These Arms of Mine Read online

  “One day at a time.” She raised her glass of juice and lightly touched it with his before taking a sip.

  Their eyes locked and held. She felt raw and wonderfully alive. She suddenly knew she was fighting a losing battle as far as he was concerned. In such a short time, he had completely insinuated himself into her life and, more importantly, her heart. She doubted she would ever be able to totally extricate herself again and wondered if she even wanted to try.

  Chapter 10

  They had returned from Derrick’s country house a month ago and their life had switched into high gear. Their days were full with campaigning, and their nights were full of unbelievable passion. Derrick smiled as he contemplated being alone with his wife tonight. Thoughts of her caused the days to linger interminably and being with her made the nights go by much too quickly.

  His smile was replaced by a frown as he riffled through a ton of mail that had accumulated since yesterday. He was grateful to be interrupted by the buzz of the intercom.

  “Yes, Dorothy, what is it?”

  “Sir, Mrs. Chandler is here.”

  He frowned at his assistant’s strange tone. “Send her in.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He stood and walked from behind his desk. When the door opened, the smile that had been plastered on his face changed into a shocked frown as a tall, slender woman sauntered into his office.

  “Hello, Derrick.”

  “Diana. This is a…”

  She smiled brightly. “Pleasure?”

  “Surprise.”

  She kissed his stiff cheek. “A good one, I hope.”

  He reclined against his desk. “What are you doing here?”

  “You know I’ve been out of the country.”

  “No—” he shook his head “—I didn’t.”

  “I just got back to the States and imagine my surprise when I saw my husband’s picture plastered all over the news.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Ex-husband.”

  “Anyway—” she walked closer “—I just had to see you.”

  “Why?”

  “To congratulate you on your senatorial run. The polls say your chances are excellent.”

  “A phone call would have sufficed.”

  “I know.” She placed a hand on his thigh. “But I like the personal touch.”

  “What’s with calling yourself Mrs. Chandler?” He pointedly removed her hand. “You didn’t use my name when we were together.”

  “I wanted to make sure you would see me.”

  “I would have seen you.”

  She smiled. “That’s good to know.”

  “There’s something else you should know.”

  She leaned toward him. “What?”

  “There is a new Mrs. Chandler in my life.”

  “Yes.” She ran fingers through her short hair. “I’ve heard you remarried.”

  “I did.” He stood, walked around his desk and sat down.

  “So, how’s married life treating you the second time around?”

  “Great.”

  “Really?” She sat on the edge of his desk and crossed her long legs.

  He smiled. “Really.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Why?”

  She shrugged. “I’m just curious.”

  “Don’t be.” He picked up an envelope from his desk. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.”

  “I thought we could catch up.”

  He shook his head. “We don’t have anything to catch up on.”

  She smiled at his bent head and stood. “All right. I’ll be seeing you around, Derrick.”

  “I doubt it.” He glanced at her briefly. “We run in different circles.”

  “You never know.” She blew him a kiss and left.

  Once he was alone, he slammed the folder shut and glared at the closed door. This unexpected, unpleasant turn of events was the last thing he needed.

  “Damn!”

  Alesha took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She made her way onto the covered and heated balcony while Derrick and Cam talked with a donor inside the ballroom. Tonight, they were attending another in a long line of political fundraisers.

  “Hello, Alesha.”

  She turned and smiled at the woman who touched her arm. She was tall with short hair and smooth brown skin, and she wore a red figure-hugging, low-cut sequined gown that made Alesha’s long-sleeved black dress seem dowdy by comparison.

  “Hello, do I know you?”

  “We haven’t been formally introduced.” The woman smiled. “Nice party, isn’t it?”

  Alesha returned her smile. “Very.”

  “I prefer quieter, more intimate settings, myself.”

  “So do I, but this is the political life,” Alesha said, laughing. “Are you here alone?”

  “Mmm.” She sipped her drink. “Yes, I wanted to hear Derrick speak in person.”

  Alesha’s eyebrow rose at the woman’s familiar use of her husband’s name. “Do you know Derrick?”

  “You could say that,” the woman said, smiling secretively. “I’m sorry. Allow me to introduce myself.” She paused for maximal effect before revealing, “I’m Diana Chandler.”

  Alesha choked on her drink. “Who?”

  “Diana Chandler.” She smiled at her discomfiture. “I guess I should say Diana Davis-Chandler.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re Derrick’s ex-wife?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry if I shocked you.”

  Alesha knew she wasn’t sorry at all. Diana had deliberately sought her out to announce herself. The question was, why hadn’t Derrick told her?

  “Didn’t Derrick tell you I was back in town?”

  “No.” Alesha shook her head. “No, he didn’t.”

  “Well—” she shrugged dismissively “—I’m sure it just slipped his mind.”

  “It must have.”

  She placed a hand on her hip. “So you’re the new Mrs.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “We must trade stories some time.”

  “I don’t think so.” Alesha placed her half-empty glass on a passing waiter’s tray. “Excuse me.”

  “Surely. It was nice to meet you.”

  She didn’t return Diana’s sentiments as she walked away quickly. Why hadn’t Derrick told her his ex was in town? Had he been meeting secretly with her? What did she want? As she reentered the ballroom, her arm was grabbed by a familiar hand.

  “Alesha, where have you been?”

  “On the patio.”

  Derrick glanced at her distraught face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She shook her head.

  “Come on, Alesha. What is it?”

  “I just met Diana.”

  He frowned. “She’s here?”

  “Yes.” She stared at him. “Why didn’t you tell me she was in town?”

  “There was no reason to.”

  She glared at him. “No reason to?”

  “No.” He studied her closely. “What did she say to you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Alesha…”

  “I need to get out of here, Derrick. Now!” She pulled her arm free and ran from the room.

  Diana watched the scene from across the room gleefully. Derrick encountered her smiling eyes and shot her an angry glare before following his wife out.

  They entered their house and Alesha angrily threw her purse and coat down on the hall table before stalking into the living room. Derrick sighed and followed her slowly.

  “How long am I going to get the silent treatment?�
��

  She turned from the window to glare at him. “You want to talk?” At his positive nod, she obliged him. “Fine! Why didn’t you tell me Diana was in town?”

  He sighed. “Her comings and goings don’t have anything to do with me or, more importantly, us.”

  “Derrick.” She walked closer. “I deserved to know!”

  “Why?”

  “Why?” She spread her hands wide. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe so I would be prepared for a woman accosting me at a fundraiser claiming to be Mrs. Chandler!”

  He scowled. “She didn’t.”

  “She did!”

  Anger darkened his eyes. “Damn that woman!”

  “Damn you both!”

  “Alesha.” He deliberately kept his voice measured. “I didn’t know she was going to be there tonight.”

  “But you knew she was in town!”

  “I only found out today.”

  “That was long enough to tell me, Derrick!”

  “Dammit, I didn’t see a reason to tell you!” His frustration was evident. “As far as I was concerned, I didn’t expect to see her again.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. “Of course you didn’t.”

  He frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “I’m sure you can figure it out.”

  “Will you stop behaving so irrationally?”

  “I’m sorry that I’m not cold and sophisticated enough for you.”

  “What are you talking about? I didn’t say that.”

  “You implied it.” She was angry and hurt, and she didn’t want to be reasonable. “If my company displeases you so much, why don’t you go and find Diana? I’m sure she’ll accommodate you any way she can.”

  She pushed past him, but he grabbed her arm, halting her retreat. Her eyes sparkled furiously.

  “Don’t be an idiot!” he said.

  She gasped. “So now I’m an idiot?”

  She tried to pull her arm free. He refused to release her, pulling her closer instead.

  “You are if you think I want anything to do with Diana.”

  “You married her.”

  He had married Diana voluntarily—it hadn’t been an antiseptic arrangement, like their marriage.

  “I also divorced her—quickly.”

  “Do you regret that decision?”

  Damn, he thought they were beyond nonsense like this. He had hoped they were building something special and permanent over the past months. They had been before Diana’s sudden reappearance in his life.

  She held her breath and waited for his response. A response she dreaded yet needed to hear. His prolonged silence sent fingers of fear dancing up her spine.

  “Where are these absurd questions coming from?”

  “Answer me!”

  He squared his shoulders. “No, I don’t think I will.”

  They stubbornly stared at each other for a few pregnant seconds before she pulled her arm from his and stalked from the room. He followed.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To bed.” She paused before pointedly adding, “Alone!”

  “Alesha…”

  “I don’t want to talk to you anymore tonight!”

  “That’s fine with me!” He grabbed his keys from the table.

  She paused on the stairs. “Where are you going?”

  “Do you care?”

  “No, I don’t care at all.” She continued up the stairs.

  “Good!” He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

  Early the next morning, Alesha was sitting on the sofa in her robe, drinking her second cup of coffee when she heard the front door open. Seconds later, Derrick walked into the room, disheveled, still dressed in his tuxedo from the night before. He looked exhausted. He barely glanced at her as he walked over and poured himself a cup of black coffee.

  “Where were you last night?”

  “Why?” His voice was terse.

  Her lips thinned. “Were you with her?”

  He made contact eye contact with her. “With whom?”

  “With Diana.”

  “You sound like you’re jealous.” He watched her closely. “But that’s impossible, isn’t it?”

  She lowered her eyes. “Of course it is.”

  “Yeah, it would be since our marriage isn’t real, is it?”

  His observation cut her to the quick. To her, their marriage was very real—she had thought he felt the same way. With superhuman effort, she turned to him with a frosty expression.

  “You know the answer to that.”

  His eyes burned. “We’re just playing house, aren’t we?”

  “Yes.” She picked up her juice and resisted an urge to throw it in his face.

  “Then why do you care where I was?” He nearly shouted the question, angered by her response.

  “I don’t.” She smiled coldly. “You can stay with Diana, for all I care.”

  “I wasn’t with Diana!” He slammed his cup down hard, sloshing liquid onto the table.

  “Is that right?”

  “Yes, that’s right!” At her disbelieving stare he swore savagely, “Dammit, nothing is going on between us and if you don’t believe me, then that’s your problem!”

  Before she could respond, she watched Derrick turn and angrily walk up the stairs, two at a time. Was he telling the truth? She wanted to believe him with every breath she took, but could she trust him? She had before Diana’s arrival. Should she now?

  Cam watched as Derrick continued pacing angrily in front of his desk.

  “What’s the matter with you?”

  “Nothing!”

  “Really?” An eyebrow rose in disbelief. “Is that why you look like you’re contemplating murder?”

  “Maybe I am.”

  “Who’s the target?”

  Derrick leaned against his desk. “Diana.”

  Cam frowned. “Diana who?”

  “Davis.”

  “What?” Cam stood to face his angry friend. “Is she in town?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “What has she done?”

  “She was at the fundraiser last night and accosted Alesha.”

  “Oh, no.” Cam rolled his eyes. “Tell me all about it.”

  “She introduced herself to Alesha as Mrs. Chandler!”

  “That woman!” Cam shook his head in exasperation.

  “Alesha and I had a fight last night. She’s angry because I didn’t tell her Diana was in town.”

  “When did you find out?”

  “Yesterday afternoon. She came by my office.”

  “Why didn’t you tell Alesha?”

  “I had hoped she would just go away.”

  Cam sighed. “Wishful thinking.”

  “I should find her and wring her neck!”

  “No.” Cam placed a hand on Derrick’s shoulder. “Just stay away from her. She’s nothing but trouble.”

  He sighed. “You’re right.”

  “Nice to hear you admit it for once.”

  Derrick continued to frown. His friend’s attempt at humor was completely lost on him.

  “What does she want, Cam?”

  He shrugged. “Running for office is just like winning the lottery—people come out from the woodwork, trying to latch onto your coattails.”

  “I suppose, but she’s not going to ruin my marriage.”

  “Your marriage of convenience?”

  Derrick silently cursed his slip of the tongue. He had enough trouble right now without getting into a philosophical discussion with his friend about the status of his marriage. />
  “I’m not going to let her screw up my election chances.”

  Cam smiled. “No, you had it right the first time.”

  “Cameron…”

  He laughed. “Save your protestations for someone else.”

  Derrick rubbed his tired eyes. “How did everything get so out of control?”

  “It’s called life, my friend.” He patted Derrick’s shoulder comfortingly.

  Derrick reopened determined eyes. “I’m not going to let Diana demolish what I’ve worked so hard to build.”

  “I hope not.” He couldn’t resist adding, “What you and Alesha have is special, but then, I don’t have to tell you that, do I?”

  Derrick sighed heavily. “This has nothing to do with Alesha.”

  “Oh, man, why don’t you stop lying to yourself?” Cam shook his head in remonstration. “You care about your wife very much and if you won’t admit it to me, at least admit it to yourself.”

  Derrick made eye contact with his friend, but remained silent. There was no need to say a word because they both knew he was right. The question was, what was he going to do about it?

  That afternoon Alesha smiled wistfully as she listened to the antics of her onetime colleague, related as only Angela could. She hadn’t seen Angela since the wedding and had missed her terribly, but she wasn’t miserable in her new life as she had thought she would be—that is, not until Diana had shown up.

  “So, how’s married life?”

  “Great.” She forced a smile.

  “I should be so lucky to find a guy like Derrick.” Angela took a sip of her water.

  “There are other fish in the ocean. What about Cam?”

  “Derrick’s friend?”

  “Yes, the man who took great care placing my garter on your thigh at my wedding.”

  “Oh, yeah. I remember him.” Angela smiled secretively.

  “He’s very cute.”

  “I noticed.”

  “Really? What else did you notice?” Alesha leaned forward.

  “Nothing.”

  “So did you two talk?”

  “We exchanged a few words.”

  “And?”

  “And nothing. You’ve already taken the top prize.”