Ian's Ultimate Gamble - Brenda Jackson [6]
She frowned. Four years ago Ian had refused to hear anything she had to say; had even refused to acknowledge that if the FBI hadn't discovered Boris Knowles's connection to organized crime when they had, all of the man's business dealings would have come under scrutiny, including his partnership with Ian.
Common sense dictated that she tread carefully where Ian was concerned. He was smart and observant. And he didn't trust her one iota. There was no doubt in her mind that he would be watching her.
Brooke's breathing quickened at the thought of his eyes on her for any amount of time, and moments later a smile curved the corners of her lips. Then she laughed, a low, sultry sound that vibrated through the room. Let him watch her, and while he was doing so maybe it was time to let him know exactly what he'd lost four years ago when he'd walked out of her life.
Ian glanced at the clock on his office wall and decided to give up his pretense of working, since he wasn't concentrating on the reports, anyway. He had too many other things on his mind.
He resisted the urge, as he'd done several times within the past couple of hours, to push the button and see what was going on in the casino, in hopes he would get a glimpse of Brooke. His hand tightened around the paper he held in his hand. He thought he was downright pathetic. And just to think, she was booked for two weeks.
It took him a minute to notice his private line was blinking, and he quickly picked up his phone.
"Yes?"
"Ian, how are you'?"
He smiled as he recognized Tara's voice. A pediatrician, she was married to his cousin. Thorn, a nationally known motorcycle builder and racer. "Tara, I'm doing fine. .And what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
"Delaney's surprise birthday party. Shelly and I are finalizing the guest list and we wanted to check with you about someone who's on it."
Ian leaned back in his chair. It was hard to believe that his cousin Delaney would be thirty. Her husband, Prince Jamal Ari Yasir, wanted to give his wife the celebration of a lifetime and he wanted it held at the Rolling Cascade. It seemed only yesterday when he, his brothers and cousins had taken turns keeping an eye on the woman they'd thought at the time was the only female in the Westmoreland family in their generation.
Delaney hadn't made the job easy, and most of the time she'd deliberately been a pain in the ass. But now she was princess of a country called Tahran and mother of the future king. And to top things off, she and Jamal were expecting their second child.
"Who do you want to check with me about?" "Brooke Chamberlain."
Ian Ribbed a hand down his face. Talk about coincidences. Hearing Brooke's name brought a Hash of anger. "What about Brooke?"
"I know Delaney would love to see her again, but we thought we'd better check with you. We don't want to make you uncomfortable in any way. I know how things were at Dare and Shelly's wedding."
Ian leaned back in his chair. He doubted anyone knew how difficult things had been for him at that wedding. "Hey, don't worry about it. I can handle it."
There was a slight pause. "You sure?"
"Yes. I'm sure." He decided not to bother mentioning that Brooke was presently in the casino and they were sharing the same air, as she'd put it. "I got over Brooke years ago. She means nothing to me now."
Ian sighed deeply and hoped with all his heart that the words he'd just said were true.
Sitting at a table in the back that afforded him a good view of everything that was going on. Ian saw Brooke the moment she walked into the Blue Lagoon Lounge. Under ordinary circumstances he would have given any other beautiful woman no more than a cursory glance. But unfortunately, not in this case. Brooke was, and always had been, a woman who warranted more than one glance, and her entrance into any room could elicit looks of envy in most women's eyes and a frisson of desire down many men's spines.
Taking a deep breath, he frowned in irritation when he saw the look of heated interest