by Judith Keim
I tried to remain composed as we disembarked, got into my car, and drove back to my house.
Getting out of the car, Vaughn smiled at me. “Shall we go for a walk along the beach?”
“All right,” I answered hesitantly, not sure I could bear to stand beside him in the moonlight while my shattered dreams were strewn about on the sand.
Vaughn took my hand, and we walked down to the water’s edge. “You’ve become awfully quiet. Is everything all right?”
Not trusting myself to speak, I could only nod my head. I was afraid the tears I felt inside would start to spill over. I scolded myself for being such a romantic fool.
Vaughn tilted my face upward and with an innate tenderness gently wiped the moisture from the corner of my eye. “Come here,” he whispered, drawing me up against him and enfolding me in his warm embrace.
I rested my head on Vaughn’s broad chest. The size of him made me feel protected. Leaning against him, I heard the wild racing of his heart.
“Ann, I don’t know where this will lead us, but I want to take the first, faltering steps,” he murmured. “Will you help me along the way?” He leaned down and kissed my lips, burning them with the fire of promise.
I gave into it for a moment and then forced myself to step back. “What about the woman in London?”
His eyes widened, and then he chuckled. “She’s an old family friend whom I’ve always been able to trust to set me straight. At ninety, she’s still amazingly aware. She’s known me for years.” He stroked my cheek. “Worried, were you?”
As I absorbed his startling information, I gave him a shaky smile. “Just hold my hand and stand here with me for a moment without saying a word.” I had to see if my memory of the two of us standing together was real.
We stood side by side beneath the clear, star-scattered sky. The waves gently lapped against the shore, a soothing sound in the silence. I looked up. The belt of Orion’s constellation blinked like a friend’s hello. A deep, satisfying bliss filled me. I closed my eyes and whispered “Thank you” to the heavens above.
When I opened my eyes, Vaughn was smiling down at me as if he too felt the special bond we had. His lips brushed mine, and I stretched on tiptoes to invite him in.
After returning to my house, Vaughn and I went outside and lay side-by-side on lounge chairs holding hands. The sweet perfume of nearby tropical flowers surrounded us, and silvery moonlight allowed us to see each other in stark relief, accenting our features. I thought I’d never tire of looking at him beside me.
“I promised myself I wouldn’t rush into anything,” Vaughn murmured. “Quick, easy relationships that don’t last are just a matter of course in my business. I see it all the time and, believe me, I have offers all the time. One of the things I loved most about Ellen was that she made me realize that all the adoration and flirtation was just a part of the business I’m in—a very fake part, at that. She kept my feet on the ground when I first started on the show and jerked me back down to earth whenever I started to think I was worth all that attention.”
As I listened to him talk about his wife, I became more and more concerned. How could I ever measure up to a woman whose memory burned so bright? I rolled onto my back and gazed up at the twinkling stars, thinking what a wonderful man Vaughn was. There was an honesty to him, a humbleness that Robert had never possessed. Fame hadn’t created a monster, I realized, but a happy, satisfied human being.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Vaughn rubbed his thumb up and down the palm of my hand before bringing it to his lips.
I turned to him, smiling. “I like you, Vaughn Sanders. I really, really do.”
His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Do you think it could be more than that?”
I laughed. “Definitely.”
Pulse sprinting, I took his hand, and we went inside.
In the master bedroom, I turned down the bedding. Vaughn removed his shirt, exposing his manly chest sprinkled with hair. I removed my dress and paused, shy about exposing all of me to him.
He removed his trousers, allowing me to see how ready he was. At my hesitation, Vaughn came over to me.
“Here. Let me help you.”
Unhooking my bra, he cupped my breasts. “Beautiful,” he murmured and leaned down to kiss their tips. At his warm, moist touch, I held back a moan.
We lay down on the bed, beside one another. He smiled and kissed me, and I tasted the after-dinner mint he’d eaten. His kisses grew more urgent and, with a groan, he removed my panties. I turned to him, as eager to explore as he. Inhaling his spicy aroma, I stroked him, marveling at his manly shape.
His hands moved with a gentle sureness as he learned the curves of me. As his fingers found my sensitive core, I couldn’t hold back a sigh of pleasure. I wanted him so much.
“Ready?” he whispered in my ear.
My body hummed with need. I pulled him closer. “Yes. Hurry.”
He mounted me, and with a sense of joy I opened up to him.
Later, sated, we snuggled up to each other. Vaughn had talked about taking it slow, but what we’d had wasn’t slow at all, but the most exciting lovemaking I’d known.
Soft sleeping sounds came from him.
I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. He was everything I wanted in a lover. But I’d learned a painful lesson by giving up my independence for a man. Vaughn was right. We needed to go slowly.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I rose and tiptoed around my room, dressing silently. I couldn’t help staring at Vaughn lying on his back, snoring softly. The silky dark curls on his head spread across the pillow like a promise of further playtime. It took all my willpower not to wake him by running my fingers through those locks of hair.
I walked over to the hotel, still feeling the workout Vaughn’s lovemaking had given me.
When I entered the hotel kitchen, Rhonda looked up from the stove. “Well?”
I snatched a piece of bacon from the counter, looked at her, and grinned. “He’s a wonderful man, truly wonderful. I like him a lot.”
“Like him?” Rhonda squealed, her eyes round. “You like him?”
“Yes, he’s very nice.” I struggled to keep the teasing going, and turned to leave, well aware Rhonda was dying for every detail.
Rhonda flew at me, the sleeves of her black-edged orange kimono flapping like the wings of a Baltimore Oriole. “Wait a minute, Annie! Ya gotta talk to me! I wanna know all about it!”
I burst out laughing. “C’mon! Let’s go into the office.”
Sitting at my desk, I looked up at my dearest friend, eagerly perched on the edge of it. “Okay, I’d say he’s about the most perfect man I’ve ever met. At least, that’s what I think now. But both of us want to spend a lot of time getting to know each other before we even consider the next step. We both agree it’s best to do that.”
“Damn! That sounds so practical.” Rhonda crossed her arms. “Far too practical when I see that glow of happiness on your face! When I know what I want, it’s hard for me to hold back.”
“You’re telling me?” We both laughed. There was no holding Rhonda back for anything. “Seriously, there are a lot of things Vaughn and I need to take into consideration. You should have seen all the people staring at him last night. Everyone seems to know who he is. It can’t be easy living like that. I love my life right now, living and working here with you. We’ve made a commitment to each other to have this hotel running well. I just wish there was a way for Vaughn to be a part of it, down here, with me.”
Rhonda nodded. “I see your point. Will already has a life here. With Vaughn, it’s different. But, Annie, keep that glow. Will ya?”
She left me, and as much as I hated having to be so cautious, I knew I was right. While Vaughn was the man of my dreams, I didn’t see how we could blend our lives.
Vaughn stopped into my office a short while later. I couldn’t help the breathiness of my hello. He was just as gorgeous in the morning as he’d been in my arms in the moonlig
ht. He closed the office door behind him and smiled at me. At the desire I saw in his eyes, my pulse pounded.
He drew me to him. “You’re bewitching me! I dreamed of you.”
All but purring, I smiled and rested my head on his chest.
Rhonda knocked and entered. “Hey! The two of you look great together, just great. Sorry to disturb you, but the Murrays are wondering when they can come back for a longer stay. I told them I’d have to check the system. I knew you were working on it.”
I became all business as I turned to the computer. “Let’s see, the Murrays are leaving today. What about the week after Easter? I think there might be some time then.”
Rhonda and I huddled, looking over several possibilities, trying to fill in the blanks on our system.
“See you later.” Vaughn slipped out the door as Rhonda and I continued to talk.
When I caught up with him later by the pool, Vaughn looked up from the book he was reading. “Business all taken care of?”
“The Murray request, yes; the rest of it, no. I have some things I have to handle, and then I’ll be free. Sorry.”
“I see. Well, I’d better go back to my book.” I was surprised by the hint of irritation in his voice.
“Okay. See you later.” No one, not even Vaughn, was going to interfere with what I had to do to survive. He was used to a lot of attention, but if we were together, there would be plenty of times I wouldn’t be able to give it to him.
Number one on my list of things to do was to call my lawyer. Robert’s check had not arrived, and my personal bills were piling up. Fuming, I crossed the lawn to my house. The hotel was doing well for a start-up, but Rhonda and I were not taking much money out of it yet. We couldn’t. We had to use funds to convert the library to a meeting room and embellish the small dining room for private dinners.
Inside my office, I punched in the numbers for Syd.
He picked up right away and listened to me. “Sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you, but I had a hard time reaching Robert’s lawyer,” he said. “We finally talked this morning, and he advised me things are not going all that well with Robert’s business. In light of that, he’s requested additional time to pay off this last piece of the debt.”
“And what did you say?” My heart stopped and then raced with apprehension. I stood and looked out my office window, hoping the swaying palm trees would help calm the fear that gripped my body with suffocating fingers.
“I told him that, according to the agreement Robert had established, you were entitled to the money and needed it now. “
I felt a glimmer of hope.
“Jack Henderson all but snorted at that remark.” Syd sounded apologetic. “He said his client had been under undue pressure to come to an agreement, that he hadn’t thought it through, and as his former wife who, quote, took him to the cleaners, unquote, you should just be patient and wait for it.”
My voice turned to ice, even as my body heated up. “Did you mention the fact that Robert and Kandie are building an enormous house, giving extravagant gifts, and generally spending money like crazy?”
“Indeed, I did. I told him we were well aware of Robert’s plans to build a large, expensive house, and under the circumstances, we did not feel that a lack of money was causing this change in attitude.”
“And what did Jack say?” My heart was pounding so hard, the room grew fuzzy.
Syd cleared his throat. “These are his words, not mine. He said that you had become a selfish, hard woman and that after all Robert has done for you throughout the years, you should be willing to allow him to make this payment sometime in the next year or two.”
His words stabbed me. I took an unsteady breath. What I’d asked for had been more than fair; Robert had agreed. I willed myself to stay calm and to be strong enough to fight Robert’s latest betrayal. I brought my agitated pacing to a stop. I had to convince Syd he was working for me.
“Let’s look at this from a different point of view. If I were a man and the sole provider of my family, what would you advise?”
“Well, but you’re not the sole provider.”
Amazement mixed with fresh anger. “But I am! Robert hasn’t paid for any of Liz’s expenses since the divorce. I pay for everything for myself and Liz, except for Liz’s education, which is being taken care of by the fund we set up with the proceeds from the sale of the house. Robert is carrying her on his health insurance policy at no extra added cost to himself.” I took a deep breath. “My old Honda is starting to give me trouble. I’ll hang onto it for as long as I can. In the meantime, The Beach House Hotel is like a hungry child demanding to be fed.”
“You’re right, Ann. I’m afraid if we don’t persist, you’ll never get the money. Robert hasn’t been trustworthy. Let me continue conversations with Jack and call you back when we have a resolution.”
Nauseous, I hung up the phone. What would I do without the money I was owed? Frantic, I went back to work on year-end figures for the bank. I’d just finished punching some numbers into an Excel spreadsheet when I heard my name being called.
I jumped up from my chair and went to the front door. All thoughts of numbers disappeared. Vaughn grinned at me, wearing a T-shirt over his swimsuit and sandals on his feet. A towel was draped around his shoulders but couldn’t hide their breadth. He looked ... delicious.
“Can you come out and play?” His eyes sparkled with good humor.
“Sure can,” I answered, setting aside problems for the moment. While Vaughn was here, Rhonda and Tim had agreed to handle the hotel on their own as much as possible. “You want to go for a swim?”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I came over here, thinking we’d have more privacy in your pool. Do you mind?”
“That’s fine! Let me change, and I’ll join you. Why don’t you go on outside?”
His brown eyes bore into mine. “Is that what you really want?” His voice turned husky. “I could help you change, you know.”
Happily playing his game, I grinned at him. “It would take twice as long ...”
“Oh, I could make it quick,” he retorted.
I laughed. “No way. I’ll hurry and meet you outside.”
In my room, I hastily pulled on the green bikini Rhonda had chosen for me on my first visit. I stood a moment at my window, observing Vaughn swim the length of the pool and back again. His muscular arms moved steadily through the water. For a man who was in his mid-forties, he was in very good health. His waist was still trim and his stomach taut. Television doesn’t do him justice, I thought, as he turned onto his back to do the backstroke. My body grew liquid as my gaze lingered on him. He was my dream come true.
I went outside and walked over to the steps of the pool to test the temperature with my big toe.
“Better hurry!” Vaughn teased. Skimming his hand across the water, he grinned like a naughty schoolboy.
I shrank back. “Don’t you dare splash me! I have to go in one step at a time!”
His hand skimmed the water again, and this time, I was drenched with cold water.
“Ohh!” I gasped. “You’re going to be sorry!” I dove into the water right at him, catching him off guard, and came up out of the water with a triumphant cry.
He surfaced near me, and I scrambled for the steps.
“Now you’ve done it!” he cried, laughing, his hair hanging down in front of his eyes like a shaggy dog. He headed toward me with outstretched arms.
I hurried away from him as fast as I could. I’d just reached the steps when Vaughn grabbed me from behind with a cry of victory.
“No!” I shrieked, jerking away from him, and stared in shock at the sight of my bathing suit top in his hands, leaving my breasts exposed. I heard a strange clicking noise, and then a flashing light blinded me.
My head jerked up. “Who’s there?”
A man was aiming a camera at us from the cover of the bushes, taking a whole series of pictures, one after the other.
“Hey! Stop! What a
re you doing here?” I called out.
Vaughn raced up the pool steps. “The bastard! He must have found out where I was staying. You wait here! I’ll try to catch him!”
He took off at a dead run, out through the screen cage door and into the thick bushes surrounding my pool. Mortified, I watched him go. The private part of me shuddered at the idea of a picture of me, half-naked in a pool with Vaughn Sanders.
Vaughn returned moments later, breathing heavily.
“Did you find him?” My voice shook. “Who is he?”
Vaughn raked his fingers through his hair and let out a sigh. “His name is Geno Ferraro. He hounds certain people in show business. I’m one of them. I’ve tried to get him to stop, but as long as he doesn’t break any laws, there’s not much I can do. He’s never threatened any harm to my family or me . He just turns up at the most inopportune times.”
“Like now.” My heart sank to my stomach.
“Aw, honey, I’m sorry.” Vaughn gave me an encouraging pat on the back. “There’s not a whole lot we can do. I’ll call my agent and ask him to get in touch with Geno. But I’m pretty sure he won’t be able to convince him to hold onto the picture. The scandal sheets love stuff like this. It’s dollars in his pocket.”
“But what about me? And The Beach House Hotel? People will have the wrong impression. This is a respectable place that ensures privacy! That picture could ruin everything.” Shock froze my tears. Something like this could destroy what Rhonda and I had worked so hard to accomplish. If this caused an uproar, what could I ever do to make it up to her? My heart missed a beat. What could I say to my friends back home in Boston?
Vaughn put an arm around me. “Hey, listen. I’m sorry it happened. I had no idea the guy was anywhere around here. If this should make the papers, the best we can do is to tough it out without making any comment. Most people know that any story the tabloids concoct about stars is mostly trash—full of lies and innuendos.”