Aunt Mary met me at the station, and just the sight of her silver hair, bright blue eyes and broad smile was enough to cheer me up. I had told her on the phone that Steve and I had broken up; she was tactful enough not to press for details. Aunt Mary and I had always enjoyed a close relationship; she was more like a much older sister than an aunt. She had retired from acting a few years earlier and had always been my mentor and most enthusiastic cheerleader. Mary had never been a hugely successful actress, but she had been well known in New York as a talented and hard-working professional.
I was sprawled on a chaise longue with her cat, Jasmine, purring on my lap when she came out to the patio with two glasses of iced tea. “Gillian, Jackie and Ken Williams are coming over for cocktails. Ken is bringing his golf partner, some guy named David. Sorry…I know you’re not in a sociable mood.”
Damn! Jackie and Ken Williams were the most boring people on the planet. But they had always been good neighbors to Mary, and she was careful to keep their relationship cordial.
I smiled briefly at Mary. “No problem. Company might be a good distraction for me. I feel pretty skanky; I think I’ll have a shower and change.” I dumped Jasmine to the ground, ignoring her yowl of annoyance.
I felt almost human again after taking a long, hot shower and changing into a pale blue sundress. I looked at myself critically in a full-length mirror. God, I really had to drop ten pounds…maybe fifteen. But my skin looked good, tanned to a honey shade, and the strong sun had brought out golden highlights in my wavy brown hair. Perhaps one day, after I got over the humiliation of Steve dumping me, another man might find me attractive and even enjoy me in bed.
The guests had arrived by the time I stepped out to the patio. Mary made the introductions. “Gillian, you remember Jackie and Ken…and this is their friend David Wentworth.”
“Hi, Gillian.” He smiled and reached out a hand. I gave it a limp shake, trying hard not to gawk. He wasn’t conventionally handsome, but he was striking. Somewhere in his early forties. About six feet tall, with the lean, hard physique of a marine—this man had discipline. Light brown hair just starting to go gray. Full lips, ordinary nose. His eyes were his most stunning feature—glacial blue and penetrating. I felt mesmerized. Powerful was the word he brought to mind.
I had a sudden attack of shyness. I dropped my eyes from his face and found myself staring at his crotch. I burned with my easily aroused blush as I looked away, praying he hadn’t noticed.
The four of us exchanged the usual pleasantries. I sat on the wicker sofa to alleviate the weak feeling in my knees. David handed me a glass of white wine and sat next to me. Mary, Jackie, and Ken huddled on the other side of the patio, complaining about the hideous new McMansion under construction down the street.
“I understand you’re an actress, Gillian.” David’s voice made me think of brandy—smooth and mellow but potent.
“Yes.” Why did my voice sound so squeaky? I cleared my throat. “Although, struggling actress is more accurate. I’ve performed in a few off–Broadway plays, starred in a couple of commercials…nothing really major. And nothing at all recently.”
“It’s a very tough and frustrating business. But I’m sure you’ll make it. You’re very pretty and obviously very bright.”
It was a superficial and conventional compliment, but it seemed authentic to me when he unleashed his brilliant smile. Perfect teeth, of course.
“Thanks.” My voice had spiraled into Minnie Mouse range again. His thigh seemed much too close to mine; I was sure I could feel his body heat through the thin cotton of my dress. “So what do you do?”
“Real estate. My parents owned a firm in Denver, so I grew up in the business. I came to New York for college, decided to stay after graduation and work in the industry here. It took a while, but eventually I started my own company.”
“Impressive.”
“Well, it took a lot of work. I have to admit I’m a bit of a workaholic…but I also take playtime very seriously.” His eyes locked onto mine, and my mouth went dry.
At that point Mary, Jackie, and Ken joined the conversation, which promptly turned dull—the weather, golf, politics…It was hard not to squirm like a fidgety five-year-old. I was still hugely aware of David sitting so close to me, frequently catching my eyes with his and sending me small, secret smiles. The pheromones were flying.
Finally Jackie and Ken rose to say their good-byes; David stood as well. I felt a wave of disappointment. How could this amazing man disappear from my life so quickly?
David saved the day. “I’m driving back to New York tonight. I’m parked at the end of Jackie and Ken’s driveway.” He turned his intense gaze on me. “Gillian, would you walk me to my car?”
“Sure, I’d love to.” Damnit—squeaky voice again, plus I sounded way too eager. “I’ll be back in a little while, Mary.”
Mary raised one eyebrow and gave us a brief, enigmatic smile. “Sure, that’s fine. Dinner can wait a little bit longer.”
Jackie and Ken decided to walk the beach back to their house, thank God. I couldn’t have endured their incessant chatter bursting the bubble of attraction that surrounded me and David. We walked slowly down Mary’s driveway and even more slowly down the road to Jackie and Ken’s driveway and his car. A midnight-blue BMW convertible.
“Nice car.” Great, I sound as inane as Jackie and Ken.
“Glad you like it. We should go for a drive sometime.”
“I’d love to.” My confidence was rising; this amazing guy really seemed to like me.
“I enjoyed meeting you, Gillian. I’m just sorry I have to leave so soon.”
“Business in the city?”
“Yeah, I have to prepare for an early breakfast meeting on Monday. But I’d love to take you out for dinner sometime. Could I have your number?”
I rattled it off as he wrote it down—with a gold pen in a leather-covered notebook. Apparently his real-estate business was doing pretty well.
“Great, I’ll call you soon.” He tucked the pen and notebook into his jacket pocket. Then he reached out and touched my hair…skimmed his fingers along the curve of my cheek. I thought I’d swoon.
“You’re such a pretty little thing,” he whispered. “I wish I could take you home with me.” Then he was leaning down, pressing his warm, full lips against mine. The kiss was gentle but firm, practiced but somehow surprising. I wrapped my arms around his neck, caressed the taut muscles of his back and his chest. He smelled wonderful—a spicy-sweet scent I couldn’t quite identify.
He kissed me harder, more urgently. I felt lost….
I’m kissing a stranger in the middle of the street! I dropped my arms and pulled away.
David wasn’t fazed; he just gave me a lazy, sexy smile. “I’ll call you soon,” he said again and brushed his fingertips lightly against my breasts. My hard nipples were clearly visible through the sheer cotton of my sundress. I felt a slow burn rise in my face.
He quickly got into his car, started it up and put it into gear. “Bye, Gillian.”
“Bye, David.” I watched his blue convertible turn the corner and drive out of sight.
Over dinner, Mary studied me carefully. “David is certainly an attractive man…and he was certainly attracted to you. Are you going to go out with him?”
I shrugged, pretending nonchalance. “I gave him my phone number, but I’ll doubt he’ll call.