The Marriage Promise (Billionaire Games Book 4) Read online

  A young woman with a camera stopped at their table. “Souvenir pics? They come with your dinner package.” Her gaze jumped back and forth between John and Deidra, assuming they were a family.

  “Oh, please?” Emily clapped. “Can we?”

  Deidra looked at John and shrugged. “Why not?”

  “Let’s have the girls come stand behind Mom and Dad.” The photographer pointed to the girls and motioned them behind John and Deidra.

  John thought about correcting the girl, but it might prove embarrassing for Deidra. He didn’t want that so he left it alone; instead he nodded for Amy and Emily to follow the photographer’s lead.

  The girls went to stand behind John and Deidra while the photographer slid into a seat at the now unoccupied side of the table. She snapped two pictures, then move on to the next table. Amy and Emily returned to their seats and the remainder of the evening was filled with laughter and enjoyment.

  Just before the ship returned to harbor, an attendant placed commemorative photographs on the edge of the table. “These come with your package,” he said.

  “Thank you,” John and Deidra said in unison.

  John picked up the photographs and offered them to Deidra. “I believe these are yours.”

  Deidra took them and looked back at John. “There are two. Wouldn’t you and the girls like to have one?”

  “Yes, can we have one of them?” Amy asked.

  “Please?” Emily added.

  John took the photograph Deidra offered, and said, “That’s very thoughtful of you.”

  While Amy and Emily snatched at the one in John’s hands, Deidra peered at hers. John leaned toward her to take a peek.

  They looked like the perfect family. It amazed him, and made him feel guilty, all at the same time.

  When Deidra, John, and the girls returned to Trump Tower, she exited the car with them, with the intent to walk around the corner to the Embassy Suites. She paused when Amy pointed at Helen sitting on a couch under the portico.

  Deidra followed John as he went straight to Helen, who stood as they approached.

  “Helen…” John said. “Is everything okay?”

  She nodded, and Deidra felt a measure of relief.

  “You weren’t in your suite, so I waited here for you,” she said. “The doctors say they’ll release Phillip from the hospital on Saturday, but he cannot travel for at least seven days.” She sucked in a breath and blew it out, as if she could expel her troubles with it.

  “Don’t you worry about it,” John said. “I will make sure your suite is extended for as long as you need it. I’ll take the girls home on Monday as scheduled, and then I’ll return for you and Phillip in a week’s time.”

  “Oh, John, that’s not necessary. We can take a commercial flight back home.”

  “Nonsense!” he said with killing stubbornness. “I brought you here, and I’ll take you home.”

  “You’re very kind.” Helen nodded and glanced over his shoulder, giving Deidra a smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your evening.”

  “You didn’t ruin anything,” Deidra said to Helen. “We had a lovely evening.” She flashed a smile, first at the girls, then John. “I’d better be getting back to my hotel.” She stepped back and gave John one last look before turning and walking away.

  “Deidra, wait…” John called after her. She stopped and glanced over her shoulder, waiting. John turned back to Helen. “Just one moment, I need to talk to her.”

  “Oh, by all means…why don’t you walk her to her hotel?” Helen suggested. “The girls and I will wait right here for you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Helen nodded. “Go.” She pushed John toward Deidra.

  “It won’t take long. She’s staying next door at the Embassy Suites.”

  “Take your time,” Helen said. “I have no plans to go back to the hospital until tomorrow morning.”

  John pointed at Amy and Emily. “I’ll be right back.” His tone issued an unmistakable warning. “Be on your best behavior.”

  John trotted after Deidra, his heart pounding against his chest. He felt like he had in high school, when he trotted up the walkway leading to Robin Thompson’s front door. He was a mess then, and he was a mess now.

  As John reached Deidra’s side, he slowed to match her pace. “I hope we weren’t too much of an intrusion on your evening. The girls and I, we had a great time.”

  “Me too.” Deidra waved the photo souvenir she was holding. “And I’ll always have something to remember it by.”

  “It was very kind of you to give us the spare,” John said. “My children have grown quite fond of you.” And so had John.

  “I’ve grown quite fond of them. They’re wonderful children.”

  They turned the corner and headed up Kalia Road toward the Embassy Suites. “I don’t suppose you’d care for a nightcap?” He looked at her, hoping.

  “Will the kids be okay?”

  He nodded. “Helen’s with them.”

  Half an hour later, John and Deidra were sitting side-by-side at the Kani Ka Pila Grille, a poolside bar across the street at the Outrigger Reef. John nursed his beer while Deidra sipped on a Mai Tai.

  “So you have no brothers or sisters?” He still found being an only child hard to fathom, considering the herd he came from.

  “No.” Deidra shook her head. “But I often wonder what it would’ve been like if I’d had a sister or a brother.” A lonely smile tipped the corners of her mouth as she wandered off into her own private thoughts.

  John would love to know what she was thinking, but the last thing he wanted to do was to cause her more sadness than she was already feeling. “Well, I have plenty,” he said. “And you’re welcome to any or all of them.”

  Deidra’s sad smile fell into laughter. “You know...” She cleared her throat, and her tone undertook a sober quality. “My best friend in the whole world is the closest I’ll ever come to having a sister.”

  “So where is she?” John asked. “Why isn’t she here with you?”

  “She’s pregnant. Five months. With twins.”

  “Ahh.” John nodded. Sadness for Deidra washed over him. It must be awful to feel like you’re all alone in the world. No family. No friends to accompany you on a mission to carry out your parents’ last wishes.

  John had been feeling sorry for himself for the last three years, ever since Jessica’s death, but as he sat there looking at Deidra, he realized he had it good. He had his children. He had more family than he liked at times, but they were his and they were close. He had plenty of friends, many of whom had volunteered to come with him and the girls on this journey, but he’d felt it was something that he and his children needed to do alone. Not had to do alone. Just needed to.

  “If you come to Whisper Lake,” he said. “After you meet the Sinclair bunch, they’ll probably chase those what if dreams of yours straight out the door.” Even as he said it, John didn’t believe it. But he’d do just about anything to cheer her up.

  Deidra sat there with a glazed-over look and remained silent for a moment. When she did speak, her voice trembled. “It’s very kind of you to invite me for a visit.” She said it like she thought he was just being nice.

  “I meant it.”

  She looked at John, her gaze lingering a moment before she said, “I really should call it a night. And you should probably let Helen get some rest.”

  “She is probably exhausted.” John nodded, then finger-tipped a five away from the change the bartender had placed on the bar next to his beer, and stuffed the rest inside his pocket. “It would be my pleasure to walk you across the street though.” He stood and waited for her to move. When she did, he laid a gentle hand on the small of her back as they left the poolside bar.

  John felt a breathless fluttering in his stomach as they joined the flock of people milling along the sidewalk. “So...you will go with us to the luau tomorrow night, right? The girls and I wouldn’t have nearly as much fun without y
ou.”

  “I’d love to go.” Deidra looked up at him. John thought he saw a hint of pink blushing on her cheeks. His heart danced. “What time?”

  John had booked transportation on a tour bus when he bought the luau tickets. He’d thought the girls might have fun with the tour guide. Then he remembered that Deidra hadn’t cared for the bus ride she’d taken to get to the airport for the helicopter tour. He’d better rectify that. “I’ll give you a call in the morning. I booked transportation on one of the tour buses, but I’ll arrange for a car to take us to Paradise Cove.”

  Deidra shook her head. “Don’t go to any trouble on my account. The tour bus will be fine.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “I can easily make other arrangements.”

  “A tour bus ride with you, Amy, and Emily will be just fine.” The smile accompanying her words made a believer out of John.

  Much too soon, John found himself standing alongside Deidra at the Embassy Suites entrance.

  “Well,” she said. “This is my stop. Thank you for a wonderful evening.”

  “The pleasure was all mine.” John got caught up in her eyes—infinitely deep and as blue as the waters along the Waikiki shore. He was entranced. He wanted to kiss her, and his gut told him she wanted to be kissed. Then something inside him pushed him to go for it.

  He leaned down, moving slowly toward her. If she was going to object, she’d better hurry up and back away. But she didn’t. Instead, she closed her eyes.

  He followed her lead as his lips brushed against hers. The sensual softness of the kiss drew him in. He stepped closer and brushed his hand against her cheek. She opened her mouth a little more. John tangled his fingers in her hair as he kissed her long and deep and hard.

  When their lips parted, John’s heart awakened from its long, lonely slumber and rumbled noisily up into his throat.

  Deidra let out a contented sigh. “I’ll see you tomorrow...?” she whispered in an almost questioning tone.

  “You can count on it.” John gave her a wink and a smile before backing up a couple of steps, then turning and walking away.

  With a swagger in his step, John headed back to Trump Tower. His newly-awakened heart was elated and his hopes were soaring. But in the deep recesses of his mind was the lingering reminder of what he had to do on Sunday.

  CHAPTER 8

  DEIDRA WAS GLAD JOHN had reserved seats in the royal box. The last thing she wanted was to be close to the stage. Those were the people they brought up into the limelight. And Deidra hated the limelight.

  John had claimed the chair next to Deidra, while Amy and Emily were seated across the table from them.

  Deidra and the girls had ordered red lava flows—non alcoholic versions for the girls—in souvenir glasses that reminded Deidra of the hurricane glasses she’d seen at Hard Rock Cafes around the world.

  “Miss Deidra...” Emily seemed to be enjoying using her straw to poke new lava trails around in her beverage more than actually drinking it. “Will you really come to Whisper Falls to visit us?”

  “Your father has invited me,” Deidra said. “And I think I just might do that.”

  “Yay!” Emily clapped.

  Deidra glanced at John, wondering if he regretted the invitation. “If I’m still invited.”

  “Of course you’re still invited,” John said with an eager nod. “For you, it’s an open invitation. You can come whenever you like and stay as long as you want.”

  Deidra’s heart swelled. “I just might take you up on that. The only places I’ve ever been in Nevada are Tahoe and Vegas.”

  “Then you definitely must come for a visit,” John said. “Not to discredit Tahoe or Vegas, but there’s more to our state than the tourist destinations.”

  “It sounds like a wonderful place,” Deidra said. Any place that had John Sinclair as a resident had to be wonderful.

  “It’s boring.” Amy rolled her eyes.

  “Amy, dear.” John chuckled. “We’re trying to convince Deidra to come, not chase her away.”

  “Well, I suppose, if you come,” she said to Deidra, “it wouldn’t be all that boring hanging out with you.” Amy went silent for a moment as she scrutinized Deidra. Finally, her gaze slowly drifted to John. “Dad...” Once she had his attention, she continued. “I want to get some streaks in my hair. Like Miss Deidra’s.”

  “Oh, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he said with sarcastic laughter.

  “Why not?” Amy asked.

  “I like you hair just the way it is. End of story.”

  “Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom,” Emily said.

  John looked at Amy. “Take your sister to the restroom.”

  “But, Dad.” Amy’s voice filled with a whining quality that was not unfamiliar to Deidra. She’d used it often enough herself when she was a kid. It usually got Deidra her way, and she wondered if it would work for Amy. Considering John’s reaction, Deidra didn’t hold out much hope. Amy pushed herself up and propped her hands on the table. “Please?” She leaned toward John. “Can I get some streaks?”

  “No.” A stern, almost scary, quality invaded John’s tone.

  Amy stomped off, dragging Emily with her.

  John shook his head. “Children.” He looked at Deidra and chuckled.

  Deidra glanced in the direction Amy and Emily had gone off in. They disappeared into the crowd. Deidra looked back at John and shrugged. “What’s the big deal?” she asked, studying his unsympathetic face. “It’s not like it’s going to have a permanent effect. It’s just her hair. It will grow out.”

  What’s the big deal? It’s just her hair? Anger rumbled through John. Wasn’t she supposed to be on his side? Deep down, he had known from the get-go that letting Deidra Ferguson get under his skin was a bad idea.

  He already had enough trouble with Amy without bringing in reinforcements to back her up. Since when did Deidra have a right to an opinion when it came to his children? She was not their mother.

  John dropped his napkin onto his plate and cleared his throat. “Well, since your parenting skills have been tried and tested on...how many children do you have again?”

  “No...” Deidra shook her head. A distinct chill filled her voice when she added, “I don’t have any children.” She looked up at him with doleful misgivings. “But having been a young, impressionable girl myself once, I can tell you that under your circumstances, Amy just wants to feel like she’s in control of something. Anything.” Deidra shrugged. “The fact that she wants it to be her hair...believe me, it could be much worse.” She cut John a piercing glare. “And aside from that, you are teaching her to let a man control her...right down to the color of her hair.”

  That stabbed a little, but she didn’t understand. “I’m her father,” he said to Deidra. “It’s my right to control her hair if I want to.” Jessica wouldn’t have let him get away with that. But Jessica wasn’t here. And John wasn’t prepared to give Deidra—or any woman other than Jessica—a vote when it came to raising his children.

  If Deidra did come to Nevada, and if John did get involved with her, they were going to have to come to an understanding. The kids were off limits.

  Someday, John might marry. He was still a young man and he had needs. And let’s face it, there weren’t too many places in Whisper Falls where he could get his needs attended to without some form of commitment. So, yeah, he could see himself marrying again. Especially now that Deidra had awakened something inside him. Hell, he could even see it being Deidra. But when and if he did marry, his new wife—whoever she was—would have to understand…she was not (and never would be) Amy and Emily’s mother, and therefore had no right to interfere with his parental decisions for his eldest children.

  The rest of the evening rolled along a little on the chilly side, even though the Hawaiian temperature lingered around the eighty-degree mark. Deidra had clammed up. John tried to break the ice that was forming between the two of them, but every time he said something to her, she gave hi
m nothing more than yes and no responses. She made no offer of encouragement to him, and she gave no invitation for encouragement from him.

  Why was she so mad? Didn’t she understand boundaries? He couldn’t let another woman come in and replace Jessica like she’d never even existed.

  Deidra was beyond peeved. The nerve of John Sinclair. What an ass. It was just as well that she found out now what an unreasonable jerk he could be, before she found herself in Nevada and hopelessly in love.

  She thought seriously about asking the staff to call for a taxi in the middle of the luau, but she couldn’t bring herself to upset Amy and Emily by storming out. They’d been left enough as it was. Oh sure, their mother couldn’t help leaving them, but that hadn’t made her disappearance from their lives any easier. Deidra knew that feeling all too well.

  When the luau came to an end, a measure of relief washed over Deidra as she and everyone else began the slow procession toward the parking lot and to the buses. She lingered behind John and the girls, trying to put some distance between herself and them.

  She hadn’t counted on Emily falling behind and latching onto her hand though. Walking along with the little girl’s hand in hers broke her heart a little. After tonight, Deidra would never see any of them again. At least that was her plan now that John had shown his true colors.

  Emily’s gesture had made it impossible for Deidra to fall back as far from John as she’d like, but she didn’t feel right about disappearing into the crowd with his daughter. While she wasn’t exactly pleased with him right now, she didn’t want to give him a heart attack either.

  John stopped at the open doorway of the bus and glanced over his shoulder. When his eyes met Deidra’s, he gave her a worried smile. She did her best to remain stoic. The last thing she wanted to do was give John the satisfaction of knowing he’d hurt her feelings. Granted, she didn’t know much about affairs of the heart, but she’d had some of the best teachers in the world—her best friend, Lecie, and Lecie’s sisters-in-law, Camille and Tasha. None of them would ever take crap, and neither would Deidra.