Chapter Five
Alex felt excited for the first time in a while. What luck it had been to receive a packet in the mail for a Valentine’s weekend getaway at the downtown Washington Ritz Carlton. It was funny to have won because she didn’t remember entering this particular contest, but everything had turned out to be legit. She planned on enjoying herself, and since she didn’t have a significant other to share her prize with, she invited Olivia.
Her sister really needed this weekend of relaxation more than anyone, courtesy of her thankless jobs and wretch of an ex-husband. Their parents had agreed to watch Tiffany, so everything was set. Not only were she and her sister going to have the weekend getaway, but they’d also received tickets to the Annual Valentine’s Day Ball, which was also at the Ritz. Some of her favorite musical acts would be performing, and all kinds of celebrities would be there. These tickets were the hottest items in town, and they’d been included in her prize pack.
She turned to her sister and held up a spaghetti-strapped, red mini dress and an even smaller strapless white dress. “So what do you think, O? Which one should I wear? I don’t know why, but I just get the feeling something wonderful is going to happen to me tonight.”
Olivia eyed each dress critically. “Uh, yeah. Something is definitely going to happen to you if you wear either one of those dresses.”
“Oh, come on, sis, why don’t you get into the spirit of things? Maybe you’ll meet your Mr. Right tonight.”
The other woman snorted, a derisive look on her face. “Hardly. I made a mistake once. I’m not going down that road again.”
Alex placed the dresses on the king-sized bed and walked over to her sister. “Sweetie, I wish you wouldn’t talk like that. Don’t let that jackass, Bill, affect you this way.”
“Its really hard not to. I ... I thought he was my knight in shining armor, but instead, he was only a big loser. He turned my life upside down and left me in debt without a qualm. How do you think I’m supposed to feel? I hadn’t even been lucky in love before him.”
“I absolutely hate that he’s done this to you.”
“I hate what he’s done to me, too, but I especially hate what he’s doing to our daughter. He hasn’t so much as attempted to visit her since ...”
“I know.”
Olivia sighed. “I guess I always knew what a superficial bastard he was. When I was carrying Tiffany, I’d gained some weight, of course, and he wouldn’t touch me. He called me a disgusting pig. Even when I lost the weight, the name stayed because he knew how much it hurt me. I realize she’s better off without him in her life, but that’s hard for a six-year-old to understand.”
“Then why can’t you see that he’s the one with the problem and not you? He’s an asshole, always was, and always will be. There are lots of good men out there.”
“You sound so sure, Alex.”
“I am. Look at Mom and Dad. They knew each other for only a day before they eloped. Don’t stories like that make you believe in the power of love?”
“Too blindly in your case, I’d say. You wait until it happens to you, Alex. It might not be the sweet, perfect bliss you think it will be. That kind of attitude will have you shacked up with a man as his glorified mistress.”
A shiver rippled down Alex’s spin. A strong feeling of déjà vu struck her and she wasn’t sure why. What did this mean? Why did that comment bother her so much? A face suddenly flashed through her mind. The man from the salon. She took a seat on the bed, careful not to sit on the dresses, her legs no longer able to support her.
“Alex, are you okay? You lost a little color there for a minute. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I ... something you said made me feel strange.”
“What?”
“The part about being a glorified mistress. That statement ... I’ve heard it somewhere recently.”
A pensive look crossed Olivia’s dark face. “That’s odd. Look, I’m not sure if I’m up to going to this party. Maybe I’ll just read a book or something.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. You’re coming to the party. You promised. Besides, that beautiful peach gown we brought would go to waste. That dress is way too fierce to just sit in a closet.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Whatever. It’s not like I can really enjoy myself. This is the first time I’ve had a weekend off in ages and I should be spending it with my daughter.”
“You spend plenty of time with her. Having a weekend getaway doesn’t make you a bad parent.”
“But didn’t you see her sad little face when I left?”
“You’re imagining things. She’s probably having a great time with Mom and Dad. She always does. You know as well as I do that they love having her over and they’ll spoil her like crazy.”
“I guess, but --”
“No buts. So are you going to tell me what dress I should wear or not?”
“Well, isn’t this a formal function? Didn’t you bring something that would cover more flesh?”
Alex giggled. “Oh, come on. These are classy dresses. Look.” She held the red one up. “It has sequins around the bottom.”
Olivia lifted a brow. “And the white one?”
“It’s satin. Nothing is more formal than satin.”
“Hmm, I’m not really sure I’d wear either one, but you certainly have the body to carry them off.”
“So do you.”
“Maybe so, but I don’t have your flair. You could get away with wearing something like that because you have the right attitude.”
“You could, too, O. I just know something fabulous will happen tonight.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s weird, but when I won that prize packet, I felt there was something special about it, like it was touched with magic or something. I know that sounds crazy, but I really think something good will happen, and since this is a Valentine’s party, what else could it be but meeting my true love?”
“Hmm, love schmov.”
“Oh, stop it. You’re the Valentines’ Day equivalent of Scrooge.”
“And you’re naïve.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you meet a terrific man tonight.”
Olivia shook her head. “I doubt it. I’m going to find the bar and I’m not moving from it until the party is over.”
“We’ll see.” Alex laughed, unable to quell the excitement coursing through her body.
* * * * *
“Are you sure she’s going to be here tonight?” Tag asked Psyche for the third time as he tugged on his bow tie. God, he hated wearing these damn things. They felt like a noose around his neck.
Psych pushed a long, curly length of hair over her shoulder. Tonight she wore a gold ball gown. Eyes looked her way the minute she’d stepped into the ballroom on Tag’s arm, but she didn’t appear to notice. She was one of those women who possessed a beauty so rare that when people stared, it never fazed her because she was used to it. Tag didn’t know if it was wise to have so much attention in their direction, but he was only following her lead.
“Of course she’ll be here tonight, Tag. She has to be.”
“But you sent her two tickets. What if she brings a date?”
“You’re such a worrier. You need to calm down or you’ll give yourself an ulcer. Everything has been taken care of. I do have a few connections of my own, you know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Ever heard of subliminal advertising?”
“Yes. What’s that got to do with the price of tea in China?”
“It means I had some friends make subtle suggestions to her. Actually, they were invisible and she couldn’t physically hear them, but her subconscious did. If everything goes according to plan, she’s brought her sister along.”
Tag relaxed. “That’s okay, then.”
Psyche looked annoyed. “That’s it? No ‘thank you’ for my efforts? I thought it was rather clever of me.”
He shook his head with a chuckle. Women and their egos. “Thank you, Psyche. You’ve done a great job.”
“I should think so, considering we’re getting down to the wire. Aphrodite isn’t supposed to interfere, but she’s tricky. I know she had something to do with that long errand I was sent on a couple of days ago. The thing is I can’t prove it. Fortunately, she and Eros are now working as this is their holiday, which means I can concentrate on getting you back together with your woman.”
“My woman. I like the sound of that.” He smiled his first genuine smile in weeks because he felt hopeful. Maybe things would truly work out, after all.
A waiter walked by and offered them a glass of pink champagne. Psyche took one, but Tag declined, his gaze drifting to the entrance of the ballroom. Any minute now Alex would walk through the door.
“This party started nearly an hour ago. Where could she be?” He shifted his weight from foot to foot with impatience. The waiting was killing him. It was bad enough that he was here in this monkey suit at a function he normally wouldn’t be caught dead at, but the uncertainty of whether Alex would even show up was nearly more than he could handle.
“I know you’re anxious to see her, but you really need to relax. You know, for a doctor you’re very high-strung.” Psyche popped a bacon-wrapped scallop she’d gotten off a tray into her mouth.
“Relax? After midnight tonight I could lose the woman I love, and you tell me to relax? I thought you’d be a little more concerned for yourself, too. After all, you have just as much to lose as I do.”
“More, actually.” She grabbed a cheese puff from another tray as a waiter walked by. “Mmm, these appetizers are to die for. Not as excellent as ambrosia, mind you, but pretty darn close. Yummy.”
“Are you just going to stand there and stuff your face?” Tag wanted to shake her. How could she be so calm?
“This is a party and I’m trying to enjoy myself. Anyway, if you weren’t so busy fussing at me you’d have noticed that Alex and her sister just walked in. I must say that they both look lovely tonight.” Psyche pointed toward the women and Tag’s mouth went dry.
He did a double take when he saw Alex. She looked so beautiful and so ... naked. What the hell was she thinking to wear that little red getup to a formal ball? She was practically falling out of the red mini-dress. Her curves had always been generous, but in that dress, she looked like a sexy femme fatale. If her dress dipped any lower, he’d see nipples. Despite her scantily clad body, she somehow managed to look elegant with an expertly made up face, her hair pulled back in a style reminiscent of a queen at court and a look that said she was aware of her sexuality.
His cock stirred. Damn, he wanted her. His hand immediately flew to the front of his pants to cover up the result of his raging hormones. Jealousy reared its ugly head when he noticed several pairs of male eyes ogling her. Tag wanted to stalk over to her, toss her bodily over his shoulder, carry her up to his room, and fuck her until she realized that she belonged to him and only him.
“Should I go over there? How do you think she’ll react when she sees me?” He turned to Psyche, who was now holding up one poor waitress as she brought shrimp to her lips.
“There’s only one way to find out, and that’s going over there to talk to her,” she answered with a full mouth, not bothering to turn away from the tray. The god’s wife seemed more interested in stuffing her face than helping him. Tag rolled his eyes heavenward. How in the world did Eros put up with this bubblehead for two millennia?
“Aren’t you supposed to be advising me?”
“I am advising you.”
“From where I’m standing, looks like you’re chowing down.”
Green eyes narrowed. “If you would try these hors d'oeuvres, you’d understand. I’m going to have to put some of these bad boys into my purse to take back to Olympus. Hey, what do you think these little green squares are?” She pointed to an edible something on her napkin. The waitress, seeing the talking garbage disposal’s temporary distraction, got the hell out of there.
That was it. Psyche wasn’t going to be any help. He’d have to do whatever he needed to do on his own. Now if only he could figure out what that what was.
* * * * *
“Oh, look who’s playing now! The Flow Brothers are one of my favorite groups. I can’t believe they’re here!” Alex squealed with excitement. The ballroom looked fantastic, a prism of lights dancing across the ceiling.
“I can’t believe we’re here, either,” Olivia muttered, not sounding excited in the least.
“O, snap out of it. You promised me you’d at least try to have a good time.”
“I’d have a good time if I were home with my daughter.”
Alex bit her lip to stop herself from saying something hurtful. She wasn’t going to let her sister’s negative energy kill her mood. Instead, she said, “If you want to hang out at the bar, go ahead. I’ll just mingle and maybe I’ll meet someone who actually wants to be here.”
Olivia turned to her, dark brown eyes shining with a look of regret. “I’m sorry to be such a killjoy. I just feel so ridiculous in this dress, and why you insisted on a tiara is beyond me.”
“Because it goes great with your gown and your ’do. You are the most gorgeous woman here.”
And it was true. Olivia’s looks had been a source of envy for Alex when they were younger, but her sister didn’t have a conceited bone in her body. It was hard to stay jealous of someone who seemed so unaware of their power at times.
“Excuse me, but may I have this dance?” An extremely tall gentleman with dark hair and the greenest eyes she’d ever seen had approached them. Alex knew right away that he wasn’t talking to her, but to Olivia. His eyes were riveted to her sister’s face.
He was fine as hell. This man by far blew any Hollywood hunk out of the water in the looks department. He had a hard-looking face, appearing as though it had been sculpted from granite, which saved him from looking like a pretty boy, and thickly lashed eyes and sensual red lips that made one want to kiss them. If his gaze wasn’t glued to Olivia, Alex would definitely take him up on his offer.
“I ... I don’t dance,” her sister answered.
“Then perhaps you’ll have a drink with me?” The stranger's voice was deep and melodic, with an almost hypnotic quality about it. There was something compelling about it that made it difficult to look away from him and, oddly enough, it wasn’t his looks. He almost had some kind of strange magnetic pull.
Olivia looked slightly uncomfortable, not meeting the man’s eyes. “No, thank you.”
Alex’s jaw dropped. Her sister was nuts. Maybe she was willing to rebuff the hottie of the century, but Alex wasn’t going to let her. “Of course, you’d like a drink. Before we got here you were talking about hanging at the bar.” She faced the hunk.
“My sister would love to have a drink with you. She’s just shy. Go on,” Alex encouraged, practically pushing the reluctant woman toward the man.
Olivia glared at her before looking up at the smooth and refined man standing in front of them. “No, please. I ... I don’t want to. I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t know you.”
The stranger smiled, revealing teeth almost too white to be real. “My name is Maxwell Sterling, and you are Olivia, am I correct?”
Olivia’s forehead wrinkled. “How do you know my name?”
“I must apologize for eavesdropping, but I noticed the two of you earlier today in the hotel lobby, and I couldn’t help but overhear a bit of your conversation. I’m glad you’re here tonight.”
A light bulb went off in Alex’s head. Was this the Maxwell Sterling, one of the richest men in the world and related to royalty as well? “Maxwell Sterling of Sterling International?”
He turned green eyes on her. “You’ve heard of it, of me?”
Alex snorted. “Who hasn’t?”
“Then you also know that I didn’t get where I was today by taking no for an answer,” he said. Although the words were directed to her, his gaze remained on Olivia, who looked like she wanted to bolt. Why was her sister acting like this?
Before either woman could say another word, Maxwell took Olivia by the elbow.
“Please, I don’t want ...” Olivia began, but something in Maxwell’s eyes halted her.
Alex didn’t know what it was, but she had a feeling that something had just happened. Maxwell nodded her way before leading Olivia off. Her sister looked slightly dazed. What in the world? She sensed that whatever occurred after this ball, it wouldn’t be the last time that either of them saw him.
She chuckled, thinking that he might be the person who could give her sister the jumpstart she needed to live life again, even if it was temporary. Everyone knew Maxwell Sterling was a notorious bachelor.
Barely over her mirth, Alex turned to see a figure striding purposely toward her. At first she couldn’t make out who it was, but when she could, all traces of humor and her earlier excitement fled. With a look of pure determination flashing in his black eyes, the psycho from the salon was closing in on her.
She did the only thing she could think to do. She ran. Rushing out of the ballroom, Alex headed for the elevators, not daring to look back. If she could just make it to the lobby on the first floor, she could notify security. Frantically pushing the down button, Alex stole a look over her shoulder. Thankfully, he was nowhere in sight. She breathed a sigh of relief when the elevator door opened.
Home free. She walked in and leaned against the back wall, but her respite was short-lived when a body came barreling through the doors just before they closed.
She screamed. “No!”