Hands deep in the pockets of his tailored slacks, head down, Sebastian paced the front of his cherrywood desk in his Manhattan office. This couldn’t be happening to him. He liked his life the way it was, uncomplicated. He went where he wanted, did what he wanted. He answered to no one in his personal life, and few people in his professional one.
His life was too full. He simply did not have time for this.
It was just a fluke. It wouldn’t happen again in a hundred years. A million years.
Satisfied he had solved the problem that had caused him to flee Della’s, he rounded his desk and sat down. The sight of the slender blue leather jewelry box stopped him cold. He stared at the box a long time before he picked it up and lifted the lid.
Diamonds winked and glittered. The ten-carat necklace and matching earrings were stunning. He’d seen them yesterday while shopping for his mother’s birthday gift. It had been a simple matter of obtaining the jewelry on loan for Hope to wear to the party tonight. Stars did it all the time. But this was the first time he had initiated the request.
All the time that the papers were being prepared, he had envisioned the surprise delight on Hope’s face, then her resistance to wearing them. He already had a story made up that they were fake. He’d take great pleasure in putting the stones around her neck, feeling her soft skin beneath his fingertips.
He enjoyed introducing her to new and different things, enjoyed seeing the open pleasure in her face, enjoyed making life a little easier for her. He’d catch himself smiling at her for no particular reason except it just felt good.
It felt right.
Rearing back in his chair, he took the box with him. That should have been his first clue. He tended to be serious. Everyone, including his baby sister, who thought he was “da bomb,” often told him he needed to lighten up. And while he’d like to think he had treated the women in his life well, he couldn’t truthfully say he relished each and every moment with them. Even during the last couple of days when he went a little overboard in trying to persuade Hope to take the role and she became annoyed with him, he was smiling inside.
“Face it, Sebastian, this has gone way beyond you trying to entice an actress to play a part.”
The door to his office burst open and his dark head came up abruptly. Dana, his secretary, glanced at him briefly, then brought her very perturbed gaze back to the woman beside her, Margot Madison.
“Mr. Stone, I’m sorry. I tried to tell Ms. Madison you were busy.”
Leaning forward in his seat, Sebastian snapped the top closed on the jewelry box and set it aside. “That’s all right, Dana. I’ll take care of it.”
With one last glare at the other woman, Dana left, closing the door behind her. Margot didn’t move. Sebastian knew it was calculated on her part.
In the theater, timing was everything. So were the effects.
She had gone all out today to present herself as a theatrical star and a temptress. She was a striking woman with long auburn hair. At five feet nine, she still had enough confidence to wear four-inch heels. Her mahogany skin was flawless, her body voluptuous. Over the years she had learned how to use every asset she possessed to her full and merciless advantage.
The one rectangular pearl button on the severely tailored jacket of her Valentino ivory suit positioned just above her navel provided an unimpeded view of the curve of her generous breasts and flat abdomen. Most men would have probably been salivating. Sebastian was pleased to note he wasn’t among them.
He dispassionately studied the jaunty hat with a curved ostrich feather, the Kieselstein-Cord brushed gold metal sunglasses with faux tortoise plastic temples, the textured calfskin bag and heels from Hermes. Dangling from her ears were sterling silver jewelry with rectangular mabe pearls set in fourteen-karat gold. On her wrist was a hinged cuff bracelet to match. On the other wrist a twenty-four-karat gold Cartier watch. Not counting the diamond rings she loved to wear on almost every finger, he was probably looking at forty thousand on the hoof. He’d take Hope’s simplicity and honesty in a heartbeat.
“What is it, Margot? As Dana told you, I’m busy.”
Taking the shades from her eyes, she crossed to him and leaned over his desk. The jacket opening widened. The scent of her cloying perfume wafted out. “There was a time when I could make you forget about being busy.”
“Long ago and long forgotten.”
Her practiced smile slipped for an instant, then blossomed again. Her voice lowered to a suggestive purr. “Why don’t I refresh your memory?”
“I’d rather not.” He leaned away from her and the heavy scent. He’d forgotten how much he hated her perfume. Hope smelled of sunshine and a scent that was uniquely hers.
Margot’s attractive face hardened. She came upright and sneered, “I suppose it’s that nobody little hairdresser you’ve been seen with lately.”
A muscle leaped in his jaw. “Watch it, Margot.”
The practiced smile returned. “Sebastian, you can’t possibly be thinking of letting that woman star in your play. I was born to play the role of Eleanor. It’s ludicrous to risk millions on a nobody because you’re angry with me.”
“Margot, this may surprise you, but the world does not revolve around you,” Sebastian said.
She came around the desk, her attractive face filled with entreaty. “I’ve never stopped caring for you. If—”
He laughed and watched shock, then anger sweep over her. “Give it up, Margot. Even if Hope doesn’t take the part, I’d break my contract before working with you again.”
“I want that part,” she practically hissed.
“Read my lips. You’re not getting it.” He picked up the signed contract for the male lead from his desk. “You know the way out.”
“What’s this?” Before he could stop her, she snatched the jewelry box from his desk and opened it. A strangled gasp escaped her. “Is this for her?”
Standing, Sebastian held out his hand for Margot to return the case. “That is none of your concern.”
“They are, aren’t they?” At his continued silence her expression went from fury to scorn, then hatred. “She must be really something in bed.”
Angrily, Sebastian plucked the box from her hands and slipped it into his coat pocket. “Unlike you, she has enough character and talent not to stoop that low to get a part.”
“Why, you!” Margot’s bejeweled hand swept back in a wide arch.
“Don’t let dramatics ruin your career, Margot,” Sebastian warned coldly. “Try to keep what dignity you have left and leave quietly.”
Her raised hand clenched, then lowered. Her eyes chilled. “I promise you. I’ll find a way to make you pay for treating me like this.”
“You have no one to blame but yourself. I’m one man you don’t want to have as an enemy.” Planting both hands on the desk, he stared across its wide expanse at her. “Don’t make the mistake of taking weakness as the reason why I never bothered to try and correct the lie you spread about who broke off the relationship. It simply didn’t matter. This does.”
Without another word, she stalked angrily from the room. Seconds later he heard the outer office door slam.
Dana appeared in his office doorway. “I’m sorry, Mr. Stone. Is there anything you need at the moment?”
He started to say no, then felt the jewelry box in his pocket. “Yes. See that this is returned.”
“Yes, sir.” The door closed behind her.
If nothing else, Margot’s visit had helped him remember he had lousy taste in women.
* * *
Getting ready for her date with Sebastian, Hope vacillated between panic, fear, and hope. She didn’t want to look into Sebastian’s eyes and see pity or, heaven forbid, wariness that she’d pounce on him. Perhaps he really did leave in a hurry because he had an important appointment.
She didn’t understand what came over her when she was around him, she thought as she straightened her sheer lace top stockings, then snapped them to the garter belt. Who would have believed the quiet and proper Hope would turn into a love-starved, aggressive woman in her mid-thirties? She’d loved Douglas as much as she thought any woman could love a man, enjoyed their lovemaking, yet somehow her feelings for Sebastian were more intense, more needy.
Sighing, she reached for the shimmering gold dress with none of the enthusiasm she’d experienced when she had first seen it in the store. While thankful to Cynthia for her generosity in giving her carte blanche with her clothes, tonight Hope wanted to wear a gown no one else had worn.
The reason made her sigh again. She wanted her friendship with Sebastian to blossom into a new and exciting experience for both of them.
The long dress slid over her head and bare skin, shaping itself to the contours of her body as it drifted downward, then flaring out dramatically at the knee. Reaching behind her, Hope zipped, snapped, then stepped into her heels.
The doorbell rang.
Her gaze went to the clock on the radio. Eight-thirty. Sebastian was prompt as usual.
Trembling fingers gathered the silk organza stole and small gold beaded bag from the dresser. Without giving herself time to think, she swept out of the room, cutting the light off as she went. At least she didn’t have to meet him with Bridgett and Jeremy watching.
Thankfully Bridgett had gone to her weekly Friday night bridge party and taken Jeremy with her. A couple of the other players had grandchildren and the women enjoyed spoiling the children when they got together. Jeremy had probably already eaten his third powdered-sugar lemon cookie, a batch of which Antoine had made for the occasion.
Halfway down the stairs, her hand paused on the hardwood rail. Through the frosted etched glass in the front door she saw the silhouette of a large man. Too large to be Sebastian. She stood poised on the stairs until the peal of the doorbell had her moving again.
Opening the door, her gaze went beyond Eli’s burly body to the black limo parked at the curb. Sebastian wasn’t standing by the car. The tinted glass prevented her from seeing inside. Her heart began to race.
He tipped his hat. “Good evening, Mrs. Lassiter.”
“Hello, Eli. Where’s Sebastian?” She hated the almost panicky note in her voice, but she couldn’t seem to help it.
“He sends his apologies,” the chauffeur informed her. “Work kept him at his office. He’ll meet you at Mr. Carroll’s house.”
“He expects me to meet all those people by myself?”
“No, Mrs. Lassiter,” the chauffeur quickly said. “He’s taking a taxi. As soon as I pick you up, I’m to call him.”
Something didn’t jibe. “I know his penthouse is only a short distance away from Mr. Carroll’s, but it doesn’t seem possible that he’ll have enough time to go home, dress, then meet us there. Besides, it’s only a thirty-minute drive from his office to here. How much work could he have accomplished in that short length of time?”
The young man appeared flustered. Clearly, he wasn’t used to people questioning Sebastian’s dictates. “If you wish, once we’re rolling I’ll call to let him know, then you can talk to him personally.”
“Why wait?” Picking up the hem of her gown, she went to the nearest phone located on the end table in the living room and dialed Sebastian’s private number at his office. After the tenth unanswered ring, she hung up the phone and turned to the chauffeur hovering in the doorway. “What number were you to call?”
“The one for his cell phone.”
She swallowed the growing lump of fear in her throat. “If he’s in his office, why would he ask you to call him on his cell phone?”
“Mrs. Lassiter, I’m sure Mr. Stone has his reasons,” he said. “If you’ll just come with me, he’ll explain everything when you see him at Mr. Carroll’s house.”
“No,” she said softly.
“No?”
“I’m not going,” her determination grew with each erratic thud of her heart. She had her answer.
There had been no appointment. Sebastian had left hurriedly because she had embarrassed him. He’d keep his promise to see that she went to the party because he had given his word, not because he wanted to. He’d probably continue to try and entice her to play Eleanor, but at arm’s length. The wrenching pain of loss was almost crippling.
“But Mrs. Lassiter … Mr. Stone is expecting you,” Eli said with some alarm in his voice.
“I’m sorry, Eli, that you had to drive down here for nothing, but I’m staying here,” she said, desperately trying to keep her voice normal. Sweeping past him, she went to the front door and held it open until he reluctantly walked past her.
“Good night, Mrs. Lassiter.”
“Good night.” Her entire body shaking as if from a chill, she closed the door, her head falling forward in despair.
* * *
“She did what?” Sebastian yelled into the cell phone.
“She refused to come after she called your office and no one answered,” Eli repeated as he sat inside the limo.
Sebastian said one crude word.
“I think she was about to cry, boss.”
“Hell…” Sebastian sank heavily down on the padded bench on Roscoe’s balcony. It had been so noisy inside, he hadn’t been able to hear. “Where are you now?”
“Still outside the house.”
“Good. Stay there. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“Boss, you know taxis aren’t fond of coming down here.”
Sebastian stood, a determined look on his face. “With all the limos downstairs, I should be able to borrow one. Don’t move, I’m on my way. If Hope tries to leave before I get there, stop her.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
“Cry. Appeal to her goodness. Tell her I’ll fire you if she does.”
The man laughed, then sobered. “You wouldn’t do that, would you, boss?”
“I’m on my way.” The phone clicked dead.
* * *
Sebastian had no difficulty obtaining a car. Because they were used to seeing him calm no matter what, his frantic request had his friends quickly volunteering their cars and drivers. In minutes he was on his way and had Eli back on the phone. It didn’t make Sebastian any less anxious to hear the man say he had gone back and looked through the glass door, to see Hope, head bowed, sitting at the foot of the stairs.
Hanging up, Sebastian called Hope, as he had been doing since he’d gotten into the elevator to ride down to the front of Roscoe’s apartment building, but at the sound of his voice she hung up. Her actions would have irritated him if he wasn’t so worried.
Exactly twenty-seven minutes after he had gotten off the phone the first time with Eli, the limo Sebastian was riding in braked sharply beside Eli. Thanking the driver and handing him a hundred, Sebastian climbed out of the car. “She’s still in there?”
“Yes, sir.”
Sebastian rushed up the steps. The sight of her continuing to just sit there, head bowed, in a shimmering pool of gold tore at his heart. He jabbed the doorbell. “Hope. Let me in.”
Her head lifted. Misery and the glimmer of tears were in her eyes. From out of nowhere he recalled Jeremy saying that he’d only seen his mother cry twice. Sebastian had known her for less three weeks and he had doubled that number.
“I’m sorry. So sorry,” he said, not knowing what the problem was but instinctively knowing he was the cause of her unhappiness.
Slowly she came to her feet. His pulse raced. She was going to answer the door. Lifting her skirt, she started up the stairs.
The sight of her turning away from him shook him to the core. “No,” he yelled, twisting the doorknob. To his surprise, the door opened. He didn’t waste time questioning his good fortune. He rushed through the door and toward her. He’d lecture her later on keeping the door locked.
She pivoted sharply on hearing his running steps. “Leave me alone.”
He kept coming until she was in his arms despite her protests. “Whatever I did, I’m sorry.”
She looked away from him. “Please, just leave.”
“I’m not leaving. I can’t leave,” he said softly, his hand gently turning her face toward his. “I thought I could.”
Hope was afraid to believe. “What are you saying?”
Tenderly, he palmed her face. “That I care about you very much, but I was afraid of getting in over my head. In the past I haven’t had such a good track record with women. This morning at Della’s I wanted to sweep you away and make love to you.”
Her breath trembled over her lips. “You didn’t come for me tonight.”
“Because I was afraid I’d crack under the pressure of the close confines of the car and kiss you.”
“I affect you that much?” she asked, going soft in his arms.
“More than you know.”
Her bare arms wound around his neck. “Then why aren’t you kissing me?”
His lips fastened to hers, hot and sweet and gentle. A mating of tongues and spirits. After a long time he lifted his head. “I hate that I waited so long.”
She nipped his chin. “Same here.”
“You’re tempting a weak man,” he warned, nibbling on her ear. “A very weak man.”
Her breath hitched. “Is it going to get your mouth back on mine?”
“Come on, let’s see.” Taking her hand, he started down the stairs. Outside, he made sure the door was securely locked. Hand in hand, laughing like school children let out for the summer, they raced toward the limo. A grinning Eli held the door open for them.
Inside, Sebastian took Hope in his arms. “Now. Where were we?”