Wanted you so bad

I feel like I'm caught with no air

Wanted you gone

Wanted you there.

There's wild in your eyes

There's a light

- "Thea" by Goldfrapp

___________

The moment I stepped inside the club where Laurel's fashion show was being held, I was enraptured by what my best friend's creativity had accomplished. Her imagination and artistry had always been a source of wonder for me growing up. Seeing the magic that her talent had wrought upon this place made me blink back proud tears.

The club had been completely transformed into an achingly beautiful rendition of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's dream. I trailed by fingers along the lush vines draped along walls and pillars, admiring the rich foliage intertwined with delicate flowers.

Long filmy swathes of dreamy glittering fabric floated down from the starry midnight sky ceiling. Everything was completely in tune with the theme, even the guests. All around me, people were dressed in gorgeous gowns and elegant suits. Almost everyone had whimsical floral crowns that ran from simple woven flowers to more fantastical ones with crystal jewels and fluttering butterflies, adding to the illusion that fairies and nymphs rather than humans had come to the show tonight.

"Emma!" Laurel called out, her head suddenly popping up from behind the dense grove of lilies and roses surrounding the stage.

I half turned, giving her a wide-eyed look while grinning. Excitement and energy sparkling out of her green eyes, she ran over to me.

"Thank god you're here!" She cried and embraced me. I returned her enthusiastic hug with a laughing one of my own.

"This is incredible, Laurell!" I said, "It's even more beautiful and amazing than I could have imagined."

"Thank you, but I just hope I can get the models dressed in time or else this is going to be a disaster." She said, with a tense laugh. She glanced at me, eyes softening. "Are you going to be okay out here?"

Knowing she was referring to the claustrophobia I've had since we were in middle school, I gave her a reassuring smile.

"I'm completely fine. I took some of the new anxiety medicine my doctor prescribed just before coming here and it's working great."

"Promise me you won't push it for my sake, okay?" She said sternly. At the sound of something crashing, she gave a stressed look back at the grove by the stage. "I really wish I could stay out here and show you around but it's pure chaos back there right now."

"Go! Don't worry about me. Really, I'm completely fine." I said, giving her a bit of a push. "Actually, if there is anything I can do to help, just let me know."

"Thank you." She rolled her shoulders, looked down at her cell phone and gave a harried sigh. "Actually, if you could do something for me, it would really help."

"Of course, whatever you need." I assured her.

"Where is Luke by the way?" Laurel glanced around, as if just noticing that I was alone.

"He's grabbing a drink." I lied, pinning a bright smile on my face, hoping my best friend didn't sense the tension that had suddenly risen up.

My husband and I had fought on the drive over. He had stormed off towards the bar the second we stepped foot inside. I hadn't seen him and he hadn't responded to my texts for the last fifteen minutes.

But I needn't have worried. Laurel was distracted in the best way at the moment and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. This event was the culmination of a long year of hard work and her focus was solely focused on it.

"Good, good." She nodded, her eyes darting back to the cell phone clutched in her hand. "It's Phil's friend, Calen. He's still stuck outside because the bone-headed bouncers are new and don't know him and refuse to let him in. I know I put him on the VIP list. There must be a bug with the stupid new app I'm using or something. Anyway, can you run out there and get him?"

I stood there, trying not to let my emotions show on my face. My heart had stopped beating for a few seconds as a new kind of tension suddenly rose within me. Calen. He was here?

"What about Phil? Can't he go get his friend?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"The poor guy is in the back trying to glue a few hundred pounds of flowers onto the stage arch for the fashion show. And from the crash I just heard, I'm pretty sure it's defcon 10 back there right now." Laurel said impatiently. "Please? You said whatever I need and right now, I need your help with this. Calen has the jewelry for the models and if I don't get those ASAP, I'm going to lose my mind."

"Sure, I'll go get him. But how do I get him past the bouncers—" I stumbled over the words, inexplicable panic rising inside at the thought of seeing him.

"Here!" Laurel pulled two VIP passes out from her purse and looped them around my neck. "These will get you in and out without trouble. Keep one. The other is for Calen."

"Are you sure there isn't anything else that I could help you with instead?" I asked with a frozen smile.

Laurel shook her head. Then, looking me over, she brightened. "Wait, I almost forgot!"

She quickly plunked a crown of tiny golden roses and sprays of crystal baby's breath from somewhere and plunked it on my head.

"There, now the vision is complete! I have to say, whoever designed the outfit must be a genius!"

Before I could say anything, she ran off with a maniacal laugh. At the foot of the stage, she stopped and turned to blow me a kiss.

"Thank you again, Emma!" She yelled before disappearing behind the curtains.

I stood there frozen for a moment, anxiety churning inside my stomach at the realization that I was going to see Calen again. It had been only three weeks since he had driven me home after that crazy exhilarating run through the rain. I hadn't told my husband about it. I mean, why should I? It was purely innocent. Nothing even the slightest bit improper had happened.

As I made my way through the crowds toward the doors, I kept an eye out for Luke out of habit. I reached for my cell phone, biting the corner of my lip. Maybe I should just text him to apologize and hopefully things would blow over. He had been upset about having to come out tonight, arguing that Phil, not Laurel, was his friend and he didn't see the point of coming to her fashion show.

I sighed, knowing that Laurel's fashion show wasn't the reason for the fight. It was just another excuse for what seemed to be a never ending series of fights that occurred whenever we went somewhere together.

The desire to apologize shriveled away as a kernel of anger took its place instead. Was it so terrible to spend an evening together with me? I shoved the cell phone back into my purse. From past experience, I was certain that texting would be useless anyway. He had probably already left, leaving me to find my own way home alone as punishment for 'forcing' him to come out tonight.

My mood was a dark confusing mess of conflicting emotions by the time I reached the entrance. Without smiling, I showed a bouncer my VIP passes. Luckily, he wasn't in a talkative mood either and went briskly about unhooking the velvet rope, jabbing a thumb toward the top of the staircase leading down to lines below.

Outside, I paused at the top of the stairs and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the ugly state of my mind. Tonight was about celebrating Laurel's debut into the fashion world and I didn't want my own issues to ruin it.

I looked down at the stunning dress Laurel had designed for me to wear tonight and the grim line of my mouth softened. She really was a genius, that woman. Though it was far more risqué then what I'd usually be comfortable wearing, I couldn't deny that the dress flattered me outrageously, more than anything from my own closet ever had.

Made out of a warm dusky semi-sheer gold material, the dress had a twist halter neck that was held up by an exquisite and whimsical gold choker of tiny fleur-de-lis held. At the midriff, the fabric parted softly, just enough to show a hint of skin before flowing down into a scandalously short skirt, almost like a ballerina's tutu.

It was whimsical, sexy and classy all at the same time. I smoothed the skirt down, making sure it was covering my butt, then raised my chin and began walking down the stairs.

As I carefully navigated the steps in the cute 5" stilettos that I had impulsively purchased a week earlier, I heard the sensual strains of Thea by Goldfrapp drift out from inside the club. I smiled, my heart lightening a bit more. Laurie knew that it was my favorite song and had a sneaking suspicion that she had probably bribed the DJ to play it for me.

Near the bottom of the stairs, there was a sudden gust of wind, blowing long strands of my hair across my face. I slowed, tilting my head down, trying to brush back my hair and hold down the wildly fluttering skirt of my dress at the same time.

When I finally looked up again, my eyes almost immediately fell on Calen's familiar elegant broad shouldered figure a few yards away.

I sucked in a sharp breath, once more angry and confused at the traitorous heat gathering low in my stomach. I wanted to look away, but couldn't.

He was dressed in a stunning charcoal gray Italian suit; expertly tailored, the smooth rich cloth fitting over his muscled frame with custom fitted precision. Standing with a loose-limbed predatory grace, one hand in his pocket, the other curved protectively around a large leather briefcase; Calen wore the suit jacket open, looking like sex incarnate with his crisp white shirt underneath, no tie, just the top few buttons undone to reveal a hint of tanned muscled skin.

When I met his eyes, I flushed hotly to see that he was studying me as intently as I had him. Lashes lowered, those azure blue eyes were lazily gliding over me, taking in every detail from the tips of my painted toes in the stiletto heels up to the delicate fleur-de-lis choke encircling my throat.

Tonight, in honor of Laurel's fashion show theme, there was a small golden rose pin on his lapel and a pair of thin elegant sharp curving black horns nestled on the crown of his head. Unfortunately, the horns served to only further accentuate his otherworldly beauty rather than detracting from it.

When he finally raised his eyes to mine, it was all I could do not to run in the other direction. In the waning evening light of dusk, his glittering blue eyes were those of a seductive dark fey prince. Perhaps King Oberon himself; an immortal creature only deigning to come down from his throne so that mortal women may throw themselves at his feet.

He raised an eyebrow, a wicked knowing smile curving his lips as if he could read my thoughts. I forced a polite smile to my own lips and tried to calm the flush still stinging my cheeks. For a moment, I remained standing in the same spot, not quite ready to move any closer.

Still watching me, he tilted his head as if in challenge. With no other choice, I raised my chin slightly and began walking over to him. His eyes narrowed, tracking me as I slowly and painstakingly inched my way in his direction.

The realization of my reluctance in coming closer glinting in his eyes, his smile turned truly wicked. Body uncoiling from his relaxed state like a panther ready to hunt its prey, he strode deliberately in my direction, moving much faster than I had.

I froze, watching in mute alarm as the distance between us began closing at lightning speed. At least until one of the bouncers suddenly stepped into Calen's path.

"This is as far as you go, buddy. Like I said earlier, you're not on the list and I don't see a VIP pass." The bouncer said, voice just a bit nervous.

Although the bouncer had twice the bulk of Calen and was almost as tall, there was a cold steely glint in Calen's blue eyes when he turned to stare at the guy that made me nervous for the bouncer.

The bouncer didn't move out of the way though. I had to give him credit for that. He stood his ground, his thick neck muscles taut with tension.

Calen's lips suddenly twitched, a rueful look easing over his hard expression. He turned to the bouncer with a warm disarming grin, and apologized.

"I'm sorry about that. Got a little too eager and overstepped."

"Ah, it's quite alright sir." The guy looked a bit starstrucked when Calen intensified the charm, giving the guy a slap on the shoulders, eyes twinkling with camaraderie.

"The least I could do is get a round of the best whiskey for you and your buddies."

"No need, just doing my job." The bouncer stuttered, a hint of red on his pockmarked cheeks.

Calen looked in my direction, the sparkle turning to mirth in his eyes. "Of course. Now, if you don't mind, I believe Emma over there can help clear up the situation with the list."

The bouncer followed his gaze and glanced back at me. Feeling like an idiot, I raised the VIP passes. Looking relieved, the bouncer motioned for me to go over to join them.

"Hi Emma." Calen drawled. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Laurel sent me to give you a VIP pass." I said stiltedly.

"That was kind of you to help." The light mockery in his voice sounded anything but grateful.

Ignoring him, I reached up and lifted off one of the VIP passes around my neck and held it out to him. He looked down at the pass, then gently took it from me.

Seeing the VIP pass resting in his hand, I was suddenly achingly aware that it had just been resting against my cleavage and was still warm from the heat of my skin.

When he ran his fingers lightly over the pass, I almost jumped, feeling as if he had run them over my skin. I suddenly wanted to yank it back out of his hands.

Pulling the pass over his head, he turned to the bouncer and waited expectantly. The bouncer looked at me then at Calen, shrugged, and then unhooked the velvet ropes to wave him through.

"Now that you have the pass, I should get back inside." I said, turning and taking a step toward the stairs.

You look beautiful tonight, Emma." That low musical voice strummed across my skin like rough velvet. Prickles of heat and cold shivered across the nape of my neck.

"You shouldn't say things like that to me." I said, suddenly angry and not sure why.

I took a few more steps forward, trying to put distance between us but he kept pace effortlessly, matching me speed with his long athletic strides. Damn my short legs.

"I can appreciate a woman's genuine beauty and simply give a compliment, can't I?" He asked silkily.

"So, you don't have an ulterior motive then?" I shook my head. "No, never mind. I don't care."

We were at the stairs now. Not daring to wait for a response, I nearly sprinted up the stairs, moving as quickly as my heels allowed.

By the time I made it up the stairs, I was breathing hard. Inside, the dark interior of the club and throbbing music seemed to embrace me. Not stopping to see where Calen was, I kept moving until I was lost in a crowd of laughing dancing people.

Grateful that the soft glowing lights didn't provide enough illumination to show my burning face, I searched to see if Calen had followed me.

He was nowhere to be seen. I tried to tell myself I was relieved, but there was a tiny stab of disappointment in my chest that said differently. Though why I'd want him to be there after doing my best to escape from him, was as much of a mystery to me as wanting him there in the first place

A hand suddenly caught mine, pulling me gently but insistently off to the side where a maze of tall rose hedges provided privacy from the starlit dance floor.

Before I could scream, Calen spun me around and grinned at me. The curving obsidian horns on his head only added to his wicked expression.

"Let go of me." I ordered shakily.

He let go of my hand, but stepped closer, his large frame crowding mine.

I quickly backed up, stopping only when I felt soft petals crushing and the sharp prick of tiny thorns against the bare skin of my back.

The rich sweet scent of roses suddenly filled the darkness, mingling headily with his own sandalwood and cigar scent. I hadn't realized until now that the decorations were made of real flowers.

"Now, tell me, if you really didn't care to know, why even ask about my motives in the first place?" He asked in a low voice.

"It was just a comment and didn't mean anything." I said, swallowing hard.

"I wonder." He murmured. Eyes glittering dangerously, he leaned down closer until his lips were barely inches from mine.

A feral mix of excitement and anxiety rushed through my body. I shut my eyes tightly, waiting for the touch of his lips claiming mine, unable to move and unsure if I wanted to. But it never came.

I opened my eyes. He was watching me with an indecipherable expression on his face.

"Maybe you were right to question my motives." He finally said in a low voice.

"What do you mean?" I asked unsteadily.

When he didn't respond, I lifted my chin. "Are you playing games with me? Is that your thing? Flirting with married women?"

He gave a choked sigh. "No, Emma. My thing is not flirting with married women."

"Then what is all of this?" I asked, a mix of anger and pain suddenly unfurling inside my belly. "Why are you pushing me like this?"

His lashes lowered, concealing the answer from me. It made me angrier.

"You need to stop. I'm married, Calen." I ignored the hollow ring to my words, willing both of us to believe them.

His eyes flickered, a glint of something like pain and something else more complex flashing in them.

"I'll stop. If that's what you really want."

"Yes, I want you to stop." I choked out.

He took a few steps back so that I could leave. My legs trembling, I strode past him and escaped from the rose hedges.

"I don't believe you." His rough whisper slid across my skin like rough silk.

I walked away as quickly as I could, confusion churning in my stomach. As much as I wished it was purely anger that I felt, I couldn't lie to myself. There was a part of me, a tiny wild piece of my soul, that had soared into life at his words.