Marriage Prey

by Annette Broadrick

  What a great place to play, she thought to herself. Too bad she didn't have anyone to play against. Of course, she hadn't brought a racket, but it would be fun to sit and watch for a while before she made the walk back to her hotel.

  Robin found an empty bench and sat down.

  She wasn't sorry she'd followed her impulse to come out here. That same impulse had caused her to go home the next weekend after she'd booked her flight to California.

  As usual, her parents had thrown a party and all her brothers had come.

  It was after the party when all of them had been cleaning up that Robin had told them why she'd come home this time.

  By the time she'd finished, there hadn't been a dry eye in the place.

  Now as she soaked up the California sunshine Robin smiled at the memory of the hugfest that had followed her contrite confession.

  It was when her brothers had started to give her all kinds of suggestions and cautioning her about traveling alone in L.A. that she knew she'd been truly forgiven.

  She'd solemnly listened to all their advice and when she'd happened to glance over at her dad, he'd winked at her and had given her his very special dad-to-daughter smile that she hadn't seen in a very long while. She'd known then that she was truly home again.

  "Hey, let up a little, will ya?" Ray yelled across the net. "You're killing me with those serves, man."

  Steve grinned. "Weren't you the one complaining that I wasn't enough competition for you?"

  "Well, yeah, but that was before you signed up for more tennis lessons. You've had me running all over this court. I'm not sure my heart can take it."

  "You ready to quit?"

  Ray laughed. “Not on your life. Go ahead, give it your best shot!"

  They played fast and furiously for several minutes until the game and set were finished.

  Steve felt good. His game had improved in the past couple of years. He'd also taken up golf, which was a great stress reliever if he didn't take himself too seriously.

  There had been a great many changes in his life in the past two years, he was pleased to note. His island vacation had been a time of awakening for him. He'd kept his promise to bring more balance into his life.

  Ray joined him by their bags. ' 'Did you see her?''

  Steve glanced up from zipping the cover on his racquet. "Who?"

  "The redhead seated over there on the bench. I've only seen her profile, but she is one good-looking babe."

  Steve didn't look up. "I don't care for redheads," he said.

  "Gee, thanks," Ray said, touching his flaming locks. "You really know how to hurt a guy."

  "Not you, you idiot."

  "Darn, she's leaving. Mm-mm, wish I'd noticed her sooner."

  Steve glanced up as the woman who had been outside the fence two courts over from theirs strolled away from them toward the street. There was something about her— about the way she walked, the tilt of her head, her fiery hair tumbling around her shoulders...could it be? No, of course not. He thought he was over his habit of reacting to every tall, slender redhead he spotted. Out here, they were too numerous to mention.

  But there was something about this one that seemed so familiar.

  Somebody shouted, and she turned and looked back, so she now faced Ray and Steve. She wore sunshades, but when he got a good look at her, he knew he wasn't mistaken. There couldn't be two women like her on the planet.

  "Well I'll be damned," he murmured, his hands on his hips.

  "Probably, but that's nothing new. What did I tell you? She's really something, isn't she?"

  "Hold on, I'll be right back."

  Robin had turned back and continued to walk toward the ocean. Because of her leisurely pace, he had no trouble sprinting to catch up with her.

  "Robin?" he said, stopping a few feet away from her.

  She spun around, looking in several directions, and he was reminded of the time he'd gone to see her on campus. How long ago had that been? In some ways it could have been last week. In others, a lifetime.

  He'd thought of her at the time as being naive, when he'd been the one dazzled by the stars in his eyes, seduced into believing in happy ever after because of a torrid affair on a tropical island.

  She took her sunglasses off and stared at him. He could just imagine what she was seeing—after two sets of tennis he was hot, sweaty and probably a little aromatic.

  "Steve?" she said, her tone one of disbelief. Well, he could certainly relate to that.

  "Yeah, it's me. I had to look a couple of times myself when I first spotted you. You're the last person I expected to see here in Santa Monica."

  Ray came trotting up behind him. "Don't tell me you actually know her!" he said in disgust. "I can't believe your luck!"

  He turned to Ray. "This is Robin McAlister, Ray." He looked back at Robin. “Ray Cassidy is a good friend of mine. It's really weird that you should show up here. We play tennis here a couple of times a week when our schedules permit." He looked around. "Are you here alone?"

  She flushed. "Yes, I, uh, came out here on vacation. Today is the first time I've stayed out of the car and traffic. I decided to view the area on foot."

  Steve tried not to stare, but damn, she was something to see. She hadn't changed all that much since he'd last seen her. He'd forgotten how beautiful she was. "How long have you been in California?"

  "Oh! About a week. I still have another week before I have to go home."

  Ray asked, "Where are you from? And do you need a guide? I'll be glad to show you around all the night spots that you might not have seen, if you're on your own."

  She smiled, and her dimples flashed. Steve could still feel the same physical response to her he'd always had. Well, he wasn't dead, after all. Any male still breathing would respond to her. Just look at Ray.

  "I'm from Texas," she replied.

  "Do you need a ride back to your hotel?" Ray asked solicitously. "My car's right over there and I'll be glad to-"

  She shook her head, still smiling. "No, thanks. I'm enjoying the exercise." She looked back at Steve. "It's good to see you again. How have you been?"

  How had he been? Good question. You mean, after you broke my heart, trampled my pride and made a complete fool of me? Oh, I've been just great, no thanks to you.

  "Can't complain. So. You're on vacation. Decided against a cruise, did you?"

  She laughed, the sound light and so intoxicating he felt as though he could get drunk on it. Damn. He hated the way this particular woman affected him.

  "I believe I've had all the experience with a cruise that I can handle."

  Ray said, "Is that how you two met? On a cruise?" He looked at Steve. "You never mentioned it."

  Steve shrugged. "I wasn't on the cruise. It was a long time ago." He looked at her. "How are your brothers?"

  She nodded, as though giving him a point. ' 'My brothers are quite well, thank you."

  "Are you enjoying your life? Your job?"

  "Yes."

  "That's good to hear." He looked at his watch. "Well, it's been great seeing you again. Enjoy your stay in sunny California."

  Ray spoke up. "Hey, if you don't have anything planned for this evening, maybe we could get together for dinner." He looked at Steve imploringly.

  No. I don't want to see her over dinner. I don't want to spend any more time with this woman. I like my life just fine, thank you very much. She is not going to get to me ever again.

  "You mean with both of you?" she asked, showing some confusion.

  Ray smiled. "Well, if Steve has other plans, I'd be happy to take you out. Any friend of Steve's is a friend of mine." He touched her hair. "Us redheads need to stick together, you know."

  Steve didn't care if Ray took her out. He didn't care what she did or with whom. "Well, actually, I do have plans," he began to say. He watched her expression but couldn't tell what she was thinking. How had he forgotten how green her eyes were? Or the silkiness of her hair and skin? Or the way she had of tilting her
head slightly when she was listening? Or the— "But maybe I can rearrange things." He turned to Ray. "Give me a call later and let me know what you worked out. Maybe I can catch up with you at a restaurant."

  Steve gave them a wave and walked away.

  His heart was pounding so hard in his chest he was afraid he might have a heart attack before he reached the car.

  How could this be happening? What sort of sick coincidence would have her strolling by a tennis court where he hung out? He couldn't help but wonder if he would have run into her if he'd been out on the golf course.

  Their entire relationship had been a matter of ridiculous circumstances—from her wanting to look at tide pools to slipping and falling trying to get back to the boat.

  If this was his guardian angel's idea of fun, Steve was going to petition for another guardian.

  He would wait to hear from Ray. Maybe by then, he'd have put together something to keep him busy tonight. He didn't want to see them together. A horrible thought hit him. What if Ray fell for her like any man would? And what if they ended up together? His best friend might end up married to the woman who— The woman who—

  Steve decided not to finish that thought. He didn't want to think about it. All right.

  The only woman he'd ever wanted to marry; the only woman he'd ever wanted to be the mother of his children; the only woman he'd ever loved.

  There. Satisfied? I admitted it. But I'm not doing anything about it. I stuck my neck out and got it chopped off. I much prefer not being in love. It's considerably more comfortable.

  And boring, a little voice said.

  He ignored that little voice.

  Steve's friend seemed very nice. He made her laugh. In fact, he'd insisted on taking Robin back to her hotel so he'd know where to pick her up later.

  By the time they reached the hotel, she felt as if she'd known him forever. "Okay," he said, helping her out of the car, "I'll see you tonight, about seven-thirty or so. I can't believe my luck, running into an acquaintance of Steve's like this. I hope you'll let me be your guide for the rest of your stay."

  She pulled her hand out of his grasp with a smile. "We'll see, Ray. I enjoyed meeting you. I'll see you tonight, okay?" She turned and walked into the hotel.

  She made it all the way to her room before her knees gave way.

  How could this be? She wondered, limply sinking onto her bed. How could she have run into Steve Antonelli out of all the people who lived in southern California?

  Had he mentioned to her that he played tennis in Santa Monica when they'd first met?

  She couldn't remember. He'd told her he didn't live far from the beach and that he intended to spend more time there once he returned home. His condominium was located in West Los Angeles, so it wasn't too far-fetched to think he might visit this area. It was possible that on some level she'd known that and had made her plans accordingly.

  So now she was committed to having dinner with his friend, Ray. She liked Ray, but she was a little afraid he was hoping for a closer relationship than she was willing to consider. That was all that she would need—to date a friend of Steve's, like some lovelorn adolescent pining for the guy she could never get and hanging around the fringes of his life.

  It didn't help to remind herself that there had been a time when she could have been a part of Steve's life. Even though she'd known how rare love was, even though she'd known that what she felt was the real thing, she'd been too caught up in her battle with her brothers to appreciate all that Steve meant in her life.

  No, she hadn't grown up with him next door, but that didn't make what had happened between them any less real.

  She wondered if it would do any good for her to tell him how she felt. Would it change anything? Even if his feelings had changed, didn't she want him to know how much she regretted the way things ended between them?

  She would leave it up to fate. She might not see him tonight. He certainly had made no effort to find out where she was staying, making it clear that he had no intention of following up on their meeting. So maybe he wouldn't come tonight.

  Her discussion with her family had been successful. Maybe if she spoke to Steve, explained all that she had faced during these past two years, maybe— She didn't want to think about how he might respond, but the outcome could be as positive as her meeting with her family. And wouldn't that be a wonderful conclusion to her visit?

  She could only play the cards that had been dealt to her.

  Robin was suitably impressed when they pulled up in front of a restaurant that she'd only read about as being a hangout for the stars. Ray turned the keys over to the valet attendant and escorted her inside.

  She heard him say they had reservations for four, which surprised her. If Steve was planning to meet them, he obviously wasn't coming alone.

  Once they were seated and gave their drink orders, she asked, "I forgot to ask, is Steve married now?"

  Ray laughed. ' 'No way. He has no intention of getting married. Not with his job."

  She nodded. "Yes, he'd mentioned his concerns about that when we met. I just wondered, since you said there were four for dinner."

  Ray shrugged. "Well, when I finally ran him down this afternoon, he said he'd meet us for dinner and he'd bring his date. I don't know who, but if you know Steve at all, you know there's generally a line of women waiting to get his attention."

  The waiter returned with their drinks, so Robin didn't have to respond. She wasn't certain she could have, even if her life depended on it.

  Steve with a date.

  The thought hit her like a blow to her solar plexus, taking her breath away.

  Well, she'd wanted to know what had happened to him, hadn't she? She'd come to California with the idea of looking him up and then lost her courage, which was nothing new.

  So now she would have the opportunity to see him in his own element. Maybe after this she would be able to erase him from her memory and stop comparing every man she met with her memory of him.

  "Ah, here they come," Ray said, leaning over and speaking into her ear. "As usual, he's found him a hot one."

  Indeed he had. The woman walking in front of Steve as they threaded their way through the tables was everything that Robin wasn't. For starters, she was petite with a curvaceous figure shown to advantage in the short black dress with a deep V neckline.

  Her ivory skin was in stark contrast to her dark eyes and black curly hair worn long. When Ray stood to greet them, Robin expected his tongue to hit the floor.

  She really couldn't blame him. The woman was stunning, there was no other word to describe her.

  When they reached the table, Steve casually draped his arm across the woman's shoulders. "Tricia, this is my friend, Ray, and this is Robin, visiting our fair state from Texas."

  Tricia smiled at them both. "Hello," she said, and sat in the chair Steve pulled out for her.

  Robin felt as though she were in some kind of nightmare and hoped that she would awaken soon. She tried to keep up with the conversation, but it was difficult. All she could do was notice how Steve treated Tricia—the way he once acted toward her.

  Steve was a toucher—and it was obvious that he felt comfortable touching Tricia.

  Ray seemed to be enamored of her, as well. What was there not to like, after all? The woman had a husky, seductive voice that seemed to draw people closer to her. as though they were afraid to miss even a word.

  What was worse, despite her sultry good looks, Tricia was- a nice person. She didn't put on airs. In fact, she seemed to be totally unaware of her effect on the men at the table, as well as the ones in the restaurant who kept glancing at their table.

  As dinner progressed Robin knew that had she met this woman under any other circumstances, she would have really liked her. But the melting glances she kept giving Steve, the familiar way she had of speaking to him, touching his arm and hand, the way she sparkled as she teased him, made it clear that Robin didn't stand a chance to gain even a small part of Steve
's attention tonight.

  To think that she'd considered telling him how much she still cared for him. Thank God she'd been treated to this exhibition of mutual admiration before she'd spilled her innermost feelings to him.

  "I have a great idea," Ray said over dessert and coffee. "Let's go dancing and show these women off. What do you say, Steve?"

  Steve's gaze went to Tricia in a silent query. She gave him a mischievous smile and stroked his shoulder. "I'd love it," she said.

  "You sure?" he asked doubtfully.

  "Positive," she replied with a breathy laugh. "I'm having a wonderful time."

  Robin forced a smile on her face. "That sounds like fun," she said, lying through her teeth.

  She had no one else to blame but herself for the following hours of hell watching Steve and Tricia as they performed a great many Latin dances as though they'd danced together for years. He'd never mentioned to her that he liked to dance, that he had impeccable timing and a grace that made her remember his lovemaking like a hollow ache in the pit of her stomach.

  Ray was no slouch on the dance floor, himself. Robin had been shy about trying some of the dances, but he was so good at leading, that she quickly became comfortable following his direction.

  No matter how horrifying a nightmare might be, eventually it has to come to an end, and this evening was no exception. They would be leaving soon. Ray to return her to her hotel. Steve to take his companion home.

  "I think I'll visit the ladies' room before we leave," Tricia said when they'd returned to the table after the band took a break. She looked at Robin. "How about you?"

  Robin nodded. "Good idea," she said, picking up her purse. She followed Tricia into the elaborate lounge and through to the facilities. When Robin returned to the lounge area she sat down in front of the mirror and pulled a comb from her purse.

  She felt like a giant around Tricia, and when Tricia sat in the chair next to her, the contrast between them was almost laughably obvious. She watched with a rather morbid fascination as Tricia took a tube of lipstick out of her purse, then carefully outlined her full and sultry mouth.

  Robin had an immediate vision of Steve's mouth devouring Tricia's luscious lips. She swallowed and looked away.