“I see an incredibly handsome man, who makes my heart beat faster just by having him near.”
“What else, angel?”
“I see us – we look good together. We look…right.” Carol’s eyes sought his once again, as though to see if she was answering his question correctly.
Tom just nodded. “What else do you see, angel?”
Carol looked back at herself and smiled. “I see a very healthy me. I see a nice looking woman, who is strong and competent.” Her eyes, still twinkling, sought his again. Smiling, she added, “I like what I see. I like the image looking back at me.”
Tom wrapped his arms around her gently. “Damn straight, angel. Damn straight. We’re workin’ that shit out. Bit by bit.” He moved his hand around to the front, placing his fingers under her chin to lift her face to his. “But baby, this image of you has nothin’ to do with your dress, your hair, your makeup. You’re just as gorgeous first thing in the morning!”
Carol rose on her tiptoes to plant of soft kiss on his lips. “I love you, Tom Rivers.”
“I love you too, angel girl.”
Tom draped her light shawl over her shoulders before they headed out into the night. Neither knowing what to expect from the evening. Both knowing they could face anything with each other.
*
The venue had valet parking, and when they arrived at the ballroom in Jefferstown, a young man opened Carol’s door to assist her down from Tom’s truck. A growl from the driver’s seat had him snatching his hand back as his eyes cut over to the impressive tuxedoed man sitting behind the wheel.
“You may take the keys – I will assist the lady.”
Carol couldn’t contain her giggle as the young man sprinted over to Tom’s side of the truck to retrieve the keys. Tom rounded the front, striding to her door. Peering at the beautiful woman inside, he shook his head for a moment before lifting her out. Keeping his large hands around her waist, he waited until she was steady on her feet.
Curious, Carol asked, “Why are you shaking your head?”
Tom just chuckled as he kissed her forehead. “Just can’t figure out how I got so lucky. You are so goddamn beautiful. Takes my breath away, angel.”
Smiling, Carol stuck her arm out for him to take. “Gonna buy a lady a drink, sailor,” she joked.
“Yes, ma’am,” Tom replied before leaning over to whisper in her ear. “And when we are done with this shindig, I’m gonna do a lot more to you than buy you a drink.”
“Promise?” Carol asked, eyes large with hope.
“Guarantee,” Tom stated, willing the blood to stop rushing to his dick, just thinking about peeling off the silky creation she was wearing. “Damn, let’s go before I throw you back into the truck.”
Taking a deep breath, Carol allowed Tom to take her by the elbow and lead her inside. Please let my parents act normal tonight.
*
Entering the ballroom, Carol was taken back to many years ago when she last attended. How different everything seems now. Then, she was an awkward teenager with a paid escort desperately bouncing between wanting to fit in and wanting to hide. Now, she was walking in on the arm of the most handsome man there. She immediately saw the heads of women turning to see who had entered and their eyes lingering on Tom as they walked by.
While Carol was noticing the women blatantly staring at Tom, he was scowling at the obvious lust in the eyes of the men leering at Carol. He initially had his hand on her back as they were entering the room, but quickly moved his hand around to settle on her waist, pulling her in gently to his side.
Carol noticed that the venue seemed much the same as years before. The circular tables, covered in white and silver cloths, were laden with food. Women of all ages were elegantly dressed; their evening gowns rivaled the colors of the floral arrangements covering the tables.
Before Carol could begin her search for their table assignment, she was greeted by a familiar voice. Turning, she saw her father, distinguished as always in his dinner tuxedo, walking toward them. Her mother, perfectly coiffed in a gold evening gown next to him.
“Carol,” her father spoke in his smooth voice. “I see you have decided to finally come to our annual gathering.” Reaching her, he leaned down to kiss her cheek, then pulled back with a scowl when Tom did not remove his arm from around Carol’s waist.
“Father. Mother,” Carol greeted. “It’s nice to see you again.” Turning to smile up at Tom, she could feel his hand give her waist a gentle squeeze, giving her courage. “I’d like to present my boyfriend, Tom Rivers. Tom, these are my parents, Harold and Estelle Fletcher.”
The men shook hands, both measuring each other with their eyes. Turning to Carol’s mother, he kissed her proffered hand.
Carol’s mother eyed her dress carefully before giving her approval. “I see that my taste in clothing finally rubbed off on you, my dear. Your dress is beautiful. We will show you to our table. You, of course, will be sitting with us.” Before Carol could even think of a reply, her mother turned, taking her father by the arm and leading them to their table.
Tom heard Carol sigh and as he looked down, he noticed her smile seemed less bright. “Let’s go, angel. These men around here have stared at my woman long enough. Maybe if I get you seated they will keep their tongues in their mouths.”
Carol’s smile returned as she leaned into his towering frame as they made their way through the tables following her parents. The head table was already partially filled, leaving five empty chairs. As they approached their seats, the men at the table rose to greet the ladies. Carol’s smile faded as she felt Tom’s hand tighten on her waist. Sitting at the table was Ronald, with his parents joining them.
Tight lipped, Carol greeted the Harriston’s politely. “Ronald. Mr. and Mrs. Harriston, how nice to see you. May I introduce Tom Rivers.”
The men shook hands, although Tom couldn’t resist holding the handshake a moment longer with Ronald in a silent warning. Once they were all seated, Carol noticed the chair on the other side of Tom’s was empty. “Will someone else be joining us?” she asked her mother.
“Yes, my dear. A new friend of Ronald’s will be joining us. I believe she is running a few minutes late.”
She. Thank God. At least Ronald will have his own escort so he won’t be bothering me.
Even Tom relaxed at that news. Thank fuck I won’t have to peel that prick off of Carol tonight.
Carol began to relax as the dinner was served. People tended to talk less as they were eating, and if her parents were occupied then they always ignored her.
“So Thomas, I understand you are a policeman.”
The table was quiet as all eyes turned toward Tom. Carol’s spoon halted halfway to her mouth as she stared at her father.
“Yes sir. I’m a detective with the Fairfield Police Force.” He held the eyes of Mr. Fletcher, refusing to look away or back down from what he knew was a challenge. Intimidation doesn’t work on me, jackass. Go for it!
“Well, that must be fascinating work,” Mrs. Fletcher said, with a false smile. She opened her mouth to say more, but Ronald’s friend arrived at the table.
“Sydney, how nice to see you again,” Ronald greeted.
Carol, having set her spoon down, grateful for the reprieve, looked up to see a gorgeous brunette wearing a skintight dress that showed bounteous cleavage move to the table.
Ronald began to make the introductions when Sydney exclaimed loudly, “Tommy, how good to see you again!”
Tom’s head swung around as his stomach dropped at the sound of his name. Fuck! How the hell did she get here, as Ronald’s friend?
Ronald, seemingly surprised, asked, “Oh do you know Mr. Rivers?”
Leaning over, cleavage threatening to spill out of her dress, she kissed Tom’s cheek. “Oh yes, we are old, close, intimate friends.” Looking over at Carol, Sydney smiled and asked, “And who are you?”
Carol couldn’t find her voice. Close. Intimate. Friends. More like fuck-buddies!
>
Tom discreetly removed Sydney’s hand from his shoulder, introducing her to Carol. “This is my girlfriend, Carol Fletcher.”
Giggling, Sydney pressed her hand to her enormous breasts, drawing as much attention to them as she could. “Oh Tommy. A girlfriend? When you and I were well acquainted, I never thought that just one woman would be enough for you!” Taking the seat next to Tom, she was sitting between him and Ronald, but her attention was definitely on Tom.
Horrified at the turn of events, Carol shot a glance at her parents, expecting indignation. Her father sat stone faced, but her mother looked…smug. Glancing at the other members of the table, she realized that no one seemed shocked other than her and Tom. Ronald and his parents had smiles on their faces.
The room felt small, tight. There was no air to breathe. Carol could feel her vision blurring. Set up. We’ve been set up.
She couldn’t look at Tom, afraid of what she would see. Interest in Sydney? Perusing her gorgeous body. Remembering times gone by. Comparing her to….don’t go there. Breathe. Breathe.
She felt Tom shift in his chair, placing his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in for a gentle hug.
“Angel?” Tom whispered. Carol stared at her plate.
“Angel. Look at me,” he quietly ordered. Carol slowly raised her eyes to him.
“Let’s leave. This is fucked, and you know it. I wanna get you out of here.”
Barely shaking her head, Carol said, “No. It’s fine. I just… I…um…let’s just eat.”
The meal ruined for Carol, she attempted to take a few more bites, but the food tasted like cardboard.
Mrs. Fletcher began her sly assault again. “Tom, we were talking about you being a policeman. I was just wondering if that career pays very much.”
Carol gasped, but Tom squeezed her knee.
“It pays the bills and then some,” he answered deftly. “But more importantly, I go to work every day lovin’ what I do and knowin’ that I do somethin’ worthwhile.”
Carol’s father looked at him speculatively, but her mother just had a sour look on her face. Turning to Sydney, Mrs. Fletcher asked, “How did you meet Tom?”
“Oh, when Tommy and I were close, he headed out of town every chance he got to have a good time. We met at a bar in town here, and he was always up for some fun, if you know what I mean,” she laughed, placing her hand back on Tom’s shoulder.
Tom growled, furious. Furious at Sydney. Furious at Ronald and the Fletchers, who he felt sure had set this up to discredit him. I can see them fuckin’ with me, but how the hell can they fuck with their own daughter this way? He could see Carol struggling, but had no idea how to make the situation better without causing a scene.
Carol was trying to eat, but her hands were beginning to shake. Full. I feel full. I need to get rid of it. I just need to get rid of the food, and this will feel better. Carol felt Tom’s hand on her knee again, this time rubbing softly, pulling her back from what felt like an abyss. Breathe in. Breathe out. I can do this. I am healthy. I am with Tom. I am capable of making the right choices.
Tom felt the change in Carol’s breathing as she seemed to gain control over her emotions again. Realizing that no one at the table had a clue what Carol was going through made him angry for her that she always had to battle this alone. Not her parents. Not Ronald. No one. Well, not anymore. She is not alone.
As Carol’s head cleared, she heard her mother speaking again. “Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that she chose a common policeman to date since she is still playing at nurse herself.”
Tom had had enough but before he could speak Carol stood up, placing her hand on his arm. “You say what you want about me, mother. You sit here, all sanctimoniously, but you haven’t worked a day in your life so don’t speak to me about a career. You want to talk about me, go ahead. But don’t you dare, DARE speak to Tom that way. He is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I thank God every day that he came into my life.”
Turning to Ronald, she continued. “And you, I used to think that you were my friend. But you are just as bad as them,” she said pointing to her parents. “Don’t think for one minute that I don’t know you set her up to be at this table. I don’t know how you investigated Tom to dig up something, but if this is the best you can come up with, that’s pathetic.”
She then turned her ire toward Sydney. “And you. What did you hope to accomplish? To reconnect? Well, get this straight – you may have been his fuck-buddy, but I am the one he holds all night!”
Beginning to shake, Carol turned and ran to the ladies’ room before Tom could stop her.
Tom stood up, tossing his napkin on the table like a gauntlet. Leaning over, he put his fists on the table and he stated in a cold, deadly voice. “You wanna fuck with me, bring it on. But never, never fuck with Carol, ever again. You got me?”
Turning, he stalked toward the hall near the entranceway where the restrooms were located, leaving a stunned table behind.
Mr. Fletcher said nothing, just staring thoughtfully at the back of Tom as he walked away. Mrs. Fletcher barely glanced at Sydney as she waved her hand in her direction. “You may leave. Your part is over.”
Shrugging, Sydney left the table, disappointment written on her face.
Tom made it to the ladies’ room but hesitated outside the door. Just when he was ready to barge in to check on her, she came out.
Carol looked up with a look of surprise on her face that quickly melted into tears. “Oh Tom, I am so sorry,” she sobbed.
He crossed the space to her in two steps, grabbing her tightly and held her against his chest. Pressing his hand against the back of her head, he rocked her gently. “It’s okay, angel. I’m here now. It’s okay. I got you.” Over and over, he chanted the soft words as her sobs subsided.
When she finally was able to catch her breath, he continued. “Don’t worry about it, angel. We’ll call the counselor first thing tomorrow and I swear, I will never let you around those people again. You’re not gonna purge because of them.”
Carol leaned her head way back so that she could look into his eyes. Concerned blue eyes met teary blue eyes. “Tom,” Carol said softly. “I didn’t purge. I wasn’t in there purging.”
Still holding her head in his powerful grip, he looked down in confusion. “Then what are you sorry about?”
“For them,” she exclaimed, sweeping her hand out toward the ballroom. “For my parents that have never paid attention to me until I finally made a decision that went against their image of what I should be. For Ronald, a man who escorted me around like I was a prize he won, but who never cared for me. For all of it. I am so sorry that you were insulted by them.”
Tom chuckled as he pressed Carol’s head back into his chest. She could feel the rumble from deep inside of him and couldn’t help but smile as her head shook with his mirth.
“Angel, you got nothin’ to be sorry for. The way you stood up to them…sexy as fuck, girl. Baby, I couldn’t be more proud of you and proud of bein’ with you than I am right now. In fact, how about you and me ditchin’ this joint and headin’ home. I’ve been thinkin’ about peelin’ this dress off of you since I first saw you in it!”
Carol smiled up at him as he twisted her body so that she was firmly planted into his side instead of his front as they walked down the hall. They had only taken two steps when they were halted by a sound behind them.
“Tommy?”
Tom hung his head. Fuck. Does this nightmare just keep goin’ on and on? He could feel Carol turning around, but he immediately wanted to protect her, so he kept her pulled in tightly to him as they both turned together to face Sydney. Shuttin’ this shit down right now.
“I just wanted to apologize to both of you,” Sydney said, looking embarrassed as she forced herself to make eye contact. “That was horrible, and I had no idea….well, I just wanted to apologize.” She turned to walk away, when Carol stopped her.
“Sydney, this was a set up wasn’t it?” Ca
rol asked, almost fearful of the answer.
Sydney, gorgeous in her own way, looked back at the angelic creature standing pressed into Tom’s side. He loves her. I can tell. “Yes, it was.”
“But why? How?” Carol’s words seemed to stutter.
Sydney, looking up at Tom’s granite face, knowing he was barely containing his fury, answered, “A man came into the bar I work at asking if anyone knew Tom Rivers. We got into a conversation, and I let him know that Tom and I had … um …been … um… friends.” Her eye cut back to Carol’s in a silent apology. “He told me that he would like me to come to a formal event, sit with Tom, and that things would work in my favor.”
Carol’s brow furrowed in question.
“He said that Tom would have a date that he was interested in and that if I showed up looking sexy, Tom would want me and he would get Tom’s date. It sounded simple and I honestly didn’t see anything wrong with it.” Sparing a glance at Tom, she could tell that he had gone from furious to almost explosive. “But once I got here and saw the way you two were, I knew she was no casual fu-… um… date. I’m really sorry.”
Sydney turned to walk away, then stopped again. Looking at both of them, she said, “You two are the real thing. I can tell and anyone who can’t is a fool.” She then turned, walking down the hall once again.
Tom, having wanted to avoid the conversation, looked down at Carol’s angelic face. Her beauty went so far beyond the average woman. It was haunting. It stayed with him. It pulled him in and wrapped itself around him.
“Angel, I’m sorry about her. I never imagined that we would run into anyone from my past. I just…”
Carol pressed her fingers on his lips. “I know. None of this is your fault. It is strange to run into one of your old girlfriends.”
“She was never a girlfriend. It was never more than physical,” he quickly interjected. Carol winced slightly and Jake cursed silently. Fuck, how do I make this right?
“Well, one of your…um… former friends with benefits.” Taking a deep breath, she continued. “But what’s important is that we are still together in spite of my family’s machinations, and I didn’t purge.”
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