“And now, a toast to the newest shining star of the design world. May all your dreams come true and everything you touch turn to money!” She looked around at her friends and grinned. “’cause God knows that’s what makes it all worth it!”
She was answered with shouts of “Amen, sister!” as they drank again. Emma eyed her full glass with some trepidation but taking a deep breath, she bravely drank it down. She managed to move out of Jessica’s reach this time and recovered without anyone’s assistance but she begged out of the next round, still wiping the tears from her watering eyes and watching in amazement as these sophisticated women who were the pillars of society polished the entire bottle off.
Jessica rose slowly to her feet when the last glass was emptied.
“Ladies, Emma and I thank you for your support and now I bid you all goodnight. You all know the way to the door and the gentlemen will be more than happy to assist you in getting home. I trust none of you are driving. We shall be gone soon enough without any help from our own stupidity.” She turned elegantly, pausing to pick up her discarded high heels and walked very carefully out the door.
The women stood, still laughing and reliving the finer moments of the party and sharing tidbits of gossip like a bunch of schoolgirls leaving the prom. Emma followed, envious of their ability to walk straight and still act as if they had all been drinking the blandest tea. After only two shots, she was as wobbly as a first timer. Her head cleared somewhat as they stood on the wide porch waiting for the cars to be brought round. Emma laughed as she watched them climb into their vehicles, waving and calling out their delight to each other when they realized Jessica had provided them all with a driver. Another man followed the last car, his assignment to pick them up at their various destinations and bring them back. Left alone, Emma hesitated. Jessica must have assumed she would be spending the night. She actually felt good enough to drive now that she had gotten some fresh air. The staff had not yet finished clearing the last of the food so she decided to go back in and fix herself a small sandwich before she left, sure that would be enough to make it safe for her to drive. She had just reached the door when she heard the sound of a car pulling up. Turning around to see who had left something, she gave a squeal of pure joy and rushed down the steps. It was Blake getting out of the car. He barely had time to look up before she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
“Oh Blake, you made it!” she cried happily. “I was just about to leave. I can’t believe you’re here! When did you get back?” Before he could answer, she pulled his head down and kissed him.
Blake responded immediately, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her. Her gown was cut very low in the back and the feel of her silky skin against his hands brought his body to full attention. He slid one hand up to cup the back of her head and the other down to grasp her behind, kneading the firm flesh, completely forgetting where they were at when he discovered she didn’t have on any panties. Both were breathing heavily when they ended the kiss and Emma leaned her forehead against his chest trying to compose herself.
He tilted her chin up and smiled. “Young lady, you’ve been drinking.”
She blushed deeply. “How do you know, smarty?”
He ran his tongue across her lips, tasting her. Her knees weakened, making her grasp his strong arms for support. She watched as he licked his own lips slowly, feeling the heat beginning to rise inside her again.
“I’d know the taste of Southern Comfort anywhere,” he answered in a husky voice. “Let me guess. Jessica was celebrating the success of yet another fabulous party?”
Her eyes were sparkling as she giggled. “Oh Blake, you should’ve seen her! It was wonderful!” she said in a rush of words. “She introduced me to everybody and Alicia’s photographer took about a million pictures and the women were all so beautiful and the men were unbelievably handsome even though it was supposed to be just a barbeque! I’ve never been to a barbeque like this before!”
He threw his head back and roared with laughter. Finally, he placed his finger against her lips to stop the flow of words.
“I think I’d better take you home.”
“But what about my car?” she asked, frowning. “I think I’m okay to drive but you can follow me if it will make you feel better.”
He opened the passenger door. “Not hardly, sweetheart.” He gently pushed her inside and fastened the seatbelt around her. “You can tell Jessica a Good Samaritan gave you a ride home when you pick it up tomorrow or else she can have one of her many handsome young men bring it to you.”
Emma looked at him with wide eyes as he got in and started the car.
“They’re not all young,” she said. “As a matter of fact, Scott is pretty old!”
He grimaced at her description. “Emma, Scott’s the same age as me.”
She covered her mouth with her hand, horrified at what she had just said.
“Oh Blake, I’m so sorry,” she said, her words muffled. “I didn’t mean old old! Just older!”
He reached for her hand, pulling it away from her mouth and kissing each finger.
“Emma, hush. Just close your eyes. I’ll wake you when we get there.”
“But Blake, I’m not sleepy,” she protested with a delicate yawn.
“Shhh,” he whispered, closing her eyes with a gentle brush of his fingertips. She was asleep before he reached the interstate two miles away.
Alicia leaned forward and tapped her driver on the shoulder. “Jason, I’m so sorry but I left my purse on the porch.”
He brought the car to a smooth stop then put it in reverse to back up.
“Don’t bother driving back,” she said. “Just pull over. It’s only a short walk.” She slid from the back seat. “I’ll be right back.”
She had just closed the door when a car turned in driving toward the house on the other side of the massive fountain that lay in the middle of the circular drive. She frowned when she didn’t recognize the car. Who in the work would be showing up this late? It was almost one am! She started walking quickly. Whoever it was, they knew the gate code so they obviously had been there before but she was concerned just the same. She had almost reached the porch when she stopped abruptly and stepped back into the shadows. She narrowed her eyes, confused by what she was seeing. She may not have seen the car before but that was definitely Blake Rochester getting out of it. What was he doing here? She had been in the room when he had called last night to talk to Jessica just as he did every night when he was out of town and she distinctly remembered hearing Jessica say he was in Brazil for at least three more days. She was just about to step forward and ask him that very question when she suddenly jumped back, startled by the sound of a woman squealing. When she saw who it was she gasped loudly. The woman who rushed down the steps and threw herself into his arms wasn’t Jessica; it was Emma! She was becoming more confused by the minute. She had never heard Emma mention meeting Blake. Then suddenly, it all became crystal clear. Her stomach rolled with nausea as she watched them. Blake was all but undressing Emma right there in the driveway, kissing her and groping her ass like a teenager! When they finally broke apart, she could hear them breathing heavily, Blake’s erection blatantly displayed by the tight jeans he wore. Their words carried clearly through the clear night causing Alicia to clench her fists in rage. The bastard obviously wasn’t surprised by Emma’s greeting
