The Edge of Eternity

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Wincing at the way Carter had him jumping through hoops, Paul went in to take his shower. He emerged a few minutes later and quickly dressed in a dark suit and silk tie. Then he crossed the living room to check on Elizabeth.

Her door was open, and he could see her standing at the French doors, staring out into the darkness. Instead of knocking, Paul hovered on the threshold watching her. He could see her reflection in the glass and thought with a catch in his chest that she was as beautiful now as she had been thirteen years ago when they’d first met.

She’d been a typical University of Chicago college girl with her torn jeans and sneakers. She’d worn her hair natural back then, all curly and disheveled and hanging to her waist. It wasn’t until she’d zeroed in on fashion design as a career that she’d cut her hair and transformed herself from an unkempt coed to the hip, sophisticated young woman she still was today.

She’d used a straightener on her hair, and it hung like a glossy curtain about her shoulders. The style was sleek and glamorous, but Paul still preferred all those wild curls. He’d never told her that, though. She was beautiful however she wore her hair.

The dress she had on was a simple black sheath that followed the narrow column of her figure, clinging subtly to her curves and dropping to just below her knees. Her feet were encased in the high heels she favored. The look was elegant, understated and sexy.

She turned and jumped when she saw him. Her hand flew to her throat. “Paul! I didn’t see you there.”

“Sorry. I…wanted to know if you’re ready to go.”

“Almost. I just have to put on my necklace.” She walked over to the dresser and picked up a strand of pearls.

Paul couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from her. The way she looked, the way she moved…how would he ever get over her?

She lifted the pearls to her neck and struggled for a moment with the clasp. Looking up, she said almost regretfully, “Do you mind?”

“No, of course, not.” He walked over and took the necklace from her as she swept back her hair.

He’d forgotten how enticing the back of a woman’s neck could be. Especially Elizabeth’s. Her skin was pale and unblemished. As smooth as silk.

His fingers brushed against that creamy skin as he finally managed to get the necklace fastened. The ornate clasp was adorned with a tiny pearl and the engraved initial of the famous maker, and Paul remembered that he’d given the strand to Elizabeth for Christmas the year he’d made partner at the firm. She’d cried when she’d opened the velvet box, and her reaction had almost brought him to tears.

“Got it,” he finally said, and Elizabeth stepped quickly away from him, letting her hair fall back into place.

“Now I’m ready,” she said briskly as she picked up her wrap and evening bag from the bed, then walked over and grabbed her key from the nightstand. “Just in case I want to come back before you do,” she explained, slipping the key into her purse.

They walked out together. Paul made sure the door was locked and then they headed down the walkway toward the hotel. It wasn’t far. He could see the lights blazing from the arched windows just ahead, but the paved walkway was slippery and not all that smooth.

He glanced down at Elizabeth’s heels. “Can you make it okay in those?”

“I’ve been wearing heels for years,” she said airily. “I’ll be fine—”

At that exact moment her heel caught on something and she stumbled. Paul grabbed her arm to steady her and suddenly they were standing face-to-face in the moonlight, cocooned in soft mist and silky darkness.

Her eyes were like cool, liquid crystals. They were the most beautiful eyes Paul had ever stared into, and for a moment he could have sworn he saw something—an invitation—in those glimmering depths.

He moved his head ever so slightly toward hers, and she stiffened, as if reading his intention in his eyes. “We should probably go. You don’t want to be late.”

The moment lost, Paul dropped his hand from her arm. “Yes, you’re probably right.” They walked along in silence the rest of the way. As they neared the terrace, he said, “So is Frankie coming up this weekend?”

“Yes, I think she planned to drive up late this afternoon. I don’t know if she’s here yet, though. I haven’t talked to her.”

“I’m surprised you both could get away from the shop this weekend,” Paul said.

Elizabeth slanted him a glance. “Worried about your investment?”

“No, not at all.”

They were nearing the pool area now. Paul could tell that the water was heated by the steam rising from the surface. The bluish glow from the underwater lights shimmered eerily on the undulating vapor.

“Paul…”

“Yes?”

She paused. “Regardless of what happens between us…it won’t have any bearing on the agreement you have with the shop, will it?”

“Why would it?”

She drew her shawl more tightly around her, as if suddenly chilled. “Frankie is a little concerned that you might try to call in the loan.”

He cocked his head slightly. “And what do you think?”

“I think you’re an honorable man. You wouldn’t do something like that.”

“Did you tell her that?”

“Of course I did. But she doesn’t know you like I do.”

At least she still had some faith in him, Paul thought grimly. He wanted to take comfort in her defense of his honor, but the very fact that she’d brought up her partner’s concerns meant that she wasn’t quite as sure of his intentions as she tried to let on.

“I have no desire to call in the loan,” he said coolly. “Why would I? If I let the interest accrue, I stand to make a killing.”