Don't Let Go (3 page)

“A crush, the hots, whatever. Now you’re free, and he’s free—”

“Wait a minute.” She gripped the handset to keep it from sliding from her slippery palm. “I thought he was seeing that girl, the brunette—”

“Katie? No, they’re no longer an item. The stars have finally aligned for you. It’s…what’s the word…”

Annalee was speechless, her thoughts a flurry.

“Oh yeah, serendipity.”

This call had to end. “Goodbye, Delayna. I’ll see you tonight.” Annalee hung up before her friend could say more.

Okay, what just happened?
Dee was encouraging her to get with Eric?

A new image flashed before her—she and Eric, naked. Smoothing her hands down his bare chest, then trailing lower…

She shook her head. Sexual deprivation was getting to her. How long had it been? Half a year since the divorce and even longer if she counted the last year of her marriage, which had been a war zone. A cold war of silence and contempt, which couldn’t even generate enough heat for hate sex.

Not a moment too soon, the coffee maker gurgled. Annalee filled a cup, but no longer needed a hot drink to eliminate the chill.

She was on fire.

Chapter Two

That evening Annalee posed in front of her hall mirror.

She’d spent a hefty chunk of salary on the black satin cocktail dress and silver peep toe heels. In her earlobes winked a pair of diamond studs she’d purchased herself. Hah. She didn’t need a man to buy her jewelry.

But now she frowned at her reflection. Was she trying too hard? She was going for sleek and sophisticated. Did she scream divorced and desperate?

Where was her evening bag? She’d chewed off most of her lipstick. She also needed to pop another antacid to soothe the knot of anxiety in her stomach.

After tossing around a few sofa cushions, she spotted the bag on the seat of the armchair and almost fell on her face reaching for it. Damn heels. Well, with any luck, she’d break her neck and have the perfect excuse for not showing up at this stupid event.

Part of her wanted to back out altogether. Call up Dee and say she was sick with a headache. A stomach bug. The bubonic plague.

There’d be gossip if she didn’t show. She could hear it even now.
“Well, I don’t blame her for not being here. The poor thing couldn’t show her face after the way Denny dumped her for that new girl. How humiliating.”

And she could picture the smug look on Denny’s face, thinking of her huddling at home, heartbroken and miserable, because of him, of course. His big, fat ego would just love that.

No. No way would she give him that satisfaction. The gossips could stare, whisper, and speculate to their hearts’ content. She’d strut in there with her new dress and her sparkly earrings and flash her ex a great big smile.

Yeah, eat your heart out, Denny. Not too shabby, huh? Howja like me now?

She had every right to hold her head high. After all, didn’t they say, whoever
they
were, that living well was the best revenge?

If it were up to her, the saying would be amended.
Living well and punching your enemy in the nose is the best revenge.
Or kicking him in the groin.

No, no. That wouldn’t do. After all, she was a teacher, a role model. Students, parents, even the Board of Education were watching her.

She needed to count her blessings. She had family and loyal friends like Thom and Delayna, her home, her profession.

And who could tell? She might get lucky tonight. A former classmate might show up, someone still single or fresh off a divorce looking for a brief hook up. It could happen.

Yeah, right. She was a jumble of nerves. The thought of hooking up with anyone had all the appeal of jumping from an airplane without a parachute.

She took a deep steadying breath.
Hang on. You only have to get through tonight.

The doorbell rang.

She hurried down the hall. Maybe it was one of the neighbors’ children selling cookies or chocolates. Then she could eat a box or three and delay the inevitable a bit longer.

When she opened the door, her mouth fell open. Eric stood on her doorstep, looking like he’d stepped out of a glossy advertisement for high-end men’s cologne. He wore a dark gray suit, which fit him beautifully. A small white rosebud decorated his lapel. His sparkling white shirt was set off by a light blue tie. There was a small box in his right hand.

His eyes widened at her appearance. “Wow.” He paused a moment as his gaze swept over her. “Can I come in?”

“Uh…of course.” She was too surprised to be more welcoming. As she stepped back, she wobbled in her high heels. Eric caught her round the waist before she toppled. The heat of his hand left an impression on her skin through the fabric of her dress.

“Oops. You okay?” he asked.

She grabbed his arms to steady herself. “Fine. Thanks.” He was so solid and warm, she didn’t want to let go.

He glanced around as if surprised by the quiet. “Where’s Sasquatch?”

“Bobo? I closed him in the spare room while I was changing. He likes to steal clothing and make me chase him.” She moistened her dry lips with her tongue.

Gently, he released her and lifted the lid of the box in his hand to reveal a perfect white rose.

“Do you remember this?” His voice was low and intimate.

The hairs on her neck prickled. “Of course.” She looked at him. “Your senior prom. I was wearing a white rose.”

“That’s right. And you brought me a matching boutonniere.” He nodded at the rosebud in his buttonhole. “You had on a blue dress.”

Her breath caught. “Yes,” she said, suddenly recalling. “The gown was blue.” He remembered that? After all these years?

“Hell, I’ll never forget it,” he growled. “You were
hot
. But not as hot as you are tonight.” His gaze licked over her as it traveled up and down her body. “You look incredible.” The appreciation in his face and voice sent a warm glow through her. When was the last time anyone thought her hot?

He set the box on the hall table and removed the corsage. “Will you wear this and allow me the honor of being your date tonight?”

“Oh, Eric.” A weight lifted from her spirit. With him beside her, she wouldn’t have to face everyone alone. Dee and Thom were great friends with good hearts, but with them, she was always the third wheel.

Of course, there would still be gossip tonight. Only now, the gossips would be envious, wondering what Annalee Mondello, formerly Donovan, was doing with such a sexy man. Speculating what the two of them might be doing after the party.

An image flashed. She and Eric together. Naked, in bed.
Her
bed.

Her breath caught. Could she do that, let herself go there? Why not? He was free, and so was she. Dee had all but given the go-ahead. She’d been alone for so long. Lonely, even in her marriage. Wasn’t it time to grab a little happiness, a bit of fun?

As he waited for her response, she released her breath in a long exhale. “Yes. I’d love you to be my date.”

When he pinned the corsage to her bodice, the brush of his fingers on her skin made her moist. Her legs felt unsteady and her lips plumped as she remembered his kiss from years ago. Wanted more kisses.

Wanted him. He’d made the first move by coming here tonight. Maybe he wanted her, too?

A sudden thought came to her. “Does Dee know you’re here?”

“No.” His gaze hardened. “Do you mean did she put me up to this?”

His reaction made her backtrack. “No—”

“I don’t tell my sister my business.”

“You’re not here to rescue me? Because you feel sorry for the poor lonely divorcee?” God help her, that was the last thing she wanted.

“Why did you go with me to the prom that night?” He countered. “Out of pity?”

“No, it wasn’t pity.” She scowled as a spark of long-buried anger lit inside her. “It ticked me off when Dee told me that girl backed out at the last minute.”

“Cindy.”

“Whatever. Your date. The little witch had no business hurting you. You were a nice guy, and I liked you. So I stepped in. That’s all.”

“But it was Dee who suggested it.”

“No.” She wouldn’t let him believe that. “It was my idea.”

“Well, this is
my
idea.” He lightly touched a petal on her corsage. “We good now?”

In answer, Annalee took his arm. She’d be his date tonight. And with any luck, before the night was over, she’d be his lover.

****

The class reunion was being held at The Oaks, a banquet hall on the edge of town. Annalee was quiet when they first arrived. She smiled and nodded at Eric’s small talk and attempts to put her at ease, but Eric couldn’t miss how she surreptitiously scanned the crowd. Why was she so nervous?

“Do we need to sign in?” he asked, gesturing to a table outside the ballroom doors. A couple of women sat there, and one of them narrowed her eyes as they approached.

“Annalee.” The woman’s mouth pursed in a smug little smile. Eric took an immediate dislike to her. “We weren’t sure you were coming.”

“Hello, Sandra.” Annalee’s voice was cool, but her shoulders stiffened. “Why, I wouldn’t dream of missing it. The chance to catch up with all my old friends.”

Sandra whoever-she-was eyed him, then made a show of checking the list in front of her. “You brought a guest? Oh, dear, I don’t see that you RSVP’d for one on the list.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.” Another, much friendlier, woman moved in. “Hi, Annalee. Eric, so nice to see you again.”

“Hey, Ms. Van Horne.” Eric grinned as he recognized one of his favorite high school teachers. “Uh, is it
still
Ms. Van Horne?”

“Oh, yes.”

“I’m sorry about the inconvenience. I’ll gladly pay for my dinner.”

“That’ll be fine. We’ve already had a few cancellations, so you’ll help fill in an empty chair.”

“Thanks.” He managed to smile at the Sandra chick as he pulled his wallet out and handed her the cash.

After some sighing and harrumphing, she handed him change and pointed out Annalee’s name tag among the others on the table. As they moved to enter the ballroom, Sandra called out “Oh, Annalee. In case you were wondering, Denny hasn’t shown up yet.”

Annalee’s steps halted, and Eric froze beside her. He ground his teeth, wishing he could give Sandra a swift kick in the ass. He’d completely forgotten that Denny Donovan was in the same class. No wonder Annalee was on edge. Everyone who’d known them as a couple would be watching her, hoping for a meltdown or fireworks.

She took his arm and squared her shoulders as they entered the room. Her glowing smile swept away his anger. “No one’s going to spoil this evening for me. Not Denny and especially not that bitch Sandra.”

“That’s my girl.” He slipped his arm around her, ready to protect her from the busybodies. He’d keep her close, not let anyone hurt her.

Eric’s sister greeted them with hugs and squeals of delight. They barely had a chance to sit down before Dee dragged Annalee to the dance floor. Dee was the life of the party. Pregnancy wasn’t slowing her down one bit.

Two balloon towers of blue and silver, the school colors, were set on either side of the platform where the DJ played a combination of new tunes and those from “back in the day.” Dee requested her favorite song and insisted Annalee join her in singing and dancing the chorus.

Both women were laughing when they returned to their seats. Thom regarded his wife complacently. He was Dee’s perfect foil—calm, dependable, and able to settle her down when she got a little too wound up.

Dee shook her finger at Eric. “Aren’t you Mr. Mysterious? I had no clue you were planning this little surprise.”

“I wanted Annalee to be the first to know.”

His sister turned to Annalee. “Were you surprised? Shocked? Knocked for a loop?”

“All of the above.” The smile she gave him made his chest swell with pride.

He had her up on the dance floor every chance he got, especially for the slow songs. That gave him the perfect excuse to hold her close, to feel her soft breasts against him, to trail his hand down to the small of her back, almost but not quite touching her ass. When a new song began, he ignored the up-tempo change. He and Annalee were the only couple on the floor still holding each other, but he didn’t care. Annalee was in his arms, and he never wanted to let go. She was such a luscious armful. Her scent, light and flowery, made his mouth water.

He wished he could sweep her away right now, have her all to himself.
Hold on, dude. Patience.

“I have to tell you something.” He kept his voice low so the other dancers couldn’t hear. “This morning, when I met you walking the dog? It wasn’t an accident. I was on my way to your house when I found you in the park.”

She blinked in surprise. “You were?”

He smirked. “Yep. I’ve been wanting to make my move ever since Dee told me about your divorce. I wanted to give you some time. But not too much time. I didn’t want anyone else to snatch you up.”

“Really?” Annalee’s voice was soft, her gaze full of warmth.

He cinched his arm tighter around her waist. The scent of her hair made him almost dizzy. “Really.” He twirled her out, even though the music didn’t call for it.

She twirled in. When her breasts nestled against his chest, excitement sizzled through him. “I’m glad you didn’t wait any longer.” Her voice was sultry and low.

That did it. The sizzle flared to a blaze. No doubt now—he needed to get her alone.

“Come with me.” His throat felt thick, making his voice gravelly. Taking her hand, he led her through the glass doors leading outside. In summer, they’d have been standing in a garden, but all the flowers had long since faded.

It didn’t matter. Annalee provided all the beauty he needed.

They found a stone bench far enough from the party to have some privacy. As they sat, Annalee shivered in the chilly night air. With a twinge of guilt, Eric shrugged out of his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. “My bad. I didn’t stop to think how cold it is out here.”

“I’m fine.” She smiled, snuggling into the jacket as though she enjoyed having it around her. “Too noisy inside?”

“Sure. Any excuse to get you alone.” His pulse spiked. It was all he could do not to grab her and kiss her. His gut clenched and sweat dampened his hairline as he took her hand again. “Annalee. Did you know you changed my life, that night you were my date for the prom?”