Inseparable (6 page)

“Have I ever dated a guy you did like?”

“No.”

He waited to see if she would ask him why and then exhaled slowly when she didn’t. Had she asked, he wouldn’t have been able to give her a reason. He just hadn’t liked them. “So what do you think Purcell wants with you?”

“Who knows? He might want to try to convince me that finding him in bed with another man wasn’t all bad and that we can work things out and get back together.”

Reese snorted. Purcell was really stupid if he actually thought that. He’d heard how some women would accept their man even after finding out they were on the down-low. But he knew for sure that Kenna wasn’t one of them.

“After your meeting with Clayton and Syneda, and mine with
Dex, we can stay in town and grab dinner. And if you’re up to it, we can also do a movie. How does that sound?”

“Sounds great,” she said, smiling.

He smiled back at her. “Good.”

Chapter 5

“M
r. Madaris is in court now, but Mrs. Syneda Madaris will see you in a minute,” the receptionist said.

“Thanks.” Kenna sat down in the plush chair and glanced around the office. She had been inside the Madaris Building several times, but this was the first time she had visited the law offices of Madaris, Madaris and Madaris. Since Blade had gotten married, his wife, Samari Di Meglio Madaris, had joined Clayton and Syneda at their law firm. Kenna could just imagine Clayton, the only man, having to deal with his beautiful, opinionated wife, who was a lot to handle, plus his cousin’s gorgeous, exotic-looking wife, Samari, whose hot Italian temper could flare at a moment’s notice. Things could get pretty damn interesting around here.

While she waited, Kenna recalled the conversation she and Reese had shared during the ride over. After asking if she was interested in dinner and a movie, things had got pretty quiet between them. They talked about attending Morehouse’s
homecoming in a few months, and about how Luke’s rodeo school, which was scheduled to open in two weeks, was doing. Reese hadn’t invited her to go with him, and she couldn’t help wondering if he intended to invite Alyson.

Kenna had received an invitation to Luke’s rodeo opening before leaving Austin, so if Reese made plans to take a date then she would do the same. There was no way she would be a third wheel with him and Alyson. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to make sure that happened. Having a date was one way to ensure that Reese wouldn’t feel obligated to include her in his plans.

“Mrs. Madaris will see you now.”

Kenna smiled at the receptionist. “Thanks.”

Kenna thought the same thing now that she had the first time she laid eyes on Syneda Madaris. The woman was simply gorgeous. And from what Kenna had heard, in the courtroom she was equally impressive.

Long, golden-bronze hair flowed down her shoulders, and her sea-green eyes always seemed to sparkle with excitement. Her pregnancy was more obvious now than it had been a month ago, and she had a radiant glow about her. Reese had mentioned that Syneda and Clayton had announced that they were having a boy. Everyone was happy, especially the couple’s eight-year-old daughter, Remington, who had been begging for a baby brother or sister, preferably a brother.

“Kenna, it’s so good seeing you,” Syneda said as she hugged her.

“Thanks. Same here.”

That was one of the things she enjoyed most about Reese’s family. They were good people, down to earth and as friendly as could be. “Reese had a meeting with Dex, so I thought I’d tag along and use the time to meet with you and Clayton. I understand he’s in court.”

“Yes, his court docket was changed, but I’ll be glad to help you with anything.”

“It’s about the foundation I established a few years ago in my grandmother’s memory. I would like your firm to take over handling it for me.”

Syneda smiled. “It will be our pleasure. We handle a number of foundations and trusts already, including the one Trask has set up and the one Uncle Jake and Diamond established as well.”

“Wonderful.”

“It will only take a few minutes to complete the paperwork and then a couple of weeks to get everything notarized. We’ll call you back to sign the necessary documents at that time.”

“That sounds like a plan,” Kenna said excitedly.

Less than ten minutes later, Kenna had completed the paperwork and returned the forms to Syneda. “Thanks, Kenna,” Syneda said, sliding the documents into a folder. “So when did you arrive in Houston?”

“This morning. I sold almost everything I had in Austin, since I want to start fresh and buy new furniture. The things I didn’t want to part with I loaded in a U-Haul truck and drove here.” She chuckled. “I think Reese was a nervous wreck until I arrived at his place. He was afraid I’d fall asleep at the wheel and wind up in a ditch or something.”

Syneda smiled. “I can imagine. He’s very protective where you’re concerned.”

She nodded. “Yes, and I’m very protective where he’s concerned as well. I think he’s a wonderful person and a special friend.”

“Yes, and you’re in love with him.”

Kenna went utterly still.
Was Syneda a mind reader?
“What did you say?”

A knowing smile curved Syneda’s lips. “I said you’re in love with Reese.”

Kenna drew in a sharp breath, opened her mouth to deny it
and then stopped. From the look Syneda gave her, she wasn’t buying anything Kenna had to say. The sea-green eyes staring at her were sharp, shrewd, confident, and for a moment Kenna felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Syneda was right, of course, and the only thing Kenna could do was come clean.

“Yes, I love him. But how did you know?”

Syneda chuckled. “I can tell whenever you look at him. I always suspected as much, but last month when you were on the dance floor, you only had eyes for him.”

Kenna shook her head. “That’s pathetic.”

Syneda gave her a soft smile. “No, it’s not pathetic. There’s nothing wrong with a woman loving a man.”

“But it’s pathetic when he doesn’t love you back. Reese only sees me as his best friend and nothing more. I’m so afraid he’s going to discover the truth one day and that will ruin everything.”

Syneda shook her head. “I don’t think it will be that way at all. Making the move from friends to lovers was pretty easy for me and Clayton.”

“Was it?”

Syneda’s smile widened. “Yes, and it will be just as easy for you and Reese once he realizes he loves you as well.”

“Trust me, he doesn’t love me that way. In fact, he and Alyson are trying to work things out, and maybe that’s a good thing.”

Syneda rolled her eyes. “Alyson Richards?”

“Yes.”

The mere mention of the woman’s name grated on Syneda’s nerves. All it took was for her to remember when she and Clayton had run into Reese and Alyson at a political fundraiser last year. Alyson, who evidently considered herself a fashionista, had pulled Syneda aside to tell her that her shoes weren’t the same shade of purple as her dress. Syneda quickly let Alyson know that she was well aware of that fact, and hadn’t meant for them to be exactly the same color.

“I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you,” Syneda said. “Alyson is too possessive, and Reese knows it.” Syneda lifted a brow. “And why do you think working things out between them is a good thing if you’re in love with him?”

“Because I can control my emotions a whole lot better if he’s seeing someone and if I am, too. This is the first time Reese and I aren’t involved with anyone else, and I figure that’s the reason for my attraction. There’s no one else to take my mind off him.”

“Oh, I see.”

“So I figure it’s time for me to find someone and start seriously dating again. It won’t be so bad if Reese decides to get back together with Alyson. I’ve gotten used to her being in the picture and I know how to deal with her. Heaven forbid if he gets serious about some other woman who can’t accept the kind of friendship we have.”

Syneda didn’t say anything as she studied Kenna. Clearly, Kenna didn’t know her own beauty or power. Granted, Reese was slow. But Syneda was certain he would eventually realize he loved Kenna. With some men you had to light a fire under them. That’s what had had to happen to Luke to get him to see what he’d be losing if he didn’t come to his senses.

“So you actually believe Alyson is the best person for Reese?” Syneda asked Kenna skeptically.

Kenna shrugged. “I don’t know about her being the best person for him, but I think she understands our friendship and knows it’s non-negotiable. She’ll be fine. She’s even agreed to throw me a party this weekend at her place so I can meet new people. I’m hoping there will be at least one guy there I like.”

Syneda forced a smile, just imagining the party Alyson had planned for Kenna. Then her smile widened. She had a feeling those plans were about to backfire and Alyson would finally see just how protective Reese was when it came to his
best friend
. Mama Laverne had it all figured out, and Syneda had a feeling the family matriarch was right once again.

“Well, if you think meeting new guys and moving on without trying to win Reese over is for the best, then do what you have to do,” Syneda said nonchalantly. She would give anything to be a fly on the wall at the party this weekend. Kenna might have thought she was being the sacrificial lamb by graciously stepping aside and letting Alyson have Reese, but she had a feeling that in the end Reese wasn’t going to let that happen.

“Now if I can just find someone to take me to Luke’s rodeo school opening in a couple of weeks without appearing desperate,” Kenna said, interrupting Syneda’s thoughts.

“You aren’t going with Reese?” Syneda asked, somewhat surprised, especially since Reese usually brought her to all their family functions.

She shrugged. “I’m hoping he takes Alyson. And if he does, then I don’t want him to feel responsible for me.”

“So you figure you should have your own date,” Syneda said.

“Yes. Usually when I date a new guy, I tend to take things slow. But I’m not sure I’ll have that luxury this time.”

Syneda studied Kenna and saw that she was dead serious. “Well, even if you don’t have a date, I’m sure there will be plenty of single men there. Reese won’t have to worry about you, which means he’ll be able to give Alyson his full attention.”
I’d like to see that happen.

After Kenna left her office, Syneda leaned back in her chair, smiling. She was going to miss the show at Alyson’s place Saturday night, but there was no way she was going to miss the one at Luke’s opening. In fact, she intended to have a front-row seat.

“Hey, aren’t you Reese Madaris?”

Reese turned to face a woman who'd just passed him in the hallway leading to his office at the Madaris Explorations Company. “Yes, I’m Reese Madaris.”

The woman flashed what Reese figured was her sexiest smile as she closed the distance between them and extended her hand.

“Hi, Reese. I’m Camille Strickland.”

He shook her hand and returned the smile. “Hi, Camille.”

“I dated your cousin Blade a while back. I hear he got married.”

“Yes, he got married a little over a month ago.”

“Oh. What a shame. I understand you’re available.” She reached out and traced a manicured finger along his arm.

“Available for what?” he asked, annoyed by her boldness.

“Whatever comes to mind,” she said seductively. She seemed to be pouting. “You’re not like Blade. He liked flirting,” she said in a sultry voice.

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Don’t apologize. Here’s my card,” she said, thrusting it into his hand. “Give me a call.” She batted her eyelashes several times and then gave him a flirty wink before turning to walk down the hallway, swaying her hips in a body-hugging pencil skirt and killer high heels that looked like they could double as lethal weapons.

Okay, he would admit that she looked good—but he wasn’t Blade. And when it came to women, his and Blade’s tastes were completely different. It would take more than a tight skirt and stilettos to make him tongue-tied. Even five months without sex hadn’t made him
that
hard up.

He continued walking, shaking his head as he stepped into an elevator at the same time another woman did. She glanced over at him and gave him a come-hither smile. “Excuse me for asking, but aren’t you Reese Madaris?”

Reese stepped off the elevator thinking that some women had no shame. The woman had tried coming on to him, and way too strong. When the elevator stopped on the next floor to let other
passengers on, he retreated all the way to the back, as far away from her as he could get. She had repeatedly licked her lips as if to give him a blatant come-on, letting him know just what she could do with her mouth. The combination of her words and actions had been a total turn-off.

When he exited the elevator, he glanced over his shoulder and saw that the woman was still following him. When he rounded the corner, so did she.
Probably not a coincidence.
Reese continued walking and heard her make some sort of growling sound, but he refused to turn around. Damn, had he attracted a stalker? His grandmother had warned him what would happen now that Blade was off the market. And it seemed the old gal knew what she was talking about.

He smiled when he saw Kenna sitting in the lobby waiting for him. When she saw him she smiled, eased out of the chair and began walking toward him with a graceful stride that he couldn’t help but admire. He really liked the dress she was wearing, which showed off her curvy hips, her ample cleavage and the most gorgeous legs any woman could possibly possess. She was the kind of woman any man would want to have as his own. She didn’t have to flaunt her beauty and sexuality. It came naturally. He was convinced that one day she would make some deserving man very happy.

An idea quickly popped into his head. When he reached Kenna he pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the forehead. “Thanks for waiting, sweetheart.”

“No problem,” she said, giving him a what-the-heck-is-going-on look with her eyes.

He glanced over his shoulder to see the woman leaving the building, and it was only then that he released a deep sigh.