ago, but it was a mistake. He knows it was a mistake, but he’s a proud man, so it will take a little time for him to come around. I’m determined to win him back. I’m not above eating humble pie, either, if that’s what it takes.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
Angelina lowered her voice and dropped the fake conversational tone. “You’re not the first woman to want Tristan to put a ring on your finger, and you’ll likely not be the last. Let me assure you, Tristan is playing some weird game with me by bringing you here tonight. He may act the eligible bachelor, but he’s not. His heart belongs to me…always has, always will. You’d be smart to hightail yourself back to wherever it is you came from.”
Lillian’s headache returned full force and spread to her temples. Negative energy directed her way tended to have that effect.
“Your point?” She held her head high. Regardless of how she felt about Tristan, she’d remain calm and not let Angelina guess her true feelings.
“He’ll come back to me eventually, and when he does, I’d hate to see your little heart get broken.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Lillian managed to force the words out, knowing she told a lie. The thought of Tristan with Angelina knotted her stomach.
“Speaking of being fine, I heard about your friend today—the doctors and nurses were all talking about her. Quite the miracle turnaround.”
“Thank you. If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to talk to.” Lillian had enough of Angelina to last a lifetime, and Tristan was returning with Angelina’s drink, which had a piece of pineapple sticking out of it.
Lillian turned and hurried in the opposite direction. Behind her, she could hear Angelina saying, “You’re looking fine tonight.” And Tristan’s deep voice answer, “I could say the same for you.”
My God, he was still in love with Angelina. How could she have been so blind? Their mutual admiration was sickening.
To think she’d almost given in to her attraction to Tristan. Well, she’d not make that mistake again. She just needed to remember that after tonight, none of what she felt for Tristan would matter. As long as she stayed clear of Kinetica, she’d be on her way home tomorrow and all would be well.
She swiped at the wetness in the corner of her eyes and prayed her mascara didn’t smudge. How could she pretend to be happy when all she wanted to do was cry?
Chapter Sixteen
Lillian moved quickly, stopping when she’d put some distance between herself and Tristan and Angelina. She kept her head down to avoid making eye contact or drawing attention to herself.
She spent some time in the restroom, touching up her makeup, but she could not spend the entire party in hiding, so eventually made her way out to the ballroom, where a waiter passed by and offered her a large glass of water. She thanked him and greedily drank, allowing the cool liquid to slide down her throat.
She flicked a glance around the room, careful not to stare too long in any one direction. Her quick scan revealed nothing out of order, so she headed in the direction of the hidden alcove. She was almost there when nausea overcame her. The room swayed left, then right. She would have fallen if she hadn’t managed to open the curtain and grasp the back of the divan behind it. She collapsed onto the cushions, putting her head in her hands. What was wrong with her? Why was she so hot?
The curtain parted.
She vaguely recognized the man who entered.
“Where’s Zoey?” Tristan asked Angelina, handing her a Mai Tai, her favorite drink. His gaze swept the room, searching for Lillian’s familiar shape, but she was nowhere in sight.
Angelina pursed her lips. “I’m not sure. She said she saw someone she knew.”
Who? He hadn’t thought she knew anyone here. And she was supposed to be by his side, dammit.
Angelina picked up the stirrer from her drink and sucked the piece of pineapple from it. Then she moved toward him, stopping in front of his chest to straighten his bow tie.
“Why don’t you ditch her and come home with me tonight?” she whispered.
“I’m sorry, Angelina.”
“Oh, come on now, Tristan. Are you deliberately trying to make me jealous? I know I hurt you when I left, and I regret that. At the time I thought I was justified—you could have a serious illness, yet refused to be tested. I wanted children and you couldn’t give them to me. But I’ve come to terms with that now.”
A strange heaviness filled his chest. Weren’t these the words he’d been longing to hear? “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, I need you in my life much more than I need my own biological babies. If you don’t want to be tested for Huntington’s, that’s okay. I’m lonely without you—pleasssse put an end to your stubborn pride and give in to what we both want. Come home with me tonight. I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”
He frowned. “You no longer want to have children?” Why wasn’t he more ecstatic?
She took a sip of her drink and licked her lips. “Not if it means I can’t have you. Besides as you once told me, we can always adopt, can’t we?”
“I’m flattered.” She was agreeing to adopt, the solution she’d refused to consider before she’d given him back his ring. This was what he wanted, wasn’t it?
He nabbed a glass of wine from a waiter with a passing tray and took a drink. What was he waiting for? He could have it all. He could build a life together with this beautiful, sophisticated woman who was willing to give up having babies just to be with him. A week ago…hell, just yesterday, the news would have had him overjoyed. Now, all he could feel was this damn heaviness in his chest, like he’d arrived at the pot at the end of the rainbow only to find it…empty.
She blinked up at him and placed her hands on his chest, looking both innocent and calculating at once if it were possible. He could smell the sweet scent of her expensive perfume.
“So, you’ve forgiven me? You’ll take me home after?”
“No, Angelina.” The words came without conscious thought on his part, but the moment they were spoken, he knew they were right.
“Good God. There’s no way you can have strong feelings for a practical stranger so soon—if you feel anything for that gold-digger, it’s good old-fashioned lust. Why complicate your life when you can have me for the asking?”
Angelina did a small pirouette, showing off her body and her long shapely legs.
The move, which ordinarily would have been compelling, couldn’t seem to hold his attention. He found his mind wandering, imagining what Lillian was doing and why she’d deserted him when he needed her most.
Angelina made a small sound and pouted. “My offer won’t last forever. Tell me to my face you don’t want me anymore. Don’t you remember how good we were together?”
Another time, he might have found her pout cute, but after spending the last day and a half with Lillian at her sister’s bedside, her pout struck him as childish.
“What were you thinking, just now? You have a weird expression on your face.”
Angelina waited for his response, but Tristan didn’t think she’d like it if he told the truth. Thankfully, his cell phone chose that moment to buzz with an incoming call. Brian.
“Sorry, but this is an important call I have to take. Excuse me.”
Angelina made a sound of frustration, but he ignored her, making his way outside the ballroom, where he and Brian could be sure to talk undisturbed.
“I have more information.” His friend didn’t bother with pleasantries. “I’ll include everything in my formal report, but I didn’t think you’d want to wait.”
“You thought right.” Tristan found a chair near a small alcove under a window in a corner looking out over the parking lot and hunched over his phone. “Whatcha got?”
