Storm's End Page 7

  On the pretext of going into the lobby to have a cigarette, Blaise left mother and daughter to have a private visit together, but Julie was aware of his real intent. Not only was he providing them with the opportunity to be alone for a few minutes, he had gone in search of the doctor to discover the true state of Ruth's present condition. Far from resenting it as she once had, now Julie was grateful that he so quietly shouldered the many details that by rights should have been hers to handle. They might clash loudly and often, but all the same she was not entirely blinded to his good qualities. Blaise was a man with a deep sense of commitment to those who needed him and, with no fanfare whatsoever, he did what he deemed to be necessary, asking nothing in return.

  When he rejoined them a few minutes later, Julie got to her feet at once and they bid Ruth goodbye with the promise that they would see her again in the evening.

  "What did the doctor say?" Julie questioned eagerly as they stepped into an elevator to carry them down to the ground floor.

  Blaise grinned at her. "He's quite happy with her progress. Of course he's cautious enough to say there's always a chance that there could be a setback but he seems confident that there's no real danger of it. His exact words were that she's doing remarkably better than any of us have any right to expect."

  Julie's eyes lit up with a quiet joy. "I'm just so happy, I…"

  "Julie." Blaise spoke in a low, solemn voice. "Since she's coming along so well, I'm going to book a flight to return home tomorrow."

  Julie's heart zoomed to rock bottom. It was not that she had not been expecting this because she had, but all the same she could not help the disappointment that suddenly washed over her. She felt as though she had suddenly been abandoned and it gave her an odd, hollow feeling somewhere in the region of her heart.

  But she was aware that Blaise was watching her closely for her reaction and now she swallowed over the lump that was lodged in her throat. Then she gave him the most brilliant smile she could muster. Not for the world would she let him see that he had just pulled all the props out from under her.

  "Of course," she agreed in a lighthearted voice that was forced. "You can't be expected to stay here indefinitely, chauffeuring me back and forth to the hospital and going on jaunts to San Jacinto, the Astrodome and Galveston beach. You're eager to get back to your work and…" here she faltered momentarily, "and other things, and I understand perfectly."

  The elevator rattled to a stop and the doors slid open. They had arrived on the ground floor. Julie stepped out hastily so that Blaise could not see her face and the struggle she was having to keep it expressionless.

  "Julie!" Blaise reached out and grabbed her arm, halting her headlong flight. Gently, he pulled her around to face him. His eyes were incredibly soft as he gazed down at her. "I'm not going because I want to leave you," he said quietly. "But I need to get back to the office. There are a number of things that need my attention. Still, I wouldn't go if Ruth weren't doing so well and if she does develop problems," now the dark eyes were intense as they bored into hers, "you have only to call me and I'll come straight back. Do you understand?"

  Julie nodded. "Certainly. I already told you I did. Don't worry about me, Blaise. I can manage just fine. I'm just sorry you've been tied down here this long and…"

  Blaise's other hand shot out to grip her shoulder and he gave her a little shake. "I'm not," he repeated forcefully, "leaving because I want to go, and I have not been feeling tied down here. I came because I wanted to. Do you believe me?"

  Julie did not believe it for one second. He had come because he felt it his duty, but now that her mother was apparently out of danger, he was eager to get on with his own life. Still, she nodded, all the same. They were beginning to attract the odd glance or two from passers-by and besides, she wanted to be done with this conversation.

  The remainder of the day was spoiled. Julie was acutely aware of the swift passage of time, of how mercilessly the clock ticked onward, bringing closer the moment when Blaise would be leaving and her heart grew heavier each hour. And yet, it was senseless and silly to feel that way, she chided herself severely. Originally, she had expected to be on her own here while her mother was in the hospital and the prospect had not dismayed her over much. But from the moment Blaise had walked into that waiting room, something had happened to change her. Until this past week, she had always considered herself very independent and perfectly content to run her own life and yet here she was, dreading Blaise's departure as though she were to be left alone on a deserted island. In a few short days she had come to depend on him to a ridiculous extent, and it was, she told herself scathingly, high time she got a grip on herself. Never once, her thoughts went on, had she felt so dependent on Duane while they had been engaged, so why should she feel this way about Blaise?

  There was no answer to the question and, anyway, she really did not have the time to examine her emotions. It was a busy day. Blaise made his flight reservation and then they went to a bank to cash a few traveler's checks so that he could leave her with sufficient funds. Then, there was a trip to a shopping center where they placed an order for their own floral offering to Ruth and Julie purchased a new nightgown for her mother, a couple of paperback novels and a few magazines. Then there was another trip to a supermarket for more grocery supplies, although Blaise promised her they would dine out that evening in one of Houston's finest restaurants. After that it was back to the apartment where Julie packed Blaise's bag while he made a few business telephone calls and almost before she realized it, it was time to return to the hospital for another visit.

  As she dressed that evening, Julie decided she was glad the day had been filled with numerous errands. It had kept her mind off her low spirits. And the most difficult part of the day had been hiding those feelings from Blaise, something she was determined to do.

  She slipped into a canary-yellow dress that heightened the tone of her tanned skin and cast a golden glow to her dark brown hair. There were only thin straps above the snug-fitting bodice which emphasized the round fullness of her breasts and the narrowness of her waist. Her hair curled back from her face, a dark foil for its delicate frame and clear gray eyes. For makeup, she added only a light touch of mascara and a coral lipgloss. Julie knew she looked her best tonight, but she took no pleasure in the knowledge. She had taken extra pains so that Blaise would not be ashamed of her looks when he took her out to dinner.

  He was waiting for her in the living room. When she entered, he laid aside the Post he had been reading and stood up at once. Gone were the casual shirts and slacks of the past few days. Instead, tonight he wore a dark suit that molded itself perfectly across his shoulders and around his long, lean legs.

  He smiled appreciatively at her, his eyes frankly and boldly enjoying what they saw. "You're very beautiful tonight, Mrs. Richard."

  His words gave her a jolt. Julie caught her breath on the surprise and then, unaccountably, a warmth spread its way through her being and without any conscious effort, she smiled back.

  "Why, thank you, Mr. Richard," she responded. "You're looking rather grand yourself."

  Blaise laughed and gave a mock bow. "Well, now, we've got that settled, shall we go? We're running a little late and I imagine your mother is wondering where we are. But I warn you, we can't stay too long. Our dinner reservation is at eight."

  "All right." Julie took a step toward the door, then stopped abruptly. "Oh, I almost forgot the things I was planning to take to Mom." She turned to retrace her steps to the bedroom.

  "Julie?"

  The one word halted her and Julie half-turned to glance back over her shoulder.

  Blaise had crossed the room to stand directly behind her and there was a curious light in his eyes that seemed as unfathomable as a dark velvet night.

  "Would you do a favor for me tonight?" he asked softly.

  "What is it?"

  "Would you get your rings and put them on for the evening after we've seen your mother?" He gave a tiny smile.
"Just for tonight I'd like the rest of the world to see the evidence that you are my wife."

  Julie's heart fluttered in her breast like the whispering of a butterfly's wings against a rose petal. She was mesmerized by the strange expression on his face. It was reckless, perhaps foolish, but suddenly she wanted very much to please him. She wanted him to go on looking at her admiringly and damn the consequences.

  Her lips formed a suddenly shy smile. "All… all right," she stammered huskily.

  "Thank you." Blaise's voice was quiet and yet there was a vibrancy in it that sent a little thrill streaking through Julie.

  The evening was so perfect it might have been created especially for the two of them alone. The night air held a silky warmth; the dinner was exquisite; the wine mellow, but none of those things would have counted at all if it were not for Blaise himself, Julie thought. Throughout dinner, he entertained her with accounts of his childhood, interspersed with questions about hers. She was being given a glimpse into all that had gone into the making of the man who sat across from her and it made her wish that she could have known him before. And yet, it was the here and now that counted and tonight there was no question that Blaise was looking at her the way a man does when he admires a woman in the age-old way.

  After dinner they went dancing, and for Julie the night had become totally magical. It felt so right to be held in Blaise's arms, to have his dark head pressed warmly against hers as their bodies swayed in unison to the soft, sensuous throbbing of the music.

  It was nearing midnight when they returned to the apartment. Julie felt a pleasant, floating sensation, as though she were entirely detached from the outside world. There was only this place, this time and this man.

  Blaise bolted the door and when he came to take her into his arms, Julie was neither surprised nor resistant. She had known all evening, deeply within her, that this moment would come and she gave herself to it without any hesitation or conscious decision.

  Desire flamed in Blaise's eyes as he held her and slowly he bent his head and his lips claimed hers in forceful possession. Julie's soft lips quivered and parted as his mouth probed, sought and demanded all the sweetness that her kiss had to give.

  A flood tide of emotion swept through Julie. Blaise's lips branded with fire every place they touched on her sensitive skin, her eyes, her cheeks, her ear, her lips again and then lower still to her throat and the shadowed hollow between her breasts. She quivered as a radiating need pulsed through her veins, rendering her totally vulnerable. Her hands clung to his arms and then they slowly moved up his shoulders and her fingers entwined themselves in his thick hair, gently bringing the dark head lower.

  He gave a strangled groan and shoved aside one of the straps of her dress and his hand ever so gently slid inside the bodice and long fingers curved around her breast. The hard strength of his body was warm against hers as his other hand around her waist slid down to her hips and pressed her closely to him.

  "I want you desperately," Blaise murmured huskily as he lifted his head at last. "I want to see you, to hold you, to make love to you." Now both his hands went to the center of her back and unerringly found the zipper on her dress. A moment later the dress slid to the floor and, after the briefest pause, her bra followed. Blaise looked boldly at the pale, creamy whiteness of her breasts and Julie's face, already flushed from arousal, colored even more.

  "You're exquisite, my darling," Blaise whispered before he crushed her to him once more.

  Julie gave a shaken laugh as she tried to catch her breath. "This isn't fair!" she protested unevenly. She drew back slightly and began shoving away his jacket and tugging at his tie.

  With a tiny smile to his lips, Blaise released her long enough to shrug off the jacket and watched her with tender amusement as she unbuttoned his shirt and lightly ran the palm of her hand across his bare flesh. The feel of his warm skin and wiry hair gave her a sensuous pleasure she had never before experienced, and impulsively she leaned forward and planted a kiss in the center of his chest.

  Blaise's laugh was exultant as he caught the exploratory hand and brought it up to his lips. "We're wasting time in here," he said thickly. "I want to make love to you properly… in bed." He released her hand and an instant later scooped her up into his arms.

  Their eyes were level now as he held her and there was no mistaking the hungering passion that smouldered in his.

  "Don't… don't you think I'm capable of walking?" Julie teased as her fascinated gaze studied the outline of his smiling lips from this fresh angle.

  Blaise shook his head. "You might get lost," he answered softly, "and whatever else happens, I don't want to lose you now that I've found you."

  "You don't?" Her brows lifted questioningly and her lips twitched as Blaise frowned at her with mock severity.

  "You ask entirely too marry questions," he informed her. "Shut up and kiss me."

  Julie complied, but just as her lips brushed his, the startling ring of the telephone shattered the magical moment.

  "Damn!" Blaise growled. "Let's ignore it," he suggested in a gruff voice.

  Julie shook her head. "We can't," she said helplessly. "It might be the hospital calling about Mom."

  Blaise sighed audibly and with reluctance lowered her to her feet.

  Heedless of her still half-naked state, Julie whirled and picked up the receiver, since she was nearest the telephone. All thoughts of the preceding few minutes faded without a trace as she braced herself for possible bad news. After all, no one would be calling at this hour of the night unless it was of real importance.

  "Hello?" she managed to croak out in a low voice.

  "Hello?" The feminine voice at the other end of the wire had a throaty huskiness to it. "I'm calling long distance. Is Blaise in?"

  Julie's blood turned to ice. Blaise moved to her side and as she glanced up at him, all the passion that had softened her eyes only moments before was gone. "Yes," she spoke into the receiver in a flat, emotionless voice. "Just a minute." Stiffly, she held the receiver out to Blaise. "It's your girlfriend," she told him in a low undertone. There was absolute certainty within her, and as he took the phone, Julie stepped over to where her dress lay in a crumpled heap on the carpet.

  "Julie," Blaise whispered, "wait!" But she did not even glance his way in her rush to leave the room.

  In her bedroom, she dropped the dress to the floor once more and went across to the bureau to pull out a nightgown. By this time she was trembling with reaction over how close she had come to giving herself completely to Blaise. Idiot that she was, she had totally forgotten there was another more important woman in his life and without a single thought given to logic, she had been ready to jump overboard simply due to the lure of a virile, masculine body and a combination tender-teasing smile.

  The bedroom door opened and Blaise walked inside the room, still bare-chested. The sinewy muscles in his arms gleamed in the lamp light. "Julie," he began as he moved toward her.

  Julie backed away, suddenly aware that her body must be fully revealed beneath the thin wisp of the gown's fabric and she grabbed for her robe and held it bunched in front of her. "Get out of here!" she hissed venomously.

  "You can't mean that!" Blaise exclaimed sharply. He extended a hand and lightly touched her shoulder but when she jerked free, his eyes narrowed.

  "Look," he said in exasperation, "I'm sorry about the interruption, but it doesn't change anything. I…"

  "It changes everything!" Julie cried. "It brought me to my senses!"

  "You know you want me!" Blaise groaned hoarsely. "And I want you. A few minutes ago you were willing enough to let me make love to you."

  "Don't remind me!" She turned her head to the side and closed her eyes for a second. Then she steeled herself to meet his gaze once more. "I don't want you!" she said in a cold, measured tone. "Now, please, get out of this room."

  "So…" Blaise's voice was suddenly a harsh, grating sound. "For a few minutes there, you really had me fooled, didn't yo
u?"

  "I don't know what you mean," she murmured.

  "For a little while you were behaving like a normal woman, soft and warm and yielding, but you can't finish what you start, can you?" His tone was deliberately insulting. "You were playing a teasing game, leading me on, but you had no intention from the beginning of carrying through." An ugly sneer distorted his features. "You played me for a sucker, lady, but you won't get the chance to do that again." He gave his head a slight shake. "I should have had better sense than to think a hard-boiled frigid woman like you could possibly become human."

  "I am not frigid!" Julie was stung to retort.

  "No?" He quirked an eyebrow at her and challenged, "Then prove it." He crossed his arms and waited.

  Julie glared at him with hatred. "I don't need to prove anything," she said hotly, "especially to you. Just because I was forced into marrying you, it doesn't follow that I have to appease your lusts and I don't intend to…" Suddenly she was talking to thin air. Blaise had left the room, banging the door sharply behind him.

  Julie was trembling with rage and wild frustration. She shoved a chair beneath the door knob, feeling foolish as she did so. After the scene just past, it was highly unlikely that Blaise would attempt to reenter her room tonight, but all the same she wasn't taking any chances.

  She threw back the covers of the bed and climbed miserably into it. She switched off the lamp and curled her body into a tightly coiled little ball.

  "Frigid," Blaise had called her. Surely that word must be one of the worst indictments a man could make against a woman, and what made it even worse was knowing how unjust, how untrue it was. Her treacherous body had responded to his every touch, every caress with shameless abandon and if that telephone call had not come, nothing would have stopped her from wholeheartedly giving herself to him. And anyway, how could he dare to make such a sweeping condemnation of her and her motives? He accused her of merely trying to make a fool of him when just the opposite was true. Blaise loved that other woman, the one who had called so timely, and he had only been amusing himself at her, Julie's, expense. He was ready to take advantage of the legal circumstances of their marriage, to take what she had to offer physically, but his heart, his real feelings, were for someone else and Julie hated herself for having forgotten that fact for a single instant. Blaise was an opportunist, purely and simply, without any thought or consideration for her feelings in the matter. If they had made love and then Blaise returned to the other woman once they were back in Louisiana, Julie knew she could never have recovered from the blow, because she wasn't like Blaise. Her emotions were involved.