by MK Harkins
Nothing got by him. I’d been lucky he hadn’t asked months ago. He married Jain in May, found out they were expecting a baby in June, and he’d been distracted ever since. Braydon’s transformation had been nothing short of miraculous. He’d spent the better part of his life running from women. Yet, when he met Jain, he’d run right to her and never let go. Happier than I'd ever seen him, Braydon wanted to share his secret. Quit running.
“I’m too busy with my work with you, soccer, and the charities. You know, the usual stuff. I don’t need the distraction now, or anytime soon.”
Braydon nodded. “You know I was the same way until I met Jain.”
And there it was. He didn’t understand. He thought because he’d spent the better part of his life before Jain being a typical “player” that anyone could change, find true love, and be forever happy. He didn’t realize the connection he shared with Jain was rare. I didn’t want to argue, so I faked agreement.
Tiffany’s voice cut through the background noise. “So sorry. I just wanted you to know, Monica will be coming over in a few minutes. Can you please keep an open mind with this one? She’s great. I’ve known her since college.”
I nodded. I was always polite, but when the chance presented itself, I’d look for a quiet escape. Maybe tonight, though, I’d try to get to know Monica. I needed to distract myself from this constant yearning for Tiffany.
Chapter Four
Tiffany
THE MOMENT I spotted Monica walking across the ballroom, I knew I’d made a mistake. A big one. What was I thinking? I hadn’t seen Monica in six years, but we’d recently reconnected on Facebook. Apparently, she hadn’t updated her pictures. She’d been a little edgy back then, but nothing like this. Todd liked women who were classy and understated. At least, that’s what Jain told me. But Monica was the opposite.
Wearing a barely-there red dress with a neckline that plunged so low her navel showed, she walked toward us. Correction, she came toward Todd, her predatory eyes never leaving him, like he was her dessert.
Large, sparking diamonds draped around her neck and wrists and dangled from her ears. At least she wasn’t wearing a tiara. Heads turned as she made her way across the crowded room. Men and women parted to let her through. If Jain was right about the type of woman Todd liked, we’d blown it. I hoped he wasn’t too angry with us.
Once she approached our table, her demeanor changed. She clapped her hands and began to jump up and down. “Oh, Tiffany! I’m so happy to see you.”
Stop jumping. Please. Things are going to pop out.
“Monica.” I put my hands on her shoulders and tried to stop the show that would happen if she kept bouncing.
I turned my eyes first to Jain. Her hand covered her mouth, and her eyes crinkled, betraying her amusement. She tried to suppress the giggles, even as they escaped the confines of her fingers. Next, I let my gaze find Todd. His eyes widened as he realized this was Monica, the woman I planned for him to meet. His mouth tilted up in a smile. What? Why was he smiling?
***
Todd
I ENJOYED WATCHING Tiffany. When Monica sashayed, because, really, that was the only way to describe the way she moved—I thought Tiffany might fall off her chair. First, her eyes widened as she took in Monica’s skimpy dress. Not only did her dress shout, “Look at me!” She had a seductive way of moving, which was more about her hips swaying than actually moving from point A to point B. She walked slowly, making a production of her sexuality. She licked and puckered her lips while running her hands through her hair. It was hard to miss this show if you were a guy. Hell, even the women watched her. This woman needed a stage and a pole.
I’d guess Monica and Tiffany hadn’t seen each other in a few years. She and Jain usually tried to set me up with nice, wholesome women, sedate and self-possessed. But they were mostly…boring. Monica was anything but boring. She looked like she might eat me up and spit me out. I could have a little fun with this one. I’d play with her a little and let her loose after an hour or so. In the meantime, it would give me great pleasure to watch Tiffany squirm.
Once Monica reached our table, Tiffany attempted to get rid of her. She placed her hands on Monica’s shoulders, and it looked like she would steer her toward the bar area instead. Oh, no you don’t. I stood, shoved a chair aside, and walked around the table to greet her.
Tiffany closed her eyes briefly and made the introductions. It was like pulling teeth. She didn’t want me anywhere near Monica. Interesting.
***
Tiffany
HE STOOD AND walked around the table with a smirk on his face then reached his hand out to Monica. “Hi, I’m Todd. I think we were supposed to meet tonight.”
Wait. She was his type? I’d introduced him to really nice women. Down-to-earth types. He’d been polite, but always standoffish.
Monica’s mouth dropped. “Wow,” she mouthed. Standing straighter, she offered her hand, gaping at him. I wanted to throw a bucket of water on her. She’d forgotten about me as she fawned over Todd.
“So, Monica. It’s good to see you,” I lied.
Without taking her eyes off Todd, she replied, “Great to see you, too, Tiffany.”
My blood heated and I felt…angry? Oh, hell. I had a sinking feeling I knew why.
Todd, still smiling, maybe even larger now, asked Monica to dance. After they disappeared into the crowd, I plopped down in my chair.
“Be careful what you wish for,” Colin said.
“But, but…I haven’t seen her in years! I had no idea she was…”
“A man-eater?” He chuckled.
“Yes! But he seems to like her. He never asked any of the other women to dance. I guess Monica’s his type?” Who would have guessed? But, thinking about it, I couldn’t picture Todd with anyone. I always introduced him to friends who were nice, but I never believed he’d hit it off with any of them. Did I do that on purpose? I couldn’t think straight. I was hot all over and my palms began to sweat. I thought I’d already killed the annoying butterflies with a shot of whiskey, but they fluttered low in my stomach. They needed to die.
“Don’t sweat it. I think he’s only playing with you.” Colin grinned.
“Why are you smiling? What do you mean—playing with me?” I wiped my suddenly damp palms on the tablecloth to no avail. As soon as I dried them, they became moist again.
“I’ve been waiting for this to happen. I thought it might take you longer.”
“Longer?”
He looked up toward the ceiling and chuckled. “You and Todd have been circling each other for months. You keep setting him up with women you know he won’t like, and he stares at you every chance he gets. Why don’t you two just give in and get it over with?”
“You are wrong about this. He treats me like a friend. There is no interest on his part.” But I had to ask, “You’ve seen him staring at me?”
Colin let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, I have. Honestly, though, I don’t know what his problem is. He does seem to avoid you.”
I let my eyes wander to the dance floor. A slow song played, and I was sure Monica would take full advantage. I craned my neck to see past the other dancers on the floor and spotted her ridiculous, red dress and the rest of her body wrapped around Todd.
“Should we rescue him?” Jain shouted over the music.
“I don’t know. Do you think he needs rescuing?” I asked.
I had Colin to my left, Jain on my right; all three of us were watching the spectacle unfold.
Colin leaned over me to speak to Jain. “Aw, let the guy have a little fun before you…uh, oh.”
Todd had his back to us, so I couldn’t see his expression. Monica’s hands were under his tux jacket, rubbing them up and down his back. I watched in fascinated horror as her hands went down, and down a little more. Oh, please, don’t do it. She did. She went there. Todd leaned down and spoke directly into her ear. Dread snaked through me as I realized they’d probably be leaving together. Monica was obvio
usly on a mission.
I tried to console myself with the fact he wasn’t interested in me anyway. It wasn’t as if Todd would ever give me a second glance. Apparently, Monica was his type. I kicked myself though. I didn’t want Todd with someone like her. He should be with someone like…me.
Cluttered thoughts crashed around my brain like bumper cars. So much so, I almost missed Monica’s expression. With eyebrows drawn together and lips that formed a tight line, she removed her hands from under Todd’s jacket and put them on her hips. Her expression changed again, this time to an all-out pout. Todd bowed briefly, turned away, and walked back to the table. He sat back into his chair, crossed his arms, and those long-lashed, accusing eyes swept back and forth between mine and Jain’s.
“You two girls done with the introductions now?”
Jain pressed her lips together, averted her eyes, and nodded. I decided the best course of action was to mimic her and nodded in unison. I had a feeling, one day, we would all laugh about it, but I didn’t think it would be tonight.
“Good.” His dark lashes lowered, but not before I saw the sparkle in his eyes and a barely contained smile.
A loud crash outside the open French doors prevented further conversation. It sounded like an entire platter of champagne glasses met their end. The music continued, but all eyes turned toward the commotion and who was responsible for it.
A handsome, smiling man came through the doors and waved. Laughter ensued, a little clapping, and the man bowed gracefully.
I leaned closer to Colin and joked, “I wouldn’t mind an introduction to that one.”
The man in the doorway stood tall and tan, with blonde streaks through his wavy, light brown hair. He commanded attention. When he smiled, two of the cutest dimples I’d ever seen appeared.
“Done,” Colin laughed, pulled me by the hand, and headed for the open doorway.
“I was kidding. Stop, Colin.” I tried to jerk free, but he only tightened his grip.
“Walk with me,” he instructed.
“Really, I’m ready to admit it. I have feelings for Todd, okay? Can we stop now?”
“Too late.” He stopped and turned me toward Handsome Dimple Guy. With a huge grin on his face, Colin tilted his head in my direction and said, “This girl here wants to meet you.”
Really? Just kill me now.
The man looked at me. “I’m honored and flattered to make your acquaintance.” He lifted my hand and placed a soft kiss below my wrist.
A glint twinkled in his eye when he turned back to Colin. “But what if it’s you I want to meet?” He winked at Colin.
The light bulb went on. This was Colin’s boyfriend, Charlie. I blushed, but recovered my composure.
“Hi, Charlie. I’m Tiffany.” I reached out to shake his hand. “What Colin meant to say is that I’ve been asking for an introduction for months.” I wasn’t sure what I’d do to Colin to get back at him for this, but it’d be good.
The huge grin on Colin’s face was enough to make me forgive him, and I smiled back at them both. I loved Colin, and seeing him so happy did my heart good.
Charlie put his arm around my shoulders and led me toward our table. Before I could ask him how he knew where we all sat, I saw Jain waving at him. I’d forgotten they’d met before.
Chapter Five
HE WATCHED AS the participants came and went. Not wanting to return to his table, he decided to take his chances and circulate, walking around the crowded dance floor. His employer knew he’d be invited, that there’d be open access to Tiffany and everyone around her. After all, he was one of them. Not wanting to make his presence known yet, he stayed in the background. Tossing back a drink, letting the amber liquid warm the back of his throat, he remained calm and composed. It was the only way to be. Until the big payday. Then he’d do whatever the hell he wanted.
The goal for the evening was to get close to Tiffany and to acquaint himself with her current friends. He already knew of Jain and Colin, but the others were new to him. With a few questions to the right people, he got the name and background of Tiffany’s admirer. Todd Jameson, Braydon Decker’s right-hand man had the reputation of being elusive, hard to get—catnip to the single women in these social circles. Even though Todd was choosey, it appeared his sights were set on Tiffany. Not good. He’d need to keep an eye on Todd, a potential problem.
His dossier told him Tiffany hadn’t dated anyone on a steady basis for at least a year. He wanted to keep it that way. A boyfriend would notice if she went missing. The plan required her disappearance to be undetected, at least for the first day. Her parents traveled often, so he could take her during one of their many trips.
Keeping Tiffany and Todd apart was imperative. Friends or colleagues could be fooled if she went missing for a day, but a boyfriend was different. A relationship between them would not happen.
Chapter Six
Tiffany
THE AUCTION WAS about to begin, so I made a quick trip to the staging area where they kept the donations in a back room away from the crowds. Braydon’s instructions were clear—keep the brownies safe. Brownies weren’t the usual offering for one of these auctions, so it was my job to make sure no one mistook them for a snack. I wrapped them and wrote Braydon’s name on every square inch, but I needed to be certain. The room was empty, and I started a quick search of the tables. I needn’t have bothered. Braydon put the brownies in a box with “DO NOT TOUCH” written in bold, red lettering. They sat between a gift certificate for a trip to Hawaii and another voucher for a summer vacation to the Hamptons. I smiled; whatever the story behind the brownies, it must have been good. Jain would definitely get her brownies tonight.
I turned to leave the room, but instead ran right into a hard, muscular chest which stopped me in my tracks. I began to apologize, but it was Fletcher. The last person I expected or wanted to see. I took a step back and looked for a way past him.
“Hey, Tiffie.”
I hated the pet name he’d given me. Ten years ago, I loved it, ecstatic he’d chosen a name just for me, up until the day I found out he’d cheated. Now it made my skin prickle. The time we’d spent together, the memories, the love—it was all a lie.
His hooded eyes slid up and down my body. I needed to get back to my table. Now.
He smiled and moved closer, making my stomach churn. The reek of strong, stale liquor hit me like a slap in the face. He must have been on a bender, weeks, or even months maybe.
His glassy eyes stared past me, focusing on the wall above my head. “What I did was wrong. I regret it every day.”
“Yeah? Well, you’re about ten years too late.” I’d seen Fletcher a few times over the years, but he’d never given me a second look until tonight.
“We were just kids, you know that. Remember how good it was?” He took another step closer.
I remembered the good times, just like I remembered how Fletcher had been full of hopes and dreams and promises. All of them broken.
“Like I said, Fletcher, far too late. I’ve moved on, and I suggest you do the same.”
He was only a foot away from me, too close for comfort. I backed up.
“Now, now, sweet Tiffie. Don’t leave yet.” His eyes did another slow perusal. “You owe me.”
My mouth dropped open.
“You left me, and ever since, I’ve been stuck with Emory…for ten long years. I had to settle for a house in the country. We had plans, and you ruined it. We were going to get married right after college. Remember? Your dad promised me a job.” He tried to capture my elbow, but I pulled away. “My family counted on me. I disappointed them.” He swayed and mumbled to himself, “I should be living in a penthouse in the city.”
With each word, the realization struck me harder. “This was about money? You only wanted me because of your family’s expectations and my dad’s wealth?” My heart sank, and my already battered ego took a dive, splattering on the floor like a broken egg. I thought I was over this. Over him and his betrayal. Heat rushe
d up my cheeks and I had to close my eyes for a moment and focus on breathing.
I jerked my arm from his grip. “You’re a loser, Fletcher. You always have been and always will be.” That was the best I could come up. Adrenalin and anger fogged my brain. I needed a few hours and a bubble bath to think of a better comeback.
He sneered. “You’re gorgeous, I'll give you that. But everyone knows about your dad. Nothing but the best for his precious little girl. Even with all your daddy's money, you still haven’t snagged yourself a husband, have you?” His eyes narrowed, and his body stiffened, leaning toward me once again. Going in for the kill, he mocked, “Everyone laughs at you. The girl who has everything, but has nothing at the same time. Trust me, sweetheart, I’m the best you’re going to get.”
What? The rejections from the past year flickered through my mind. I’m a laughing stock? Tears welled up in my eyes, but I’d scratch them out before I allowed him to see me cry.
“Hey, baby,” the voice, so familiar, jolted me from my plans for possible eye removal.
“Todd?”
“Missed you, Tiff. I’ve been looking for you.” He grabbed me around my waist and drew me to him. Fletcher stood behind him, his mouth agape.
Todd turned to Fletcher. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need a kiss from my girl.” He turned back toward me with an intense, penetrating stare, asking silent permission.
I nodded.
It wasn’t the quick kiss I expected. His gaze dropped to my mouth, and I held my breath. He twirled a lock of my hair between two fingers and brought it to his nose and inhaled deeply.
“Tiffany,” Todd spoke softly as he pulled me closer and buried his head in my neck, leaving a soft, sensuous kiss.
Oh, that felt good. My head fell back a little, enjoying the tingling sensations all through my body. Wow. It was just a kiss on the neck. I had to keep it together, but as his hands roamed over my back, I shivered. My body had a mind of its own, and apparently, it liked what was happening…very much.
