The Billionaire's Voice (The Sinclairs #4) (4 page)

Actually, she really
didn’t
hear whatever music was playing. She could sense vibrations. Once she understood the tempo, she matched a piece of music to that pace in her head. With Micah’s confident lead, she’d been easily able to waltz with him. That night, the evening of Hope’s ball last winter, had been a very memorable evening. She’d felt like Cinderella, and she’d never wanted to leave Micah’s arms. Unfortunately, the dance had ended, but Tessa still hadn’t forgotten the feel of his powerful body guiding her, immersing her in sensation.

Slowly, she shook her head. “I don’t hear anything.”

She explained how she was able to dance as Micah appeared to listen intently.

His grip on her fingers tightened. “I think you could manage to skate a routine the same way you danced,” he told her, slipping his hand from hers to sign the words he was speaking.

The action had been unnecessary. Tessa had understood him, and her heart immediately started to ache from the lack of contact. “I can’t,” she insisted, unwilling to open a part of her life that needed to stay closed and in the past.

“Can’t or won’t?” he replied.

Micah was irritatingly persistent, and Tessa was starting to find the entire conversation uncomfortable. She didn’t want to spill her guts to a guy she barely knew. Her lips started to curve into a smile as she considered the ironic fact that both of them knew what the other one looked like naked even though they’d exchanged very few words in the past. “Won’t,” she answered honestly.

“Why?” He looked genuinely perplexed now.

She could have answered his one-word question so many ways. The best answer was that she hadn’t even tried to skate in almost a decade. She could claim that she was out of shape, which was true. Or she could try one more time to explain that she couldn’t hear the music. Again, it wouldn’t be a dishonest answer. She said none of those things.

“I’m scared,” she blurted out impulsively, telling him the real reason she’d never touched a pair of skates again. Her life in the last several years had been depressing, full of painful emotional blows and losses. Getting on ice again and failing might very well finish her off, destroy her.

He shrugged. “I think that’s natural. But you were the best in the world. Doing a simple routine would be a piece of cake. The Fund doesn’t expect you to be perfect. All of the athletes invited to perform are
past
Olympians. They’re all way past the age where they’re in shape for competition.”

Looking at him suspiciously, she asked, “I still haven’t figured out how your charity found me. Did you tell them where to find me?”

“I didn’t know who you were until I read that letter. I swear. I knew they were planning the event, but I didn’t know you were involved.”

“I’m not,” she answered hurriedly.

“But you can be.” He lifted an eyebrow in challenge.

Damn. Damn. Damn.
There was nothing harder for her than to ignore a direct dare, and Micah
was
testing her. “It’s not feasible. I have jobs to do.”

He shook his head. “Not a good-enough reason. You wouldn’t have to be in New York for more than a few days to perform, and you already admitted you aren’t needed as much at the restaurant. Your responsibilities can be covered by somebody else.”

“I’d only have six weeks to prepare. I can’t get in shape in such a short amount of time, and I can’t relearn skills I’ve probably long forgotten.”

“You didn’t forget; you’ve just buried the desire to get on skates again.”

He was still spearing her with a knowing look, giving her the sense that he could almost look into her thoughts. Truth was, she
did
desperately want to skate again. It would be one less loss, one less gaping hole in her heart. When she’d given up the sport completely, it had left a very large void in her life.

The thought of trying and falling on her ass made her cringe. “You really
don’t
understand,” she muttered. “You’re an athlete in prime condition. You have all of your senses. You’re not operating with a disadvantage. It’s easy to be courageous when you have nothing to fear.”

“I understand that you’re afraid of failure, but you won’t fail. And you’re wrong. My life isn’t as perfect as you might think. I’ve had my ass in a desk chair for too long, and I’m not in great aerobic shape, but I’ll work out with you. We’ll do it together. I miss my runs.”

Before she’d started up again a few weeks ago, Tessa had missed hers, too. She’d forgotten how much until she’d gotten outside every morning.

“
You
never fail at anything. You can’t or you’d be dead.” She didn’t want to admit that some of the stunts he’d pulled off in the past fascinated and terrified her at the same time.

He frowned. “You’re wrong again. I’ve failed at plenty of things. I’ve broken a lot of bones before I got it right sometimes, and now it seems I’ve lost my edge. My doctor ordered me out of my office.”

“You’re sick?” She looked again at his weary expression, concerned.

“No. According to my doctor I’m just . . . fatigued and burned out.” He gave her a look that said he detested having
any
weaknesses. “Personally, I think he’s full of shit, but I decided I could use a break. I can only be in an office for so long before I start going stir-crazy.”

So
he
was hiding from the world, too. Tessa wanted to push him for more information, but his stony expression stopped her from asking any more questions. It was obvious that he didn’t want to talk about it, so she went back to the original subject.

“There’s a problem with your earlier suggestion,” she told him confidently.

“What?”

“I can’t practice. The rink my father helped build is closed. It went out of business several years ago, after he sold out his financial interest in the arena.” Her dad had given up his share to his partners soon after she’d lost her hearing.

Micah smirked. “No problem.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out his keys. “I’m not sure which one fits, but it seems I’m now the proud owner of one neglected skating rink.”

Her heart starting pounding rapidly against the wall of her chest. The arena wasn’t far from where Randi’s house was located. Was it possible that he really
did
own the skating rink now, that he’d scooped up the closed building along with all of the property he’d recently acquired? It was highly probable, since the large acreage was for sale along with most of the other land outside the city limits in this direction.

Damn!

She looked at his attractive, grinning expression with alarm, and then stared at the keys he was now dangling between his large fingers.

If he was for real, she was screwed.

CHAPTER 3

Several days later, Micah finally took time out to consider if he was actually doing the right thing by nearly pushing Tessa back onto the ice. His instinct, his gut, told him that Tessa needed and wanted to skate again. But as she got ready to go practice for the first time, he was questioning his tactics. He’d dared her, cajoled her, and downright antagonized her for the last few days, not wanting her to give up the chance to discover that her skills hadn’t gone away with her hearing.

He felt like a first-rate jerk, which he probably was, but he didn’t want to actually admit it. He had basically continued to punch Tessa’s buttons, challenged her until her pride probably demanded that she skate.

He collapsed on the couch with a protein drink in his hand, frowning as he thought about her confession that she hadn’t skated in years. What if he was fucking wrong, what if his gut instinct was wrong? It could happen—although it generally didn’t. He could have made all the wrong moves with her. Hell, he barely knew her.

She was afraid, and he’d come to realize in the last few days that there were very few things Tessa
couldn’t
do. She was no shrinking violet, and, even though she was petite, she could nearly outrun him on the morning jogs they’d been doing since he’d arrived. They were pushing three miles at a rapid pace for aerobic exercise first, and his ass was dragging near the end of the run. Yeah, he’d kept up on his weight training, but he spent the majority of his time stressing over business and sitting in an office, and he’d made several unplanned trips to California thanks to Xander’s erratic behavior. He’d been distracted, neglecting his cardio for the last several months. Now he was paying for it.

There was a time he could run marathon distances easily, but now a long-retired figure skater could nearly bust his balls. He wasn’t happy about that.

Nevertheless, he had to admire Tessa’s courage. Other than her reluctance to get back on the ice, she didn’t let her lack of hearing keep her from doing anything a hearing person was able to do. She’d adapted, compensated by learning all of the skills necessary to be more than functional in a hearing world.

He admired her; he liked her.

Unfortunately, he
still
wanted to fuck her so badly that he could barely hold himself back. In fact, rather than curing his obsession, being close to her all the time was making his urgency worse. Every teasing smile she directed his way affected him and went directly to his cock. He didn’t understand his reaction. Tessa was pretty, but he’d been with an uncounted number of gorgeous females since Anna had dumped him years ago. None of them had been able to turn him inside out with only a glance. Hell, he hadn’t been this obsessed over Anna, and she’d been his girlfriend for several years, the woman he’d thought he’d end up with for the rest of his life.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

“I think I’ve . . . filled out.” Tessa’s unhappy voice sounded from the entrance to the living room.

Her words jerked Micah back into reality, and he looked up, nearly dropping the drink in his hand as he looked at her in a simple red skating skirt.

It was unadorned, a practice outfit, with long sleeves and a very high hem that left her slender legs bare. She had definitely grown in all the right places since she’d worn it years ago. The clingy material hugged a pair of full breasts that he was itching to touch, and curves that he wanted molded against his body. Except he’d prefer her naked and begging for him to make her come, those shapely legs wrapped around him as he pounded into her until they both came unglued.

“You look . . . fine,” he answered gruffly.

You look like innocence and sin, sweet and sultry. You look like a goddamn elusive goddess that I need to capture and fuck before I lose my mind!

“You don’t think it’s too tight?” She spun around, yanking at the material clinging to her body.

He drained his glass, wishing it was something a hell of a lot stronger than gritty protein, watching her as she twirled around gracefully and tugged at the material that was lovingly hugging her curves. As he got a quick look at her shapely ass that was barely covered by the thin panties attached to the skirt, he nearly choked on the last swallow of liquid in his mouth.

Micah coughed, trying to cover up his rampant desire to take her by her perky ponytail and bend her over the nearest object so he could find relief from the constant hard-on he was sporting. In fact, he knew, after spending a few days in her company, that he wasn’t going to get over his agitated insanity for her anytime soon.

Maybe the only cure was just to give in and try to seduce her. He should know by now that his erection wasn’t going to go away until he was no longer enthralled by Tessa, and what he needed was to finally get bored and restless like he always did, before he could move on.

He coughed one last time before he spoke. “We can get you something new for the performance. It looks fine. Nobody will see you.”
Thank God!
If any other guy started lusting after her like he was right now, which was what any guy with a pulse would do, Micah knew he’d want to choke the bastard on the spot.

“I’ll get my skates,” she said quietly, moving back toward the bedroom.

He released a breath he hadn’t known he was holding as she disappeared into the other room.
Jesus!
How was he going to handle being close to her for much longer without fucking her senseless?

Was that a possessive thought he’d just had a few seconds ago? What the hell was that? He didn’t do jealousy. He’d never realized it was even in his DNA.

Running a hand through his unruly hair, he contemplated leaving Maine, but that wasn’t happening. The pull to be with Tessa was too strong, and there was much more involved in his attraction to her. Plus, he’d promised to be there for her so that she didn’t have to face her fears alone. He wasn’t letting his uncooperative dick and his desire to nail her interfere with a vow—a pledge he hadn’t been able to keep himself from making, for some damn reason.

The problem was . . . he actually did
like
her. Tessa had a quirky sense of humor that made him laugh, and a sharp mind that made him think of things other than just business and his problems with his youngest brother. Tessa deserved better than a frantic fuck. He could tell the attraction went both ways, he could feel it, but he didn’t want to hurt her. Sooner or later, he’d leave to go back to New York, and he’d already learned that he wasn’t a “relationship” kind of guy. Tessa was the type of woman that a man didn’t leave, and Micah was constantly on the go, always looking for his next adrenaline fix.

She needs a guy who cares about her, a man who will be by her side.

He stood, feeling antsy and irritated. Maybe Tessa needed a different sort of male in her life, but the thought of anyone except him touching her made him edgy as hell.

Dammit! Another possessive thought?

“I’m ready. Let’s get this over with,” Tessa said glumly as she entered the small living room again.

Her words made him smile as he turned in her direction, an automatic action that he didn’t even think about anymore. “It won’t be so bad.” He signed as he spoke, even though he knew he didn’t need to. It was rare that she didn’t pick up enough of his words to understand him.

“I’m going to hate you for this,” she warned.

Her words stopped Micah in his tracks. Maybe he
had
pushed too damn hard. Now he was beginning to second-guess his behavior, something he never did. He knew she was teasing, but was there some truth to what she’d said?

“Don’t hate me,” he said huskily, reaching out to tuck a stray spiral of her blonde hair behind her ear. “I think you want this, but you’re too afraid to do it alone.”

Her eyes locked with his, and Micah froze as he saw the vulnerability in her gaze. Feeling sucker punched as he stared into her unusual light-green eyes, he again began to question his motives and his actions. He sensed that Tessa needed to do this, but he felt like a bully for forcing her to do anything she didn’t want to do. Honestly, all he wanted to do was wrap his arms protectively around her and keep her safe. Tessa had been through so much, suffered so many losses. Yet, she was more alive than any woman he’d ever known.

“I won’t hate you. I promise,” she answered softly, putting a hand on his forearm as he pulled his fingers away from her hair. “You’re right. This is one last ghost from my past that I need to put to rest. Believe me, I wouldn’t be trying this if part of me didn’t really want to.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, still feeling uncharacteristically uncertain.

She nodded slowly, and Micah felt himself relax. He captured her hand in his. “Then let’s go.” Suddenly, he wanted this first step to be over just as much as Tessa did.

“Are you sure the rink is ready?” she asked nervously as he tugged her toward the door.

He nodded. Micah was absolutely certain the skating arena was prepared for her to practice. He’d had workers there since the day he’d arrived in Amesport. The place was in good-enough shape for them to use, and the ice had been completely repaired so Tessa would be safe. The building might be neglected, but it was sturdy.

He grabbed his own skates from the chair by the door as they exited the front entrance, letting go of her hand as they stepped outside and into the humid, warm air. Fall hadn’t yet arrived in Amesport, and the weather was unusually hot, the midday sun out in full force.

He locked the door as Tessa walked to his vehicle, a large black pickup that he’d rented when he’d arrived in Maine.

Tessa didn’t speak as they drove the short distance to the arena, which gave Micah more time than he needed to think.

What if she gets hurt?

He grimaced, knowing she’d have to eventually practice some risky moves that could end up with Tessa bleeding and broken on the ice. By education, he was an engineer, and he made his activities as safe as possible. His team was constantly coming up with new safety features for his equipment, which had made him the leader in the industry. Sure, he’d broken a few bones and gotten banged up more times than he could count. There was always an element of risk, certain things beyond his control, but he thrived on the excitement, and he was pretty sure of his engineering skills. His main goal was to keep improving his equipment. People like him were always going to participate in dangerous sports, but he wanted to at least decrease the risk as much as possible.

But it’s not about me this time.

It wasn’t
him
taking the risk, and
that
scared the hell out of him.

Concern continued to eat at him as he parked the truck and they made their way into the old rink.

Tessa immediately sat down on one of the wooden benches and started to haul on her skates. “I didn’t know you could skate,” she said, her glance curious now.

He waited until she looked at him again for an answer before replying, “I played a lot of hockey as a teenager and some when I was in college.” He didn’t have the skills she used to have on ice, or the finesse, but he could hold his own at rough-and-tumble skating.

He put on the skates he’d had his assistant send to him, in a steadily darkening mood, wishing to hell he’d never read Tessa’s mail. How
had
his charity found Tessa, anyway? Micah had known about the planned reunion event, but he didn’t have a clue how the organizers had tracked down past Olympic athletes. Tessa stayed far away from the media, from what she’d told him, and he doubted the committee had even known she was deaf. They only knew that she had retired, which was the story in the sports world. Nobody knew much more about her sudden retirement, and since it had been years, almost nobody cared.

Honestly, he didn’t get that involved in the Sinclair Fund. The organization was large and had employees to deal with the day-to-day business. All of the Sinclairs gave to the Fund, and they recommended it to other businessmen, but none of them was really actively involved. It wasn’t possible since they all had busy lives.

“I’m ready,” she said stoically as she finished lacing her second skate.

Hastily finishing with his laces, he stood at the same time she did, following her as she stomped toward the ice. She removed the blade guards from her skates and tossed them onto a bench. “I can do this,” she whispered quietly.

Micah’s heart sank as he watched the indecision and a flash of fear in her expression. He was so damn tempted to just haul her back to the truck and forget about the damn skating.

Her words weren’t meant for him; she was trying to reassure
herself
.

That she needed to pep-talk herself onto the ice was reason enough for Micah to call off the whole damn thing. Tessa didn’t need to prove herself to anyone.

She stepped onto the ice quickly, so fast that he didn’t even have time to talk to her, see if she wanted to just leave. He was guessing she felt that she needed to either make a move or run back to the truck. His heart swelled as he watched her face her fear head-on.