High Stakes Seduction - Book 5 (8 page)

Now wait a minute.
Sexy
?
Thompson
? What was I thinking?

He could hardly be called handsome in any classic sense, but he had the rugged good looks of a man who took care of himself. A man who stayed physically fit. And there was something underneath that quiet exterior, something my gentle giant didn't let out too often. Something I got to see when Emily was with us. I particularly liked his eyes when they twinkled, which they almost always did with her.

But sexy?
Well, yes, on closer examination I realized it was true. Because it was more than looks that drew me to him. It was his charm, his innate kindness that was so sexy to me.

I thought about the last time we’d been together and how effortlessly he’d lifted me into the back of the limo. His hand had slipped and cupped the side of my breast, sending chills down my spine. Absentmindedly, I touched that same breast now, remembering… Oh my goodness, what was I doing? Having fantasies about a man who had been nothing but kind.

To distract myself, I rolled into the living room to find Angela. "Hey, Sis. Isn't it time for you to start getting ready?" I'd been so focused on myself tonight that I hadn’t given a thought to Angela. I'm sure she would tell me I was just being silly, though.

"Oh yes, that's exactly what I'm doing right now. As soon as I finish brushing my teeth, I'll get my makeup on." She laughed at me.

"Need any help?"

"Oh honey, you're always taking care of me. Tonight is your night to go have some fun, don't worry about me."

The doorbell rang.
Thompson!
I felt a little thrill. On time as always. It was so nice to have someone I could rely on. Someone whose company I enjoyed.
Someone I'd just been having a little fantasy about
. I told my libido to shut up.

"Better get that, Maria. I'm sure your carriage awaits." It was Angela's turn to waggle her eyebrows at me. I had to laugh. It was nice being back on good terms with my sister, not that we were ever on
bad
terms, but things did get strained from time to time.

Angela ran ahead of me to open the door for Thompson. I heard them greeting each other with 'hellos' before I came around the corner and… everything stopped.

Thompson was in mid-sentence, saying something about what nice weather we were expecting tonight. But his words were cut short when he saw me, his mouth open in mid-word, his nostrils flaring, the hands at his sides clenching into fists.

“Wow,” he finally breathed out before gathering himself and transforming back into his professional stoic demeanor before my eyes.

“Wow yourself,” I said and meant it. I was used to seeing him in a black suit but this tux nearly took what little breath I had away. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, his masculine, angular face framed by the white collar of his shirt. What was the word I used for him earlier?
Sexy
. Yes,
he looked sexy indeed
.

"Hello, Miss Maria," he smiled down at me. "You look stunning tonight."

I'm sure I must have blushed at that.

Thompson was always so sweet to me. But he was always so formal, I would love to break him out of that sometime.

"Well, thank you
kind sir
, I could say the same thing about you." I winked at him. That brought a small grin to his face, at least until he wiped it off with feigned seriousness.

"You know," he said, "they'll be expecting us, we should get going."

"Hey you two," Angela called after us. "Go have a great time, and do something fun. That way Maria will have something to tell
me
when she comes home."

Thompson nodded solemnly at Angela. "I'll take good care of her, Miss. I have a feeling it will be a night to remember.”

I swear, that man was too sweet for his own good. Angela followed us onto the porch and leaned down to kiss my cheek. "I hope you enjoy your evening with Antonio," I told her. "I'm sure we'll both have things to share later," I laughed as Thompson wheeled me down the ramp.

At the limousine, he opened the door for me, took me by the hand, and did his little twisty twirly thing that scooped me up and deposited me securely on the back seat. I'm not sure how he did it, but it made me feel as though I was flying, every single time.

"Thank you, Thompson."

"Excited, Miss? This is, indeed, your special night." He grinned at me as he shut the door and went around to the driver's seat after securing the wheelchair in the trunk.

I watched his eyes crinkle at me in the rearview mirror when he started up the car and we drove away from the bungalow. I had no idea what to expect at tonight's showing. My hands were actually shaking a little as I smoothed my dress.

Will the patrons like my paintings?
Hardly anyone outside the family had ever seen them. I mean, Antonio and Gregory thought they were good enough to show, but were they—
really
? I sighed, trying to shut up the yammering doubts spouting from my critical brain.

For the first time in years, I
did
feel special. Truly special. I knew without a doubt, this was something I had worked for, and something I deserved. I sat back in the seat, took a deep breath, told my brain to
Shut UP!
I was determined to enjoy every moment of this night.

I caught Thompson looking at me in the rearview mirror again and I gave him a little wink. He winked back and my breath caught in my throat, my insides clenched with sudden desire. I thought of how easily he picked me up, the tight muscles under his suit. I thought about how close his lips sometimes got to mine. The look in his eyes as he glanced at me, especially when he didn’t know I knew.

Desire spiraled through me as I imagined our first kiss, our first intimate caress, my fingers unbuttoning his shirt and exposing his hard chest. I wondered if he had hair there, and how it would feel to nuzzle my nose in its softness. How his lips would feel on my breast, between my legs.

Legs.

Might as well have been cold water dousing my desire.
How could I even think about the possibility of having sex without the use of my legs?
I had no idea if it would even work. Or what it might feel like. I still had desires sometimes, but I’d never allowed myself to think very far along those lines. Ever since the accident, I was certain I’d die a freakin’ virgin.

“Are you nervous?” Thompson asked, breaking into my thoughts.

I was, but not for the reasons he imagined.

Chapter Twenty-Three

ANTONIO

"I'll just be a moment, please wait here." I stepped out of the taxi and went up the front steps to the bungalow. I rang the doorbell, waiting patiently for Angela to answer.

The door opened promptly, she stood there in the doorway, looking fresh and beautiful as always. It was hard to imagine that she'd come into my life scant months before. I didn't even want to think about what my life would have been like without her.

"Ready?" I asked, smiling at the direction of my thoughts.

"Yes, let me grab my bag. I'll just be a moment." She stepped away briefly and returned just as quickly, pulling the door behind her with a click as the lock settled into place.

"So where are we off to tonight?" she asked as I helped her slide into the taxi.

"There's a fundraiser at the gallery. This one features some new, up-and-coming artists."

She sat back, taking a deep breath. "And tonight… what is my role tonight?"

I grinned at that. I would tell her more later. But for the moment I simply said, "Tonight you are my date."

That seemed to take her by surprise, at least based on the way she looked at me.

"I'm sorry, but this feels more like a royal summons than an invitation."

I turned away, not wanting to appear smug. "You do a great job as my associate. I appreciate that. And you are a loyal employee who I can depend upon. Tonight isn't about either of those. I respect that you didn't have much choice, but I've already promised you, I won't make you enjoy yourself."

Then I turned back and looked directly into her eyes, a tiny grin curling the corner of my lip. "But somehow, I think you will."

Chapter Twenty-Four

ANGELA

"Oh, I remember this place!" I also remembered how uncomfortable I had been the first time I came here. But, surprisingly, all that was different tonight. This time I felt as though I
did
belong, and I belonged here with Antonio.

He held the door for me, extending his hand. I clasped it, and he pulled me smoothly out of the taxi. He leaned forward for a moment, giving the driver our fare, then he turned toward me and held out his arm for me to take.

I remembered the nervous young woman who had accompanied him here the first time. It had not been so long ago, yet so much had changed since then.

"And what's the special attraction tonight? You never did tell me." I looked up at the handsome face beside me, admiring the line of his jaw, my eyes lingering on his sensuous lips. It didn't matter how angry I might be with him, Antonio was still the most attractive man I had ever met. I shivered, thinking of the pleasure he had given me.

"Well, tonight's kind of special. This is a charity fundraiser, featuring a variety of new artists. I think you’ll find it inspiring.”

The elusive Antonio continued to fascinate me. He was successful, powerful, and he had a philanthropic streak. He'd helped Gisele, and Krissy, and now this new and up-and-coming artist. Well, he'd also helped me, giving me the opportunity to develop the Carlo and Poula line, even beyond anything having to do with the mortgage, or Maria's surgery.

I recognized the interior of the gallery, the main lobby area teeming with people dressed in elegant gowns. I hadn't been so sure that I wanted to wear this particular dress. I was reminded of both my experience when Antonio had selected it for me on the cruise, and later going back to the shop to purchase the purple lingerie.

Even thinking about it now made my cheeks grow warm. Not that I regretted it. In fact, it had all definitely worked in my favor. But seriously, the last thing I needed tonight was to be reminded of our intimacy aboard ship.

Chapter Twenty-Five

ANTONIO

She may have been mad at me, but I loved watching Angela's face, the way it lit up as we walked into the gallery. I was enjoying our conversation, while subtly trying to maneuver her toward the Poplar wing and Maria's exhibition. We threaded our way through the people in the main lobby, and grabbed two glasses of champagne from the main table.

"Thank you for joining me tonight, but remember, no having fun!" I handed her one of the glasses.

She shook her head at me, a grin pulling at the corner of her mouth. She was humoring me, of course. I liked that she always seemed willing to forgive me. Lord knows, I'd given her reason enough not to. I was anxious for the day when the need for secrecy was over and I could talk with her freely.

I watched her take a sip of the champagne. She wrinkled her nose slightly, the way she always did when the champagne bubbles hit her nose. I laughed softly.

"So, where do we start?"

"Right here," I said, pointing at the doorway. As we walked through the door, she turned to look at me, her face confused.

"Tony, these look like Maria's paintings," she said. "Oh… wait… what in the world…?"

I stood there grinning like the cat who ate the proverbial canary. I couldn't help myself. I loved the look of amazement on her face. "Would you like to meet the artist?" I asked.

Angela's eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth to speak.

But Maria beat her to it. "Angela!” Rolling up in her wheelchair, Maria grabbed her sister's free hand. “Surprise!”

"Oh Maria! I… oh my goodness… I had no idea."

Maria laughed. “I know… that was the intent.” She took my hand and looked up at her sister. "This is all Antonio's doing—and Thompson's." She smiled over her shoulder at the chauffeur standing nearby.

"I had no idea!" Angela said again, tears filling her eyes. "Oh Sis, I'm so happy for you. Is this why you wanted to know which paintings were my favorites?"

"Yes, I wanted to make sure at least one was hung as part of the show."

"Oh!" Angela's eyes got large as she put her hand to her lips. "You're not going to sell it are you? I mean, I would love for you to sell your paintings, but just not that one."

"I would never!" Maria said. "In fact, it's one of two paintings here that are not for sale. The other is the one I gave Mom on her birthday."

"So where is this favorite painting?" I looked from Angela to Maria and back again. "I'd like to see where your taste in art runs."

"It's in the back there, behind the harpist." Maria pointed toward the back wall.

"No hurry, "Angela said. “Now that we're here." She smiled shyly at me. "You'll have plenty of chance to see what I like."