by Cara Marsi
She swiped at a tear. Tom’s betrayal at the formal had reinforced what her mother had always taught her. Men couldn’t be trusted. They always left in the end.
Yet her mom, whose wounds cut so deep, had summoned the courage to shake the pain at last and open to life again. Could she do the same?
Unable to sit still, she got up to pace the room, trying to digest the mix of emotions coursing through her. Stopping in front of a low table, she picked up a small snow globe—a gift from her dad on their last Christmas together. She turned the toy over and watched the flakes fall over the smiling figures sledding down a slope.
She stared at the happy family encased forever in glass, then opened the table drawer and tucked the globe inside, closing the drawer tight. The past was over. It wouldn’t hurt her anymore.
Wind rattled the windows. Leaves swirled by on the strong currents. Like the trees, she had to shed her old insecurities to make room for a new beginning.
And Tom? Where did he fit in? She loved him deeply, but was she brave enough to set aside her fears to love him openly and freely regardless of the consequences? The Harvest Ball meant a lot to him. And he meant the world to her.
Tension sliced through her, but she pushed it away. She would do this. For Tom. For herself. She picked up the phone and punched in the familiar number. “Hi, Tom,” she said when he answered. “I’m calling because...” She took a deep breath. “I’ve reconsidered and if your offer still stands, I’d be happy to go to the Harvest Ball with you.”
<><><>
“Wow!” Tom said when Mary Beth opened her apartment door. He let out a low whistle.
He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, staring at her. The form-fitting satin gown, green as her eyes, hugged her lush curves. Her beauty stole his breath.
She smiled, that dazzling smile that always made his heart skip a beat. His Mary Beth. Smart, proud, passionate. Possessiveness, and a new emotion, a realization long denied, clutched his gut. He wanted her—needed her—by his side. Forever.
“I take it you like,” Mary Beth said. She did a slow pirouette.
“I like very much,” he said, finding his voice. “You’re beautiful.”
Her happy laugh sent warmth coursing through him.
He devoured her with his gaze. “You wore that to the auction. The color matches your eyes.”
Feeling like a bumbling idiot, he stepped closer. She stared up at him with those uptilted cat eyes that could make him forget his name.
He reached out a trembling hand to trail his finger along her jawline. Could she read the truth in his eyes? Did she feel the same way? Afraid of the answer, he couldn’t ask the question.
Her low laugh tinkled through the room like crystal. “You look amazing in a tux.” She ran her fingers slowly down his lapels.
He pulled her to him. He inhaled her perfume, musky and exotic. Different from the flowery scents she usually wore. Despite her reluctance to attend the Harvest Ball, she’d taken care to make this night special. For him? A glimmer of hope opened in his heart.
He lowered his head to kiss her. She tasted sweet, like cinnamon and apples. She melted against him, lacing her arms around his neck.
With an effort he pulled away. She let out a small cry of protest. Strands of hair had worked loose from her elegant hairstyle. She looked wild, like a gypsy. His heart lurched.
He leaned his forehead against hers. He wanted to claim her as his, but he’d been hurt once. Despite their closeness these past months, Mary Beth held part of herself back.
“I could make love to you for hours,” he whispered. “I want to stay here and rip that dress off you, and take down your hair to see it spread out on the pillow.”
He pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose. “But we’re not missing this party. I want to show you off, to let everyone know you’re mine.” Was it his imagination, or did she stiffen slightly?
He traced his finger over her delicious lips. “Someday, Cat Eyes, you’re going to trust me enough to let me in.”
Something close to fear flickered in the glistening green of her eyes. She drew away. “I’ll get my wrap,” she said.
“In a minute.” He took her hand and turned it over to gently kiss her palm. Her shudder of pleasure filled him with masculine pride. He smoothed his fingers over the silver bracelet she wore. A small heart dangled from the delicate links. “What’s this? It looks familiar.”
Pink tinged her cheeks. “You gave me this our junior year after I tutored you. I haven’t worn it for a very long time.”
“I’ll buy you gold and diamonds, sweetheart.”
“I don’t need gold and diamonds,” she said in a soft voice.
“What do you need?” he whispered.
The longing in her eyes filled him with a desperate yearning and hope. She dropped her gaze. He knew not to push her.
He reached out a hand and tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. “Your hair looks incredible swept up like that.” He smiled. “But I can’t wait to take it down.”
She returned his smile. “And after all the money I spent on this hairdo.”
<><><>
Mary Beth took a calming breath when the limo pulled up to the massive Tudor-style mansion. Once owned by one of Delaware’s richest families, the house was now used for charity events, weddings, and dances. Her graduation formal had been held here. She pressed her hand to her stomach to stop its quivering. I can do this. I can do this.
The driver opened the limo door to help her out of the luxurious vehicle. Part of her wanted to step back inside the warm cocoon of the car, where she and Tom could stay locked away from the prying eyes of the world.
“Ready?” Tom held out his arm.
“Sure,” she said, forcing a smile and slipping her arm through his.
When they reached the wide marble steps guarded by stone lions, she hesitated. Apprehension, like a five-pound bag of sugar, lay heavy in her chest. The last time she’d walked up these steps she’d been a starry-eyed innocent. She’d felt like Cinderella then, the poor girl dressed in pretty finery with Prince Charming by her side. Midnight had ended the fantasy. Would the same happen tonight?
Tom put his hand over hers where it rested in the crook of his arm. “Relax, Cat Eyes. I can feel your tension. You’re with me. I’ll take care of you.”
Would he take care of her, or would he desert her for his own kind, like so long ago?
“I’m okay,” she said, forcing a smile. “The place hasn’t changed. I always thought it looked like a fairytale castle with all the tiny white lights in the windows and trees.”
His hand tightened over hers. “Mary Beth, I didn’t realize...I hadn’t thought.”
She shrugged. “That was in another life. It means nothing now.”
“Doesn’t it?” He narrowed his eyes. His blue gaze probed hers.
She glanced quickly away. “Let’s go in.”
Once inside the antique-filled foyer, an attendant took her wrap and showed them to a small receiving line where richly dressed men and women waited to greet their hosts. Feeling more like Cinderella by the minute, Mary Beth widened her eyes at their surroundings, even more lavish than she remembered.
Stairs of white marble shot with gold led down to the elaborate ballroom. Gilt carvings decorated the soft ivory walls. Gold velvet curtains swathed the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Couples of all ages danced to a rock song played by the orchestra at the far end of the long room. The exquisite clothing of the elegant guests, the décor, and the tuxedoed wait-staff reeked of money. Lots of money.
She felt Tom looking at her and gave him a smile. He took her hand in his. She squared her shoulders. Because of him she belonged here. He made her feel special wherever they went. He’d grown from a spoiled boy to a man with no social pretense. Pride and love for him swirled a heady mix in her heart.
Tom introduced her to their hosts. The couple, international jet setters, owned half the state and an islan
d in the Bahamas. The husband greeted them warmly, but the wife’s knowing gaze scrutinized Mary Beth from her upswept hair to her stiletto sandals. Mary Beth could almost hear the ka-ching of the cash register in the woman’s head as she assessed her net worth.
After several uncomfortable minutes of small talk, Tom led her down the wide stairs to the ballroom. The band had just started a romantic slow tune.
“Dance with me,” he said.
She settled into his arms, losing herself in the security of his masculine strength.
“Don’t let Roxanne get to you,” he said, nodding toward their hostess. “She’s like that with everyone. She married into money and she likes to flaunt it.”
Mary Beth glanced up at him with a wry smile. “I think she figured out exactly how much is in my bank account. And it didn’t meet her approval.”
He laughed and pulled her closer. “Sweetheart, you’re richer in more ways than she’ll ever be.”
With his words warming her, she leaned her head against his broad chest. For a few seconds she allowed herself the fantasy that the formal hadn’t ended in disaster that she’d spent the last twelve years loving Tom, having his children... She pressed her eyes shut. Her life had taken a different road and she was stronger for it. Just as her love for Tom was stronger and deeper now.
“You always feel so good,” he said, brushing his lips on her temple. “I like your new perfume.”
She smiled and snuggled into the warmth of his arms, glad he liked the scent she’d picked just for him.
A familiar, brittle laugh cut into her pleasure. Chills raced up her spine. She lifted her head and glanced to the side. Taylor Bennett, elegant in navy velvet, glided by in the arms of a heavyset, balding man. The familiar cleft in the man’s chin stirred an uneasy feeling in Mary Beth, like a bad dream she couldn’t quite recall.
Taylor narrowed her ice-blue eyes at Mary Beth as they passed. The man looked over at her, then bent his head to whisper in the blonde’s ear. They stared at Mary Beth and laughed before moving away.
The arrogance of Taylor and her partner, the meanness that hardened their eyes, provoked memories that made chills sweep up Mary Beth’s spine.
Faces from the past swam in her mind. Four years of taunts, ridicule, and cruel jokes rushed at her, drowning her in a sea of insecurities and pain.
Stop it. She had determined to put aside the old fears and uncertainties. For Tom’s sake. For her own sake. She had every reason to hold her head up. She’d come a long way. And she’d done it on her own.
The music ended and she and Tom drew apart. He reached out touch her face. “Why so quiet? I hope you’re having a good time.” The concern on his handsome face made warmth spiral through her.
“I always have a good time when I’m with you,” she said, surprised at the easy truth that slipped from her lips.
He took her hand in his. “Do you mean that? Sometimes I wonder.”
“Wonder what?”
“If you really want to be with me.” His deep blue eyes searched hers.
“If you only knew.” She wanted to bite the words back. If he started asking questions she might be tempted to tell him how much she loved him. And if he rejected her, or worse, took pity on her, what would she do?
He took her chin between his fingers. “Tell me what I should know. What’s in that beautiful head of yours?”
“Food,” she said, forcing a lightness she didn’t feel. “Let’s have a drink first.” She grabbed two crystal flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to him.
He tapped his glass to hers. “To the truth. You can’t run from me forever, Cat Eyes.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said, locking her gaze with his.
“You’re a terrible liar,” he said, laughing. “Come on. Let’s find the food. We’ll talk later.”
In the forty-five minutes it took for them to reach the buffet tables, Mary Beth felt truly famished. Half the guests must have stopped Tom as they made their way out of the ballroom. Most were business associates. Some were former classmates who pretended not to recognize her until Tom introduced them. All made no pretense of their curiosity as they openly studied her.
She’d certainly picked the right venue to make their affair public, she thought as anxiety tightened her stomach. But Tom’s attentiveness toward her in front of his friends and acquaintances dissolved some of her fears.
“At last,” she said when they reached the huge dining room, where massive white-clothed tables were heaped with enough food to feed a small nation.
She grabbed Tom’s hand and squeezed it. “We spent months coordinating this dinner and cooking a good deal of it. We hired chefs from the best restaurants in three states. What if no one likes the food?”
“Look around you,” Tom said. “There are more people here than on the dance floor. And the music’s great.”
She glanced around the room. Long lines of chattering, laughing guests queued at tables where chefs carved slabs of tender beef, turkey and ham. She and Gail had seen to it that only the best cuts were used. White-gloved servers stood ready to dish out a cornucopia of fresh vegetables, flown in from all over the world.
An ice sculpture of King Neptune reigned over seafood of every kind, from succulent shrimp to fat lobster tails.
“I don’t know where to begin,” she said, looking up at Tom. “Maybe I should go into the kitchen first and see how Gail is doing.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” he said, cupping her elbow and propelling her toward the seafood. “She’s got enough under-chefs and servers to stock a palace. I’m sure she’s fine. You’re staying with me. Besides if I let you out of my sight, some other guy will try to claim you.”
She stumbled to a stop. “What?”
He traced his finger over her lips. “You’re easily the most beautiful woman here. I’ve seen the way men look at you.”
Heat spread from her neck to her face. “You’re imagining that.”
“You don’t get it, do you?” he said, shaking his head. “That’s part of your appeal. You don’t see yourself as others see you and you don’t like being center of attention. You sure intimidated me in school.”
“Now you’re joking,” she said, laughing.
His serious gaze studied her. “I’m not, but I’ll tell you all about that some other time. If we don’t get in line now there won’t be any lobster left.”
After filling their plates with a variety of seafood, they wandered into an enclosed sunroom where small wrought iron tables had been set up.
Old classmates and prominent city residents, many of them her clients, were seated at surrounding tables. Some nodded to her and Tom, but no one approached them. Mary Beth felt their stares, but she ignored them. She focused all her attention on the man who had brought her, the man who treated her with a subtle reverence, as if he were proud to be with her.
Maybe Tom cared for her after all. Fear, like a silent intruder, crept in. All her life whenever she’d felt happy, something bad happened. She didn’t dare dream.
“You’re quiet again,” he said.
“I’m just enjoying this wonderful food. I hear the caterers are the best in the city.”
He smiled. “And beautiful. Especially the redhead. She means a lot to me.”
“She does?” Mary Beth almost choked on the Clams Casino she just ate. She washed the food down with champagne.
“When did they start letting the kitchen help eat with the guests?” Taylor’s arrogant voice made Mary Beth stiffen. She swung around. Taylor pushed a chair back from the table next to them. The sound of wrought iron scraping flagstone pierced the air. The blonde and her date settled at the table.
“Taylor, I thought you had more class than that,” Tom said in a tight voice. “Apologize to Mary Beth.”
“Calm down, Sackett,” Taylor’s escort said. His mocking laugh filled Mary Beth with a sense of foreboding and déjà vu.
She stared at the paunchy, pale-faced ma
n. He leered at her. Recognition hit her like a painful bout of food poisoning.
McKee Wright. Crueler than all the others in the school. When they were sophomores she’d reported him for bullying a younger student. He’d never forgiven her. He’d tried to kiss her once the following year. She’d kicked him in the groin. After that his vindictiveness knew no bounds.
He’d gained a lot of weight and lost the thick curly hair that had been his pride. But his eyes were the same—hard and mean.
Tom put his hand over Mary Beth’s. She smiled at him, acknowledging his support. Her gratitude for his defense was ready to burst from her heart.
“Wright, stay out of this,” Tom said. A muscle clenched in his jaw. “Taylor owes Mary Beth an apology.”
The other man snickered. “Still walking on the wild side, Sackett? Can’t say I blame you. The little cook is a tasty tidbit. Her kiss packs a real wallop, as I recall.”
Tom jumped up, knocking over their table. The porcelain dishes flew off to shatter on the stone floor. Seafood spread everywhere.
All conversation and movement ceased. The stares of the others in the room pierced Mary Beth like daggers.
Tom grabbed McKee’s collar and pulled him out of his chair. He raised his fist, aiming at the other man’s face.
“No, Tom. Don’t.” Mary Beth grabbed Tom’s arm, stopping him.
Still holding onto McKee, Tom turned to Mary Beth. His labored breathing and the anger that burned in his eyes made her flinch.
“He’s not worth it, Tom.” She looked at the other man. His skin had turned gray and his eyes bulged from the chokehold Tom had on his shirt.
“You’re pathetic, McKee,” Mary Beth said. She swung her gaze to Taylor, standing behind her. “You’re both pathetic.” The blonde’s heavily made-up eyes widened in shock.
Mary Beth released Tom’s arm, and with a final look of disgust at Taylor and McKee, she marched from the room.
