He chuckles and flashes me a dimpled smile and I know everything will be okay from here on out. I know that Michael will watch out for me and keep Sharon at bay as much as possible. He makes me feel safe, and it’s a new feeling for me. Well, slightly new. There’s only been one other man to make me feel safe, but he isn’t here. And, as always, my thoughts drift to him, making me miss him even more.
We decide to grab a plate of food and retake our seats at the table. A passing waiter offers us flutes of champagne, and I eagerly take one of the bubbling glasses from the tray. Alcohol is most definitely needed for the night. Anything to take the edge off that still lingers after the run-in with Sharon. Throughout our meal, Michael makes me laugh, telling me silly jokes or stories about his clients. It aids in taking my mind off of everything and I relax just a little bit more.
Soon we hear the hum of a microphone and see my dad occupying the stage at the front. We turn together and listen to my dad make a toast to Sharon, who slightly stumbles onto the stage and blows over-exaggerated kisses to the crowd. Everyone raises their glasses in unison, wishing the drunken tramp a happy birthday. Not wanting to draw any more negative attention, my dad offers Sharon his hand, leading her to the dance floor for the first dance of the night. The band begins playing a soft melody as the crowd watches them glide across the dance floor. Well, my dad is gliding and Sharon is limply hanging there. I wonder if she knows how ridiculous she looks or how embarrassing it must be for my dad.
A few couples join them on the dance floor at the next song selection and Michael stands, offering his hand to me.
“May I have the pleasure of this dance?”
I smile and nod, biting my bottom lip as he helps me stand from my chair. As soon as our feet hit the floor, he twirls me slightly before pulling me close to his body. We entwine our hands and hold them to our sides with our elbows bent close to our bodies. My free arm lays on his shoulder, allowing my fingers to rest across the muscular planes of his upper back. A Billie Holiday song floats through the hall, one I actually know, and we sway in rhythm with the music. Michael guides us around the floor with grace and ease.
“You’re an excellent dancer,” I remark.
His cheeks pink up and a nervous laugh escapes. “That’s ten years of dance lessons with Madame Tousignant. My mom made me do it when I was growing up because my sister refused to go by herself.”
I press my lips together and try my best not to laugh. “Ten years? Why didn’t you quit as you got older?”
He shakes his head and lets out a quiet laugh. “Because, at that point, I started to enjoy it. She was teaching me all these advanced dances, you know, the kind you see on Dancing With the Stars? I can do almost all of them. Well, maybe not anymore. I am older and a little rusty.”
“Damn. And I was hoping you could show me a few things.”
He wags his eyebrows and twirls me out in front of him before pulling me back into the safety of his body.
“I’ve still got a few moves left in me.”
We laugh and dance to a few more songs before my dad approaches, sporting a broad grin. I’ve never seen him smile this much in my life. Maybe he’s drunk too.
“Michael, there are a few people out on the veranda that I’d like you to meet. Tessa, would you mind if I borrow him for a while?”
“Sure, that’s okay with me.”
Michael smiles and walks away with my dad while I head back to our table, thankful to get off my feet for a moment. Whoever said shoes were meant for fashion and not for comfort should be shot. I grab another flute of champagne from a passing waiter and partake in my favorite pastime. I don’t know one single person here, outside of my dad, Sharon and Michael. These are all of my dad’s friends and associates and I’m sure several people from their country club. I’m pretty sure I recognized the mayor and his wife, but I can’t be positive. I’ve only seen them in pictures and never actually met them in real life. There are at least two hundred people in attendance, making it easy for me to be the wallflower that I like to be.
My phone beeps in my clutch as the champagne bubbles tickle my nose. I roll my eyes, guessing that it’s Kara wanting the gossip on what’s going on or how my date is going so far. But nothing prepared me for seeing Andrew’s name on my screen, making my eyes go wide as saucers.
My darling, beautiful Tessa. I love the way you look with your hair swept back behind your shoulders in soft, delicate curls. I can see you in a blue strapless gown with intricate silver designs, and diamond earrings gracing your delicate lobes. Nothing compares to your smile which outshines the soft glow of the candles that surround you. ~A~
I freeze and nervously start looking around me. Either he has a very active imagination or … or. I don’t even get the chance to finish that thought as I feel him come up behind me, running his hands down my arms, leaning so close to me it sends a chill across my skin. My body erupts in goose bumps and desire takes the place of surprise.
Oh. My. God. He’s here. He’s really here.
“I also imagine your soft pink lips, slightly parted as a small gasp escapes them. The same sound you make when you’re sleeping next to me or making love with me,” he whispers in that soft, sexy British accent of his. My breathing accelerates and I shift in my chair. My head turns slightly, needing to see those bright blue eyes that I’ve longed for. The air has been completely drained from my lungs as I stare into Andrew’s gorgeous face. A face that has haunted my waking dreams, causing my heart so much pain and yet so much longing. Those full lips that I want to kiss caress my cheek as his fingertip ignites a trail of fire down my neck.
“It’s so good to see you, Tessa. I’ve been counting the days until we would be reunited again. I’ve done nothing but dream of you every second of every day since we departed last.” Andrew’s warm breath tickles the area behind my ear, allowing his lips to explore the area. I feel dizzy with pleasure, my eyes closing as my breath comes in short bursts. I feel as if we’re making a scene, or at least we could be. However, when I look around, I realize that no one is looking at us. Not one person is aware of the reunion taking place, of the man who melts my soul and completes my very existence.
I turn in my chair, needing to fully see him as he takes the seat that Michael occupied not less than an hour ago.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper hoarsely. Andrew knows exactly how he affects me, how to turn me into a raging pile of hormones without actually having to touch me or do anything. His blue eyes shine in the soft glow of the candlelight, making my heart leap inside my chest.
“I came here for you. It couldn’t wait one more week. I needed to see you right away.”
He came for me. He wanted to see me, no,
needed
to see me. How do I respond to that? Do I say how big of a fool I was for leaving like I did? Or that I needed to see him too? My hungry eyes take him in, admiring his freshly shaven face, his beautiful masculine features, and that sexy dark hair I love running my fingers through. And he’s wearing a tux. Holy shit. If I thought he was hot in tailored suits, he’s to die for in a tux.
I swallow past the lump in my throat, needing to regain some control of my body.
“Why?”
Need and desire mix together as I nervously canvas the room again, hoping that Sharon isn’t watching. My hand rubs the area above my heart, trying to ward off the pain. Andrew ignores my question and grabs the hand at my chest, bringing it up to his lips before pressing it against his own beating heart.
“You don’t have to hurt there anymore, love. I promise you will never have to hurt there again as long as I’m here.” He leans forward, pressing our foreheads together, leaving my hand to cover his heart. “I’ve missed you so much, Tessa. I’m so sorry, more than you will ever know.”
We close the distance to each other, pressing our mouths together in a whisper soft kiss. My lip trembles slightly as a flood of memories assaults my mind; each memory bringing back all the joy and pleasure those lips have brought me. My body takes over and I wrap my free hand around his neck. Pulling him closer to me, we seal our mouths together, succumbing to the kiss I’ve longed for since I last felt it. A kiss that is so perfect and natural. It’s a kiss I could see myself giving and receiving for the rest of my life.
“Do you feel that, Tessa?” Andrew whispers against my lips. “My heart beats only for you. My heart longs for only you. It’s not complete without you in my life.”
I pull back slightly, leaving my hand still resting on his chest. “I can’t do this here, not now. There are too many people around and Michael …” My eyes look everywhere but his. I stand from my chair, letting my hand fall from his body as I turn away from him. Andrew is instantly behind me, close enough for me to feel him even though he’s not touching me.
“Your date is currently occupied outside on the veranda with your father and several other gentlemen. It appears he’s left you alone so someone else can snatch you away.”
I turn and try to move away from him. He lightly grabs my elbow, anchoring my body against his. The hard muscles beneath his tux flex and tighten as he wraps an arm around my waist. I try not to picture those same muscles as they flex and tighten while he’s above me, worshipping my body while giving me immense pleasure.
I shake my head. “Andrew, please, not here. I can’t do this tonight.” My voice is weak and small. The fight behind the words is not there, indicating that I’m really not willing to let him go. Deep down, I want this. I want him.
He ducks down and brings my gaze to meet his. Confused hazels meet pleading blues as he softly cups my cheek in his hand.
“One dance. Please, grant me one dance for tonight then I promise to leave. But only for this evening. I told you that I came here for you, to beg your forgiveness and to clear up whatever misunderstandings we have between us. I belong to you Tessa, body and soul, and I won’t stop until you see it too.”
My willpower is fading quickly. With a final glance around, I place my hand in his, letting him lead me to the dance floor.
“One dance, Andrew. That’s it.”
My hand tingles at the skin-to-skin contact, his thumb lazily grazing over my own repeatedly. I can’t believe I’m doing this, here, right now, in front of all these people. Although it’s not uncommon to dance with people you didn’t arrive with. No one really even knows who I am so why would they care that I’m not dancing with Michael? But as Andrew’s arm wraps around my waist and brings our joined hands to his chest, I can’t stop myself from looping my own arm around his shoulders. I press up against him, close enough so our chests and stomachs are touching. This feels more intimate than the dance Michael and I shared earlier. Yet this also feels like home, like the universe is aligned in perfect formation.
The song switches and the familiar strains of “It Had to Be You” fill the air.
Fate, you really are trying to kill me, aren’t you?
We sway together as we dance gracefully in a circle. We’re barely moving yet it feels like we’re floating at the same time. Andrew’s hand flexes at the small of my back and gently rubs up and down my spine.
He leans his head down to rest against my cheek, whispering his thoughts into my ear. “Words cannot describe how beautiful you look tonight, love. It took everything I had to stay away and watch you from afar. Seeing you with your date, watching you laugh with him and dance closely, knowing that it should be me out there instead of him, about drove me mad. I have never been a jealous man, but seeing you with him made me feel something I have never felt before.”
His words swirl in my head, my brain running a million miles a minute at this bit of information. How long has he been here? What if he saw my run-in with Sharon, or worse yet, heard what she had said to me? But then I realize he was watching me, staring at me, jealous of my time with Michael. Even though he has nothing to be jealous of, he doesn’t know that yet.
He really did come here to see me. The pain in my heart lessens as I let that wash over me.
I pull my head back slightly, needing to look into the blue eyes that I love, praying to find some answers to questions I’m not ready to verbalize tonight. What I see surprises me, although I’m not sure why. I see regret, sadness, and hope. Could he have possibly known I had secretly wanted him to follow me, to rescue me from myself and my crazy insecurities? To drag me away to places unknown, hidden from the world where we could reconnect and rediscover each other? Then I remember the pain I felt one week ago, the feeling of betrayal and believing he didn’t want me and didn’t return my affections. A lone tear slips down my cheek as my gaze falls onto the floor. Andrew releases my hand, gently sweeping away the tear with his thumb. A soft sob escapes me as he cups my cheek and pulls me closer to him.
“Please, don’t cry. It breaks my heart to watch you cry and it shatters me whole to know that I am the reason behind those tears.”
Another tear slips down my cheek, but he quickly brushes it away. We’ve stopped dancing, even though the music is still playing. Andrew’s wet thumb brushes over my quivering bottom lip, allowing the wetness to seep into my mouth, letting me taste my salty tears. Tears of joy, tears of sorrow, tears of confusion, all running together and releasing from my body. And I’m trying really hard to guard my heart and not let it rule my body, but I’m finding it more and more difficult the longer I’m around Andrew.
“Andrew,” I whisper.
He closes the distance between us, gently stroking his lips against mine. It’s soft and familiar, making me sigh softly as we continue to move against each other’s lips. He doesn’t push me to open for him. It feels like he’s restraining himself, letting me guide him as to what I want to happen. The spark that I love runs through our connection, lighting up the room even if it’s only in my mind. Andrew places several soft pecks against my lips before pulling away, guiding my head down to rest upon his shoulder as he holds me tight with both arms around me.
Tonight has been more emotional than I anticipated it to be. First, Sharon shows her colors outside of the house. Then Andrew, the keeper of my heart and the one who makes my life shine brightly with promises of hope and love shows up, professing his need to be with me and to win me back.