by tani shane
His friend looked at him in surprise. “You are attracted to her, aren’t you?”
Steven gave him a dry smile. “Yes. Too attracted,” he admitted frankly, “But that’s not the issue here. She needs you now more than ever, Jeff. Unfortunately, she might not let you be around to help her.”
Jeff’s deep eyes set on him intensely. “It’s Warring, isn’t it? What do you have on him?”
“Not much, he’s been in L.A. on and off. He is educated, a graduate in public relations. But his meeting with Jessica was not by chance as he has let her think. He had tried to bump into her several times without success until he finally met her at a fashion show. He is acquainted with Shari Stanford.”
Jeff’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Acquainted?” he repeated slowly.
“They had a rather torrid affair before he met your sister.”
“And she knows nothing of it?”
“Hardly anyone does. Not even Niki.”
Jeff frowned thinking fast. “Why keep it a secret?”
“Shari is Jessica’s fiercest enemy,” Steven revealed quietly. “She was especially snubbed when Niki chose to promote her designs and when ‘Jess-C Creations’ surged ahead of her own ‘La Belle Shari’. And then Warring dropped her which was something she couldn’t bear. Warring of course is a gold-digger. He loves flashy cars, roulette and women. He knows very well that once he marries Jessica, he doesn’t have to worry about the finance required for his expensive lifestyle. He’s going to have a ball at her expense.
Shari guessed his intention and chose to blackmail him by threatening to tell Jessica all about his not-so-innocent intentions. So he continued his affair with Shari while he romanced Jessica.”
Jeff’s eyes clouded with white fury. “That bastard! I knew he was up to something. But how did he manage to lie so low? How come no one’s ever seen him with Shari?”
“That’s easy. He’s just careful. He’s almost never found at play while in town. We live in a big country, Jeff, and he travels a lot. Not everyone in Las Vegas or anywhere else knows Adam Warring. It was difficult for my man to trace his steps but not impossible. Shari and Warring leave town within days of each other, book themselves in motels under false names, have a raging time and then get back on separate flights.”
Steven ran a disturbed hand through his hair. “There’s one thing I don’t understand. Jessica has a lot of respect for this guy. He isn’t exactly always courteous with her but it seems whenever they have an argument, she is the one who goes running after him. Is she that patient with men?”
Jeff rubbed the stubble on his unshaven chin, frowning slightly. “There haven’t been many men around her. Nobody lasted over a couple of months. I don’t know what goes wrong, but she’s been picking and dropping men since high school.” He raised his worried eyes to his friend. “I have to stop this wedding, Steve. I can’t let her just go ahead and marry that bastard. Will you help?”
For an answer, a slow smile spread across Steven’s face. “I will be more than glad.”
***
Mark drew Jessica in his warm embrace and she held onto him for her life. At the moment there was no one she would rather be with than this huge, strong man who could soothe away all her fears.
They were meeting at a non-descript café tucked away in Santa Barbara and took chairs next to each other while still holding hands. Mark’s larger ones covered hers as he smiled at her lovingly. “Look at you all grown up, baby girl.”
Jessica took his hand and placed his palm on her cheek. Mark had grown older and more rugged but his warmth, his genuine affection for her made her feel secure. “Where were you? All these years, you just left me all alone.”
His chocolate eyes crinkled as he smiled. “I was always around baby girl.” He gazed at her with adoration. Jessica was more beautiful now as a woman in her prime. It seemed as though Nature had waved a magic wand and given a hundred percent boost to her already gorgeous features. Right now he wanted nothing more than to lean in and kiss her luscious lips. But he knew he couldn’t. Somewhere in his heart he knew she had moved on. Although she still loved him, it was more of adoration and genuine affection than anything else.
She turned her face and kissed his palm that was against her cheek. “I wanted to meet you so many times but somehow I just couldn’t.”
He drew his hand from her cheek and covered both of hers in his large ones. “It’s ok. Let’s not talk about that now.” He dropped a kiss on her knuckles. “Show me his message.”
Jessica silently slid her phone to him and he read Jake’s messages, a muscle twitching in his jaw. “What did you do to him?” she asked softly.
He sat back in his chair, his lips set in a grim line. “I ruined him.”
She regarded him out of startled eyes. “What do you mean?”
His smile was mirthless. “When I was sure you had left the country, I caught up with him one day and bashed him till he didn’t have a useful bone in his pathetic body. I tipped the narcs about his drug abuse and luckily for me they caught him pedaling. He was kicked out of college and his reputation ruined. He went into depression and kept doing drugs till he almost lost his mind. It was just because his parents’ had money that he managed to live off them all these years. He went into rehab four times.” He ran an exasperated hand through his thick hair that was now peppered with strands of gray at his temples. “I don’t understand one thing.”
“What?”
His brown eyes looked helpless alarming her a little. “I went to his place immediately after I left you that day. I knew I had to get his phone. I managed to get it from him while he lay sleeping it off. I took it and destroyed it.” Mark paused and she knew what he was going to say next. “So how the hell does he have those pictures with him?”
Jessica felt her face grow pale and stared at him uncertainly. “Maybe he had mailed it to himself that night.”
Mark’s face was a grim mask. “That’s what I think.”
The gray eyes were now almost dark and her face ashen. She looked about to faint and he covered her hands to offer his reassurance. “Jess, don’t worry. I’ll get him again.”
Her head shook miserably. “How, Ty? I’m sure he isn’t somewhere we can trace him easily.”
“I have friends in the right places. We will find him.”
Jessica regarded Mark with anxious eyes. She knew he would die trying to protect her but how far was it right to string him along? She had to face her fears someday. “Ty,” she began but his narrowing look stopped her.
“Not one word, baby girl,” he warned her, “I know that look. It’s the same one you used when you wanted me to leave you, but you can’t do it again. I will get him. You sit tight and if he tries to get in touch with you again, just ignore him. He probably wants to blackmail you for money so if you answer him, he will succeed in what he wants most.”
She watched him uncertainly. “What’s that?”
“Your fear,” he stated and the truth of his words made sense to her.
She nodded. “You’re right. That’s what he wants.”
Mark watched her troubled eyes and leaned to draw a finger down her cheek in a gentle caress. “You need to tell Jeff about this.”
The gray irises flared at him in alarm. “No! I couldn’t!” A deep flush spread across her cheeks. “Those pics, Ty, they’re just too horrible! I would die if anyone saw them!”
“But you can’t live in fear like this…”
“I will not tell Jeff!” she hissed, angry now. “Will you help me or not?”
Mark chuckled even as she bristled. “Jess, don’t be stupid. You know I will do anything for you.” He glanced at his watch and covered her hands one last time. “I have to go but promise me you won’t answer him? Let me take care of this, ok?”
She nodded. “I promise.” He stood up and she smiled, titling her head. “You’re taller than you should be, Ty.”
His breath caught in his chest and for a moment he simply stare
d at her with a longing that he couldn’t hide. He bent to kiss her cheek. “Be good.”
“I will,” she whispered, turning on impulse at the very moment his lips touched her cheek to let them find her lips instead.
He stiffened and then he was kissing her, drawing her to stand in his arms.
Jessica wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes; a warm, happy sensation enveloping her. She didn’t feel like this with Adam. In a sudden flash, Steven’s deep blue, piercing eyes flashed behind her eyes and she gasped.
Mark lifted his head in surprise and peered at her flushed face as if seeing her for the first time. A slow smile spread on his lips and he almost ruffled her hair. “You goose! Go back to the guy you love.” He flicked the tip of her nose and chuckled. “He’s very lucky.”
With that, he was gone, leaving her flustered and embarrassed. She was engaged to Adam, kissing her one time hero and lusting after Steven! What in the world was wrong with her?
There was no answer to that question even after a swift walk to her car parked a couple of blocks away and she left it at that. Crazy, she was going plain crazy.
Chapter Six
“Hi, Jessi, guess who?”
Jessica smiled into the phone. “Hello, Niki. How are you?”
“Madly in love!” her cousin replied with a deep sigh.
Jessica grinned unwittingly. Niki’s display of her emotions was absolutely infectious. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Someone close to my heart!”
“I should hope so!”
Niki giggled then sobered quickly. “Listen, I’m throwing a masquerade party this weekend and I want you to be there.”
Jessica bit her lower lip. She was in no mood to party; she had a lot of things to plan. “I’m sorry, Niki, I can’t make it. Some other time, maybe.”
“Oh, no!” Niki wailed into the phone making her wince, “It’s my birthday and it’s a very important day for me. You have to be there! I will not take no for an answer.”
“But Niki…”
“No buts! Be there and don’t bother hunting for a costume. I have yours ready with me. Ask Adam to come will you. But you can’t come together. All couples have to come in separately.”
Jessica frowned suspiciously. “What are you up to?”
“Can’t tell. I’ve got to go now. Be there, Jessi, please.”
Her cousin gave in with a resigned sigh. “All right. I guess I need a break.” She hung up turning her attention back to the costume she was designing for Ida. Masquerade balls seemed to be the rage of the season. It sounded pretty silly but she couldn’t stand Niki up. Besides, it might prove to be fun.
***
The first sight of ‘Emerald’, after its long driveway, as usual took Jessica’s breath away. She envied Niki and Shari their exquisite home that was inspired by Victorian architecture. The white structure was two storeys high and had thick ivy clinging to it at several places earning it the name of ‘Emerald’.
The valet took the keys of her car when she stepped out at the front steps and Richards, the family butler led her to Niki’s bedroom on the first floor of the mansion. At least ten women were already present there and Jessica gasped in surprise when she saw their costumes. They were all dressed alike in red and black satin gowns somewhat akin to a Spanish flamingo dancer.
Niki appeared at her side suddenly, her baby blue eyes shining with excitement. “Jessi, you came!” She gave her a quick hug, her blonde hair bouncing about. “Come on, get into your costume.”
“Why are all the costumes the same?”
Her cousin giggled mischievously. “I have come up with a brilliant plan. We all are going to dress alike to give the men a wild goose chase. None of them will be able to guess who their partner is and they’ll have to be with the right one by the end of the evening. And we won’t be saying a word so it’ll be harder for them to guess.”
Jessica laughed shaking her head. “You will never grow up Niki Stanford. And don’t tell me the men won’t recognize us by our hair.”
An elaborate black wig was thrust in her hands and she stared at it astonished while Niki laughed. “We all have black hair, honey. And we are wearing eye masks and a veil across the face.”
Jessica stared at her in horror. “I will not wear this mop on my head!”
Niki kissed her cheek and said simply. “You will. It’s my party remember. Come on, Jessi, be a sport.” Jessica groaned out aloud but it fell to unsympathetic ears.
Half an hour later, Jessica was shoved into the voluminous costume that had no shoulders. The bodice clung to her breasts in a most revealing manner while several strings crisscrossed across her back holding it in place. Below the waist, the gown fell in layers covering the high-heeled shoes that she wore. The wig was thankfully not itchy and went well with the eye mask and the semi-transparent black veil. When they were finally all dressed, it was really quite hard to make out their identities.
Niki gave a satisfied nod and pulled Jessica in a corner. “Jessi, I have a confession to make.”
Jessica fingered the strings that bit into her near naked back and winced. “First you serve penance for these strings, you imp!”
“Jessi, I’m serious,” Niki said earnestly.
Jessica searched her face, a worried frown creasing her brow. “Something wrong, Niki?”
“On the contrary. This day is very special, Jessi,” Niki said shyly, “He’s going to propose tonight.”
“Who?”
“I told you I can’t tell you now. But that’s the reason why I’m having this party. I want to see if he’ll go to the lengths of searching me out from all of us.”
Jessica grinned amused. “You are the silliest person I’ve ever met, Niki!” She hugged her cousin when she blushed. “But a child at heart. You’re scared, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m really crazy about him. And he’s so shy. If I say no tonight, he’ll never ask me again. I know that. That’s why I’m both excited and scared.”
“But what if he doesn’t recognize you?”
“He will, I know he will,” she said with romantic conviction. “He’s even told me since one of the rules of this party is for the women to keep quiet, if he happens to find me and propose to me while I can’t speak, I just have to nod and he’ll accept it. Oh, I’m so excited. I hope I don’t mess it up.”
“Mess what up?” a lilting voice came from the doorway and the cousins turned to see Shari Stanford walk in. She was not dressed for the party, and her flaming red hair and bright hazel eyes contrasted sharply in the room. She stood before them, her five foot nine inches giving her a distinct advantage as she looked down. Her pretty mouth curved into a mocking smile as she watched Jessica. “I see you’re involved in Niki’s silly game. I don’t see how you can bear to be so outlandish.”
Jessica felt Niki stiffen next to her and smiled sweetly at Shari to lighten the situation. If there was sibling rivalry it was right here at the Stanford household. Edward Stanford had remarried after Shari’s mother who was his first wife walked out on him. Shari was a spoilt seven year old at the time and couldn’t come to terms with her step mother or Niki who was born a year later. Edward Stanford chose to settle down in England and took the girls with him but when they grew up the girls chose to return to their roots. It was a miracle the two lived under the same roof without scratching each other’s eyes out. Jessica knew it was partially due to Niki’s self-restraint and also because Shari was almost always busy at work. Yet there were times like this. So she stepped in. “Once in while we are all allowed to have some fun, Shari. Even if it is at the expense of our gracious figures.”
Shari colored visibly. She knew the jibe was meant for the skintight dress that she wore revealing a more than generous view of her skinny figure. That was the problem with Shari, she was too painfully thin to sport a perfect figure. She eyed Jessica venomously. “I hope you enjoy yourself tonight, Jessica.”
Jessica smiled back happily. “I hope y
ou do too.” She turned to Niki and took her arm. “I hear the boys downstairs, Niki. Let the party begin.” The two walked out arm in arm leaving a very furious Shari behind. They heard her stalking away and when she was out of earshot, they collapsed into helpless giggles.
“Thanks, Jessi, that was priceless,” said Niki shaking with laughter, “Shari is such a spoilsport. She hates this party because it’s mine and that’s why she wants everyone else to hate it too.”
“She is just restless, that’s the real problem.”
Niki shook her head. “She hates both of us. Me for sporting your designs and not hers and you, because you’re better than her.” She tucked her arm in Jessica’s drawing a deep breath. “But let’s not bother about her shall we? We have a party to attend.”
The cousins descended the mansion’s wide staircase together. Most of the women had already joined the party as they mingled with the men who had come in their own brilliant costumes. The men had uncertain looks on their faces while the women seemed to be really enjoying themselves. The music was loud and many couples were dancing while others were helping themselves to the drinks and the cocktails that were making the rounds.
Some men looked up at them as they descended. “When we reach the bottom, we will be claimed by our respective partners. Keep your fingers crossed we get the right ones,” Niki said under her breath, “Bye honey, and have fun.” With that she hurried down the last few steps and disappeared into the crowd.
Jessica kept descending uncertainly, her eyes searching for Adam. She suddenly spotted him dancing with a woman trying his best to talk to her. She giggled. He had apparently mistaken that woman to be her. This was turning out to be fun. She just couldn’t wait to see his face when he found out it wasn’t her after all. She decided to follow them around and took the last step down.
The sudden tug told her she had stepped on her gown and in horror she felt herself head for the floor. A stifled scream left her lips, her arms flying wide open to brace for the fall. As though on cue, a pair of iron bands wrapped themselves around her waist and she found herself slamming face first into the hard wall of a man’s chest. Her breath knocked out, Jessica gasped in fright with her eyes shut firmly.