“Yes.” She seemed unsure of how to respond.
He was making her nervous, and Will didn’t like that. He jumped right in. “Well, I’d like to go with you. In fact, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”
He heard her quick intake of breath and then the surprise in her voice. “Are you sure?”
“Very sure.”
“Sometimes, I—” She hesitated. “Sometimes, I think you’re playing games with me.”
“This isn’t a game. I want to go with you. Just tell me when.”
“I will. As soon as I know, myself,” she said with a relaxed laugh.
“Good.” He waited a few seconds before adding, “Thanks for tonight. I enjoyed walking you at least part of the way home.”
She laughed again, musically. “So did I. Thanks.”
“My pleasure, and I mean it. I’ll look forward to hearing from you about the party.”
He clicked off the phone and stared into the dark. Kasey wasn’t the only one with fantasies. Will was beginning to have a few of his own.
* * *
KASEY PUSHED through the crowd toward Judy and shouted in her friend’s ear, “What a great party. I had no idea there would be so many people, or so many paintings!”
Judy grabbed Kasey’s hand and pulled her across the huge art-filled Soho loft, past oil paintings that were framed and hanging, displayed on easels or stacked along the wall.
They ducked into a galley kitchen at the far end of the loft, and Judy closed the door. “I didn’t hear a word you said.”
“I said it’s a great party,” Kasey repeated a little less loudly. “Lots of paintings. Lots of people.”
“Oh. That’s better. Somewhat. Sound travels in this place, but at least it’s big enough to put some distance between the music and the conversation. About the paintings—”
“They’re great. Very—unusual. Dozens of pictures of the same scene!”
“Let’s say Danny’s into repetition. Right now, he’s into still lifes of peppers and garlic and tomatoes. But you never know what’ll happen when he picks up his brush,” Judy said fondly. “He’s really good, Kasey. A couple of galleries are showing him already. He makes me so proud.”
“I don’t blame you,” Kasey said.
“Now, about the people. Many of them, the single-male variety, anyway, were invited with you in mind. Remember my plan?”
“Judy, you and Danny were due for a party. You didn’t need me as an excuse.”
Judy stood on tiptoe, rummaged through an upper cabinet, found a big bowl and pulled it down. “This should be good for the extra chips and salsa. They’re going like crazy.” She turned to Kasey. “‘Course we didn’t need an excuse. Danny loves to show off his place, not to mention his paintings, but the idea was for you to get out on your own—away from the guy who’s running away from his wife—”
“Judy!”
“Sorry. The idea was to give you a big field to choose from, but you brought your own choice with you.”
“I sure did,” Kasey said, nibbling on the chips as Judy poured them into the bowl. “And I bought a new dress just for the occasion.” Kasey did a half turn and struck a pose, showing off her short, formfitting slip dress.
“Love it, but you never wear black.”
“I’m trying to look more sophisticated,” Kasey replied. “Do you like the silver glitter?” She turned again.
“I like it, I like it,” Judy said. “But I’m not the one who counts. Obviously you’re wearing it for Will.”
“Whom you don’t like,” Kasey said, putting her hands on her hips and confronting her friend with the statement.
“Says who?”
“You do. Talking about all the other men here—when he’s the man I’m with.”
“He’s a good dancer,” Judy said.
“Well, that’s positive,” Kasey replied sarcastically.
“It’s true. Look at ‘em. All but lining up to dance with him.”
“How about you?” Kasey asked.
“Sure. I had my turn.” Judy opened the refrigerator and replenished a tray of fresh vegetables.
“So? What do you think?”
“I told you,” Judy equivocated. “He’s a good dancer.”
“What else?”
Judy closed the fridge with her hip. “Good-looking. I’d like to see him without a beard.”
“Me, too,” Kasey replied. “Sometimes I have a fantasy—” She broke off, under Judy’s steady gaze. “Never mind. Go on.”
“Well, he has fabulous clothes. And he brought the best wine—”
“Three bottles,” Kasey reminded her, swiping a celery stick from the platter.
“But I don’t know a damned thing about him. I asked a million questions and didn’t find out a thing.”
“So he doesn’t like being interrogated. Who does?” Kasey had a sudden thought. “Oh, no. You didn’t ask about his ex-wife, did you?”
“Please, give me some credit. I was very cool and casual, but he was, well, tricky. He answered but he didn’t answer.”
Kasey settled on a kitchen stool. “Explain.”
“He was happy to talk about Bartow Tower and how he met you and how hot it is in the city in August and how he wishes he could get away. Why can’t he get away? He doesn’t have a job! My question is, what does he do all day?”
“You asked him that?” Kasey hoped for a negative answer.
“Not in so many words, but he knew damned well that was my implied question.”
Kasey sighed silently. “I expect he’s on a strict budget and doesn’t go out very often because he can’t afford to.”
“Oh, sure. That’s why he dresses like something out of GQ magazine and spends sixty or seventy dollars on wine for a crowd that’s happy to drink out of five-dollar gallon jugs. No, Kasey, money isn’t the guy’s problem. Something’s going on.”
The door opened and Will stood there, looking quizzically at them.
Kasey held her breath for a moment, wondering if he’d been listening. When he smiled wryly and leaned against the doorjamb, she figured they were safe.
“Am I interrupting?” he asked.
“Nope,” Judy said. “I’m just getting some food together to feed those animals out there.” She picked up the bowl and platter.
“Actually, the animals sent me after the food,” Will told her. “Let me help.”
“It’s okay. I’m ferrying out salsa, chips and veggies. This’ll hold them for a while. Then it’s Danny’s turn. It’s his party, too,” she said as she scurried out.
“Not one of my big fans,” Will commented.
“Untrue,” Kasey defended. “Judy’s busy with the party.”
Will crossed the kitchen in two steps and stopped by the stool where Kasey sat. He put his hands lightly on her shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. Just so you’re on my side.”
The touch of his hands on her bare skin was so pleasurable that it sent a ripple of heat flowing along her arms and shoulders.
“Have I told you what a knockout dress that is?”
Kasey felt herself glow at his words. “You did, but you can tell me again.”
Will broke into laughter. “You’re a rare find, Kasey, totally honest and unpretentious.”
“I’m not sure I like being ‘a find,’” she teased. “Sounds like something you stumble on in the street.”
“Okay. How about rare treasure?” He leaned closer so that his face was against hers. He let his lips graze her face, his beard rub against her cheek. Then he turned slightly, his lips just a millimeter from her mouth. Kasey closed her eyes and slipped her arms around his waist, thinking that everything about the night was working out perfectly.
Then Danny burst into the kitchen and started rummaging in the refrigerator. He pulled out a hunk of cheese, put it on the counter and looked over at them, grinning. His sandy hair flopped in his face, which was flushed from dancing.
“Sorry, folks, but I’ve been sent on a cheese
run.”
“That’s okay,” Will responded as he lifted Kasey lightly from the stool and set her on her feet. “We were just going out to dance.”
“There’s a bunch of real hot CDs piled up out there,” Danny told them. “Put one of them on, turn down the lights and tell Judy I’ll be looking for her. You’re not the only couple with romance on your minds,” he added as he found more cheese, pulled off a chunk and with a grin popped it into his mouth.
* * *
WILL WORE a smoky-colored silk shirt. Her cheek rested against it. Her arms were clasped around his neck; his were locked around her waist. They’d given up any pretense of dancing and were standing in one spot, holding each other, swaying gently.
Kasey felt the cool fabric of his soft silky shirt and every muscle of his warm hard body pressed against her. All kinds of fantasies skipped in and out of her mind as Will kissed her tenderly, causing tremors in all her secret places. She had an urge to peel off his luxurious shirt and unzip his pleated linen trousers. She remembered that glimpse of him wearing only a towel, his skin gleaming with droplets of water, and the image caused her heart to beat faster. She closed her eyes tightly and imagined that she was wrapped in the towel with him and then immediately wondered what he would think of her X-rated fantasy.
Kasey knew what she thought. She recognized the symptoms. She was falling in love, and she was powerless to stop it. Despite Judy’s warnings, despite all of her own questions about Will, she had been increasingly drawn to him. The more she’d seen of Will, the more she’d wanted to be with him.
She was involved, and there was nothing she could do about it now. She was falling, head over heels, for the man next door, the most exciting, handsome and mysterious man she’d ever met.
Will had let his hand drift up the bare skin of her back. She looked at him through a romantic haze as the conversation hummed, laughter rippled and music floated around them.
He looked deeply into her eyes and whispered, “A million dollars...”
“What? I don’t—”
“Forget a penny. Your thoughts are worth a million dollars.”
Kasey smiled widely. “I was thinking about how much fun I’m having with you, how much I like you. Thanks for coming to the party with me.”
Will pulled her close with a sound she couldn’t quite interpret. “Oh, Kasey, you don’t know what you do to me when you look up with those angel-blue eyes and thank me. I should be thanking you for getting me out of that damned apartment.”
Kasey snuggled contentedly against him. She had no desire to do what she’d done before—ask questions about Will’s life-style, his tendency to hole up in his apartment, to rarely venture out in the light of day. It was his business, not hers. She was content with Will as she knew him, without interrogation. This was her night of nights and she was falling in love.
* * *
THEY LEFT the party late but still far ahead of the crowd, decided to take the subway uptown and walked leisurely through Soho to the station, arm in arm. Kasey felt relaxed and happy. The sky was clear and filled with stars and a slight breeze stirred the trees along Bleeker Street.
They paused to window-shop at bookstores, art galleries and funky boutiques, where Will kept Kasey amused by choosing outfits and fantasizing her dressed in them.
“There,” he said at one of the more outrageous shops. “The long skirt with that crazy pattern. It’s kind of slinky and hugs your figure just right.” He looked her up and down. “The suede shoes, see them? Look at those heels. They’re like stilts. You’re wobbling a little.”
Kasey held on to his arm, giggling at the scenario.
“Now, what about exposing some skin in that skimpy halter with that brown stuff hanging from it?”
By now, Kasey was laughing outright. “That ‘brown stuff’ is called fringe, and I sort of like that halter.”
“I’d get it for you but unfortunately the shop’s closed,” Will said with a grin followed by a big hug as they moved on, occasionally dodging pedestrians who walked four abreast, turning the streets into their own giant party.
The subway station was nearly deserted when they went down the steps. Will bought two tokens at the booth, and they pushed through the turnstiles.
“No one here,” he observed. “Which probably means we just missed a train and have a long wait.”
“I don’t mind,” Kasey said, aware that she didn’t. With Will beside her, even hanging out in an empty subway station sounded like fun. “We can check out the Broadway-show posters.”
“Or decipher the graffiti. Let’s see. What do you think this says?” He stopped before neon scribbling. “Whoops. I think I translated it. You better look the other way, Kasey.”
“Is it pornographic?”
“Yep. Says, ‘Kilroy was here.’”
“You’re kidding! Kasey examined the lettering. “Isn’t it crazy how everything comes back into vogue, even dumb slogans?”
“Like ‘I can’t believe I ate the whole thing,’” Will offered, quoting the old television commercial.
“Speaking of believing, how about ‘Would you believe...?’” Kasey giggled. “Wasn’t that from ‘Get Smart’?”
“Yes, and it’s ‘verrry interesting,’” Will offered, joining in her laughter.
“‘But stupid!’” Laughing harder, Kasey held up her hand. “No more,” she said, “or you’ll have to carry me to the train.”
“Sounds like a good idea. ‘Go ahead, make my day!’” he said in a perfect Clint Eastwood imitation. He bent over to pick her up, when a thundering noise came down the stairs toward them. A crowd of young people, wildly dressed, some wearing masks, pushed through the turnstiles and poured onto the platform.
“Looks like someone opened the doors at a costume party and let ‘em all out,” Will observed.
“Or they’re refugees from a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Kasey decided.
“This is great,” Will said as they were surrounded by the crowd. He leaned close to Kasey and whispered, “Though I’ll never get used to women with purple crew cuts.”
“Check out her friend, the guy with the tie-dyed hair,” Kasey answered. Orange, green and blue.” She gave a playful shudder. “But it’s the nose rings that get me. That must hurt.”
“Look at the woman over there—near the guy in the white makeup—she has a ring in her belly button.”
Kasey laughed. “Of course, you’d notice that.”
“I’m not really into rings in odd places. Besides, I only have eyes for you, Kasey,” he said, grabbing her hand. “Let’s walk down to the end of the platform.”
Their hands touched for a moment before they were separated by the crowd. “I’m behind you,” Kasey called out.
Then, before she could catch up with him, she found herself at the edge of the platform. She saw Will look back toward her. Then she couldn’t see him at all and hoped he’d backtracked and would come around behind her.
Kasey heard the sound of the train in the distance and saw the yellow light far down the tunnel. She pushed her way back from the edge and saw Will coming toward her. Reaching out, she could almost touch him.
The roar of the train grew louder, and Kasey turned to look down the tracks as the train approached. She could feel the platform shake and vibrate. As she tried to move away, she felt a push and was suddenly teetering on the edge of the platform.
Fighting for balance, Kasey flailed her arms, trying desperately to push away from the edge as the train, an iron and steel monster, rushed toward the station.
Her mouth was open. She was screaming. But the scream was silent, caught deep inside. And Kasey seemed to be looking at the scene from outside herself, watching as an arm pushed her, watching as she struggled to scream.
Then she closed her eyes and gave up. She was going to fall. She was going to die.
A strong hand reached out, grabbed her arm and pulled her away as the train sped into the station.
“My God
, Kasey, what the hell—” Will’s arms were tight around her, and she clung to him, digging her nails into his back through the softness of his shirt.
“Will, oh, Will,” she cried. “Someone pushed me. I felt it, saw it—” Her knees trembled and her body began to shake, sending her into convulsions as all around, people surged and pushed their way onto the train. No one else seemed to have noticed her near-death experience.
“Let’s get out of here,” Will shouted over the din. “We’ll find a taxi.”
“No! I want to get on the train and go home—now!” she cried as she pushed and pulled her way through the crowd just as the doors started to close.
Will blocked the entrance, his back to the sliding door, holding it open while Kasey squeezed through.
The car was packed, and they stood up, with Kasey holding on to the center pole while Will wrapped his arms around her from behind, his hands enclosing hers on the pole. Kasey could feel the tears streaming down her face.
At Times Square, the throng cleared out and Will led her to a seat. His face was grave and attentive, and he didn’t let go of her hand.
“Why would someone try to kill me?” Kasey asked, looking at Will.
“No one was trying to kill you, Kasey,” he said, brushing at her tears with his hand. “There was a huge crowd, people jockeying for position—”
“You’re wrong,” she cried out.
He held her tightly. “It’s all right, Kasey. You’re upset, and there’s good reason. Someone bumped into you, and you almost fell onto the tracks.”
“I was pushed,” Kasey insisted. “I felt someone push me. I saw hands, arms. A man. A woman. I don’t know.” She buried her face against him.
Will held her silently as the train pulled out of the station.
Neither of them spoke again until they reached the Seventy-second Street stop. “Here we are,” he said, helping her up.
“Thanks. I’m sorry I was so...”
“Don’t be sorry. It was frightening for you.” They left the train and walked toward the exit.
“Yes. I could have died. If it hadn’t been for...” She stopped and looked up at him. “If it hadn’t been for you! Will, you saved me. You grabbed me and pulled me back from certain death. Oh, Will, thank you. Thank you.” Her fingers clutched desperately at his sleeve.
Stranger in My Arms Page 7
