Sweet Salvation (29 page)

“You’re a genius!”

“True. It also helps to pay attention during board meetings. Your mom is the real genius. She set this all up.” Marc stuffed a loaded chip in his mouth and chased it with the rest of his beer. “Just don’t mention your mom’s genius to Stacy, although your woman’s no slouch either. If you came to the meetings, you’d know this.”

“I read the reports.”

“Yeah, but you can’t see Stacy in action on a pie chart, dumbass.”

Jared didn’t respond to that so Marc knew he’d made his point. “It’s about time for all this emo sharing to end before I start my period. I need another beer and for the game to tip off.”

Jared chuckled. “My boobs were beginning to feel a bit tender myself, bro.” Going for seconds on nachos, he signaled for two more beers. “So what’s the spread on Michigan and Indiana?”

“I can’t believe he talked me into this,” Stacy whispered to herself.
It was the night of their engagement party and Stacy looked like she was facing a firing squad rather than a celebration of her commitment to the man she loved. As she looked in the mirror, she couldn’t fault her appearance. A gift from Jared, her designer gown was stunning. Knowing she would have never picked out something of this quality, the sly dog had clipped off the price tag before having it gift-wrapped and delivered to her at the office. The lace, French tulle and chiffon gown was a Monique Lhuillier design. The sheath fit snugly to her hourglass figure before flaring out above the knee into a mermaid skirt. A stunning teal shot through with threads of silver, the color flattered her fair complexion and glossy blond hair. The bateau neckline was conservative, but the sheer lace allowed hints of the bounty that lay beneath. The same material wrapped the skirt and the tapered cut way below the knees in front showed off her smooth, shapely legs as she walked.

“Simply gorgeous, baby.” Jared’s appreciation was clear in the deep, seductive tenor of his voice. The heat of his gaze as he moved up behind her sent a jolt of excitement straight to her core.

Turning to smile up at him, she noticed that the added height of her 4 ¾-inch heels brought the top of her head to his chin and she could easily kiss him if she wanted.

“The dress and shoes are beautiful, but much too extravagant, Jared. You must have spent a small fortune.” Bending her head, she placed a hand on his broad shoulder for support as she angled a leg forward to show off her well-dressed feet. The mesh and satin evening shoes had crisscrossed crystal-beaded straps that showed off her trim ankles and a freshly minted pedicure in deep red. “These are Valentino pumps, darlin’. I’ve never owned anything like them.”

“You’re worth every penny, my beautiful girl. Just promise that afterward, you’ll model those shoes and only those shoes for me.”

“Why, Jared Baker, I do declare,” she teased in her best southern belle impersonation, his presence easing some of her anxiety over the upcoming festivities. “You’ve got a hidden foot fetish and never clued me in.”

“No, baby, I bought you your first pair of designer ‘fuck me’ shoes and simply want to take them for a test drive.”

“Jared! I can’t believe you said that. What’s gotten into you?”

“I’ve got a hard-on for my beautiful sexy fiancée. What else?” Jared laughed as she dipped her head in embarrassment. “Are you ready? If we hang out near the bed any longer, I’ll get the test drive sooner than anticipated and you’ll have to redo your hair and makeup.”

“No, we can’t be late. Everyone will blame me.”

“After they get a look at you, they’ll know it was my fault. You’re stunning.” He dipped his head and captured her lips in a scorching, open-mouthed kiss. When he released her lips, it took a moment for her world to reset on its axis and another to notice the red lipstick smudges on his mouth. She wiped them away with her thumb.

“Hmm… Cheery Cherry Red might not be your color, sugar. You seem more like a coral kind of guy to me.”

His hands slipped down to her bottom and pulled her in close. His large hands easily cupped her full cheeks as he gave her a good squeeze. “Better go fix your face, sweetheart, you’re a bit smudged yourself.”

“Oh!” Her hand flew to her mouth and she hurried to the bathroom, his sexy chuckle following her. This time she applied a sealer, because in the mood he was in, there’d be more stolen kisses yet to come.
Ain’t that a shame
, she thought, with a giggle.

Thirty minutes later, they walked into the country club’s main ballroom with Stacy clinging nervously to Jared’s steadying arm. The transformation of the room from the last time she saw it was stunning. The lights were dimmed and through the huge windows, the remainder of the stunning red sunset lit the evening sky across the lake. A dozen tables were set with cream-colored linens, with a small bouquet of flowers as the centerpiece. The fresh-cut flowers were a mix of hydrangeas, yellow roses, and white freesias and lightly scented the air. Surrounding the flowers was a circle of small tea lights. The table settings were gold-accented china with a fancy folded napkin in the center of each. The chairs were draped with matching covers and a large cream bow on the back of each one. On a stage near the dance floor, a live band was playing a soft ballad in the background.

“Oh, Jared, it’s picture-perfect.” Her eyes misted as she looked around and saw Marc and Jessie watching them fondly, both with broad smiles on their happy faces. Next to them were Jared’s parents. The men were stunning in their formal black and white, and the women beautiful in their formal gowns. Stacy’s eyes fell on Joanne, who was nervously clenching and unclenching her hands. Jared’s dad had a supportive arm around her shoulders.

“I think we need to go tell my mother that you’re pleased, before she worries herself into heart failure.”

Stacy nodded, overwhelmed by the beauty and opulence that Joanne had created. She felt Jared’s hand clasp hers firmly as he guided her over to greet his parents. Feeling a bit like Cinderella, Stacy held on to her prince tightly, biding her time until the stroke of midnight when her fantasy was destined to disappear.

“Joanne, it’s beautiful.” Stacy assured the worried woman as she gave her an appreciative hug. “Everything is absolutely perfect. Thank you.”

“I’m so happy, dear. I wanted it to just right for you.”

Stacy looked at her father-in-law-to-be through watery eyes and mouthed a ‘thank you’ to him as well.

“Here now, none of that,” he said as he wrapped her in a big bear hug, “this is a happy occasion.”

Joanne pulled away, tears streaming down her face. “Oh, sweetie, you’ll ruin your pretty makeup.”

“That’s okay,” she laughed softly, holding up her bulging clutch. “I brought extra, knowing I’d need to do repairs.”

“Everything looks great, Mom,” Jared said, leaning in to brush a kiss on her cheek. “We can’t thank you enough.”

“Oh, pooh,” his mother demurred. “You know I love throwing a party. Besides, I just had to pick and choose and like magic, the staff here created this beautiful ballroom.”

“I helped too.” Russ joked as he gathered his weepy wife close. Winking at Stacy, he held up his right hand in the shape of a claw. “I had to write the check. It was strenuous and exhausting work. I might have to consult my son later for carpal tunnel.”

“Russell, it’s rude to talk about the bill. Besides, you haven’t even gotten the bar tab. So you better have Jared take a look at the hand now.”

Stacy watched the couple, still very much in love. The banter was light and teasing and she smiled through her tears as Russell planted a tender kiss against Joanne’s temple.

Jared took her by the hand and they spent the next forty-five minutes greeting their guests and accepting congratulations. The cocktail hour was followed by a round of toasts before dinner was served at eight o’clock sharp. The meal was delicious, starting off with a Michigan salad of mixed greens, candied walnuts, dried cherries, gorgonzola bleu cheese, strawberries, and a raspberry vinaigrette. The entrée of rosemary garlic beef tenderloin was melt-in-your-mouth perfection. It was served with sides of balsamic glazed grilled vegetables, potatoes au gratin, spinach ravioli with parmesan and brown butter, and soft yeasty rolls—it was elegant but not too fancy and suited Stacy to a tee. They shared the large head table with Jared’s family: his parents, his dad’s brother Alex and his wife, his mom’s sisters Emma and Louise, their spouses, and Marc and Jessie. Champagne flowed freely and Stacy made sure to stop after her second glass, not wanting to get tipsy and ruin their special night.

After dinner came a dessert course of two or her favorites, chocolate raspberry cheesecake and white chocolate crème brulée. When she couldn’t decide, Jared chose for her, giving her a generous slice of cheesecake while he took the crème brulée. Her cheesecake was divine, but her mouth watered over the caramelized sugar top of Jared’s dessert. Of course he shared generously, feeding her from his own spoon, which Stacy found utterly romantic.

Marc took the stage next and offered a moving toast to his best friend, wishing them both happiness and a long life together before calling them up to kick off the dancing.

Jared escorted her to the middle of the dance floor and pulled her into his arms as the band started playing
From This Moment On
by Shania Twain. By the end of the first line—‘life has begun’—tears pooled, by the end of the second line—‘you are the one’—they overflowed.

Jared pulled her close and murmured in her ear, “Aw honey, I didn’t mean to make you cry. This song just seemed perfect for us.”

“It is, Jared. Everything is perfect. I’m just happy and my heart’s near bursting with love for you.” Her ‘I love you’ was muffled against his neck as she held on tightly, enjoying the feel of his strong arms around her. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

They stayed on the floor through what seemed like a countdown of the past fifty years of love songs. Jared guided Stacy effortlessly around the dance floor and she soon forgot her two left feet. She easily responded to his lead as he gracefully swayed, dipped, and twirled her, making it seem as though they’d been dancing together for years. There was an ideal mix of slow and fast, including his special request, Barry White’s
You’re The First, The Last, My Everything
and one of her favorites,
Can’t Help Falling In Love
by the King.

As the song ended, she was easily twirled out and back, before he bent her low over his arm in an impressive dip, which he held for a seemingly endless moment. Breathless, Stacy clung to him, her face aching from the wide happy grin she’d had plastered across her face all evening. As she stared up at him, she was mesmerized by the intensity of his gaze. His emotions as always gleamed clearly in his eyes as the golden flecks battled with green, the happiness warring with passion for dominance. She melted, molten heat gathering between her thighs as she yielded to the magic of their special night, and the thrill of being held in his arms.

“You make me feel like I actually know what I’m doing, Jared.”

Dipping his head, his lips tenderly brushed hers. “With your beauty and grace, you make a wonderful partner.” He effortlessly raised her to standing as the next song began. Its tempo was considerably slower and more conducive to soft words and intimate conversation. He hugged her against him, swaying gently as he whispered against her ear, “I need you, Stacy.”

Stacy could feel the hard proof of that need straining against her belly. “How late must we stay?”

Sighing hard enough to rustle the curls at her temple, he grudgingly admitted, “As guests of honor, I suppose we’re in it for the long haul.”

“Then I’m gonna need a break. I need to rehydrate from all this dancing and crying, and to repair the damage, of course.”

“Unnecessary—you’re glowing and even more beautiful now, if that’s possible.”

Flashing him a smile, she appreciated that he saw her that way, but was sure she needed at least a smidgeon of powder and a hint of lipstick. Looking around for her bathroom buddy, she found Jess wrapped up in Marc’s arms as they danced to Lady Antebellum’s
Just a Kiss
, Joanne and Russell swaying right beside them. Stacy smiled as she noticed the soft, dreamy looks on both women’s faces as well as glimmers of happy tears.

* * *

Applying a last glide of red gloss to her lips, Stacy smiled to make sure nothing had gotten on her teeth before replacing the tube in her clutch.

“Well, lookee here. If it ain’t Miss Ellie Mae. I never thought Jared the type to hook up with a country bumpkin. Come in from the tobacco fields fer a chaw, darlin’? Or maybe you had to apply more powder to cover up that red neck.”

Shocked by the vicious words, Stacy looked up and saw two women dressed in short black cocktail dresses smirking at her in the mirror. Both were tall, towering over Stacy even in her high heels. One was giggling as the other looked down on Stacy with a sneer. What the hell?

Uncomfortable with her back to the troublemakers, she turned and gave them both the once-over. Acting unimpressed, she brushed a piece of imaginary lint off her dress then pretended to examine her manicure. “I’m obviously at a disadvantage here. Are you invited guests or did you get lost on your way to your Woodward Avenue street corner?”

The giggling woman gasped at the insult. Everyone knew that Woodward Avenue was hooker central in Detroit, even a southern transplant like herself.

“Listen to that twang, Angie. I was mistaken. It’s actually Paula Deen’s sister. She’s just louder, dumber, and full of shit, instead of butter.” The taller woman’s voice dripped with disdain as she addressed her friend while staring smugly at Stacy. Her hands drew Stacy’s gaze as she slid a familiar cream-colored card with lavender print through her fingers, gave it a quarter turn and slid it through again, repeating the motion over and over turning it tauntingly in her hands. It was an invitation.

“Paula Deen jokes, seriously?” Stacy sniffed with contempt. “Is that all you got? What’s next, redneck jokes? Please, I’ve heard them all.”

“What about dumb blonde jokes? I bet you’ve heard all of those, too.”