Page 19 of Thiago (Family Ties #6)

Chapter Nineteen

“ H e what?” Kiara’s voice came through the Volvo’s speakers in high-pitched disbelief.

“You heard me,” India said, flicking on her indicator and waiting for oncoming traffic to go by. “He insisted we should be in a monogamous relationship. The whole conversation took me by surprise.”

She didn’t tell her best friend the whole story—that Thiago had threatened her job.

If he had asked her nicely—like a normal human being—to stop seeing Simon, she would have done it without a fight.

She didn’t have deep feelings for Simon, and they weren’t in a relationship.

They had seen each other a few times, so walking away was easy.

But the conversation with Thiago brought home the precarious situation she was in, and she needed to weaken the power he held over her.

“Did you agree?” Kiara asked.

“I did. I called Simon and told him I couldn’t see him anymore.” She waited for Kiara’s rebuke.

Instead, her friend said, “You probably scared Thiago’s ass by dating other men. Unfortunately, some men like to play the field until someone else wants you and then decide they can’t live without you.”

“Maybe, but I’m not sure that was the case with Thiago. He has an insane work schedule, so I don’t think he’s been seeing anyone else. I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am.”

Not to mention, every Friday they didn’t spend together, he explained why he couldn’t come see her. He had never canceled their Friday night hookups without an explanation.

India pulled into her executive space in the parking deck and cut the engine.

“Whatever the reason, you’re no longer a free woman. How did Simon react when you told him you couldn’t see him anymore?”

“Surprisingly well,” India said with a laugh. “Seriously, though, he expressed disappointment and wished me the best with my new man.”

“Very mature of him. Don’t tell Josh I told you this, but Leo was disappointed the two of you didn’t hit it off. He really liked you.”

“I liked him too, but…”

“Believe me, I understand. Sometimes the spark isn’t there. Did you feel a spark with Simon?”

“Honestly, no, but I enjoyed his company. I assumed those feelings would eventually come.”

“I think it’s hard when the competition is a man like Thiago Santana. He is one sexy, sexy man.”

Yes, he is , India thought.

She stepped out of her car. “I have to go. I’m about to walk into work. I’ll talk to you later?”

“Sure, we can catch up another time. Have a good day,” Kiara said before hanging up.

With Thiago’s words ever present in her mind, India considered her options and decided to put a plan in motion to protect herself.

She had accepted they were now exclusive, but she had to be smart.

She searched online for the number for the company Spencer Boyden.

She then called them and spent the next fifteen minutes on the phone, satisfied after she hung up.

Then she analyzed results from various marketing campaigns, including a digital rollout Beth Ann had worked on.

She critiqued the plan, offering suggestions for improvement, and then spent the rest of the morning reviewing the marketing budget, checking that their ROIs remained within the strict range put in place by Thiago.

He held them to a high standard, but she had to admit the added pressure had forced them to think outside the box and improve their reach and sales with minimal increase in dollars spent.

Satisfied with the results, she told her assistant to order lunch, which she ate at her desk.

After lunch, she locked her door and rolled out a mat on the floor.

Putting wireless earphones in her ears, she listened to soothing music as she sat cross-legged on the floor during her afternoon meditation.

She hadn’t been a natural at meditating, her mind constantly racing with tasks she had to check off her to-do lists and keeping up with the many objectives required in her role heading up the largest marketing department in the company.

However, despite her skepticism, her teacher had been adamant mediation was not only achievable, it would be extremely beneficial in helping her control the effects of lupus that could be exacerbated by the demands of her job.

She had been in a constant battle of needing to rest but not wanting to succumb to the limitations of her body. It took time, but she learned to relax her mind, which helped tremendously, and meditated for fifteen minutes each afternoon.

By the end of the day, she felt drained but was satisfied with all she had accomplished and went down the hall for a bathroom break.

She was washing her hands when Blanca Garcia walked in, an executive visiting from the office in Argentina.

She had arrived a week early for the executive coaching scheduled for next week, allegedly to spend time gathering information on the U.S.

operations and to work on the Buenos Aires expansion with Thiago.

India sincerely doubted her explanation but smiled briefly at her in the mirror. She didn’t care for the woman but knew how to be polite.

Blanca briefly smiled back and pulled a tube of lipstick from her designer bag. She took her time applying the crimson color to her full lips.

“I’m about to go to dinner with Thiago,” she announced, talking to her reflection.

India stiffened. “Oh?”

“He insisted. He wants to go over the details of the Buenos Aires expansion. Just the two of us.” Her lips curved upward slightly as her eyes met India’s in the mirror.

This was why India was suspicious of her early arrival. She had noticed how Blanca fawned over Thiago.

She snatched a paper towel from the dispenser. “You’re very lucky to be able to spend time with him one-on-one. He’s a busy man.”

“Not too busy for me.”

India let out a short laugh.

Blanca placed a hand on her hip. “Why do you laugh?”

“Sounds like you think you’re special.”

“I am. Very special. Thiago and I understand each other. We are both hardworking and come from similar cultures. We are also both single.”

“What does being single have to do with work?” India asked.

Blanca dropped the lipstick in her purse with a knowing smile. “As you said, he is a busy man, yet he has made time for me.”

“You might be jumping to conclusions,” India said in a saccharine voice.

One perfect eyebrow arched upward. “ ?Perdóneme ?”

“I’m just saying, it’s obvious you’re interested in more than going over the details of the expansion, and if that’s the case, you’ll probably get your feelings hurt.”

Blanca laughed throatily. “You know him so well, do you? I assure you, I know him very, very well. Before I leave this continent, I plan to know him better.”

India was fairly certain the dark-haired beauty didn’t stand a chance. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she murmured.

“Why are you so certain?”

She paused, trying to think of a diplomatic way to explain. “Because you’re not his type.”

The comment earned her another throaty laugh as Blanca threw back her head, as if India had said something outrageously funny.

When she stopped laughing, she looked directly into India’s eyes. “I am every man’s type.”

Okayyyy , India thought.

“Oh, I understand now,” Blanca said.

“What do you understand?”

“You want him, no? I do not blame you. Who wouldn’t?

You would have to be blind not to be attracted to such a handsome and virile man, but you should probably let go of that idea because, by the time I leave Atlanta, I intend to find out if what I’ve learned is true—that he is an amazing lover with an insatiable appetite for sex.

” Resting a hand on the counter, she leaned closer and dropped her voice.

“One of his exes is an acquaintance and should not have been talking about him because of a strict NDA. But….” She shrugged. “You did not hear that from me.”

I can confirm what she said is true , India thought. Interestingly enough, Thiago had never asked her to sign an NDA. Men of his stature often had such requirements, so why didn’t he require her to sign one?

“Tonight I will make my move. I will let you know how it goes. Wish me luck.” Blanca slipped her clutch under her arm and swept out of the bathroom with her head high and hips swaying.

India took a deep, calming breath.

Women like her really got on her nerves because she was so confident in her physical appearance that she didn’t stop to consider a man might want more substance. She obviously had plenty to offer since she was an executive in the company.

India wished she could be a fly on the wall when Blanca made her move and Thiago rejected her. At least, he better reject her.

She tossed the paper towel she had crushed in her hand and exited the bathroom.

When she caught sight of Thiago and Blanca walking in the direction of the elevator, she temporarily froze.

They didn’t see her, but, as usual, Blanca was laughing enthusiastically at something Thiago had said, her hand brushing his arm.

They disappeared from view, and India continued toward her office, her stomach knotting traitorously with anger and jealousy though she told herself she had nothing to worry about.

When she stepped into her office, she was surprised to see a bouquet of summer flowers on the edge of her desk, among them sunflowers, marigolds, and dahlias.

“The bouquet arrived while you were in the bathroom.”

Her executive assistant was standing at the door.

“What a surprise,” India said.

“Maybe you have a secret admirer,” Tonya remarked.

“Maybe.”

Could they be from Thiago? India smiled slightly at the thought that he might have performed such a sweet gesture right after they agreed to be exclusive.

Tonya continued to hover at the door, and India shot her a look. “Thank you, Tonya.”

With an embarrassed grimace, her assistant scurried away.

India closed the door and checked the card. They were not from Thiago.

She blinked twice, as if hoping the sender’s name would change. Her shoulders sagged with disappointment as the excitement drained from her posture.

If the situation changes between you and your new man, let me know. - Simon

The bouquet was beautiful, but because the sender wasn’t who she had expected, the gesture seemed hollow and the colors not as vibrant.

She replaced the card in the holder with more care than necessary, as though afraid her disappointment would shatter the lovely vase and spill petals and stems across the surface of her desk.

Sitting down, she crafted a text to Simon: Thank you for the flowers.

He responded in less than a minute.

You’re welcome. I hope they brightened your day.

She was about to confirm they did but changed her mind. It was best not to go back and forth.

She didn’t want to encourage him.