Indigo Spell (25 page)

“The bids were sealed, Mrs. Montgomery, but I’m sure with your connections you could obtain the information for a nominal fee,” he finally replied, his tone civil.

“But Belinda would know how much a husband costs these days,” Colleen continued in a syrupy sweet tone of voice.

His shoulders tensed, anger twisting in his gut. “If you’re interested in going down that route to acquire your next husband, I’m sure I could make a couple of calls for you.”

Colleen’s cheeks flushed. “I would never stoop so low as to bid on a husband. I am perfectly capable of meeting a proper gentleman in the right setting.”

Jaxon’s civility disappeared as he took a step forward. “Define proper, Mrs. Montgomery. Would that be a man with plenty of money willing to keep his mouth shut and his wallet open?”

Tess’ fingernails dug into Jaxon’s arm but he was beyond noticing. Instead he thrust her behind him in a protective gesture.

“I can see that once the veneer is washed off, you revert to your customary manners, Mr. Richards. Perhaps I should adjourn to the ladies’ room, possibly giving you time to recover the charm you have apparently misplaced.”

“I believe the ability to charm depends on one’s desire to charm.”

“No amount of money can take the place of proper breeding. My daughter was raised to be a lady although she fought me every step of the way. Over the years I have discovered that her manners are waning. Now, with this marriage, I can only imagine what abhorrent behavior she will indulge in.” Colleen sniffed and adjusted her silk blouse that rode low over her breasts. “While I applaud your eye for aesthetics, Tess, as your new husband is quite handsome, I am greatly disappointed in your lack of discernment when it comes to class.”

“Oh, Mother. Could we, for once, skip the histrionics?” Tess closed her eyes and shook her head while Belinda came to stand beside her to offer support. “I don’t need to prove anything to you and furthermore, I could give a rat’s ass about your approval or disappointment.”

Tess’ words didn’t faze Colleen. She was on a roll and felt she had gained sole possession of the floor. “It is bad enough you have insisted on maintaining a friendship with this…this woman.” She pointed a manicured finger toward Belinda. “A woman so beneath you she could never hope to attain your status but now I discover you picked your husband at a meat market. I have endured the years of your friendship with Belinda, much to my own embarrassment, while I watched you slide down the ladder of prestige because of it. And now you hope to boost your own self-worth by marrying a man with wealth and good looks. Well, I can assure you this marriage will not help you achieve rank in our society simply because our class will not recognize an outsider with claims of power and influence.”

“That’s enough.” Jaxon’s voice sliced like a sharpened saber. “Mrs. Montgomery, you are free to look down your nose at me, to consider me lacking on your scales of importance and even to share those feelings of disdain with me. But you are not free to insult my wife.”

Colleen threw back her shoulders and tilted her chin. Her stance indicated she was prepared for battle. “She is my daughter. How I talk to her is my business.”

“You couldn’t be more wrong.” There was no mistaking the threat in Jaxon’s voice.

“You have no right to interfere with our relationship, Mr. Richards.”

“I have every right. She is my wife now, a part of my life. Love and honor aren’t just words my people say in a ceremony. We respect our wives, love them and protect them. And we allow no one to humiliate them, publicly or privately. You will apologize.”

Colleen gurgled with outrage, her eyes narrowed. “Go to hell.”

Tess began to walk to the door, eager for an escape but Jaxon stopped her by catching hold of her wrist. “Wait. We aren’t leaving until your mother apologizes.”

“My mother isn’t big on apologies. Don’t waste your time.”

He smiled ever so politely. “I believe you were about to apologize, Mrs. Montgomery.” He narrowed his vision to Colleen’s face, captured her gaze and allowed her to see the spark of fire in his eyes. He steepled his fingers while angling his shoulders to prevent Tess and Belinda from seeing his actions. Blue flames danced from his fingertips as he raised one eyebrow. “Mrs. Montgomery?” The threat was clear and Colleen visibly paled.

“I-I, Tess, you know I don’t mean half of the things I say. I’m certain you didn’t take it quite as literally as your husband did.” She flicked a glance toward Jaxon’s unyielding face and continued. “But at any rate, I apologize. I certainly did not mean to upset you.”

Jaxon placed his hand at the small of Tess’ back. “I believe we’re ready to go now. Belinda, Tess and I would love for you to join us tomorrow.”

Tess started moving toward the door but stopped to add over her shoulder. “I guess I’ll be seeing you, Mother.”

Colleen only jerked her head in acknowledgment of her daughter’s words and slumped down onto the sofa, her eyes glazed.

Tess didn’t wait for Jaxon to put the car into gear before she began the interrogation. “Okay, what did you do to her?”

His teeth gleamed brightly. “I merely showed her the wisdom behind an apology.”

“You threatened her. I can’t believe you threatened my mother.” She mulled over the information. “So what exactly did you do? Because this could come in handy in the future.”

He reached across and took her hand in his. “Let’s just say I’m sure it’s not something your mother is going to share with anyone.”

“Of course not. Fireballs and lightning bolts aren’t usually things you care to talk about, especially when those same instruments threaten your health and wellbeing.”

“Not fireballs or lightning bolts, Tess. You were there.”

She snapped her seat belt into place and sank back against the calfskin. “I can imagine that was a ‘Depends’ moment for my mother.”

“Was she always like that?”

“She was much worse when I was a child. I could never do anything to please her. I was never good enough.” Tess was careful to keep the regret out of her voice but Jaxon read her too well.

“That hurt you.”

She shrugged, trying to brush off the concern, the feelings of inadequacy. “It used to but after a while I stopped trying to please her and just started living my life.”

“Is that what you’re doing now, just living your life?”

Bringing his hand to her lips, she kissed each knuckle individually, not really knowing how to answer his question. She hadn’t found her own life in Jaxon’s world and she doubted he would understand her continuing struggle. “Things feel so different.”

“Things are different now.”

“I’ll be glad to leave.”

He looked at her briefly before he returned his eyes to the road. “That surprises me.”

“Because you thought once I saw Charleston again I would want to stay.”

“Yes, I did.”

“I thought that too but I’m not the same as I was before the storm, before I met you.” She shivered, folded her hands in her lap. “It’s going to be difficult for me to accept what happened, Jaxon.”

He didn’t need to ask what she was talking about. “I can understand why. In your world, Arista was a human. In our world, she was a powerful witch bent on destroying the Assembly through any means available.”

“Couldn’t you have sent her somewhere, someplace where she couldn’t harm anyone?”

Jaxon considered the question before nodding slowly. “Yes, I suppose I could but her intention was to kill. I saw it in her eyes.”

She tugged on the shoulder harness and turned her face toward the window. “You’re right. To me, she was a human.” She didn’t need to look at Jaxon to feel his disappointment. He wanted her to accept him as he was, without question, without reservation. How could she make him understand it wasn’t so simple for her?

Jaxon squeezed her knee gently. “I know things aren’t going to be easy for you. There’s a lot for you to digest in the coming months but don’t ever doubt I love you.” Silence descended for a brief moment before he added, “I take it you won’t miss your mother.”

She rolled her head on the rest to look at her husband’s profile. “No, but I will miss Belinda.”

“I’m sorry. I wish—”

“No, don’t. I think deep down in my heart I knew when I married you that I would lose this life.”

“But you’ve gained another one.”

Tears pricked her eyelids. “Yes, I have.”

“I’m here with you, Tess.”

She allowed the silence to return, needing the quiet to allow the events of the past twenty-four hours to sink it. But more than that, to face the upcoming loss of what she’d known for the past thirty plus years.

Her life as Tess Montgomery was gone.

* * * * *

The first thing Tess noticed about the hotel room was that it was set for seduction. Overflowing with lighted candles, the intoxicating scent of sweet perfume and the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore, it whispered sensuality. Silk sheets adorned the bed. The sultry sounds of a bass guitar filtered out of hidden speakers and as the lights flickered over the bed, the bathroom door creaked open.

“Did you call in some favors or is this some of your magic?” she whispered, almost afraid that words would break the mood.

Jaxon laughed a little and turned her in his arms. “Does it really matter?” He bumped his forehead lightly against hers. “Why don’t you go change into something a little more comfortable? I’ll pour us a glass of wine.”

Looking back over her shoulder as she walked to the bathroom, Tess couldn’t help but watch how he moved. With panther-like grace, he strolled to the mini-bar, muscles in his back and thighs undulating slowly.

Beautiful
. She’d used the word to describe him before but tonight, with the moon gleaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, he took her breath away. He personified masculinity and perfection.

“You’re staring at me.” The low, amused drawl made her jump.

“It’s hard not to.” The admission didn’t embarrass her. She met his gaze as he looked up and winked at him. Lifting the small overnight case at the foot of the bed off the floor, she continued her walk into the bathroom. “I’ll be out in a few seconds. Don’t go anywhere.”

As if he could. Every muscle in his body came alive—especially one. His cock grew to a painful stiffness behind the zipper of his pants as he stood there, staring at the closed door.

How could he have gotten so lucky? Or did luck have anything to do with it? He preferred to call it destiny.

Seconds later, but what seemed like hours to Jaxon, the bathroom door creaked open. He turned in slow motion, caught his breath and held it for the beat of ten. Tess approached him slowly, a perfect scene from an old black-and-white movie. The wait was worthwhile.

She’d freed her hair from the confines of the braid, allowing it to flow loose and sexy around her shoulders. The black satin she wore adhered to her curves, cupped her full breasts and drew attention to the creamy mounds that peeked over its lacy edge. The flirtatious hem swirled around the tops of her thighs, translucent enough to give Jaxon a tantalizing peek of dark curls at the apex of her thighs.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.” Her voice poured over him like warm honey. Her eyes were inviting, brazen, and he shifted his stance to ease the pressure between his legs.