One True Love

by Barbara Freethy

  "I've become obsessed with obsession." Jeremy's eyes darkened along with his topic.

  Maggie licked her lips. "What -- what kind of obsession?"

  "Oh, lots of things, like what makes a man become obsessed with a woman so that he can't think of letting her out of his sight, letting her talk to other people, see friends, go out by herself."

  Maggie felt her pulse begin to race. "What did you come up with?"

  "I think it's about control. A man like that has to control everything and everyone. He can't stand the thought of someone who is supposed to be loyal to him having anyone else in her life." He paused. "It's an interesting subject, don't you think?"

  "It's kind of frightening, especially for a woman."

  "Would you let a man do that to you? Would you cut your ties with friends and family for him, so that everything you did, said or thought about involved him?"

  "No, never. That isn't love."

  "What if he's a great guy otherwise? I'm not talking about someone who abuses his wife, just controls her. What if he buys you pretty things and tells you you're beautiful and says he adores you and can't bear to share you with anyone? What if he's incredible in bed, and you'd do just about anything if it meant another night of great sex?"

  Maggie nervously waved a hand in front of her face. "It's hot in here, don't you think?"

  Jeremy grinned. "I'm scaring you, aren't I? I'm not talking about me, and that was a hypothetical you."

  "I knew that."

  "You are so gullible, Margaret Mary Scott."

  Maggie sighed at the sound of her real name on his lips. She had had no choice but to tell him who she was. She'd needed ID to check in at the airport, and she certainly didn't have a driver's license with the name Crystal on it. She'd been rather sorry to see Crystal go. Crystal had had a lot more fun than Maggie usually did. Of course, the way Jeremy was looking at her now told her he had some fun still in mind for Margaret Mary Scott. If she dared.

  "I'm not all that into control," he added. "In fact, sometimes it's more fun to let a woman take charge." He touched her thigh with his hand, causing a shiver to run down her spine. "After all, I'm the one following you at this very moment."

  "And why exactly are you following me?"

  Jeremy took her hand and squeezed it. "I'm intrigued."

  "And that's why you're on a plane to San Francisco with a woman who lied to you about her own name? A woman who thinks her dead husband might still be alive?"

  "Hell yes. I haven't read a story this good in years, and I haven't written one lately, either."

  "You think this is a good story?" Maggie asked, not sure if she should be offended, shocked or pleased. It wasn't a story to her -- it was her life.

  "It's a great story. But I'm not here just because I can't wait to see how this turns out. I like you. I'm attracted to you. I'm hoping that at some point you might feel the same way."

  "I already do," she said candidly. "But I've never had a casual affair. I wouldn't know how. And with the possibility of Keith still being alive, I need to focus on finding Serena and figuring out the truth."

  "I know that." He smiled again. "Relax, Maggie. I came along for the ride, because to tell you the truth, I haven't been able to write in a month. I'm stale, burned out, blocked, whatever you want to call it, and when I found you standing outside Serena's condo yesterday, I felt like I'd just been hit by a blast of fresh air. I figure a trip to San Francisco with a mysterious woman is just the ticket to get my creative juices flowing again."

  "Well, I hope I can be of help."

  Jeremy reached out and touched the corner of her mouth, and the teasing light in his eyes faded into something more serious.

  "What -- what are you doing?" she asked.

  "You had a pretzel crumb," he replied in his deep, mesmerizing voice.

  "Oh." She held still while he brushed the corner of her mouth with his finger. "Is it gone?"

  "I don't know. Let me check." He kissed her first on the corner of her mouth, then trailed his lips across hers in a sensuous, tantalizing manner that made her want so much more.

  He stopped as an announcement came over the PA.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has asked that you fasten your seat belts," the flight attendant said.

  Maggie couldn't help but smile. "Boy, they got that right."

  He grinned back at her. "I don't bother you, do I?"

  "Not a bit. I'm cool as a cucumber." Maggie fastened her seat belt, then looked out the window, trying to catch her breath, to slow her pulse. Jeremy seemed to turn her on without even trying. She wasn't used to even thinking about sex. After having been married for so long, she'd pretty much gotten over being attracted to a man every time she sat down next to one.

  Today, she felt eighteen again, letting the timbre of Jeremy's voice draw shivers down her spine, letting the touch of his hand on her thigh turn her stomach inside out, letting the scent of his aftershave direct the course of her breathing. This was foolish, crazy.

  She'd slept with Keith for years without feeling a rush simply because his body was close to hers. She'd felt comforted, yes, and when they'd made love, she'd felt excited, eager. But when it was over, her mind had moved on to the laundry, and the bills, and the kids' schedules.

  Now, she could barely remember her kids' names or why she had gotten on this plane in the first place. She kept thinking about Jeremy, with his long hair, his sexy body, his sensuous voice. She wondered what it would be like to sleep with a stranger, to make love with someone new, to run her hands down a body that was unfamiliar, to have him do things to her she had only imagined.

  Good heavens! What was she thinking? She glanced over at him and caught him watching her. "You're staring at me."

  "I can't help it. Don't you like looking at me?"

  "Yes. No. I think I'm out of my league here. It's been awhile since I've gone anywhere with a single attractive male and been..." she sighed, "single myself. I wonder if I'll ever get used to that idea."

  "You will."

  "Have you ever been married, Jeremy?"

  He shook his head. "I've managed to escape so far."

  "You make it sound terrible. What about children?"

  "I never saw myself as a white picket fence kind of guy. And I've never had much to do with kids. I was an only child." He shrugged. "I don't know. I never thought much about it. I never met the right woman." He tilted his head as he studied her. "You know, someone who made me want to drop everything and run away with her."

  Maggie's heart stopped. "If that's a line, it's a really good one."

  He laughed. "You don't have much self-confidence. I wonder why that is." His smile faded. "Tell me about your husband."

  "Keith? Why -- what do you want to know?"

  "Did he love you as much as you loved him?"

  "I thought so."

  "How long were you together?"

  "It seemed like forever."

  "Do you really think he would have had an affair with someone like Serena?"

  "I'm not sure." She looked into his eyes. "I haven't met Serena yet. From what you told me, from what they said in the gym, she's very beautiful, sexy, fun. I'm sure that must be appealing to a man."

  "You're all those things."

  "Maybe I wasn't with Keith," Maggie said softly, knowing in her heart of hearts that that was one of the things she needed to find out. Had she driven Keith to an affair because she hadn't been good enough -- because she'd let her figure go, her hair, her nails? Had she let him down? Had he been disappointed in her? She had so many questions. She just hoped Serena could answer them.

  The plane landed and braked to a stop.

  "We're here," Jeremy said. "Are you ready?"

  "Yes. Where should we go first?"

  "Serena usually stays at the Crestmoor Hotel when she's in San Francisco. She likes all that old, rich class."

  "Then let's go there."

  Jeremy stood up as the passengers began to disembark.
>
  Within a few moments they were standing in the middle of the terminal. As they walked toward the exit, Maggie pulled out phone. "I need to make a call," she said. "Do you mind?"

  "Go ahead."

  She moved several feet away and called home. As she waited for someone to answer, she glanced over at Jeremy. He was leaning against the opposite wall, and he was watching her again, a small smile on his lips. She would have turned away, but his look made her feel so desirable, so sexy that she hated to let the feeling go.

  "Hello?"

  Maggie started at the sound of a voice, feeling suddenly guilty as she touched base with her reality, the one she really lived in, not this fantasy world where she was falling in love with a handsome stranger. Not falling in love, she corrected immediately, feeling a touch of panic at the thought.

  "Is anyone there?" a voice asked.

  "Silvia? Is something wrong?" she asked abruptly. "Why are you there? Where is Lisa?"

  "She's with Nick, and everything is fine," Silvia replied. "Roxy and Dylan took Sally for a walk, and Mary Bea is playing in the bath."

  "So everyone is okay? Mary Bea isn't missing me terribly?"

  "She's having a good time getting to know her Aunt Lisa, and Nick is great with her. They don't seem to mind me either."

  "They adore you, Silvia."

  "How are you, Maggie?"

  "I'm fine," she said simply. "When do you think Lisa will be back? Goodness, did you say she was with Nick?"

  Silvia gave a little laugh. "Yes. Isn't it wonderful? I hope you're getting lots of rest, Maggie, darling. In fact, it might be good if Lisa had a reason to stay a while longer."

  "Silvia, are you matchmaking?"

  "With my stubborn daughter and your equally stubborn brother? Yes. But they don't listen to me. I'm just glad they have this opportunity to see if there's any love left. So you take your time coming back now."

  She smiled. "It's ironic. I could have asked Lisa to come down before, but I never wanted to push her."

  "Everything in its own time, dear. Now, when did you say you'd be back?"

  "Tomorrow." Maggie paused as an airport announcement rang through the terminal, making it impossible for her to hear. Finally, it ended.

  "Maggie, are you at the airport?" Silvia asked.

  "Yes. And listen my battery is starting to die, and I don't have my charger with me. So don't worry, I'll call you later."

  "All right dear. And don't you worry either. Between Lisa, Nick and myself, your children are in good hands. Everything is just fine here."

  "Thank you for saying that. I feel a little guilty for abandoning them."

  "You're not doing that. No guilt, all right? Sometimes mothers have to take time for themselves."

  "All right."

  "Should I ask why you're at the airport though?"

  "No, please don't. I have to go. Tell the kids I love them, and I miss them, and give each one a big kiss."

  "I will. I hope you find what you're searching for, Maggie."

  Maggie looked over at Jeremy's long, lean body and had a feeling she'd found at least part of what she was looking for.

  * * *

  An hour later, Maggie and Jeremy stood in line to register at the Crestmoor Hotel. In a few minutes, it would be their turn, and they would have to get two rooms -- or maybe one. Maggie snuck a peek at Jeremy, wondering what he was thinking. Should she insist on her own room or take a chance and have a wild fling with a sexy stranger? She'd only known him for two days. He could be into all kinds of kinky things. He might want to tie her to the bed or use handcuffs or... actually, she felt a little excited at the thought, then guilty, then stupid.

  This was not some fantasy. This was the real world. Men didn't drive women to ecstasy with their lovemaking. It just didn't happen. That was for movies or books where women wore silk underwear that was constantly being ripped from their bodies and men knew how to titillate every part of a female's body with their hands and their mouth, and... oh, dear, her cheeks were turning red. She could feel the heat.

  Thankfully, Jeremy was studying the line in front of them, instead of her. He had no idea how unsophisticated she was. She'd been married for almost thirteen years and had made love literally hundreds of times, but always and only with one man. There hadn't been anyone before Keith and no one after.

  She had no clue if she was good, bad or indifferent in bed. She and Keith had certainly never ripped off each other's clothes. But the sex had been nice. She'd enjoyed touching him. He'd enjoyed touching her. Was there more? Was she brave enough to find out?

  Maybe Jeremy was the perfect candidate for a one-night stand. They lived in different cities. They wouldn't run into each other again. If it were a total disaster, she'd never have to see him again. If it was the best ever -- well, she'd probably still never see him again, because if she knew anything at all, she knew that she was capable of handing him the biggest turnoff in the world -- three children.

  And that was another thing. How could she hide the stretch marks, the not-so-flat tummy? She wasn't a model or an actress, the kind of woman he usually dated. What if he was disappointed? She didn't think she could take his disappointment. It would be safer not to risk it.

  "Maggie."

  She turned her head to find him watching her again, and her resolve melted away under the warmth of his eyes. He was so handsome, so appealing. And he kept touching her in little ways, a hand under her arm, against the small of her back. Even now, he brushed a piece of hair away from her eyes. He was so attentive. She could imagine him loving her in just that way.

  "Jeremy," she said huskily.

  "Don't be scared."

  "It's hard not to be."

  "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do."

  "That's the problem. I'm not exactly sure what I want to do."

  Jeremy stiffened, then turned his head, craning his neck to look at someone or something.

  "What is it?" she asked.

  "That woman who just came off the elevator. Where did she go?"

  "Who? Did you see Serena?"

  "It looked like her."

  The clerk motioned for them to move forward. Maggie hesitated. "Should we go after her?"

  "She was heading for the exit."

  "Let's go then," Maggie dashed toward the front door, with Jeremy following close behind. When they moved through the revolving doors to the pavement, they saw a man and a woman getting into a cab.

  Maggie stopped dead in her tracks. There was something about the man, the cut of his suit, his hair color.

  "That's her, Maggie, come on. They're leaving."

  She put a hand over her mouth, shaking her head in denial.

  "What? What is it?" Jeremy asked impatiently.

  She turned to him in a daze. "I think that man was my husband."

  * * *

  Her ex-husband had a girlfriend, Lisa realized, feeling a twinge of bitterness as she drove back to Maggie's house. Suzanne's shocked face was still imprinted in her mind. Not to mention her glorious red hair and incredible figure. She could have been a model. Heck, maybe she was a model.

  Lisa drummed the steering wheel as she stopped at a red light. Damn Nick anyway. He'd made such a big deal about her getting married again, when he was dating someone himself. He'd probably been with dozens of women since she'd left. He'd always enjoyed sex.

  Her stomach knotted at the thought of Nick with someone else. She'd been able to keep that picture out of her mind for a long time, but now that she'd met Suzanne it was impossible not to think of Nick with another woman. Especially since he'd kissed her only minutes before Suzanne had walked in the door. He had kissed her with hunger and desire and longing, as if he'd missed her, as if he still cared.

  And for a moment she'd cared, too. Far too much. She was getting married, she reminded herself, trying to focus on Raymond's face, his smile, his eyes. It was hopeless, though. All she could see was Nick and Suzanne.

  She wondered if they
were sleeping together. Of course they were. They were both adults, single, free. After all, she'd slept with Raymond. But that was different. Raymond made love like a gentleman. He didn't embarrass her or tease her or make her feel like he was trying to see into her soul, get into her thoughts and her heart as well as her body -- the way Nick had always done.

  With a sigh, Lisa stopped her mother's car in front of Maggie's house, knowing she had to pull herself together before she went inside. The day had brought so many surprises, the storage room, the baby furniture, kissing Nick and still feeling something, and Suzanne -- how could she forget Suzanne? Lisa leaned her head against the steering wheel and closed her eyes.

  She saw Nick walking over to Suzanne, putting his arm around her shoulders, explaining who Lisa was. But why hadn't Nick told his girlfriend about his marriage? And when Suzanne had thrown out the children question, he'd simply replied that he didn't have a child.

  She'd been shocked at his answer.

  She was the one who denied it. He was the one who confronted it every day of his life, by building cribs for babies. She still couldn't quite wrap her brain about what he was doing for a living. But she'd let that sit for a while.

  With a sigh, she opened her eyes and got out of the car. She entered the house, said hello to Dylan and Mary Bea, who were watching television, then ventured into the kitchen knowing she'd find her mother and great-aunt there.

  Silvia stood at the stove, stirring something in a pot. Carmela sat at the kitchen table, studying the flame of the candle in front of her. They both looked up when she walked into the room.

  "Are you happy now?" Lisa asked, setting the key to the storage unit on the counter.

  "I thought you should know," Silvia said with an unrepentant smile.

  "Why?"

  "Because you're insisting on getting married to a man you don't love."

  "You barely know Raymond. You have no idea how I feel about him."

  Silvia continued to stir without commenting, which irritated Lisa even more. "I don't see how you are such a judge of men," Lisa said pointedly, feeling like a child when her mother looked at her through disappointed eyes.