“That wasn’t even a subtle change in subject,” she chided, then obligingly talked about her efforts to raise money for the local children’s hospital.
At first he listened to her words, then a flash of light caught his attention. He looked toward the entrance and saw that Cathy had walked into the tent. She was surrounded by a group of young male admirers. She was incredibly beautiful, and as he watched her he found it hard to believe that she was a part of his life.
The overhead light caught the red highlights in her hair and made her skin glow. The off-the-shoulder gown she wore made her creamy skin look like satin. The shape of the small mask hid only her large eyes. She was a vision. That’s what he’d thought when he’d first seen her in the dress. So much so that desire had overwhelmed him.
He’d come up behind her, intent only on kissing her bare shoulder. But when he’d touched her, he was instantly aroused. She’d turned to face him and had seen the passion in his eyes. As always, she denied him nothing. Instead, she’d carefully pulled up the skirt of the gown to reveal stockings, a garter belt and a tiny scrap of silk pretending to be panties. The latter had been quickly pulled off. In seconds, he’d buried himself inside of her. He’d moved his hand between them, rubbing her sweet spot until she convulsed against him, the contractions of her release sucking him dry.
The memory was enough to make him want her again. It was always like this with her. He couldn’t get enough of her. Even knowing that she was in love with him couldn’t keep him away. And it should have. After all, he could never give her what she wanted…what she deserved.
“You’re not even pretending to listen,” Meryl said, and sighed. “At least Ben pretends.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was—”
“I know exactly what you were doing.” Meryl nodded toward Cathy. “Who is she, Stone? Are you letting go of the past at last?”
“She—” He paused, not sure how to explain Cathy. She was a friend. Someone who worked for him. She was also a project, his way to atone for what had happened before. She was to make up for Evelyn.
“She’s my assistant,” he said at last.
“Ah, so she’s the mystery woman. I’ve heard about her.” She patted his arm again. “I demand an introduction, and as soon as Ben returns from Paris, the two of you are to dine with us.”
He murmured something unintelligible. Meryl accepted it as assent, even though that wasn’t what he meant. He wouldn’t be going anywhere with Cathy. The party was special. The mask he wore offered him protection. But Meryl’s house would be different. Bright lights, unfamiliar surroundings, children to stare and be frightened. No, he wasn’t going to be visiting with them any time soon. But he wouldn’t spoil her evening by saying that. He would explain it all at another time.
When a handsome young man dressed like a matador claimed Meryl for a dance, Stone retreated to the far side of the room to watch the party. Cathy kept glancing at him, but he motioned for her to continue circulating and to enjoy herself. This party was for her, and he wanted her to have a good time.
He found pleasure in just watching her. He liked watching the young men flirt with her because he knew she wasn’t interested. Unfair and ignoble of him. After all, he wasn’t planning on claiming her emotionally or permanently. But for tonight he was pleased that while these other physically perfect specimens tried to capture her interest, her body was still wet from their lovemaking. He knew that as she walked she could feel the slight ache left over from the heated rush they’d shared only a few hours before.
He was playing a dangerous game. He knew that. He was having trouble keeping his distance. In time that was going to have to change. He would have to learn how to pull back again. For now he’d lost perspective. This was supposed to be about his late wife. He knew that. Yet somehow it had also become about him, and what he wanted, as well.
* * *
Cathy moved through the party with an ease she didn’t feel. Every time she tried to get close to Stone, he shooed her away to experience all the excitement on her own. As if being with him would get in the way of her fun. She frowned slightly. Didn’t the man realize that being with him was all she wanted? Obviously not, she thought, wondering why someone who could be so bright about business could also be so silly about women.
She put down the glass of sparkling water she’d been sipping and made her way to the exit. Across the lit path were double glass doors and the entrance to the ladies’ rest room. She had to admit this was the only private residence she’d ever been in with such a huge powder room. There was a sitting area, and two private stalls. She supposed the space had been designed for entertaining.
She stepped inside and checked her makeup. The lighting was soft and flattering. She touched her hair and fished in her small handbag to get her lipstick. The door opened and two women entered. Their costumes were elaborate, obviously rented from an exclusive store. They were tall, slender and very beautiful. Six months ago, Cathy would have found herself shrinking out of the way. But now she met their gazes in the mirror and smiled.
“Is there a line?” the brunette asked.
“No. I’m just hogging the mirror. The stalls are empty.” Cathy motioned in that direction and turned her attention back to the lipstick. The color was a brownish coral. At first she’d passed it over, thinking it was too muddy. But the women at the cosmetic counter had insisted she try it. Cathy was pleased. The lipstick had—
“He’s as handsome as ever,” one of the women said, her voice slightly muffled by the distance and the closed door. “In that mask and cape, he looked just like a Broadway star inPhantom of the Opera.”
Cathy looked over her shoulder. Both women were using the rest room. Apparently they’d forgotten they weren’t alone, or they didn’t care. Either way, as they were talking about Stone, she felt free to eavesdrop.
“A tragic figure,” the other one said. “It’s a pity he withdrew so completely after his wife died.”
“What was she like?”
“Not what you’d expect. Not our type at all.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” the first woman continued. “Very plain. Apparently they’d been friends for years. Then one day he up and married her.”
“Sounds romantic.”
“Oh, it wasn’t. His parents were insisting he marry someone appropriate, and apparently he wouldn’t have any part of that. He said he would pick his own bride, then he married Evelyn.”
