out?”
“It’s solar powered,” Pearl told us. “Accurate within five feet. You know, we developed it with dogs and children in mind, but now we’ve got it down to being so small, it’s perfect for valuable art, jewelry and other priceless items.”
“So, where is it, then?” Daisy asked.
Pearl winced. “On the neck of a rather elegant lady who was recently vacationing in Hawaii. We lost track and, um, well, her plane landed early this morning, and she’s now in LA.”
“My mother?” I asked, incredulous.
“I’m afraid so,” Pearl said.
“Well at least you know she won’t pawn it,” I joked. “Damn, that’s shameful, to have your own mom turn out to be such a magpie. Well, I’ll call her first thing tomorrow and make sure she gives it back. Who would have thought . . . my own mother! Had no idea she had the . . . what’s the word? The—”
“Thank you, the fish looks superb,” Alexandre intercepted politely. Two waiters had arrived, carrying a silver platter of fresh, barbequed fish. “This should be delicious, spiced with Chinese herbs and cooked the traditional, French Polynesian way,” Alexandre said. “It’s a dish they often serve for the bride and groom. And speaking of the bride and groom to be, I’d like to make a toast to Janie and Daniel. May they live long, happy, beautiful lives together, at each other’s side, faithful, devoted, and with just a smattering of intrigue. I wish for you the same degree of happiness that Pearl and I have found together. To Janie and Daniel! Forever!”
Everyone at the table burst into applause, and I had to admit, Alexandre’s little speech made my eyes smart. I quickly wiped away a pending tear, embarrassed that anyone should see me so emotional.
24
Janie.
I KNEW I was in trouble and that I’d have to explain to Daniel why I’d been hiding everything about Kristin from him. But it was time I came clean. He was suspicious as hell and I knew he’d hound the information out of me one way or another. On our way back from dinner, he pinned me against a palm tree, on the beach. Luckily it was dark so nobody could see. The stars were clustered across the Milky Way and the moon shone bright enough that I saw the glinting anger glittering in his eyes. He was pissed off, but the cocktails, the delicious dinner, and fun conversation had put him in a good mood.
“Now, Janie, I want an explanation, this second.”
“It can wait, it’s—”
“I said NOW!”
His breath was on my neck. There was a predatory, sexual hunger in the way his gaze dragged over my body, taking in the sinewy folds of my pink silk chiffon gown. He held my wrists in one hand and raised them above my head.
“Or I’ll fuck the information out of you. Hard. Fast. I could get cruel.” His mouth was lingering above mine.
My lips lifted into a little smirk. Daniel’s “cruel” was my idea of fun.
“I’m not joking, Janie, I don’t like secrets, they fucking well make me furious.” A snap of his eyes, deeper now . . . his expression darkly dangerous.
A mixture of thrill and fear coursed through me. I found the “angry Daniel” sexy, but very scary too. Like when I was late for rehearsals and he chucked me out of the room, humiliating me in front of the cast, singling me out like a bad, bad girl, who had to stand in the corner. But there was always that sexual undertone which had me getting myself off the second I got home, imagining him and his hard cock ravaging me, even though he was a married man at the time and I knew I couldn’t have him. All my dreams turned out to be true. He had desired me as much as I him. At least, I imagined so.
“Did you want me even when you were married?” I slurred. I was suddenly aware I was pretty darn tipsy. I leaned against the tree for support.
“Don’t you dare try and change the conversation.” His grip on my wrists was tight. “We’re going to be married tomorrow, but I am not going to make vows if there’s a fucking secret between us. Is that clear?”
Ouch. Sting. The idea of us not marrying felt like a lethal punch to the gut.
“I’ll tell you,” I said, “but I don’t want you to get mad. So why don’t we talk about it tomorrow when you’re calmer?”
“Too late, I’m already mad. All because