IOU Sex Part 7

I looked at Michael. "Maybe this is bad idea."

"Oh, h.e.l.l no." He shut off the engine and got out of the car. "We're in it to win it."

I did a last-minute makeup and hair check and freshened my lipstick. I took a deep breath as the car door opened. Michael offered me his hand. Letting him help me out of the car, I gripped his hand so tightly he frowned.

"Hey, chill."

I nodded and took a deep breath. "No turning back now."

He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. "You look fantastic. Don't doubt it for a second. You'll be the hottest woman here."

I laughed. "You're definitely good for my ego-and my nerve."

Grinning at me, he said, "I'm actually looking forward to seeing you pull this off. I love witnessing a much-deserved comeuppance."

"Just cross your fingers I don't screw it up."

He gave me a little squeeze. "Chin up."

I lifted it a notch. Squared my shoulders. Ignored the tumble my stomach took as we crossed the asphalt parking lot. Yes, I was nervous, but having such a successful, intelligent and kindhearted man by my side was empowering. Comforting, even, because I knew he was a true friend.

"You really are a gem," I told him.

"You're not so bad yourself."

I actually smiled as we entered what Michael had so adequately termed the lion's den.

In reality, it was a large white tent set up on the event lawn of the winery. The forecast called for a late-afternoon drizzle. Inside the tent, heaters kept the air toasty. A good thing, because I'd bypa.s.sed the overcoat, not wanting anything to detract from the dress.

As we walked in, my cousins Martin and Matthew did a double take. Uncle Lawrence gasped.

Aunt Judith narrowed her eyes as though staring at a mirage. "Fiona?" she asked, not quite recognizing me.

I greeted everyone as we pa.s.sed by. Within seconds, heads snapped in our direction and conversations waned. Michael lifted two gla.s.ses of champagne from the tray of a pa.s.sing waiter and handed one to me. I took it with shaky fingers, but felt much steadier when he placed his free hand against the small of my back.

I held my head a little higher and smiled at the guests, all doing double takes now, or craning their necks to look at us. I'm sure they were all shocked I'd had the guts to come to the party. Even more stunned, considering how I looked and whom I was with.

Michael bent his head and whispered in my ear, "You are definitely giving them something to talk about."

He'd barely gotten the words out when Aunt Delia said, "Good Lord. You look...stunning."

I was about to thank her when my mother's high-and-mighty shrill suddenly filled the air. "Fiona Leslie Carlisle." Disappointment. I recognized the tone.

She cut through the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea. "You're la-" She didn't get the word late out. She stared at me, seeing my red dress, high heels and hot man for the first time. Her mouth gaped. Her eyes widened.

A hush fell over the crowd.

Aha, success! I'd left them all speechless.

"Sorry to be late, Mother," I said with a smile I couldn't contain. "We lost track of the time." I'm sure there was a sparkle in my eye. And I'm sure it backed up my innuendo that we'd been up to no good. "You remember Michael Houston, don't you?" I continued. "The photographer. He's currently got a book on the New York Times Best Seller List."

She didn't say a word, just continued to stare at me.

There was a bit of a commotion in the crowd that had all turned to witness the spectacle I'd created. A moment later, Lizzie burst forth, dressed in a pale blue silk suit consisting of a long skirt and a short jacket. She wore diamond earrings that rivaled the ma.s.sive rock on her left hand.

She took one look at me then turned her attention to our mother. "I told you she didn't read the invitation, Mother." To me, she said, "The attire is country club chic. Not Manhattan strip club."

This garnered a few snickers from my relatives and the Corbetts. And one chuckle from the devilish man next to me.

Heat crept up my neck because I knew I was pus.h.i.+ng some serious boundaries here and making a scene my family would fume over. Yet, I drew strength from Michael being in this with me. I also felt bold and daring because of the backbone I'd finally grown.

"This is supposed to be a party, isn't it?" I pointed out. The band was about the only group that hadn't fallen silent to witness the exchange between my sister and me. Turning to my date, I said, "Let's dance."

He grinned at me. To my family, he said, "Nice to see you all again."

Then he led me out to the dance floor that was set up in front of a twelve-piece band. It took a few moments for the conversations to start up again. Michael and I deposited our drinks on a nearby table. As he pulled me into his arms, the discussions around us turned animated. I had no doubt we were the headlining topic.

My heart pounded and my stomach lurched into my throat, but I managed to ask, "Mission accomplished?"

"And then some."

I bit back a grin. "Did you see the looks on their faces? Especially my mother and Lizzie."

"I'd say this is one party they'll be talking about for weeks to come."

"Thank you for being here with me," I said. It occurred to me that the thundering of my heart had little to do with the scene I'd just made or the fact that I was at my sister and ex-fiance's engagement party. Being with Michael, on his arm-in his arms-was what I found exhilarating.

As he whirled me around the floor, making me feel graceful even though I wasn't particularly comfortable in such high heels, he said, "You realize you're center stage. Everyone's watching us."

"That's because we're the only ones dancing. And because you are so unbelievably gorgeous."

He laughed. "Trust me, they haven't even gotten to me yet. They're all still gawking over how sensational you look."

I had to admit, I felt sensational. How could I not? Michael could have any woman he wanted...and he currently wanted me. In fact, his gaze never even wandered toward the other women in the tent. He seemed to only have eyes for me. This warmed my heart and gave me another little shot of that confidence I'd been lacking for far too long.

"I can't imagine being here with anyone else," I told him. "In fact, I knew the moment my mother mentioned the party, you were the only one who could help me survive this."

He held me a little tighter and smiled down at me. "You're the one taking all the risks. But we do make a good team."

I nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

We stayed out on the dance floor for several more songs. Then he retrieved fresh gla.s.ses of champagne for us. He guided me over to a quiet corner and gave me a serious look.

"I want us to get back together."

My knees nearly knocked together. I knew he wouldn't put that sentiment out there in an arbitrary way.

"Maybe," I suggested, "we could go on another date."

He shook his head. "I'm not talking about casual dating. I'm talking about an exclusive relations.h.i.+p. Spending nights together. Talking about what we want for the future."

Anxiety skittered down my spine. "The future? I'm a little too emotionally charged this weekend to think about all of this. I need a clear head."

"Tell me you'll consider it."

My toes were suddenly frosty. Of course, I wanted to be with him. But I was still emotionally timid and relations.h.i.+p gun-shy.

"I need...some time." I looked away from him and caught one of my cousins flagging me down, beckoning me to join her group.

"Admit this feels right," he persisted.

"You're pus.h.i.+ng too hard." The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them. I sighed. My emotions were too amped up for such a serious conversation. I knew I'd end up saying all the wrong things and retreating into my sh.e.l.l again to protect myself, when that was really no longer what I wanted. I needed some solid ground under me for longer than one night. I needed to be able to make decisions when I wasn't on the spot during such a stressful time with my family.

But the way his jaw clenched made me fear he wouldn't understand how I felt. I simply added, "I still have to get through this party. I'm sorry."

I turned on my heels and made my way through the throng of people to get to Meredith. I had the feeling that was the last time Michael was going to broach this subject with me. I wouldn't blame him if he gave up. But I was too in need of resolving my past to think about my future.

Admittedly, it did scare me to think I'd just blown it with him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him mingle with the guests. He was popular with the men, many of whom I didn't recognize. They must have been Seth's friends, relatives and business a.s.sociates. They frequently shot looks my way before turning back to Michael. I guessed they were all curious to know our dating status. As was my cousin.

Meredith eyed me speculatively, a mixture of envy and surprise in her pale green eyes. Her tone held a hint of awe as she said, "We didn't know you were back together with Michael."

I cringed. I wasn't back together with him. Even less so after my little outburst.

"He is so gorgeous," she added.

The other women concurred.

"And look how he keeps an eye on you," one of them said in a dreamy voice. "Like he knows half the men in here are checking you out. The ones who aren't related to you, of course. Although, Martin and Matthew keep looking this way."

"Please," I said with a roll of my eyes. "Cousins."

"Well," Meredith interjected. "I just can't believe you're here. And in that dress..."

"Yes, Fiona." My sister's voice came from behind me. I bit back a sigh. She joined our small group and said, "What, exactly, were you thinking when you put it on?"

"Actually," one of the women came to my defense. "I like it. I wish I could pull off a dress like that."

Again, the others agreed.

Taken aback, Lizzie said to me in an accusatory tone, "You ruined my day on purpose."

She looked incredulous and so self-righteous, it made me laugh. "Calm down, Lizzie. It's just a dress. I didn't ruin anything."

Crossing her arms over her chest, she said, "Everyone is talking about you. This is my party, not yours."

"Then perhaps you shouldn't have invited me."

"I didn't have much choice, did I?" Her animosity was nothing new. "You being my sister and all."

"Yes, that relations.h.i.+p means so much to you," I couldn't help but say. Surprisingly, I was able to keep my tone calm and collected. "Here's the thing. I'm not out to ruin your day. So what if I'm not wearing 'country club chic.' Quite frankly, I don't know what the h.e.l.l that is."

Several nods from the women around me spurred me on.

"Unlike you, I'm not interested in being anyone's clone." I suddenly realized how very true that was.

Lizzie scoffed at me. "You came here, dressed like that, because you're jealous."

"Of what?" I countered.

"Me, of course. The fact that I'm the one marrying Seth."

I caught a glimpse of him behind Lizzie. He was of medium height and build. Pale blond hair. Brown eyes. Studious and lawyerly looking. He didn't hold a candle to my date. Not by way of appearance or character.

I was so over Seth. And I hadn't even realized it until this very moment.

The light bulb suddenly burned bright over my head as everything fell into place. "I came here, dressed like this, because it's what I wanted," I said. "I don't answer to anyone but me, Lizzie. And I wanted to show everyone they don't have to feel sorry for me because my little sister f.u.c.ked my fiance. In my own bed."

Shocked gasps ensued.

Lizzie visibly bristled. Her shoulders bunched and her cheeks and forehead turned pink, a telltale sign of her mounting anger and embarra.s.sment.

For the first time in my life, I didn't agonize over how my actions might affect her. I knew the time had come for me to worry a little more about my own feelings.

"You know what's interesting?" I continued on. "I'm not the one to be pitied. You are. All your life, you've done what others have told you to do, never finding your own way. You've always wanted what I had, never deciding what you wanted for yourself. That includes Seth."

I could have kicked myself for letting him sap my confidence. Who the h.e.l.l was he to take it from me, anyway? And why had I let my experience with him undermine my relations.h.i.+p with Michael? What a waste of mental energy as I'd agonized over someone I didn't even want.

"Jesus," I said as the revelation welled within me. "Why on earth would I want Seth when I can have a real man like Michael Houston?" My voice was a bit loud. Once again, heads turned in our direction. "In fact, I'm happy for you," I told my sister, taking advantage of her shocked silence. "You're getting exactly what you deserve. A lying, cheating b.a.s.t.a.r.d. We'll see how long this marriage lasts."

Okay, that stopped all conversations.

My sister glared at me for several tense seconds. Then she reached for the gla.s.s of champagne in my hand, too quick for me to think twice about handing it over. She threw the cold liquid in my face.

"Oh, my G.o.d!" Meredith screeched as she immediately searched her purse for tissues and handed them over.

I wasn't surprised by the attack. A simple pout wouldn't have sufficed for Lizzie this time. I'd mortified her beyond repair.

"I guess that excuses me from the wedding," I said as I dabbed at my face.

In my peripheral vision, I saw Michael moving in, looking ready to strangle Lizzie. My protector. He made my heart flutter. And this time, the feeling didn't scare me.

I held a hand up, stopping him in his tracks.

My mother, however, swooped in. "Elizabeth Marie Carlisle." Clearly she was appalled by my sister's actions. About time. To me, she said, "You really should keep your opinions to yourself."

"I'm ent.i.tled to voicing this one, don't you think, Mother?" Maybe it was the dress. Maybe it was Michael. Maybe it was the liberation I'd experienced over the past twenty-four hours. Whatever the reason, my nerve had returned in spades.