Heartfelt (23 page)

He dropped beside her. “Would that be a problem?”

She laughed, amazed that she could. “Changing the subject.”

He raised his eyebrow. “Really? You’re uncomfortable with my adoration?”

She fixed him with a glare. “There is something else we need to discuss.”

“Now?”

“Right now, you nut. What are we doing about your parents’ gala?”

He sat up and glared back. “I don’t know. I’ve been rather busy with, you know, rescuing people, saving your behind, stuff like that.”

“I want to go. It will be, you know, fun.” Asia knew Conrad had issues with his parents. But if she were going to be in his life as his girlfriend, they should be told. “I’ll be with you.”

Conrad sighed and looked out the window. His back hunched, he was the picture of defeat. His parents did that to him, but she believed he could do better.

“I guess we should talk about it. I don’t have much to say.” He turned his eyes on her, resigned.

“It’s two days away. I have to buy a dress. Does your tux fit?”

He tossed a pillow at her. “Of course it fits. Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For pointing out to me that I need to stand with you at my side in front of my parents. It’s who I am. Their son who loves a moggy very dearly.”

“It should be interesting.”

He lay back down and rolled her beneath his arm. He bent to kiss her, slowly moving close enough that she could feel his breath on her skin. Her heart was heavy, but his presence grounded her to the moment. Her mom was gone, but she lived in spirit in Asia’s heart. And Conrad’s love held her sorrow with her.

The newspaper’s bereavement policy allowed Asia four days off. She had plenty of unused vacation days, too, so she added them together to give herself two weeks off.

Tonight, Friday night following her mother’s death, her vacation was just beginning.

She showered and began dressing for Conrad’s family party. With Lacey’s help, she now was wearing a simple up hairdo. Lacey lifted the dress over her head and helped position it on her body. The dress, also something Lacey had helped pick out, sported a silver, sparkly, beaded bodice that clung to her nicely. Its deep V-neck revealed just a modest amount of cleavage, and a deeper V that ended at her waistline showed her back. The black skirt flowed in folds from her waist to the floor. A long slit down the skirt revealed her left leg when she walked.

“Oohh, you look so sexy,” Lacey gushed.

Asia applied a dramatic, crimson red lipstick while Lacey admired her. “Thanks for all your help. You’re the best.” Asia pretended to hug and kiss her.

“No touching, remember,” Lacey admonished. “Save the makeup.”

Conrad’s troubled relationship with his parents and their dislike of moggies was no secret to the members of the colony, Sterling and Lacey included. Asia wanted a hug from Lacey to boost her morale.

“Listen, Asia. You look amazing. You’ll be the best dressed woman at the party. Conrad loves you as you are, and rightly so.” She tilted her head and smiled. “Be you and you’ll be just perfect. The snobs’ opinions don’t mean anything.”

“Thanks for the pep talk. I needed it.”

Conrad knocked on the door, then walked in. He didn’t announce himself. His scent announced him. “Is my date ready?”

“Go,” Lacey whispered.

Asia walked down the hall and into the living room.

She saw Conrad’s eyes first. They went wide and a smile popped on his face.

“Wow. I mean, just, wow!”

Laughter bubbled inside her. “You look very suave, debonair, all the really outdated but fitting complimentary words.”

He lifted her hand and twirled her around. “Again, wow. You look very lovely. I’m honored to escort you tonight.” He bent toward her and kissed softly.

“Thank you. Now let me see your outfit. Twirl.”

“I beg your pardon? I don’t wear outfits, I am wearing a tux. And I don’t twirl.” He laughed and turned around for her.

“I’ll be with the handsomest man at the gala.” He wore the tux so well, his chest broad and his shoulders strong. Her heartbeat picked up its pace, appreciatively.

They said goodbye to Lacey and walked out Asia’s front door. At the car he held the door for her and she slid in. Everything felt magical. She wished her mom could see her now.

• • •

As they drove up into the Pike estate, Asia was taken aback by the exterior décor. Tiny white lights glittered everywhere. Garlands of peonies in all colors draped the stone fences, the entry, and the walkway around the house.

“Now, in case you were wondering, my mother isn’t ostentatious, not at all.” Bitterness dripped from his words.

“Oh, I can see she’s very austere. Prefers simplicity.”

Conrad parked in the family parking area. “Hold it. I’m on my best behavior tonight. Enjoy it while it lasts.” He walked around to the passenger side of his Rover and helped her out.

“Thank you, sir.” His eyes twinkled at her remark.

“You can mock all you like. I won’t break.”

They walked into the entry where the butler manned the door. “Douglas, so nice to see you.” Conrad wrapped an arm around the man’s shoulder. “This is Asia Blue.”

“Lovely to meet you, my dear.” He bowed graciously, bringing a strained smile to Asia’s face. She tried for lovely, but it just didn’t happen.

“Thank you, Douglas. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes, miss, and sir.” Douglas winked. “Now do behave. If you anger her, I’ll pay for it.”

Conrad leaned closer to Asia. “And by her, he means my mother.”

“Please enjoy the party.” He gestured to the ballroom, where others were standing and munching on appetizers and sipping wine.

“Are you going to introduce me to all those people?”

“Of course I am. It’s my duty to show off my beautiful date.”

“Oh, let’s not. The music is elegant. Let’s dance.”

“Conrad, Conrad. Wait a sec, dear.”

He muttered under his breath. “Oops, I should have spoken to my parents and now we’re caught.”

His mother kissed his cheek, glaring sideways at Asia.

“You remember Asia Blue, don’t you, Mother?”

“Of course I do. Welcome.” Her words cut short and she could only muster a tight smile, but it was a smile.

“Thank you. Your home is lovely, Mrs. Pike.” Asia focused on not allowing any thoughts from the roomful of strangers to penetrate her mind. So far, it was working.

“Rebecca is dying to meet you, son.” She turned brightly to Asia. “I’m sure you don’t mind if I tear him away for a few minutes.”

“Mother, I won’t be rude to the woman, but I told you I’m not interested in getting to know her. I’m staying here and you can bring her to me or not.”

His mother’s sulk was unmistakable. She was angry and disappointed. Asia imagined Amanda Pike usually got her way.

“Very well. Stay right here,” she instructed.

Seconds later a shapely young woman with ethereal long blond hair wearing a delicate lavender full-length dress with pink and white pearls on the skirt glided up to Conrad.

“Conrad, this is Rebecca Boylan. Rebecca, this is my son Conrad. Oh, and his little friend Asia Blue.” His mother gushed about the woman’s family heritage and status.

Asia stood stoic beside Conrad, feeling as though she would just as soon fade into the wall rather than stand near this elegant beauty. She’d been introduced to Rebecca like she was twelve and wearing braids and braces.

But then Conrad’s arm circled her waist while discussing the weather in England this time of year. He glanced down at her and the look of love glimmering in his honey brown eyes reminded her of her stature. She was a were-lynx in love with and loved back by a wonderful were-lynx and her best friend. The rest of it was all huff and puff.

“Well, if you’ll excuse us, Rebecca, Asia and I were just preparing to join in the dance.”

“Enjoy your evening, Rebecca.” Asia smiled, then turned to Conrad. “Like I said, let’s dance.”

She walked at his side into the middle of the nearly empty dance floor. The chamber orchestra played a slow, sweet Viennese waltz. Her eyes were only for him.

“Have I told you today I love you?”

She smiled. “No, I don’t believe you have. Of course, you were working all day. And I was busy.”

“I love you.”

He pulled her closer and nuzzled under her ear. His sultry eyes made her almost dizzy. “I feel like Cinderella.”

“Oh, you’re much more than a Cinderella. Didn’t you know I love you for your brain, your wit, your spunk? Your beauty, of course, comes from inside you.” He dragged his gaze slowly down her body and up again. “But you are stunning.”

Suddenly she was aware of many eyes on them. “We’re being watched,” she whispered.

“Then let’s give them something to watch. Remember when you made me take tango lessons with you? Let’s put them to use.” He trotted up to the orchestra leader and whispered in his ear.

“Here we go.” He smiled warmly at Asia and pulled her very close and set a frame, their backs very straight, their heads erect, their expressions dominating. With her right hand on his shoulder, his hand on her back, and their other hands lightly touching held high, they began the dance of two people moving in relationship with each other, in and out of dominance and submission.

To the sound of the strings, Asia moved with Conrad in a box step, her feet mirroring his as he stepped forward, sideways, then backward. As they glided to the ancient moves of the tango, Asia’s heart thudded in her chest, exhilaration flaming her senses.

Conrad slowly leaned her backward, and paused. Then pulled her abruptly up close, and instantly released her, sending her away, but pulling her quickly back into the frame. His gaze, burning and excited, held hers and she shot him a sultry look. Quick steps made her insides laugh, then cheek to cheek, their bodies so close, they slid slowly across the floor, sensuality oozing between them.

Intensity between them built as the dynamic of balance between partners shifted with each move. Asia let the fury and sweetness of the dance thrum through her. She felt so alive.

Conrad twirled her away and back to him again, her back tight against his chest as she slid slowly to the floor and paused. With a quick jerk, Conrad pulled her up and swirled her to face him, just as they began pivoting in serial steps.

His arms supporting her, Asia leaned backward to the floor, submitting to the
dominio
of love. He pulled her up and they faced each other, backs straight and stubborn. He lifted her off her feet and set her against his side, her legs curled behind her for a brief pose. He shifted her off and in the same motion let her down to face him up close, as she wrapped one leg around his body for a final pose.

She brought her feet together on the floor, still mesmerized by the dance. They remained there, face to face and breath coming fast, for a stretch of eternity. Asia knew outside of this moment with Conrad stood a room full of people. But right now they stood as two people, alone, in relationship to each other.

The room applauded. He took her hand and bowed, then pointed to her. All she could do was smile.

Conrad beamed and cupped her face. His lips drew down to hers slowly, as though he were savoring the idea of kissing her. He looked enthralled with her, almost unaware of the others in the room. She ached inside for him to touch his lips to hers.

Their lips met, softly. He paused there for a mini-minute, then together they headed for the punch table.

Abruptly, Conrad stopped. She followed his gaze to his mother. Her face twisted as though she’d just eaten a rotten tomato. His father walked up and placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder. He frowned at Conrad and summoned him.

“I’m sorry, Asia. I wasn’t thinking. That dance, I should never have asked you to do it with me.”

He’d pierced her heart. “What? Are you ashamed of me?”

“Oh, no, no. I didn’t mean it like that.” He glanced again at his parents, a hard look on his face. “I’ve put you in their crosshairs. I’m very proud of you. I loved our dancing. But now the judgment comes.”

“Just walk to them and say a few words. Reintroduce me to your father.”

“He knows who you are.” He shot her a quizzical look.

“I know. But I’m not sneaking out of here like some Cinderella.”

He sighed. “You’re right.” He pulled at his tie and led her to where his parents stood.

“You wanted to see me?” Conrad stared unflinching at his father and mother.

“Yes we do. What are you trying to do? You know your mother—”

“Before you spew something evil, let me introduce my date. Father, this is Asia Blue. Asia, this is my father, Duncan Pike.”

His mother glared at Asia, but Asia gave the woman her best sweet smile. “The gala is wonderful.”

“We don’t want to discuss the party,” his father said. “Conrad, explain yourself. We specifically asked you not to bring her.”

The emphasis on the word
her
made her stomach clench. She was grateful she’d gotten better control of her telepathy with humans, because right now she imagined the thoughts coming from his parents would be disturbing.

“Mother, Father. I love you very much. But you’ve hurt me and you’ve insulted Asia. If you can’t accept my choices and trust that I’ve made a good choice in Asia, there’s nothing to say.”

“Son, I love you.” His mother’s eyes teared up.

“What you’re doing is not loving. I can’t be part of a relationship that is mean and destructive.”

He’d been squeezing her hand so hard Asia wondered if he’d broken bones. He led her to the appetizers and offered her a cracker spread with Bourbon liver pate. She shook her head.

“I’m not hungry, especially not for liver.” She glanced around the room and noticed the people in the room were dancing and mingling. His parents’ drama and wayward son were the least of their concerns. “Are your friends here? Do you want to mingle?”

He captured her in his gaze. His eyes glittered and he smiled a smile that melted her heart. “No. I do not want to mingle. Do you want to get out of here?”

“I do.”

They sauntered out of the room, out of the house, and back to his vehicle. He backed the car into the expansive driveway and tore out into the road.