Santa Baby (21 page)

‘He’s gorgeous!’ she whispered when Raul was talking to Liam. ‘Is he single?’

‘No idea,’ Tiffany whispered back. ‘But I agree with your first comment.’

‘Get in there is my advice,’ Candy said cheekily.

‘What are you ladies talking about?’ Raul asked.

‘Oh, Candy was just telling me about when her baby’s due,’ Tiffany said quickly, but by the smile on Raul’s face she thought he knew exactly what they’d been talking about.

He then got caught up talking to Liam again and
Candy
wasted no time in firing off questions at Tiffany – she could give Lily-Rose a run for her money!

‘So you had no idea until two months ago that Angel was your sister?’

Tiffany nodded. ‘I know it seems incredible, but it’s true.’

‘And how do you feel about it all?’ She paused. ‘Sorry, I’m dead nosy, you don’t have to answer. I’ve only got a few more weeks before the baby’s due and I’m bored out of my mind! I can’t do any of the things I usually like doing.’

‘She means shopping and going to the gym,’ Liam put in dryly.

Candy pretended to look offended then laughed. ‘Actually I’ve been doing a lot of shopping online – I am a WAG after all, I have to shop, it’s in my DNA – but before you think that’s all I do, I also co-own a children’s clothes boutique.’ She shook back her long blonde hair. ‘I am a businesswoman. I don’t know why Lord Sugar doesn’t ask me to go on
The Apprentice
, I’d be ace at giving advice.’

Eye roll from Liam. ‘You keep buying all the stock from the boutique for the baby, so I don’t exactly think you’re going to be making a profit any time soon.’

‘Ignore him,’ Candy said. ‘He’s got no idea.’ But she smiled lovingly at her husband. Across the table Jez had his arm round Rufus, and everywhere she looked it seemed to Tiffany that she was surrounded by happy couples.

‘Is Candy ever going to stop monopolising you?’ Raul murmured during a brief lull in her stream of conversation. ‘I have many things I want to ask you.’

But he was prevented from asking anything as at that moment Cal stood up, signalling that it was time for him to make a birthday toast. The guests obligingly fell silent.

‘Thanks to everyone for coming tonight. It’s not every day that my wife turns’ – Cal pretend to cough – ‘twenty-nine. She ordered me to say that!’

Tiffany looked over at Angel who was laughing at her husband.

‘Seriously, I am the luckiest man in the world to be married to Angel, who is getting more beautiful with every year that goes by. And this is going to sound corny, but I don’t care – beautiful not just in her looks, but as a person.’ He reached for her hand. ‘I have learned that as long as we’re together, nothing else matters. She is the love of my life and always will be.’ Cal brought her hand to his lips as the guests let out a collective ‘Ahhh.’

Now Tiffany’s gaze strayed to the far corner of the marquee where she saw Sean standing guard. She wondered what he thought when he heard Cal talking about his relationship with Angel. Did he feel that there was something missing from his own life? Or was he immune to such feelings?

‘It’s very romantic, isn’t it?’ Raul whispered. ‘They have such love for each other.’

Tiffany nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak. She still felt bruised by what had happened with Sean. Hearing Cal’s declarations of love, and being surrounded by all these couples, was making her feel insecure and conspicuous – as if she was the only single person there tonight.

Thankfully Cal kept his speech short and sweet and it was then time to raise a toast to the birthday girl. But Angel wanted her say as well. She stood up. ‘You all know that I hate making speeches, I’m rubbish at it, but I wanted to thank Cal for arranging my party … and of course for being the best husband in the world.’ More ‘Ahhhs’ and cheers from the guests, especially when she blew him a kiss. ‘And I also wanted
to
say thanks to my sister Tiffany,’ Angel added, looking over at her. ‘It’s been brilliant getting to know her, and I’m so glad we found each other. So I wanted to give a toast to her.’ She raised her glass. ‘To Tiffany.’

Tiffany could feel herself blushing as some two hundred people all said her name and looked at her. Her blush deepened when Raul whispered, ‘To getting to know the beautiful Tiffany.’

And then the waiting staff marched in with the starters – where Cal’s Italian roots were evident in the choice of prawn and courgette risotto.

‘Lovely, lovely ciabatta!’ Candy declared, looking longingly at the bread basket. She picked up a slice of bread and dipped it in the dish of olive oil. ‘That is one of the many good things about being pregnant, I can eat whatever I like! Hello, carbs! Come to Mamma!’

‘You still look really slim,’ Tiffany replied, taking in her slender arms and neat baby bump.

‘No way! I’m a right porker!’

‘Just don’t get obsessed with losing the baby weight,’ Liam put in. ‘I like you with more curves.’

Eye roll from Candy this time. ‘Men always say that, but I never believe them, do you? We’re going to St Barts after Christmas and I have got to be back in my bikini. I mean,
hello
, do you know any fat WAGs?’ She lowered her voice so only Tiffany heard. ‘I’ve already booked my personal trainer. Six weeks after I’ve had the baby, it’s Bikini Bootcamp for me.’ Candy looked very sweet with her blonde curls and dimples in her cheeks but she clearly had a will of steel.

Raul had been listening. He commented, ‘It’s curves every time for me. No man wants a woman without curves. We Latin men especially.’

Tiffany was aware of him looking at her appreciatively as he spoke and she was sneakily glad that she
had
chosen a dress that showcased her own curves. Across the table Jez witnessed the look and winked knowingly at her. Could he be any more unsubtle!

The conversation then turned to Raul’s racing career as Liam was apparently a huge fan and wanted to know how the season was going.

Raul shrugged. ‘Monte Carlo was good, I came first. But the real test will be Monza in September.’

Tiffany exchanged glances with Candy at the mention of Monte Carlo. It sounded so glamorous!

‘I’ve got an apartment in Monte Carlo. You are all welcome to stay, any time. It’s a good place to relax,’ Raul added. Once more his gaze lingered on Tiffany. Again she fought the urge to laugh. Her last holiday had been a dirt-cheap package to Crete on easy Jet, where she and Kara stayed in a dodgy apartment where the walls were so thin they could hear the lads next door taking a pee. And Kara had freaked when she had found a cockroach under the bed. Somehow Tiffany doubted the budget airline flew to Monte Carlo – people who went there probably chartered their own jets!

‘Or come out to Itay and see me at Monza. I could arrange VIP tickets for all of you to watch the race in September.’

‘That would be awesome, mate!’ Liam exclaimed. Cindy glared at him. In his excitement he had forgotten a certain important date that was coming up.

‘What?’ he asked in all innocence. ‘The shopping is bound to be fantastic there and you love Italian food.’ Thereby digging himself into an even deeper hole.

Somehow Candy managed to say through gritted teeth, ‘You won’t be going anywhere, Liam, as I will be about to give birth to your son! Remember, that life-changing event that’s coming up soon?’

Liam looked slightly shamefaced as he mumbled, ‘Sorry. I knew that.’

While he and Candy had a whispered domestic, Raul said, ‘You should come out, Tiffany, I think you would like it very much.’

She didn’t doubt that for a second, but she didn’t want to seem like the kind of girl who would do anything to go somewhere glamorous. She wasn’t some bimbo free-loader; she had a career. She was an independent woman.

‘It’s nice of you to ask me, Raul, but I don’t have any holiday coming up.’

‘You could just come for a night then.’ He wasn’t going to give up that easily. ‘It’s a very short flight.’

‘I am really very busy,’ Tiffany persisted, enjoying the fact that this divinely handsome man was making a play for her.

Raul narrowed his dark brown eyes. ‘You know what they say? All work and no play is not good for you. You should make time to play, Tiffany.’

Across the table Jez was so obviously eavesdropping on their conversation that Tiffany couldn’t resist drawing him into the conversation. ‘Have you ever been to Monte Carlo, Jez?’

Jez pretended at first that he hadn’t heard her; that he was busy talking to Rufus. He might be an outstanding hairdresser but he was a rubbish actor! Tiffany repeated her question.

‘Monte Carlo? Oh, no!’ Jez exclaimed. ‘But I have absolutely always wanted to go. Have you need of my tonsorial services, Raul?’

He looked a little confused. ‘I am sorry, Jez, but I am straight. Women are my thing. I don’t mean to be rude. Thank you for your offer, I am sure you are very good at … er … administering those … er … services.’

Clearly Raul thought ‘tonsorial’ meant something naughty! And Tiffany thought it was very sweet of him to be so polite.

‘Jez is being a show-off,’ she interpreted. ‘Tonsorial means hairdressing.’

Relief replaced confusion. ‘I thought he was offering to give me a blow job!’

The entire table erupted into raucous laughter. ‘You should be so lucky!’ Jez pouted. ‘I’m a married man! And my lips and heart and everything else belong to him and him alone!’

‘My sincerest apologies.’ Raul bowed his head at Jez and blew him a kiss, much to everyone’s delight.

‘I forgive you,’ Jez declared. ‘So long as I get an invite one day to that Monte Carlo apartment.’

‘Of course. You could always accompany Tiffany when she finally has some free time.’ Raul flashed a smile at her.

Tiffany had started out the night thinking that Raul was nothing more than a
very
pretty face, but she was warming to him more and more. He was funny and warm and generous. And it was absolutely lovely basking in the glow of his attention. He might well be like this with every attractive girl he met, but she didn’t care. It was a much-needed confidence boost. Fleetingly she thought of her last flirtation – with Sean – and how that had ended up. But she shrugged off the memory; she wasn’t going to ruin the evening by negative thoughts.

And so her flirtation with Raul continued over dinner. He wanted to know all about the job she cared so much about, and he told her about his family – he had four elder sisters. No wonder he was so at ease around women. His father was English and he had spent his childhood in the UK before moving to Brazil aged thirteen, when his parents divorced, hence his
impeccable
English. His grandfather had been a famous Brazilian racing driver and had inspired Raul to follow in his footsteps. From the age of seven he had known that he wanted to become a driver too. While Tiffany was no fan of racing, she was attracted by Raul’s obvious passion and commitment to his sport. But she still couldn’t resist teasing him.

‘So it’s true to say that you were very driven?’

‘I
am
very driven. I like to work hard and play hard.’ He looked at her meaningfully. Tiffany just bet he did …

After dinner he leaned closer to her and whispered, ‘I’m bored of being surrounded by all these people. Let’s go and have a drink, just you and me.’

The other guests were also getting up and circulating, while the tables were cleared away for the dancing, so Tiffany figured it was OK. Once again she caught Jez’s eye as she got up, and was rewarded with another wink. Raul put his arm round her as they walked over to the chill-out area of the marquee, where there were bright pink – what else? – velvet sofas to relax on.

‘So your boyfriend won’t mind when you tell him that you talked to me all night?’ Raul asked as they sat down together.

Tiffany shook her head. ‘Actually I don’t have a boyfriend.’

‘How can that be possible?’ he demanded. It was outrageous flirtation, but Tiffany was loving the attention. She smiled.

‘So what about your girlfriend … will she mind?’

Raul shrugged. ‘I don’t have a girlfriend.’

Yeah, right! He probably had several women on the go at once. One for every Grand Prix location.

‘How can that be possible?’ she teased. And was rewarded with a knowing look.

‘I haven’t found the right woman.’ He paused, and his voice seemed to grow huskier when he spoke again. ‘Not until now, maybe.’

Tiffany burst out laughing. ‘You are shameless, Raul! I don’t believe you!’

He pretended to be hurt, but there was a mischievous look in his eyes as he declared, ‘You are trampling over my feelings, Tiffany, breaking my heart!’

‘OK, I’m sorry, I guess that’s not the reaction you normally receive from women.’

‘I think you’ve got the wrong idea about me. You are stereotyping me as a playboy, when really I am a slave to my sport. I practically live like a monk.’ His mouth twitched as if he was trying to contain a smile.

‘Sure you do,’ Tiffany replied, and then they both laughed.

‘You’re like a breath of fresh air,’ Raul declared as he leaned back on the sofa. ‘I’m so bored of women hanging on my every word. You are more of a challenge.’ And he ran his hand lightly down her arm. Even though Tiffany was perfectly aware of what a player he was, she still shivered in anticipation. The man was so gorgeous!

‘Am I?’ she murmured, looking at him from under her lashes. Her most provocative look.

‘I like challenges,’ he replied, and leaning towards her, lightly kissed her on the lips.

He pulled back. ‘Mmm, that was nice, maybe you’re softening towards me.’

Tiffany most certainly was and she realised that she very much wanted him to kiss her again.

Raul checked his watch. A very expensive, diamond-studded watch, she noticed; she imagined everything about Raul was expensive.

‘We could slip away … go back to my place? I am sure your sister wouldn’t mind.’ Now he was giving her
what
she was sure was
his
most provocative stare – his brown eyes seemed to smoulder and she could have sworn his pupils had dilated as if he was mesmerised by her. He’d had so much practice in seducing women, he could probably dilate his pupils to order. He lightly caressed her arm again, and even knowing that she would be just another notch on a very overcrowded bed post, she was still tempted … Bad girl, Tiffany!