“That’s not a dog,” J.T. said with a disapproving shake of his head. “Dogs are big and slobbery. They run, bark, jump up and down, chase balls and cats.”
She smiled. “Small dogs that can almost fit in your handbag are the latest rage.”
“At formal dinner parties?”
Christina nodded. “Absolutely. I think it’s cute.”
“Must be a girl thing,” he grumbled. He paused, his eyes narrowing as Nicole and Alexis embarked on what appeared to be a very heated conversation. They had moved toward the large stone fireplace in the living room, their voices hushed, but their body language made it clear they were disagreeing about something. “Alexis doesn’t appear to be sucking up,” he commented.
“No, she doesn’t.” Christina wondered what they were discussing. It wasn’t like Alexis to let her emotions get away from her, especially with a member of the press.
Jeremy joined the two women a moment later. A short, stocky man, Jeremy was at least a few inches shorter than his tall, willowy wife. He was a plain man with a square face and a receding hairline. There was nothing warm or friendly about him. Christina had spent very little time in his company, but she’d always come away feeling chilled. If the man had a personality, she hadn’t seen it. Perhaps he reserved his attention for family and friends as opposed to employees.
Alexis certainly seemed to care about him. She had her hand on his arm now and gave him a long, passionate kiss on his lips. Either she didn’t care that Nicole was standing there or it was a deliberate move to make some sort of point. A moment later Jeremy led Alexis away. If Christina hadn’t been watching so closely she might have missed the look of contempt that flashed across Nicole’s face. There was no love lost between the two women; that much was clear.
“That was interesting,” J.T. murmured.
She couldn’t help but smile at his choice of words. “This time I agree with you.”
“We’re making progress.” He flashed her that boyish grin that was quickly becoming her favorite smile.
Concentrate, she told herself. “I don’t know why Alexis would risk annoying a member of the press the night before the auction. Who knows what Nicole will say in the morning paper? Alexis hates bad press. I’d sure like to know what they were talking about.”
“Maybe we can find out. Let’s go talk to Nicole.”
“I don’t know her at all,” Christina protested.
“So, it’s a party. We’ll introduce ourselves.”
J.T. was a lot more outgoing than she was, Christina realized, especially when it came to cocktail-party conversation. “Maybe you should go on your own.”
“Not without my date.” He gave her a gentle push. “Come on; maybe we’ll get your name in the paper.”
“That’s the last thing I want,” she murmured, wishing she could find a way to disappear, but it was too late. Nicole was right in front of them.
“Ms. Prescott,” J.T. said, flagging her down. “I hope you don’t mind the interruption, but I wanted to tell you that I’m your biggest fan.”
Nicole preened at J.T.’s flattery. “Really. And you are...?”
“J.T. McIntyre. And this is Christina Alberti. She’s the jewelry specialist for Barclay’s.”
“How nice,” Nicole muttered, not taking her eyes off J.T. She put out a hand and pretended to straighten his lapel. “I don’t usually have such handsome readers.”
“I’m sure you do,” he said.
“That’s lovely of you to say.”
“Your dog is...uh, very small,” J.T. said. “I’ve always wanted one of those. What are they called?”
“Pomeranians.”
Christina wanted to roll her eyes at J.T.’s phony interest in Nicole’s dog. For a man who had accused her of lying, he seemed to have no problem doing exactly the same thing. He would do anything to get what he wanted. She would have to remember that.
She shifted her feet uncomfortably, feeling very much like a third wheel as the conversation between J.T. and Nicole grew more flirtatious. J.T. wasn’t getting information about Nicole’s conversation with Alexis, but he definitely had Nicole wrapped around his little finger -- make that his bicep. Nicole caressed his arm as she leaned into him, saying, “What a charming man you are. I hope we can get better acquainted later tonight.”
Christina felt a surge of anger at the woman’s blatant suggestion. Was she invisible? Couldn’t Nicole see that she was standing right there? And J.T. was just as bad, smiling at Nicole as if he’d like to lap her up.
“Honey,” Christina said, deliberately interrupting them, “I think they’re about to serve dinner. Why don’t we say hello to Alexis before we sit down? You remember Alexis, don’t you?”
He met her pointed look with a smile. “Of course I do, sweetheart.” He turned back to Nicole. “You know Alexis, don’t you?”
Nicole’s gaze sharpened into a hard point. “Far too well. I don’t think you’ll find her nearly as fascinating as me.”
“I’m sure that would be impossible,” J.T. agreed. “But since Alexis is Christina’s boss, I’ll have to ask you to excuse us.”
“If I must,” Nicole said reluctantly. “Perhaps we can share a drink after dinner.”
“I’d like that,” J.T. replied. “By the way, will you be attending the auction tomorrow?”
“I might stop by. I haven’t had a chance to see the diamond yet. By the time I arrived at the party last night, there were fire engines blocking the entrance. It was very disappointing.” She glanced over at Christina for the first time. “I wonder if you might arrange a private showing for me before the auction, just for a few moments.”
Christina was surprised by the request. She didn’t want to offend Nicole, but she also didn’t want anyone else looking at the diamond until she knew what she was dealing with. “I would have to ask Alexis,” she prevaricated. “I’m not sure exactly what the schedule is for tomorrow. I can let you know.”
“Please do.”
Christina took J.T.’s hand and gave it a seriously painful squeeze as she led him away from Nicole. She pulled him into the foyer outside the living room.
“Ouch,” he said, yanking his hand away from her. “What was that for?”
“For blowing our cover,” she said angrily.
“Our cover?”
“You told people you were my date. My dates don’t usually flirt with other women while I’m standing right there.” He grinned, and she didn’t like the look in his eyes.
“You’re jealous,” he said with a knowing smile.
“Don’t be an ass. I’m not jealous. I’m concerned about our cover story.”
“Nicole wanted me, and you didn’t like it,” he observed.
“I don’t care who wants you. I just care about my own reputation, all right? I don’t want to be seen as some pathetic woman whose date won’t even look at her.”
“Well, I can fix that.”
His mouth came down on hers before she could reply. His kiss was hot, potent, his touch releasing some sort of delicious drug that swept through her body, making every nerve tingle with pleasure.
“What was that for?” she asked breathlessly.
“Our cover story,” he replied.
“Oh. Okay. Right.” She drew in a breath and let it out, feeling an odd disappointment at his words.
He stared back at her, not smiling anymore. “I lied. That kiss was for me. And I’d like to do it again.”
Christina was torn between wanting another kiss and wanting to run away as fast and as far as possible. The decision was taken out of her hands when the caterer called them to dinner. She started, realizing that anyone at the party could have walked by and seen them kissing in the foyer. What would Alexis think? Everyone else might believe that J.T. was her date, but her boss knew that he was an FBI agent, and it was definitely inappropriate for her to be kissing him. Wasn’t it?
The line between right and wrong seemed to blur more with each passing day.
/> J.T. put his hand on her back to urge her toward the dining room. “Time to eat.”
“Don’t touch me,” she said sharply.
His hand dropped away abruptly. “Sorry.”
“You shouldn’t have done that. You shouldn’t have kissed me.”
“You shouldn’t have kissed me back.”
He had a point. Deciding there was no way to win this battle, she turned on her heel and walked quickly toward the dining room. They were the last to arrive. Their seats were at the far end of a massive table, which seated twenty-four -- Alexis’s version of the cheap seats, no doubt. Christina didn’t mind the location. She’d rather sit across from Sylvia Davis, the head of public relations, who knew that she and J.T. were not a couple, than to have to pretend to be enamored with him throughout soup, salad, and another three courses. However, the man sitting next to Sylvia was another matter. It was David Padlinsky, who greeted her with a satisfied smile.
“I didn’t realize you were coming, David,” Christina said with a frown. “In fact, I spent half the afternoon looking for you. Where were you?”
“I had a meeting at the university,” he replied. “I thought I told you that. As for the party, Alexis was kind enough to invite me when I expressed an interest in seeing her beautiful home.”
His words were so polite, so formal, so odd, she thought. She couldn’t figure out who David really was -- wannabe rock star, earnest grad student, self-absorbed ambitious social climber...? He didn’t seem to fit into any clear category. Which made her wonder if she knew him at all. J.T. was convinced that if someone was going to steal the diamond, they would do it from the inside. Was David part of some scheme?
“I understand you gave a press demonstration when I was at lunch,” Christina continued.
David cast J.T. a quick look. “Yes, I did. Your...date was standing right there.”
“So he said,” Christina murmured. “You should have called me.”
“I tried your cell phone, but you didn’t answer.”
“I didn’t get any missed calls,” she replied.
David shrugged. “It must have been one of those odd cell phone problems.”
Christina didn’t buy that for a second. David hadn’t called her. He’d wanted to do that demonstration on his own. Why? So he had a reason to examine the diamond again? Out of the corner of her eye she noted Sylvia’s curious gaze on her. Sylvia was obviously following their conversation and would no doubt report every word back to Alexis. Sylvia and Alexis worked quite closely together. They were both in their late forties and shared the same vision and determination for success. Sylvia often acted as Alexis’s eyes and ears throughout the company. Christina wished now that she’d kept her mouth shut, but it was too late to drop the question.
“I asked David to show the diamond,” Sylvia interjected. “A reporter from the Sacramento Bee arrived while you were at lunch, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to get additional press coverage. I didn’t realize that would be a problem. Alexis approved it, and David did an excellent job discussing how you both analyze a stone. It was fascinating. The reporter was thrilled to have a chance to look through the gem scope at what David was describing.”
Christina drew in a quick, sharp breath. She’d hoped that the gem scope hadn’t been part of the demonstration. Christina silently prayed that David hadn’t seen anything wrong with the diamond when he’d conducted his review. She told herself that he wasn’t as experienced as she was in looking at diamonds. He didn’t have as good an eye -- at least, she didn’t think he did.
It was also possible that there was nothing wrong with the diamond. She would have liked to check it again, but to do so would have raised too many questions. She would wait until tomorrow to take another look. It would be expected then and not at all out of the ordinary.
“Is something wrong?” David asked quizzically.
“No, everything is fine,” she said, realizing Sylvia and David were both sending her speculative looks. The last thing she needed was to raise any more suspicion. She picked up her water glass and took a long drink as two waiters began to serve the salad. She was grateful for the distraction. Sylvia began conversing with the gentleman on the other side of her, and David excused himself, presumably to use the restroom.
“What was that all about?” J.T. asked quietly.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You’re pissed that David did that presentation without you. What’s the big deal?”
“There’s no deal. Forget I said anything.”
J.T. sent her a curious look. “You don’t trust him, do you?”
“I’m just surprised he’s here. He’s a part-time assistant. This party is only for the department specialists, potential buyers, and selected members of the press.”
“That sounds like professional jealousy.”
Maybe J.T. was right and she was a little jealous. David was moving ahead in the company far more quickly than she had. She certainly hadn’t been invited to Alexis’s house until she’d worked at Barclay’s for over two years.
“Do you think David saw something in the diamond that you didn’t?” J.T. asked. “Is that why you’re so nervous?”
“I’m not nervous.”
It wasn’t until he put his hand on her thigh that she realized she’d been tapping her foot against the floor in a restless beat. His warm hand burned through the silk of her dress, which did little to calm her nerves. She placed her hand over his and moved it off her leg. He smiled. “Sorry; did that bother you?”
“I think you’ll need that hand for your salad.”
“I’m right-handed.” He picked up his fork with his right hand while moving the left hand back to her leg. “I can do two things at once. And you seem to need someone to anchor this leg down. Why are you so jumpy, Christina?”
“Because I am, and I’d really prefer you keep your hands to yourself.” She took his hand and moved it off her leg again, unwilling to admit, even to herself, that she missed his warmth.
They didn’t speak again until they had finished their salads. David returned to his seat, engaging Sylvia in conversation. Then the waiters arrived with the next course, steak and lobster. It was a fancy meal for a fancy party. Christina certainly couldn’t complain about the food. She gazed down the long table, now wishing they’d been seated in the middle, where they could have listened in on more conversations. She almost felt more like the hired help than a guest.
She shook off the thought, knowing deep down that her feelings came from long years of being the odd girl out. It had been difficult growing up without a mother. She’d always felt different from the other kids, especially since her father had never been an ordinary dad. It had been easier when it was just the two of them. When they tried to mix in with the rest of the world, they didn’t quite fit. Even now, without her father in her life, she still struggled to feel a part of the group. It was her own insecurity, she reminded herself. Alexis and Jeremy had been perfect hosts, and she really couldn’t complain about anything.
“Sylvia, I was wondering if you were the one responsible for getting the media here tonight,” J.T. asked, breaking the silence at their end of the table that had begun to grow uncomfortable.
Sylvia nodded, appearing pleased by the question. “Absolutely. That’s my job.”
J.T. leaned forward, flashing Sylvia his charming smile. The man should have a patent on it, Christina thought. It was lethal, and Sylvia was obviously not immune. A blush as red as her strawberry-blond hair colored her cheeks, and she sat up a bit straighter, making a subtle movement that thrust her well-endowed breasts toward J.T. Christina couldn’t believe the woman was flirting with him. She was married, for God’s sake. Although her husband wasn’t here tonight, so apparently that made a difference.
“You do it very well,” J.T. continued. “I was wondering what you know about Nicole Prescott. She seems like a fascinating woman.”
Sylvia shot a quick look down the len
gth of the table to make sure she couldn’t be overheard, which wasn’t possible, since Nicole was seated next to Jeremy at the far end. Sylvia dropped her voice down a notch. “She’s beautiful, rich, and has had more men than anyone can count. She wields tremendous power on the society pages. She can make you a star or turn you into a social leper. Everyone is afraid of her poison pen, but it is just that poison that brings the readers back for more. Controversy always sells more papers.”
“She doesn’t seem to get along very well with Alexis,” J.T. continued. “I saw them arguing earlier tonight.”
Sylvia hesitated. Christina wasn’t surprised. Sylvia was used to guarding Alexis’s privacy, but she seemed torn between wanting to talk more to J.T. and revealing how much of an insider she really was. In the end J.T.’s encouraging smile won out.
“I don’t think Nicole will go after Alexis in print,” Sylvia said. “They are family, after all.”
“Family?” Christina questioned. “Really?”
“They’re cousins. I don’t think their parents got along well. I’m not sure exactly what caused the rift between them. Nicole loves to remind Alexis that she can destroy her in the press at any time,” Sylvia added. “Believe me, I have had to tread very carefully between the two of them over the past year. Fortunately, Alexis and Jeremy are so well-known for their philanthropy as well as Barclay’s success that it’s easy to get them good press. I think that for the most part Nicole and Alexis respect each other’s territory.” Sylvia paused as Jeremy rose to his feet and the chatter at the table quieted.
Jeremy cleared his throat, and his dark gaze roamed the table as he waited for the last lingering conversations to end. “I’d like to thank you all for coming,” he said. “Tomorrow Barclay’s will celebrate one of its most important auctions. I would like to thank Mr. Stefano Benedetti for entrusting us with his family’s valuable collection. We are very proud and honored to be of service to your family.” He raised his champagne glass in Stefano’s direction.
Stefano tipped his head in acknowledgment and lifted his own glass.
“To tomorrow’s success,” Jeremy continued. “Salut.”
Played Page 10
