Sienna glared at her sister. “First of all, I am not so frugal that I can’t have a good time and enjoy myself. Secondly, Sven? There will be no Sven.”
“Maybe his name will be Derrick,” Vivian gushed. “What if he looks like Shemar Moore from Criminal Minds?” she threw her hand over her eyes for effect. “I’m telling you right now if my masseuse has an island accent I’ll have to catch up with you all later.”
Shock registered on Sienna’s face. “You wouldn’t.”
“Watch me. I’ll be quoting nine famous words.”
Sasha looked over curiously. “What?”
“Exactly,” Vivian said. “What happens in New York stays in New York.”
“Oh please,” Sasha scoffed. “You aren’t having a one-night stand.”
“You’re right, because I sure won’t be standing.”
They all roared with laughter.
By the time the cab arrived at their hotel even the cab driver was caught up in their excitement. They ogled the hotel while they checked in.
“It’s beautiful,” Sienna commented as she looked around. “Sasha, isn’t it incredible?”
“You’ve forgotten I’ve traveled all over the world. This kind of luxury is commonplace for me.”
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Snob.”
After checked in they headed to their rooms. Vivian had booked two adjoining rooms. Sasha and Sienna shared one while Vivian took the other. “There’s no way I’m sleeping in the same room with her,” Vivian had whispered while they were waiting for their room keys. “I’m telling you right now if I do, both of us are going to sleep, but only one of us is waking up.”
“Viv,” Sienna hissed.
“Don’t you Viv, me. She’s your crazy relative, you deal with her.”
When she was done putting her clothes away, Vivian knocked on their shared door and came in. “Is this awesome or what? Did you see the bathroom; marble floors, gold fixtures? I don’t think I’ll get any sleep. I’ll be too busy gawking at the room.”
“Kudos, Vivi. You did a fantastic job of setting this whole thing up. You’re right, it was worth it,” Sienna concluded.
“I know. Here we are living it up in the Big Apple. Hey, I’ve got an idea. How about we have a slumber party and order room service instead of going down to the restaurant?”
Sienna and Sasha glanced at each other. When Sasha remained silent Sienna shook her head. “Look, you insisted on coming, the least you can do is make the best of it.”
“Sure, sounds like a plan,” Sasha retorted.
“Fantastic. I’m going to shower and change. See you two shortly,” Vivian replied heading back to her room.
The sisters attempted to chat amiably while putting their clothes away.
“You want to hit the bathroom first, Sasha? I want to call Vaughn.”
“Sure. Tell him I said, hi.”
A surprised expression crossed Sienna’s face.
“What?”
“Nothing, I didn’t think you liked Vaughn that much is all.”
“Come on, if you can’t rake your sister’s boyfriend over the coals every once in a while what’s the point? Besides, he’s no wilting flower,” Sasha noted. “He gives as good as he gets. I like that.”
Sienna stared at her sister in disbelief before she shook her head. “You’re as twisted as I remember.”
Sasha’s hand went to her heart. False tears glistened in her eyes. “Oh sis, that was the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me. Wow, you really are lightening up. Not too long ago my declaration would have left you all indignant with your Best Kept Secrets in a bunch,” she said, dryly.
A gasp left Sienna’s mouth. “How’d you find out about that?”
“Mom filled me in on your underwear experiment,” Sasha admitted. “You know, you’re not as boring as I remember.”
“Funny, you’re still as bitchy as I remember,” Sienna shot back.
“Okay, where’s the most public place you’ve ever made love?” Vivian asked.
Silence permeated the suite as everyone pondered the question.
“Come on, times up. We’re not suppose to think too much about the answers remember? You just blurt them out before you have a chance to lie,” Vivian added for good measure.
“A park bench in Prague.”
“What?” Sienna sputtered.
“It was at night,” Sasha added.
“Come on, Sienna,” her friend prodded.
“Outside my old high school.”
“Were you in a car?” Vivian asked.
“No. Enough about me, it’s your turn, Vivi.”
“A parking garage elevator.”
“No way!” Sienna shrieked. “How did you manage that?”
“Uh, hello? The elevator has a stop button.”
Sienna took a bite of her brownie. “Yeah, but doesn’t that sound an alarm or something?”
“Yeah, it does. That’s what made it fun,” Vivian sighed, languidly.
“Okay, moving on,” Sasha announced. “How many O’s have you had in a single session?”
“Four.”
“Three.”
“Seven.”
“What?” Vivian and Sasha both stared incredulously at Sienna.
“Seven?” They both repeated.
“Yes,” Sienna replied before taking a sip of her wine.
Vivian peeled with laughter. “Were there battery operated accessories involved?”
“No,” Sienna blushed.
“You freak,” Sasha laughed so hard she started to hiccup. “I can’t believe Dr. Bookworm here is a closet Kama Sutra expert.”
“Well, it is a book,” Vivian reasoned.
“I did not read the Kama Sutra,” Sienna clarified.
“We’ll you’re going to have to give up some details about this encounter with Vaughn, freak girl,” Vivian giggled. “Because I know it wasn’t with any of your old tired, raggedy two-week boyfriends.”
A few minutes later, Sienna’s cell phone rang. Three pairs of eyes glanced across the room. Determination crossed Vivian’s face.
Sienna gasped. “You wouldn’t?”
“Watch me,” Vivian cried out, as she jumped off the bed and went running for Sienna’s phone.
“No,” Sienna practically screamed giving chase. “You’d better not.”
“Sasha, I need back up,” Vivian called over her shoulder.
Sienna made it across the room before Sasha had even looked up.
“Dr. Lambert’s telephone,” Vivian answered, with a hint of amusement.
“Hi Vivian, may I speak with the good Doctor, please?”
“Oh, hello Vaughn,” Vivian said, turning so Sienna wouldn’t pull the phone out of her hand. She ducked and weaved as her friend attempted to retrieve her cell phone. “Sure. You know we’ve been having such a good time this evening. Do you know it only took us seven minutes to get checked in at the hotel? And between the three of us we’ve only had seven drinks?”
“You don’t say?” Vaughn chuckled with amusement.
“Vivian, if you don’t hand me that phone so help me,” Sienna threatened.
“Fine,” her friend giggled, relinquishing her iron grip. Calmly, she gave it over to Sienna. “He’s all yours.”
Sienna snatched the phone away. “Hello?”
“Hi, sweetheart.”
Sienna’s heart thudded. “Hi.”
“Do I even want to know what that was about?”
“Um, not really,” Sienna laughed scurrying into the bathroom. Once inside she shut and locked the door. She lowered the lid on the toilet seat and sat down. “How’s Las Vegas?”
“Lonely as hell without you. I’m about to go back into a meeting shortly. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
She beamed at the compliment. “Vaughn, isn’t it kind of late for a meeting?”
“Not for my client. You and Vivian having a good time?”
“It’s getting there. Sasha’s with us.”
“Really? How’d tha
t come about?”
“The parents’ machinations. They’re hoping we’ll learn to be more civil to each other.”
“I’m sure it would make things a lot easier for them, sweetheart.”
Sienna sighed into the phone. “I know, Vaughn. I’m trying, but I swear she rubs me the wrong way almost every time she opens her mouth.”
“Hey,” he soothed. “You’ll be fine. So, what do you have on?”
Sienna crossed her legs and leaned back. “Nothing glamorous, I assure you. Just some of my usual cotton pajamas.”
“Mine?”
She glanced at the phone in astonishment. “How’d you know?”
“Lucky guess,” he bragged.
“They make me feel closer to you,” she admitted. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too, Doc. Though I have to admit, you won’t find me wearing your pajamas.”
“Not even a bra?”
“Especially not a bra,” he snorted. “Though I might bring one with me the next time, or some other intimate article of clothing,” his voice lowered.
Sienna heard background noise. “Vaughn, where are you?”
“In a conference room. The meeting just started back up.”
Sienna’s cheeks reddened. “Will you stop talking about my underwear in front of people?”
“Would you rather I talked about you out of them in front of people?”
“Crazy seems to be contagious tonight.”
“You and I have a date when we return home.”
She beamed. “I can’t wait.”
“I think it fair to warn you that neither of us will be wearing any clothes.”
“My kind of date,” she said, seductively.
Vaughn expelled a ragged breath. “You do that thing you just did with your voice again, and I’m hopping on a plane.”
Sienna closed her eyes. His face materialized before her. “Will you call me tomorrow?”
“Try and stop me.”
“Good night, Vaughn.”
“Good night, Doc.”
After Sienna hung up, she sat a long time just staring at the phone. She ran her thumb over the darkened screen. Her heart ached when she was away from him. She fingered her necklace. In the span of a few months, her world had been turned upside down. It was hard to imagine what she did to occupy herself prior to meeting Vaughn.
Who are you kidding? She chided. It was all about work. Though work was essential, she was also anticipating the time she spent in his company. Vaughn had introduced her to a world of fun that she’d only read about. She wasn’t as much of an adrenaline junkie as he was by any means, and no matter what he said, rock climbing and sky diving were out, but so far she liked everything else he’d taught her. It made her feel alive.
He makes you feel alive. She corrected herself. “Oh Vaughn, it looks like Vivian was right,” she whispered. “I have gone and fallen in love with you.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
In Plain Sight
“What are you wearing tonight?” Sasha asked.
“Hmm…I think I’ll wear my short black dress. It’s off the shoulders and makes me look amazing. Wait till you see the new strappy heels I found to go with them. I’m going to be all sorts of sexy,” Sienna exclaimed.
“And you call me the narcissist,” Sasha quipped.
Before Sienna could retort Vivian made a grand entrance into their room. She’d chosen a red wraparound dress with matching stiletto heels. Sasha’s dress was deep purple.
“I can’t believe dinner is so late. Do you know I had to eat a pre-dinner snack earlier just to keep from getting gas pains?”
“First off, that was seriously too much information. Secondly, quit complaining. The later the reservation the more likely we’ll see a few celebrities,” Vivian concluded pushing Sienna toward the door.
Before they left the hotel they asked an employee to take two pictures of them.
“We really appreciate it, Vivian told the man. “This way when we tell people how hot we looked and they don’t believe us, we’ll have another picture to show them as backup.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Sasha observed. “Sienna how in the world have you tolerated her all these years?”
“Partially because I’m the only one that will put up with her for prolonged periods of time,” Sienna said, jokingly.
“Kind of like you.” Vivian eyed Sasha.
Without a word Sasha swept past them and out the door.
Dinner reservations at Le Cirque were for eight o’clock. Sienna had difficulty not staring at her surroundings. The place was packed and there were lots of beautiful people enjoying the ambiance.
Vivian made sure she was positioned so she’d have a bird’s eye view of the door. They ordered appetizers and a bottle of wine. While their server was filling their glasses, Sienna glanced around. “Sasha, there’s a guy to your left staring at you,” she said, quietly while staring at her menu.”
“Not interested,” she replied. “Besides, we’re twins. How do you know he’s not staring at you?”
Vivian followed Sienna’s gaze. “She’s got a point. You don’t want to at least look over at him? The man is fine. Somewhere in this city is a magazine cover missing its model.”
“Hardly. I’ve got a boyfriend already, and trust me none of these men can match what perks I get being with him.”
Sienna and Vivian both glanced up over their menus. “Perks? What kind of perks?”
“The usual; house, trips, jets, boats, top shelf vacations.”
Sienna’s eyes widened. “What a minute, why are we just now hearing about a boyfriend?”
“Maybe because it just came up,” Sasha reasoned.
“So who is this man of means?”
“Milo Georgopoulos.”
“He’s Greek?”
Sasha nodded.
Vivian took a sip of her wine. “How long have you been dating?”
“Four years.”
“Good grief girl, I’m sure the man has traded in a car or two in that time frame. Do you plan on getting married any time soon?”
“No.”
Unable to help herself, Sienna eyed her sister curiously. “Why not?”
“Because he’s already married.”
Vivian choked on her wine. “Are you serious? Interesting. I wouldn’t have pegged you for the other woman type.”
“Sasha, why are you involved with a married man? You can’t be thinking he’ll leave his wife for you no matter what he promises.”
“I know he’s not leaving his wife, Sienna. His father-in-law is a high-powered banker with global connections. His wife is worth billions. It’s a marriage of convenience for him—nothing more.”
“Do they have any children?” Sienna asked.
Sasha fingered her wine glass. “Three.”
“I’d say that was more than just convenience,” Vivian said, dryly.
“Viv,” Sienna admonished.
“What? You aren’t saying it, but you’re thinking that it’s all kinds of crazy, too. Sasha, you are a beautiful, intelligent woman. Granted, you get on my nerves, but I’m sure you could get any man you set your sights on. Why waste it on someone that can never be completely yours?”
Sienna scrutinized her sister. “Do you love him?”
“Like a woman possessed,” she laughed, but there was no humor in it. She took a sip of wine, and then cleared her throat. “Now can we please talk about something else?”
Everyone pretended to study the menu, but each was lost in their own thoughts.
“We are sitting in one of the most popular dining establishments in this city. I’ve personally seen three famous people, and I’m trying my damndest not to stare them down like they owe me money. We’re supposed to be having a great time not sitting here all morose,” Vivian reached over and grabbed their wine bottle topping off everyone’s drink. “A toast ladies. No men problems or cat fights. This weekend it’s all about us.”
Sienna and Sasha bo
th raised their glasses and clinked Vivian’s. Taking a sip, she set her glass on the table. “So, what are we eating?”
“Sorry you didn’t get your island man with the killer accent,” Sasha told her later. “Todd wasn’t so bad, though.”
“Wasn’t bad? He was all kinds of hot. I don’t know how I relaxed enough to even enjoy it. Every time he laid his hands on me all sorts of sexy images would pop into my head. Yum. Talk about torture,” Vivian leaned her head back and sighed.
“Well I enjoyed the woman who did my massage. She was great.”
“Sienna, you’re a coward. I can’t believe you picked a woman. You could do that any time.”
“I don’t think Vaughn would appreciate my being rubbed all over by another man.”
“Girl please, he tripped your light fantastic seven times in a row,” Vivian cracked up laughing.
Sasha glanced curiously at her sister. What does dancing have to do with anything?”
“Not a thing. That’s Sienna’s code name for seriously intense, butt naked sex. Trust me, right about now Vaughn Deveraux is hardly worried about Sven, one hour, and a tiny bottle of massage oil.”
“I must tell you I’m thrilled to finally get to meet you and, trust me, I don’t say that very often. I heard you’re the best, and that’s exactly what my new lines need. I’ve done my homework, Mr. Deveraux. You come very highly recommended and that was enough to get my attention.”
“Thank you, Miss Simone for giving Chase & Burroughs this opportunity.”
“It was my pleasure. I appreciate you being able to accommodate me last minute. I met your brother while at the Shopping Network, you know. When Pierce told me about your company and some of your work I knew we’d be a great fit. The Best Kept Secrets campaign was brilliant.”
“I appreciate the praise, Miss Simone. I wrote down some ideas on the plane ride here that I think would fit your new line. You indicated your target audience is women from every background, ethnicity and age group and that you wanted a truly universal appeal.”
“That’s right, Mr. Deveraux.”
“Call me Vaughn.”
“Then I’m Natalia, darling. Miss Simone is my mother.” She flashed a cosmetically flawless smile.
“Fair enough.”
“You see Vaughn; I wanted to create that special scent that sets the wearer apart. We created a remarkable line of cosmetics as well that makes a woman feel truly desirable, and not just to a potential love interest, but to themselves. It’s bold, timeless and hard to resist—like me.”
Interview with Love Page 21
