The three women all sniffed disdainfully as they headed out the door again.
Kady scowled as she watched them go. “What the heck was that about anyway?”
“I have no idea, believe me,” Archer replied. “That Mia chick is really crazy. I’m going to have to beef up the security around here, I can see.”
“Obviously,” Kady agreed, turning to face him with a mischievous grin while still resting her ankle on the couch cushions. “But I’m not going to let them spoil our evening.”
“Good, then,” said Archer with a matching smile as he drew Kady up into his arms. “I’ve been thinking about you all day. So last month wasn’t a success, but there’s nothing to stop us from continuing our efforts.”
“That’s true,” Kady grinned. “The more we try, the more likely we’ll be to succeed. Unless of course it takes too long, and—”
“Don’t say it,” Archer stopped her. “I don’t want to think about the idea of being away from you. Not for any length of time.”
“But we have to face the fact that you might, Archer,” Kady told him. “We have no idea what that judge is going to decide to do. And the more I’m with you, the harder it would be if I had to let you go.”
Archer sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I know that. But there’s nothing we can do to change the guy’s mind until we’re actually standing in front of him. You know that.”
Kady sighed. “But it’s so unfair. You didn’t even commit a crime.”
“I’m hoping he will take that into consideration,” Archer replied. “Now, come on, we may as well get ready for dinner, and save such concerns for another day.”
“All right,” Kady agreed with a frown. “I know you’re doing everything you can. I’m just going to have to have faith in you, whether the system is completely corrupt or not.”
“There’s the spirit,” he said with a smirk. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 16
Kady and Archer were on their way to a fancy restaurant in the heart of Manhattan. The place was so popular that people had to make their reservations two weeks in advance, so there was no way they were going to skip it over those three silly intruders. Kady did her best to shrug off the residual feeling of resentment that was welling up within her about the fact that they’d even come to the door at all, since she knew they had done so uninvited. Yet still, it rattled her that they’d actually thought they could.
Archer had not exactly told them they couldn’t return. He’d told them not to pester her, but he hadn’t specifically told them not to come on the property. She found herself wishing very much that he would have. Kady knew it was a silly thing to worry about, but she couldn’t get the thought out of her mind. Those women had dismissed her as if she really didn’t even belong there at all, and it still seemed that way to Kady at times as well. Like tonight, for instance.
She was dressing up in one of his mother’s gowns since they hadn’t had a chance to buy her anything elegant enough for a five-star restaurant. It was one thing to go out and to get her nice clothes to replace some of her dying wardrobe, but quite another to pick out some sort of thousand dollar dress just to go to dinner. Kady had insisted she would rather not allow him to do it at this point in their relationship.
For one thing, if he got her pregnant and then went off to prison—not that she’d added this to the discussion—it was highly likely that whatever dress he'd bought her now wouldn’t even fit her once she’d birthed the baby. Most women tended to have body changes after birthing their first baby, like broader hips or a change in their breast sizes, or a belly that refused to flatten back out. Of course, had she mentioned it, Archer would only have said they’d alter or replace whatever garment they’d bought her now.
Maybe she was being a little unreasonable, but she just didn’t want Archer to think she was with him for his money. Was there a point at which she could be sure he knew that, and let him start spoiling her the way he wanted to? She just wasn’t sure. She was so unused to being treated the way he treated her. Like she was something precious, something to be cherished and treated, instead of ignored, or used, or dismissed. It would definitely take some more time to get used to this.
Her heart dropped at the thought, realizing that they may not have as much time together as they might wish. The court date was looming ever closer and it felt like the timer on a bomb, just ticking away the seconds, waiting to explode and destroy the fragile happiness they had begun to build together.
She came back to the bedroom they now shared after donning the most gorgeous evening gown, another original of course, and Archer’s smile was electric. He stepped over to the dresser and pulled a small box out of one of the drawers.
“Good, that’s perfect to go with these,” he said. “I know you told me you don’t want me to buy you expensive things, Kady, but I really thought this set would look good on you, and I just couldn’t help myself.”
He opened the little blue velvet-lined box and the first thing Kady could see was the dazzle of the diamonds inside. The jewelry also contained emeralds, amethysts, and sapphires. The necklace was short, but had a cascade of stones that fell almost like a v-shaped waterfall into her cleavage. The dangling earrings had a similar cascading effect. Somehow, despite the number of gems the design employed, the set somehow looked elegant and feminine rather than overwhelming.
Kady felt a lump in her throat as Archer stepped behind her to clasp the necklace into place. Then he lifted the length of her hair and kissed the back of her neck as he said, “We should put your hair up so I can fantasize about kissing this spot again all night. Then when we get back, we could always lose just the clothes and keep everything else the same.”
“Archer!” Kady gasped, heat searing her skin at his words, giggling when he started to nibble her ear instead of letting her put in the earring in her hand. “Why does that sound so damned hot, anyway?”
“Because you, my dear, love to play dress-up,” he teased. “It only stands to reason you’d like to play undress-up as well.”
“Will you be good?” Kady complained, half serious, half just wanting to forget their plans and do exactly what he had described there and then. Finally, she had to swat his hand away after her third attempt at putting in the last earring. “You know we’re supposed to be there in half an hour.”
Archer stopped nipping, but he wrapped his arms around her waist instead. “You look ravishing, my dear—and ravish able as well. We should go before I’m tempted to play undress-up right now instead.” Kady had to bite back a groan at just how tempting that idea was, but she was also looking forward to the new experiences tonight would offer her.
“Hey now, just because you’re used to dining at some fancy restaurant doesn’t mean I am,” Kady protested. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing what it’s like. So get your horny ass in gear.”
“Okay, boss,” he chuckled, offering her a mock salute. “Tie me up, will you? Oh, and would you help me with this thing around my neck, too?”
Kady couldn’t stop chuckling as she made the slip knot and tightened up his tie. She was visualizing other uses for the thing, and by the look in his eyes, she could tell that Archer knew it. She hoped he couldn’t tell how much she was blushing because of it as she attempted to keep a straight face.
“It’s so easy to embarrass you, sweetheart,” he chuckled, and he bent forward to kiss her forehead. “You always try to hide it, but this little dimple never fails to tell the tale.”
“I have a dimple on my forehead?” she gasped.
“Well, it’s more like a wrinkle, really, but I know you don’t want to have one of those,” he teased her. “Though I guess if you want, we could call it your worry-pucker. Hey, stop hitting me!”
Kady was playfully punching him right in his stomach. Archer caught both her hands and drew them up to his lips, kissing both at the same time.
“God, you’re horrible,” she told him.
“It’s just too much fun, riling you up, an
d so easy to do,” he said innocently. “Come on, then. We’re going to be late if we keep this up.”
Running late, they finally left the room and headed for the stairs. Archer made sure Kady navigated them successfully by wrapping one arm securely around her waist the entire way down.
Chapter 17
Kady had never seen anything quite like the upstairs dining room at the Del Posto. The restaurant itself was huge and spacious, but it didn’t feel overwhelming, thanks to the guests being divided into several different areas within the restaurant. They had an upstairs dining room, a lounge, a bar, and a downstairs dining room as well. They even had a sign at the bottom of some stairs that said, “Hall of Wine” on it.
Archer also told her they could step outside and go see an art museum, or walk around something called “The High Line” and look at views from there as they went.
“I don’t want to walk fast if we do,” Kady reminded him. “I may be wearing flats, but that still doesn’t mean this ankle’s at its best.”
“Oh, I know,” said Archer, as he kissed her temple. “We’re not really here for all that tonight. I just want to treat my lady to a fabulous meal.”
“Thanks,” she said with a soft smile, still trying to take in the sumptuous décor and even more sumptuous smells that were drifting towards her.
“Oh, now don’t go looking so beautiful when I can’t throw you on top of this table,” he whispered in her ear. “I don’t think it would go over so well around here.”
“Yeah, probably not,” she chuckled. “But at least it doesn’t feel snobby in here. The staff seems nice, and the guests seem pleasant too. People are smiling and laughing and enjoying themselves. I like it.”
“Good,” said Archer with a smile, as he tightened his arm around her shoulders, keeping her much smaller body tucked close to the warmth of his masculine frame. They followed the Maître d’ to the intimate table for two and Archer pulled out her chair for her, making her feel like one of those old-fashioned actresses like Grace Kelly being treated to the gentlemanly attentions of the handsome suitor. Something about this restaurant made Kady feel like she was in another place, or time. Somewhere more glamorous than what she could ever imagine on her own.
“So, what do they do about those candles burning down in the middle of the meal?” Kady chuckled.
“A fancy waiter waltzes right in with a fresh candelabra and swipes away the old one, replacing it with the fresh one just as fast as he would refill your water glass. For that matter, it’s probably the same waiter who does both.”
“Oh, okay,” Kady chuckled, trying to picture it like some choreographed play. “And does he also dance away the dishes when we’re gone?”
“How should I know that if I’m gone when he does it?” Archer pointed out, his foot now without a shoe as he rubbed it down her silk stockings.
“Hey! Stop that!” Kady hissed softly in surprise, using her other foot to slap his leg.
“Just making sure your leg feels better,” he said innocently.
“So how does it feel?” Kady asked, already wise to his next line.
“Feels really good to me.”
“Archer! Archer! I didn’t know you were coming here tonight!” called an all-too-familiar voice from across the room. A high pitched, annoying voice they’d only just escaped earlier. Kady froze as her stomach dropped, that lead ball of dislike morphing into something bigger, just like a canon ball. And she really wished she could shoot it at the approaching figure, anything to recapture the soft romance that had twined around them before the rude interruption.
“What the hell is she doing here?” Kady asked, clenching her teeth to keep from shouting the words.
“I have no idea,” he answered, the tone of his voice testament to the fact that he was just as displeased as she was. “I’m beginning to think she’s following me or something.”
“Well, get rid of her then.”
“I will,” he said, his expression deadly serious as he got to his feet and surreptitiously slipping his shoe on again.
Mia practically ran up to their table and latched onto Archer’s arm. With barely concealed disgust, he tolerated the touch as he gallantly said, “Ah, Mia, I had no idea you’d be here, either. I mean, what are the odds of finding you here immediately after seeing you in my home?”
“Yes, it’s amazing, right?” she agreed, completely missing the feral light in his dark eyes. “Almost like fate trying to intervene, yes?”
“No,” he replied tersely. “Definitely not. So who did you come here with?”
“Oh, it’s nobody important,” she said with a little shrug. “It’s just David.”
“Who is David?” asked Kady sweetly.
“He’s my next door neighbor,” she giggled. “His date canceled, so he asked me to come instead. I took pity on him, though. I mean, who would want to be caught dining alone in here?”
“Shouldn’t you be returning to your dinner companion then, Mia?” Archer said sternly. “It would be much preferred to standing here while you manhandle my arm.” He had to physically pry her fingers off of his arm, stepping away from her as soon as she was dislodged.
Mia scowled, pointedly ignoring Kady. “Yes, you’re right, I should get back over there. Enjoy your meal, Archer. Even with such a companion, the food is still good, right?”
“Oh! I can’t believe this!” Kady fumed, temper flaring hot and fast at her terrible words. She got to her feet, pushing the scheming Mia out of her way, her clutch swinging into Mia’s eye as she tried to move around her as she shouted, “That’s it! I’m going home! Get rid of her already.”
Then she stormed out of the restaurant and headed for the stairs. Archer was ready to run off right behind her, except that Mia began to wail exaggeratedly as she clutched his arm with one hand and her eye with the other. Several waiters came running. Unfortunately, so did Archer’s mother.
“What on earth is going on here?” she demanded. “This is how you keep a low profile while we wait for trial? And who is this woman anyway?”
“Who are you?” asked Mia, hiccupping to stop the flow of her noisy tears.
“His mother,” she replied.
“I’m Archer’s girlfriend,” said Mia, offering her a hand. “That woman was so jealous of us that she punched me in the eye. It was terrible.”
“You’re my—what?” Archer said angrily. “Mia, you are not, nor will you ever be, my girlfriend. Now let my arm go so I can make sure Kady is okay.”
“Archer?” shouted his mother. “You’re going to leave this poor girl in such a state?”
“Mother, I don’t have time to explain,” Archer replied, exasperated and fed up with the whole situation. “That poor girl, as you call her, is the one who started all the trouble. I didn’t come here with her, and I’m damn sure not leaving with her either. Mia, you are not welcome to return to my home. Don’t make me have to file a restraining order to get rid of you, because I most assuredly will.”
“Archer!” she shrieked as he got away and practically ran for the door. “Oh, mommy! He’s so mean to me! I can’t believe he just did this, I really, really can’t!”
“Listen, you little gold-digger, leave my son alone,” said his mother hotly, instantly seeing through the fake tears and innocent act. “He has better things to do than take up with the likes of you.”
Then she walked away, leaving Mia standing among the four waiters shrieking with rage. They quickly led her back to her own table, where two other women awaited her rather than the man she had described.
“I’m going to get him, you know,” she said with a scowl, her normally high-pitched voice sounding low and mean as she practically spit the word out. “You just watch. I could have had him by now if it wasn’t for Kady Ross. But she’ll get hers in the end, and I’ll get Archer all to myself.”
Chapter 18
“Hey! Kady, wait for me, will you?” Archer called after her, finally catching up. He was breathing hard by the time
he pulled up even with her long strides. “Will you stop running? You’re going to hurt your ankle even more. Come here, will you?” He reached for her arm, trying to pull her to a stop, or at least slow her furious pace down a bit. She finally slowed, careening into him as he cradled her against his solid chest. The steady sound of his heart beat was loud and calming under her ear and she paused for a moment, just drinking in the wonderful sound. The amazing feeling of being wrapped in Archer Devonshire’s tender grasp.
“I’m sorry, I know I promised not to let her ruin the evening, but I guess it happened anyway, huh?” Kady said, her words were slightly muffled as she wiped her tears off on the front of his expensive suit coat. Archer didn’t even care if she ruined it, as long as he was able to make her feel better about all of this.
“You really missed out, hon,” he said with a laugh. “I guess my mother was also up there. She showed up right after you headed for the door.”
“Oh, wow, I’m sorry!” Kady gasped, feeling even worse for abandoning him to deal with the fall out of their ruined evening. “I’ve heard enough stories about you two to be sure that didn’t go very well. How did you handle it?”
Archer smirked. “I left that little bitch Mia with her and came after you, of course. The old bird’s useful for some things, anyway.”
“Oh, now come on, Archer, she can’t be that bad,” Kady grumbled in automatic defense. Although the whopper of a lie that his mother told to the judge told a different story, at least she had done that while trying to protect her son. And where would Kady be without that lie, anyway? It might just be because of that she was there at all, instead of broke and homeless in Central Park.
Their car showed up and Daryl got out, opening the back door, so she climbed inside.
“Not to anyone else, I don’t suppose, but she’s really got it in for me,” he replied. “She doesn’t get that just because I spent the last ten years acting like some sort of party-crazed playboy doesn’t mean I’m still the same guy I used to be. I’m a reformed party animal nowadays, and I don’t have the slightest interest in being with more than one woman anymore. It just got old, and I’d never want to go back to it, especially now that I’ve got you. I wish she would understand that.”
Dazzle: The Billionaire's Secret Surrogate (Contemporary BWWM Romance) Page 7
