Love Takes Time (8 page)

“To the Jansens,” Roger saluted. “May your good fortune continue to reign.”

“Here! Here!” everyone chorused.

“And while your stars continue to rise, I hope you don't forget about your friends,” Quentin added and the group chuckled.

Though his words were simple enough, there
was a wild fluttering in her center that caught his double meaning.

“Amen,” Beatrice shouted.

She had him, she realized, right in the palm of her hand.

“I
sn't Sterling absolutely dreamy?” Tangie said the moment she and Alyssa returned to her small bedroom.

The question elicited a reflexive laugh from Alyssa.
Sterling? Dreamy?

“He is,” Tangela insisted. “He's handsome, studious, nice…and rich as hell.”

“I guess. It's just…”

“It's just what?”

“I don't know.” She shrugged. “He always just seems so stiff and so serious about everything,” she said, even though she knew that wasn't quite true.

“Whatever. You're incapable of noticing anyone else whenever Quentin is around.”

Alyssa smiled at the obvious truth. Tonight she
had practically clocked Q's every move in the restaurant, even when she was pretending not to. By the end of the night, Quentin had flirted with practically every woman in attendance, whether they were married or not. It was part of his charm. No one took him seriously.

So why did she? What made her think that he was
really
interested in her?

“Hello. Earth to Alyssa.”

Tangie waved her hand in front of Alyssa's face. She jumped. “What?”

Her best friend laughed and shook her head. “Girl, you really got it bad. We've traveled all around the world and you have given every gorgeous, rich and not-so-rich bachelor one excuse after another. The minute we arrive back here, you've been behaving like a lovesick teenager. Snap out of it!”

Alyssa wished she could, but nothing on earth was going to get her to forget about that kiss—that wonderful, warm, earth-shattering kiss. She sighed and plopped down on the bed. “I just don't know if I can,” she finally admitted. “I mean…what if this was really meant to be?” she asked, pulling off her shoes. “I used to sit up in this room day after day plotting and planning how to become Mrs. Quentin Dwayne Hinton. When I left for college, I thought I'd grown out of it. But now…” She glanced around. “Something about being here…and seeing him just brings all those emotions back.”

“All right.” Tangela sighed and then sat next to her. “So what are you going to do about it?”

“That is the big question.” Alyssa stood and walked over to her bedroom window. The Hinton estate had always reminded her of some grand fairy-tale palace. Her prince was always so close and yet so far away.

“Well, if you want my opinion,” Tangie said. “I say go for it. Hell, what do you have to lose? You both are adults now. Right? This is the twenty-first century. There's no rule saying that the servant's daughter can't marry up.”

“Marry!” Alyssa's smile returned.

“I can't believe it. You're actually afraid of going for it.” Tangie laughed. “I've never known you to be afraid of anything.”

Was she afraid?

“Plus, judging by the way Quentin couldn't keep his eyes off you, I'd say you have more than a fair chance of finally snagging him with a sharp hook.”

Alyssa's hopes soared, but she tried not to let it show. “C'mon. He was flirting with everyone. Even Estelle got a few winks from him.”

“He was playing with them. He was
flirting
with you.”

It did seem that way, she reasoned. Alyssa closed her eyes and easily recalled the press of his lips against hers. There was something wicked about the way his tongue had slid in between her lips.

Shaking her head, she erased the image. “You
know what? I think I'm going out for a swim. I need to clear my head.”

“You're kidding. It's late.”

“So?”

“No. I'm not wrecking my perm. If you're going, then you're going by yourself.”

“Oh, c'mon. The exercise will help you sleep like a baby.”

“I'm already going to sleep like a baby.”

“Just for a couple of laps?”

“No. Besides, we have a full day with the wedding and all.”

“Well, I'm going. I think I packed one of those swimsuits from the
SI
shoot.”

“Whatever. You do you.”

Twenty minutes later, Alyssa made the perfect forward dive into the Hintons' twenty-foot pool. The minute she hit the water, she felt as if she was in her element. An all-around athlete in high school, Alyssa had a wall full of trophies she'd won during her time on the swim team. For her, there was absolutely nothing better than swimming by moonlight. There was something about the total body workout that had a way of clearing her mind and working off the day's stress.

All she could think about as she made her laps around the pool was that kiss. That wonderful, glorious kiss by a man who had monopolized her dreams for as long as she could remember.

Go for it!

There was such a strong part of her that wanted to do just that, but there was that other part that reminded her of just how fast Quentin went through women. Was Quentin even capable of more than a fleeting affair?

Out of frustration she dived deeper into the pool and swam along the bottom while she mulled over the situation. Could she just accept a small part of him—or could she really go for happily ever after?

Alyssa kicked toward the surface. When she broke through, she sucked in the much-needed air. However, she immediately sensed that she was not alone. She turned toward the diving board where Quentin stood smiling back.

“Looks like you're having fun. Mind if I join you?”

Almost immediately Alyssa's heart hammered on her rib cage. Its quick pounding echoed in her ears. “It's your pool. You're free to do what you like.”

Quentin pulled open his white robe and revealed a pair of black-and-white swim briefs.

Alyssa's gaze greedily drank in his impressive body: broad shoulders, narrow waist and lean, but muscular legs. The kicker was his impressive abs. She itched to run her fingers along their rippled contours.

“Do I pass inspection?”

She didn't dare answer but quietly treaded water in the center of the pool.

Quentin stepped onto the diving board and showed off by displaying a perfect arm stand and then dived into the pool.

Alyssa smiled as she watched him glide along the bottom of the pool toward her.

Being the little devil that he was, Q grabbed Alyssa's foot and tugged her under the water. He didn't hold on to her, but instead allowed her to buoy back to the top.

“Not fair,” she complained, laughing.

“C'mon. You should know by now that I don't like playing fair,” he said, invading her space.

“Oh yeah. It's coming back to me now.” She dived under the water, giving him a brief glance of her firm, round tush.

“My, my, my.”

Alyssa rocketed away, striving to place a little distance between them so she could think better.

However, Quentin meant what he said about not playing fair and charged after her. When she finally broke the surface again, he was right there. “You're a good swimmer,” he said. “Your long fluid strokes are quite…graceful.”

She wanted to thank him, but he'd once again locked her into his dark, probing stare. Words evaporated in her head.

“My little Alice,” he said softly. His gaze effortlessly caressed her face. “I always knew that you would grow up to be a heartbreaker.”

“I'm hardly that.”

“No?” He lowered his voice so that she moved closer. “You mean to tell me that there's no man out there right now drowning his sorrows in the bottom
of a whiskey bottle? No man trying to thaw out from your cold…shoulder?”

To her surprise, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss against her right shoulder.

“There's no man sitting by the phone waiting for you to call?” He kissed her other shoulder.

Their eyes locked again and Alyssa's chest burned from lack of oxygen. Instead of answering, she slowly shook her head.

Quentin cocked his head. “Now why don't I believe that?” His wicked smile enticed her.

Self-preservation kicked in and Alyssa leaned back and floated away. “You're pretty good,” she said.

He laughed. His deep baritone rumbled across the water as he followed his prey.

“If I didn't know any better, Alice. I'd say that you were scared of me.”

She stopped and treaded water in the pool. “I'm not scared of you.”

Quentin's mischievous grin only spread wider. “Liar.”

“Why should I be scared?” she challenged.

“Oh, I don't know.” He shrugged, but there was nothing careless about it. “Maybe because that kiss we shared frightened you.”

She forced out a laugh that sounded a little off, even to her. “My, what a big ego you have, Mr. Hinton.”

Quentin's arm snaked out around her waist and pulled her closer before she knew what was happening. “It's ‘my, what a big ego you have,
Quen
tin.
' I certainly think we're beyond formalities. Don't you?”

Alyssa's breathing turned choppy. If it wasn't for him holding her, she was sure that she would have sunk like a stone, since her motor skills suddenly malfunctioned.

“You're trembling,” he whispered.

“I'm cold.”

“But it's a heated pool,” he reminded her.

She shivered some more. “Why are you playing games?”

“Because I like to win.” He brushed his lips against hers. Gently. “Besides, you intrigue me.” His gaze lowered to her lips. “Fascinate me. Plus, if I don't kiss you again, I swear I'm going to go crazy.”

Alyssa held still, neither encouraging nor discouraging his next move. And just like in her childhood fantasies, she watched mesmerized as Quentin's head descended.

What the playful couple didn't realize or even consider was their growing audience. None of them pleased at what they were witnessing.

I
t had been years since the Hintons had hosted a wedding. And this one, like the last, was equally breathtaking. The late-fall weather was more than accommodating. The orchestra was in full swing in the temporary pavilion while guests and family trickled inside. Estelle masterfully embraced the colors of autumn. The flowers and decorations had hints of gold, rust and emerald-green. Her wedding dress was a sophisticated off-white skirt suit. The bridesmaids were arrayed in gold and burgundy. Only Alyssa wore an emerald-green number with thin spaghetti straps.

“I know this is last-minute, but I hoped you would agree to be my maid of honor.”

Touched, Alyssa brushed her fingers against the soft silk and felt tears burn the backs of her eyes. “I don't know what to say,” she said honestly.

“Say yes,” Estelle urged. “Because I don't know anyone else here that can wear this dress.”

“Of course I'll be your maid of honor. It would be a privilege.”

Estelle opened her arms and Alyssa slid in for a hug. Everything was happening so fast, she could barely wrap her brain around it. Her two-member family would soon be four. There was an emotion tugging at her heart that she was afraid to name. Guilt?

Alyssa's thoughts turned to her mother.

Alyssa grew up always believing that her mother was watching over her. Her own personal guardian angel. She often pretended that her diary entries were life letters to her mother. In the last two days, she wondered whether her mother would be happy or hurt about their moving on.

Surely, she would understand.

Melissa Jansen was a face Alyssa only knew in pictures now. She was four years old when she and her mother were involved in that fatal car crash so many years ago. The doctors and police had all said that it had been a miracle that Alyssa had survived the incident with just minor scratches.

Her mother wasn't so lucky.

Alyssa pulled out of Estelle's arms and smiled kindly. “I better go try this on.”

Estelle nodded in understanding and then re
turned to her chair where her hairdresser waited patiently.

Miraculously, Alyssa escaped the room before her tears embarrassed her. She was happy for her father, she tried to remind herself.
Happy. Happy. Happy.

Before she reached her room, she saw her father lumbering down the hall. Their eyes caught and they shared a brief butterfly smile. He looked stunningly handsome. His long lion mane of hair was tamed while his black tux only seemed to magnify his mountainous shoulders and tall frame.

“Hey, baby girl. I see you got your dress.”

Alyssa glanced down at it and nodded. “Yes. It's very beautiful. Thanks for having her ask me.”

“No. It was completely her idea,” he insisted, walking up to her. “She's really hoping that you two will hit it off.” He cleared his throat. “I am, too.”

Alyssa smiled and pretended to dust away lint from his arm. “I think she's lovely, Daddy. I'm sure you two are going to be happy.” She had meant the words of encouragement, but there was a sudden sadness that paralyzed his smile. “Mom would want you to be happy, too,” she said. “It's way past time.”

Alfred took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Did I ever tell you why I decided to work for Mr. Hinton in the first place?”

She shook her head.

“I thought it was the perfect place to work and raise you. You had access to the best that life had to offer. The best schools, horses—fine art. Now look
at you. It was sort of perfect, really. If I'd pursued working at some fancy restaurant it would have been long hours away from you and we probably wouldn't have been so close. This way, I was able to keep my eye on you. Now you're all grown-up.” He lovingly swept her hair back from her shoulders. “So beautiful. You look so much like your mother.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“It was also easy to protect you here. Now you don't need my protection anymore.”

“I wouldn't go that far.” She elbowed him. “A girl will always need her dad around.”

Alfred's eyes misted and it looked like he was struggling with his next words. “Quentin…”

She stiffened.

He seemed to pick up her resistance and backed down. “Just be careful, baby. I don't want to see you get hurt.” He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. “Thanks for being the best daughter a father could ever ask for.”

 

It was an hour before the wedding and Sterling was already hovering above the punch bowl.

“It's usually your brother Quentin that I worry about indulging too much at one of these functions,” Roger said, stepping up behind his son.

Sterling glanced over his shoulder. “Don't worry. I know my limit.”

His father nodded and then reached to fill his own glass. “I have a question for you,” he said.

“Shoot.” Sterling turned up his drink.

“What do you know about your brother and Alfred's daughter?”

Sterling groaned.

“Ah. So you noticed his sudden interest in the girl, too?”

Sterling cleared his throat. “I'm sure it's nothing. Q is a big flirt.”

“That's one way of putting it,” Roger said. “
I
would say that he has a hard time keeping his dick inside his pants.”

Okay. This wasn't going to be a friendly conversation.

“The deal was that if he wanted back into the will then he was to agree to marrying Elizabeth Wilde.”

“Then perhaps you should remind him,” Sterling said.

“That's why I came to you.”

Another groan rumbled from Sterling's chest, and he quickly made himself another drink. Why did it always fall on him to get Quentin to toe the line?

“I have a major deal riding on this,” his father said. “I need this merger to go through if my company is going to survive this new economy we find ourselves in. Unfortunately, Gregory Wilde, billionaire extraordinaire, wants his daughter to be happy. It's not my fault the disillusioned girl has set her sights on dragging your brother down the aisle, but I
do
plan on delivering him. Lord knows it's not like he's doing anything useful with his life.”

Sterling nodded along, even though he didn't completely agree with his father's take on this whole thing. But if Quentin had agreed, then it was up to him to hold up his end of the bargain. “Getting Q to the altar is one thing, his being faithful is another animal completely.”

“I'll deal with one crisis at a time.” Roger set down his glass and seared him with a leveled gaze. “Talk to him. He won't like it if I have to do it.”

Sterling grumbled his understanding.

“Good. I knew that I could count on you.” He slapped Sterling on the back and then strolled off to greet his mother and Billy Dee Williams, who rested in the crook of her arm.

Sterling shook his head and then swept his gaze across the growing crowd. He zeroed in on Toni, who was holding Denzel's hand and encouraging him to take a few wobbly steps on his own. His nephew giggled while he discovered the joys of walking.

Jonas and Kerry applauded like a two-member cheerleading squad.

Sterling's heart melted at the sight of them. It would be nice to settle down one day.

“You know that could be you one day,” his mother whispered as if she'd plucked the thought out of his head.

Sterling laughed at the sound of his mother's voice breezing across his ear. “Yeah. One day.”

“I'm serious,” she insisted.

“That's what I'm afraid of.”

She frowned and Billy Dee Williams barked as if sensing her displeasure. “Why won't you find yourself a nice girl and settle down? You're just throwing your life away burying your nose in business like you do. Your father and Jonas are both successful and they still manage to raise a family. It just makes me so sad to see you like this.”

Billy Dee Williams barked again.

“See. Even Billy agrees with me.”

Sterling struggled to keep a cap on his amusement.

“You know I have plenty of girlfriends that—”

“No, Mom,” Sterling said. “I'm not going to let you and Dad wrangle me into an arranged marriage. It's bad enough that you're doing it to Quentin.”

“Oh
that's
different,” she huffed. “Quentin is like a ship without a rudder. He just goes in whatever direction the tide takes him.”

“It still isn't right.”

“Well—” she sighed, not wanting to give an inch “—take it up with your father. He knows better about these things. It's
you
I worry about,” she said returning to her original subject.

“Don't worry about me, momma. When the time is right, it'll happen.”

She sighed dramatically. “If you say so, dear.” She glanced up at him. “But I'll keep my eye out anyway. A woman could never have too many grandbabies.”

Sterling's gaze cut back to find Jonas and Toni, but they were gone. Instead, he caught a glimpse of Alyssa in a stunning green gown that made her look
like a forest nymph. He marveled at just how beautiful she had turned out to be. He could almost understand Quentin being lured by temptation.

But Alyssa was like a member of the family.

Wasn't she?

“Now there goes trouble,” his mother mumbled at his side.

Sterling frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Don't play stupid, son,” she said, patting him on the arm. “It doesn't become you.”

Alyssa felt nervous as a bride, herself, as she fluttered around the estate, making sure everything was coming along on schedule. She was sure that at any moment the wedding planner was going to evict her. But alas, the guests were seated and the processional music started.

When it was her turn to walk down the aisle, she had the pleasure of linking arms with Roger Hinton, who'd accepted the honor of being her father's best man.

“You look absolutely beautiful,” he whispered as they strolled down the aisle.

“Thank you.”

Before the preacher, her father smiled down at her with so much love and affection that it nearly overwhelmed her. From the front row on the groom's side, Alyssa felt the heavy weight of Quentin's stare.

Images of them at the pool last night flooded her head. It had been so romantic and so breathtaking that even now she wanted someone to pinch her to make sure that it hadn't all been just a dream. How she had
the willpower to stop at just kissing was beyond her. One thing was for sure: it sure as hell hadn't been easy. In fact, when she'd raced back to her room, she felt more like an escaped convict than a woman who had been thoroughly kissed and nearly seduced.

It was the right thing to do, but regret tugged at her.

Alyssa took her place just as the wedding march began.

Estelle made her appearance and everyone climbed to their feet.

Love radiated from her father's eyes, and Alyssa could feel herself growing weepy. By the time the couple linked their arms together and faced the preacher, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. Twenty minutes later, the preacher introduced everyone for the first time to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Jansen.

“Oh, everything was so beautiful,” Tangie cooed as they headed toward the makeshift pavilion. “Do you have a toast prepared?”

“A toast?”

“Yeah. It's customary for the best man and maid of honor to give a toast at the reception.”

Alyssa tried not to panic. “I—I guess I'm going to have to wing it,” she said. But when she stood to make the toast the words flowed effortlessly. “I've heard that when two people get married, their nuptials have a positive effect on everyone around them. Like someone dropping a pebble into still water, your love sends out ripples of happiness. It brings joy to those who have already said, ‘I do,' as
they fondly remember their wedding day.” She glanced over at Jonas and Toni, and then to her best friend, she added, “It also brings hope to those who are still looking for that special someone.

“Two people brought together by the bonds of love and united in marriage are a powerful force. You bring happiness to those who are here to bear witness and those who couldn't attend, but carry you in their hearts. May your love remain strong to sustain you during times of struggle and enrich the good times you will share together. May it continue to send those ripples of happiness to all of us. Congratulations!”

“Hear, hear!” Everyone raised their glasses.

Next, Mr. Hinton stood and addressed the crowd like a man born on a stage. He recounted the many years her father had worked for him and expressed his unshakable belief that Alfred's next career move would make him the star chef he deserved to be. As always, Roger had a way of talking too much. But it was the end of Roger's speech that finally reeled her back in.