A Familiar Star (Romance Mystery) (11 page)

The thought of Max being there with Paul made her so nervous she felt sick.
She wondered if Leslie would keep Max preoccupied enough to stay out of her hair. And why didn’t they get together anyway? And why did he get so damn angry this afternoon? She flushed those thoughts out of her mind and tried to concentrate on what to wear. She decided on something black and sleek, then pulled on a thong and flopped onto her bed and started doing her nails.

The door to the upstairs patio slammed and Max stood outside her window.
Sitting up she reached for a t-shirt. She pulled the t-shirt up to her chest and shimmied off the bed.

“Do you mind?!”
She opened her patio door.

Max stood there in his black suit and tie, he looked more handsome then Kylie had ever seen him look.

“My pleasure,” he said casually, admiring the scant clothing.

“What are you doing up here?”

“Waiting for you, aren’t you ready yet?”

Kylie shook her head and backed up.
“Give me a minute my nails have to dry.”

He followed her into her room and watched her as she backed up into her ensuite.

“Are you going to ruin things for me tonight?” She poked her head out when he didn’t respond.

“Save me a dance and you can sleep with whoever you want.”

“Thanks.” She said rolling her eyes.

Max clenched his teeth.
He stared out the window methodically.  There must be some reason why this was happening, but how could he stop her from doing what she wanted.  It was her life, her choice. Still, he felt like he knew better.

Kylie poked her head out again to see i
f he was gone, he was so quite.

“Oh, your still here, what are you looking at?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking how nice things would be if it was me you wanted and not him.”

Kylie came out of the washroom and stared at him.
Impulsively she took his hand then softly wrapped her arms around him and stayed there. “I’m sorry. I really am. I just don’t think that you and I are right for each other.” She said in a whisper.

They held on to each other for a time then let go and smiled.

Things like this reminded her, how uncertain life was. Everyone dreams and hopes they’ll find true love and forever but it was like the stars. You could search for a lifetime and think you’ve found what you were looking for, some pattern, an answer to the biggest question of all, but all the night sky holds, is a glittery, chaotic mystery.

The Hamilton’s owned a stately French Normandy manor with massive wrought iron gates. The half mile deep driveway led past beautifully landscaped stone pools and impressively manicured gardens. Kylie was enchanted, as she and Max crossed a quaint bridge over a riverbed that wound through the front lawn. She was even more impressed when a valet parked their car.

At least a dozen people crowded the two story circular foyer with marble floors.

Kylie slipped past Max, and hoped she could put enough distance between them that if Paul saw her, he wouldn’t think that they were together.

She promised herself she would remain cool
, but she was almost sick with nerves. It was very possible she had simply imagined that Paul was perfect in every way, but just in case it was true, she didn’t want to blow it this time.

Mrs. Hamilton was receiving her guests
in the foyer with her daughter Ellie by her side. Kylie moved in front of an older couple as they turned to talk to someone they knew, and Max was already busy fighting off Leslie. Kylie shook her head and smiled to herself. Leslie must have radar of some sort but she thanked God for it tonight.

“Your grounds are meticulous and your garden is so beautiful.”
Kylie made small talk while she peered over their shoulders. Paul was nowhere in sight. She focused on the two women in front of her and suddenly felt underdressed. Mrs. Hamilton was wearing a long, blue dress made of silk taffeta, softly flared and sashed at the waist. Kylie looked up at her jewelry and was close to being blinded.

Ellie’s outfit was outstanding as well,
a designer original and all out dazzling. The long straight skirt and hip length jacket was made up of multi-colored, patterned sequences.  Kylie looked down at the simple dress she was wearing and felt the need to go home and change. Ellie knew what she was thinking and commented. “Your dress is very elegant; I wish I had the figure to wear something like that.”

Kylie smiled kindly.
They were very nice people. She thanked them for inviting her then walked down a long hall flanked by original artwork. She took a few moments admiring it then entered the living room. People were everywhere. The fireplace with its carved, marble mantle was lit, making the setting warm and inviting. The lights were dim and soft music was playing. Kylie smiled at people she recognized then went out on the terrace. A waterfall flowed gently into their magnificent pool and a refreshment pavilion sat nearby.

She scanned the people
then looked at the view. It was strange seeing her house from this distance. It was so petit compared to the grandeur of this estate, yet it wasn’t really small at all in comparison to some people’s homes. Then again, she thought, this place was just too much for her, nice to visit but certainly more than what she had ever dreamed of.

No, her house suited her fine.
She and Max loved it…it made her wonder what the house would feel like without Max in it.  Of course, if she could get used to him being there, she could get used to him gone.

F
act was, he wasn’t going anywhere just yet.  She smiled to herself.

She leaned against the
cool, iron rail and beheld the reflections on the lake.  Colors seemed to melt into the dark blue water from the sinking sun.  Purples, reds and golds, mixed together like a palette from one of her paintings.

When she looked up, directly across
the lake, was Jeffery William’s house, and right next to it was Leslie’s house, both of them built in stone and both with the same characteristics. They must have been built around the same time, Kylie thought.

“Need a pair of binoculars?”

Kylie held her breath then turned around slowly. “Oh, it’s you Max,” she let out a sigh.

“Don’t sound so disappointed.”
He turned his back to the view. “Have I told you how absolutely beautiful you look tonight.” He said slowly.

Kylie appreciated his persistence but knew what she had to do.

“I think you mentioned it a time or two.” She adjusted his tie. “Now go away.”

“You’re
breaking my heart you know.” He followed her back inside.

They
were ordering drinks at the bar, when Leslie joined them.

“Hi, I’ve found something I think you want.”
She crooked a finger at Kylie and led the way back through the house.

Without thinking
, Kylie grabbed Max by the arm and followed Leslie through the crowd. She knew what Leslie was up to and her heart started pounding furiously.  The formal dining room was filled with people talking and Kylie became conscious of the fact that she wasn’t ready to see Paul just yet.

She stopped abruptly at the door and turned to Max, “let’s go outside.”

“Sure.”

Leslie thought they were still following her and continued on.

Outside, Kylie took a breath of fresh air and felt relieved. She just needed a bit more time that was all.

The reality of seeing Paul suddenly hit home.
Would he even want to talk to her and was he what she really wanted? She needed to think.

Max
gave her a long slow smile.  One that told her things were going to be okay.

It said a lot about a man’s character to have such patience,
she thought, he should have taken off by now, but instead he was by her side, reassuring her.

A few people stopped to talk to them and she calmed down.
Soon they had formed a small circle of people and Kylie almost forgot all about Paul.

The party seemed to be in full swing.  There were people everywhere.  Even the
dance floor that was set up by the pool, started filling up.

“Will you be seen dancing with me?”
Max put out his hand to her.

“Why not?”
  Kylie smiled; the vodka and cranberry loosening her up. There was no way she was going to chase after Paul. No way in hell.

Max pulled her onto the dance floor and wrapped his arms around her.

“I wonder what happened to Leslie.” Kylie smirked. “It’s not like her to stay away from you for this long.”

Ma
x laughed than spun her gently through the air.

They danced the slow song in silence.
  Max held her tight and Kylie liked it. They breathed the same she thought.

He was beginning to grow on her
; she might have even considered him a friend, until she thought about the night in the water when she almost lost control. Even if Paul wasn’t the one, she didn’t want to be with Max for lust sake. She wanted to be in love and she could wait for it.

She looked up at him
and his eyes pulled her in as they always did. It wasn’t easy being so close to him. His body was pressing against her and she was feeling his every move. At the same time, she didn’t like what she saw in his eyes. He was looking at her like she was a rare and precious jewel. She’d never been looked at that way in her life.

They stared at each other for what seemed like
an eternity. She parted her mouth when the side of his lips brushed passed hers, his face resting gently against her own. She felt his hand stroke her back like a feather. Her heart was beating fast and she wanted to say his name. Why was she feeling this way?

She held on to him
and was so lost in the moment that it seemed as though the space around them was theirs alone. Moving was effortless, because they also had the same rhythm. She breathed in his scent. Every time she’d smell it, she would think of him, she thought.

She felt the song coming to an end
, and realized she’d forgotten completely about Paul. Suddenly the music changed to a pop rock song and a new crowd moved in.  Max let go of Kylie and undid his jacket.

“This is serious stuff.”
He joked. They laughed together then started gyrating.

Kylie took a few deep breaths and let them out carefully.
She needed to focus on what she was doing.  She moved her hips in a swaying motion and raised her arms together above her head to loosen up. Her sensual movements were getting the attention of all of the men. When she looked up, she saw Leslie standing there with Paul. They were both staring at her. The black, backless, stretch velvet dress that Kylie wore, clung to every curve on her body, and she knew people were looking at her. But now it was Paul that was looking, and Kylie was feeling self-conscious. His eyes couldn’t help but roam up and down her without shame.

She turned her back to them and kept on dancing.
Closing her eyes, she struggled to concentrate. She needed to talk to him again, but she was still too nervous. She grabbed Max by the arm and left the dance floor without looking back.

“I need something to drink,” she explained
. “Let’s go back upstairs.”

“Kylie, wait.”  Max maneuvered around her.  He wanted to tell her to leave
with him, right now, before it was too late.  The confidence he had in them being together one day, was galloping away in the distance.

“What is it?”

He knew whatever he said would be futile.  “We should”…he tried, but broke off, staggered by what nearly came out of his mouth.  He wasn’t going to beg.

“I’ll get you a drink.”  He said instead.

They were making their way to the stone patio when Leslie approached them, dragging Paul by the hand.

“So there you are!”
Leslie shrilled pretentiously.

Max and Paul
made no eye contact.

“I’ll get you that drink.
” Max repeated, needing to leave as soon as possible, before the anger rose in him like a pressure cooker.

“Thanks.”
Kylie grinned, but the grin faded as soon as he walked away.

“Excuse me for a minute, won’t you?”
Leslie winked at her then took off after Max.

Kylie acted as though there were wild cats around her. She didn’t know which way to turn and her pulse was racing.
  This was a bad idea, she realized.  She probably never should have come.

Paul finally spoke.
“I was hoping to see you here tonight.” He said softly.

“Oh?”

“We needed to talk but I was busy all week so…”

Kylie didn’t want to hear excuses and cut him off.
“There’s nothing to talk about.”

Paul couldn’t tell from h
er expression if she was being honest. She wasn’t making eye contact with him and her long eyelashes hid her discomfort.

“I see.
I’m sorry.” He drawled out.

Kylie turned swiftly and frowned at him.
“What are you sorry for?”

“For not listening to your explanation, I’m sorry.”
He repeated himself. “I was just confused.” He waited for her to say something then continued. “I couldn’t figure out why you’d want to be with me after being with Max, that’s all.”

“I did want to be with you.”
She said hesitantly.

“Well, is that why you didn’t even want to kiss me, because of Max?”

“No, it had nothing to do with that and I did kiss you.”

“Y
eah, you did kiss me, but you slept with him the night before.” He accused.

Kylie cried out in exasperation, “I did not!”

She sounded furious and Paul looked at her in surprise. She lifted her dress and climbed the steps swiftly but carefully, making sure her heels didn’t get caught on the stones.

He went after her.
  “Hey, wait!” He said, hoping she would slow down.

People began to look at them and whisper.

She stopped at the top of the stairs and blurted out, “you’re some detective all right, assuming things before you have all the facts. Well, I wish you lots of luck catching this guy because you’ll need it.”

Back inside the
house, Kylie tried to find the long hall that led to the foyer.  She wanted to leave.  But instead she moved from room to room squeezing through the crowd when necessary.  How big was this house anyway?  She bustled through the library, then opened another door and found herself in a small sitting room. She noticed one other young couple, curled up on the sofa, in a passionate embrace.

Kylie turned to leave but Paul was right behind her blocking the way.
She tried to go around him but he wouldn’t let her.

“Let me go by I have work to do,” she said in frustration.

“What kind of work?” He frowned.

“I’m goin
g to catch this guy for you.  I have people to talk too and then I’m leaving.”

Paul realized that he didn’t really know her, what her mind set was or what she was capable of
.  There was more anger there then there should have been.  Grabbing her arms, he thought he was going to have to yell at her, than he saw the tears in her eyes. “This guy is a killer. You stay away from it. The FBI’s involved now and we’re going to catch him soon, so don’t be foolish.