by Judy Angelo
And she was not disappointed. The Paris show was the most spectacular she’d ever seen, even more breathtaking than the one she’d been involved in, the one that had led to her meeting her boss who now sat by her side. She’d been given a place of honor, the seat right next to Reed, a place she wished she could have for the rest of her life.
But that thought was for another place, another time. Shaking her head to clear her wayward thoughts, she turned her attention back to the display of tall, lanky models strutting and posing on the runway.
Long after the show was done the celebration continued in Reed’s penthouse suite in the Shangri-La. He’d invited all the staff members to celebrate, Golden included.
“Had fun at the show?”
Golden turned to see Michael, the new show director, holding two glasses of champagne. He handed one to her.
“Yes,” she said, “it was wonderful. I’m sure all the buyers were impressed. I know I was.” She meant every word.
Michael, looking pleased with her praise, raised his glass. “Cheers,” he said, “to success. And much more to come.”
She laughed and raised her glass to touch his then brought it to her lips. As she sipped she was still smiling, her eyes flitting over Michael’s fashionably shaggy blond head to something that was drawing her gaze like a magnet.
And that was when she saw Reed, so handsome in his stark-white suit, his blue eyes piercing in their intensity. Even from across the room Golden could feel the heat of his gaze. It was like he was seeing no-one else but her. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, she blushed and lowered her gaze.
For the rest of the night as she wandered around the suite, conversing with her co-workers, members of the media and Reed’s guests, Golden was hardly aware of anything else but Reed. How she wished the crowd would disappear, leaving them alone, just the two of them. Only then could Reed grant her wish. She wanted him to kiss her again.
The gods must have been on Golden’s side. As if by some unseen signal the guests began to filter out. Not all in a rush, of course, but a couple left first and then a lone staff member and then a group of four. The media personnel began gathering up their equipment and then they began saying their goodbyes and heading out, too.
Golden’s eyes flew to Reed. Did he have something to do with this or was she just imagining things?
Glancing at her watch she saw that it was already eight minutes after eleven o’clock. Well, no wonder everyone was leaving. It was late and they’d be heading back to England the next morning. As much as she wanted to stay she’d better follow the example of the others and head back to her hotel room.
Feeling deflated that the evening had come to an end she walked over to where Reed stood talking with his marketing director. “Excuse me,” she said, giving the director an apologetic smile then turning to Reed, “I just wanted to say goodnight.”
“You’re not leaving yet.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.
Golden raised her eyebrows. “Well, I...”
“I need to discuss something with you. Can you hold on for just a few minutes?” He didn’t wait for her answer but turned to the man standing beside him. “Dan, can you excuse me? We can finish our talk tomorrow.”
“Sure, no problem. Tomorrow’s good.” He bid Golden goodnight and as he turned to leave he called out to Ben and Stacey, two members of his team who were still lounging in front of the television, deep in conversation. “Let’s go, chaps. Time to scoot. We’ve got to get up with the sun.”
After Dan had left, taking the last two guests with him, Golden turned to face Reed. “What was it you wanted to discuss?” she asked, the pace of her heart quickening, hope rising inside. Did he want to discuss business or did he just want to see her? She hoped it was the latter.
“Why don’t you make yourself comfortable?” he asked, waving her over to the gigantic couch facing the wall-sized television screen. “What would you like? Wine? More champagne?”
“I don’t think I should have anything else,” she said. “I already had a whole glass of champagne and I might get dizzy.”
Reed only laughed. “You’re not driving. You’ll be all right. I’ll get you something.”
He turned, leaving her standing in the middle of the room. There was nothing left to do but go and sit in the couch as he’d instructed.
When Reed returned he was carrying two glasses of white wine. He sank down onto the couch and held one of the glasses out to her. “Here you go,” he said. “This will calm your nerves.”
She took it from him. “How did you know?” He must have seen her agitation even while he was so calm and collected. Gratefully, she took a sip. Right now she needed her wits about her and if this would help, she would gladly partake.
He smiled, not drinking, just watching her. “I know you,” he said softly, “and I know exactly what you need right now.”
Golden clutched the stem of her glass as she stared back at him. “You do?”
“I do,” he said with a chuckle then reached out to take the glass from her nerveless fingers. “Right now what you want is to be kissed.” He smiled and it was a slow, seductive smile. “And I’m the perfect man to fulfill your desire.”
Reed deposited the wine glasses on the coffee table then leaned over to curve his arm around Golden’s shoulder, pulling her into his embrace. He bent his head, his breath warm against her cheek then his lips traced a path across to her ear where he began to nibble at the lobe.
Golden gasped, the sensation so stirring, the teasing so tantalizing that she couldn’t help but respond. Hardly knowing what she was doing she slid a trembling hand over the silky fabric of his shirt, feeling the hard pectoral muscles beneath her fingers, reaching up until she was clinging to his strong shoulder.
As if in answer to her unspoken prayer Reed let his lips slide back to her mouth where he kissed her with such ardor that when he finally drew back she was left breathless and panting in his arms.
“I want you, Golden.” His voice was a hoarse whisper as he gazed down at her. “So bad, you would never imagine.”
She lifted her head and looked deep into his eyes. “And I want you,” she dared to whisper.
With a groan that sounded like frustration he lowered his head again but this time it was to kiss her cheeks, the column of her neck and to her shock and gratitude, the tops of her breasts exposed by the V neckline of her dress.
Instantly her nipples hardened and instinctively she reached up to pull him into her, clutching the back of his head, pressing him against her. Oh goodness, she wanted more. So much more. There was a tension building inside and she felt she would die if she didn’t find release.
And then, even as her heart pumped like it was nearing the finish line, he made it race even faster when he slid his lips down across the mounds of her breasts, closer and closer to that so sensitive part of her. Her sensitive buds stood at attention, aching in anticipation of his kiss. It was a sensation she’d never known before but she wanted it. She wanted him. She could not wait a moment longer.
At the thought of his lips on her nipples her mouth went dry and another more intimate part suddenly grew moist. She gasped at this other shock, another startling reaction by her body in response to his touch.
Golden moaned and slid lower in the couch, tilting her body back to grant him greater access. It was like she could not get enough of Reed’s caress.
She was lost, over the crest of the hill and there was no turning back. She didn’t want to. Tonight she would let the man of her dreams, Reed Davidoff, make a real woman of her.
Eyes closed tight she waited for him to tug at her dress, pulling the top down that one last inch, exposing her fully to his gaze. She waited. And waited. And then she felt him pull back. Then he was straightening the top of her dress and sliding the spaghetti strap back onto her shoulder.
Her eyes snapped back open. “What’s wrong?” Heart sinking, she searched his face. “Did I...do something wrong?”
He
shook his head as he turned away from her. “Not you,” he said. “It’s me. I can’t do this. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“But you’re not,” she protested. “I want this, just as much as you do.” She reached out to touch him on the arm. “Please, Reed. Don’t stop now.”
He looked at her then, his eyes flashing with fiery emotion. “I won’t do it, Golden. Not like this.”
She could see that he was resolute. No amount of pleading would make him change his mind. Slowly, she drew her hand away. “Then maybe you’ll do it,” she said softly, “under other circumstances.”
She reached for him again but this time it was to take his hand in hers. “Reed Davidoff, would you do me the honor of being my husband?”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Shock shooting through him, Reed jerked his hand from Golden’s grasp, his jaw slack as he stared at her. “What did you say?” He could only imagine that his ears must be playing tricks on his.
“I just asked you to marry me,” she said and she was staring directly at him, not blinking, looking like she meant it.
“You’re not serious?”
“Of course I’m serious. Why wouldn’t I be? I...” A shadow fell across her face and her confident air suddenly vanished. “I thought you liked me.”
Reed almost groaned. Now how was he to answer that one? Of course he liked her. In fact, what he was feeling for her was a whole lot more than liking. But what good would it do to tell her that? All it would do was hurt her even more.
When he didn’t answer she reached for him again and at the touch of her delicate hand his heart sank, knowing the hurt that was to come.
“You don’t...want to marry me, then?”
Her voice was faint with hopelessness and distress and he felt his heart wrench inside his chest. There was nothing he could do but be honest.
“I can’t,” he said, his voice low and bitter. “I’m already married to someone else.”
***
Golden felt the blood rush from her head. Suddenly she felt faint. Blinking, she put a hand to her forehead and fell back against the couch. She felt like the air had been punched out of her lungs.
She couldn’t move, she couldn’t speak, she could not even breathe. She’d been thrown into a nightmare that was worse than any she could have imagined. The man she loved was already taken. He’d already given his heart to someone else.
And then it hit her. He’d been misleading her the whole time she’d known him. Reed Davidoff had been leading her on.
And in the midst of her devastation, red-hot rage began to rise in her breast. She turned toward him, angry heat blazing in her face. “How could you? You made me think you were interested in me. You made me think you were free.” She dropped her gaze to his left hand. “You’re not even wearing a wedding ring.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Then what did you mean to do?” she spat and shot up from the seat. She could not bear to sit by him one minute longer. “You kissed me, you made me want you, you made me fall in love-” She broke off, suddenly realizing she was saying too much.
Clenching her fists by her side, her body rigid with rage, she glared down at him. “I hate you, Reed Davidoff. I hope I never set eyes on you again.”
Before the last word left her lips she spun around and flew to the door.
“Golden.”
The sound of Reed’s shout filled her ears but she did not stop. Golden ran, not even stopping to get the elevator. She flew toward the stairs and ran down, down, until she got to her floor.
Finally, weak from shock and weary from her flight, she dragged herself to her door, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Reed Davidoff had hurt her like she’d never been hurt before. She didn’t think she would ever get over it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Golden didn’t know how she survived the flight back to England in the same plane as Reed, in the same plane as his team. She’d had to pretend that everything was fine, laughing at their jokes, joining in their conversations from time to time. She’d pasted a smile on her face for the entire flight when all she wanted to do was hide herself inside a hole and cry.
When the plane landed in London and their papers had been checked Golden made a quick exit, not wanting to prolong her torture one minute longer than necessary. Reed called after her but she ignored him, sighing with relief only when she was safely ensconced within the four walls of her car.
It was when she was driving home that she gave free flow to her emotions, her shoulders shaking with sobs as she slowly drove home. When the flood of tears threatened to blind her she pulled over to the side of the road, switched off the engine and hugged the steering wheel to her chest. Then she cried like she would never stop.
Thank God when she got home everybody was out. She didn’t have the strength to face anyone right then. She dragged herself up to her room and locked the door, grateful for the solitude and the solace of her bed.
Next day Golden woke at six in the morning as she always did but this time she did not hop out of bed and rush off to prepare for work. For a long time she just lay there staring at the ceiling, wondering if she would ever feel normal again.
Seven o’clock came and she was still lying there. Eight o’clock came and she still hadn’t moved. There were no more tears. She’d shed them all the night before. Now, though, there was a numbness that made her feel like a shell filled with lead.
She jumped when she heard a pounding at her door.
“Golden, aren’t you going to work today?”
At the sound of her mother’s voice she groaned then pressed her cheek into the pillow. “No, mother,” she said loudly, forcing a hint of life into her voice. “No work today.”
“Oh.” Eugenia sounded surprised. “All right, then. Get some rest. I imagine you’re tired from your trip.” Then her footsteps sounded, padding away from the door and down the hallway.
Golden was not disturbed again until nine o’clock when her cell phone rang, exactly thirty minutes after she should have reported to work. She didn’t even have to look at the screen to know who it was. She did not pick up the phone and she did not answer.
Golden closed her eyes and she did not open them again until almost ten o’clock when her tummy began to growl. She sighed. No matter that her emotional world had just disintegrated her physical being still demanded attention. She rolled out of the bed and headed for the bathroom.
She dragged on sweat pants and an old T-shirt and went downstairs to make herself a quick breakfast. A glance around told her there was no-one in the kitchen. Grateful, she dashed in and filled a bowl with cereal and almond milk then she grabbed a spoon and beat a fast retreat back to her room.
She’d finished eating and had returned to the refuge of her bed when she heard a car pull up to the house. Darn. She knew that sound. It was her stepfather’s car that had just purred to a stop in front of the house. Golden’s heart sank. She’d hoped he’d be out for the day. She was not looking forward to being in the same house with him for the next several hours.
She was so intent on avoiding her stepfather that she didn’t even return her empty bowl to the kitchen. Instead, she rinsed both bowl and spoon in her bathroom sink then laid them out on top of her chest of drawers. Now what? She looked around the room and her eyes landed on a book she’d bought weeks earlier but hadn’t had time to finish. And it was a good read, too. Now would be the perfect time to lose herself in the pages of a romantic story set in the time of the Vikings. Maybe it would take her away from her own troubles.
She was all the way up to chapter ten, in the middle of a scene where the noble Viking had just kidnapped the daughter of his nemesis, when her cell phone began to buzz. This time she did pick it up and when she glanced at the screen she saw that it was exactly who she thought it would be. Well, Reed Davidoff could call all he wanted. She would never give him the satisfaction of an answer.
She dro
pped the phone on the bed, picked up her book and flipped to the next page, intent on submerging herself in a story she knew would have a happy ending. She would not let Reed spoil her day.
Golden was in the middle of chapter fifteen when there was another disturbance and she was forced to pause. Someone was ringing the doorbell. Once, twice, three times it rang. Golden frowned. Where was her mother? Where was Manchester? Why didn’t someone answer the door?
Breathing a heavy sigh she marked her page and headed out the door. She hoped it wasn’t one of those awful door-to-door salesmen pushing carpet cleaning services or lawn care. She wasn’t in the mood.
Golden swung the door open, the prepared arguments already forming in her mind. They had hard wood and stone floors and they had a gardener. Whatever they were selling, she didn’t need it.
She didn’t get a chance to use either one. She found herself staring up into Reed’s steely-blue eyes. “Reed,” she gasped then snapped her mouth shut. Then she remembered to glare at him. “What do you want?”
He took a step closer, his frame filling up the front door, forcing her to take a step backward. “Why didn’t you show up at work today?”
Tilting her face up, she met his stare. “I’m not coming back. I quit.”
His frown deepened. “You can’t just walk off the job like that. Your employment contract says you need to give two weeks’ notice.”
“Under the circumstances,” she countered, her tone biting, “no notice is necessary. I cannot work for a man I don’t trust.”
The blue in Reed’s eyes grew dark, his pupils dilating in anger. His lips parted as if he were about to speak and that was when she heard the voices drifting in from the back of the house. It sounded like her mother and Manchester had just opened the garden door and were entering the house, deep in conversation.
Golden’s hand shot out and she pushed Reed backward and away from the front door. Quickly, she followed him out the door and pulled it shut behind her.
“What’s going-”
“Shh. We can’t talk here. Just get in your car and take me down the lane.”