Shades of Amber

by Morgan Smith

  He smiled. “You are even more beautiful than Troy described. Call me Richard.”

  I could only smile. These were the parents he’d mentioned that day, years ago when I’d tagged along to mail that letter, which meant I was very far from home.

  Troy hugged me and kissed my hair. “I said she’s indescribably beautiful, Father.” He smiled, but since it didn’t reach his eyes, he was probably angry at one of us.

  I looked around, trying to spot an escape, but there was only a room full of people.

  Troy’s mother smiled as she linked her arm through mine. “If you boys don’t mind, I’m going to take Jade to mingle.”

  Troy began to protest until she cut him off. He pulled me to him and brushed his lips against my ear. “I’m watching you, Jade. And just so you know, we will talk later.”

  I pushed away from him, silently thanking his mom.

  Alexandra grasped my hands. “Once a woman has a baby, she dreams of the day when she’ll meet the person who makes that child fall in love.”

  I forced a smile, even though my heart was aching. I had loved him, but he still had no idea what the word meant. If he did, he wouldn’t be forcing me to stay. I gave Troy one last glance before his mother whisked me toward a couple two feet away. I surveyed the man and woman, but my mind was focused on Troy’s heated discussion with his father. I strained to hear the subject, but could only make out a few words.

  Perhaps they were arguing about the morals of kidnapping.

  When a woman in her twenties approached us, the couple took their leave. The pretty brunette was animated and cheerful, so I listened as intently as one can to two conversations. Unfortunately, I missed bits of both. Troy seemed to be demanding something that his father was against, and I was practically dying from the suspense. I hoped Richard was telling his son to send me back to Chattanooga, but I doubted I could be so lucky.

  Troy’s mother gave me a look, and hustled me toward another group halfway across the room. I groaned as she patted my hand.

  “Boys will be boys. It’s best to let them work things out on their own.”

  ¤¤¤¤

  …Troy…

  “Does she know?” I followed my father’s gaze as he eyed Jade and my mother. They were supposed to be speaking with a couple a few feet away, but Jade’s head kept turning in my direction. I winked, but she looked away as soon as our eyes met. She had everyone’s attention with her brilliant smile and mesmerizing gown, and even though I’d tossed her into this, she held herself with the poise and elegance of a queen. My cold heart warmed at the knowledge that I wouldn’t have to give her up again.

  My father cleared his throat. “Well?”

  “She can’t handle it, yet. I need her to accept this.” I spread my hand to encompass the room.

  He shook his head. “You’re asking an awful lot of that girl, son.”

  “She can handle it, she’s a fighter.”

  My father laughed as we watched my mother guide Jade to the patio. “How do you know she won’t fight you?”

  I smiled. “Oh, she’ll try, but she loves me. Soon she won’t be able to resist.”

  ¤¤¤¤

  Jade

  My lips couldn’t lie anymore, I was miserable. I studied his mother’s profile as she mingled with her guests. She was as stunning as a Monet, but she had an underlying strength that made her as dangerous as a lightning bolt.

  She smiled and led me to the terrace. “It really does take more muscles to frown, you know. You look flushed, dear. Are you feeling well?”

  I tried to inhale the cool air, but started sobbing. “I can’t be here. I don’t belong.”

  The moonlight fell on her as she placed a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. “You do belong here, and you’re doing fine.”

  The decorative lanterns twinkled over the fountain as I pulled away. “I can’t imagine why Troy would claim he didn’t have experience with love.”

  She took a seat on the wooden bench, and tapped the spot next to her. “Perhaps he meant loving someone.”

  “He’s trying to make me become something I’m not,” I whispered as I plopped down.

  “Who?”

  The calming sound of trickling water drowned some of my anger.

  I was an adult. Not a child complaining to the mother of the boy who broke her crayons. What could Alexandra do?

  “Who is upsetting you, Jade?”

  I took a deep breath. “Your son.”

  “My son can be overwhelming at times.”

  I looked at the moon. “Yes.”

  “So, you didn’t have a choice in coming here.”

  “No, I’m not even sure where I am, exactly.”

  “You’re in….” She stopped when a twig snapped. “I should get back to the party before my husband gets worried.” Her warm hand covered mine. “You should let Troy answer your questions, dear.”

  I sighed. “He never tells the truth. I can’t…” I rubbed my arms.

  “You can’t what, Jade?” My heart skipped when I heard his voice.

  He was right behind me.

  “You two should talk.”

  I started to follow her, but Troy grabbed my arm. He bit his lip as he brushed his knuckles against my cheek.

  “My mother is growing quite fond of you. I wish that you would stop trying to distance yourself from us.”

  I stepped back, but he was still holding my arm. “Us?”

  “I know you don’t want to be here.” I looked at his face and for a second, I got lost in his eyes.

  How could one man’s gaze hold so many secrets?

  I shivered as I contemplated all the things he was hiding. “If you know I don’t want to be here, then why keep me?”

  His smile was sexy, but his words were disturbing. “I keep you because I want you with me.”

  A blush creeped its way up my neck and face. “I won’t let you.”

  He chuckled. “You don’t have a choice, cher.”

  I stomped his foot, but slippers didn’t do as much damage as a nice pair of boots. “Where am I?” I pounded his chest, trying to make him realize how angry I was.

  The variety of accents was unexpected, but I was positive we were in Louisiana. I just needed enough information for a cab or something.

  “Let’s not worry about that just now.” Troy waited until I wheezed and slumped against him before dragging me back to the ballroom. “We should dance and enjoy the people who came to celebrate us.” He steered me onto the dance floor as if I weren’t glaring at him with murderous eyes, and then it hit me. If he lacked a reflection, I probably couldn’t kill him anyway.

  After a few twirls, his words hit me like an avalanche. “What do you mean ‘they’re here to celebrate us’?”

  He pressed me closer as we continued to glide over the floor, and when he finally told me, I thought I would keel over right there. His amber ring sparkled as he put my hands on his shoulders and touched my cheek. “I’ve chosen to be with you, so they’re here for the celebration.”

  I gaped at him until he pushed my jaw shut with his finger. “You’ve chosen to b-be with me? What do you mean?”

  “When the time comes, I will tell you everything.”

  “No. You can’t choose someone without their consent.”

  He smirked. “You bound yourself to me that day at the picnic table.”

  I sat on the big bed in ‘my’ room, but I was not floating on a cloud like the day I first agreed to be his girlfriend.

  After making me dance to one last song, Troy dragged me to the center of the ballroom with its amber drapes and tablecloths, and introduced me as his past, present, and future. Just remembering the look in his eyes was enough to make me shiver. It said one thing: he meant it. He must have since he announced it in front of two hundred people.

  Scooting to the left, I scrutinized my reflection. This time I was in a cream nightgown. I fingered the soft fabric and used it to dry my tears.

  There had to be a way out of
this. If I could just find a phone or….

  The pity party ended with a noise in the hall. Getting to my feet, I eased forward until my palm covered the knob. I didn’t hesitate when the bronze globe turned beneath my fingertips.

  Now was the time to escape.

  My gown swirled around my legs as I ventured through the silent house. Shadows lingered in the corners, but I ignored my unease.

  It seemed that Troy would do anything to keep me here, so who knew what would happen tomorrow. The more time we spent together, the more I considered how we could make it work.

  Moonlight was a poor substitute, but I could spot the stairs at the end of the hall. Unfortunately, it masked the crevice of light beneath the door.

  Essence

  Your essence calls to me…

  Rich and sweet,

  Our eternal love,

  I dare not

  Speak.

  Like a fine wine…

  It grows better with

  Time.

  You’re the perfect girl

  And

  You will always be

  Mine.

  -Troy

  Chapter 12

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” Troy said as he snatched me from the hall. His hand smothered my screams as the door slammed with me on the wrong side.

  Still determined, I beat on the wood until he pinned my hands above my head and flipped me around.

  “You’re feisty tonight, cher.”

  “Why did you unlock my door?”

  His face was blank, but his eyes shone with mischief. “It wasn’t locked.”

  “Yes, you locked it!”

  “Perhaps it was a dream.” He retreated to the grand piano in the corner.

  I crossed my arms. “There is a lot of amber here.”

  “It runs in the family.”

  “The color?”

  He smirked. “You could say that.”

  I settled onto the cream couch near the fireplace. “You and your family are weird. You can take offense if you want.”

  “I know you don’t mean it.”

  My eyes strayed to the king-size bed before looking away.

  “You’re beautiful when you’re nervous.”

  A reply was on my tongue until his fingers touched the ivory keys. He was a dark and sensual version of Mozart.

  The music lured me to my feet—seducing me with its tempo, and then he pulled me onto his lap. I didn’t want to be that close, but I couldn’t fight the fire inside. He held my hips as our tongues tangled, rocking me back and forth.

  After two years of mourning and weeks of trying to pretend the “new” him didn’t exist, I was tired of resisting.

  Troy broke the kiss and brought his lips to my ear. “See, you don’t have to fight me, Jade.” He kissed me again and carried me to the bed.

  My body stiffened as I sank into the mattress.

  As much as I loved him, I didn’t think I could go back.

  “Relax,” he whispered as he brushed my hair aside.

  The room was closing in. I tried to take a deep breath, but his scent reminded me of all the nights I went to bed wishing I had him for comfort. Troy was here now, but the longer I looked at him, the more anxious I was to get away.

  He gathered me close and pulled the covers up. “You don’t have to be strong anymore.” His heart thumped beneath my ear as I ran my hand over his chest.

  My dark angel was finally home.

  If this turned out to be an illusion, my mind wouldn’t be able to cope.

  “I want your love, not your fear.”

  I stopped fidgeting, but didn’t respond.

  “I’ve waited so long for this,” he said as the lights dimmed with the snap of his fingers.

  “I don’t know what you want from me. I think you’re trying to drive me crazy.”

  He shook his head. “That’s the last thing I want.”

  “You could have fooled me.”

  “Maybe you should stop trying to fight us.”

  I grabbed a handful of his shirt. “What do you mean by us?”

  “Our love.”

  I scoffed and pushed him away.

  We were on different sides, literally and physically. I stared at the wall as the silence stretched. I didn’t want to break it, but I couldn’t bear it after a few minutes.

  He was looking at me when I rolled over.

  “You left me! Why would I still love you?”

  “Argue as much as you want, but I know you do, and I love you.” He grabbed my arms and sat me on top of him. “You want me to go away so you don’t have to remember how good it feels to be with me, but I won’t let you forget.”

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  Troy released me as soon as I dropped onto his chest.

  I didn’t want to hurt him, but I couldn’t let him control me. “I don’t feel anything anymore!” I ran for the door. “You broke my heart and then you died! Am I just supposed to forget all that other stuff happened?”

  He stalked forward. “You don’t have to be afraid. I would never let anything happen to you.”

  “Open this door,” I yelled when I couldn’t do it myself.

  Fire stroked my insides as he reached around me, took my hand from the knob, and licked my neck.

  “That’s not going to happen, but I’m curious.” His thumb brushed my butterfly ring. “Why are you still wearing this if you don’t love me?”

  “You were dead. I wore it to feel closer to you.”

  He kissed my cheek. “I’ve been back for weeks.”

  “I know; that’s why I almost took it off.” I turned around the instant he backed away.

  “So what stopped you?”

  “I wanted to remember the man you used to be.” I traced the amber wing with my index finger, wishing for that other life—the one where he was my boyfriend instead of my back-from-the-dead-stalker.

  November 11, 2007

  “I’ll never get tired of that sinful smirk,” I said as I jumped into Troy’s arms. He held me close, kissing a path from my neck to my cheek, and then his lips were on mine.

  I felt lost—tangled in something so magical it left me lightheaded.

  My mom cleared her throat. “Stop letting all the heat out!”

  “Happy Birthday!” he said as he carried me into my house.

  Before I could lock the door, Kimmie ran out of the kitchen. “Cake time! Cake time!” she called, tugging at Mom’s apron.

  “Okay, Okay!”

  Troy grabbed my hand as we followed.

  “Gee, you’d think it was her birthday from the way she’s acting.”

  He kissed my palm. “She knows it’s your day, she’s just excited about the sugar.”

  We shoved through the doors and found a two tier chocolate cake. Without another word, Troy kissed my forehead and stood guard by the table to prevent my siblings from sneaking a taste.

  “Happy Birthday!” Dad said as my mom placed a small pink gift bag in my hand. I shook it, disappointed by the size.

  Mom nudged my shoulder. “Just open it, Jade.”

  My face lit up as my fingers met cool metal. “Did you get me a car?”

  They nodded. “You only turn eighteen once!”

  I ran toward the living room and hurried back. “Where is it?”

  Mom clapped. “In the garage!”

  “Wow!” My mind went blank when I spotted the periwinkle Volkswagen Beetle.

  It was the best gift ever.

  “Thank you!” I opened the door, caressing the leather seat before I noticed the box of CDs on the passenger side.

  “Nice car,” Troy said as his he hugged me from behind. “Just wait until you get my gift.”

  I turned and kissed him. “I can’t wait.” I closed the door and pulled him back inside the house. After everyone had a piece of cake and a hug, Troy grabbed my hand and led me to his car.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see,” he replied as he stepped
on the gas.

  A few minutes later, we pulled up to The River Rock Cafe. “You look ravishing,” he murmured as the maître d’ escorted us to his private table in the back. I still didn’t know how he did it, but he was very adept at getting what he wanted.

  “Thank you.” I said, scooting into the booth.

  Troy followed with one of his steal-my-breath-kisses, and when he pulled away, there was a small silver box on the table.

  A smile formed as I lifted the lid.

  He took the box and slid the ring onto my finger. “Think of this as a promise ring. I promise that you will be a part of me forever. There’s no me without you, Jade.”

  Okay, this was the best present ever. Who needed a car when my sexy boyfriend just promised to love me forever?

  I nodded, mesmerized by the gesture. “I feel the same.”

  2010

  “You left to protect me, so why did you come back? Is the danger over?”

  “I thought you’d be safer without me.”

  “And…?”

  He gripped my hips. “And I came back because I couldn’t bear to be away from you any longer.”

  “Is the danger gone or not, Troy?”

  The room was silent except for our breathing.

  I lifted my chin. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” I shoved his chest and ran toward the couch, looking for something I could use to threaten him.

  He walked toward me with his hand out, but I continued my retreat. “That’s what we need to talk about Jade, but not tonight.”

  I blinked and he was there, pressing me against the cushions.

  “You are safe with me.” He was trying to make me weak, so I looked everywhere but in his eyes. I was almost strong enough until he kissed me. He leaned back and brushed my hair behind my ear. I tried to focus on his mouth, but before I knew it, my eyes were on his.

  Troy was warmth and comfort wrapped in a dangerous package. I tried to pry my gaze away, but I was lost as he moved me to the bed. He was worse than Medusa.

  One look at Troy stole more than my resistance—he took a piece of my heart.