by Lietha Wards
“It is. Darn delicious too.”
It was Vern that answered her and she felt herself smile. That was probably the most he’d said to her in three days. Lance turned at that moment and raised his hand in greeting. He was still too far away for her to hear the conversation, but she was wondering if it was Marianne. After meeting the woman last night, and Lance’s confession of her possessiveness, she wondered if seeing them together made Marianne become a little more aggressive in that aspect. Her eyes darted in his direction a few times while she bit into one of the pancakes. Then she closed her eyes and groaned. “I love you Mavis.”
“I told you.”
She opened her eyes to Vern’s voice and nodded. He was giving her a rare smile. Then his eyes went to the bruise on her cheek and she could see a barely detectable wince, then a flash of anger. He shook the paper to straighten the spine and continued to read diverting his eyes. Obviously he knew that she could see it bothered him and he didn’t like to reveal that side of him.
“You two flatter me,” Mavis said pouring her a cup of coffee and refilling Vern’s.
Tammy was certain she was blushing if she wasn’t so dark skinned. “I thought I made good pancakes. Mavis I need this recipe.”
She shrugged acting like it was no big deal. “I just threw it together.”
“Such humility,” Tammy said flattering her again.
Vern chuckled.
Then Tammy felt an arm around her waist and a familiar hard masculine mouth press to her forehead. “Sleep well?”
She must’ve turned beet red at that question. Mavis knew where she was sleeping and now that she was the color of a fire truck, Vern did too. She could kill Lance.
Vern picked up his paper starting to read again. She looked toward the kitchen and Mavis had busied herself with cleaning.
Tammy wanted to chastise him for her embarrassment, but when she looked up at him, he actually looked slightly irritated. Slightly, in Lance’s world, was a lot. She lifted her brows inquisitively and he shook his head subtly. Was it because of the phone call? Did someone give him bad news?
Vern put down the paper and picked up his cup. He stood up and went into the kitchen out of sight.
Tammy now realized the man could read his boss better than she could. Something was bothering him and Vern felt it necessary to make himself scarce. “What is it?”
He cupped her chin and lifted her head to meet his gaze. His eyes searched hers for a moment. Then he finally seemed satisfied with what he saw. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
He shook his head and released her. “Eat. We have to get you a dress.”
She sighed heavily. He wasn’t going to tell her, and as irritated as she was, she wouldn’t ask.
Once inside the car, he pushed a button and rolled up the divider between the front and the back to give them some privacy. She gave him her undivided attention.
“I know you won’t ask again what was bothering me, Tammy, so I’m going to be honest because I like the openness we have. Vern is a good man,” he finally said.
She scrunched her face. What was he talking about?
He took a deep breath and released it as if to remove some of his tension. “Look Tam. I’m in unfamiliar territory here.”
“I don’t understand.” She was still confused.
He nodded already knowing that. “I’m feeling oddly possessive of you.”
Her heart leapt. Her lips parted.
“I was your first lover. I hadn’t realized how that would make me feel when there are other men around. Even harmless men—men in my employ.”
She tilted her head in confusion. Then her eyes popped wide. Vern? He was jealous of Vern? Seriously? God there was no other man on the planet that could affect her with a mere look like he could.
“So you see.”
It wasn’t a question. He’d seen her look of revelation. “Oh, Lance. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Vern’s a good looking man. He’s single, and very capable of looking after someone like you.”
“Are you kidding?” That was like comparing apples and oranges to her.
“He easily warms to you too. This is something I haven’t seen before, and he’s been with me going on eight years. Usually he’s indifferent towards my girlfriends.”
Wow. Now this makes sense. Still, there’s no comparison here. Did he think that now he opened up her world to sex that she wanted to try everyone out? The thought should have angered her but instead she found herself smiling. Lance was actually jealous. Lance’s stoic legendary composure had a chink in the armor.
He raised a single brow seeing her expression.
“I thought I was the only green-eyed monster here.”
He chuckled, seeming to relax. “I told you this was uncharted territory for me.”
“I seemed to remember saying the same.”
I just don’t want another man to touch you. I was the only one to have you and it has jolted me.”
“Maybe you needed a little jolting. I know I did.”
He nodded again. “Perhaps.”
She could see the return of his control. He certainly did recover well. She was still unbalanced after their first night together. She undid her seatbelt and moved onto his lap hoping he didn’t protest, and he didn’t. His arms went around her and she kissed him. Lance responded possessively, kissing her hard, devouring her offered mouth. She whimpered against him and he finally, reluctantly eased her away.
They just stared at one another for a long time. She felt her insides melt as their eyes met and held. She didn’t want this to end, but knew it would, sooner or later. Then there was the guilt. He’d been honest with her, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth, that she was in love with him, and always had been. Yet, she seemed to forget that he was really good at reading people, especially her. He just seemed to lack the insight to what emotion that she kept hidden.
“What’s wrong?”
She shook her head.
“You look guilty.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“What do I think?” he said softly, thoughtfully.
“You think it’s because I noticed Vern, the way I notice you. That’s not it.”
“Actually I wasn’t thinking that.” he smiled. “I believed you when you said there was nothing.”
“Well, you have to give me time on this one then.”
He seemed to contemplate that for a moment, his eyes searching her expression. “All right.”
That seemed too easy. Since when did he let things go? Thankfully he explained.
“At first I thought it was the ruse we are putting on for your family because you are so ethical, but we’ve established your guilt over that. This seems deeper. I’ll give you time, but not much. I told you before that I’m impatient when it comes to you, so I do expect you to tell me what is bothering you. ”
“I would be surprised if you didn’t.” Obviously he knew this wasn’t the time to press her. She was grateful. Yes, she’d made up her mind, that she would tell him how she felt, but not so soon. Not yet.
“Now on to something more appealing. These jeans make your ass look fantastic.” His hand moved over her hip and cupped one of her cheeks.
“Flatterer.”
His eyes darkened. “If you knew how damn hot it was seeing that exquisite piece of anatomy naked and move against me, you wouldn’t tease.”
Her expression dropped and she was certain she felt a tightening deep in her pelvis.
“What’s even sexier is the fact that I’ve been the only one to have my hands on the bare skin of it. Hell Tammy, it turns me on just thinking about it.”
Her mouth parted again. She was doing her best to remember to breathe.
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that I wish I wore a dress.” Her eyes met his, full of desire.
He chuckled. “You never cease to amazing me.” He kissed her again.
“It’s okay. Tonight will be all the sweeter with this sexual anticipation between us.”
“If you say so.”
He chuckled and reached into the inside pocket of his suit withdrawing his wallet then the familiar black credit card.
Tammy reluctantly moved off his lap and studied the expensive boutiques along the sidewalk.
He handed her his credit card. “Surprise me.”
Her brows rose. “Oh, so you’re not going to tell me what to buy?”
He chuckled, “No. You have elegant tastes. You know what looks good with your body, so you don’t need me. I trust you.”
Trust. Again the guilt. Why couldn’t she just blurt it out and get it over with? Well, because she was too scared thinking he’d end it, that’s why. She took his card just as Vern opened the door.
“We’ll wait. Take your time.”
She nodded and got out of the car, smiled at Vern and went into one of the boutiques.
She started feeling guilty because she’d walked in and out of three stores without getting that gut feeling that anything in there would suit her. She honestly was looking for something sexy, yet classy. Something that would make Marianne take a back seat to her tonight. Vern just maneuvered the car every time she came out of a shop and into the next one. Finally, in the fourth store, she saw what she wanted. It was a long stunning dress with a bustier bodice of nude material, elegantly beaded and trailed down to a long black skirt. She was glad Lance stayed in the car because she didn’t want him to see this. She wanted to knock his socks off tonight. Also, he was too darn good looking. The sales ladies probably wouldn’t have been as attentive if he was in there with her.
In the dressing room it fit her perfectly. She looked at the price tag and near fell over. It cost over two thousand dollars. How could she possibly accept that from Lance? She rubbed her forehead and looked in the mirror. “Remember Tammy. You are on a mission here,” she said to herself. Then she puffed out a breath for courage. The dress was as elegant as could be without making her look desperate. It made her figure stand out and that was the deciding factor. She couldn’t pay Lance back but she had to get the dress.
Vern was standing beside the car when she emerged. He instantly took the long opaque bag from her. She thanked him, and he opened the door. She slid in beside Lance.
“So?” he asked tucking his phone away into his inside suit jacket pocket.
Vern shut the door behind her.
“So what?” she teased
A smiled pulled at his mouth. “Oh, it’s going to be like that.”
She handed him his card back. “I owe you a lot of money.”
“Good girl.” He smirked as he tucked the card away in his wallet.
“Doesn’t it bother you a little?”
“I won’t miss it.”
“That’s not the point.”
He gave her his undivided attention. “Tammy, you aren’t like that. You went out of your way to abandon this lifestyle, so you could give back to people what you thought you’d taken from them. I assure you, you do not need to feel guilty about this. I would buy you a whole new wardrobe, but I know you won’t let me.”
“I just don’t like to feel beholden to someone.”
“I free you of that right now. You owe me nothing,” he teased.
“It’s not like you can wave a magic wand Lance. It’s who I am.”
He tilted his head. “You take the guilt of your mother’s and Richard’s condescending behavior towards others, and who knows how many more people. You carry it all on your shoulders. You need to stop doing that. It’s not your fault.”
She bit her lip and turned away.
“You were meant to be bathed in beautiful things Tammy,” he added softly. “You are elegant, smart, sexy and any man would be privileged to have you.”
Gosh she could just cry. He was just so perfect. He made her feel like she actually deserved his attention.
“Hey.”
She felt his strong fingers under her chin turning her head to face him. “You have no reason to carry that burden. You have nothing to prove anymore. Your friends, we, love you for who you are.”
Love? As in family love, friendship love? She wanted love love. The type of love she finally knew existed, like between Elaina and Colt, and Tess and Jacob. That kind of devoted love.
“I want you to accept this as a gift and not feel like you owe me.”
“I’ll try.”
He smiled slightly still knowing it still bothered her.
The car started to move again. She resolved to staring back out the side window. She could feel his eyes on her, but chose to stay in her own world for the moment. She knew he was concerned, but there’s nothing he could say that made her feel better at the moment, and from his lack of trying, he knew it too.
“I have to take you home. I’m needed at the event. I’ll come back for you in a few hours.”
She nodded not saying anything. He would be there with Marianne, all buxom, beautiful, and flattering.
“You don’t need to worry,” he said suddenly as if reading her thoughts.
She turned and looked at him. “Okay.”
He lifted his hand and ran two fingers down her cheek. “Let me tell you why. You are more beautiful than she is; you are kind, generous, and you make love with total abandon. Your body is very responsive to my touch to the likes of which I’ve never experienced before. I don’t think you realize how rare those qualities are. I wouldn’t ruin that.”
“Lance, I don’t have enough to base my performance on, and you have so much, so I’m really insecure over it. That’s not easy for me to admit.”
“I know, so what I said is the truth. You need to trust me.”
“I’m trying.”
He stared at her in that thoughtful way that made her heart triple its pace. Then he pulled his sleeve back and looked at his watch.
Her eyes followed the gesture with curiosity. “What?”
“I guess I’m wondering if I have enough time to convince you. I suppose being late isn’t going to kill me.”
She felt a thrill go through her. Lance was never late for anything. He was meticulous.
Oh and by the time he left the penthouse, he was over an hour late. An hour late, and sated. Oh yes, he’d convinced her and left her in a tousled mess, naked in his bed. She was asleep and didn’t even hear him leave.
Before she knew it, Vern was knocking on the door of his room. She lifted her head and looked around trying to gauge her surroundings. Her hair fell over her face, and she blew it off.
“Tammy?”
She rubbed her forehead and sat up staring at the large double doors. She gathered the sheet over her breasts feeling suddenly exposed. “Yes?”
“Mr. Hartley called. He’s running late and asked me to fetch you. He’ll meet you at the entrance of the event,” came Vern’s muffled voice through the heavy doors.
“Oh dear. Of course! Twenty minutes?” She threw back the covers and hopped out of bed.
“That will be perfect.”
***
Okay, she wasn’t expecting a gathering this big. She’d never been to the IVOC charity dinner, but it felt as though she was attending a Hollywood premier with the amount of press and people present.
Vern glided the car up to the entrance and someone opened the door for her and offered her his hand. She accepted and got out to flashes of light. Gosh, she certainly wasn’t a celebrity but she supposed they were taking pictures just to make sure they didn’t miss anyone important.
After a moment the flashes started to subside because another stretched limo pulled up to the entrance and they focused on those occupants. She saw Lance then. He was standing beside Marianne and she had her arm looped through his. It looked like they were being interview by a reporter. He was still a vision of masculine perfection though. How he en
ded up in a tuxedo from the suit he had on a few short hours ago surprised her. Did he change here? Maybe he changed at Marianne’s? Oh, why was she being like this? Surely there was nothing left in him after he’d left her that afternoon. She felt herself smile.
It was at that exact moment another flash went off in her face. Then Lance saw her. His expression barely revealed it, but she could see it clearly now because she knew him better—desire. Unmistakable, red-hot, desire. His eyes went down her body slowly and a carnal look appeared in his eyes. When they met hers again there was a mixture of that and possessiveness. She walked toward him just as the interview ended. There were many other people along the entrance way, arriving the same time as her, but she never even noticed any of them.
Marianne was distracted by someone else who greeted her as Lance turned and walked away without a word. Tammy could see the look of disappointment on her face as he’d left, but she’d yet to recognize her yet.
His arm went around her waist and he leaned down and kissed her cheek before whispering in her ear. “This is not a fair fight. Marianne is going to faint.”
She smiled. “I never claimed to play fair.”
“I just want to rip that thing off you right here. You are the most desirable woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’m going to be impatient as hell to get you home and be inside you again.”
His deep husky voice just exacerbated that promise. And her heart leapt. Oh lord, she could just melt. Every inch of her throbbed at those words.
“Oh Tamara, how lovely for you to join us. I wasn’t sure you were coming when you didn’t show up with Lance.”
Us? She moved back and saw Marianne come and stand a little too close to Lance for her liking. “I was getting ready.”
“Of course. Your dress is lovely.”
Marianne wore a black sequined number that was strapless, and she could see now that the woman was heavily endowed. She was practically spilling out of the top. Gosh, she was really pretty and the dress only flattered her more. “You look beautiful.” Tammy couldn’t help it. She was being honest despite her jealousy.
“Oh, this old thing. I’ve had it for months now.”