She glanced back to the mirror, her gaze moving critically over her costumed body. Too much cleavage, too much midriff, too much everything was exposed. Leaving her with a feeling of vulnerability because she’d never been the adventurous type. Even if she did look hot.
She tried to pull the bottoms up but they were designed to fall below the hips, revealing her bellybutton. There were yards and yards of gold fabric but the problem was it was mostly sheer. The only thing keeping her from being indecent was the wide band of satin covering her breasts and bottom. Completing the outfit was a pair of gold satin slippers.
The party sounded like it was in full swing, if the noise filtering through the door was any indication. Loud music and the roar of laughter revealed she was missing out on a good time. She peered at herself one last time, arranging the veil over the lower half of her face before covering her eyes with a gold sequin mask. At least no one would be able to tell who she was, unless they happened to recognize the tiny mole just above her bellybutton.
She laughed at the thought. There’s no way that was possible because she wasn’t in the habit of wearing revealing clothing, including her one-piece swimsuits.
It was now or never. She took a deep breath for courage, swung the door open and stepped into the hallway. It was pitch-black but for the flashing light at the end of it prompting her to go in that direction. She followed it until she came to an open doorway, which led into the large, main room of the community center.
For a moment she paused, and adjusted her eyes to the darkness of the room and the blinking disco lights. It wasn’t until someone opened the outside door that she realized all the windows had been blackened out. It was the only time she was allowed a decent view of the room and the occupants before everything went dark again.
It looked like there were at least a hundred ghouls and goblins dancing about, but Emma was only looking for one costumed dancer. Finding Amanda in the mix of so much commotion was going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack. The party was already bordering on the wild side. People were dancing crazily all over the place; women were running and squealing with feigned fright while being chased throughout the room by laughing, costumed counterparts. She quickly recognized Batman and Catwoman racing by, followed by Tarzan and Jane.
A group was standing in line for their chance to bob for apples while others were playing pass the orange and musical chairs. A large orange pumpkin dangled from the ceiling, swinging wildly as a blindfolded witch tried to knock it down with a broom. Emma began to move through the room unhurriedly, forgetting all about her skimpy attire once her gaze fell on some of the more outrageous costumes. Some were wearing nude body suits, making the wearer look naked. Grinning at their boldness, she began to search for Lady Marian.
* * * *
Mike was at the refreshment table, leaning his hip casually against it while enjoying a cup of laced punch when his eyes lit on the harem dancer in the midst of the dancers on the floor. The lights on the ceiling above caught the gold sequins lining the satin of her bodice and waistband of her harem pants, momentarily casting an enchanting glow over the woman who made him think of fairies and angels.
His eyes narrowed on the woman as she slowly moved through the crowd. He sensed she was searching for someone. Probably her date because why would a woman with a body like hers be there by herself? He was glad for a change to see a woman who wasn’t afraid to look like a woman. The ultra-thin types had never whetted his appetite. As she glided closer he couldn’t help thinking that there was something vaguely familiar about her. The color of her hair, what he could see of it, looked familiar, and the graceful way she moved.
His gaze lingered a moment on hers and the visible portion of her face behind the veil, before falling to her cleavage and the gentle swell of her bosom over the edge of her top. Nice, more than a handful. His gaze continued down to her slim waist, taking in her bellybutton before gliding over the curve of her hips and slender legs. The sheer material of her costume was tied at her ankles and wrists, revealing and concealing at the same time. She had the kind of curves that demanded attention from a man and he was no exception.
Still, something about her nagged at him. Swallowing the rest of his drink, he reached behind him and set the empty cup on the table. He folded his arms, and cocked his head slightly as he tried to figure out what it was. When the mysterious beauty reached behind her to give her pants a sharp pull, the action triggered a not-too distant memory. And that’s when Mike knew the beauty he was ogling was Emma.
A slow grin spread across his face, as he looked her over with newfound awareness. He would never have pegged Emma for the harem girl type. He was glad his Zorro mask concealed his identity, hoping his silent scrutiny would go unnoticed. Especially when she halted within a foot of him. He didn’t have to worry because they hadn’t made eye contact yet. In fact, her eyes were everywhere but on him. He decided to rectify that immediately.
“Looking for someone?” He could see the white of her smile through the veil. Coupled with the direct contact of those smoky eyes, it was enough to steal his breath away.
She had no idea how appealing she appeared to him at that very moment, how hungry she made him. And Mike knew he was in big trouble.
Chapter 5
Emma caught her breath. She recognized Mike the second she heard the deep timbre of his sexy voice. He made a hunky Zorro, dressed all in black in a costume that fit his tall, powerful body like it was tailored especially for him. She’d seen him watching her while she crossed the room, and ignored him on purpose because she hadn’t wanted to encourage any unwelcome attention. Now that she knew who he was, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
He was what dreams were made of. The handsome hero disguised in a black mask, his steely eyes doing all his talking for him as he leaned insolently against the table with that wolfish grin. The bad boy every woman secretly yearned for. He had to know how he affected women with his mysterious presence. Goodness, she all but placed her hand over her pounding heart. It took an effort to remember he was married.
She was about to step away when a dancer bumped into her backside, causing her to fly directly into Mike’s arms.
“Oh!” she gasped, throwing her head back to meet his eyes just as his strong hands curled around the fleshy part of her arms. He caught her against him. Their bodies were flush, and suddenly it seemed like they were sharing every breath, every heartbeat as they stared intently into each other’s eyes.
Emma felt warm heat spread throughout her body, a heat that had nothing to do with the hot disco lights glaring overhead. Time seemed to stand still. She couldn’t pull her gaze away from his, too caught up in the spell of the moment, feeling way too much in his strong arms, and experiencing way too much sensation against his hard body.
She was old enough to realize the flow of heat pooling in her pussy was the result of sharp and instant arousal. She tried to ignore the tingling in her nipples as they tightened against his chest, and wet her lips to issue an apology. However, the only thing that came out was a noise that sounded very much like a purr of surrender, a sound of betrayal if she ever heard one.
“Mike.” Her tone was breathless, revealing her emotions. She was unable to finish, her body trembling on a sudden wave of weakness. Certain her knees were going to give way, she struggled to put the brakes on the obvious signs of what being in his arms did to her. “Please…” She intended to ask him to let her go, but there was no denying the invitation she heard in her own voice.
At that moment she felt suffocated with self-loathing because she became that other woman.
Mike’s eyes darkened with desire; he didn’t want to let Emma go. He’d known he was attracted to her from the start, but he wasn’t prepared for the instant results she produced every time she touched him in some way. Even innocently, only this was hardly innocent. He felt every inch of her. His hands tightened around her arms, a low groan locking in his throat.
The very air aroun
d them seemed electrified. He wanted to fuck her until neither of them could stand on their own.
He didn’t want to feel attracted to Emma, yet he was powerless to push her away. Instead, he was acting like an adolescent discovering what sex was all about for the first time. Hell, he was breaking out in a sweat! Her sweet scent and softness was more than any mortal could bear.
Glancing down was his undoing. Her lovely breasts were crushed against him, all but spilling out of their scant covering. The breath hissed from his lungs, lust shooting a direct path for his aching groin. He released a low growl of denial as he felt himself turning hard, and realized he should set her away from him at once. But she felt too damn good right where she was. As if she belonged there.
The sensible part of his brain told Mike to distance himself now, before things went too far. Yet he held Emma tighter. Then it occurred to him that if he wasn’t going to turn her loose, he couldn’t very well continue to hold her without a justifiable reason.
“Let’s dance,” he barked in a less-than-friendly tone.
Surprise registered on her face but he didn’t give her a chance to turn him down. He dragged her onto the dance floor, and crushed her against him as they began to sway to the music. A giggle escaped Emma almost immediately, causing him to frown. The music blaring through the room was a lively, upbeat tune. Not particularly to his tastes but it allowed him to keep her nestled against him. The couples brave enough to dance to it were nothing but a blur of activity near them, spinning around the room like tops out of control.
“You think this is funny?” he questioned gruffly, a little put out by her misplaced sense of humor.
An aroused man was like an angry bear. Didn’t she know that? ’Course, he wasn’t making things easier by keeping her in his arms. Maybe he had made up his mind to get his kid raised and out of school before pursuing personal interests, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy the foreplay. The forbidden excitement. The rush of what could be. It didn’t have to lead anywhere, did it?
Who am I kidding? His good intentions were one thing, reality another.
He gave up trying to find a place to put his hands that didn’t end up on naked flesh, and finally settled for the curve of Emma’s hips. She placed her hands on his shoulders naturally, drawing her body closer to his. Before Mike realized what he was doing, his hands slowly rose to her waist and above, halting beneath the swell of her breasts.
It was a move he was going to pay for. He tried to halt the sudden rush rolling through his blood but it wasn’t fast enough to keep his senses from going into overdrive.
“I wasn’t laughing over our situation. I was laughing at the music. We’re slow dancing.”
“Emma…” He pulled back far enough to look into her eyes. “That was five minutes ago,” he pointed out.
A low, seductive laugh escaped her. “I couldn’t talk five minutes ago,” she admitted in a teasing tone.
It was dark but Mike could make out the flash of fire in her eyes, before she lowered her lids and released a long sigh that echoed his feelings.
Mike thrust his cock against her. “Do you have any idea what I want to do to you right now?”
There was panic in her eyes. “I have an idea but don’t say it, Mike. This isn’t right.”
There was regret in her voice, and she scanned the crowd nervously.
“Just be thankful we’re in a public place.” His hands smoothed down to the curve of her hips, splaying out to include the rounded slopes of her buttocks. “Or you still wouldn’t be able to talk. I want to kiss you again, Emma. And I don’t want to stop until I’ve kissed every inch of you.”
She gasped in what he could only ascertain was shock before pulling out of his arms and taking a step back. Mild anger and disapproval laced her bitter words.
“I’m sorry, Mike, but I’m not in the habit of sleeping around with married men. I, at least, have scruples.”
Before he could stop her, Emma turned and marched away.
Married man? Where the hell did that come from? He watched her weave through the crowd, wondering if she knew something he didn’t. He hadn’t been married for a long time, not since Sharon had walked out four years before and he’d filed for divorce and custody of Melissa.
Then it came back to him, that day in the dugout when Melissa had called out to him after the game. He recalled the look in Emma’s eyes, the hurt expression. She must have heard and drawn her own conclusion.
Maybe it was just as well. He headed back to the punch bowl. God’s way of throwing obstacles between them so he could remain on track. One of them had to keep a cool head, and if the trick was letting Emma believe he was married, he’d take advantage of it. Even if it was going to cost him his sanity when she was around.
* * * *
How could Mike be so deceitful? Richard’s face flashed before Emma’s eyes, along with the memory of all the nights he’d called to say he was working late. The weekend trips he’d taken across country in search of new and unusual recipes to prepare in their successful restaurant. Trips that later she’d discovered he hadn’t taken alone. What possessed a man to think it was okay to cheat on the woman who loved him?
She didn’t glance back but knew Mike was watching her. The telltale sting behind her eyes warned her that she was going to cry, and the thought angered her. Why does he have to be so darn appealing? When she was in his presence, all her good sense went right out the window. Is this how it had been for Richard in the beginning? Had he struggled between right and wrong before giving into the weakness?
She stormed into the ladies’ room and grabbed for her coat, angry disappointment spilling over onto her cheeks. Whipping the mask and veil off, she wiped at a tear before going to the sink to splash cool water on her eyes. The door opened and she glanced up in the mirror to see Lady Marian walk in. She grabbed a paper towel and quickly dried her face before tossing the paper towel away.
“Mom? What happened?”
Amanda looked at her with concern, taking in the fact she was wearing her coat.
There was no use fibbing, and Amanda wasn’t blind. “I’ve been crying.”
“I can see that, but why? What happened?”
Emma snorted. “Men. In particular, Zorro.” She ran her fingers through her hair, surprised to find them shaking.
Amanda frowned, her eyes narrowing with something close to astonished disbelief. “Did Mike step out of line?”
Sniffling, Emma raised a brow. “How did you know Mike was dressed as Zorro?”
“I, ah…” She suddenly swung around to the sink, turning on the tap to wash her hands.
If Emma didn’t know better she’d swear Amanda was killing time to come up with a good answer. Her suspicions grew when she refused to meet her eyes. “Did you see us dancing?” She slapped her hands on her hips, prepared to wait all night for an answer. “Well?”
“You were dancing with him?” Amanda asked innocently, glancing at Emma in the mirror. At that point it was too late.
Once they made eye contact, Emma knew what her sister was up to; guilt was written all over her face. She’d never been good at covering up or lying; the look in her eyes gave her away every time.
“I know what you’re up to, little sister. I saw the look you gave Troy in the dugout the other day but I pushed my suspicions aside. You should have done your homework before deciding to play matchmaker. A married man is the last man I’d ever fall for.” Emma swallowed the half lie.
Amanda’s eyes grew wide and she spun back around to face Emma, a look of total astonishment on her face. “A married man! Mom, you couldn’t be more wrong, Mike isn’t married. Whatever gave you that idea?”
“But…” Emma’s thoughts drifted back to the day of the picnic and the young girl. She knew what she’d heard, and Mike had been the only man at the back of the dugout so her remark couldn’t have been meant for anyone else. Plus she’d seen him with the young girl later.
As if reading her mind, Amanda a
dded, “Mike’s a single dad. He has a thirteen-year-old daughter named Melissa. They’ve been on their own since Melissa was nine.”
“A single dad, then why did he let me believe…” He could have corrected her when she’d made that comment about sleeping around but he hadn’t even tried. Unless he wanted her to believe he was married, but that didn’t make any sense. Was it just a game with him? Emma didn’t want to believe that. Something about Mike said he was past the age of playing games.
“Did Mike tell you he was married?” Amanda asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“Not exactly.” Emma slipped off her coat, a plan taking shape in her mind. “But he let me believe he was married.” She saw the confusion on Amanda’s face and shrugged. “I don’t know why it matters but I intend to find out.” In good time. “Don’t you dare tell him I’m on to him, either. I want to see how far he intends to go with this.”
“What are you doing?” Amanda asked, watching Emma hang her coat back up.
Emma shot her a bright smile. “I’ve decided to stay a little longer. Halloween only comes once a year and I want to get my money’s worth for this costume.” Now that she knew the truth about Mike, things were going to get interesting. She wondered how long it would take before he cracked and made a confession.
A lighthearted, more self-assured Emma rejoined the party, minus her mask this time. She couldn’t recall the last time she felt so carefree, a heady feeling due partly to finding out that Mike wasn’t married after all. Now she didn’t have to feel guilty about her naughty thoughts where he was concerned. Smiling like a silly schoolgirl, she went straight for the refreshment table, trying not to be obvious as she searched the room for Zorro.
She eyed the punch bowl and helped herself to a generous serving, surveying the boisterous activity in the room. The party had almost doubled since her arrival and the volume of the music was almost loud enough to break eardrums. The dance floor was packed with writhing bodies and she laughed gaily when the jolly green giant swirled by with a tiny pea pod in his arms. Her eyes made a sweep of the room again.
PASSIONATE ENCOUNTERS Page 5
