Hot, Sexy & Bad

by Angelo, Judy, et al.

  “Is there anything you’d like to talk about?” he asked, trying to contain his anger at the jerk (he was sure it was a guy) that caused her so much pain.

  Her beautiful large brown eyes barely met his gaze. She looked down as if she was going to burst into tears again. He reached over and did something he’d never really done before. He hugged her. What the hell had gotten into him?

  “It’s over…” Olivia cried out into his chest. “He’s…he’s gone. He’s…leaving me.”

  Dane pulled away from her as if fire had scorched him. Anger seethed through him. It was as if someone torched his heart.

  “What?” he said, barely containing his emotions. “Who left you?”

  “J-J-Jack!” Her sobs persisted.

  Dane thought he was going to go crazy, which was, of course, insane. If there was anything he hated it was a jerk who mistreated women. Screw this Jack person.

  “Your groom?” He had to clarify.

  Olivia held her head down and covered her face with her hands. “Oh, man! I’m real sorry, Olivia.” He really was. But he shouldn’t be the one apologizing to her right now. If he could find this asshole, he’d drag his butt through the snow and demand he apologize on his knees and beg for forgiveness from this young lady.

  What kind of a jerk leaves his bride-to-be in a hotel alone and dumps her before the wedding? Something in Dane’s gut told him she was way too nice to deserve this. No woman deserved this—regardless. But he could just tell it must have been all this Jack dude’s fault.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Dane fought to soften his tone but his controlled voice must have sounded more dangerous than soft. He’d seen this groom-to-be the other day when they’d come to the hotel to make arrangements and book the rooms, the chapel, and the ballroom for Christmas Day! Of all the lowdown dirty things a guy could do to a girl. That was freaking unacceptable in his book. He didn’t give a crap what happened.

  Olivia tried to contain herself. She dabbed her face with some tissues she’d grabbed from the box on the side table. “It’s okay. It doesn’t matter,” she said, her voice hoarse and shaken.

  God, it squeezed his heart to see this pretty, young thing going through so much turmoil. The crazy part was—he didn’t know her from Adam but there was something about her that pulled her to him. Something that tugged at his heartstrings and that didn’t happen often. He’d had his fair share of a lot of sexy women but there was something sweet, kind and pure about Olivia McAlister. He just didn’t know what it was—but it was there.

  Inner angst gnawed at him. Dane was reminded of his sister. God, he missed her like crazy. It just wasn’t fair. His sister, Mariam, was also jilted at the altar but she took it pretty hard. If she were alive today, oh, the things he would say to her to make her feel okay about herself. If only he was around then, but he wasn’t.

  “I’m calling off the wedding…I…I don’t care if we lose the deposit. I don’t care if everyone shows up tomorrow. I’m going away.”

  At that moment, something crazy came over Dane. He didn’t know what it was but before he could stop himself the words flew out of his lips. “The hell you are.”

  Olivia looked up. She was stunned!

  CHAPTER TWO

  “I’m sorry?” Olivia could not believe her ears.

  “Oh, no. I don’t mean like that. What I meant was…so what if you don’t have a groom? If he could leave you at a time like this he probably wasn’t worth it in the first place.”

  “My, you really do speak your mind.”

  “They don’t pay me to be a hypocrite. Professional, yes. A hypocrite? No.”

  “But…what are you saying?”

  “Olivia,” Dane said, hands shoved in the pants pockets of his suit. God, he looked so adorable when he did that. “I don’t know you, but I do know you don’t deserve to be screwed over twice on your big day.”

  “I don’t understand—"

  “It’s not about the money or anything else but there are some things in life you just can’t put a price tag on.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah…and self-respect is one of them.”

  Olivia’s heart flip-flopped in her chest. Usually, she was the one in her new career as a social worker to tell women that. Empowerment. Now, this gorgeous young man was giving her some of that same medicine? Wow.

  “Just do me a favor,” he continued. “Don’t let this Jack guy screw you over twice. Tomorrow is your big day and you may not have a groom but you can still have your wedding or celebration.”

  “Wow, those are strong words,” she said, feeling helpless. Alone. She felt terrible feeling this way. Here Dane was trying to make her feel better about herself and yet she was resisting. It was as if she was feeling as if nothing could make her feel better about herself. Olivia glanced over at the garment bag with her Vera Wang silk mermaid tail wedding dress. She dreamed of walking down the aisle in this dress. Her day. It was all in remembrance of her mother’s passing. It was supposed to be a turning point in her life.

  “It’s a lot easier said than done, Dane. You’re sweet, really but…you’re…”

  “What? A guy? First of all, I’m anything but sweet. I’m simply practical.”

  “I take it you’ve been hurt before.”

  “Who hasn’t?” he responded casually. “You live. You get hurt. You can either recover and move on or you can dwell on it and stay put. Life is about choices, Olivia. We may not always have control over what crap happens to us, but we do have control over what stuff happens inside us.”

  Despite herself, Olivia couldn’t help but grin. It was painful to smile at a time like this but this Dane character really had a way with words. Yet, there was something rugged and controlled about him. There was something about him Olivia just couldn’t quite pinpoint.

  “Listen, I’m going to be leaving the hotel soon. Have you had anything to eat?”

  “Besides humble pie?”

  A grin of amusement touched the corner of his sweet, full lips. He really had sexy lips for a guy. The type of lips you just want to press your own to.

  “I like a girl with a sense of humor.”

  Waves of delight wiggled through Olivia’s belly. What was that? Was it because after being rejected by one man whom she’d trusted, she was now in the company of a hot guy who seemed to appreciate her for who she was? It wasn’t as if she looked like a model or anything right now. For goodness sake, she had scary mascara streaks running down her face.

  “Listen, why don’t we get away from here and go down the street to the Belmont Restaurant? It’s still open. The food is usually hot and tasty.”

  “Okay.” Olivia smiled appreciatively. She could not believe what was happening. As carollers belted out Christmas songs on the street outside and decorated lampposts glistened while cascading snow fell, she felt a tinge of warmth come over her heart, which had been iced over earlier. It was good to know there were still decent people around. Decent guys around who were also hot as sin!

  “I’ll get ready.”

  “Good, I’ll meet you downstairs in the lobby if you like.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  And with those words, hot and sexy Mr. Bad-Boy-to-the-Rescue walked out of Olivia's hotel suite.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Moments later, Olivia rummaged through her luggage to find something suitable to wear. A sudden jolt of electricity bolted through her blood. All she had in her suitcase was sexy lingerie. Stuff she would have worn on her wedding night. She picked up a red, silky gown and placed it back in the suitcase. Then her fingers sifted through the clothes to findher red lace baby-doll set with matching sexy lace thong panties that she would have worn the next evening. Her honeymoon. It was something she likely wouldn’t bother wearing now. She’d probably spend tomorrow night in an old t-shirt and fluffy slippers.

  Her heart gave a squeeze at the thought. Wait a minute. Why would she punish herself? Why couldn’t she still dress sexy as hell, e
ven if she would be spending the night alone?

  Olivia flopped herself on the bed. What was she doing? Going out with a gorgeous hotel executive? Only moments after being dumped by her fiancé? Was she that desperate?

  The rumbling in her stomach reminded her that it was only dinner. Nothing more. Nothing less. That was all. Two mature individuals grabbing a bite to eat. Together.

  Just then, the phone rang. Olivia's heart lurched again.

  Who could it be? Was it Jack confessing a change of heart?

  Olivia hesitated at first. She squeezed her eyes shut. No, she couldn’t answer it. But then again, it could be Dane calling to see if she was still coming. She was not some desperate damsel in emotional distress. She’d made up her mind. Even if Jack had changed his mind. She was through with him. End of story.

  Despite herself, she reached over to grab the phone.

  “Hey, bride-to-be! How are you doing? Nervous about tomorrow yet?” It was her cousin, Macy, on the other end of the phone. Oh, great! Another reminder that her world had come crashing down before her very eyes. Her cousin had flown in all the way from England for goodness sake! What was she going to tell her?

  “Oh, Macy…I…” was just dumped by my groom-to-be, Jack, and now I’m going out on a date with another man in a few minutes. “No. I’m not nervous,” she whispered instead.

  “Olivia, are you okay? You don’t sound too well. Is everything okay?”

  What could Olivia say? She was supposed to be getting married in the morning but instead she was having dinner with another man. A man she just met. It really seemed crazy now that she’d thought about the entire situation. Of course, if she wasn’t going to dine with Dane, she would be alone in her hotel room crying a river of tears and drowning in Jack Daniels. Not that she was a regular drinker but it seemed like she would have started that night.

  Then Olivia remembered what Dane told her earlier. He said they would sit down to dinner and discuss what to do tomorrow so Olivia didn’t want to spoil what he had in mind. After all, Dane was the general manager of the Belmont Hotel and he had just as much invested in this wedding he’d allowed her to have on his premise at a discounted rate, didn’t he?

  “Macy, I’m just a little tired,” she continued. “By the way, how was your flight?”

  “Oh, it was fine. I’m a little jet-lagged myself but enough about me. Are you and Jack okay?”

  No. We’re not okay. Far from it.

  “Well, everything is the way it’s supposed to be…but listen, I’ve got tons of things to sort out. I promise you we’ll have a good chat tomorrow…at the…reception and ceremony.” Olivia almost choked on her own lie. Her reception ceremony? More like her rejection ceremony.

  After she’d gotten off the phone with Macy, Olivia decided to wear a simple black dress she’d always packed with her no matter what. It was a good thing she’d taken her mother’s advice about always having a little black dress for any occasion. Olivia almost always packed it instinctively. No matter what the occasion was. Olivia took a quick shower and freshened up with a soothing aromatherapy body spray so she’d feel in a festive mood. The least she could do was not sulk over dinner since she had been so generously invited by that kind manager.

  She pressed the button to the lobby floor in the glass elevator that revealed a beautiful view of the holiday decorations and colourful lights of the place. She was enjoying the scenery and almost felt as if everything would be okay. The towering Christmas tree in the center of the grand lobby closely resembled the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in mid-town Manhattan. It must have been close to one hundred feet tall. Its white spruce branches were heavily decorated with colorful glowing golden glass balls and shiny vintage glass icicles. Light radiated from the tree and into the lobby. Guests sat around enjoying the splendor. It was breathtaking.

  Olivia could hear the enchanting sound of a string quartet in the grand foyer playing the upbeat sounds of Christmas carols. Right now they were cheerfully playing Deck the Halls. She could just hear the words in her mind:Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. It reminded her of the days when she was a little girl and going caroling with her mother and sister. It brought back fond memories. Tomorrow was to bring back fond memories or at least create new ones but instead it would be filled with heartache and humiliation. At that moment she felt as if she could deck Jack in his boughs of holly.

  Olivia tried to push the thought of what he’d just done to her out of her head.

  She’d been used!

  She sucked in a deep breath. She remembered a funny sign she’d once read outside of a church: “Holding a grudge was like letting someone live rent free in your head!” She was not going to allow Jack to live rent free in her head, in her heart or any part of her existence. Olivia was determined not to let his actions sink her spirits. She just had to.

  Yeah, right! Easier said than done!

  “You look beautiful, Olivia,” Dane said to her in a low, sultry voice that mellowed her mood. There was something about the way he said her name. It resonated with her. Warmed her heart. God, this man had to have a gift with his social ability to make people feel special. If he didn’t know it, she should tell him.

  “Thanks,” she replied softly. Olivia looked around the plush Belmont Restaurant. The lights were dim, romantic yet festive. Gorgeous holiday decorations embellished the ritzy five-star eatery. But the gorgeous man seated in front of her was more stunning in her eyes. “I’m surprised this restaurant isn’t actually inside the hotel itself.”

  “It was built before the hotel back in 1963 by…” he hesitated for a moment, “by Joseph Belmont. Later, Mr. Belmont opened up the hotel, well, a string of them. I guess you could call this his landmark place.”

  “Right. Nice.”

  Olivia glanced down at the luxurious velvet-textured menu. There were no prices listed beside the entrees which meant…the food was expensive as hell. In other words, if you had to ask how much, it meant you couldn’t afford it. That was awfully sweet of Dane to take her there. Mr. Dane Romano chose to take her—a virtual stranger—to one of the most expensive restaurants in the city? Boy, she felt real special given the fact she’d just been dumped by her former fiancé in the most humiliating way.

  She made her selections first and Dane followed suit. Moments later, the waiter, dressed in an expensive tux, came to take their orders and addressed Dane as “sir.” Olivia saw the respect the staff showed Dane and knew he was certainly a big shot in that circle. Many practically bowed to him. It was as if she was with a celebrity at a cozy spot hidden discreetly in a private booth away from other patrons.

  Dane and Olivia conversed for hours at the restaurant getting to know each other as if they were on some blind date for a reality TV show. They’d talked about relationships, family, world issues, entertainment, views on many issues and laughed at some of the most hilarious jokes.

  He laid out his goals to expand the hotel chain and also make it affordable for all families. Despite the former management’s opposing views, he would offer discounts for popular events like weddings, birthdays, and many other occasions. He would also host charitable events to benefit neglected children for free on his premises—he didn’t mind taking a loss because in his humble opinion it was a gain to invest in the future of disadvantaged children and help them be all they could be in life.

  Despite his benevolence, Olivia felt Dane was hiding something about his past because he would consistently be evasive when Olivia seemed to delve too deeply into his background. He was raised by a single mother who died before he turned fourteen and was shuffled from group home to group home and foster care.

  Olivia’s heart sank. She would never have known. What a respectable, caring guy he was, especially considering his difficult upbringing. It was only recently that he’d met his father but that was as far as the conversation would go regarding his parents. She picked up that Dane see
med very protective of his mother though.

  She was stoked at the interest he’d taken in her life and in her dreams and listened eagerly as she expressed her goals to run her own business—a care center to help inner-city children in a reading program. Having grown up around books, Olivia knew that education was the best way to excel and do well in life. She really wanted to give back to others.

  “I’m so sorry about your mother,” Dane offered. She could see the raw hurt glittering in his eyes, knowing full well, he knew what it was like to lose a mother as well. They seemed to have so much in common. It was so odd—how could you meet a stranger and feel so at home with him? So comfortable with him? So secure? Well, it just goes to show anything was possible.

  Olivia remembered the story of her grandparents who had met during the Second World War and despite the objection from their families they’d fallen in love quickly and married soon after. Her grandmother had her first child at age eighteen. It was pretty much love at first sight for them. Coincidentally, they’d fallen in love around the Christmas holidays!

  Within a week, her grandparents had dated and were soon engaged. They remained married for more than sixty glorious years. So yeah, it didn’t happen often but anything was possible—anything! And now she began to wonder about the magic of the Christmas season! Did it really exist? Was there something romantic in the air about kissing under the mistletoe and sparkling Christmas decorations and jolly music and pretty white snowflakes falling from the sky blanketing the city in a white winter wonderland? Olivia was beginning to think so.

  Dane truly had a wicked sense of humor. She loved the way his cheek dimpled when he grinned. He had this sexy but boyish look about him when he smiled. Nothing like the serious hotel executive she’d met in her suite hours earlier. Olivia laughed so hard at one point she almost snorted wine out of her nose. It was embarrassing in a fun way. She’d felt like a schoolgirl again out on a night with her friends. Only it was one sexy, hot dude in her company. She barely realized the time flying when she noticed that the restaurant was practically vacant. But Dane explained that because of his position they would often stay late—all hours of the night if they had to—to accommodate him. Of course, he would compensate them handsomely in return. He told her he never took it for granted when people went out of their way for him. He was down-to-earth that way. Olivia loved the respect he seemed to get from his staff. Dane really must have been some cool manager for them to want to do anything for him.