Identity Crisis(37)

It was all he could do to keep from storming out after her and dragging her back so they could settle this, but no. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. He absolutely would not give her the satisfaction.

He half stormed, half limped over to the coffee machine, still sporting a hard-on that reached the counter before he did, a hard-on he had no intention of taking care of. He wouldn’t give it up to her even if he exploded.

He missed the cup with the coffee pot and poured steaming coffee onto the granite countertop – what he didn’t manage to scorch his hand with. Damn the woman. She was a scourge to femaledom. What had he done in a past life to deserve her? He gulped coffee, burnt his tongue, and cursed out loud. He couldn’t believe such a comedy of errors existed in the real world. This really was the kind of stuff that came straight from a Tess Delaney novel.

He couldn’t help himself. He made his way into his study, uncomfortable in the shorts, burnt on the tongue, and pissed off as hell. He opened up his laptop and continued with the synopsis he’d started the other night after he’d talked to Kendra, back when things were civil. For a brief second, he felt his chest tighten. He hadn’t wanted her angry. He had wanted her happy and sexy and pleased to be with him. He took a more cautious sip of his coffee, pushed the thought out of his head, and began to write like a madman.

He’d been writing for nearly an hour when he decided to check his email. After all, Don might have been in touch. At least that’s what he told himself. What he really was hoping for was an email from Kay Lake, one he had no intention of answering, of course – unless it was an unconditional apology begging forgiveness with the offer of sexual favors. The only email there, however, got his full attention and raised the hair on the back of his neck. It was from Razor Sharp.

Congratulations, Tess!

Of course, I’m not at all surprised you won. How could you not? You looked stunning last night, by the way. I was gripped. You were like the sun, Tess, like the sun.

Until you fucked Garrett Thorne. Don’t play stupid. Of course I know you fucked him. Everyone watching last night knows you fucked him.

That ruined it for me – ruined you for me.

How could you do it, Tess? Don’t you know what he’s like? Don’t you know he’s not for you? You can’t go about whoring with the likes of him if we’re going to be together. I won’t have you being a slut! You’ll have to pay, my darling. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to be punished for what you did to me. Then maybe you’ll understand nobody can satisfy your filthy appetites like I can.

Disappointedly yours,

R.S.

Before he had finished reading the message, Garrett called up Kay Lake’s number on the BlackBerry, which he gripped to his ear almost painfully. ‘Pick up, Kendra,’ he breathed. ‘Please pick up.’

When he only got her voicemail he said, ‘I need you to call me now. It’s urgent.’ He hung up and texted her frantically.

Once he’d sent his text, he called Ellis. He didn’t wait for his brother’s greeting. ‘Are you at Dee’s?’ He barely gave the man time for a yes before he ploughed on. ‘Is Kendra there?’ Another yes left him weak-kneed with relief. When he finally caught his breath, he continued before Ellis could ask. ‘Listen, I need you to tell Dee not to leave her alone. I can’t explain over the phone, but just tell her. And can you come over? Now. I need to see you, bro. It’s urgent. And Ellis, could you park around back and come in the back door? Quietly.’

He hung up, read the email one more time. The level of relief he felt at knowing Kendra was with Dee was nearly overwhelming. He hurried to his room and got dressed.

It had been a helluva 12 hours for Carla Flannery. It had taken all the pull she could manage to get into the Golden Kiss Awards, and even then she’d still had to pay for a ticket. There’d been speculation right up till the end as to whether Tess Delaney would even show at all. Odds were against it. The editor she was working for at the moment had been so sure of it that he wasn’t going to send anyone. She had forced the issue, and wow, she was glad she did!

Yes, she felt cheated that there had been no press conference afterward, but she’d been the first to figure that the couple would head straight for Garrett Thorne’s house afterward. From the moment she saw the two get out of the limo together and realized who Thorne was escorting, she had made it priority one to find out where he lived. She had friends in the real estate business, and she knew the man had only recently moved to Portland. She was a bit embarrassed to admit that she had followed what went on with the two Thorne brothers and Wade Crittenden like a groupie. Who wouldn’t, though? Wade and Ellis were brilliance times two, and then there was Garrett, baddest of bad boys, and hotter than hot. And now, perhaps all that groupie adoration just might pay off.