by L A Morgan
“Speakin’ of dresses,” he said, “one will be arrivin’ for you tomorrow morning.”
“I didn’t really want you to buy me one,” Maria quickly assured him.
“You’re goin’ to need to wear this one. It’s your weddin’ dress. I spoke to the designer today, and she will bring it by to make any alterations that are necessary. Time is runnin’ short, my girl.”
“My wedding dress,” Maria repeated, too taken back to say anything else.
“Yes. Tienne looked at several styles before you arrived since you showed so little interest in the preparations yourself. He was goin’ to take you to the boutique, but since the circumstances have changed, I saved you the trouble by selectin’ one of his choices for you. I believe it will suit you admirably.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to. I had a feelin’ you would make an unnecessary fuss if I took you there, and we wouldn’t want that to happen.”
Steve’s words seemed to imply more than the obvious. From the look on his face, Maria could see that he would not tolerate arguments from her about this.
“How will the designer know my size?” she asked.
“You’ve given me enough opportunities to figure that out.”
Maria felt the heat rise in her body as she thought about his meaning. She had allowed him to hold her close to him, to feel the soft curves of her body beneath his hands, against his chest.
“Is it white?” she asked in a tremulous voice. “I heard that it is the custom down here to wear red at weddings.”
“Only pure, virginal white for you, my dear.”
“You shouldn’t have done this, Steve,” Maria felt compelled to say.
“Are you hintin’ that you’re not a virgin?”
“How could you ask me that?” the girl asked in indignation.
“I just did it to see if I could get a rise out of you, and I wasn’t disappointed. You would never disappoint me; would you, Maria?”
These last words seemed to hold a subtle menace. Maria felt chilled inside.
“What would happen if I did?” she asked.
“I don’t think you would want to hear the answer to that. Believe me when I say this; don’t try to run away.”
Maria’s hand was shaking slightly as she took another drink of champagne. She could well imagine how brutal Steve DuPont might be if he was thwarted. He was the kind of man who would move heaven and earth to get his own way. She would have to think of a way to soften the blow that must inevitably fall.
On a thought, she said, “Has it ever occurred to you that I might not be in love with your brother?”
“After you accepted his proposal? Never.”
“I might have thought I was in love then, but in the time that we were separated, I might have come to think differently.”
“I don’t want to hear any more of this foolishness. My brother expects you to marry him, and I already warned you about what I would do if you hurt him.”
Carried away by emotion, Maria said, “But, what about you?”
“What about me?” the man coolly replied.
“I thought . . .” the woman began, and then paused.
“Enough of this. You sealed your fate when you came here, and there’s no way you’re goin’ to change the plans that have been made.
Their conversation was brought to a halt when a servant appeared, carrying a large tray of covered dishes. The meal was served in silence. Maria found it difficult to swallow the delectable food. She could not see how she was going to oppose the implacable force of Steve DuPont, but the time would come when he learned the whole truth. Then, she trembled to think about what would happen.
After the servant had cleared the table and returned to the house, Maria asked, “Have you heard from your brother since he left?”
“No,” Steve replied, as he poured champagne into his glass.
He held the bottle toward Maria in a silent question, and she nodded, saying, “Just a little.”
As he took her glass, she added, “I expected him to call me.”
“When Tienne gets involved in business, he gives it his full attention. He knows that I’m quite capable of takin’ care of things here.”
“When do you think he’ll be back?”
“You actually sound like you miss him.”
“Does that surprise you?”
“Frankly, it does. You haven’t seemed too concerned about his absence so far.”
“I can understand that a man has to take care of his business.”
“How reasonable of you. You don’t have to worry about Tienne, Maria. He’ll be back in time for the weddin’.”
“I hope he hasn’t planned anything elaborate.”
“Why not? As a model, I thought you would delight in the fanfare.”
“Not really. A small, intimate wedding would suit me just fine.”
“Well, it’s too late to change the plans now. The invitations have been sent out. The caterer and entertainment have been hired. By the way, we’re havin’ the reception here. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No,” Maria felt hesitant to reply. “That will be fine.”
“Now you’re gettin’ into the spirit of things!” Steve replied with a facetious lilt in his voice.
“Will the wedding be held in a church?”
“Naturally. It will take place in a lovely, old cathedral that my family has attended for worship for generations. Would you like to see it before your weddin’ day, or do you think that would take some of the spontaneity out of the occasion?”
“I’ll wait.”
It disturbed Maria to hear how much had been done on her roommate’s behalf. She dreaded to think of all the expense and embarrassment Marla’s caprice would cause. All of these details weighed heavily on her. She felt as though she was the culprit.
“Look.”’ said Steve, pointing to the steamboat on the river. ”
Maria looked up to see one of those large, classically constructed paddleboats that gave the Mississippi River much of its fame in the nineteenth century. It was a full-sized version of the boat she and Steve had been on last night. Even though the sun was still a few degrees above the horizon, the craft was lit up in all of its grandeur as it pushed onward toward New Orleans.
“That’s the Delta Queen,” Steve informed her. “That and her sister ship, the Mississippi Queen, make regular runs up down the river.”
“It makes me think of riverboat gamblers and people all decked out in beautiful, formal clothing,” Maria commented.
“They go all out for authenticity on the Delta Queen. In its day, it was the grandest boat on the river. In a short while, the passengers will step out of the nineteenth century into the madness of present-day Mardi Gras. That should be a bit of culture shock, but I suppose that’s exactly what they want.”
“Will the boat stay in New Orleans long?”
“Overnight. It has a schedule to keep. I’ll have to take you on it sometime, when we’re more at leisure.”
“I’d like that,” Maria replied, even though she knew that happy event would never take place.
“Have you thought about where you’d like to go for your honeymoon?”
Referencing that question to her own personal taste, Maria said, “As a matter of fact, I always dreamed about taking a trip on a riverboat. Has your brother planned anything?”
“He didn’t say. Would you be disappointed if he wanted to take you to Europe or the Orient?”
“I hope he didn’t make any reservations yet.”
“You’re really set on that riverboat cruise; aren’t you?”
“It doesn’t matter to me, Steve.”
“What happened to all of that enthusiasm you were beginnin’ to feel?”
“Not to be trite or anything, but I guess it’s gone with the wind.”
“An interesting literary reference, but it’s not applicable in your case. Your love story isn’t going to have a sad endin’, Maria.�
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“How could you know that?”
“I know many things. When you get to know me better, I may surprise you.”
“I’ll bet you’re full of surprises.”
Steve chuckled and took a sip of champagne. The sun set, and like the evening before, the sky was filled with fiery color. As if on cue, the night birds started to sing. The man leaned forward to light the candles on the table.
“Are you chilly?” he asked.
“A little.”
He stood up and walked to one of the gazebo’s columns. Cleverly camouflaged there was an intercom that was connected to the main house. With a few brief words, he instructed a maid to bring out a jacket for Maria. He was still clad in a business suit, and apparently, unaffected by the chill of evening.
“How convenient for you,” Maria commented as he returned to his seat.
“One of the benefits of bein’ wealthy. I suppose that appeals to you.”
“Luxury is nice, but I don’t need it.”
“That’s funny. I thought that was part of Tienne’s appeal.”
“Do you really think I’m mercenary?”
“It wouldn’t seem to be so, but then again, one never knows.”
“I thought you had me all figured out.”
“As I said once before, you’re a complex person, Maria. Just when I think I understand you, you do somethin’ that amazes me.”
“It’s part of a woman’s mystique.”
Maria caught Steve’s smile over the light of the candles.
“Have I said something to amuse you?” she asked.
“You amuse me, butterfly. Your ever-changin’ patterns, your vivacity and rapture, humility and sincerity, pessimism and consternation, even your fears, all tend to make me want to know you better. I wonder who the real woman is behind the mask.”
“I’m not as deep as you make me sound.”
“That’s exactly what I mean. You make a statement like that when I know you’re full of undercurrents of passion.”
“No one has ever accused me of being passionate before.”
“Don’t say it like it’s a bad thing, but perhaps, you don’t really know. Passion, my dear, is an emotion, a bridge of human communication that you will come to understand before long.”
“Do you plan to teach me about it?”
“Don’t be too bold, Maria. Even a butterfly can singe its wings if it gets too close to a flame.”
Steve ran his fingers over the top of a candle as he said this to emphasize his meaning. Maria looked up into his eyes, and they glowed like those of a jungle cat in the candlelight. The fire in the sky was dying as the night whispered along the river. She shivered uncontrollably.
“Ah, just in time,” said Steve, referring to the maid who had just arrived with Maria’s jacket.
She thanked the woman, and then slipped into the cozy garment. The maid used a flashlight to softly illuminate the garden in order to see her way back to the house.
“It’s kind of lonely out here with only candles to hold back the darkness,” Maria commented.
“You shouldn’t feel lonely,” Steve replied with a meaningful smile. “You have me.”
After he said this, he got up and moved his chair until it was directly next to Maria’s. When he sat down, he slipped his arm around her shoulders.
“Is that better?” the man asked suggestively.
Maria looked up at him in speculation.
“If you’re asking me if I feel warmer,” she said, “I do.”
“That was exactly what I wanted to hear’.”
There was no missing the sensuality in Steve’s tone of voice. It started a vibration deep within Maria that she felt compelled to control.
“Are you doing this to test me?” she asked.
“In what way?”
“To see if I’m willing to succumb to your charm.”
“Now, why would I want to do that?”
“I guess you want to find out if I’ll be true to your brother.”
“That would be his problem, not mine.”
“Aren’t you acting as your brother’s keeper, or maybe I should say, your brother’s fiancée’s keeper?”
“I’m not actin’ at all right now, but if I was, I would be doin’ it only for myself.”
Maria shivered again, and Steve held her closer to him. The arms of the chairs were narrow and did not provide much of an impediment.
“These Louisiana nights can get cold,” he said.
“You should be in Illinois right now and feel the temperature there.”
“Are you wishin’ me away?” Steve asked with a hint of a grin.
“I should be.”
“That might be wise; then again, it might not. For a woman who lives in the here and now, you’re strangely aloof.”
“Don’t misinterpret my words. When I said that, I was referring to a particular place and time. I have no intention of encouraging your advances, if that’s what they are.”
“Don’t you like it when I hold you in my arms?”
Maria frowned in chagrin as she resisted the urge to lay her head on Steve’s shoulder.
I’m not going to answer that,” she said.
“Why? Are you afraid to admit the truth?”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
“Am I? It’s time you let out the real woman inside of you.”
“Can’t you see that I’m not the little flirt you took me for?”
“I can only see that you’re a very desirable woman, with hair that picks up the light with strands of flame, and eyes that cannot disguise your emotions.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” Maria cried out in fear of her own reactions.
“Because I want to. Because you want me to.”
“I don’t!”
Maria attempted to pull away, but the man’s arm was too strong for her. To fully pacify her, he wrapped his other arm around her, too.
“Let me go!” Maria protested, while there was no truth in her words.
“Never,” breathed her captor. “I’m goin’ to hold you like this until you admit that you want me.”
“If I do, will you let me go?”
“Try it and find out.”
Maria could not bring herself to make such a revealing confession. She did want Steve, more than she had ever wanted any man before, but she believed he would only despise her and cast her aside if she let him know her feelings. Worse yet, he might take advantage of her weakness with the same results.
Observing her consternation, Steve said, “I thought you wanted me to believe that you’re more darin’ than this.”
“Anything I said to give you that impression was a mistake. You know this isn’t right.”
“It feels right to me.”
“You just don’t understand the situation, Steve.”
“I understand it better than you do.”
“Let me go!”
“All right, but you’ll have to pay for not makin’ good on your words.”
“What do you want me to say?” Maria asked in rising agitation.
“Not say; do. I want you to kiss me.”
“That’s asking too much.”
“A kiss is a small thing to offer.”
“Not when I know that more will be expected.”
“I think you begin to understand me.”
“In that way, I believe I do.”
“Why do you have to fight yourself, Maria?”
“Maybe, to save my sanity.”
“Your sanity or your virtue?”
“Both.”
“I don’t think your kissin’ me would deprive you of either.”
“I don’t want to find out.”
“You’re a stubborn woman. I should just kiss you now and teach you a lesson.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
Steve smiled as he raised a hand to grip the back of Maria’s hair. With a slow, but irresistible movement, he forced back her head and leaned ove
r her. Their faces were separated by inches.
“Do you think I would dare now?” he asked in a breathy voice.
Maria swallowed hard. She felt very vulnerable with her face upturned to the man’s. His grip on her hair did not hurt as long as she did not fight him.
“You’re a beast,” she whispered.
“And I’m goin’ to devour you.”
After saying this, Steve’s mouth plunged downward to savor the tenderness of Maria’s slightly parted lips. As their breaths became one, Maria felt as though her heart would burst through her ribcage.
The man put more of his weight upon her as his other hand also slid through her hair. His fingers released their punishing hold to caress the back of her neck.
Maria closed her eyes in ecstasy. The rest of the world was gone. All that mattered was Steve and the feel of his mouth against hers.
He forced her lips further apart to complete his devastation. Maria could taste the heady flavor of champagne on his tongue.
Lost in a world of rapture, she responded ardently. Her arms stole about the man to whom she would willingly give her love. She held him tightly to her. When his mouth moved away from hers to plant kisses all her face, she softly moaned. She had never known passion like this before. Maria held herself suspended with her head back to receive all that this man was willing to offer.
After a few minutes, Steve pulled breathlessly away. He looked down into Maria’s upturned face. Her eyes were still closed as the feeling of his lips lingered.
“You’re a fraud, Maria,” he whispered.
“I am,” she agreed as she finally looked up into his eyes.
“I never knew that a liar’s lips could taste so sweet.”
Maria’s eyelids were only half open in passion. A disturbing thought played through her mind, but she fought it away.
“What do you want from me, Steve?” she asked.
“Everything. Let’s go back to my room.”
This jarred Maria back to the light of reality with a heart-wrenching thud. Her expression was sad as she released her hold on the man to gently push him away.
“I can’t do that,” she said in a soft voice.
“You mean you won’t.”
Maria sat up fully in her chair and the man’s arms fell away from her.
