His Perfect Match

“Damn.” His hungry eyes roamed over her slender body.

“That dress has been driving me crazy all night. I’ve been dying to see you in the light.”

Liz smiled and turned in a slow circle, lifting her arms behind her head. “Well, here I am.”

In a flash Darius was across the room and had her wrapped in his arms. “And all night I’ve been thinking about taking it off you.”

His mouth went to her neck, as he began removing the thin material with his teeth and sliding it down her body, kissing his way along the path he was creating.

Liz felt as if her whole world was spinning on its axis as he lifted her in his arms, carrying her to the bed. “Wait! What about Dee and Marc?”

Darius paused. “What about them?”

“What if they come in and hear us?” Liz was trying to focus, but it was hard when all his sun-gold skin was being revealed inch by beautiful inch.

A smile spread across his face. “Then, I guess you’re gonna have to keep it down, huh?”

ELAINE OVERTON

currently resides in the Detroit area with her son. She attended a local business college before entering the military and serving in the Gulf War.

She is an administrative assistant currently working for an automotive-industry supplier and is an active member of Romance Writers of America.

His Perfect Match

Elaine Overton

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Be still, and know that I am God…

—Psalms 46:10

Thank You for always reminding me.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for taking the time to read His Perfect Match. I hope you enjoy Darius and Liz’s story. Like fine wine, sometimes love needs time to age and evolve into something rich and wonderful. Darius and Liz discover this the hard way, but thankfully life gives them a second chance to get it right.

I love to hear from my readers, so feel free to write me at [e-mail]. I look forward to hearing what you think!

And make sure to look out for my next Kimani Romance title, Miami Attraction, coming out in April 2010.

Elaine

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

Prologue

Ten years earlier…

Cincinnati, Ohio

As he stepped off the train Darius North listened to a voice mail introduction of his fiancée’s cell phone before speaking. “Liz, it’s me. I’ve been trying to reach you for two days. I need to talk to you. Call me as soon as you get this message.” He started to hang up before adding. “I don’t know why you’re not returning my calls, but whatever it is I’m sure we can work through it, just call me. Okay?” He tucked the cell phone back into the case attached to his belt.

Slinging his tote bag over his shoulder he moved through the crowded train station and out to the main entrance where cabs waited for fares. His troubled mind was running in a thousand directions. Something was wrong. She was having second thoughts. Darius knew it as certain as he knew his own name. He could feel it.

He climbed into one of the available cabs.

“Where to?” the driver called over his shoulder.

Darius gave his home address and a few seconds later the car was in motion. He settled back in the seat knowing it would be at least twenty minutes before they reached his apartment complex.

He stared out the window at the passing cityscape as his problems raced through his mind. Whatever was going on with Liz had started over a month ago. She’d changed almost overnight. Now, if he said up—she said down. If he said left—she said right. He’d tried to talk to her before leaving on his trip and she’d just brushed him off.

Which was extremely unusual. Liz was the most agreeable person he knew. He thought back to the last getaway they’d had. He’d planned a romantic weekend retreat to a local medieval-style castle. She’d not even known where they were going until they had arrived, and the surprise on her face when they pulled up to the castle had been well worth the effort. They’d had a terrific time that weekend, but that was before all the wedding plans had begun.

At first, he’d assumed it was just the usual nervousness that came with getting married. After all, he was experiencing his own share of it. The idea of taking responsibility for the financial and emotional well-being of another human being was daunting to say the least.

But he was prepared. Probably more prepared than most twenty-four-year-old men. After all he had a successful business to provide for them. And not only was it successful but thriving.

At the age of eighteen, straight out of high school, he’d signed up for the franchise-training program at the deli he worked in. Within a year, he was opening his own store. Two years later, another, and another across town, and now he was returning from a planning meeting in a city fifty miles away where he was preparing to open more delis and supermarkets.

Liz, a recent college graduate with a philosophy degree, could do much worse than him, he thought. So, what was her problem? His phone rang and he quickly answered it.

“Hey, man, where are you? I called the hotel you were staying at and they said you checked out.”

“Hey, Darren. Yeah, I decided to come back a day early. What’s up?”

There was a long pause before his brother finally said, “Nothing—nothing, just wanted to see if you needed any last-minute help with anything.”

Darius frowned. “No, you just make sure you bring the ring.”

“Of course.”

His frown deepened. He loved his big brother, but Darren wasn’t exactly the reliable type. “Did your tux arrive?”

“Um…yeah, about that.”

Darius laughed, already knowing what his brother’s complaint would be. “What about it?”

“It’s green.”

“Sage.”

“What?”

“Sage. Liz picked the colors—not me.”

“At the shop we tried on black tuxes.”

“That was just for sizing. I thought I told you that?”

“You know damn well you didn’t say anything about green tuxedos.”

Darius laughed again. “Sorry, brother, but I’m just trying to make my new bride happy.”

“Are you sure you can?”

Darius felt a chill of premonition run down his spine. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He waited for several seconds but when no response came he prompted his brother again. “Darren, what the hell did you mean by that?”

Darren’s only response was a grunt.

Darius instantly realized his brother knew more than he was saying. “Look, Darren, if you know something, say it.”

“Nothing to say—I don’t know anything.”

“Then why did you say that?”

“Just messing with you. It was a joke. You’re too sensitive. Chill.”

Darius’s eyes narrowed. His brother was lying. “Darren, as my brother I would expect you to tell me if you saw something or even heard something about Liz while I was away.”

“Man, you’re overreacting.”

“Am I?”

“Look, I just called to see if you needed some help with the wedding stuff. Never mind.”

Darius listened as the phone went dead on the other end before turning off his own. Darren knew something. Something he was obviously hesitant to share. That short conversation was just enough to confirm Darius’s suspicions.

Before he could change his mind he leaned forward and knocked on the glass. “Instead, can you take me to 5682 Willard Avenue?”

The driver gave him a quick annoyed glance. “That’s thirty minutes in the opposite direction.”

“I know. I’ll make it worth your while.”

That seemed to appease the driver because as soon as he could find an appropriate place to turn around, he did, and headed back across town in the direction of Willard Avenue.

Thirty-five minutes later Darius was stepping out of the cab and paying the driver his fee and a fifty-dollar tip. The man nodded his satisfaction before pulling away.

Darius stood in the drive of the small family home belonging to the Donovans. Liz’s compact car was sitting in the drive right behind her father’s pickup truck.

He walked to the door and knocked. It was a warm June evening, so although he waited a few minutes and knocked again a couple of times, it was not an uncomfortable wait.

Finally, the door cracked partially and half a face topped with a couple of pink rollers appeared. “Darius? What are you doing here?”

“Evening, Mrs. Donovan. Sorry to disturb you so late. I was hoping to talk to Liz.”

Marian Donovan closed the door to remove the chain and opened it wide. “I’m sure she’s in bed already. Is something wrong?”

“Who is it, Marian?” A gruff male voice called from the top of the stairs.

“Sorry to wake you, Mr. Donovan, I was hoping to see Liz,” Darius called up the stairs.

The stairs creaked as the large man descended. “Darius? What’s wrong, son?”

Darius, starting to feel a little ridiculous for getting this couple out of their bed for nothing, tried to play down his concern. “No, nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to speak to Liz for a few moments, if it’s not too much trouble.”

They gave each other a strange look before Marian announced, “I’ll go wake her.”

“Thank you.” Darius called to her retreating back as she climbed the stairs.

“Come on in.” Will Donovan gestured to the living room. “Have a seat.”

The two men entered the small, cozily decorated room, and sat at opposite ends of the couch.

“You sure everything is okay, Darius?” Will asked, leaning forward to meet the younger man’s eyes.

Darius tried to smile reassuringly. “Yes, sir. It’s just that I haven’t been able to reach her by phone for a couple of days.” His smile widened to a grin. “Just want to make sure she hasn’t changed her mind.”

Will chuckled loudly. “Better not, considering the money me and her mama have spent on this little event.” He reached over and patted Darius’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, son. She’s probably just a little nervous. Perfectly natural.”

“Yes, sir.” Darius nodded obediently, and tried to tamp down his own concern as he watched Marian Donovan descend the stairs alone.

Her troubled eyes first went to her husband as both men stood to greet her. “She’s not in her room.”

Will frowned. “What do you mean she’s not in her room?” He crossed the floor and pulled back the curtains on the windows facing the front of the house. “There’s her car right there.”

“I know. She must’ve gone out with some girlfriends after we went to bed.” Darius did not miss the way his future mother-in-law avoided eye contact with him. “I guess she’s making the most of being a single woman.” Marian tried to laugh, but the sound sort of faded off in a squeak.

Will’s face was twisted in a harsh frown. “Without even leaving a note?” He crossed the room and grabbed the cordless phone from his base on a side table. He quickly dialed his daughter’s cell phone number.

Marian and Darius stood patiently, although Darius was feeling anything but patient. His earlier concern had deepened to an almost terrifying fear.

“Where the hell are you?” Will Donovan growled into the phone. “Call home as soon as you get this message, young lady!” He slammed the phone down on the base and flopped down in the chair next to the table. “Sorry, Darius. I don’t know what’s gotten into that girl lately. This is the third time she’s done this in the past couple of weeks.”

“Will!” Marian hissed.

He rolled his eyes at his wife and continued, unintimidated. “The man has a right to know, Marian.”

Marian crossed to stand between her husband and Darius. “It’s just regular wedding jitters, Darius. Everybody has them. I’m sure you’re nervous in your own way, as well.”

Darius tried to force a smile. “Yes, ma’am. I’m a little nervous. I’m going to head home.” He turned toward the front door, then paused and looked over his shoulder. “Could you call me and let me know when she makes it in? Just so I know she’s okay.”

Will simply nodded and Marian called out, “Of course we’ll call you. I’m sure she’s just out with some girlfriends.”

Or another man, Darius thought. But the worried expressions on both her parents’ face let him know he was not the only one thinking it.

Just before five, Darius was awakened by a phone call from a tired-sounding Marian announcing that Liz had finally made it home.

“Can I speak to her?” he asked.

“Um, Darius, maybe now is not a good time. She just had a big argument with her father and I just don’t think she’s…”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

“Maybe you should just give her some time to herself. I really think she’s just nervous about Saturday.”

“Yeah, that’s probably it.”

“Okay, then, we’ll see you at the church on Saturday.”

But as he hung up the phone and laid back down, Darius realized he did not understand. Somehow, his well-planned-out life was becoming complicated; things were changing, and he did not understand at all.

Two days later, dressed in his sage-and-black tuxedo, Darius knocked on the door to the dressing room in the back of the church, and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. “Liz? You in there?”

In the distance he could hear a piano solo of Jeffrey Osborne’s “On the Wings of Love” coming from the sanctuary. One of Liz’s friends, a bridesmaid, Kelly, hurried toward him down the hall, her sage-green gown lifted to her knees revealing white stockings with a severe tear down the left leg.

As she reached him, Darius asked, “Have you seen Liz this morning?”

She seemed distressed as she bobbed her head, the flowers threaded through her blond tresses weaving precariously. “Yes, about an hour ago.” She gestured to the closed door. “She should still be in there. I was just coming to see if she had any extra stockings.” She extended her leg. “Mine are ruined.”

He knocked on the door again. “Liz?” He cracked the door a bit and the first thing he saw was Marian Donovan reflected in the full-length standing mirror on the other side of the room. She was reading something.

“Mrs. Donovan? Is Liz here?”

Marian Donovan swung around with a terrified expression on her face. “What? Oh, no, no—she’s not.” She rushed across the room to them. “Kelly, would you be a dear and go find my husband?”

Kelly’s wide blue eyes looked nervously between Darius and Marian, and then she hurried away to find Will Donovan.

With a loud swallow, Marian finally looked directly at Darius. “Darius, come in here. We…we need to talk.”

Darius started into the room on shaky legs. He knew. With absolute certainty he knew what he was about to be told.

Marian closed the door and handed him the note. “I found this a few minutes ago.”

With clumsy fingers he unfolded the note and quickly scanned the scrawled writing.

Darius,

As much as it pains me to tell you in this manner, I cannot in good conscience go through with our wedding. I’m in love with someone else. I’m so sorry to hurt you this way, but to marry you would mean being untrue to my own heart…

He heard the door behind him burst open and Will Donovan’s blustery voice in some kind of deep discussion or argument with his wife, Darius couldn’t focus his mind enough to tell. Nor, did he care. He felt like he was in a fog, an agonizing, torturous fog.

He could hear others pouring into the room, his own parents’ voices were mingled with the rest. But he was trying to see through the newly formed tears in his eyes to read the rest of the letter.

I hope you believe me when I tell you that I wish you only the best life has to offer and I hope, I truly hope that one day you can forgive us. I do love you, Darius, in my own way. But I have discovered too late that the love I feel for you is more that of a brother for a sister and not the deep emotional attachment I feel now.

Someone was sobbing, no…a couple of someones. And he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Please don’t look for me, go on with your life and find the happiness you deserve. And tell my parents I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt them, either. Liz

Darius slowly folded the note closed exactly as he’d received it and turned to face the family and friends crowded into the small room.

His mother pushed her way forward and took his face between her hands. “Darius? Are you okay, baby?”

He nodded and closed his eyes tightly to hold back the tears. Not here. Not now.

Carol North hugged her eldest son to her, and then said, “I’ll get your brother to drive you home.” She looked around, but it was impossible to see anything in the mass of chattering people. “Darren! Darren where are you?”

No answer came for several seconds, so she turned to her husband, Jimmy, who’d worked his way to his son’s side. “You know where Darren is?”

He shook his head. “Has anyone seen Darren?” He called over the crowd, but the incessant chatter continued and no one offered an answer.

Feeling his chest heave, Darius unfolded the note and reread ten words that were now taking on a new meaning. “I truly hope that one day you can forgive us.”

Us.

Us?

Darius reached behind himself, and amazingly he found a chair to sit in before his legs finally gave way.

Carol worked her way over to the back of the chair and gently put her hands on his shoulders, as if by touch alone she could remove his pain. He could feel her turning her body in each direction still searching for her other son, the one she expected to help his brother now.

Darius could’ve told her Darren wasn’t there. Us. By now, both his brother and his fiancée were long gone. On the way to their new life…together.

Two months later…

Las Vegas, Nevada

Elizabeth Donovan sat on the window seat of the small hotel room watching the bright-red neon sign of the strip club across the street flash its invitation of topless women. She pulled her knees to her chest, folded her arms across them and finally surrendered to the tears she’d fought for too long. What a complete mess she’d made of her life.

Her comfortable world filled with the safe haven of family and friends seemed to have disappeared before her very eyes. Some mornings she woke believing the past two months had been nothing more than a nightmare. Then she would sit up in the bed, look around the shabby little hotel room and remember. It was real. All of it. Every horrific detail. And she had no one to blame but herself.

How had everything gone so wrong, so fast? It seemed like years since she’d stood before the full-length mirror being fitted for her wedding gown, when in fact it had only been a few months. She’d been so sure of everything then, including what to expect of her future. Now, she wasn’t sure of anything, not even her own mind.

Almost from the time they were children playing together, Liz had known and accepted that Darius North would always be a part of her life. Although he was five years older than she, her family had had no objections when they’d started dating four years ago. Even then Darius had a reputation as being an upstanding, dependable young man.

Over the years he’d proven to be everything it was assumed he would be. Respectful, generous-hearted, reliable. And the more he lived up to his stellar reputation, the more Liz accepted a secret truth in her heart that she would never admit aloud. For all his wonderful virtues, Darius nearly bored her to tears.

With Darius nothing was ever a surprise. Not even a surprise was a surprise. Every year on their anniversary when he handed her a gift-wrapped box Liz could guess what it was before opening it. Darius followed the traditional anniversary-gift guidelines as if it were gospel.

First year paper, second year cotton and so forth. In fact, Darius always followed the set guidelines. He never broke the rules, and she knew he never would.

At twenty-one, Liz already knew what her life would hold. She would marry Darius, the staid deli owner from Ohio, and they would probably have two, three children at the most. They would buy a small brick home in a Cincinnati suburb and continue to belong to their Methodist Church, Blessed Mary, where Darius would eventually become a deacon. Liz knew this because Darius had laid it all out to her some time ago. And Darius always did what he said he would. Always.

Using the back of her hand she carelessly wiped at her tear-filled eyes. What she wouldn’t give to have that predictable man back in her life. But that particular bridge had been burnt to ash. There was no going back. Ever. All because of one man—no, that wasn’t fair. It was as much her fault as it was Darren’s.

Liz leaned her head against the window and sighed at the feel of the cool glass against her heated face. She glanced down at the thin white plastic stick resting in her limp hand. Through her blur of tears she could barely make out the pink strip in the tiny opening. It didn’t matter. She’d already spent the past hour staring at it. No, there was no going back now.

Seeing a car pull up below she hastily wiped her eyes hoping it was someone dropping Darren off. She glanced at the clock and felt her heart sink a little more. It was just a little past midnight. Darren never made it back before dawn—on the mornings he bothered to come back at all.

The car door slammed shut and she was able to make out the Las Vegas Police Department symbol. For some reason she found herself focused on that symbol. It wasn’t unusual to see LVPD pulling up in front of the hotel that also served as a halfway house. But there was something about the way the neon sign across the street flashed over the car that cast the symbol in a strange light.

She watched as the two uniformed officers entered the building below, and glanced back at the stick in her hand. Forcing her exhausted body into motion she stood and went into the bathroom to toss out the stick. She grabbed some toilet tissue and wiped the tears from her eyes.

There was no more time for self-pity. There were decisions to be made. Important decisions. And this time she would think it through instead of acting on impulse as she’d done two months ago.

This time she would make the right choices, because now her decision wasn’t just for herself anymore. Just then, a knock came on the door.

Liz frowned as she headed to the door. She hesitated to answer, wondering who it could be. Darren was the only person who knew she was there and he had a key. She bit her bottom lip nervously wondering if one of the ex-convicts who occupied the building had been watching Darren come and go and knew she was there alone. She decided not to answer, until another knock came and with it a deep baritone voice announced, “Liz Donovan? Las Vegas police—we need to talk to you.”

Oh, God, what has Darren done? Liz slowly moved toward the door and, after glancing out the peephole, she opened it. “I’m Liz Donovan.”

Liz braced her body against the door to keep from falling down. She’d opened the door expecting to find two officers bent on doing their duty whatever that may be, and that’s exactly what she found. But the sympathy in their eyes spoke volumes regarding exactly what type of duty they were required to do that night. In that moment Liz knew Darren would not be coming back that morning…or any other morning for that matter.