by Cara Marsi
She jerked away. Tears stung her eyes. She didn’t belong in Tom’s world, not then, not now.
“I won’t be your fantasy, Tom.”
“Mary Beth.” The pain in his voice shot through her. She stiffened. He’d used her once. No more.
“Go,” she said, backing up against the van.
Hurt shadowed his face. He reached out a finger and gently traced her lips before turning and walking slowly away.
A single tear slipped down her cheek.
CHAPTER FOUR
Kissing Mary Beth last night had been stupid. He’d been out of line to force himself on her. But he hadn’t forced himself, had he?
Tom eased his car into the parking space on the tree-lined street and cut the engine. He leaned back against the soft leather seat. His head pounded like bumper cars taking a test drive.
Laughter erupted from the nearby sidewalk café and he glanced over. He wished he could enjoy the Sunday afternoon sunshine like the restaurant patrons and the couples who strolled languidly along the quiet walkways of Trolley Square.
Thoughts of Mary Beth drove peace from his mind. Her pride and beauty, the warmth of her kiss, stirred him. She’d enjoyed kissing him—he hadn’t imagined that.
He yanked the keys from the ignition and clenched his hand around the hard metal. He needed her friendship and forgiveness. He’d never earn either if he couldn’t keep his hands to himself.
Easier said than done. Every time he saw Mary Beth he wanted to kiss her and hold her. Hell, he wanted to do more than merely hold her.
The closeness they’d shared that day when he helped her cook, the awareness that always swirled around them, had made him want to spend time with her, to know the woman she’d become. Apparently she hadn’t felt the same way about him. She’d ignored him after that, not even taking his calls. Her coolness last night at the Bennett party frustrated him further. He’d needed to touch her, to have her smile just for him.
Had he really thought she’d be so grateful he’d bailed out her business that she’d forgive him everything and fall willingly into his arms?
No worshipful acquiescence from Mary Beth. With other women he merely had to smile and they came running. Not his Cat Eyes. Never.
Her stubbornness and pride twisted his mouth into a reluctant grin. He’d always admired those traits in her, but not when they were directed against him.
He’d dated plenty of women over the years, but no one, not even Clarice, could make him forget Mary Beth. He refused to question why.
He had to quit obsessing over her. He opened the car door and slid out, banging the door shut so hard the windows rattled. He’d been thinking too much lately.
He’d apologize to her and leave. His assistant could handle any business transactions involving Kendrick & Company. There’d be no reason to see her except at occasional corporate functions. Regret slapped at him, but he shoved it aside.
Taking a breath, he hurried up the steps of the brightly colored Victorian and rang the bell for the second floor.
“Who is it?” Her voice, low and breathy, came through the speaker. His chest constricted.
“Tom.” He winced at the answering huskiness in his tone. “Can I come up?” Silence. Anxiety gnawed at him. Maybe she wouldn’t see him. The outside door unlocked with a click. He released his breath.
His heart thumping like a sixteen-year-old with his first crush, Tom took the steps two at a time.
Mary Beth stood in the open doorway at the top of the stairs, outlined against the sunlight that streamed into the room behind her. She looked like Venus rising from the sea. Her glorious mane of dark red hair fell freely around her face and over her shoulders, just as he’d always imagined. The T-shirt and cut off jeans she wore showed the perfection of her shapely body.
Her beauty stole his breath, and his heart. He approached her almost reverently.
“Your hair is loose.” He could only stare.
Her high cheekbones turned pink. “What do you want?” she said in a thick voice.
He wanted to gather her in his arms and tangle his hands in the silky strands of her burnished hair. His words of apology turned to dust in his mouth.
“I came to apologize for kissing you last night, but I can’t do that now. I still want to kiss you.”
Her color heightened and her bottom lip trembled. She turned away.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her gently around to face him. Her skin was soft, warm. She smelled like spring lilacs.
“You’d better go.” She freed her arm from his grip and walked into her apartment.
He followed, closing the door behind him.
She turned. “I told you to leave.” Tight lines formed around her mouth.
He leaned against the door. A ginger colored cat walked over to him and rubbed against his leg. He bent to stroke its silky fur. It purred loudly. If only Mary Beth would purr at his touch.
“I don’t regret kissing you,” he said, straightening. “I’ve wanted to do that since the first day I saw you again. You are a beautiful and special woman.”
Surprised pleasure touched her eyes before a mask dropped over her features. She folded her arms across her chest, stubbornness in every curve of her body. “Don’t, Tom. We’re business associates. Period. It grates on me that I had to accept your help, but I respect what you’ve done for my company. You may own Kendrick’s now, but you don’t own me. I’m not your plaything.”
He flinched. “Plaything? My God, I never thought of you like that, ever.”
Green fire flashed from her eyes. “You never thought of me like that? I remember a night when you threw me to your friends like I was some little toy, for their amusement.”
He raked frustrated fingers through his hair. “I was eighteen. Sit down. We’ll get this out of our systems so we can both go on with our lives.”
He moved toward her. She backed away to stand by the large windows.
“We have nothing to discuss,” she said, lifting her chin in proud defiance.
He closed the distance between them. She held her ground. The hard line of her jaw and the faint glimmer of unshed tears stabbed him with twin blades of anger and guilt.
“We were kids, Mary Beth. I was a coward. I’m not proud of it, but it’s over.”
“Is that what you call it…cowardice? I call it betrayal, a premeditated cruel act.”
“No,” he said, reaching out to touch her arm. “It wasn’t like that.”
She moved away, her hands at her sides. “If you want absolution, go to confession.” She pushed aside a sheer lace curtain to stare out the window.
“You’re so damn stubborn,” he said. “Let it go.”
She whirled to face him. A pulse throbbed in her neck. “There is nothing to let go. I learned a valuable lesson that night. Even people I think are friends will use and hurt me. You taught me well, Tom.”
He winced. “You despise me. More than I thought.”
The hurt in her exquisite emerald eyes sliced through his heart.
“Your betrayal made me strong. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. On my own. I should thank you for that.” A short bitter laugh escaped her.
Anger and frustration twisted his gut. He clenched his hands to keep from touching her. He wanted to shake some sense into her. He wanted to kiss her until the past dissolved and she melted in his arms.
“Mary Beth.”
She held up her hand, silencing him. “All I care about now is saving my business. I’ll work with you on that, but anything else between us died a long time ago. Dredging it up serves no purpose. Leave it alone.”
He moved toward her until only a whisper separated them. “I can’t leave it, or you, alone.” He captured one of her long silky locks of hair and twirled it slowly around his finger.
Her eyes softened. A glimmer of hope opened in his heart. She didn’t completely loathe him.
“Leave,” she said, pulling away. She brushed hair back from her face with a shaking ha
nd.
“I’m ready to talk whenever you are.” He skimmed a light kiss on her trembling lips.
Regret and determination stiffened his spine as he turned and strode quickly out of her apartment, closing the door behind him.
Firm resolve quickened his steps and he ran down the stairs, his jaw tight. He slammed the outside door. Business associates be damned. He’d change her mind about that.
<><><>
Mary Beth started at the sound of the door slamming. Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She sank into the sofa. Her cat jumped onto her lap and stared up at her. The animal’s big green eyes seemed to ask a question. A question Mary Beth couldn’t answer.
“Oh, Missy,” she said, grabbing the bundle of fur close. “What a fool I am.”
She shouldn’t have let Tom into her apartment today. Into her life. It hurt to look at him, to be near him. He was so beautiful, with his deep blue eyes framed by thick black lashes, his chiseled features and strong jaw. She found his inborn confidence, mixed with a dash of arrogance, appealing. Too appealing. She had loved him so much once.
Despite everything—the pain, the fears—she’d wanted to kiss him last night. Wanted to kiss him today.
No! She grabbed one of the small pillows from the sofa and threw it across the room, venting her frustration. Missy meowed her protest and jumped from her arms.
Mary Beth tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The memory of Tom touching her hair, longing in his eyes, swept over her, warming her.
She squeezed her eyes shut. She would never let herself forget the lessons of the past. To let go would weaken her. If she didn’t allow anyone into her heart, she would never be hurt again.
Her life had been plotted out carefully. She’d been so focused on her career, on proving to the world, to herself, that she, Mary Beth Kendrick, needed no man. Then Tom showed up again. And things would never be the same. She bit her lip, tasting salty tears.
<><><>
Mary Beth entered the empty reception area of Kendrick and Company and hung her handbag on the closet hook. It was just past 4:30 and Mrs. Hagerty had left for the day.
The sound of Gail’s whistling came from the other room.
“You’re awfully cheerful,” Mary Beth said as she entered the kitchen.
Gail looked up from kneading bread dough. “Someone around here has to be happy. You’ve been Ms. Grumpy for the last three days.”
“I have a lot on my mind.” Mary Beth opened the refrigerator, pulled out a pitcher of lemonade and poured herself a glass.
Gail raised an eyebrow. “Care to talk about it?”
“It’s nothing.” She took a sip of lemonade. “Sure is hot for this time of year.”
She’d never told Gail about Tom’s visit to her apartment three days ago, although she’d hardly been able to think of much else herself.
Since then she hadn’t seen or heard from him. Maybe he had finally accepted that things should remain strictly business between them. A man like Tom must have plenty of women in his life. He didn’t need to pursue her. A sliver of sadness cut through her heart.
“You look nice,” Gail said. “Very stylish. You’ll wow them tonight at the Greek Festival.”
Mary Beth shrugged. “Thanks, but I’m not out to wow anyone. I wanted to wear something feminine for a change. I get a little tired of black pants and a white shirt.”
“Tell me about it.”
Mary Beth rubbed her palm down the smooth silk of her print skirt. The delicate knee-length skirt, silk tank top and bare stiletto sandals cost half a month’s salary. She didn’t care. She wanted to look good.
Maybe her subconscious was telling her she needed to meet a man, someone who would make her forget Tom. She sipped the cool drink and stared at the shaft of late afternoon sunlight illuminating the white tile counter.
The light bouncing off the counter top seemed to reach into her soul, opening the secret place where she kept the truth. There wasn’t a man alive who could make her forget Tom Sackett.
Fear cramped her stomach and she gripped the lemonade glass. Tom had shown his true colors years ago. She had to remember that.
“Why so quiet?” Gail asked.
“Just relaxing before facing the crowds at the festival. I wish you’d reconsider and go. I hate going alone.”
Gail continued molding dough, not looking up. “Maybe it won’t be so bad. You never know who you might see.” Splashes of color rose in her cheeks.
The doorbell buzzed before she could question Gail. “I’ll get it.” Mary Beth set down her class and headed into the reception area.
Pushing aside the pleated shade covering the glass-fronted door, she peered out. Tom stood outside. He smiled at her, a hesitant smile that made her heart flip like a Sunday morning pancake.
She unlocked the door and opened it slowly to let him in. “Gail’s in the kitchen,” she said, sliding her gaze from his. “I’m on my way out.”
“I know,” he said softly. “I’m going with you.”
“What?” she squeaked, jerking her attention back to him.
“I came by earlier.” The intensity in his eyes held her. “Gail mentioned you were going to the Greek Festival to sample the food, but you didn’t like going alone. I offered to take you. Didn’t she tell you?”
“No, she didn’t.” Mary Beth glanced toward the kitchen and narrowed her eyes. That mop-haired blonde had gone too far this time.
She drew a deep breath and faced him. “No. Absolutely not. I won’t go with you. This has been a huge misunderstanding.”
“What are you afraid of, Mary Beth?”
The challenge in his eyes stopped her. She strode quickly to the desk and leaned against it, putting distance between her and the utterly delicious man who was relaxing so insolently by the door.
“I am not afraid of anything,” she said, tightening her jaw. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going after all.”
He walked slowly toward her, his blue eyes like fire, warming her. She pressed against the desk.
Despite her fears, Tom’s wild good looks shot darts of excitement up her spine. His midnight hair, slightly damp and slicked back, gave him an aura of edgy sophistication. The pale blue of his shirt emphasized the deep color of his eyes.
He took her chin between his fingers and tilted her face toward his. “I don’t believe you. I think you’re scared I’ll tell you how beautiful you look.” His silky voice caressed her.
He stroked his thumb along her jaw. She wanted to pull away, but his mesmerizing gaze held her.
His clean-shaven face invited her touch. She inhaled the rainwater scent of his soap.
“I am not going with you,” she bit out with the last crumbs of willpower left in her.
He released her and drew a ragged breath. “You want just business between us, then that’s what it will be. Consider this a business trip. You can handle that, can’t you?”
“I can handle anything, but I still won’t go with you.”
“Afraid to be alone with me?” he asked, taunting her. The huskiness in his voice set off tiny alarms in her mind. He stood with his arms folded, his expression daring her to answer.
“You’re no threat to me,” she said with a short laugh.
“Prove it.” He moved closer.
She met the challenge in his eyes. “I’ll get my purse.”
CHAPTER FIVE
The grounds of the Greek church had been transformed into an open air feeding frenzy. Long queues snaked toward food stands selling gyro pitas, grilled lamb, and gooey, mouth-watering pastries. The pungent odors of onion, garlic and rosemary mingled with sweet honey, promising culinary delights.
Mary Beth inhaled deeply and tried to concentrate on the seductive aromas of the food and not the vibrant, disturbing man walking so close beside her.
The surging crowd pushed her against Tom. He reached out a hand to steady her. She stiffened and pulled away.
“Relax, Mary Beth.
You’re so uptight it’s a wonder you don’t shatter. I won’t bite.” His voice held an icy edge.
She stole a glance at him. He stared straight ahead, his jaw set in a hard line.
The ride to the festival had been strained, with neither of them saying much. Tension had simmered in the close confines of Tom’s luxurious sports car. Had she hurt him by her reluctance to attend the festival with him? Despite what he’d done in the past, she had no desire to hurt him. But she had to protect herself.
Tom’s cool detachment in the car and now, winding though the smiling, boisterous crowd, scraped her already sharpened nerves. Maybe she’d been too quick to accept his challenge.
She slid her attention to him again. The rigid set of his shoulders and the pulse that throbbed in his neck hinted at dark fires held back by a strong will. She shuddered.
“You can’t be cold,” he said, looking down at her.
She shook her head. “I just caught a breeze.”
“Come closer,” he said. “I’ll warm you.” He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. The feel of his hand on her bare skin sent ripples of heat through her. She knew she should draw away, but he felt so good. And she was tired of fighting her attraction to him. She’d allow herself to relax, for just a little while.
“Let’s eat indoors,” he said, nodding his head toward the yellow brick building attached to the small, stately church. “It might be less crowded there.”
They moved down a walkway lined with booths selling T-shirts and ornate Greek jewelry. Loud squealing came from the children’s amusement rides on the other side of the church.
Tom slid his arm down to her waist, guiding her through the masses pouring in and out of the hall where the dinners were served.
He kept his arm around her even after they’d stopped to survey the milling groups who filled the building. The thin barrier of her silk tank top was no protection from the warmth of his touch. Did he realize his closeness made it hard for her to breathe? To think straight?
She slanted a glance at him, but he was preoccupied, scanning the crowd. She let her breath out. Her imagination was definitely boiling over.
