An Affair To Remember: So That's John McBain?

by tarskeewee08

The Party

"Will you mingle with our guest and stop with the attitude."

Evangeline sipped her martini at the bar, then glanced up hatefully at her husband "Please don't start, I've been smiling and grinning at your guest all evening." She said coolly tossing her raven long hair over her shoulder.

"Why is it always difficult with you Van?" Kevin said moving into her space.

Dropping her eyes, she let go a regretful sigh "Not now Kevin…."

Touching her arm at first hesitantly, he rubbed it affectionately "Can we pretend tonight that you're my wife and you love me for one night?" he said in a soft desperate whisper.

Evangeline looked into his brown eyes hating that after 10 years of marriage he is a complete stranger to her. His love for her hadn't wavered until 7 months ago when he betrayed her in the most humiliating way.

It was so different between them years ago. When they dated he loved her spirit. He encouraged her dreams, but after she became Ms. Kevin Buchanan she disappeared and his wanderlust caused him to stray from her bed and heart.

Lowering her glass she put on her plastic smile "Let's do it."

He flashed her a look of relief and they made their way back into the party. The wealthy of Llanview drank and mingled. Evangeline played the gracious hostess, turning quite a few heads with slim line grey sequined dress that revealed how much of a temptress she was, by showcasing curves that many women at the party were green with envy over. Every now and then she would look up and see her husband smile at her as she made a concerted effort to make his event a success.

Nora made her way through the crowd, touching her back when she reached her. "Can I just say I'm bored to death." she whispered.

Evangeline turned, her hair cascading to the left after she tilted her head to her. "Why Ms. Buchanan you couldn't possibly be!" she giggled girlishly happy to see a friendly face.

Nora pinched her and chuckled "I see you are doing your job perfectly tonight."

"Kevin asked that I pretend and we both know I'm good at that. My whole is marriage is a game of make believe." she said hollowly

Nora's smile faded "Evangeline he's trying"

She looks at her then cuts her eyes "Yeah, well maybe I don't want him to try so much."

"He's desperate to save your marriage. He's hurt you and he's sorry"

"Nora!" she hissed through her teeth "Are you my friend or his?" she said angrily tired of the 'give Kevin another chance' pitch.

Nora blinked at her surprised "I'm sorry…."

She regretted snapping at her immediately. Nora was a good friend to them both and was only trying to be supportive. Flashing her an apologetic smile she reached and touched her shoulder "Don't be its not your fault, you are just trying to be supportive and I appreciate it."

Nora grabed a glass of champagne off a passing tray, drinking it slowly as Evangeline scanned the crowd to see if there was anyone in the room she didn't know. Her eyes soon met with a striking man in a tux leaning in the frame of the wide doorway that led to the other side of the ballroom. His perfectly trimmed, stopping at the nape of his neck, was medium brown and combed away from his face. He sported a mustache with a goatee that lined the outer edges of his jaw.

He raised his champagne glass to her and his blue eyes sparkled like diamonds. Something about those eyes held her frozen, they felt oddly familiar. Nora seeing her attention now focused elsewhere, looked over to see the mysterious stranger, then smiled. "His name is John McBain."

Evangeline looks at her confused "That's John McBain?"

"In the flesh" she says drinking more of her champagne. Bo walked over smiling at the two lovelies standing before him. Nora wore a midnight blue evening gown and her hair was pinned up away from her face. She looked radiantly. "Ladies are you enjoying the party?"

Evangeline broke the intense stare she shared with a man that seemed oddly familiar, then turned to look at Bo who is pulling at his bow tie "Hey Bo how are you?"

"Fine Van, just ready to call this a night"

Nora smiled affectionately leaning over to kiss his cheek "I'm ready when you are"

Slipping his arm around her waist he pulled her into a kiss. "Let's do this"

Evangeline watched a little envious, chewing on her glossy lips. Gone were the days of that kind of desire in her marriage. Not that Kevin didn't expect and pursue her constantly with his urges, but his betrayal coupled with her growing disinterest has him now sleeping in a guest room. Nora turned to her friend and touching her manicured hand "Good night"

"Night" she said smiling.

Watching them walk out she wished she had her martini again. Deciding she too would fade into the background she turned and ran straight into him. "Excuse me"

He touches her arm to steady her and looks intensely into her eyes. "Ms. Buchanan, I've been dying to meet you all evening."

Evangeline stepped back a little breathless from the brief contact. She looked into his face and smiled "Mr. McBain we finally meet" she said extending her hand to him. Taking her hand gently he raised it to his lips, kissing it tenderly.

Evangeline became flushed from the contact, looking around the room nervously afraid that she's being watched. John let her hand go and she looks back to his face. Kevin was extremely anxious for his arrival to Llanview. Hell this party was all for his benefit. All she knew was he had more money than god and something that her husband wanted. He looks at her in the clinging cocktail dress she wore with lustful eyes. Evangeline could feel his eyes travel from her bosom to her hips.

Before she could speak Kevin appeared at her side, slipping his hand around her waist "Mr. McBain I see you met my wife."

John looked at Kevin disguising his jealousy and accepts his handshake. "Yes she was so gracious to keep me company until you were free."

"Excuse me" Evangeline said grateful for the reason to escape this man and his unsolicited attention. John looked her in the eye appreciatively and nodded slightly. Kevin frowned at her slipping from his hold while she smiled walking away. Turning as she left, sending her hair swirling around her shoulders in long layers, she saw his eyes still on her while Kevin made whatever pitch he was making. Blushing she turned away and navigated through the party. Something about him was so damn familiar, but the three martini's had her fuzzy.

It was well after midnight and she was exhausted. The planning of this event had her up since 5 am. All she wanted to do was go to sleep. Seeing her mother over in the corner with Vikki she walked over.

Vikki saw her first and smiled "Evangeline…"

"Hi" she said weakly. "Do you two mind seeing the guest out, I'm not feeling too well"

Lisa touched her arm and frown "Are you okay sweetie"

"Fine mom…just want to lay down" She said kissing her cheek

"Of course Evangeline, go ahead we'll let Kevin know" Vikki said smiling

"Thanks"

Graciously she slid through the crowd avoiding the constant chatter of people she neither liked nor knew. Before she slipped out of the ballroom of Llanfair, she looked back once more to see Mr. McBain again staring, it was evident now that his focus was her. He winked at her and she smiled in spite of herself exiting quickly, breaking the brief hold he had on her. Why was he flirting with her so openly?

John watched her all evening. She was as beautiful as she was gracious. He wanted to approach her but felt it best that he keep his distance for now. When she finally glanced in his direction he tilted his glass and made his way to her.

She seemed genuinely unaware of who he was. He was somewhat disappointed that she didn't remember him, but not surprised. The last time he saw her 14 years ago and she barely knew him then. When Kevin Buchanan contacted his office for a formal meeting he declined. He had no interest in investing in another land deal, but 3 months later he picked up the Wall Street Journal and read an article on the appointment of the new CFO to Buchanan Enterprises, Ms. Evangeline Williamson Buchanan.

He knew it was her, making several calls within minutes her information was being e-faxed to his laptop on his private jet. When he opened the email and saw her face his heart stopped. There she was beautiful as ever as if time had stood still and they were young again. He made sure his people contacted Kevin immediately. It appeared that Llanview had become a whole lot more interesting.

Watching her sashay out, she turned and looked at him. He saw a hint of sadness in her eyes again and it intrigued him. She was definitely different. He couldn't wait to know her this time, really know her. This was his chance to undo the heartache and finally claim the love of his life.

Evangeline came out of her bathroom into her bedroom in a salmon colored floor length satin nightgown with spaghetti straps and a revealing lace front. Slipping on her matching robe she was set to go down the hall and check on her mom who was in town for the party before calling it an night.

Kevin walked in and closed the door loudly "Why did you leave!" he snapped
She looked him up and down as he ripped at his bow tie and worked his way out of his jacket.

"I told your mother that I was tired"

"Evangeline….I needed you at my side"

Glaring at him she bit down on her bottom lip fighting the urge to snap back at him. He noticed her restraint and softened. Walking over to her he cupped her face "Baby please…let's not fight. Let me be a husband to you."

She put her hands over his forcing him to release her face "No…I'm not ready"
"Why!" he snapped
"Why?" she asked with her hands on her hips. "Do you think that I can forget your betrayal that easily?"

"It's been over 7 months now Evangeline. Kelly is no longer an issue for us"

"She was my friend you bastard."

"I told you I was sorry. I have been faithful to you. I would never betray your trust again. Please baby we can't go on like this. I can't go on like this."

Shaking her head sadly she walked away. The truth be told she forgave him months ago. The problem in their marriage wasn't the affair. The problem was she was no longer in love with her husband.

Turning from him so he wouldn't see the cold truth on her face she ran her hands through her hair. He walked up behind her moving her hair from her left shoulder revealing the delicate curve of her neck. Slipping his arm around her waist he kissed her there tenderly, pulling her closer to him. Evangeline relaxed under his touch as her eyes fluttered shut.

She didn't care why he slept with Kelly. She didn't care that he was sorry. She didn't care that Kelly was a good friend, not as close as Nora but a friend. She didn't care about anything anymore, she was numb and empty inside.

Taking her non-refusal of his touch as permission he slid his hand up to her breast while now slipping his tongue in her ear. For months he would do this and she allow it to a point then push him away as punishment. It was the only thing she had control of in their life, but now she just wanted to feel something again.

That mysterious business associate had sparked something in her in that brief encounter. She'd been walking around in a fog for so long that when the cloud lifted she was surprised to see his clear blue eyes shinning through. As her husband grinded into her holding her with both arms and allowing his hands to travel her body she thought of John McBain's sly knowing smile.

Turning she accepted Kevin's kiss and he was somewhat surprised that she not only allowed it but initiated it. He walked her backward toward the bed kissing her feverishly, as her hands worked the buttons of his shirt. Making contact with the bed Kevin let go of her and started undoing his cufflinks. Evangeline watched him get undress and scooted back on the king size maple wood canopy bed with taupe colored sheets and large taupe and maroon throw pillows.

She remembered when the anticipation of him making love to her had her weak with desire. Now she barely felt anything at all of his approach. The longer he took the more she lost her nerve. Finally she moved away from him and off the bed as he freed himself from his pants.

"I can't do this"

He looked at her shocked and she could see his erect penis in his boxer shorts.
Walking around the bed to her he stared into her face lovingly "I love you and I want my wife back."

Shaking her head causing her hair to fall into her face she pushed past him. "I can't Kevin" she said walking toward the door. "I'm going to tell my mom goodnight, I prefer you sleep in one of the guest rooms"

Before he could respond she walked out and he couldn't believe how things had fallen apart between them.

Going over to the bed he saw their wedding picture on the end table. He could remember a time when he could barely keep her hands off him. He was an idiot to betray her with that affair. It has cost him too much.

However, he wouldn't let her go. Somehow or way he would find a way to make her forgive him and let him back into her heart. He loved her too much to give up.

Rising from the bed he picked up his clothes and threw them on the chaise lounge before heading for a cold shower. He would spend another sleepless night in the guest room. Sucking his breath he shook his head. This had to stop and it had to stop soon. There was just so much of this he could take.