These Arms of Mine Read online

  Cam was a gem. He had a natural talent for making people feel at ease. Alesha took to him like a bee to honey. She felt a bit uneasy about deceiving him, but as Derrick had continually drilled into her head, everyone—including their friends and family—had to believe they were very much in love.

  “Alesha, may I have this dance?” Cam stood and extended his hand in her direction after giving a chivalrous bow.

  “I’d love to.” She kissed Derrick’s cheek. “You don’t mind, do you, darling?”

  “No, but you will once you experience his two left feet.”

  “He’s just jealous because I’m a much better dancer than he is.”

  He was jealous, but not of Cam’s dancing skills. Rather, that Cam would be holding Alesha in his arms—something he himself longed to do.

  “In your dreams.” Derrick’s words trailed after them as they walked away.

  “Well, what do you think?” Cam glanced expectantly at Alesha as he twirled her around the dance floor.

  “Very nice.” Alesha smiled.

  “You be sure and tell Derrick that.” He winked at her and she laughed.

  “I will.” She returned his smile.

  “You know, Alesha, I was blown away when Derrick told me he was getting married—and to whom.”

  “Were you? Why?” She feigned innocence, reminding herself to keep her answers short—there was less chance of slipping up that way.

  “It was so sudden.” Cam’s words were an understatement. “Also, given your past relationship, it was the last thing I expected to happen.”

  “Our decision to get married is anything but sudden.” Cam’s dubious stare forced her to elaborate. “It took us two long years to realize we were destined to be together.”

  “Is that how you feel? As if you and Derrick were destined to be together?” Cam watched her with the attention of a hawk, studying its prey.

  “Yes.” She smiled at him and prayed for a change in topic.

  “Really?” He twirled her out of the way of an approaching couple.

  “Yes.” She faced his piercing stare that was very similar to Derrick’s. “I realize you don’t know me very well, Cam, but believe me, I’m marrying Derrick because I want to.”

  “What’s changed between now and two years ago?” He had skillfully maneuvered them into a relatively secluded part of the dance floor so that their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.

  She almost laughed out loud at his question. She wanted to ask how much time he had for her to list the monumental changes that had occurred in her life over the past two years.

  “A lot.” She silently cursed herself because even to her ears her voice sounded strained.

  “I’m not prying just to stick my nose into yours and Derrick’s business, Alesha.” His voice was a little defensive.

  “I realize that.” And it made her feel all the worse for lying to him. “You’re Derrick’s best friend, and I know you have his best interest at heart.”

  “I do.”

  “For reasons I don’t want to get into, Derrick and I weren’t ready for each other two years ago. Now we are and we know what we want.” Her words held shades of the truth and thus were spoken confidently.

  “And that would be each other?” She felt as if she was on the witness stand and the case would be made or broken by her next words.

  “Yes. Nothing else will satisfy either of us. We’ve finally realized that, thank God.” She prayed for the music to end, because she didn’t know how much more of this grilling she could take.

  “Well, I suppose it’s the romantic beginning and ending to a relationship any woman would love to have.” Cam suddenly smiled and she heaved a sigh of relief.

  “Yes.”

  “So it would seem that this time true love triumphed in the end.”

  He studied her closely—too closely. She realized this was the moment she would either sell the lie or destroy it.

  “It has. I finally realized that Derrick is everything I want in a man and in a husband.”

  Her expression was appropriately dreamy as her eyes sought out Derrick’s from across the room. She sighed happily before returning slightly watery eyes to meet Cam’s.

  “I’m happy for you both.” Cam smiled.

  “Thank you.” She gave a silent prayer. Apparently, he was buying her nauseating performance.

  “No, thank you for returning to Derrick’s life.”

  His words made her feel like a first-class heel. He was a nice man and a loyal friend, and she truly hated deceiving him. Even reminding herself that it was necessary didn’t help salve her heavy heart.

  “I like you very much, Cam.”

  “I like you, too.” He smiled. “I see why Derrick jumped at the chance to marry you.”

  No, you really don’t.

  “Thanks.” She smiled.

  The song ended a few moments later, and they made their way back to Derrick.

  “What were you two talking about so earnestly?”

  “I was trying to steal her away from you.” Cam winked at Alesha.

  “Never happen,” Derrick said.

  Derrick placed a possessive arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Absently, his fingers played with the strands of her hair.

  “Sure of himself, isn’t he?”

  Cam smiled. He wondered if Derrick realized that he was always touching Alesha, or how his expression softened when he looked at her. His friend was in for a big surprise if he thought his marriage to Alesha was going to be a cold, antiseptic business arrangement.

  “Very. But he’s right, I’m afraid.” Alesha joined in their infectious banter, placing a possessive hand on Derrick’s chest.

  “Man, have you done a job on her.” Cam feigned disgust.

  “It’s called love,” Derrick corrected, placing a brief kiss on her lips. “Right, baby?”

  “Right.” She willed her fluttering heart to be still.

  “Now that you see how devoted she is to me, will you stop trying to steal my fiancée?”

  “No promises.” Cam displayed a devilish grin.

  “Will you two excuse me?” Alesha said.

  She rose, as did her dinner companions, and walked in the direction of the ladies’ room. She definitely needed a moment to compose herself.

  “You and Alesha are very good actors.”

  “Why do I feel a judgment coming?” Derrick took a sip of his coffee.

  “No judgment, just an observation,” Cam said with a smile.

  “I know I’ll regret this, but let’s hear it.”

  “I don’t think either of you is completely acting about your feelings.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” Derrick took a much-needed swig of his drink.

  “Is it?”

  Cam’s razorlike eyes homed in on Derrick’s. Derrick suddenly felt like an insect under a microscope.

  “Yes, very. You know why we’re getting married.”

  “Yes, I think I know.” He leaned closer and added, “But I don’t think either of you has a clue.”

  “Cameron…” Derrick’s voice held a warning.

  “Shh, here comes your fiancée.” Cam laughed at his friend’s scowling features.

  “Did I miss something?”

  Alesha sat beside Derrick once again. The atmosphere was noticeably thicker than when she had left.

  “No, I’ve just made Derrick angry with me again, but he’ll get over it.” Cam laughed and received a dark glare from his friend.

  “Oh, I see.” Alesha carefully glanced from one to the other.

  “Alesha, it was a pleasure to finally meet you, but I have to go now.” Cam took her han
d and brought it to his lips.

  “Thank you, Cam. I enjoyed meeting you, too.” She smiled genuinely.

  “See you tomorrow, Derrick.” He continued to grin broadly.

  “Goodbye, Cameron.”

  Derrick’s stilted response made his friend laugh.

  “See, I told you he was mad at me.” He winked at Alesha, who chuckled as he departed.

  “What was that all about?” She turned to face her still-scowling fiancé.

  “Nothing. Just Cam being Cam.” Derrick quickly dismissed a topic of conversation he didn’t want to pursue.

  “Are you angry with him?”

  “Always.” Derrick laughed, and she relaxed as his black mood seemed to suddenly dissipate. “You did a wonderful job tonight.” He placed his arm alongside the back of the booth, bringing her that much closer.

  “Thanks. I was nervous,” she admitted with a slight laugh.

  “You needn’t have been. I told Cam you could do it.” He impulsively hugged her shoulders.

  “You what?”

  She frowned at his words, and pulled slightly out of his embrace. She had been led to believe that Cam didn’t know anything about their arrangement.

  Chapter 6

  “Cam knows.” As her frown grew into a glare, he said, “Remember, we’re still in public.”

  She forced a slight smile, though her eyes still shot daggers at him. “You lied to me.”

  “No. I never said Cam didn’t know.”

  She was annoyed by his truthful reminder. She would have moved farther away, but his arm held her captive.

  “But you insinuated as much.” Her words were quietly hissed through gritted teeth. “What did you two do? Have a great laugh at my expense?”

  “I didn’t bring you here tonight to make fun of you.”

  “Then why?” She resisted an urge to empty the contents of her water glass onto his head.

  “Because I needed to know if you could really pull this off with someone who wasn’t a friend, a colleague or related to you—someone whose questions you couldn’t anticipate, someone who would take you completely off guard. You needed to know.”

  “You still could have told me.” Her voice had lost some of its edge as his words sank in.

  “It would have undermined the purpose if I had.” His logic was inescapable. He studied her closely. “You believe that I wasn’t trying to make a fool of you, don’t you?”

  She studied his earnest expression, and the remainder of her anger dissipated. She might be an idiot, but she did believe him.

  “Yes, I believe you.” Her body relaxed noticeably.

  “Good.” He released his breath on a sigh.

  “You sound as if you actually care what I think.” She fingered the white linen dinner napkin, though her eyes never left his.

  “I do.”

  “Why?” She stopped fiddling with the napkin.

  “Do you know what I want to do?”

  He didn’t answer her question on purpose. It wasn’t that he couldn’t have, but rather, he wasn’t sure she would like his response, or if he cared to hear the truth himself.

  “No, what do you want?”

  “I want to kiss you.” He glanced around the room before returning his full attention to her. “But, unfortunately, we do have quite an audience.”

  “That’s never stopped you before.” Her whispered invitation surprised them both.

  “No, no, it hasn’t.” He smiled slightly before his lips captured hers.

  It was an earth-shattering kiss. One of his hands cupped her jaw, tilting her head until it lay over his arm as his mouth plundered. Her hand slid up his chest to rest at his nape as she kissed him back. She didn’t know how long their mouths feasted, but when he lifted his head, she wished he hadn’t stopped. As if reading her thoughts, his mouth settled against hers again and she sighed in pleasure. Her fingers fastened on the back of his head as she held his mouth closer. Long minutes later when he lifted his head again, they were both breathing heavily.

  “I’d better get you home.” His voice was thick with passion, his eyes dark with longing. She felt the same way.

  “Yes.” Her voice was barely audible.

  His head lowered toward hers again and she waited for another kiss, yet it never came. Instead, he pulled back and summoned the waiter, to pay for their bill.

  Neither spoke as they left the restaurant or once they were seated inside the car. Alesha silently contemplated their supposedly purely business alliance, which had quickly evolved into something completely different than she believed either of them had anticipated, yet it seemed that neither was unable or unwilling to arrest its unexpected evolution.

  November 29 dawned cold and clear as Alesha and Derrick exchanged their wedding vows. She wore a white, sequined designer gown made especially for her, and her hair was covered by a headpiece and a cathedral veil that trailed behind her when she walked down the aisle. It was a beautiful formal evening affair that rivaled some of the most elegant weddings of celebrities and royalty.

  They posed for what must be the thousandth picture of the day, facing each other, bodies pressing close, arms encircling each other as they smiled into the camera. She had to admit that all day they had presented the picture of a deliriously happy couple, very much in love. If she didn’t know any better, she herself would swear they were crazy about each other.

  Suddenly, the lights dimmed and a space miraculously appeared as people moved to one side in preparation for their private dance. Derrick took her hand and led her slowly onto the dance floor. She gathered the white lace veil closer to her as she went into her husband’s waiting arms.

  She gratefully buried her face in Derrick’s shoulder and dropped the fake smile from her aching countenance. She was able to escape from the peering eyes and cameras for a few blissful minutes. As she moved closer to Derrick, her hand moved from his shoulder to the back of his neck.

  “You’re doing remarkably well. Don’t stop now.”

  His whispered reminder in her ear annoyed her no end. Why couldn’t he be quiet and let her fantasize about this being real?

  “Raise your head and give me a kiss for the people like a good wife.”

  She almost refused—not because she didn’t want to, but because she didn’t like being ordered to play a part when everything that had transpired today had held special meaning for her. However, she complied and his lips slowly neared hers before closing warmly, firmly over them as they continued to sway slowly to the music. Through her closed eyes, the bright light of camera flashes was evident as more pictures were taken and she heard the hushed sighs of delight as people witnessed the touching scene before them.

  Dear Lord, how long did he intend to kiss her? His lips continued to caress and take her breath away, which further delighted the crowd, who whistled and cheered the loving couple before them.

  After what seemed like an eternity—and, if she were honest with herself, not an unpleasant one—he lifted his head, yet maintained eye contact with her. She was mesmerized by his gaze, unable to look away.

  To onlookers, it must have seemed as if they were totally enamored of each other, impatiently waiting for this elongated celebration to end so they could escape and privately express their love. Of their own accord, her thoughts drifted to the time in the near future when she and Derrick would be completely alone together.

  She was at war with herself—part of her wanted more than anything to finally culminate the desire that had been building within her and had gone unquenched since his first touch years ago. Another part of her wished that the reception would go on forever, even though she secretly hated every moment of it. Shamefully, she couldn’t decide which part she wanted to win out, and oh, how that bothered
her.

  The song finally ended, and he led her off the dance floor with his arm still around her waist. She plastered the happy smile on her face once again as they approached her mother and brother.

  “I’m so happy for you, dear.” Her mother embraced her warmly.

  “Thanks, Momma.” Alesha smiled as her mother released her. She possessively placed her arm through Derrick’s, who covered her hand with his own.

  “Derrick, I’m so glad you’re a member of our family.” Barbara warmly kissed her son-in-law’s cheek.

  “Thank you, Barbara. You’ll never know how much that means to me.” He held Alesha close as he smiled at her mother.

  Alesha resisted the urge to slap his face. It was one thing lying to all these strangers, but it was another thing doing it to her mother. But was he lying? He seemed genuine enough. She believed he liked her mother and she knew her mother adored him.

  Derrick didn’t like deceiving this nice lady. She had been nothing but kind to him since they had met, and he genuinely liked her. When she found out the truth, he hoped she would understand. Suddenly, he realized he would hate to lose the special friendship he had developed with Alesha’s mother.

  That surprised and worried him. He hadn’t meant to become attached to Alesha again or anyone in her family. However, that’s just what had happened—and in a very short time. What was it about his new wife that captivated him so? He had to be careful not to let himself become any more involved with his wife or her family. Yet, he feared it was already much too late to stop that from occurring.

  “How about a glass of punch, Barbara?” Derrick spoke more to quiet his unwanted thoughts than anything else.

  “I’d love one, Derrick.” Barbara linked her arm through his.

  “Excuse us, darling?” He kissed Alesha’s lips lightly.

  “Of course, sweetheart. I’ll be right here.” She smiled lovingly at him as he led her mother off.

  She was alone with Robert, and she dreaded it. “Robert, don’t start,” she warned before he could utter a word.