Sweet but Sexy Boxed Set (72 page)

Geoff disconnected and grabbed his keys. He
’d make an appearance and shield Janie from well-meaning relatives before sneaking out for a couple of hours to spend with Cheris.

No such luck. Even with forty people milling through the house his mom had caught him sneaking out the door. She hadn
’t bought his excuse that he was going to the store for more ice, more milk, or more anything else. When he finally admitted he was going on a date, she commanded him to be back with his date in half an hour.

This was not how he had hoped to spend the evening gaining his new bride
’s trust.

The door to Cheris
’ apartment was open when Geoff walked up the paved path. Bluesy music played on the stereo, but she wasn’t in the living room. Geoff paused at the doorway wondering if he should enter and how he was going to break the news to Cheris that she’d be meeting her in-laws tonight. Oh, he wasn’t a total idiot. He knew she wanted out of the marriage ASAP, but somehow he had to stall her until she got to know him, until she realized he wasn’t insane and until she was on board with his plan to love, honor, and cherish each other as long as they both shall live.

Cherish Cheris. It had a nice ring to it.

Movement from the corner of the sofa caught his attention. A large white cat with green eyes stretched and yawned.

So she liked cats.

“Here kitty,” he called and knelt offering his hand in greeting.

The feline stood for a moment before cautiously moving toward Geoff who crooned to him. Finally within touching distance, Geoff scratched his big head. The cat had to weigh at least twenty pounds.

“Aren’t you a big cat?” He crooned. “Where’s your mistress, huh?”

The cat purred in reply, turning so Geoff could have better access to his back.

Muted footsteps approached, and Cheris entered. “Oh. Hello. I see you’ve met Timmy.” She tilted her head, a quizzical expression on her face. “He’s not usually so social with strangers.”

For a moment, Geoff didn
’t speak his gaze traveling over Cheris who wore a black sleeveless dress and matching high heels. Her only jewelry was a pair of pink stones which dangled from her ears and an ornate silver toned necklace with pink highlights. But it was her hair he took notice of. Last night she’d worn it up, secured loosely with a big barrette. Tonight it hung loose past her shoulders in big auburn curls. His fingers itched to reach out and touch her hair and find out if it felt as silky as it looked.

“
If you’ll give me one more minute, I’ll be ready.” Cheris pivoted on those spiked heels and walked from whence she came. In less than a minute she returned. Her hair had once more been pulled up and off of her shoulders. It was on the tip of Geoff’s tongue to ask her to take it back down, but he concluded he hadn’t earned the right to have a voice in her how she styled her hair. She looked pretty darn good with it up, too.

Beautiful, in fact.

She smiled at him, and his heart hammered in his chest. “So, where are we going?”

“
Funny you should ask.”

“
Oh?”

“
I’d like to take you out to dinner, but…” Geoff’s voice trailed off. What could he say?
But my mom told me I had to take you to meet her.

“
But?”

“
The reason I’m in town this weekend is because my parents are having an anniversary party. They’ve been married thirty-five years. In all of the excitement of…you, the party slipped my mind. I want to go out with you tonight, but I wonder if we could go to the party for a little while. Afterwards you and I can go get something to eat, you can grill me about my life, then I’ll take you home.”

“
Do they know about our…mistake last night?”

Geoff
’s eyes narrowed.
So, eloping was a mistake, was it? Man, I sure have got my work cut out for me.
“No, they don’t know about us getting married if that’s what you’re talking about.”

“
Do you promise that they won’t find out tonight? It will just make it that much harder for them when we get divorced.”

“
You’re my date. That’s all they know.”

Cheris picked up a black jacket of the same material as her dress and turned to slip it around her shoulders. Geoff noted the graceful curve of her neck, and considered maybe the hair up had been the way to go after all.

“Come on then, Date,” Cheris straightened her collar as she arched an eyebrow his way, “and make sure to take off your wedding ring before we get there.”

Geoff couldn
’t help the smile which broke out on his face at her flirty tone. Last night had been a wild roller coaster ride. Tonight was turning out to be more like the Ferris wheel—a more sedate experience but what a breathtaking view.

Chapter Four

“What lies over
there
?” asked the Mole, waving a paw towards a background

of woodland that darkly framed the water meadows on one side of the river.

“That? O, that’s just the Wild Wood,” said the Rat shortly. “We don’t

go there very much, we river bankers.
”

“
Aren’t they-aren’t they very
nice
people in there?” said the Mole a trifle nervously.

—
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame

The drive over was quiet. Cheris detected a faint scent of Geoff’s cologne or aftershave. She inhaled the citrusy scent.

Nice.

What was it?
Did he put it on all the time, or just on special occasions?

The SUV was different than what he had been driving this morning. The other car must have been a rental, probably one he
’d had to get because she’d stranded him in Serenity. Guilt nagged at her.

“
I’m…sorry about leaving you without a ride this morning.”

“
I accept your apology. Thank you for leaving me my pants and wallet.”

Right. She
’d taken his shirt, too. “I only took your shirt because I couldn’t find mine.”

“
And you already had mine on,” Geoff supplied. “It’s okay. If I’d known you were going to wake up with no recollection of the night before, I would have…”

“
What?”

“
I don’t know, set an alarm or something. I’m usually not such a heavy sleeper. I guess I was really tired. I don’t blame you for panicking though—waking up in bed with me. I look pretty bad before a shower and shave.”

Cheris decided not to think about her role in tiring the boy out, or how bad he hadn
’t looked all rumpled in bed. His slumbering form would be etched in her mind until she died.

Was it hot in here?
She aimed the air vent toward her face.

Geoff pulled his car in front of a large antebellum structure which looked more like a museum than a family residence. Wide columns stretched from the floor of the stone front porch to the two-storied roof. Lights shown from nearly every window. Cheris gulped. Janie had grown up here? Cars lined the circular driveway and the perfectly manicured lawn. Geoff exited the car and walked over to the passenger side to open Cheris
’ door, holding his hand out to guide her. She took his hand and stepped out of the car still staring at the house.

“
Hey.” Geoff circled in front of her as he grasped her other hand. “This may be the last time we’re alone tonight so I want to tell you that you look very beautiful.”

Cheris felt warmth creep up her neck to her face.
“At least one time in her life a woman should have a man tell her how beautiful she is. I give thanks that you are the one to tell me.” Turning her face away from the house, she gazed at Geoff in the twilight of the evening.

He smiled.
“Do I detect a movie quotation?”

“
Ingrid Bergman said it in
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
.” She pulled one of her hands out of his and strode up the paved walkway, pulling him with her.

He matched her gait.
“That’s a nifty talent, to be able to pull a quote from a movie to fit the situation.”

“
I do it when I’m nervous,” Cheris admitted. What could go wrong? She was going to the anniversary party of the parents of her best friend as well as the man she’d slept with last night while drunk on cake and punch.

No potential for awkward conversation there.

“Hmm. Interesting.” Geoff murmured. “I didn’t think nervous was in your repertoire. You sure didn’t act nervous last night. In fact, your daring was a little scary at times.”

“
Please don’t bring up last night. I’m already about to jump out of my shoes.”

“
I apologize.” They were almost to the door. “Are you ready?”

“
As I’ll ever be.” Cheris took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face.

“
Just think lovely wonderful thoughts,” Geoff whispered as he pushed open the door and motioned for her to go ahead of him. Cheris glanced back to make sure he was coming in with her, and he winked as if he could read her mind.

Inside an airy foyer with granite floors and stairs leading to the second story greeted them. A distinguished man in a dark suit with a red tie approached them with a welcoming smile.
“Geoffrey, glad you made it back. Hello, my dear.”

“
My dad,” Geoff spoke in her ear, and Cheris shivered at the intimacy of the gesture. He drew back and made the introductions. “This is Chip Arrowood, my father who is celebrating thirty-five years of wedding bliss to my mom. Dad, this is Cheris McDowell.”

“
What a pleasure, Cheris.”

She saw the family resemblance—same strong chin and captivating smile. Chip enveloped her hand in his, pulled her toward him, and kissed her cheek. The gesture surprised and pleased Cheris. Stepping back, he gestured toward a room through a wide doorway. A table overflowing with food dominated the space.
“Go eat. Make yourself at home, Cheris.”

Several people milled around the table filling glass vintage luncheon plates with food. Janie sat on the couch next to an older woman. When she spotted Cheris, she jumped up and hurried across the room to the couple.
“Hi. Oh, I’m so glad to see you. I just knew you were going to skip out on me.”

“
And miss the party? No son of mine would dare.” A fiftyish woman joined their trio. Cheris recognized the tawny eyes of both children in her face. “You must be Cheris. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Cheris shot a startled look at Geoff who shrugged.

“Don’t panic. She pumped me for information the second Geoff left,” Janie informed them.

“
How romantic that Janie fixed you two up. I’m Margaret, but everyone calls me Monnie.” She leaned forward and embraced Cheris. “Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. To our party. To our home. To our family.”

Geoff and Cheris glared at Janie, but she waved her hand in defense.
“I didn’t tell her.”

“
Tell me what?” Monnie pinned each person with perceptive eyes. “Oh, never mind. We’re glad you’re here, Cheris. What a lovely name. We’ll talk later about what Janie didn’t tell me but obviously should have.” Monnie aimed the latter part of the sentence toward her daughter and finished with, “Young lady.” She looked past them toward the front door. “Oh, for heaven’s sake. There is Larry Preston. I told Chip not to invite that man. Excuse me,” she said hurrying into the foyer.

Cheris let out the breath she had been holding. Geoff cupped her shoulder.
“See? That’s as bad as it will get. You’ve met them. It’s smooth sailing from here on out.”

“
Don’t count on it, Romeo,” Janie replied. “Mama knows something’s up.”

“
She couldn’t know unless you opened your big mouth.” Geoff stepped closer to Janie so no one would overhear.

“
I didn’t say anything about the you-know-what, you big stupid oaf. What did you say?” Janie stuck her face next to his until they were huffing at each other nose to nose.

Cheris stood between them pushing them apart with her hands.
“Stop it. Don’t make a scene. Geoff, would you get us something to drink while Janie and I get a little snack from the buffet?”

Geoff immediately relaxed his stance. He adjusted his glasses.
“Sorry, Sis. I should know you’d always keep my secrets, but you seemed a little too ecstatic over the…arrangement between Cheris and me.”

“
Well, yeah, I’m ecstatic. My bro hooking up with my best friend but putting Monnie Dearest into the mix so soon could put a damper on the honeymoon.” When Geoff glared at her, she replied, “I was speaking metaphorically,
of course, a
bout the honeymoon and not saying that anyone in this room might have cause to take one.”

“
Well, no wonder she’s suspicious if you’ve been making statements like that.”

Cheris grasped Geoff
’s hand, caressing his fingers with her thumb. “I’m so thirsty. Please won’t you get me something?”

He glanced down at their joined hands and nodded. Cheris broke the physical connection decidedly ignoring the warmth presently spreading from her arm to the rest of her body. Geoff pivoted and walked through a throng of people in search of drinks.

Janie raised an eyebrow. “He won’t be gone long, you know.”

“
I know. I wish you had warned me about this.” Cheris raised a hand indicating all of it—the house, the party, the family.

They walked over to the buffet table, and Janie handed Cheris a plate.
“I think you would have been spared, but Mom caught Geoff trying to make a getaway. Big dope.” They walked down the table side by side filling their plates. “Everybody knows when you’re sneaking out, you use the back door.”

Cheris studied her friend.
“Janie, don’t take this the wrong way, but are you sure you’re not adopted?”

Janie chuckled.
“You wouldn’t know it to look at my dad, but my mom swears I’m Chip made over.”

With brimming plates, they found a vacant corner of the room. Janie pinned Cheris with serious consideration.
“What are you going to do?”

She didn
’t have to be more specific. Cheris knew exactly what she was talking about.

“
Go see a lawyer Monday morning and begin divorce proceedings though I can’t seem to pin down Geoff about it.” Cheris paused as she picked up a cucumber sandwich and examined it. “I can’t believe that he would…that I would…” She dropped the food onto the plate and shook her head. All of the sudden the food didn’t look so appealing. When Janie didn’t reply, Cheris glanced at her, and the other woman held her gaze.

“
You’re perfect for each other. I don’t know how in the world either one of you could have done something so impetuous, but I’m telling you, it’s a match made in heaven.”

Cheris lowered her gaze.
“Please don’t, Janie. I know he’s your brother, but I don’t know him. I didn’t realize I would ever be capable of doing something like last night. I can’t…I just can’t…” What she wanted to say, she couldn’t express. She set her plate on a nearby window sill, and sucked in some air from the stifling room. “I’m sorry.” She touched her fingers to her aching temple and began to walk toward the door.

Air. She needed some fresh air, cool air.

“Oh, Cheris. Don’t leave,” Janie said following her.

Cheris spied Monnie and Chip near the front door and turned in the opposite direction.

She had to get out. She had to get out of here.

“
Give me a minute. I just need a few minutes alone.” Without waiting for a reply, she squeezed through several people and hurried through another door. Where was that back door Janie had talked about?

She entered a formal dining room which had a huge white cake sitting in the middle of the table. She stepped by several people, nodding politely as she did so.

Was there no secluded place?

Continuing on, she exited the room through a dark cherry doorway.

Another room with another table? How many tables did one house need?

This one had a plethora of beverages—both with and without alcohol. The bartender smiled at her expectantly. So, how come she hadn
’t passed Geoff on the way back?

Cheris shook her head and kept walking until she stood in front of another door, this one closed. She pushed it open and found a spacious kitchen with counters laden with food waiting to be taken to refill serving trays obviously. Only the light over the stove illuminated the room, and was void of any person, though Cheris knew that wouldn
’t last long. She spied another door—this one with a window lined with café curtains.

Ah, it must be an outside door.

Cheris strode across the room and opened it breathing deeply the night air through the screened partition. She pushed it open and stepped onto the bricked porch letting the screen door shut softly behind her. Crickets sang from bushes lining the porch. Cheris closed her eyes and breathed deeply for a few moments trying to empty her mind of all of the whirling emotions.

After a few minutes, the quiet calm of the evening soothed her soul, and she looked around with interest at the Arrowood backyard. A rectangular pool was just beyond the porch. Beside it sat a very small aged wooden structure. Cheris wondered if once upon a time it had been the servants
’ quarters. It looked so out of place next to the neat lines of the swimming pool. But then having seen the house, Cheris knew it was really the pool which was out of place. The rest of the surroundings had an old southern quality to it—a far cry from the cramped apartment she had grown up in over the restaurant.