CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – LILY
“That’s a typically ignorant thing to say, Tahlia.
” Tristan’s arms tighten protectively around me as he glares at the stunning stranger in a tight red pantsuit.
She has pin-straight brown hair with the kind of stark, sculptured features that I thought only existed in fashion magazines.
She’s also an alpha and I can smell her peppery scent even over the warm, earthy fug of the barn.
“And just for the record, we don’t need anyone’s permission to be here. ”
Tahlia? The name doesn’t ring a bell, but she’s scowling at me like I’m a nasty horse apple she’s found squished under her expensive Italian stiletto. “But you need permission to be on my land,” I tell her. “Who are you exactly?”
“I’m going to tell Ellis about this,” she says, ignoring my question and waving a manicured nail between us. “He needs to know exactly what he’s risking his career for.”
“Oh, give it up, Tahlia…” Tristan huffs, but she’s already spun on her heel and is stalking away in triumph.
He blows out a breath, and I grimace in apology, but he cups my face, his thumbs brushing soothingly over my cheeks.
“Hey, don’t look so worried. Tahlia is Ellis’ agent, but stirring up shit is her specialty.
” The thought of that sneering woman having anything to do with Ellis sits all wrong with me, but I’m distracted by the way Tristan licks his lips, the corners tilting up in a wicked grin.
“Besides, the guys know exactly how I feel about you, and they’d be ecstatic to know that we were making out in your barn. ”
I smirk at that, and Tristan makes a low sound in the back of his throat before dipping down for another kiss.
It’s just as sweet and hungry as all the other ones we’ve shared, but now there’s an edge of possessiveness that makes warmth bloom in my belly.
“Come on, let’s head home and warn Ellis that Tahlia’s on the warpath. ”
I’m a little wary that she might be hiding in the huckleberry bushes waiting to ambush us, but when we rejoin Della, he’s alone and his flirty manner is nowhere to be seen as he frowns into the distance.
“I tried to stop her from busting in on you, but Tahlia Durant is both the witch and the flying house in this scenario.”
“That’s Kansas, not Idaho,” I tell him. “But I’m happy to sign the contract. If it’s everything you’ve offered, we can get started as soon as you like.”
“Perfect,” Della grins, slapping Tristan on the back. “Then I’ll get onto my lawyers and see you fine folks tomorrow!”
Della whistles as he strides over to his car, and it’s Tristan’s turn to roll his eyes, but I quickly kiss the exasperated look off his face.
It’s easy, then, to convince him to help me hitch the old Airstream to my truck, which is a difficult maneuver on a good day.
We’ve both worked up a sweat by the time we’re done and I crank the air conditioner as high as it’ll go, loading Bloomer and my extra duffel bag into the back seat.
Bloomer is ecstatic about going for a ride with us, treating our necks to sticky love licks as we take the road away from the farm.
Once we’re on the highway, we roll down our windows and sing along to the radio, and for a while I forget everything but the warm pressure of Tristan’s hand on my thigh.
But my mood comes crashing back to earth as we arrive at the manor and find Tahlia standing on the porch, her hand on her hip and a scowl on her face as she argues with Ellis.
“Crap. Looks like her broomstick is faster than your truck,” Tristan mutters.
I nod silently, my dislike for the other woman growing as I take in the lines of stress on Ellis’ face.
She clearly needs an attitude adjustment, and I can feel my temper rising as I park and grab my duffel bag.
Bloomer bounds ahead of me, no doubt in search of Leo, but Tristan rounds the truck to take my hand firmly in his.
Something that Ellis’ agent focuses on with all the venom of a prairie rattlesnake.
“I can’t believe you’re openly flaunting yourselves in front of him,” she sneers, her manicured hand clutching Ellis’ arm. “That mating bite doesn’t smell like you or Otley. Which means there’s probably a pissed-off alpha around here somewhere, ready to drag your name through the mud.”
“Enough, Tahlia!” Ellis’ face flushes an angry red, but it’s his icy tone that sets her back on her heels. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, and Lily is none of your business, anyway.”
“Everything that affects you is my business,” she says in a placating tone, pulling a water bottle from her tote and passing it to him. “Why don’t we talk about this inside? The heat in this godforsaken town is diabolical.”
I’d be quite happy to direct her ass back over state lines, but Ellis just folds his arms and leans against the porch railing.
“I said everything that needs to be said, Tahlia. I’m taking a break from acting, which means I don’t need you blowing up my phone or chasing me across the country.
This is my private life, and I don’t want anything interfering with it. ”
She adopts an injured look that would probably earn her a little gold statue back in LA. “I’m not trying to interfere, Ellis. You know I’m just looking out for your interests. And with the trilogy wrapping up, any bad press right now could impact your chances of landing your next project.”
Tristan huffs out a laugh, but I can feel his tension in the hand that grips mine. “He just said he’s taking some time off. And Ellis always has half a dozen directors dying to work with him.”
Ellis shoots Tristan a fond smile, but Tahlia looks at him like he’s less than dirt. “The public loves Agent Ripcord. They’re less forgiving of the face behind the name, especially when they get played by their own mate.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake!” I explode, having had more than my fill of this wretched woman and her spiteful accusations. “No one is playing anyone! Tristan is devoted to Ellis and Otley.”
She whirls on me, her eyes narrowed to slits. “If you really believe that, then why are you trying to worm your way between them?”
“I’m not!” I drop my duffel bag and step towards her, tilting my head so she can’t avoid my scent wafting her way. “Why don’t you take another sniff, and then you might realize that we’re scent matches.”
Her shoulders stiffen, her alpha pheromones taking on a bitter edge.
I can’t see how she can deny what is dancing in the air between us, but she turns her back on me and pulls Ellis aside.
“I don’t know how she’s convinced you of this, but you know how easily people take advantage of you, Ellis.
I really think you should come back to LA with me… ”
Anger spikes through me, but it’s a pale version of the growl that rolls through the screen door. When Otley pushes it open, his eyes are bright with dislike as he stares at the female alpha. “I’d think very carefully before you dig yourself into an even deeper hole, Tahlia.”
Her face pales, but she stands her ground, her chin jutting in the air. “This has nothing to do with you, Otley. I’m trying to protect Ellis’ career…”
“Enough!” he snarls, his dominance shimmering in the air. “The only thing I’m interested in hearing is how you knew where to find Lily. According to the security team, you went straight to Rosie’s Blooms from the airport. How did you know the address?”
“I…” Words fail her for a second, her gaze darting around. “Ellis told me.”
“I did not!” Ellis glares at her, suspicion now written all over his face. “What’s going on, Tahlia? How did you know about the farm?”
“My guess is she’s known for a while,” Otley says with quiet menace. “Crest was her mentor, after all. He must have told her when she took over as your agent.”
“But that’s…” Ellis suddenly backs away from her like she’s radioactive. “Did you know about Lily? All this time?”
“I was acting in your best interest…”
“My best interest?” The betrayal in Ellis’ voice makes her wince, but when she tries to reach for him, he makes a grinding sound.
“I really wouldn’t, Tahlia. And if you need to hear it straight from my mouth, we’re done.
Don’t contact me, and don’t use my name to open any doors for you, because they’ll slam straight back in your lying face. ”
Tahlia looks like she wants to argue with him, but Otley shakes his head. “If you don’t think this is a breach of your duty to your client, I’ll happily sue your ignorant ass into the gutter. Now get off our property.”
After a final desperate glance in Ellis’ direction, Tahlia leaves with as much dignity as she can muster, and none of us move until her car has disappeared around the bend.
Ellis has been standing as rigid as a statue, but he suddenly slumps against the porch railing and drags a hand over the back of his neck. “What a shitshow. I’m so sorry, Lily…”
“You don’t owe me an apology, Ellis,” I cut him off. “That woman clearly had an agenda. And I’m just glad Leo wasn’t around to witness it.”
“He’s up in his room playing video games with Cody,” Otley says quietly, his eyes still glittering with anger. “I wasn’t going to let her catch even a glimpse of him.”
“Thanks,” Ellis and I both say at the same time. It makes me smile, but Ellis groans into his hands. “I’m just so… appalled at my poor judgment. I should have listened to you, Ot, when you said I needed a clean break from my uncle.”
Otley reaches out to cup his shoulder. “Well, that’s why we work so well together. Your trusting nature balances out my prickly paranoia.”
“Yeah, right. Sunshine and storm clouds.” They exchange a small smile and then Ellis slings his arm around Tristan’s shoulders. “So, how did things go at the farm? I hope Della was less trouble than Tahlia.”
“He was his usual annoying self,” Tristan replies, then shoots me a wicked smile. “But Lily impressed him with her bow skills, so now he’s even more infatuated than he was before.”