A Pregnancy, a Party & a Proposal

by Teresa Carpenter

  Mamó had a real glow about her, too. Though some of that might have been due to the call she’d taken from Ellie. She’d made plans for dinner back in Queens and Lauren got the impression George Meade might be involved. Seemed Mamó wanted to showcase her new glamor, too.

  Lauren didn’t push for details. What she didn’t know she couldn’t spill to Ray.

  Bright shafts of sunshine fought through the cloud cover and high-rises to warm the afternoon pedestrians. A limousine stood double-parked at the curb. Ray stepped out as they approached.

  He flattered Mamó on how lovely she looked, accepted the news she wanted to bow out of the reception with good grace, and sent her off in the limo, suggesting she use the car service to collect her friends for dinner.

  “She always gets a kick out of her neighbors’ reaction when she comes and goes in a limousine. She’ll be extra excited to give them a ride.”

  Enchanted with his obvious affection for his grandmother, Lauren hooked her arm through his. “Today she feels beautiful and special. You did good.”

  Satisfaction showed in the form of a smirk. “Good. There’s still a sadness about her, but Ellie says she’s been better the last few days.” He waved down a passing cab. “How was she today?”

  “Fine. It was a mellow day. And she seems excited about tonight.”

  “Good.” He nodded and helped her into the waiting taxi. “Bloomingdales,” he directed the driver.

  Lauren settled into her seat without argument. She’d already decided to treat herself to a new dress for the reception and as a souvenir of the trip. By Arrangement’s success over the past year certainly allowed for a little extravagance—which reminded her: the designer of Tori’s wedding dress had a loft in New York. Lauren loved her work.

  She scrolled through her contacts, made a quick call, and then asked Ray to change their destination.

  “I’m glad you’re getting into the spirit of tonight’s adventure.” He swept a loose tendril of hair behind her ear.

  “Hmm?” She relaxed against him. “Are we having an adventure?”

  “Yes. This is our first official date.”

  “So it is.” Tipping her head back, she eyed his profile. He appeared pleased with himself. “There’s likely to be press at this event. How do you want to handle it?” she asked.

  “Word of our engagement is out. I already got asked about it a couple of times today.”

  “What did you say?”

  “That I wasn’t answering questions. But I’ll make a brief statement tonight.” He picked up her hand, threaded his fingers through hers. “I’m sorry you got dragged into a lie.”

  “Thank you, but it’s not your fault.”

  “I had my team put together a news release. I’ll show it to you at the hotel. It includes who you are, when we met, how long we’ve dated and details currently known about the wedding.”

  “You have a team?”

  “I do. Besides my assistant there’s my manager, a publicist, a project manager, an accountant, and—to my shame and at my assistant’s insistence—a stylist.”

  She laughed and slapped his knee. “You do not have a stylist.”

  “Only during awards season. Which reminds me—will you be my date for the awards ceremony this weekend?”

  “Walk the red carpet with you?”

  Her eyes popped and she sucked in a breath before she got herself under control. The awards were a big deal for Ray this year. They were equally important to her career.

  “I’m working that night.”

  “If we make an announcement, everyone will expect you to attend with me.”

  “By Arrangement is handling Obsidian Studio’s after-party.” She rubbed her thumb over his knuckle. “It’s been our goal since we focused our business in Hollywood to cater a post-awards ball.”

  “And I’m betting it will be the party to beat this year. People are still talking about the job you ladies did for Obsidian at the Hollywood Hills Film Festival. Couldn’t you keep an eye on things from the perspective of being my date?”

  His request went totally against her work ethic. She shouldn’t even be here this week, but preparing and overseeing the biggest event of her career. Work had become her savior, her solace. She took comfort in the discipline and control necessary to pull off a spectacular event.

  But with a baby under her heart and a major life decision to make regarding her child’s future her mind couldn’t focus on work. She owed it to herself, to her baby, and to Ray to take the time to make the most informed decision she could. In the meantime, twice daily updates from her assistant kept her sane on the work front.

  She recalled Mamó’s mention of vows and realized there was so much about Ray she didn’t know. Dates were meant to help a couple get to know each other better. So that was what she would do. Enjoy the night, learn more about Ray, and maybe get some answers about his past.

  Whatever his reservations about his old neighborhood, he hadn’t deserted his community. On her way to the restroom at the community center last night she’d spied a plaque posted in gratitude to Raymond Patrick Donovan for the donation of a gymnasium and pool.

  Dated seven years ago, the timing of the donation matched his first huge success—a film about a wounded veteran saving a small town from a corrupt mayor. He’d blended drama and action into a brilliant display of bravery, sacrifice, and justice that had provided moviegoers with an emotional and visually satisfying experience. The film had made Ray’s name a household word—he’d swept the awards that year, and gone on to become part of the Hollywood elite.

  And Ray had handed a cool million to his old neighborhood.

  “I’ll think about it. Let’s get through tonight first.”

  “Deal. We’re here.” He climbed from the cab, glanced up at the building. “She’s stretching the limits of the garment district, here.”

  “That doesn’t really mean anything to me,” she said as she joined him. “Did you see Tori’s wedding dress? Fabulous. She found it at a small boutique on Rodeo Drive, and of course she had to call the designer to rave about it. The two of them are now email buddies.”

  Inside, the receptionist directed them to the third floor. Eve Gardner met them at the door.

  “Lauren, I’m so glad you called.” The slim blond greeted them in her showroom. “I’ve seen pictures of the wedding. Tori was absolutely stunning—you must share all the details.”

  “I will, but first let me say your dress was the jewel in her day. I’ve never seen her look more beautiful.”

  “As a designer I can promise you she made the dress—not the other way around. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing all week.” She laughed lightly, looking a little shell shocked. “I should have paid her to wear the dress!”

  Lauren squeezed her hand. “You deserve the recognition. It was a stunning dress. I’m hoping you might have something for me.” She introduced Ray. “We’re going to a reception for the mayor tonight.”

  “Tonight?” Eve’s eyes widened as she recognized Ray, but she quickly recovered and pulled Lauren further into her shop, introducing the two of them to her assistant, Christy. “What type of affair is it?”

  “Black tie.”

  “Hmm, what are you? A size five? I think I have a couple of items you might like.”

  Eve invited Lauren and Ray to sit and then disappeared into the back. Christy offered them refreshments and then followed Eve.

  Lauren sat on a dove-gray tufted sofa while Ray roamed the showroom. The white walls provided an excellent showcase for the life-sized framed prints of celebrities and models in Eve’s designs. Several racks around the room held vibrantly hued garments.

  “Nice.” Ray stopped in front of a print of a high-profile actress in a midnight-blue dress on which the bodice consisted of strategically pl
aced bands artfully woven across the breasts and throat while the skirt fell in a straight sheath to the floor.

  “That’s showing too much skin for me.”

  He turned back to her, arms crossed over his chest. “You’d be stunning in something like this.”

  She shook her blond head. “I should have told her something conservative would be best. Preferably in black.”

  “Absolutely not. Tonight isn’t a job. It’s fun. You need a dress to play in.”

  “I won’t be working this event,” she agreed, mimicking him by crossing her arms over her breasts. “But you will. I need to respect that.”

  “Dynamite, in my business the more skin you show the better.”

  “Yes, but I’m only visiting your world. In my world I can wear the dress again at an event I will be working.”

  “If you don’t have the guts all you have to do is say so.” He strolled over and dropped down beside her, his arm resting on the back of the sofa behind her.

  “I don’t have the guts.”

  No need to bluff. And she wouldn’t let him dare her into wearing something she couldn’t be comfortable in. That was Tori—not her. Classy and conservative suited her just fine.

  “Okay,” he said easily, tracing a finger over her ear, making her shiver. The man was always touching. “But you have the body for it. Just so you know.”

  “You’re not supposed to be thinking of my body. Remember? It’s one of the rules we discussed.”

  “I thought you gave up on those rules?”

  “No. What made you think that?” She should never have let him get away with the constant touching. It gave him the wrong idea.

  “I don’t know. Possibly the fact I’ve woken up with you curled around me the last couple of nights.”

  Heat rose in her cheeks. The hope that he’d slept through her nighttime wanderings ended at this embarrassing revelation. Of course she knew it had been a futile hope.

  “That doesn’t count,” she bluffed. “We can’t control what we do while we’re sleeping.”

  He leaned close, bringing the scent of man and spice with him. He whispered in her ear. “That’s not what you said the other night.”

  “Yes...well...” He smelled so good she’d lost her train of thought. Oh, yeah. “The point is the rules are in full force. And you’re breaking them.”

  “Wrong. The rules say no unnecessary touching. I can admire all I want.”

  No. He had to stop. His admiring and his touching were chipping away at her resolve. She’d agreed to their date tonight, to get to know him better. But already she felt her control slipping. Being the sole focus of his attention might be more than she could handle.

  “Your admiring is making it hard to breathe.” She put a finger in the middle of his chest and pushed. “Behave yourself.”

  “Okay.” He settled back into his place, but didn’t remove his arm from behind her. “But you’re forgetting the security cameras. Touching is totally within our limits.”

  Of course he’d be aware of the cameras. Short of pleading, she only had one other option. A good threat.

  “Go ahead—have your fun now. Risk putting me in a bad mood for tonight, when I’ll be wearing a sexy dress and sipping a nice wine.”

  “Good point.”

  His blue eyes narrowed, showing her he’d caught her meaning. The gleam in those eyes sent a message too. He knew he bothered her. And he planned to put that knowledge to good use later.

  He gave her ear a tug and pulled out his phone. “I’ll just return a few texts.”

  “You do that.” She reached for her purse. Actually, it was a good time to check her own messages. All was well at By Arrangement. Her mom was still waiting for a full explanation. And no word yet from Tori.

  “Here we go.” Eve returned, Christy on her heels, with a handful of dresses in her arms. “Come with me. I found a lovely cobalt gown perfect for your skin tone.”

  “Wait.” Ray waved his phone. “How long will this take?”

  Lauren stared at him blankly, then turned to Eve.

  The designer shrugged. “As long as it takes.”

  Lauren nodded.

  He stood, looking back and forth between them as if expecting something more. “Right. I have something to take care of. I’ll be back for you.”

  “No.”

  “You want me to wait?” He lifted his phone to impart his response.

  “No.”

  He went still and lifted a brown eyebrow, waiting for her direction.

  Okay, she had to admit it was heady stuff. Except for her rules, she’d been following his lead for this whole trip. It was nice to have a little power. It might only be over travel plans, but she’d take it.

  “You go ahead. I’ll catch a cab and meet you back at the hotel.”

  They had decided to stay in the city for the night, in the suite Ray had originally booked for them.

  “Okay.” He advised the person on the other end of the phone he’d be there shortly. Then he came over, kissed her hard, and headed out, taking her hard-won power with him.

  But not for long.

  She turned to Eve. “I hope the cobalt is sexy.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  THE BLUE FABRIC clung to Lauren’s curves. A fitted bodice flowed into two straps that both went over one shoulder, creating an asymmetrical keyhole. The straps narrowed to two-inch strips spanning her bare back. The skirt hugged her hips before falling in a straight line to the floor.

  Ray sipped a well-balanced whiskey as he half listened to the mayor talking about the summit underway at the United Nations. Undoubtedly it was a worthy endeavor, but Ray found his attention held by two blue straps—or, more specifically, by the creamy skin they didn’t cover. His fingers itched to touch.

  A few members of the society press were covering the event out front. They’d lit up like kids on Christmas morning when they’d spied him and Lauren. Made him glad he had the press statement ready.

  Lauren had handled the congratulations and intrusive questions well, but her poise had failed to disguise the tremors running through her body—especially when an idiot had demanded to know if she was pregnant.

  Ray had wanted to plant his fist in the man’s mouth. Instead he’d shut the questions off and moved her inside. They’d made it through the informal procession line with no further incident.

  He enjoyed having her at his side. She neither preened nor disappeared. Nor did she defer to him, but treated him as he imagined she treated all her dates—as an equal. Which influenced those around them, easing the burden of his celebrity.

  It was a treat he took full advantage of for over an hour. Difficult to enjoy an event when people feared approaching you or made the conversation all about you. This room held important men who wielded real power. Even casual discussions rippled with nuances of bigger things.

  It was almost enough to engage his whole attention. But there was always a part of him aware of Lauren, whether she stood at his side or had wandered a few feet away in a breakaway discussion.

  Something about the woman got to him.

  He’d earned a reputation for being a hardcore bachelor long ago because he guarded his privacy and made it clear to all his companions that they could expect nothing more from him than a good time and a fond farewell.

  Generally he stuck to two dating pools when he wanted female company: women in the industry but behind the camera, because they were familiar with what it meant to be in the limelight, or women unconnected with the industry, because he didn’t have to worry that they were trying to further their careers.

  Lauren straddled the line, giving him the best of both worlds. He was comfortable with her—which might freak him out except for the sizzling chemistry between them.

 
He wouldn’t be used because of his occupation. He wouldn’t be used, period. Being seen as a meal ticket and an escape out of the neighborhood had taught him that harsh lesson before he’d ever made it big.

  And the price had been the life of his child.

  On his wedding day he had truly understood that anybody could be driven to kill. If not for Mamó he might well have crossed the line.

  He shook off the memory. Not the time. Not the place.

  His fingers itched.

  Lauren thought she was safe, standing in deep discussion with the mayor’s wife. But she’d set the rules. He could only touch her in public. So, actually, she’d chosen the place. It was only fair he should choose the time.

  He’d been very restrained so far. From the stunning moment when she’d stepped from her room at the hotel, through the limo ride to the reception, to having her by his side through the barrage of introductions.

  His patience was at an end.

  “Are we boring you, Ray?”

  Bob, the governor of New Jersey, clapped him on the back, drawing his attention back to the group.

  “I know you’re not working tonight, but I’ll admit I was hoping for a chance to talk to you about using the great state of New Jersey in one of your films.”

  “I’m afraid I’m not very familiar with New Jersey, other than flying into the airport.”

  “Well, I’m happy to rectify that. I can arrange a tour at your convenience.”

  “Thanks, but my time is limited on this trip, and I have several locations to site tomorrow. I expect it to take most of the day.”

  “I’ve put an aide and a limousine at his disposal for the day,” the mayor interjected.

  “A helicopter would be more efficient, and then you could add a couple of Jersey sights.”

  “A helicopter?” Ray mused, liking the idea. Liking the idea of smoothing his hand over lotion-scented skin even more. Lauren might get a kick out of an aerial tour.

  “Have your assistant contact my office with your schedule.” Bob pulled out a card. “And I’ll have a bird ready and waiting.”

  “Come on, Bob,” the mayor interposed. “Are you trying to steal my revenue stream?” He was only half joking.