by Jean Oram
A laugh burst out. “Finian Alexander, bad boy of Hollywood, the world’s hottest bachelor, are you afraid to go alone?”
He straightened his back. “No, of course not.”
She gave him a look of challenge, arms crossed.
He came near, crowding her, almost hating himself for the way he planned to push her buttons. “What about you? Are you afraid of coming with me?” He eased closer until their shirts brushed. “Afraid of walking into the limelight?” His voice dropped an octave. “Afraid of being seen with me?”
Hailey gave a shaky laugh and leaned back against her table, hands braced against it, her chest pushed out in an effort to get away from his looming presence.
Oh, he had her. He had her bad.
His groin tightened and he refrained from touching her, having her. Consuming her.
“Are you?” He let his breath roam over the exposed skin at her neck.
She crossed her arms, bumping against him, chin raised. “Fine.”
“You’ll come with me?”
“If only to keep you from making me claustrophobic.” She pushed him back. “When does this monkey business start?”
“Half an hour.”
“Half an hour!”
“You’re with me. We can be fashionably late.” He sent her a wink. “Don’t forget your camera.”
“Photo shoots outside the studio cost double.”
“That’s fine.” He leaned over her again, all smiles, knowing he was too close and loving every second of it. “My last movie was a blockbuster hit.”
“And I can tell that fact did not go straight to your head.”
He grinned at her. She was fun. “Let’s get ourselves outfitted like the sexy beasts we are.”
Wow. Hailey was…she was…everything.
The one English class he’d taken in college had told him not to use more than one adjective when describing something, but adjectives were all he could think of while staring at Hailey move across her sister’s living room to the entry where he was waiting.
Breathtaking.
Stunning.
Out of this world.
Gorgeous.
Curvy.
Unbelievable.
Delicious.
A fifteen on a scale of ten.
Bedable.
Hot and sexy.
He’d dropped her off at Maya’s house--another of her multitude of sisters--so she could get decked out while he borrowed her wheels to go get himself a monkey suit. Obviously his invitation had gone to her head as she’d been like a giddy teenager when he’d dropped her off to raid her sister’s closet. But a crazy transformation worthy of a sci-fi show had happened in the thirty minutes he’d been out. She was mellow, graceful and demure. She’d shined up, big time. Soft makeup and lipstick that made her shapely mouth luscious in all the ways that turned a man on and made him think of things south of the border. Hair in soft curls. A red dress--quiet, serious Hailey in a knockout dress. It hugged her curves, its swooping neck bunched with lots of extra material, creating soft folds across her chest. Her shoulders looked strong and entirely kissable. That hint of cleavage he knew would keep him close all night, wondering, waiting. Hoping.
He wanted to take her home. To his parents. To his bed. He wanted to kiss her, and have that kiss last for the next fifty years.
Instead, he lifted her hand and lightly brushed his lips across the back. “You look utterly amazing,” he told her.
She let go of his hand and he was unsure where to put his own. He needed to touch her, hold her. He quickly leaned forward, brushing her cheek with another light kiss, unable to move away.
Her cheeks flushed, the color spreading across her chest. She took him in with careful, quick glances. “You look nice, too.”
“He looks hot, Hailey,” said her sister. “Come on, admit it. You want to bump uglies big time.”
Finn shot Maya a grin and she gave him a double thumbs-up. He was going to have to tell his friends about Canadian women, because he could only imagine what these hotties were like in the sack. His groin tightened as extra blood hurried to the area, in case he should decide to listen to the devil on his shoulder and take Hailey behind the bushes lining her sister’s yard.
At the car he offered Hailey her keys. She paused, then accepted them. It was almost as though she expected him to drive. Interesting. She liked to be pampered and taken care of. He could do that.
Easily.
“She’s wanted to go to one of these things since she was a kid,” Maya called after them. “Make sure she gets the full experience!”
Hailey grumbled something about sisters that he didn’t quite catch and carefully slipped behind the wheel.
“Maya’s nice,” Finn said, settling into the passenger seat.
“Yeah, she’s all right.” Hailey’s eyes darkened as if she was holding back a secret, but before he could figure it out, she turned to check her blind spot, then pulled out onto the tree-lined street.
As she drove them to Windermere he eyed the silky material of her dress and the way it moved with her, creating shadows and curves and lines any man would admire.
And she was Finn’s. For the night.
Sort of.
He was going to have a tough time reminding himself she wasn’t his, because his body had kicked down into full-on primal mode, where he was hers and she was his and he’d do whatever he had to do in order to protect that.
He rubbed his cheek in anticipation of the slap he knew he’d get before the night was through. Oddly enough, he was kind of looking forward to it.
10
Oh, she was nervous. Hailey had tried to park away from the dazzling Windermere House, seeing as her car’s rusty old body was an obvious indicator that she did not belong and never would at this fancy event--unless she was working it. However, Finian, always so full of confidence, had directed her to the valet with an assurance that had been thrilling and comforting. That was, until she had to hand over her keys to the surprised attendant. And of course, it had been a guy she’d gone to school with, who’d done a double take.
Finian, cupping her elbow, led her into the old hotel, ignoring the valet.
“This place looks great for its age.” He gave a short nod to a person manning the door, and quickly breezed past before the man could ask to see their invitation.
“It was one of the few original hotels from the late 1800s, but when The Long Kiss Goodnight was filmed here in the 1990s, the place accidentally burned down. It was rebuilt and restored to look the same, but there are subtle differences.”
“Hmm.”
Finian swept her into a large room where the ball was being held, acting as though he owned the place.
“You have crashing down to a science.”
“How do you think I met the producers and directors I wanted to schmooze with?” He shot her a wink and pulled her onto the portable dance floor.
Hailey pulled out “calm, cool, and collected” and tried to take in the place without gaping. She’d been through the entire hotel once before, as a kid, and had been wowed by it then, but tonight it was in full splendor, from the gowns to the intricate appetizers to the delicate decorations. She could imagine the years of old money moving about this room. Lady Eaton and her friends. And now newer money. People like Martin Short, Bill Murray, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn could magically appear to rub elbows.
She let out a sigh as Finian, her own movie star, kept his hand on her lower back, guiding her across the crowded dance floor. She liked having his hand there. His body heat pressed into her and she allowed herself to stay close, to not push away. And his tuxedo? She’d thought he’d looked good this afternoon without a shirt on, stretched out on the floor of her studio, but that was nothing in comparison to the way he looked decked out in black. She’d have to stop staring at him or the dampness in her panties was going to get out of control. Sex appeal? Oh, yeah. He was the sexiest man in the room.
“I forgot my camera in the
car,” she whispered.
“Later. Right now we live large.”
Hailey tipped her head back, and Finian took advantage of her position and dropped her into a gentle dip, spinning her slowly in a half arc before pulling her up into his arms.
“You’re a good dancer,” she told him.
“You know what they say….”
She raised an eyebrow in question.
“Good dancers make excellent lovers.”
Hailey laughed and resisted the temptation to glide her hand up the nape of his neck and pull his face closer to hers.
“Shall we take a break?” He led her to the bar with a hand still on her lower back, announcing that she was with him. She smiled as women noticed him. Noticed her with him. The crowd parted as though they were royalty. A girl could get used to this.
“Why are we here, exactly?” she asked, as he handed her a flute of champagne.
“Publicity. I can’t hide out from my broken heart forever.” He gave her a wink, and they moved to the side to enjoy their champagne.
A voice loaded with surprise broke into their conversation, “Hailey?”
Hailey kept her back to the woman, furiously trying to think of something entirely engrossing to say to Finian so he would lean in close, blocking out Polly, her ex-best friend and almost-rival. But the woman stepped around, facing them.
“I thought it was you, but then all those years you said you’d never go digging for gold. I just had to come see for myself.” Polly placed a highly manicured hand against her silicone-enhanced chest and gave a tinkling laugh. She waved a finger at Hailey. “You naughty girl, I knew you’d succumb.”
Before she could retort, Polly slipped her highly toned body between Hailey and Finian, gripped his arm and pressed her chest against him. “Honey, you just have to watch Hailey. She’ll tell you one thing, then do the other.” She gave a coy wink.
Hailey pulled her away. “Finian is my client. I’m photographing him. This is an assignment.”
“Then where’s your camera?” She sidled up again with a smirk and assessed an amused Finian. “He’s not a bad catch. Made several mill on his last movie.”
“Finian, meet Polly Pocket.”
“Pollard,” Polly corrected. “Thank you.”
“Polly’s been digging for gold since sixth grade and no longer understands the social complexities of friendship. Only financial commodities--she won a lot of awards as an investment advisor before she got married. We used to be close friends.” She turned to Polly, who hardly looked real other than for the stress lines beginning to show around her eyes. “Polly, meet Finian. He’s pretty much full of himself in ways you’d enjoy. However, he also has a tender side I’ve come to appreciate.”
“I was going to say you’re complete crap at introductions,” Finian murmured. “But that’s probably the nicest thing you’ve said about me.” He gave her a light peck on the cheek that made Polly turn an unnatural pink. Possibly due to the shade of envious green mixing in with it.
“I didn’t see your name on the guest list, Hailey. I’m sure I would have remembered seeing it. Yours, too, Finian.” She tipped her head, eyes hard, jaw clenched. “I’d hate to think you were crashing a charity event.”
“I never go by my real name at events like this.” Finian leaned close to Polly, grasping her elbow and sidling close enough that her perfect posture softened. “You know how it gets.”
Polly tipped her chin up. “Of course.”
Finian stood beside Hailey, allowing the other woman to politely excuse herself. He rested his shoulder against Hailey’s, his warmth easing into her as they looked out at the crowd of beautifully dressed people, while sipping their expensive champagne.
“Sorry about Polly.”
“Never apologize for someone else’s problems.”
Hailey froze as a cluster of sparkling-eyed women rushed toward them. Finian, spotting them, spun around and placed a hand on the wall behind Hailey, blocking her in. Her body heat rocketed and her pulse throbbed as the room shrank down to just the two of them.
“Don’t look at them or they’ll interrupt,” he said, his mouth close to her jawbone.
She darted a glance to the crowd of women hanging behind Finian, waiting. Lurking.
“You are such a contradiction,” she whispered. He wanted to be seen out in public, but didn’t want the attention? Could she dare think he wanted to spend time with her?
No, of course not. Those were hungry dames who would suck his evening away. It wasn’t about her. It was about staying sane.
“I think you are the contradiction.” His breath came as warm puffs against her cheek.
Her longing ratcheted up a notch. Why did it seem as though one moment she was angry with him and the next moment she was ready to wrap her pulsing, naked body around his?
She raised her face, taking in his beautiful lines. The angular jaw, the lips…the lips that were closing in on hers.
Oh, here it came.
Hailey almost forgot the flute of champagne she was holding as he kissed her slowly and sweetly. Her body pressed against him, and his arm wrapped around her waist, reeling her in so she could feel every inch of his body against hers. What had he done with his glass? And why did she care? They were propped against the wall, locked together, sharing heat, his mouth on hers. And he’d chosen her.
Hailey.
Chosen her for a summer fling.
No.
She wasn’t that girl. She couldn’t do flings and she didn’t need a broken heart. Not again. She’d learned those hard lessons, and one of them was to stop things before they went too far. She gave a gentle push against Finian’s chest and he started to move away.
But it was fun breaking her own rules. Thrilling. And she was sure her old broken-hearted self would understand that if a man like Finian came along, you went along for the ride. Even if you knew the consequences.
You broke the rules for men like Finian Alexander.
So she kissed him again, harder, letting her passion and need enter into it. He immediately returned her passion, making her very aware of how close he was and how much his body wanted exactly what she was dreaming of.
She broke the kiss, gasping. “I crave you, but not here.”
He stepped back slightly, but still too close for her to be able to breathe or think straight. The man was all-consuming.
And he was going to break her heart as if he’d dropped it from the top of the CN tower. But the funny thing was she couldn’t summon the energy to care. It would be worth it. Entirely.
Hailey leaned her head against the wall, dared to look into his eyes. Saw exactly what she was feeling reflected back at her, full score.
Oh, she was in trouble.
Big, big trouble.
Hailey let Finian sweep her back onto the dance floor instead of upstairs to a room with what would surely be an exquisite bed. The champagne, her need, and his consuming presence were making her head spin. She laughed, the skirt of her sister’s borrowed dress flaring out in a way that made her feel sexy and free as Finian twirled her--and straight into the arms of Austin.
“May I cut in?”
“No.” There was a possessiveness in Finian’s voice that made Hailey pulse with longing. Finian tried to tug her back, but Austin held strong.
“Austin, I don’t want to dance with you.”
“Just for a few notes,” he said.
Finian released her and crossed his arms. Hailey almost laughed. She’d bet anything he was going to stand right there and count the measures before reclaiming her. Her only regret was that he hadn’t fought longer or harder for her.
“Interesting approach,” Austin said, his body an uncoordinated wreck as he tried to lead her around the floor.
“What’s interesting? Your approach to dancing?”
Austin gave her a smile as crooked as his bow tie. “Getting in close to Finian so you can expose him. Sell him out. Be there to capture the images of him at his worst. I
never knew you had it in you.”
“Shut up, Austin.” Hailey pushed him away. “And you’d better not take any photos of us.”
She ran her eyes down him, on the lookout for a camera. Someone like Austin…who knew where he might be hiding one? For all she knew, he had a camera in his shoe and had already taken a photo up her dress.
“I’m on a date.” He raised his hands in professed innocence. “I’m not working.”
“You’re always working.”
“Watch out, Hailey.” Austin lowered his voice, gazing in Finian’s direction. “He’ll use you faster than you can use him.”
“He’s not like that.”
Austin turned her in that direction. Finian was surrounded by a mob of women who were gushing, taking photos and generally petting him as if he was their long-lost puppy. “Maybe you’d better go rescue him before he begins to like it too much and you get busted for crashing this thing.”
“Austin, no photos, okay?”
“Tonight only, but if something juicy happens I will break my promise.”
“Deal. Now scoot.”
He bowed, releasing her to go save Finian and try her hand at being Cinderella for one night.
Thank goodness for Hailey. Finn made a dash for her, breaking through the mob of women. He’d never had so many tush grabs or offers of “servicing” in a five-minute span in his life--even in Hollywood. There was something scary about these done up, perfect broads. It was as though their husbands ignored them and they hadn’t been let out of their cages in months. But he got why rich men went after younger women--they were still halfway real.
Real like Hailey. Not like Jessica.
“I’m getting hungry. Are you?” Hailey asked as he fell into step beside her, his body curled around hers in a way he hoped would ward off any further advances.
“Are we leaving?”
She’d been a radiant beauty only moments before when they’d been dancing, and now she was closing up again. He glanced over his shoulder to see if he could spot Austin and get a hint for the trouble he’d stirred up.
