Jennifer stepped outside onto the brick patio,
needing to escape the continual bragging of the stockbroker whose only subject
was himself. Closing the French doors behind her, she shut out most of the
noise and laughter from the party inside, a welcome relief. Surprised she
had the patio to herself, she rested her hand on the iron railing and inhaled
the cool November air, her gaze absorbing the magnificent houses and lush
foliage of this elegant Coral Gables neighborhood. Some day, she hoped to
have a home of her own, but she knew she could never afford a spacious mansion
such as this. Yet that was fine with her; a more modest home would suit her
nicely, like the one she lived in now.
Alone with her thoughts, she considered how well
things were going for her now. An only child, she'd been spoiled all her
life. Things had gone so easily for her. Pretty and popular, she'd been a
cheerleader in high school, dating the football players. Her grades in high
school and college had been good. She wondered what would happen if she ever met
a real challenge. How would she handle adversity, if it ever came to that?
And then she wondered what had prompted this introspection.
The fragrance of night-blooming jasmine drifted her
way, carried by a light easterly breeze. She stared upward at the clear
sky, where a sprinkling of stars and a couple of planets overcame the
competition of bright city lights. She'd return to the party in a few minutes,
but for now, she wanted time to herself. She'd had a rough week and wanted
just a few moments alone.
"A beautiful night, isn't it?"
"Oh!" She swung around to stare at the
stranger. "You scared me! You shouldn't sneak up on a person like
that. I didn't hear the doors close." Dressed in a dark suit, white shirt
and tie, he stood a few feet away, next to the doors. Tall, dark, and
handsome. The cliche slipped easily from her mind, yet it was true.
At least his hair was dark, but his skin was the palest she'd ever seen, as if
he never got enough sunlight. On him, the combination was fascinating. If
Helen of Troy had a face that could launch a thousand ships, this man had the
good looks to send a rocket to Mars.
He smiled. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten
you." He nodded toward the party inside. "It was getting much too
noisy there."
She tilted her head at him. "I didn't
see you there."
"But I saw you across the room, and I wanted to
meet you. I hope you don't mind."
His dark eyes focused on her. Those
eyes! She could gladly sink into them and never come up for air.
Even here, she caught a faint trace of laughter
form inside. "Normally, I like parties, but sometimes--" She
shrugged. "--sometimes I like to be by myself."
"I, also. Present company excepted." He
smiled and moved closer.
Frowning, she backed away a few steps.
"I won't hurt you," he said, as if he could read
her mind.
"Well, I didn't think that for one minute."
She fussed with the buttons of her white silk blouse and shifted from one foot
to another. She gave him a closer look in the darkness, his devilish gaze
meeting hers. Devilish. Why did that word spring to her mind?
She admired his dark looks, but she'd learned long ago that looks meant nothing
if a person was empty inside, or worse, harmful to others. Just look at Bruce,
the scumbag.
"Do I meet with your approval?"
Her face warmed, and she opened her mouth to say
something, then thought better of it.
He inclined his head. 'Permit me to introduce
myself. My name is Varik Kruger."
"Varik? Never heard that name before."
"I fear it's a long story." He raised his
eyebrows. "And you are?"
"Jennifer." No point in telling him her last
name. After tonight, she'd never see him again. For some inexplicable
reason, a rush of disappointment clutched at her stomach.
'Jennifer, tell me about yourself."
She shook her head. "Not much to tell."
"I want to hear it, anyway."
She hesitated, licking her lips.
"Jennifer?"
She took a deep breath. "To begin with, I teach
English at a local high school."
"Literature?"
"Literature and grammar, mostly."
"Ah, yes. And you're from Miami?"
"Originally from Pittsburgh, a town called Fox
Hollow." She smiled. "You find a lot of funny place names in
Pennsylvania."
He waved his hand. "Same all over the world."
A pause. "Your family still lives in Pennsylvania?"
"Yes, and I miss them very much." Why was she
telling him all of this? There was something about him that made her want
to tell him everything, to bare all her secrets, reveal all her hopes and
dreams. And she'd only just met him."
"But you--"
"Just wanted a change," she said, gripping the
railing. Never mind telling him the real reason, that she'd come to Miami
to get away from an abusive boyfriend. Jealous because she'd dated another
man, he'd slapped her face so hard she'd suffered a bruise for days. That night,
he'd said he'd never let her go. Bruce was such a charmer at
first. He'd sure charmed her mother, who saw no fault in him.
What if her mother gave Bruce her address?
Hell, no! Jennifer knew too well she had to be more discriminating,
not fall for every sweet talker who came her way.
Trying to dismiss her dismal thoughts, she brought
her mind back to Varik and smiled in his direction. "You're from this
country?"
"Why, yes," he said after a slight pause. "Why
do you ask?"
"Your speech sounds a bit different, kind of
formal."
"I spend a good deal of time in Europe," he said as
if that explained everything. Which it didn't.
A period of silence followed. As if by mutual
agreement, they both looked up at the night sky with its sprinkling of stars and
a cloud that slid in front of the moon. A cool breeze picked up, fluttering her
silk skirt around her knees and blowing a lock of hair across her face.
Hibiscus bushes on the spacious grounds rustled in the breeze. For the first
time that evening, she felt at peace, and why, she couldn't say. She tucked
a strand of hair behind her ear, thinking she really should go back
inside.
His low voice snatched her attention. "Did you
come by yourself?"
She turned to look at him. "Why, yes, I
drove."
He pressed his hand to his heart in mock
sorrow. "You have deprived me of the opportunity to drive you home. But
seriously, it would have been my pleasure to do just that, had you needed a
ride." He leaned her way, his voice cascading over her like a warm
shower. "I should like very much to see you again."
"Thanks. I appreciate your sentiments.
But I don't ride with strangers. And I'm real busy right now." Aware
of how abrupt she must seem, she smiled to take the sting from her words.
"What's that expression about ships that pass in the night?"
"Ah, yes, Shakespeare. And very true, I'm
afraid, except that this is a lovely moonlit patio."
"Besides, I don't know a thing about you."
He smiled lazily. "What if I told you I'm a
vampire?"
She laughed. "You're too late for Halloween
and too early for April Fools Day."
He laughed, too, a husky chuckle, as if they'd
shared a huge joke.
A wicked sense of danger stirred inside her. She
knew she should leave, but something kept her glued to the spot, as if by
her departure the world would stop spinning, the sun would turn to ashes.
Sighing inwardly, she turned toward the
door. "It's been nice meeting you, but I should get back inside." She
fluttered her fingers at him. "See you." How empty the night seemed
now, all pleasure gone from the evening. And she'd never see him again. She
wondered why that outcome should bother her so,and besides, she should know
better. After Bruce, it would be just as well if she stayed away from all
men.
She turned away from him, a faint scent of floral
perfume wafting in the air.
"Goodnight, Jennifer." Varik admired her
supple walk, her high heels clicking on the bricks, her dark skirt rippling
around her knees. He liked the way her light brown hair bounced across
her shoulders as she moved. Her fresh, clean looks captivated him, absolutely
the most enchanting he'd ever seen. Was she aware of what a lovely
image she presented, one that made him want to hold her and kiss her to drive
them both breathless?
He wanted to see her again. He would see her again.
By the time the party broke up, he'd approach the host, use his mesmerizing
charm to discover Jennifer's address. And see her again, this woman he
couldn't drive from his mind.
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