Tabitha had serious doubts about that as she hung up. "Nick, can you entertain Simi for a little while? I have to go prevent a disaster."
Nick grinned. "Sure, cher. I'll be more than happy to keep Simi company if she doesn't mind."
Simi shook her head. "You know, I really like them blue-eyed people," she said to Tabitha. "They's all quality."
"You two have a good time," Tabitha said as she left them and rushed for Chartres Street.
Valerius was blow-drying his hair when he heard a commotion in his bedroom. It sounded like Gilbert and...
Turning off the dryer, he left the bathroom to find Gilbert trying to pull Tabitha out of his bedroom.
"Forgive me, my lord," Gilbert said as he released Tabitha. "I was coming to let you know you had a visitor when she followed me into your rooms."
Valerius couldn't breathe as he saw the impossible. Tabitha back in his home.
An unexpected happiness consumed him, but he refused to even smile.
"It's all right, Gilbert," he said, amazed at how even his tone was when all he really wanted to do was grin like an imbecile at her. "You may leave us."
Gilbert inclined his head before he obeyed.
Tabitha swallowed at the amazing sight of Valerius wearing nothing but a damp burgundy towel wrapped around his lean hips. It seemed completely incongruous to find him like that. With his imperious air, she would have thought him to have a collection of silk bathrobes or something.
His dark hair was damp and loose, framing a face that was chiseled to perfection.
Wow, he looked good like that. He'd probably look even better naked like he'd been when he jumped out of her bed...
She squelched that thought before it got her into trouble.
"To what do I owe this honor?" he asked.
She smiled. Oh yeah, he was perfect for what she needed... and she didn't even want to contemplate that double entendre.
"I need you dressed." Tabitha paused at the thought. Yeah, right, there was something seriously wrong with a woman who said that to a man this finely made.
"Excuse me?"
"Hurry and dress, then meet me downstairs." She shooed him toward the bed where he had a suit laid out. "Fretta! Fretta!"
Valerius wasn't sure what stunned him more, her wanting him dressed or her speaking Italian.
"Tabitha-"
"Dress!" Without another word, she left his room.
Before he could move, she opened the door and stuck her head back in. "You know, you could have dropped that towel, slowpoke... oh, never mind that thought. Keep your hair down and make sure you wear something really elegant and expensive. Preferably Versace if you have it, but Armani will do, too. And make sure you wear a tie and bring your coat."
Completely baffled and yet oddly curious about her request, he exchanged the suit on his bed for a black Versace silk and wool blend with a black silk shirt and matching silk tie, then opened the door.
Tabitha turned as the door swung open and she felt her mouth go dry. Her jaw dropped.
It wasn't as if she hadn't known he was gorgeous, but...
Oh... my!
It was all she could do to breathe. She'd never seen a man wear a totally black suit before but it was haute couture of the first right. He looked debonair and regal.
Marla was going to die!