Last Chance (45 page)

needed to sort out. McKenna had encouraged her to seek counseling and

Jamie promised that she would consider it.

Saying goodbye to her sister at the airport had been difficult. The only

thing that made it bearable was the fact that Dylan had suddenly shown up at

the airport right before Jamie was to leave. He explained that he had

business back in the States and had heard from Noah that Jamie was

returning home today and thought he would accompany her. The interesting

glint in Jamie's eyes assured McKenna that her sister didn't mind the

company at all.

Having Dylan escort Jamie back home was enormously comforting,

but the minute her sister disappeared from view, McKenna began to miss

her. She'd only just found her again, and letting her go was extraordinarily

hard. The knowledge that she would see her soon helped tremendously. She

vowed to never lose her sister again.

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But now it was time to face Lucas. To see if he had meant what she

thought he meant. He had said he loved her and she didn't doubt his word,

but that didn't still the anxiousness inside. That could only be done when she

was back in his arms.

Her heart continuing its thundering boom, she raised her hand and

knocked.

Conrad opened the door, his usual impassive expression in place until

he recognized her. Then his face lit up as if delighted. "Miss McKenna,

please come in."

She breathed slightly easier as she stepped into the foyer. At least

someone was happy to see her. "Hello, Conrad. Is Lucas here?"

"No, he's at the Millington Awards. He's their man of the year, you

know."

McKenna swallowed a small sob of disappointment. Of course she

knew. The Millington recipient had been announced at the beginning of the

year. The award was given to one individual each year for outstanding

charitable works and contributions. She had noted it with no small amount

of pride, pleased that Lucas was being recognized and honored for all the

good things he had done. She just hadn't remembered that the ceremony was

tonight. Reading papers had been something she refused to allow herself to

do. Lucas had been in her heart and mind; reading about him would have

only added to the aching loneliness.

Knowing Conrad was awaiting her reply, she shook her head. "I didn't

realize it was tonight."

He beamed with pride. "Mr. Lucas is the youngest recipient to ever

have been given the award."

McKenna smiled at the obvious pride in Conrad's words. "Do you

think it would be all right if I came in and waited for him?"

"Perfectly fine. However, there's something else that would be

finer...and that would be if you joined him."

Swallowing a laugh, she looked down at her worn duffel bag. She'd

brought a few clothes with her, but nothing that nice. "I don't believe I have

anything that would be appropriate."

"If I may...Mr. Lucas had hoped you might come before tonight. He

ordered several dresses for you to choose from."

Tears sprang to her eyes before she could stop them. "He did?"

Conrad nodded and glanced at the grandfather clock against the wall.

"The ceremony is probably over, but the ball will go until dawn. You could

be there within the hour...if you like."

Could she do this? The ceremony and subsequent ball was one of the

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biggest events of the year. The most influential and wealthiest people in

England would be there. Even the queen was known to attend. Reporters and

cameras would be everywhere. After living in the shadows for so long, could

she come out in such a blatant way?

Apparently seeing her hesitation, Conrad added, "I believe it would

mean the world to Mr. Lucas if you joined him there."

Those words tipped the scale. Lucas had gone to the trouble of buying

a dress for her to wear; he wanted her to be there. How could she not go?

Standing on her toes, she kissed the kindly butler's weathered face. "I would

like very much."

Blushing slightly, he turned to lead her up the stairway. "I'll show you

the dresses. Hammond, the chauffeur, took Mr. Lucas in the limousine, but

I'd be happy to drive you into the city."

Resisting the urge to kiss him again, McKenna settled for a grateful

smile. "That would be wonderful. Thank you."

Conrad led her to the room she had used when she stayed before. He

opened the closet and waved his hand at a half dozen glittering gowns.

McKenna's heart leaped as she took in the beautiful array of elegant

eveningwear. Then her heart almost stopped as her eyes focused on one in

particular: a glittering red silk sheath with an overlay of silver sparkles. It

was a gown of elegance, sophistication, and pure femininity. And one that

people would most definitely notice. No blending into the background,

hoping no one paid attention to her. The gown was the most beautiful thing

she had ever seen.

The older man nodded his approval at her more than obvious

admiration. "I believe that one was his favorite. There are shoes and..." He

blushed again. "Um, other apparel for you to wear, too."

Feeling a bit like a princess with a fairy godfather, McKenna said,

"Give me half an hour and I'll be ready."

Conrad turned to leave. "I'll bring the car around." Before he closed

the door, he said, "And ma'am, welcome home."

Lucas took a long swallow of his bourbon. Why the hell had he

stayed? Coming to the ceremony had been necessary. Staying for a ball

when he had no desire to be here was foolish.

Stupid, really, but he had thought to attend the ball with McKenna.

Her life had been full of hiding and running; he had envisioned bringing her

to the event as a celebration of no longer needing that secrecy. Though

inviting publicity wasn't something he liked to do, he had despised not being

able to go out in public with her. Not because he wanted people speculating

on their relationship or seeing photographs in the gossip columns. No, he'd

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wanted it because not going out in public made their liaison seem secretive,

not real. Or, even worse, made it appear as if there was something to be

ashamed of. Everything about them was real, and he was so damn proud of

her, he wanted the world to see it, too.

But he'd left the decision in McKenna's hands. She deserved the

opportunity to choose her life. So far, her choice had not included him.

Leaving her had been one of the hardest things he'd ever done. But if

he had stayed, he knew he would pressure her, whether he meant to or not.

Reconnecting with the sister she thought she'd lost was important. As was

learning who she was without the shadow of fear she'd lived with for so

long.

"Lucas, could we talk a moment?"

He turned at the familiar voice of his former employee. "Hello,

Humphries. How are you?"

The older man gave him a small, grim smile. "Better than I deserve to

be. I wanted to thank you. I never did before."

Before Lucas could answer, Eleanor Humphries, Stanley's wife, came

to stand beside her husband. Tears glistened in her eyes. "He told me

everything, Mr. Kane. We just wanted you to know how much we appreciate

what you did." Her expression was one of love and understanding as she

glanced at her husband of forty years. "Stanley's getting the help he needs to

fight his addiction." Her eyes went back to Lucas. "But what you did was so

generous."

"My father--"

Stanley shook his head. "Your father would have kicked me out on

my ass, as you should have. I'm just grateful you didn't. I hope to repay you

someday."

Lucas could have said no, that repayment wasn't necessary. However,

he knew more than his share about pride and holding himself responsible for

his mistakes. Being able to pay Kane Industries back would go a long way

toward easing Stanley's conscience and help him regain the dignity he'd lost.

"If you're interested, I believe we could arrange part-time work. Your skills

and experience have been missed. Part of your salary could go toward

repayment."

Humphries's slumped shoulders straightened; relief replaced the

shame on his face. "I would like that. Thank you."

Accepting a grateful kiss from Eleanor and a handshake from Stanley,

Lucas said, "Call me on Monday." Then with a nod he moved away. Having

this kind of conversation in the midst of a large crowd wasn't a good idea.

Only a few knew about Humphries's problems; Lucas wanted to keep it that

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way.

Several more people tried to get him involved in a conversation.

Lucas eased his way across the ballroom. Nodding, smiling, and murmuring

appropriate responses, he kept one eye out for the closest exit. Getting away

from the mass of people had become a priority.

Nodding politely at the matronly woman who was in the midst of

extolling her daughter's attributes, Lucas moved his head slightly, his eyes

targeting an exit only a dozen yards away. Murmuring, "Excuse me, won't

you?" he headed toward freedom.

His mind on getting out of there without attracting any more attention,

he barely noticed the slight stir in the ballroom until he heard several awed

comments, including "What a stunning-looking woman" and "Who is that

vision?"

Seconds from going out the door, Lucas caught a glimpse of red out of

the corner of his eye. He jerked to a stop. Turning slowly, he lost his breath.

A vision indeed...one that appeared in his dreams nightly. Wearing his

favorite of the dresses he'd purchased for her in hopeful anticipation that she

would be with him tonight, McKenna was lovelier than he could have

imagined.

Her hair had apparently grown quite a bit since he'd seen her, as she

was wearing it up in some sort of casual but chic style that emphasized the

purity and delicate femininity of her elegant face. He'd always thought

McKenna beautiful; tonight she went far beyond.

She'd been gazing around a bit cautiously, as though uncertain of her

right to be there. The instant she caught sight of him, a myriad of strong

emotions played out on her face. And every one of them caused his chest to

tighten.

Sounds disappeared. Every person in the room ceased to exist with the

exception of one. The only one that mattered. As if they were the only two

people in the universe, Lucas began to move slowly toward her. He was

reminded of the day she came to him in Paris and how he'd been afraid she'd

disappear like the ghost she claimed to be. That same surreal feeling washed

over him.

She met him in the middle of the room, her expression one of such

wonder and beauty that Lucas's already tight chest constricted even more.

Two feet from him, she stopped. He closed the distance between them and

said huskily, "You came home."

Her smile holding every promise he could hope for, she whispered,

"Yes."

Pulling her into his arms, he asked, "For how long?"

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Her heart in her eyes, she whispered the word Lucas ached to hear:

"Forever."

"Thank God." His eyes roamed over her; she was even more beautiful

than he remembered. "You look stunning."

"So do you." Her eyes twinkled. "I've never seen you in a tuxedo

before. I'm surprised you're not surrounded by a multitude of women vying

for your attention."

He shook his head. "There's no other woman who could catch my

attention."

The palm of her hand touched his jaw in a tender, sweet caress. "Are

you well?"

"I am now."

Though more than aware that the entire room had almost stopped

breathing as they watched them, Lucas didn't give a damn. Nothing could

spoil this moment for him.

McKenna's trembling smile told him she was a little less confident

about attracting so much attention. "We seemed to have stopped the party."

"Only because the most beautiful woman in the world has arrived."

Instead of smiling as he intended for her to, her face went solemn. "I

love you so much."

Privacy suddenly became imperative. Taking her hand, he led her

through the giant ballroom. Ignoring the cameras flashing and whispered

speculation, Lucas took her out a door onto a side veranda. Sparkling lights

glittered the walkway as he stalked to the farthest corner of the long portico.

"Where are we going?"

"As far away from the party as possible."

"We could leave."

"We will soon; this can't wait." Finally reaching the end, Lucas pulled

her into his arms. Covering her mouth with his, he savored the flavor and

beauty of the lips he'd missed tasting.

McKenna moaned under his hot mouth. How many nights had she lain

awake, dreaming of this? Lucas's reaction to seeing her was all she could

have wanted.

Lifting his mouth from hers slightly, he growled against her lips,

"Never stay away from me that long again."

More than ready to give him that assurance and so much more, she

whispered, "I promise."

Sealing that promise, he closed his mouth over hers and once again,