Fool Me Once by Sandra Lee Page A

and there in the ballroom, and gently swayed to the waltz being played by the live band. She almost wished she was here as a guest, so she could properly enjoy what was offered; the food, although she did sneak some of that, the music, the décor of blues and gold, the large velvet drapes, the candlelit lighting, the crystal, everything was so beautiful. She imagined herself being led on the dance floor by a tall dark, handsome man and smiled. Her eyes kept wandering the room until they rested on the dark handsome man of her thoughts, the same hair, the same height, and the same posture. She stopped puzzled. She knew that man. She almost laughed; of course Jake would be here, he was everywhere, or so it seemed. She wondered whether she should go and say hi to him later on, whether she could ask him for a dance to fulfill part of her fantasy. She could almost feel his strong arms around her waist, his chin resting on her head, her face hidden against his chest…She had to stop. Frowning slightly, she tried shaking the images out of her mind, until finally she had to admit defeat. Her longing for him was too strong. She had never really gotten over him she realized, she still wanted him, all of him; his mind, his soul, his love, and oh yes, his body.
    The realization had the effect of a cold shower, wakes you up but keeps you shivering. She was in for a broken heart, again. He didn’t care for her any more, if he ever really did, and he made it clear he really didn’t want to want her either. She blocked the depressing thoughts from her mind; nothing was going to ruin her night. Nothing was…Oh no! Please not her. Standing beautiful in a black fitted gown, Shelley Harrison was being led to the dance floor by Jake. His hand was at the small of her back and he was smiling down at her. She knew that they had been seeing each other; the gossip mill in the town was large and busy. She just hadn’t known he was still seeing her, or that they would be here together tonight. Dejectedly she looked down at herself and sighed. She was wearing a dressier outfit then her usual catering attire, but it still was nothing compared to the second skin Shelley was wearing. Suddenly she hated her new slim black skirt, and wished she had word something sexier then the conservative silk white top she had on. She looked with envy as Shelley, in her high heels, glided across the floor gracefully, the long slit from the floor-length dress showing glimpse of a perfectly tan leg…and a large expense of thigh as well. Her long blonde hair was swept up and fell over her neck in loose curls…Eva grinded her teeth and forced herself to look away. She didn’t want to see them anymore, already the thought of them together was painful, to actually see them, to see him holding her close, to see him dancing with Shelley the way she wanted him to dance with her, she couldn’t handle it. But it was stronger then her, she had to look; like the people staring at the scene of an accident couldn’t help but stare, neither could she. She had no trouble locating the tallest man on the dance floor, his hair was shining and his broad shoulders were well straining against the well-cut tuxedo. She looked at his strong hands and pictured them on her, pictured them sliding down her waist and up to cup her breasts…she blinked and blushed. When she looked up again she saw him looking at her as if he knew exactly what she had been thinking. She closed her eyes quickly and re-opened them slowly to find him still staring at her. His eyes held hers; she was unable to look away. The intensity in his eyes made her wish they were alone, and not looking at each other from across a crowded room.
    “Eva?”
    “Hmmm?”
    “I’m sorry.” She looked at James questioningly, why was he sorry.” You fell for him didn’t you?” He added sadly
    “Oh? Fallen?” She wasn’t truly paying attention to what he was saying.
    “Yes, fallen. For God’s sake Eva, stop looking at him