The Billionaire's Game: The Billionaire's Obsession ~ Kade Page 8

  Asha sighed and plopped into a chair beside the bed. “My foster parents don’t talk to me anymore because I divorced Ravi.” Not that they had communicated with her much anyway after her marriage. They spoke to Ravi, but they rarely asked about her.

  “We get to screen your next husband,” Mia said, her voice making the statement sound more like a threat than a joke. “If there’s no give-and-take in the relationship, you can’t marry him.”

  “I won’t marry again,” Asha answered in a hushed voice.

  “Of course you will. Mia and I were both older than you when we married Max and Sam,” Maddie said fiercely. “You just need the right guy this time.”

  “I can’t have children,” Asha admitted reluctantly. For some reason, these two women made her want to spill all her secrets to them.

  “You can adopt if you want kids. And depending on the reason, there could be other options. Do you know why you can’t conceive?” Maddie asked gently.

  “I don’t know. It didn’t really matter. Ravi said he got checked and he was fine. He said it was my defect.”

  “You’re not defective just because you can’t have a child,” Maddie said, exasperated. “Marry a man you love, and you can work out the rest when the time comes. Love is everything, Asha. You can work around other problems.”

  Asha fidgeted uncomfortably in her chair. “There was never love in my marriage.”

  “There will be next time,” Mia said sympathetically. “Maddie and I will make sure of it.”

  Asha didn’t think there would be a next time for her, but she smiled at the two women on the bed, her heart squeezing inside her chest because they were concerned about her.

  This is what it’s like to have friends. Real friends who care.

  “Thanks,” she said simply, handing Maddie the photo of her parents, and Mia her work pictures.

  “Your father was very handsome. And this is definitely our mother,” Maddie mused, staring at the photo Asha had handed her. “She looks happy.”

  “I like to think they were very happy,” Asha told Maddie.

  Maddie leaned back on the bed, stretching her back. “She had a difficult life. I hope she was happy in the end.”

  “You’re not bitter about her giving you and Max up?” Asha questioned, wondering how Maddie could sound so sincere about wishing her mother happiness.

  “No. Not anymore. I have Sam, and I’m happier than I could ever have dreamed I would be. Whatever happened, I like to think she did it to give Max and me a better life. Maybe she had no choice.” Her hand went protectively to her belly, rubbing it absently. “How my life is now makes up for any unhappiness I had in my earlier life. We’re having babies, and I have a brother and sister now. I don’t have any regrets. I have a wonderful future to look forward to. Everything that happened has led me to this wonderful life and Sam.”

  Maddie was glowing, and Asha knew it wasn’t just from the pregnancy. That was the look of supreme happiness, and Mia had the same glow. Did loving a good man really make a woman this happy? Sadly, Asha was fairly certain she’d never know.

  “These are really fantastic,” Mia squealed, flipping through the photos of Asha’s work.

  Maddie leaned over to look at the photos with Mia, their heads close together while they perused the pictures. “No wonder Kade wants you to put some life into this house. Your designs will add a lot of warmth to this place.”

  Asha smiled as the two women eagerly tried to wheedle an appointment for themselves. Maddie wanted her nursery done, and Mia wanted her workshop wall decorated, saying she’d love the inspiration. She wondered if they really meant it, or if they were just being polite. Still, she was happily flustered that they seemed to like her work.

  “Food’s done,” Kade yelled impatiently from the bottom of the stairs.

  The women rose to their feet. Mia went ahead, as though she were already eager to see her husband’s face again. Maddie lingered, handing Asha back her picture of her parents. She gathered the pictures of her work that Mia had left on the dresser and put them all back in her bag.

  “Asha…are you really okay staying with Kade?” Maddie asked, concerned. “I want you with me and my home is always open if you want to stay with Sam and me. You need some time to get on your feet after your divorce.”

  “Do you think it’s inappropriate for me to stay with him?” Asha asked hesitantly. She was a single woman. Kade was a single man. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea. But the thought of leaving Kade right now wasn’t a comfortable one. He’d taken care of her while she was sick, and although he unsettled her at times, she liked being near him. And she trusted him.

  “Of course it’s not inappropriate. You’re both single adults. I just want to make sure you’re comfortable. I saw the way Kade was looking at you. I think he’s already getting…uh…attached.” Maddie looked like she wanted to say something else, but she looked at Asha solemnly.

  “I’m fine here,” she answered, relieved that she wouldn’t have to leave Kade so soon. “And he’s just being…nice.”

  “Bullshit. Kade’s protective of you, possessive. I think he’s been bitten by the caveman bug,” Maddie said emphatically.

  “Caveman bug?” Asha answered in a confused tone.

  Maddie grimaced. “The alpha-male-pounding-on-his-chest syndrome. He’s starting to care about you, Asha.”

  Lowering her head, she replied weakly, “Don’t worry. I won’t get attached to him. I know he’s way out of my league.”

  Maddie grasped her shoulders and shook her lightly. “Nobody is out of your league. I’m just warning you that he’s not just being nice. Believe me, I know the Tarzan look starting to emerge. I have to admit that it surprised me. I’ve never seen this side of Kade.”

  Asha looked into Maddie’s hazel eyes, and saw that they were warm with affection. She swallowed hard and answered honestly, “Maddie…I’m homeless, I’m poor, and I never even went to college. What use would Kade Harrison have for me other than to paint his walls?” Okay, maybe he wanted to have sex with her, but Asha didn’t think there was anything more to his attention than that. Not really.

  “I was poor when I met Sam again. I was deep into student loans, and I didn’t have a penny to spare because I wanted to run a free clinic. None of that matters if you’re supposed to be together. You’re talented and brave; you’re a survivor. Don’t ever think you’re not good enough.” Maddie let her hands drop to her side and raised a brow at Asha. “You like him.”

  “Who wouldn’t?” Asha said, giving Maddie a small smile. “He’s handsome, smart, sweet, and he wears gorgeous shirts.”

  “Oh, God. You like his shirts? That’s not good,” Maddie mumbled.

  “What was his girlfriend like? I think she hurt him,” Asha asked, unable to stop herself.

  “She was a grade A bitch,” Maddie answered angrily. “When Kade was a star quarterback, he was larger than life. Sam says he was one of the best quarterbacks of our generation. He could have had any woman that he wanted, but he stayed faithful for years to a woman who didn’t want anything except his celebrity status to enhance her modeling career. She dumped him in a hurry when he couldn’t help her visibility in fashionable circles anymore. He’s a good man. I don’t think any of us ever understood why he stayed with her. Maybe it was habit, or maybe he didn’t know anything else. Losing his career and getting dumped because he wasn’t perfect anymore probably did a number on his self-esteem. He already came from the same screwed-up background that Mia did. He didn’t deserve what happened to him.”

  “Was his childhood bad?” Asha asked tentatively, knowing it was none of her business, but still wanting to know. Kade didn’t talk about his childhood. He spoke about his family, but most of the events he shared were recent.

  Maddie snorted. “Bad? His childhood makes ours look like paradise. His father was a mental case who dra
nk. Kade, Mia, and Travis were all pretty badly abused. Then one day, his father killed their mother and then shot himself. It was a major scandal and a stigma that still comes up now and then. It’s been a hard incident to shake for all of them.”

  Asha’s chest ached, almost as if she were able to feel the pain of Kade’s past. There was silence as a speaking glance passed between her and Maddie, a moment of silent communication where each knew what the other was thinking: Life wasn’t fair, and sometimes really bad things happened to good people.

  Finally, Asha said timidly, “Maddie?”

  “Yeah?” Maddie answered, looking questioningly at Asha.

  “I still think Kade’s a wonderful man. His leg doesn’t matter. I hate that he isn’t doing what he loves and I’m sorry his leg causes him some pain. But he’s still the same man, and he’s splendid.” Asha sighed.

  Maddie put her hands on her hips and shot Asha an amused look. “You do like him. But remember, he’s a man, so it’s impossible for him to be perfect.”

  “Don’t you think Sam’s perfect?”

  “Oh, God, no! He’s arrogant, bossy, and way overprotective. And I remind him of that frequently,” Maddie answered with laughter in her voice. “But he’s also the man who stole my heart and wouldn’t give it back. My soul mate. He’s kind, loving, and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to make me happy. And vice versa. So nope…he’s not perfect, but he’s perfect for me.”

  Asha watched Maddie’s dreamy eyes and lovesick expression, happy that Maddie finally had the man of her dreams. “I’d like to meet him someday.”

  “You will. Soon,” Maddie promised. “He’s anxious to meet you, too. But he was afraid you’d be a little overwhelmed. Sam’s brother is married to my best friend, and Simon and Kara would like to meet you, too, when you’re feeling more comfortable.”

  “Hey…where are you two? We’re eating,” Max bellowed from downstairs.

  Maddie and Asha looked at each other and giggled. Max sounded like an angry bear ready to pounce on his food.

  “You okay?” Maddie asked, putting her arm around Asha’s shoulders. “I know this is all really new for you, and probably confusing.”

  “I’m good,” Asha answered honestly. “I’m actually looking forward to doing some of the walls in this house. I think I’m still having a little culture conflict, caught between the way I was raised and what I really want. I want to be independent and strong, but I’m fighting my past baggage.”

  “Everything will be okay, Asha. I promise. We’re all here to help you get whatever you want.”

  Unfortunately, Asha wasn’t sure it was a case of “whatever she wanted” and not “who she wanted” but she wasn’t about to mention that to Maddie. She still had a long way to go before that butterfly was going to emerge and be liberated.

  The two of them walked slowly toward the top of the stairs, Asha gently grabbing Maddie’s arm before she descended the stairs. “Is there any way we can find out for sure that there’s no mistake, that we’re really sisters?”

  Maddie’s brows drew together as she searched Asha’s face. “I know you’re my sister.”

  “I want to know for sure. Can we do it?” If anyone would know, it was Maddie. She was a doctor, and if there was a way to see scientific proof, Maddie would know.

  “We can do mitochondrial DNA testing since we’re just trying to see if we all have the same mother, but we already know we do,” Maddie said, her tone puzzled. “I don’t need any more proof, Asha. I feel it the same as Max does, and we have plenty of proof.”

  “I guess it’s hard for me to believe,” Asha said, shaking her head.

  Maddie smoothed back Asha’s black hair, placing an errant lock gently behind her ear. “We can do the test. I already know what the results will be because I feel it. I hope someday you’ll feel it, too.”

  Asha did feel it, but she was afraid to believe anything she couldn’t prove with scientific evidence. She wanted to tell Maddie that she already felt like her sister, that the bond was already there. But the uncertainty was still there, and she hated it. Why couldn’t she believe her gut instinct? Maybe because she’d never listened to it before?

  “It’s no big deal. We’ll do the test,” Maddie told her gently, starting down the stairs with her arm around Asha’s shoulders. “Have Kade bring you to the clinic and we’ll take care of it.”

  “I know it’s stupid to ask for it—”

  “No, it’s not,” Maddie scolded. “Never feel stupid for asking for something you want. You have the right to your own feelings. And don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  Asha smiled at Maddie’s maternal tone, knowing immediately that her sister was going to make a great mom. Her kids would be strong, brave…and secure. “I’ll try to remember that,” she answered, her lips curving upward.

  “Make sure you do,” Maddie replied, hugging Asha tightly when they got to the bottom of the stairs. “We’ll do the test, but you are my sister, so you better get used to my unsolicited sisterly advice.”

  The two women smiled at each other, the bond between them growing even stronger, clicking securely in place.

  “It’s about damn time,” Max grumbled as he came out of the dining room and wrapped an arm around both of his sisters. “I was about to waste away from starvation,” he continued melodramatically.

  “I see you managed to stay alive,” Maddie said drily as she wrapped her arm around Max’s waist. “You could have gone ahead without us.”

  “No appreciation for the way Kade and I slaved away in the kitchen,” he grumbled goodheartedly.

  Asha’s heart was light as she continued to watch the sibling banter between Max and Maddie. Her arm slowly crept around Max’s waist silently, starting to feel like she was part of the family bond.

  “Are you going to be unappreciative, too, Asha?” Max questioned, smiling down at Asha as all three of them walked toward the dining room.

  Asha relished his teasing. It was something she’d never had or done before. “It depends on how good the dinner is,” she answered cheekily, trying out her bantering skills for the first time.

  “Great. Now I’m really screwed. Two female siblings against me,” Max bemoaned, but his buoyant tone belied his words.

  Asha grinned as they arrived in the dining room, the fragrant smell of grilled chicken and the sight of the table full of food making her stomach growl.

  Meeting Kade’s pensive gaze, she smiled at him, trying to let him know silently that everything was okay.

  He grinned back at her, his gorgeous blue eyes lighting up as he winked at her.

  God, he was handsome. And she sat directly across from him at the table. She’d never had a better dinner with such a colorful and glorious view. He flirted with her outrageously, making her cheeks flush and causing the others to shoot her questioning looks. But the meal was boisterous and full of laughter, so unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

  For Asha, it was her first real family dinner, and she tried to commit every detail to her memory for the future. She knew that moments like this, feeling this way, didn’t last forever, right?

  Her eyes met and held with Kade’s, and he slowly nodded, as though he’d read her thoughts and was reassuring her that things could last for a lifetime. She sighed and lived for the moment, enjoyed the intimacy, and tried not to think about what the future might hold.

  Because at the moment…everything was perfect.

  Several nights later, Kade lay in his enormous bed, sore, sleepless, and frustrated. Unfortunately, someone had leaked the news story that the long-lost sister of Max Hamilton and Maddie Hudson had been found. He and Asha had been hounded by reporters all day and he hadn’t left the house. Instead, he had watched Asha create her designs on the wall of his home gym, his cock hard as granite, as he punished himself on the equipment. He’d tried like hell not
to watch her, but he knew he’d been deluding himself, thinking he was only there to work out. Watching her had become a fascination he couldn’t stop, didn’t want to stop. Her whole body moved and swayed as she painted, every part of her involved in what she was creating. It was almost like watching her doing an exotic dance. The only thing hotter would have been if she’d taken her clothes off while she was doing it. But he had a vivid imagination, and damned if he couldn’t conjure up the images of her doing just that as he ogled her while pretending he was there to just do his daily workout, a workout that had taken all damn day. No wonder his whole body ached. Yeah, he was used to brutal workouts, but they usually didn’t last for eight damn hours.

  Surprisingly, he was beginning to like the images she was creating on that wall. At first, he’d balked when she’d suggested painting a collection of his pictures from his football days in the gym. But Asha was passionate about her work, and she’d argued that he should celebrate his success as a football player and all he’d accomplished, remember all the things he’d done well when he was playing. She’d reminded him that football had been a big part of his life, and it was better to remember the pleasant things instead of dwelling on the negative. He’d relented, letting her have free rein to do whatever she wanted.

  The images were copied from pictures of his glory days, and Asha brought them to life with her extraordinary talent. Rather than making him depressed about what he could no longer do, the paintings accented the camaraderie of the team, and the poignant moments he’d had with the guys from the Cougars. They were all happy, upbeat scenes that made him smile rather than making him feel depressed that he couldn’t play football anymore. Most of the men who were with him on the wall were retired now, and Kade suspected that Asha knew that; she had probably researched every photo. The design was an upbeat tribute to some great football players who had moved on to do other things with their life.