A Catered Romance (6 page)

The excitement and tension that surrounded Mary Beth whenever Tom was near left with him. She felt deflated, like a pie cut too soon.

“What was that all about?” Gail asked.

“Nothing.”

“That Taylor’s something else,” Gail said. “A real spoiled bitch. Tom didn’t seem to appreciate her charms.”

“They’re old friends. They dated in school.” Remembered hurt made her stomach turn. She pushed the old memories aside. “We have work to do. By the way, thanks for bailing me out.” She threw Gail a rueful look. “I almost rose to Taylor’s bait. If you hadn’t broken in when you did, God knows what I would have said.”

Gail laughed. “When I heard her say you look like a little girl, I knew we were in trouble. I tripped all over myself getting in here.”

“I know I have to bite my tongue at times for the sake of the business,” Mary Beth said. “But what satisfaction I would have gotten telling Taylor Bennett exactly what I think of her.”

<><><>

Mary Beth sipped ice water and leaned against the butcher-block island in the Bennett kitchen.

Gail sat on a stool opposite her. Perspiration beaded her forehead and she pushed blonde curls off her face.

“We did it,” Mary Beth said, raising her glass in salute. She and Gail were alone in the quiet kitchen while the staff served desserts and coffee.

“And did it well.” Gail nodded toward the doorway. “Sounds like they’re enjoying their desserts as much as they did the rest of the meal.”

Laughter and the delicate musical tinkling of sterling flatware on bone china came from the huge dining room where two massive tables seated all thirty of the Bennetts’ guests.

Mary Beth set her glass on the island and rubbed her arms. Her muscles ached from cooking and from hauling heavy pots. But it was all worth it.

She surveyed the kitchen and its counters littered with dirty plates, glasses and serving pieces. No leftovers in sight. All signs of a well-enjoyed meal.

The staff would clean up later. She and Gail had already washed their personal knives, the only equipment they’d needed to bring. Once they got the Bennetts’ check they’d be on their way.

“Did you see Jim Bennett’s eyes when we brought out the rum-glazed pears?” Gail asked.

Mary Beth grinned. “I thought they’d pop right out of his head, especially when you topped the pears with whipped cream.”

Gail laughed. “How about the professor-type guy with the ascot. He looked ready to lunge over the table for the sponge cake.”

“It’s a wonder they had room for dessert the way they wolfed down our Saltimbocca Alla Romana and risotto.” Mary Beth kissed her fingertips and threw the kiss into the room. “The best we’ve ever made.”

“Damn, we’re good,” Gail said. “Give me five.”

Laughing, Mary Beth exchanged high fives with Gail.

“Can you believe we actually got a standing ovation?” Mary Beth asked.

“A standing ovation from everyone except Taylor.” Gail grimaced.

“We don’t need Taylor.” Mary Beth waved her hand in dismissal. “After tonight our reputation in this town is sealed.”

“And we spread our business cards around like pate on crackers. Our phone will start ringing off the hook.”

Mary Beth finished her water and rolled the icy glass over her forehead. She focused on the copper pots hanging on a wall grid. “We can buy our business back and I won’t need Tom anymore,” she whispered.

“Maybe you’ll need him in other ways,” Gail said softly.

Realizing Gail had heard her, Mary Beth’s face burned. “What are you talking about?”

“He couldn’t stop looking at you every time you went into the dining room.”

Mary Beth stiffened. “He wasn’t looking at me.”

“You noticed,” Gail said.

Not wanting to meet Gail’s knowing gaze, Mary Beth glanced away. She’d known Tom watched her. She had tried to ignore him, but she couldn’t help sliding looks his way. Her pulse had raced every time their gazes connected. She couldn’t tell Gail that, and hated admitting it to herself.

“Then of course there was Taylor,” Gail said. “You must have felt the sting of her venom stares.”

“I felt nothing,” Mary Beth said in a tight voice. “Subject closed.”

An hour later, check in hand, Mary Beth clutched her knife case, ready to leave the rarefied world of the Bennetts. The staff bustled around cleaning counters and loading dishwashers. Gail was on the phone to Pete.

Mary Beth scanned the large room and sighed. Their night had been a raging success. Maybe soon she’d be free to run her own business, free of Tom and the heady, disturbing emotions he invoked in her.

Her chest ached. Tom would be gone from her life. No problem. She’d done very well without him the past twelve years.

“Ready to go?” Gail said, coming to her side.

“Ready.” Mary Beth glanced at the doorway. Its emptiness mocked her. No Tom leaning against the frame, smiling. Why would he care when they left? They were no more than employees to him. She blinked her eyes against the sudden hurt that blindsided her.

They said their farewells to the staff and started for the side door. Their van was parked at the top of the drive, behind high hedges.

“Leaving without saying good-by?”

Mary Beth’s heart somersaulted. She turned slowly around.

Tom sauntered toward them, jacketless, his tie loose. His gaze never wavered from hers, his crooked grin warming her.

“I’ll walk you to the car,” he said.

“Oh, damn, I have to go to the powder room before we leave,” Gail said. “I’ll meet you at the van.”

No,
Mary Beth’s mind screamed.
Don’t leave me alone with him. I don’t trust myself.

Tom held the door open and she had no choice but to walk out with him into the pine-scented night. She threw her head back to stare at the clear dark sky. Stars were strung across it like a delicate diamond necklace.

An evening made for love, with a dollop of romance. Shivers of fear and excitement skittered up her spine. The safety of the beige catering van beckoned. She hurried her steps.

The van’s door rattled in protest as she slid it open and deposited her knife case. Tom stood close behind her. The warmth of his body reached out to her, warning of danger.

She turned to face him. “Thanks for everything.” He was too close, too appealing. She focused on the white blossoms of a nearby rhododendron, trying to ignore the way his nearness made her want to melt into him like honey on a warm biscuit.

“I only got you the job,” he said softly. “You made it a success.”

She felt him looking at her, but she refused to meet his gaze.

He touched her shoulder. She tensed.

“Look at me, Cat Eyes,” he said huskily.

“Cat Eyes?” She stared up at him.

“Damn,” he said, skimming his hand over his hair. “It’s my secret name for you.”

“Don’t have a secret name for me, Tom.” She clenched her jaw.

He reached out a hand and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.

Gasping, she touched her ear. It burned from his caress.

“In all the time I’ve known you, I’ve never seen your hair free,” he said in a thick voice.

She looked into his eyes, dark and mysterious in the moonlight, and knew she was lost.

“You are so beautiful,” he said, stroking her jaw with his thumb.

Her body pulsed with dreams that had gone unrealized in all the years since high school. She had to fight her weakness, but the night was so sweet and warm and Tom was so close.

He bent toward her.

“What are you doing?” she said in a shaky voice.

“Fulfilling a fantasy,” he whispered.

He pulled her to him. His lips, hot and soft, crushed hers. He tasted of hazelnut coffee and whipped cream. Time seemed to stop; her fears no longer existed. Nothing mattered but this moment and this man. She twined her arms around his neck.

“Mary Beth,” he whispered against her mouth. The longing in his voice awakened an answering need in her.

“Tommy, Tommy, are you out here?” Taylor’s voice hit Mary Beth with the force of a cast iron pot.

She jerked away. Tears stung her eyes. She didn’t belong in Tom’s world, not then, not now.

“I won’t be your fantasy, Tom.”

“Mary Beth.” The pain in his voice shot through her. She stiffened. He’d used her once. No more.

“Go,” she said, backing up against the van.

Hurt shadowed his face. He reached out a finger and gently traced her lips before turning and walking slowly away.

A single tear slipped down her cheek.

CHAPTER FOUR

K
issing Mary Beth last night had been stupid. He’d been out of line to force himself on her. But he hadn’t forced himself, had he?

Tom eased his car into the parking space on the tree-lined street and cut the engine. He leaned back against the soft leather seat. His head pounded like bumper cars taking a test drive.

Laughter erupted from the nearby sidewalk café and he glanced over. He wished he could enjoy the Sunday afternoon sunshine like the restaurant patrons and the couples who strolled languidly along the quiet walkways of Trolley Square.

Thoughts of Mary Beth drove peace from his mind. Her pride and beauty, the warmth of her kiss, stirred him. She’d enjoyed kissing him—he hadn’t imagined that.

He yanked the keys from the ignition and clenched his hand around the hard metal. He needed her friendship and forgiveness. He’d never earn either if he couldn’t keep his hands to himself.

Easier said than done. Every time he saw Mary Beth he wanted to kiss her and hold her. Hell, he wanted to do more than merely hold her.

The closeness they’d shared that day when he helped her cook, the awareness that always swirled around them, had made him want to spend time with her, to know the woman she’d become. Apparently she hadn’t felt the same way about him. She’d ignored him after that, not even taking his calls. Her coolness last night at the Bennett party frustrated him further. He’d needed to touch her, to have her smile just for him.

Had he really thought she’d be so grateful he’d bailed out her business that she’d forgive him everything and fall willingly into his arms?

No worshipful acquiescence from Mary Beth. With other women he merely had to smile and they came running. Not his Cat Eyes. Never.

Her stubbornness and pride twisted his mouth into a reluctant grin. He’d always admired those traits in her, but not when they were directed against him.

He’d dated plenty of women over the years, but no one, not even Clarice, could make him forget Mary Beth. He refused to question why.

He had to quit obsessing over her. He opened the car door and slid out, banging the door shut so hard the windows rattled. He’d been thinking too much lately.

He’d apologize to her and leave. His assistant could handle any business transactions involving Kendrick & Company. There’d be no reason to see her except at occasional corporate functions. Regret slapped at him, but he shoved it aside.

Taking a breath, he hurried up the steps of the brightly colored Victorian and rang the bell for the second floor.

“Who is it?” Her voice, low and breathy, came through the speaker. His chest constricted.

“Tom.” He winced at the answering huskiness in his tone. “Can I come up?” Silence. Anxiety gnawed at him. Maybe she wouldn’t see him. The outside door unlocked with a click. He released his breath.

His heart thumping like a sixteen-year-old with his first crush, Tom took the steps two at a time.

Mary Beth stood in the open doorway at the top of the stairs, outlined against the sunlight that streamed into the room behind her. She looked like Venus rising from the sea. Her glorious mane of dark red hair fell freely around her face and over her shoulders, just as he’d always imagined. The T-shirt and cut off jeans she wore showed the perfection of her shapely body.

Her beauty stole his breath, and his heart. He approached her almost reverently.

“Your hair is loose.” He could only stare.

Her high cheekbones turned pink. “What do you want?” she said in a thick voice.

He wanted to gather her in his arms and tangle his hands in the silky strands of her burnished hair. His words of apology turned to dust in his mouth.

“I came to apologize for kissing you last night, but I can’t do that now. I still want to kiss you.”

Her color heightened and her bottom lip trembled. She turned away.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her gently around to face him. Her skin was soft, warm. She smelled like spring lilacs.

“You’d better go.” She freed her arm from his grip and walked into her apartment.

He followed, closing the door behind him.

She turned. “I told you to leave.” Tight lines formed around her mouth.