Page 14 of Thiago (Family Ties #6)

Chapter Fourteen

T hiago’s leather chair squeaked as he leaned back, his head angled toward the window, his left hand tapping a restless beat on the glass top of his desk.

He had work to do but had an issue to deal with—his very distracting VP of marketing. Considering he was not known for his patience, he had exhibited a monumental amount since Saturday.

He hadn’t called India, giving her space and trusting she had kept her word about not sleeping with her date.

Dr. Stone did not impress him. He couldn’t see what she saw in him.

There was something else too. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

The man seemed nice enough, but he couldn’t help but wonder if the nice guy act was simply… an act.

Then there was the friend of her best friend’s husband. He didn’t have a name, but the shadowy image of the second man lurked in the corners of his mind like a stalker disrupting his thoughts and worrying him.

He had to do something. He had to eliminate the competition.

Sitting idly by was not his style, especially when he saw his perfect arrangement with India falling apart.

There was also the odd tightness on the left side of his chest that had appeared and remained since Saturday.

He couldn’t get rid of the irritation, and the more he dwelled on the situation with India, the tighter his chest became.

For two Friday nights in a row, India had canceled on him, and on Saturday when he had suggested they get together this Friday night, she had been rather indifferent. Nonchalant. Apathetic. Detached.

All words he hated but which basically meant the same thing. She wasn’t excited about seeing him. She wasn’t looking forward to their time together, which could mean she liked the doctor a lot. She had invited him into her home, and if Thiago hadn’t arrived, she might have had sex with him.

His woman—well, not his woman. He had no hold on her. His… what was she? Lover was the best way to describe her role. His lover had spent Saturday night with another man in her apartment, eating pizza and drinking wine and might have enjoyed herself immensely.

But she always had a good time with Thiago, didn’t she? The sex was incredibly hot and passionate. They were comfortable with each other and talked, though admittedly their work and personal lives were carefully delineated. Did she want more?

Thiago shifted in the chair, a frown creasing his brow.

Was that the issue? If so, he could fix the situation easily enough. She mentioned going on dates with those other men. Maybe she wanted to go out to dinner or something. He could give a little, especially if his actions got rid of the goddamn doctor and the other man, whoever he was.

Maybe India wanted courting along with the sex.

Thiago pushed to his feet with resolve and exited his office.

As he marched down the hall, employees scurried out of the way.

One woman did a one-eighty when she saw him and hurried toward her cubicle, leaving her conversation partner standing awkwardly in the middle of the floor.

The employee dipped his attention to a bunch of papers in his hand, trying to look busy after he’d been abandoned.

Two members of the staff gave Thiago uneasy, close-mouthed smiles as he passed by, which he didn’t return. He was on a mission. He had a plan, and he didn’t have time to play smiley face with the staff.

When he arrived at India’s office, he knocked loudly on the door.

“Come in,” her voice called from inside.

He stepped in and shut the door behind him. She shot to her feet, like a soldier about to salute a commanding officer.

Her eyebrows drew together. “Thiago, what are…?”

“Have a seat.” He waved her toward the chair with his hand.

“I’d rather stand,” she said carefully, tension in her shoulders. Obviously, his unannounced visit had caught her off guard. She seemed rattled.

He stepped closer to the desk, which allowed him to catch a hint of her sweet perfume. For the thousandth time, he thought about how she always smelled so incredibly good. She hadn’t been wearing perfume on Saturday night, but did she spritz some on for Simon after he left?

“How did your date with Dr. Simon go on Saturday night?”

Her right eyebrow arched higher. “Are you asking me if I had sex with him?”

“Yes,” Thiago bit out.

She inhaled deeply and let out a silent breath. “No, Thiago, I didn’t have sex with him. I made you a promise, and I kept it.”

Relieved, he tapped his finger on the surface of her desk. “Good. Did you have a good night?”

“This is a very strange conversation. I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to give you a review of my evening with Simon.”

“Why not? I should know who my competition for your attention is.”

“Competition is an interesting word.”

An awkward silence filled the room.

“Do you plan to continue seeing him?” Thiago asked.

She picked up a pen and turned it over in her hand. “I’m not sure. He’s a nice man.”

Thiago heard the unspoken “but,” which gave him hope. “Sounds exciting,” he said sardonically.

India frowned at him. “Did you just come down here to ask me about Simon?”

“No, I had another motive for coming to see you. We’re still on for Friday night?”

“Yes. Sure.”

There it was again. The lack of enthusiasm.

“We’re going to do something a little different this time.”

“Oh?”

“We’re going to dinner.”

“ Going to dinner?” India repeated, confusion on her face.

“Yes.”

“You mean out somewhere? Not dinner at my place?”

“Yes,” Thiago answered.

“Okay.” She still looked confused, her eyes narrowing. “Why?”

“Because I want to take you to dinner. Is that a problem?” Thiago asked.

“No, of course not, but we don’t do dinner—out, I mean. Usually I b-make dinner.”

“You don’t have to this week. I am taking you to dinner. Is. That. A. Problem?”

“No. Going out is fine,” she insisted.

“Good. I will make all the plans. We’re going somewhere nice, so wear a pretty dress.”

“Yes, sir,” she said sarcastically.

Had she used those specific words on purpose? A low current of electricity stirred in his blood.

“You know I like when you say that,” Thiago said, a dark, husky quality to his voice.

Sometimes they role-played. Boss and employee. Doctor and nurse. Cop and suspect. Nurse and patient.

Her expression changed, softened a smidge, and he caught a glimpse of the old India, the woman he bantered with, the woman who flirted with him, the woman who gave as good as she got.

“Was there anything else?” she asked in a cool voice, as if trying not to slip into the comfort of past behavior.

“Why haven’t you worn the bracelet I bought you for Valentine’s Day? Do you not like it?”

“I do. It’s lovely.”

“But…?” Thiago prompted.

She shifted uncomfortably, as if she didn’t want to say what was on her mind, a rare occurrence for India. “How much thought did you put into it? You probably had your concierge service pick it out.” She shrugged.

“Wrong. I picked it out myself.”

Her eyes widened a fraction. He had definitely surprised her with that bit of information.

“I didn’t know,” she said in a low voice. She gave him an odd look, as if seeing him for the first time.

“Now you do. I will pick you up at seven o’clock from your place.”

Straightening, India nodded. “I’ll be ready. I’ll wear a pretty dress… and the bracelet.”

His mouth twitched in the faintest smile. He hadn’t had much reason to smile lately and hoped this was the beginning of a change in their relationship, back to where they used to be.

“Good.”

Without another word, Thiago left her office, and the fist-like tightness on the left side of his chest, over his heart, loosened somewhat. On the way back down the hall, he nodded at a few employees. He didn’t return their uneasy smiles, but he almost did.

Almost.