A sparkling stream rushed over rocks and fallen tree trunks covered in green moss. Something jumped, making a splash and drawing his attention down the way. A fish. Near where the water rippled in circles, Gina sat quietly on the bank. Her beauty pulled him to a halt.
His heart fluttered.
If she only knew that with just a word she could wrap him around her little finger. For all his adult life he had wondered what it would feel like to want a woman so badly he would do anything to keep her. Had he found that woman in Gina?
When he took a step, something crunched beneath his foot. Her head rose and she glanced his way as he approached.
Getting to her feet, she wiped leaves and pine needles off her backside. “Game over?”
Damn. The woman had a gorgeous ass. “Yes.”
“I’m afraid to ask who won.” She paused and then shook her head. “You don’t need to say anything. Your shit-eating grin is answer enough.” Her gaze swept over him as he stopped before her. “Well, at least they didn’t kill you. That means either the margin wasn’t significant or you kept your mouth shut.”
“Three points.” He pulled her into his arms. “A field goal.” Marc’s groin tightened with her soft, musky scent.
Their eyes met, locked. For a moment time stood still.
Then she pulled out of his embrace. “We should probably get back.”
“What’s wrong?” The air thickened around her, putting invisible distance between them he didn’t understand.
Holding up her arms, she spread them wide. “This. Us.”
“Did I do something wrong?” The events of the day since they had arrived ran through Marc’s head, but he could think of nothing amiss.
“No.” The terse chuckle that left her mouth sent a chill up his spine. “You’ve done everything right. You’re perfect.” Her arms drifted to her side. “That’s the problem.” She turned from him and started to walk away.
“I don’t understand.”
Gina pivoted. “You make me want what I can’t have.” She clutched her hands to her chest as if she was begging him to understand.
Frustration rose swiftly. “What do you want, Gina?” Marc closed the distance between them but didn’t reach for her. “I’ll give you anything within my power.”
“You.” She swallowed, her eyes misting. “I want you,” her voice faltered, dropping an octave, “to be real.”
Marc’s heart slammed against his chest. His mouth went dry. The buzzing in his ears made it difficult to believe what he’d just heard. “Gina—” Before he could spill his guts and tell her the whole sordid story, heavy footsteps stopped him.
“There you guys are.” Parker trudged through the forest toward them. “Mom wants everyone back at the house to get ready for dinner in an hour.” He looked from his sister to Marc and frowned. “Something up?”
Gina blinked and when her eyes opened her game face slid into place. She smiled as if she were looking into a camera and batted her wet eyelashes. “I’m just so happy to be home.” Marc could almost believe the joy in her voice. Linking her arm through Marc’s, she pulled him toward her brother. Then she wove her free arm through Parker’s. “And I’m hungry.”
On the way back to the house, Gina and Parker chatted about his job. Her tone was light, happy. Yet her arm was rigid through Marc’s. Did her brother recognize her tension?
As Marc recalled Gina’s words, apprehension slithered across his arms. Gina wanted him. He should never have lied to her. It was time to tell her the truth. He hesitated, stumbling. She glanced at him, her forehead furrowing.
“How long have you been a fireman?” Marc kick-started the conversation to distract Gina.
Parker answered his question and then continued to ramble on, while Marc heard only half of what the man said.
Did Gina really know what she wanted? Or did she only want what she thought was unattainable?
Would she truly want him once she learned the truth?
Marc had betrayed her. Lied. It didn’t take a scientist to know she would be angry. But maybe, just maybe, she’d experience happiness and relief, willing to give him a second chance.
Okay. Maybe he was kidding himself, but what else was there?
Noting two security guards in the shadows of the tree line, Marc nodded and they began to follow. There was no doubt in his mind the men knew where Gina was at all times. They were well trained, which is why he’d made sure they had accompanied them.
Faith was waiting at the French doors when they arrived at the house. Parker released Gina and took his wife into his arms, giving her a playful kiss. Her brother’s eyes met Faith’s and both of them smiled.
The tender interplay between the couple made Marc’s chest tighten. Would he ever have that kind of love? He glanced toward Gina and the softness on her face gave him the feeling she was wondering the same thing.
“We better get going.” Faith eased out of Parker’s embrace. “Your mother said we have to dress for supper.”
“Arghhh…” Parker moaned. “Really?”
“Really,” Faith confirmed.
Gina headed for the stairs. “Guess we’ll see you in the dining pavilion.”
As she moved onto the escalator, Marc followed behind her. He needed to tell her the truth, but not here—not now, amongst her family and their celebration. Perhaps on the helio-sphere on their return to California. At least if they were fifteen thousand feet in the sky, she couldn’t run away from him.
Once inside the spacious bedroom, she disappeared into the bathroom. He heard the shower flowing. For a second he thought of joining her, until the door between them closed with a click. Knowing the feeling well, he couldn’t blame her for wanting some space. He’d use the spare bathroom down the hall to get ready.
A heavy sigh pushed from between his lips as he walked toward the window and peered at the dying sun slipping beyond the treetops. He couldn’t help but ponder how a person’s life could change in a heartbeat, because if he didn’t know better, he’d have to say somewhere between the time she stepped into his showroom and now, he had fallen in love with Gina.
Marc turned away from the window, gathered the items he would need and walked out of the bedroom.
Dressed for dinner, Marc stepped outside the main house.
Lights glistened like sparkling diamonds in the nearby trees while larger bulbs lined the edges of the biggest white tent, illuminating the exquisite event. Beneath the canopy, each table seated ten and was adorned with white and black linen, fine china and crystal, and centerpieces with a spray of baby’s breath and red roses. Center stage of the marquee was a makeshift dance floor that several couples were already making use of, drifting in each other’s arms to the music of a band in the back of the room. Marc barely heard the gentle melody over the blend of voices and laughter. Everyone seemed to be having a great time.
Gina’s parents had gone all-out. At least six androids mingled throughout the crowd, carrying trays laden with drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
Marc couldn’t help wondering if her family celebrated birthdays and holidays the same way. With just him and his brothers, most events were more subdued, held for the immediate family. Family gatherings had livened up since their marriages and his nephews entered the picture.
A gentle breeze enhanced the scent of pine wafting in the air as a female robot dressed in a long black gown approached. “Good evening, sir. Your name?”
The smiling blonde was beautiful but her blue eyes were lifeless. Nothing like his M.A.C. models, who could register any emotion. For a moment, he thought about asking who her creator was, but thought differently.
“Marc Charleston,” he offered.
“This way please.” The sway of her hips lacked the fluidity, the sex appeal, of a real woman—a woman like Gina.
The thought of her sitting before her makeup table while the designer ran her fingers through gorgeous hair had him scouring the crowd. She had recommended he join the party while she finish
ed dressing.
It wasn’t unexpected when the android hostess escorted him to the family table. Gina’s mother and sister had yet to arrive, but her father along with her two brothers stood nearby chatting with drinks in their hands. Each wore a black tux that rivaled the one he wore.
As he neared the group, Marc saw their gazes sweep past him and a hush fell over the room. He couldn’t resist glancing over a shoulder to see what had grabbed everyone’s attention.
The vision before him stole his breath. Marc pivoted slowly.
Standing in the entrance, Gina was bewitching. Head held high, she shone brightly like the starlet she was. Her hair was swept up in a cascade of auburn ringlets. A wave of pride rose and crested, holding him in its warm embrace. The emerald-green strapless gown she wore hugged every curve, caressing her hips and stroking her legs as she walked toward him. But what made his heart beat faster, his groin tighten, was the split in the gown that displayed one shapely, elegant leg. A leg he intended to have wrapped around his waist tonight.
Damn. She was breathtaking.
Familiar heat simmered in her eyes as she glided in his direction. His heart fluttered at the coy arc of her full lips. The magnetic field that surrounded him each time she was near drew him forward. Each delicate step she took toward him made his body react, tighten. The tie around his neck felt too taut, as did his pants. In the space of a second, no one existed but her and him, that is until Sylvia and Shelley rushed past him, and their connection was broken when Gina looked down to greet them.
“Aunt G, you’re so pretty.” Staring up at Gina, Sylvia’s girlish voice was filled with awe.
Shelley rubbed her hands up and down the silky material of Gina’s gown. “So soft.”
“Thank you.” Gina hugged her nieces one at a time. “And look at you two. Why, you look like little princesses.”
Both girls wore identical sleeveless dresses with matching colored sashes. The only difference was that Sylvia wore blue and Shelley’s dress was a light pink.
While Shelley whirled about making her skirt inflate, Sylvia said, “They were a present from Grandma.”
Marc closed the distance between them, standing before Gina when she looked up and slowly rose to her full height. He let his lustful gaze skim over her. Tonight he would peel that slinky gown inch by tantalizing inch down her luscious body before making mad passionate love to her.
“You’re a vision of loveliness.” Bringing her hand to his lips, he noticed the diamond tennis bracelet circling her wrist that matched the simple but elegant necklace and earrings she wore. No rings adorned her fingers. With a little luck, his wedding band would take care of that.
Gina slid her tongue between her lips. “You look quite debonair yourself.”
Marc’s mouth watered with the need to kiss her. But two sets of inquisitive eyes were pinned on them. The girls’ ear-to-ear grins stopped him. A lucky star must have been shining on them because the arrival of the young ladies’ mothers and grandmother forced them to squeal with delight and make haste to greet them.
Marc took the opportunity to pull Gina into his arms. “I need to kiss you.”
Gazing deep into his eyes, she breathed, “Here?” on a provocative sigh.
“Oh yeah, sweetheart.” He dipped his head a mere whisper from her lips. “Right here.”
“What’s stopping you?” Her warm breath taunted him.
“About a hundred people,” her father stated roughly, then opened his arms to greet his approaching wife. He gave her a chaste kiss, pulling her into the shelter of his body.
The prettiest blush spread across Gina’s cheeks as she stepped out of Marc’s embrace. “Mom. Dad.”
“Gina, you’re gorgeous.” Elaine smiled proudly. “They make quite the dapper couple, don’t they, Paul?”
“Very handsome indeed, but nothing can compare to your beauty, my dear.”
With a hand through the air, Elaine brushed off her husband’s compliment, even though the look they shared was so private it almost felt wrong to witness it.
Marc glanced at Gina. Where he thought he’d find happiness he met sorrow. Her eyes were even a little misty. Before her parents could witness her sadness, he leaned into her. “Dance with me.”
Blinking back unshed tears, she pulled her gaze to his. “What?”
“Dance with me.” Without awaiting a response, he grabbed her hand and led her through the crowd, not stopping until he felt the wooden dance floor beneath his feet. Then he took her into his arms. Her svelte body fit perfectly against his. Their eyes met and they began to move to the slow, seductive rhythm caressing his ears.
Cheek to cheek, he inhaled her powdery essence. “What’s wrong, Gina?” He slid his hand across her back, touching silky bare skin. His wayward fingers traced the low dip of the gown.
“I don’t know. I—”
“May I cut in?” The low masculine voice had Marc expecting one of the Easton brothers seeking a dance with their sister.
As they eased to a stop, he glanced over his shoulder, unprepared when Gina whispered, “Doug.”
Chapter Ten
Holding Gina a little tighter to him on the dance floor as her ex stood before them, Marc quickly scanned the room for his security team. His four men, dressed to blend in with the crowd, were stationed around the perimeter. Their eagle eyes took in the room as if nothing was amiss.
Dammit. Marc would have their hides for allowing this man entrance. For a moment, he, Gina and Temin stood in the middle of the dance floor while couples drifted around them.
No one spoke until Gina’s anger cracked like a whip. “What are you doing here?”
Marc felt her tremble in his arms as Temin took his measure. His mouth hardened into a cruel line when their eyes met, disappearing when he glanced back to Gina.
“I was invited.” The dark-haired man waved an invitation between them.
Anger and jealousy collided, flashing red-hot up Marc’s neck to singe his ears. The reaction caught him off guard. It didn’t help that the man was staring at Gina with a male hunger he knew too well.
To make matters worse, Marc’s competition looked as if he’d walked straight out of Hollywood. Not a wrinkle in his tux or a hair out of place. Lean and fit, he was the epitome of culture and grace, but Marc knew differently. The man was a son of a bitch.
Temin held out his hand. “May I? Have this dance?”
Fire flashed in Gina’s eyes and she stared at the man as if he had just grown an extra appendage. “You’re kidding, right?”
A rumble vibrated in Marc’s throat. Shifting his body, he put himself between Gina and her ex. Raising a hand, he signaled the guards. Immediately, Norton and Harrison pulled away from the walls and started toward them.
The two guards’ ominous approach made Temin’s eyes widen and he took a step backward. Shoving his hands palms outward, he rattled, “Hey, man. I didn’t come for any trouble.”
“The hell you didn’t.” Marc jerked his head in Temin’s direction. “Escort him off the property.”
As the two guards eased closer, Temin stumbled trying to avoid their clutches. “Gia.” The worm began to squirm beneath Norton’s and Harrison’s hands closing around his biceps. “It’s Starlight,” he nearly yelled.
“Starlight?” Marc didn’t miss the surprise in her voice.
Apprehension slithered across his skin. What the hell was Starlight?
The guards looked to him for direction. Marc gnashed his teeth together. What would be so important that Gina would even think of listening to a man who had betrayed and humiliated her?
Gina’s tense features eased but didn’t relax. She glared at Temin but spoke to Marc. “Tell them to release him.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded sharply.
Only then did Marc notice that all eyes were on them. Even the band had stopped playing. Gina’s Aunt Clare inched her withered frame closer as her gnarled fingers worked on adjusting her hearing aid. Parker and
Scott stood beside their father and mother, concern etched on all their faces.
Marc raised his head, his cold-as-ice gaze touching Temin’s face. He didn’t even attempt to hide his animosity. “It’s time for you to leave.”
Temin flinched but quickly recovered. “Gia, could we speak, privately?” The emphasis on the last word sent Marc’s ire spinning.
“No way in hell—”
Gina gripped Marc’s arm, halting him. He hadn’t even known that he’d taken a step toward Temin. Marc’s fingernails bit into his palms as he clenched his fists by his sides.
She squeezed his arm. “Please.”
He couldn’t believe his ears. Gina couldn’t be contemplating listening to the man’s lies or letting him back into her life. The second thought made a whirlwind of emotions slam into his chest.
He couldn’t lose her.
Her grip loosened. Her hand dropped to her side. “Just let me talk to him.”
“But—”
“Please.” Her eyes begged him not to take this further.
Against Marc’s better judgment, he capitulated, when what he really wanted to do was slug Temin so hard he’d be seeing stars until next week. “Release him.”
Temin shrugged out of the guards’ grasps. Tugging his jacket back into place, he straightened his tie. The smirk Temin shot Marc was almost his undoing, but the presence of so many had him taking a breath and trying to ease down the fury swirling inside him.
What in the hell was she doing?
Gina shifted her head to the side and several muscles in her neck popped. Add to that the prickling of her skin and she was about to scream with pent-up anxiety. Doug deserved nothing better than to be tossed out on his ass. Yet he had said the one thing that he knew would entice her. Starlight.
The movie was the talk of Hollywood and New York. It promised to be next year’s best motion picture. If she secured the leading role, she could write her own ticket. The downside was she would have to deal with Doug. Maybe she could speak with the producers. Yet none of these options would be conceivable if she didn’t speak with him first.
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