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ever saw one. Underneath the powerful air of authority Simon
projected, she sensed a deep vulnerability and the stress from his
current situation radiated from him in palpable waves.
I m sorry. He closed his eyes a moment, then looked with
steadfast intensity across at the marina. Duty and privilege are
double-edged swords.
They d connected on some deep emotional level for the first time
and he permitted her to see his true self. The power of it shook her
and she intuited his meaning in an instant. I think you re taking too
much responsibility upon yourself. There s no shame in admitting a
mistake.
There is when one waits too long.
His pain rolled through her like a dark, knife-edged tide.
If you ll excuse me. I need to see to our guests.
After that abrupt dismissal, he turned back toward her, not looking
directly at her. Please do take a break, Sheridan. We don t want you
fainting on us in this heat.
Um. Yes, all right.
With that, he walked off, game face firmly in place.
She knew the next time she saw him he d return to his surly
Tropic of Desire 73
disapproval, as though this exchange never happened. She shook her
head at the oddness of men in general and this one in particular.
A bathroom break wouldn t be a bad idea. She headed up the hill
to the small building on the top patio terrace housing the restrooms.
Good thing she d worn her low-heeled sandals, instead of the higher
heels she d considered, with all the standing, walking and climbing.
God, the heat, too. Even in her sleeveless silk sundress, the sultry
night closed about her, oppressive and cloying. Even the scent of the
floral decorations, which she loved on most occasions, bordered on
sickening. Through the trees, she could see paparazzi hovering.
Smoking and sitting on their cars. Waiting to get their own money
shots as the guests left. They d have invaded the party except for the
security detail Simon hired for that purpose. She shook her head as
she put out her hand to open the green louvered door to the bathroom.
Ahhh& Yeah, baby. Like that.
Fuck! You are so freakin hot.
Oh, baby. Every time I see you, I want you to fuck me. Ahhh,
harder&
She recognized those voices. Without conscious thought, she
walked around the little building. Sure enough. Cecily stood bracing
herself against the wall, dress hiked up over her hips, as Rupert, his
pants down about his ankles, screwed her from behind.
Sheridan couldn t move. Shock paralyzed her. The couple didn t
even notice her so involved in their encounter they continued their
activities.
Until the flashbulbs shot off.
Cecily s trademark screech ripped through the excited chatter of
the photogs. The couple scrambled to right their clothes and get away.
They ran, paparazzi after them, until the ineffectual security finally
stepped in and drove the photogs back.
The commotion brought Simon and Marc running up the hill.
They hadn t seen, but they weren t stupid. A word from the chief of
security into Simon s ear confirmed the truth, she had no doubt.
74 Antonia Pearce
He looked up and she caught his eye. He looked away, but not
before she glimpsed the utter humiliation in his gaze. Not only must
he deal with positive proof of his fiancée s infidelity, but soon the
entire world would view it in full color in the tabloids. Marc s lips
compressed in grim disappointment, his gaze somber, but unsurprised.
They went back to their guests, none of whom had any idea what
just occurred, other than the paparazzi had invaded their gathering.
Not an unusual event to most of them. The dreamlike setting so
enjoyable only an hour ago now seemed sour and unpleasant. The
magical, muted glow of the lights was merely a screen for the dark
underbelly of the fairytale.
Another hour passed before the principals in this drama made
their escape. Cecily, Rupert, Lady Selena and the dreaded mother
rode in another vehicle. Thank God.
The long, silent ride back to Belle Isle on the northern end of the
island along St. Lucia s tortuous narrow, winding roads proved
excruciating. No one knew what to say. Robert, informed with brief
discretion by Marc, appeared angry. His brows drawn together, mouth
compressed. Not only had his best friend suffered a terrible
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