Beneath the Covers (Kimani Romance) (4 page)

H
e didn’t know.
All these years she’d hated him for the wrong reason. But Claudia knew she needed to let him believe what he had to. His bitterness kept her safe. Their kiss was just a salve for his bruised ego. She had no doubt that their relationship couldn’t be saved.

Fate had intervened for a reason. And the truth, while it freed her and allowed her to heal, would devastate him if she told him now. No, she’d never tell him.

But thoughts of what might have been assaulted her and wouldn’t let her enjoy her environment or relax. That evening she’d eaten a meal by herself. Their personal chef, Samson, who came with the villa, had made an excellent dish of garlic shrimp, eggplant and tomato pilaf, and for dessert frozen tarragon mousse with strawberries and fresh-sliced Hawaiian pineapples. She was still getting used to the extravagant accommodations. She’d taken several pictures of the grand ten-foot, solid-wood dining table and the handblown-glass, ceiling-mounted chandelier, which had a dimmer switch to create a specific dining ambience. Tonight, she’d put it on a low light.

A spectacular view of the ocean and sunset blazed in the distance and could be seen from the patio. She had hoped for a quiet, restful evening, but that wasn’t to be. Outside on the patio, the crew spent the rest of the evening trying to capture one of the island’s exquisite crimson-and-scarlet sunsets.

Claudia tried to read and then watch TV, but neither could calm her thoughts, even after a twelve-hour workday. It was still early evening, so she called the concierge and within five minutes a taxi arrived and took her to an exclusive nightclub just a few blocks away. She felt wired. After Peter had walked away from her on the beach, she’d gone in front of the camera and nailed every line and hit every cue. She shocked everyone, but Peter only looked smug. She didn’t care. She was going to make this project a success no matter what he thought of her. He’d broken her heart, but he’d also healed it.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

Claudia turned and saw Roy take the seat next to her at the bar. She liked his attractive, loose-limbed style. Unlike the others, he didn’t make her feel nervous and had rooted for her through her gaffes. She gestured to her half-finished martini glass. “I’m fine, thanks.”

“Good job today.”

“I bet I had you all nervous.”

He shrugged. “It takes getting used to. I knew you’d get the hang of it eventually.”

She took a sip. Then a song came on and she rocked back and forth to the beat.

Roy held out his hand. “Dance?”

“Sure.”

Claudia followed Roy to the dimly lit dance floor and let him draw her close. He was a smooth dancer. It had been a while since she danced with a man. She’d had a casual affair four months ago that had ended amicably, but none of her affairs was ever serious.

“Watch out for Warren.”

Claudia laughed, surprised by his warning. “You don’t have to worry about him.”

“I thought so,” Roy said, pleased. “He’s not like us.”

“Like us?”

“He’s not what he seems. I’m not fooled by that clean-cut style of his.”

“Hmm.”

She stiffened when she saw Peter enter the club. Their eyes met, but she was the first to turn away. Roy sensed the change in her and looked over his shoulder. “Don’t let him bother you. He doesn’t own us.”

“No,” she agreed, watching Peter take a booth with Frank.

“Besides, give him ten minutes and he’ll have a woman at his side.”

It took five. Soon two very attractive women were giggling with him. Claudia tried to look away, but her gaze kept returning to him. She fought not to notice how one woman leaned into him and that he didn’t move away, and that the second woman let her long black hair brush against his shoulder.

“Poor Frank,” she said.

“Don’t feel sorry for him. He likes taking Warren’s leftovers.”

Claudia frowned, not liking Roy’s words but understanding his meaning. However, she hadn’t come to the club to talk about Peter. She wanted to erase him from her mind and disappear into the dim lights, crush of bodies and loud music.

She closed her eyes and let Roy take the lead, but when a faster song came on she allowed herself to be consumed by the pulsing drumbeats and quick-paced sound.

She pulled away from Roy and lost herself in the music, undulating her torso, swaying her hips in a sensual rhythm. She gasped in surprise when she backed into someone and turned her head to apologize until she realized it was Peter.

“You should watch where you’re going,” he said in a teasing voice over his shoulder.

“Maybe you should just move out of my way.”

“Or maybe you shouldn’t take up so much space. There’s enough room on the dance floor for both of us.”

Claudia wiggled halfway down to the floor, pressing her body against his, feeling the heat of his back and the soft curve of his butt. “Really?” she said, making her way up again.

Peter turned to face her. “Yes. Otherwise, you have to make room because I’m not going anywhere.”

Claudia boldly faced him, their bodies dangerously close but not touching. He didn’t back away and her pulse quickened, but she accepted the challenge and the heady jolt of excitement. “Neither am I.”

One of Peter’s newfound companions grabbed his arm before he could reply. Claudia waved her fingers in a triumphant motion of goodbye, but Peter leaned forward, this time making sure that his chest brushed against her shoulder. His warm breath caressed her ear when he said, “Don’t think you’ve won,” before he let himself be led away.

Roy came up next to her. “Did he upset you?”

“No, it was nothing,” she said, her spirits plummeting as she saw the two women fawning over Peter. “But I’m ready to go.”

“That’s a good idea.”

They went outside where the air was cool and walked back to their villas. Roy stroked Claudia’s arm. “The beach is nice at night.”

“Yes, I can see it from my villa.”

He took her hand. “It’s better up close.”

She drew away. “Not tonight.”

“I read one of your books and I like your premise. I’m not up for anything serious. I wouldn’t put any pressure on you, but I’d like to be with you.”

“I’m flattered Roy, but I need to focus on my work.”

“It will get easier. We have lots of weeks we’ll be working together.” He stopped in front of her door and smiled. “Let me know when you change your mind.”

Claudia couldn’t help but notice the confidence of his words—not if, but when.

She shook her head, amused. “Good night, Roy.”

He kissed her on the cheek. “Good night.”

Claudia entered the villa, took a hot shower and changed into a set of silk pajamas then slipped into her ultralush pillow-top bed, wondering if she should have taken Roy up on his offer so that she wouldn’t keep thinking about Peter. She didn’t want to think about him. She needed to fall straight asleep. She wouldn’t wait up and listen to hear if he’d brought home a companion or imagine him using his sexy smile and velvet voice to lure a woman into bed. What he did was none of her business.

It didn’t matter that when he’d looked at her across the room as she was dancing with Roy, that all other men fell away. Claudia pounded her pillow.
No, I’m not doing this again.
She had too much at stake. She would act the role she needed to play. He saw her as a runaway bride, and that’s what she’d be. Besides, it fit her public image.

It suited his public image, too. Peter was a natural in front of the camera. He never missed a line or cue, could ad-lib with ease and was immensely fun to watch. Not many people could transfer between radio and television with such ease. But he did most things well. Even before their talk on the beach, Claudia knew she was failing miserably. She was too aware not to notice how anxious everyone had been getting because of her. She lived her life watching people and gauging their reactions. She was an observer. People were something she understood. She liked to make sense out of things, because she’d grown up in a house of quiet chaos.

On the outside they were an ordinary family—a mother, a father, two girls and a boy. But if one were to remove the first layer, it would reveal a mother who had obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Everything had to be right according to her standards. The second layer would reveal a father who had stopped trying to do anything and had become emotionally dead. The last layer would show a sister who struggled with bulimia and a brother who failed at everything he tried, including three marriages. Claudia excelled by knowing what people wanted. She couldn’t fix her family, but she was determined to help others.

In elementary school she’d spent most of her time with the school counselor instead of in a classroom. She’d been anxious all the time. Then in middle school she’d blossomed once she’d found out what her mother liked most: achievement. And Claudia made sure she did. She got straight As, ran for student-body president and won, organized fundraisers and excelled in sports. She had her whole life planned. A medical degree by the time she was thirty and her own practice by thirty-five.

Peter Warren hadn’t been part of her plan.

They were opposites, but somehow they’d clicked. Strange how it was her friend Tamara looking for a good time and a nightclub that had brought them together.

“H
e’s mine,” her friend Tamara said the moment she saw the two men enter the club.

They sat at a table that gave them an unobstructed view of the entry.

Claudia stifled a grin, not surprised by her friend’s words. The two women shared an apartment and sometimes clothes, but never men. It was a promise they had made between themselves. Fortunately, it had never been an issue, because their taste in men was so different.

Claudia studied the two men, doing her best to guess which one would soon be in her friend’s clutches. The first man looked like a possible regular in a brown leather jacket and sporting a diamond stud earring. His friend, on the other hand, stood out not only because he was tall and as light-skinned as his friend was dark, but his clothes branded him an outsider. His conservatively cut jacket and dark trousers didn’t blend in with the ethnic flavor of the club.

“I bet I know which one is yours,” Claudia said.

“Go ahead.”

“You like the one who looks like he belongs on a campaign trail or could take over a corporation.”

Tamara grinned. “I’ve been working on him for two months now. It took me forever to get him to meet me here at the club. I only convinced him because I said I’d have someone for his friend.”

Claudia pointed to herself. “That would be me.”

“Yes. Keep his friend suitably entertained while I work on becoming the next Mrs. Peter Warren.”

“You’re that certain?”

“He’s perfect for a woman with my aspirations. He comes from money and has prominent parents, even though they’re divorced. He’s studying film and radio for his bachelor’s degree, but I’m sure with the right guidance he can be persuaded to enter a more suitable career. And his father’s business is very profitable.”

“And what if he doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps?”

“He will. He’s rich, handsome and full of potential.” Tamara lightly tapped her chest as though her heart were fluttering. “I’m in love with him already.”

Claudia laughed. “You hardly know him. I’ve never seen you like this.”

“I know. That must mean he’s The One.”

Claudia resisted rolling her eyes. “How come I’ve never met him or heard you talk about him?”

“You’ve always been out when he’s stopped by, and I didn’t want to mention anything just in case nothing developed. Now things have changed.”

Claudia believed her. No man was safe when Tamara was on the prowl. Even she wasn’t immune to her friend’s influence. She wouldn’t have come to the Virginia nightclub if Tamara hadn’t forced her.

“You’ve got to learn to live a little,” she’d said when Claudia had settled in for another night of studying. “You’re doing great in all your courses. Don’t grow old before your time.”

Her friend was right. Claudia buried herself in medical school and her job as a research assistant in a prestigious science lab near the university. Going out was a good break and would put her newfound knowledge about observing people to work. The Kalahari, a West African-themed jazz club known for its fine cuisine and music, was a great place to push worries aside. Its popularity came solely from word of mouth through the immigrant college crowd at the local university and colleges in the area.

“Looks like they won’t even make it in,” Claudia said, noticing how the bouncer was hassling the two men and checking their IDs.

“Yes, they will.” Tamara slipped out of her chair and weaved her way through the crowd until she reached the pair. She immediately claimed the one she wanted when she slid her arm through Peter’s and kissed him. Claudia didn’t know what she said to the bouncer, but moments later the two men were heading toward their table.

“There was a minor misunderstanding with their IDs,” Tamara explained.

“Misunderstanding?” Claudia asked.

“Yes, he thought they were fakes,” she said, flashing Peter’s ID, which said he was a lot older than he looked, before handing it back to him. “But it’s been cleared up.” She brushed something from Peter’s jacket. “He’s probably just jealous that your shoes cost more than he makes in a month.”

Peter’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t reply.

The expression came and went in an instant, but Claudia couldn’t ignore the meaning: he didn’t like the mention of his money. She glanced at her friend but could see that Tamara hadn’t noticed anything. His friend, however, did. Claudia decided to ease the tension with a smile. “I’m glad you both made it. Hi, I’m Claudia.”

Tamara turned to her. “Yes, where are my manners? Claudia, this is Darius and Peter.”

“A pleasure,” she said, shaking Darius’s hand then Peter’s.

Darius met her eyes and smiled; Peter also met her eyes, but he held her hand in a warm, solid grip a tad longer than she’d expected.

“How come he didn’t hassle you?” Darius asked.

“Because Tamara’s cousin owns the club,” Claudia said, quickly trying to recover from the sensuous touch of Peter’s hand.

“That’s good to know. Can I get you ladies anything?”

Claudia and Tamara gave him their orders, then Peter said something to him in a low voice before he left to get their drinks at the bar.

“I’m so glad you could make it, Peter,” Tamara said as he draped his jacket on the back of his chair. When he sat down, she looped her arm through his again.

Claudia noticed the slight jaw twitch again and inwardly groaned.
You’re overdoing it, Tamara,
she wanted to say.
He doesn’t like to be grabbed at. Be more subtle.
Her friend was cute, petite and bubbly, and that usually worked with men. But Claudia knew her friend would have to try a different tactic with Peter. When he glanced away, Claudia nudged her friend then mouthed “Let go.”

Tamara did, and she saw Peter relax.

“This is your first time here, right?” Tamara asked in an anxious voice.

“Yes,” Peter said and rested his arms on the table.

His terse reply wasn’t a good sign. Claudia saw the desperation on her friend’s face. If she didn’t do something soon, the evening would be a disaster. Claudia glanced down and saw something peeking out from under his shirtsleeve. The sight of it stunned her. “Is that a tattoo?” Before he could respond, she reached over and pushed his sleeve back, revealing a Japanese character. “It’s beautiful. Not every artist can make the symbol look so smooth and clean.” Claudia traced the pattern with her finger. “It means
peace,
right?”

“No, it means
harmony.
”

She shot her head up, stunned by the mesmerizing sound of his deep voice. “Oh,” she said, unable to manage anything more interesting.

“I bet you have a tattoo also.”

She nodded, still captivated by the sound of his voice.

“Can I guess where?”

She swallowed, a hint of anticipation shooting through her. “Try your best.”

Peter’s gaze lazily roamed over her figure then returned back to her face. “Your ankle.”

Claudia widened her eyes, surprised by his accuracy. “How did you know?”

Peter nodded to her leg, and she glanced down and noticed that her short skirt and crossed legs had made the tattoo on her ankle visible. She laughed. “So much for guessing.”

He grinned. “It was the first thing I noticed when you sat down.”

“You obviously have an eye for detail.”

“I have an eye for a lot of things.” His eyes captured hers.

Claudia nearly stopped breathing. He stared back at her with depthless, dark brown eyes that hid a mystery she wanted to solve. She soon became aware of how warm his skin felt beneath her fingers. She hadn’t stopped touching him. She yanked her hands back. “I’m sorry,” she said, quickly remembering how his jaw twitched when Tamara touched him.

Tamara grabbed Claudia’s arm and pulled her out of her chair. “We’re going to go freshen up,” she told Peter, dragging her friend away.

Once in the restroom, Claudia said, “What was that all about?”

“I told you he’s mine.”

Claudia laughed. “That was pretty obvious the moment you pounced on him.”

Tamara looked in the mirror and touched up her lipstick. “I didn’t pounce. I staked claim.” She turned back to her friend. “Hands off, Claudia.”

“But I didn’t do anything.”

“You were flirting.” She mimicked Claudia’s tone. “Oh, wow, it’s beautiful. It means
peace,
right? You obviously have an eye for detail.”

“He was the one who asked about my tattoo. I was just trying to get him to talk. I didn’t expect the tattoo. Don’t tell me that the sight of it didn’t surprise you.”

“Yes, it did, but let
me
be surprised. Not you.”

“He’s not my type anyway. Besides, I like my men older.”

“He’s two years older than we are.”

“You bought that ID?”

“Yes. He can’t help it that he’s adorable.”

Claudia thought about his tattoo and his eyes. Puppies and babies were adorable. Peter was something else.

“This is my chance. Don’t mess it up for me.”

“I wouldn’t dare, but I’d be careful. Still waters run deep.”

“I like them strong and silent. Honey, when I grabbed his arm, you wouldn’t believe the muscle I felt there. I bet his thighs are just as solid.”

“I wouldn’t keep squeezing him if I were you, and don’t keep mentioning his money.”

Tamara narrowed her gaze. “You think you know him better than I do? I’ve studied psychology too, you know.”

Claudia shook her head. “I’m only trying to help. I want to see you happy.”

Tamara smiled. “I am happy, and I’ll be as naughty or as nice as I need to be to keep his interest.” She finished touching up her makeup and combing her hair then got three condoms from the dispenser on the wall. “It’s going to be a fun night.”

And it was. Claudia danced with Darius but didn’t want to monopolize him, so she encouraged him to mingle with other women while she danced with an exchange student from Sweden and then a guy from California. The music was booming, the crowd rocking and the drinks flowing.

Claudia returned to the table happy and exhausted, surprised to see Peter there alone. “Where’s Tamara?”

He gestured to the dance floor, where Tamara was dancing sandwiched between two men. Claudia laughed then sobered when she remembered her companion. “She really likes you. I’m telling you this so you don’t have to be nervous or anything. It’s like discovering there’s a pop quiz. No matter what you do, you’ll get an A. So all that—” Claudia waved toward her friend in a dismissive gesture “—is nothing serious. She’s just having fun and trying to impress you.”

Peter pushed a glass aside and rested his arms on the table.

“But you’re not having fun, are you? This isn’t your kind of place.”

He shrugged. “I’m open to new experience,” he said, handing her a napkin.

“Oh, thanks,” Claudia said, wiping the sweat from her forehead and then her neck. “I love to dance, but I always have to go home and take a shower.” Claudia dabbed her chest then stopped when she felt him go still. He probably found her coarse. The women he probably went out with wouldn’t dry themselves off with a bar napkin. She crunched up the napkin and cleared her throat. “I hope you haven’t been designated to guard the table. If you want to dance, I can keep watch.”

Peter bit his lip then said, “No, I’m fine.”

“You don’t want to dance?”

He shook his head again. “Not yet.”

Claudia stifled a groan.
The strong silent type.
Tamara could keep him. She turned her attention to the dance floor, hoping she could spot Darius. “What a crowd, huh?” she said just to fill the silence between them. “I like to study people.” She surveyed the crowd then pointed. “See that woman over there? She’s going to wake up tomorrow regretting her decision if she leaves with that man. He’s married. Want to know how I know?”

She glanced at Peter expecting him to look bored. Instead, she found his intense gaze focused on her. He nodded. She swallowed, suddenly unnerved by his attention. “I’ve met his wife.” She gestured to a man near the back wall. “Now that guy is out of his league. He needs to go to some place quiet. He’s probably like you. You’re only here because of Tamara, right?”

Peter shook his head then offered her a sudden arresting smiled.

Claudia caught her breath. He was a lot more than adorable. He was gorgeous.
He’s mine,
she heard Tamara say. Claudia clenched her hand into a fist and stared down at the table. He wasn’t her type anyway.

“Okay, now it’s your turn. You try to read people.”

“I won’t be as good as you.”

She fell forward, again enchanted by his voice. “It’s like a secret weapon.”

Peter blinked. “What?”

“That voice. It’s beautiful. Why don’t you talk more often? No wonder you’re studying radio and film. You’ll be perfect.”

“Tamara thinks I’m doing it as a hobby. She’s not the only one.”

“Don’t worry. She’ll get used to the idea. You have to follow your passion.”

“Even at my age?”

“You’re what? Twenty-seven?”

He nodded.

“That means you’re seasoned. Besides, you could easily pass for much younger. A lot of students enter college because they don’t know what to do or because they have to. You know why you’re here, and it’s better late than never.” She smiled at him, letting all her preconceived notions drift away. He wasn’t a snob or dull. He was wonderful. “I admire you. It takes courage to do what you want when others don’t approve.”

Peter leaned forward. “My parents still hope it’s a phase. I’ve already done some voice-over work, and in high school I interned at a local radio station. They actually offered me a job. I also have a successful podcast.”

“Why are you even in school then?”

He lowered his eyes. “Degrees mean a lot in my family. I thought if I had to get one, I might as well get one in a field that interests me.” He met her eyes. “But enough about me. Why did you choose psychiatry?”

“Actually, I did a double major in both psychology and psychiatry. I wanted to make sure I had the medical training of a psychiatrist so that I could prescribe the best medications for my patients. And a psychology degree allows me to not have to rely on a big practice, but to spend part of my time doing research and writing articles. People fascinate me.”