Sterling laughed. “Gentlemen, can’t the lady and I enjoy a nice evening without your endless questions?”
“Hey, look at the size of the rock on this broad’s hand,” the lanky reporter exclaimed, getting the attention of the others.
Sterling gave the lanky reporter a leveled stare. “The lady isn’t a broad and don’t ever call her that again.”
Then he turned his gaze on the other dozen or so reporters who seemed to have all gone temporarily speechless. He knew the reason. He rarely came to the defense of any women he was with.
“I think it’s time I set the record straight,” he replied smoothly, sliding a possessive arm around Colby’s waist and pulling her closer to his side. Colby came to him willingly although he could tell she was somewhat nervous from all the attention she was getting.
“This is Colby Wingate, and as of this afternoon she became my fiancée.”
This was news and what followed Sterling’s statement was an explosion of more questions, one fired right behind the other. One reporter drowned out his colleagues as he unceremoniously raised his voice above the others. “Where did you come from, Ms. Wingate? And exactly what do you do for a living?”
Acute nervousness churned inside Colby. She looked at Sterling and to her surprise he gave her an assuring wink. That wink somehow gave her the inner strength she needed to answer the reporter’s question in a rather calm voice. “As you can tell, I’m not a model. I’ve got too much hair for it,” she said, jokingly placing the blame on her long, thick hair and not her size-ten figure. Her comment elicited laughter from all, including Sterling.
“I’m from Richmond, Virginia. And I’m a schoolteacher. I teach third grade.”
“A teacher! Sterling Hamilton is marrying a schoolteacher and not a Hollywood glamour girl?” someone in the crowd shouted out.
“But take a good look at this teacher. They never looked like that when I was in school. If I would have had one who looked like her, I would’ve volunteered to stay back in third grade another year or two,” another reporter shouted. His statement got chuckles and nods of agreement from the others.
“Now that you’ve gotten your story, do you mind letting us enter the restaurant in peace?” Sterling snapped. He was becoming slightly irritated at the number of reporters who were more interested in Colby’s outfit than getting a news-breaking story.
A reporter then asked, “When is the wedding?”
Sterling answered as he ushered Colby toward the restaurant. “As soon as possible in a very private ceremony. So don’t any of you wait on invitations.”
“Why the rush with the wedding, Hamilton?” the same reporter asked. “Could it be Miss Wingate is expecting a bundle of joy in the very near future? Like less than nine months from now?”
Sterling stopped and turned around. His deadly gaze lighted on the short, plump reporter. Removing his hand from Colby’s waist, he stood in a threatening stance. The stormy expression on his face radiated the fact that Sterling Hamilton was a man to reckon with when angered.
“For the record, Colby and I very much want a child one day. However, at the present time we aren’t expecting one. The only reason we’re marrying quickly is for my own selfish reasons.”
Colby reached out and placed her hand on Sterling’s arm. She felt his tensed muscles relax with her touch. Their eyes met as he returned his hand to her waist. And then to her complete surprise he lowered his mouth to hers. Oblivious of the cameras flashing around them he kissed her. The kiss was soft, warm and tender. And although it only lasted mere seconds, the feel of his lips on hers, as always, totally consumed Colby.
“As I said, gentlemen,” Sterling stated in a husky voice as his eyes continued to gaze into Colby’s, “my reasons for rushing into marriage with Ms. Wingate are purely selfish ones. Good night.” Then he tenderly gripped Colby’s elbow and led her into the restaurant.
Once inside, Colby noticed that heads turned and curious glances followed them as they made their way to their table. “Well, that’s over,” she stated as Sterling pulled out the chair for her.
“Don’t count on it,” he replied gruffly.
Colby tried to dismiss the brief kiss they had shared. She knew it was all a part of the playacting they had agreed to do, but as usual, it had had a whirlwind effect on her. He had looked at her so intensely, so tenderly and so caringly. His words had seemed so genuinely sincere, so believable, that for a brief moment she had felt…what? A fraction of truth in them? Of course, they were the truth, she realized as she accepted the menu from the waiter. He really hadn’t actually lied. They were rushing into marriage for his own selfish reasons. He wanted a baby and was using her as a means to get one.
She glanced around the beautiful establishment. Across the room she could have sworn she saw Will Smith dining with his wife, Jada Pinkett. Colby suddenly wondered how many times Sterling had brought Diamond Swain here with him. She immediately dismissed the thought, convincing herself she cared less. She would not let her mind dwell on one of the questions a reporter had asked him about Diamond Swain that he had not answered.
They studied the menu in silence. Unable to make up her mind on a selection, Colby ended up letting Sterling order for her. She was not disappointed. Both the meal and the wine were exquisite. She didn’t know which of the two she could credit with relieving the tension from her body, although she leaned more heavily toward it being the vintage wine he had ordered. She was surprised that, just like earlier that day at the park, she was enjoying his company.
He asked her numerous questions about her job while they ate. He also shared tidbits with her about the movie he had just finished filming in Paris and the one he was scheduled to begin shooting next month in Spain.
He told her about his home in Malibu and the one in North Carolina, saying the latter was the one he considered his real home, although he commuted back and forth between the two while filming. He briefly mentioned his father’s death, and the tone of his voice and the flash of pain that appeared in his eyes confirmed just what Edward Stewart had told her—Sterling and his father had been close.
Not once did he mention his mother and after his acrid words earlier that day, she knew it was not a safe topic for discussion. But still she couldn’t help being curious. She also noted he didn’t bring up anything associated with Wingate Cosmetics or the subject of a baby. She was very appreciative of that.
“We can leave now,” Sterling said, calling for their bill.
“I’m surprised you didn’t have a cup of coffee before leaving,” Colby said as he escorted her out of the restaurant. “You appear to be someone who’d love to drink a cup after such an enjoyable meal.”
“Really?” Sterling asked, raising a darkened brow as he led her outside and waited as the valet brought them their car. “You’re right. A meal such as that should be followed by a good cup of coffee. But I would like to have my coffee without an audience even if I wasn’t so lucky with my meal. Whether you realized it or not the two of us were the center of attention tonight.”
“Yes, I noticed,” she answered. And you gave them a performance worth watching, Colby thought, remembering his attentiveness during dinner. To anyone looking at them, they appeared to be a couple very much in love. She had hung on his every word, and he hers. Several times he had reached across the table and had captured her hand in his. His touch had been warm, gentle, assuring. It had stirred feelings in her she’d only been introduced to since meeting him.
When they arrived back at the hotel they again found themselves caught in the midst of reporters. Colby noticed they were not the same ones from the restaurant. Evidently news traveled fast. Once again, Sterling provided them with the same information he had given the others. Nothing more, nothing less.
Afterward, he ushered her across the hotel’s plush carpet and well-lit foyer to the elevator and up to their rooms. Colby was mildly surprised when he followed her inside her suite.
“Would you like to join
me in a cup of coffee?” he asked.
She felt tired, but more than anything she felt the need to distance herself from Sterling. If nothing else, the reporters tonight had reminded her of just who he was. Sterling was a Hollywood superstar, an acclaimed macho man accustomed to a glamorous lifestyle that included beautiful women who would jump at the chance to be a part of his life, including sharing his bed. And as he had told her on their way to the restaurant, he could do anything he wanted. She knew that included taking advantage of her if she let him. But she had no intention of letting him do that.
“No, thank you, I don’t want any coffee,” she declined hastily.
Sterling nodded then picked up the phone and ordered coffee to be delivered to her suite. Afterward, the room was quiet for several minutes before Colby finally spoke.
“If you don’t mind, Sterling, I want to call it a day. I’m tired and have a plane to catch in the morning.”
He met her gaze. “No, you don’t.”
“Excuse me?”
Sterling ignored her question as he walked away to open the door for room service. When they were alone once more Colby again asked what he had meant by his earlier statement. It wasn’t until after he had poured a cup of coffee and had taken a few sips that he answered her. The silence had been unnerving.
“You don’t have an early plane to catch. I’m taking you home day after tomorrow. In my private jet.”
“You’re what!”
“I said I’m taking you home.”
“Wait a minute. This is the first I’ve heard of this. And just who made that decision?”
“I did.”
“And who gave you the right? I don’t need you to take me home.”
Sterling’s cool gaze held Colby’s and knew she was angry. He watched as she crossed her arms under her breasts. The gesture made her breasts swell against the fabric of her dress. He got so caught up in looking at her, that for a minute he had forgotten she was waiting for his response. She soon reminded him, however.
“I asked you a question, Sterling.”
“Aren’t I the lucky one,” he responded smartly, annoyed with himself for finding her so darn desirable that at times he couldn’t think straight. He placed his coffee cup down and walked over to where she stood in the center of the room. When he spoke, his voice was soft but very clear.
“First of all, you and I are officially engaged. You are the woman who will become my wife and you’re also the woman who will give me my son. You can chalk it up to masculine possessiveness or just plain arrogance on my part, but from the moment you agreed to marry me, temporarily binding our lives together, I claimed you as mine. And what’s mine, Colby, I protect.”
Colby felt a soft tremor pass through her body with Sterling’s statement claiming her as his, but still she was determined to stand up to him. Squaring her shoulders she said, “But I don’t need your protection.”
He released a deep breath before he continued. “Yes, you do. Because of our engagement, you’ll now find yourself hassled unnecessarily by reporters who’ll want a story, and the paparazzi who’ll want pictures. They will badger you relentlessly. You wouldn’t even make it to the airport.”
“But you’ve given them a story. Surely they won’t bother to ask me anything else.”
“Yes, they will. And although I think you handled yourself remarkably well tonight with those reporters, the paparazzi can be relentless, thoughtless and inconsiderate. You do remember what happened to Princess Di don’t you? Think about it, Colby. The news of our engagement is now a hot item. Your life as you used to know it is virtually gone. I’ll try to protect you from the media as much as I can and taking you home is one way.”
Sterling then chuckled throatily. “Besides, if anything I believe your brother will expect me to bring you home. I’m sure he’ll want to talk with me.”
Colby nervously wrung her hands together. “But I haven’t had the chance to tell him about you yet.”
“Then I suggest you do so as soon as possible. News of our engagement will hit the newspapers in the morning. It may even make the late-night news on television tonight. I believe your brother is a good and decent man to have taken the responsibility of raising you after your parents’ death. I highly respect such a person, and it wouldn’t be right if I sent you back alone. Especially if he thinks the two of us are sleeping together while you’re here.”
“Why would he think anything like that!”
“Why wouldn’t he? You’ve been in California three days already and no doubt those reporters will release information indicating the two of us stayed together at this hotel. People will speculate about how we spent our time here. We know we haven’t been intimate but others won’t.”
“James will if I tell him so. He knows me. He knows I have all intentions of remaining a…” Colby stopped talking midsentence and decided not to finish what she was about to say.
Unfortunately for her, Sterling had no intention of not letting her finish it. “Remaining a what?” he asked, quietly, intently.
She shrugged. “Nothing.”
“What were you about to say, Colby?”
“It’s not important.”
Sterling stared at her. “If it’s what I think it is, it’s very important. Is it?”
She didn’t reply immediately, she just shrugged her shoulders again. “I have no idea what you think it is.”
Sterling was silent for a moment as he looked at her. The red dress she wore molded itself to her body with such allure, it gave an image of her being a seductress and temptress—unmistakably so. But deep down he had a gut feeling that image was false and far from the truth.
“I think you’ve never slept with a man and that you had all intentions of saving yourself for marriage,” he finally said.
She met his unwavered gaze. “I still plan to save myself for marriage.”
Sterling controlled a smile at the determination in her tone of voice. “I can give you a good reason why you shouldn’t, but I’m sure you’ve heard a number of them from other men.”
“Yes,” Colby answered. Her eyes suddenly shone with silent laughter as she recalled a few of them. “I’ve heard that the longer I put if off, the more it will hurt when I do try it. I’ve heard men no longer want virgins for wives, they prefer more experienced women in their beds. And I’ve heard that men will appreciate you even more if you let them try you out first.”
She looked up at him with amused fascination. “I even had one guy tell me my mother had been wrong and that a man will still buy a cow after getting the milk free.”
Sterling grinned. He adored this side of her, her gentle camaraderie, her subtle wit. “I’m sure you had a good reply for all those reasons you were given.”
“Yes, especially the one about the cow. I asked him would the cow be just as valuable to him after he had used it.”
“What did he say?”
“Of course, he said yes, but I knew he was lying. He worked as a new car salesman and I knew right away his words couldn’t be trusted. Besides, he was the one who had sold me my first new car, and as part of his sales pitch he’d given me a number of reasons why a new car was better than a used one. He kept saying that a new car would hold its value longer than a used one. Can you believe that?”
Sterling threw his head back and let out a great peal of laughter at the seriousness in Colby’s voice and the expression on her face. For whatever her reasons, he was glad she hadn’t allowed a man take to advantage of her. He knew he could probably thank James Wingate for that. Evidently the man had schooled his sister on handling the players out there.
“So, Sterling, what reason do you want to tell me as to why I shouldn’t wait?”
His expression suddenly became serious, determined. He took a few steps that brought him closer to her. Reaching out, he lightly traced his finger softly up her shoulder. Her skin tingled from the contact.
His words were soft when he spoke, and his soft breath felt warm and mo
ist against her face. “I could tell you how our bodies will connect in mindless passion and ecstasy as I make you a part of me and me a part of you. And that when I make love to you, I will give you a glimpse of heaven. Our coming together will be one special moment, and we don’t need a marriage license to enjoy such a spiraling experience.”
Colby trembled under Sterling’s words and touch. For a while she wasn’t capable of speech. Her insides jangled with an unwelcome surge of excitement. But somehow and from somewhere, she found the strength to deny what she was feeling.
She managed to pull herself together to say. “Not bad. In fact, that line was better than most. However, my response to that is for you to think of just how much more special the moment will be knowing you’ll be doing all those things to your wife and not just another woman. You’ll be making me yours in the most intimate way. And I won’t just get a glimpse of heaven, I’ll become a part of it, with you. That in itself will make the experience even more special.”
Sterling’s lips parted in an astonished smile. She had thoroughly and completely turned the tables on him. Her eyes, so serious and calm, dared him to refute her words. And he knew he couldn’t.
“Not a bad comeback,” he said.
She smiled. “I’m usually quicker with my responses.”
He shook his head and an amused grin touched his lips. “Yeah, I bet you are.”
He wondered now that he knew the truth about her, how in the world was he going to keep his hands off her until after they were married. It wasn’t going to be easy. He was a man used to getting what he wanted whenever he wanted it. But that would not be the case with Colby.
“Now getting back to our discussion regarding me taking you home Friday,” he said, not wanting to dwell on his dilemma anymore.
“All right, Sterling, I’ll call James tonight and tell him. And I’ll agree to let you take me home. But why wait ’til Friday? Why can’t we leave tomorrow? Once I tell James about us, he’ll want me to return home to talk to him immediately.”
One Special Moment Page 9