Midnight Diamonds (10 page)

He shook his head, but said nothing, choosing to look out the window instead of at her.

“Yes, I do. Just because I had a bad day doesn’t mean it was OK to take it out on you. I’m sorry.”

Frowning, he turned to her. “You were having a bad day?”

She nodded. “I don’t even remember what it was about, but I do remember what I said.”

“Is this because my mom threatened to go to the school board?” he asked with a smirk.

She considered avoiding his question, but decided to face it head on. “Partly, yes. But it’s my choice to talk to you. Like I said, if I’m worried or having a bad day, it’s wrong to dump it on you, isn’t it?”

Using an index finger to draw circles on the desk. “Yeah, I understand how that can happen. Um…I’m sorry, too. There’s some stuff going on in my life right now that’s hard.”

She softened her voice. “Do you want to talk about it?

He cleared his throat, but shook his head. “No. But it means a lot that you talked to me. Thanks.” Glancing at his watch, he peered out the window again as if he were waiting for something or someone.

She stood to let him know their meeting was over. “Clay, you can talk to me anytime. And if you need anything, come and ask me. I’ll do what I can to help you with whatever you’re going through. Deal?”

“Sure. Uh, thanks again.” He left the classroom, his head down and his backpack bouncing on his shoulder.

Well, Silver thought, that’s all I can do for now. While her next students entered the room in mass chaos, she watched through the window as Clay ran to a car. He opened the door, threw his backpack inside, and climbed into the car, which then sped out of the parking lot.

Why did he leave school? She thought about turning him in to the office, but something told her to wait.

Later, Silver saw Gracie in the teachers’ lunchroom, sitting alone at a table and staring at an apple. Every few seconds, the woman turned the piece of fruit with a short twist, cocking her head one way then the other as she examined it.

Ridiculous, Silver thought, but her feet headed over to Gracie’s table as if they had a mind of their own.

“Hi, Silver,” Gracie said with a smile. “Have a seat. Maybe you can help me.”

Silver sat down in one of the four chairs. “You need help with the apple?”

Her eyes fixed on the object of discussion, Gracie pursed her lips before she answered. “This is interesting. I can’t seem to find a bad angle. No matter which way I turn it, the apple is still beautiful.”

Silver decided that perhaps Gracie was a few apples shy of a full bushel. Older people were sometimes like that, after all. “I can honestly say I’ve never thought about an apple quite like that.”

Smiling, Gracie pushed the apple toward her then waved to the crabbiest teacher in the high school, Mrs. Pincher. “Perhaps you should. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could see only the beautiful side of each other?”

Silver frowned at the simplistic philosophy and at the smile Mrs. Pincher had given Gracie. “And what happens when we discover a bruise or a worm?”

“It’s still an apple, isn’t it? An unexpected complication or being invaded by something foreign doesn’t change what it is. Our perception about the fruit is what changes. After all, no one is perfect. We all have those bruised or rotten areas that other people avoid.” Gracie winked at old Mr. Winston, making the man chuckle as he drank his coffee.

Silver had never seen either of those teachers smile or laugh. The piercing look Gracie gave her made Silver squirm. “I thought we were talking about fruit.”

“Are people that much different?” Gracie stood and, with a pat on Silver’s shoulder, left the room. Silver picked up the apple and gazed at it.

“I’ll take apples for five hundred, Alex.”

Silver laughed and turned her head. “Hi, Becky.”

Her best friend sat down beside her, a neon green Visitor sticker stuck to her bright blue shirt. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by to see if you’d recovered from the weekend.”

“Thanks, I’m doing fine.” Silver glanced around the room, set the apple on the table, and lowered her voice. “I, uh…I received some flowers today.”

Becky scooted her chair closer. “And? Who sent them?”

Silver reached into a pocket and handed her the card.

After a few seconds of reading, Becky squealed and hugged her. “This is fabulous! You are going, right? You’ve called him?” When Silver didn’t answer, Becky let out a dramatic groan and pulled out her cell phone. “Of course, you haven’t.” She began dialing the number at the bottom of the card.

Silver reached for the phone. “Becky!”

Becky cleared her throat and held up a hand to shush her. “Yes, Miss Silver Madison calling for Mr. Rivers.” After a few seconds, Becky handed the phone to her with raised eyebrows.

“Silver?”

Hearing his voice again did strange things to her stomach. “Hi, Justin. Thank you for the flowers.”

Becky leaned closer to hear the conversation.

“I’m glad you like them. How about the way I used this week’s word?”

She chuckled as she pushed Becky away. “It was perfect.” One of those uncomfortable silences hung in the air until Silver spoke again. “Dinner sounds great.”

“Good! Is seven o’clock too early?”

Silver could hear Sam yelling in the background, something about being available for interviews.

“Seven o’clock is fine,” she said. “You know where I live.”

“Dress in something fancy. And Silver?”

“Yes?”

“I’m really glad you called.” The call disconnected, but not before she heard Justin tell Sam to shut up.

Silver handed the phone back to Becky and stared at the apple in wonder. “I have a date. Seven o’clock. He said it will be fancy.”

“I have the perfect dress.”

Silver winced, given her friend’s colorful taste in clothes. “I was thinking more like a blouse and skirt.”

“Dress,” Becky said more forcefully. “Something short and sexy.”

“How about my blue one?” Silver asked.

“No, a short black dress. With red accessories.” Becky stood. “Want me to come over to help you get dressed and to take pictures?”

Silver replied in a high voice: “Sure, Mom, but like, don’t be, like, late because, you know, the limo picks me up at seven and the dance starts at, like, eight.” Both women laughed as Silver rose. They turned to leave the room, but Becky’s words stopped her.

“Is that your apple, Sil?”

Silver picked it up. “You know what? I think it is.”

Chapter Seven

“Bling up the outfit!”

Silver checked herself in the bedroom mirror for the hundredth time. The long-sleeved, scoop neckline, black silk sheath dress stopped above her knees. Diamond earrings and red heels were her only accents. A small red-and-black clutch held the essentials: credit card, phone, and lip gloss.

She shook her head at Becky. “It’s fine. ‘Simplicity is the keynote to all true elegance.’”

“Your mother?”

“Coco Chanel, and she’s right. I don’t need bling to express myself.”

Becky snorted. “I’d go with chandelier earrings, lime green stilettos and a tangerine purse.”

Silver laughed. “You would not carry a tangerine purse, or orange anything.”

“True, but the lime green shoes? Oh, yeah.”

The doorbell rang and Silver took a shaky breath. “He’s here.”

“How do you know? Maybe I ordered pizza. Oh, and don’t forget this.” Becky extended her hand, holding a packaged condom.

“Oh, good grief, really?” She pushed away the offering and walked into the living room. Her heart stuttered when she opened the door to see Justin dressed in a black, western-cut tuxedo with a huge bouquet of fire and ice roses in his hand.

“Breathe, Sil,” Becky whispered.

Silver breathed. “Hi, Justin.” She smiled and gestured for him to come inside. “You look amazing.”

“Silver, you are…well, I need a new word, because beautiful isn’t enough.” He handed her the roses. “Hi, Becky. Good to see you again.”

“My, my, you do clean up nicely, cowboy.”

He laughed. “Good to know.”

Silver took the flowers. “The roses are wonderful.” She smelled them, but kept her eyes on him and felt herself blush. Why did this feel like a first date in high school? “Do you want to sit down and talk for a while?”

“If it’s all right with you, I’d like to leave now.”

Becky stepped forward. “Her curfew is midnight. Give me the flowers. Now, smile for Mama.” Becky held up her phone and waved them together, then took a picture. “Perfect. Have a great time!”

Silver chuckled. “Thanks, Mom.”

Justin took her hand and led her outside. Silver’s mouth dropped open when she saw a white Rolls Royce limousine beside the curb, a uniformed driver waiting by the passenger door.

“I thought you were kidding about the limo,” Becky gasped behind her.

“So did I,” Silver replied, gaping at Justin.

He shrugged and grinned at them. “Too much?”

Silver put her hand through the crook of his arm. “Not yet.”

Justin motioned to the driver, helped her into the car, then he waved to Becky before climbing inside and closing the door. The limo glided away from the curb and eased into traffic.

Silver adored the opulence of the car. Soft gray leather seats monogrammed with a rustic
R
and a flowing river symbol, floors padded with dark gray carpet, inset shelves accented with black marble, a small flat screen television, and a mini bar with crystal decanters. In one of several recessed pockets, a bucket of champagne, chilled, with flutes on either side. A tinted privacy window separated them from the driver. She traced one of the seat monograms with a finger.

“This car belongs to your family?”

“Actually, it belongs to Rivers Enterprises. My dad wanted something other than a standard black limo. Mom argued it was over the top, but he won this battle.”

“I’m not sure what to say, except it’s incredible.”

“It’s my way of saying I’m sorry for the media fiasco on your lawn. Have you had any more problems with them?”

She shook her head. “No, and you really didn’t have to do all this. The flowers were enough.”

“Not for you.” Justin reached for the bottle of champagne. “Would you like a glass?”

School night. Early morning tomorrow. Papers to grade. She really shouldn’t, but how many times would she have a night like this?

“I’d love one, thanks.”

He poured two glasses, handed her one and settled back against the seat. She took a sip and wrinkled her nose against the bubbles. This whole situation felt a little bit out of her comfort zone…and entirely fun.

When he stretched out his long legs, she couldn’t help but take advantage of the view. Her gaze traveled from black cowboy boots, up muscular thighs, past his waist to the ornate, silver and turquoise bolo tie. The man definitely knew how to wear clothes. His black hair had fallen over one eyebrow, and without thinking, she reached up to smooth it back. His heated gaze caused her heart to skip a beat.

“Like what you see?” he asked in a husky voice.

“Maybe,” she answered softly.

He took her glass and set both of them aside. Raising one hand, he traced her chin with his fingers. “I hope you don’t mind, but I can’t wait any longer to do this.”

Leaning closer to her, Justin touched his lips to hers, a feathery kiss that burned like gentle fire. Desire roused slowly, testing the flames. Silver held perfectly still, hesitant to break the spell he wove around her, but also afraid to open up completely. She’d made that mistake before with Chase. And Justin would be too easy to fall in love with. She couldn’t risk it. Not again, not so soon after she’d finally mended her broken heart. But Justin felt so good, so right, and part of her heart demanded to be set free.

He pressed slightly, and she offered a little more.

When his fingers slid into her hair, then to the nape of her neck, she moaned in delight. With one hand on his chest, she leaned even closer, waves of heat coming from him as her fingers touched his white dress shirt. His fingers tightened, then relaxed, as he framed her face with his hands.

After several moments, he eased back. She struggled to breathe normally, but the warmth from his lips continued to ripple over her in soft waves. One kiss and this cowboy had stoked a blaze from the ashes of heartbreak. She wanted more.

She wanted it to consume her.

He brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. “Exactly like I remembered. Simmering heat with a touch of honey.”

Simmering?

No…not exactly.

Silver slid a hand behind his neck and slowly guided him back to her mouth, her tongue sliding over his lips, begging for entry to his mouth while her fingers dove into his dark hair. The kiss deepened and he pulled her closer, his hand drifting to the small of her back.

She lost track of time as her entire body trembled against him. Nothing else existed at that moment. Who needed dinner when her soul could feed on bliss all night?

“Sir, we’re about two minutes from the restaurant.”

Silver jerked away, then realized the voice had been on an intercom.

Justin never took his eyes off her. “Thanks, Joe.”

She smiled and wiped lip gloss from his lips. “I forgot about the driver.”

“And I got carried away, but I’m not going to apologize. You are, without a doubt, the most stunning woman I’ve ever met.” He took a breath and ran fingers through his hair. “Whew, back to reality. I hope you like this place. Ever been to The Crystal Cowboy?”

“I’ve heard about it, but no. One of yours?”

“My family’s, yes.”

“Why aren’t you part of the restaurant business?”

He turned toward the window for a moment, then gave her a smile. “That’s a story for another night.”

The car slowly pulled onto a driveway lined with tall, graceful trees. Long rows of amber lights directed them to the front of the restaurant. When the limo parked under a large, rough wood portico, she noticed an empty parking lot dotted with old gas lamp posts.

“Where are the other customers?”

“We have the place to ourselves tonight since they’re usually closed on Mondays.”