Caroline's Seduction (Montgomery Family and Friends) by Iris Abbott Page A

try to change her mind, she walked into the bathroom.  She closed and locked the door behind her.   She didn’t think it was likely, but she couldn’t take the chance that he’d try to follow her into the cramped space.
    She let the silk robe slither to the floor.  She turned on the water and adjusted the shower taps until steam filled the tiny bathroom.  She had always found hot showers to be therapeutic in their calming effect.  If ever she needed a balm to her spirit it was now.  She stepped into the shower stall and let the water and steam surround her. 
    She forced everything out of her mind until it was blank.  Much like she had been after the miscarriage.  She felt the numbness envelop her and she embraced it.  Finally the water began to cool.  That was one of the things she hated most about apartment living, there was only so much hot water available.  She turned it off and stepped out of the shower.  She grabbed a towel and briskly dried herself before putting the robe back on. 
    She walked into the bedroom took one look at the messy bed and striped the sheets.  She balled them into the hamper.  She’d wash them tomorrow.  Right now she just needed them out of sight.  She quickly made the bed with clean sheets.  Then she went in the kitchen grabbed a bottle of water and downed a sleeping pill from the bottle she kept around when she was having nightmares and couldn’t sleep.  She’d used a lot of those sleeping pills in the months directly after the miscarriage.  She hadn’t had to use them before tonight in a long time, since moving to Florida as a matter of fact.
    ****
    Kyle fumed all the way home.  His legendary cool had totally deserted him.  All he could think about was getting Caroline under him and in his bed again.  It made absolutely no sense.  He’d never obsessed over a woman before.  He’d never had too.  Usually he was trying to get rid of them not the other way around.  Caroline was turning into one big challenge.  A challenge he was looking forward to pursuing.  For now he would give her space.  He’d let her think she was winning and that he’d backed off.  Her guard would drop and he’d be there to take advantage.  He knew that one time back in her bed had not been enough.  He needed more.
    ******
    Caroline enjoyed the music of Urgent from backstage.  She was having fun hanging out with the Montgomery sisters.  She’d never really thought about all the work that went on behind the scenes at a concert.  Now she was seeing with her own eyes everything it took to make such a huge show a success.  There must be a hundred people or more running around back here and not all of them were just enjoying the show.  
    Between songs the ladies filled each other in on the latest gossip.  This was the first time Caroline had seen Aubrey and Annabel since she had run out of the summer barbeque.  Everyone was full of questions about Kyle. She shrugged her shoulders and gave them the same answer every time.  “Kyle’s in the past.  I don’t want to relive the past.  I’ve moved on.”  Of course she noticed the looks of disbelief each sister gave her, but she stuck to her refrain throughout the night.  Maybe if she said it enough she’d actually believe it too, eventually.
    Kyle tugged on his ear and figured the ringing might be gone in a week.  If he was lucky that is.  He had to admit that a little physical discomfort was worth it.  He watched the excitement spread across his daughter’s face.  She bubbled with anticipation as they made their way backstage. The coveted backstage passes were clutched tightly in her hand.  She’d talked about nothing else for the past several days.  She was more excited about this concert than she’d been about the homecoming dance, and that had been a very big deal in their house.
    Even with all the activity backstage, Kyle’s eyes were immediately drawn to the auburn haired vixen across the room.  She