Diane woke with a splitting headache and a deep attitude. She groaned softly, taking particular care not to wake the hard-headed man beside her. Padding soundlessly into the bathroom, she stared wearily into the mirror. She was a mess! Her hair was standing all over her head like she’d stuck her finger into a light socket, and her eyelids were puffy and swollen from crying.
Damn him! The honeymoon wasn’t just over... it was dead! She stepped into the shower, letting the hot water soothe the stiff muscles in her neck and back, easing the tension from her body. Unfortunately it couldn’t wash away the heaviness in her heart.
The things he’d accused her of were all true. She had used men to buffer the unnerving feelings he alone aroused in her. Perhaps it had been foolish to think he’d forgiven her. Evidently, she’d been mistaken in the belief that they’d started anew. As much as she wished it to, their marriage could not change the past. He intended to go right on tossing the past into her face whenever something went wrong.
It wasn’t right! She’d given him no reason to doubt her loyalty to him. He knew she wasn’t promiscuous. And he knew she loved him... loved him with all her heart.
Diane was shaking with anger as she switched off the shower. There was no excuse for him using what had happened before they were married to hurt her! Didn’t he realize how unfair that was?
By the time she’d finished blow-drying her hair and curling it with an electric curling iron, she was oozing with righteous indignation, but beneath the anger was a full measure of hurt feelings.
Her whole life had changed drastically in just a few short days. For the first time since their wedding, she wondered if her husband really loved her. How could he and believe the worst?
Refusing to give in to the nasty urge to slam the bedroom door as hard as she could behind her, Diane carried her clothes into the living room and finished dressing there.
She was sipping hot, fragrant coffee when she glanced up and met her husband’s dark, brooding gaze. One bare, powerful brown shoulder was anchored against the doorjamb. She turned her gaze away from the muscular lines of his bare torso, long legs, trim hips, and prominent sex, all tucked into tight-fitting jeans.
“ ’Morning.” His voice was deep and throaty, his mouth grim as his eyes journeyed leisurely over her soft curves. The classic black suit she had teamed with a softly draped cream blouse did marvelous things to her beautiful skin. Not that she needed help to be beautiful... what she needed help with was keeping men at a distance. If she felt she wasn’t up to the challenge, Charles intended to take care of that little matter himself. “Any more of that?”
Diane retrieved a cup from the cupboard. She placed it on the counter beside the coffeemaker. “Help yourself.” She dumped the rest of her drink into the sink and rinsed out the cup.
She was relieved when he moved toward the counter so she could leave the kitchen without having to touch him. She reached the doorway, then suddenly changed her mind. Facing him, she said “About last night…
““Leave it,” he bit out harshly, swallowing the too-hot beverage and nearly burning the roof of his mouth. He’d be damned if he’d allow her to weaken his resolve and twist his emotions into knots. He’d made himself clear when they’d started again. He wasn’t about to share her with another man. She was wearing his ring, damn it!
“Fine!” Diane snapped. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Where?”
“Where do you think?” She didn’t wait for his response. She retrieved her purse and briefcase from the bedroom. She was lugging a suitcase and garment bag, along with her purse and briefcase.
“Leave them. I’ll take them with me. I have to go back to the house anyway to change for the office.”
Diane dropped the luggage right where she stood, barely missing her feet. What did he think, that she was planning on staying here? The arrogant jerk! She was the fool to marry him in the first place. Talk about mule-headed!
Diane searched her handbag until she found an extra set of keys. She dropped them onto the coffee table before leaving the apartment without another word to her husband.
Charles’s disposition hadn’t improved one little bit by the time he reached his corner office on the top floor of Randol and Randol Pharmaceutical in Southfield. He was engrossed in his correspondence when his sister walked into his office. As was her custom, she didn’t bother knocking on the open door.
“Hi! I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you would still be honeymooning.” Her smile was wide, but her eyes were worried and questioning.
Charles frowned. He didn’t particularly care to be reminded that his bride had slept on the far side of the bed or that they’d barely exchanged a half dozen words that morning. It was the first time he’d started the day without a morning kiss and without the delightful temptation of their remaining in bed together. He’d exercised his male rights. He’d been the man, made his point in no uncertain terms. Instead of feeling strong, he felt more like a casualty of war.
“Hey.” He waved toward the coffeemaker and mugs on the side table.
“No thanks.” Eliz’s normally happy-go-lucky brother looked none-too-happy this morning. Her spirits sunk. “Sooooo, you still mad?”
When his frown deepened, she wished she’d taken a less direct approach. Well, her foot was halfway in; she might as well finish the job. “Chuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset her.”
“Her name is Diane.”
Elizabeth winced at the pointed rejoinder.
“It was just such a shock. You know I don’t mean half the things I say.”
Charles raised a brow. “Since when?”
“I’m trying to apologize.”
“I know that. But this is one time when your runaway tongue has hurt. I’m not happy that my wife was the target.”
“Charles, please—I didn’t mean to make an enemy of my brand new sister-in-law. I’ve waited years to see you happily married.”
“I picked the bride, not you.”
Charles wasn’t thrilled to see tears gathering in his baby sister’s eyes. “Look, I know we’ve always been close. And I’ve encouraged you to speak your mind. We’ve always been able to be straight with each other. Sis, I married Diane because I love her. I’ve been in love with her for a long time, even if I wasn’t about to admit it,” he paused, making sure there was no room for misunderstanding. “You were shocked yesterday... but no one, not even you, will get away with being rude to my wife. If you can’t be pleasant to her, then stay the hell out of our lives.”
Elizabeth couldn’t believe her ears! He had married the two-timing hussy; now, suddenly, she was suppose to develop selective amnesia? Who was he kidding? But the set of his jaw convinced Elizabeth that he was serious. She’d always loved and admired her wonderful big brother. Yet she knew she couldn’t stand back and watch him get hurt without trying to protect him. What choice did she have if she wanted a relationship with him? She swallowed with difficulty, determined not to verbalize that in her opinion, he’d made a horrible error by marrying Diane. She knew she just had to keep her thoughts to herself. There was no way she was going to let her brother walk out of her life.
She said “I’ll make it up to Diane. I can’t promise to like her like a sister, but I love and respect you enough to try to be considerate of her.” Despite her doubts, Elizabeth believed a family always stood together. She just prayed that she would not end up picking up the pieces when that fast-tailed witch broke her brother’s heart.
“I appreciate that.” Charles’s face eased into a warm, engaging smile. “I’m hoping you two can come to love each other. We’re family.”
“Yes, family.” She was so relieved that he wasn’t still angry with her that she rushed over and gave him a grateful hug. She didn’t dare think about where she was suppose to find all this sisterly love for someone she didn’t trust as far as she could throw her.
“Charles!” Alexander Randol boomed. “What’s this I hear about a wedding?” He was a tall, heavy-set man. He shared the same warm-brown coloring, wide smile, strong features, and striking good looks as his niece and nephew. His once-thick black hair was now heavily peppered with gray.
Charles’s eyes swung to his sister. She had guilt written all over her pretty face. Charles couldn’t help laughing. He rose. At six-four, he was only an inch taller than his distinguished elegantly groomed uncle. Charles beamed as he accepted the bear hug and hearty handshake from his mentor and surrogate father.
“Well, boy, what do you have to say for yourself?”
“It’s true. Diane and I were married this past week in Saint Thomas.”
“Congratulations, son!” he said, pumping his hand. “When will Helen and I get a chance to meet the bride? She must be a beauty, to have you acting so impulsively.”
Charles grinned. “Soon,” he promised. “I know you and Aunt Helen will love her.”
“Of that I have no doubt. Elizabeth said something about you working together at Lawrence?”
“Yes... we’ve known each other for years.”
“Good. I like the sound of that. I can tell you that your aunt has a few choice words for you, my boy. If I were you, I’d call her before the day is out.” Alex chuckled, softening the fine lines of his face. “Yes, sir. I suppose you two are probably still honeymooning. But I wouldn’t wait much longer, if I were you, to contact your aunt.”
His uncle might have run the company for years, but it was his soft-spoken wife who ran him. The two were still very much in love. Unfortunately, while they’d had no children of their own, they had Elizabeth and Charles. Everyone seemed satisfied with the arrangement.
“I’ll call right away.”
“Good. How are you feeling? Completely recovered?”
Elizabeth was ashamed to realize that in the excitement of his marriage, she had forgotten about his reason for taking the cruise in the first place.
“Yes. How are you?”
“Great! Marriage must agree with me,” he laughed, determined not to recall the way his wife had looked at him this morning. They would patch up their differences, and soon. Maybe he had overreacted? Had he been a bit possessive?
“Glad to hear it. Well, I’ll let you get back to work,” he said, waving toward the stack of correspondence on Charles’s desk. “Come along, little girl. I want you to have a look-see at these new production figures.”
Charles was reaching for the telephone when his private line lit. “Hello?” His heart pounded expectantly. He quickly dismissed a twinge of disappointment at the sound of his aunt’s genteel, deeply southern voice.
“Aunt Helen, I was just about to call. How are you, sugar?” he teased.
It was silly to have expected Diane to call. She would be busy all day with her classes... too busy to take five minutes to let him know she was thinking of him. But then again, he was the one who had gotten wildly jealous and laid down the rules and then refused to discuss what happened. While she was the one who’d kept all her sweet kisses and her feminine warmth to herself.
Maybe she had a right to be ticked. Well, he was not about to let her wrap him around her pretty little fingers. They were married! He’d be damned if he’d share his wife with another man. The sooner she understood that, the better. He’d just give her a little time to see reason.
“Charles...”
“I heard you, dear. Yes, I can’t wait until you meet Diane. Sunday dinner? Sounds good to me.” Charles sincerely hoped he and Diane would be on speaking terms by then.
Diane couldn’t remember a more hectic day. It seemed as if every single person at Lawrence felt the need to offer lengthy congratulations on her marriage. Not that she wasn’t appreciative of their best wishes, but the very last person she wanted to think about was her new husband, the jerk.
Charles hadn’t so much as called her all day. Not that she could take phone calls during class, but she had study hall duty and a preparation period and a lunch hour. The man had worked at the school almost as long as she had. Surely he hadn’t forgotten the blasted telephone number?
The harder she tried not to think of him, the more he seemed to pop into her head. By the time her last class ended, she was ready to scream from the strain of pretending to be happy. Why had she taken that call? Should she have hung up? Even better, why hadn’t she been fast enough to put a new tape in the answering machine before he’d come into the bedroom? Shoot, she’d been shaking so badly from worry that it was her mother on the phone that she hadn’t given a thought to the possibility of one of her male friends calling. And that was all any of the men she dated were to her... friends.
Charles knew that! She hadn’t given him reason to fly off the handle. Where did all this possessiveness and jealousy come from? She hated being angry with him... hated knowing he was equally angry with her.
After school, Diane went back to her place. She changed into her sweats before starting to pack. She was beat by the time she reached her new home. The backseat and trunk of her car were loaded with boxes. With her heart pounding with the possibility of seeing her husband and facing his anger, she went into the house.
But Charles wasn’t home. Sheldon informed the disappointed Diane that he’d already left for the community center. Diane couldn’t bring herself to ask Sheldon to help unload the car, but help he did, without her asking. She had a solitary meal in front of the television in the family room before exhaustion sent her to bed earlier than usual.
She tried to stay awake in hopes of spending time with Charles. In spite of everything, she missed him terribly. She fell asleep and was very disappointed when she realized, early the next morning, that he had already left for the office. Evidently, he was still angry. What other reason could he have for not waking her? She was left with nothing more than a vague awareness of him beside her during the night.
Diane was caught off guard when Heather called on Wednesday and asked her to stop by on her way home from work. She was so insistent that Diane decided to stop, even though it would make her late for her meeting with her mother.
“Hello, Mrs. Thornton. How are you?”
“Just dandy. Please, come on in, Mrs. Randol. Mrs. Montgomery is expecting you.”
“Thank you.”
The housekeeper gestured toward the living room to the left of the foyer.
Diane was shocked when she was greeted with a chorus of “Surprise!” from all the female staff members at Lawrence.
“Oh! My goodness!”
Heather beamed as she made her way slowly over to Diane.
Diane hung onto her dear friend tightly, tears in her soft brown eyes. “I don’t believe this!”
“Every bride must have a shower. With a new husband around, there’s no such thing as too much lingerie!”
Diane laughed. “You are supposed to be resting!”
“I am. I didn’t do anything harder than picking up the telephone.”
“Thank you.” Diane kissed her cheek before guiding Heather to a comfortable lounge chair and ottoman. She wiggled her finger at her. “Don’t you dare move.” Suddenly, everyone was talking at once. Diane enthusiastically greeted her coworkers. She couldn’t quite hide her shock when her new sister-in-law appeared carrying in a tray of hot hors d’oeuvres.
“Congratulations!” Elizabeth said.
“Thank you. It was nice of you to come.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Diane smiled and tried not to remember how upset and disappointed Elizabeth had been when she’d learned of the marriage. Diane didn’t let her uneasiness with Elizabeth show. It wasn’t easy, considering the stupid quarrel that had effectively driven a wedge between Charles and herself.
Diane oohed and awhed and giggled along with the other ladies at the array of feminine lace and silk teddies, nighties, slips, and panties. She had to dab at tears time and time again. She was overwhelmed by the friendship directed her way. She reminded herself that much of the display was for her husband’s benefit. Charles had been a well-liked and respected member of the faculty.
By the time the party broke up, Diane had had enough pretending to be carefree to last into the next century. Charles was so pleased by their marriage that he spent his every waking hour at the office or at the community center.
At the door, Diane hugged Heather. “I can’t thank you enough. The party was a wonderful surprise.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I can’t tell you how happy I am about your marriage. It took a few years, but finally you two came to your senses and realized how much you love each other. I have to confess that I’ve known all along that you two were right for each other.”
Diane had gone to Heather for help when she’d first noticed how cold and out of character Charles had been acting toward her. Knowing how he felt about Diane and suspecting that Diane returned those feelings, Heather had encouraged him to speak openly to Diane about his needs.
Diane’s eyes burned with unshed tears. “You have been such a good friend to both of us.”
Heather saw her troubled gaze linger on Elizabeth. “Don’t worry about that one. She’s coming around. She’s just a little protective of her big brother.”
“She doesn’t approve of me.”
“Give her time. When I called to invite her to the shower, she insisted on pitching right in and helping out. I think she’s sorry about the other day. It was an awkward beginning, nothing more.”
“Perhaps. Charles was furious. I know it isn’t my business, but I just don’t want there to be an estrangement between them, especially because of me. From what I understand, they’ve always been close.”
“Yes, they have. Don’t worry. One day soon, Elizabeth will love you just as I do. Now remember, if you and Charles change your minds and decide you want a wedding reception, Quinn and I will be thrilled to host it.”
Diane hugged her again. “Thanks for everything. I love you.”
“Ditto!” Heather waved as Diane left loaded down with packages.
It was after nine, much too late for Diane to meet Lillie. Even though Diane didn’t expect Charles home until late, she was upset when she arrived and he wasn’t there to greet her.