“Have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re far sexier than I.”
“Well, that is true.” Lily’s laugh was incredibly loud. It reminded Jane of a blaring truck horn. “The men won’t be able to resist us, and the ladies will hate us on sight.”
“Isn’t that the general plan?” Jane steered her friend down the steps toward the ballroom. “This is the first time I’ve been invited to Dirk’s for an event as swish as this.”
“Well if you’d make an effort to get out more, this wouldn’t be the case…”
“I—”
“…though I know, you’ve been hiding out,” Lily continued without drawing breath. “That bastard was so not worth a year of celibacy.”
“Well, it wasn’t for him—”
“I know, but—”
“Well, aren’t you just a know-it-all?”
“Stop being crabby, Jane.” Lily gave her arm a firm squeeze. “I’m just looking out for your best interests.”
“Then quick pecking at me like a nosy old biddy,” Jane grumbled under breath.
“The important thing is that Dirk and Kitten are positively thrilled you’re here for the weekend—”
“I haven’t agreed to stay the entire weekend.”
“You’ll stay.” Lily’s smile was wide. “This weekend will give us a chance to expand our business in a big way. If the next two days come off without a hitch, our phones will be ringing off the hook. Everyone will want the party planners who pulled off this affair.”
“You arranged this event, not I.”
“But you held my hand when the string quartet cancelled at the last minute and I thought for sure I’d never be able to replace them.”
“That’s true…”
“Besides, it doesn’t matter who did the actual work. It was our company Dirk hired so we both take the credit.” Lily flashed Jane a wicked grin. “There are a slew of events this weekend and the guest list is a who’s who of Denver society and I see no reason why we can’t cash in on that as well.”
“And tonight’s celebration is for his half-brother, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am, Antonio Villareal is Dirk’s half brother and he turns twenty-nine tonight. Dirk wants to make sure his brother has a very good time this weekend.”
“Considering how much this party is going to cost Dirk, I would say his brother will have a very good time.”
“Well, that is what they pay us for, a one of a kind experience.” Lily laughed again and Jane could only wince at the abrasive sound.
They were both pleased their event planning business, R.S.V.P., was on the receiving end of Dirk’s generosity. The Prentices were known for throwing lavish parties and when they received a call from Dirk, Jane and Lily knew the payoff would be a tidy sum. Her partner just loved to joke about how Dirk had single-handedly paid for their new offices from the basement up.
“This is going to be an event not soon forgotten. Many of the guests have flown in from all parts of the globe just for this weekend,” Lily said.
“Hopefully we’ll pick up a few referrals from this.” Jane hugged her friend’s arm.
“A few? Pish posh, people will be clamoring to hire us for their next event. R.S.V.P. will become an overnight international sensation.”
“Well, it’s hardly been overnight—”
Lily ignored her and pressed on.
“Dirk’s plans are just devilish. It makes me hot just thinking about it.” Lily giggled and it was only a smidge less painful than her laugh. “Just think about it, an entire weekend where you can be as wicked, wanton and insatiable as you want to be. You can pick your man and use his hair like the reins of a horse. The best part is that you don’t have to feel embarrassed as you’ll never have to see him again.”
“The masks certainly help.”
“They add to the thrill of the hunt. Not being able to see your partner’s face adds to the mystery…the intrigue of the seduction.”
A shiver of anticipation snaked through Jane’s breasts. Her nipples hardened at the thought of breaking her self-imposed sexual hiatus. But she still had some time to go.
“Not before midnight,” she whispered more to herself than Lily.
“Midnight it is.”
The volume increased as they neared the ballroom. Other partygoers lingered in the hallway and Jane was shocked to see that in comparison, she was dressed as simply as a milkmaid. Hell, she looked downright virginal.
The must-have accessory for this event appeared to be skin…and nothing else.
“Ladies.”
A tall, broad man in a tuxedo approached them. His imposing height coupled with his faint French accent gave his identity away.
Jean Jacques Bertrand was Dirk’s business partner and Lily’s current non-obsession obsession. From the moment they’d met, the chemistry between them was so strong even Jane couldn’t help but notice. For some unfathomable reason, the stubborn twosome refused to acknowledge the powerful attraction and instead they spent most of their time insulting each other.
“Good evening, Jean Jacques.” Jane smiled widely as he took her hand and brushed his mouth across her knuckles. “You look very handsome this evening.”
“And you look très fantastique, cher Jane.”
“Thank you.”
His attention turned to Lily and Jane didn’t miss the flash of pain in his shadowed eyes. She’d seen that expression all too often when he thought Lily wasn’t looking. Stubborn fools. They needed to hook up and save any other unsuspecting suitor from a miserable existence.
“Lily.” Jean Jacques tipped his head in the other woman’s direction.
“JJ, how’s tricks?” Lily’s voice was shrill.
His mouth tightened.
Oh, brother.
It took every shred of self-control Jane had to not reach over and pull her friend’s hair. Lily knew how much it irritated Jean Jacques when she shortened his name, which was exactly why she did it. In her attempt to keep the man at arm’s length, she was acting like a spoiled brat.
“Ladies, may I escort you inside?” he said.
“Thank you, Jean Jacques, that would be lovely, ” Jane said.
“Fab, just fab,” Lily’s gaze scanned the crowd, intent upon not looking at either of them.
Jane rolled her eyes. Her partner was far more interested in not making eye contact with their escort than walking into the ballroom. Jane looked up at Jean Jacques and his gaze met hers. He winked and she smiled. Maybe, just maybe, her friend had met her match after all.
She glanced down at her watch.
Less than two hours to go.
Antonio Villareal lingered in the gallery overlooking the ballroom. Dirk, Kitten and their first-rate staff had transformed the elegant ballroom into a cozy, intimate space. The cold marble floors were covered with a variety of colorful rugs and comfortable couches and chairs were arranged in small groups. Huge pillows were scattered on the floor and the guests were all too willing to make use of them.
A string quartet played in one corner of the room while the bar on the other end bustled with activity. Across from the quartet a low stage had been set up. In the center was a large square frame with chains and leather straps hanging from each corner. Beside that was a long table covered with a red silk cloth shrouding whatever was lying underneath.
Servers moved through the crowd with trays of wine, champagne and a generous selection of canapés. The hostesses were clad in leather corsets with short skirts, stockings and impossibly high heels. The black, glittery half masks hid their faces and lent the room a sensual, playful air.
The waiters were dressed in black pants with a white collar and red bow tie around their necks. The female guests seemed to enjoy their muscular physiques as they took their time selecting something to nibble upon. No doubt they were plotting how to turn their servers into dessert.
In all honesty, Antonio knew only a handful of the attendees. His half-brother had invited mutual friends along with some infl
uential contacts in Denver. Dirk was hoping to give his little brother a hand in setting up the Villareal wineries here in America. They both knew it would only take a few well-orchestrated conversations to jump-start the process.
Antonio smiled.
What Dirk failed to take into consideration was that his little brother was a man who created his own brand of luck. At twenty-two Antonio had amassed his first million and at twenty-nine was well on his way to making his first billion. While he appreciated Dirk’s thoughtfulness, handholding wasn’t something Antonio needed.
“See any good candidates?” Santos, his lifelong best friend, stepped through the curtains to join Antonio. “There are some very beautiful women here, eh, amigo?”
“Si,” Antonio said.
“Giselle is downstairs, she is looking very well.”
“I wasn’t aware she was invited.” Antonio frowned. Why would his brother have invited his ex-girlfriend?
“She’s near the door.”
Giselle was a famous runway model and even with a mask, it took only seconds for Antonio to pick her out. Clad in a cream velvet body suit, every inch of her man-made perfect body was showcased to its best advantage. Her dark hair was loose about her shoulders in an abundance of waves and curls. In one word, she was lovely.
But he was no longer interested.
She was a beautiful, intelligent woman that any number of men in the room would be more than pleased to call his. Antonio was no longer impressed with her as he’d come to know her personality all too well. She was far more interested in gaining access to his wallet than his heart.
Their breakup had been stormy, much as their two-year relationship had been. Once she realized he wasn’t going to come back to her, she’d launched a campaign to seduce him. So far she’d failed in her quest and that only made her more tenacious. His hope was sooner or later she’d realize he was no longer interested in playing her games.
“I’m sure she’ll have a good time,” he said.
“She will.” Santos chuckled. “Giselle is not a woman to be left alone for long.”
Just then, Jean Jacques entered the ballroom with a woman on each arm. Antonio recognized the redhead as the party planner, Lily something or another. She was fun, chatty and curvaceous and both Dirk and Kitten adored her.
His gaze shifted to the woman on Jean Jacques’ right and his eyes widened. He literally felt as if he’d stepped onto an express elevator going down. His stomach dropped and his head felt oddly light, almost dizzy.
She was quite tall, maybe six feet, and her pale blonde hair was scraped back into a torturous twist. A red and black half-mask covered most of her face but her smile was wide. Jean Jacques dipped his head toward hers and she laughed, showing a flash of white teeth between her full red lips.
His breathing quickened.
This woman had a lush figure—so unlike the stick-thin body of Giselle. The blonde was curvaceous with real hips, thighs and breasts, the perfect hourglass figure. Antonio would bet his first million that a surgeon’s scalpel had never touched this woman’s flesh.
A red corset showed her ample breasts to their best advantage and her skin was creamy pale, the delicate coloring of a true blonde. A slim waist flared out to full hips and a plump, juicy ass. Taking this beauty from behind would be a pleasure with her soft buttocks slapping against his thighs as his dick plunged into her pussy.
He licked his lips.
Exquisite was the only word to describe her. She moved easily beside her escort, with a grace that was undeniable. With her easy smile and hot body, his cock was already standing at attention.
Considering she’d come to a bondage-themed party, her dress was modest. Her black skirt was longer than most though it showcased her long, shapely legs. The corset nipped in at the waist and just the sight of the tiny hooks down the front created an itch in his fingers. He’d bet her nipples were rosy and would taste like sweet wine.
At the tender age of fifteen, he’d lost his virginity to a lusty field worker at his father’s vineyard. In the sun with the scents of crushed grapes and lavender, he’d worshipped her full curves and she’d made a man out of him. Ever since then his tastes had run to a larger, curvier physique with the exception of his most recent ex, Giselle. There was something about a plush female figure that turned him on. Just thinking of her, the baby soft skin and all those delicious curves to explore, sent all his blood rushing to his cock.
“There she is,” Antonio said.
“Who?”
“The blonde on Jean Jacques’ arm.”
Santos made a noise of approval. “As always, you have excellent taste in women, my friend.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
“And will you share this one with your best friend?”
“We’ll have to see how adventurous she is.”
Antonio vividly remembered the first time he and Santos had shared a woman. They’d been at college here in America and Santos had picked up a beautiful Latino girl with long, dark hair and wicked hands. It had been she who’d convinced them to overcome their hesitation and join her in the bed. With that beautiful woman sandwiched between them, both men had experienced a deeper level of pleasure than ever before.
Over the years they’d shared many women though none would ever be considered a relationship. It was all in good fun and they treated their mutual women like queens both in bed and out.
The image of the blonde in his bed struck him with the force of a hammer blow. Her lush body on his sheets, her silken cries as he ate at her pussy like a starving man…
His breathing increased.
Wet, hot, hungry for both of them…
His cock in her mouth, or her bare ass up in the air as Santos paddled her…
He gritted his teeth, glorying in the swift rush of lust that struck him. The sensation was thick like warm honey in his veins. His breath left in a rush and he swore. His zipper dug into his engorged cock with such force it was all he could do not to wince.
“Slow down, my friend, we don’t even know her name.”
Santos began to laugh when Antonio was forced to readjust his aching cock. His teeth gritted at the rush of arousal the innocent nudge created. Before the night was over, not only would they know her name, they’d know every inch of that beautiful body. They’d possess her mind, body and soul and she’d be ruined for any other man.
She would be theirs.
Chapter Three
While the hands of her watch inched toward midnight, Jane was feeling more than a little disappointed. She’d dutifully surfed the crowd and had yet to find any man who aroused anything other than amusement. This was not a good sign.
Everyone was friendly and more than willing to engage in a conversation or a laugh, but so far no one had managed to ignite a spark of sexual interest. There were a number of men who’d tried, but she was left cold in the face of their advances. Here she was ready to embrace her sensual side and there was no one to heed her call.
How was that for irony?
Jane scowled. She really was making an effort to enjoy herself. It was a diverse crowd, but her level of disinterest was high. With one man she’d found it difficult to discuss the latest box office smash while he wore a devil mask and his nipple rings jiggled with every word he spoke.
It was more than disheartening, it was damned near tragic. Here she was, all dressed up and no one to spank her.
Just when she feared the Jiggler was going to make a serious move for her, a woman in a skintight cream-colored cat suit arrived to distract him. More than grateful, Jane made her escape to snag a seat at a tiny table near the entrance to the ballroom. At least the view was good from here.
She stifled a yawn. Luckily for her she’d thought ahead and packed several erotic romance novels along with her much-neglected vibrator. If the clock struck midnight and she was still without an option, she would head back to her room alone. With every passing minute her solitary bed was looking better and better as her hig
h heels were killing her feet.
With a gentle moan of relief, Jane eased her foot out of the left one, leaving the shoe to dangle off her toe. At this moment, taking off her shoes would be more satisfying than sex.
Now that was truly sad.
The blare of a trumpet took her attention away from her aching feet and almost jolted her off the stool. Swiveling, Dirk and Kitten entered the ballroom and everyone began to clap.
Dirk was a tall man with ruffled blond hair and broad shoulders. He was clad in black velvet from head to toe complete with a fluff of white lace at the throat. He reminded her of one of the Three Musketeers and he looked every inch a romance hero.
His wife Kitten walked by his side. Jane had no idea what her real name was, Katherine…Katrina….something like that. The bulge of the other woman’s belly caught her attention and Jane’s eyes widened. Kitten was pregnant, very pregnant. Even with the belly bulge, the woman still managed to look delicate and feminine beside her tall husband.
Her streaky golden hair was arranged in a complicated coil and she sported a dainty ivory mask. Her ripe figure was covered in sheer pink silk though she might as well have been nude. Her feet were bare and she moved with such a regal grace that Jane couldn’t help but envy. Around Kitten’s throat was a golden collar and Dirk carried a leash made of narrow golden links.
Both of them were smiling and calling out to friends as Dirk escorted his wife to a plush couch near the stage. Once he was sure she was settled, Dirk kissed her cheek then took the stage. Raising his hand, he motioned for everyone to quiet down.
“Ladies and gentlemen.” His voice was deep. “I’d like to thank all of you for joining us for this very special occasion. Tonight is my half-brother Antonio’s twenty-ninth birthday.”
A cheer rose from the crowd and the trumpet sounded again. A dark figure entered the ballroom just a few feet from where Jane sat. Her stomach clenched as he moved toward the stage.
He was quite tall like his brother, and he moved with an easy, catlike grace. Clad in black jeans and T-shirt, he was the only person wearing more clothing than she. Dark hair licked at his broad shoulders and he literally oozed testosterone. He had the physique of a man who worked hard for a living, from his wide shoulders and brawny arms down to a narrow waist and the tightest ass Jane ever had the pleasure of gazing upon.
Seducing Jane Porter Page 2
