They pulled up in front of a lovely house painted a pale olive green with sandy accents so it blended into the sea grass and dunes.
Even so, it was easily a large as some of the others.
“Are none of these houses small?” Emily said.
Robert grinned and gestured. “This one is mine. And I have a boat.”
Chagrined, Emily blushed. He still found that charming.
He let her off the hook as they walked up the steps.
“Most of these houses are as much for entertaining as they are a place to live. For much of the year there’s a party going on somewhere.”
Robert swung the door open.
Stepping inside, glancing around, Emily remarked, “When you said you don’t use it much, you weren’t kidding.”
Dust cloths covered most of the furniture. The curtains on the windows facing the ocean were tightly closed, to keep the sunlight from fading the carpet.
“How long has it been since you were here last?”
Drawing off one of the dust covers, Robert shook his head, thinking. “It might be a couple of years.”
In all honesty he couldn’t remember the last time. He’d used it once or twice as an escape, and a few times for parties, but Emily was the first woman he’d brought to the house.
He walked over to the windows, pushed back the curtains to reveal the ocean glimmering beyond the dunes. This house hadn’t suffered as others had from the weather because the original owner had wisely built it far enough back from the highest level of storm surge. Even so, the surge had come close.
It still had a great view, though. He’d forgotten that.
Waves rolled, sunlit and gleaming. It struck him that they were about the color of Emily’s eyes.
Pushing back the curtains set dust motes dancing in the beams of light. Seeing Robert standing there among them, the beams of light glinting on his hair, his blue eyes brilliant, was almost too romantic for words.
Emily suddenly found herself conflicted, mourning the end of one relationship even as she was attracted to another man. She had to remind herself that Robert was way out of her league, he could have any woman he wanted, and there were plenty of women who would want him. He was just being kind, and that was fine with her. Or so she tried to tell herself.
The doors to the deck outside swung open as Robert unlocked them and pushed them open. The ocean breeze swept in to blow away the musty smell.
“Go on out,” Robert said, “I’ll be right there.”
That was an offer Emily couldn’t turn down. It was beautiful outside, if still a little cool after the storm
Cedar deck furniture, the cushions removed and stored, were scattered along the length of the deck.
Beyond were the dunes, and the ocean. Waves rushed and crashed – the sound huge. The air smelled fresh and clean, salt-tinged. Gulls cried and called as she walked down the steps and out to where she could get a better view.
Shore birds scrambled in the wake of the retreating waves, and then dashed back up the beach to escape the next.
It was just what she’d needed; the power and beauty of the ocean making the problems of life seem small.
Robert walked out onto the sand to see Emily standing at the top of the rise, her hair and dress fluttering in the wind. She turned her head to look over her shoulder at him, smiling. Lovely.
He could almost see his father in his mind’s eye. They were sitting on the porch of the old house in which Robert had grown up, rocking in the chairs his parents had shared while Robert himself sat on the steps. His mother’s funeral was just over, all the neighbors were gone. It was the first time they’d had a few moments to themselves, and his Dad was reminiscing.
“I remember the first time I saw your Mom, Robbie,” the old man had said, his head against the back of the rocker, but his gaze was inward. “You won’t remember her that way, but she was a beautiful woman, and stayed beautiful until the end.”
“How did you know she was the right one, Dad,” Robert had asked.
The old man had smiled. “It just felt right, so I was pretty sure. Then I kissed her…”
His father’s seamed face turned wistful, and Robert could see the loss and grief there.
A sigh. Then his father smiled again. “I felt this click inside me, like a missing piece falling into place, and I knew…”
It felt right…
“Walk first,” Robert asked, pitching his voice over the roar of the waves, “or lunch?”
He held up a picnic basket.
“I had my cook throw something together,” he said, lifting one side of the basket. He hadn’t even known he owned one. “There’s sandwiches of some kind in here and a bottle of wine.”
Emily grinned. “Walk first, I think.”
Robert set the basket down in the shade.
They walked along the shore line, Emily removing her shoes to wade. Removing his own shoes and socks, Robert joined her. It had been a long while since he’d done anything like it. They talked about everything and anything, then went back to eat.
To Emily’s evident amusement there were real wineglasses in the basket.
Robert poured the wine.
Warm sunlight blended with the wine. Robert found himself relaxing, truly relaxing, for the first time in what seemed years. He was always on the go. Sitting on the beach drinking wine and talking in good company was something he’d dreamed of doing when he’d bought the house. Somehow, though, he’d never found the time to do it. Or the right person to do it with.
“I’m afraid we’ll have to go, and soon,” he said reluctantly. “Or spend hours caught up in traffic.”
Emily smiled. “It’s all right, it was a lovely day.”
“I enjoyed it,” he said, as he gathered up the basket. “I haven’t done anything like it in years.”
They turned back toward the house, and the sand shifted beneath his feet. Off balance with the basket in his other hand, Emily caught his arm and braced him. He wrapped his free arm around her shoulders as he found his footing again, Emily looking up at him and laughing.
“Graceful, aren’t I?” he said, looking down at her.
It was just impulse, his inhibitions swept away by the wine and his own desire.
He kissed her.
There was only the briefest of hesitations, and then her hands slid up around his neck and she kissed him back. Her mouth was soft against his. Robert drew her closer, the hand with the basket in it at the small of her back. The other cupped her cheek, and then slipped back into her hair to deepen the kiss. It almost seemed as if she melted against him.
And something inside him went ‘click’. In that moment he knew.
At first Emily was startled – she couldn’t believe what was happening, that Robert was kissing her – and then she was only aware of Robert’s mouth on hers, his hands pressing her against his tall, hard body. Her head spun as her heart pounded. It couldn’t be happening. Robert couldn’t be kissing her. She had to be dreaming. But it felt all too real…
Then, just as suddenly, he pushed her back, his hands on her shoulders.
Bewildered, pained, Emily could only stare up at him.
“No,” he said, “this isn’t fair to you.”
Robert looked into her eyes, instantly regretting his actions. Even though it felt right, it was right – he felt that click of something settling into place – it wasn’t right for her. Or, in the long run, him. Not right now. She was still on the rebound. He was taking advantage of her, although right now, in the heat of the moment, he knew she’d deny it. And a part of him wanted her to.
But he wanted to know he was loved for himself. He wanted to believe that someday she would.
“It’s not about you, Emily,” he said, reluctantly brushing the hair back from her face. “It’s the timing. I can’t do this this way.”
It was a very awkward drive back to the city.
Chapter Six
Emily went through her closet one more time whi
le Gizmo watched from the bed, trying to find just the right outfit for the event that night. Nothing seemed right, and she didn’t have time to go shopping. She’d just been too busy and now it was too late.
She reached further back. Her fingers touched the gems in the waistband. Her breath caught at the memory.
Reluctantly, she drew out the green dress.
It had been months. She hadn’t run into Robert in the elevator or lobby even once. After a time, she’d given up looking for him. It was as if he was deliberately avoiding her, and he probably was. Even she regretted the kiss now, although not the wonderful weekend that led up to it. But it hurt not to see him. To think she’d made him that uncomfortable. She’d run over that time a thousand times in her head, and then finally let it go. Whatever had been happening was clearly over.
She sighed.
The dress though was perfect, even if it reminded her of him. It only took a little time to draw her hair into a neat French twist. The look was simple, classic and elegant.
A valet took her car as she arrived at the venue. It was one of the many celebrations of charity sponsors like Quartermain that took place yearly where they spent nearly as much on food and entertainment as they raised in donations. Although additional fundraising would take place during the night too, between dinner and the dancing, so it could still be called a fundraiser.
It was one of those events where people were supposed to bring dates, but Emily couldn’t be bothered. She was aware of eyes on her, she simply didn’t care what they thought.
As always, the room was full, people milling about or in clusters, all talking, some of whom she knew. There were plenty of people to talk to. Most, though, were faces she only saw at events like these.
Then the crowd parted enough to see a familiar face.
Robert stood tall and handsome in the requisite tuxedo. His arm was wrapped loosely around the waist of tall, slender woman who reminded Emily sharply of a model she’d seen in a magazine. The woman probably was one. As Emily had known, he had the pick of the women in the room.
The sight of him after so long, and not alone, went through Emily sharply. Her breath caught. Whatever thoughts and daydreams she’d had about him vanished at the sight of the woman beside him. All the color drained out of her face, she could feel it.
Time and again she’d gone over the words he’d said, trying to understand what he’d meant. Now she did. The kiss had been nothing more than an act of kindness. She’d just made more out of it than she should have. If she thought she’d let it go, she’d been wrong. She fought the urge to cry. He’d always been out of her league. All she had to do to see that was look at the woman on his arm.
She’d been stupid to think there was more to it than that, but that seemed to be her pattern lately.
Now she understood why Robert had been avoiding her. He’d realized he made a mistake. He might even have been afraid she’d make a scene. It seemed she’d have to spend the evening doing much the same thing as he had, avoiding him as much as he’d avoided her. She didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.
She sighed, and moved into the crowd.
*****
Robert felt eyes on him and looked up just in time to see Emily through the crowd. Unsurprisingly his heart lightened at the sight of her. He hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind. He’d replayed all those talks in the elevator, the hours they’d spent that weekend. And that kiss. Every time he thought of it the same feeling went through him – need, a sense of longing. And that click. Sometimes he’d even dreamed about it.
He missed their conversations, but couldn’t bring himself to face her without wanting to kiss her again. So he’d avoided her. He wanted the time to be right. And once again time had gotten away from him.
Even worse, tonight she was wearing the green dress he’d bought her that weekend. He’d been half afraid she’d gotten rid of it; he’d wanted to see it on her again. Now he did.
It still looked lovely on her.
She’d put her hair up this time, revealing the slender line of her neck, her bare shoulders.
He saw her face go pale at the sight of him, her eyes widen as she quickly turned away.
Glancing at Misty, he knew what Emily had seen, what she thought she saw.
It wasn’t like that.
Misty, though, was merely an acquaintance, an up and coming model, happy enough to decorate his arm or his bed. He’d needed a date, and she’d been more than willing.
In that moment, though, seeing the look on Emily’s face he also realized that despite everything after all this time she really did care about him.
Even so, Misty deserved better from him than to just desert her, but he needed to talk to Emily. Misty at least deserved an explanation, first.
So did Emily.
That and more.
*****
A familiar voice called Emily’s name and her heart sank. She tried to pretend she hadn’t heard it, moving around the edges of the crowd. What was worse was that she couldn’t leave, the CEO of Quartermain was here, and he’d notice if she left.
Nor could she afford to offend anyone. Not that she wanted to, but she wished this entire evening was already over. Or that she could sink into the floor.
“Emily,” the voice repeated.
She couldn’t shake him. It was going to be one of those nights.
Perfect, she thought, and sighing again, turned.
Dan. And he was alone.
That was puzzling. Emily frowned. It was the kind of event that was right up Annalise’s alley.
“I’ve been looking for you,” Dan said.
“Why?” she asked.
He’d known she would be here. And only a few months before he’d been all too quick to get rid of her. This despite telling her he loved her – in between those times when he’d just disappear and not answer her calls at all.
He spread his hands. “I realize I made some mistakes…”
Mistakes.
For a moment Emily could only stare at him. He couldn’t be saying what she thought he was saying.
“Annalise and I aren’t together anymore,” he said. “I missed you, Em.”
Emily just looked at him.
Had he? It hadn’t seemed so. Knowing him? He didn’t have a date either. Finding himself suddenly abandoned, she had become his fallback plan.
Only a few months before she’d have been thrilled to have heard those words from him.
Now?
He was still handsome. He looked good in the tuxedo, it suited his perfectly styled hair and amber eyes. He could also be charming and earnest, as he was now. She just couldn’t tell if it was just an act. She never could with Dan.
*****
Robert made his way through the crowds, looking for russet hair or an emerald green dress. People milled around him, got in his way. Someone tried to engage him in conversation, but he waved them off. He thought he’d caught a flash of green, and turned toward it.
Only to find Emily standing staring at Dan Collier in incomprehension. She was still pale, clearly strained, half frowning.
Robert was damned if he was going to lose her again.
“Emily,” he said.
She turned to look at him, and her expression told him everything he needed to know.
The hurt and confusion in her eyes stung – he deserved that – but it was the wistfulness that gave her away.
So, she felt it, too.
Collier didn’t miss it either. Anger sparked in his eyes.
“You think he cares?” the man demanded. “He dropped you like a hot potato, Em.”
As if he hadn’t done the same thing.
“C’mon, Emily,” Collier continued. “He’s not even in your league, admit it. He’s brought a different woman at each of these events. Do you think you’ll be any different?”
It was true enough, and Robert knew it. He’d been waiting for the ‘click’. The click he hadn’t felt until he’d kissed Emily. The ‘click
’ he’d been missing ever since, and had been afraid he’d lost.
He looked at her. Somehow he had to convince her.
“I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind, Emily, although I’ve tried.”
It was true. That kiss….
There was one way. One sure way. The truth.
With hundreds of people swirling around them, Robert plunged his hands into her hair and kissed her. Hard. Passionately.
Holding her head gently, he looked down into her eyes as their lips parted.
“I don’t have a league, Emily. I’ve been waiting for the ‘click’, for the sense that I found the right woman. For what my father said he found with my mother. The click I heard when I kissed you that first time. But the timing was wrong. I’ve waited all this time because I wanted to be sure that this time the timing was right.”
He looked down into Emily’s eyes, remembering how much they reminded him of the ocean.
“I don’t want to risk losing you again,” he said. “Is the timing right this time, Emily?”
For Emily everything else had faded away. Dan didn’t exist, she wasn’t even aware when he stormed away. There was only Robert. As far as she was concerned, they were alone in the room full of people.
She looked up into Robert’s brilliant blue eyes, into what he let her see there.
Emily smiled. “It’s just right…”
The click was still there, Robert discovered, as he kissed her once more.
#####
About the Author
Valerie Douglas is a prolific writer and a genre-crosser, much to the delight of her fans. A fan of authors from almost every genre from Isaac Asimov to Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, she writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and as V.J. Devereaux, erotic romance. Who knows what will pop up down the road!
Happily married, she's companion to two dogs, four cats and an African clawed frog named Hopper who delights in tormenting the cats from his tank.
You can find more information at www.valeriedouglasbooks.com
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