Under Pressure (16 page)

“Oh, I’m as serious as a bumblebee on a horse’s ass
! You continue to walk on everyone, especially me, when I’ve done nothing but watch out for you since the day you were born. I’ve given up a huge part of my life for you, little sister!”

“Come on, Jewels, admit what this is really about. You have been a bitch since that asshole Kiefer slept around on you
, and I’m the target of your animosity.”

Pear
l’s gasp snapped the air.

Jewels gritted her teeth. “Well, for your information,
Em, I missed all of the signs that my man was cheating. And you want to know why? Because I was wrapped up in your problems so far to give an owl’s hoot what was happening in my own neck of the woods.”

“And who asked you? I never wanted you to hover over me
as if I was a child. I’m a grown woman, but when will you see that? Why can’t you just leave me alone?” Em swiped a tear from her cheek.

Jewels heart ached. “You’re right, sis. It’s time I let go of the reins and do what’s best for me, for once.” She turned on heel and marched from the room.

“Are you going to the Gala?” Pearl called after her.

Jewels
didn’t bother answering.

As coldly as
Em had put it, her little sister was right. It was time Jewels moved ahead.

And
she knew where to start.

An hour later, at the Gala, she stood
by the red curtain on the stage, watching another bachelor walk out. It wasn’t the one she waited on.

Jewels tapped the voting paddle against her palm as another ounce of patience faded from her body. From the moment
she’d walked into the event, she was determined to do what she should have accepted a long time ago. She would vote for Spark and let the chips fall.

She understood
she’d have some competition tonight.

Sally Hale was sitting on her paddle, a sure sign she was waiting to spend all of her money on one particular
cowboy. Jewels had no doubt Sally wanted a date with Spark.

Jewels moved her gaze to Meredith Lou Wright. In her fifties, plastic surgery had made her look forty. The
ex-wife of a rich oil tycoon, she had enough money to buy every available bachelor in the building—and the building too. If she wanted Spark, Jewels didn’t have the financial backing to contend.

At least
she’d show Spark that she wasn’t ashamed of their relationship—or whatever they had.

“Jewels?”

The familiar voice made her muscles stiffen, bile rose in her throat. Slowly turning, she brought her eyes on the one man she’d hoped to never see again. “What are you doing here?”

Kiefer took a step forward, but kept his distance. She guessed he could see the possibility of her scratching his eyes out
or beating him with the paddle. But he wasn’t worth the effort. “I’m helping out a good cause. I was hoping you and I could sit together, share a dance or two later.”

All oxygen swooshed from her
lungs. He couldn’t be serious! “Oh, poor thing, you’re suffering memory loss. Let me remind you, I’m an adult woman, one you can’t handle.”

At least he had the decency to lower his eyes in shame for a mere second. “That was a long time ago, Jewels.
Can we speak in private?”

Jewels had a strong urge to flip him off, but what good would it
do? “We have nothing to say.”

“Then I’ll tell you what I have to say
right here.”

Looking around,
she found there were people everywhere. Bystanders were the last thing she needed if she ended up telling Kiefer exactly what she thought of him. That would certainly spin the rumor mill off its axis. Reluctantly, she nodded. “Follow me.” She led him down a narrow hall to a private office that only committee members used. Once inside with the door closed, she turned on him, fuming. “I don’t know what stunt you’re trying to pull, but I’m busy. You have one minute to say what you need to.”

He twisted his hands. “I owe you an apology for what I’ve done. It was an impulsive move on my part.”

“So now you’re saying sleeping with your young assistant was impulsive?” She shook her head, tightening her hold on the doorknob until her fingers ached. “By the way, where is your assistant this evening? Did she have a frat party to attend? Or hanging with the BFFs at a slumber party?”

He sighed. “Alaina is married now. And I made a mistake.”

Jewels chuckled but the sound fizzled on her lips, making it sound more like a screech. “Save it, Kiefer. The opportunity for an explanation has long passed. I’m done with this conversation.”

“You’re looking great
, Jewels—we’ve always fit together perfectly. You made me want to become a better man. I could see my political career only going forward with you on my arm. I want your forgiveness. Think we can talk after this thing?”

Wrinkles around his eyes
and mouth had deepened. He’d lost his charm—at least to her. Jewels guessed living in the fast lane for too long could age a person. Kiefer had always wanted more, commanded the social light. Of course, a man who wanted a political profession would have a hard time explaining his fascination with young women fresh out of college.

And
it no longer mattered to Jewels.

“
I once thought I needed to see you for closure, but there’s nothing that either of us have left to say. There’s no excuse for cheating, but I know that you and I were over. Neither of us wanted to admit it. I knew it, but I wish we could have just said the words before I walked in and saw the truth right before my very eyes.” She opened the door. “Now, I’ve got to go.”

“Alaina isn’t the impulsive action I was meaning.”

His words sent a chill through her blood. She closed the door and turned, seeing his pale expression
told her she wouldn’t like what he would tell her. “Then what?”

“Over the last year I’ve done a lot of self-reflection and I’ve changed.
I’ve become an improved man and once I had put my priorities straight, I saw that I had let the best thing that’s happened to me get away. That’s you, Jewels. I came to the Rhinestone hoping to speak to you. I showed up late, uninvited, but I needed to get my feelings off my chest. While I sat in my car in the driveway, planning what I’d say so I wouldn’t screw things up, I saw you leave the house. I’d only meant to catch up to you and talk. I saw you enter the hand lodging.”

Jewels’ took a step closer to
him. “You were there the night of the storm?”

He nodded. “Yes. It
didn’t take much investigating to find out who the new hand was at the Rhinestone. I needed to know my competition if I had a chance of getting you back.”

Wrapping her arms
tight around her waist, she trembled as truth came together like a puzzle. “And you thought if you called my father and told him about Spark, your competition would be eliminated and you’d get me back?”

He pushed his fingers
through his neatly styled hair. “I’m not proud of what I’ve done. I’m sorry.”

Revulsion rolled down her spine. “Why are you telling me now? I would have never
guessed. And we both know you’re not worried about a squeaky clean conscious.”

His sigh echoed off the walls. “I didn’t want
Em to get the blame for what I’d done.”

His words pounded through Jewels, making her dizzy. “Ho-how did you know I blamed
Em?” She needed to hear everything, even if it killed her.

“She called me.”

“Have you two been talking?”

“Don’t blame her, Jewels. I call her on occasion and ask about you. At first she wouldn’t take my calls, but once I explained how much of an ass I was to you, and I wanted you back, she then understood.”

Moisture filled Jewels’ eyes as betrayal landed hard in her heart. “Kiefer, let’s get something clear. The odds of you and I getting back together are as favorable as you being elected for a political office. Not ever going to happen.” Dropping her arms to her sides, she straightened her spine and looked him in the eye. “And if you dare call, meet, or say a word to my sister again, I’ll personally see that you’re mopping the floors at that big corporate building where you reign as CEO. I know some of the shareholders, and I wonder how a rumor regarding your tastes for college assistants would influence your clean reputation?”

He turned white. Sweeping past her, he threw open the door and stomped out.

Pulling in her hurt emotions and anger, Jewels took a deep calming breath and left the room.

She made it back to the party and Pearl rushed to her side. “Where were you?”

“Taking out the trash,” Jewels said.

Pearl squinted. “You missed
Spark.”

“What are you talking about?” Jewels skimmed the room full of people.

“He was auctioned, and then he took off.”

Jewels raced toward the exit, down the hall, not caring that people were watching her. Once she pushed through the double doors and into the parking lot, she scanned the mass of cars.
Hope fizzled. She started to turn back, but movement caught her attention. In the distance, she could see a cowboy hat.

“Spark?” she yelled.

Slipping off her heels, she ran barefoot across the cement.

“Spark?”

This time he stopped and turned. Once she reached him, she was gulping air.

“Jewels, what are you doing?”

She paced her breathing then dropped her gaze over his black tux. This put a whole new spin on sexy cowboy. “You look good.”

“So do you.” He pushed back his hat. “But why have you chased me down? And you’re missing your shoes.”

“Pearl told me you left. I wanted to catch you.” Drops of rain splattered on her face and she swiped the wetness away.

“
Jewels, go back inside. You’re going to get soaked.”

“I have something I have to say.”

He strolled closer. “There’s nothing to say.”

“Trust
me, I have a lot I want to tell you.”

“Look, you and I had
a coupla good times, but we both knew from the start it would only last temporarily. Let’s leave it at that.” He turned and started for his truck.

“Don’t walk away from me!” Jewels
rushed to him.

“Go back to the party. The rain is coming down harder.” He unlocked the
driver’s door.

“I won’t melt.” Her bottom lip trembled as
a chill raced through her.

“Damn, Jewels, let’s n
ot draw this out unnecessarily.”

“I planned to bid for you, Spark.”

He brought his chin up. Half of his face was shadowed. “Yeah, but you didn’t.”

“I was held up.”

“Held up?” He laughed, and shudders slid down Jewels’ spine. He crossed the short distance between them. “It was an auction, Jewels. No big deal, right? But unfortunately, it meant something to me. I won’t mince the truth. I’d hoped you would step up for the first time and show all of these people how you feel…about me. I was a fool because I believed you had feelings, but tonight proves that I’m not the man you need. And quite frankly, you’re not the woman I need.” He went back to his truck and opened the door.

“I know I’ve been cold and distant because I was hurt.
But when you came along, you stripped all of my barriers and made me see who I really am—what I really want. I’m sorry that I let you down tonight. I can’t change that, unfortunately. I believe you are the man for me, and I have to believe I’m the woman for you. I’m asking for another opportunity to prove where my heart is. So if you have a sliver of feeling left for me, then come to Rhinestone tonight at midnight.”

“I don’t think—”

“Please. Don’t say another word. Just be there if you see a future for us.”

~°°°~

Spark sat in his truck in the parking lot, staring at the door where Jewels disappeared back into the building.

His pride had taken a hit
when Jewels hadn’t bid for him. He had no clue who actually did win a date with him, and he didn’t much care. All he knew, it wasn’t the woman he wanted.

And now
, Jewels had confessed her feelings, throwing him for a triple loop.

He scrubbed his jaw.
What the hell?

No denying he wanted a future with her, but
actions spoke louder than words. He wasn’t sure she was ready to commit, to any man, and he couldn’t be with someone who didn’t share the same level of emotions.

Somewhere along the way
, he’d fallen for Jewels.

He wanted more than a partner in bed.
More than a midnight visitor.

Glancing at the dash,
the digital clock read eleven P.M.

Turning the key, the
engine purred alive. Reversing out of the parking space, he shifted into drive and headed away from the building—and Jewels.

At the stop sign, he
pushed the brake and hesitated, thinking over his options. Left would lead him toward Rhinestone and a life of uncertainty. Right would lead him back to where he came from, his childhood home. He’d never gotten the chance to talk to Jewels about his family, and the ranch where he’d grown up. Hell, there was a lot they didn’t know about one another.