Tangled Web
By Sarah & Lanie
Chapter 7
Cameron looked up at Ryan, watching the myriad of emotions playing across his face. The anguish was evident in his eyes and in the set of his jaw. Cameron owed a lot to Ryan. More than any words could ever express. As he watched Ryan struggle with his emotions, Cameron suddenly realized the significance of this place.
"It was here. He shot you here…" Cameron said as the train whistle sounded closer and the train trestle began to shake.
Ryan looked down at him. "Yeah, it was here that I severed all ties to Grant Harrison, " Ryan said with conviction, then looked back up as the whistle of the train sounded again. "I come here just to scream!"
Ryan opened his mouth and screamed as the train rolled over the tracks above. His mournful cries intermingled with the sounds of the train. The scene transfixed Cameron. He had known Ryan for many years, but he had never seen him like this. After the train passed and the clearing was quiet once again, Ryan climbed down and sat on one of the steel beams. He smiled at Cameron but it was not a smile of happiness or humor.
"You think I’ve lost my mind, don’t you?"
Cameron slowly shook his head. "No," he said pinning his eyes on Ryan. "I think…I think that you must be some sort of super hero. How else could you deal with all of it?"
"I’m no super hero. I’m just a man….a man who has been away too long…"
"Why did Kane put you in charge of this surveillance? He had to know what it would do to you."
Ryan looked off into the distance. "I volunteered. No offense, but I had to be sure that the people I love are safe this time. I’m not going to allow that bas…. Grant…to hurt them ever again," he told him then clenched his teeth. "You knew about the baby, didn’t you?"
Cameron nodded. "Babies."
"Babies?"
"Yeah, she’s having twins."
Ryan exhaled slowly. "Why didn’t you tell me?"
Cameron shrugged. "We didn’t think that…we didn’t know how you would react."
"I feel like I’ve been sucker punched."
"I’m sorry. It wouldn’t have been any better if we had just told you. Besides you knew she and Jake were married."
"It doesn’t mean that I have to like it. I know she couldn’t wait on me. I didn’t expect her to. How could she? Everyone thought I had died. That’s what the FBI wanted everyone to believe and they succeeded. I never thought this whole operation would last this long. I was a foot from her the other day and it was all I could do not to pull her into my arms. Of course that jack…Jake was tagging along."
"It doesn’t sound like you and Jake were real close."
Ryan laughed lowly. "Let’s just say we have…. had….a love-hate relationship. Immense dislike won out for the most part. When I saw her the other day, it was like nothing had changed. All the feelings and emotions came flooding back."
"Where did you see them?"
"When I was parking cars at the Corys’. She is still the most beautiful woman in the world."
"Takes your breath away, huh?" Cameron asked with a smile.
Ryan patted him on the back. "Always. Just like that wife of yours makes you absolutely nuts."
Cameron smiled. "So what are you going to do?"
Ryan gave him a hard look. "What I’ve always done, Mav, no matter what it costs…. my job."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cory Mansion
Amanda and Alli were still laughing as they walked into the foyer.
"The movie was great. Thanks for being my date."
Alli smiled. "I know you would much rather of had Cameron along."
"That’s not true. We need a girls’ night out every once in a while, right? Besides you’re off to California tomorrow afternoon and I’m going to miss you."
"Oh, Mom, it’s just for a week. You won’t even notice I’m gone."
Amanda shook her head. "I’ll notice and I’ll worry. It’s a mother’s prerogative."
Alli yawned. "I’m going to go upstairs. I’ve still got packing to do."
Alli leaned forward and kissed Amanda on the cheek before she ran up the stairs.
"Good night," Amanda yelled after her, but Alli was already gone. Amanda shook her head in exasperation. "Now where is that husband of mine?"
Amanda walked along the hall. She peeked in the family room where the television was still tuned to the baseball game. A half-eaten bowl of potato chips was on the table beside the couch. She picked up the remote control, switched off the television, then picked up the bowl of potato chips. As Amanda walked into the kitchen, the door from the garage opened and closed. She folded her arms as she watched Cameron walk across the kitchen. Cameron looked up and stopped in mid-step. He immediately noticed her defensive stance.
"We’ve got to stop meeting like this," Cameron grinned, hoping his attempt at humor would wipe that look off his wife’s face.
"So where have you been?"
Cameron bristled at her tone and forced himself to let it go. "I needed some dip for my chips. I ran out to the store down the road," he told her and held up the grocery bag.
Amanda smiled, relieving Cameron. "Just checking. I missed you."
Cameron smiled and held his arms open. Amanda walked to him and he wrapped his arms around her. She lifted her face to his and they kissed slowly.
"All right, you two, break it up," Matt teased them as he walked into the kitchen.
Amanda stepped away from Cameron, but stayed in the circle of his arms as they both faced Matt. Her eyebrows immediately shot upward when she looked at her brother.
"What happened to you?" Amanda asked with concern when she spotted the bandage on his forehead.
"You wouldn’t believe me if I told you," Matt responded not wanting to share the details of what he had seen tonight and exactly what had caused the gash on his forehead.
"Were you in an accident?" Amanda questioned.
"I’m fine, Amanda. Just fine."
Cameron could tell that Matt did not want to share the story with them so he admonished his wife. "Once a reporter always a reporter."
Amanda swung around to face Cameron. "I’m just concerned about my brother."
Matt held up his hand. "I’ll be all right. It will just teach me to watch where I’m going. That’s all. Listen, I’ve had a very long day. I’ll talk to you both in the morning. Good night."
With that, Matt swept past them both and walked slowly up the backstairs. Amanda stepped away from Cameron and watched Matthew.
"What do you make of that?" Amanda asked not really expecting an answer.
"He’ll let you know when he wants you to, Amanda."
Amanda turned around. "I suppose."
"What I want to know is if you’re ready to call it a night?"
Amanda smiled. "Yeah, I am. You go on ahead. I’m going to get a glass of water."
Cameron kissed her on his way to the stairs. Amanda watched him go then turned around to walk to the kitchen cabinets. She picked up the plastic grocery bag and took out the French onion dip. As she turned to walk to the refrigerator, she froze, looking at the floor where Cameron had been standing. She kneeled down and touched the mud. It was cold and moist. Amanda sighed heavily and closed her eyes. He was lying again! She looked at the stairs as she bit her bottom lip and her eyes filled with tears.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harbor Club
July 17, 1999
The restaurant was buzzing with activity. This particular Saturday night had brought out the citizens of Bay City in droves. Donna bustled around darting from table to table ensuring that all of her patrons were happy with their meals and the service. She smiled warmly as she saw Cameron and Amanda Sinclair walk into the restaurant.
They were a striking couple, Amanda with her golden beauty and Cameron with his dark, chiseled good looks. Amanda was wearing an intricately beaded, strapless red dress. The neck of the dress dipped to a vee in the front and the back. Her hair floated loosely around her bare shoulders. Tiny diamond earrings sparkled on her earlobes and a simple silver bracelet gleamed on her wrist. Cameron was wearing a black double-breasted suit with a thinly striped charcoal shirt and a plain black tie. Donna glided across the floor to meet them.
"Hello, we’ve got everything set up for you," Donna told them as she greeted them.
"Thank you, Donna. It’s not very often that our family can arrange to have a meal together," Amanda told her.
"Follow me. Matthew has been holding this table down all alone."
Donna ushered them to the table, then went to greet some more new arrivals. Cameron sat beside Matthew, who was wearing a charcoal gray suit jacket with a casual black shirt and black trousers.
"She got you in a suit I see," Matthew commented as he shook Cameron’s hand.
Cameron rolled his eyes. "Brand spanking new from Fifth Avenue," Cameron responded sarcastically as he pulled at the lapels of the jacket.
Amanda slapped his arm. "Stop it. You look very GQ," she told him with a sparkle in her eyes.
"GQ…. yeah, that’s me," Cameron said as his cheeks pinkened slightly and he dipped his head. Matthew smiled and shared a look with his sister.
"So have you heard from Mom and Carl? They are coming, aren’t they?" Matthew asked.
"Mom promised they would be here, Matt."
Matthew’s face twisted slightly as he played with his napkin. He wanted to trust Carl. He wanted to believe things were different, but he could not forget.
"So is Alli having fun in California?" Matthew asked, directing the conversation away from Carl.
Amanda smiled. "I talked to her today. She and Blaine were off shopping when I called. Sandy said that Alli and Alex are inseparable and that they were all having a great time together."
"That’s great. I hope . . .." Matthew began. His eyes were locked on something in the distance. Cameron was the first to notice what had gotten his attention. Cameron’s mouth drew into a straight line as his eyes briefly touched the object of attention.
Tess was framed in the doorway. She wore a black satin dress with a gauzy black overlay. Burnout leaves of deep red cascaded down the bodice and waist of the dress, which stopped several inches above her knees. The neck was softly draped and the back was a low scoop. Her shoes were shiny black, two-band slides with three-inch heels. Her auburn hair was upswept and secured by a long silver pin. A few wisps of hair escaped the pin and framed her face.
Tess briefly nodded in the direction of the Cory-Sinclair table as she was escorted to her own table a short distance away. Matthew tore his eyes from her and exhaled loudly. Amanda had not missed a thing. She was encouraged by the look on Matthew’s face when Tess appeared.
"I’m going to invite Tess to join us."
"No!" Matthew and Cameron both said at the same time then shared a glance with one another.
"Why not?" Amanda asked, looking back and forth between the two of them. "She’s alone. Why should she be when she can eat with us?"
"Maybe she wants to eat alone, Amanda," Cameron pointed out. "Besides, how do you know that she’s not meeting someone?"
"Well, it won’t hurt to ask," Amanda told them as she pushed her chair back. Matthew grabbed her wrist.
"Amanda, she and I haven’t exactly warmed up to one another," he said in explanation. The memory of the events two nights ago ran vividly through his mind. He moistened his lips remembering their kiss.
"Maybe if you spent some time together outside of work, your relationship would improve."
Matthew sat back and eyed his sister. Whew! If she only knew…. "I pushed her into a swimming pool in front of her co-workers and our family and friends. I don’t think that’s something she’s going to forget any time soon."
Cameron looked at Amanda and tilted his head. "There is that."
Amanda sighed in disgust. "What is wrong with the two of you? Have you lost your manners or just your minds? I’m asking. That’s it."
Amanda threw them another disgusted look as she stood up and walked toward Tess. Cameron and Matthew looked at one another.
"I tried," Cameron said with a shrug.
"Thanks, man, but when she wants something . . . . "
". . . . .nothing stops her," Cameron finished as he watched Amanda.
Tess paid little attention to the Cory-Sinclair table as she took her seat. Cameron, of course, would know better . . . . .that she was witnessing everything that was going on. Tess surveyed the restaurant. It was obviously one of the hot spots for the citizens of Bay City. She could observe all of them virtually unnoticed. She glanced at Matthew Cory, then away. Her pulse accelerated as she remembered the feel of his lips touching hers. Of his… Amanda was walking toward her. What did she want?
"Good evening, Tess. Are you dining alone?" Amanda asked with a smile.
"I couldn’t stand my own cooking any longer and decided to go see what cuisine Bay City has to offer," Tess quipped with a small smile.
"You chose the right place, then. The Harbor Club has an excellent chef. I would like you to join us for dinner. My mother and her husband will be joining us shortly."
Tess glanced past Amanda at Cameron and Matthew. Cameron was sending silent hate bombs at her with his eyes. Matthew looked extremely uncomfortable. Tess looked back at Amanda.
"I think I’ll pass this time, but thank you for asking," Tess said politely.
"I insist. I can’t stand to watch you eat alone."
"Really, Amanda, it looks like you’re having a family gathering and I certainly do not want to intrude."
"It won’t be an intrusion. Please, come have dinner with us."
Tess sighed. Amanda Cory Sinclair was persistent. Tess had known instantly why Cameron had fallen in love with Amanda. Cameron had always been like a wild horse, running wild and free, but Tess had known from the moment they met if someone came along who could capture him long enough. . . .with the spirit to break down his walls, he would be hers for life. Amanda had the stubborn determination and spirit, which had done just that.
"If you’re sure?"
"Of course, I’m sure. Now come on," Amanda told her.
Tess got up and the two of them walked back to the table together. Matthew slid over and Cameron and Amanda traded places so that she and Tess could sit beside one another. Matthew shifted uncomfortably.
"I’m glad you could join us, Tess," Matthew told her, holding his breath slightly.
Liar! Tess said to herself. Tess leveled her cold eyes on him. She could see his uneasiness and bit her tongue to withdraw the biting remark on the tip of her tongue. "I appreciate the invitation."
Matthew finally let out his breath. She was so cold. But he knew it was all an act. He had found the fire within. It may have been a brief moment, but it was a moment that had enflamed a persistent ache deep, down within his soul. Looking at her now, he wanted to flame that fire which had ignited between them. But would she let him?
Cameron eyed Tess warily. He did not like having to interact with her socially. They were a team, but being with Tess like this could mean trouble. Carl had already witnessed their connection. Amanda could catch on to their closeness if they made one wrong move. Getting through this dinner was going to be a major operation. They could do this, though. This was not the most difficult situation they had ever been in.
Cameron and Tess were pressed closely together. Each breath they took was shallow. The tiny closet allowed little movement. Cameron closed his eyes.
"Easy, Mav," Tess whispered, fully aware of his discomfort and his claustrophobia. "Just a few more minutes and we’ll be out of here."
"We wouldn’t be in here in the first place if you hadn’t ticked that guy off."
Tess’s eyes shot to his. "Just shut up and help me with this lock."
Tess worked on the lock with a bobby pin. She was having little luck. It kept bending and Tess was becoming frustrated.
"Give me that!" Cameron spat, grabbing the bobby pin away from her.
Tess glared at him, their lips mere inches apart. As their eyes met in the darkness, something raw and electric passed between them. Tess’s tongue briefly flicked over her bottom lip. Cameron’s lips parted slightly and their mouths drifted together.
"Got it," he said in triumph as the lock clicked.
"Cameron. . .Cameron!"
Cameron jumped out of his daydream and his eyes met Tess’s. Her eyelids closed in a practiced move of communication.
"What is it?" he asked Amanda with a smile.
"You were a million miles away," Amanda told him.
He laughed. "Yeah, I guess I was."
Cameron looked at Tess again. If they only knew . . . .
"I was just telling you that Gary and Josie were here."
Cameron looked up as his brother and sister-in-law approached their table.
"Hey everyone!" Gary greeted.
"Gary, would you like to join us?" Amanda asked.
Gary laughed. "As tempting as it would be to spend some quality time with my favorite sister-in-law, I think we’ll pass tonight."
"Ah, come on, Gar, join us," Cameron implored.
Gary shook his head. "Thanks, but Josie and I are having a special dinner."
"Where are my manners?" Amanda commented. "Gary, Josie, this is Tess Richardson. She joined Cory a few weeks ago."
Tess extended her hand to Gary who leaned down and kissed it. "I think we met briefly at the Fourth of July party."
Gary choked for a moment. "Yes, I believe we did. It’s good to see you again."
Tess hooded her eyes. She knew that Gary was recalling her unceremonious dip in the Cory pool. Her eyes shot to Matthew briefly before she extended her hand to Josie.
"Nice to see you, Josie."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Gary and Josie walked to their table as Rachel and Carl walked into the dining room. Gary glanced over at Cameron as he took his seat. He noticed the strained look on his brother’s face as Cameron shared a brief look with Tess. Gary’s instincts immediately were on full alert. Was this what was bothering Cameron? Or whom? How does Tess Richardson fit into this picture?
"There they are," Matthew said as Carl and Rachel approached the table. He and Cameron both stood up. Carl reached across shaking hands with both men. Matthew and Cameron walked around to stand on either side of Rachel. Each of them kissed her on the cheek. She smiled widely and patted their faces gently.
"I could get used to all of this attention," Rachel said with a small laugh.
"Get used to it, Ma," Cameron told her with a grin.
Matthew turned to Amanda. "There he goes again."
Cameron grinned at Matthew.
"Matthew, leave Cameron alone," Rachel admonished with a gleam in her eye. It pleased her beyond words that her children all got along, including the newest addition to the family. She loved it that Cameron called her "Ma". It was only something he could get away with. "I’m glad we could all be together like this. It’s too bad Joe and Paulina couldn’t join us."
"Paulina was so disappointed, but Joe had to work and she had to stay at the restaurant," Amanda told her.
"We’ll all get together soon, then," Rachel said. "We’ll make a point of it."
"Ms. Richardson, I didn’t realize you were joining us," Carl said with a small smile.
Before Tess could respond, Amanda said, "I invited her."
Tess smiled at Carl. "Yes, Amanda was concerned about me eating alone. I hope I’m not intruding."
"Of course, you’re not. The more the merrier I always say," Carl said with a laugh.
The table was silent as they all perused the menus and listened to the waiter talk about the specials. After their orders were taken and everything settled down again, the conversation started around the table. Carl stared at Tess. Carl was very obvious about it so Tess could not help but notice. She was very careful to keep her eyes off Cameron, knowing Carl was watching her.
"Ms. Richardson, where are you from originally?" Carl asked with a slight smirk.
The conversation died around the table as all eyes turned toward Tess. Cameron held his breath. Carl was playing with fire. He just did not know it. He closed his eyes and smiled as he pictured Tess strangling Carl. Cameron’s eyes popped open once again as he waited to see Tess’s reaction to the question.
Tess looked directly at Carl as she spoke. "Please, call me "Tess". I grew up in Houston, Texas."
"Houston? That is very curious, Tess. I don’t detect an accent."
Cameron openly cringed waiting for the explosion.
"I have been away from Texas for a while. I spent a lot of time in New York and Virginia, which has tamed the accent quite a bit. When I get angry, it has a tendency to crop up," she replied evenly with no sign of anger.
Carl smiled. "Indeed. So, Tess, was your father a "wildcatter"?"
Cameron could not hide his shock at Carl’s open interrogation. His eyes bulged for a moment as he watched her reaction to this question. He was shocked when a slow smile lifted her lips.
"No, Mr. Hutchins, my father was a Texas Ranger. . . .one of the finest lawmen in all of Texas."
Carl smiled. "How noble. . .you must be extremely proud of him."
Tess nodded. "My father was a hero to many people, but no one admired him more than I did."
Cameron let out his breath in relief. Tess’s eyes briefly met his and danced away. Bravo, Tess Richardson! Bravo!
Cameron and Amanda moved slowly around the dance floor. Amanda glanced over his shoulder at the table. Carl and Rachel were off talking to another couple. Matthew and Tess were doing their best not to talk to one another.
"That’s a shame," Amanda observed.
"What?" Cameron asked.
"Matthew and Tess can’t seem to get past their problems. I think they need a little boost."
Cameron dipped his head to look her in the eye. "What are you planning?"
Amanda smiled. "Why don’t you ask Tess to dance?"
Cameron scrunched his face in confusion. "And this would help Tess and Matt how?"
Amanda slapped his shoulder. "You dance with Tess while I’m dancing with Matthew, then we’ll simply change partners. It’s that’s easy."
Cameron shook his head. "I think we should let nature take its course."
"If we had let "nature" take its course, would we be together right now?"
Cameron exhaled loudly. "All right, Amanda."
Amanda and Cameron walked back to the table.
"Come dance with me, Matt," Amanda implored.
Matthew smiled and looked at Cameron. "What. . .did she wear you out?"
Cameron playfully punched him on the shoulder and grinned. "Nope," he told him then turned to Tess. "Would you care to dance?"
Tess hesitated for a moment, taken by surprise by Cameron’s invitation. She smiled, then took Cameron’s hand.
"I thought we were supposed to be playing things cool," Tess whispered to him when they got out on the dance floor.
Cameron looked at Carl where he talked across the room. "Just go with it. You handled that little interrogation of Hutchins’ very well, Dev."
Tess did not look at him. "Thanks, I thought he was going to get out the bright light and the rubber hose. What is up with him?"
"He’s suspicious. Just like either of us would be."
"I don’t like him snooping around. We have too many things to accomplish without having to worry about a life-long criminal who arose like Lazarus poking into our business."
Cameron looked at Amanda who was giving him a signal to change partners. "Then we have to make sure that we are on guard at all times."
As Tess nodded in agreement, Cameron spun her around and right into Matthew’s arms. Both Matthew and Tess were caught off guard. Matthew’s arms had closed around her. Their bodies were pressed close together. Their lips were a few inches apart. Tess looked at his mouth briefly before looking into his eyes. For one moment, Matthew glimpsed an unguarded expression on her face and in her eyes. What he saw made his heart race. With a blink of her eyes, it was gone like a slight summer breeze. She tried to pull away from him.
Matthew whispered. "Stay. Dance with me."
Goosebumps rose on her skin as the sound of his voice caressed her senses. Tess started to push away, but as her hands touched his chest, their bodies began to sway. Their eyes held fast as they danced. Their mouths drifted closer together.
"Electricity.
. . .eye to eye. . .
Hey, don’t I know you? I can’t speak.
Stripped my senses on the spot
I’ve never been defenseless.
I can’t even make sense of this.
You speak and I don’t hear a word.
What would
happen if we kissed?
Would your tongue slip past my lips?
Would you run away?
Would you stay?
Or would I melt into you
Mouth to mouth
Lust to lust
Spontaneously combust…"
For a moment, they were lost in each other. Neither of them realized that the world had drifted away from them. The electricity flowing between them was like lightening in a thunderstorm. Hot and explosive.
Tess leaned into Matthew as their lips drifted together.
"Tess," he whispered against her lips.
The sound of her name brought Tess to her senses. She pushed against Matthew and stared at him in confusion. With one quick movement, she turned away from him and walked quickly out of the Harbor Club. Matthew stood on the dance floor, unmoving as he watched her walk away. He did not know whether to stay or run after her.
Tess stopped outside. The damp air rising off the bay assaulted her skin. She gasped in the air. It was stifling. . . .making her breathing even more labored.
What was happening to her? What was he doing to her? Tess shook her head from side to side, hoping it would clear her senses. When she received no relief, she ran.
Tess fumbled with her keys as she reached her car. She pounded her fists on the roof of the car, expending her frustrations.
"Why does he do this to me?" she railed.
As Tess pushed the button on her key fob, her body was whirled around. The impact pushed her back against her car. She held her hands up to push him away. Matt grabbed her wrists pulling her roughly against him. Tess’s heartbeat throbbed in her ears as their eyes locked and a shiver of wanting ran through her. Instead of the hungry kiss she expected, Matt brushed a gentle kiss across her forehead, then nibbled at her earlobe moving down to kiss the pulsing hollow at the base of her throat. Tess gasped as his intense gaze met hers. Matt crushed her to him as their lips met with fiery urgency. Both were lost in the power of their own desire.
Their eyes blazed as their chests heaved trying to catch their breath. Matt leaned forward pressing a hard kiss against her lips. As he leaned away he whispered, "Let’s go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cameron and Amanda slowly walked up the hill hand in hand. Cameron had taken off his coat and tie, rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and unbuttoned the first three buttons revealing a good portion of his chest. Amanda had a lacy red shawl around her shoulders. When they reached the top of the hill, Cameron hugged Amanda to him.
"What do you think happened to Matt and Tess?" Amanda asked still distracted by the events of the evening.
Tess is either beating the crap out of Matt or she’s thrown him into the bay. Cameron thought to himself as he lightly kissed Amanda’s cheek. "I wouldn’t worry about it."
Amanda sighed heavily. "I don’t know what happened. I thought everything was going fine until…."
"…..until you orchestrated their dance."
"Yeah," she said in disappointment.
Cameron pulled away so he could see her face. "It’s a beautiful night. Look at that sky full of stars."
Amanda smiled at the boyish look on his face. "What did you bring me here for anyway?"
Cameron laughed under his breath. "It’s the only place where I can get your full attention," he told her as he lightly kissed her neck.
"It’s you who’s been distracted lately."
Cameron nodded. "I’m sorry about that. There are times when I don’t like the work I do, especially when it affects my personal life."
"Then quit. Do something else. Come work at Cory."
"Just like that. Leave Gary high and dry? And just what would I do at Cory?"
Amanda grinned. "Distract me from my work."
"Exactly," Cameron stated. "And as much as I’d like my part in that distraction, this kind of work is in my blood."
"Can you tell me what’s wrong?"
Cameron looked in her eyes, struggling with the truth and knowing that he could not reveal everything…..not yet. "I just want you to know that I love you….only you. I will never, ever let anyone hurt you."
Amanda reached up to remove the crease from his forehead. "I know, Cameron. Just like I knew the first time I ever saw you."
"But I hurt you," Cameron said with a grimace.
"It made us stronger. There is nothing that could ever tear us apart."
Cameron nodded. He pulled her close, hoping that they could stand another test of their relationship. He began dancing with her, spinning Amanda around.
"What are you doing?" Amanda asked as she laughed.
"Dancing. What does it look like?"
"But there’s no music."
Cameron stopped and stared at her as if she had said the strangest thing in the world. "You mean that you don’t hear it?"
Amanda smiled slowly as Cameron began to hum then quietly sang….
"….Looking
in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything to me
These are the moments I know heaven must exist
These are the moments I know all I need is this
I have all I’ve waited for
And I could not ask for more….."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Carlino’s
David and Cindy swept into the restaurant with a rush of excitement. They were both still reeling from their trip to Tanquir.
David slid into one side of the booth as Cindy sat opposite him. Her simple black dress complimented her tan. She was glowing. David found it hard to take his eyes off her.
"Couldn’t we have stayed in New York one more day?" Cindy asked in a childlike voice.
David laughed under his breath. "Ah, Cindy, I don’t think New York could take more than one day of you at a time."
Cindy smiled widely as her eyes sparkled with happiness. "Thank you, David."
"For what?" he asked in confusion.
"For just letting me be me."
David nodded. "I would never ask you to be anyone else. Never," he told her with conviction.
"So what did you just have to pick up at the townhouse, boss man?"
"Well, I do have business to take care of," he told her as he pulled out a stack of envelopes and flipped through them. His eyes widened as he pulled one envelope out and ripped it open. His mouth twisted as he read the letter.
"What’s that?"
David smiled, then narrowed his eyes. "It seems Amanda Sinclair has called a shareholders’ meeting for Cory. My, my what will she do when she gets a load of me?" he said with a laugh.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Matt held Tess’s hand as he led her down the hall in the mansion. She came along willingly, wondering where he could possibly be taking her. He opened an oak door and walked inside the room, flipping on the lights as he went past. He let go of Tess’s hand and walked to the center of the room awaiting her reaction.
The room was filled with windows. It was stark white. But it was not the color of the room that caught her attention. Tess walked in a circle staring and examining everything.
"What is this place?" she asked in awe.
Matt smiled. "This is my studio."
"You….you’re an artist."
"It’s a little something I do."
"Matt, all of these things are museum quality."
"Flattery will get you everywhere," Matt teased.
"I’m being totally serious," she told him as she looked at a sculpture he was working on. She had seen enough art in her line of work to know quality work. Tess noticed the picture sitting nearby and picked it up. "This is your baby?"
"Yeah, that’s Jasmine."
Tess stared at the picture. "I’ve seen the pictures in your office, but this one…..She has your eyes."
"She is the most precious person in my life."
Tess walked to an easel that held his sketches. There was a picture of Jasmine and a woman. "Is this….?"
"Lila, my ex-wife."
"She’s striking."
"Yes, she is."
Tess was not sure if she liked that answer. She flipped to the next picture in the pad. It was of Amanda. The next was a picture of a dog.
"That’s Apple. I had him when I was a kid."
Tess smiled, liking what she was seeing. The smile died on her face when she saw the next sketch. Her eyes widened as she stared at the picture. Matt walked up behind her. She was staring at a picture of herself only in this picture her hair was loose and wild. Her lips were pouting and her eyes were filled with something she could not describe.
"Is this how you see me?" Tess asked him without turning around.
"In my dreams," Matt whispered close to her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine.
Tess spun around. Her words were smothered on her lips as Matt’s mouth captured hers. Their lips caressed each other’s more than kissed. It was like a wildly erotic dance. Tess felt like she was being drugged as Matt deepened the kiss and he clasped his hands just below her waist, pulling her body fully against his. Matt reached up and removed the pin from her hair causing it to cascade around her shoulders. He thrust his fingers in her hair, pressing another kiss on her forehead as his mouth once again descended on hers. Tess pushed against his chest, breaking contact.
"No!" she yelled as she quickly walked to the other side of the room. Her chest heaved. "Why did you bring me here?"
Matt took a shuddering breath as he struggled to control the desire raging in his veins. "I wanted to share a part of me with you."
"Why?"
"To show you that it’s not such a horrible thing to let someone else see the real you. I want to know you, Tess. I want to know everything about you, but I can’t do that until you’re willing to let me see the person behind that façade of yours."
"I don’t know what you’re talking about."
"Liar," he said flatly. "You’ve let your guard down with me. Now you can wear that armor of yours and show me what an ice queen you are, but I know the truth, Tess. I’ve seen that fire within. I’ve seen you and I want to know that person behind the mask. I want to know the real Tess Richardson."
Her guard slipped when he said those last words. Her heart leapt with some emotion that was so foreign to her that she was not sure what she was feeling. Tess took a step forward, then thought better of it. Shaking herself mentally, she regained control of her raging emotions and her eyes hardened.
"I came here to do a job, Matt. I am your employee. Anything between us is business and nothing else. Good night, Matt," she told him in an icy tone, then turned on her heel and walked out the door. She took two steps down the hall when she heard his voice.
"What is happening between us has nothing to do with business," Matt told her as he walked to the door. She stopped and turned to face him. "You can keep lying to yourself or you can accept that there is something going on between us. I’m under your skin."
Tess raised her eyebrows in response to his statements. Her eyes deliberately swept his body from head to toe, then she turned and walked away. Once outside she gasped for breath as his words echoed in her head. I’m under your skin. She shook her head and took a deep breath.
"That’s the only place you’ll be, Matthew Cory. I won’t allow you to get to me anywhere else. Do you hear me? I won’t allow it!"
Author’s Note: The lyrics quoted are from the songs "What Would Happen" recorded by Meredith Brooks and can be found on her CD entitled "Blurring the Edges" and "I Could Not Ask for More" recorded by Edwin McCain on his CD entitled "Messenger". Click on the hyperlinked title(s) to listen to a Real media clip from the song.