Lorelei James - Bound

“Does that drummer in your head always do his own thing?”

“Always.”

She drained her champagne and grabbed another glass before hooking her arm through his. “Let’s mingle. I want to spot some celebrities.”

“Anyone in particular?”

“The only mover and shaker I know in Denver is Alexis Carrington.”

He shook his head. “Fictional TV character. Try again.”

“I was so hoping for a catfight between her and Krystle—a hair-pulling, clothes-ripping, shoe-throwing beat-down.”

“Aren’t you a little young to have grown up watching Dynasty?”

“I watched reruns every day after school. My mother, for being a self-professed happy homemaker, wasn’t happy when school dismissed for the day. She let me and my brother watch whatever we wanted. Yes, we did make fun of it, but it was an eye-opener as to how the really rich lived. Not a lot of billionaires in North Dakota.” She laughed. “I wouldn’t know how to act if I ever met a billionaire anyway.”

“I’m sure you’d do just fine. Nothing special about them, trust me.”

They’d almost crossed into the banquet hall when a voice boomed, “Ronin Black.” Then an African-American guy about six foot five and three hundred and fifty pounds blocked their path. “I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Sensei Black. In the flesh. At a party. But here you are.” He offered a formal bow, which Ronin returned. Then he thrust out his hand. “Man, it’s good to see you.”

“Same goes.” Ronin drew her forward. “Tegs Green, meet Amery Hardwick.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Amery said.

“You too.” Tegs grinned. “Got you a real foxy one, eh? She know about the time I whipped up on the unbeatable Master Black?”

“You sitting on me and squashing me like a bug hardly qualifies as a true victory, Tegs. And I choked you out after you let me up, so no whipping up on me there either.”

“I always forget that you wrapped those lethal fingers around my throat until I passed the motherfuck out.”

“Which is why I always remind you.”

“Such a hardass.” Tegs addressed Amery. “This psycho fucker made me run three miles on a treadmill. Three miles,” he repeated. “Look at this body. Do you think it fucking enjoys running? Hell no. But I did it. Puked like a frat boy on the first weekend of college afterward, but I goddamn did it.”

Amery had heard Ronin acted as a personal trainer, but this was the first evidence she’d seen of it. “Good for you. I keep trying to convince him to teach me a shoulder throw.”

Tegs laughed. “Little-bitty sprite like you throwing grown men around? You go, sister.” He held out his knuckles for a fist bump. “I hope the first guy you throw on his ass is that sadistic fucker Deacon, ’cause I’d pay good money to see that.”

“Deacon didn’t like it any better than I did when you sat on him,” Ronin said.

“Don’t matter. S’what I get paid to do.” He clapped Ronin on back. “Really great to see you out and about, old-timer.”

After Tegs left, Amery said, “He’s some kind of sports guy, right?”

“Tegs plays offensive tackle for the Broncos.”

“Should I have recognized him?”

“Only if you’re a football fan.”

“Are you a die-hard sports fan?”

He shrugged. “I’ll watch a game if it’s on. I try to keep up with what’s going on locally. But I’m not a fanatic.”

A shadow fell over them again.

Ronin faced Tegs. “What now?”

Tegs’s hands came up in surrender. “Whoa. Don’t shoot the messenger. Krueger wants to talk to you.”

“About?”

“How the fuck do I know? He heard you were here, said you’ve been ditching his calls, and he told me to ask you for five minutes of your time.” Tegs shot Amery an apologetic smile. “Quick business thing, pretty lady. I’ll bring him right back.”

She watched as the Master Black mask dropped back into place. Ronin said, “Amery, don’t wander off. This won’t take long.”

The man didn’t even crack a smile when she saluted.

None of the people milling about were friendly, except for a pervert or two she caught eyeing her ass. In lieu of starting a conversation with a stranger, she downed another glass of champagne, wondering how she’d ended up ditched at a cocktail party within fifteen minutes of arrival. This was what had kept her up last night: Ronin knowing everyone. Her knowing no one. Him leaving her alone while he roamed around.

What she wouldn’t give to see one familiar face.

That’s when she heard, “Amery?”

She froze. Goddammit. The one time in her life she’d gotten what she’d wished for, she’d ended up with the one person she’d hoped never to see again. Maybe if she ignored him he’d think he was mistaken and walk away.

Please let him walk away.

Before she could vanish into the crowd, Tyler stepped in front of her.

He wore an expression of shock. “Amery Hardwick. It is you.” Tyler pulled her into his arms. “My god, it’s been what? Four years since we’ve seen each other?”

“Yes,” she said, trying to disentangle from his embrace.

But Tyler wasn’t letting her go. He scrutinized her face. “You look fantastic. Like really fantastic.”

“Thanks. I need to—”

“Stay and talk with me. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

No, they didn’t. But if she didn’t act as if she wanted to escape, then maybe she’d satisfy his curiosity and he’d move on. Quickly. “I didn’t realize you were still in Denver.”

“Left for about a year to oversee the Rockies feeder teams. When I returned management promoted me. And I also work with the pitching staff, so I’ve got the best of both worlds.”

“Sounds great.” Amery tried not to stand on tiptoe and peer over his shoulder for a glimpse of Ronin.

“I’m living in Cherry Creek now.”

“That’s nice.”

“One of the perks of being upper-level management is I get to attend this event every year.”

“Lucky you.”

Tyler went on to tell how awesome his life was and never stopped to take a breath or to ask about her. He hadn’t changed a bit. How had she ever found the me-me-me aspect to him attractive? Yes, he was a good-looking guy, but as she stood in front of him, trapped by his gigantic ego, she couldn’t remember what she’d ever seen in him.

Confidence. He had it; you lacked it.

That was the one good thing that’d come out of their relationship. In trying to emulate him she’d learned to act more confident—even if she had to fake it.

He was frowning at her. Oops. Had he noticed she’d tuned him out? “Sorry, I didn’t catch that last part.”

“I’m here with Chantal.”

“You two are still together?”

“We’ve had a breakup or two over the years, which is why I’m dragging my feet on giving her the engagement ring she’s been nagging me about.”

Yeah, Chantal and Tyler deserved each other.

“Who are you here with?” Tyler asked.

“She’s with me,” Ronin said, sliding his arm around her waist.

Tyler’s eyes widened so fast she almost heard a cartoonish sproing.

Then Ronin offered his hand. “Ronin Black. And you are?”

“I know who you are, Sensei Black. I’m Tyler Pessac. I’m with the Rockies management team.”

“How do you know Amery? Or did you just see a beautiful woman standing alone and decide to hit on her?”

Tyler shot her a grin. At one time she would’ve considered it the cutest thing ever. Now it came across as super-cheesy.

“Amery and I were involved for a few years before and after we moved to Denver.” When Tyler’s gaze scanned her thoroughly, Amery felt as if she’d been slimed. “Damn, Ame, you’re a knockout tonight.”

Ronin’s demeanor didn’t change. “Yes, she is. And she’s all mine. So if you’ll excuse us . . .” And Ronin steered her away.

Once they were far enough away, Amery spun in front of him, forcing him to stop. “Mine? What was that?”

“A friendly reminder that your past with him is just that, long past.” He pressed his lips against her temple. “Shall we track down the dining area?”

Just like that he changed the subject and led her away.

THE dining room defined opulence. Forty-foot-high ceilings with mahogany crown molding, a preponderance of sparkly crystal chandeliers, silk-covered walls, carpeting that mimicked a pricey Persian rug.

The already beautiful space had been further transformed. Each table had different jewel-toned linen. From the back of the room, the hundred or so colored tables spread out like a rainbow, darkest to lightest. The glassware on each table was clear, reflecting the individual color, creating the illusion that each table had customized glassware. The centerpiece on each table initially looked tacky—artificial flowers with color-changing LED lights on the edges of the leaves and flowers. But as Amery watched the lights morphing from one shade of the rainbow to the next, she noticed the effect sent tiny shards of light outward, so it looked as if diamonds had been sprinkled across the table.

This was one of the coolest decorating themes she’d ever seen.

And the Hidden Hills Resort didn’t allow its members to sit on padded metal conference chairs. No, every chair was draped in the same fabric as the table.

A female server intercepted them as they tried to cut through the tables. “One of the staff members with the clipboard will have your seat assignments.”

“I’d forgotten about that. Thank you.”

Assigned seating felt a little junior high-ish. Were the attendees deemed more important seated at a better table with other bigwigs? Maybe it was the champagne, but Amery could give a shit where she and Ronin ended up. In her mind he remained the most interesting person in the room—regardless of how many people filled the space.