by Stark, Cindy
True winners? She let out a disbelieving laugh. The man had no regard for decent behavior whatsoever. "Richard, I no longer care what you do." She raised defiant eyebrows. "You lied to me and cheated on me for God knows how long." His cocky expression fell. "Yes, I know all about that," she continued before he had a chance to interrupt. "I would feel sorry for your fiancée, knowing that her husband will never respect his vows, but she's done the same thing to her aunt that Judith did to me." She pulled her arm from his grasp. "You deserve each other." True winners? Where had she heard—
"Oh my, god. True winners?" Carmen had spoken those exact words. "You bastard. You have been sabotaging my business."
An evil glint flicked in Richard's eyes. "What are you talking about, Elena? Are you delusional?"
No. She was actually saner than she'd been in a long time. "What did you do, pay off Carmen to undermine me? Don't try to deny it, Richard. This whole mess stinks of your underhanded ways."
He leaned close. "I warned you not to mess with me."
Her blood boiled. She took a deep breath, her defenses narrowing to a sharp point. "This ends now, Richard. You might think you've defeated me, but how long do you think your reputation will last if I start talking about your dirty secrets? The society pages love to publish stories about infidelity and deceit. The good old boys at the country club distance themselves from any public airing of personal issues. I bet Carmen would crack under pressure. Cassie will be ashamed to call you her father. You will be shunned."
The color had faded from Richard's complexion, and Elena could smell his defeat. "So will you."
She shrugged. "You forget. These are your friends, not mine."
"It would ruin you."
She called his bluff. "I'm willing to chance it. Are you? Cut your losses, Richard. Take your bimbo and walk away."
Shock animated his face, leaving him speechless as she turned and left. Good. She'd called him out, and he'd be a fool if he didn't recognize that she was prepared to take this all the way. Emotion pumped through her with each stride as she headed back toward Cole. It seemed the more determined she was to enjoy her evening, the more it careened out of control.
Elena didn't know how much of her encounter Cole had witnessed, but he watched her now. He sat relaxed in his chair as she approached, his gaze traveling the length of her body, his eyes expressing his desire for her. The thought of that empowered her. To hell with Richard and his infidelity. To hell with Joe and his need for attachment.
No one owned her. No one controlled her. She was free to live her life as she pleased.
Sitting in front of her was exactly what she needed. An attractive man that inspired no particular emotion. One that she would definitely not find herself emotionally attached to. She looked down at him. "Dance with me."
"Absolutely." He stood, towering several inches above her, his smile indicating that he had no problem being her escape from reality.
Cole led her to a spot along the edge where the crowd was thinner, and Elena lost herself in his arms. He wasted no time molding himself against her, even though the strains of music called for a faster dance. She wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the physical aspect of their connection. Other dancers moved about them, twirling in their finery. She was sure Richard and his fiancée were somewhere nearby, discussing her reaction. She didn't care. She was focused on this man and his ability to block out all of the emotional trials in her life.
Cole obviously liked her, and it was fun to flirt with him. She admitted there were no dangerous sparks like the ones Joe inspired, and that was exactly how she preferred it.
The next song was slower and seemed to encourage Cole. He locked his gaze with hers, his lips a few inches away. His breath smelled of mint, and Elena found herself tuning in to the physical pleasure he aroused.
"I want to kiss you, you know," he whispered.
"Really?" she teased.
The song ended, and he lowered his lips to hers. She didn't stop him.
Soft, warm. His kiss was nice, but it lacked intensity. Lacked passion. She didn't pull away, hoping that, given a moment, she'd feel something.
But, no. It was pointless. Nothing. She felt nothing. Except an aching loss for the man that set her on fire.
Joe.
Oh, hell. He was the one she wanted, the one she needed, and she'd been a fool to push him away. What was wrong with her?
He was twice the man Cole was. A hundred times the man Richard was. Most of all…he was her man. The one who would truly love her and take care of her. Why had she been so afraid to see that?
She pulled back, the game over. She couldn't continue to pretend she was interested in Cole, no matter how attractive he was.
"I'm sorry." She slid her hands down the front of his tux, putting distance between them. "I shouldn't have encouraged that."
He didn't seem too concerned over her statement. "Why not?" He'd eased his hold on her, but hadn't let go.
"I've been seeing someone else, and we had a fight. I was using you to try to help me forget him." She should have known that wasn't a smart idea.
He smiled. "No harm done." His grin grew bigger. "In fact, even knowing that you're on the rebound, my services are still available."
She moved out of his arms, glancing down as a smile crept over her lips. She looked back at his handsome face. "You're too kind. I'm glad I've had the pleasure of your company, but I'll have to pass."
"Are you sure?" He tilted his head, gazing at her with persuasive eyes.
"I'm sure. I think it's time for me to call it an evening."
"I'll have the car brought around."
"No. No, you stay. Enjoy your brother's ball. I'll call a taxi." When he started to interrupt, she continued. "Please, I think I need some time alone." Plus, there were plenty of women who'd be more than willing to give him attention.
"Okay." He smiled and nodded, before giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "Call me if you change your mind."
She agreed and turned to leave, feeling better than she had all evening. It was time to rethink Joe and the possibility of having him in her future. She still wasn't sure when she'd be ready for marriage, but the idea of it now seemed like a possibility instead of a definite no. She needed to talk to Joe, to beg him to understand and forgive her if he could.
She prayed she hadn't done irreparable damage to their relationship.
Elena reached the edge of the cobblestone courtyard and glanced up toward the deck. She stopped, grabbing the railing to steady herself.
Joe.
He stood above her, his body rigid, his features as hard as granite. The air flew from her lungs, and for a moment, all she could do was stare at him.
From the look on his face, she knew he'd seen her kiss Cole.
But what he didn't know, was that it had meant nothing. Not one thing. She had to tell him that.
She started up the stairs, his gaze following her every move. A lump formed in her throat as she reached the top of the deck. "Joe." She tried to swallow, but her throat was parched. "Please let me explain."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"Your actions explain everything." Joe looked into Elena's eyes, trying to comprehend what he'd witnessed. Around them, the music played on, as though there was nothing wrong in the world. He let anger harden his jaw as he tried to disguise the anguish in his heart. He'd been a fool thinking she loved him. She didn't love him. She just wanted to play.
Just like he had done most of his life.
The thought was pure agony. "There's no need to say anything. Enough's been said, enough done."
"No." She reached out and touched his sleeve.
Before she could continue, Renee stepped onto the deck, two glasses of champagne in her hands. She obviously didn't recognize that he and Elena were in the middle of a serious discussion.
Elena flashed his sister an uncertain glance before focusing on him. "You don't understand. That wasn't what it seemed." She truly looked upset, but was
that because she felt bad, or because she'd been caught?
"It doesn't matter. I should have let you go the first time you walked out on me. I would have saved us both a lot of time and trouble." And heartache. From the corner of his eye, he watched Renee take a step back.
Elena stared at him, her bottom lip quivering. "That's not fair."
"What's not fair? Am I not allowed to get angry when I see the woman I love kissing another man?" He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep them still.
"That. That's not fair. You tell me you love me, but then you try to control me. I've had enough of controlling men in my life."
"Oh? So, now I'm in the same boat as your ex-husband?" Talk about not fair. He wasn't anything like the jerk that had made her wary of relationships.
"You won't even give me a chance to breathe. You waltz in and send my life into turmoil, and then talk about when we're married like I don't have a say in anything." She glanced at Renee again. "And then you make me have this conversation in front of a complete stranger." Gone was the sorrowful woman. She'd been replaced by a hellcat.
And gone was his patience. This conversation would have transpired a whole lot differently if she hadn't been caught kissing another man.
"Excuse me." His sister interjected. "I'll just make myself scarce."
Joe grabbed Renee's arm before she could leave. "This isn't a stranger. She's my sister."
He knew he'd put Renee in a difficult situation, but he didn't want Elena thinking that he'd played the same game as she had. He hadn't run straight into someone else's arms.
Renee lifted her eyebrows, obviously feeling awkward. She graced Elena with a small smile as she extended her hand. "Hi. I'm Renee Johnson. I don't know if I dare say, but I've heard some wonderful things about you."
The look on Elena's face softened, and she appeared embarrassed as she greeted his sister. "I apologize for my outburst. I—"
"No need to explain." Renee shook her head at Elena, and he was grateful that he had such a wonderful sister. Renee gave him the same uncomfortable smile and then walked back inside, leaving them in silence.
He stared at Elena a moment longer, his heart crumbling. It wasn't supposed to end like this. Here was the love of his life, and she didn't love him.
Unable to tolerate anymore, he turned and followed his sister. Behind him, he heard Elena calling to him, but he no longer cared to hear her excuses. He'd tried to make it work. He deserved credit for that. But she only wanted to play, and a smart man knew when to cut his losses.
He was severing his now.
* * *
Elena sat in silence across from Mercedes, picking at her chicken salad. Above them, birds chirped in the trees, the sound adding to the outdoor cafe's lush atmosphere. The late afternoon hour found the place mostly empty, with only one other couple sitting a few tables away. The man murmured something to the woman, her answering laugh floating off into the beautiful fall day.
Elena had let Mercedes talk her into grabbing a bite to eat, but it had been a mistake. She set down her fork and buttoned up her sweater. The sun was warm on her face, but her insides were chilled.
"Do you feel like talking, yet?" Mercedes sipped her ice water.
No. Not really. All it would do was serve to remind her how miserable she'd felt during the past two weeks since the mayor's ball.
"Richard got engaged." Elena didn't want to talk about her former husband, either, but it beat the alternative.
"He's a snake."
Thank God for best friends.
"Who's the girl? I feel sorry for her."
"Tani Patterson. She's the niece of Judith Taylor and only twenty-seven years old. Rumor is she's pregnant."
"Ouch." Mercedes caught her gaze, giving her a warm smile. "Don't worry. She's got nothing on you, chica. Nothing. Have pity on her. You know what she's in for."
Elena didn't care that Richard was marrying a younger woman. Nothing about him concerned her anymore. "Don't waste your time feeling sorry for her. Apparently, Ms. Patterson stole Richard from her aunt who'd been sleeping with him…" She paused, still stumbling over the revelation. "She had an affair with him while he was still married to me." She watched her friend, not surprised at the look of outrage on her face.
"That's horrible, Elena." She shook her head in disgust. "That son of a bitch."
"That's not all." She took a breath wondering how everything had gotten so out of control. "I fired Carmen."
"That's a good thing." Mercedes smiled. "Never could stand her."
"I figured out she was working with Richard, spying on me and sabotaging me. She's the one who froze the flowers and who cancelled my orders."
Mercedes squinted her eyes as her mouth dropped open. "Bitch. I'd like to—"
"Don't worry. She'll get hers. She's lost her job and can't use me for a reference. Plus, I'm sure she's realized by now that Richard isn't going to help her."
"She'd better hope she doesn't run into me on the street."
Elena picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of chicken. She put the bite in her mouth and forced herself to chew. Richard wasn't what truly had her upset, though. The thought of what had happened between her and Joe, of what she'd done, hung over her like a suffocating cloud. "I also kissed Cole Thomas."
Mercedes's frown flipped to a smile. "Is this a good thing? He is a very handsome man."
"Joe saw us."
"Oh, no." Her friend's frown was back. "Are you loco?"
"Possibly…probably." Idiot might be a better word. "I was angry with Richard for cheating, and with Joe for crowding me. I really wanted to piss off Richard, and I needed to prove to myself there was nothing special about Joe, that he was just another good-looking guy, like Cole and all the other playboys out there. Cole wanted to kiss me, and I didn't stop him." She bit her bottom lip until it hurt. "Joe saw us."
Mercedes sighed. "Joe was at the ball."
Elena nodded. "It's such a mess, and the worst part is, kissing Cole made me realize no one will ever compare to Joe. I've had the best, and Cole didn't come close." She dropped her gaze. "I had no idea Joe would be there, but he saw us." The look of angst she'd found on Joe's face haunted her every minute since.
"You poor thing." Mercedes patted her arm, commiserating, but her concerned looks made Elena feel worse.
"I've ruined everything." Misery engulfed her. "Joe warned me that he was in it for a serious relationship, and it scared me. It still scares me." More than she could say. "But I'm more frightened to think that I've lost him."
"Why don't you call him? He seemed like a reasonable man when I met him." She smiled. "Not to mention incredibly sexy."
"He won't answer my calls."
Mercedes's grin sank. "That's bad. Maybe he needs a little more time? Don't give up, yet."
Elena buried her face in her hands, trying to contain the emotions that overwhelmed her. "I screwed up, and I'm scared, Mercedes. Scared that it's too late."
* * *
"No. I'm not going to call her. There's nothing to say." Joe stared at the pages of a contract scattered across his desk, dismissing his sister's attempts at matchmaking. He was done. He'd moved on.
Ignoring her and the loss of daylight, he tried to focus on the first job prospect for his new diving business, wondering if it had been a mistake to try to run the business portion of his new venture out of his office located at Stephens Shipping. It had seemed convenient. He'd be available if Renee needed him, and he hadn't had time to set up a second office at the waterfront building. Unfortunately, it also gave her daily access to him and his life.
Renee sighed as she moved farther into the room, oblivious to his hint. "You need to settle things with her."
He glanced up, annoyed. "I'd say that kiss settled everything. Made things perfectly, one-hundred percent crystal clear. I'm over her, so drop it." He turned his attention back to his desk, the words on the pages blurring before his eyes. Truth was, it was getting harder and harder to concentrate.
"You're not over her. Far from it." She sat down in front of him. "If you were over her, you wouldn't be wallowing again, staying late, and not eating. You forget how well I know you."
"Renee, you know I love you, but you're butting in where you don't belong. I gave her plenty of chances, and she threw them all in my face." He sent her a stern expression. "Let it go."
"Obviously, you didn't notice the look of despair on her face as she tried to explain things to you. You need to give her a chance to tell you her side. You don't know what led up to that kiss or why it happened. There could be a reasonable explanation."
He was close to losing it. She'd been on him non-stop since the party, and he'd heard more than he cared to hear about Elena. It was hard enough to try to forget her without his sister constantly throwing her in his face. "Renee," he warned.
"Anyone could see that she's in love with you, and I know you love her, too." She returned his firm look. "Quit being so stubborn and just admit it."
He stood, sliding his chair backward with considerable force. "Leave." He pointed at the door.
She sat with a resolute look on her face, refusing to move. Their war of gazes lasted nearly a minute before she rose from her chair. "Fine. But as someone who loves and cares about you, I'm telling you, you're going to regret this. I've never seen you fall for anyone like this. She's special."
She waited a few more seconds, obviously wanting to continue their conversation, but he was done arguing with her. He remained standing, silently waiting for her to leave.
Finally, she gave him a disgusted huff and left. When the door closed behind her, he fell back into his chair, covering his eyes with his hand.
Time. He just needed a little time, and then things would get better.
* * *