Kelly had laughed, then stopped herself seeing the devastation on his face her tone becoming more gentle
“She didn’t say no did she?”
“No… but she didn’t say yes either” he cried in despair
In as consoling a voice as she could muster she had said
“Look Phil, you’ve led her a merry dance for 2 years. Now it’s her turn. It is every woman’s right to play a little hard to get” as she had smiled gently squeezing his hand
“I would bet money that this time tomorrow you will be a happily engaged man”
Phil had looked hopefully at her, his face brightening slightly
“You really think so”
She had nodded as he had smiled back at her.
He had stood quietly deep in thought for a second before turning and grinning.
“Hey check you out” suddenly seeing her for the first time
“If I wasn’t a hopefully soon to be happily engaged man I would…”
“Enough of that” she had chuckled as taking her hand and holding it above her head he had made her twirl to allow him to see the whole dress.
“Kelly you look gorgeous”
She had giggled with pleasure.
Across the room however, another pair of eyes scowled at the scene playing out before him. Marc had watched Kelly come down the stairs, gasping at just how wonderful she looked. Her hair held high on her head showing off her long graceful neck. The backless dress enabling him and every man in the room, and there were many admiring he could see, to fully appreciate her wonderful figure as it revealed the curve of her back. He had felt himself responding to her just being in the same room and had grabbed a drink from one of the many trays to steady his sudden nerves.
He then had to watch as Phil had whisking her away and leaned in close to her in such an intimate manner before openly admiring her. Marc could feel his blood boil with both a seething resentment to his friend and a need to touch her. Taking a long drink, he had frowned down into the golden liquid, struggling to understand his feelings.
From the moment she had arrived at the villa, he had fought hard to fight his rising desire for her, a desire which was now threatening to make him do something he might later regret. He had battled with his need to keep her at arm’s length while struggling to control his ever rising need for this woman, now knowing that he had never wanted a woman more and realising that Kelly Brown was someone he had to get out of his system. However, now it was Philip who was all over her and jealousy rose up in him like a tidal wave.
Putting down the drink with a determined movement, he had began to move towards the pair, but was suddenly stopped by the tall beautiful young woman, who had thrown her hands around his neck before drawing herself up to kiss him fully on the lips
“Happy Birthday darling” Olivia Prentiss had drawled sexily.
“Olivia” Marc said a note of annoyance creeping into his voice
“Relax darling” she laughed huskily
“I’m not going to eat you” her eyes flashing suggestively “not unless you want me too”
With that she had kissed the corner of his mouth, purring softly
“Why didn’t you come over last night?” she whispered in a soft sultry tone
“I wanted to give you a special present”
His voice was noncommittal
“I had to go and deal with a work emergency Olivia, besides, you give presents at parties”
She had looked at him with fire deep in her eyes
“Not this kind”
As he was gently pulling Olivia from himself Phil and Kelly had appeared at his side.
“Hey Marc” Phil smiled breezily “Great party”
In a cooler tone adding
“Hi Olivia”
Marc however, only had eyes for Kelly who was watching the scene in front of her. Had he imagined it, or for a fleeting moment had her eyes flashed in anger at the other woman draped over him.
“Olivia let me introduce you to Kelly Brown” he had spoken softly as Olivia had looked over Kelly with calculating eyes, not liking what she saw.
“Ah you are the nanny” she had said with a soft smile which never reached her eyes.
Before Kelly could say anything Marc had cut in with an icy tone
“Kelly is a guest and my friend Olivia, not a nanny”
With an attempt at sounding sorry, which rung untrue to Kelly’s ears she had said “I am sorry, I thought you were here looking after Max’s son” smiling sweetly
“I’m surprised we haven’t met, Marc talks about you all the time”
Kelly had smiled back just as sweetly
“Really…. funny he’s never mentioned you” she had returned her voice every bit as cold
As the girl before her had dropped the fake smile and glared at her she could see Marc’s mouth twitching as he had tried to hide the laughter in them