by Ann Cristy
"And he did find the right one," Chazz said from the doorway, making Teel jump and Tilda laugh.
"How many times have I told you not to creep up on people in that fashion?" she scolded her nephew, her eyes crinkling in amusement as he came over to Teel, bent down, and kissed her with an intensity that demanded a response.
Teel kissed him back with all the love she could never express directly until, through a warm haze, she heard Tilda chuckling. "Stop it," Teel gasped, pulling her mouth free and hiding her face in his shoulder. She felt Chazz's warm mouth on her neck. "Chazz, please behave," she told him, not really meaning it.
"Let's get married tonight," he murmured into her ear.
"What?" Teel exclaimed.
Tilda chortled. "I knew he wouldn't be able to wait once he'd made up his mind."
"We can't," Teel whispered, reeling.
"Why?"
"Shower." Teel blinked, feeling anesthetized under his probing gaze.
"What does she mean?" Tilda continued to sketch as she questioned Chazz.
He laughed "She means that a friend of hers has arranged a shower for her tomorrow evening in Selby, and she has to be there. Is that right, love?"
Teel gulped and nodded, wishing with all her heart that they could get married that very minute. Was she really going to marry him at all? It seemed impossible, yet Chazz had a talent for making things happen the way he said they were going to.
Chazz sighed. "All right. I'll wait until next Thursday when we can get married in that little church with your Aunt Tessa in attendance"—he smiled gently—"even though you don't practice that religion any more."
"Chazz," Teel began, an idea flashing through her head that surprised her, "I'm going to ask the rabbi from Temple Beth David to take part in our wedding service."
Both Tilda and Chazz looked startled.
"Don't be so shocked." Teel felt laughter bubbling up inside her. "You've taken complete charge of this wedding—and—well, I want to do this for you. You don't mind, do you?"
"No, I don't mind, love. I'm glad you've reconciled yourself to the fact that you belong to me." Chazz frowned for a moment. "I wasn't raised in any religion. My parents wanted me to choose when I reached an age when religion would interest me." He shrugged, a half smile on his face. "I guess I was too busy to bother." "I should have made him go to the Episcopal Sunday school at least." Tilda tapped the sketching pencil against her cheek. "You know, Chazz, I think having the rabbi there is what your father would have wanted."
Chazz looked at his aunt for long, pensive seconds, then nodded. "Since we're being married by a priest, which would have suited my mother's wishes, it does seem fitting." He smiled at Teel and pulled her close to him again. "Thank you, love. That was very thoughtful of you."
Teel smiled back, heaving a big sigh. She felt Chazz's lips feathering her temple and closed her eyes. She felt safe. Maybe she really was going to marry him.
"I'm taking my lady out to get her some of that food you have there. Then I think we'll leave. Teel has to get up early tomorrow and fly back to Selby."
Wrinkling her nose at him, Tilda put down her pencil and rose to her feet. "I suppose you're hinting that I'm ignoring my guests." She held up a hand palm outward as Chazz was about to speak. "Don't try to excuse your-self, nasty boy. I shall come out with you and sample my own food." She smiled up at Teel, who was molded tight to Chazz's side. "I'll enjoy painting you, my dear. You have the most expressive eyes."
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Chazz said proudly. Teel's heart seemed to soar on wings of happiness.
When they re-entered the lounge area, she hesitated for a moment, reluctant to encounter Ben Windom.
"He's gone, darling. I kicked him out." Chazz spoke mildly, but Teel detected the gold fire in his eyes. "The word is out that I don't want Ben Windom around you— or near me. He won't bother you again." A muscle jumped in Chazz's cheek. "I had to hold back to keep from breaking his jaw. The thought of him touching you made me sick."
"Thank you," Teel whispered, slipping her hand into his.
Chazz looked down at their clasped hands, then back to her face. "For what, my angel?"
"For exorcizing my ghosts tonight. I don't just mean Ben. I mean for making it possible for me to do the impossible, play in front of so many people." She smiled up at him as they stood apart from the people at the long buffet table. "I don't suppose I'll ever really enjoy playing in public, but I don't think I'll ever be so afraid of it again. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Chazz said simply, and he leaned down to kiss her again.
"Chazz, old man, not only do you monopolize the girl all evening, but you don't stop kissing her," Trevor complained, coming up to them holding a plate laden with shrimp, pate, and flaky dinner rolls.
"Wait until it happens to you," Chazz murmured, his eyes never leaving Teel's face.
Trevor shook his head and offered some of his food to Teel, who assured him she was about to get her own.
"I will never be as bad as you, old man. No one could be." Trevor guffawed and sauntered away.
It surprised Teel to see red stain Chazz's face and neck. It gave her a funny surge of power deep within her.
He looked down to catch her interested stare and gave her a wry smile. "Trevor talks too much." He guided her to the stack of dishes at one end of the long refectory table and placed one of the hand-painted plates in Teel's hand.
"These are too lovely to use," said Teel handling the translucent china with care.
"When we come again, I'll show you Aunt Tilda's collection of Sevres plates. They were given to her by an admirer and are beautiful."
Chazz encouraged Teel to try everything and added more food to her plate when she would have passed it by. She laughed as the two plates became piled high with food.
They found a small table and chairs in a corner. "This is too much. I'll never be able to sleep tonight," Teel protested.
"Good. I wasn't planning on letting you anyway." Chazz grinned when she blushed. "Tell me about your modeling here in New York."
Teel tasted a shrimp and closed her eyes, savoring her favorite fish. She looked up to find Chazz watching her. "I could eat shrimp every day of the week. I love it." She reached over and speared one of his with her fork and popped it into her mouth, grinning at him with her mouth full.
"Devil." Chazz leaned over her, his tongue licking her lips. "You left a little hot sauce on the corner." When Teel fumbled for her napkin and glanced about to see who had noticed, he laughed, seeming to enjoy her confusion.
"Stop it." She looked away from a woman who was watching them. "People are staring at us." Teel tried to smile at the woman. "You've been kissing me all night," she hissed from the side of her mouth.
"And I intend to keep right on kissing you," Chazz hissed back. "And for stealing my shrimp, you get extra kisses." He leaned down again and kissed her full on the mouth.
"You're acting like a schoolboy instead of an executive of several successful firms," Teel told him, feeling giddy.
"I know," Chazz agreed. "You bring out the craziest feelings in me. I'm not the same man I was when we first met." He stared at her. "Colors are more vivid, grass is greener, flowers have a stronger scent, the air is fresher, birds seem to sing louder. It scared me at first, but now I accept that you have a powerful effect on me, lady."
"Check the exhaust on the Rolls. You're probably inhaling monoxide gas," Teel retorted, unable to suppress a happy laugh.
"Brat. Making fun of me when I'm waxing poetic."
"No doubt it's just indigestion." Teel retorted, a heady happiness ballooning through her. For a fanciful moment she thought she might have his words carved in wood so that she could keep them forever. But, no, there was no need for that. She would never forget anything Chazz Herman had ever said to her.
Chazz rose. "Time to go," he said, taking her plate and stacking it with his on the sideboard. Teel got up and opened her mouth to speak but Chazz covered her lips w
ith two fingers. "Don't say anything, love," he whispered.
He pulled her behind him as they wandered from group to group, saying good bye. Chazz didn't hurry, but he didn't pause for long conversations either. "Come on, we have to pick up Darby in the kitchen. He'll be stuffing himself with the food Monroe will have made for him." Chazz retrieved Teel's velvet coat, studying it with narrowed eyes. "You won't let me buy you furs, but I intend to indulge myself by buying you other things."
Teel looked at him over her shoulder. "I—I don't want to be spoiled, Chazz.''
"Impossible." He kissed her nose.
"You know what I mean. I don't want a—a meaningless collection of expensive trivia."
"I know exactly what you mean, love."
Darby glared at them when they entered the kitchen. "You're early." He lifted a forkful of pate into his mouth. "You wanta give me an ulcer, do ya?"
"That'll be the day," Chazz said drily. They watched the smaller man clean the mountain of food from his plate, delicately mask a burp, rise, and give an offended Monroe a pat on the backside. He pushed his chauffeur's cap to the back of his head. "I'm off, darlin'. Give my love to herself," he said to the stern-faced Monroe.
Teel bit her lip to keep from laughing at the way Darby gestured for Chazz to get moving, then chided him for being slow. Darby winked at her and continued to berate Chazz as they headed out the back and down the walk to the parked Rolls.
"Why don't I fire him?" Chazz asked once they were seated. He sighed and leaned back against the plush upholstery enfolding Teel in his arms.
"Because you trust him," she answered, gazing into the gold eyes so close to her own.
"How clearly you see things, my own," Chazz murmured. "God, I'm on fire for you."
All Teel's protests became meaningless as he began nuzzling her neck with his mouth.
"I almost went through the roof tonight when I removed your jacket and saw that dress," he said. "Lord, it was all I could do not to throw the coat back on you and my jacket as well." He loosened her coat, letting his mouth curve downward. "I have never felt like that in my life." He lifted his head, a rueful smile on his face. "I was ready to punch Trev in the nose. He knew it too. He told me I looked at every man in the room as though he were my enemy. I can't believe it." He looked down at Teel's mouth, his voice thickening. "But I don't deny it."
"I stopped necking in a car when I was a teenager," Teel told him, in what she hoped was a withering tone, but her voice came out. as a whisper.
"I like it," Chazz murmured close to her ear. "After we're married, I'm going to take you out to the park once a week and we'll neck."
Teel tried to smother a laugh. "You fool."
"About you I am."
Chazz cursed under his breath when Darby stopped in the underground garage. "Of course he wouldn't dream of letting us off at the front entrance. He thinks this is more efficient." Chazz glared at a bland-faced Darby as he helped Teel out of the car.
"And so it is more efficient. Good night, Darby." Teel detected a thread of nervousness in her voice even though she smiled at the elfin man.
"Good night, Terese Ellen. I will see you at the wedding, if not before."
"Who says you're coming?" Chazz glowered at him.
"I'll be there, Chazz, my boy." Darby flipped his hand in a good night salute.
Silence fell between Teel and Chazz as the elevator sped them up to the apartment. One light burned in the private foyer as Chazz locked the door behind them.
"I have a key to the apartment for you, love," he told her as he ushered her inside and removed her coat. "Would you like a drink?"
"No—no, it's late." She watched him. "I have to get to sleep."
"Right." He took her arm and led her up the curving stairway to the second floor.
"Where are you sleeping?" Teel whispered. "With you," Chazz whispered back.
"What about Mrs. Pritchett?" Teel protested, grasping at straws.
Chazz raised his eyebrows. "She would only crowd us, darling."
"You know what I mean," Teel hissed, trying to shake off his arm as he led her into a room she had never seen before, a huge circular bedroom with many doors opening off it. A huge bow window opened onto a terrace and revealed a spectacular view of Manhattan and the Hudson River. The bed was round and pulled Teel's eyes to it. "A seducer's camp cot if I ever saw one," she whispered, her lips numb.
"You're the only woman I've had in bed who has ever meant anything me," Chazz declared. "And you'll be the first to sleep in this bed. I had this room prepared especially for us."
"I'll feel like a lady of the evening."
Chazz stared at her, then pressed a button, making part of the wall slide back to reveal a closet. "To me you are virginal, my love, untouched, unspoiled, and sweeter than honey. When you marry me, it will be the happiest day of my life." He looked back at the closet. "Here are your clothes. " He pointed to built-in drawers. "Here is lingerie of all kinds." He smiled at her. "I think it would be a waste of time to wear a nightie but suit yourself. I'm going to shower. I'll use the one that connects to my room. You can use this one." He pushed open a door to reveal a gold and cream tiled bath, then disappeared through another door.
Teel stared at the spot where Chazz had been for long minutes. Had he really said that to her? That she would make him happy when she married him? Oh God, Chazz, please love me, for I will love you all my days, and I haven't the courage to tell you that I won't marry you. I want it too much.
Coming out of her reverie, Teel hustled into the bathroom after grabbing a silk robe from the closet. "Eeeek!" she exclaimed at the enormity of the pool-sized bathtub. Its cream-colored tiles were repeated in the large shower cubicle. Everything but the wooden sauna was colored the muted cream, which shone with a quiet luster. Thick towels hung from several racks. Myriad soaps and shampoos filled the built-in shelves.
All at once jealousy streaked through Teel at the thought of all the women who had used this bathroom. But she shook her head, telling herself not to be silly. If Chazz said no other woman had used it, no other woman had. He would always tell her the truth. It was his way.
Teel showered and shampooed her hair, knowing she wouldn't have time in the morning. It would take awhile for her hair to dry, but at least it would be done. She dried herself in fluffy bathsheets and rubbed her hair with a smaller towel.
When she returned to the bedroom, she found Chazz in bed, reading some papers, half glasses propped on his nose. "I didn't know you wore glasses."
"Yes, for reading." He smiled at her and pushed the papers into a neat pile before shutting them into a briefcase. He swung around on the bed, putting his feet on the floor and the briefcase next to the night table. "Are you coming to me, or shall I come to you?" He removed his glasses and set them on the night table, not once taking his eyes from her.
Teel looked at him, mute, still holding the towel on her head.
"I'll dry that for you, love." Chazz walked over to her and took the towel from her hand. He rubbed gently for a few moments, then got a hairdryer from the bathroom. He blew her hair back and forth with the warm air, rubbing her head with his free hand.
The soporific effect stayed with her when he brushed her hair free of tangles, led her to the bed, and removed her robe. She blinked up at him, aware of his stillness.
"Your body is perfect," he whispered. "But I also know that if it were marked with scars it would still be perfect to me." He looked down into her eyes and smiled.
"You're blushing, love. Don't be shy with me. I'll always want to look at you."
"I'm not used to it."
"I'm glad of that," he chuckled into her neck, his hand running up her thigh to her waist.
"Will we live here?" Teel asked.
His laugh tickled her skin with warm breath. "Stalling, love? You know we intend to live in Selby so that you'll be near your work. I'll commute. We'll use the apartment when we want to stay in New York for one reason or another. All right?" "Ye
s." Teel sighed, immediately forgetting what he had just said. Her body was warming to the feel of his body pressed against it. "I wear half glasses too." She slurred the words, her fingers picking at the short hair on his neck.
"Do you?" Chazz's body curved over hers, his mouth edging down her cheek. "Teel!" His breath grew ragged as his mouth took hold of one soft breast. "Darling!" He swung her up in his arms, his face still as he looked down at her. "You're the loveliest woman I've ever known."
"You're not so bad yourself." Teel's voice quavered as she felt the bed sink under his weight. "I love your hair with that little wave," she crooned, her fingers threading through the strands, feeling an electric tingle on her skin when a shudder passed through his body.
"God, Teel, you tear me apart." Chazz's eyes turned a darker gold, his passion building. "i need you," he murmured hoarsely.
She curved her body close to his, loving the velvet feel of skin against skin, warmth against warmth.
His hands convulsed on her body as his face moved down her, loving her.
Her stomach contracted as his mouth touched her. Her hands clenched on him as a volcano of feeling erupted within her. Her veins and arteries were lava, and she panted raggedly. Her heart was pounding erratically.
"I've never felt this way," she gasped into Chazz's shoulder. "I feel as though I were dying."
"Love me, angel, love me." Chazz's voice broke as he lifted himself over her, his body light yet pinning her, demanding yet giving.
A ringing sounded in Teel's ears. She seemed incapable of getting enough air into her lungs. Her body began to pulsate with a new rhythm as Chazz took her, claimed her, and joined with her. She felt as if she were breaking free and floating out of the atmosphere as the power built between them. "Chazz!" She didn't recognize the hoarse voice as her own.