Bad Case of Loving You

by Deborah Cooke

  On the 30th, they appeared on Library Way, lip-synching to Express Yourself again, as the various brass plates in the sidewalk were given feature shots. They finished on the lions at the front of the library to resounding cheers from the onlookers.

  On the 31st, they danced on the deck of the decommissioned aircraft carrier, the Intrepid, with Nate and some of the other vets who were members at F5 taking prominent roles. Nate totally rocked Uptown Funk, and Theo danced along with him. They had to hustle to get back to the club in time for the preparations for New Year’s Eve, but Theo had to admit that he was having the time of his life. He hadn’t even had a lot of time to work out, but this schedule was keeping him active anyway.

  Then the waiting began. The club was busy as soon as it opened at eight, with a crowd on the dance floor immediately. The bar was busy and the air was filled with excitement. Theo found it impossible to stay in the background, as people were approaching him for photos and autographs, like he was a celebrity. He supposed he was in a way, but that would fade soon enough.

  Lyssa had kept up her barrage of announcements on Angel’s social media, giving Theo more confidence that Lyssa would come—for her fans, if not for him. He’d been watching all week and had noticed the steady build of buzz. She’d added videos of herself choosing the right dress and shoes, inviting her followers to vote on her choices. Theo guessed that she already had it all planned.

  At eleven-fifteen, Theo couldn’t stand still.

  She’d promised an hour.

  The crowd on the sidewalk was starting to chant her name, impatient for her appearance.

  At eleven-twenty-five, Cassie was giving him significant looks from the other side of the dance floor. The party was good, but it needed that one last element to make the pictures go viral. There were a lot of photographers outside the club, as well as a long and enthusiastic line. Theo’d seen posters with her name outside and people dressed up as her, too. The air was crackling with anticipation.

  Where was she?

  Theo went down to the foyer again, checking his phone on the way. It was charged and on, and there were no messages. He chatted with the bouncers, hiding his agitation. He couldn’t stand to stay and he didn’t dare to leave.

  One more time, Lyssa had him tied up in knots.

  Then the black SUV limo pulled up to the curb and the crowd started to shout in excitement. Theo held his breath when six bodyguards dressed in black tuxes emerged from the vehicle. They were all tall and broad, guys who worked out a lot, all wearing mirrored sunglasses. They moved like synchronized swimmers, each in perfect time with his fellows. They formed a protective corridor from the back door of the vehicle to the entry to the club’s foyer.

  The line of fans chanted louder and several began to squeal.

  The photographers pressed closer as the door of the limo opened again.

  Theo saw a high heel emerge from the limo’s interior and thought his heart might stop.

  The joyous cry of “Angel!” went up from the line of people waiting to get in. They started to wave their posters and scream her name, jumping in place. The bouncers held them back and it was good the club had hired more. There were suddenly ten times as many journalists, as if they’d come out of nowhere. They crowded around the limo as their cameras flashed, and the music from inside the club grew louder as if to announce Angel’s arrival. Theo glanced up to see patrons in the club crowded against the windows that overlooked the street.

  Angel stepped out of the limo, resplendent in white and silver, glimmering on the sidewalk for a moment as if she wasn’t real at all. Her smile was radiant as if she was made of starlight. Her skin was so pale that it might have been porcelain and her hair looked silver. She wore a sleeveless sheath of shimmering silver sequins and a massive white feather boa. Her high heels were covered with crystals that flashed as she walked. There were rings on her fingers and long earrings swinging from her earlobes, all glittering like ice, but undoubtedly jammed with diamonds. Her hair was loose, hanging in voluptuous waves down her back to her hips, and her make-up glittered.

  She could have been a fairy queen or an ice maiden. She had become an illusion, a vision of feminine perfection, and she paused on the sidewalk to be admired. She actually reminded Theo of Ginger Rogers in the movies he’d watched with Tristan, although he doubted that was the reference. There was definitely an old Hollywood glamor to her appearance. When she blew kisses to the crowd from her ruby red lips, Theo knew she held their hearts in thrall as surely as she had claimed his when she’d simply been Lyssa Monroe.

  He felt rooted to the ground when she glanced toward him and his heart skipped when she smiled a little. He was more than aware that they had an enormous audience.

  So was she.

  Were they strangers? Friends? Business acquaintances? Theo had no idea how to play it. He was used just to being who he was, though even that had changed in the past week.

  Lyssa walked toward him, hips swinging, confidence emanating from her in waves. Two of her bodyguards had bounded up the stairs to the club to ensure her safety by the time she reached Theo. The others clustered around behind her, looking formidable.

  “So, this is the club I’ve heard so much about,” she said, her voice lower and more husky than usual. He supposed that was another artifice. “And you must be Theo Tremblay.”

  As if they were strangers.

  Okay.

  “Welcome to Flatiron Five, Angel,” he said with a smile. “We’re thrilled that you decided to join us tonight to ring in the new year.”

  “I hear this is the only place to dance.” She smiled and offered her hand like a queen.

  Theo bowed over her hand and kissed it because that seemed like the right move. The crowd cheered. The cameras flashed. Lyssa was wearing the same body lotion as on the day they’d met at the hotel, its scent surprising Theo into remembering other kisses he’d placed on her bare flesh that afternoon.

  Theo glanced up and their gazes clung for a potent moment, Lyssa’s smile hinting that she was remembering the same thing.

  There was the woman he knew, lurking in the depths of her eyes, hiding behind the mask of the internationally famous model. He was reassured to catch even a glimpse of her.

  “This gentleman has style!” she said to the onlookers. The crowd roared approval, especially when she fluttered the end of her boa.

  He tucked her hand into his elbow, leading her to the door. “We think Flatiron Five is the best place to dance,” he said and the music grew louder from the club.

  “Then I’m glad to be here,” she said, sparing one last wave to her fans. They cheered and Theo was blinded again by the light of camera flashes. She blew kisses to the photographers and paused to sign a few posters, sticking so close to Theo that her breast pressed against his side.

  He’d be all over the internet within moments, looking appropriately dazzled beside the glorious Angel.

  But time was of the essence. Theo gestured to the stairs. She gave him a peck of a kiss on the cheek—again, the cameras flashed brilliantly—then climbed the wide staircase to the club with her bodyguards flanking her.

  The DJ played Material Girl, and the patrons upstairs began to sing along as she made her entrance.

  Theo realized that was the reference for her appearance. The choice pretty much summed up Lyssa’s own perspective, once upon a time.

  Did she still think money was the most important thing of all?

  Theo lingered in the foyer, ensuring that the waiting line of people was kept in check. They’d surged toward the door as she disappeared up the stairs, their desperation to get into the club invigorated by her presence. The bouncers were holding fast. Angel’s driver remained with the vehicle, which was still idling at the curb.

  The import of that was clear. It was eleven thirty-five and Angel wasn’t staying long.

  Was she even going to stay an hour?

  If she didn’t, what did that mean? Would she still expect to have an hour alo
ne with him? Or had they already taken care of that?

  She’d said that he always wanted more than she could give.

  Theo considered the frenzy of texting and uploading that was happening at the curb. He reminded himself that this was about the greater good of F5. This was about business. The team had decided she would be a great addition to the party and he’d done his job in getting her here.

  It was done.

  No matter what Lyssa decided to do.

  Funny, but he still wanted more than she was willing to give.

  The Flatiron Five dance club was jumping. The music was loud and the guys were hot. Even in the comparative darkness, Lyssa could see that it was an upscale place, and that it was patronized by beautiful people.

  Theo and his friends had built something awesome and she respected that.

  Success couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

  Lyssa knew that as soon as she stepped out of the car, she’d be the center of attention. Her public smile curved her lips as old habits kicked in and she was ready before she gave Peter the nod to open the door.

  She’d hold this audience in the palm of her hand and keep them there. She’d learned a long time ago how to give enough but not too much.

  “Knock ’em dead, Angel,” her driver said, giving her a thumbs up in the rear view mirror. “You want the car to stay?”

  She wanted that hour with Theo, but couldn’t guess whether it would happen tonight or not. He might have too many responsibilities and she wanted his undivided attention. “I’ll tell Peter when I decide. I might have you come back later instead.”

  “Whatever works for you, Angel. Just tell us what you need.”

  Lyssa blew him a kiss as her bodyguards stepped out into the night.

  Peter reached back to offer his hand to her and she swung her legs out of the car, bracing herself for the brilliant flash of cameras.

  She saw Theo near the entrance to the club and her heart lurched, but she hid her reaction. He looked fabulous, in a perfectly tailored dark suit and white shirt, his tie gleaming purple silk. She could have eaten him up with a spoon.

  Funny how seducing him this week hadn’t changed anything. She still wanted more and Lyssa was starting to realize that might always be the case with Theo Tremblay. How many times had she watched his videos? It should have been enough, but it wasn’t nearly.

  The cool glance he gave her when she offered her hand told Lyssa that he was less impressed than she might have hoped. She’d guessed it would annoy him that she hadn’t called him back about the book, but she knew she couldn’t see him again without sharing the truth.

  First, she’d keep her word and she’d do it with style.

  Lyssa smiled and waved to the crowd, then swept up the stairs with confidence. If this was to be the last time that Angel made a public appearance, she’d make it really count. She spun onto the middle of the dance floor, her move making the crystals flash on her shoes and the sequins sparkle on her dress. Even her stockings had glitter woven into them so that she shimmered from head to toe.

  It was a performance and she’d give it her all.

  The DJ played the Madonna song that had inspired her look and she laughed, blowing him a kiss for catching the reference. He gave her two thumbs-up and cranked up the volume. Peter and the others surrounded her as she lip-synched to the song, spinning from one bodyguard to the next. On one big screen, Madonna was doing much the same in her music video. The other patrons formed a circle around her, applauding, singing and dancing.

  The floor was vibrating. The air was sizzling. The lights were flashing and the music was loud.

  Lyssa spotted one of the guys who worked at the club. They all wore black T-shirts with the F5 logo—well, all except Theo. All the F5 people were pumped and gorgeous. The one woman Lyssa had seen in the video at Radio City Music Hall kept up to the guys, in latex and high-heeled boots with her long blond hair swinging behind her.

  The guy Lyssa chose wasn’t one of the partners. He was younger and his eyes lit with pleasure when she moved toward him. He offered his hand, she took it and they spun across the floor. He made her look good when he dipped her and Lyssa laughed out loud. She could hardly see for the flashing lights of cellphones and cameras.

  They danced, the crowd backing away then clapping in time to the music. Lyssa could hear horns and noisemakers already, even though it wasn’t quite midnight. Her heart pounded in time with the beat of the music.

  The flashes slowed down enough that she could get a better look at the club. The display on the screen with Madonna’s video split to show the ball at Times Square and the countdown to midnight. On the opposite wall was a composite of nine huge screens, making an even bigger screen. It showed another club, where there was dancing. The logo in the bottom corner said F5W and the guy tearing up the dance floor was Kyle. The music was obviously synched between the two clubs. Madonna’s song blended into another with a pounding beat, and her partner spun her around, then pulled his phone from his pocket.

  “I need a souvenir pic!” he said with a grin.

  She leaned against him and smiled at his phone, then in the last minute, puckered up to plant a showy kiss on his cheek. The flash lit at exactly the right moment and he hooted with surprise.

  “Perfect!” He tapped at his phone, laughed, then showed her the image. “I’m going to be a star.” Lyssa laughed and he stuck out his hand. “Hey, I’m Hunter.”

  “Hunter Superstar,” Lyssa teased and spun away from him. The trick was not to get too close or linger too long with anyone. She waved to Hunter as she claimed another partner, knowing she had to work the room to deliver to Theo’s expectations. She didn’t have long until midnight and the crowd was big. She danced and laughed like she was having the time of her life.

  The patrons loved it.

  Next year, she might be able to be just an ordinary person at a party like this, one who could order a drink, dance with her lover, or cuddle up in the corner to give him a sweet, hot kiss.

  That thought made her look for Theo. He was hovering by the door, staying in the shadows exactly where she didn’t want him to be. He was hardly out of the limelight, though, as people swarmed around him, taking selfies with him and shouting to him about the pop-ups. He was gracious with all of them, smiling and even laughing when one woman kissed his cheek. She left a red lipstick mark there and Theo grinned as he rubbed it away with his handkerchief.

  A sweet hot kiss.

  Lyssa was never going to get to talk to Theo tonight if they stayed in the club.

  But it was almost midnight.

  The solution was perfectly simple. Everyone kissed at the stroke of twelve and there was only one man Lyssa wanted to kiss. A kiss could lead to that private hour. There had to be somewhere to go in this building for privacy, and Theo had to have all the keys. She’d apologize for not calling, make it up to him in the most basic way possible, and then tell him the truth.

  Right after midnight would be the easiest time to disappear.

  Lyssa leaned close to Peter, who was standing with his arms folded across his chest. He fit right in, given his toned physique, but with his posture and his grim expression, he didn’t look very celebratory. “I’m going to stay,” she whispered. “I’ll call when I need the car again.”

  “We’ll stay,” Peter said immediately, but Lyssa shook her head.

  “Not tonight. I’ll call.” She smiled. “Go, please.”

  His eyes widened in surprise, but she held his gaze until he nodded reluctant agreement. Lyssa chose another partner, laughing and dancing even as she figured out how to get to Theo at the stroke of midnight. The club was packed, so she’d better start making her move early.

  How annoyed was he? She knew that manners were important to him. She really hoped he wouldn’t brush her off.

  Her heart skipped with a newfound fear.

  He wouldn’t.

  Would he? He was more decisive now than he’d been before. He just might.r />
  Lyssa was aware of Peter and the other bodyguards fading back into the crowd. They’d linger on the perimeter until everyone forgot them, then return to the car.

  Five minutes. Lyssa’s heart raced. The music changed again, mixing into another dance song with a grinding beat. They had a great DJ, which made Lyssa want to come back one night and just dance. The crowd cheered as she gyrated down to the floor and back up again, then she beckoned for them all to join her. She was immediately surrounded, which made it much easier to move toward Theo.

  But he’d stepped away from the door. She’d lost track of him on the crowded floor, and had a moment of panic before she spied him at the end of the bar.

  Two minutes to midnight.

  Spotlights followed Lyssa. The bartender grinned at her and the crowd parted, obviously thinking she wanted a drink. But Lyssa danced past them, covertly stalking Theo. She was a woman on a mission.

  One minute to midnight. The music was being turned down and the crowd started to count down the seconds along with the broadcast.

  “A picture!” Two fans appeared in front of her, blocking her path, and Lyssa hid her frustration with a smile.

  “Of course.” She posed with them both for pictures, then slipped between them. The final countdown was so loud that the floor shook. Theo was watching the screen, as if oblivious to her approach, but Lyssa knew better.

  She saw his throat work.

  Sexy beast.

  “Three!”

  “Two!”

  “One!” The club erupted in cheers and squeals, in the sounds of trumpets and noisemakers, whistles and bells. Black and silver balloons tumbled from the ceiling and streamers flew through the air. Lyssa threw her boa into the crowd and people scrambled to grab a souvenir. She didn’t doubt it would be shredded. The familiar sound of Auld Lang Syne, with many drunken voices singing along, rose above the din, but Lyssa had ahold of Theo’s jacket sleeve.