Perry is leaning against the bar, waving his arm dramatically as he talks to a group of models with glazed looks in their eyes. He must be talking about software. He’s dead boring to talk to, but his bank account means he still draws in a steady stream of vacant, eager socialites.
“Why did he come to your gala? I thought he hated you.”
“He does, but this is one of the social events of the year, and a lot of his investors are here.”
“Huh.” Her brow furrows in thought. “Well, he’s not with any one particular woman right now, so I wouldn’t be interrupting a date. Maybe I should try to talk to him.”
I laugh. “Good luck with that.”
“Okay,” she says brightly.
She lets go of my hand and makes her way across the room. I watch in dismay. Hasn’t she ever heard of sarcasm? I didn’t mean literally good luck with that. He couldn’t possibly be her type – could he? She deserves so much better than a man who changes girlfriends more often than his underwear.
Winona makes a big show of brushing by him, and flashes her trademark megawatt smile. He smiles back, his eyes widening with interest. Then a group of guys move in front of them, waving at the bartender – and blocking my view.
I turn away, trying to stifle my murderous impulses. Work date. Fake date. Not real.
“Yeah, tell that to my penis,” I mutter to myself.
This earns me a very odd look from a Givenchy-clad social X-ray with a silver up-do, who sidles away quickly and starts whispering in her husband’s ear. Her name escapes me, but I know she writes for the fashion column in a national women’s magazine. Great. Just what I need; a reputation as a pervy weirdo who talks to his schlong in public.
A minute later, Winona’s making her way back towards me.
“Did you get what you needed?” I ask, more sharply than necessary.
She replies with a maddening smile. “Not yet.”
Now what does that mean?
“Our contract says that you’re supposed to be my date.” I sound like a sulky toddler.
“I was very subtle.”
“Not from where I was standing.” I turn away in a mild huff. Neanderthal, much? I chide myself.
“Here, let me make it up to you.” She picks up a mini cannoli from a silver tray. Taking a step closer to me, she holds the cannoli up to my lips.
I lean down and take it, and as I do, I close my lips over her fingers, sucking the tips. She barely stifles a whimper, and I withdraw slowly, staring into her eyes the whole time.
“My turn,” I murmur. I grab one of the cannolis and slide it into her mouth, and the brush of her plump lips makes me lightheaded.
“Delicious.” I husk the word, staring into her eyes. The rest of the room drops away from us. Noise fades. Arousal pulses through me, throbbing with every heartbeat.
I’m so close that I notice everything. The faint hint of bergamot in her perfume, mingling with the sweet scent of her arousal. The little white scar on her forehead. A faint spray of freckles on the bridge of her nose. The look in her eyes, fear and desire at war. It’s like a red flag waved in front of a pawing, snorting bull.
Her cheeks flush. “Umm…”
“Blake! Oh, Blake!”
Ugh. Now? Of course, now – at the worst possible moment. Sloane’s voice is like long, pointy nails dragging across a chalkboard. A very handsome male model trails behind her, another of the Beautiful People I called in to run interference, but she ignores him. Oh well, he tried. Unfortunately, she’s got her sights fixed on a bigger prize. I move closer to Winona, leaning in towards her and brushing her hip with mine.
Sloane stops, a little too close to me, clutching a margarita. She tosses her head to show off the jewelry I unknowingly purchased for her.
“I absolutely adore the earrings and bracelet. You know me so well,” she gushes. She’s smiling so hard it looks painful. She tries to slide between Winona and me. I take a step back away from her and put my arm around Winona’s waist, pulling her tightly to me. She fits snugly, like a puzzle piece sliding into place.
“Oh, no, I had Winona pick them out. I had nothing to do with the selection. In all honesty, she really went way further than I would have liked.” I beam a huge smile down at Winona. “She’s a naturally generous girl.”