The Cinderella Scandal

by Barbara Mccauley

  Rachel.

  "Mom is looking for you both," Tina said to her sister. "You've got to get back inside before—"

  "What is going on out here?"

  At the sound of her mother's voice, Tina froze, then slowly turned. Hands on her hips, eyes narrowed suspiciously, Mariska looked at the group assembled on the patio.

  "I was just—" Tina faltered. "We were just—"

  "Rachel said she had a headache," Reid said easily as he moved closer to Rachel. "I brought her out here for some fresh air."

  Stunned, Tina looked at Reid, wasn't quite sure why he was lying for them, but was thankful nonetheless.

  "That's right," Tina added quickly. "Jason and I just came out to see how she's doing."

  "Oh." Mariska glanced from Rachel to Reid, then her eyes widened with delight. "Ohh. I see. Yes, well, fresh air is good for a headache, is it not?"

  Nodding, Rachel glanced hesitantly at Reid, then smiled stiffly. "I … I'm feeling much better now."

  Her mother was obviously hearing wedding bells, Tina knew. What her mother didn't know, was that she was looking at the wrong groom.

  "Well, then," Mariska said, already turning. "I will just go back inside and tell your father that you are all right."

  "We'll be right there," Reid called after her. When Mariska disappeared back inside, Jason glared at Reid, then took Rachel's hand in a blatant display of possessiveness. "Rachel, we've got to settle this now. I'll talk to your parents and—"

  "No." Rachel pulled her hand from Jason's, then looked at Reid. "We didn't mean to involve you. I'm sorry."

  Tears shining in her eyes, Rachel quickly followed after her mother. Jason started after her.

  "Jason." Tina touched his shoulder and shook her head. "Please. Not now."

  Jason stopped; a muscle jumped in his jaw. Shaking off Tina's hand, he turned on his heel and stomped out the side garden gate, slamming it behind him.

  Tina slowly released the breath she'd been holding. That had been close. Too close. Forcing a smile, she turned to Reid. "Thank you. You have no idea what kind of disaster you just diverted."

  "Why don't you tell me?"

  Though her first impulse was to hold back, Tina reminded herself he had helped, after all. She supposed she at least owed him the truth. "Jason and Rachel are in love."

  The look he gave her said, "Duh."

  "Rachel doesn't like confrontation," Tina explained. "She knows my parents wouldn't approve of her dating Jason, so they've kept it a secret."

  "Why wouldn't they approve?"

  "For one thing, he's an employee. That's always been absolutely forbidden."

  "So why doesn't he just quit?"

  "It's not that simple." Tina sighed. "He's also the lead singer in a band called Controversy."

  "The struggling musician," Reid said thoughtfully.

  "A double whammy," Tina said with a nod. "Even if he quit the bakery, my parents still wouldn't approve. And Rachel won't let him quit the band. She knows how much his music means to him."

  "Is he any good?"

  "Rachel says so." Tina hugged herself when a cold breeze swirled leaves around her feet. "But it's a tough business."

  "You're cold." Reid shrugged out of his suit jacket and dropped it over her shoulders. "Here."

  "No, really, I'm fine, you don't have to—" When he took hold of the lapels and tugged her closer, Tina's protest died on her lips. She could feel his warmth inside the jacket, could smell his masculine scent on the brushed wool. When he tugged her closer still, her pulse skipped, then raced.

  "When I came out here tonight," he said, gazing down at her, "I thought you were the woman Jason was kissing."

  If she'd had any air left in her lungs, Tina might have laughed. "Me?"

  He nodded. "I thought you two were involved."

  She did laugh now, though it was such a throaty, deep sound that she wondered where it came from. "That's why you asked me about Jason earlier, after—" She stopped, felt her cheeks heat up.

  "After you kissed me," he murmured.

  "I kissed you?" Lifting an indignant brow, she angled her head and met his dark gaze. "That's not the way I remember it."

  "Yeah?" His gaze dropped to her mouth. "How do you remember it?"

  Ignoring the voice in her head that told her to run, Tina placed her palms flat on Reid's chest and leaned into him. She felt the steady thud of his heart under her fingertips and the heat of his skin through his cotton dress shirt. "Remember what?"

  Smiling, he lowered his mouth to hers.

  It was the same as before. The same wild rush. The same build of heat.

  The same insanity.

  His lips moved over hers, gently at first, barely tasting. Certainly not a kiss that should overwhelm or overpower, she thought dimly. Nothing that should make her knees weak or her mind numb.

  But it did all of those things. All that and more.

  A lot more.

  He changed the angle of the kiss, traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, then dipped inside to meet hers. Her breath caught, quickened. He tasted like coffee, dark and rich and hot. His hands slid inside his jacket and around her waist, pulling her body flush with his. His thumbs brushed over her rib cage, no more than a whisper from the underside of her breasts. Desire shot through her like an arrow, hummed deep in her throat.

  Afraid she might sink to the ground if she didn't hold tight, Tina slid her hands upward. His shoulders were wide and strong; she felt the ripple of muscle as she circled his neck with her arms.

  A tiny part of her brain fought to regain control of reason. This could go nowhere, could lead to nothing but heartache, that tiny voice screamed at her. She'd be way in over her head with a man like Reid. But it seemed that her body had a mind of its own, determined to enjoy the moment, consequences be damned.

  When he deepened the kiss, when the tips of his thumbs barely brushed the curve of her breasts, even that tiny voice shut up. She heard the sound of her own soft moan, but was too immersed in the sensations swirling through her to be embarrassed. His touch thrilled her, consumed her, and she knew she was lost.

  Reid felt the shudder roll through her body into his. He was no stranger to desire, to need, but this was something different, something stronger, deeper, than anything he'd experienced before. The urgency grew like a storm, dark and swirling, heavy. His pulse pounded in his head, in his body.

  Lifting his head, he gazed down at her, watched her slowly open her eyes. Passion smoldered there. Her lips, swollen and moist, enticed him to dip down and taste her again.

  "So sweet," he murmured against her lips. "So soft."

  Desperately he wanted to drag Tina upstairs to her aunt's apartment and finish what they'd started here, but the faint sound of laughter from inside the building reminded him where they were. Frustration had him tightening his hold on her, then mentally cursing his lack of timing.

  With a willpower he didn't know he possessed, he pulled away, then pressed his forehead to hers.

  "We should go back inside," he said with a sigh.

  She blinked. "What?"

  "My father will be arriving any minute," he explained. "They'll wonder where I am."

  "Oh, yes, of course." She stepped back, slipped his jacket from her shoulders and handed it to him. "Thanks."

  "Tina—"

  "It's no big deal, Reid." She tilted her head and smiled. "We got a little caught up in the moment, that's all. It happens."

  It happens? Annoyance tapped at his pride. "Twice now, if you're counting," he said dryly, and she at least gave him the satisfaction of appearing embarrassed.

  "I … I'm sorry." She dropped her gaze and folded her arms. "I'm not handling this well at all. I just don't want to give you the wrong impression, that's all."

  "And what impression was that?"

  "That I—that we—" She shifted awkwardly. "That this would go anywhere."

  "So what you're trying to say is," he said, keeping his voice even, holding
her gaze and watching her eyes widen as he stepped close to her, "you aren't going to sleep with me."

  She drew in a slow breath. "No."

  "No, you aren't trying to say that?"

  "No—I mean, yes." Flustered, she shook her head. "I'm not going to sleep with you."

  "The thing is, Tina." He touched her earlobe with his fingertip, heard her soft intake of breath. "I haven't asked."

  Thoroughly satisfied at the surprise in her eyes, Reid dropped his hand.

  "See you inside," he said casually, then wished to God he could see the look on her face as he strolled away.

  * * *

  Five

  « ^ »

  Saturday afternoon, with her shift finished and the bakery closed, Tina made her way up the stairs to her aunt's apartment. All day she'd been dreaming of a quiet evening at home. Alone. In her mind she'd planned an hour-long bubble bath, with scented candles and a glass of white wine. Next came her favorite sweatpants, a cotton tank top, soft slippers and the mystery novel she'd started two weeks ago.

  And maybe, just maybe, she might even get some sleep, instead of tossing and turning all night thinking about Reid.

  Her cheeks still burned every time she remembered what he'd said to her last night before he'd walked away. I haven't asked.

  She'd managed to get through the rest of the evening, had even smiled and held her voice steady when her mother had dragged her over to meet Abraham Danforth. It was like looking at an older version of Reid. The same piercing deep-blue eyes, the same thick, sable-brown hair. The same charm. Like Reid, he exuded power and masculinity. And like Reid, the women, young and old, couldn't take their eyes off him. Suddenly Tina completely understood why Reid hadn't asked her to sleep with him.

  Because he didn't have to.

  He had his pick of any woman he wanted. Anytime.

  Tina knew she was no femme fatale. Men might have shown an interest in her from time to time, but they weren't exactly dropping at her feet.

  So the question she'd asked herself repeatedly since she'd met Reid was, why is he interested in me?

  Still mulling that thought over, she slipped her key into the lock and opened the door.

  In front of her eyes, Tina's dreams of a quiet evening dissolved like sugar in water.

  "Tina, it's so wonderful." Rachel met her at the door and dragged her inside the apartment. "You won't believe what Sophie's done."

  Rachel glanced at Sophia, who was sitting on the sofa, making an old pair of jeans and oversize white tunic top look like high fashion. She had an incredibly smug look on her face. "Swallowed the canary?"

  "No, silly." Excitement danced in Rachel's eyes. "She got Jason's band booked at Steam. Tonight!"

  Tina stared wide-eyed at Rachel, then Sophia. Steam was the newest, hottest, most-difficult-to-get-into blues dinner and night club in Savannah. Though Tina had never been there herself, she knew that Sophia went often, that she'd even done some interior designing in the owner's office.

  Tina also knew that it took nothing short of a miracle for a band to get a booking there. "And how, pray tell, did you manage that one?"

  Sophia casually shrugged a shoulder, but there was a twinkle of a smile in her eyes. "The band booked for tonight had to cancel. The owner owes me a favor."

  Tina lifted a curious brow. "What kind of favor?"

  "Not that kind, dear," Sophia said with a pretty tilt of her head. "Though Clay Crawford is quite a catch. We just decided we'd make better friends."

  "Could we please not discuss Sophia's love life for once." Rachel took hold of Tina's hand and pulled her to the sofa. "We have to talk about what we're going to wear."

  "We?" Tina swiveled a look at Rachel.

  "Of course 'we,'" Rachel said. "I told Jason we'd all be there. And this is the perfect night for us all to go out with no questions from Mom and Dad."

  Saturday night was her parents' date night out to Buddy's Buffet and Bingo on the waterfront. Unless one of them was sick, they never missed it. It was the perfect night for her and her sisters to all go out and not have to worry about any inquisitions. Tina's fantasy of a bubble bath began to pop, one scented bubble after the other.

  "Just think." Rachel clasped her hands to her chest. "Jason, my Jason, singing at Steam! You have to come, Tina."

  The happiness on her sister's face disintegrated the last of Tina's resolve. "Of course I'm coming," she said, surprised at her own sudden rush of excitement. "I wouldn't miss it."

  "I love you both so much!" Laughing, Rachel threw her arms around Tina and Sophia. "This will be the best night of my life!"

  Maybe this was exactly what she needed, Tina reasoned. She hadn't been out with her sisters like this in a long time. A little music, a little wine. It would be fun. Maybe she'd meet someone nice. Someone who could make her forget about Reid Danforth.

  Who knows, she thought, maybe this would be her lucky night.

  * * *

  Starting at nine every night of the week, Steam featured only the best in live blues music. On a Saturday night, without a reservation or a connection, it was nearly impossible to get in either the posh second-floor restaurant or the trendy club on the first floor.

  Unless, of course, your last name was Danforth.

  "Are you dining this evening, Mr. Danforth?" The hostess, a pretty brunette in a black cocktail dress smiled at Reid. "Or would you like a table in the club?"

  "In the club." Smiling back at the woman, Reid slipped her a bill that made her eyes widen. With the skill of a magician, the money disappeared. "I'm meeting my brother."

  "Thank you, sir. Just give me one moment to find the best seat for you."

  While the hostess scribbled on a seating chart in front of her, Reid took in the decor of the large, dimly lit reception area. Deep-red velvet draperies hung from the floor-to-ceiling windows; the walls were pale gray, with thin red stripes. A lavish Oriental rug in hues of red, gray and black graced the highly polished, dark mahogany floor. Behind the hostess, a large mahogany staircase led to the restaurant upstairs. To the right, the bar area vibrated with conversation and laughter.

  "Right this way, sir."

  Still not certain why Ian had insisted on meeting him here tonight, Reid followed the hostess through an entrance to the left which led to the stage and dance area. "Let's Give Them Something to Talk About" blasted from the dj's speakers and bodies moved on the dance floor in rhythm to Bonnie Raitt's raspy tune while cocktail waitresses in black slacks and button-down red blouses hustled through the crowd, balancing trays and taking orders.

  Settling in at a stage side table, Reid ordered a beer then munched on a spicy mix of pretzels and nuts the waitress had left him. Since his college days, he'd spent very little time in night clubs and bars, but some things never changed. And though Steam was much too high class for the average college frat boys, the draw was still the same: music, food, drink and, of course, the women.

  He glanced around the packed room at the slinky dresses and low-cut tops. A great deal of skin and cleavage were on display, and he'd have to be dead not to notice it. Still, other than a mild flicker of appreciation, he wasn't interested in engaging any of the glances a few of the women were sliding his way.

  It irritated the hell out of him that he couldn't get Tina out of his mind. Frustrated him to no end that since he'd kissed her, all he could think about was kissing her again.

  And more.

  At least he knew now it was Rachel, not Tina, who was involved with Jason. And while Tina hadn't exactly waved a green flag, it also helped to know he was the only car on the course at the moment. He had the feeling there would be stop signs and detours, but he was determined that sooner or later he'd encounter a yield sign.

  He hoped like hell it was sooner.

  "So what do you think?" Ian asked over the hum of noise as he sat in the chair across from Reid. "Nice place, huh?"

  Reid nodded. "And we're here because…?"

  "Sophia invited us." Ian gestur
ed to the waitress that he'd have the same as Reid.

  The bottle of beer in Reid's hand paused halfway to his mouth. "Sophia Alexander?"

  Ian grinned. "You know, the sister of the woman who's 'not on the menu,' as you put it."

  "When did you talk to Sophia?"

  "I called her today to see if she was busy tonight. She said she was coming here and suggested I stop by."

  "You said she invited us."

  "She's bringing Tina." Ian's grin widened. "Ah. I thought that might get your attention."

  It more than got his attention. Carefully Reid set the bottle back down on the gray marble tabletop and scanned the room. He didn't see Tina or Sophia at a table or on the dance floor. Scanning the crowd again, he spotted Rachel walking into the room through an exit door behind the stage. Sophia came next.

  Then Tina.

  The black, Mandarin collar dress she wore emphasized her long neck and heart-shaped face. The knee-length hemline was conservative, the short sleeves demure. Nothing that should make his pulse jump or his mind stutter.

  And yet it did—she did.

  Keeping his gaze on Tina, he watched the sisters hurry to a front-row-center table as the dj announced that Controversy, the performing band for the evening, would be out in five.

  Controversy. That was Jason's band, Reid remembered. So that's why Tina was here. Lifting the bottle of beer, Reid took a long pull, then sat back and waited for the show to begin.

  * * *

  "Stop fidgeting and relax." Tina handed Rachel a glass of ice water. "And breathe, for heaven's sake. It won't help Jason if you're passed out on the floor."

  "You're right. I know, I'm sorry," Rachel said in a rush and sipped at the water. "But did you see him? Did you see how handsome he looks in his black satin jacket? And his hair, all that wonderful blond hair, loose around his shoulders."

  "I saw him," Tina said. They'd just come from backstage where the band was waiting to come out. "He looked very handsome."

  When the lights dimmed, Rachel turned white. "Oh, God, I think I'm going to be sick."