“Right,” Mark tossed over his shoulder, trying to sound equally nonchalant, and then added, as if to clear the air of the unstated issue that hung between them, “I guess I ought to thank you for putting up the money.” Now, he turned to face her.
“No, not if you don’t want to,” Skylar returned, continuing to fill her tank.
“Well, I’m pleased with the focus of the documentary and glad that Deena and Jerome’s story was included.”
“You ought to drop by and see them. They’re back, you know.”
“Won’t have time. I’m leaving town on Sunday. Going to New York for media appearances.”
“Really? Well, I hope the tour’s a success.” Skylar’s tone was impersonal and dry.
“And I hope Scenic Ridge will benefit from the project,” Mark said.
“Me, too. That’s why I put up the money.”
“Really? And not because you thought that financing my life story would make up for the lies you told?” Mark’s tone was as hard as the glint in his eyes as he waited for her reaction.
“Oh, you’ve got to go there, huh?” Skylar propped a fist at her hip. “How disgusting. That thought never crossed my mind,” she sniped, scowling over at him.
“Don’t worry. I plan to pay back every dime of your investment, Skylar, no matter how long it takes. I’ll send you a check once a week.”
“You can send it to me in Tampa, then,” she told him, as lightly as if she were telling him the time.
“Oh? You’re returning to Florida?”
“Yep, Deena has returned and I can’t get out of here fast enough.” Skylar jammed the gas nozzle into its holder and punched the button for a receipt, watching Mark while she waited for the piece of paper to slide out. “I’ve really missed Florida. I can’t wait to get home.”
“And back to your boyfriend, Lewis, I suppose?” Mark accused, suddenly wanting to lash out at Skylar and shatter that calm facade of hers, which he knew was as fake as her need to work as a concierge.
“Lewis? Hardly,” Skylar quipped. “But even if that were true, what difference would it make to you?”
“None,” Mark snapped, slamming the squeegee back into the pail of water. “You can do whatever you damn well please.”
“I know, and I will.” She snatched the receipt from the machine and then took a step toward Mark. “But for your information, I am not getting back with Lewis. I just want to get away from here. And from you!”
“From me? What did I ever do to you?” Except love you, he thought, a catch in his throat.
“What did you do? You manipulated me, bossed me around and treated me like a servant.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. I told you why I started asking you to do so much for me. I wanted to help you out and get your attention.”
“Oh? So, you’re admitting that from day one you were already thinking about your own selfish needs, right? Everyone at Scenic Ridge, including myself, had been so fast to fulfill your demands. Keeping you happy was a priority and I think you enjoyed it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. And don’t call me selfish. How selfish was it of you to keep me in the dark about who you really were?”
With a jerk of her neck, Skylar rolled her eyes at Mark. “Give me a break, you spoiled, chauvinistic jock. I was helping my sister out. I tried to overlook your pushy ways, but I guess I was blindsided by your suave, Afro-European charm. Now, I clearly see what kind of a man you are, and I’m glad to be going home.”
Mark opened his mouth to respond to her tirade, but she had already climbed inside her Jeep and started the engine. She sped off in a squeal of tires and a shower of frozen gravel, leaving him staring after her car until it turned a corner and entered a side street off the square.
How could she say such things to him? She was wrong. He had loved her, wanted a future with her, and had been ready to make a real commitment despite his mother’s warnings. But Skylar had ruined everything by lying and hiding the truth from him.
Frustration spiraled into longing as their encounter hung in his mind. He ached to have her back in his life, back in his arms, back in his bed where they had come together in perfect union. He knew he would never reach such erotic heights with any other woman, and didn’t want to try.
As much as Mark wanted to hate Skylar he knew he couldn’t. His love for her burned as hard and deep as it had the first time they made love. It didn’t really matter to him that she might not be able to have children. There were other ways to create a family, but finding a woman to love and trust was not that easy, and that was what mattered most.
Trust, he thought with a slump of his shoulders. It’s the bottom line in any relationship and we’re both at fault for botching that up. By financing my film, Skylar came through for me when she could have easily turned away. I ought to be grateful for what she did, not angry. She loves me enough to invest in my future, to trust me with her money. So why am I too bullheaded to admit what a good woman she really is?
Chapter 30
Virina moved the vase of pink and white orchids three times before deciding to place it on top of the baby grand piano, where guests could see it as soon as they walked in. Though it was only eleven o’clock in the morning, more than seven hours before her party, Virina was deep into organizing, decorating and finalizing the details for the gathering she was hosting in the ballroom of the St. Regis Hotel.
The Mark Jorgen Story was airing on BES tonight and she was in her element, planning a viewing party for Mark and all of their friends. He had been moping around long enough and it was time for him to put a smile on his face and enjoy his success. He was the star of a television documentary that had already received excellent advance reviews. He was going on an extensive media tour. Already, two major publishers had contacted him about publishing his biography, a book for young people.
The project was turning out even better than Virina had hoped, and she loved the attention her son was finally receiving, even though she would have preferred that the film focus solely on Mark.
“I guess I have Skylar to thank,” Virina grudgingly confessed as she placed a stack of white, linen napkins in a silver tray. “Perhaps I misjudged her after all. Such a gutsy, independent woman could be exactly the kind of wife Mark needs, and I can definitely teach her how to enjoy that money of hers.” Virina chuckled. “Life takes such strange turns when you least expect it. Who would have thought that the concierge was a millionaire in disguise? Or that I am going to have to convince Mark that she’s the woman he needs?”
Going to the phone, she punched in the number to Scenic Ridge and asked for Skylar. When she came on the line, Virina drew in a deep breath and ploughed ahead, as if they were long-time friends.
“I’m throwing a viewing party for Mark at the St. Regis tonight, and since you are the producer you absolutely must attend.” The line was silent for a long beat before Skylar spoke.
“I appreciate the invitation, Virina, but I had planned to watch it here with my sister and her husband. They just returned from Oregon, and we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
“Well, you’ll just have to bring them along,” Virina offered, a bit too testily. How could anyone turn down an invitation to one of her parties at the St. Regis in Aspen? Was the girl that far removed from the social scene? Virina had come to the realization that Mark was truly in love with Skylar and the possibility was great that Skylar might wind up as Virina’s daughter-in-law. My God. I’ll have to take this girl under my wing and teach her how things work in my world, Virina thought, knowing she was up to the challenge.
She pressed ahead, determined to make tonight a happy one for Mark. He’d been so unhappy since leaving Scenic Ridge, and now she was going to make things right. A little nudge might be all he’d need to make up with Skylar and get on with his life—his new life as a media celebrity.
“I won’t take no for an answer, Skylar. Richard Nobel is flying in. Food by Rachael Ray. Music and dancing afterward. Master P is on
board as the DJ. The most important party of the month.” Again, the line hummed empty. “You’re coming, of course?”
Virina could hear the sigh that escaped Skylar’s lips, and she tightened her grip on the handset.
“I’ll try,” Skylar finally answered. “But I know Deena and Jerome won’t be coming. They just want to stick around home and get some rest.”
“I understand completely. You can represent them. So, just come alone. Seven-thirty. Casual chic, of course.”
Her office suddenly seemed too warm and Skylar was having trouble breathing. She got up from her desk, went to the window and pushed it open a crack. The fresh air that swept in cleared her head and made her feel a bit calmer.
Had Virina actually just invited her to a party for Mark? Was it for real, or some kind of a trick? Was Virina planning to embarrass Skylar? Make her feel out of place once she arrived?
It would be just like Virina to act as if I crashed the party to make Mark think I was that desperate to be near him. No way was she going to fall into that trap. She was perfectly content to view the film on T V with Deena, Jerome and the rest of the Scenic Ridge staff, many of whom were excited about seeing themselves in Mark’s story.
Looking out the window, she focused on the skating rink in the distance, thinking about the argument she had had there with Mark when they ended their relationship. She had replayed it so many times in her head that their words were permanently etched into her brain. Yes, she had been wrong to hold back the truth, but it was too late to do anything about that now. By helping her sister, she’d been able to work at Scenic Ridge and meet Mark. She wouldn’t change a thing about that experience, even though it had not turned out as she hoped. But now that the documentary was getting excellent advance reviews, Scenic Ridge would soon become known as the place for African-Americans to come to ski, and that was what Skylar had hoped would happen.
If only she and Mark could find a way back to each other. If Virina hadn’t gotten to Mark first, Skylar was convinced that she could have softened the blow of her confession. Virina’s interference had been the catalyst to their problems and Skylar was still angry that Virina had felt it her place to meddle in their affairs. Why had Virina deliberately worked Mark into a frenzy and forced him into a showdown with her? “Because she’s a conniving bitch,” Skylar whispered, wondering if she ought to show up at the party, confront Virina and set the record straight. And I’d get to see Mark, again, she admitted, calculating that she had more than enough time to drive into town to buy something spectacular to wear.
Chapter 31
After setting the DVR on the television in his room to record the premier of his life story, Mark checked his watch again. Seven o’clock. He knew his mother was expecting him to be downstairs by now, greeting her guests and accepting congratulations for his television debut. She had already called him three times, and he knew she was livid that he was dragging his feet, but his heart was not in it.
Why did Virina have to go and do this without telling him? He’d much rather be at Scenic Ridge, watching the program with Deena and Jerome and the staff. And with Skylar at my side, he admitted, overcome with a need to see her. He had not stopped thinking about her since running into her at the gas station earlier in the week, and his resistance was beginning to wear thin.
She loved him, he knew it! She missed him, too, as much as he missed her. He had seen it in her eyes! All of this fuss that his mother and the media were making over Richard’s film meant nothing if he couldn’t share his joy with Skylar. She had financed it, produced it. She had believed in him and his vision for the piece when his mother hadn’t. How could he go downstairs and act as if he was happy to be with those people when his heart was broken, his mind was on Skylar and all he wanted to do was get away?
“I’m not going,” he decided, loosening his tie. He yanked off his dinner jacket and threw it into the open suitcase on his bed. He could leave Aspen tonight. Virina had arranged for him to fly to New York on Wilhelm’s plane and the pilot was standing by, ready to leave when Mark gave him the word. Why wait until morning? Mark decided, tossing his toiletries into his bag. I’m getting out of here right now?
Virina kept one eye on the door as she air-kissed each guest that arrived for the viewing party, furious with Mark. Where was he? How could he not show up on time for his own party? It seemed as if he deliberately wanted to embarrass her. She’d called his room three times, and now it looked as if she’d have to go upstairs and personally bring him down. This was most embarrassing, and she had gone to a great deal of trouble and expense to put this affair together. He was not going to ruin it.
Turning her back to the full length mirror on her closet door, Skylar looked over her shoulder and checked herself out, liking what she saw—printed, Italian Ginevra shirt: $998; metal and beaded embroidered jeans: $1615; cowhide belt with Swarovski crystals: $428; pink, wool Austrian jacket: $1398; handmade, alligator boots: $3500. Now that everyone knew about her wealth, why not flaunt it? she’d decided during her whirlwind shopping spree in town. It had been so much fun. And the same salesgirl at Gorsuch who had waited on her the first day she arrived in Aspen had been so eager to help with her selections.
“I oughta turn some heads now,” Skylar said with satisfaction, knowing she could hold her own among Virina’s snobby friends, who would certainly be checking her out. Her jeans were so tight she could hardly sit down, but they cupped her butt in a sensual way that made her feel very sexy. “Let Mark get a good look at what he tossed away,” she snickered, though nervous about her decision to go to Virina’s party.
But how could she stay away? She was the producer. She also had to represent Scenic Ridge, a major piece of the project. Richard would be there, and she could hang out with him while doing her best to ignore Mark. And he’d better not show up with a woman on each arm, Skylar fumed, preparing herself for a very bumpy night.
A quick swipe of strawberry lip gloss and a fluff of her locks and she was ready to go. Reaching for her new shearling coat with fox fur trim, she tossed it over her shoulders and grabbed her car keys, ready to face Virina, Mark and his party-loving friends.
Mark came to an abrupt stop at the intersection of Highway 82 where the road leading to the airport turned off to the right and road straight ahead led on toward Scenic Ridge. He glanced into his rearview mirror. No traffic behind him. Nothing in front of him either. Nothing but the road that would lead him back to Skylar. Did he want to take it? Take a chance on her being able to forgive him for all the mean things he’d said? Or should he simply go on to the airport, get on the plane and fly out of her life all together?
“I’ve got to see her,” he said to his reflection in the rearview mirror. “I can’t leave without knowing where she stands.”
Skylar roared down the narrow road that led into town, recalling the time when she would have inched cautiously along. But now she knew the road well and knew how to maneuver through the narrow passages and sharp turns without fearing for her life. Usher’s newest single was playing on her CD player and she concentrated on the music to keep her mind off her destination. She’d deal with Virina and Mark soon enough. For now she didn’t even want to think about either of them.
After rounding a curve, she entered the single lane portion of the road, automatically slowing down. However, she quickly realized that a car was approaching from the opposite direction and one of them would have to back up.
She slammed on the brakes.
The car in front of her pulled right up to hers, their bumpers nearly touching.
Skylar gasped. It was Mark and he was smiling at her through the windshield, as if pleased with what he’d found.
Mark got out of his Range Rover and walked toward Skylar, her headlights bathing him in a golden wash of light. When she rolled down the window, he leaned in, deliberately poking his face close to hers.
“Going into town?” he asked, a touch of a smirk on his lips.
“To your mothe
r’s party,” Skylar managed, trying to sound annoyed. “Where you should be, so why don’t you back up and turn around?”
“Can’t do that,” Mark said nonchalantly, arms resting in the open window.
“You’ve got to. There’s no way I can pass unless you move.”
Mark reached into Skylar’s car and flicked open the door. “Slide over,” he told her, getting in before she could comment.
Skylar threw him a freezing glance, but did as he told her and made room for him to sit behind the wheel. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Moving your car out of my way,” he said matter-of-factly as he backed up. Looking over his shoulder, he continued to drive in reverse until he had parked Skylar’s Jeep in a safe spot off the road. “Come on,” he told her, getting out.
Skylar remained in the car, lips tight. “Quit ordering me around! I’m not going any place with you! And give me my car keys!”
“Can’t do that,” he grinned, pocketing her keys. “Unless you want to walk to the party, you’d better get in my car.”
Teeth clenched in frustration, Skylar got out, slammed the door and followed Mark, taking very tiny steps in her too-tight jeans. With a great deal of effort, she managed to climb into his SUV, where she sat with her lip poked out and her arms clamped stubbornly across her chest.
“You look fabulous,” Mark commented as he eased behind the wheel. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Gee, thanks,” she managed, watching him from the corner of her eye. “Thought I’d show your mother that I’m not the unsophisticated nobody she thinks I am.”
With a whir, Mark started the engine and instead of turning around, as Skylar had thought he would do, he continued up the road toward Scenic Ridge.
“She doesn’t think you’re a nobody,” Mark commented. “In fact, I think she likes you.”
Suite Embrace Page 22
