Page 24 of To Tango, with Desire

“You don’t realize what Kade is capable of. Did you ever think about why he came to the milonga that night? He was using you, Amira.”

I sputtered. “He didn’t even know me!”

“If you think for one second that Kade wasn’t calculated in his intentions that night, then you’re more of a fool than I thought.” Zane leaned closer. “What did he talk to you about?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s important.”

“No.” I shook my head. “Not until you tell me how you two know each other.”

He cursed, but his dark-eyed gaze was direct. I could tell Zane was uncomfortable opening up to me, and despite my annoyance, I felt a pang of sympathy. After a moment, his shoulders lowered. “I grew up with Kade . . . and at one point in time, I would have considered him a brother. But he's a stranger to me now. You have to understand, Kade grew up very wealthy but was greedy, always wanting more.”

“Okay. So he’s a spoiled rich kid. That doesn’t explain why you think he’s some kind of spy.”

“Kade wants something from me.”

“What?”

“He wants to do business together, but I get the sense that’s not the only thing he wants. I’ve refused to meet with him so he’s sniffing around.”

“What’s this got to do with me? I’ve barely seen you since you got back and I don’t even know Kade.”

“Well enough to want to sleep with him apparently.”

I took the jab on the chin, delighted to find him jealous. “I slept with you, didn’t I?”

“I was just a convenient itch you wanted scratching.”

“I think we both found equal pleasure in that encounter.”

Zane’s brief nod was the first time he’d ever agreed with me on something. First and last, no doubt.

But I couldn’t tell him it was the way he touched me when we danced that made me want him. I wouldn’t reveal how my heart squeezed in anticipation when he entered a room. He didn’t need to know that I was crushing hard and that he’d made my first time feel like a fairytale.

Zane had a very healthy ego that certainly didn’t need inflating.

“What happened between us is in the past. We’ve both moved on.” I picked up my Champagne glass, sipping carefully. The lie hung heavy in the air between us. I had moved on. Or was, at the very least, trying to before he’d cockblocked Kade. “So what if I contemplated sleeping with Kade? I’m allowed to make those decisions about my sex life, which has nothing to do with you. Plus, plus,” I emphasized before he could cut me off, “I had no idea you two were friends. Or ex-friends. He approached me at the milonga.”

“Exactly my point, Amira. He sought you out. Why didn’t he talk to me, or at least try to find me when he arrived?” He shook his head. “No, something’s up. I bet he found out from my idiot secretary where I was . . . or had me followed.”

“This isn’t the mafia, Zane. It’s your ex-best friend. For what it’s worth, he came across as a decent guy. And you should be flattered he came to the milonga to see you.”

“But he didn’t come near me. No, Amira, trust me when I say, the man’s a snake.”

“Here’s a thought, why don’t you talk to him and maybe he’ll stop following you?”

Zane’s laughter was derisive. “You don’t know Kade like I do. Or did.”

“People can change.”

“Or grow into themselves.” He tapped his middle finger on the table. “Did he say what he was doing for work?”

“We spoke in generalities.” At his dark look, I sighed, recalling our conversation. “He said he was interested in data projects. That he was an entrepreneur. Honestly, I wasn’t really trying to remember it verbatim. It was by some freak coincidence that we got to talking anyway.”

“Kade does everything with intent. Believe me, this little meeting was exactly what he had planned.” Zane gripped my hand. “You’re not to talk to him.”

“Don’t start this again. You’re like a broken record.”