Playing for Hearts (7 page)

She went into his arms and he pulled her closer, grinning. “This is nice.”

“Yes.” She laid her cheek on his chest and sighed, thankful for the slow dance. The hell with Grayson. She swore not to look at him again for the rest of the night.

“Are you having a good time?” John smoothed the hair down her back, lingering on her bare skin.

She nodded. “It's lovely. Everyone is so beautiful, and the night is perfect.”

John swung her around, and then settled into the music. “I have to admit that when I saw Grayson, I thought you might regret coming here with me.”

She pulled back and gazed up into his face. He wasn't smiling, and he appeared concerned. She inhaled a deep breath. Under normal circumstances, she would have become defensive. Everyone seemed to take a personal delight in teasing her about Grayson, but John was serious.

“Those feelings I had for him are long gone,” she said quietly, her eyes downcast. They weren't, but her pride prevented her from telling the truth.

“I'm glad.” He held her tighter. “I had a couple people warn me that I was setting myself up for failure by going out with you. I didn't want to believe the rumors that I didn't stand a chance.”

“What have you heard about me?” She bit down on the inside of her cheek.

He shrugged. “Just tidbits about how you were infatuated with Grayson, and would plan to run into him wherever he went into town, hanging out at places he'd frequent, and flirting with him. A childish crush, I'm sure.”

“That's all it was.” She shook her head. “Grayson never reciprocated my feelings. Looking back, I wish I'd realized how much I bothered him, because in the end I only made myself look silly. I'm surprised anyone can see me for who I am today.”

He kissed her forehead. “I don't know. I think I might like you chasing after me. What man wouldn't?”

She stood on her tiptoes, stroked his face, before giving him a soft, lingering kiss on his lips. “Thank you.”

She could suddenly understand Grayson's attitude toward her. How could she have let things go so far without realizing the embarrassment she'd put him through? She'd teased and flirted, hoping to make him notice her, and all she'd accomplished was making a joke of herself.

To make matters worse, she had to deal with everyone reminding her daily of what a fool she'd been. It was humiliating to have him publicly deny her. She fought tears. The way he avoided her and always had something to say to make her feel little and immature spoke more than him coming out and speaking the truth. She clung to John and despite his company, she still came away feeling empty inside. Oh sure, she'd put on a happy face, enjoy the rest of the night, but her heart hurt.

When the crowd dispersed and everyone had headed inside, she slipped her hand into John's and followed him to the house. She handed out polite smiles to those she passed, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that her guilt followed her around in a big, black plume of smoke. She glanced behind her, and Grayson's gaze pierced her soul.

She wanted to go to him, explain again how sorry she was, but it was too late. All this time, she'd hoped he'd someday change his mind. But his expression said it all. He tolerated her, but inside he didn't feel the same.

“Shauna!” Kate reached for her and pulled her out of the crowd to the side of the room. “I caught sight of you dancing, but I didn't want to interrupt. I love your new dress. You look absolutely gorgeous.”

She hugged Kate. “I am so glad to see you.”

Kate held Shauna's arms and frowned. “What's wrong?”

“It's nothing important. I'll talk to you tomorrow.” She glanced at John and smiled. “What do you two think my chance of winning the bid for the gorgeous diamond bracelet is?”

Kate snorted. “Considering it's under lock and key, and there's probably two security guards manning each door out of the house … none.”

She snapped her fingers. “Shoot.”

John laughed. “Maybe there's something more in our price range.”

“I did see a gift certificate to the country club.” Shauna grinned. “I'll pool my money with yours, if you want to try. It'd make a fun date in the future.”

“Deal.” John motioned behind him. “We better go get our seats before the action starts. Do you want to sit with us, Kate?”

“Sorry, I can't. I need to help Jackson behind the scenes. His parents have him talking business with a few of his father's business partners. You two go win.” Kate leaned over to Shauna and whispered, “Another date? You go, girl.”

Fifteen minutes into the silent auction, and Shauna couldn't keep up with who won what item. The men in the group ignored the silent bidding part of the rules, and egged each other on all across the room. The laughter and teasing brought out the most generous wallets, and the high priced items were quickly gone.

“Here comes the one we want.” John slipped his arm behind her. “Get ready.”

She pressed the paper flag she held in her hand onto his chest. “I can't do this. You do it.”

He laughed. “Nope. You're going to win us our next date.”

“Oh God … ” She clutched the flat wooden handle tightly. “I've never done this before. I can't even understand the auctioneer when he's throwing out the price.”

“There's nothing to it. When I squeeze your shoulder, lift your arm high in the air.” He leaned back and crossed his legs. “You've got to be fast.”

The announcement of the beginning of the bidding came and the room quieted. Shauna scooted to the edge of her chair, practically jumping up every time John gave her the signal. She forgot about the others, and put her hand on John's knee. They were in this together and it didn't matter if they won or lost, she was having a blast.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the bidding, and she collapsed back in her chair, laying her head on John's shoulder, laughing. “That was so much fun. It almost makes me wish we'd won, so we could celebrate.”

“What are you talking about? You did win.” John laughed and pulled her up from the chair. “We've got a prize to go collect.”

Her jaw dropped, and she forced herself to recover. “What? We won? Are you sure?”

He gathered her up in his arms and hugged her. “Damn right. We've got ourselves another date and I can't wait to have you all to myself next time.”

She smiled. A date. With John. Suddenly, she was looking forward to another night with him.

It wasn't until later, when they'd gone outside, that Shauna let her excitement over winning show. The beautiful evening and high spirits had her twirling around in a circle on the grass in her bare feet, shoes in one hand, the certificate in her other hand. She laughed as the cool night air washed over her. If this was the way the rich entertained themselves, then maybe she'd start playing the lottery.

“You enjoy winning.” John leaned against the side of the house and watched her.

She held out her arms and danced. “Yes. It's the best thing ever. I'll remember everything about this night.”

John pushed himself away from the wall, cupped her face, and gently kissed her lips. She froze, but before she could think about what he was doing, he told her to wait and he'd go round up the car. She stared out into the darkness where he'd disappeared, smiling. She could do a lot worse than John Bigstraum. He'd done everything right tonight, and she was glad she'd come with him.

“You have no idea what you're doing.” A familiar masculine voice came from behind her.

She whirled around. Grayson stood over at the corner of the patio, his coat thrown over his shoulder. With all the excitement bubbling inside of her, the shadows pushing in on her, Grayson's presence was like a beacon in the night. She moved toward him, until she could see the stormy turmoil in his gaze.

“Grayson.” She reached out, but he flung his coat and grabbed her upper arms, stopping her. “W-what's wrong?”

“I should be asking you that question.” His eyebrow arched. “What's going on with you and Bigstraum? Are you throwing yourself at him too?”

She gasped. “Of course not. He asked me to come with him, and I'm happy I did.”

“That's what you do, isn't it? You drive a man insane until he has no other choice than to take you out.” He leaned in closer. “Tell me, are you going home with him? Are you going to strip out of that skimpy dress and offer your — ”

“Stop!” She broke away from him. “Nothing I do is ever going to please you. What I did before … it was a mistake.” She brushed the hair away from her face. “I know you don't want me. You never have. I can't compare to Stephanie … or Chantel.”

She whirled around but before she could escape, Grayson grabbed her wrist. “Don't do it,” he growled. “John's not the man for you.”

Her legs shook, and her stomach rolled. Standing up to Grayson empowered her, yet left her weak. Why would he care what she did? She'd never gotten angry with him before, and it seemed wrong. He was the love of her life. She stared into his eyes, waiting to learn why it mattered to him what happened between her and John.

“You have no say in what I do or don't do,” she whispered. “If I want to sleep with John, I will.”

“Don't do it, Shauna.”

She lifted her chin. “Why? You won't let yourself have me, so you don't think anyone else deserves me either. What about what I want? Don't I deserve someone who'll love me back?”

He refused to answer.

“Goodbye, Grayson,” she whispered.

She slipped away and left him standing alone, his gaze burning into her back. The result of what she'd done by standing up for herself left her shivering. She'd always known somehow that he was never going to take her seriously. She was going to have to rid Grayson from her heart.

“Go, go, go!” Shauna slapped the dashboard of Diana's car and stared out the window at Grayson on the sidewalk.

He stood outside his car in front of the commerce building, his hands on his hips, glaring at Diana's small, red Honda as they left the parking lot. She sagged against the seat and latched her seatbelt. After what had happened at the McMillian party, Shauna still wasn't ready to talk to Grayson. She needed space. Of course, it didn't help that he kept showing up at her office and she kept having to find ways to avoid him. That was where Diana and her handy getaway car came in.

“Lord, Shauna, this is the second time in a row you've had me bail your ass out of trouble this week.” Diana glanced over at her. “You're going to have to face him eventually. You might as well get it over with sooner than later.”

“Lately, all he does is scowl at me, and I'm about to lose my composure and go off on him if he dares insult me again.”

“I think the man protests too much.” Diana flipped on her turn signal, and pulled out onto the main road. “You have to ask yourself why he even cares what you do.”

“I was pretty bad. Do you remember that time I hid a flower everywhere he went? I even got caught skipping a day of school, so I could make it out to the center and hide them while he taught his adult classes.” She stared out the window. “I've always wondered if I had something to do with his retirement.”

“How could you?” Diana glanced over at her. “He wasn't even in the country when he made the announcement.”

“I know, but he was only twenty-nine years old. He could've kept going. Even the press said he had a couple years left in him to hold on to the title. There were rumors that he had an injury. Some reporters even said the tennis association kicked him out for testing dirty by doing illegal drugs, which I know can't be true. Grayson refused to explain his reasons to the press, like it's some big, hidden secret. I never understood why he'd allow everyone to speculate on the reasons, and let the stories grow.” She sighed. “I remember thinking it was a sign when he came back to Cottage Grove and remodeled the tennis center that he wanted me. I almost left college my senior year. God, I was so juvenile.”

“Don't be so hard on yourself.” Diana turned the air conditioner higher.

“The weird thing is I never did ask him why he came back or what happened to make him give up competing. It must be hard, because he's continually receiving public challenges from other players, begging him to reenter the circuit.”

“Maybe your dad knows,” Diana said.

“No. He doesn't. I've asked.” She rubbed her forehead. “I know Grayson wouldn't tell me if I asked him now. He can barely stand to be in the same room as me.”

Diana slowed down and turned into Shauna's driveway.

Shauna slipped off the seatbelt, leaned forward, and kissed Diana's cheek. “Thank you. You saved me once again.”

“I'm worried about you.” Diana swiveled in the seat. “I know something happened between you and Grayson at the McMillian party, but you've never so much as spoken a harsh word about Grayson before. Are you sure he didn't hurt you?”

“No.” Shauna jolted when her cell phone rang. “I'm just figuring out that Grayson's not all that and decorated with glitter.” She glanced at the display. “Thanks again. I need to get this. It's John.”

“I'll call you later.” Diana laughed. “I'll want details.”

She shut the car door, waved, and pushed the call button. “John?”

“Hey, gorgeous. I've got a sack of Chinese food to go and wanted to know if you knew anyone who wanted to share my dinner with me?”

She laughed. “I might.”

“What time do you get off work?” he asked.

“I just got home. Come on over.”

“Sounds great. See you in fifteen minutes.” He cleared his throat. “Oh, and Shauna?”

“Yeah?”

“I'm glad you said yes.”

She smiled. “Me too.”

It wasn't a lie. She looked forward to spending more time with John, and having him take the initiative of seeing her before their planned date next weekend made her happy. He was a considerate man, and she wanted to know him better.