A Solitary Romance: Book 1 in the Only Love Series

by Violet Sparks

  "Really, Jim? You've known for over a week what time I needed you!" she said, agitated.

  She didn't relish walking into the Spring Fling Dinner Dance by herself.

  "I know, and I'm sorry. It's just that when I tried my tuxedo on last night, it didn't fit. The tailor won't have the jacket done for another hour. He just finished the pants as it is. Give me the address, and I'll get there as soon as I can."

  "It's the Beverly Hills Hotel. Just punch it into your navigation system. When you get close, you should see a big pink building. And please, drive careful, Jim."

  Katrina hung up and checked herself in the mirror. She'd had her hair dresser give her an updo that morning, as Irina had suggested. She didn't stick to the Russian's advice when it came to jewelry, though. She couldn't resist adding a pair of earrings. She chose to wear the pair her father gave her on a recent birthday. Real rose gold surrounded circles of Morganite, which dangled on small wires a quarter-inch below her ear. Each stone was smaller than a dime in diameter but caught the light in a lovely manner. Their light pink color complemented her gown.

  She'd kept her makeup simple, and with the exception of a dab of smoky shadow at the outer corners of her eyes, she looked quite natural. Matte pink lipstick in a soft shade completed her appearance, and soft wisps of hair framed her face in an attractive manner. Something about the high ruffled neckline on her dress accentuated her sharp chin and other fine features.

  She arrived at the hotel and left her car with a valet. She'd experienced the Beverly, as it was known, several times before. Dodd and Company included clients at the Spring Fling, and thus easily filled the large ballroom overlooking the tennis courts.

  Katrina walked down a wide hallway leading to the Crystal Ballroom. Hotel staff checked her name and said she'd be eating dinner at table seventeen. She paused atop the wide sweeping staircase and took a moment to glance around. Below her, the room was a hubbub of activity. Waiters passed hors d'oeuvres from silver trays while guests mingled around tables and at the bar. A jazz quartet played music while a crooner sang a swanky tune. She recognized the singer from prior galas. He'd bought her a drink in the Polo Lounge once, after an event. She remembered his name was Tom.

  The auditor glanced up at the magnificent chandeliers, which gave the room its name. The enormous gold and crystal fixtures winked at her from thick gilt cables attached to the high ceiling. Arched French windows lined the outside wall on a grand scale and reflected light from the three chandeliers and various matching sconces mounted on pink walls throughout the hall. Katrina felt she could be viewing a real chateau in France.

  Just as she took a step, the music ended and the singer made a gesture towards the staircase. He said something into the microphone, which caused all eyes to turn on her. Kate froze, mid-step, at the rustling created as guests turned to see who or what had caught the crooner's attention. Within a moment, all eyes were on her.

  "Wow," Chuck blurted into Robert's face, pointing up in the direction of the entrance.

  Chuck Manning had already downed two cocktails.

  LaSalla watched, along with everyone else, as she descended the stairs. Her dress flowed about her from the hips down, giving the impression that a delicate spring bloom glided down the steps, perhaps driven by a gentle breeze. The girl stood out from all others in the room.

  Kate couldn't get off those stairs too soon, and she felt a blush heat her face pink. Before she could locate table seventeen, her boss appeared at her elbow.

  "James stand you up?" he whispered into her ear.

  She could feel his breath on the sensitive area where her jaw met her neck, and as usual, he succeeded in rattling her.

  "Of course not. He's just running late," she said, aggravated at the entire situation.

  Arriving alone was a bit humiliating, but having everyone notice and having to parade down a grand staircase while they all gawked really was too much. At least she hadn't tripped and fallen, which had been her prime concern in the high platform pumps she wore for the first time.

  "I'm so relieved to hear it," Robert said, placing his hand on her bare back and guiding her through the crowd to a table labeled Seventeen.

  His fingers pressed into her skin with a fierce heat. She worried they'd leave a mark. The sarcasm in his voice prompted her to pull away and get a better look at his face. He flashed a benign smile. She must have mistaken his tone.

  "They'll serve dinner in a minute. I'm headed to the bar. Can I get you a drink, Katrina?"

  "No. No, thank you," she said, trying to maintain her composure.

  Relief swept over Katrina when she saw her friend approaching with Chuck. Apparently, the receptionist did get stuck with him after all. But at least she'd have someone else to talk to while she waited for James.

  She turned her attention to the hotel's dinnerware. Covered with a crisp white linen, fine monogrammed china, silver, and crystal goblets surrounding a low white floral bouquet, the table looked the picture of elegance. She noted enough place settings for eight.

  "Isn't this lovely?" Kate said to Kiki, once her friend sat down. She added, "Don't worry, Jim's coming. He's just late.

  The receptionist grinned and whispered something about the guy at the microphone wanting to speak with her. She laughed and shook her head, letting Kiki know she wanted no part of the crooner.

  "Don't look now, but here comes the boss man, and he's got a woman on his arm," Chuck said, his eyes growing as big as saucers.

  The auditor turned her head and caught sight of her boss leading a tall, gorgeous blonde to their table. She looked like a model, with tan legs that went on forever. Relieved she hadn't chosen the red rhinestone dress, Katrina stared at the short, fire engine red, sequin-covered number on Robert's date. A low-cut V in front showed off the Giselle lookalike's figure. She could never compete with that.

  "I'd like you all to meet Leiselle, my guest this evening."

  His date flipped her long, sleek ponytail behind one shoulder and smiled, revealing large, professionally whitened, perfect teeth behind red, glossy lips. Her hair was gathered at the crown of her head in a black lacquered clip from whence the ponytail sprang, à la Madonna.

  "Hello," the giraffe said in a voice that oozed sex appeal.

  She has no accent. How can she be named Leiselle and not have an accent?

  Robert pulled out a chair for his date, and she slid into her seat with a smooth grace. Katrina tried to guess the girl's age as Kiki and Chuck introduced themselves. For some reason, she hadn't thought about her boss bringing a date. She should have known this would happen. No doubt, Leiselle had sent the flowers with the note his first week at the office. Kate wished she'd asked Barry to escort her to the Spring Fling.

  Hello. I'd like you all to meet Bernard Bothwell Bronson, my guest this evening. Somehow, that wouldn't compete with the leggy and glamorous Leiselle.

  Katrina didn't notice when the waiters brought the first course, poured wine, and an ensemble began playing classical music. She jumped bolt upright when someone placed firm hands on her shoulders.

  "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. I apologize for being late," James said as he pulled out his chair and eased into the seat. "I'm Jim, by the way," he added, raising his hand in a wave, and smiling at the others at the table.

  "You certainly are," Kiki said under her breath in a whisper that only Kate could hear.

  Glad to see her brother, she threw an arm around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then she drew back, beaming with relief that he'd arrived, and at her friend's comment. She studied Jim's face as he dug into his salad and buttered a roll. Something was different about her brother, which she hadn't noticed in the high desert. A hardness left its mark on his features, and she didn't believe it was due to additional muscle weight. Supremely handsome in his altered tuxedo, even Kate realized how attractive he'd become. He'd allowed his golden locks to grow during his leave, and his hair had just started to show some waviness. His bright blue eyes s
till had the clarity of a serious minded man, and his military bearing gave him a strong, masculine presence. James tended to dominate those around him.

  At last, realizing his sister scrutinized him, James decided to return the favor. He popped the last half of his dinner roll in his mouth and chewed, looking her up and down.

  "I'd have never guessed it, but you clean up well, Kate!" Jim laughed, the life of the party.

  The others joined in, except for Robert. She noticed that her boss showed no signs of amusement. She felt her face heat with another blush and glanced down at the table, picking at her salad and hoping the group would move on to another topic.

  James sensed her embarrassment, which normally wouldn't bother him, but remembering the pep talk he'd received from their dad, he decided to take it easy on his little sister. He put his arm around her and planted a kiss on her cheek.

  "You look great, Sugar," he admitted.

  "Thank you," she whispered, keeping her attention on her plate.

  The waiters soon switched salads for the main course, and the conversation at the table flowed between the rest of the group. Kate kept quiet, an unfamiliar sadness growing inside her. She worried about what caused the new granite glint in her brother's eye and the hard set of his jaw. She thought she noticed frown lines taking hold at the corners of his mouth. Leiselle's presence didn't help her mood, and she found herself comparing her own features to the other woman's. When she next became aware of the conversation, Kiki asked Jim if he planned to make a career of the military.

  "No, I'm thinking this may be my last tour of duty," he said.

  "What are your plans after you complete your service?" she asked.

  "I'm thinking of graduate school, but I really have no idea what specialty to pursue."

  "Maybe you should consider Asian studies," Kiki responded in a sultry tone.

  Katrina choked on a chicken chunk and had to spit it into her napkin. Her brother took no notice of his sister's distress and instead flashed the Hawaiian a devilish grin.

  "That sounds interesting," James said, cocking one eyebrow.

  Kate thought there was something very James Bond-like about how her brother looked in his tuxedo, flirting with her best friend. She'd never witnessed him quite like this, and she tried to watch without staring.

  The waiters sprang into action again as plates were cleared and coffee served. They brought dessert to the table, the ubiquitous slices of cheesecake topped with strawberry sauce. Kate had no appetite.

  At last, a DJ grabbed the microphone and announced something about getting a party started. It's Still Rock and Roll to Me blasted through the speakers as the guests filed out onto the dance floor.

  "Do you mind if I powder my nose, Baby?" Leiselle asked Robert.

  "I need to powder mine too," James said with a twinkle in his eye and left the table.

  Chuck went to get another drink, and the other couple at the table, clients, also departed. The music segued into the slow song, Hello, as the DJ urged more people out onto the dance floor.

  "Would you like to dance, K—" Robert began.

  "She'd love to," Kiki interrupted her boss. "This is one of her favorite songs!"

  The receptionist shot her friend a look that said, Don't argue.

  Katrina wasn't sure whom he intended to ask, but she allowed Robert to pull out her chair and guide her onto the floor. His hair was slightly disheveled. He had lost his jacket, loosened his tie, and looked completely devastating. She noticed how his tan skin contrasted with his crisp white tuxedo shirt. Katrina had to force her eyes from his Adam's apple and the hollow beneath.

  "Enjoying yourself?" he asked, fumbling with where to place his hands.

  At first he tried holding her hand with a bent elbow, square dance style, then he shifted to one arm around her waist and the other on her shoulder. Tired of the awkwardness, she sighed and laced her fingers behind his neck, placing her cheek against his chest. Her hands were finally close to that mop of hair she longed to run her fingers through, so she concentrated on keeping them still.

  "Yes. It's a lovely room, isn't it?" she said, uncomfortable.

  "Uh huh, lovely," he said, his deep voice rumbling.

  She felt him examine one of her earrings, grazing her neck and lobe with his fingers as he did so. She had trouble thinking straight and worried she might faint if he kept that up. Then, Robert slid one hand down her bare arm and rested it on her hip. She was sure sparks flew from her body when she felt his calloused fingers moving on her skin. He shifted his other hand to the opposite spot and held her firmly in place. Kate felt the muscles across his chest go taut and tried to put more distance between them. She didn't want him to feel her heart pounding.

  "Won't someone be missing Baby?" she blurted out, jitters getting the best of her.

  "What?"

  Embarrassed, Katrina said, "Leiselle—won't she be upset to find you dancing with someone else? I think it's ridiculous that she calls you Baby."

  She flinched at the words that tumbled from her mouth. It was all his fault. He made her nervous, and she spilled things she shouldn't. She drew in a breath, clamped her eyes shut, and immersed herself in his scent.

  Robert chuckled softly in her ear and transferred a hand to her bare back, pulling her close again. The way he controlled her movements and swayed with her to the music made Katrina melt. She became aware of his fingers toying with the strands of gossamer ribbons that trailed down her back before caressing the nape of her neck. As the song continued, he slid his hand across her skin, drawing her against his chest. The heat from his touch branded the girl. Kate kept her face hidden from him for fear of what it might reveal. She could hear his heart pounding and felt her own pulse race as the muscles in his chest grew hard against her.

  He whispered, "Powdering her nose takes a while. There's a lot of maintenance involved there. And I want to know, why do you think it strange for someone to call me Baby?" he teased.

  "That's not a term I would associate with you," she said, trying to keep from melting into a pool at his feet.

  "You know," he said between ragged breaths, "James didn't get it quite right when he said you looked great tonight. I'd say you are exquisite."

  Did she hear that right? His embrace intensified when whispering into her ear, grazing her lobe with his lips. How could she concentrate on his words when flames burst within her at his touch? The song began to fade, and she wished the moment could last forever.

  Footloose booming over the speakers brought her back to reality. She thought of the supermodel and Robert together. Who was she kidding? This man was not meant for her.

  Katrina pulled away from her boss and walked back to the table, sensing he followed close behind. She saw Jim scraping the last bite of cheesecake off Kiki's plate. She guessed he'd eaten his own and hers before hitting up the receptionist.

  "I like this song! Who picked this great music anyway? Let's dance!" James exclaimed, grabbing Kiki's hand and rushing onto the floor.

  She watched her brother's moves. He knew how to cut the rug, at least to '80's music, and Kiki looked impressed. Relieved he enjoyed himself, she watched as her friend threw her head back and laughed at her brother. Katrina felt a gentle touch on her hand, and was shocked to see that Robert had taken the chair next to her. Leiselle must still be in the ladies' room.

  Her eyes locked with his. The man gazed at her with an intense tenderness she'd not seen before, and she felt as though she'd never break free of those dark eyes.

  "I know how difficult it is," he said with something like sympathy in his voice.

  "What's difficult?" she asked, suspicion entering her brain.

  "It's hard to watch the person you care about with someone else," he said, as if revealing something of himself, but Kate still had no idea what he meant.

  He left his hand over hers and stroked her wrist with his thumb. The length of his muscular forearm pressed against hers.

  Her puzzled look must have regist
ered, because he nodded towards the dance floor. Katrina tore her eyes from him, beginning to worry where this might be headed. She witnessed her brother whisper something in Kiki's ear and her friend pull away, an unfamiliar demure expression on the Hawaiian's face. Kate glanced back at Robert.

  "Are you talking about Kiki and James?" she asked, incredulous.

  "Yes, I am," he said, his jaw tightening.

  She watched his expression grow hard as flint and the all too familiar clench of his square jaw. He withdrew his hand and put some distance between them. She thought she recognized anger glowing from his dark brown eyes.

  "Robert, if I think highly enough of Kiki to consider her my best friend, I can certainly trust her with Jimmy!"

  "What's going on?" Leiselle demanded, attempting to move between Robert and Katrina and sit on the man's lap. The giraffe had returned.

  "Not a thing," he replied, his voice flat.

  He moved his chair over to make room for his date.

  "Want to dance?" he asked the leggy bimbo.

  "I'd love to, Baby."

  Katrina watched as her boss ushered his date onto the dance floor. The girl's short red dressed swished back and forth, barely covering her rear as Caribbean Queen got the crowd humming. James and Kiki continued dancing and seemed quite cozy when Keep On Lovin' You played. She had to be content with Chuck's company when he finally made it back to the table, drink in hand.