“You don’t have to sell UNCF’s merits to me, Kimara. Garwood Industries has been a strong supporter of it for a number of years. I believe in everything it represents. And even though I’ve never attended one of your Valentine’s Day balls, I’m aware of them. I apologize if you thought I insinuated the affair wasn’t important. I just don’t know why you’re making such a big deal of it this year. From what I understand each year the event proves to be more successful than the year before. Why are you getting so bent out of shape about it this year?”
Kimara released a deep sigh. “This is the first year Poppa Garwood won’t be here to give me guidance and support. Before he died, he came up with an idea that I thought was wonderful and jumped on it. Now it seems like I may have bitten off more than I can chew.”
“In what way?”
She placed her napkin next to her plate. “Each year the event is open only to celebrities and anyone willing to purchase a three-hundred-dollar-per-couple ticket. And you’re right, it’s been highly successful because of the number of people who know the importance of UNCF. Eight months ago, Poppa Garwood suggested that I make it a more people-reaching-event, and invite fifty of the city’s most promising high school students, those who would more than likely one day need UNCF. This would give them an opportunity to mingle with the celebrities. He felt this would broaden their hope for the future and provide further encouragement.”
“That’s not a bad idea, so what’s the problem?”
Kimara smiled. “Some people really wouldn’t think there is one. I’m the only one who isn’t completely satisfied with the way things are going. The idea was well received in the community. A tuxedo shop has agreed to provide tuxes to the young men free of charge, and several gown shops in the area will dress the young ladies for the night. And a limousine service has volunteered to give free limo rides to the young honorees. The last thing we want is for any of the students to incur expenses for the event. Most of them couldn’t afford to do so anyway.”
She took time to let the waiter place another bottle of chilled wine on their table before continuing. “The problem that I have to deal with is the lack of response we’ve gotten from some of the celebrities. The same ones that usually come each year will be in attendance, but I was hoping that more of those who’d never attended before could put it on their schedule to come. The invitations were mailed out three months ago, and I haven’t gotten a response from a number of them, and the ball is next month.”
Kimara took another sip of wine. “I’ve even sent follow-ups, but haven’t heard anything. Although those who don’t attend usually come through with a pretty nice donation to UNCF, I would like them to be there. I want the ball to be special for the students that are coming. For some, it will be the only opportunity they’ll ever have to meet people they have admired, respected, and loved from a distance.”
Kyle was silent for a minute. No wonder his grandfather thought a lot of her. She was a very caring person. He didn’t know any woman who would take on such a task without an ulterior motive-- like a chance to shine in the spotlight. All Kimara was concerned about was making sure the students she had invited would thoroughly enjoy themselves.
“Do you have a list of the names for the celebrities who have not yet responded?” Kyle found himself asking.
She lifted a brow. “Yes, why?”
“I’d like a copy. I’m officially volunteering to be a part of your committee.”
Kimara looked stunned. “What? I don’t understand. Why?”
“Because I have every intention for us to marry before this blasted ball, and the way I see it, you won’t agree to do so unless you feel certain a number of the people on that list are either coming or aren’t. Either way, you’d like to know for sure, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then that settles it. I don’t know whose names are on your list, but I probably know a number of them, maybe even personally. Most celebrities leave the handling of their mail and invitations to their personal assistants, who decide what functions they will or will not attend. I bet a lot of people on that list aren’t aware they were invited.”
She smiled brightly. “Thanks for any help you can give. I really appreciate it, and, Kyle?”
“Yes?”
“You aren’t on that list. As usual, your response card was one of the first I received indicating you wouldn’t be attending.”
Kyle gave her a long stare with her comment. “I have personal reasons for not getting caught up with anything having to do with Valentine’s Day,” he replied curtly. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
The conversation between them on the drive back to Kimara’s home was primarily about the Valentine’s Day ball, with her providing him with more details about it. Deep down, a part of him wished he could share her excitement, but he knew that he couldn’t. Valentine’s Day nine years ago was to be the happiest day of his life. Instead it had been the most humiliating. Since then, he’d never thought much of the day. He believed that thanks to the greeting card industry, florists, and candy companies, the day was highly overrated. No one could convince him that the world was filled with that many lovesick people.
Most men didn’t give gifts on Valentine’s Day as a token of their undying love, but gave them because it was expected. And like most men, he played the game, leaving the chore of ordering flowers for whatever woman he was involved with at the time to his secretary.
When Kyle stopped the car in front of Kimara’s house, he picked up on her sudden eagerness to depart from his company. There was no doubt in his mind that he would not be invited inside for coffee. He walked her to the door. She unlocked and slightly opened it before turning back to him again.
“Thanks for dinner, Kyle.”
He nodded. “I’m leaving in the morning for New York. I’ll call you in a few days.”
“That’s fine. Good night.”
He stood in the doorway, making no move to leave. Instead, he leaned toward her and lightly touched her mouth with his.
Kyle’s warm taste filled Kimara, and she closed her eyes when he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer against him. As if with a will of their own, her arms found their way around his neck as she eagerly accepted the intimate way his tongue mated with hers. How long had she fantasized about kissing him? When she’d been sixteen that was all she had ever thought about- the day when Kyle would take her into his arms and kiss her, sending her mind and body spinning. And now, ten years later, he was doing just that. His kiss was everything romantic dreams were made of . . . and more.
He slowly lifted his mouth away from hers, breathing deeply as he continued to hold her in his arms. “That kiss proves we’ll be good together.”
His words helped Kimara regain her composure and get a grip on her own ragged breathing. “Good night, Kyle.” She said the words, and then stepped into her house, quietly closing the door.
Kyle went to his car, but instead of starting it up and driving away, he sat in it for a moment. The kiss had been everything he’d known it would be. Kimara’s response to him had been genuine, not fake, and she had felt warm and soft in his arms. She had returned his passion with a fiery one of her own. He hardened at the memory of her leaning into his body as he tried kissing her senseless. There was no doubt in his mind that some of her lipstick now covered his own lips. For proof, he took his handkerchief and wiped his mouth, seeing the red-stained cloth in the dimly lit car.
He let out a deep sigh, feeling a kind of desire he hadn’t experienced in years . . . if ever. And that, he thought worriedly, could present some problems later on. He had to keep his relationship with Kimara in perspective and not let her get under his skin. Their marriage was to be one of purpose, and nothing more. His grip tightened on the steering wheel as his thoughts shifted to his grandfather. He found himself asking softly, in the quiet stillness of the car,
“Granddad, what have you done?”
The weddin
g took place a week and a half later. Kyle had made all the arrangements and even made the plans for the honeymoon. The only thing he’d told Kimara was to pack plenty of warm clothes. The weather would be cold where they were going. Kimara had been grateful Nicky had been out of town visiting her fiancé when she had gotten Kyle’s call. She needed some time to think of how she would explain things to her friend.
Kyle had called her four days later, informing her that an old and trusted friend of both of their families, Judge Nelson Williams, had consented to perform the private ceremony in his chambers late Monday evening. The courthouse would be closed that day in observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday.
When Nicky had returned to town the day after Kyle’s phone call, Kimara explained everything to her. Nicky, to her surprise, had not questioned her sanity and had readily agreed to act as a witness for the ceremony. She ended up doing a whole lot more than that and went out of her way to turn what Kimara had destined to be a dismal event into a joyful affair. Nicky had taken it upon herself to arrange a small reception at their house after the wedding. She had also talked Kimara into going shopping for a wedding dress, and had seen to it that she had a small bouquet of flowers to hold during the ceremony.
Upon Kimara’s arrival at the courthouse, she was very much aware of Kyle. The cliché of tall, dark and handsome had been created just for him. He looked extremely handsome in his gray suit. He was standing talking to Mason, who was also a witness, and Judge Williams. At the sound of her footsteps, Kyle turned around and gave her an appreciative appraisal as an irresistible smile touched his lips. She was wearing an ivory-colored tea-length fitted lace dress with spaghetti straps, a shirred bodice, and a flounced skirt. Matching ivory-colored pumps of lace and satin adorned her feet, and her hair, decorated with magnolia blossoms and pearls, hung loose about her shoulders. He excused himself from the two men and came to face her, reaching his hand out to her.
Kimara nervously accepted the smile and the hand being offered. After telling her how beautiful she looked, he led her over to the other two men. “Judge Williams, I think we’re about ready.”
The warmth of Judge Williams’s smile echoed in his voice. “I know both your parents would have been happy with this marriage,” he told them.
“Not to mention your grandfather,” Mason interjected as his smile spread with delight.
“Where’s the young lady who’s serving as your witness, Kimara?” Judge Williams asked.
“Nicky is on her way up. She needed to make a last-minute phone call to be sure everything is going according to schedule. She has a small reception planned immediately after the ceremony in our home,” Kimara answered.
“It’s not your home any longer, darling,” Kyle said, giving her a smile that sent her pulses racing. “After today your home is with me.”
“Yes, of course,” Kimara replied, smiling smoothly, betraying nothing of her annoyance. She knew they were playacting for the benefit of Judge Williams. Mason already knew this was not a marriage based on love.
“Where will the two of you be staying after the honeymoon?” Mason Long asked.
“We’ll be moving into the Garwood estate for a while,” Kyle answered.
“And the honeymoon? Or is it a secret?” Judge Williams asked as a huge grin covered his face.
Kyle chuckled. “Now is as good a time as any to let Kimara know where we’re going,” he said. “We’ll be spending our honeymoon at Special K.”
Kimara’s gaze flew wide open to Kyle’s face. A look of total surprise and bewilderment covered her features. “Special K? But I thought your grandfather sold it right after our parents’ death.”
“On the contrary, Miss Stafford,” Mason answered rather quickly. “Although he could not handle the thought of ever going there again, Mr. Garwood retained ownership of the mountain cabin. In fact, over the years he’s made sure it’s been kept up. The Garwood-Stafford retreat is waiting for a Garwood and a Stafford to bring it back to life again. I contacted the caretaker and he assured me everything has been prepared and is awaiting your arrival.”
Kimara absorbed Mason’s words. She then turned to Kyle. “How long have you known about this?”
Kyle heard the quiver in her voice, and he understood. Special K held a lot of fond memories for the both of them. It had been the site of numerous Garwood-Stafford family picnics, special gatherings, and vacations. “Mason told me about it a few days ago. I thought it would be nice to see the place again and spend some time there. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind. I’m just a little shocked. All these years I assumed your grandfather had sold it. I never asked him about it for fear of bringing up sad memories.”
At that moment Nicky walked in and Judge Williams indicated it was time for the ceremony to begin. The ceremony was brief. After Kyle placed the beautiful diamond ring on Kimara’s finger and the words were spoken declaring them husband and wife, Judge Williams gave him the go-ahead to kiss the bride. Instead of grazing her on the cheek like Kimara thought he’d do, Kyle pulled her to him and gave her a traditional kiss with all the trimmings.
It brought back memories of the kiss they’d shared the night he had taken her out to dinner. She was again taken aback by her immediate response to him. His lips moved softly but boldly over hers, making slow, circular motions before allowing his tongue to penetrate their depths. When Kimara’s knees nearly buckled under her from the sensuous onslaught, he gave her the needed support by tightening his hold and drawing her closer as he continued to kiss her.
Kimara found herself thoroughly enjoying the intimate contact with the man who was now legally her husband. The unexpectedness of his kiss, along with the pure pleasure it was giving her, made her feel hot, tingly, and flushed. The feel of his lips on hers sent sparks of desire throughout her body. Kimara knew she was in trouble. Deep trouble. She became every bit as caught up in the kiss as Kyle. Later she would blame it on the sip of wine she’d taken before leaving home to calm her nerves. On the other hand, Kyle’s lethal good looks weren’t entirely guiltless either. They reluctantly pulled apart after Mason cleared his throat several times.
Nicky kissed her on the cheek and congratulated her. She then received hugs from both Mason and Judge Williams. Both men informed her they would be skipping the reception, but wished them the best.
A few minutes later Kimara found she was alone with Kyle as they got into an elevator to leave. Nicky had gone on ahead, to make sure everything was all set for the reception. Kimara stared straight ahead, trying hard not to concentrate on the man standing by her side.
“Are you sure you want to go to Special K, Kimara?” Kyle asked in a soft voice. “It’s not too late for me to make other arrangements if going there will bother you.”
She looked up at him. Her expression was tight with strain. “It really doesn’t matter where we spend our honeymoon, Kyle. The purpose of us being there will be the same. Your goal is to get me pregnant, not to look upon our time together as some romantic interlude. Our marriage is a business arrangement, nothing more.”
A faint light twinkled in the depths of Kyle’s eye. “Are you having second thoughts about our agreement?”
“It would be too late if I were, wouldn’t it?” Kimara replied in a resigned voice.
“Yes,” Kyle answered, touching her cheek with a lone finger. “It would be, since you’re now my wife.”
The huskiness of Kyle’s tone of voice, as well as his words, captivated Kimara, but she was determined not to let him get next to her. “For only six months,” she snapped. “Even less than that if I get pregnant right away.”
Before Kyle could respond to her statement, the elevator opened. They suddenly found themselves swamped by reporters. “Blast it! Who tipped them off?” Kyle whispered in an agitated voice. He tried shielding her from the firing line of flashbulbs.
She smiled weakly. Anything Kyle did was news. It was rare to pick up a magazine or newspaper and not find him
being featured in it. “Is it true, Mr. Garwood, that you and Miss Stafford just got married?” one reporter asked.
Kyle turned to Kimara and gave her a tender smile. An offer of apology for not making sure the news of their wedding was kept under wraps shone in his eyes. “Yes, Kimara and I just married. Now, if you will ex--”
“Why the secrecy?”
“Evidently it wasn’t too much of a secret, since you found out,” Kyle answered in a curt voice, ushering Kimara outside the building to his parked car.
Kimara noticed that Kyle had changed vehicles as he opened the door to a beautiful Mercedes. When they were in the flow of traffic, he reached over and took her hand in his and squeezed it. “I’m sorry for what happened back there.”
“It wasn’t your fault. Do you think they’ll follow us?”
“I don’t know. I hope not.” He took a quick glance in his rearview mirror. “It doesn’t appear that they are. To be on the safe side, do you want to skip the reception?”
“I can’t do that. Nicky went to a lot of trouble. I don’t want to disappoint her.”
Kyle nodded as he swung the vehicle onto the interstate.
Kimara did little talking as they traveled, absently taking in the sights that she had seen numerous times before. She was glad when Kyle’s car pulled into the driveway.
“I’ve made arrangements for us to fly out in three hours.”
Kimara nodded. “I’ll be ready.” Deep down she knew she would never be ready for Kyle Garwood. The thought of spending the night with him was beginning to play havoc on her nerves.
A few minutes later she found herself smiling. The reception was everything Nicky had planned it to be. Their own company had catered the affair, and by the looks on everyone’s faces, they had outdone themselves. The food was delicious. The only people in attendance were close friends of hers and Nicky. Kyle hadn’t bothered to invite any of his friends or associates.
CUPID'S BOW (MADARIS SERIES Book 2) Page 4