Miami Spice

by Deborah Merrell

  Giancarlo Sloan! He looked a bit different in the daylight, but the clothing remained dark and subtle, and his handsome face and muscular build seemed unmistakable. Today he wore a pleated charcoal shirt and blackberry cords; and with his sleeves rolled up, Sloan could show off his lean muscles and the dark silky hair along his arms. A flash of gold caught her attention, and she noticed the filigree chain corded around his neck.

  Maritza, of course, looked lovely in a gingham sundress of mint green to compliment her eyes. Her dark gold hair played around her shoulders like fine gossamer waves. In comparison, Erica felt like a poor relation, her hair up-swept in a loose but careless chignon and her makeup hastily applied. She had almost overslept as her body tried to recoup some lost sleep. Plastering on a friendly smile, she felt her earlobes to make sure Mari’s earrings were still there and then moved forward.

  “Hola, Eriqueta, mi querida!” Maritza rose when she spotted her sister. “Come on over and take a seat! This is Giancarlo Sloan, or Gianni.”

  Rising as well, Mari’s new man in her life extended a welcoming hand. When Erica touched his flesh, she registered the cool, smooth feel of his skin. When their gaze finally met, she tried to see if a flicker of recognition passed over those cool, dusky eyes. Nothing, nada. Erica took a seat at the round patio table.

  “Your sister was telling me a few tidbits about you,” Gianni Sloan began with a show of even white teeth. “She sings your praises as an interior designer. I’ll have to say, I’m quite impressed.”

  Erica picked up her menu. “Well, my sister always likes to point out other people’s good qualities. Of course, we should be complimenting Mari on her new career.”

  The man shifted in his seat and flicked his penetrating gaze to Maritza. “Yes, Mari told me all about her new job. I think it’s quite exciting.” Reaching over, he took Mari’s hand and squeezed lightly, then returned his attention back to Erica. “So, Erica, how long have you been with Prestige Designs?”

  “Prestige by Design,” she emphasized. “Almost seven years.” When their waiter appeared at their table, she gladly gave her drink order.

  “I bet you’ve decorated some very expensive and fantastic homes. Any celebrities?” Gianni Sloan gave Erica another expressive smile while the little diamond stud in his ear winked back at her. She caught a whiff of something fragrant and potent, and soon realized it had to be the man’s piquant cologne instead of the nearby honeysuckles or the tantalizing scent of food.

  “I’m like a doctor,” she answered, “bound ethically to keep my clientele list private.”

  With her eyes quickly averted to her menu, Erica revealed a few of the multi-million homes she had decorated without naming names, including the different looks each client wanted for their homes. She felt relieved when the waiter returned with her iced tea and his pad poised for their orders. Had she been blushing? Erica hoped not, though she felt as if on fire.

  “I think I’ll go for the salmon crepes special,” Maritza proclaimed happily.

  “Make that two.” Sloan nodded in agreement.

  Erica continued to gaze at the words before her, yet the entrees seemed to blur together. “Okay then, make it three.”

  “Very good choice,” the young man agreed and retrieved their menus.

  When Erica went for her tea, she tried to refocus her thoughts. Damn it! Get it together, girl! Handsome men had never thrown her off kilter before, so why now? “Okay, so now you know about the Rael sisters, Gianni. Tell us something about yourself. For instance, your name. Gianni is not a familiar Latino name.”

  He sat back with his legs crossed beneath the table. “My full nom de amour is Giancarlo, and it’s a family name. My job isn’t all that colorful or terribly exciting. I’m an investment broker by day, and a man of exquisite tastes by night.”

  Yeah, I bet you are, tastes that run to the female variety, and a lot of variety at that! Nom de amour, what an affectation!

  “I’m sure you must have your share of wealthy clients.”

  “Lots of retirees with money to invest. Well, not a whole lot. Some people just have small nest eggs, but I manage to invest the money wisely while trying to bring them the best return on the dollar. My parents, for instance. When my dad, Bradford, retired from the university, I helped him set up some accounts and make some investments, and now he and my mother live comfortably in Coral Gables.”

  Suddenly, Erica felt something stroke her ankle; and if she cared to guess, it came from someone’s toe encased in a sock. She jumped back in her chair and managed to spill some of the tea in her lap. What the hell!

  “Are you all right, Eriqueta?” Maritza gazed at her sister with concern.

  “Yes, yes, fine.” Erica immediately tried to dab at the mess with her napkin.

  “Would you like to go to the ladies room with me?”

  “Um, no thanks. Not right now.”

  “Okay then.” As Mari rose, she slipped her hand from Gianni’s, and then hoisted her purse over a bare shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Don’t be too long, guapa,” Gianni cooed in his suave tenor voice.

  “I’ll try not to!” Mari trilled and retreated.

  The moment Erica knew Maritza was out of range, she glared at the man who had taken her sister to bed in just one night. “Look, Mr. Sloan, you might be able to pull that smooth-talking crap with Mari. Far be it from me to tell my sister how to live her life, but it won’t work on me! It didn’t Friday night, and it won’t now!”

  “Whoa! Now wait a minute!” As he straightened, Sloan held up a conciliatory hand. “I didn’t mean any offense! I think we’re getting off on the wrong foot here.”

  You better believe it, buddy, and keep your feet to yourself!

  “I just happen to know,” Erica continued, “that you’re the tenant who lives above me. Now what you and your dates do is none of my concern, but sometimes I can hear all through the vents.”

  “Oh, wow. Look, I’m sorry. I mean, I know you live in the same building. Mari told me that, but I didn’t realize you live directly downstairs.” Gianni Sloan’s face colored slightly with the realization his bedroom antics had not gone unnoticed. “But I hadn’t realized... Well, about Friday night... I had no idea that you and Mari were related until she told me. As far as our proximity, well, that’s just an interesting coincidence.”

  Sighing, Erica sat back, barely mollified. “Yes, I suppose it is.”

  “Can we start over again?” Gianni held out his hand. “I’d like us to be friends, not just for Mari’s sake, but because we do share a space together.”

  Conceding temporarily, she reached over and took his offering. Again, the feel of his skin sent a shiver—if not a warning signal—down her spine.

  “In fact,” he continued, “I’ve been thinking about decorating my place. I haven’t done a thing since I moved in. For one, I haven’t hung any pictures on the walls, and two, half my stuff is still in boxes. I just don’t seem to find the time.”

  What a loaded statement! Erica bit her lip to keep from bursting out with her succinct observations. Of course you don’t have time, buddy boy! You’re always too busy screwing your brains out!

  “Do you want me to look at your apartment and then let you know what I’m willing and able to do?”

  “Yes. I know you’re very capable, and if you give me a quote for your services we could start right away.” He held up a hand again. “Of course, I’m not asking for a special price because I know Mari.”

  “Oh, believe me, I hadn’t planned to give you one.”

  “So, will you consider it?”

  “I think I’d rather refer you to my associate, Sacha Kahlo. He’s a marvelous designer and will help you every step of the way.”

  Gianni Sloan allowed a small moue of disappointment to purse his full lips. “I was hoping you’d be willing to do it.”

  Do what and where? In your bedroom so I can become another notch on your headboard?

  Thankfully, Eric
a’s sister returned, thus sparing her from further comment. The food arrived as well; but before the waiter departed, Gianni requested a bottle of Chablis.

  “I think we should all toast to our good fortune,” he suggested when the waiter left. His hooded gaze flicked from one sister to the other. “To our futures, in career and in love.”

  Maritza glowed with her newfound happiness. “Sounds wonderful! What do you say, querida?”

  Erica forced a smile, if only for her sister’s sake. “Sounds good to me, too.”

  After the wine arrived and they made their toast, Erica concentrated on eating her food, though she had little appetite. Her drink remained untouched. The conversation drifted to a convivial pace, little tidbits and snatches of information. Erica learned Giancarlo Sloan hailed from Connecticut and had learned a little Spanish from his mother who was of Mexican descent. His father, an economics and business professor, had taught at Quinnipiac University in Hamden before his retirement and subsequent move to Miami. Gianni followed his parents and quickly realized that the baby-boomer retirement crowd would make ideal clients for his investment services. After saving some money, he’d recently purchased the condo, glad to move from his former apartment building.

  Maritza took up the Rael family history, with her older sister contributing a few pertinent facts. Finally, thankfully, they finished their lunch, thus giving Erica the impetus to leave gracefully.

  “You sure you don’t want to join us at the beach?” Mari asked with bright eyes. “It’s a perfect day for a swim and then to do some sunbathing. If nothing else, you can ogle the oiled body builders in their Speedos. The beach certainly offers enough of them.”

  Erica politely declined, citing a previous engagement with a client. Not even the enticement of buff, bronzed, semi-nude male bodies could persuade her to join the duo. And as they always said, three’s a crowd.

  “Do you have an appointment with some famous celebrity?” Gianni quipped with a sly laugh. “Aha, that’s why you’re holding out on us!”

  “I’m afraid it’s nothing that exciting.” Erica reached for the bill to pay her share, but Maritza lightly slapped her hand away.

  “Oh no!” she argued. “Gianni is going to pay for lunch, and he won’t take no for an answer, Eriqueta.”

  “It’s my pleasure,” the man agreed, “and I will gladly pay the price to bask in the company of two of the most charming ladies I know...and beautiful sisters to boot!”

  Oh, brother! Erica felt her lunch try to work itself back up as Maritza giggled in appreciation of her new lover’s captivating wit. As soon as possible, she made her quick exit, though instead of going directly home, Erica decided to take in a matinée, a movie she wanted to see. It would not only pass the time but certainly deflect her thoughts from the truly disgusting to the truly romantically funny. At the very least she hoped the movie would keep her mind off of Gianni Sloan.

  Chapter Four

  Monday morning could not come soon enough. Erica felt much better back behind her drafting board. In fact, she felt so grateful to be back at work, she bought everyone cappuccinos.

  “Still high from Friday night?” Sacha’s comment came with a wily smirk. “Me? I had a wonderful weekend with the most fantastic man of my dreams!”

  “So, what’s the scoop with your kid sis?” Tai asked after she brought back the coffees on the designer’s dime.

  “What do you mean?” Erica asked with a slight frown.

  “I mean, what’s her story? She certainly seemed on the prowl after being caged up for a while, willingly or not.”

  Erica laughed. “You saw all that?”

  “I know the look.” Tai winked. “A gal out of circulation for some time wants to spread her wings and get a taste of the available man meat out there. To me, she definitely hungered for a chunk of the hunks.”

  Erica gave her a brief history, though kept Gianni Sloan out of the picture. Tai didn’t need to know her own former one-night stand had taken up with a member of Erica’s family. “Maritza married an extremely handsome and wealthy real-estate developer. Unfortunately he turned out to be abusive, not physically, but emotionally and mentally. Ricardo wanted to control everything she did. Finally Mari felt strong enough to say she’d had enough, and then filed for divorce.”

  After taking a quick sip of her coffee, Erica continued. “That was almost two years ago. It’s taken all this time to straighten out who got what. Luckily, Mari has a good lawyer, and she receives a decent enough alimony check every month. Oh, and she told Ricky to keep their multi-million dollar house and all the furnishings for posterity. He just might find another unlucky woman who wants him for his bucks and not his tight-ass personality.”

  Erica was spared providing further elucidation by the return of Sacha from the outer offices, a bit flushed and excited as he hurried to make his announcement. “There’s a man here to see you, Rica! He says he knows he doesn’t have an appointment, but he hopes you’ll see him.” Lowering his voice, the wiry designer leaned over his work table. “You gotta go for it, girlfriend, ‘cause this guy is a primo hunk! Maybe he’s your knight in shining armor at last!”

  “Oh, this I gotta see!” Tai chimed in, and soon followed her colleague. With a determined gait, Erica headed for the front where the office assistant kept her desk. The area also featured a comfortable seating arrangement and provided sample books with eight-by-ten photos of Prestige by Design’s best work.

  When they spied their visitor, both women did an abrupt halt in the doorway. Gianni Sloan stood before them, idly looking about the office. Erica gave him a firm perusal, and he seemed different today. The man had slicked his hair back, and now it fell along his collar it sleek jet waves. He also wore a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, as well as a crisp linen suit in a wheat hue. The polo shirt beneath gave a hint of plum color, and his tasseled loafers appeared to be of the expensive Italian variety in nice, polished leather.

  As soon as he spied the women, he stepped forward and extended his hand. “Hello, there. I’m Adriano Sloan, but I prefer to go by Nico. I’m also Giancarlo Sloan’s twin brother. I believe you know him.”

  Erica’s jaw drop. A quick glance at Tai confirmed the office assistant did the same, her mouth stretched in an oval of surprise. She quickly recovered and shook the man’s hand. It, too, felt cool and smooth.

  “How very nice to meet you, Mr. Sloan. Gianni didn’t mention you, although, I haven’t spoken to your brother at length.”

  Nico Sloan offered a pleasant, well-meaning smile. “Just as well. Gianni and I don’t get along very well. I’m in town visiting our parents, and I was wondering, Ms. Rael, if you had some time to give me.”

  “Please, call me Erica.” She felt her heart rev up. A twin brother! For some odd reason, she hoped he was nothing like his sibling.

  “Would you like something to drink, Mr. Sloan?” This came from Tai, who had moved behind her sleek, glass-topped desk. “A bottle of water? Coffee?”

  —or Tai or me? Despite herself, Erica smirked when she spied the definite interest in the assistant’s face.

  “No, thank you. Please, you both must call me Nico.” He bent closer to speak to Erica. “I was wondering if I could take you to lunch.”

  Glancing at the wall clock, she realized it barely registered ten. “Well, it’s awfully early for lunch.”

  “Coffee then. I promise not to take up too much of your valuable time.”

  How could she refuse? Excusing herself for a moment, Erica ran to the back room for her purse, and then did a quick touch-up with her lipstick.

  “Oh, oh, someone is out on the prowl,” Sacha observed with a little purr. “What’s he like, this mystery man?”

  With a sweet smile, Erica started back to her guest. “Darling, I’ll tell you all about it later.”

  They ended up at the bookstore and coffee bar around the corner.

  “If we’re here on business,” Erica offered, “then allow me to pick up the tab.”

 
Nico gave her a serious look. “Actually it is. I’d like to discuss a possible design job.”

  “Well, have a seat and I’ll get back to you.”

  After Erica requested and paid for his latte and her Italian soda, she joined him at a table towards the back. “Now then, what can I do for you?”

  “I really don’t know where to start,” Nico stated with a sheepish look. “I know Gianni is your upstairs neighbor. He did tell me he’s seeing your sister, and that you and he seemed to have gotten off to a rocky start, a misunderstanding of sorts.”

  “I found your brother just a tad forward.”

  “Gianni is like that. Throughout our lives, he’s been the outgoing, charming one, and I’ve always been the more reticent, introverted sibling.”

  Though his narrative piqued her interest, Erica wanted to remain all business. “Did your brother send you to pitch hit for him? I suppose he wants me to look at his apartment and offer my services.”

  “Yes and no.” Nico lowered his eyes to a subdued level. She noted the long, thick lashes, which gave him a rather sexy quality in a subtle sort of way. Did his brother possess any such modest qualities? Erica couldn’t remember if Gianni Sloan had a modest bone in his slick body.

  “He could have come to your office,” Nico continued, “and requested another designer, but he’s so sure you’d be the one to understand what he has in mind. He thought I might be able to smooth the waters so to speak.”

  Erica’s brows rose. “And you agreed to try and persuade me on his behalf. I thought you said you and Gianni aren’t on the best of terms.”

  “Yes and no, again.” The twin cleared his throat. “We agree on some matters, and I decided to help him out this time because he really believes you would be the best designer for his space. I think so, too, even though I don’t know much about you. So, I went online and found an article about you in an architectural digest. The writer certainly sung your praises. You’ve also won a couple of design awards.”