The Cinderella Scandal (Dynasties: The Danforths Book 1)

by Barbara Mccauley

  “We?” Tina swiveled a look at Rachel.

  “Of course ‘we,”’ Rachel said. “I told Jason we’d all be there. And this is the perfect night for us all to go out with no questions from Mom and Dad.”

  Saturday night was her parents’ date night out to Buddy’s Buffet and Bingo on the waterfront. Unless one of them was sick, they never missed it. It was the perfect night for her and her sisters to all go out and not have to worry about any inquisitions. Tina’s fantasy of a bubble bath began to pop, one scented bubble after the other.

  “Just think.” Rachel clasped her hands to her chest. “Jason, my Jason, singing at Steam! You have to come, Tina.”

  The happiness on her sister’s face disintegrated the last of Tina’s resolve. “Of course I’m coming,” she said, surprised at her own sudden rush of excitement. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “I love you both so much!” Laughing, Rachel threw her arms around Tina and Sophia. “This will be the best night of my life!”

  Maybe this was exactly what she needed, Tina reasoned. She hadn’t been out with her sisters like this in a long time. A little music, a little wine. It would be fun. Maybe she’d meet someone nice. Someone who could make her forget about Reid Danforth.

  Who knows, she thought, maybe this would be her lucky night.

  Starting at nine every night of the week, Steam featured only the best in live blues music. On a Saturday night, without a reservation or a connection, it was nearly impossible to get in either the posh second-floor restaurant or the trendy club on the first floor.

  Unless, of course, your last name was Danforth.

  “Are you dining this evening, Mr. Danforth?” The hostess, a pretty brunette in a black cocktail dress smiled at Reid. “Or would you like a table in the club?”

  “In the club.” Smiling back at the woman, Reid slipped her a bill that made her eyes widen. With the skill of a magician, the money disappeared. “I’m meeting my brother.”

  “Thank you, sir. Just give me one moment to find the best seat for you.”

  While the hostess scribbled on a seating chart in front of her, Reid took in the decor of the large, dimly lit reception area. Deep-red velvet draperies hung from the floor-to-ceiling windows; the walls were pale gray, with thin red stripes. A lavish Oriental rug in hues of red, gray and black graced the highly polished, dark mahogany floor. Behind the hostess, a large mahogany staircase led to the restaurant upstairs. To the right, the bar area vibrated with conversation and laughter.

  “Right this way, sir.”

  Still not certain why Ian had insisted on meeting him here tonight, Reid followed the hostess through an entrance to the left which led to the stage and dance area. “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About” blasted from the dj’s speakers and bodies moved on the dance floor in rhythm to Bonnie Raitt’s raspy tune while cocktail waitresses in black slacks and button-down red blouses hustled through the crowd, balancing trays and taking orders.

  Settling in at a stage side table, Reid ordered a beer then munched on a spicy mix of pretzels and nuts the waitress had left him. Since his college days, he’d spent very little time in night clubs and bars, but some things never changed. And though Steam was much too high class for the average college frat boys, the draw was still the same: music, food, drink and, of course, the women.

  He glanced around the packed room at the slinky dresses and low-cut tops. A great deal of skin and cleavage were on display, and he’d have to be dead not to notice it. Still, other than a mild flicker of appreciation, he wasn’t interested in engaging any of the glances a few of the women were sliding his way.

  It irritated the hell out of him that he couldn’t get Tina out of his mind. Frustrated him to no end that since he’d kissed her, all he could think about was kissing her again.

  And more.

  At least he knew now it was Rachel, not Tina, who was involved with Jason. And while Tina hadn’t exactly waved a green flag, it also helped to know he was the only car on the course at the moment. He had the feeling there would be stop signs and detours, but he was determined that sooner or later he’d encounter a yield sign.

  He hoped like hell it was sooner.

  “So what do you think?” Ian asked over the hum of noise as he sat in the chair across from Reid. “Nice place, huh?”

  Reid nodded. “And we’re here because…?”

  “Sophia invited us.” Ian gestured to the waitress that he’d have the same as Reid.

  The bottle of beer in Reid’s hand paused halfway to his mouth. “Sophia Alexander?”

  Ian grinned. “You know, the sister of the woman who’s ‘not on the menu,’ as you put it.”

  “When did you talk to Sophia?”

  “I called her today to see if she was busy tonight. She said she was coming here and suggested I stop by.”

  “You said she invited us.”

  “She’s bringing Tina.” Ian’s grin widened. “Ah. I thought that might get your attention.”

  It more than got his attention. Carefully Reid set the bottle back down on the gray marble tabletop and scanned the room. He didn’t see Tina or Sophia at a table or on the dance floor. Scanning the crowd again, he spotted Rachel walking into the room through an exit door behind the stage. Sophia came next.

  Then Tina.

  The black, Mandarin collar dress she wore emphasized her long neck and heart-shaped face. The knee-length hemline was conservative, the short sleeves demure. Nothing that should make his pulse jump or his mind stutter.

  And yet it did—she did.

  Keeping his gaze on Tina, he watched the sisters hurry to a front-row-center table as the dj announced that Controversy, the performing band for the evening, would be out in five.

  Controversy. That was Jason’s band, Reid remembered. So that’s why Tina was here. Lifting the bottle of beer, Reid took a long pull, then sat back and waited for the show to begin.

  “Stop fidgeting and relax.” Tina handed Rachel a glass of ice water. “And breathe, for heaven’s sake. It won’t help Jason if you’re passed out on the floor.”

  “You’re right. I know, I’m sorry,” Rachel said in a rush and sipped at the water. “But did you see him? Did you see how handsome he looks in his black satin jacket? And his hair, all that wonderful blond hair, loose around his shoulders.”

  “I saw him,” Tina said. They’d just come from backstage where the band was waiting to come out. “He looked very handsome.”

  When the lights dimmed, Rachel turned white. “Oh, God, I think I’m going to be sick.”

  Rolling her eyes, Sophia dipped her fingers into the ice water, then flicked Rachel’s face.

  Rachel gasped, then scowled at Sophia. “Hey!”

  “Got you breathing, didn’t I? Now be quiet, sit still and let’s see what your man can do.”

  But even Tina held her breath when the dj announced the band. Five men strolled out, everyone wearing sunglasses, looking very cool and very hot at the same time. They took their places, paused a moment, then the drummer tapped his drumsticks and said, “One, two, three, four!”

  The lead guitar started solo, strong and loud, the drums rolled in a moment later. The sound was hard-beating southern blues. Like a living, breathing entity, the heavy bass and keyboard joined in, pulsating through the crowd, pulling them to their feet and moving them to the dance floor.

  Then Jason stepped to the microphone.

  “Tell me why…”

  His voice trembled through the room, a smoky, raspy sound that was uniquely his own. A sound that echoed a hundred years of soul and sorrow, all the life of every blues singer who’d stepped on that stage before him. He sang of deception and lies, lost love and heartache. Passion flowed like lava from his words and set the room on fire.

  This was Jason? Tina thought in stunned amazement. She’d never heard him sing before, had never dreamed he was this good. The audience and dancers moved to the beat, and Tina couldn’t stop herself from moving with them. He was bet
ter than good, she thought. He was terrific.

  Tina glanced at Rachel, saw the love shining in her eyes, and felt her chest swell with happiness for her sister. To be that deeply in love with someone, and to have them love you back, was a dream come true. Of course, in this case, the dream came with a few difficulties. But surely, Tina thought, when two people were that deeply in love, there was no difficulty that couldn’t be resolved.

  Tina could only hope that someday she’d find that kind of love, too. That someday there’d be a man who’d look at her the way Jason looked at Rachel.

  Remembering Reid’s kiss yesterday and the way he’d looked at her made Tina’s stomach flutter. She knew it was just physical between them, but that didn’t seem to discourage her thinking about the man constantly. If anything, it simply fueled the fire he’d lit inside her. Made her wonder what it would be like if he’d done more than kiss her, more than lightly brush his hands against her breasts. Her breasts ached just thinking about it, her skin felt tight and hot, and—

  The room exploded with applause and cheers at the end of the band’s first song. Thank goodness, Tina thought, shaking off the tingling sensation that had been curling through her blood. That kind of thinking was only going to lead to more sleepless nights.

  While the applause continued, Rachel grabbed Tina’s hand and squeezed. To say that Controversy had been well received was a bit of an understatement.

  “Isn’t he wonderful?” Rachel shrieked over the noise. “Isn’t he?”

  Laughing, Tina and Sophia hugged Rachel, then Sophia said, “I have to go say hi to someone. I’ll be back in a little while.”

  Jason started his next song, a slower, soulful tale of forbidden love. Couples melted together on the dance floor, swaying gently to the music. Tears in her eyes, Rachel leaned forward in her chair and kept her eyes on Jason. Why he hadn’t received a recording deal already amazed Tina, but she knew it was a tough business, that even the most talented singers and groups were often passed by. She hoped this would be Jason’s chance to make his dream come true.

  At the touch of a hand on her shoulder, Tina glanced up. A man flashed dimples and a diamond earring stud. His build was lean, his biceps the size of tree trunks. He nodded toward the dance floor.

  She hesitated, though for the life of her, she didn’t know why. She was at a club, for heaven’s sake. A nice-looking man was standing here asking her to dance. Didn’t she tell herself she was going to cut loose and have a good time?

  So why was she so…uninterested? “Uh—”

  “Sorry, pal, she’s with me.”

  At the sound of the deep, familiar voice, Tina snapped her head around.

  Reid?

  Maybe this wasn’t her lucky night, after all.

  She watched the man who’d asked her to dance move away. Frowning, she looked back at Reid. “I am not with you, and that was very pushy.” She sipped from her water glass, wishing it were the wine she’d passed on earlier. “Maybe I wanted to dance with that man.”

  “Did you?”

  Oh, why pretend? She was a lousy liar, and coy simply wasn’t her style. She shrugged. “Not really.”

  Grinning, he sat in the chair Sophia had vacated. “Hi, Rachel.”

  “Hi, Reid,” Rachel replied without taking her gaze off Jason. She had a dreamy, faraway look in her eyes.

  “The wine you ordered, Mr. Danforth.” A cocktail waitress set a bottle of wine and three glasses on the table, then filled the glasses. “Can I get you anything else?”

  Tina didn’t miss the suggestive tone in the waitress’s voice. Or the lack of response from Reid when he shook his head.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked him when he handed her a glass of wine.

  “Same as you, watching the show.”

  She lifted a dubious brow. “Why do I have the feeling there’s more?”

  Reid slid a second glass of wine across the tabletop to Rachel, who didn’t notice. “Sophia invited Ian.”

  “Really.” Why did he have to look so handsome in his black leather blazer and sage-green T-shirt? And why did her pulse have to do somersaults every time she saw him? Gathering her wits, forcing her hand to stay steady, she took a sip of the wine. “And you just happened to come along?”

  “Actually, Sophia told Ian to bring me.”

  Wine nearly sloshed out of her glass when her hand wobbled. My own flesh and blood conspiring against me. Wondering where her dear sister had disappeared to, Tina scanned the crowd, then spotted Sophia standing with Ian at the back of the room. When Sophia waggled her fingers and smiled knowingly, Tina glared back.

  The band slipped into another fast number, and with the music so loud, it was easy to avoid any kind of serious conversation for the next few minutes. What she couldn’t avoid or ignore was the proximity of Reid’s body. His aftershave was woodsy, masculine, and she resisted the animal urge to slide closer and draw the intoxicating scent into her lungs.

  When the music shifted back to a slow number, he leaned in, making her heart skip when he brought his mouth to her ear.

  “With a voice like that,” Reid said, nodding at Jason, “why’s he working in a bakery?”

  “The hours leave his afternoons and evenings free for writing and practicing with his band.” His warm breath on her ear made it hard to think. “Mostly, he stays because of Rachel. They can see each other every day, and manage to sneak in a little private time, too, especially when my mother’s not there.”

  “So your parents really don’t know what’s going on?”

  Tina shook her head. “My father’s kitchen is his own little world, and my mother—” she sipped at her wine, then shrugged “—well, her vision is skewed by her aspirations.”

  “What aspirations are those?”

  With the wine cooling her nerves and Reid’s voice warming her insides, Tina felt herself relaxing. “To see Sophia and Rachel married into prominence and wealth, and at least one grandbaby on the way. That’s the real reason she bumped my restaurant and rented the space to your family. She sees the campaign headquarters as a hunting ground for potential husbands.”

  “What about you?” Reid asked. “Doesn’t she want to see you married, too?”

  “Heavens, no.” The laugh in her throat quickly faded when she realized that if she moved just a smidgen, Reid’s mouth would be touching her neck. The very thought of it made her shiver and inch away. “It doesn’t matter that I’m twenty-four. I’m her baby. She doesn’t think of me that way.”

  He shook his head slowly. “You’re no baby, Tina.”

  Something in Reid’s voice, in his eyes, something dark and smoldering, sent heat pulsing through her veins. Was this a game to him? she wondered. And if it was, did she want to play? It would be dangerous and very foolish and she’d lose. She hadn’t the experience or the skill to take on a man like Reid.

  She’d be the one left hurting, she was certain of that. Was that a chance she could take?

  Before she could even consider her answer, he’d already tugged her to her feet and was pulling her toward the dance floor. And when he drew her into his arms, she wasn’t thinking at all.

  The song was slow, smooth, as sexy as it was soulful. Her body molded to Reid’s, and they moved as one. They were close, a blending of soft against hard. Even if she’d wanted to, she couldn’t have pulled away. She cursed the fact that she didn’t want to. She could have stood like this forever with Reid, her head on his shoulder, his arms tightly around her.

  But there was no forever, not with Reid and not with the song. When it ended, she sighed and lifted her head.

  “Come home with me.”

  Her breath caught at his words. Her heart drummed. Come home with me. It would be so simple to leave here with him. To fall into his bed. She was certain it would be a night to remember.

  But nothing would be simple tomorrow. She was just as certain about that, too.

  While the dance floor began to clear and the band left the stage for
a break, she imagined what it would be like. No man had ever made her feel like this before. Made her hot and cold at the same time. Made her ache. Made her yearn.

  She needed space. Standing here, with Reid still holding her, she couldn’t breathe, let alone think.

  “Rachel is…”

  “Backstage with Jason.”

  Tina glanced at the table where they’d all been sitting. The seats were all empty now. “Reid, I—”

  He dipped his head, brushed his lips over hers. She forgot what she’d been about to say.

  “I…I need a minute,” she said breathlessly, shivered when he touched her cheek with his hand.

  “I’ll wait for you at the table.”

  Nodding, she turned, and on weak knees headed for the ladies’ room. What kind of spell had he woven over her? she wondered. Whatever it was, it was as potent as it was formidable. A heady mix of excitement and fear.

  Anticipation shivered through her.

  Inside the rest room, Tina squeezed her way through the mass of buzzing females and made her way to a sink. Dampening a paper towel, she pressed it to her cheeks and neck while the women around her slicked on fresh lipstick, smoothed their hair and adjusted their low-cut dresses and tops.

  She looked at her own dress, and though it was pretty and she thought she looked nice enough, she still felt like a sparrow in the midst of swans. A daisy next to roses. For the hundredth time she wondered why Reid would want her. Even if all he wanted was a one-night stand, he had his pick of the most beautiful women in Savannah. For that matter, in the world. It simply made no sense to her.

  But did it have to?

  For once, did she have to be so damn logical, so sensible? she asked herself. While the women chattered and laughed and pressed all around her, Tina stared at her own reflection, not even certain who she was anymore. For once, couldn’t she just let herself be? Let herself feel? Just enjoy the moment, the night, and not worry so much about tomorrow?

  She felt a hand on her arm and blinked.

  “Tina,” Rachel said, her voice quavering. “We have to go.”