“Thank you. I… Um… Jeans and t-shirts is more my speed, but I’m a size ten petite, so whatever you think is best will be fine.”
Eduardo blinked and let out a soft chuckle. “Forgive me, princess, but you’re not a ten anything. You’re an eight on the bottom and more like a twelve on top. Petites won’t fit you because of your massive knockers and that cute round backside, so everything will have to be tailored.”
“Rude!”
Nobody had ever been quite that blunt about my figure before, but maybe it explained why I’d never had much luck finding anything to fit me.
“But right.” He pulled me to my feet. “Come on. Mr. Acardi has opened the purse strings, and it’s going to be a true joy to dress a woman with curves like yours. I promise it won’t be so bad.”
Eduardo was wrong. It was worse.
Giorgio
I spent hours going through financials and arranging funding for The Katie Project. Rubbing my eyes, I buzzed Linsey, but she didn’t answer.
Glancing at the clock, I winced. She’d told me two hours earlier she was leaving to take her son to a soccer game. I shuffled my notes and printouts into a folder. It could wait until tomorrow. By then, I might have better cost estimates from my design team anyway.
Unlocking the cupboard behind Linsey’s desk, I grabbed a set of keys for one of the company trucks. I still had that stupid Chamber ball tonight and didn’t have time to wait for Clyde or Jeremy to come get me. At least I had a date. Thankfully, Carlina agreed to be seen with me in public and Jeremy would make sure she got there.
Trudging outside, I found the right truck and climbed into the cab. As I turned to head for the freeway, I considered stopping for something to eat, but I didn’t have time. Thankfully, traffic behaved itself and I made it home without incident. As usual, Leonard roared when I opened the door. It didn’t make me flinch anymore, but damn, he was loud. My head throbbed and I resisted the urge to tell him to hush.
Of course, he never got up from his couch, so that made him a somewhat less effective guard cat.
“Hi Gio,” Antonio said from the couch. “Carli left a plate for you in the fridge, but she’s already gone. Jeremy and Hunter took her to that fancy dress place and they say she’ll meet you at the ball.”
“Thanks, buddy. Do you want to come with us?”
Blushing, he looked down at his hands. “I can’t. My tuxedo doesn’t fit anymore, and yours are too long. Besides, Leonard and I are going to spend the night with Mr. and Mrs. Dennison. Their grandchildren are in town and want to meet him, and I made a big pot of taco meat to take over.”
I winced. Because of all the weight he’d lost, Antonio needed an entire new wardrobe. I’d been too focused on work and Carlina to think about it. Sitting next to him, I squeezed his knee. “I’m really sorry, Antonio. We’ll go shopping for all new stuff this weekend, okay?”
“You’re sorry I lost weight?” he asked, hurt filling his eyes.
“No. You look amazing and you must feel a lot better. I’m thrilled about that, and very proud of you. I’m sorry I didn’t think about taking you shopping for new clothes.”
“I hate shopping, so I didn’t ask. Carli brings me stuff to try on and returns everything that doesn’t work. You make me go into the store, so she’s better.”
Laughing, I squeezed his knee once more, then stood. “Fair enough. If you want to come tonight, you can wear one of my suits. We’ll just cut the pant legs off.”
“I want to see Abby and Curtis again and I already promised tacos. But take a picture of Carli, okay? I want to see her all dressed up like a princess.”
“You got it. We won’t be late tonight, so if the lights are still on in the guest house, we’ll stop by to visit.”
“Okay.” He glanced down at the watch Carlina had given him and said, “You better hurry. You’re going to be late.”
Antonio was right. I grabbed a quick shower, and was only ten minutes behind schedule by the time I pulled up to the valet stand in front of the Civic Center. I strode inside, meaning to find the event planner to let her know I was there.
“Hello Giorgio,” a woman’s voice said.
I spun around, finding a gorgeous brunette with tawny skin. She wore an ice-blue corset dress with a flowing skirt that left her muscular shoulders and arms bare. A collar of diamonds rested around her graceful throat, and her silky black hair was piled into a complicated updo with a few tendrils tickling her shoulders.
“I’m sorry, do I…” I blinked, then widened my eyes when the scent of lemon reached me. “Fuck me. Carlina? Holy shit!”
Her face fell and she looked down. “Wow, that bad, huh?”
“Jesus. You look…” I fumbled for my phone, dropping it twice. “Hold still.”
“What?”
“Antonio wanted a picture of you looking like a princess and now I feel like a slob compared to you.”
Her red-painted lips twitched into a grin and she struck a pose. I snapped several pictures, nearly dropping my phone again. God, she was stunning. Although her dress was modestly cut and she was in no danger of falling out, the swell of her breasts above the corset bodice made me drool. I had no idea what I’d paid for that dress, but it was worth double.
A man walked by, his date’s hand on his arm. His eyes tracked Carlina and he licked his lips like a dog after a bone. When I scowled, he turned back to his date, nearly running into a server carrying a tray full of champagne glasses.
“You’re not a slob,” she replied. “Besides, I’ll turn back into a pumpkin the minute I can find someone to unlace me.”
“I volunteer as tribute,” I muttered.
She giggled and her eyes twinkled with amusement. “Actually, you were going to be voluntold after we get back to your house. It’s pretty, but I’ll never get out of it by myself without a pair of scissors.”
“The dress is nice, but you’re beautiful without it.” I bowed as the string orchestra started. “May I have the first dance?” I asked.
“Sure.” She took my hand and followed me to the dance floor. Couples whirled around us, graceful and elegant in their finery.
“Just follow my lead,” I said, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “I’ll teach you how to waltz.”
“Can you do a Viennese?” she asked, watching the other dancers.
“Yes, but—”
“Then dance, querido. I’ll try to keep up.”
I shrugged and pulled her into my arms, spinning her into the first familiar steps. To my shock, she followed, the skirt of her dress flaring around my legs as we merged into the circle of dancers. Although I knew the basics, she understood the nuances that made the Viennese Waltz so famous.
“You’ve been holding out on me, Ms. Pérez. Where did you learn to dance like this?”
“My great-grandmother was a dancer in Cuba. She taught me all the ballroom dances when I was little.”
“I should spank you for keeping secrets,” I murmured, leaning down to catch the fragrance of lemon from the sweet spot under her ear.
Her breath caught and she shivered as a flush traveled up the exposed skin of her chest. “Behave yourself.”
Smirking, I led her from the dance floor and grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing server. Handing her one, I lifted mine into a toast. “I aim to misbehave.”
Chapter Seventeen
Carlina
I barked out a surprised laugh to hide my nerves. Just the threat of a spanking in Giorgio’s low, husky voice got my blood pumping. “I’d never have pegged you as a Firefly fan.”
“I’ll thank you not to diss my favorite show. I haven’t watched Fox since they took it off the air.” He led me to a large table and pulled a chair out for me. “And if you make that horrible joke about cleaning Reaver spears, I’ll tell Antonio you put Brussels sprouts in his food.”
“I will never!” I hissed. “That’s not funny.” When he grinned, I added, “I met Joss last summer. He kissed my hand when I cussed him
out for killing Wash.”
“Which one?”
I held up my right hand. “This one.”
Grabbing it, he dropped several kisses all over my knuckles, then sighed happily. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve kissed something Joss Whedon touched.”
“He goes to the cons all the time and does a big one in LA. Haven’t you ever been to one?”
He shook his head and sat next to me, his smile disappearing. “No, I’m afraid not. I’ve never had the time and it seemed silly to go.”
“Dude. That’s just wrong. I don’t think I can be seen in public with you anymore.”
“Ouch. You wound me, woman.” He kissed my right hand again. “Promise to come with me and I’ll go to the next one.”
“Sure. I dress up as Kaylee.” I gave him an evil grin. “Wear a suit and a pair of blue nitrile gloves. It’ll be the perfect costume for you.”
He clutched his chest and leaned back in his chair. “What? You think I’m the hands of blue guy? I’m crushed!”
I snorted, then laid a hand on his arm. “Well, okay. You can dress as Simon. Seriously, we should go next summer. Browncoats have to stick together, right?”
“Definitely.” He went silent for a moment, then bumped me gently with his shoulder. “I’d have never pegged you for a Firefly fan either, you know.”
“Honestly, that’s the reason I don’t watch much television. When Fox canceled the show, I decided I didn’t want to get into another series and have my heart broken again.”
“Amen to that,” he muttered, then winced when he glanced down at his watch. “I have to go make my speech in a few minutes, but I wanted to thank you for coming.”
“No problem. I don’t mind.”
He kissed my knuckles again and took a step backward. “I’ll come find you when I get done, and we can leave.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan.”
He walked away, negotiating the gauntlet of people wanting his attention with grace and aplomb. I was so far out of my league with him. Grabbing the tiny clutch purse Eduardo gave me, I made my way to the ladies’ room.
“Are you having fun, Carli?” Jeremy asked.
I jumped and scowled when he and Hunter appeared, one on each side of me. “For fuck’s sake, I’m going to hang bells on you two.”
“Are you trying to sneak out?” Hunter asked.
“No. I’m just headed for the ladies’ room. Champagne always goes right through me.”
“We’ll follow,” Jeremy replied. “And before Gio claims it, I want the next dance with you. Can you tango?”
“Does a bear shit in the woods? You should dance with Hunter though.”
“Forget that. I have two left feet. Dance with Jeremy.” Waggling his eyebrows, he added, “Watching him move makes me hot.”
Rolling my eyes, I said, “Shoo, you two. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
Leaving them to wait, I went into the bathroom and took care of business. When I finished, there was another woman standing in front of the sinks. She was gorgeous, with a red satin dress draped over her slim frame like she was on a catwalk. Her salt and pepper hair was bound into a neat chignon and twisted with pearls over an unlined face. Either she had good genetics or a really talented surgeon and I hoped I looked as good as she did when I got older. The silvery natural gray was a striking foil to her pale blue eyes. Nodding at her, I washed my hands.
“Lucky girl,” she murmured.
I dried off my hands and blinked in confusion. “Lucky for what?”
“You’ve managed to catch Giorgio Acardi’s attention. He’s reputed to be generous with his lovers.”
“I’m not his lover.” I threw the paper towels away. I wasn’t about to bring up my care of Antonio to a stranger, and my relationship with the Acardi brothers was none of her business. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“No, let’s just say I’m an interested bystander.” She touched a lipstick to her already perfect lips.
“I see.”
She capped her lipstick and tucked it into a jeweled clutch. “You’d be wise to bow out before he finds someone more… suited to his lifestyle and position.”
Wow. I hadn’t realized how hard it would be to hear my insecurities verbalized. Pushing down the pinch of embarrassed pain, I said, “Thanks for the advice, but as I said, we’re not dating.”
The woman smirked and inclined her head. “As you say. Good luck to you then.” She walked out, leaving me alone.
“Shit.” I turned to look at myself in the mirror, grimacing at the caricature of myself. What was I doing here? I should have turned the invitation down. I didn’t fit in, and didn’t want to. “Big girl panties,” I muttered. “It’s only another few hours and then you can forget the whole thing.”
I pasted a smile on my face and decided to fake it until I made it.
“Oh, my God, Carli, you look amazing!”
As I left the bathroom, Aubrey rushed toward me and pulled me into a hug. “That dress is to die for. Where did you get it?”
“Eduardo Mendez picked it out. It was the only one that didn’t need alterations.”
At least someone thought I looked decent enough to be here. I tried to keep the smile on my face, but the strange woman’s words kept racing through my head telling me I wasn’t good enough. My idea of a party was a keg of beer on ice in a water trough and pot luck—not champagne carried on silver trays by servers that dressed better than I normally did.
“I’ve never had one of his dresses, but I love him.”
I followed her back to the table and sat next to her. “You don’t look so shabby yourself.”
“Thanks.” She fingered the green silk of her cocktail dress. “I bought it a couple of years ago, but it was a little too big. I never had it altered, and now my boobs are big enough to fill it, thanks to childbirth.”
“Speaking of which, where’s Chance?”
“He’s home with CJ and Pixy. Our babysitter flaked out.”
“Sorry.” I chewed on my lip, then said, “Hey, there’s no real reason for me to be here. I’d be happy to relieve Chance so you two can have a night out.”
“Are you kidding?” She turned to look at me and put a hand to her throat. “You’re sitting here in an Eduardo Mendez dress and you’re the date of the keynote speaker. You can’t leave.”
Giorgio
“Please welcome our keynote speaker for the evening, Mr. Giorgio Acardi!”
I mounted the stage and gave a halfhearted wave to all the people applauding me. Unfortunately, I couldn’t remember what I was supposed to be talking about and I hadn’t bothered to prepare a speech. I’d been too busy remembering Carlina’s orgasm face and getting things moving on The Katie Project.
Carlina was sitting with Aubrey, their heads close together like children sharing a secret. God, she was gorgeous. It wasn’t just the dress, although I wanted to strangle whoever had laced her into that frothy concoction of silk just for touching her. It was her. She was just as beautiful in jeans.
“Fake it until you make it,” I muttered under my breath, forcibly turning my attention back to what I was supposed to be doing.
Dredging up a smile, I took the microphone from the event planner and stepped forward. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming out to support the Temecula Chamber of Commerce.”
Ten minutes later, I finished spewing all the bullshit I could come up with. I got a standing ovation, so it must have been enough, but I couldn’t remember a damned thing. All I saw was Carlina in that ice blue dress, and the only thing I could think about was unlacing her after the party.
The orchestra started up and dancers filled the floor for a tango, including Jeremy and Carlina. Damn, the woman could dance. Judging by the huge grin on her face, she enjoyed it, too.
“I vetted Carli myself, and she checks out,” Hunter said, coming to stand next to me.
“I paid you and Jeremy to guard her, not to delve into her life history.”
> “Just part of the service.” He smiled, watching Jeremy dancing with her. “She’s a real nice lady. Easy on the eyes, too.”
“Keep your eyes on your husband, asshole.”
What was wrong with me? How had Carlina managed to send me into a jealous rage over a married gay man looking at her? She was making me lose my damned mind.
“Oh, I am. Don’t worry about that.” Hunter sobered and scanned the room. “Did you see a tall, older woman in a red dress? Pretty lady, with salt and pepper hair. She followed Carli into the restroom and Carli looked upset when she came out. Aubrey Bateman caught her before I could ask her about it.”
Frowning, I looked around. I’d talked to a number of people tonight, but didn’t recall anyone in a red dress. “I don’t remember seeing anyone matching that description.”
“Huh. She must have left.” Hunter shrugged. “It was probably nothing.”
Nodding, I turned back to watch Carlina dance. Jeremy whirled her into some complex salsa I didn’t recognize, and the rest of the dancers stepped back to give them space. I felt like an idiot for assuming she couldn’t dance. The song ended, and she bobbed a curtsy and laughed when the crowd applauded. My feet were moving before I realized what I was doing.
“May I cut in?” I asked, tapping Jeremy on the shoulder.
“Please,” Jeremy said, putting Carlina’s hand on my arm. “She’s about worn me out.”
“You started it,” she countered, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “How was I supposed to know my big, buff bodyguard can’t keep up?”
Catching her free hand, he bowed and kissed her knuckles. “Don’t worry, I’ll up my cardio for next time.” Giving me a wink, as if to remind me of our bet, he sauntered back to his husband.
The next song started and I pulled her into my arms, glaring at anyone who got too close.
“Ouchie.”
I backed off a few inches and looked down at her. “I’m sorry, did I step on you?”
“No, I’m okay. I think I overdid it though. My ribs are starting to complain.”
Sexy Scoundrel: A Cocky Hero Club Novel Page 16
