by Alexia Adams
“Would you like to come up?”
He peered into her eyes again. “I would love to, but I have an early flight in the morning. It’s better if I say good night here. What time do you want me to pick you up on Friday?”
“Actually, I have to be there early to supervise the setup. Can I meet you at the Four Seasons at seven thirty?”
“Sure.” Liam reached out and put a hand on her cheek; his dark eyes searched hers in the dim light. He ran his thumb down her nose until it rested on her lips, pulling her bottom lip slightly away from the other. Popping her tongue out, she tasted his finger, eliciting a sharp inhalation from him. His forefinger replaced his thumb and ran back and forth over her bottom lip. “I haven’t had peanuts in a week. Do you think it’s safe if I kiss you goodnight?”
“I’m willing to risk it. I’ve got a new EpiPen in my bag if I stop breathing again.”
“Noted,” he said, his lips a millimeter away from hers.
His touch was gentle at first, but as she opened her mouth and responded, the hand on her cheek shifted to the back of her head, his fingers making short work of her carefully created updo.
Liam slanted her head to get a better angle. He tasted faintly of the whiskey he’d had a few hours ago, and his spicy aftershave was even better close up. It must be a crime the man could look, taste, and smell so good. While he ravaged her mouth, her own hands went exploring. One was wound into the silken strands of his hair. The other was roaming over the contours of his back and shoulders.
His right hand, which had been resting on her waist, found its way under her top and ran over her back, leaving sparks of sensation along her skin. With one deft maneuver he undid the clasp of her bra. His thumb ran along the side of her body until it reached the underside of her breast. A low moan filled the air, and she realized it was coming from her.
He released her lips, trailing a series of kisses across her cheek. She drew in a deep breath, just to make sure she could. It did nothing to relieve the haze of desire that engulfed her body. At least if she was going to pass out this time, it would be from passion and not asphyxiation.
When Liam’s thumb ran over the peak of her breast, her back arched, encouraging his exploration. His other hand left her hair, which was now falling down her back, and joined his first one under her shirt. He teased her breasts, feathering touches over the taut peaks, circling them before rolling her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. His mouth came back to cover hers, ravaging and demanding her surrender. Little did he know she had no intention of fighting this attraction.
He released her lips, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Liam’s breathing was heavy, his heartbeat easily felt through his shirt. His hands moved from her breasts back down to her waist, pulling her shirt back down. Her nipples, still highly sensitized, protested the loss of his touch. Another moan joined the belabored breathing, this one the sound of disappointment rather than encouragement.
“See why I can’t come up?” he whispered into her ear.
“No.” She was dimly aware they were still sitting in his car in front of her apartment. The windows were all fogged up. Any minute, a police officer could come by and knock on the window, demanding to know what was going on inside. And she, for once, didn’t care. All she wanted was for Liam’s assault on her body to continue.
He chuckled. “Temptress. I’ve got to be on a plane in five hours, and that is not nearly long enough to do justice to your incredible body. And I hate leaving things half done. I’m an all-or-nothing kind of guy.”
She moaned again. What had come over her? She sounded like a bad actress in a porn film.
“All right, but you’d better get some sleep while you’re away, ’cause you won’t be getting any when you get back,” she said. Heat invaded her face. Díos mío, where had that line come from? He’d think she was a complete tramp, sleeping with married men and propositioning others in cars outside her apartment. Before she could stammer out some kind of retraction, Liam responded by kissing her again until she was breathless.
“I’ll hold you to that,” he murmured when he finally sat back in his seat. “Oh, and can I make one request for next Friday?”
“What’s that?” Reaching around, she refastened her bra. She took Liam’s retreat back to his seat as an indicator tonight’s lovefest had come to an end.
“Wear your hair down. It’s so beautiful and it’ll remind me of where we left off tonight.” He reached out and ran a hand over her tousled hair.
“All right.” She’d already been planning an elaborate hairstyle, but the desire in Liam’s eyes overrode that idea. Personally, she wouldn’t need any reminders; she’d be replaying the entire scene over and over until she saw him again.
“Until Friday, then.” He picked up her hand and kissed each of her knuckles, staring into her eyes as he did so.
This was going to be the longest week in history.
Chapter Nine
Lorelei surveyed the room, pleased at its appearance. Tall crystal vases containing white roses graced each table. She’d also decided on white tablecloths and napkins. A group of children had decorated each place card, adding a splash of color. Against the walls, tables had been set up with thank-you notes from the children who’d recently had Happy Day experiences, with some background information and photos, showing the work the charity did. A black-clad pianist was playing softly on the grand piano on a raised dais in the center of the room. At such short notice she hadn’t arranged a full theme dinner. Instead she’d aimed for understated elegance. And given the reaction from the staff and early guests to arrive, she’d achieved it.
She glanced at her watch. There was just enough time before the official start for her to run upstairs to one of the rooms that had been reserved for the night and change. One of the benefits of being an organizer was that she could stay overnight if she so desired. And based on the way she and Liam had departed, an overnight in one of San Francisco’s best hotels was definitely in the cards.
He’d called three times during the week, after ten her time, which was 1:00 a.m. in Washington, so she knew he was working hard. He had sounded exhausted and she really wouldn’t blame him if he canceled coming this evening. With that thought, she checked her cell phone for a message of regret, but so far nothing.
She slipped on the black evening gown she’d agonized over for days. Was it too revealing for a charity function? Although fairly modest at the front, showing only a hint of cleavage, it plunged to a deep vee at the back, making wearing a bra impossible. If that wasn’t enough, there was a thigh-high slit on one side, which as long as she stood still no one would notice. However, if she took too large of a step, the top of her stockings showed. Not that she was likely to take large steps in the four-inch heels, which evidently were required to show the dress off to the max.
Mandy had picked out the dress, and after Lorelei tried it on her friend had insisted she buy it. She should have stuck with the dress she’d originally intended to wear, before she’d invited Liam. That one had been fade-into-the-curtains boring and would have rendered her virtually invisible among a room full of San Francisco’s elite. However, she’d wanted to wear something to wow Liam. Once she’d told Mandy he was coming, her friend had whisked her off to an exclusive boutique that specialized in dresses by student designers. It had also cost her two weeks’ salary; she hoped she kept her job to pay for it.
Her phone buzzed and Lorelei swallowed. A lead ball took up residence in her stomach as she was sure it was Liam calling to say he was too tired to make it. Well, they could probably have a nice quiet lunch tomorrow, or maybe she’d invite him over for dinner at her place.
“Lorelei Torres,” she said, not recognizing the number on the caller display.
“Miss Torres, one of the guests is asking to be moved to a different table. Perhaps you could suggest an alternative placement?” The hotel event manager’s voice held a hint of exasperation.
“I’ll be right down,”
Lorelei said. And so it began.
An hour later, with a huge fake smile plastered on her face, she surveyed the room again. She’d moved three couples and adjusted four other tables where people had canceled, according to Dustin’s secretary. She had a sneaky suspicion the Director of Fundraising had invented the names and then had his minion tell her they weren’t coming at the last minute, just to screw with her plans.
Even with the large anonymous donation, ticket sales had only been so-so. They needed to clear a quarter million from the silent auction or on-site donations to make their target. The lead ball in her stomach started to roll around.
Snagging a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, Lorelei waved at Mandy across the room. Trust Mandy to show up in a crimson-red gown. At least she no longer felt out of place. She’d intercepted a few admiring glances from men, and a few envious stares from women, but so far no one had insisted she go home and change. Mandy glided across the floor and air-kissed both of Lorelei’s cheeks.
“Lookin’ good, girl,” was Mandy’s summation of Lorelei’s appearance.
“Likewise,” she said.
“Madre. De. Díos.” Mandy’s dire pronouncement had Lorelei perusing the room for the latest disruption. If one more person wanted to change tables so they’d be sitting with someone more famous, so help her, Lorelei would catapult them into the Yerba Buena Gardens.
“What now?”
“Over by the door.” Mandy’s gaze was transfixed on the entrance. “I was so worried about you that night you had the peanut allergy thing and your boyfriend asked me to stay with you, I didn’t get a good look at him.”
Lorelei swiveled and scanned the entryway, uttering her own expletive as her eyes locked on Liam. He made James Bond look like a homeless beggar. Liam’s tuxedo fit his form as though it had been molded to him. Taller than most men in attendance, he surveyed the room like he owned it. As she stared, he caught her gaze; the lazy smile that creased his face accelerated her heartbeat to a dangerous level.
“Watch your back, my friend. Every woman here tonight will risk the death penalty and kill you to have a chance at one night with him,” Mandy said.
“Except you.” Lorelei kept her eyes on Liam as he approached. He sauntered across the room and she was held motionless.
“I don’t know. I’m having a terrible time remembering my fiancé’s name right now,” Mandy whispered as Liam approached.
“Good evening, Mandy. You look very nice,” Liam said as he reached them.
“Thank you,” her friend muttered before disappearing.
“Lorelei, you are stunning.” The heat in Liam’s gaze could have melted the dress right off her. He leaned down and pressed a warm kiss on her cheek before whispering in her ear, “Thank you for wearing your hair down.” The tingle of his breath raced from her ear canal straight to her toes, which curled in her killer heels. It rebounded and settled in the pit of her stomach, sparking a warm glow that infused her body.
“It keeps my back warm,” she said, doing a spin to show him her otherwise naked back.
“Can we leave yet?” His normally deep voice had dropped another octave.
All the stress of preparing the event, all the annoyances of dealing with people’s petty requests and complaints, suddenly meant nothing. She was here with Liam and she wanted the world to know they were together.
“Not yet. However, I do have a room upstairs,” she said.
“Keep the key handy.” His sultry voice had her wondering if she could fake a headache and leave now.
“Lorelei, who’s this, then?” Two of her colleagues stood to Liam’s right, like hungry piranhas ready to swarm should he take one step toward the water.
“This is my…um…this is Liam. Liam, this is Susan and Victoria. They work for the charity in the Dream Logistics department. They organize the Happy Day for the sick children, according to what the child wants and is able to do.”
Liam shook hands with them both, but aside from being socially polite showed no interest in their provocative displays.
“Oh, there’s Mr. Holborn. I want to introduce Liam. If you’ll excuse us, ladies?”
Lorelei took Liam’s hand and pulled him away from the two salivating women and toward a fictional guest. The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Her squished pinkie toes stopped hurting and Liam’s arm around her waist, or his hand skimming her naked back, set off a cascade of sensation that numbed all the other niggles.
People who had earlier been complaining to her now came up to offer their congratulations on a well-planned event. Liam was attentive and supportive, his arm around her when they were speaking with others, listening exclusively to her when alone. Other women tried to catch his eye, or interrupt them, and although polite and friendly he never gave a hint of wanting to be with anyone else. By the time dessert was served, Lorelei admitted to herself that for good or bad she was falling heart over reason in love with him.
…
Liam shifted in his seat. The evening was interminable and if he had to smile at one more inane comment or lame joke he might explode. The only thing that made the whole affair bearable was Lorelei. She’d done an amazing job organizing the event and he was pleased to see her efforts and talent were being acknowledged. But more important, thank God, no one had recognized him, yet. A few titans of industry he knew were there, but without his longer hair, beard, and mustache they hadn’t connected him to IWC Security. Besides, no one who knew him would expect him to attend a charity event for sick children. Send a donation maybe, but actually go? It was outside his comfort zone, or at least it had been until he met Lorelei.
A waiter put a plate of cake in front of him and refilled his coffee cup. He didn’t want to eat anymore; he just wanted to get out of there and explore the tantalizing glimpses of skin exposed by Lorelei’s dress. Reaching under the table, he ran a finger up her thigh, allowing it to go an inch beyond the slit. Encountering the lacy top of a stocking, he sucked in a breath. Damn. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, wishing the boring Chairman would shut up and let them get out of here.
“How long do you have to stay?” he whispered in Lorelei’s ear, taking the time to inhale her evocative scent.
“Until eleven. That’s when the event is scheduled to wrap up. After that any stragglers are on their own. You can leave any time…”
“I’m not leaving here without you. Every man in this room tonight wants to take you home. No way I’m going to give one of them the opportunity.”
She smiled at him and he caught his breath. Somewhere in the past two weeks things had shifted in his life. Time with Lorelei was no longer just about finishing his brother’s book. The novel was three or four chapters from completion. Then he’d have to transition from regular guy Liam to himself. He only hoped Lorelei would be able to make the shift with him. He couldn’t risk telling her now and altering their relationship. If she left him he’d never finish the book, and he’d promised Marcus.
Finally, the speeches were over and the waiters began clearing the last of the dishes. Lorelei’s phone vibrated on the table. She picked it up and leaned toward him and whispered, “Excuse me. I need to take this.”
He watched her walk away, noting the number of male heads that followed her progress from the room. With the phone clutched to her ear she seemed oblivious to the stares that accompanied her departure. How could a woman be so beautiful and so unaware of it at the same time?
He was still contemplating Lorelei’s lack of narcissism when a round man in an ill-fitting tuxedo occupied her chair. Liam turned to greet the newcomer, but his smile died on his lips. Sitting in Lorelei’s chair was Gerald Burkow, CEO of Frampton Tech.
“William Manning, not used to seeing you at these things. The evening just got interesting. My wife forces me to come. She likes to get all dressed up, and attending a charity event gives her the warm fuzzies. What are you doing here?”
His mouth went dry and he had to take a swallow of water before he co
uld answer. “I’m here with the charity’s Event Director. It’s good to see you, Gerald. How about I get my secretary to call yours to arrange a lunch? Now’s not really the time to talk business.”
Gerald’s face fell. “I guess not. It’s good to see you. I heard about your brother. You have my sympathy.”
“Thanks. If you’ll excuse me, Lorelei is back and I want to make sure there’s no problem.”
Liam made a quick exit and strode toward his date, hoping she hadn’t witnessed the discussion.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, the band that’s supposed to play for the dancing is running late. They say their van broke down. I have a feeling it may be band-speak for ‘we’re trying to sober up the drummer.’ They should be here in half an hour. I’ve asked the pianist to play again and hopefully everyone will want to freshen up or get another drink in the interim and no one will notice the lull in activities.”
“It’ll be fine,” Liam said.
Sure enough, the majority of ladies headed for the washrooms and the gentlemen toward the bar. Liam itched to leave, but putting his arm around Lorelei, he headed toward the open doors to the terrace. Before they were halfway across the room his phone vibrated in his pocket.
“Sweetheart, my phone has been buzzing for the past half hour. Can you excuse me for a moment while I check my messages? I have to make sure the project I’ve been working on hasn’t fallen apart.”
“Don’t worry. I want to check the silent auction to see if we’re anywhere close to our fundraising target. Go, make your calls. I’ll meet you by the dance floor in a few minutes.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek before veering off to a table across the room.
