Rowan cleared his throat.
One side of Lyfe’s full lips cocked into a half smile. “Careful. We don’t want you to hurt yourself, now do we?”
She could only mouth the word “no” because her voice failed her. Who cared that there was a house full of people behind her witnessing this … reunion. All she knew was that she could easily spend the rest of her life locked in this man’s arms and smothered in his masculine scent. All too soon, he had righted her back onto her feet and unwound his steely arms from her body. But it hadn’t stopped her head from spinning.
“It’s good seeing you again.” He stepped back.
Corona’s vertigo intensified.
Rowan wrapped his arm around her waist and sized Lyfe up from head to toe. It was clear in his body language that he sensed a threat.
“I take it that you two know each other,” Wahida finally said with a calculating glance. “Quite well, I’m guessing.”
Corona thought it was best to ignore that loaded comment. “Uhm, hon—” she cut a look over at Lyfe. “Rowan, this is my sister Contessa.”
“But everyone calls me Tess,” her sister informed him, stretching out her hand.
“Sister?” Rowan blinked before his smile stretched wider. “Well, give me a hug, sis,” he said, flinging his arms open and erasing the short distance between them.
Tess’s eyes popped when Rowan lifted her off her feet with a huge bear hug.
While they were doing that, Corona and Lyfe’s eyes re-engaged. She tried her best to read him, but she didn’t know Lyfe the man like she had known the boy he’d been. Try as she might, she couldn’t detect any hint of anger or resentment on his face or even his body language.
Luckily, another waiter strolled by and Corona pounced on one of the passing flutes. When Rowan and Tess broke away, Corona sensed that her fiancé was waiting for her to finish the introductions.
Her gaze shifted to Lyfe and once again her brain frizzed out. “And this is, uhm … er … “
Lyfe’s brows crashed together as he realized he would have to introduce himself. “Lyfe Alton. Pleased to meet you.” The men smacked palms and shook.
It might have just been Corona, but it appeared to her that Lyfe was pumping and squeezing Rowan’s hand with a little more aggression and strength than was necessary.
“Lyfe Alton,” Wahida said, rolling the name around her tongue like it was a familiar taste.
For a brief moment, Corona feared the woman was going to put all of Corona’s business out in the open. If she had hired a private detective to find her parents, surely she had dug up everything else about her life. Hell, maybe it was her detective that had been snooping around in her closet.
Corona sucked in a deep breath. This just confirmed what she had always suspected: Wahida didn’t like her. She didn’t know whether it was because of her color, her status, or simply because she wasn’t Danica Foxx.
Before the drama Wahida had cooked up could escalate, the crowd behind started tapping their champagne flutes, and the sound rose to a deafening crescendo.
Rowan straightened his shoulders and popped his collar. “That’s our signal.” Rowan winked at his future in-laws and then grabbed Corona’s hand. “Excuse us, won’t you?”
Corona didn’t know what was happening, and she didn’t get a chance to ask before she was whisked away from the small group. As she zipped past Lyfe, once again their gazes connected. A new army of goose bumps marched down her spine, while inside she endured a combination of fluttering butterflies and stomach muscles looping into sailor’s knots. And yet, she still couldn’t detect anything in his expression.
Why was he there?
Rowan held up his hand to quiet all the clinking glasses. Then one of the performers handed him a microphone.
“Thanks, everybody. First of all, Chloe and I want to thank each and every one of you for coming out and spending one of your holiday evenings with us on this joyous occasion. For those of you who don’t know, this lovely woman standing next to me has agreed to become my wife.”
Everyone “aw’ed” and then applauded enthusiastically.
Corona couldn’t stop her gaze from scanning out into the crowd. Once she’d zeroed in on Lyfe, she struggled to pull her eyes away. Damn he looked good. He’d smelled good too—and the way his arms felt wrapped around her body was still doing something to her.
From the corner of her eyes, she caught Wahida’s head swiveling between her and Lyfe. A couple of times, she even leaned over and whispered something into Danica’s ear.
Corona finally found the strength to jerk herself out of her own trance and return her attention to Rowan. But that didn’t mean that she could truly concentrate on what he was saying. There was something about his leaving to put in a couple of weeks shooting his next film before the wedding.
Like most men, he was leaving the planning of the wedding to Chloe and his mother. That last part caught Corona’s attention and she wondered why in the hell he thought his mother would have any say in her wedding. But she covered up her irritation by flashing another smile and then mentally urging Rowan to hurry up and finish. She needed another drink.
But Rowan loved being the center of attention and if she let him, he would keep them standing there for the rest of the night. “Okay, honey. I think everyone would like to sample some of that wonderful food your mother had catered.”
“Ah. That’s my cue,” Rowan said, winking. “My baby is trying out her new set of balls and chains.”
The crowd laughed.
Rowan pulled Corona closer. “I’m a lucky man,” he announced and then received another round applause. “Not only am I getting a beautiful wife, but I’m also acquiring a new family. Everyone, I’d like to introduce you all to my new in-laws, the Banks.” He gestured to the back of the room. “Rufus, Adele and Tess, raise your hands so everyone can see you.”
Oh, dear God, Corona thought.
Everyone turned and her father politely lifted his hand and waved to the crowd. “Pleased to meet y’all,” he said in a thick Southern accent.
There were a few giggles that danced through the crowd and Corona grew instantly defensive. Her polite smile twisted into a sharp glower.
However, her parents just smiled, clueless that they were the butt of an unspoken joke.
“And now, I’d like to give y’all a preview of coming attractions,” Rowan said.
Before Corona had a chance to even guess what the hell he was talking about, she was swept into his arms and dipped so far back that her head nearly touched the floor. When she opened her mouth to protest, it was quickly silenced by Rowan’s dramatic kiss. Too bad it wasn’t the primary cause of her being lightheaded. That had more to do with him leaving her upside down a few seconds too long. Just as quickly as he dipped her back, he jerked her back up and then released her to wobble on her legs before the crowd.
Lyfe stood stone-faced for about as long as he could stand it before turning toward Tess. “I’m leaving.” He pivoted to bolt toward the door.
“No!” Tess latched on to his arm. “You can’t leave now.”
“Are you kidding me? I think I need my head examined for letting you talk me into coming here. She’s getting married—to that guy.” His face twisted at the thought that she preferred that Tom Cruise wannabe over him. Really? What did that guy have that he didn’t?
Another round of amused laughter dusted throughout the crowd before a final applause allowed Rowan to give up the microphone.
“Engaged isn’t the same thing as married,” Tess reminded him.
He cocked his head at her strange response. “I didn’t come here to bust her relationship. I just came to finally get some answers. Closure. That’s all.” He glanced over his shoulder to take another peek at the happy couple.
Jealousy like he’d never known before twisted in his gut as he watched Rowan ease his arm around Corona’s waist in an obvious show of possession. Reflexively Lyfe’s hands balled at his sides.
/> “Just came for some answers, huh?” Tess chuckled as she finally managed to snatch a flute of champagne for herself.
“I think I’m entitled to a few,” he said, still tracking the newly engaged couple as they laughed and mingled with their guests. He couldn’t help but note just how much more beautiful Corona was in person. The television interview had failed to do her justice.
The girl he’d fallen in love with was gone and, in her place, was this gorgeous creature with incredible Coke bottle curves, long powerful legs and a smile that kept stabbing him in the heart each time she flashed it at everyone but him.
Tess attempted to cut into his thoughts again. “Call me crazy if you want, but, if you ask me, I think you’re just trying to punk out.”
Lyfe jerked back around and twisted up his face. “Punk out?”
She nodded. “I’m not blind, you know. You haven’t been able to keep your eyes off her since you walked in here.”
At that moment, Corona snuck a look over at them.
“And apparently she can’t keep her eyes off you, either,” Tess added.
Lyfe cut another look across the room and sucked in a small breath when his gaze connected with hers. He attributed the extra kick in his pulse to the fact that her eyes had turned a simmering amber color, which meant that she was excited or tuned on. The only problem was that he didn’t know whether it was him, or the man standing next to her, that was triggering the reaction.
“Hello, again,” Wahida said, cutting back through the crowd. “I hope you guys didn’t think that I’d abandoned my special guests.”
Lyfe pulled in a deep breath and looked down at the petite older woman. Though he’d been on his guard since he’d walked into this huge SoHo apartment, he added a few more bricks to his protective wall as the woman’s calculating gaze unabashedly sized him up.
“Lyfe, isn’t it?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, without bothering to smile.
“Interesting name.”
Slowly, Lyfe’s brows crept upward. Why was this little woman inspecting him like he was standing on an auction block?
“I’m sorry,” she said as if reading his thoughts. “I don’t mean to stare, but you really are a very handsome man. If I was younger … “ She winked.
Is she serious?
Tess slapped a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from laughing and spewing out her champagne. She quickly covered it up by turning around and joining a small group behind her that included her parents.
“Thank you,” Lyfe said, downgrading his own laughter to just a small smile.
“I’m sorry, but I think that I missed hearing about your association with Chloe.”
He cringed. “Frankly, I don’t know a Chloe.”
Wahida perked up. “Oh, really?”
“I knew her as Corona Mae,” he clarified. “I grew up with the Bankses in Thomason.”
“I see,” she said. “So you two are just—”
“Friends,” Corona cut in, and then cast a look at Lyfe that asked him to back her up on this.
He refused to grant or deny her silent request. He just stood there on mute, willing to let her hang herself with this one.
Corona got the picture. “Uh, Wahida, will you excuse me and Lyfe for a moment?” She gently slid her arm underneath Lyfe’s and attempted to pull him away.
He remained rooted where he stood and casually looked down at how she was tugging him. It was a gentle enough pull, but her touch felt like a firebrand burning through his clothes. His heart pounded so loud it drowned out the Christmas music.
“It will just take a second,” she pressed with a nervous smile.
Wahida lifted a brow at the tension between them.
“It’s okay,” Tess said, as she returned to the group. “I’ll wait right here for you.”
Corona’s parents joined them.
“Actually,” her father said, clearing his throat, “I was hoping to get a few minutes alone with you, Corona Mae.”
Corona’s hand tightened on Lyfe’s bicep.
There was also a look that flickered across her face that cracked the wall around Lyfe’s heart. Damn. Am I even prepared to hear the answers to my questions?
“Here. You’re going to need this,” Tess said, handing him a drink.
He took the flute. “Thanks.”
Rowan eased into the circle. “Honey, you’re starting to be a little difficult to keep up with this evening.”
Corona’s hand slipped from underneath Lyfe’s arm, and he immediately missed it.
“Sorry about that, sweetheart. I was just … trying to catch up with my family and … “
“So you’re friends?” Wahida said, with her eyes narrowing and swinging suspiciously between Corona and Ly fe.
As if sensing her sister needed help, Tess cleared her throat and stepped closer. “Actually, he’s more than just her friend.”
Surprised, Lyfe and Corona’s brows jumped.
“Contessa, sweetheart.” her father cut in, with a warning look.
“Oh?” Wahida said, edging closer.
Ignoring everyone, Tess threw up her chin and eased her arm underneath Lyfe’s other arm. She was ready to tell the biggest lie of her life. “Yes. He’s going to be her brother-in-law. We’re engaged.”
Corona’s third champagne glass crashed against the floor.
Chapter 11
“You’re … what?” Corona asked. Surely something was wrong with her ears. There was no way her sister had just said what she’d thought she said. She just couldn’t have.
However, Tess’s smile stretched wider as she leaned against Lyfe’s chest. “Surprise!”
Corona’s gaze flew to Lyfe’s face but, once again, she couldn’t read anything in his stony expression. “Excuse me. I … need to go … check on something.” With that she turned and raced through the crowd.
She was vaguely aware of a few people calling her name, but all she could think about was getting some fresh air. With no other recourse, she plowed out onto the snow-covered terrace and chugged in deep breaths. She didn’t even feel the cold. Engaged?
She clutched a hand over her chest and hoped that it was enough to keep her heart from trying to pound its way out. After a full minute, she still wasn’t sure whether the deep breaths were quite doing the job. “How could Tess do something like this to me?”
“Something like what?”
At the sound of Lyfe’s deep baritone, Corona spun around. “I, uh … “ What could she say? How could Tess steal my man? He was no longer hers—hadn’t been for a long time. As her gaze took another lap over his impressive frame, regret rose like a wave and crashed like a tsunami against her heart.
Lyfe closed the terrace door.
She panicked. “What are you doing?”
“I’m sure that it’s considered rude to try and freeze your guests,” he answered smoothly.
She guessed that made sense.
Lyfe slid his hands into his pockets and strolled toward her.
Corona backed up and ignored the fact that snow was sliding into her pumps.
He cocked his head. “I’m not making you nervous, am I?”
“Of course not,” she lied.
A corner of his lips curled. “Good. The last thing I want to do is make you feel uncomfortable in your own home.”
By the time he stopped in front of her, Corona was holding on to a frozen rail with her head tilted all the way back so that she could maintain eye contact. Damn. He looks good. It was hard to get any other thought squeezed into her brain. He completely blew away every actor and model she’d ever met or seen in the industry. There was so much power in his presence that it felt like he was stealing all the oxygen—even though they were outside!
“What are you doing here?” she finally squeaked out of her tight windpipes.
“I was invited,” he said simply.
“You know what I mean,” she said with a little more courage. “It’s been … so lo
ng.”
“It has,” Lyfe said, but he didn’t seem to be in any hurry to answer the question. In fact, he looked as if he was content to just drink her in.
And she was content to do the same.
“You’re freezing,” he noted and then quickly slid off his jacket.
“That’s not necessary.” Corona hunched up her shoulders, but Lyfe ignored her and swung his jacket around her like a cape. In the next second she was enveloped in both his warmth and his seductive scent. What the hell is he trying to do to me?
“There. That’s not so bad, is it?” he asked, sliding his hands back into his pockets.
“What about you?”
Lyfe lifted a brow. “You’re concerned about my well-being?” He chuckled. “Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything.”
The gibe was a direct punch to the gut.
“So I take it that you still hate me?”
The question hung between them for what felt like an eternity before he finally said, “No.”
“Very convincing,” she said, swallowing and glancing off. Normally the city view took her breath away, but tonight the holiday spray of lights just saddened her.
“Would you prefer that I hated you?”
Tears stung the backs of her eyes. I’d prefer that you hadn’t come here.
“Or maybe you preferred that I hadn’t come?”
Corona’s head whipped back around. “Are you really engaged to my sister?”
“Would it matter?”
“Of course it matters,” she snapped, oblivious that she was teetering on the edge of irrationality.
He erased the last step between them until their chests bumped together. Suddenly, it was like being plugged into an electric socket. The jolt they experienced had their bodies tingling from the electricity between them.
Dizzy, Corona took another step back and unplugged from their powerful connection.
While she tried to get her bearings, Lyfe confessed, “I tried to hate you.”
She met his gaze.
A Christmas Affair Page 8
