Lace

by Deborah Bladon

  “I’m Kate Wesley.” The pretty blonde who arrived with Olivia shoves her hand into Jack’s. “Olivia and I are friends. We live in the same building.”

  “This is Alexander Donato.” Jack elbows me. “He’s usually not this quiet.”

  Everyone but Olivia laughs.

  “I’m heading out.” Trey moves to kiss Olivia on the forehead. “I’m flying to Hawaii in a couple of weeks. You’re welcome to tag along, Livi.”

  Livi.

  A blush creeps up her cheeks as she taps him on the hand. “I have to work, but give them both a kiss for me.”

  Trey straightens and turns to face Jack and I. “Our moms are sisters. They hang out in Maui when the temperature dips in the northeast.”

  He’s a good guy. That’s evident in the way he speaks of his family. I spent the last hour listening to him talk about his two older brothers and his late father.

  It gave me insight into the man he is. He’s also an uncle, and from what I’m learning now a devoted son and cousin.

  “It was good to meet you, Trey.” Jack shoves his hand into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulls out a business card. “Let’s meet up for a beer once you’re back on the mainland.”

  I’m not surprised by the suggestion.

  Jack is always on the hunt for new clients and Trey would be the ultimate.

  “I’ll drop you a text when I’m back.” Trey takes the card and heads for the door.

  I glance down at Olivia. Her eyes are pinned to her friend.

  Again, I have no fucking idea if she’s happy to see me or if she wishes I’d go straight to hell.

  She’s a hard read.

  “Do you want to join us?” Kate asks with a smirk. “We ordered the chowder, but I can flag down the server and get her to bring two more bowls.”

  “We actually just…”

  Ate is the word about to leave Jack’s mouth, but I stop it with a hard bump of my shoulder against his.

  “We’d love to.” I pull out the empty chair next to Olivia and sit. “I’ve never had the chowder here. Is it good?”

  Jack huffs out a laugh as he slides into the chair opposite me. “I had it very recently and it was incredible, Alex.”

  I respond with a raised brow and a scowl.

  I don’t give a shit that he ate two bowls while we sat at the bar talking to Trey. I’m full from the club sandwich I downed in record time.

  Olivia Hull is a mystery to me and I want to know more.

  I watch her as her gaze travels the room before it lands on me.

  “Olivia and I are excited about the symphony.” Kate rests her elbows on the table. “We’re both looking forward to it and the reception too.”

  “You decided to come?” I turn and look at Olivia’s profile. “And you’re bringing Kate?”

  She nods but doesn’t say a word.

  If there’s a man in her life, he’s failing miserably at being available for her.

  “Hello again.” Kora’s distinctive voice rises above the background noise as she approaches.

  She’s been our very attentive server all night, even though we tried to order food from the bartender. He called her over to take care of that. It paid off for her.

  Jack tipped her well when he closed our tab.

  “We’re going to need two more bowls of clam chowder,” Kate says. “What are you two drinking?”

  “More clam chowder?” Kora eyes Jack. “You’re sure about that?”

  “You heard the woman.” Jack smirks. “Chowder and four beers. The night is young.”

  “We have plans after dinner,” Olivia blurts out. “Kate and I made plans.”

  Kate’s brow furrows as she looks across the table at her friend. “We’re not in a rush, Liv. Let’s enjoy our dinner and the company.”

  She’s a wise woman.

  I plan on enjoying every moment of this dinner. I haven’t spent more than a few minutes with Olivia, but there’s something about her that makes me want to know more.

  ***

  “I’m done.” Kate pushes her bowl away from her. “If I eat another bite I won’t fit into the dress I’m planning on wearing to the symphony.”

  A smile spreads across Olivia’s mouth. “Didn’t we have plans to pick out dresses tonight, Kate?”

  Kate’s gaze falls to her phone. “We did, but I have to stop at the boutique first. I’ll meet up with you in an hour at your place.”

  A rise of her shoulders and a soft sigh are the only reply from Olivia.

  “No rest for the weary.” Jack pushes back from the table. “I need to meet a client to go over something pressing.”

  I predicted as much when I noticed him texting non-stop during our second dinner. Jack is respectful enough to put his phone away unless it’s an emergency.

  This must fall into that category.

  “It was great meeting you both.” Jack stands. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

  “It was good meeting you too,” Olivia calls after him.

  “Thank you again for dinner, Alexander.” Kate reaches for her purse. “I’ll be at your place in an hour, Olivia.”

  Olivia nods as her friend gets up and walks away leaving the two of us alone.

  Chapter 14

  Olivia

  How in the hell did I end up alone with Alexander and why are my palms so sweaty?

  I grip the paper napkin in my fist even tighter.

  I’m a bundle of nerves for some reason.

  Usually, I’m fine around men. There have been times in the past when I’ve put my foot in my mouth, or I’ve spilled food on my dress, but tonight I kept it together on the outside, even though I feel like I’m riding a rollercoaster on the inside.

  Alexander Donato smells incredible.

  If I could spray that cologne on my pillow each night, I’d fall asleep with a smile on my face.

  Maybe it’s not cologne; maybe he smells this good on his own.

  His hands fall to his jean covered thighs.

  “Olivia,” he says my name and I feel like I just dropped into a curve on the roller coaster.

  My heartbeat speeds. My breathing stalls.

  “Yes?”

  “Can I buy you a drink? Perhaps a brandy?”

  I glance at his face. It’s gorgeous. His jaw is covered in late day stubble and he’s rocking that bad boy, messy hair look.

  The dark sweater he’s wearing only adds to the allure.

  Why do the arrogant ones always have to be this hot?

  “I need to get home.” I pick up my phone.

  “Why?”

  “Why?” I repeat back as I tap a finger on my phone’s screen. “I live there, so that’s where I go at the end of the day.”

  He laughs. It’s not a muted chuckle. It’s full-on throwing-his-head-back-laughter.

  I look back to my phone as the laughter fades.

  “Kate said she wouldn’t be meeting you there for an hour,” he points out. “You have time for a drink.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I should go.” I shake my phone in the air in exasperation. “Dammit.”

  “What’s wrong?” He leans closer to me.

  “The battery must have died. I forgot to charge it earlier.” I push back from the table, suddenly feeling as though there’s not enough air in the room. “I need to get an Uber.”

  He’s on his feet before I am, his hand resting on the back of my chair. “I’ll call the car service I use. They’ll send a driver right over for us.”

  “Us?” I parrot back, blowing out a deep breath. I reach for my bag and toss my useless phone inside. “I can get home on my own. I’ll flag down a cab outside.”

  I start toward the door, aware that’s he’s on my heel.

  “Olivia, wait,” he calls as my hand hits handle of the door. “You forgot your coat.”

  Of course I did. I’m flustered from seeing him tonight and his suggestion to share a ride.

  I don’t know if the man thinks I’ll invite him
up to my apartment. He knows that I’m expecting Kate soon so unless he fucks fast, he’s not trying to get into my panties.

  He strikes me as the kind of man that takes his time in bed.

  Jesus, Olivia, get a grip.

  I turn and take the coat when he shoves it into my hands. “Thank you.”

  “Let me get a cab for you.” When he reaches to open the pub’s door, his arm brushes the side of my breast.

  We both look down. I almost groan aloud at the sight of my pebbled nipples under my blouse. I should make up an excuse about catching a draft from the doorway, but ignoring the fact that I’m feeling a rush of desire is the route I’m going to take.

  I stay silent.

  He clears his throat. “Let me help you with that.”

  “With what?” My voice is high-pitched. I raise my coat until it’s covering my blouse.

  “This.” He tugs the coat from my grasp and holds it out, waiting for me to slip into it.

  I tie the belt before I look up and into his face. He’s studying me carefully. I run my finger along my bottom lip, hoping that a piece of food isn’t lingering there.

  His eyes follow the path of my finger.

  I drop my hand immediately and glance out the door. “I’ll get that cab now.”

  “Allow me,” he says in that sexy baritone voice.

  I don’t argue because there’s no point. He’s already holding the door open, waiting for me to walk through.

  I do.

  The cool evening air hits me. I tug the collar of my coat up to ward off the chill from the light wind.

  He approaches the street, taking one large step off the curb.

  That act alone earns him bravery points in my book. Only a born and raised New Yorker would risk life and limb to get that close to the approaching traffic.

  His gaze darts from the cars stopped at the light down the street to where I’m standing a few feet away, safely on the sidewalk.

  “You’re headed uptown?” he calls to me.

  I nod and jerk a thumb in that direction.

  He opens his mouth as if he’s about to ask another question but his attention is pulled back to the traffic as the light turns green and an onslaught of vehicles approach.

  He takes another measured step toward the traffic, his arm flying into the air.

  A taxi slows as it approaches. Alexander turns to me with a broad smile on his face. “Your chariot awaits.”

  I can’t hold back a small grin as I move toward him. He’s already opened the back door of the car for me.

  I stop before I slide in. “Thank you again.”

  “It’s my pleasure. When you’re not in a rush, you’ll share a drink with me.”

  “Maybe.” My gaze stays locked on his face.

  “You will.” He flashes me a cocky grin.

  I want to wipe that arrogant smirk off his mouth…with my lips.

  “You in or out?” A thick Brooklyn accent asks.

  I pop my head into the cab. “I’m in.”

  “Where are we headed?” The driver asks.

  “Broadway and Eighty-first,” I reply instantly.

  “Get home safely, Olivia.” Alexander takes a step back as I move to get into the car.

  I look into his blue eyes. They’re the color of the ocean or the sky on a clear summer day. They’re as beautiful as the rest of him.

  I chase away my sudden infatuation with his eyes with a heavy intake of breath. “You too, Alexander.”

  Once I’m in the cab, he closes the door and taps the roof.

  The driver effortlessly steers the car into the traffic as I resist the urge to turn back to see if Alexander is watching me drive away.

  Chapter 15

  Olivia

  “You scared the hell out of me, Kate,” I say tightly, trying to keep my voice from cracking.

  I reach to pick up my keys from the floor. They landed there after Kate opened her apartment door just as I was sliding the key into the lock of mine.

  Screaming my name in excitement, she grabbed my shoulders from behind.

  That sent both of my hands into the air, and my keys and phone crashing to the floor.

  My phone was my first concern, but luckily the heavy-duty case that I was talked into buying by the smartphone salesman saved my screen.

  “What are you doing here?” I unlock my door and take a step into my place. “I thought you were going to your store.”

  Following me inside, she flicks on the light switch. “I have a confession to make.”

  Watching her lock the door, I shrug out of my trench coat. “What confession?”

  She takes the coat from me and hangs it on the rack near the doorway. “I’m sorry for scaring you, Liv. You look like you might pass out. Do you want to sit down?”

  “I’m fine.” I manage a small smile. “Tell me about the confession.”

  She leads the way into my living room. She’s changed since I saw her at the restaurant. She’s now dressed in navy blue yoga shorts and a white T-shirt.

  I’m envious. I want to trade my skirt and blouse for pajamas, but we still have plans to try on dresses to wear to the symphony.

  She takes her usual spot on my couch, patting the spot next to her. “Sit.”

  I do, kicking off my shoes in the process.

  I breathe an audible sigh of relief. “My feet are killing me.”

  A small giggle escapes her. “I know the feeling. I couldn’t get my heels off fast enough tonight.”

  I look down at her feet and the thick gray wool socks covering them. “Did you go back to your store after dinner?”

  “That’s the confession. I didn’t.” She catches my gaze. “I thought you’d appreciate some alone time with Alexander, so I lied about that.”

  I can’t be mad at her. I’ve done the same to her, but Kate’s heart is still caught back in a relationship that ended years ago. She dates but those men never measure up to her ex-fiancé. He bailed on her just before their wedding.

  “I didn’t overstep, did I?” She blinks innocently. “You can’t blame me, Liv. It’s obvious that he’s interested in you.”

  “He’s not,” I whisper.

  She heaves a sigh. “He’s interested in you.”

  “He makes me nervous,” I laugh. “I don’t feel like myself when I’m around him.”

  Her brow furrows. “What do you mean?”

  I scan her face. I only see concern there. Kate wants me to be happy. I want the same for her. She’s heard enough of my tales about the men I’ve slept with to know that I don’t rush into anything, not even first dates.

  I can be honest with her. She’ll never judge me.

  “I feel flustered whenever I see him.” I rub the back of my neck. “I know his type. I avoid his type so I don’t understand why I’m feeling…”

  “Attracted to him,” she interrupts me.

  I shrug. “Is that what I’m feeling?”

  “What’s his type?” she asks without answering my rhetorical question. “Define what type of man Alexander Donato is.”

  I pause to think about it. “First impressions are everything and that day he came into the boutique I saw an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk who wanted everyone in his vicinity to bow to his demands.”

  She shakes her head. “You saw a man desperate to give his nephew a birthday gift to remember.”

  “You weren’t there,” I point out with a laugh. “You didn’t see what he was like that day.”

  The corner of her mouth lifts into a lopsided grin. “I was there tonight. I saw what he was like.”

  I raise a brow to question what that means.

  “He was polite and considerate. He’s charming,” she says quietly. “He couldn’t take his eyes off of you, Olivia.”

  “He wanted to buy me a drink after you and Jack left.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I made a fool of myself. My phone was dead. I thought he was trying to help me with my nipples, and…”

  “What?” She laughs aloud
. “You have to explain that one. You thought he was trying to help you with your nipples?”

  I laugh too because I know how it must sound to her. “That came out wrong.”

  “You think?” She wraps an arm around my shoulder. “I’m sure if he could he’d help with your nipples and all the other bits of you.”

  I cover my face with my hands. “Let’s not go there.”

  “Why not?” She squeezes my shoulder. “You’re attracted to each other. Why not act on it?”

  “Well…” I start to protest, but can’t think of any reason why I shouldn’t consider having sex with Alexander.

  “Don’t overthink it.” She moves to stand. “Just go with what you’re feeling in the moment. Sometimes it’s good to be spontaneous.”

  She gave me the same advice last week when I couldn’t decide what to order for dinner.

  “It’s time to try on some dresses.” She reaches for my hand. “Let’s find you something to wear to the symphony that will blow Alexander’s mind so later that night you can blow him.”

  I let her tug me to my feet. “I don’t blow on the first date.”

  “You’re no fun.” She grins and squeezes my hand. “Never change, Liv. You’re a fiercely independent woman that any man would be lucky to spend time with.”

  “I hate that he makes me nervous.” I bow my head. “It makes me feel out of control.”

  Her fingers find my chin and she tips it up until our eyes meet. “Nervous can be good. He’s different than other men you’ve met. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

  I nod. “You’re right.”

  “Take it one step at a time.” She grins and starts walking toward my bedroom. “Step one is wardrobe selection. Let’s get to it.”

  Chapter 16

  Alexander

  I’ll never tire of the high I feel after a performance like that.

  It was exhilarating and as the crowd rose to their feet and cheered, I reveled in their adoration for the orchestra.

  My job is to sculpt the music into a piece of art that every person on the stage can be proud of. I may guide them, but they are the true masters of the journey.