by C. D. Gill
Waiters with strange creations on their platters worked the room so the guests wouldn’t have to inconvenience themselves with fixing a plate in front of others. They all pretended they loved eating their appetizers in bite-sized quantities. Xander didn’t care what other people thought though, so he piled two plates high and met Gia on the back balcony overlooking the manicured gardens and beyond the walls the Ramswoon Golf Course so she wouldn’t have to be seen stuffing her face in public. Twenty minutes of brushing shoulders with other humans had his head pulsing its own painful rhythm and fresh air and food were the quickest remedy.
“Do you think people actually really enjoy themselves at these things?” Xander said.
Gia swallowed her bite and grinned. “Ma adores societal events. It is her scene. If a party involves unpronounceable food and expensive drinks, she wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“So how’d you turn out to be as laid-back as you are?”
“By the grace of God is how I see it.” Gia dabbed her lips with her napkin and set her plate on an unoccupied table. “Ready to dance?”
Xander placed his plate next to her. “Are you worried about impressing anyone in particular?”
Her brow scrunched as she studied him down her nose. “Not at all.” He grabbed her hand.
“Then let’s see what kind of fools we can make of ourselves tonight.”
Gia’s giggle lightened his spirit. For the next two hours, they attempted to dance to every style of song that played. Of course, Gia had ballroom dancing training so she moved with the elegance of a ballerina while he stumbled to follow her lead. She didn’t mind. They laughed and smiled until it hurt, then they laughed some more. Breathless and sweaty after a quick-step dance, Xander accompanied Gia to the drinks table where carafes of water contained a floating slice of every citrus imaginable.
Xander poured two glasses and handed one to Gia. “They should call this a fruit medley instead of water.”
Gia’s eyes gleamed. “It’s all the rage to infuse your water with some type of plant or fruit. Heaven forbid the movers and shakers are forced to taste the water of the simple people.”
He raised his glass to that and drained his cup.
“Alexander Reinerman, is that you?”
Xander lowered his glass and froze with his back to the speaker. He clutched his glass lifeline and pasted a smile on his face as he turned to face the obnoxious drunk who called him out. Dillard Arand. How appropriate that he’d be attending an event of this caliber, given his palm-greasing habits that he hoped would get him Attorney General someday.
“My easiest courtroom win to date.” Dillard moved in to slap Xander on the back which Xander dodged. Instead Xander inclined his head toward Gia and motioned to Dillard.
“Gia, this is Attorney Dillard Arand. Dillard, this is my date Gia Carter who is a fabulous architect and runs a local nonprofit.”
Dillard’s flushed cheeks worked like a drinking gauge—the redder the cheeks the more soused he was—which is why Xander prayed to God the next words out of his mouth were polite. “Alex, where’s your police escort?” Dillard bent over and stumbled forward as he grabbed onto Xander’s pant leg. “Do they have you on an ankle bracelet or something?” His hyena laugh echoed around the room drawing unwanted attention. People were stopping their conversations to listen.
Time to leave. With his palm grasping Gia’s elbow, he ushered her away from Dillard.
“What? Now you think you can walk away from me?” Dillard’s volume escalated to shouting although music from the other room was really the only white noise. All eyes were on them. “Does your date know you’re a felon? That you drug others without their consent?”
The words sucker-punched Xander harder than he’d anticipated, shortening his breaths. His mind whirled as glares and looks of disgust shot toward them. After they made their point, onlookers turned their backs as if they didn’t see anything. Men in dark suits with ear pieces and gun holsters sped-walked past them to get the situation under control. Maybe they’d throw Dillard into a cab and make the night better for everyone. Gia didn’t deserve this after all her hard work to get into the senator’s good graces.
As security corralled Dillard, Gia’s arm snaked around Xander’s waist and led him outside. The cool air soothed the poison Lady A had set free in his veins. Gia walked across the deck and down the stairs into the garden, then onto a paved pathway that ran beside the course. A small lit building sat off to the side. Gia stopped next to two rows of golf carts that sat in front of the building.
“Pick one.” She spread out her hands as if offering him the world. “Choose carefully. You don’t get any trades.”
Xander strolled to a green and white cart two from the end, identical to the other twenty sitting next to it, and laid his hand on the top.
Gia curtsied. “Good choice, sir. I’ll claim this one as my trusty steed.” She swept her dress off the ground as she sat in a cart seat. “Start yours and meet me on the grass.”
After glancing around for security or cameras, he loosened his bow tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. Whatever she was planning, he liked it. Xander picked one and started his electric cart. Gia’s cart waited in the middle of the fairway, so he aligned the nose of his cart with hers.
“Is this what it’s come to after the horrible month we’ve had? Are we stealing carts?”
Gia grinned, happiness bursting from her face. “We’ll return them when we’re good and ready.” She waved a hand toward the rows of carts. “They won’t miss two. Besides it’s dark out here, I doubt anyone can see us.”
That very thought had gotten Xander into enough trouble in his lifetime, but he was more than willing to let Gia reassure him of it. Getting busted with her beat almost any consequences this brought. Cart racing in the dark was better than acknowledging that his worst fear of the night had come to life. Once again life saw fit to toss him flat on his face in front of Gia and every rich person in the state of Colorado.
“We’ll race to the flag, circle around it and come back. First one to return to the building wins,” Gia said.
The glow from the house didn’t cast light far enough to illuminate the flag. It was out there somewhere.
“What’s the winner’s prize?” Xander tugged off his tux jacket and smashed it between his back and the seat.
Gia hummed. “Whatever you ask within reason. Deal?”
Oh, it was on. “Ready?”
“Set.”
“Go,” Xander said, smashing his pedal to the floor. His little cart jolted and bumped as it picked up speed downhill. Gia’s cart edged next to his and swerved toward his bumper. He jerked away. “This is not bumper cars. I’ve already been in a wreck this week, thanks.”
She flicked her wrist at his shout and hunched over her wheel. Her gorgeous hair loosening from its hold and flowing in the wind. What a picture she made speeding along in her cart in her green dress and heels, her eyes sparkling as she laughed like a little girl twirling on a tire swing. It was pure freedom and joy. Not far ahead, the faint outline of a checkered flag came into view. His cart hopped onto the green and he pumped the pedal, willing his cart to go faster. His cart whirled around the flag with his front bumper just shy of Gia’s back bumper. Weight advantages were no joke on these things.
Gia glanced back laughing which turned to shrieking as her cart nosedived into a sandpit that came out of nowhere. Xander swerved toward the middle of the course, managing to steer clear. He circled to the other side of the pit and peered down as her cart came barreling out and bumped into his. The cart tumbled sideways, tossing him into the grass. He lay still as a giggling Gia drove up beside him and stopped. She gasped when he didn’t move and came to his side.
“Xander. Oh my gosh. Xander, are you okay? I’m so sorry.” Her fingers pressed against his throat. He seized her hand, pulling her down on top of him. The attack provoked a squeal. Weak punches and kicks knocked into him as Xander stood and tossed Gia over
his shoulder.
“Where are we going? Put me down. You’re cheating, you jerk. This is not fair.”
Xander strode on. He stopped and swung her into a cradle position in his arms. When she saw they were on the edge of the lake, her thrashing campaign renewed.
“Do you want me to drop you into the water? My ribs are very tender.” Xander chuckled. This was the ultimate justice for her cart wreck. Gia froze. Her eyes were huge in the dark.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his chest. “Please don’t. You win. Whatever you want. You win.”
But that wasn’t enough. Xander slipped off his shoes and took the risk of a lifetime by wading into the knee-deep water. Gia practically wrapped her body around his neck like a scarf, laughing and hurling threats. Xander dislodged her and lowered her toward the water, butt first.
“Hope you don’t mind your dress getting wet,” Xander said.
“Don’t you dare, Alexander Reinerman. If that water touches me, you will no longer be welcome over my garage.”
Xander laughed. At this moment, she had no idea how little she scared him. She was so beautiful. Lower and lower he bent until she hovered a fraction above the water. Dipping her head back, the tip of Gia’s hair almost skimmed the water’s surface. Raising her head, she stared at him with her mouth open, mere inches from his face.
“You are so crazy,” she said on a whisper.
His eyes locked on her parted lips, a breath away. Would she kill him if he stole a taste? It’d be worth it. Xander claimed her soft lips with his. Her arms tugged him closer as her body relaxed into his kiss, the world around them forgotten. Her scent, her touch, her taste. It was everything he’d imagined it would be.
Warmth flooded his chest. He broke off their kiss, sloshed onto the green, and set her on her feet in front of him. One arm wrapped her small frame. The other cradled her neck as he covered her mouth with his again. The dance of passion became a sweet tango that erased all boundaries. Breathless, he moved his lips to her cheek.
Gia smiled at him, brushing her fingers through the hair on the back of his head. “Thank you for not dropping me in the water.”
“Thank you for surrendering.”
Her eyebrows arched in humor. The retort appeared to be on the tip of her tongue, but she said nothing as she framed his face with her soft hands. “I like you a lot, Xander. You aren’t who the press says you are. You aren’t who the government says you are. You are selfless and caring and kind. You’re a fighter and a peacemaker. You’re humble and confident. You’re adventurous and cautious. And when we find out who set you up, the rest of the world will see what an amazing guy you are.”
A lump thickened in his throat. He searched her gaze for a hint of insincerity but found none. She was probably the one person in the world who believed her words right now. “You said ‘we’.” He leaned in for another kiss and then strode to his cart to right it from the crash. When he had it upright, he grabbed his shoes, started the cart, and glanced over his shoulder with a grin. “Race you back.”
Gia’s cart rattled along next to his. At the building, they parked in the original spaces. He pushed his wet feet into his shoes, yanked his jacket on to cover his grass-stained white shirt, and hopped out. After she slid out of the cart, Xander grabbed Gia’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm as they strolled toward the house. Strands of her hair cascaded around her face in a haphazard fashion. His trousers were soaked to the knee. They were in rare form but happy.
“Are you ready to be done for the night?” Xander said.
She brushed the hair from her eyes and smiled at him. “Best ball ever.”
Xander laughed.
A movement to his left caught his eye. A glimpse of pale skin flashed in the dark. The frame of a man vanished into the trees. Someone had been watching them.
Chapter 22
The stroll through the ball to the front staircase wasn’t much of a walk of shame due to Xander’s soaked pantlegs, because no one paid them any attention. Gia didn’t care anyway.
Xander had kissed her.
Twice.
With a steamy passion level eight kiss. There was no bringing her off this high, not even when Senator Johnson intersected them at the door.
“Ms. Carter, I’m so glad you could make it to our little get-together. I’ve been looking for you both to apologize about Mr. Arand’s attack on your friend.” Senator Johnson stuck his hand out and shook Xander’s. Sincerity was one of the things she appreciated most about Senator Johnson. “I’ve asked Mr. Arand to issue you an apology as well, but that may have to wait until morning when he’s sober. I’m sure he’ll be horrified at his behavior when he recalls this evening’s events.”
Gia doubted Dillard Arand had a shred of decency in his body, much less the ability (regardless of his sobriety) to be horrified for what he said to Xander. He seemed like one of those guys who stepped on everyone less fortunate than him and wondered rhetorically what the lower classes were doing while he soaked in the luxury.
“Thank you, Senator, but that won’t be necessary. We’ve already moved past it, so making a big deal of it would only rekindle hurt feelings,” Gia said.
Senator Johnson nodded and hugged Gia. “I’m sorry it happened under my watch. I’ll make it up to you both.”
Normally, this kind of promise would have her scheming and trying to keep her excitement looking nonchalant, but under the circumstances she wanted nothing more than to leave and continue what Xander had started.
With a promise to call, Senator left to shake more hands. They escaped down the front stairs. The valet snagged their keys from his board and sprinted to get the car.
Xander weaved his fingers between hers. “I hope tonight wasn’t an embarrassment for you.”
His big hand engulfed hers, lending her his warmth. The contact sent electric currents across her skin. “Are you kidding? That’s the most fun I’ve ever had at one of those things. And it was thanks to you.” She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for tolerating a stuffy dress-up party.”
The side of Xander’s mouth quirked as he winked. “Hard to pass on free dinner, dancing, and golf cart racing.” His soft lips brushed against hers. The sound of a car arriving in front of them interrupted the moment. Xander helped her into the passenger’s side and ducked into the driver’s seat. As he drove, he reached for her hand and linked his fingers with hers again. They sat in comfortable silence on the way home.
With the car parked in the garage, Xander walked Gia to the door. She’d never done this part before. This was his home, too. Did she invite him in? Did she leave him at the door? She oscillated for a few seconds and opened her mouth to say goodnight, but Xander moved in and kissed her again. His hands cupping her head.
It was perfection, kissing him. A far cry from the last goodnight kiss she had at this door. Certainly, enough to erase the bad memories. She leaned her forehead against his.
“Good night, Xander. Thank you for a fantastic time.” At that, she opened the door and strode in, stopping long enough to bolt the locks. From the kitchen, she watched through the sheer curtains as he stood on the other side of the door grinning for a few moments before heading to his room.
*****
The next morning, an early call on her cell phone awoke her. The name didn’t register but she answered anyway.
“Gia, good morning. This is Detective James. I’m calling to update you on your case. We’ve been working very hard to find the person that set your house on fire and we believe we have a lead from an outspoken racist in the area.”
“Detective, respectfully, I don’t think this was racism. It felt more personal than that.”
“Well, Ms. Carter, I’m going off a little more than a feeling here.” He couldn’t go into detail on an open case. Naturally. But sounded very sure that they were hot on the tail of the offender.
Gia hung up without sharing his assurance. Without a further thought, she dialed the one person
that could get her answers.
“Giovanna Sophia, it’s been too long.” A deep voice rumbled into the phone. Why did everyone make it sound like she never checked in? She clearly needed to call more often.
“Daddy, I’ve missed you. I’ll start calling more.” She paused. “I have been trying so hard to make a fresh start for myself and I’m so afraid that if I call too often, I’ll end up running back home and…” A sigh escaped her lips.
“You had to make your own way in the world. We know that,” Daddy said. “And we supported it wholeheartedly. You chose what was right for you even if it does seem a little like self-imposed exile.”
“I’m trying not to blame myself for Uncle Angelo’s death anymore.”
“That’s a big step, baby girl. It’s about time you forgave yourself.”
Yes, it was. And she’d spend the rest of her life learning how to do that. “I just got off the phone with the detective. He thinks the guy who tried to burn down my house was a white supremacist.”
Daddy snorted. “Although not out of the question, that’s low-hanging fruit. Sounds like a lazy detective.”
Gia grinned. “That’s why I call you, Daddy, for perspective.”
His chuckle was a splash of water for Gia’s thirsty soul. There was no bond on earth like hers and Daddy. His black hair, browned skin, and chocolate eyes were her favorite features, of which she inherited his smile and his eyes. She missed their heart-to-heart talks, asking him for advice and listening to his stories, and how he always had a solution for her every problem. “I’ll look into it for you and tell you what I find.”
“You’re the best.”
“Giovanna, Senator Johnson called me this morning to make sure I knew how sorry he was that a Mr. Arand was horrifyingly rude to your guest. Alexander, was it?”