Justin glanced around the restaurant just in time to see Calypso walk in. On the arm of a man. They made a good-looking couple, the man’s reddish blonde hair and brown eyes contrasting against Calypso’s black hair and golden eyes.
Justin pulled his eyes from the couple to look at his date. In the nine months since he’d found out who Calypso really was, he’d gone through more woman then the rest of his life put together, in an attempt to forget and get over Calypso. Not that it had worked. Every woman he’d dated had either reminded him of her, or annoyed him to the end of his patience. He hadn’t gone on more than two dates with any one woman.
His current date was Calypso’s total opposite in everything. Looks, temperament, personality, even intelligence.
She noticed him looking at her and smiled. “Having fun tonight, Justin?” Amberlyn McIntyre asked in her flirtatious voice.
He hated the night and her voice grated on his nerves. “Yea, loads,” Justin replied, not even attempting sound sincere.
Amberlyn giggled. “So am I. I have a surprise planned for you.”
“Can’t wait to see it.”
She either ignored the insincerity in his voice or didn’t notice it. “I’m sure you’ll like.” She smiled at him and ran a hand over his thigh beneath the table cloth, then lightly rested her hand on his arm.
Calypso noticed Justin as the matire d’ led her and her fiancé to a table. They had to walk right past Justin’s table.
Calypso noticed his date’s hand resting on his arm and looked away. She didn’t notice Justin brush Amberlyn’s hand away. Nor did she see the naked longing in his eyes as he gazed at her.
“What did you have to talk to me about, Cali?” Richard asked in his usual patronizing way.
That rubbed her. Although she had been raised in a world of wealth, power, and money-hungry people, in a society that didn’t give a damn about women’s rights, she couldn’t stand the way he treated her. Like she was nothing more than a mother for his children and a hostess. He had a mistress, she knew, and would continue having affairs after their marriage. Men in his position didn’t marry for love, and no one expected them to be faithful.
And after her brief stint in the “real world”, her hatred for the way women were treated had grown. And she had knowingly put herself in the position she currently was in.
“I’m staying in Florida for a month or so,” Calypso said.
“No you’re not. You have our wedding to plan,” he told her. “You need to be with your family, in California, at this moment in time. Better yet, you’re coming to England. And you’ll stay with my family. My mother can help you plan the wedding. She knows how to plan a large, formal wedding.”
“Are you saying my mother doesn’t know how to?” Calypso asked.
“Cali, dear, your mother won’t be of much help to you.”
“May I remind you, Richard, that my mother is an English duchess, higher ranking than you or any of your family?”
“She no longer lives in England. Things have changed.”
Calypso glared at him. “My mother still visits England quite often. And things haven’t changed that much. I’m staying in Florida. And even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be going to England. My family will help me plan the wedding, not yours.”
“You didn’t hear me, Calypso. You will go to England. And consider changing your name. I can’t stand Calypso. It’s too wild and pagan for my tastes.”
“Then why did you propose to me, if you hated my name?”
“Why? Because you’ll be the perfect mother and obedient wife. I could care less about you or your name. What’s your middle name?”
“Shyanne,” Calypso ground out.
“That will suit. We’ll have to get it formally changed. But for now, I’ll call you Shyanne. Tomorrow, I’ll make the flight arrangements for you to go to England.”
“My name is Calypso. If you don’t like, tough. You can use Cali. And I’m not going to England. I’m staying here.”
Richard grabbed her arm. “You will do as I say, Shyanne. Do you understand that?”
“You’re bruising me.”
Richard’s hand tightened even more around her slender arm. “Do you understand?”
“I’m not going to do as you say.”
Richard felt someone’s eyes on him. He looked up and saw Justin staring at them. Slowly, he released Calypso’s arm. “You’re just tired and stressed out. We’ll talk about this tomorrow, Shyanne.”
“Don’t call me that. My name is Calypso or Cali, if you prefer.”
“Of course my dear. So sorry, Cali. We’ll talk once you’re not as stressed out.”
Justin looked back at Calypso and her date as he and Amberlyn left the restaurant. Calypso looked resigned. He’d seen the bastard gripping her arm earlier. She’d probably have bruises tomorrow.
“Ready for my surprise, Justin?” Amberlyn asked, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. Her big blue eyes looked up into his. “I’ve been waiting to show you all night.”
“Yeah, babe, I’m ready.” Justin took her arm and they walked out of the restaurant.
Returning to Amberlyn’s apartment, Justin was forced to sit on the couch while she changed. A little while later, Amberlyn walked out of her room dressed in a red lace teddy, thong, and high heels.
Justin stared at her as she walked closer to him, but he wasn’t seeing her. All he could see was Calypso, and how she’d looked the first time they’d made love. It had truly been one of the best nights of his life.
Amberlyn straddled his lap. “Do you like your surprise so far?” she asked, as she kissed him.
Justin kissed her back, still thinking of Calypso. Her voice as she moaned beneath him, the way she’d tasted, even the way her skin and hair smelled.
Then Amberlyn’s voice invaded his mind, even as her smell and taste invaded his senses. He pushed her from him. There was no way he could do this to either of them.
“I’m sorry, Amberlyn. It just won’t work out between us.”
With that, he walked out of her apartment and returned to his house, where he was free to be haunted by memories.