by Janet Dailey
Everything had gone wrong. She hadn't wanted to come tonight. Now she regretted bitterly that she had. Instead of remembering Rans with another woman, the memory of what had happened this moment would be forever with her.
"Someone saw us," she breathed shakily.
"So?" Rans taunted. "Are you worried about your reputation?"
She turned abruptly away, his jeering words slashing at her heart, "No," she shook her head, her chin dipping downward in defeat.
"Don't worry," he mocked. "I doubt if it was anyone other than your husband. I know you'll excuse me now. Good evening, Mrs. Cochran."
Her chin was lifted and a hard kiss was branded on her mouth. Before her hands could touch him—to protest or deepen the kiss—he was gone, striding away toward the building. Lost and alone, Lara remained outside for several more minutes, wishing she didn't have to go in and face Rans again or argue with Trevor.
There wasn't any choice. Soon someone would come looking for her, more than likely Trevor if he had seen her locked in that embrace with Rans. She didn't want to see him alone yet, not until she had better control of herself.
Lara delayed rejoining the party by slipping into the powder room. Her eyes were red and swollen from unshed tears. While she was rinsing them with cold water, one of the dinner guests, Nora Evans, walked in.
"Oh, hello, Lara," she greeted with only mild surprise, "That smoke in the room really burns your eyes, doesn't it? It's almost a relief to get out of there."
"Yes, it is," Lara agreed, drying her eyes and reaching for her evening purse on the counter top. Quickly she reapplied her makeup, finishing as the woman was about to leave, and walked with her into the party room.
Trevor was at her side immediately, his dark eyes glittering with a knowing look leaving Lara with little doubt that he had seen her with Rans.
"There you are, darling." His arm circled her shoulders in seemingly affectionate possession. "I was beginning to worry about you."
The woman, old enough to be Trevor's mother, smiled with a trace of envy at the romantically handsome man and moved off in search of her balding husband. Lara remained rigidly erect against his touch.
His dark head bent to whisper mockingly in her ear. "MacQuade returned sometime ago. What took you so long?"
"That's none of your business," she murmured shortly.
He clicked his tongue in mock reproval. "You forget, my love, that I'm your husband?"
Lara flashed him a cold look. "I try."
Black fires burned in his eyes at her rejection, his nostrils flaring in anger. Then, slowly, a cunning light entered his dark gaze.
"It was all part of your game, wasn't it?" Trevor smiled. "You surprise me Lara. I always thought you had too much moral pride. It seems I don't know you as well as I thought."
"You don't know me at all, Trevor. You never will. You are too egotistical and self-centered to bother about anyone but yourself," she retorted cuttingly. "Let's rejoin the others."
Trevor laughed softly and guided her toward the group dominated by her father. He was too arrogantly sure of his own attraction to believe there was any truth in her words, and he was making his own interpretations of her actions.
Covertly Lara searched the faces in the room. None belonged to Rans or Ann Koffman. Had they left? She longed to ask yet knew she didn't dare if she wanted to avoid more of Trevor's disgusting comments.
The pounding in her head that had been with her all evening in various degrees of discomfort began to increase. The steady chatter of voices, the loud music of the band and the smoke-filled room didn't help her headache. Overriding all of those was the tension.
A half an hour later, when Trevor suggested they leave, Lara could have cried with relief. She didn't even care why he wanted to leave the party so early. But Martin Alexander objected to their departure.
"Lara, you are the hostess. You can't leave," her father protested.
"I have terrible headache, daddy. Besides," she cajoled desperately, "you are the guest of honor and your friends will be less inhibited if we youngsters leave."
"You do have a point there." His eyes twinkled merrily and Lara knew she had won.
She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Happy Birthday, daddy," she murmured. "And give our goodbyes to the others."
Minutes later she was relaxing against the plush upholstery of Trevor's Seville. Closing her eyes, she listened to the silence, the powerful motor sounding as only a contented purr inside the car. Pine trees crowded the sides of the road, serrated silhouettes against a moonlit sky.
The car made a turn and slowed to a stop. Lara opened her eyes, expecting to see the lighted entrance of her home. There wasn't a building in sight, only the forests and the tan ribbon of the dirt road. Her gaze swung warily to Trevor. He was sitting sideways in his seat, quietly watching her.
"Why have we stopped here?" Lara was instantly on guard.
His hand moved toward the dashboard of the car. There was a click, then soft music caressed the night. Trevor took his time in answering.
"Do you remember when we were dating?" he mused. From the shadowy darkness of his side of the car, Lara could feel his gaze roaming over her smooth features. "We used to park along some isolated stretch of the road, listen to music and talk…and kiss."
"I remember." Wondering how she could have been so naive to believe all the lies and romantic compliments he had made then. "It was all very long ago, Trevor." There was a hint of acid distaste for the subject in her tone as she leaned her head against the raised seat back. "Please take me home now."
Not a sound betrayed his movement. The spicy scent of his cologne warned Lara of his nearness an instant before his lips pressed against hers. Repulsed, she twisted her mouth away, her hands raising to push against his chest.
"Stop it!" she snapped angrily, hunching her shoulder against his attempt to bury his mouth along her neck. "I'm not in the mood for a wrestling match with you. I have a headache and I want to go home!"
Trevor simply laughed, pressing her back against the seat with his weight. "That's a very unoriginal excuse, my adoring wife."
Sickeningly, Lara realized that he was not going to be put off, with mere words. He had seen the way she had responded to Rans and intended to penetrate her glacial coldness. She fought his mouth and roving hands that left her feeling dirty and unclean. The more she struggled, the more excited he seemed to become.
The nightmare grew to terrifying proportions as Lara felt the fragile material of her dress ripping at the shoulder. The moistness of his mouth nibbled at her bared skin, sending shudders of revulsion down her spine. She freed an arm from the pinning weight of his chest and raked her fingernails across his face.
With a yelping curse, Trevor moved away, a hand instinctively cupping his wounded cheek. He held it away, staring at the traces of smeared blood in the palm with disbelief. A black rage distorted his handsome features.
Lara didn't wait for the explosion. With wrenching sobs of panic, she pushed open the door, her legs quivering with fear. Trevor reached for her, his fingers closing over the skirt of her dress. She tore it away, uncaring of the second rip that ruined the expensive dress.
"Come back here!" Trevor snarled, moving across the seat to follow her.
She tried to slam the door in his face, but his arm reached out to stop it. Wildly she glanced around for help, but the road was completely deserted.
Trevor was stepping out of the car, the moonlight illuminating the claw marks disfiguring his cheek. "I'll get even with you for this," he threatened. "Now get back in the car."
There was a brief, negative shake of her head, then Lara bolted, running down the road. She could hear the crunch of gravel behind her and realized Trevor was chasing her. The high heels of her shoes slowed her down. It was only a matter of seconds before he caught up with her.
Turning abruptly, she stumbled down the ditch alongside the road and raced, into the pinewoods. The towering trunks closed around her protec
tively, hiding her, within seconds from his sight. She was making too much noise of her own to tell if he was still following her, but Lara could hear him angrily yelling her name. It made her run faster.
Chapter Nine
AHEAD, A LIGHT SHONE through the trees. Winded and sobbing between gulps for air, Lara staggered toward it, her heels sinking in the soft mulch of pine needles. She had no idea where she was or which direction to go to reach her home, but the light promised safety.
As she drew nearer, a small house took shape, standing alone in a thin stand of pines. A dirt road stretched in front of it. The light she had seen gleaming through a window beckoned her toward the porch.
Out of the darkness, a hand grabbed her, then a second. A gasping scream ripped from her throat. Lara struggled wildly like a frightened animal trapped in a snare, but the iron hands easily overcame her attempt, giving her a hard shake that rattled her teeth.
"Lara, stop it!" a voice commanded harshly.
Her gaze focused on the bronzed features of Rans MacQuade and she collapsed weakly against him, winding her arms around his neck and sobbing her relief into his shirt.
"Rans, help me." The breathless plea released a torrent of tears.
The hands at her waist denied her the support of his body, holding her away from him. His piercing gaze swept over her in rapid inspection noting the torn material at the shoulder of her dress.
"What happened?" Rans snapped.
"Oh, please," Lara swayed toward him and he gathered her against his chest. "You've got to help me," she sobbed as his hand gently smoothed the hair away from her face. "He—he—" Convulsive shudders wracked her body, making her words incoherent jibberish.
"Who?" His fingers closed punishingly around her throat, tilting her head back. "Who did this to you?" he demanded savagely.
At first Lara could only shake her head mutely, not wanting to talk. She only wanted to be held in his arms and feel his warmth while she tried to forget the horrible memory of Trevor's repulsive touch.
"Answer me!" Rans glowered, giving her another hard shake. "Who did this?"
Her trembling lips finally moved. "Tr-Trevor," she answered through her choking sobs. "He…he tried to m-make love to m-me I … I—" Lara shuddered uncontrollably again.
Violently Rans thrust her away from him, scornful contempt carved in his rugged features. "That's what you wanted, wasn't it?" he jeered. "You wanted to make him jealous and take notice of you."
"No." Her head moved disbelievingly to the side.
"Come on, Mrs. Cochran. I was there," he laughed harshly.
"I never wanted him to touch me," Lara breathed, tears drenching her face.
"He's your husband. He has a right to his connubial pleasures."
"No." Closing her eyes, she surrendered to the tremors of revulsion that quaked through her. "He makes me feel…dirty." Salty tears blurred her vision when she look at Rans. "No one…no one understands. No one."
Tiredness engulfed, the tiredness of defeat. It was no good explaining. Rans wasn't listening to her. Nothing she said made the slightest impression. Blindly she turned away, silent sobs of wretched misery shaking her shoulders.
Behind her, Rans swore softly, then his hands were turning her into his arms. Lara resisted briefly then buried her head in the inviting expanse of his chest and wept. His hand stroked her hair in a soothing caress.
Finally there were only hiccuping sobs left. She had cried out all her pain and torment and degradation until she felt hollow and completely empty inside. She was numb to any emotion.
Wearily Lara lifted her head from his chest. A crisp white handkerchief touched her cheek, wiping the dampness from her skin. She glanced up gratefully to see a faint smile of gentleness touching the corners of his mouth.
"Your mascara is running all over the place," Rans murmured.
He stood silently, inches from her as she took the handkerchief and scrubbed her face. A few minutes later she handed it back, her breathing still shaky and uneven.
"Come on." His hand closed firmly on her elbow. "I'll drive you home."
The pickup truck was parked on the opposite side of the house. In the cab, Lara leaned weakly against the seat, too tired to care where she was going or what might be waiting for her when she reached her destination. Rans was sitting beside her and temporarily at least, she felt safe.
When the truck stopped in the cul de sac drive, Lara stared woodenly at the light streaming from the long windows flanking the front door. Her door was opened and Rans reached forward to help her out. She fumbled through her purse for the door key and placed it in his hand. It was several seconds before his fingers closed around it in acceptance.
Once the door was unlocked, he followed her into the entry hall, glancing around the silent house. There was no sign or sound of anyone else in the house. Returning the key, Rans studied the dispirited lines etched in her pale features.
"You're tired," he said quietly. "Sleep will help you forget what happened."
Instantly an image of Trevor flashed in her minds eye. The murderous rage that had been in his expression sent a shiver down her spine. Her widened green eyes swung to the staircase. Was he upstairs waiting for her? The thought chilled her to the bone. Mutely Lara appealed to Rans, like a child wanting the last of its fears to be laid to rest.
An impatient sigh broke from the grim line of his mouth. "Come on."
A guiding hand rested lightly on the small of her back as he turned her toward the stairs. Their footsteps echoed hollowly through the empty house.
Without a word, Rans checked her room and the locked adjoining door to Trevor's room. There was no one upstairs, either. Lara hovered near the foot of her bed, feeling awkward and foolish. Her gaze skittered away when he glanced at her.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about. Your father will probably be home shortly," he said.
"Yes," she agreed with a self-conscious nod. He walked to the door. "Thank you," Lara offered hesitantly. Rans nodded curtly, stepping into the second-floor hallway and closing her bedroom door.
For several seconds she listened to his departing footsteps. Her throat ached as she walked to the closet for her nightgown. Sighing, she realized that Rans was right and there wasn't anything more to worry about.
Trevor wouldn't bother her. He probably would not even come home tonight if he reverted to his usual custom that had followed their previous, bitterly angry arguments. No doubt his injured pride would seek solace in some other woman's arms tonight.
Slowly Lara undressed and slipped on the mint-green nightgown, the lightweight material falling loosely around her ankles. Sitting in front of the vanity mirror, she began to brush her hair, prolonging the moment when she had to crawl into the empty bed. She was tired, wearily so, but she was afraid that once in bed she would start thinking.
There were only two things to think about, and she didn't want to face the truth of either of them. She didn't want to admit there was anything to face. Neither could she spend the rest of the night brushing her hair.
Resolutely, Lara set the brush down and walked to the table lamp at her bedside, twisting the knob on. As she turned to walk to the overhead light switch on the wall, her bedroom door was opened. Lara halted in surprise when Rans stood in the opening.
Behind her, the light from the bedside lamp made the thin fabric of her nightgown appear transparent, revealing the nakedness it was meant to conceal. Tension gripped both of them, electric and sensual.
"I thought you had gone," Lara whispered at last. Her pulse skipped rapidly with joy that he had not.
"I—" Rans breathed in deeply, seeming to gather his control. His gaze swerved to the cup in his hand, its expression hard and impassive when it returned to her. "I took the liberty of fixing you some cocoa. You looked in need of something to relax you."
Abruptly he set the cup and saucer on the dresser near the door and turned as if to leave. Lara stepped quickly forward, desperately wanting him to stay.
"Don't go!" she called to him, and hesitated when he pivoted sharply toward her, the chiseled lines of his face drawn into a forbidding mask. "Can't you stay and…and talk to me? I don't want to be alone."
"Talk?" His short laugh was harsh. His gaze raked her insolently. "With you dressed like that, do you think if I stayed we would talk? My God, what do you think I am?"
Her hands crossed defensively over the bodice of her gown. Lara reached quickly for the robe lying across the bed, holding it in front of her, but not putting it on.
"I don't want you to leave," she protested weakly.
A smile, cold with amusement, cynically twisted his mouth. "Good night, Mrs. Cochran." His sardonic voice underlined the marital term of address.
"Don't call me that!" she flared.
Lara crossed the room on wings of hurt anger only to have it fade to nothing when she reached him. Her green eyes searched his impassive face for some sign that would give her hope. Her chin quivered at his unrelenting hardness.
"Don't you want to stay?" Lara's whispered plea throbbed with the aching need she felt.
His fingers bit savagely into her shoulders, while a muscle twitched uncontrollably along his jaw. Languidly, Lara melted against his body, masculine and strong.
"Do you think I don't want to stay?" The smoldering light of desire glittered in his brown eyes. Her heart rocketed at the sight of it as his gaze swept possessively over her face and the lacy neckline of her nightgown. "Damn, but you're a witch, Lara," Rans muttered thickly.
"I—"
Her fingertips touched his lips, checking their flow of words. She felt all feminine and enticing, no longer struggling against the waywardness of her emotions.
"You said my name," she murmured. "You used it earlier tonight, but I was too frightened and I wanted to hear you say it again … Rans." Lovingly she let his name roll from her tongue.
He turned his head away, breaking free from the touch of her fingertips. "You are making it impossible," Rans breathed heavily.
