High Stakes Seduction - Book 1

by LeCoeur, Ami

  "I will indeed find you something for tonight, my dear," she said, giving me her once-over appraisal. "Something… " she reached out, taking my chin in her hand and turning my face gently from side to side, "fitting for the occasion."

  She shooed me away a moment later. I gathered my purse and headed to the front of the store. My heart thumped in my chest, so hard I could barely breathe. I already knew Priscilla’s taste was incredible. Everything she chose for me to wear in the store made me feel as fabulous on the inside as I looked on the outside. I couldn’t wait to see what she’d choose for tonight's event.

  As promised, Antonio was waiting for me outside. He leaned back against the limousine with his dark gray suit unbuttoned, one hand in his pocket as he chatted with Thompson. My heart skipped a beat when he glanced up, acknowledging me with a slight dip of his head and that little lopsided smile that had been visiting my dreams so many times over the past week.

  He nodded to Thompson when I was a few steps away. Thompson turned to me with a curt nod before heading around to the driver’s side.

  "Hello," Antonio said, and to my surprise, he stepped closer, putting his hands on my arms as he leaned in to kiss first one cheek, and then the other. "European custom," he chuckled, leaning back and running his hand absently over his watch.

  I touched a hand to my cheek, hoping to hide the blush I felt creeping up.

  "You’ll get a lot of that tonight," he said, opening the car door.

  I climbed into the limo, adjusting my skirt.

  "I’m sorry for the short notice, but I really need you." He rested a hand on the doorframe, leaning down to speak to me. "It's important. By the way, Priscilla tells me you have learned much in this short time."

  He straightened and closed the door, leaving me to wonder about this sudden request. But it was the words "I really need you," that kept repeating in my head.

  "Thompson will pick you up at eight," he said, getting into the limousine on the other side.

  "Antonio, this really is short notice."

  "I know," he said, with a smooth arrogance that said he knew I wouldn't deny him.

  "I can’t just leave my sister alone. I’d need to make arrangements to make sure she’s okay for the evening."

  "Ah," he said. Then he reached for his cellphone and keyed in a number. "Priscilla, we need one of your ladies available as a companion for Angela’s sister tonight while we’re at dinner." He paused, listening. "Yes, Nevia is a sweet girl. She’ll do. I'll have Thompson pick her up at seven. And send along Angela's outfit with her."

  Nevia was indeed very nice, but I wasn't happy with the assumptions Antonio seemed to be making about how much of my life he controlled.

  "Look, Antonio," I began when he’d ended the call, "I appreciate what you’re doing for me, and I understand you have expectations of me as your… associate, but you can’t just summon me like this. I am just your employee. I have my own life to live, regardless of our agreement."

  He looked at me with that unreadable glance of his, then he looked away. "I know. I'm sorry for such short notice. This client is very fickle and is only in town for a short time. If I play my cards right, we will have exclusive distribution rights to her latest collection."

  "Why is it so important for me to be there?"

  "You know these events are part of our agreement," he started. "And, you did very well at our last one. I'm confident your input will be just as valuable tonight."

  "My input? So I’m to be more than just eye candy tonight?"

  He laughed. "Oh, you’re more than just eye candy, Angela. But if you insist…"

  He took my hand in his, looking deeply into my eyes. "Will you do me the honor of attending this event with me tonight?"

  I caught my lower lip between my teeth, wondering if this was some kind of test. Then I took a deep breath. How could I turn down his request with those eyes staring into me like that? Then I shivered, goose bumps raising on my arms as I realized how dangerously close I was to stepping outside my self-imposed boundaries with this man.

  Chapter Twenty

  "Where are we going?" I asked, when Thompson pulled the limousine over.

  "The salon," Antonio replied, opening his door. He opened my own door a moment later.

  I took his offered hand and got out of the car, examining the shops and salons that lined the street.

  "This way," he said, extending his arm toward the building in front of us. "I’ve made an appointment for you here. They'll make sure you are ready for tonight."

  "They?" I asked, puzzled. The sign above the door didn’t really indicate what lay beyond the glass doors, nor did the woman who greeted us from the reception desk.

  "Mr. Mancini," she said, rising and moving around the tall desk. "And you must be Angela. Welcome."

  Antonio placed a hand at the small of my back, shooting electricity up my spine as he gently nudged me forward. "Mandy will take good care of you. Just relax and enjoy the experience. I’m sure you’ll love it. Thompson will be back around to pick you up in two hours. I’ll see you tonight."

  "What—?" I said, utterly confused as I watched him turn and walk back out the door.

  "Right this way," Mandy smiled.

  Still confused, and now a little bit apprehensive, I eyed the door a moment longer. I felt a strong desire to escape, but realized how ridiculous that was. I turned to Mandy, who was waiting with a patient but amused smile. When she led me around the corner, I understood, and my confusion instantly turned into jaw-dropping awe—though I had enough of my wits left about me not to actually stand there staring open-mouthed at what was in front of me.

  This was a salon. But not just a salon. It was unlike any I’d ever seen before. Sparkling crystal chandeliers dangled above a pure white tiled floor. Large, exquisitely carved mirrors hung on the walls above vintage white salon tables and upholstered metallic silver chairs. A few of the chairs were occupied, the women attended by stylists dressed all in black. On the walls above a seating area furnished with white leather sofas, hung autographed pictures of some of the world's top beauties.

  "Oh," I breathed. "This is—"

  "Angie!" A loud voice with a melodious British accent called to me. A tall, slim man made his way toward me with his arms spread wide. "It’s all right if I call you Angie, yes? I’m Marko."

  "I prefer Angela, actually," I said just as he wrapped his arms around me in a surprisingly strong embrace. He planted a kiss on both cheeks before stepping back to examine me.

  "Oh you are as beautiful as 'Tonio promised," he said. "Come!" He strode over to one of the silver chairs. "Sit here."

  I glanced at Mandy, who smiled and nodded. I smiled back and sat—no, sank into the most comfortable chair I’d ever been in. I closed my eyes, luxuriating and relaxing, until I felt Marko’s hands in my hair. I opened my eyes to see him raising my ginger waves above my head and staring at our reflection with pursed lips.

  "Your natural color?" he asked, though he didn’t wait for an answer. "Highlights will really make the color pop, I think. And bring out those gorgeous green eyes.

  "Mandy," he called out, "will you send over Sylvia? Our lovely young lady here is in need of a French mani."

  I looked down at my hands. I couldn't remember the last time I'd even thought about doing my nails. The cuticles were ragged and unkempt. I almost felt embarrassed to have Sylvia work on them.

  "Now you just sit back and relax," Marko told me. "We'll take care of everything."

  I’m not sure how many times I almost fell asleep, hypnotized by Marko’s skilful hands and the soft cadence of his voice as he chattered on about his plans for me, describing each step as he completed my metamorphosis.

  "Your neck is so elegant," he murmured as he snipped at my wet hair, piling it up and letting it fall back over my shoulders. "We must show it off."

  Sylvia worked at my nails, somehow staying out of Marko’s way as he weaved around me, braiding this, curling that until he had created what he
called his masterpiece. "You see?" he exclaimed while spinning me around and handing me a mirror so that I could see what he’d done from all angles.

  Masterpiece was almost an understatement. It looked more like an engineering feat to me. In fact, I hardly recognized myself. I cautiously touched a curl, fearful that Marko would get mad at me for doing so. But when I looked up at him, he returned my huge grin with a brilliant smile of his own.

  "I knew you’d like it," he said, clapping his hands.

  I started to get up, regretful that I’d have to leave the comfy chair, but Marko stopped me with a hand on my shoulder, pressing me back into the seat. "Not done yet, precious. Now, we will make those beautiful eyes sparkle even more."

  Chapter Twenty-One

  "Wow," said Maria for the third time since Thompson had dropped me home. "No, really. Wow."

  I laughed, munching on one of the cookies she’d baked that morning while I was at work. "I know. Marko’s hands are magical," I said, resisting the temptation to touch the gorgeous tangle of curls and braids Marko had so artfully designed.

  "And your make up!" Maria stared at me over her glass of milk with wide, approving eyes. "I consider myself pretty good with the brushes and paints, but mmm, someone there is a true wizard! Of course, they had a pretty good canvas to start with."

  I laughed at her obvious delight, remembering my own pleasure at looking into the mirror.

  The doorbell rang just then and Maria turned toward the sound. "I’ll get it," she said. "It must be your fairy godmother to finish the ensemble."

  Nevia wasn’t my fairy godmother, but her arms were loaded with a long garment bag and various other accoutrements.

  "Hi Nevia," I waved from the kitchen. "This is my sister Maria. Come on in."

  "Hi," Nevia said cheerfully as Maria rolled back to let her pass. "I’ve got everything you need for tonight, Angela," she added, holding up her bags. "Let's get your sister dressed for the ball, and then you and I can get to know each other," she smiled at Maria.

  "I’ll get dressed in my room," I said, leading the way. I’d almost figured out the fancy lingerie they'd provided me at the store, but I still needed Nevia’s help from time to time. I’d grown so used to her helping me that it didn’t feel strange to invite her back to my room now, especially when it seemed that Antonio was intent on making me look very much like a princess tonight.

  Nevia hung the garment bag on the back of the door and unzipped it, revealing shimmering silver sequins. She carefully extracted the gown and held it up before her. "What do you think?"

  I heard Maria gasp, and I shot a glance back to where she was sitting by the door. I’d seen all sorts of gowns at the store but this was beyond anything I’d ever imagined wearing myself.

  "Hurry and put it on!"

  I nodded, speechless. I tugged the belt of my robe, letting it fall open as I took the dress from Nevia. I steadied myself with a hand on the back of Maria’s chair and carefully stepped into the dress, slipping my arms into the capped sleeves. I was relieved that it actually covered most of my chest in an elegant draped neckline. But, as Nevia adjusted the dress at my shoulders, I felt the cool air of the room over my entire back.

  "Don’t worry," Maria said with a laugh as she drew up the zipper. "It covers your butt."

  I moved over to the mirror, turning to examine the gown from behind. She was right, it did cover my rear end, but only just! The glittering silver gown sparkled, trailing over my hips but leaving my back almost entirely bare. Oh my, a daring slit on the right side exposed my leg, all the way up to my thigh. I turned, taking in the full beauty of the gown as the light caught the sequins from different angles.

  Nevia appeared beside me in the reflection, smiling brightly and bending to place a pair of shoes before me.

  I looked down at them just as Maria spoke. "Glass slippers," she whispered.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The doorbell rang promptly at eight. I smiled when I came into the living room and found Thompson chuckling at something Maria said.

  "You two have a good night," I said to Nevia and Maria, bending to give my sister a big hug. Then I followed Thompson outside.

  Antonio stood at the limo waiting. His smile sent a thrill through me. I knew I looked glamorous and decided I should act the part, adding a little extra sway to my hips as I sauntered down the path toward him.

  "Stunning," he said, his eyes trailing over my body from head to toe. He offered me his hand and I blushed when he bowed, brushing his lips over the back of my hand.

  I turned slightly and caught Nevia and Maria’s silhouettes in the window. I could just imagine my sister’s excited squeals as Antonio helped me carefully climb into the car.

  "The designers we’ll be meeting with tonight are part of an exclusive guild," he said as he opened a black velvet box, showing me the contents.

  Sparkling diamonds and emeralds stared back at me and I put a hand to my chest in amazement. He raised his other hand, twirling a finger. I obeyed, shifting in my seat so that my back was to him. I felt a shiver run down my bare spine, suddenly keenly aware of how exposed I was to him.

  "They are interested in being represented in my store," he continued, reaching around, his fingers brushing the back of my neck as he fastened the necklace at my throat, "and are considering granting me exclusive rights to two of their evening wear lines that are currently only available in the European market."

  My tension eased a little when I felt him lean back and I shifted around to face him. He was holding the box out to me again. I glanced up, meeting his dark, mesmerizing gaze. "They match your eyes," he said as I reached for the emerald studs.

  I smiled, holding his gaze for a moment longer before looking away. I concentrated on putting in the earrings. "Is it the designs you’re after," I asked, "or is it the designers themselves?"

  He eyed me shrewdly for a moment, then pulled out his cellphone, tapping away at the screen. "To be honest, the designs are beautiful, but they lack a certain novelty that I would prefer to see in a line that I’m introducing."

  He passed me the phone. On the screen was a website featuring Carlo and Poula’s designs. I scrolled through them as Antonio continued. "However, as you appear to have correctly deduced, it is the designers that I am interested in. They are young, but extremely talented, perhaps even rising stars. What they might be missing now in their designs will come soon enough."

  "I see," I said, nodding. I tapped a link that led me to an image of the twins. They were young, hardly more than twenty-five years old. They both kept their dark hair long and straight, parted in the middle. And, unlike the elaborate outfits they designed, their attire was all about simple lines and muted colors.

  "And my role for the evening?" I asked, handing back the phone.

  "Tonight I will likely be occupied with business details. Forgive me if I am otherwise engaged, but I am confident you can handle yourself, as always. Talk to the twins, gain some insight into their future plans and what they think they want. You and I can talk later about your impressions. You are, after all," he added with a mischievous grin as he tucked the phone away, "more than just eye candy, Angela."

  Chapter Twenty- Three

  When we walked into the posh restaurant twenty minutes later, it felt as though all eyes were on me.

  I clutched Antonio’s elbow, trying to keep my composure. He leaned in close, patting my hand. "You’ll be fine," he whispered.

  Unfortunately, the warmth of his breath on my ear and his velvety voice only made my heart beat faster; but I was determined not to let my nerves get the better of me. I closed my eyes for just a moment, inhaling slowly through my nose. I can do this, I told myself. I let the mantra play over and over in my head as I opened my eyes and gave a dazzling smile to the first of many people Antonio would introduce me to that night.

  I was glad of his warning about the preferred method of greeting. I thought my cheeks might fall off from all the kisses, sometimes from far too dry
or sloppy lips. Hiding my discomfort, I returned each greeting with air kisses of my own, careful not to smudge my lipstick.

  "If you’ll excuse me, Angela," said Antonio. He inclined his head and I followed his sidelong glance to see a sullen-looking version of the young couple he had shown me earlier, seated at a table in the center of the room. Several men and women hovered nearby, presumably vying for the attention of the pair. But, when I looked closer at the group, I noticed that none of them were actually engaging the twins. It was as if they just wanted to be seen near them as photographers from the various high-class magazines buzzed around the room.

  I nodded to Antonio, took another deep breath, and waded into what I tried not to think of as shark-infested waters.

  "Janet," I said, loudly enough to attract attention as I approached. The lawyer, who Antonio had introduced me to earlier, glanced over her shoulder at me. Her eyes flickered with mild derision, as I slipped in beside her.

  I felt a thrill of adrenaline running through me as the man to my left graciously made room for me in the little crowd. I’m not unusually shy, but pressing myself into a conversation uninvited definitely wasn’t my normal style. Maybe it was the gown and the way people were looking at me with either admiration or envy that bolstered my confidence. Or maybe it was that this was my second event with Antonio. Either way, I liked the feeling, and I figured it would help me with what I planned to do next.

  "I understand you visited our store the other day," I said, smiling. "I’m sorry I missed you. I would have loved to help you pick out something to add to your already impressive wardrobe." I cast an approving glance over her deep red, strapless gown. "I truly admire your taste."

  As much as I was putting on a show, I wasn’t making anything up. I’d become familiar with several of our regular clients through their customer profiles in our database, and Janet Trinn had been in our store just this week.