EIGHTEEN

Seychelle loved the Floating Hat. It was difficult to feel sad or upset when you were there. First, the little bells welcoming anyone to the tearoom were all in the shape of hats, which seemed funny since it was a tea shop. One display window held delicious-looking pastries, all tempting people to enter and choose various exotic teas to go along with the decadent desserts. The other display window on the opposite side of the door held lotions and specialty bath items in various beautifully shaped bottles and jars.

The shop smelled wonderful. Every time she inhaled, she drew fresh air into her lungs, and with it a subtle fragrance she couldn’t quite identify, but it seemed to clear her mind and make her feel so much better. One side of the shop was dedicated to the tearoom. The other was a shop where people could buy the bath or specialty items Hannah Drake Harrington, the owner, or Sabelia, her assistant, made up for them.

Seychelle had discovered the Floating Hat the very first day she’d moved into her new house. She’d walked all over Sea Haven. The sign and name of the shop had intrigued her, and she couldn’t help going in to see what it was all about. Once she’d entered, she knew she’d always go back. She especially loved the hair and bath products.

“Seychelle,” Doris called, waving merrily. She sat at the largest table, by two windows, which gave it the illusion of being very spacious. “Lana. I’m so glad you’re joining us. Inez said you might come. Eden texted and said she was running late, but she’ll definitely join us in time for lunch. Her monthly hair appointment, you know. The hairdresser is always getting behind.”

“I was happy you invited me,” Lana returned. “This is one of my favorite places for tea. Alena usually comes in with me, but she was too busy today. That girl is always working.”

Seychelle nodded. “Her food is so delicious.” It was too, although it was almost a sacrilege to say so when everything served at the Floating Hat was so wonderful as well.

Her phone vibrated in the pocket of her jeans, and she took it out, her heart accelerating. She knew exactly who it was. Know you’re upset, baby, but we’re a couple. We don’t walk out on each other. You made that commitment to me.

She’d already reassured him, but she didn’t know if she could keep that commitment, not when she was so confused about who she was anymore. She was willing to go so far out of her comfort zone for him to meet his needs. So far. She loved him enough to convince herself that their relationship would be worth it. It would be stronger for it, more intimate. She knew what Savage gave to his club, and she knew as he took on their pain that she would take it on for him. He loved the club members enough to do that for them. She loved him enough to take on that pain physically for him. She knew she would be strong enough.

That part was all good. She was fine with making sacrifices. That felt good. She’d done that for her parents. She did that for others when she healed them. It was the liking it she wasn’t so certain about. Losing herself in the pleasure-pain of it, she wasn’t okay with. Bringing those dark corners to the forefront and owning them. Taking that responsibility. A little shiver crept down her spine. She didn’t know if she could be like Savage, respecting herself, looking at herself in the mirror and being okay with who she was.

Seychelle slipped the phone back into her pocket without answering the text. Savage was just as exciting and sexy to her when texting as he was in person. She had a tendency to give in to him—to give him whatever he wanted. Right now, she needed desperately to sort herself out.

“Seychelle, sit right here, honey. You look like you’re a hundred miles away.” Inez was already at the table. She knew everyone in Sea Haven almost from the moment they arrived. She owned the local grocery store and could ferret out information on anyone very quickly. With her was Rebecca Jetspun, a widow Seychelle often visited. Seychelle was happy to see Rebecca getting out. She tended to stay isolated in her home, although Eden had managed to coax her into playing cards and introduced her to Inez and Doris. Doris had actually gotten her to go to bingo once or twice.

“She’s been off with her fiancé,” Doris supplied.

“Fake fiancé,” Seychelle corrected, deliberately sounding snippy. “You know very well he’s my fake fiancé.” She held up her naked hand. “No ring on this finger.”

“It isn’t always necessary to have a ring, dear,” Rebecca said.

“That’s the truth.” Lana backed her immediately.

Lana was particularly gracious to Rebecca, as if she could sense that the woman needed a little extra drawing out. Seychelle could see that everyone tended to relax in Lana’s company. She had an extraordinary gift of making each person feel very special, as if when she spoke, she focused solely on them—and that she was truly interested in everything they had to say.

Seychelle’s phone vibrated again. She tried to resist looking at it. No one needed to look at their phone just because someone sent a text. She already knew who it was from. There was no denying who had sent it. And he was going to start sending one after another if she didn’t answer. It was just that she didn’t know exactly what to say. With a little sigh, she pulled the offending phone from her pocket and glared down at the screen.

Baby. I’m lonely without you. You could at least text me and tell me if you’re thinking of me, because I’m thinking of you.

She tried not to smile. I’m busy. Having tea. Go away.

Right there: that was the problem. He could twist her around his little finger with his sweet text messages. She stopped thinking about the future and started thinking about how much she loved him.

Around her, the others laughed and talked, discussing which teas were their favorites and whether they wanted to try something new and different. As a rule, each person at the table could order a pot of tea and share with the others so they could try it if they wanted. Seychelle looked up to see Lana watching her speculatively. She sent her a small smile, knowing Lana wouldn’t ask her anything in front of the others.

Inhaling to try to bring the scent of the shop into her lungs, Seychelle did her best to focus on the conversation. Doris and Inez had a lively discussion going about a new couple who had moved to Sea Haven and were doing their best to fit in. Doris thought they were “pushy” and Inez thought they were “lovely.”

“Who are they?” Seychelle asked. She felt as if she should have met the newcomers.

“They retired from the city, dear,” Inez said.

“You can’t say ‘city,’ Inez,” Doris corrected. “She’ll think you mean the Bay. They came from LA. They’re bigwigs, in movies or television. Think they’re powerful, and that when they go to a restaurant they should get a table first, whether they have a reservation or not. They’re very entitled, is what I’m trying to say.”

“I’m afraid Doris might be right, Inez,” Rebecca agreed, her voice a little timid, portraying her reluctance. “Seychelle, Lana, their names are Logan and Ava Chutney. They bought the old Tubbs estate. I think it sold for eight million. In any case, they sent their ‘man’ in to get some items in Donna’s gift shop that Ava saw in the window. I was purchasing one of the items Ava wanted, and the man became very upset. He offered me all kinds of money for it. It was a hand-painted one-of-a-kind scarf. I was sending it to a dear friend in Seattle for her birthday. I truly didn’t want to part with it.”

Seychelle’s phone vibrated again. She pulled it out of her pocket, tempted to dunk it in the glass of water in front of her. The water was in a beautiful, hand-blown, very classy tall cylinder, with what looked like lilies floating in between the two sheets of glass, condensation making it all the more appealing. She wasn’t about to drop her cell phone into it just because Savage was being annoying.

Well, okay, Savage wasn’t annoying. It was just that he was far more tempting than the conversation. She was trying to distance herself from him so she could be normal. Feel normal. Be around normal. Live it again. She pushed at the hair tumbling around her face, wishing she were sitting on his lap and he was holding her while her head was in such a state of absolute chaos.

Baby, I can feel that you need me. My Seychelle radar is going off right in the middle of a very important meeting with Czar.

Your radar is so completely off track. U need one of those techies to work on it. I’m not thinking about U at all. I’m having the time of my life.

Liar, liar, panties are on fire, or they will be when I get you over my knees for lying.

He could text so fast. She put the phone in her pocket without replying. She was not touching that, not when her sex clenched and her panties went damp just reading his silly text. That was the problem. Right there. That was the problem. That wasn’t normal. How was anything about that normal? She’d just come from his house. In the courtyard were mannequins with whip patterns all over them, front and back, and she’d thought it was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. When she’d heard the sound of the whip, instead of running for her life like any intelligent human being, she’d wanted Savage to slam her up against a wall and take her right then and there. That was definitely not a normal reaction.

Savage was still texting. She knew because her phone vibrated several times with alarming determination. She groaned and dropped her head into her hands, trying hard to resist his pull on her. Taking a deep breath, she looked up, determined to join the conversation swirling around her. As she did, she looked out the window. Joseph Arnold was directly across the street, staring right at her.

She groaned again. Technically, she should tell Savage that Arnold was back in Sea Haven. He had no real reason for being there that she could think of, other than to stalk her. Once she was engaged to Savage, that would give him every reason to continue to drive her crazy. She needed to go to her house, shut the door and close out the world, just for a little while.

“What is it, Seychelle?” Lana asked and turned her head to look toward the street.

Fortunately, Joseph had his back to them, already walking away. Seychelle shook her head. “Nothing, really. Savage is texting me like a madman.”

Lana laughed. “Really? He’s in a meeting with Czar and Steele. It’s a big deal too. Reaper’s there as well. If they catch him . . .” She broke off as if he could get in trouble, as if anyone could make Savage do anything he didn’t want to do.

“Nonstop,” Seychelle reported, suddenly happy that Savage would put himself on the line during an important meeting just to reassure her.

Lana laughed again and shook her head. “That man has it bad for you.”

Seychelle knew he did. She loved him the same way. Love wasn’t the problem. The lifestyle was.

Sabelia took their orders for the various teas to go along with the pastries and sandwiches being served. Her face still had very faint bruising, but the swelling was gone, and there was little evidence that she had been beaten by the man she’d picked up at the bar. She smiled at them with her usual welcoming greeting and waited patiently while the older women pored over the menu, which they’d seen countless times.

“Your voice is beautiful,” Sabelia offered a little shyly, shocking Seychelle. She’d been in the tea shop many times. Sabelia had always been unfailingly polite, but she never invited private conversation, and she didn’t make personal comments.

Seychelle gave her a genuine smile, feeling the vibrations going off steadily in her pocket. She rubbed her hand over her phone, unable to keep from touching it. She loved that Savage would keep reaching out to her even when she didn’t respond.

“Thank you, Sabelia. It’s nice to have someone appreciate my efforts. Most of the women don’t hear me. They just see those men up there playing. I’m not certain they hear them either, and they’re the best band I’ve heard in a long time.”

Sabelia laughed, and her laughter was soft and gorgeous to hear, the notes like little sparks of ruby-red glitter dancing in the air. “The band was good, but your voice is incredible. You certainly give people something to think about.”

“Thank you. Seriously. Thank you. Sometimes I need to hear that. Right now is one of those times.”

Sabelia’s smile faded as she studied Seychelle’s face. Seychelle did her best to put a happy mask on, but she had never been particularly good at hiding her true feelings. In any case, she had the feeling that Sabelia could see more than most people.

The waitress leaned down. “I’m going to bring you a very special tea, Seychelle,” Sabelia whispered. “I’ll make the blend myself. It’s very soothing. And no, I didn’t put in a toad or anything like that, if Preacher asks. And he will if you tell him.” She straightened and narrowed her eyes at Lana.

“I wouldn’t tell him just because I’m his sister,” Lana said, holding up her hands. “Don’t you remember I told you I’d help you fill his truck with toads?”

“Fill whose truck with toads?” Doris demanded.

Rebecca gave a delicate little shudder. “You wouldn’t really do that, would you?”

“Hannah did it to Jonas more than once,” Inez said, referring to the owner of the shop and her husband, who just happened to be the sheriff.

“She filled his truck with toads?” Rebecca was horrified. Everyone else at the table looked amused. Sabelia walked away laughing.

“She certainly did,” Inez confirmed. “And when he was a teenager and snuck a girl into his bedroom, there is a rumor that toads leapt into his room and filled that as well.”

“How did Hannah do that?” Rebecca asked. “Not that I’d do it, but you have to admit, filling cars and trucks with toads could come in handy.”

Inez looked at her sharply. “Whose car would you fill with toads, Rebecca? I always considered you so sweet.”

Doris burst out laughing. “We all change spending time with you, Inez. I’m not always certain it’s for the better, but we have way more fun.”

Seychelle joined in the laughter, but she thought controlling toads might be a good idea. She’d have a bunch of them jump right on Savage’s thick skull and do a little froggy dance. “I’m all for Hannah teaching us. I already asked Sabelia to teach a class. I haven’t quite convinced her, but at the time she wasn’t talking as much as she is now.”

Lana smirked. “I’m reading your mind.”

“The question is, are you willing to take the class?” Seychelle asked.

“Absolutely. I’m all for petitioning Hannah right now. Alena would be in as well,” Lana said solemnly. “Blythe is too nice, Soleil would never do anything like that to Ice, but Anya might need to know how to have a trick or two on her side around Reaper. Breezy is just as sweet as they come, and Zyah is capable, but Player’s too nice, so she doesn’t have the need. I think Anya and Alena are the only others for the class.” Lana went through the list of potentials from the women of Torpedo Ink.

“You left out Lissa and Lexi,” Inez pointed out. “Technically, they’re women of Torpedo Ink as well.”

Lissa was married to Casimir Prakenskii and Lexi to Gavriil Prakenskii, both men fully patched members of Torpedo Ink.

“Lissa comes to a few events, and she’d be all in. I’ll invite her too, if we can get Hannah and Sabelia to agree,” Lana conceded. “But Gavriil has brought Lexi only once. He’s extremely protective of her. I honestly don’t know her at all.”

“I don’t think you young girls should have all the fun,” Rebecca said daringly.

The door to the shop swung open, the bells tinkling merrily, announcing more customers. Seychelle turned her head, expecting to see Eden Ravard. Brandon Campbell walked in with a very young woman under his arm. Head down, she looked extremely pale as she stared at the floor with no expression on her face. She wore dark jeans and a wrinkled T-shirt with a very thin, light sweater over it.

Brandon whispered to her, and her body jerked as if he’d struck her. She tilted her head up like a puppet, looking toward their table but staring past them, not at them, with vacant eyes. Brandon came right up to the table. He looked anxious as he gave them a little half smile in greeting.

“Hello, Doris, Inez. Everyone. This is Tessa Deering, my friend. Tessa, honey, can you say hello? Please?”

Tessa swallowed and looked up at him, nodding several times. “Hello.” She murmured the greeting to the window behind them. Her voice sounded hollow and far off.

Brandon sighed and shook his head, looking very discouraged. “We’re on a little outing. I thought it might bring her out of her shell. Tessa’s very . . .” He broke off as if searching for the right word. “Come here, honey. Sit right at this table.” His fingers bit into her arm as he all but forcibly put her into the chair at the little intimate table straight across from the one where the women were sitting. “She won’t even move on her own anymore. I’m running out of ideas.”

“Oh, Brandon, that’s such a shame,” Rebecca said. “Have you tried a counselor?”

“She refuses to go. She won’t leave me long enough to go. It’s a good thing I work from home. I’m getting worried about her dependency.” He talked as if Tessa weren’t even there.

Seychelle caught Lana’s gaze. Brandon was using his “voice.” Just a note here and there, but it was enough to ensnare everyone. Doris wouldn’t fall under his spell because Seychelle had built a shield for her. Lana clearly was aware that something was off about Brandon, and she knew Tessa was in trouble. She was fighting the effects of that tone.

“We were just discussing the silliest thing, Brandon,” Seychelle said cheerfully. “We were going to ask Hannah and Sabelia to teach us classes in some of the craziest arts.” Deliberately, she used counterpoints to his voice, almost like stabbing through his tones with little pinpoints, but so sweetly he wouldn’t notice.

She rested her chin in her palm and looked at him with wide blue eyes. “Let me try with her. I hate that you’re so upset. Women can sometimes do things men can’t.” Before he could object, she turned her attention to Tessa.

Around her, the women were all nodding their heads in agreement and murmuring, “Yes.” “Try, Seychelle.”

“Tessa, honey, look at me.” Seychelle used a tone with absolute command, one impossible to ignore, notes tuned specifically to the girl. It had been difficult to find them since Tessa had only spoken the one brief word, but Seychelle was very motivated to get her away from her abuser.

Tessa blinked several times and then focused, as if surfacing from far away. Her gaze settled on Seychelle’s eyes. Seychelle smiled at her.

“That’s right. Keep looking at me. You’re perfectly safe here. Brandon, can you go to the car and get her a proper jacket? She’s cold. That sweater isn’t warm enough.”

“I don’t think . . .” Brandon started.

“That would be such a good thing,” Lana said. “I’ll go with you.” Lana shot him her beautiful smile. She was an exceptionally gorgeous woman. Very sensual. When she stood up, her body was purely feminine. It was impossible to resist her.

Brandon rose immediately. Lana tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, and they walked out of the shop together. Lana’s voice drifted back to them. She sounded so admiring as she told him how wonderful he was to take care of a girl who clearly needed help.

For the first time, Seychelle felt as if she really did have a family. She knew what it felt like to work smoothly with Lana, completely in sync, not having to look at her and yet knowing instantly what she was doing and that she was on board to help get this young girl to safety.

Brandon Campbell was a predator, and somehow Seychelle was going to find a way to deal with him. It wasn’t going to be that day, but it would be soon. She was grateful she wasn’t alone, and Lana was so ready and willing to help. Now that she had the predator out of the way, and her voice had compelled the older women at the table to hear only truth, she could concentrate on Tessa and do her best to undo the damage in the short time Lana was buying her.

“All right, Tessa, keep looking at me. Tell me the truth so I can help you.”

“No one can help me. I’m not worth anything. He reminds me of that all the time. I’m lucky he bothers with me,” Tessa whispered in a low voice.

A collective gasp went up from the table, but Seychelle waved them to silence. She already knew Brandon’s methods. He made certain he took away all self-esteem from his victims.

“That isn’t your truth. I know I can help you. If I can get you away, would you go? What would you like to do? What was your dream?”

For one moment, Tessa’s eyes lit up and her face was animated. “I wanted to be a fashion designer and make clothes. I was really good at it in school. But he said . . .”

“We don’t really care what he said, do we?” Seychelle said. “We only care what you want and what we can do for you. Do you want to go home? To your parents?”

Tessa shuddered and wrapped her arms around her middle, shaking her head. “No, I’ll stay with him. I’ll stay with Brandon. My father gets drunk and he . . .” She broke off and shuddered again. “No. I’m never going back there.”

“You don’t have to. Not ever. And you don’t have to stay with Brandon,” Seychelle soothed. The door to the shop opened and her stomach knotted. She kept her voice calm. “Honey, how old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

“When is your birthday?” Because, honestly, the girl looked like a baby to her. Seychelle knew she looked young. But Tessa looked like she was fifteen. Maybe sixteen at most.

“It was two days ago.” That was said in a whisper.

Another gasp went around the table. That meant Brandon Campbell had been with an underage girl. He had to have known.

Seychelle was getting serious vibes, a warning tingle sliding down her spine. The hairs on the back of her neck standing up. A flutter in her sex. He had walked in. Savage. He was in the Floating Hat. Another thing about Savage she loved: as stubborn as he could be, he was also sensitive, and he could see her hold on Tessa was very fragile and could be broken with the slightest distraction. Sabelia hadn’t come to the table with their tea either. That didn’t surprise her. Sabelia clearly had psychic gifts.

“All right, honey, we’re going to get you some help. What do you think about leaving with Lana? Have you met her before? She’s seriously wonderful. She’s coming back now.”

Those little bells in the shape of hats announced the door to the shop had once again opened, allowing Brandon and Lana back inside. Lana’s soft voice kept Brandon enthralled as they walked toward the table.

“No one can hurt you when Lana’s around. And you know what she does?” Seychelle poured enthusiasm into her voice. “Lana designs clothes. She owns Label 287. Have you heard of that boutique?”

Again, there was a flare of interest in Tessa’s eyes.

“She’s right here, Tessa. She’ll walk you right out and take you to a place no one can hurt you. She’ll give you a job.”

Brandon sank into his chair and Lana took her seat at the table. Brandon barely glanced at Tessa, seemingly completely taken with Lana.

“Brandon.” Seychelle leaned toward him and waited until his gaze jumped to her face. She had used the merest hint of compulsion in her voice. The thinnest note, just enough that it covered his heavier copper-colored ones without penetrating into them. The gold slid against the copper and very gently settled over the top of those notes. “We discovered a huge problem while you were gone.”

The older women nodded solemnly, all three backing Seychelle up, looking at Brandon as if he was in terrible trouble.

“Don’t be alarmed, we’re going to fix it. There’s no way we’ll let this affect your reputation or work,” Seychelle continued, her voice pitched in that same low, almost intimate tone. The golden notes continued to slip out. “Tessa only turned eighteen two days ago.” She dropped her voice and looked around the tearoom before continuing. “That means the entire time she’s been with you, she’s been underage.”

“What?” Brandon feigned horror.

The three older women continued to nod. Lana put her hand over her mouth, her eyes going wide in shock.

“I’m afraid it’s true. If this gets out, it will ruin you,” Seychelle said. “We think we can minimize the damage to your reputation if we move fast. Lana can take Tessa now to a safe place. You can get her things to Inez at the store, and it will simply look as if you were rescuing her from a bad situation.”

Tessa shook her head. “Brandon said no one else will want me.”

The older women looked horrified again. It was impossible not to be aware of it. Lana made a move to stand, but Seychelle signaled her to wait.

“You misunderstood him, didn’t she, Brandon? He would never mean that,” Seychelle said. Brandon had to give Tessa his permission or Tessa wouldn’t go. She was still too far under his spell.

Brandon felt those golden notes weighing on him, pushing on his need to cooperate. At the same time, he always counted on the goodwill of the older women in Sea Haven, and they were looking to him to do the right thing as well. He gave Tessa his best smile. “Honey, everyone would want you. You’re a wonderful girl and you’re going to go far in this world.” He pushed his most persuasive tone into his voice. “Go with Lana like a good girl and cooperate with her. She wants you to do well. All of us do.”

Tessa nearly leapt out of her seat. Lana rose smoothly and took the girl’s hand. Seychelle didn’t allow triumph to show on her face as the two left the Floating Hat together. She was certain Tessa was going to end up at Blythe and Czar’s home. It didn’t matter as long as she was safe.

She turned her attention back to Brandon, giving him a smile. “We were all so worried when we found out her age.”

Brandon leaned toward her, all charm. “I appreciate you caring enough to be concerned.”

“It was very disconcerting,” Inez said. “Really, Brandon, how could you not realize her age when she lived with you for months?”

Doris frowned. “She looks so young too. I thought Seychelle looked young, but that girl looks like a baby. You need to be far more careful in the future, Brandon.”

He scowled and got up, shoving back his chair, but his eyes were on Seychelle. Steady. Refusing to look away. “I’ll get her things and bring them to the store, Inez. I’m glad to be done with her. She was difficult.”

“She was a child,” Rebecca pointed out.

Brandon’s eyes narrowed on Seychelle. Grew dark and stormy. “This is twice now you’ve chosen to interfere. Do you think I’m going to let you get away with it?” He hissed the question at her, low and mean. This time his tone was heavy with pure copper, pushing the notes down so they dropped into her mind like weights.

She maintained eye contact. “You do what you have to do, Brandon.” Her notes were pure gold, sliding into his mind, pouring over it and surrounding it, coating it and covering it completely until the notes were lifted and carried away, drifting toward the ceiling.

He swore at her, crouching down so he could stare directly into her eyes. “This isn’t over.”

“I think it is,” Savage said. “Back off now.” He stepped between Seychelle and Brandon, breaking the eye contact between them, his crotch practically wedged in Brandon’s face, his motorcycle boots inches from his legs. His voice was low, barely heard, but it carried enough menace to send shivers down Seychelle’s spine.

Brandon nearly fell over trying to get on his feet. Swearing, he stormed out.

Savage took Lana’s chair, his thigh brushing Seychelle’s. “Hi, ladies, I thought I’d join my fiancée for tea this afternoon. As always, when she’s away from me, she gets herself in a little bit of trouble.”

“Fake fiancée,” Seychelle corrected. Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she took it out automatically, glancing down at it. You are in such trouble.

That’s a shocker. It took a hot minute to type that reply back when she really wanted to laugh. He looked so relaxed and at ease sitting there with the women around him. He was dressed in his jeans and boots, his tight tee and vest with his colors, looking hotter than hell. How did he do that? So sexy. And he’d left his meeting to come see her. To reassure her. He also hadn’t left her alone the way she needed. Maybe she should just kick him under the table.

“Ah yes, you did forget something this morning when you left so fast with Lana, didn’t you, baby?” Savage said. He picked up her left hand and displayed her bare finger to the women at the table. “Looks a little naked to me. What do you think, Inez?”

“Definitely naked,” Inez agreed.

Seychelle tried to pull her hand away. “Don’t encourage him.” He was up to something. She wasn’t going to like it, she could tell. This was retaliation. Big-time.

Savage pushed a ring onto her finger. It glided on as if made for her. As if it had been on her finger a thousand times and fit perfectly. She tried not to look at it, but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t know a lot about jewelry or diamonds, but she did know when something was incredibly beautiful. The center stone was a fancy oval-shaped vivid teal-blue diamond. It nearly took her breath away, it was so beautiful. Small petals made of sparkling diamonds wrapped around the center stone like a flower, so they would lay on her finger perfectly.

A collective gasp went up around the table. Seychelle just stared at the ring, almost uncomprehending. She lifted her lashes and looked up at Savage, unable to think what to say. She couldn’t embarrass him in front of everyone and say no, she wouldn’t marry him, but she didn’t know how to feel. What to feel. She loved him more than she loved anyone. Herself.

She knew why he’d put the ring on her finger. It was so beautiful. It sat there, weighing on her, making her feel as if she was his, just the way he wanted her to feel, although she didn’t need the ring. Just being in his company did that. Breathing him in made her feel as if she belonged with Savage. It wasn’t the ring, no matter how much she wanted to blame it on the ring.

“You left home without your engagement ring?” Rebecca asked. Her voice trembled and her fingers shook as she placed them protectively over her wedding rings and rolled them back and forth soothingly. “You took it off?” She made it sound as if that would be a sacrilege.

Savage put his hand over Seychelle’s. “I like to tease her, but no, she didn’t leave home without it. Seychelle would never do that. This is the first time she’s ever seen it. I asked her to marry me some time ago, but the ring wasn’t made, so she called me her fake fiancé. That’s been a running joke between us. Ice finished it and gave it to me, so I brought it right away. I thought you ladies might enjoy seeing it as well.”

“Seychelle.” Doris whispered her name. “Let me see it, child. Ice made it. He’s so famous too.” She looked up as Sabelia came up to the table, carrying a tray with several teapots on it. “Sabelia, look. Savage and Seychelle are official. He isn’t her fake fiancé anymore.”

“Congratulations, Savage, you actually pulled it off,” Sabelia said as she put the teapots on the table. “The ring is beautiful, Seychelle.” She admired it for a long moment, then flashed Savage a grin. “You do have good taste. That was very intense, the scene with Campbell. He’s brought that girl in here more than once. He’s got a dark aura surrounding him.”

Savage sighed as the women began to pour tea into their cups. “Sabelia, do you think I could get a cup of coffee?”

“Your aura is as dark as they come,” Sabelia volunteered. “With a great deal of red swirling around in it. Wouldn’t want to try to figure you out. I’ll be right back with the pastries.”

“And my coffee,” Savage added.

Doris laughed. “I forgot you think tea is poison, Savage. He believes we’re trying to do him in with tea, ladies.”

Savage glanced at his watch. “Don’t think it, Doris, I know it. Blythe looks like an angel, same as this one right here.” He brought up Seychelle’s hand and kissed it. “But both are little hellions. They disagree with me on just about everything and then sweetly ask if I want a cup of tea. Don’t you think that’s just a little suspicious?”

Seychelle couldn’t help the way her heart stuttered around him. Her big, bad biker sitting with the older women, making them laugh the way he did. He looked so wicked, his low, clipped voice so sexy she could barely stand it. A tearoom was the last place a man like Savage would ever go. He would never sit at a table with a group of older women, chatting, making them laugh. She knew he was there for one reason. For her. He was there for her.

He had his fingers threaded through hers, their joined hands on his thigh, rubbing seductively back and forth while he conversed. Sabelia brought his coffee and the pastries and sandwiches, which he ate with one hand so he could keep hers captive. It was impossible not to be in love with him, to slide deeper and deeper under his spell, when she knew she was only going to suffer more heartache if she didn’t save herself.

As if he knew what she was thinking, Savage suddenly pressed her hand tighter against his thigh and leaned close, his lips whispering against her ear. A touch only. The lightest of kisses, if it was even really that, but the caress sent little darts of fire racing down her spine, straight to her sex. He was addicting. It was scary how much he could wrap her up emotionally as well as physically.

The bells tinkled merrily and Eden Ravard hurried in. She waved to them, smiling widely. “I didn’t think my hair was ever going to get finished. It isn’t even long, and it took forever to get blown out.”

“Well worth the wait,” Savage said.

Eden giggled like a schoolgirl. Savage had gone to her house twice with Seychelle, helping out in emergencies in spite of the fact that she had four sons and a stepson, none of whom were ever around. The ladies fanned themselves and Seychelle shook her head. “Don’t fall for his charm. He’s a bad-boy biker.”

Sometimes Seychelle didn’t know who Savage was. He rarely spoke, even when they went together to visit her older friends’ homes. He would prowl around looking to do repairs, and she would do all the actual visiting. Other times, he’d turn into Mr. Charm, like now.

“Best kind,” Eden said. “What did I miss?”

Doris nodded in agreement. “Look at Seychelle’s ring, Eden. You missed that.”

Savage brought her hand out over the table, securely trapped in his, for Eden to admire the ring. When she’d done enough complimenting, he kissed the stone and stood up, tugging Seychelle with him. She couldn’t help the way her stomach did little somersaults and her heart accelerated.

“I really have to get back to the clubhouse, ladies. I left a meeting to come here and see my woman. I’d like to borrow her for a few minutes if you don’t mind.”

She shouldn’t go with him. She didn’t need to be alone with him, not for one moment. She had to finish her lunch with the ladies, ask for a ride to her house—or just walk now that Lana was gone—and be alone just for a little while to think things over. The last thing she needed to do was be alone with Savage. Even knowing that it was the worst possible idea, Seychelle followed him right out of the Floating Hat.

“Savage.” She tried a half-hearted protest when he tucked her under his arm once they were on the sidewalk, heading toward his Harley.

Jackson Deveau, the deputy sheriff, was standing next to the motorcycle in full uniform, looking as if he was inspecting it. Savage didn’t even hesitate. He walked her right up to the motorcycle, ignoring the cop.

“Stopped by to tell you congratulations,” Jackson said.

Savage glanced at him, no expression on his face. “News travels fast. Thanks. Just gave her the ring a little while ago.”

Jackson frowned and then turned his attention to Seychelle as Savage swung his leg over the bike and settled onto the seat with a creak of the leather.

“Ma’am. Didn’t realize. I was talking about your man and his little prank he pulled. It was a nice one, and I want him to know the full extent so he can gloat about it.”

“Don’t have a clue what you’re going on about, Deveau, so spit it out. Got a meeting to get to.” Savage’s tone, his voice, were as expressionless as the mask on his face. “Was just going to say good-bye to my woman.”

He was lying. Nothing gave him away, but he knew exactly what Jackson was talking about, and Seychelle wanted to know what it was.

“Those ladies you got all excited about buying a present for me for my birthday went right to Clyde Darden and asked him to name one of his fuckin’ flowers after me. Not just any flower either. They wanted one he could show all up and down the state. Wanted it to be named something heroic. Notice I’m givin’ you the details, Savage, so you can spend a lot of time thinking about how you got me good. Those ladies needed to raise a lot of money so Darden could grow this flower in his greenhouse and then travel to those shows and enter it. So they went to the Red Hat Society, two chapters, and asked if anyone wanted to help them out with their birthday funds so Darden could keep entering those damned contests. Red Hat ladies not only got behind the idea, but they decided to do fund-raisers for Darden in my name. And the fuckin’ flower’s name.”

Seychelle had no choice. She had to bury her face against Savage’s shoulder. Bite her lip. Count in her head. Press her hands tight in a fist into his abs. How he could sit there straight-faced she had no idea. Savage was definitely behind that prank, but how? She was so going to ask him.

“There’s a reason I’m giving you all the gruesome details, Savage. I believe in revenge. I bide my time, and I go for total revenge. You are going to know it’s coming, and you deserve it. It will be far worse than what you did to me. So enjoy this while you can—you got me good, but know I’ll be planning the payback.” Jackson smiled at Seychelle. “I’d say congratulations, ma’am, but I think you’re a little crazy to be hooking up with this one. Think about what I just told you he did. That’s one of his jokes. He gets serious, and Lord only knows what he might plan.” He turned and walked away.

“You totally did that, didn’t you?” Seychelle demanded. “How?”

Savage shrugged. “The ladies were worried about what to give him for his birthday. Said he didn’t like birthday presents. I just mentioned how Darden names his flowers, and the conversation went from there. I don’t see how that could be construed as my fault.”

“You’re not telling me the entire truth, are you?” Because he wasn’t. She was certain of it.

He laughed, his gloved hand over hers. “No, babe. I’m not.” His smile faded, his blue eyes looking into hers. “I came here to talk about us. I only have so much time, and you left this morning really upset.”

Seychelle wasn’t going to lie to him. “I’m in love with you, Savage, but I don’t know if I can be what you need.”

“You’re exactly what I need, baby. We’ll work things out. What you saw this morning scared you. I shouldn’t have . . .” His eyes went even colder, and he cursed in his native language. “I’m not trying to be impatient. We’ve got time, Seychelle. You never have to get there. Never.”

She shook her head. “Don’t. You know that isn’t the truth. You need that, and I want you to have everything you need. I just have to think whether or not I can be that person.”

“I told you I would know. You respond to the things we do.”

Her stomach knotted. “I know I do, and I don’t know if I like that in myself. I don’t know how far I’m willing to let myself go. I have to really think about it, Savage. Living that reality isn’t the same as fantasizing over it. You have a reason for being the way you are. If I was only going down that path because I love you and wanted to sacrifice for you, then I would be able to say yes in a heartbeat. But there’s a part of me that wants it for me. I don’t have any excuse. None.”

“Why do you think you need an excuse?” His fingers found her ring.

“Shouldn’t I have a reason for craving something like that? You don’t like yourself at times, and you were shaped into who you are. It doesn’t make sense to me. It isn’t normal.”

“What the fuck is normal, Seychelle? Because my normal is mixing pain and pleasure. That’s normal. That’s hot as hell. Arousing. And I’m as pleased as fuck it’s arousing to you. I know it’s difficult to think you enjoy that kind of thing when everyone around you has a different sexual practice, but what they do is their business and what we do is ours. You think about how much I love you. Think on that, baby. Think how much I take care of you and always will.”

Savage hooked his palm around the nape of her neck and dragged her to him for one of his long, claiming kisses that stole her sanity, then indicated for her to go back into the tea shop. He waited until she was safe inside before he took off on his bike. She listened to the pipes fade away before she joined the others.