by Lietha Wards
“Peacocks. Now that’s Interesting.”
She looked up at Lance and he shifted his eyes to her with clear amusement and smiled. She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a laugh.
“A little excessive.”
“Yes. Typical for mother though. She was probably told from one of the many wedding planners she hired, that this is the latest trend at weddings. They are really pretty though.”
“Until a guest with too much sauce on board tries to pluck one.” One of his brows lifted.
She laughed with images floating through her head at that thought. Their feathers were very beautiful and she could see it happening. “With my luck, it’ll be me.”
He chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders and spoke in her ear. “That’s why I’m here. I’ll protect you,” he reassured.
There seemed so much more to that statement. It was probably wishful thinking on her part. Still, she felt a thrill go through her but did her best not to let it show. She was still so unsure of his affections.
The catering staff all wore the same uniforms as the rest of the hired staff, but had black aprons wrapped around their wastes. There was a large open bar next to the band that was in the process of setting up, and the dance floor looked like it had just been finished freshly waxed. It was enormous. On the other side of the dance floor were long buffet tables filled with a spread of snacks and other hors d’ouevres including a champagne fountain. There was a lot of detail that went into designing the look of that presentation alone. Multilevel platters held a multitude of different cakes, truffles, tarts and other snackable deserts. Another held various types of fruit, then onto the expensive caviar, shrimp, bacon wrapped scallops,
“Oh dear. This is really beautiful.” Peach was never her favorite color, but she had to admit, her mother did an outstanding job. More than likely she hired more than one wedding planner, but still, the final decision would have been hers. Her mother did have a talent in creating the most extravagant parties. She’d have to give her that. She knew this would be memorable for Anne and Royce and that’s what counted.
“It is.”
“I don’t want all of this for my wedding Lance, just our close friends.” She found it in her to tease him.
“Your wish is my command darling.” He took her hand and led her toward the bar. “First, I think you need a cocktail and I know I do if I have to deal with another lecherous admirer of yours.”
It was her turn to raise a brow. “Lecherous.” She smiled.
“It was a kind choice of words. You don’t want to know what I really want to say.”
No she didn’t. For some reason she knew he wasn’t used to using a filter but was doing so out of respect for her. He could tell by the muscle bulging in his jaw that he was clenching his jaw. Wow. She was certain she’d never seen him that annoyed. So she decided not to push it. It took a lot for Lance to show his moods. “You are such a gentleman.” She was trying to lighten the mood. It worked, he managed to respond with humor.
“No. I’m a lawyer.”
She laughed.
By the time her brother and his new wife said their nuptials, she’d had several. She still wept during the ceremony. Royce was completely in love with his bride and she was really happy for him. Melanie was one of Anne’s bridesmaids. No doubt due to the suggestion of her mother, but she was okay with that. She looked beautiful too. She was also relieved that she was able to relax a bit and enjoy this event, and herself. Most of it was due to Lance’s company. People that would normally try and bully or manipulate her seemed to know that he was a presence to be reckoned with. It wasn’t just her mother and Richard. There were a lot of people there that were craving gossip about her, but didn’t come directly to her to ask. Instead, they would do what they always did, make stuff up. Maybe a few years ago she would have cared about what people thought, but not now. She loved her home and what she did and couldn’t wait to go back. In Sulphur Springs, if people had something to say, they would say it. There wasn’t much of a caste difference there. She loved the people of her town. Her town. That sounded more wonderful than she thought.
For Royce and Anne though, her upbringing kicked in and she played the perfect socialite and mingled with the crowd introducing Lance to the wedding guests that she recognized. Some of them he already knew. She shouldn’t be surprised. She was discovering more and more about him every day, and none of it was a deterrent. He was everything she thought he was. That did not help her infatuation at all. Even now while he was conversing with one of the guests, she knew she was staring at him with love in her eyes. Quickly she averted her gaze and pretended to be interested in something the other person was saying. She really needed to guard herself better. While she was enjoying these few days alone with him, it would end eventually and she would be shattered.
Thankfully the announcement of the bride and groom’s first dance took her attention, and she wept again watching them. They genuinely looked deeply in love with one another. “I’m so happy for them,” she said to no one in particular.
“She’s really lovely,” Lance said genuinely.
“It means a lot to me that you like my brother and his new bride.”
He met her eyes. “What’s not to like? He’s a lot like you. Really down to earth. He’d fit right in with our family.”
That was a wonderful compliment. She couldn’t think of anything better he could say to her at that moment. She looked up at him. “Thanks for being here with me.”
“What are friends for?”
Three days ago, that statement would have thrilled her. Now it just made her heart sink.
Elizabeth, playing the wonderful hostess introduced Lance and Tammy to Anne’s father. He was a very regal looking man, with thinning gray hair, but a strong broad build. He came across as taciturn, but his eyes warmed when they landed on his beautiful daughter. He seemed to genuinely like Royce too. It was a short introduction because her mother shuttled him along. That was okay with Tammy because it was more of an effort than she expected from her mother and appreciated the little bit of it even if it was for Lance.
Lance kept his hand around her waist feigning possessiveness while they moved through the crowd. She wasn’t worried about anything as long as he was near. Her mother kept her distance after the brief introduction most likely due to her embarrassment from the night before. Her father tried to spend more time with her, but whenever he seemed to spend too much time, her mother’s shrill voice called him away.
Tammy had a few more drinks during dinner when she found out she was sitting beside Richard and Melanie again. It helped her cope with the leering stares. Again though, her mother insisted on meddling. Yet, she hadn’t even spent more than a few seconds with her. It was okay though. It should have hurt, but she was relieved that the woman was busy making sure everything was running smoothly. She had to hand it to her, she sure knew how to throw a party. Thankfully Lance didn’t let her sit down too much and kept her distracted. They spent most of the night dancing.
“How are you?”
He’d held her close during one of the slow songs and she felt like they were the only two in the world at that moment. His voice was deep and soothing in her ear. His grip was strong, firm, and confident. His muscular thighs rubbed against her bare legs repeatedly and it was hard to concentrate. Yet dancing with him honestly did relax her despite the distraction of his body. It even took her a moment to register that he’d spoken. Though, she didn’t know how she could have missed it. His voice was dripping with masculine sex appeal. “I’m actually having a good time. The wine has been helping,” she laughed softly.
He tightened his hold moving her closer and turned. “Good to hear.” He bent his head so his mouth brushed her ear when he spoke next. “And you do have such a beautiful laugh.”
Gosh she was going to just melt.
When he circled her around, she saw Melanie staring at them envious. Yes, he was convincing, wasn’t he? In fact, he almost
had her convinced.
Her eyes went to the other female spectators watching them with the same expression. Lance was definitely something else to look at and he was attracting attention. Yet, she was the one in his arms. He did a fantastic job at playing the adoring fiancé, and she could have wept over the show he was putting on just to make her happy. He acted as if she was the only woman on earth, that he adored her explicitly. He hadn’t even spared a glance at any of the other women there, and there were some gorgeous women. There was no way she could possibly be more in love with this man at that moment. She closed her eyes shutting everything out while he moved her skillfully around the crowded dance floor.
Before long, the bride and groom were being escorted to a white limousine for a sendoff on their romantic honeymoon. Royce said he was taking her to Italy. Anne and Royce both hugged and kissed Tammy before they left thanking her for coming and reminding her to phone more often. Royce shook Lance’s hand again telling him to make sure she did.
“I will. I promise.”
Royce seemed to be satisfied with that answer, blew his sister a kiss and got in the limousine.
The guests started leaving shortly after that, including her and Lance. She sought out her mother and father to say goodbye. Again George gave her a reserved hug and basically repeated what Royce said. Her mother was still cool, but thanked her for coming.
“Thank you, Lance.” Tammy shut her eyes and leaned her head back against the plush head rest of the car seat. “This could have been so much worse, and I think I actually enjoyed myself.”
“You’re drunk.”
She could hear amusement in his voice. She never drank like this, ever. He was the first one to see her in this condition and for some reason he found it funny. She smiled without opening her eyes. “Yes, yes, I am.” She rolled her head to look at him. “Did I do anything I might regret in the morning?”
He shook his head. His eyes were on her, amused and thoughtful.
“Good.”
“The night’s not over yet Tam,” he added in a husky voice.
She giggled and grinned. “Tsk Tsk councilor, are you trying to seduce me?”
He shook his head. “I told you, it’s up to you.”
At those words she shifted to turn her body toward him and he held up his hand stilling her movement.
“However, I don’t take advantage of inebriated women, even one as beautiful and adorable as you are at this moment.”
“Darn. I blew my chance. I’m drunk enough to be brave.” Her smile grew. She was feeling too good about herself to be insulted by his refusal. Of course the flattering statement he followed it with was certainly helping.
His eyes went over her face, then dropped to the v-line of the material covering her breasts before meeting her eyes. “Although, you do make a tempting argument Miss Easler.”
She didn’t know what came over her, but she knew the liquor had a lot to do with it, when she slipped her bared leg over his lap and slowly moved herself on him. She could see his resistance crumbling and the light humor in his eyes darkening to passion.
Lance reached over and pushed a button to raise the partition between them and the driver as Tammy framed his stubbly jaw in her hands and kissed him. He moved his hands up her bare thighs, cupped her bottom and pulled her abruptly against him. She gasped against his mouth at the sudden aggressive movement.
“Liquor or not, you are a brave girl,” he murmured, moving his mouth tenderly across hers. “Arousing a man like me could have consequences.”
“You said I have the power,” she whispered back while her hands moved down the material of his shirt at his chest.
“More than you know.” His face nuzzled the curve of her neck placing small soft kisses along her collarbone.
“You said I’d have to make the first move,” she whispered, tilting her head back giving him more room.
“Yes, darling, I did,” he whispered softly brushing his lips against the soft skin of her neck and she gasped again.
One of his hands curved to the small of her back as the other moved up cupping her head. He tilted his to capture her mouth fully, hard, opening his mouth wide and thrusting his tongue between her full lips. She moaned against him as her hands continued to explore the hard muscular contours of his body. His mouth felt amazing on her flesh. His tongue tantalized the contours of her lips, her mouth, and skillfully worked her own. She moaned.
“Enough,” he said gently pulling her back from him.
She was breathing hard as their eyes met. She wanted more, much more. It was easy to see the desire in her expression, and he did.
“I can’t Tam. You’re too drunk. I would if it wasn’t your first time, but someone needs to set the boundaries here.”
She suddenly started to doubt herself, but he corrected her as soon as her expression changed to reflect that.
“Before you think it, this isn’t a rejection. I just don’t want you to wake up with regrets the next morning. I can’t have that on my conscience.”
Her eyes searched his and she slowly nodded. Unconsciously her tongue traced her bottom lip. He saw it and his breath hitched. He closed his eyes briefly to regain his composure. When he opened them, he was in control of his desires once more. “Besides darling, I want you to remember everything.”
Didn’t he realize that it would be memorable no matter how drunk she was?
Neither one of them went to move her off his lap. After a long stretch she shifted, and his hand went to her thigh to stop her. Her eyes met his again.
“Stay.” He lifted his other hand and traced her cheek with two fingers. Then he pulled her against him moving her head to his shoulder. “I like the way you feel on me.”
“Me too,” she murmured into the curve of his neck.
***
CHAPTER FOUR
The next day she woke in her own bed, alone. She vaguely remembered anything after the wedding the night before. She sat up and groaned bringing her hand to her forehead as if that would still the pulsing pain at her temples. She’d never been hung over a day in her life, but now she knew why. It was really awful. It felt like someone was swinging a sledge hammer against her head and her mouth felt like she’d chewed on a dry cactus.
Light shone through the part in the curtains and it seemed to exacerbate the pain behind her eyes. “Oh lord, I’m a fool.” She slowly moved over, sat up on the side of the bed, touching her toes to the carpet and looked down. She was wearing her nightgown. Her fingers pinched the material as if it wasn’t real. Who undressed her? She shut her eyes trying to remember, but the room started to spin instead. She popped her eyes open. No luck. Ah, so frustrating! Last thing she remembered was shamelessly straddling a mocha-eyed Adonis. Oh, God, she could just die of embarrassment! She rubbed her throbbing temples with her hands. Still, blurry images of her on his lap kept resurfacing. How could she possible do that? She looked up at the far wall and decided to shove it out of her mind. She would go crazy thinking of how shameful she was. Argh, who put her to bed? She stood up and went to the bathroom for a shower refusing to linger on that any longer.
A half an hour later she made her way to the kitchen where Mavis was. “Hi.” She was massaging her temples again as she walked.
“Hello, did you want breakfast or lunch Miss Easler?” Mavis asked suppressing a smile.
“What time is it?” She never even thought to look at the clock in her room. That must have been a first for her. As a nurse she was addicted to her watch; when the doctor came, when symptoms began to show, when chest pain occurred, when atropine was given—everything. In fact, she was certain she hadn’t checked the time all weekend. She knew why. She didn’t want to see the time go by while spending it with Lance.
“It’s two in the afternoon,” Mavis answered with her eyes laughing.
“Oh dear.” No wonder she was so hungry. “I’ll have lunch I guess.”
“Tea, coffee?”
“Water…lots of water.”
/> Mavis retrieved a glass and filled a pitcher before setting it in front of her. “I’ll make you something your stomach can handle.”
Tammy laughed, “Do I look that haggard?”
“Mr. Hartley told me you were into the sauce last night and take it easy on you,” Mavis chuckled.
“How considerate.” She smirked. Sauce? She might have actually laughed if her temples didn’t throb.
“He’s nothing but,” she answered with clear admiration in her tone while turning back to the counter. “How about a crab salad?”
“Sounds perfect.” She spun in her stool and looked around the room. “Is he here?”
“He stepped out for a bit. He told me to let you know he’d be back before supper.”
She felt disappointment at missing him. She also wanted to know who undressed her and put her nightgown on. She certainly wasn’t going to ask Mavis. If it wasn’t her, which she was sure it wasn’t, she didn’t want the woman to know that Lance had done it and she couldn’t remember.
Mavis placed a bowl of salad in front of her. “Oh, and these.” She set two white tablets next to the bowl on the counter. “Mr. Hartley thought you could use some acetaminophen.”