by Cynthia Gail
Maureen frowned, then opened her purse and retrieved a certificate. Lauren’s birthday gift from Nick.
Beth didn’t know why Maureen would request her personally given the circumstances. If she were trying to spur jealousy over a past relationship, it wouldn’t work. In fact, her actions were pleasantly having the opposite effect. A flutter went through her stomach as her mind drifted back over the past few hours.
Maureen cleared her throat. When Beth raised her head, the woman’s smile was filled with satisfaction, obviously thinking she’d hit her mark. “I’d like to have the full day of ecstasy.”
Beth grinned and held back a chuckle. Let her think what she wants. “I’m sorry Lauren isn’t interested in using the gift herself.”
“Yes, well . . . If you could just tell me what you have available.”
“Our first opening would be the second week in January.”
“Oh, I hoped to come in Saturday. You know, the Christmas ball is that evening and I wanted a day of pampering to prepare.”
“I’m sorry. Several of our specialists are booked until February. I’ll have to make special arrangements just to get you in in January.” Beth realized she was probably one of the few people to have ever told Maureen no. Her smile widened.
“I guess that will have to do.” Maureen handed her a personal contact card. “Go ahead and set everything up for January. Send the details to my email address.” Without another word, Maureen turned and left.
It was all Beth could do to hold back a laugh as she watched the woman swing her hips and stomp her heels across the marble floor. The moment the front door closed, she turned to Gina and they both exploded. Beth held her side as she tried to reduce her howling to quiet giggles. When Gina snorted, she lost control again.
Wiping tears from her eyes, she laid the certificate and personal calling card on the desk and tried to steady her breathing.
“Have you ever?” Gina’s words were barely audible.
“Actually, I have. I grew up with her older sister. I’m surprised Maureen is willing to use the gift. I’m fairly certain I won’t be getting a Christmas card this year.” She shook her head, replaying the scene in her mind.
Gina went silent for a moment. “I wish I’d made the connection before you came back from lunch.” Gina gave her a devilish smile.
“Oh, no.” Beth shook her finger. “I know you too well. We don’t need to stir anything up.”
“It doesn’t matter now, anyway. I’ll take care of her appointments and send them from your email address so she thinks you handled everything.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I know. But why deal with her if you don’t have to? She didn’t come here just for an appointment. I have a feeling something else is going on.”
“With them, there always is. Thanks, Gina.”
As Beth headed back toward her office, she couldn’t help the satisfied smile that spread across her face.
CHAPTER 11
Beth tried to slow her breathing. The bodice of her ball gown felt like a corset the way it sucked in, lifted, and held everything in place a little too firmly. And the closer they came to the country club, the more her nerves went awry, making her crucial deep breaths even more difficult.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” Nick asked. His relaxed demeanor irritated her to no end. Sitting back against the limousine seat, he held her hand and gently stroked. Why couldn’t he be nervous, too? Why was she the one who always wondered what others would think? It was impossible to stop caring.
“I think you have, but a woman never gets tired of flattery.” She gazed into his dark, fiery eyes and her worries began to melt.
He’d told her the moment she’d opened the door this evening, though she’d barely heard the words. The heat he was radiating had sent prickling warmth straight to her core. Momentarily stunned, she’d almost forgotten to let him in.
She loved the look of a tux on her man. He’d started growing a beard earlier in the week and the four-day growth gave him a rugged, sinister appearance. A sexy contrast to the crisp white shirt and onyx and diamond studs on his cufflinks.
“I’ll tell you every fifteen minutes if you promise to stare at me the way you are right now.” He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the side of her cheek. She felt the light graze of his whiskers against her skin, making her thighs tighten involuntarily. “I don’t plan on staying late tonight,” he whispered.
Beth was glad he couldn’t see the heat spreading up her cheeks like a wild fire. They’d spoken on the phone several times, yet hadn’t seen each other since leaving her house Friday morning for work. Thirty-six hours and the tension between them was almost unbearable.
Waiting their turn as the line of limousines advanced toward the entrance of the country club, Beth steadied her heart and tried to regroup. Anxiety aside, a part of her was excited about the Christmas ball. Their first public appearance as a couple. The office party didn’t really count. Those were his employees, not his peers. And tonight she would have the chance to dance in his arms the way she had at Carlino’s. She felt like a princess.
Their car had barely stopped when Nick’s door opened. He stepped out, then offered his hand to her. His arm came securely around the back of her waist as he led her up the grand staircase and into the foyer.
She quickly absorbed her surroundings as they were directed through the reception hall toward the dining and ballrooms. She couldn’t believe the changes since her last visit. Only three years had passed since she’d had dinner here with Troy and his parents. The entire back wing overlooking the golf course and lake had been added since. Even the vestibule had been redesigned with an intricate flavor of elegance.
The ballroom was breathtaking. They stopped at the entrance as she absorbed the intricate details. A magnificent collection of crystal chandeliers hung from ornate medallions, spreading a soft glow throughout the room. Ten-foot tapestries and oil paintings emphasized the luxurious two-story walls. A four-piece orchestra sat in the far corner warming up their instruments as a waiter offered them each a glass of champagne.
Before she and Nick had stepped ten feet into the room, a young woman she vaguely recognized approached. “Beth, I didn’t get a chance to talk to you at Mr. Chester’s party. I was hoping you would be here tonight.”
“Hi, Emily. I’m so happy to see you.” Beth felt a pang of guilt as she hugged her old friend. She and Emily had had several classes together in high school. Along with two other girls, they’d banded together, none of them feeling as though they were welcome in the popular crowd. Once she’d left for college, alone, the group had slowly slipped out of contact.
Since her return to Nashville, she’d limited her network of friends. Only during her year with Troy had she socialized with some of her old acquaintances. And even that had been minimal.
“It’s been too long, Emily.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen you since . . .” Emily’s voice faltered and Beth watched the woman’s eyes fly to Nick and back. Beth knew she’d been about to say since you and Troy broke up.
“Well, I’m guessing at least three years.” Beth gave her friend a wink. “This is the first time I’ve seen the renovations. Everything is beautiful.”
“If Nick doesn’t mind, I’d love to show you around.”
Beth turned to Nick, who smiled back at her with one raised eyebrow. He’d either caught her wink or was laughing. She’d made him promise not to leave her side all evening. And here she was, ten minutes after their arrival, sneaking away for girl talk.
“Just don’t forget I have the first dance.” He gave her waist a soft squeeze before letting go.
Nick watched as the two women walked away. Something unspoken had crossed between them, but it didn’t bother him. Women had their signals, just as men did. And he hoped Emily was the key to breaking Beth’s shell. Her reservations baffled him, and he hoped that by the end of the night she realized she belonged here just as muc
h as anyone else.
He turned toward an acquaintance standing near the bar and caught the bartender and waiter transfixed by Beth and Emily. As much as he understood the attraction, he had to tamper down the roar that wanted to leap from inside his chest.
Nick didn’t know if he’d ever get used to men watching her. Beth could be sexy in a ponytail, old T-shirt, and cut-off sweatpants. Tonight, though . . .
He hadn’t wanted to leave her side. He didn’t want anyone questioning who she was with. Who she belonged to. When he’d picked her up, his first reaction had been to skip the ball and take her straight to bed. The pale green gown made her eyes sparkle—the perfect shade against the creamy skin of her bare shoulders. She’d wound her hair into an intricate twist on the back of her head, making him want to kiss every inch of silky skin on her neck.
The dress was far from risqué, nothing close to some of the short skirts, low cleavages, and bare backs they would see tonight. But the slim fit accentuated the full swell of her breasts, her tiny waist, and the perfect curve of her hips. And the slit up the side of her leg came within inches of the lace trim on her hose he’d seen just two days ago. Knowing what lay beneath the dress warmed his blood and made him loosen his tie.
“Nick, good to see you. Are you all right?”
“John.” Nick held out his hand and quickly checked the glare he’d been directing at the bartender. “How are you?”
“Busy as always.”
“And the family?”
“Wonderful. We took the boys to see Santa Claus for the first time this afternoon. I think we’re finished with the shopping and I’m taking the last two weeks of the year off to be at home.”
“Good for you. How is fatherhood treating you? Triplet boys have to be a handful.”
“I love being a father, but I’m not the one at home all day long with them. I don’t know how Kendra keeps her sanity, even with a nanny. She’s unbelievable.”
“I hope you have an equally unbelievable present under the tree for her this year.” Nick couldn’t imagine three babies at once. The delight in John’s eyes brought an unexpected yearning to his heart. He had to admit the idea of children popped into his mind more and more lately. And he knew he wanted a family with Beth.
“Nick?”
Abruptly, Nick realized he hadn’t heard a word John had said. “I’m sorry. I’ve had something on my mind all day and I can’t seem to concentrate.” The words were mostly true. He’d thought of Beth all day, though he hadn’t been consumed until they’d arrived at the club and he started realizing the attention she would receive.
“You, my friend, have been hit.” John chuckled.
“What do you mean?” He took a drink of the chilled champagne, hoping to cool his insides.
“Beth. Somehow she’s reached into that rock you call a heart and melted you.”
“It’s that obvious?” He wouldn’t deny the charge. Not to John, who just over a year ago married the love of his life.
“Your obsession radiated as you watched her leave with Emily. It pierced through the entire room when you saw the bartender and waiter eyeing her as well.”
“I don’t know what to do. I’ve never been jealous before. Never thought I’d be even remotely possessive. We’ve only been seeing each other a couple of weeks.”
“That’s how I felt with Kendra. She knocked me off my feet the first time I saw her. I was ready to propose on the first date.”
“Did she feel the same?”
“She must have. I made myself wait six weeks and she said yes. We flew to Jamaica one month later and here we are.”
“I’m happy for you.”
John’s attention turned. “I, um, don’t want to get your blood boiling again, but do you know Troy Shelton?”
“I’ve heard of him. He’s a lawyer down at Mitchell and Brisby, isn’t he?”
“Yeah. You know he dated Beth a few years ago. I think they were even engaged, right before he broke things off.”
“And?”
“He just joined Beth and Emily.”
Nick followed the direction of John’s nod and watched as the man in question placed one arm around Emily’s shoulders and the other around Beth’s waist. Beth laughed at something the man said and casually moved out of his grip to stand on the other side of her friend. When she did, her eyes met his.
“We need to get together soon, John. I’d like Beth to meet Kendra.”
John patted him on the shoulder. “Go. She could use some rescuing. Be nice, but don’t trust him.”
Nick moved as quickly as he could without drawing attention. When he reached Beth, she stepped into his offered arm and gave him a warm smile that said ‘thank you.’ “Nick, have you met Troy Shelton?” she asked.
“I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”
Troy shook his hand with concentrated strength that matched his glare. John had been right. Nick could see the man’s eyes measuring the situation—the competition.
“You promised me the first dance.” Beth broke into his thoughts. He hadn’t heard the music begin and welcomed the excuse to leave. With Beth on his arm.
“I’ll catch up with you in a little while, Emily.”
Nick felt Troy’s eyes on them as they moved toward the dance floor. Let him watch. Let him get a good hard look at Beth and understand who she’s with.
“Nick?” Beth’s soft voice brought him back, making him realize the tight grip he had on her waist.
“I’m sorry.”
“Are you all right?”
“I am now. I don’t like Troy.” Or the bartender or any other man that gave her a second glance.
“He’s harmless. A real jerk, but harmless.”
“I think I need to keep my promise and not leave your side for the rest of the evening.” His pasted smile faltered when he saw the concern on her face. “I’m sorry. There’s just something about him that I don’t trust. I like Emily, though. She’s one of the women who suggested I ask you out.”
“Funny how she didn’t mention that.”
“Ever since she married Shawn two years ago, they’ve been trying to match me up with every single woman they know.”
Beth lifted onto her toes and gave him a soft kiss. “Keep your mind on that.”
Beth hadn’t expected the intensity of Nick’s reaction to Troy. She held the insecurities in this relationship. Or so she’d thought. Nick had absolutely no reason to be possessive or jealous—or whatever this was. Could it be just a man thing? Part of pounding on a bare chest and shouting mine? Whatever this was, the last of her nerves instantly disappeared.
They danced for two songs in a row. Beth was just about to suggest they stay for a third when Jonathon tapped Nick on the shoulder.
“I’m going to pull rank and cut in, if you don’t mind, son.”
Nick hesitated before letting her go, then turned and smiled at his grandfather. “Only because it’s you, old man.”
The two of them moved into the flowing stream of dancers. Beth couldn’t help watching Nick as he headed toward the bar. When her gaze returned to Jonathon, he had a serious expression on his face.
“He won’t go far. Trust me.”
“What do you mean?” Beth felt flushed, realizing how rude her actions may have been interpreted.
“He was telling the truth when he said only because it’s me. He’s not about to let anyone else dance with you.” He laughed. “I’m surprised he did let me.”
“He could never say no to you.”
“A month ago I would have agreed with you, but I can see it in his eyes.”
“Nick’s not like that. You just saw him after he’d met Troy Shelton. They didn’t exactly hit it off.” Beth, reluctant to elaborate, read the understanding in Jonathon’s eyes.
“Troy’s been asking about you.”
Beth stared at Jonathon as her mind tried to interpret what he’d said. He had to be wrong. Maybe Troy was really asking about Nick, trying to find out why he w
ould be going out with her.
“You didn’t know.” Though the tone of the comment was more of a statement than a question, Beth still felt the need to answer.
“We’ve been here less than an hour and before tonight I hadn’t seen Troy in almost two years. Are you sure he was asking about me and not—”
“I’m sure. I overheard him talking just a few minutes ago. Someone mentioned you were here, said something about how great your business is doing. Probably needling a reaction.”
“What did he say?”
“He said that he always knew you’d be successful and encouraged you from the beginning.”
Beth laughed as they completed another turn. Jonathon was a great dancer. His moves seemed effortless. She tried to follow with equal grace and had to concentrate when his steps led her into a twirl, followed by a short dip. She could just imagine him in his youth.
“For someone who claims to be out of practice, you’re awfully smooth,” she said.
“Some things you never forget. My wife and I used to go dancing every weekend. We took ballroom lessons the first year we were married. It was her passion.” Beth felt the melancholy in his tone.
“So, I’m going to guess he wasn’t encouraging?” Jonathon moved the conversation back to Troy.
“Not in the least. What did he ask?”
“He wanted to know how you met Nicholas and when the two of you started dating. He had a hard time hiding his surprise.”
“Given his true opinion of me in the past, I’d say surprise is an understatement.” She had to smile at the image that came to mind. “Anything else?”
“I tried to be discrete.”
“I’m sure you were.” She laughed at his feigned innocence. “I’m guessing you heard more.”
Jonathon didn’t answer right away. At the next turn, Beth eyed the bar and saw Nick deep in conversation. She had a hard time not comparing him to other men. And not just physically, although his body screamed masculinity. He exuded confidence in everything he did. He knew his business inside and out. It was obvious by the attention he held that others respected his opinion.
