“I think you should be proud of it!”
“Well, thank you, but not everyone agrees with you.” She handed him the napkin. Too bad her father wasn’t proud of her. But maybe Elmer wouldn’t be, either, if she happened to be his daughter instead of a relative stranger he’d met at a wedding.
She didn’t kid herself that everyone at the reception would be as thrilled as Brandon’s father was to discover a centerfold in their midst. She’d found that out the hard way from her friends and neighbors in Saguaro Junction, and she didn’t want to let herself in for the same kind of humiliation at this shindig.
Elmer gazed at the signature. “Keely Branscom. That’s the name, all right.” He looked up, and his gaze traveled over her from head to toe. “Yep, it’s you, all right.”
“Time for a drink, Elmer!” Noah grabbed him forcefully by the arm and propelled him toward the bar.
“Hey, is it true?” A young guy Keely hadn’t met came over to her. “I heard him say you were in Macho magazine.” He looked very hopeful.
Keely glanced toward the bar. Noah was trying desperately to keep Elmer under control, but the older man had still managed to sneak his napkin out of his pocket to let people look at it. In seconds she’d be the center of attention, taking the limelight away from the bride and causing herself and Noah all kinds of embarrassment.
She’d overstayed her welcome. How she’d looked forward to spending the night and the next day with Noah, but she’d be the subject of so much curiosity that she could only be an embarrassment to Noah now. Better for her to just disappear. A quick trip up to the suite to pick up her purse, and she could be gone.
The shock of such an abrupt ending to the weekend left her feeling numb. She hoped the numbness would last, acting as a painkiller at least until she made it out of the hotel.
“So, is it true?” the eager young man asked again.
“Yes,” she said. “And if you’ll stay right here, I’ll run upstairs and get you an autographed picture.”
“Just your face? Or…the rest?”
“The full monty.”
“Cool!”
She looked in Noah’s direction again, and luck was with her. He was so busy trying to keep Elmer corralled that he hadn’t noticed she had more problems. He wouldn’t see her leave.
“Stay here,” she said to the guy. “I’ll be right back.” Then she hurried away toward the lobby to catch the elevator that would take her to the top floor.
14
NOAH NOTICED KEELY had attracted unwanted attention. He could tell from her harried expression that she wasn’t happy dealing with the young stud who had cornered her. But it took him a minute to excuse himself from Elmer, and by the time he’d gone to her rescue, she’d disappeared. The young guy she’d been talking to was standing in the same spot, though, looking expectant.
Noah went over to him. “The woman in the silver dress. Where did she go?”
The kid glanced around and lowered his voice. “I don’t know if I should say. She might not want me to.”
Noah gripped his shoulder, exerting firm pressure. “I suggest you tell me, and tell me now.”
“Hey! Who are you, her boyfriend?”
“Yes.” The answer slipped right out, and he discovered he liked the sound of it. “Yes, I am.”
The kid looked him over, as if measuring a rival. “I’d like to hear that from her.”
Noah felt a stab of compassion for the kid, who was obviously awestruck by Keely. And the boy had no chance with her, first of all because Noah wouldn’t give him one, and second because Keely hadn’t looked enthralled with the guy, either.
He lightened his grip on the kid’s shoulder. “Look, I think she was upset when she left, so I need to find her. I’d appreciate your help.”
“She wasn’t upset. She went upstairs to get me an autographed picture.”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you, but there aren’t any autographed pictures.” At least Noah hoped there weren’t.
“Oh, man. Then why did she say she was going to get one?”
“So she could cut out,” Noah said.
“Why would she do that?”
“I think she was a little uncomfortable about being recognized.”
“No kidding?” The kid thought that over. “I guess it could be a bummer.” He shrugged. “Personally I think it would be cool to be famous, but I guess everybody’s different.”
“Yep, everybody is. And thanks for the info. I’ll go see if I can smooth things over with her.” He left the kid and looked around for Jenny and Brandon to let them know he was ducking out.
Maybe Keely had gone up to the suite and would wait for him there, but then again maybe she wouldn’t. She’d looked pretty upset about being identified as Miss November, and he’d been caught flat-footed, not sure how to respond, so she might be upset with him, too.
She’d obviously wanted him to help her deny the whole thing, and the words had been on the tip of his tongue. But then he’d realized he couldn’t win this one. If he helped her convince Elmer and everyone else that she wasn’t a centerfold, it would be like denying that she’d ever done it, as if he was ashamed of her for posing.
And he’d never, ever been that. Frustrated, worried and confused—definitely. He hadn’t known how to deal with the grown-up version of the little girl he’d been so close to, and so he’d only made things worse. But he’d never been ashamed of Keely Branscom.
He wasn’t about to do anything that would give her that impression, either. But he could also understand why she wouldn’t want the entire crowd at this reception to know her background, so he’d worked to keep Elmer toned down. It had been like trying to get shaving cream back in the can.
Well, now Keely was gone, and he felt a great urgency to follow her and find out her intentions. He didn’t want her to disappear from his life and he was afraid that might be what she had in mind. Besides, nothing had been settled about her career, and she might go right back to dancing in topless bars, or worse. That possibility was no longer acceptable.
Locating Brandon and Jenny, he walked quickly over to them. “Listen, I need to—”
“Was Keely a centerfold for Macho?” Brandon asked. “My dad got her signature, and he swears—”
“She was, a long time ago,” Noah said quietly.
“Get outta here!” Brandon said. “That’s outrageous.”
“She really was?” Jenny said. “Wow. A celebrity guest. That’s cool.”
“The thing is, I’m afraid she’s a little embarrassed that your dad recognized her,” Noah said.
“Oh, she shouldn’t be!” Jenny looked concerned. “I think it’s fabulous. I’m not surprised, either. Anyone could look at her and know she has the body for it.” She glanced around. “Where did she go? I need to tell her that she has nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“I think she left and went up to the suite,” Noah said.
“You mean because of being recognized?” Jenny asked.
“I think so.”
Jenny picked up her skirts. “I’m going straight to a house phone so I can call her and tell her to get her butt back down here. Leaving the party like she’s in disgrace or something is plain ridiculous.”
Brandon put a restraining hand on her arm. “Maybe not so ridiculous, Jen. I can’t guarantee that every single person here will be open-minded about it. Can you?”
Jenny paused, a frown on her face. “I really hate to think that any of our guests would cause her a problem.”
“Okay.” Jenny sighed. “You may have a point, and I’d feel terrible if somebody insulted her. So I’ll call her and tell her that everyone in the bridal party is thrilled to have met Miss November. I know I can speak for all of us on that score. We’ve loved getting to know her. She’s a kick.”
“But they might,” Noah said, reluctantly agreeing with Brandon. “She’s dealt with small-mindedness before, when the magazine hit the stands in Saguaro Junction ten years ago. I’m sure she doesn’t want t
o put up with more of the same tonight, and I can’t blame her.”
“Go ahead and call if you want,” Noah said, “but I’ll bet she won’t answer the phone. Listen, I was planning to stay here at the reception until you two headed up to your honeymoon suite, but I think I should check on Keely. If I know her, she might have decided to get out of Dodge.”
“Oh!” Jenny’s eyes widened. “You mean leave the hotel?”
“It’s possible.”
“Then go! Right now!”
Noah hesitated. “I don’t know if I’ll be back down before you leave, and tomorrow morning you have that early flight to Hawaii, so I might not see you again this weekend.”
“Don’t give that another thought.” Jenny’s eyes sparkled. “Your job right now is to convince Keely to stay. And I know you have what it takes.”
Brandon clutched his chest in pretended shock. “You do? How could you know that?”
“By talking to his girlfriends.” Jenny smacked her new husband on the arm. “Now stop goofing around and let this man go. We’re still at the reception part of this shindig, which means I’m fully in charge.”
“Right.” Brandon winked at Noah.
“I wish you both the best.” Noah gave Jenny a hug. He stuck out his hand to Brandon, but ended up giving him a hug, too. “I’ll be in touch.”
“You bet,” Brandon said. “I want to know how this turns out.”
So did he, Noah thought as he sprinted toward the elevators.
Before he boarded the one that would take him to the top floor, he quickly scanned the lobby in case she’d already made it back down and was on her way out. He didn’t see her. She wouldn’t have left without going back to the suite, he reasoned. Her cell phone was up there, for one thing.
When the elevator opened, he half expected to see her in it. But the glass-and-brass cubicle was empty. All the way to the top floor he tried to decide what to say to her. He was beginning to realize that his original impulse to save her from herself had developed into something much more complicated. Now he was trying to figure out how to save her and also keep her in his life.
And that was plain crazy. They were from two different worlds now, and they certainly had different outlooks. She was a city girl who was glad to have escaped small-town life. He planned to spend the rest of his days on the Twin Boulders Ranch. His father had handed him the sacred trust of running the place, and he intended to pass the land on to his children one day.
Although Keely didn’t think much of the institution of marriage, he wanted a wife and babies, and he wasn’t getting any younger. Brandon’s wedding made him sharply aware of that.
So he had no business chasing after Keely, who didn’t fit in with his plans at all. Oh, but she fit perfectly when he was holding her. And the fit wasn’t only sexual, either. Whenever he thought about Keely, he felt a sense of connection so strong that he couldn’t imagine letting her disappear again.
Yet he had no clue what form a relationship might take at this point, or if she’d even agree that a relationship was a good idea, considering their differences. That’s why they needed more time together, to work on those problems. And if they were destined to part, then he wanted to make love to her in that good old-fashioned, horizontal way at least once before they said goodbye. He thought they both owed themselves that much.
He had to convince her to stay, and if words wouldn’t do it, then he’d try the physical approach. Of course, there was always the chance she hadn’t planned to leave at all. As he walked down the hall toward the suite’s double doors, he remembered the scene she’d prepared for him the night before—the hot tub, the skimpy bathing suit, skin flicks on the big-screen TV, champagne in the ice bucket.
Maybe she’d had a setup like that in mind when she’d left the party. Heart pounding, he slid his key into the lock and opened the suite door. “Keely?” he called, loud enough to be heard over the sound of the fountain in the entryway.
No answer.
She might be lying seductively on the pillows in the living room…naked. His body surged with desire as he walked into the empty living room, lit only with soft indirect fixtures. “Keely?”
Still no answer.
She wasn’t in the hot tub or on the balcony, but a light glowed from the bedroom. Maybe she was waiting for him in that big, white bed. The image quickened his step and his pulse. He called her name again as he crossed the footbridge.
She wasn’t in the bed, either, and he had a bad feeling when he noticed a neat stack of twenty-dollar bills lying on the white sheets. He didn’t stop to count the money, but he guessed it was the same amount he’d given her the day before to buy clothes.
When he didn’t find her in the bathroom, he could think of only one other place she might be hiding to surprise him. She might be lying in the closet as a joke, mimicking the way she’d tucked herself in there yesterday when his buddies had visited the suite.
But the closet was empty, too.
“Keely!” He knew in his heart she wasn’t anywhere in the suite. He could feel her absence, had felt it from the minute he’d stepped inside the door. The electric excitement she carried with her everywhere was missing from these rooms. But he shouted her name, anyway, in a hopeless attempt to vent some of his frustration.
The only response was the gurgling of the stream in the living room.
Damn it! Where the hell had she gone?
She couldn’t be far away, he decided, hurrying back over the footbridge and through the living room. He hoped that she hadn’t caught a cab somewhere, that she’d be on foot. The Saturday-night crowds would be heavy, but she wouldn’t be hard to spot in that silver dress. A woman like her wouldn’t be hard to spot no matter what she had on, but if she’d made it up here and back down to the lobby before he left the party, then she hadn’t taken time to change.
He would find her. Damn it all, he would find her.
KEELY HAD GUESSED Noah would come after her once he noticed she was gone. After all, they’d had a pretty good time in that hallway, and once a gal had whistled a tune on a guy’s piccolo, he usually wanted an encore. She wished she could give him one, because she’d truly enjoyed that first performance.
But it wasn’t in the cards, as they said in Sin City. And if her heart was aching worse than she’d ever remembered, well, she’d have to get over it. Noah wasn’t the right guy for her. Never had been and never would be.
Even he knew that, but chances were he wouldn’t let her run away, so if she wanted to escape, she’d have to be smart about it. Consequently, when Noah hurried past the hotel’s tropical garden on his way to the street, she watched him from behind the large lava boulder where they’d kissed the day before.
God, he was gorgeous. His mussed hair and rumpled tux only made him more adorable. And he was coming after her. Well, that was a picture to carry with her—Noah Garfield trying to chase her down. Years from now she’d probably still get a thrill thinking of this tall, broad-shouldered cowboy combing the streets of Vegas looking for her.
But it would be better for all concerned if he didn’t find her.
Surrounded by dense foliage and night shadows, she crouched behind the boulder and waited for him to pass. Instead, he paused to stare at the lava rock. He couldn’t possibly see her. The shadows were too deep. Yet her heart pounded frantically as she wondered if he’d somehow sensed she was there.
They’d played a lot of hide-and-seek as kids, and in those days she’d secretly wanted him to find her. Even at the tender age of seven, she’d felt a curl of excitement in her stomach when Noah was hunting for her. As he’d drawn near, she used to let him know her position with a slight rustle or faint cough. She’d squealed whenever he found her, as if she hadn’t been hoping for that to happen all along.
Maybe she wanted him to find her now, too. Maybe she’d chosen the boulder hoping that he’d look there. She held her breath and waited.
He gazed in her direction for another tension-filled moment. Th
en, with a shake of his head, he continued down the walkway toward the street.
She let out her breath with a sigh of disappointment. She’d outsmarted him. Damn it. So now that she had, it was time to continue with her plan.
Creeping out from behind the boulder, she ignored the puzzled glances from other pedestrians and focused on Noah walking ahead of her. Fortunately, his height and his gray tux made him easy to see. She kept him in sight all the way to the busy street.
He hesitated, looking right and left, studying the crowds. Finally he chose to turn left. Which way he went didn’t matter to Keely, but she had to know so that she could head in the opposite direction. Once she had about four blocks between them, she hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of her hotel downtown.
The route took them along the Strip in the same direction Noah was walking, and soon she spotted him striding down the street and scanning the crowds on both sides. She pressed her lips together, determined that she wouldn’t ask the cabdriver to let her out.
Although she longed to be with Noah again, she’d only be buying a little more time and a little more loving. The ending would be the same. Better to deal with the pain when it was manageable than to take a chance on getting hurt worse than she’d bargained for.
Blinking back tears, she settled deeper into the backseat of the cab as the driver maneuvered through the heavy traffic. Once they’d passed the point where she’d seen Noah moving along the sidewalk, she turned to look through the back window, but she couldn’t pick him out of the crowd. Their little sexual adventure had come to an end.
NOAH WALKED to the point of exhaustion before he finally dragged himself back to the Tahitian. He believed Keely was still in Vegas, but he finally admitted to himself that finding her would be tougher than he’d first thought. And he was sick of walking the streets in a tux that smelled like overripe piña coladas.
Once back in the suite he went quickly into the bedroom and stripped down to the briefs Keely had bought him the day before. He thought about that first night and her open, generous invitation to make love. He’d been the noble fool who’d resisted her with no concept of what he was throwing away. He’d wasted hours trying to prove his superior morality, while he was living in the same suite with a goddess.
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