by Peggy Hunter
Just as she opened her mouth to say exactly what was on her mind, Tilly breezed into the kitchen. “Morning all."
Ally sighed. “Good morning, Tilly."
Victoria's eyes slid over her youngest daughter. Dressed in an oversized t-shirt and nothing else, Tilly walked to the counter and reached for the pot of coffee. She ignored the bone china cups set out on the counter and searched the cupboards.
Victoria gasped when Tilly found an oversized mug with bold letters that read I Got Screwed in Los Vegas ... In More Ways Than One! “I thought I'd thrown that offensive thing out years ago."
Tilly winked. “Yeah, you thought so. I rescued it from the trash just to bug you."
"So I see.” Ally tried not to giggle as their mother's chin lifted indignantly. “If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check for the morning mail."
Ally exhaled the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding until her mother left the room. She turned to Tilly. “God,” Ally exclaimed. “You're hell-bent on killing her, aren't you?"
Tilly snickered. “Hey, if I wanted to kill Mom, I'd have shown her this.” From behind her back, Tilly pulled out the Wilbur Crier and held it up in front of Ally's nose.
Ally blinked as she gazed at the picture on the front of the weekly paper. There, in black and white, was Randy Gallagher kissing her on the stage at the bachelor auction. Ally snapped the paper from her sister's hand and examined it closely.
"You can't tell who he's kissing,” she said, a certain measure of relief coursing through her veins.
"True,” Tilly conceded. “Unless, of course, you know who it is. Then the woman is quite recognizable."
Ally's frowned as she gazed at the picture again. “Are you sure?"
"Oh yes, I'm sure,” Tilly replied. “And so will Sam be when he sees it."
Ally slowly placed the china cup on the counter and peered at her sister. “Oh, no,” she said softly. And then the full effect of what might happen hit her. “Sam. I've got to talk to him before he sees this."
Tilly raised her mug in a mock cheer. “Hey,” she said, “good luck with that."
* * * *
Wilbur's downtown core consisted of one street. As a rule, the town was never very busy. Gone were the days when people came downtown for their shopping needs. Finding a parking space was never an issue ... at least not as a rule.
Today Ally was forced to park two blocks from Sam's office. While the sun was shining brightly and birds sang in the trees, a dark storm cloud hung over her head as she walked to her fiancé's office.
God had to be out to get her today. Just about every shop owner happened to be on the sidewalk as Ally marched by.
"Getting nervous about the big day?” Mr. Lipman, owner of the butcher shop asked.
"Not at all,” Ally lied as she hurried by.
"Good forecast for tomorrow,” Mrs. Shipley, the bakery owner, said.
"Yes,” Ally replied. “It should be a very fine day."
After several other ‘hellos', Ally breathed a sigh of relief when she pushed through Sam's office door. She pressed herself against the closed door and took a long breath.
"Ms. Peters,” Sam's secretary, Sandra Black, said. “How good to see you."
Ally nodded and pushed off the door. “Is Sam available?"
The older woman shook her head. “As a matter of fact, he's with a client. I don't think he's expecting you."
Ally approached the desk. “Well, no, I know he's not,” she said. “But I really do need to see him."
Ally's eyes widened when she saw the stack of mail on Sandra's desk. The Wilbur Crier peeked out on the bottom of the stack. She peered at the secretary. “I'm afraid it's most urgent,” she said. “Would you mind checking with Sam?"
"You know he doesn't like to be disturbed when he's in a meeting with a client,” Sandra said. And then she smiled. “But since it's the day before your wedding and my grandson is the ring bearer, I'll see if he'll make an exception this time."
Ally breathed a sigh of relief when Sandra left. She lunged at the desk and pulled the newspaper out from under the stack of mail. She quickly folded it and stuffed it into her purse seconds before Sandra returned.
"He only has a moment,” the secretary said. “He requested you go to the lounge. He'll get there when he can."
Ally smiled. “Thank you.” She rounded the desk and began to walk down the hall.
"Oh, Ms. Peters."
Ally froze in place. She turned. “Yes?"
"Did you happen to grab the copy of the Wilbur Crier on my desk?"
Damn. “Why, yes,” Ally replied. “Thought I'd read it while I waited for Sam."
"That's my copy,” Sandra said. “I believe Sam left his copy in the lounge. I gave it to him when he came in this morning."
Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.
Ally pulled the paper out of her purse and handed it to Sandra. “Oh, sorry,” she said. If her smile was any more strained, she was certain her face would crack wide open.
"No problem,” Sandra said as she took the paper. She tucked it under her arm and gazed at Ally, her eyes twinkling softly.
Ally turned and quickly walked to the lounge. She threw herself in one of the overstuffed leather armchairs and covered her eyes with her hands.
Sandra knew. And if she knew, Sam did too.
The jig was up. One stupid moment was going to set a course for the rest of her life. One weak moment, a time Ally thought she needed to drive doubts about her marriage out of her head once and for all, was going to wreak havoc on her future.
When Sam learned the truth, every last sordid detail, he'd dump her without a backwards glance. And who would blame him? Ally certainly wouldn't.
When Ally pulled her hands away from her face, she saw Sam's copy of the Wilbur Crier on the coffee table. She leaned over to pick it up and examined the photo on the front page. She cringed when she read the headline.
Wilbur's Favorite Son Purchased by Mystery Woman at Bachelor Auction!
Ally's eyes combed over the black and white picture. Taken from a distance, it was fuzzy at best. Sure, she knew she in the picture but she was there. The long curls cascading over her shoulders as Randy bent over her could be brown. And Randy's face over hers blotted out her features. Who could safely say it was Ally in the picture? If Sam asked her, all she'd have to do was deny it. After all, no one she knew could confirm it.
Yes, that's the answer. All I have to do is deny it.
"Allison."
Startled, Ally tossed the paper onto the coffee table and peered up at her fiancé. Her heart raced as she attempted to act nonchalant. “Sam,” she said nervously, “I thought you'd be a lot longer."
Sam stepped inside the lounge and closed the door. In his three-piece suit, he looked stoic and, Ally had to admit, unforgiving. “I only have a moment,” he said as he sat down in the armchair across from her. He folded his arms over his chest and crossed his legs. “Sandra tells me you were anxious to see me."
Ally struggled not to look at the newspaper on the coffee table between them. “Yes,” she said nervously. “It's the day before our wedding and I just wanted to make sure you weren't having second thoughts."
Sams's eyes narrowed slightly. His head tilted quizzically. “Why would I?"
Ally struggled to find the words. Her mind went completely blank.
She sucked in a deep breath when Sam leaned over and picked up the newspaper. He held the front page up for her to see. “Are you concerned about this?"
"Well, I ... er ... yes, I guess so,” she said. “But I can explain everything."
Sam tossed the paper onto the coffee table. “I really don't care."
Ally blinked. “Excuse me?"
Sam nodded lightly. “You heard me,” he said. “I don't care."
"Aren't you in the slightest bit interested in what happened?"
Sam shook his head. “No."
Ally struggled to get her mind around it. “Doesn't it bother you that the woman in th
at picture looks a lot like me?"
Sam grinned. “Don't be coy, Allison,” he said. “It is you. And no, it doesn't bother me."
Ally wasn't sure she liked the twist the situation had taken. If he wasn't bothered by her indiscretions, then maybe he didn't really care about her either. “Sam,” she said, “at the very least, let me explain."
Sam rose from the chair. “What's to explain?” he asked. “You went to a bachelor auction and bought this,” he reached for the paper and quickly checked the article, “...fireman.” He tossed the paper aside.
Ally struggled to find the words to reply. “I didn't ... I mean, we didn't...” But Sam quickly continued.
"Good, I'm glad to hear it.” He leaned over the coffee table and pierced her with his gaze. “But make no mistake, after we get married tomorrow, I will not put up with this kind of nonsense again. If you humiliate me as your husband, you will pay the price."
Ally's heart stopped as he stood over her. He slowly adjusted his tie and peered at his watch.
"Darling,” he said, “I have another meeting in five minutes.” He pursed his lips and blew her a mock kiss. “I'll see you at the wedding rehearsal tonight."
The moment he left the room, Ally reached for the newspaper. Her fingers stroked the picture softly. Oh Lord, what have I gotten myself into?
Chapter 5
Randy sighed heavily as he swatted another mosquito.
For days he kept telling himself he should just let Ally go. She clearly didn't want to see him again. Everything about the situation was ridiculous.
And yet, at eight p.m. Friday evening, he stationed himself among the cedars beside the north patio of the Wilbur Golf and Country Club.
He had no idea what he'd say when he saw her. In fact, he was no more certain now than he was a few days ago that putting a stop to the wedding was a good idea.
Randy pushed a branch aside and peered up at the balcony. It felt like he'd been waiting for hours, yet a quick check of his watch informed him it had only been ten minutes.
The high-pitched drone of another mosquito near his ear tested his patience. If Tilly didn't show up soon, he was out of there. No woman, not even Ally Peters, was worth the hassle of getting chewed up by vermin.
Voices a few feet away drew his attention. He pulled a couple branches back and peeked out.
"All right,” Ally said anxiously. “We're alone. So what's so important that you had to drag me out here?"
Tilly leaned against the railing. “I just wanted to talk to you,” she said. “After tomorrow, things will be different. You'll be a married woman."
Randy watched as Ally took a step closer to her sister and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. “That won't change anything between us."
"I wish that was true,” Tilly said sadly. “But nothing will ever be the same again."
Ally frowned. “Why on earth do you think my being married will change our relationship?” She paused before she added, “You know I'm always here for you."
Tilly took a deep breath. “Okay but I want a few minutes with you while you're still single. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"
"Of course not. What would you like to talk about?"
Tilly smiled. “Lots of stuff.” She turned to the elaborate glass doors. “Just let me get a drink first."
"All right, but hurry,” Ally replied, “Sam said he wants me back at his side in ten minutes."
When Tilly stepped inside and closed the doors behind her, Randy stood in place for a moment and watched Ally.
Dressed in a tight-fitting green gown, she looked absolutely breathtaking. Her matching stiletto heels shimmered in the moonlight as she walked to the railing and leaned on it. She gazed up at the sky. “Tell me I'm doing the right thing,” she whispered. “Please, I need to know."
Randy stepped out of the shadows. “If you need to ask, I'd say the answer is you aren't."
Startled, Ally gasped and straightened. She pushed off the railing and faced him. “Randy?"
He nodded as he stepped onto the balcony. “Yes."
"What on earth are you doing here?” she asked nervously.
"I don't know,” he said as he closed the distance between them. “You tell me."
Ally slowly stepped back as he approached her. “I'm getting married tomorrow,” she said.
"So I heard,” he said softly. He took another step toward her. “I'd have congratulated you the last time we were together but you didn't bother to mention it."
"Well,” she said, her voice shaking, “I'd have told you if it was any of your business."
Randy chuckled. “You made it my business."
"Hardly,” she countered. “All I did was donate a large sum of cash to the library."
Randy's blood began to boil. “The Children's Hospital,” he corrected. “And don't try to tell me you paid two thousand dollars to benefit anyone but yourself."
"We could argue about this until the moon turns blue but it won't get us anywhere.” She peered at the doors. “I'm waiting for someone. So I suggest you leave or..."
Randy smiled. He loved a challenge and Ally was offering one he couldn't resist. “Or what?"
"I'll call security, that's what. Imagine how the folks of Wilbur will feel when they find out their favorite son is a stalker?"
That did it. “You're coming with me.” Randy wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her over his shoulder.
Ally's fists beat on his back as he carried her off the balcony. “Kidnapping is a federal offense, don't you know that? Put me down!"
"I'm not kidnapping you,” Randy replied as he made his way to his car. “I'm just buying a little time to talk."
"We have nothing to talk about,” she cried.
Randy's hand grazed her thighs as he stopped at his car. His cock hardened instantly, pressing against the fly of his jeans in an attempt to break free.
Easy, boy! Now wasn't the time to lose it. If he fucked this up, Ally'd have security on him quicker than stink on a shitty diaper. He needed to play his cards right, to think with his head not his dick.
His cock tightened in his jeans even more when his hands slid over her sweet ass as he lowered her to the hood of his car. He ignored the persistent knocking at his fly and took a step back for good measure. “As a matter of fact,” he said through clenched teeth, “I think we have a lot to talk about."
Ally's hands braced on the hood as her eyes burned into him. Her chest heaved in the dim light; each breath in made the emerald gown stretch even tighter over her lovely breasts. He could see her nipples peak.
God. As she sat on the car, her legs spread wide apart, he wanted to rip the gown away, close his mouth over hers and caress her breasts while he drove into her.
He didn't trust himself; his need was too great. He took another step back.
Ally's breath slowed but she didn't move. “Tell me what we have to talk about,” she said softly.
"You deceived me,” he said, rage beginning to build within him again. “You took me to the lake with the intention of getting what you wanted."
Ally raised her chin in defiance. “How was it different from the last time we were at Lake Sherwood?"
"Aha!” Randy pointed his finger at her. “So you admit it!"
Ally shrugged. “I'm not denying it,” she replied. “You used me. You took me to our prom with one thing in mind. How stupid was I not to see it?"
"So fifteen years later you decided to get your revenge?” It didn't make a lot of sense to him.
"I know it took a while but you can't deny you had it coming,” she said.
Randy's eyes narrowed. “So that's all there was to it? You wanted to leave me hungering for you as payback for something that happened years ago?"
Ally raised her chin. “Yes."
"The fact you aren't sure you want to marry Tim has nothing to do with it?"
Ally's body shot erect. “His name is Sam!” Her eyes pierced him with disdain. “And he has nothing
to do with it. I love him. By this time tomorrow, I'll be his wife."
Randy cocked his head to one side. “Does he know about our encounter last week?"
Ally grinned. “Of course he does. I don't hide anything from him."
Randy raised an eyebrow. “He didn't have a problem with the fact some other guy shoved his fingers into your pussy?"
Ally's body visibly shook at his words. Hah. She may have told her darling fiancé some of the story but she didn't tell him everything.
Randy took a step closer to her. “Did you tell him how you groaned when I touched you or how hungry you were for my cock?"
Ally's chin quivered as she struggled to find the words to answer him. Randy quickly closed the distance and leaned over her.
"Did you tell him how you bucked against my fingers?"
"Stop!” Ally cried. Her hands flew to his chest in an attempt to push him away.
But Randy wasn't done yet. His hands settled on her thighs and slowly pushed beneath her dress. His mouth hovered over her lips. “Did you tell him how much you wanted me to fuck you?"
Tears slid down her cheeks as she peered up at him. “I can't do this,” she whispered. “Don't you understand? I can't!"
"You can,” he said softly as his fingers grazed the V between her thighs. “You can because you don't want to marry him."
"I do want—"
Randy's mouth closed over hers, quickly silencing any further protests. Her hands dug into his hair, pulling him down over her as she reclined against the hood of his car.
Randy's hand snaked up to cup a breast. His fingers pinched through the fabric, rolling her nipple between his thumb and finger. She gasped when his other hand slipped beneath her gown and ripped at her pantyhose, tearing them open between her thighs.
Ally tore her mouth from his. “This is wrong,” she cried as his fingers pushed the crotch of her silk panties aside.
But Randy was on fire. He needed her more than he'd ever needed anyone in his life. His hand cupped the V between her thighs as his mouth trailed kisses over her throat. When his finger slid into her moist core and gently grazed her clitoris, she moaned, arching her hips to his touch.
"If it's wrong, stop me now,” he growled. “If you don't want this as much as I do, push me away."
