Queen of His Heart by Adrianne Byrd Page A

ask me?” Tenetria shouted through the door.
    Keenan rolled his eyes.
    â€œSorry,” Dee Dee whispered, frowning.
    Keenan drew a deep breath and then marched into his office like a soldier off to war. The minute he entered, his gaze zoned in on his ex-wife sitting behind his desk with her legs propped up.
    â€œComfortable?”
    Tenetria smiled. “I figured that you wouldn’t mind if I made myself at home.”
    â€œAs a matter of fact—” he closed the door “—I do mind.” He walked toward his chair and then waited for her to stand up.
    â€œAren’t you at least going to say hello first, sweetheart?”
    His brows lifted. “Sweetheart?” He chuckled. “Endearments usually mean you want something.”
    Tenetria lowered her legs from his desk and slowly rose to her feet. The moment was undoubtedly meant for him to get a good long look down her pink shirt. “I just wanted to try the chair out for size,” she taunted. With a catlike smile, she walked her fingers up his chest.
    Keenan’s face turned into stone as he swiped her hand away. “I’m not in the mood for any of your games.” He moved around her and dropped into his chair.
    â€œNow to what do I owe this wonderful honor?” he asked sarcastically.
    â€œI need some money,” she said.
    â€œHa! Don’t tell me that you’ve already run through the ten and a half million you got in the divorce.”
    Tenetria shrugged. “I may have made a few bad investments.”
    â€œI’ve been there before.” Keenan’s gaze raked over her so that she didn’t miss his meaning.
    â€œHa-ha. I’m serious.” She lowered herself into the chair across from his desk.
    â€œI’m serious, too. And in case you’ve forgotten, we’re divorced. I’m no longer your personal ATM. If you made some bad investments maybe you should write Congress and apply for a bailout. I can’t help you.”
    â€œYou can’t or you won’t?”
    â€œWhat difference does it make? The bottom line is that I’m no longer capitalizing your drug habits, shopping sprees and eighteen-year-old boyfriends.”
    â€œThere’s no need to get nasty.”
    â€œWhat can I say? You bring out the best in me.” He glanced at his watch. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have a phone conference to prepare for.” He left the sentence hanging in the air between them.
    Bitter disappointment twisted Tenetria’s face. “Please don’t make me beg.” Her chin dropped a few notches. “I really do need some money. The house has been foreclosed on, the Mercedes has been repossessed and what money I did invest was tied up with some jackass in New York running a ponzi scheme. I have nowhere to go. I’m flat broke. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”
    Keenan’s heart tugged and he dropped his harsh tone. “What about your parents?”
    Tenetria rolled her eyes. “I can’t go back there,” she murmured.
    What she meant was that she wouldn’t go back there—not after she’d treated everyone like dirt when she had money. She wasn’t humble like her sister Nitara. Money had changed Tenetria, and to go crawling back empty-handed would be a humiliating experience for her—which was exactly why Keenan was eager for her to do so.
    â€œI was thinking that maybe I could stay with you for a while,” she said, giving him a smile. “I can earn my keep.” She stood up and made her way back to his desk. “I could pick up around the house, cook a few meals and even keep the bed warm for you at night.”
    â€œI have a maid, a cook and electric blanket that can do all of that quite well, thank you.”
    â€œC’mon, Keenan. You’re not about to let me live out on the streets, are you?”
    â€œHow on earth can you make it sound like I’m doing this to you?