“Save those kisses for later.” He winked.
The elevator arrived at her floor. They stepped off and walked down the hallway arm in arm.
The apartment was dark, so Lark flicked on the light switch near the front door. “Come on in and have a seat. I need to take a quick shower. I’ll be right back,” she said, heading off toward the master suite.
While Lark was in the bathroom, Dash went into the linen closet, found a cashmere blanket and took it off the shelf. He returned to the living room and spread the soft blanket atop the chocolate-brown suede rug.
He then went into the kitchen and sliced the cantaloupe. He found dishes, silverware and glasses for their living room picnic. With his arms full, Dash rushed back to the living room, spread out the dishes and took the contents out of the basket. He opened a bottle of red wine and poured two glasses. He leaned his back against one of the white leather sofas, sipped his wine and waited for Lark. Although Dash had had a full day, he felt reenergized now that he and Lark were together. And the last thing on his mind at the moment was sleep.
“What have we here?”
Dash looked up and nearly gasped. Lark was wearing a red lace teddy with a neckline that plunged down to her belly button. Her nipples were poking through the sheer fabric and he could see the outline of her neatly shaven triangle. “You look good enough to eat. Come, sit down.” He reached for her hand.
“Aw, this is exactly like what we ate on our romantic picnic on the hill,” she commented, noticing the food.
“Yep, all except for the olive tapenade. Since we can’t go back to Italy at the moment, I thought I’d bring Italy to us. We’ve both been working around the clock these past few days and I wanted to carve out a little time just for us.” Dash cut a thin slice of Pecorino Romano and fed it to Lark. He let his fingers linger in her mouth as she took the cheese.
“Hmm, that’s good.”
“Here, try the focaccia.” He broke off a piece of bread and fed it to her.
“Wow, that’s so fresh. I love black olives. This picnic was such a good idea. I feel totally relaxed. What other goodies do you have?”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Dash picked up a piece of prosciutto. He glanced down at the plate, looking for the cantaloupe. “Oh, I left the melon in the kitchen on the counter,” Dash said.
“Don’t bother. I’ve got two melons right here.”
He watched as Lark took hold of her breasts and jiggled them. Dash reached out, replaced her hands with his and moved the material from around her breasts. He took his hands away and admired her breasts.
“You’ve got the best-looking nipples. They’re not too big or too small. They’re the perfect mouthful.” Dash moved closer, leaned down and licked her nipples. The right one and then the left one. He trailed his tongue between her breasts and kissed her tender skin.
“That feels good,” Lark said, lying down on the blanket.
Dash kissed Lark on the lips, then lay next to her and wrapped her in his arms.
“I’m in love with you, Lark Randolph.”
“Like Patrick Swayze said in Ghost, ‘Ditto.’”
“‘Ditto’?”
“Just kidding. I love you, too, Dash Migilio.” Lark wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately.
That night, after making love more than once, they didn’t bother moving to the bedroom; both were too exhausted to budge. They rested like two lovebirds nestled together in their own world.
Their bliss barely lasted eight hours. The next morning, instead of basking in the afterglow, Lark was on the phone with her assistant. Angelica had called Lark at home with some disturbing news.
“What do you mean all the models have been booked? Didn’t you tell the agency we use those girls at every show?”
“Of course I did, but the agency said there’s nothing they can do at such a short notice,” Angelica responded.
“Let me call them and see what I can do,” Lark said, and she hung up.
“What’s going on? I could hear you yelling all the way in the bathroom,” Dash said. He came into the kitchen, where Lark sat at the counter in her bathrobe.
“The models I normally use for the show have been booked. I’m calling the agency now to see what’s going on.” Lark punched buttons on her phone.
“Good morning, The Bella Agency.”
“This is Lark Randolph. Is Bella in?”
“Hold on, please.”
A few seconds later, the owner of the agency, whom Lark had known for years, was on the line. “Ciao, Lark. How are you?”
“Not good, Bella. I’m trying to book my models for the show and I’ve been told they’re not available. I know it’s last-minute, but you always put the same girls on hold for me. What happened?”
“Sebastian called and said RR wasn’t presenting a collection during fashion week, so I released the girls.”
“HE DID WHAT?”
“Didn’t he tell you?” Bella asked.
“Sebastian is no longer employed with RR, and he has no say in what goes on with my company!”
“Oh. I didn’t know.”
Lark held the phone for a second. “Yes, I’m sure he didn’t bother to volunteer that information.”
“I wish I could help, Lark, but the only girls I have available are print models with no runway experience.”
“No worries, Bella. Listen, I’ve gotta run. ’Bye.”
“What’s happened now?” Dash asked.
“That SOB Sebastian called the agency and had them release the models for my show.”
“You’ve got to be kidding!”
“I wish I were. The show is in two days. What am I going to do now?” Lark paused for a few moments. “Wait a minute...all is not lost. I have a good friend in Milan who has a modeling agency. He only has the crème de la crème. His models are all seasoned and can work a runway like Naomi Campbell. I’ll call him and have a stable of girls flown over.”
“Brilliant idea. Don’t worry about the cost. Even if you have to pay an extra fee for the last-minute booking, it’ll be worth having experienced models on the runway.”
“Thanks, baby. You are the absolute best!”
“Anything for you, Lark.”
“Let me shower. I want to get to the warehouse as soon as possible. The clock is ticking and we have a gazillion more things to do before the big day,” she said, hopping off the stool and heading toward the master suite.
As Dash made himself a cup of coffee, he thought about Sebastian. The dude is relentless. He has to be stopped once and for all.
Chapter 27
The engraved invitations to Randolph on the Runway’s spring/summer show had been personally delivered by messenger—a touch she thought would set RR’s show apart from the masses—to the fashion editors at the leading newspapers and magazines, buyers at the major retailers, a handful of fashion-forward celebrities who were fixtures at the shows, and Park Avenue socialites. Lark had spared no expense with the preparations. She had hired a world-renowned set designer who had created a Cirque du Soleil−type stage with colorful drapery and whimsical props. The music was to be a mixture of Caribbean and African beats laced with bebop. Lark wanted their show to have a lasting effect—to create a buzz long after the lights dimmed and the guests departed.
The big day had finally arrived and Lark was filled with the excitement of an expectant mother. She, Darcy, Dash and their staff had labored intensely over the collection, working double-time in order to pull off the impossible. This collection of clothing had a special meaning for Lark. As the years passed, she could always remember this new line as the catalyst that brought her and Dash together. Although she had faced many challenges—from finding a silk manufacturer at the last minute, to re-creating an entire new line with
little time to spare—she couldn’t change a thing. This was her baby, and the time had arrived for the big reveal.
Fashion week was in full swing with massive white tents erected at Lincoln Center. The entire outdoor area had been completely transformed into a fashion oasis. Stylish guests were swarming about like busy bees before making their way inside the designated tents. Some members of the press remained camped outside, while others went inside to report on the various shows. Randolph on the Runway’s tent was sandwiched between designers Nanette Lepore and Vivienne Tam, two heavy hitters in the industry. RR was in good company, and Lark felt great about their positioning.
Backstage at Randolph on the Runway was organized chaos. There was a frenzy of activity with models, wardrobe stylists, hairstylists, makeup artists, designers, assistants and photographers frantically toiling away before the proverbial curtain went up and the show began. Some of the models Lark had flown in from Milan were sitting in director’s chairs getting their faces painted and their hair teased. The others were being fussed over by stylists who were fitting them for the first scene. Lark’s friend in Milan had come through for her. Not only had he sent his best models, but he also hadn’t charged her an outrageous fee. Lark was beyond pleased with the models, who were of various races.
“The waist on that dress should be cinched in more,” Lark told Loghan, the stylist.
“Like this?” Loghan asked, pulling fabric from the back.
“Yes, that’s much better. You can see the silhouette of the garment better.”
Loghan took a couple of pins from a tiny cushion on her wrist and quickly made the adjustment.
Lark inspected the other models, giving her approval, before moving on to the racks of clothing to take one last look at the collection. She removed one of the dresses and held it high in the air, visually inspecting the piece.
“Looks good and so do you,” Dash said, coming up behind her.
Lark wore a black pantsuit, sans blouse, from the collection. The two-button jacket was cropped at the waist, and the pant leg flared dramatically. She wore a triple strand of pearls around her neck. Her hair was gelled back behind her ears and she wore a pair of black cat-eye glasses. Her look was edgy yet sexy.
Lark turned the garment around to the back. “You think so?”
“Absolutely. The way the fabric is ruched along the right side will expose the leg all the way up to the thigh, giving a dramatic presentation as the model struts down the catwalk.”
Lark exhaled, releasing a breath of tension. “You’re right. I don’t know why I’m second-guessing myself. Even if I didn’t like the gathering effect of the material, there’s little I can do about it now.”
“If you really hated it, we could cut it off and make the maxi dress into a mini.”
“That’s why I love you. You’re full of fabulous ideas.”
“That’s the only reason?” Dash asked with a naughty glint in his eyes.
Lark couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes...that, too.” She took in Dash’s appearance. He wore a white shirt and a tailored black suit that fit his body to perfection. The legs of the pants were slim and the jacket hugged his shoulders. Lark’s mind flashed back to the first time she had laid eyes on Dash and the attraction she felt toward him. She had initially been drawn to his good looks, but it was Dash’s sense of integrity that drew him to her.
“The models look terrific. I love the idea of airbrushing their faces white and having their lipstick be different colors,” Dash commented.
“Thanks. Those girls can pull it off—they’re runway superstars. The chocolate-skinned girl sitting in the chair getting her face painted just won Model of the Year at the Paris Fashion Awards. She’s from the Congo and speaks four languages.”
“So much for that old falsehood of models being dumb as a box of rocks.”
“Maybe some of them are, but my friend in Milan told me this girl studied at the Sorbonne and didn’t start her modeling career until after she graduated.”
“Good for her.”
As they were talking, Dash’s cell phone rang. “Hello?...Okay, we’ll be right out.” He ended the call. “Come on. There’s something you have to see,” Dash said, taking Lark by the arm.
“Wait a minute! I can’t leave. The show is getting ready to start,” she said, pulling away.
“We have time. Trust me, this is important.”
“Hold on a second. Let me see if any of the bigwigs have been seated yet,” Lark said, going to peek out of the curtain. She poked her head out and took a quick look. “Oh my gosh! You won’t believe who is out there!” she exclaimed.
“Who?”
“The publisher of Threads, the new fashion magazine, and sitting right next to her is André the fashion editor, looking fabulous as ever! Do you know what it means to have them sitting front row at our show? They could have gone to any number of shows but they’re here! If they like the collection, we’ll most likely be mentioned in Threads, which could increase our bottom line significantly,” Lark said, sounding giddy and excited.
“That’s great, babe. Now come on.” Dash took her by the hand and led her out the back way.
Outside, the crowds from earlier had dissipated. Only a few reporters and photographers remained.
“What are we doing out here?” Lark asked, sounding annoyed.
“You’ll see in a minute.”
Lark tapped her foot in frustration. “Dash, I really need to get back inside.”
“I know. Don’t worry. We won’t miss the start of the show. You’ll want to see this, trust me.”
No sooner had Dash said the words than Lark noticed a man being brought out of one of the tents in handcuffs. He was escorted by two uniformed police officers on each side. She stepped forward, taking a closer look. “Is that Sebastian?”
“Yep, it sure is.”
The few photographers remaining instantly started snapping pictures of the designer wearing the silver city-issued bracelets.
“Wait a minute...how did this happen? Vance told me the shows would be over by the time Sebastian got his just due,” Lark said, watching as one of the police officers opened the back door of the squad car and helped Sebastian inside.
“Yes, that would have been true if I hadn’t followed a hunch I had.”
“What kind of hunch?”
“Remember the meeting we had with the division heads when we returned from Italy?”
“Yes. What about it?”
“Edward, the head of IT, was being extremely vague and acting clueless as to how and why our system had been hacked into. I know for a fact computer geeks are on top of the latest viruses. They know before the rest of the population what threats are lurking around waiting to strike. So, when he said a Trojan virus had wiped out our CAD program, I became suspicious and hired a forensic expert who specializes in computer hacking.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before now?”
“You had so much on your plate, dealing with re-creating a new collection. I didn’t want to get your hopes up in case my hunch was wrong.”
“Did he find out anything?”
“He sure did. He tracked Edward’s IP address from his computer and found that it was Edward who’d erased all of the design files, but not before he uploaded them to a jump drive and gave it to Sebastian.”
“Oh my God! Why on earth would he do that?” Lark asked in sheer amazement.
“From the emails between Edward and Sebastian, which my investigator uncovered, it appears the two of them are lovers and have been for years...”
“Wait a minute! Edward is married and has three kids!”
“Apparently Edward has been duping his wife as well as the company.”
“Wow!” Lark said, shaking her head. “I wish I would have known before now. I woul
d have fired Edward right along with Sebastian.”
“Don’t worry. The police are at Edward’s home as we speak, escorting him to the station. They are both being arrested for computer espionage, which is a serious offense, with hefty jail time.”
“Good! That’s exactly what they deserve. Dash, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for RR and for me,” Lark said, tears welling up in her eyes.
“It was nothing. I’m just glad I was there to help. Otherwise, Sebastian would have probably gotten away with sabotaging the company, which would have been a shame.”
The police car drove off and they watched it disappear in the distance.
“Come on. Let’s get back in there before the show starts,” Dash said, looping his arm with Lark’s.
As they made their way back inside the tent, Lark once again thanked her lucky stars for Dash. He had solved the mystery of how Sebastian had stolen the company’s designs and she was elated. Her nemesis had been caught and he could no longer taunt her. Sebastian’s numerous attempts at trying to derail RR’s new line had proved futile and he had finally gotten what he deserved. This day was getting better and better. Now the time had finally come to unveil RR’s new collection, a collection that Lark was sure would be a smash hit.
Chapter 28
“Where have you guys been? The show is getting ready to start!” Darcy exclaimed as she rushed up to them.
“We were outside watching Sebastian be escorted out by the police,” Lark said, clapping her hands.
“What? Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.” Lark reiterated what Dash had told her about Sebastian and Edward.
“Get the hell out of here! I remember when Edward was hired years ago. He was a newlywed with a baby on the way.” Darcy shook her head. “Sometimes you really don’t know what a person is capable of, do you? Good work, Dash.”
“It was my pleasure. Getting taken away by the police during fashion week is exactly what he deserved. Even if he never sees the inside of a prison, his career is over. I saw reporters snapping pictures and I’m sure he’ll be featured in the style section tomorrow,” Dash said.
Season for Love Page 16