Dancer in the Shadows (16 page)

"Look at our star player here." A deep voice brought three pairs of eyes around. Sean lounged lazily in one of the chairs, a cigarette between his fingers.

"I hit the ball, Daddy!" Michael said excitedly, dropping his bat and running toward the man. "Mom threw it and I hit it past her."

"Keep it up and you could get signed up by the major leagues." He gazed fondly at his son. Then his eyes traveled upward to Valerie, the warmth gone. She brushed the hair away from her sweaty face, all too aware of her grubby shorts and T-shirt. With all of her new clothes hanging in the closet, she had chosen to wear the oldest things she had. Sean drew on his cigarette, coolly looking her over. "Part of your new wardrobe?"

"Of course not," she replied crossly.

Just then Sara called out to them, "You've got one hour till dinner. I suggest you get cleaned up before you show up at the table."

"I think she means us." Janine grinned at Valerie. She turned to Sean. "What about you, big brother?"

"I'll finish my beer out here first." He drew slowly on his cigarette, not looking at either of them.

As they entered the house, Valerie looked back to see Sean crush his cigarette in the ashtray with a savage gesture. She yearned to go back and sit at his feet and lay her head in his lap as she used to do. But she knew he would only reject her with a scornful gesture, and she couldn't stand any more rejection, especially not from him.

Valerie stood under the shower, letting the water cool her heated emotions. After washing her hair, she wrapped it in a towel and surveyed the large assortment of makeup she had bought that day. With a dancing glint in her eyes, she stood before the mirror, artfully adding touches of eyeshadow, liner and dark mascara to her eyes, and a dusting of a rose blusher to her cheekbones. Then she finished drying her hair, pinning it in a loose knot on top of her head with curled tendrils on the sides and nape.

She enjoyed going through her new clothes and finally chose a white cotton sleeveless top banded in black. It was almost backless and the low, rounded neckline showed off her golden tan, and the bottom ended above the waistband of her black pants, showing several inches of tanned midriff. Black sandals, gold earrings, and a delicate gold chain completed the provocative outfit. After painting her nails a deep rose shade, she let them dry and liberally sprayed herself with perfume before leaving the room.

Janine was already in the den sharing a drink with Sean when Valerie entered. Her eyes lit up impishly while Sean's narrowed fractionally as he noticed the generous portions of bare skin. "I just knew that was made for you. You definitely have the slim waist for it. What do you think, Sean?" The smile she flashed her brother was totally innocent.

"Aren't you afraid of showing more than you intended?" His words were forced through his teeth as he quickly poured himself another Scotch and swallowed it just as quickly.

"Perhaps Val would like a drink," Janine prompted silkily.

Sean silently mixed Valerie's gin-and-tonic, and she was careful that their fingers didn't touch his as she accepted the glass. His eyes lingered on the wide expanse of bare midriff before traveling upward over the low neckline, resting for a moment on her rounded breasts, before stopping at her pinned-up hair and gold hoop earrings.

"I came up with a great idea for this evening." Janine was more bubbly than usual. "And I was just discussing it with Sean. There's going to be an informal get-together at the country club tonight. So why not go? It should be lots of fun."

"We can't leave Michael," Val protested, unwilling to continue this farce in public. She was so tired of hiding her true feelings from Sean.

"Sara has already volunteered to keep an eye on him." Janine airily dismissed her qualms. "We'll have a ball, won't we, Sean?"

"Why not?" He shrugged his shoulders, his eyes sending Valerie a mocking challenge. "It should be interesting."

Throughout dinner, Valerie was aware of Sean's veiled glances at her low neckline. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, trying unobtrusively to pull it higher. An amused smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, causing her to flush with embarrassment. Slow burning anger soon replaced her discomfort. He knew he was making her uncomfortable, and he was enjoying it! She gritted her teeth as she endeavored to eat her stuffed pork chop and rice pilaf. Conversation between Janine and Sean floated over her downcast head.

"So you got rid of your Jaguar a year ago," he commented, refilling his wineglass. "It was a nice car. I'm sure Val remembers that car," he added wickedly, bringing a flush to her face.

"I just like smaller cars." Janine sipped her wine. "The Jensen Healy is fine for my needs."

"Faster, too," he said drily. "The way you drive, that car won't be around by the end of the year." He abruptly turned to Valerie. "I'm sure you're going to want to change before we leave for the club."

Stung by his high-handed attitude, she retorted hotly, "I'm just fine."

"Suit yourself." He turned back to Janine, resuming their conversation.

Janine changed before they left for the club. She wore flame-colored silk pants with a matching strapless top and a loose, long-sleeved print blouse that tied at her waist. Her honey-colored hair was left loose to her shoulders. "You should be flattered to escort two such beautiful women, brother dear." She smiled sweetly at Sean.

"Aren't you afraid of catching—cold?" He addressed his remarks to Valerie.

"Not at all." She lifted her chin.

The short ride seemed an eternity to Valerie. Her nostrils pricked at the subtle scent of Sean's aftershave; she longed to reach out and touch his arm or stroke his cheek as she used to do. But she knew better by now. She clenched her hands together as she painfully, recalled the feel of those strong hands so knowingly caressing her bare skin. She suddenly realized that she was being spoken to. "What? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you," she stammered, looking up.

"Wake up, Val." Janine laughed, snapping her fingers in front of Val's face.

Sean's mouth quirked, as if he had read her erotic thoughts. "While you've been dreaming, we've arrived at the club."

They waited in the doorway for Sean to park the car. Valerie's eyes turned toward a familiar sports car in the parking lot. Craig was here! She hadn't seen him since he had visited her in the hospital. Oddly, she didn't feel angry toward him anymore; his fierce devotion had kept her ego up when she had needed it most.

Valerie's heart contracted violently as she watched Sean stride across the well-lit parking lot. His shoulders were broad in the cream silk shirt tucked into the dark navy slacks, belted low on his hips. The lights shining on his tanned features reminded her again of the first time she had met him. The moonlight played over the carved features and she remembered how he had both fascinated and frightened her at the same time.

As they entered the building, Sean's arm rested possessively across her shoulders. Just an act for his friends, she thought bitterly to herself. Well, two could play at this game. "Darling, could you possibly get me a drink?" she asked brightly.

"I thought you might have had enough at dinner." His eyes narrowed.

"I'm just dying of thirst, though," Valerie pouted. "Please, Sean."

"Go on, Sean, get us our drinks while we mingle," Janine urged. "I see people I haven't seen in ages. I'll introduce Val to anyone she doesn't know. We'll be just fine."

"That's what I'm afraid of," he muttered under his breath, walking away.

"Celia!" Janine enthusiastically greeted a woman of about her own age. "It's so good to see you!"

"Jay, I didn't know you were back." Sherry-colored eyes looked over Valerie.

"This is my sister-in-law, Valerie." Janine turned toward her. "Val, Celia Howard and I went to school together."

"So you're Michael's mother." Celia smiled warmly. "My Keith attends the same preschool. I usually see Sean picking Michael up at the school—at least I have for the past month or so," she commented. "I understand you had a car accident."

"A telephone pole decided to get in my way," Val said ruefully.

"The epitome of a woman driver." A deep voice from behind startled the three women. Sean handed Valerie and Janine a glass of wine each before draping his arm over Valerie's shoulders, an action both possessive and deliberate.

"Hello, Celia," he greeted her genially. "How is your tribe doing?"

"As wild as the Indians they should be." She laughed, then explained to Valerie: "We have three boys, and the fourth will probably be one, too. I've given up on having a girl."

Valerie felt a pang of envy toward this woman and her family; it was obvious that her husband, although he was not visibly in evidence, loved her.

"Where's Rick?" Sean asked, looking around.

"The billiard room—where else? He doesn't believe in dancing, as I've known for many years. I can't expect him to change now," she said ruefully.

"Then I'm sure you won't mind if I dance with my wife," he said suddenly, reaching for Valerie's glass and setting it down on a nearby table.

"You don't have to dance with me," she said stiffly, as they walked toward the dance floor. "I'm sure it isn't expected."

"It isn't, but perhaps I want to," he replied enigmatically, drawing her into his arms. The touch of his hand against her bare back was electric, sending shock waves throughout her body. She tried to lean away from him, but a firm pressure brought her against his chest and held her there.

"You're not being fair," she hissed fiercely.

"Angel, I never promised to be fair." His fingers tantalized her bare skin in a sensuous stroking motion.

"Sean, stop it!" Her low voice trembled, and Valerie felt close to furious tears by the time the dance ended.

"I'm sure you'll be happier on your own." Sean released her and walked toward the other side of the room. Her anger grew as she saw him greet Felicia Everest warmly as the woman's hand came to rest intimately on his arm.

Valerie picked up her wineglass and, looking around the room, soon saw the man she was looking for. Draining the glass, she fixed a smile on her face and caught his eye. Craig looked surprised at her inviting smile and cautiously approached her.

"Hello, Val." His voice was wary as he appreciatively eyed her slender figure.

"How are you, Craig?" Her low voice was almost a purr.

"To be honest, surprised that you'd talk to me after all that's happened." His eyes finally rested on the soft curves of her breasts where they showed above the low neckline.

"I was upset then, because of the accident," Valerie murmured, feeling satisfied as Sean glanced their way and his eyes narrowed to angry slits. "But that's behind us now. You are going to dance with me, aren't you?" She held out her arms invitingly.

Before Craig could reply, a steel vise clamped around Valerie's wrist. "Excuse us, but we have a family matter to attend to." Sean's voice was cold and controlled. Keeping his bruising grip on her wrist, he almost dragged her out of the club to the parking lot.

"What do you think you're doing!" she demanded, the alcohol she had consumed giving her extra courage. "Let go of me!"

"Not until we reach the car." He spit out the words. "You sure couldn't wait to get back to Saunders, could you? Another minute and you would have found yourself in bed with him."

"I hate you!" she cried out suddenly as his fingers tapped her cheek in a light slap.

Sean grabbed her hair, pulling loose the pins and letting it fall around her face in loose waves. "Don't you ever do that again," he growled, his temper barely in control as his nostrils flared whitely.

Recklessly, Valerie tried to twist away from him, only to feel her neck snap back and have her mouth bruised under his punishing kiss. Just as she began seeing dancing lights and thought she'd surely faint, she was suddenly released.

"Go to —!" she finally managed to choke out, only wanting to hurt him as much as he had hurt her.

"You put me there four years ago, angel," he interrupted roughly, "and now you'll pay for it—every day of your life."

"The agreement was only for six months," she whispered, tight-lipped, feeling the defiance drain out of her body.

''Except that I may change my mind." He pushed her toward the car, none too gently. "Get in before I decide to teach you another lesson."

The ride home was silent and tense. Valerie edged as far away in the seat from Sean as she could.

"What about Janine?" she finally asked.

"I'll go back and get her," he replied crisply, not looking at her.

"And Felicia." Valerie mouthed the words silently, unwilling to incur his wrath once more.

At the house, Sean stayed long enough to see her inside before leaving again. The nightlight was on in the hallway, guiding her to her room. When she flipped the switch on, she was surprised to see a small figure curled up on her bed. "Michael." She shook him gently.

The small boy awoke-and threw his arms around her neck. "I wanna sleep with you, Mommy," he mumbled sleepily. "Please, can I?"

"Of course, darling." She planted a light kiss on his forehead.

As Valerie lay awake in the quiet house, she was glad for the small body curled up next to her. She felt comforted in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. Putting an arm around Michael, she soon closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Chapter Eight

"Val! Val!" A pounding on her bedroom door brought her slowly awake. She sat up in bed, trying to focus her sleep-drugged eyes as Janine burst into the room. "What's going on?" She yawned, pushing her hair away from her face.

Janine looked suddenly relieved as she saw a waking Michael next to Valerie. "Sean, he's in here with Val," she called over her shoulder. A moment later, Sean appeared in the doorway, his tense features beguiling to relax.

"What's going on?" Valerie asked again groggily, still trying to shake off the effects of sleep.

"We couldn't find Michael. It appears he's been in here all the time," Sean stated flatly, running a weary hand through his hair.