If The Shoe Fits

by Laurie LeClair

  She noted how Alex quickly covered his mouth with his starched white napkin. To hide a smile or stump down a groan, she wondered mischievously. His narrowed, dark brown eyes met hers and she knew.

  She was going to get hers. A shiver raced down her spine.

  Halfway through the meal, Charlie’s heart warmed even more at all the praise Alex heaped on her friend.

  “This is delicious, Dolly,” he complimented her for the fourth or fifth time. “Where in the world did you learn to cook like this?”

  The cook, standing beside him, nudged his shoulder with her hand. “Aw, shucks, Mr. R. You keep sweet-talking me and I just may have to move in with you.”

  “Be my guest. In fact, if you ever want a change, I’ll hire you and for twice as much as what the Kings are paying you.”

  Mrs. King let out an exasperated breath. “Oh, please. She’s just doing what she’s being paid to do. Cook, clean…” She waved a hand to encompass the house.

  “Kowtow,” Charlie interrupted.

  The sisters gasped in unison. Her stepmother snapped her head around to stare directly at Charlie. The lethal, narrow-eyed gaze would have cut some men in two.

  Charlie steeled herself, raising her eyebrows and said, “It’s true.”

  Turning away, she caught Alex’s gleaming stare and a ghost of a smile. This time, he was the one to wink at her. Another rush of warmth raced through her.

  What was he doing to her?

  ***

  Charlie hated the drawing room or, at least, what the barracuda had done to it soon after her father had died. The now flowery, feminine room seemed far removed from the masculine room with rich, leather chairs, dark wood, and scent of cherry pipe tobacco that her father had favored. An ache of sorrow shot through her every time she entered this room and thought of the man she mourned for.

  The sooner she could make her escape from here and go to the kitchen to be with Dolly the better for her, she thought, flinching at the sour notes Francine began to play.

  ***

  Alex plotted the throttling of Charlie for suggesting this as he endured yet one more painful tune from Francine. He winced as she missed another note, but quickly pasted a smile on his face as Mrs. King looked his way.

  Thinking of Charlie had him searching the room in earnest. The little devil snuck out!

  ***

  Sitting across the table from her longtime friend, Charlie slid the spoonful of homemade cherry vanilla ice cream into her mouth. She moaned. “Heavenly.”

  Dolly pointed her spoon at another container between them. “Try the chocolate one. I betcha it’s even better.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Five bucks says I’m right.”

  “Nobody bets against a sure thing, Dolly,” she said, knowing that her friend’s claims were most likely true. But she did take a dip and taste. Closing her eyes, she savored every drop.

  “See, I told you. Now pay up.”

  Charlie chuckled, opening her eyes once again. “You’re a dream, my friend. You could make a fortune going into business with just your ice cream alone, never mind all your other concoctions.”

  She noted the pink coloring Dolly’s cheeks. “Aw, shucks, honey.”

  “At least you got a job offer from the prince.” She raised and lowered her brows a few times. “That could be mighty interesting.”

  “You’re telling me! My, that man is gorgeous. And the way he looks at you—”

  “No he doesn’t,” she interrupted quickly, her throat going dry.

  “Yes, he does.”

  “No—”She stopped herself short. The memory of his dark eyes on hers, his sexy smile, muscled arms wrapped around her… Her cheeks warmed. “Maybe,” she said softly.

  Dolly snorted, but didn’t say another word.

  The high, tinny notes from the piano reached Charlie’s conscious now. “It doesn’t matter. He’s Francine’s anyway.”

  “If you say so,” Dolly said sourly, lifting an eyebrow as she stared meaningfully at her.

  “He is.”

  They both cringed at the next resounding note and heard the sisters’ raised voices.

  “Trouble,” Dolly said, nodding to the other room as she dipped her spoon into some plain vanilla this time.

  “Earplugs?” Charlie asked hopefully. “For two?”

  “Sure thing. I got some. Need them in this house with them three harping and banging and who knows what else.” She stopped for a moment to listen to the two sisters fight about who was going to play next for Mr. Royale. “But the playing part might be all over for the night. Anyhow, you can have anything I’ve got, earplugs included. What’s mine is yours, always has been.”

  “What’s mine is yours, too, you know that.” Charlie smiled widely at her friend. They’d had that pact for years now.

  Dolly waved her spoon in the direction of the other room. “But did you have to go and share them three? That I coulda done without.”

  “What? And let me keep all that pain and suffering to myself?”

  They both laughed at that.

  When they’d calmed down, Dolly said with a conspiratorial whisper, “But he’s a handsome one, ain’t he?”

  “Oh, my yes.” Charlie nearly moaned out her approval.

  “Not at all like them pictures of him you see in the papers. Even the ones with him at his island getaway. Much better looking, if you ask me.”

  “And not as stuck-up as I’d thought.”

  “Stuck-up?” Alexander Royale asked, standing with a shoulder against the doorframe, arms folded over that wide chest, and his feet crossed at the ankles.

  Charlie gulped.

  Chapter 3

  Alex’s breath hitched as he stared at the woman across the room. Her tongue darted out to take a swipe of something from the corner of her mouth. He groaned. She had no idea what she did to a man. Maybe that was the fascination he had with her. He shook his head, trying to dislodge that little tidbit from his mind.

  He pushed away from the door and walked toward them. “Ladies, for shame, hiding in here.” Then he smiled, saying, “And without telling me and trying to save me from that racket. I’m sure I’ve lost part of my hearing.”

  The ladies giggled like schoolgirls, which just seemed to endear them to him even more. If he’d had his way, he’d have spent the entire evening in here with them.

  “Mr. R., why don’t you grab a spoon and join us? Two drawers over there, you got it,” Dolly offered. “Pull up a chair and sit a spell.”

  He smiled again as he shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on the nearby counter. Pulling out the chair, he turned it around. He straddled it. Taking off his cuff links, he rolled up his sleeves, and then loosened his tie. He looked at the three tall white containers lined in front of him. His mouth watered. “My, my, what do we have here?”

  “Dolly’s homemade ice cream, at your service.” Charlie waved a hand with a flourish. “The best darn ice cream in town.”

  Turning to her quickly, he gazed directly into her eyes. Soft, warm caramel, he thought. He could get lost in them. Mentally shaking himself, he arched an eyebrow. “The best, huh?”

  “Ten bucks says it is.” He caught the wink she gave her friend.

  “A betting woman.”

  “Only on a sure thing.”

  Rubbing his thumb and forefinger over his jaw, he said, “I don’t know. Dolly’s already proved she’s a great cook. Most men wouldn’t bet money against a sure thing.”

  Dolly broke in, saying, “You could put up something other than money.”

  “Dolly!” Charlie exclaimed.

  The maid stared at her wide-eyed. “Not that, honey.”

  Alex bit the inside of his cheek. The two of them could be a comedy team. That was it, he thought; they made him laugh. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed as much in a week, never mind just one evening.

  “Ten bucks it is then.” He pulled out a ten to lay it down on the table.

  “
Two fives, please,” Charlie said.

  He frowned, but took out the two fives instead.

  “Deal is, all three have to be the best. If they are you get ten bucks. And if not…” He let the last hang in the air as he stared at her parted lips. “A kiss.”

  “From Dolly,” she said with a smile and raised eyebrow.

  He took the bait and gave some back. He glanced from Charlie to the maid and back again. “Both of you.”

  Dolly whooped at that one. “Dagnabbit, I wish I wasn’t such a good cook.”

  Alex chuckled. “Remember, never bet against a sure thing.”

  A few minutes later, after having tasted all three, he savored the rich flavors melting on his tongue. “No doubt about it, you’ve won, hands down.”

  Charlie clapped. She picked up the money. Splitting it, she gave her friend half. “Here’s the money I owe you from my bet.”

  Surprised, Alex asked, “What? You bet against her?”

  “Yeah, but I got my money back,” Charlie said, waving a five in front of him.

  He laughed and the two ladies soon followed suit.

  Charlie grabbed a nearby napkin and leaned toward him. “Here, let me.”

  As she raised her hand to his mouth, he clasped her wrist. She stilled. He heard the catch in her breath. The delicate silky skin beneath his fingers had him yearning to touch more. The vein he lightly pressed changed its rhythm from a slow, steady beat to a rapid-fire tempo.

  Gazing at her face, he watched her eyes darken, her cheeks pinken, and her full rosy lips part. Her breath came in soft pants. Something tightened in his middle. An ache rushed through him.

  The moment seemed frozen for him. Silence stretched. He felt his own skin heat. Blood throbbed through his veins. His quickening heartbeat drummed in his chest.

  Recalling what she’d been about to do, Alex licked the corner of his mouth. She sucked in a breath, dropping her gaze there. He watched in awe at her heavy-lidded stare, the slight flare to her nostrils, and the flush creeping over her cheeks. Another ache, low and deep, shot through him.

  From behind him, he heard someone clearing her throat rather loudly and repeatedly.

  Coming out of his trance, he said, “Ah, Mrs. King…” There was unmistakable regret in his voice.

  He slid his fingers from Charlie’s wrist to her palm. She released the napkin she held. Skin met skin. Alex couldn’t ignore the tingle traveling through him. He bent and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. Her fingers tightened slightly. Reluctantly, he let her go. He rose.

  Straightening the chair, he then moved to Dolly and kissed the back of her hand. “Ladies,” he said softly as he turned to Charlie, “it’s been memorable.” With a slight bow of his head, he turned to face the rest of the pack.

  Alex snatched up his jacket from the counter and crossed the room. “Mrs. King, I’ll be in touch.” As he rolled down his sleeves, he turned to the sisters and nodded. “Girls.”

  “But… but…” Mrs. King stammered, following on his heels as he found his way to the foyer. “When will you call?” He was sure she sounded desperate even to her own ears.

  At the door, he turned to her as he shrugged on his jacket. Tall and proud, she seemed in complete control. However, looking closer, he noted how she rubbed her fingers together and how she couldn’t quite disguise the way her eyes clouded with anxiety.

  “Tomorrow. First thing. I’ll meet you at your office at King’s.” With that, he left quickly.

  The cool air hit Alex the minute he stepped out of the house. At the bottom of the stairs, he halted, raising his face to the soft, misty rain. He smiled.

  “Sir?” his driver asked from the curb as he held an umbrella in one hand and pulled the car door open with the other.

  “Edward,” he said jubilantly, and then raced down the walkway to the car. “It’s a wonderful evening, isn’t it?”

  The older man tipped his black cap. His smile lit up his wizened face. “Yes, sir, it appears it is.”

  Once in the back seat, Alex grabbed for the car phone. As he waited several rings, Edward pulled the car out into the street.

  “Hello,” came a sleepy male voice.

  “Granddad, it’s Alex.”

  “Alex! Is everything all right, son?”

  Alex laughed out loud. “Granddad, I found her.”

  He found her, but would she want him and a marriage of convenience?

  Chapter 4

  From behind the wheel of the car, Edward glanced over his shoulder. “Is she the one who was late, sir? Dark hair, slender, long legs? She ran across the street while laughing in the pouring rain.”

  Nodding, Alex smiled at his longtime friend’s description. He couldn’t believe it had only been last night since he met her. He hadn’t slept a wink. He’d replayed the time with her over and over in his mind. But one nagging thought persisted. Who the hell was Dex? A boyfriend? Was it serious?

  Now he waited outside King’s Department Store for Charlie’s arrival. He glanced at his watch, realizing they’d been parked there for more than ten minutes. Well, he hadn’t wanted to miss her.

  “Sir, I think she’s coming now,” Edward said as he gazed in the rearview mirror.

  Alex twisted around and spotted her. Her dark hair gleamed in the morning light. Wearing a short, purple dress that hugged her curves and matching high heels, she walked down the sidewalk. He turned to his friend and patted him on the shoulder. “Good job, Edward. Wish me luck.”

  A moment later, Alex hopped out of the car, not bothering to wait for his driver. Charlie walked briskly by, but not without a double take when she saw him.

  He smiled. Maybe he had a chance. Following a few paces behind her, he watched her long, self-assured strides and the gentle sway of her backside. “Damn,” he muttered, straightening his jacket, and then buttoned it.

  She must have heard because he caught her soft chuckle. It probably wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last time a man commented as she strode down the street, he figured.

  ***

  Charlie nearly lost her footing when Alex stepped from the limo at the curb, never in her life expecting him to emerge from the sleek, black car. Now he was no more than four steps behind her, watching her. She took guilty pleasure in his muttered compliment, warmth spreading across her cheeks.

  Once at the gold-framed glass doors of King’s, she smiled widely at the short, older doorman as he held the door for her. “Benny, how are you today? And how’s your new granddaughter, Andrea?”

  His wrinkled face stretched with his smile and his blue eyes twinkled with delight. “She’s just a peach, Miss Charlie. Thanks so much for the bassinet. It’s a beauty.”

  “I’m so glad you liked it. Don’t forget to bring some pictures of her. We want to make sure she’s on King’s family board.”

  “Sure thing, miss. You have a good day now.”

  She sensed Alex still followed her. However, her suspicions were confirmed when Benny wished him a good morning and he responded in his deep, rich voice.

  Glancing back quickly, she caught him staring at her. A shiver of awareness shot through her middle. Without missing a step, she walked across the charcoal gray marble floor. She strode past the men’s department, cosmetics counter, and jewelry department. Charlie headed to the executive offices’ elevators.

  Usually she took her time surveying the scene and filling with pride. Today, the man behind her distracted her, making it difficult to think of anything but his strong presence.

  Halting at the gleaming gold doors, she saw him stop a foot behind her. “Good morning.” She nodded to the three people already waiting. Two men from their accounting department returned her pleasantries.

  In the muted reflection, Charlie caught Alex staring. She turned her head, saying, “Quit following.”

  “Why? I like the view from back here.” His voice held an unmistakable smile.

  The others chuckled. Charlie grinned and shook her head. Thankfully
, the door dinged opened. Entering, she found a spot in the center, and then turned back to the doors. Once again, he followed and stood just inches behind her. The others piled in beside them.

  Thick silence ensued as the doors closed and the elevator lifted them to the fifth floor. The heat from his body reached out to scorch her back. His musky scent tickled her senses. Momentarily, she closed her eyes and breathed in. Why did she have to be attracted to this man? He’s Francie’s.

  She must have swayed slightly; his hand touched her waist to steady her. Charlie opened her eyes quickly.

  He murmured in her ear, “Are you all right?” His warm breath fanned over her earlobe and neck. She shivered.

  All she could do was nod. His fingers lingered. The heat of his touch burned through her clothes, branding her flesh. Slowly, he dropped his hand, his palm brushing her hip. His sharp intake of breath whistled past her ear.

  An eternity later, the elevator halted at her floor. She rushed out, gulping in air, and greeted the receptionist. “Good morning, Martha.”

  “Hi, Charlie.”

  Charlie made her escape from Alex, striding to the right and toward her corner office. Behind her, she heard him ask for Mrs. King. “Of course,” she whispered, “he’s here to talk about last night and Francie.” Her middle tightened.

  ***

  Still dizzy from his encounter with Charlie, Alex was ushered into Mrs. King’s office. He noted the ornately carved desk and the rich burgundy fabric on the furniture.

  The older woman grabbed his attention. She stood with confidence. Dressed in a black tailored business suit, her dyed golden hair swept in a French twist and a string of creamy pearls around her neck, she exuded professionalism.

  “Mrs. King.” He nodded politely, sizing up the woman more closely than the night before. There was something about her…