In Your Shadow

by Middleton, J

  The driver opened the door of the car as John got out he walked over and opened her door.

  “My lady, “he said as he reached for her hand.

  Katie was staring straight into his eyes. She hands him her hand. So nervous she wanted to get back in the car and say she was sick. The butler greeted them at the door as they walk into the large foyer. He politely told them where her father was.

  “Come on let’s get this over with.” Her palms were starting to sweat as she pulled him behind her.

  “Are you in that big of a hurry.” He turned and looked at her.

  “You don’t understand father will know if this relationship isn't real so I don’t want to get this over with. I am going to tell him I am sick and we are going to leave before he starts asking questions.”

  “Oh, my dear he will never figure it out, leave it to me,” He said watching the expression on her face.

  “You are so sure of yourself, you don’t know my father.”

  “You don’t know me.” He smiled with a playful grin.

  Katie grabbed his hand and pulled him down a corridor that lead to a set of double doors that opened to a grand ballroom. She looked to her right and her father was standing in front of a stone fireplace holding his drink.

  “Father,” she said, putting a fake smile on her face as she watching him turn around.

  He walked closer to her as Johns' arms went around her pulling her close to his chest.

  “Oh darling you look just beautiful, they dress fit you perfect,” he said as he reached out his hands.

  Katie pushed away from John and took his hands and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Thank you, daddy, for the dress it is lovely. Oh Father this is John Taylor.”

  “It is very nice to meet you, sir,” John answered as he watched Katie backed up closer to him.

  “I’m Daniel Martin,” he paused for a moment as he looked John over with his eyes.

  “Join me for a drink.”

  John grabbed Katie’s hand tightly as they followed Daniel to an adjoining room. Katie could feel him tickling the palm of her hand with his finger, making her squirm. She knew he was playing with her, but she never said a word are tried to look at him.

  “Here we go!” She whispered.

  It was a room that overlooked the garden. The conversation started on business and stay on that subject for a few minutes. Father talked about the company as John played right into his hands. Katie stood beside John like he was the love of her life smiling with her arm around him. Trying to get her father’s attention so she could leave but they were to focused on each other and the conversation.

  She could feel the warmth coming from his body as it awakens her senses. Her heart pounding against her chest, as the scent of his cologne filled the air around her. Her body was on fire and she knew it. She didn’t know if she was so nervous because of John are the fact he was meeting her father. Either way, she was like a caged animal looking for a way out.

  “Katie how good to see you” there was a woman’s voice coming from behind her.

  It was her stepmother Jewels. Katie’s mood changed to dread and resentment. She didn’t like this woman at all.

  “Be nice Katie” she heard her father say.

  John could feel the tension in her body as his arm went around her waist again. He knew he had to put it on strong with Katie’s mood changing. Jewels was a bleached blond with fake everything. She wore Daniels money well all too well. John could tell she was boiling over with jealousy over Katie.

  Jewels walked up and kissed Katie on the cheek.

  “Oh my who is this gentleman beside you, Katie, such a nice looking man?” her tone hateful and bitter.

  That woman never had any manners she didn’t care what came out of her mouth especially around Katie. Before Katie could speak John took the opportunity.

  “I’m John Taylor, Katie’s boyfriend,” He said reaching out to shake her hand, with his arm still around Katie. He could feel the coldness in her handshake as he pulled his hand away and pulled Katie close to him.

  “Oh, she has a boyfriend now, how wonderful.” Jewels voice with much sarcasm.

  “It’s nice to meet you if you will excuse me I see my husband.” Jewels turned quickly and walked over to Daniel.

  “She makes me sick I wish my father could see through her, all she wants is his money.”

  “Calm down you will blow it. You are supposed to be in love, remember.” John whispered in her hear, as he heard some music playing in the distance.

  He drew her into his arms quickly before she had a chance to think about it. She was close enough that she could feel the beat of his heart. She was fighting the urge to melt against him. She could smell his intoxicating scent it was making her tremble. Katie could feel her body coming alive as her body heat rose higher and higher. John moved in closer until his breath was tickling her ear. Her eyes closed involuntarily as her body was responding. He started moving slowly to the song. He lifted her chin up with one finger as his lips covered hers. Katie gently pushed away as she was still in his arms slowing swaying into the music.

  “Why did you do that?”

  “You didn’t like it” He paused for a moment, “Well my dear your father and Jewel are watching, just wanting to reassure them how in love you are,” He said enjoying the moment.

  Her eyebrows rose slightly as she looked straight into his eyes. They moved slowly as he held her close to him. He moved her into a spin and into a quick dip. He laughed as the beauty of her melted his heart. John knew he would win her over. The game was for real to him.

  Katie giggled as she comes up from her dip will her eyes never leaving his. She was in such a daze she didn’t hear her father come up behind her.

  “Okay love birds, how about a walk in the garden before the crowd gets here.”

  Katie's face blushed at the sound of his voice.

  “Sure, let’s show John the grounds.” Her voice low.

  Katie was hoping he couldn’t see how nervous she was. She was glad her father came up she couldn’t control her feelings the closer she got to him. He was relighting a flame that died years ago. John released his arms still holding on to her hand like she was the only thing in his life that mattered.

  “It is so good to see you happy” Daniel smiled at her daughter and walked slowly beside her to the double doors that went out to the garden.

  The garden was full of azaleas, honeysuckles, roses, with vibrant colors. They stepped down to the next level as the native plants covered the flower bed, marigolds, more roses. The scent would take your breath away.

  John reached down and picked a small red rose off a plant and handed it to Katie.

  “It’s not as beautiful as you, but it is the color of love.” His eyes glued on her as she blushed the color of the flower.

  Katie didn’t know how to respond to his statement, for that brief moment, her body responded to his voice. Her body wanted him, needed him.

  “That is so sweet John I can see you really love my daughter. I am so happy for you both.” Her father said as he was smiling from ear to ear.

  Katie was in shock as her hands were starting to shake as she pulled her hand away.

  “He is putting this on really thick to thick,” she thought as her heart was racing out of control.

  “Thank you,” she said as she pecked him on the lips quickly.

  Her father was watching her response to John.

  “Darling, everyone is arriving.” Jewels voice was heard from behind them.

  “I almost forgot our party,” he laughed.

  “Come let’s get the party started,” Daniel said.

  “Oh, John you never did tell me what kind of work you do,” Daniel asks.

  Katie’s face went pale as she knew this would be the end to her plan, he would figure it out for sure now. Before she could even think about an answer John spoke up.

  “I am owner of Taylor Design” he answered quickly.

  �
��Oh, I have heard great things about your company.”

  “Thank you, sir, we are working on a contract with Barley Steel right now.”

  “That is wonderful that is a big contact.”

  Katie stopped and pulled her hand away from his.

  “Excuse us, daddy, I want to show John around the house before we get started.” Her voice sharp and intense.

  “Sure but make it quick the quest is starting to arrive.”

  Katie watched her dad go into the ballroom. Grabbing John’s hand hard pulling him up a large staircase leading up to the upper floor. She could fill him staring at her as she walked faster. He suddenly jerked her hand almost pulling her into him as they came to another corridor that leads into a large bedroom. Before she could open the door he jerked her again, this time it stopped her. He turned her to face him and his arms went around her forcing her against the wall. She spoke before he could open his mouth and get a word in.

  “Taylor design huh, don’t you think my father will check your job out. Wait until he finds out you work for an escort service. This is just great, had to lie to him. I can’t do this. We are leaving before it gets worst.” She said as she tried to push him away.

  John then started laughing, his arms and body pressed against her holding her firmly.

  “This isn’t funny?”

  “Oh but it is.”

  Katie was even angrier now, she pushes hard against his chest but still he wouldn’t move. She opened her mouth to say something but he stopped her.

  “Oh my dear I hope he does check things out.”

  “What?” she was livid now.

  Looking at the cocky grin that was across his face.

  “Then he would find out that I am Taylor design and I don’t work for an escort service.” He laughs again even harder.

  “This isn’t funny.” She paused watching him laugh, “Could he be telling the truth?” she thought.

  “So you are saying you own a design company. I don’t understand if you own a design company why did you show up at my door? Tell me, this isn’t a game.”

  “Oh but I thought it was.”

  “Damn it, John, tell me.” Katie was furious how could he just pose as an escort.

  “Well if you must know, I have a friend that works for the service. We play golf sometimes. To make a long story short, he is sick and he talked me into being him for a night. At first, I didn’t want to it’s not my thing, but I felt sorry for him and played along. I thought it would be kind of fun. I wasn’t planning on really going out with anyone. I was just going to show up and make an excuse to leave but that didn’t work out as planned.” He smiled as he watched her eyes as they became narrowed.

  “Oh, so you were just going to stand them up.” She paused for a minute. “Tell me did you know I was his date for the night?”

  “No, I was shocked as you were when you opened the door. I have to say I am glad I filled in for him because I am having fun and it was great seeing you again. I was hoping we would meet again but I had no idea it would be under this circumstance.” He laughed enjoying watching her impression.

  “I am so glad you are amused and enjoying yourself, will there be any more surprises,” She said with sarcasm in her voice.

  “Just this one” he forcefully pushed her face closer to him as his lips covered hers. Within seconds, she was weak in her knees. His arms encircle her waist and pulled her against him. He kissed her hard and so deeply it took her breath away. He released the other hand as it went down the small of her back. Her body was crying out for him every time he touched her and he could feel it. Katie was fighting her rising desire for him and trying to fight her feelings that were coming to the surface. Her mind was telling her to get away from him as her body was responding differently. She was drawn to him like a magnet.

  “This is stupid,” she thought.

  Katie pushed from his kiss as she turned her head trying not to look into his eyes and there came her father through the hall. She shifted her body enough to pull away from him and regained her composure. She felt his hand touch her bare back as it sent goose bumps down her spine.

  “There you two are I see you are enjoying yourself.” His laughter filled the hallway.

  “Your father likes me,” He whispers in her ear grinning.

  “Shut up,” Katie said softly so only John could hear him.

  “Have you forgotten I am supposed to be your boyfriend. Don’t you need to act the part as well?” he had a low giggle.

  Katie nudged him in the ribs with her elbow and took off walking fast in front of him almost tripping on her dress. John caught her before she lost her balance. Katie never turned her head to face him as she felt his hand on her back. She so was frustrated. When they reached the stairway he moved his hand to around her waist holding her closer to him. They walked in the ballroom as it filled up with important people. John squeezed her side.

  “Here we go love” he whispered kissing the side of her head.

  Katie started to shiver when she could feel his breath on her.

  “He is infuriating and I can’t do this. I have to leave.” She thought.

  They moved into the ballroom and were quickly surrounded by couples. Waiters were caring champagne around on small trays. John let his hand go from around her for one-minute-long enough to grab two glasses and handed one to her.

  Katie quickly downed her champagne. She then grabbed another one as the waiter came again. She needed something to calm her nerves. She downed that one quickly to as her blood felt like it was rushing to her head. Feeling her body start to loosen up after the second drink.

  “Now maybe I can put up with him.” she thought listening to the music.

  The band was playing a slow song as the dance floor filled up.

  John grabbed her by surprise as he pulled her into his arm and moved her into a spin, making her laugh as he pulled her close to his chest. The warmth from his frame seem to radiate through her like liquid fire. This beautiful man threatened to alter her life of routine and drama-free living. Her heart racing out of control, he was like a magnet drawing her in. Something inside of snapped as she could feel tinging go through her body. He lifted her up and spins her around as her laughter was heard all around the dance floor. She looked over his shoulder and seen her father dancing with Jewels with a grin on his face. John lowered her down facing him as his finger pulled her chin up to him and he covered her lips. Katie’s signed as her head was spinning. She didn’t know if it was from the champagne are from her body was responding to him. For once she felt like she belonged here with her lips pressed against his. For that moment, she was floating on air, no aware of the crowd that was watching her. They continue to slow dance with their bodies so close to each other you couldn't get anything between them. Staring at each other like they were the only people in the room. Katie barely felt her father tap her shoulder.

  “Let a father have a dance,” He said.

  “Only her father, no one else,” John said smiling as he moved away to the side of the dance floor.

  “You two make a wonderful couple” he said to her.

  “We are so glad to see her happy after all she has been, though. It is time for her to move on.” The voice of Jewel was in John’s ear.

  “Yes, I agree she needs to be happy and I am going to make her happy.” He quickly responded to her statement.

  Jewels started to tell John about Katie life and he cut her off.

  “Jewel I know everything about Katie, her marriage her husband’s death. I admire her, she is a very strong woman and she deserves to be happy and yes she will find happiness again.” He said as he walked off to the small bar and left her standing there with her mouth opened.

  Katie was right, she was a money grubber noisy bitch. There was also something about her that didn’t seem right. She was too jealous of Katie and he could see it in her eyes and all over her attitude. He grabbed two glasses of champagne and walked slowly over to dance floor. The song wa
s coming to an end as he saw Katie hug her father’s neck as Daniel walked her back to John.

  All John could focus on was her beauty, her deep green eyes sparkled as her long formal dress showed off every curve of her body. She was absolutely stunning.

  “She is all yours John,” Daniel said smiling at John.

  “Thank you” John nods his head handing Katie a drink.

  Katie took the drink as she felt his hand go down her back. She takes a sip on the drink trying not to look up in his eyes. Knowing she would be lost in him forever if she didn’t stay focused.

  “The night will be over soon so you don’t have to play the part anymore.” She then downed the rest of her champagne.

  “Who said I was playing?’ he laughed as he continued to run his hand up and down her back.

  He could fill her shiver with every touch. Katie was lost for words. Her head was spinning as her body was heating. By that time the room was moving around in circles, the champagne was going to her head.

  “Come let’s take a walk,” he said grabbing her hand leading her hand across the floor to the doors to the garden.

  “Giving orders are we.” She replied back, so glad to get some fresh air on her face maybe it would sober her up.

  “As a matter of fact yes,” he laughed.

  Katie didn’t have much of a choice but to follow him because his hand was tightly holding hers. If she pulled away everyone would notice so she just played along with it smiling at the crowd as they nod at her as she walks by. They stopped a few feet from the door as her father and Jewels were standing with a couple talking.

  “Mr. Williams let me introduce you to my daughter Katie Jackson and her boyfriend John Taylor,” Daniel said.

  “Taylor Design,” the gentleman said surprised to hear that name.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “It is so great to meet you. I have seen some of you work it is outstanding.”

  “Thank you.”

  “As a matter of fact we need to talk. I would love for you to design our next building.”

  “That sounds great, but tonight I am enjoying the company of my girlfriend. We will talk soon.” He answered the gentleman as he kissed Katie on the cheek.