Heads or Tails (3 page)

But then he saw that she wasn’t alone. Pintang was stretched out on a floating lounge on the pool in a daring one piece black suit and oversized Jackie O glasses, apparently fast asleep, while Saraya sat at a poolside cane lounger with her back to him, bent over a computer and flicking a lock of glossy brown hair out of her doe eyes. All three girls seemed to be lost in their own little worlds. If he was Ardhi, he could have snapped Saraya’s neck by then. That thought did not sit well with him.

But then Tristan took a step out from behind the wall, and found himself staring down the barrel of a small black gun.

‘Now, you’re dead,’ the man said, cocking the trigger.

2.

Ivyanne was roused from the battered journal she’d been reading by gentle male laughter, and a few curse words from someone else who sounded
less
than gentle. She got up on her elbow, peered down her nose, and rolled her eyes when she saw Tristan standing with his hands up in a show of surrender that didn’t match his grin. Garridan held a gun to his face.

‘I’d frisk him Garridan,’ Ivyanne swung her legs off the lounger, putting the leather-bound book she’d found in Ardhi’s stashed belongings aside and sighed, wishing she could have slept longer before facing Tristan. But sleep had been a bothersome issue with her for some time now and she was doubting if she’d ever get enough again. Every time she closed her eyes, she was rewarded with an insta- nightmare. Either Ardhi’s fury or her mother’s lifeless face-she had her pick of nightmares now! ‘You never know
what
he’s got on him.’

‘I’ve got half a mind to shoot him instead,’ Garridan grumbled.

Tristan swatted the gun out of his face and punched his uncle in the arm. ‘Don’t get mad at me, buddy. I
should
have been shot dead five minutes ago.’

‘You will be, if you try that again,’ Garridan growled, turning and walking towards Ivyanne, looking put-out as he holstered his weapon.

‘What’s going on?’ Saraya suddenly asked, closing her laptop and turning around. ‘Tristan? I didn’t hear you come in!’

‘That’s because I was ninja about it, gorgeous.’ Tristan said, ruffling her hair as he passed her by. ‘Hey Gar, what gave me away, anyway? The gutter?’

‘The stones under your feet,’ Garridan said sitting at the table. ‘The dogs can’t get back here and everyone on the premises is accounted for.’

‘Ahh,’ Tristan appeared to think this over. ‘Good then. But those dogs aren’t all they were cracked up to be-I made it all the way along the front boundary while they had doggy dreams.’

Ivyanne realized what had happened-Tristan had snuck in, testing her security. And it looked like it had passed by the skin of it’s teeth. That was unsettling, as she’d paid top dollar for the very best at Garridan’s insistence.

‘The property isn’t secure?’ she asked, frowning, looking over at Pintang in the pool, who suddenly seemed exposed and vulnerable.

‘It is, but there are some weak points.’ Tristan pulled out a chair at the twelve seater timber outdoor table, throwing himself into it lazily, already at home despite the fact that he’d never been there before. His eyes swept her over momentarily, lingering near her belly button and Ivyanne instinctively stood taller, mentally cursing herself straight away for feeling the need to do so. But she couldn’t help it-Tristan looked incredible in ripped, faded jeans with a black studded belt, a white tightly fitted t-shirt and a black leather cuff around his wrist. He looked like he should be in a bar, not a CEO who’d just flown in after work, and every feminine wile she had demanded that she preen just a little-not so much that he’d notice, but enough that he’d
take
notice.

‘...which are weaker once you factor in Ardhi’s stealthiness.’ Tristan’s eyes rose back to her face, and he smiled gently, ‘Looking delicious by the way, your highness.’

‘Uh...thanks...you look…’ She swallowed and smiled nervously. ‘It’s good to see you.’

Tristan winked.

‘Like what weaknesses?’ Garridan asked in a less annoyed and more curious tone. He was taking his job very seriously.

Ivyanne relaxed slightly, glad that Garridan had taken the focus off her.

‘The cameras. If they picked me up,
I
sure couldn’t tell.’

‘Yeah I know,’ Garridan said. ‘They’re pretty useless until I get someone to man them full-time.’

‘And the hedges,’ Tristan went on.

‘I
like
those trees,’ Ivyanne protested.

‘They’re pretty, yes.’ Tristan smiled. ‘But you need to pull every second one out.’

‘Some greenie you are,’ she muttered. 

He ignored her. ‘Plus, I was able to hide behind the one in the corner until the camera swept past me.’ He stretched, yanking down on the hem of his white t-shirt as it began to rise, but not before Ivyanne caught a glimpse of his hardened stomach. She pretended to scratch her brow and looked away, feeling self conscious.

Look at his scalp or his earlobes!
She lectured herself, though her core temperature had already risen enough to heat her face.
Avoid the eyes and stomach!

‘I came straight over the front gate too. You’ve got one camera on the vehicle entry, but you need another one spanning the entire line. Just a few improvements, and the front yard will be secure… although I’d suggest putting coke in the dog’s water, so they sleep less.’

‘They don’t sleep at night,’ Ivyanne pointed out loyally. ‘That’s the
point
.’

‘Oh, well that’s okay then. Just fix up the surveillance thing, and it’ll be sweet.’ He punched Garridan playfully on his upper arm again. ‘Luckily for you, Rambo here stopped me before I got too close to you ladies.’

‘Almost put a bullet in your head.’ Garridan griped. ‘Keep in mind that I’ll be twitchier next time.’

‘Good. I want her safe.’ Ivyanne felt Tristan’s eyes on her. ‘In fact if you want a second bodyguard, I volunteer for the night shift.’ His mouth curled up in one corner. ‘What do you think Ivyanne? Wouldn’t you feel safer with me in your bedroom at night?’

‘
I
would!’ Saraya piped up, grinning her cheeky smile-one that seemed reserved for Tristan. ‘Just sayin!’

Ivyanne could feel the tell-tale blush heating her cheeks.‘I’m going to go get a drink,’ she said, and pushed off the chair, ignoring Tristan’s gentle laughter and trying not to check him out as she passed him by, thinking of how much easier her life would be if she just went on and gouged her eyes out.

She climbed the short flight of flat slate steps near the yawning rear-entrance door and padded through the entertaining area, veering off into the opulent kitchen, which was still gleaming and carried the scent of fresh, designer paint. Ivyanne opened the fridge, allowing her eyes to graze over the contents, trying to get a grip on herself. She’d gotten through the full moon phase without calling either of her estranged lovers to her bed, so how hard could this one weekend be? Besides, Tristan wasn’t her only guest for the evening-Garridan had invited Lincoln too-and she’d never make it through the night with her good sense intact if she didn’t distance herself emotionally from both of them.

‘Can I get a sparkling water?’ Tristan’s voice suddenly said from behind her, and Ivyanne flinched, glancing back to look at him.

‘Regular or mineral?’ She asked, holding the fridge door open, letting the sub zero air mist over her over-heated skin.

‘Hmm…’ Tristan took hold of the fridge door near where her own hand was and leaned over her, his breath buffeting her ear, his body so close that she could feel his heat radiating over her neck, and all the way down to her thighs. He reached around her, his arm grazing hers, making her feel prickly and hot.

‘Not sure not sure…. I worked up a thirst with my sneaky entrance.’

‘You’re getting
very
sneaky,’ Ivyanne said softly. ‘Maybe I need a bodyguard just to keep
you
at bay.’

‘Not yet but it’s getting there.’ A finger traced down her spine, making her shiver. ‘I love you in pink, by the way.’ His hand closed around a bottle of Perrier, holding it before her. ‘Can I have this?’

Ivyanne nodded mutely, too afraid to move in case her skin flushed again.

‘You have goosebumps…’ Tristan said softly, running his hand down her shoulder. ‘Better pick a drink quickly.’

Ivyanne gasped as his touch sent a jolt of electricity through her. She closed the fridge door and stepped away from him, crossing her arms across her chest and backing up against the island bench in the centre of the domed kitchen.

‘Never mind. I can’t decide what I feel like.’

‘Really?’ Tristan cocked his head, advancing towards her. ‘I was under the impression that you’d decided, but simply delayed the celebration temporarily.’

Ivyanne wanted to kick herself for backing herself into a corner. ‘I’m no more sure of anything now than I was two months ago when everything... came to light.’

‘Is
that
why you’ve invited us here?’ Tristan asked, his eyes hypnotically keeping her rooted to the spot as he drew closer. ‘To start the race again?’

But Ivyanne shook her head. ‘
No
. Calling you both here was Garridan’s idea and I’m in the dark as to why. And as far as my heart goes...I’m afraid this is going to be a tortoise race.’ She lifted a shoulder. ‘Patience is going to trump speed.’

Tristan cocked an eyebrow. ‘What are we talking about here, beautiful? A year? Ten?’

‘I won’t know until Ardhi is dead,’ she said softly. ‘There’s no point. I can’t bring a child into the world with anyone until I know that child will be
safe
. And I can’t single out anyone as the magnet for his hatred in the meantime.’

‘Single
me
out.’ Tristan urged her. ‘I’ll bear that burden proudly.’

‘As would Lincoln,’ Ivyanne said honestly.

The animation left Tristan’s expression. ‘This sucks. I mean, say what you want, but you’ve already agreed to marry him once. You were never that sure of
me.
’

‘You never asked,’ Ivyanne pointed out. ‘You broke up with
me
, remember?’

He looked taken aback. ‘Because you acted like a mouse in a trap! You’d sampled the hunk of delicious bait, but you didn’t seem too happy about the consequences.’ His eyes narrowed suddenly. ‘I had a
ring
, you know.’

Ivyanne dropped her eyes. ‘I know.’ Silence followed this statement. When Ivyanne risked a peek at his face, his expression was comically astounded.

‘I found it, on your boat,’ she said softly. ‘On Valentine’s day, when I checked on it.’

‘
Valentine’s
Day?’ Tristan cracked a smile. ‘Talk about providence! That was when I was
originally
planning on asking you.’

A laugh bubbled out of Ivyanne. She couldn’t help it. ‘Ahh, the irony.’

Tristan advanced on her, his eyes dancing. ‘Well? What did you think of the ring?’

Ivyanne wet her lips. ‘It was…’ she rubbed her forehead-his gaze was like a blazing interrogation light on her heart. ‘Gorgeous, okay? Not me at all, but absolutely spectacular.’

‘Which is what makes it
you
,’ Tristan said. ‘Spectacular, and completely unaware of it.’ White teeth sank into red lips. ‘What
would
you have said? If I’d asked you?’

The gooseflesh crept across her décolletage, making her both cold and hot at once.

‘I still don’t know. But on the boat that day, given how much I was missing you... despite how happy I was with Link…’ her voice petered out. ‘I was wishing you
had
.’

Tristan leaned into her, his gaze heating their immediate surroundings.

‘Your highness...don’t you know that saying stuff like
that
is going to get you
kissed
?’

Ivyanne turned her face away. ‘Don’t,’ she said softly, cringing. ‘I’m telling you this to be honest,
not
to seduce you. After what I’ve put you two through, my integrity and tactlessness are all I have left.’ She put her hand to his chest, feeling his pounding heart and knowing she was a horrible person for having encouraged him. ‘Like I said, my heart is the
least
of my priorities.’ She lifted her eyes to his and tried to communicate her sincerity with them. ‘And as your queen, I
forbid
you to kiss me until I give permission first. I’m not looking to get swept away by all of this drama again, not with the tidal wave that’s Ardhi rushing towards us already. My love-life has to remain a non issue for the foreseeable future Tristan-and I need you to respect that.’

‘What about your
sex
life?’ Tristan’s hands on the bench around her trapped her in place. ‘You’re a brave, stubborn girl Ivyanne, but I’ll care to wager that you won’t last a month of celibacy, now that you
know
what you’re missing.’

She lifted her chin. ‘I’ve already lasted three weeks.’

‘Three weeks
I
wasn’t here for.’

‘I can handle you.’

‘Oh...I know….’ Tristan leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers and running his palm down her arm. ‘I remember how much I enjoyed you doing just that.’

He was too close, his skin too hot. Looking down to avoid his gaze forced her to stare at his perfectly formed abdomen and her knees gave ever so slightly, weakened by his sheer masculinity. In that moment she wasn’t a mermaid queen and he wasn’t one of her subjects-the cards were in his hands-alpha male and swooning human woman. If he kissed her, she’d make love to him. No, she’d be
taken
.