by Donna Hill
By the time she’d dressed, done her hair and makeup, that dark mood of earlier had dissipated, replaced with a giddy excitement, even as her good senses told her not to make more out of it than it was.
When her doorbell rang at seven on the dot, her stomach actually did the butterfly flutter. She drew in a breath, schooled her expression to cool and opened the door. Hot damn. She sucked in a short breath. There was nothing like a good-looking man in a tux. But this good-looking man took it to the next level. Franklin Grant transformed from simply desirable to must have. His hard-roped frame encased in black was as sexy as it was dangerous. Black-panther sleek, strong, in control, ready to pounce at will.
“Hi,” she managed.
Whatever he expected it wasn’t the woman standing in front of him. Man. This was supposed to be a simple evening out with a colleague who was helping him out as his date. How the hell could it be simple when she looked like that—sexy, classy and edible all at once? That dress, all slingy straps and shimmering black beaded fabric that hugged her waist then flared above her knees showcasing legs, incredible long—wraparound-you legs.
Her soft greeting drew him to her mouth, her eyes. He cleared his throat. “You look...incredible.”
“We both clean up nicely.”
Franklin chuckled. The tight knot in his belly unwound. “You certainly do.” He slipped his hands into the pockets of his tuxedo slacks.
“Thank you. Umm, you have a minute to come in? Just need to get my things.” She stepped aside.
“Sure.” He walked in behind Dina into the front room.
“Be right back.”
He watched her swirl away; the swish of delicate fabric lifted around her knees drawing his eyes back to those dancer legs that begged him to follow. His groin tightened. Trucks, trucks, trucks. He strolled fully into the room. The off-white area gave the impression of space, clean lines, plenty of books, a decent-looking sound system and music collection. The gray sectional dominated the center of the room. What seemed to be missing was anything personal. There were no photos or anything that indicated an extension of herself—family, friends. Nothing out of place, almost too perfect. Did it always look this way or just tonight? Oh, right, she only cleans up because you are coming. Probably because she has no long-term plans to stay here. No point in making a place home if it’s not going to be.
“Ready.”
He turned toward her and once again was awestruck. Dina stood in the doorway and his gaze was magnetically drawn along the soft curves of her body perfectly draped in this crazy black dress that played hide-and-seek with her body and his mind. Was that some kind of halo floating around her? Crazy. “Yes.” He checked his watch to clear his head. “We should get going.”
Dina led the way to the door. Franklin opened it and they stepped out into early evening, that time of year that held on to the light breeze of spring while reaching for the long lazy days of summer, bordering on perfect.
He turned to take her hand as she descended the three steps to the landing. Felt good, holding her hand and seeing the way her eyes seemed to light up when she looked at him. But he had to keep his head on straight, couldn’t get ahead of himself. This was just one night.
Franklin held open the door to the midnight-blue Jaguar and Dina slid onto the butter-soft fabric that gently cupped her like a sweet dream. He got in behind the wheel, turned the key in the ignition; the seat belts slid into place and a whisper of music brushed around them.
“Air or window?” he asked.
“Window is fine. Beautiful night.”
That’s not all. He pressed a button in the armrest and the windows lowered halfway. The distant sound of a siren mixed with car horns, compliments of inner-city living, echoed in the air. They pulled off.
“I’ve heard good things about the MG Empire,” Dina said.
“Really?” He hid a smile.
“The rooms are sleek, totally upscale. The service is top-notch.” She adjusted her black clutch purse on her lap.
“I’ll introduce you to the owner. I’m sure he’d be happy to hear.”
She angled her body toward him. “You know the owner?”
“Yeah.” He chuckled, snatched a look at her then back on the road. “My younger brother Montgomery. You could say he’s into real estate.”
“Wait.” She held up her hand. “MG? That’s a chain of boutique hotels and B and Bs, right? MG... Montgomery Grant. He...your brother owns all of them?”
“Yep.”
“I’m totally impressed.”
Franklin snorted a laugh. “He’ll be happy to hear that, too.”
“So...surgeon, land baron. What does your other brother do?”
“Chef. No. Let me correct that. Celebrity chef.” He chuckled.
“Hmm, celebrity chef.” Her arched brows rose.
“He travels all over cooking for clients. He put the menu together tonight.”
“Your parents must be incredibly proud.”
“We owe a lot to them.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
He made a turn onto Seventeenth Street NW, then headed toward the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
“It’s a short ride into Alexandria,” he said, bearing right onto his entrance to the parkway. “Barring traffic we should get there in about twenty minutes. According to Monty festivities are scheduled to start at eight-thirty. Schmoozing and elbow rubbing first,” he added.
“Owww, schmoozing.” She laughed. “Nothing like a good schmooze to kick off the night.”
He liked the airy sound of her laugh, the way her mouth curved and her eyes squinted. There wasn’t anything that he didn’t like about Dina Hamilton. That was the problem.
The hotel was up ahead. He still hadn’t decided on what charity would benefit from him winning the bet. He couldn’t wait to see Monty and Zo’s faces when he walked in with Dina. They should never bet against him. And as long as he kept it in the back of his mind that this whole night was no more than a business transaction, he would be just fine.
Chapter 14
When they pulled in front of the MG Empire one would have thought it was a premiere for the Hollywood elite. Spotlights posted at the entrance on either side of the red carpet fanned the starlit sky. Six-foot urns overflowed with calla lilies and baby’s breath.
Franklin exited the car, handed off his keys to the valet and came around to help Dina out of the car.
“If this is the prelude to the rest of the evening...” Dina said, stepping out, clearly enjoying the ambiance. She stood inches from his chest, looked into his eyes and smiled.
He lifted his chin. “Definitely went all out,” he said, taking in the scene while guiding Dina along the red carpet. This was the kind of high-end event that put Lindsay on the map. It had her signature all over it. His jaw clenched. But he knew better, Monty and Zo would never hire Lindsay after the way things went down between him and her, no matter how good she was.
“Everything okay?”
Franklin blinked, looked into Dina’s concerned chocolate-brown eyes. “Yes. Fine.”
“Your face got all tight for a minute.”
He brushed aside the observation with a flick of his left brow. “Just wondering about the price tag.”
“Price tag?”
“Monty took care of the venue, travel and room reservations for guests in and out of town. Alonzo handled the menu, liquor and staffing. I foot the bills.”
“Well—” she slid her arm through the bend of his as they crossed the threshold of the hotel “—maybe you need a new profession,” she teased.
Franklin chuckled. “May-be.”
The doors were opened by another red-vested attendant and they were greeted in the sprawling lobby by a hostess carrying a tray of champagne. Franklin took one for himself and another for Dina.
>
“Fan-cy,” she teased.
Franklin touched his glass to hers and took a sip of champagne as they crossed the lobby that had been repurposed into the main reception area. Gone were the patterned, overstuffed couches, chaise lounges and low wood tables. Instead the gray marble floors were topped with waist-high tables draped in heavy white linen tablecloths and scented votive centerpieces. Waitstaff, who looked like they’d been pulled from the pages of Vogue, decked in black and white, moved seamlessly around the room carrying silver trays of mini appetizers of sea scallops, all manner of pâté, oysters on the half shell, Mediterranean vegetables, imported cheeses and sliders.
“They can’t be all family,” Dina said, taking in the sparkling and tuxedoed gathering.
Franklin chuckled, took a sip of his drink, looked around. “A pretty healthy mix. Cousins, aunts, uncles, but mostly friends and former coworkers of my folks. My mother is a member of three or four community organizations. I lost count and she’s a Delta. And my dad is an Alpha man so plenty of frat brothers in place.” He lifted his hand and waved to someone across the room. “Aunt Celeste,” he said under his breath.
“Mother’s or father’s side?”
“Neither. She’s what we call a ‘play auntie.’ One of my mother’s childhood friends.”
Dina smiled. “Ohh. I’ve heard of those.”
“No play aunties in your family?”
She took a sip of her champagne. “No. Can’t say that there were.” A play aunt that loved her because she wanted to rather than had to because of blood may have changed her life and eased the pain. Her aunt Jean was her father’s half sister. Did that make her a half aunt? Jean was still young, barely ten years older than Dina when she took her in. She wasn’t uncaring; it was more that she still wanted to party, not babysit a teenager. For the most part Dina was left on her own. Books, studying became her comfort and her friend. She could trust science. People...debatable.
“There’s my brother.”
Dina blinked, put her smile in place.
“Let me introduce you.” He placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her across the room, stopping every few feet to kiss a cheek or shake a hand.
Dina had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud at the side comments Franklin made about the guests, and to keep her mind off the heat of his hand, resting inches above her ass. He had a raw sense of humor that he hid beneath his cool exterior. This was a whole other side of the impenetrable Dr. Grant. And oh my God was he sexy. Effortless. She squeezed her thighs together.
“There you are.” Monty beamed, set down his glass on the tabletop and stepped up to embrace his brother.
Franklin kept his arm around his brother’s wide shoulder. “Monty, this is my colleague Dr. Dina Hamilton. Dina, my brother Montgomery.”
There could be no doubt that they were related. Montgomery Grant was a younger version of Franklin. They shared the same hot-chocolate complexion, penetrating eyes and intriguing smile. Where Franklin was lean and muscular, Montgomery was thicker, a little broader.
“Pleasure to meet you,” Dina said.
A slow smile lifted the corners of his mouth the same way that Franklin’s did when he was amused. His dark eyes grew inky as he tossed Franklin a quick look. He tipped his head slightly to the side and extended his hand.
“Dr. Hamilton.” His fingers enveloped hers. “I thought you looked familiar. I rarely forget a face.”
“Familiar?”
“The park, a few weeks ago.”
“Oh.” She laughed. “Good eyes.”
“Hmm, need a good eye in my line of work. Glad you could join us.”
“Your hotel is amazing. I’ve heard nothing but good things.”
“Thank you. I aim to please.” He stroked the tapered shadow of his beard, clapped Franklin on the back. “Listen, bro, need to go do my host thing. The folks should arrive about eight.”
“Cool. Where’s Zo?”
“Working his ass off,” he chuckled. “He was here a few minutes ago. Just missed him. He’s supervising all the moving parts.”
Franklin snorted a laugh. “Getting to see baby bro do his thing is worth the price of admission.”
“Speaking of price,” Monty said, “cash or check?” He winked, patted Franklin’s upper arm. “Enjoy the evening, Dr. Hamilton.”
“Dina.”
Monty gave a short nod. “Dina.” He strode off.
Dina sipped her champagne. “Thought you were footing the bills.”
His dark eyes cinched in question.
“Your brother said ‘cash or check.’ I...”
Excited voices cut off any response, and a smattering of applause drew their attention toward the entrance.
In the instant of reprieve, he leaned toward her ear, his lips mere inches away from her bare shoulder. “The guests of honor have arrived.”
Dina turned her head ever so slightly, lifted her chin until they were eye to eye. She moistened her bottom lip with a tiny swipe of her tongue.
Franklin’s jaw tightened. He took her flute of champagne and placed it on the tray of a passing waiter, then possessively placed his arm around her waist. “Come, I’ll introduce you.”
Chapter 15
Franklin and Dina crossed the room, so close that they moved as one. At least that’s how she felt and that made it difficult for her to focus on anything but the feel of his hard body brushing rhythmically against hers, the sensation of his palm on her back, the heady scent of him that made her dizzy with need.
She heard his voice introducing her to this one and that, but nothing fully registered. Her ability to accept and retain information escaped her. Finally they reached his parents.
“Mom, Dad, this is Dr. Dina Hamilton. We work together.”
“So nice to meet you both. Congratulations on your anniversary,” Dina said. “That is a beautiful gown.”
Ellen Grant’s smile was slow before blooming into a beam of light and warmth. She took Dina’s hand and encased it with both of hers. “Dr. Hamilton.” She did a quick assessment. “Thank you so much for coming and the compliment.” She reached out and cupped Franklin’s chin. “She’s perfect for you.”
“Ellen.” Louis Grant gently scolded his wife. He turned eyes identical to Franklin’s on Dina. “Thank you for coming, Dr. Hamilton. You must excuse my wife. She thinks any woman with our elusive Franklin is the one.”
Dina felt Franklin’s body grow rigid. Subtly she rubbed his arm.
“It’s so rare that he brings anyone around.” Ellen sidled next to her son, barely reaching his shoulder. Her champagne-colored gown, embossed with rhinestones, shimmered under the lights of the chandeliers. She placed her delicate hands on the pleats in his white tuxedo shirt. “I want him to be as happy as we are, Louis.” She lifted up on her toes and kissed Franklin’s cheek, then rubbed the coral-colored lipstick away with the pad of her thumb.
Dina watched Franklin’s tense expression relax under his mother’s warmth.
“Are you a surgeon as well?” Louis asked.
She blinked, smiled. “Yes, I am. Specialist. I’m here on fellowship, actually.”
“Where are you from originally?” Ellen asked. She patted her coiffed silver hair that sparkled like the diamonds in her ears.
“California by way of Chicago.”
“Your family must miss you,” Ellen said.
“I think we’ll get a drink before dinner,” Franklin cut in. “Otherwise my mother will grill you until she has your birth weight. Excuse us.”
She snatched a breath of relief. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Grant. Congratulations again.”
“Thank you, dear.” Then she added in a pseudo-whisper, “I do hope we’ll talk again.” Her eyes widened in delight as she was approached by a group of her sorors and was quickly enveloped in hugs a
nd air kisses.
Franklin clasped Dina’s upper arm, steered her away. “Sorry about that,” he said as they walked. “My mother can be a bit much.”
Dina laughed. “No problem. Really. I think she’s wonderful. You have your mother’s smile but you look like your dad. Same eyes, jaw...expression.”
“So I hear.”
“What did your mother mean about you never bringing anyone around?”
“I don’t think she said never.” He stepped up to the U-shaped check-in desk that had been converted into a bar. “Bourbon,” he said to the bartender, then turned to Dina.
“I’ll have an apple martini, please.”
“No. She said ‘rarely,’” Dina said, picking up the conversation. She angled her body to face him. Did his bringing her to something as important as this mean something—anything? Or was she foolishly hoping?
He half shrugged. “Can’t argue with that.” His eyes rolled down her body, then back to settle on her lips that were slightly parted. “I have my reasons. Work is my priority. My research. Most women can’t or won’t deal with that.”
Inwardly she winced. “I’m sure there’s someone...”
The bartender put their drinks in front of them just as the music from the live band stopped.
“If everyone would gather in the main ballroom,” came a voice through the microphones. “Dinner will be served. Please look for your assigned tables. Bon appétit.”
Franklin bent his arm. “Dr. Hamilton,” he gallantly intoned.
She slipped her arm through his, took a quick look at his sculpted chocolate profile and her clit twitched. She wasn’t sure at exactly what moment she’d decided that she was going to sleep with Franklin Grant. What she did know for sure was that the evening was young.
Chapter 16
The banquet hall was located beyond the hotel bar and bank of elevators. The modulated, smiling directions of the staff to the guests were mixed with the click of heels on marble floors, the rustle of silk, satin and tulle, over bursts of musical laughter and deep baritones.
