by Donna Hill
Vaughn had the opportunity to see Justin through different eyes—how he interacted with his staff and his friends. She could see why he was so well liked. He treated everyone with the same degree of interest and respect. He was a born leader. It was apparent in the way he could subtly steer a conversation or make a suggestion that easily became accepted by all, and by the way his opinion was sought on any topic. Most of all, he didn’t have to flaunt it, which was the quality that separated the real thing from the wannabes. But that didn’t stop him from running his fingers across her thighs whenever he thought no one was watching. The sensuous feel of his fingertips seemed magnified because of the secrecy.
She also got a kick out of Khendra’s not so subtle questions about her life and her views on relationships. It was hilariously apparent that Khendra had taken on the task of being Justin’s keeper. Khendra Phillips-Michaels was even more charming than Vaughn had previously witnessed, she thought, as Khen flashed her famous dimpled smile that made her feel instantly at home. What made Khendra so compelling was not just her stunning looks, but a powerful aura of self-possession that could not be ignored. Khendra was not the kind of woman to wait around to be asked. She took control. Vaughn couldn’t help but admire her. And her husband—Sean—hot was the first word that popped into her head. It was no wonder that he won all his cases. The jury was probably mesmerized by his charisma and believed whatever that gospel-sounding voice said. She was sure that this fine brother even looked good first thing in the morning. He, too, was dynamic, exhibiting an inner strength that he wore with the utmost confidence.
After about the first hour of talking with Simone, her high level of anxiety was finally reduced. Her initial reaction at seeing the striking resemblance to Brian had truly shaken her. They said that everyone in the world had a twin. Today, she could confirm that the old saying was true. Simone was as intelligent, as sweet, and as pretty as Justin had described. She could see how he could easily identify with Simone. She was the kind of young woman anyone would be proud to have as a daughter. And the longer she was in Simone’s company, the closer she felt to her. It was a strange sensation. But Vaughn attributed it to Simone’s ability to charm everyone she came into contact with.
“So, Simone, how do you like Virginia so far?” Vaughn asked.
“Everything has been wonderful. I’m looking forward to being here. It’ll be a great way to celebrate my birthday,” she grinned.
“When is it?” Chad questioned. “If you’re going to be in town by then, maybe we could plan something.”
“It’s in two weeks. May twentieth.”
Vaughn felt as if the breath was being squeezed out of her. Her head began to pound. Casually she took several sips of water to compose herself before she spoke. Maybe she had heard wrong.
“Did you say May twentieth?” she asked smoothly, magnificently camouflaging the tremor that seized her vocal cords.
“Yep,” Simone affirmed. “I’ll finally be nineteen.”
“Nineteen!” Khendra sputtered. “And you’re a senior? That’s incredible. Your parents must be so proud.”
“They are…”
The conversation continued without Vaughn. Although she smiled and nodded in all the right places, she was on automatic pilot. Her years of training to be in the public eye had taken over. She masked her dismay behind a practiced smile.
It must be just some bizarre coincidence. It had to be, she concluded. If she could just have a moment to get herself together, she knew she would be fine. She pushed back in her seat and slowly stood up. “If you all will excuse me a minute, I’m going to find the ladies’ room.”
“Woman—ladies’ room—minute. Tell me what’s wrong with that statement,” Sean chuckled, and the whole table joined in.
“Very funny,” all three women said at once, in varying tones of apathy, then turned to each other in amusement at the spontaneous response.
“I’ll go with you,” offered Simone.
Justin watched the two walk off and the conversation resumed. But he knew that something was wrong. He could tell by the almost imperceptible tremor in Vaughn’s voice and the way that her eyes seemed to take on a glinty edge. Her smile was tight around the edges. Her note of laughter didn’t ring true. Anyone who didn’t know her, hadn’t observed her as he had, would never be the wiser. He was beginning to worry.
At the start of dinner she’d seemed off center, but as the evening had progressed, she’d appeared to be her old self. Then suddenly she’d gotten this strange look in her eyes—just for an instant. The kind of expression a person has when they hear news that is too farfetched to believe.
“I’m really happy to finally meet you, Ms. Hamilton,” Simone was saying, as they stood facing the mirror.
The sincerity in Simone’s voice touched her. “I feel the same way.” She smiled and applied a light stroke of lipstick.
“I’ve been following your career for years,” she confessed. She turned so that she faced Vaughn’s profile. “I know that this may sound corny, but I really admire you. You’ve been an inspiration for me over the years.”
Slowly, Vaughn turned to face her. The shock hit her again, but not with as much force.
“I really appreciate that, Simone. It’s important for me to know that I can make a difference.” Something made her want to reach out and touch her. She placed her hand on Simone’s shoulder. Her smile was filled with warmth. “Even if it’s just one difference at a time.”
Simone looked down at her shoes and then across at Vaughn. “When I come back next week, would it be all right if I came by your office? I’d really like to see how things operate.”
Vaughn chuckled. “Believe me, sweetheart, it’s not as glamorous as you think. But you’re more than welcome to drop by.”
They both began walking toward the door and for the first time that evening, Vaughn felt as if the weight had been lifted off her chest. The flutters that had gone berserk for the last few hours had finally ceased. In the place of all that undefined tension was an overwhelming sense of peace. She couldn’t explain it. She just knew that it was so.
“Thanks, Ms. Hamilton,” Simone beamed. “I really appreciate it.”
“Your visit won’t conflict with your work with Mr. Montgomery?”
Simone grinned confidently. “I think I can work something out.”
Vaughn’s eyes widened in amusement. “I’m sure you can, young lady. I’m sure you can.”
Justin had dropped off Chad and then Simone. Vaughn had followed his lead in her car. He stepped up to her window after seeing Simone safely inside. Vaughn grinned up at him. “Where to?” she asked.
“How do you feel about an overnight guest?”
Vaughn smiled that slow, sexy smile that made Justin’s stomach muscles tighten. “I’m sure I don’t have anything for you to sleep in,” she teased suggestively.
“I’m sure we can find something for me to sleep in, and I can guarantee that it will fit like a glove,” he tossed back in a low, silky voice.
The slow heat of anticipation wound its way through her veins. “I feel a long night coming on.” She winked and rolled up her window, then waited for Justin to return to his car, and they took off toward her townhouse.
In the kitchen, Vaughn prepared a pitcher of strawberry daiquiris while Justin selected some music for the CD player. She entered the dimly lit living room and placed the hand-carved tray with their refreshments on the coffee table.
Luther Vandross’s “A House Is Not a Home” played soothingly in the background. Vaughn picked up their drinks and handed Justin his.
He reached for the glass, took a sip, then placed it on the mantel behind him. He turned toward her, giving her a smoldering look. “Did I tell you that you look incredible tonight?”
From the hunger in his gaze, Vaughn was glad that she’d decided to change into the gray satin lounging outfit. She took a slow sip from her glass, then placed hers next to his on the mantel. “As a matter of fact you did
,” she answered huskily.
Justin reached out and snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Vaughn rested her head on his chest and let her eyes slide shut. Easily they glided together as one being to the sensuous sound of Luther.
“Feeling better?” Justin whispered into her hair. He felt the slightest hesitation in her step and knew that he’d been right. “You want to tell me about it?”
The firm but gentle cadence of his voice was almost enough to crumble any resistance that she had. She expelled a long, wistful sigh. “Simone seems like a wonderful girl,” she said slowly, temporarily evading the question until she could put words to her emotions.
“Yes, she does. Did she measure up to my description?” He felt her nod her head in response. He waited, hoping she would say more, but she didn’t.
The song ended and the CD player switched disks. The soul-stirring voice of Oleta Adams filled the room with “Get There.”
“When are we going to get past the secrecy, Vaughn? When are you going to start trusting me?”
She heard the weariness in his voice, the hint of frustration. Guilt pricked her conscience.
“It’s just that…well, nothing, really…”
Justin pulled slightly back to look down at her, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of returning his look. Instead, she pressed herself closer against him, as if she could burrow her way beneath his skin. They fell back into step.
“It’s just what—what’s been bothering you tonight?”
She wanted to just stay snuggled in his embrace, to listen to the steady beat of his heart, feel his warmth as the music washed over them. But instinctively she knew that Justin wasn’t going to let her get away with it this time.
“I guess it’s a combination of things,” she finally admitted.
“I’m listening.”
She took a deep breath and then told him about her argument with Crystal earlier in the day.
“…It just really bothers me that after all these years of knowing each other she’d think so little of me. I can’t understand why she can’t see that I’m only looking out for her.”
Justin slowly shook his head and chuckled softly, the closeness of their bodies causing vibrations to ripple through her in a delightfully sensual way.
“What’s so funny?”
“Vaughn, no one likes to be told that the person they care about is no good for them. Of course she got defensive. Look at what happened between you and your father. Perfect example. I’m sure Crystal views you as someone she admires as both a friend and an employer. Someone she respects and quite possibly may be jealous of in some regard. So coming from you, it was probably a blow to her ego. By telling her that she should check this guy out, you were questioning her ability to make a good choice and she lashed out at you.”
She angled her head back and looked up at him. His gaze widened in inquiry. Her bottom lip curled into what could only be described as a sneer.
“You just don’t know how it ticks me off when you’re right.”
His eyes swept over her face and he gave her a wicked grin. “You must stay mighty ticked, seeing as I’ve been right about us since day one.” He pulled her closer and nibbled on her ear. Her whole expression softened. She glided her hands up and down his back in time to Anita Baker’s “Giving You the Best That I’ve Got. “Hmmm,” was all she could say, as she let her body go with the music.
“How about if I go for the jackpot?” he hummed in her ear. He didn’t wait for an answer. “You said it was a combination of things. So what else is bothering you? My senses tell me it has to do with Simone. Would you like to tell me why?”
Chapter 16
Crystal stared sightlessly up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. She looked across at David’s peacefully sleeping form and all the things that Vaughn had said came crashing back.
As much as she hated to admit it, everything Vaughn implied was true. How much did she really know about David? Their whole world existed in her apartment. She’d never been to his. He claimed that he lived in a one-room apartment that was barely furnished and suitable only for someone who had no intention of being there for any length of time.
Yet even though her subconscious nagged her about the voids in their relationship, she’d been so bowled over by his attention that she didn’t hesitate in sharing every aspect of her life with him. He seemed so interested—always wanting to know how her day went, what were they doing to ensure Vaughn’s victory, and she’d always been candid, happy to share her triumphs, her strategies.
Now that she really thought about it, however, David’s interest almost exclusively centered around her work and the campaign. A prickling of dread skittered up her spine. No. She was just being paranoid. Vaughn’s innuendos that David had ulterior motives had gotten to her. After all, didn’t he bring her flowers every time he came to see her? Didn’t he buy her lovely gifts every time he went on a business trip? She was wearing one of the three satin teddies that he’d purchased. Didn’t he tell her how much he cared about her when they made love?
Of course, all those things were true. She was being silly. But as much as she tried to convince herself, that uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach would not go away.
Elliott hung up the phone in his study. His thick fingers braced the edge of his desk. Slowly, he surveyed the paneled room. One full wall, from floor to ceiling, was lined with heavy bound books covering everything of significance that had been written about the law. He’d never had time for recreational reading. His reading time was reserved for scholarly pursuits that would keep him abreast of every statute, appeal, and case across the globe.
His record on the bench was exemplary as a result of his seemingly limitless knowledge of the law. He ran his courtroom much like he ran his life, with iron-clad control. Ultimately it had afforded him an abundance of success and a coveted position on the Superior Court bench. His dream was to attain a place in history as a Supreme Court justice, following in the footsteps of Thurgood Marshall. It could happen. It would happen as long as his plan did not become unraveled by the potentially scandalous behavior of his daughter. However, even that was no longer a problem. He’d seen to that as well. Now, it was only a matter of time.
Vaughn just didn’t understand. Their course was set years ago when he and Senator Willis were first launching their careers. They were in this together. He was so engrossed in his reflections that he didn’t hear Sheila enter the thickly carpeted room until she spoke.
“It’s two A.M., Elliott. When are you coming to bed?”
He blinked several times, shoving back the memories. He puffed out his chest and gently massaged the bridge of his nose. He looked up at his wife for a long moment. She was still so beautiful, he realized. Feelings of warmth quietly filled him. The sudden sensation shocked him. It had been so long since he’d felt anything other than the need to control. An overwhelming sense of loss swept through him, stinging his eyes and clenching his throat. For a brief moment he wanted to take his wife in his arms and turn back the clock. He sighed. Of course, that was impossible.
“Elliott?” She stepped closer. “Are you all right?” For a fleeting instant she swore she saw his expression soften when he looked at her. But then it was gone and she wasn’t sure if she’d seen it at all or only wished it. He had on his public face, the one she’d come to live with. He and Vaughn were so much alike in that way, she mused, though not unkindly. They had the ability to shield their innermost emotions behind a mask. She, however, was not so talented. Even now she felt the lines of worry stretch across her forehead and the hollowness fill her eyes.
Elliott cleared his throat, pushed himself away from the desk, and stood up. “I was just on my way up.” His voice was laden with a weight that Sheila knew he would never share. That part of their life was over. His voice was so low when he next spoke that it barely reached her. “Will we be sharing the same room tonight?”
Did she hear a hint of hopefulness in the
question, or was it only her deepest desires ringing through her ears again? She smiled tightly. “I think that would be best.” She started to walk toward the door. “There’s no need to give the housekeeper something to gossip about,” she added quietly. She reached for the doorknob and stopped. She turned expectantly toward her husband.
He came up behind her and gently put his hand on her shoulder. There was so much that he wanted to say—to tell her how sorry he was that she didn’t love him anymore—how sorry he was about the way their lives had detoured. But he couldn’t do that. It was eighteen years too late for regret.
“You’re right,” he answered pompously.
Tension ran through Vaughn’s body and tightened it like a coil. How did she think she could hide her feelings from him? She’d been unsuccessful at that since the day they met.
Justin ran his hand slowly up and down her thigh. He knew he’d hit pay dirt when he felt her muscles tense beneath his fingers. He might have fallen into the habit of letting her sidestep his questions before, but not tonight. He had an undeniable sense that whatever was troubling her went very deep and maybe—just maybe—it was the root of her resistance. He wanted to know what Simone Rivers had to do with it.
The music ended and Vaughn eased out of Justin’s arms. She moved toward the couch and sat down heavily. She looked up at him. His eyes grazed over her, taking in every nuance. Slowly he crossed the room and sat opposite her in the loveseat. He leaned slightly forward, his arms braced on his thighs. All his attention was riveted on her face.
Vaughn looked away—out toward the terrace—and down at her hands, which lay perfectly still in her lap. Where could she begin?
As if he’d read her thoughts, Justin said, “Why don’t you start at the beginning.” His voice was warm and comforting. Vaughn felt as if she could just wrap herself in it like a favorite comforter. His voice did that to her.
