She knew Berceto had been asked to make a sizable donation to the event but had hesitated, given the reality of their finances. Alex had convinced her that it would be good for the company’s image to be seen supporting an important cause. It would go a long way toward convincing the industry that Berceto was a viable entity.
Now she wondered unkindly if the donation was made to keep Anita Green happy. She tried to shake off the feeling of doom that overtook her. Watching Alex go off with the pushy socialite caused the joy to go out of the event for her.
She was careful to go through the motions of smiling at customers and making small talk. When there was a brief lull, she broke away from the booth and went in search of the bathroom.
Walking in, she almost didn’t recognize herself in the full-length mirror. She used the bathroom, checked her makeup after washing her hands, and reminded herself that this event wasn’t about her. It was about launching Berceto. She shouldn’t allow herself to become jealous of some socialite. She needed to focus on why she was here.
She returned to the booth for a few more hours and surprised everyone with her energy and enthusiasm for the event.
There were open bars at several key locations and she noticed nearly everyone walking around had a glass of champagne or drink in their hand. Alex returned with a bottle of champagne and glasses for the sales staff.
He handed her a glass and offered a toast to everyone in the booth. “To the immensely talented Emilia Berceto.”
Everyone lifted a glass toward her and then there was a series of glasses clinking and laughter. From the conversations with the sales staff, she learned that this show was much more successful for Berceto than previous shows by far. They had collected hundreds of leads and were excited about the potential sales opportunities.
It was late when she headed back to her suite with Liv. She barely had the energy to remove her gown and slide into the cool sheets. Instead of chatting when they got to the suite, she had said goodnight to her good friend and firmly closed her bedroom door. She needed space to process the day. Physically and mentally she felt spent. But there was a part of her that was irate about Alex going off with the socialite Anita Green. But isn’t that what she wanted? Not to have anyone know that she and Alex had begun a romantic involvement? Instead she wanted to announce to everyone hands off. She needed to relax and not let it get to her.
The next morning, Liv announced that there was a charity soccer game that many of the industry insiders would be playing at but that she could take the morning off if she was exhausted.
“No, I would like to go.”
Liv seemed surprised but said, “You should probably dress fairly casual, but maybe we could get an aquamarine pendant from the case?”
Emilia put her hair up in a loose knot as Liv went in search of the right pendant. Adding just a slight amount of makeup, she chose a white button-down shirt and jeans. Adding heeled sandals to her look, she gathered her bag and phone and waited for Liv.
Fastening the pendant, she clutched the pear-cut aquamarine stone for comfort. The aquamarine selection this year had been a reflection of her favorite stone. Maybe it was because it was her birthstone or possibly it was the first stone she worked with when her grandfather helped her design her first pendant at four years of age.
She needed all the strength she could get. The challenge with Alex was no longer about privacy but gaining his interest. He seemed so aloof and untouchable.
Liv had secured tickets to the match and they were seated in the Berceto box.
She was surprised that Berceto had purchased a box. Alex must have organized it. Walking into the private area she noticed Isabel was caught in an embrace with a handsome man who was kissing her neck and allowing his hands to travel over her lower back.
“Isabel, Marc flew out and surprised me.” Her cousin radiated happiness.
“How wonderful to finally meet you.” Emilia held out her hand but instead Marc kissed each of her cheeks.
“Thank you for everything.” She knew he was talking about the engagement ring she designed last minute for her cousin.
“It was my pleasure.” Looking at both of them together, she was overjoyed for Isabel.
Isabel asked, “You came to see Alex play?”
Instead of denying it, she said, “Yes, I’ve never seen him play soccer before. Something tells me he’ll be quite good.”
“Marc has to leave during the gala tonight, but I wanted him to at least meet you.”
They spoke for a few more minutes, then took their seats as the game started.
Liv had gone in search of food and brought back stadium hot dogs with everything and four cokes. It took a moment to hand the food out and everyone’s attention was on the game.
The first half was a blur as she watched Alex fight for the ball. His team was up by two goals as the first half ended. Isabel and Marc made their excuses and slipped away.
She smiled at Liv as the game began again. It became a tied gamed well into the third quarter and she watched in horror as Alex fell during a complicated play and was kicked in the head.
Her hand flew to her chest as she watched the referees stop the game. Medics were called onto the field, and for several minutes she couldn’t see anything as they blocked her view of Alex. Finally he stood, and the crowd cheered. A medic helped him off the field, and he was taken inside.
She turned to Liv., “I can’t stand it. I’m going to check on him.”
Liv followed her from the box, and they made their way down to the locker rooms. She noticed there was a medical station next to the locker room and pushed the door open. Alex was on a table and the medic was trying to stop a nosebleed.
Anita Green was blocking his upper body from view as she leaned over him. Only seeing his grass-stained uniform and cleats, Emilia listened as the woman gushed on about his playing ability. The medic assured the socialite several times that he would be fine.
She backed out of the room, colliding with Liv as she heard Anita say, “I need him in top shape for later.”
Closing the door quietly, she noticed Liv’s concerned look.
“I’m going back to the hotel. Please don’t mention to him that I saw the accident.”
“I can’t imagine anything is really happening between them except maybe in her imagination.”
“I’ll see you back at the hotel later.”
Emilia walked away from her friend and went in search of a cab. In all of her time exiled in Florida, she never felt particularly lonely. She had no idea how painful it was to lose the one person that mattered most to you. Is that how she felt about Alex? She knew people survived heartbreak all of the time. So why did it feel so devastating to her?
She placed a time limit on the stylists that evening. When they arrived, she was already wearing the V-neck black gown she had selected for the gala. It fell to mid-calf and it was a dress that reminded her of dancing.
As they finished with her, she asked them to do Liv’s makeup. Her grey hair was short and Liv had already styled it.
Liv had barely spoken to her since the game and seemed worried. She tried to put everyone at ease, but feeling so fragile she couldn’t attempt a joyful demeanor, so instead she strove for friendliness.
Instead of Alex arriving with the necklace she would wear, the head of security delivered it to the suite. Liv had placed it on the marble side table by the door.
As the stylists left the suite, Liv said, “I could make an excuse for you. Tell everyone you developed a migraine.”
“No. I came here to promote Berceto and this gala is part of that.”
“I’m sure that dreadful woman, Anita Green, will be at the event. She is helping with the benefit.”
“I’m fine. Really.”
Emilia crossed over the room and opened the jewelry case. The design was something she had worked very hard to get right. She wanted it to be beautiful but not so overly elaborate that it was difficult to wear.
She wa
s able to easily do the clasp and turned to Liv.
“I love it. Your talent always amazes me.”
As they stepped into the lobby, she saw Alex break away from a group of people and come over to greet them.
His nose and cheek were bruised, but it didn’t take away from his powerful looks. If anything it added to his charm.
“Tough game?”
“Yes, it was, but my team prevailed in the end.”
“Liv, can I have a moment with Emilia?”
Nodding her head, Liv walked toward the ballroom after giving Emilia a look of encouragement.
Alex said, “I met your cousin’s fiancé in the foyer earlier. He seems like a great guy.”
She averted her gaze. “They are happy together.”
He stepped toward her. “Something is bothering you. Can you tell me what it is?”
Alex touched her elbow and gently turned her toward him.
Shaking her head, she said, “I’d rather not talk about it. It’s nothing important.”
He drew her closer. “The launch is exceeding our best expectations. I would think that you would be over the moon.”
She tried to strike a neutral tone. “I don’t know. Maybe it was the stress leading up to all of this, but I’m ready for it to be over.” She just wanted to go home and lick her wounds in private.
“Let’s enjoy the evening. The launch is a success and late tomorrow we can head home.”
He went to kiss her, but she avoided his lips. “I’d rather you not.” Her heart felt like it was breaking.
His husky whisper soothed her nerves. “We are alone, cara.”
Stepping away, she said, “I saw you flirting with Anita Green.”
His gaze penetrated her resolve. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“I was at the charity match. You have something going on with her.”
“We are old friends. Nothing more.”
Her voice rose. “I saw her leaning over you in the triage room, staking her claim.”
He smiled at her. “Cara, listen to me. I had a mild concussion and was bleeding profusely. I can barely remember being treated.”
She pushed him away. “It doesn’t matter. You are free to do whatever you want.”
He waited a moment while a couple walked by them. “Nothing has happened between Anita and myself. She is a flirt and loves attention. The only association I’ve had with her is over the benefit.”
Anger coursed through her body. “Yes, you have been very helpful with the charity work.”
“Is that a bad thing, cara?”
She wanted to strike out at him but instead gracefully walked into the ballroom.
Within seconds, they were both surrounded by the media. She noticed that Alex made no attempt to touch her but instead stood to the side.
If he was truly interested in her, he would stake a claim. Even though the rational part of her brain was telling her that he was only acting as she had requested. She hadn’t wanted their relationship blasted around the media. But now she wanted to tell anyone that was interested that he was hers. But was that really true?
She couldn’t eradicate the image from her mind of Anita Green standing over him in concern.
Her parents had flown in for the evening and Emilia greeted them. Alex sat next to her at the Berceto table, but it felt like an ocean separated them. She had the feeling that he was insulted by her accusation yet she didn’t quite believe him. Anita Green was beautiful, sexy and the biggest flirt that she had met.
Several times over the course of the evening, she noticed Anita touched his tie or sinuously wrapped her body against his. He did seem to extradite himself each time, but he didn’t ask her to stop. Emilia knew she was being completely unreasonable which only fed her anger at the situation.
After getting another drink, Emilia went in search of Isabel. She found her cousin dancing with Marc. She watched the two of them for a few minutes until Alex appeared at her side.
“Would you like to dance, cara?”
She nodded and he took her drink and placed it on a passing waiter’s tray.
He pulled her into his arms and she moved closer to him. She placed her arms around his neck and allowed her body to melt into his. She didn’t want to dance. She wanted to undress him.
“Easy, cara. We are in public.” He used his strength to separate their bodies slightly.
“You don’t want everyone to realize that I’m into you?”
“I’m fine with public displays of affection. You are not.”
Emilia reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. He stopped dancing and devoured her mouth. She could hear the music playing and snatches of conversation from others on the dance floor, but she completely forgot where they were. She pressed her hands into his shirt and fumbled with the buttons. He stilled her hands and led her off the dance floor.
They were in a private elevator within a minute, and she pulled him back into her embrace. They both stumbled out of the elevator and Alex reached into his pocket for his key. Waving it in front of the security device, he opened the door to his suite and pulled her back into his arms.
She pushed his jacket over his shoulders and he let it fall to the floor. She started unbuttoning his shirt and he left her lips to kiss her neck. She heard him groan as she glided her hands down over his body and firmly pressed against his swollen erection.
He unzipped her gown and pushed it off of her body. Lifting her up into his arms, he carried her through the suite. He tossed her on the bed and, after finding a condom in the bathroom, he stood over her.
She was covered by a sheer lace bra and matching black panties that used a garter belt to fasten her black stockings.
“You are absolutely gorgeous, Emilia. I can’t stop looking at you.”
Reaching down, he removed one stiletto and traced the line from her toes up to her calf. She wanted him to continue, but he moved to her other shoe and did the same thing. Desire flamed through her body and she didn’t want to wait from him to explore her slowly.
“Please, Alex.”
“I’m not going to rush but instead savor every delicious moment.”
She pleaded with him. “I want you to rush.”
He shook his head. “No. Trust me, cara. You don’t.”
He slowly unrolled each stocking and traced the area his finger grazed with his tongue. She squirmed in his arms, her body moving erratically.
He got off the bed and kicked off his shoes, finished taking of his shirt, pants, socks, and finally his tight black boxers.
Emilia watched him, fascinated, and couldn’t wait to touch him. He unrolled the condom in economical movements and had himself safely sheathed before climbing back onto the bed.
Smiling at her, he pulled down her panties, tossing them aside before covering her with his mouth. Emilia gasped and pulled at his hair, but he stayed intent on driving her wild. Within moments she exploded around him, and he trailed kisses up her flat belly. He kissed her breast though her lace bra while he ran his hands over her body.
He switched his attention to her other breast, and she moved underneath him and pulled his body closer. She could feel his erection on her thigh and wanted him deep inside her.
“Alex.”
He kissed her neck as he reached behind her and released the clasp of her bra.
He skillfully brought her to another climax before finding his own release. He held onto her tightly, enjoying the feel of her in his arms until he had to dispose of the condom.
Coming back to bed, he gathered her back into his arms and began a seduction all over again. Before they fell asleep, he undid her necklace and placed it on the bedside stand.
Chapter 12
The next morning, Emilia woke up alone in a tangle of sheets. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was nine o’clock. Memories of the night before paraded through her mind. There was no doubt in her mind that Alex was interested in her body. He had made that abundantly clear.
May
be it was enough for now and it would deepen into something more tangible. She heard a knock on the door as she gathered up her clothing. She had found everything but her bra and one stocking. Whoever it was knocked again. Stepping into her dress, she called out, “Just a moment.”
Looking fairly dignified, she pulled open the door and saw her parents. Her mother looked like she might faint.
Coming into the suite, they handed her the Las Vegas Sun News. On the front page was a photograph of her kissing Alex on the dance floor.
She looked from one to the other. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Keep reading,” her father said.
She collapsed on the sofa and scanned the article. Whoever gave the interview to the tabloid was not a fan. They had brought up the old scandal and named Alex as the man in the photographs. The article went on to say that Alex Armati had been involved long term with Anita Green until he decided to break off the relationship to date the Berceto Heiress.
Why wouldn’t he have just told her about Anita? Why wasn’t he here this morning?
Her head pounded and as she stood up, she felt dizzy. Maybe she needed caffeine.
Her father waved his arms. “This is not the type of press that Berceto needs. You had been so successful in launching the new design but that is wasted with this bad press.”
“I’m not in control of the tabloid press. They will print what they want. I have to hope that people will be smart enough not to believe everything they read.”
Her mother said, “We booked first class tickets back to L.A. You should come with us.”
She shook her head. “I’m going to wait and speak with Alex. I’m not going to hide from this.”
Her mother continued. “It’s a mistake, Lia. He was the only one beyond the immediate family who could have told the press that he was the man in the photographs.”
Fear slid down her spine. “Why would he do that? What could he possibly gain?”
The Exiled Jeweler: a contemporary romance novel (The Rosa Legacy Book 2) Page 14
