by Cara Marsi
She shook her head to clear it. She really had to get a grip.
“My parents never took me here when I was little,” Tom said. “They always brought someone in to do fireworks on our property. I would have enjoyed this.”
Mary Beth looked up at him. “Why did your uncle sneak you into Little Italy?” she asked, suddenly remembering the conversation they’d left dangling.
He gave her a wry smile. “My parents felt certain parts of the city weren’t suitable for me. But Uncle Kevin felt differently.” His face softened. “He was really cool.”
She glanced down at the ground, trying to digest what he’d told her. Her heart tugged for the little boy who had to sneak to enjoy one of the city’s most popular treats. The boy who wasn’t allowed to mingle with the crowd at Rockford Park on July Fourth. Growing up rich wasn’t without its problems.
“There’s a trash barrel,” he said.
She handed him her empty cup and spoon and watched his long-legged gait across the grass toward the trash receptacle. His lithe agility made the men around him look like overblown dumplings.
Her heart bumped against her chest. God, he was beautiful. At one time she thought he might be hers.
Sadness clutched her and she sighed. They weren’t eighteen anymore. She had to remember the lesson of his betrayal and not open herself to hurt again. Ever.
“Tommy, darling.” The familiar, pretentious voice made Mary Beth grit her teeth.
Taylor Bennett, looking like a fifties movie star in skintight black capri’s, black slides, and a small khaki top, slithered toward Tom. Give me a break, Mary Beth thought.
Taylor slipped her arm through his and looked up at him, fluttering her thick lashes. White-hot anger scorched Mary Beth. She walked slowly toward them. She refused to let the bleached blonde intimidate her.
Tom smiled at Mary Beth when she reached his side. Taylor ignored her.
“I thought you were at the shore, Taylor,” he said.
“After you cancelled,” she pouted, “our other guests did too. Daddy, Mum and I decided to stay home and see what the locals do.”
Her perfectly made-up face brightened. “We’re having a little party at our house after the fireworks.” She stared up at Tom, her eyes wide. “Please join us,” she purred.
Taylor’s words and her proprietary attitude toward Tom made Mary Beth tighten her lips and curl her fingers into her palms.
Tom freed himself from Taylor and reached out to put his arm around Mary Beth’s waist and draw her close.
Immobilized by surprise, Mary Beth stood stiffly in his protective embrace. Then the realization that he’d pulled her to him in front of Taylor sent happiness surging through her. She relaxed against him.
“We have plans afterward,” he said.
Mary Beth flicked him a glance, but his expression was unreadable. If he wanted to use her to get out of an evening with the Bennetts, she’d let him.
Taylor’s contemptuous gaze swept over Mary Beth. Mary Beth arched an eyebrow and stared back.
“Tom, can I see you for a minute?” Taylor’s father, standing with some men a few feet away, beckoned.
“Be right back,” Tom said to Mary Beth. He headed for the group.
“So you two are having another fling,” Taylor said when they were alone. Her tight voice and ice blue gaze sent chills through Mary Beth.
“That’s really none of your business, Taylor.”
The blonde moved closer. The malice in her eyes made Mary Beth want to take a step back, but she held her ground.
“Don’t get too sure of yourself,” Taylor hissed. “Tom’s just with you because you’re different. Once he has his fill of you, he’ll be back where he belongs. With his own kind. With me.”
Mary Beth stretched herself to her full height and stared into the woman’s cold eyes. “Grow up, Taylor.”
Throwing her a look dripping with venom, the blonde stalked away.
“Everything okay?” Tom asked, coming up to Mary Beth.
She moved closer to him. “It is now.”
<><><>
With the blanket slung casually over his shoulder, Tom grabbed Mary Beth’s hand. They followed the crowd out of the darkened park. The swell of people forced her to stay close to him.
Wrapped in a sweet cocoon with Tom, she barely noticed the cries of small children and the talk and laughter that swirled around them.
The feel of his lean, muscular body spiked delicious shivers through her. She wanted his closeness, wanted her hand in his. She’d enjoyed being with him tonight. He always made her feel more alive, all her senses sharpened.
Mary Beth inhaled the acrid smell of lingering fireworks that mixed with the flower-laced air. The whole evening had been like that, the bitter with the sweet.
Her conversation with Taylor had left a bad taste in her mouth. But that didn’t matter now. Tom walked beside her.
Over the past months, and especially hours ago in her apartment, he had peeled away layers of himself, revealing a kind, sensitive man, so different from the Tom simmering in her memories all these years. At the park tonight he’d been so attentive, particularly in front of Taylor. Mary Beth’s pride had slowly melted with each new layer he exposed.
She glanced up at his strong profile. The truth hit her like a bucket of ice water. She needed Tom Sackett. Needed his strength and his acceptance of the woman she’d become and not of her as his teenage fantasy. Longing, and a dash of fear, stirred a heady brew in her stomach.
Someone in the crowd bumped hard against her, making her gasp.
Tom shifted the blanket to his other shoulder and tightened his grip on her hand. “Let’s get out of here before you’re trampled.”
She nodded, warmed by the concern in his voice.
He pulled her through the crowd, clearing a path for her, protecting her.
It had been so long since anyone took care of her, since anyone made her feel special. Her last residue of doubt dissolved into the warm summer night.
“This is better,” Tom said when they’d reached a moon-dappled side street. A few pedestrians hurried by them.
He slipped his arm around her waist and drew her closer. She leaned her head against the hard muscles of his upper arm, reveling in his power and heated masculinity.
“I liked the way the crowd kept pushing you against me,” he drawled. “They didn’t give you a chance to pull away like you always do.”
“I’m not pulling away now,” she said, glancing up at him.
“So you’re not.” His penetrating gaze made her insides shake.
He stopped and turned her to face him. With his thumb and forefinger, he lifted her chin to look into her eyes.
“I had fun tonight,” he whispered. “I like being with you.”
She swallowed. “I had fun too.”
“You’re not afraid anymore?” His gaze searched hers.
“I don’t know. I really don’t know.” A small grain of fear lodged in her throat. Could she trust him?
He brushed his finger slowly over her mouth. She shivered and parted her lips.
He slid his hand down her arm. The roughness of his skin against hers made warmth spread over her.
“It’s a long way back to your apartment,” he said. “I think we could both use the walk.”
Disappointment and embarrassment sliced through her. She’d been practically panting for him to kiss her.
When they reached the old Victorian, she faced him, prepared to say good-night. Years of tightly reined emotions warred with her yearning for him. If he left now she’d be safe. Did she want safe?
“I’ll walk you up to your apartment,” he said.
“You don’t—”
“No arguments,” he whispered. He touched his finger to her lips, stopping any further protests.
Tom cupped her elbow as he followed her up the steep stairs. His touch scorched her, making her grip the railing for support.
When they reached her apartment, she
unlocked the door, then turned to him.
“Thanks for everything,” she said. Her voice sounded thin. “It’s late. I’d better go.”
“You’re not going to invite me in for coffee?” he said.
The closeness they’d shared all evening held her as firmly as his burning gaze. The past didn’t matter. Nor the future. There was only now.
“You trust yourself alone with me?” she asked, not at all sure she trusted herself alone with him.
His smile tripped her heart. “No,” he said. “But I can handle it.”
She pushed her apartment door open. He followed her, closing the door behind him.
“Mary Beth,” he said in a thick voice.
She turned to him, lifting her face to his. He gathered her into his arms. The blanket slipped off his shoulder to brush her body as it slid to the floor. The soft wool felt harsh against her heated skin.
Tom kissed her with an urgency that seared her. She wound her arms around his neck and returned his kiss, giving him her heart and her soul.
His lips still on hers, he reached behind her to unbraid her hair. Her loosened hair, heavy and thick, cascaded down her back and over her shoulders.
He released her to cup her face between his hands. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered. He slid his fingers through her hair, a reverent look on his face. “I’ve dreamed of you like this.”
She refused to admit, even to herself, that she’d dreamed of him too. “Tom,” she breathed, reaching out her hand to trace the curve of his lips.
He pulled her to him and buried his face in her hair. “So sweet,” he murmured. “So soft.”
She clung to him, raining light kisses on his neck, inhaling his warm scent of summer-laced breezes. Happiness sang through her veins. The tenderness of his touch slowly dissolved the old hurts. She melted against him, pliant in his arms.
She took his face between her hands and kissed him, wanting to savor his taste. Cupping the back of her head, he moved his lips slowly over hers.
The truth snaked its way into her consciousness, wrapping around her heart until she could no longer ignore it. She loved Tom. Had always loved him. And always would. But the joy of being in his arms was tempered with anxiety. Would he abandon her again?
Tom pulled away and stared at her. He rubbed his thumb over her cheekbone. “You’ve been my fantasy for years, Cat Eyes.”
She stiffened. The golden glow that filled her dissipated, leaving her hollow inside.
“I’m not a fantasy, Tom. I’m real.”
“Very real,” he whispered, drawing her closer. “Mary Beth, you are so different from anyone I’ve ever known.”
His words froze her. Her old insecurities rushed at her, knocking her with hurricane-force winds.
Like an evil storm, Taylor’s words hovered over them. Once he has his fill of you, he’ll be back where he belongs. She hated to think the icy blonde was right.
She pushed away. She couldn’t do it. Couldn’t allow him into her heart again. Her feelings for Tom were deeper, more mature than before. If he rejected her again, the pain would push so deep she would never heal.
Tears threatened to spill. She wanted him to love her, Mary Beth Kendrick, not a dream he’d conjured up in his head these past years. Reality seldom lived up to fantasy. How long before Tom tired of her?
She lifted her chin. He wouldn’t get the chance to desert her. This time she was in control.
“Mary Beth?” He frowned, a questioning look on his face.
Cold resolve iced through her. What a fool to dream Tom could love her, that they had a future together. They were from different worlds and always would be.
“You’d better go, Tom,” she said in a tight voice. Her heart seemed to shatter like delicate crystal thrown against marble, but she held herself rigid, hiding her despair.
“What?” Shock hardened his features and disbelief flickered in the blue depths of his eyes. She fought the temptation to caress his face, to tell him she loved him. Pride, her defense for so many years, held her.
He touched her chin. She flinched.
“Mary Beth, what’s going on? Don’t shut me out.”
His gentle voice seduced her. To send him away now would leave a dull ache in her. But to lose herself to him only to have him toss her aside later would sear her with a burning pain that would last forever.
She breathed deeply, mustering her courage. “There can never be anything but business between us.” She backed away, folding her arms across her chest, as if she could protect herself from the heartbreak that emptied her soul.
Tom combed fingers through his thick hair. Tension creased his forehead.
“I thought we had an understanding,” he said. “We have something, Mary Beth. Don’t throw it away. Talk to me.”
Once he’s had his fill of you, he’ll leave. The mocking words played over and over in her head. She dug her nails into her palms. “Go, please. Don’t make this any more difficult.”
Anger replaced the confusion on Tom’s face. His eyes narrowed to dark slits.
“I need an explanation,” he said tersely.
She chewed her lip. “The fireworks, the good time we had, lulled me into forgetting, but I’ve come to my senses now.”
“Forgetting what?” he ground out. He moved toward her. She stepped back. He stopped. They stood in the middle of the room, facing each other. Tension covered them like a thick blanket.
“I’m not interested in anything other than a business relationship with you,” she said. The lie wedged into her heart like a sharp knife.
Hurt shadowed his eyes. She wanted to go to him, but she couldn’t release her heart. Too much pride and too much pain stood between them.
He let his breath out. Resignation softened his features.
“I guess I was wrong about you. You’re not the Mary Beth I used to know. I won’t bother you again.”
Pain flitted across his sculpted features before he turned to stride quickly out of the room. The loud click of her apartment door locking behind him left Mary Beth feeling utterly alone.
She sank slowly down onto the hard wooden floor. She choked back tears and hugged herself.
“What have I done?” she whispered.
CHAPTER NINE
Cr-a-a-ck! Mary Beth jumped at the sound of the auctioneer’s gavel striking wood. She slid a glance at the men and women, business owners like herself, who waited backstage with her for the charity auction to begin.
The others seemed oblivious to the tension in the air as they chatted and drank champagne cocktails. She seemed to be the only one who felt like a rolled up flank steak ready to be served to the highest bidder.
She pulled at the plunging neckline of her tight-fitting gown and fanned herself with the program she held. Whatever had possessed her to wear satin in August? She needed her head examined for letting Gail talk her into this.
The rustle of the audience taking their seats made her palms perspire. She swallowed and looked around for Gail. As co-chair of the prestigious event, Gail had flitted around all day like a butterfly on steroids. She caught her friend slipping through the heavy curtains from the front of the theater and beckoned to her.
“I can’t do this, Gail,” Mary Beth said when she reached her.
“Of course you can,” Gail said. “Just relax and let yourself have fun for a change. Think about all the money we’ll raise for the kids.”
Mary Beth blew her breath out. “I’m glad to help the kids, but there must be another way that doesn’t involve my being put on the auction block.”
“You are not being auctioned off.” Gail reached out a hand to tuck a trailing wisp of hair back into Mary Beth’s chignon. “The bid is for your services as a chef. And you look great. So don’t worry.”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” barked the auctioneer. “The third annual auction to benefit the Kids AIDS Foundation is about to begin.”
“Oh, God.” Mary Beth gave Gail a nervous glance and started to
take her place in line with the other participants.
Gail’s hand on her arm stopped her. “There’s something I have to tell you. Tom’s in the audience. With Taylor. But they didn’t arrive together. I saw her push herself on him.”
Mary Beth’s heart knocked against her chest. In a daze, she filed onto the stage with the others and took her seat.
Since she sent Tom away four weeks ago, she’d seen him a handful of times at business meetings. He always treated her with cool politeness, nothing more. Pride told her she’d made the right decision, but the ache in her heart grew sharper every day.
Against her will, she scanned the elegantly clad crowd. Her stomach tightened when she spotted Tom in the second row. Like most men, he looked handsome in a tux, but Tom’s sculpted looks made him stand out from the other well-dressed men. She swallowed around the dryness in her throat.
His gaze caught and held hers. She kept her head high, her expression fixed as her heart pounded. She couldn’t look away. Taylor, cool and elegant in black and diamonds, whispered in his ear, drawing his attention away.
Crack! The auctioneer’s gavel echoed the breaking of Mary Beth’s heart.
The auction got underway amid raucous shouts and laughter. Mary Beth tried to smile, but her lips trembled. She clasped her hands on her lap.
One after another of the services offered went to the highest bidder until only she and elderly Mrs. Bloom of Bloom’s Blossoms remained. Mary Beth forced a smile. Soon it would all be over.
“Our next item is a gourmet meal for two cooked in your own kitchen by one of the city’s best chefs, Mary Beth Kendrick, of Kendrick and Company Caterers and Party Planners,” the auctioneer shouted. “This is a real treat, folks. Do I have a bid?”
“Two hundred dollars,” a male voice rang out.
Widening her eyes, Mary Beth stared in the direction of the voice. A dark-haired young attorney she’d met at a recent party smiled at her. She gulped.
Other bids, in small increments, were yelled out.