The Marked Ones (15 page)

Tristan snorted. ‘Sorry I left you to it. I just didn’t think it was a good idea to be alone with her in the state she was in.’

‘That makes two of us.’

Tristan smirked. Ivyanne had been so cute the night before-emotional and flirtatious and completely adorable-having her swimming naked next to him would have pushed his limits. He glanced at Pintang now.

‘Shouldn’t you be at work?’

She shook her head. ‘I start in half an hour. People loathe the cleaning lady before nine.’

‘I’m surprised your parents let you come here to scrub toilets,’ Tristan said. ‘Being a precious full-blood and all.’

Pintang laughed. ‘Yes but I have an older sister who’s already mothered three children, and a full-blood
brother. I don’t suppose they’ll care much about what I do until he’s married off or Ivyanne has a son.’

Tristan nodded. It was the exact reason his own parents had been lax with him, at least, until Nigara had died. ‘You’re parents haven’t even brought it up yet?’ he asked. ‘Your future, I mean?’

‘I had my own plan.’ Pintang looked out at the water, squinting at the glare of the early morning sun reflecting off the surface. ‘He was a bit wild though, so I was waiting for him to settle down. Unfortunately, his parents picked a match for him when I wasn’t expecting it, so I never had the opportunity to speak up.’

‘Sounds like a guy I can relate to!’ Tristan joked. ‘Who is it?’

Pintang turned to look him in the eye. ‘Wow, for someone who’s so used to putting the moves on someone, you’re certainly a bit daft when it comes to being on the receiving end of them.’

Tristan was struck dumb by this comment. He gaped at her for a full ten seconds, searching her eyes for some sign that she was messing with him. But there was none. Her expression remained serious and pointed.

‘Huh?!’ He exclaimed. ‘Me? You had a crush on me?!’

Pintang grinned. ‘
There we go.’

He stared at her, flummoxed. ‘Wow Pintang, you certainly are a dark horse, aren’t you? I mean, of all the names I expected to hear.....’

She raised an eyebrow. ‘Is it really so crazy?’

He shrugged. ‘No, I mean, I guess not.’ Now that he thought about it, he realized that Pintang had been sending him some pretty clear signals for quite some time. And there was an understanding that some full-bloods who were passed over by the Court family would be free to inter-marry once Ivyanne had an heir and the future became a bit more certain.

Pintang looked relieved. ‘Then why the shock?’

‘I’m surprised because you’re so serious. And reserved. And well-mannered! What the hell do you see in
me?’

She snorted. ‘The same thing every other girl does, and then some,’ she nudged him with her shoulder. ‘You’re confident. And funny. And I think you’re sweeter then people give you credit for.’ She giggled and ducked her face. ‘Oh my god, this is so embarrassing. Look at me-making a play for the
one guy I can’t have!’

Tristan bit his lip-she had a point there. He dusted some sand off his hands. ‘Wow Pintang. I really don’t know what to say. I’m flattered of course....but, I’m here for Ivyanne, you know? I can’t really dick around about it.’

‘I know that.’ Pintang said quickly, her neon blue eyes downcast. In the early morning sunlight, her skin shimmered with a pearly sheen. She tilted her head to regard him from the side. ‘But there are two other candidates.... I mean, it’s not like you absolutely cannot say no to her... right?’

Tristan suddenly got a taste of the pressure Ivyanne had been feeling-and he didn’t like it. He’d already had the Kayu-Api’s muddying his name for years for the crime of not wanting to marry Lumi. He didn’t need to add Pintang’s dashed hopes to that pile as well.

‘She’s beautiful,’ he said, deciding that honesty was the best option. ‘And sexy. And nice... it’s definitely a triple threat. I mean, I wasn’t in love with her when I came here, but....’ He paused, remembering the way he had felt when the princess had rested her body against his the night before, and he shivered deliciously. ‘I’m not used to feeling this way. Is it love, so soon? Possibly not. But I am infatuated.’

Pintang grimaced. ‘Oh.’

Tristan was overcome with guilt, reminding him of how hurt Adele had looked the night before when she’d accused him of being uncaring. ‘I’m sorry but I don’t want to lead you on.’

Pintang sighed. ‘It’s okay,’ she said softly, looking down at the sand between them. The sunlight made her jet black hair gleam. ‘I’m jealous, but it’s kind of nice to hear you admit to having a heart.’

He chuckled. ‘Yay me, I suppose...’ he reached across and lifted her chin, so he could stare into those beautiful blue eyes as he spoke. ‘But for the record-you have my attention. You're a gorgeous, lovely girl Pintang. If the circumstances were different... or if they become different....’

‘You mean, if she chooses Ardhi?’ Pintang asked, hope in her expression.

Tristan nodded, although the idea of it hurt him a lot more than he would have dreamed the week before. ‘If she does, then maybe you and I can get better acquainted. With Nigara gone, I have to start thinking seriously about my future anyway so....’ he ruffled her hair affectionately. ‘Why not contemplate one with you?’

Pintang’s entire face flooded with exuberant joy. ‘I’m going to hold you to that, you know, Loveridge.’ She got to her knees and kissed his forehead quickly. ‘Thank you-for being so cool about this.’

He laughed, getting to his feet and pulling her up with him. ‘No, thank you. It’s nice to know where I stand with at least one other person.’

She wagged her finger at him. ‘You won’t forget me?’

‘Of course not, hot asian full blood,’ he teased her. ‘This isn’t the first time it’s occurred to me you know. I was only shocked that it occurred to you.’

She grinned. ‘That’s the nicest thing you could have said to me.’ She lifted her hand in a farewell and turned away. ‘Thanks Tristan. See you on the other side of this mess.’

‘Count on it,’ he said, returning her wave. But before he could get too much pleasure out of watching her go, Tristan bent down back over his surfboard, smiling foolishly. If he could get a proposal from a Marked daughter without even trying, then Ivyanne wasn’t going to know what hit her when he moved in for the kill.

15.

‘Sorry, sorry sorry!’ Ivyanne exclaimed when she rushed into the bar, early Saturday morning, tying her apron as she went. She’d woken up with five minutes to get ready for her shift, and as a result, she was five minutes late. And one look at Adele’s scathing expression told Ivyanne that each minute had counted.

‘Don’t let it happen again. I drank last night too, but I still managed to get to work on time.’ Adele snapped, with venom that was rare for her behind the bar. She motioned to the bistro. ‘And you can apologize to Mr Grey once you take him the coffee
I’ve had to put off making because I needed to be everywhere.’

Ivyanne was mortified. Adele wasn’t exactly whispering, and a couple of guests within earshot cringed and looked away, embarrassed for her. Feeling trembly, Ivyanne picked up the cappuccino next to the register, and made a beeline for Lincoln’s father, bracing herself for the worst while realizing that Adele’s little tirade had been a first for Ivyanne-she’d never been reprimanded in her life, let alone by another adult.

And Ivyanne wasn’t late because she was hungover. She was late because she hadn’t been able to sleep! She’d been obsessing about Ardhi all night, feeling like he was right there beside her, giving her that wounded look, begging for her to call and give him a chance before she allowed Tristan to influence her heart too much. She’d only found peace when she’d decided that she would call-today. She had an early finish that night...so why not spend a few hours trying to re-connect with him and see if there was any spark there at all?

‘Here you go Mr Grey.’ Ivyanne gently deposited the cup in front of her boss, biting her lip. ‘Sorry it’s late. Actually, sorry
I’m late.’

Chase Grey looked up from his newspaper and smiled warmly. He was so like his son. Same sparkling brown eyes, same impressive height, though his hair was touched by grey and his eyes creased behind his trendy spectacles when he smiled. He was a very handsome man. ‘Don’t sweat it Ivyanne. Link puts the shindig on Monday nights for the simple fact that Tuesday is our quietest morning. I venture that Miss Knightley would rather be in bed herself, which explains the mood.’ He reached for the sugar packets. ‘You’re doing a great job, from what I hear. Lincoln has designs on you staying-permanently.’

‘Lincoln what?’

Ivyanne and Chase both turned to see Adele standing a foot behind them, clutching a plate with a ham and cheese croissant with white knuckles. He blue eyes were accusatory as they swept from Chase, to Ivyanne, then back.

Ivyanne’s mortification intensified. But Chase reached out and took the plate from Adele, frowning. ‘Well we don’t have a very good track record of keeping our summer staff on, do we Adele?’ He asked. ‘Yourself included, who we always miss during the winter.’ He frowned at her over his spectacles. ‘That being said, you seem quite emotional this morning. If you need to address Ivyanne’s conduct, do so in a circumspect manner, please.’ He glanced at Ivyanne, and smiled softly. ‘You’re both excused.’

‘Yes, Chase.’ Adele whispered, dropping her eyes to the floor.

Ivyanne turned and hurried back behind the bar, biting her bottom lip anxiously. She knew she should feel good about the boss standing up for her, but somehow, she had the feeling that Chase had only just fueled Adele’s resentment.

‘Ivyanne.’ Adele hissed, as Ivyanne crossed through the saloon doors between the register and the coffee machine. The timber frames swung shut behind Adele, who’s face was sour.

Ivyanne sighed. ‘Yes?’

‘I’m not stupid.’ Adele whispered, keeping her voice low, obviously for the benefit of the customers. ‘You can flaunt your little thing with Tristan all you want, but I
know you’re hot for Lincoln.’ She held up one perfectly french manicured fingernail. ‘I can tolerate the fact that you’re slightly prettier than me. I can put up with you getting drunk and trying to hog all of the attention with my friends like you did last night, and I can even handle my future father-in-law falling for the same damn spell you’ve cast on everyone.’ Her eyes narrowed, frosting over. ‘But Lincoln is mine. Yes we’re going through a rough patch, but we’ll get through it. And if you think for one second that you can stay on after the summer and steal my man when I have to go back to university, then you’re in for a fight.’

Ivyanne’s eyes widened. Hog the attention? Steal Adele’s friends? All she could remember was dancing with Ilsa and Livi
once. Her head throbbed. She hadn’t gotten nearly enough sleep, or processed any of her thoughts or feelings from the night before yet. The last thing she needed was Adele shoving her around.

‘I have no intention of starting anything with Lincoln, okay? But I’m
not going to slink away because the feeling of being threatened here is not mutual.’ She lifted her chin. ‘You wanna hold onto your man? Then be what he needs you to be and if you can’t, walk away before you do any more damage. Because that’s a man who deserves true love, not a summer fling.’

Adele’s mouth fell open. ‘How can you possibly know what he wants?’

Ivyanne smiled sadly. ‘Because it’s the exact reason why I won’t try anything. He’s perfect, Adele. Perfect. And I think he deserves better than either you or I are able to give him. If I’m wrong, then prove me wrong. But don’t blame me because he’s slipping away.’ Ivyanne swallowed. ‘Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do.’

Ivyanne turned and took up Adele’s position behind the register, smiling broadly at the middle-aged man there, and praying that they hadn’t been overheard. And wondering why the aroma coming from the coffee machine was so damn appealing.

⁓

Lincoln bounded up the pathway beside the pool, feeling lighter than air, though squeezing in an early morning jog was causing him to rush now. He only had a little while to update the resort’s Facebook site before he was rostered on for lunch.

Lunch with Ivyanne. He bit his lip and smiled ruefully. Adele had a break between breakfast and dinner, leaving Ivyanne and Lincoln alone behind the bar, all day. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been so excited to work!

‘Pintang!’ Lincoln caught sight of the maid rushing by, lugging a heavy-looking bag of laundry. ‘Can I bother you for the time?’

Pintang halted, and glanced at her watch, then held it up. ‘Ten forty-five.’

‘Hey!’ Lincoln grabbed her wrist. ‘Cute watch!’ It was a shabby leather strap, with a face that looked like the wheel of an old ship, with a pearl inlaid backing.

‘Thanks. My mum makes them. She owns a jewelry boutique in Airlie.’

‘Wow. Lincoln examined it closer, thinking how much his dad would have liked it before his mother’s accident, when a streak of black ink across Pintang’s wrist, under the band, caught his eye. ‘You have a
tattoo?’

Pintang snatched her hand back. But not before he’d gotten a good look at it. ‘Uh, just a little one.’

Lincoln looked up, surprised to see Pintang blushing. ‘You’re embarrassed?’ He chuckled. ‘What’s it stand for?’

‘Just… my family.’ Pintang picked her laundry bag back up. ‘The wavy lines mark my, uh, generation, and the three dots are me, my sister and my brother.’

‘I’ve never met any of your family.’ He said. ‘You’ve been here what? Three years now? It must get lonely.’

‘I see them often enough.’ Pintang smiled, but it didn’t meet her eyes. ‘In fact, my brother should be here for a visit any day now.’

‘I noticed that you’re getting quite friendly with Ivyanne.’ Lincoln remarked, deciding that now was as good a time as any to dig up whatever information he could about Ivyanne and Tristan’s mysterious romance. ‘You were hanging with her and that Tristan guy last night, weren’t you? What do you think of him?’

Pintang blushed darker. ‘He’s uh, okay.’ She averted her eyes, but not fast enough. Lincoln had already caught the wistfulness in them. Which made sense, as he’d noticed Pintang cosying up to the lecherous Tristan a few times. ‘I gotta get back to work Link, okay? These towels won’t launder themselves.’ With that, Pintang spirited away.

Hmm...do I detect a crush? Link’s heart accelerated as he resumed his trek to the bar, tightening his grip on his lap top. If only she’d act on it, and prove that he’s the womanizer Adele says he is!

When he entered the bar, he was immediately conscious of the faces whipping around to stare at him. Breakfast was almost over, and only a few guests lingered, but more than one smile was appreciative.

‘Good morning beautiful.’ Adele appeared at his side instantly, smiling and sliding a coffee onto his table. ‘You just missed your dad.’

‘Oh?’ Lincoln opened his computer and tilted his face to receive a brief kiss as he opened his computer. He already had the photo card in the side. ‘That’s okay. He’s working with me tonight, so we’ll catch up then.’

Ivyanne was at the bar, blending a smoothie. She glanced over at them, and frowned slightly. Then she saw him looking at her, and her face went red. She ducked her head and appeared to focus on the blender.

Lincoln felt butterflies in his stomach. Was she recalling his threat from the night before? Was she resenting his relationship with Adele now? Did she have any idea how her stained cheeks heated his blood?

‘Whatcha doin?’ Adele asked. Her tone was perkier than usual, her interest frank. To Lincoln, it felt a little false, like she was putting on a show. But for who?

‘Uploading some pics from last night onto Facebook.’ He said quickly. ‘The tasteful ones.’

‘Got any of me on there?’ Adele asked, her tone flirtatious.

Lincoln smiled at her, a little puzzled by her behavior. Adele was usually so...
cool. Nonchalant. Something had gotten into her, and he couldn’t help but wonder if it was his makeover. Was she feeling threatened, now that he actually resembled someone in her league?

‘Why else would I own a camera?’ He teased.

Adele grinned, and in that moment, she was the most beautiful girl in the room. ‘Good. But make sure you only post the ones from my left, okay?’ She winked at him. ‘I don’t want anyone knowing you’re prettier than me now.’ She walked away with that, swiveling her hips seductively.

Lincoln watched her go, feeling more than a little intrigued as he took a long drink from his coffee. They’d made love with a lot more grunt than usual the night before-Adele hadn’t been able to keep her hands off him. And the way she’d warned ordered Tristan to leave had stroked the part of him that had been feeling threatened. As he’d fallen asleep in her arms, he’d wondered if maybe they were finally back on track.

But in the sober light of day, he had to admit that she was no longer the focus of his attention. That as he’d exploded inside her the night before, he’d been picturing someone else. He’d imagined that Adele had gone back to university, and he and Ivyanne were closing up the bar together, alone, and that she was complaining that there was no spark when Tristan kissed her. So Lincoln had taken her in his arms, and kissed her, passionately, forcing her up against the counter-

‘I’m going to run down to the reception and get some change for the till,’ Adele said, appearing at his side once more. ‘I’m off soon but I want to make sure you have enough change.’

‘Sure ,’ he said, feeling a pang of guilt as she hurried away. He shifted awkwardly in his seat, aware that he’d grown hard as he’d recounted dream-kissing Ivyanne.

Lincoln turned back to his photos. As he scrolled through them, he noticed just how many he had taken of Ivyanne. He was glad he’d gone through the pics before Adele had, or he’d have had a lot of explaining (lying) to do. Ivyanne was exceptionally photogenic. In fact, quite a few of his staff were-it was great advertising for the resort!

He had to say, he didn’t hate looking at photos of himself either. He couldn’t get over the change-he’d just spent an hour in the bathroom, inspecting the transformation thoroughly in his mirror.

‘Hey,’ Ivyanne’s voice said now, softly, shyly. ‘Are you done with this?’

Lincoln looked up to see her motioning to the coffee cup he’d drained within twenty seconds. Adele always had made cold coffee-one of the reasons he always went back to Lydia.

‘Sure,’ he said, propping his chin in his hand and smiling at her openly and without embarrassment. After all, Adele was en route to reception with a bag of notes. If all he would ever get were stolen minutes with Ivyanne, he’d take them.

‘What are you doing?’ Ivyanne took the cup, peering over the top of his Asus. ‘You’ve been staring at the screen with the biggest grin on your face!’

Lincoln couldn’t hide back the guilty smile. ‘Busted,’ he rotated the computer, so she could see her own magnified image, smiling back at her. ‘Can’t take my eyes off it.’

Ivyanne’s cheeks flushed a brilliant crimson. ‘Link,’ she whispered, eyes darting everywhere but at him. But he could see that the compliment had rocked her a little bit. ‘You can’t really do that... say these things.... I mean, you and Adele....my sister...’

He turned his computer back to face him and smiled smugly at her. ‘Adele? Oh, you mean the one the girl who took off twenty seconds ago? Funny how you chose to pay me a visit the
moment she left the room.’

Ivyanne raised an eyebrow at him. ‘Are you accusing me of flirting with you?’

‘Well... maybe I’m just hoping,’ he shot back, without missing a beat.

Ivyanne bit her lip, to hold back a smile. ‘You know what? I have to get something out of the function room... I’ll bring back a glass of ice water for you, so you can dump it over your head.’ She turned and fled, pushing through the western doors and vanishing out of sight, her ass working prettily in her short black cargo skirt.