by Ray, Francis
Standing, he reached for her chair and took her arm. His mother hadn’t cared that he spent summers elsewhere. “I suppose.” He threaded their way through the elegant restaurant to the valet and handed the young attendant his ticket. In a matter of minutes he and Fallon were on their way to the nightclub.
“How are things shaping up for the auction?” she asked.
During dinner she’d regaled him with funny stories about her travel, as if both wanted to keep things light. “The last of the items were listed today. Tomorrow we’ll double-check everything.”
“Have you given any more thought to the personal notes with the auction pieces or the preview get-together?”
“Frankly, I haven’t had time to think about either.” Flicking his signal, he pulled up to the valet. Attendants were there immediately to assist them. Rounding the car, Lance took Fallon’s arm and walked beneath the dark maroon awning.
“I don’t hear any music.” Fallon tilted her head to one side. “When I was in college the way to tell a good club was if the music slapped you in the face a block away. How about you?”
“I worked my way through college at the auction house I recently purchased. There wasn’t much time to party.”
She leaned into him. “Then we’ll have to make up for lost time tonight.”
A broad-shouldered man in a black suit opened the red door. The hard rock sounds of Van Halen blasted.
Lance covered one ear: Fallon laughed and quickened her steps. “Sounds as if the place is jumping.”
“Perhaps we should find a quieter place.”
“Not on your life.” Grabbing his arms, she pulled him farther inside. Strobe lights bounced off the wall. On the floor couples danced and sang along with the music. There were two levels and the DJ on the third. “Quick. I see a table.”
Lance let himself be pulled. He was enjoying watching the excitement in Fallon’s face. The “table” was an eighteen-inch circle. Somehow they got the attention of a waitress and ordered drinks. Beside him, Fallon swayed to the pulsing beat of another song.
“Something tells me you’re a good dancer.”
“I can hold my own,” she answered with a grin.
“Your drinks. Tonic water and a cosmopolitan.”
Lance handed the waitress a large bill. “Thanks. Keep the change.”
Fallon picked up her drink and sipped. “This brings back memories.”
“Your college days were fun, then?”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “You wouldn’t believe some of the crazy things we did.”
“Like what?” Lance reached for his tonic water.
“If I told you I’d have to kill you.” She giggled. “We swore each other to secrecy. Oh!” She placed her glass on the table, took his, and did the same. She came to her feet, pulling him with her. “We have to dance to this song.”
“We can’t leave our drinks or the table unattended,” he protested.
“With the large tip you gave the waitress she’ll watch the table. Stop stalling and let’s go bump hips.”
Lance’s eyes narrowed. Fallon rolled her eyes. “Not that way.”
“Pity.”
Fallon almost felt sorry for Lance. He had absolutely no rhythm dancing to the upbeat tempo. If the dance floor hadn’t been so crowded she might have insisted they take their seats. Although she had to give him points for trying and not giving up.
“If I’m embarrassing you, we’ll go to our table.”
She danced to him, then away. “Everyone has to learn.”
“Not in public.” He did an awkward bounce from one foot to the other.
He was right. Aware that Lance didn’t put himself out there, she realized he was making the effort for her. Her heart melted a little bit more. When the song ended and flowed into the slow tempo of an old Teddy Pendergrass tune she walked into Lance’s arms.
“This I can do, and more like it.”
Fallon had to agree as he held her. She placed her head on his chest and listened to the erratic beat of his heart and just enjoyed the tender way he held her, the easy movements of his body. “I’d say you’ve done this a few times.”
“Mrs. Hendricks liked to dance.”
Her head lifted. “What about Mr. Hendricks?”
The corners of Lance’s mouth curved upward. “He’s a worse dancer than I am, believe it or not. On Sunday afternoons, when there were no auctions, I’d go over for dinner at their house. Sometimes we’d play dominoes or cards, but the evening always ended with dancing.”
“That sounds nice.”
“It was, although at first I resisted. But after a couple of months, she wore me down,” he told Fallon.
“How?”
“She said that I was her last chance for a dance partner,” he recalled. “She was in her sixties and as kind as she could be. I realized it was something I could do to make her happy after everything she and her husband had done for me.”
“You really are a nice guy.”
He pulled her closer instead of answering. Fallon almost sighed. He didn’t take compliments any better than he answered questions about himself. Questions swirled in her mind that she knew would go unanswered if she asked them. Perhaps he was giving all he could. If she wanted to get to know him better, and she did, she had to accept that there were details of his past that were off-limits. To a curious person like her, that wasn’t easy, especially since she was beginning to care about him.
“You go to sleep on me?”
Her head lifted. Even in the darkened club she could feel the intensity of his hungry eyes on her, beckoning her just as much as the heat of his body, the strength of his arms. “Not a chance.”
The music stopped, and another song began to play. The tempo was slow enough for Lance, but he continued to stare down at her. “You ready to go or you want another drink?”
Fallon shivered. She’d debated all evening whether she should ask Lance inside her apartment when he took her home. Each time he kissed her it was harder and harder to pull back, and with each kiss she wanted more.
“Fallon?” Her name was a husky whisper on his lips.
“Let’s go.”
* * *
Opening her apartment door, she stepped inside almost hoping he’d take the decision from her. Although he hadn’t moved, she could tell he was as tense as she was. “Do you want to come in?”
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. She hadn’t moved away, and with his incredible sexy body so close, she didn’t want to.
“Would you like something to drink?” Her voice sounded thready.
“I think we both know what I want.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Let’s see how close we can go to the edge without going over.”
“Let’s.”
His mouth took hers, the heat building slowly. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her slim body to his as his mouth devoured hers. His hand swept over her hips, pressing her against his hard arousal. She moaned into his mouth, her arms tightening around his neck. Finally, he lifted his head, his breathing as labored as hers.
“Tomorrow is your last day here.” He brushed his hand tenderly over her cheek. “You want to go someplace?”
“I promised Kayla I’d take her to the carnival tomorrow afternoon. She let it slip that Naomi is planning a going-away dinner.”
“So how about breakfast at the Yates house and afterward you can see how things are shaping up for the auction?” he asked.
“I’d like that.”
“Nine all right?”
“Perfect.”
He wasn’t ready to say good-bye. Business always came first. He needed to call a couple of buyers, go over all the plans to ensure everything was on target. “Do you mind if I join you and Kayla?”
“I don’t mind at all. In fact, I’d like that a lot.”
* * *
Lance had never been around small children and wasn’t sure how he’d get along with Kayla or she with him. Ten minutes after meeti
ng the energetic Kayla, he’d ceased worrying. She’d promptly said he was going to be her cousin and gave him a hug.
“Let’s go have fun,” Fallon said.
He’d planned for her and Kayla to enjoy themselves, but it was a shocker to him that he did as well. They ate their way through the high-caloric foods with gusto and grins. One unexpected delight was the kiss tasting of cotton candy Fallon gave him after he tried and failed to win her a stuffed animal.
“I couldn’t lug it on the plane with me anyway,” she said to console him. “And Kayla already has Teddy.”
“I wanted to win one for you,” he said, still not appeased. He should have been able to knock the bowling pins down. Although he hadn’t pitched in Little League since after he’d lost his father, Lance had been a pretty decent pitcher.
“I have something better for both of us.” That was when she’d kissed him.
There was applause and “Go, man,” from those standing around them and giggles from Kayla, who’d wrapped her arms around both of their legs. “Dr. Richard and Mama do that a lot.”
Releasing Fallon, Lance had picked the child up. “That’s because they’re in love and happy.”
The words were barely out of his mouth before he realized his blunder. Fallon made him happy, but they weren’t in love. He didn’t want to love any woman.
“What do you say, Kayla, we ride the train next?” Fallon asked.
Lance thought her voice sounded the same, and when he placed Kayla on her feet and looked at Fallon she met his gaze with her usual smile. That smile should have reassured him and let him off the hook, yet somehow it didn’t. Continuing down the midway, he wondered why and didn’t have an answer.
Chapter 6
Fallon was getting in over her head, but like a ball rolling down a mountain, she couldn’t stop her growing feelings for Lance. She’d tried, but her heart wasn’t listening. She’d seen the shocked way he’d reacted after telling Kayla that Richard and Naomi were in love and happy. Lance hadn’t wanted Fallon to draw the wrong conclusion about their kiss. They were two free consenting adults enjoying each other for the little time they had.
Only she wanted more.
“Fallon, what have you done?” she asked herself that night at her apartment as she gazed into the bathroom mirror. She didn’t have an answer. Flipping the lights off, she went into the living room to get her key and camera. Naomi had just called and said to come over for a “quiet” dinner. Fallon hadn’t told her that she knew about the surprise going-away party. Lance would probably be there; thus she was wearing the stretch magenta-colored dress she’d purchased on the Los Angeles trip.
Leaving her apartment, she went next door and knocked. Kayla opened the door. Standing behind her was Naomi. When they moved, Fallon saw Lance. Her heart lurched; her body yearned. His eyes narrowed and she knew he felt the same way. But all they had was tonight.
With an effort, she made her gaze move and saw Ruth Grayson; Catherine and her husband, Luke; Richard and his parents; and Sierra with Blade and Rio. Fallon’s gaze widened in surprised delight.
“Happy going-away party!” Kayla yelled, blowing the paper horn in her hand.
Fallon hadn’t expected so many people. Laughing at her stunned expression, Naomi pulled her inside and closed the door. The furniture had been pushed to one side and replaced with card tables and chairs. Sitting on each table was an arrangement of white gardenias on top of a miniature world globe.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” Naomi said, dabbing her eyes with a crumpled tissue.
“Me, too.” Fallon brushed a knuckle beneath her eyes.
“Here.” Lance handed Fallon his handkerchief.
“Thank you.” Fallon dabbed both eyes. “I said I wouldn’t cry.”
Richard curved his arm around Naomi’s slim waist. “Brandon volunteered to do the food since Naomi tears up every time she thinks of you leaving.”
“He said to tell you don’t forget you have a standing invitation to the Red Cactus and you never have to wait for a table,” Luke told her.
“I won’t.” Fallon faced Sierra. “I have another family member to thank as well. Three magazines—one of them Luxe Lifestyles—have asked me to do an in-depth article on great escapes for the rich and famous after seeing the pictures of Naomi’s shopping trip for her wedding dress.”
“Like I said, we have to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.” Sierra’s gaze moved to Lance. “I think you know how to do that.”
Once, but Fallon wasn’t so sure anymore. Caring for Lance could lead to heartaches, but as she met his stare and felt frissons of heat race through her she knew it could also bring an immense amount of pleasure.
* * *
The party was lively and fun. Recounting the fun trip to Los Angeles helped keep Fallon’s mind off leaving early the next morning. However, when everyone left except Richard and Lance and it was time to say good-bye, neither she nor Naomi could hold back the tears.
“You’ll see each other in five weeks at the wedding,” Richard reminded them.
“But then she’ll leave, and I won’t see her again.” Naomi sniffed.
“Yes, you will,” Fallon corrected, taking her friend’s hands. “I’m not going to lose touch with you. Austin isn’t that far and I might decide to do a follow-up story on Santa Fe.”
“And I get to help again.” Kayla jumped with happiness.
Brushing away tears, Fallon leaned down until her and Kayla’s faces were inches apart. “I can’t do a story without my research assistant. Now, give me a big hug.”
Fallon held the small child close, felt the tears coming again, and straightened. “Good night, and thanks for the wonderful party.”
“Thank you for being my friend when I needed one the most.” Naomi hugged her again, then stepped back. “Safe travel.”
Brushing away another tear, Fallon went out the door Lance was holding open, and then they went to her apartment. “Thanks for coming.”
“I have something for you. I’ll be right back.”
Not giving her time to answer, he went to his car and quickly returned with a box beautifully wrapped with glossy yellow paper and white organza ribbon. “I hope you like it.”
She hadn’t expected anything. Her hands trembled. “You didn’t have to.”
“Yes, I did. Open it.” He shifted nervously as he stared down at the square box in her hands.
Entering her apartment, Fallon took a seat on the sofa. Her hands trembled as she untied the bow.
“Why don’t you just tear into it?”
She was going to savor every second with him. “Mama said a lady should take as much time unwrapping a present as it did to wrap it to show appreciation for the thought that went into the gift.” Fallon pulled back the bright yellow paper and lifted the white box top. A soft gasp slipped past her lips.
She looked at Lance, then back at the red crystal heart paperweight. “It’s part of the Yates crystal glass collection. It’s the one I admired.”
He reached over and lifted the paperweight. “I want you to have it.”
“It’s part of the collection,” she repeated. “It’s Baccarat. You’re selling it as a group.”
His hands didn’t waver. “It will mean more to you.”
Tears sparkled in her eyes as she took the paperweight in her hands. “Thank you, Lance.”
His thumb brushed the tears from her eyes. “None of that.”
She blinked her eyes rapidly and felt more tears forming. “Sorry. I’m usually not so mushy.”
“That’s all right. I’ve had some rough moments myself,” he told her.
“I’m coming back for the wedding,” she said.
“Five weeks is a long time,” he said.
“I know,” she whispered.
“You’re beautiful and tempting. A dangerous combination.” He came to his feet and went to the door.
“You’re leaving?” She couldn’t keep the disappointment out
of her voice.
“It’s best.” His knuckles grazed her cheek. “If I stay, I’ll kiss you, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to let you go until the morning, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to even then. So close the door, sunshine, and be happy.”
Fighting tears, Fallon closed the door.
* * *
In the past, Fallon always looked forward to going home, catching up on things with her mother and sister, just relaxing. Usually she couldn’t wait. Now, in the taxi heading for her mother’s house, Fallon fought tears and misery. She missed Lance so much she ached.
The cab pulled up in front of the single-story brick home she and her sister, Megan, had been able to buy their mother when the real estate market had gone south a few years back. In the past year the housing market in Austin had rebounded strongly, and the house now was worth a lot more than the original price.
After paying the driver, Fallon picked up her suitcase and carry-on. She’d already shipped everything else home. Her steps slow, she went up the short walk overflowing with wood ferns, African daisies, and moss roses, one of her mother’s favorite summer flowers. Thoughts of roses had Fallon stopping in her tracks. Tears crested on her lashes.
“Fallon.”
When she saw her mother the tears flowed faster. “Mama.”
Fallon’s mother was out the front door and down the steps in seconds. “Honey, what’s the matter?”
The luggage fell from her hands. Fallon wrapped her arms around her mother and just held on. “Mama.”
“Honey, you’re scaring me. Please tell me what’s the matter.”
Trying to stop the tears, Fallon lifted her head. “I care deeply for a man and he’s too afraid to give us a chance.”
“Well, he’s a fool, and I’d say you were better off without him, but obviously you aren’t ready to hear that.” Her mother picked up the weekender. “Come inside and we can talk.”
Fallon picked up the rest of her things and followed. They could talk, but it would solve nothing. Lance’s past was the issue, and until he could put it behind him he and Fallon didn’t have a future.
