She swirled in a final spin, and he skillfully pulled her close and bent her over his arm. The crowd whistled and roared as he brought her up and planted a kiss directly on her full lips.
Someone yelled, “Get a room,” before they came back to earth. Matt waved the crowd onto the dance floor. “Come dance, because I’m busy.” He lowered his lips to Anna’s once again.
She giggled beneath his lips and pulled apart. “Matt, your manners.”
He grabbed her close. “We have to get married soon.”
A ripple of delight ran up her spine. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
The next hour slipped by in sheer enjoyment. Whatever music the DJ played, Anna could dance to. Jasmine, Rose, and Iris from the office started a ladies’ group when their guys didn’t want to dance. Anna joined in enjoying the camaraderie, missteps, and laughter.
Anna’s feet were killing her. She needed a break from the high heels and the exertion of a couple hours of dancing. She slipped from the group and stretched her head above the crowd looking for Matt but couldn’t see him.
Anna made a beeline to the bathroom and sighed in relief as she locked the door behind her. Her heels went flying as she shook them free. She blotted the drips of sweat that beaded along her hairline and held up the heavy mass to cool the nape of her neck. Relief filled her. The night was almost over, and she’d actually had some fun.
Someone knocked on the door and she knew her reprieve was over. With her heels in hand, she headed out. Matt’s den across the hall beckoned. The thought of a few more minutes of peace felt too tempting to resist. She slipped into the room and sank into a nearby chair. Relaxation hit her for the first time that day, and she closed her eyes.
“Well, well, well, if it’s not the little dancing queen.”
The sound of a sarcastic drawl popped Anna’s eyes open. She sighed and rose gracefully to her feet. “Well, as you can see I dance better than I do crowds.”
Anna faced a tall willowy woman. A shocking amount of cleavage spilled from her skin-tight dress. Her wild mass of hair shimmered with every shade from cinnamon to russet and bounced above her shoulders in a saucy look. Her beauty was undeniable. Flawless porcelain skin. High cheekbones. Bewitching hazel green eyes flashed with a glint of anger Anna could not understand, and she held her chin at a haughty angle looking down on Anna.
Anna’s height rarely had women towering over her, and she didn’t like the way this woman was trying to use it as a form of superiority. Anna straightened her spine and lifted her head with confidence.
The woman moved closer. “I’m Tamara,” she said. “I suppose Matt has told you all about me?”
Anna searched her memory for a story, but none came to mind. “I’m not entirely sure. What’s the connection?”
“Well, that’s one way of putting it, darling. I guess you could call it a connection.”
A shudder rode Anna’s spine as Tamara’s raucous laughter filled the room. Anna recognized the condescending tone as the same voice who had tried to embarrass her in front of the party crowd.
“Oh, yes, I remember your name now. Not from Matt but from the girls at the office. They said something about a girl named Tamara recommending Maxine for the job there. I assume that’s you?”
Tamara huffed. “Do you mean to tell me that Matt has not mentioned my name to you at all?
“Nope,” Anna said, “not a peep.”
Tamara arched one brow and smirked. “Ask yourself this little question, how do you think I had the influence to get my friend Maxine that job?”
Anna felt the hair prickle at the back of her neck. There was something about this woman that rattled her, but she had no intention of carrying on a conversation without talking to Matt. She refused to answer and sat back down. She took her time putting her heels on in hopes Tamara would disappear and then rose to her feet eye to eye with Tamara’s stormy glare.
“I’m sorry, Tamara, I barely know any of Matt’s friends. Now, if you’ll excuse me, please?” Anna stepped to the side to go around Tamara and out the door.
“Not so fast, lady.” Tamara blocked her path. “I’ve no idea how you managed to seduce Matt into not using precaution, but your type always tries to trap a man anyway they can. I’ll have you know, I’m not some mere blast from his past you can swat away like a pesky fly. Matt and I go way back. Our history and relationship span decades … friends with benefits, if you get my drift?”
Anna felt her eyes widen and her brows rise like a flock of startled birds. She didn’t want to give this woman any reaction, but those words bit hard.
“Oh, I see I finally have your attention.” A smug look spread across Tamara’s face.
“So, you were more than friends?” Anna said matter-of-factly, stilling her racing heart. The last thing she wanted to do was to give this woman an edge. “Do you really think I’m naïve enough to think an attractive man like Matt hasn’t had a few relationships in the past? However, the operative words here are in the past.” Anna said the words clearly and precisely, so there was no mistaking the line drawn in the sand.
A charged silence hung between them as Anna stared her down. She was not about to draw back.
“Oh, you think?” Tamara snorted. “Do you consider last week, the past?”
Anna’s world began to swim in a black fog. Her mind raced in all direction. Surely Matt wouldn’t …
“I can see your shock. You actually think a man as hot-blooded as Matt can go months without his needs being met?”
Anna bit back a sob.
“He told me about your silly Christian standards and how you don’t want sex until marriage, which I find
