Love by Moonlight (A Contemporary Romance) Read online

  Love by Moonlight

  By Debra Elizabeth

  2012 Copyright © by Debra Elizabeth

  Cover Design © www.TERyvsions.com

  Image by Studiovespa/Dreamstine.com

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Chapter 1

  Caroline Fleming poured two glasses of white wine and set one in front of her best friend, Elena Hartlet, who was pulling out the bar stool at the spacious island.

  "Thanks for coming over, Elena."

  "No problem. You know I’ll be here anytime you need me."

  "I know."

  Caroline sighed and joined Elena at the kitchen island. Elena had been her dearest friend since college. It was the old adage: opposites attract. Elena was the adventurous one while she was quiet and practical. Nothing seemed to bring her down. Her two divorces certainly hadn’t dampened her fun loving spirit and zest for life. She was the kind of woman who knew what she wanted and had no problem going after it. Of course, it never hurt when you had a killer body like hers--natural blonde, slim build and an ample chest size.

  "I know I should be glad everything is over, but some days it hits me that I’m really divorced. I never would have believed it would happen to me. The good thing, though, is getting the beach house in the divorce. I've always loved this place. The rhythm of the waves does wonders for helping me fall asleep at night. So soothing. Exactly what I need right now."

  "You should have fought for the other house too, you know," Elena said, sipping her wine.

  "No, too many memories there. Besides, what am I going to do with a 15-room house?"

  "Yeah, good point, but I was thinking that you let Richard off the hook too easily."

  Caroline took a swallow of her wine while trying hard to forget that traumatic day six months ago. Richard had walked through the front door and she knew something was wrong by the way he carried himself, shoulders slouched, eyes downward.

  “Hi, honey. You look upset. What’s wrong,” she asked.

  “I need a drink first. Will you join me?”

  “Richard, what’s the matter?”

  His brows drew together in an agonized expression, but he didn’t answer. He stared at his wife with those cold steel-blue eyes before turning on his heel and heading toward his office. Caroline had no choice but to follow him if she wanted to know what was going on.

  He picked up the crystal decanter and poured two shots of whiskey. He offered her a glass. “Here drink up. You’re going to need this.”

  Caroline shook her head and refused the drink. “This is insane. What are you talking about?”

  Richard shrugged and chugged the first shot of whiskey and then quickly downed the second. He put the glasses down on the credenza and began to pace the office. “Listen, Caroline. I know this will come as a shock to you. I’ve thought about this for a long time and my mind is made up. This just isn’t working anymore. I’ve seen a lawyer about a divorce.”

  Time stood still. Caroline stared at the man she had been married to for the past twenty-three years. Fear and disbelief knotted inside her. How could this be? This was the man she adored, and would do anything to make him happy. They never argued. Their devoted and loving relationship had made them the envy of their friends.

  She staggered back, and fell into the leather chair. “What?”

  Richard stopped pacing and looked at her. “I’ve met someone else.”

  Caroline had no control over the torrent of words that came gushing out. “One of your bimbos? Is that what you’re telling me? You’ve fallen for one of those empty-headed Barbie dolls? Are you kidding me?”

  “Heather is not like that. She’s wonderful and there’s no need for this to get ugly.”

  “No need!” she shouted. “You’re willing to throw away everything we’ve built together for someone you’ve just met? Richard, think with your big head instead of the small one, will you?”

  “I knew you’d react like this. I’m done talking about this. You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” he said. He stormed out his office and out of her life.

  “Earth to Caroline. Hello?” Elena said, waving her hand in front of her friend’s face.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Elena. Just thinking too much, I guess. And he didn't get off that easy," Caroline said with a smirk. "There’s that twenty-five million dollar settlement I got."

  Both Elena and Caroline burst out laughing.

  "Yes, there’s that," Elena agreed. “Can’t go wrong with that kind of money, but money isn’t everything. You have to get yourself out there in the dating pool again. Be spontaneous.”

  "I will, I promise, but I want to stay out here at the beach house and clear my head for a bit. I'm got so tired of hearing about the young women that paraded through Richard's office. ‘Make my nose smaller, make my boobs bigger, suck out this cellulite, is my ass too big’? Time for some reflection, you know? Didn’t you ever feel like you want time to slow down so you could think?"

  "I know what you mean, but time stands still for no one, not even you," Elena said, taking a sip of wine. “Richard is one of the best plastic surgeons in the city, and every pretty young thing with money to burn is going to be making an appointment to see him.”

  "Isn’t that the truth? Obviously, I don't make the cut anymore." Caroline’s fury almost choked her. "I stuck with that man through college, medical school and his residencies; gave him two beautiful kids. And now that he's made it big, he needs a trophy wife? It just makes me sick."

  "Don't think about that anymore," Elena said. "Richard has moved on, and it's time you did too. You can’t mope around forever. Look at you, you’re beautiful, you have a great figure and definitely look ten years younger than your are, and without any surgery whatsoever."

  “Thanks, but…”

  "No buts. Listen sweetie, you’ve got to be more spontaneous,” Elena said. “Embrace situations instead of running away from them. Open yourself up to new possibilities, that’s all I’m saying.”

  “You’re right. I won’t promise anything, but I’ll try to be more spontaneous.”

  Elena drained her glass. “That’s good enough for now. I've got to go. You sure you don’t want to come down to the club tonight? There’s a hot new bartender. "

  “No, I think I’ll stay in tonight.”

  Elena nodded and gave Caroline a hug goodbye. “Remember, you can do anything you want to do. It’s been six months since you signed those divorce papers. Time to get back into the game.”

  "You’re right. Thanks, for everything," Caroline said. “Go have a good time tonight. I'll call you soon, I promise."

  Elena nodded and let herself out.

  With the click of the closing door, Caroline felt truly alone for the first time, since she was a freshman in college. She’d had no ide
a, at the time, that the young man with the dazzling smile who’d swept her off her feet, would one day break her heart. She had been so in love, and was thrilled when Richard proposed sophomore year. Her parents weren't happy because they were afraid she would drop out of school, but she and Richard had proved them all wrong. They’d both graduated with honors, and Richard was accepted into a prestigious medical school.

  Caroline had spent the last six months packing boxes at one house and unpacking them at the beach house. It wasn’t a large house, but it suited her fine. She had two bedrooms and an open concept kitchen-living room. The deck was spacious and she was on the beach. Couldn’t ask for a better location. She walked to the end table and caressed the double silver frame of her kids, Nick and Emily. Nick had been accepted into a graduate program at Berkeley and Emily was a junior at UCLA.

  Her own dream of going to graduate school was dashed when she found out she was pregnant with Nick. Money was tight, and with a baby on the way she had to put her dream on hold, but only for a little while, she’d told herself at the time. Richard was busy finishing his internship when Caroline told him they would welcome their second child in seven months.

  He kissed her passionately and said, "That's wonderful, sweetheart."

  But Caroline knew deep in her heart, even at this stage of their marriage, the only thing Richard really cared about was Richard. She spent years denying it, convincing herself that he was merely concentrating on his career. After Richard had become board certified in plastic surgery and was offered his first position, he did everything a loving father and husband was suppose to do. He provided for his family, he played with the kids, he made love to his wife, but there was something mechanical about it, like there was something missing: that perfect love they had shared in their first year together was gone. They would never recapture that spark again, and now, after twenty-three years of marriage, Richard wanted to feel it again—only not with her.

  "Bastard!" she shouted at the empty house. It felt good to scream and let out her frustration. She had remained civil during the divorce proceedings, even though Richard’s lawyer was a barracuda, but all that pent-up anger was bubbling to the top. She stormed back into the kitchen, picked up the wine glass, ready to throw it, but her practical side took over. No, she wouldn't throw the glass. It would be just another mess she would have to clean up and she was sick of cleaning up messes.

  She was the one who had to explain to Nick and Emily about the divorce. Richard, of course, was too busy, but promised to catch up with them soon. Well, six months later and he still hadn’t contacted either of them. It did give Caroline some pleasure when her son had called his father “a cheating bastard.”

  Maybe Elena was right. It was time she started to think about herself and what she wanted. She picked up Elena's wine glass and washed them both of them in the sink and then set them to dry on the counter.

  Maybe it’s me who lost the spark?

  It didn’t matter anymore who fell out of love first. She was on her own and had no idea what to do with herself. She didn’t need to work, but if she didn’t do something, she’d tear her hair out. She was no longer someone’s wife. She had to reinvent herself. Her undergraduate degree in graphic arts was pretty useless. She didn’t know any of the new programs that artists used now. If she wanted a job in the field, she’d have to go back to school, but who wanted to be a 40-something freshman sitting in class with all those eighteen year-olds? Those sweet young eighteen year-olds with their perky breasts and nicely rounded asses; who needed that kind of reminder everyday?

  My God, I’m pathetic. I really have to snap out of this.

  Caroline walked over, opened the sliding glass door and went out onto the deck. She leaned on the railing, letting the breeze blow through her hair. It was a warm night and the moon was full, casting moonbeams upon the beach. The sound of the waves soothed her frayed nerves. She went down the stairs to take a walk along the beach. It was so peaceful in the off-season, and a welcome relief after the turmoil of the past months.

  She walked for about a time, letting her mind drift. It was quiet; not a soul was near. She plopped down the on the sand, watching the waves in their relentless quest to reclaim the beach, and soon became lost in thought.

  I should listen to Elena and loosen up a little. Stop being Miss Practical all the time, and be more spontaneous. Maybe I’ll go back to the hospital and volunteer again. Haven’t seen the kids…

  Yip. Yip. Yip.

  A little dog jumped into her lap, startling Caroline out of her reverie. “Oh my God, you scared the daylights out of me!” She held the little dog up in front of her. “You’re a cutie though, aren’t you? Where’s your owner?”

  “Um…that would be me!” a stranger yelled, running up the beach with another dog tagging alongside him.

  Caroline stood, still holding the little dog in her arms.

  “I’m really sorry about that.” A drop-dead, gorgeous guy stopped at her side. “Jake doesn’t realize that not everyone likes to be jumped on.”

  “I didn’t mind. Honestly, he just scared me, that’s all,” Caroline said. “What kind of dog is he? He’s adorable.”

  “He’s a Havanese.”

  “Wow, never heard of that breed before. He’s really cute.”

  “Yes, and trust me, he knows it.”

  Caroline handed the little dog back to his owner, and when their hands met, she felt a tiny shock rip through her body.

  “Thanks for catching my dog. I’m Matt, by the way.”

  Caroline took a deep breath; she wasn’t exactly sure what just happened. What was wrong with her tonight? How could a perfect stranger affect her in this unexpected way. She glanced at Matt and did a quick assessment. Late 30s, and from what she could see, he was in great shape--broad shoulders, narrow waist, and strong muscular thighs. He was handsome in a rugged sort of way, with light-brown wavy hair and sparkling blue eyes.

  Oh damn, not blue eyes again.

  “Hi Matt, I’m Caroline. Do you live here at the beach?”

  What am I doing? she thought. Didn’t I just tell Elena I wasn’t interested in meeting anyone right now, but there’s nothing wrong with being polite. I can be polite.

  “Yeah, a couple of miles down. I usually take the dogs out for a run at this time every night. That’s Cooper.” He pointed to the golden retriever sitting patiently at his side.

  “I’ve never seen you around here before, but then again, I don’t usually stay at the beach house after September,” she said.

  “This is the best time to be at the beach, especially when all the tourists have left. It’s always too damn noisy and crowded when they’re around.”

  “I know,” Caroline said, reaching out to pat Jake again. “He really is the cutest dog I’ve ever seen.”

  And his owner isn’t bad either.

  “Yeah, he charms all the ladies,” Matt said with a chuckle. “Well, I’d better get these guys home. It was nice meeting you, Caroline. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

  I’ll probably regret this, but…

  “Umm…would you like a glass of wine before you head home,” she asked tentatively. “Of course, if you’re busy I totally understand. We can do it another time.”

  Matt gave Caroline an appreciative stare. “No, I’m not busy.” Then he offered up a dazzling smile. “And I would love a glass of wine.”

  Caroline hesitated a moment, doubting her own actions.

  Really? What are you doing asking a total stranger into your home? Of course, he does love dogs so he can’t be all bad, right?

  “Great, I live just up the beach.”

  Matt put Jake down and the little dog started running off down the beach. “I guess we’re running to your house,” he said before chasing after him.

  “I guess we are,” Caroline said with a chuckle, and took off after them. It didn’t take long to reach her house. “It’s the white one!” she shouted.

  Matt caught up to Jake and scooped hi
m up in his arms. “Come on you little rascal. Enough running for one night.”

  He waited for Caroline to catch up, and they walked up the stairs to her expansive deck. She closed the gate at the stop of the stairs. “He won’t try to get off the deck, will he?”

  “No, he’ll stay with Cooper now. They’ve had a good run.”

  Cooper lay down at Matt’s command. He put Jake down and the little dog curled up next to Cooper. “Stay,” he said.

  “Do they need some water?”

  “Yeah, that would be great,” he said, following her into the kitchen.

  Caroline ambled over to the counter and got a bowl and two wine glasses out of the cabinet.

  “Here, you give the dogs water and I’ll pour us some wine. Is white okay?” she asked.

  “White is fine. Be right back.” Matt filled the bowl at the sink and took it outside to the dogs. “Here you go, guys. Quiet time now.” He gave each dog a pat on the head before heading back inside.

  “It’s now or never,” Caroline mumbled to herself while pouring the wine. I’ve got to jump back into the dating game sometime. Might as well be tonight.

  Caroline handed Matt the glass of wine.

  “Thank you. I’m glad you asked me back to your house. It saved me the trouble of trying to accidently run into you another day,” he said with a coy smile.

  Caroline’s eyes narrowed. “Really? You wanted to run into me again?”

  “Yeah, anyone who likes my dogs are okay by me,” he said, reaching for her hand.

  His touch sent a warm shiver running through her and she absently tucked her hair behind her ear, one of her nervous habits. “Um…would you like to go sit on the couch?” “I could put some music on.”

  “Sure.”

  Caroline walked into the spacious living room and turned on the Bose radio. Soft strains of romantic music filled the air. She turned around to find Matt standing right behind her.

  “Dance with me,” he whispered into her ear.

  “Oh my,” she said breathlessly.

  “Is that a bad oh my or a good one?” he asked.