by Rosanna Leo
He might not smile a lot, or at least not at her, but when he did it made an impact. Sort of the way an asteroid left a gaping crater behind.
Alex’s smile had the power to decimate lesser creatures.
All of a sudden, her clothing scratched and she fought the urge to drop her drawers.
He was probably accustomed to women having that reaction. Relax, Dana. Women strip around me all the time.
“Dana.” He closed the distance between them. “You came.”
“I, uh, yeah. Thanks.” Smooth, girl. Real smooth. He’s gonna be putty in your hands if you keep talking like that.
“I’m glad.” He leaned in and kissed her on both cheeks.
“Oh.” Her breath caught. “Like a European.”
He smelled good. Really good. He wore some other cologne that sparked her senses. With citrusy undertones, it had an outdoorsy appeal. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear he’d been traipsing through an orange grove.
Maybe this club had an orange grove too.
The absurdity of the image made her want to cackle, but she managed to contain it.
Another roguish grin turned her shins to mush but she held her ground. “My background is Russian, but sure.” He turned to the others. “Anise. Bea. Jessica. You all look very nice.”
As Jessica and Bea made small talk with Alex, he listened attentively but his eyes darted toward her at intervals. Star struck, Jessica gushed over Adam Maxwell’s latest movie, while Bea complimented him on the music and décor.
Anise, on the other hand, was silent.
Dana gave her a look but Anise didn’t notice.
Instead, Dana decided to check out their host in greater detail.
Alex was dressed in black trousers and a black shirt. The deep shade made the golden highlights in his hair seem even more brilliant. The beautiful fabric of his shirt caressed the curves of his arms and shoulders. The man obviously took care of himself, although he wasn’t a body builder. His long, lean build was closer to that of a basketball player. His eyes shone, and Dana wasn’t sure if it was the clever lighting or curiosity that made them pop.
As he chatted with the others, his deep voice imprinted itself on her. She loved a man with a cool baritone. People talked about “bedroom eyes.” In her opinion, Alex had a “bedroom voice.” It was the sort of voice a woman wanted to hear first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Dirty words cried out to be spoken in Alex’s voice.
“Well.” He waved a hand around the room. “What do you think?”
“It’s gorgeous,” said Dana. “I’ve never seen so many celebrities. I feel like I should have had an audition to get in.”
When he laughed, it boomed.
Check. One more thing that attracted her. She loved a hearty laugh.
This was not good. She was sinking like a stone.
“They’re just people, like you and me.”
You and me. Right.
He gestured toward Adam Maxwell. “I’d be happy to introduce you to Adam. He’s a cool guy. We’ve been friends a long time, since he was doing theater in New York.”
The Hollywood star might be the most famous person in the room but even he, with all his celluloid beauty, paled in comparison to Alex. “That’s okay. Maybe later.”
“You look thirsty,” said Alex, grinning. “Let me get you all some drinks.” He held out his hand.
Without once considering the implications or the optics, Dana took it.
This time, Anise gave her a look.
She ignored it.
He led them to the bar. “What can I get you? Champagne? A glass of wine? Or can I suggest one of our signature cocktails?”
“Ooh, I like the sound of a signature cocktail,” said Bea. She turned to Jessica. “What about you?”
Jessica reddened. “Um, just a fizzy water for me, please.”
“Fizzy water?” Bea laughed. “Aren’t you sick of it? It’s all you’ve been drinking. I’m surprised you haven’t floated away.”
When Jessica froze, Dana spoke up for her. “Is it your stomach again? You mentioned it was bothering you earlier.”
“Yeah.” Jessica let out a sigh of relief. “I think I’m just fighting a bug. I’m trying to flush it out.”
No one else said a word about Jessica’s drink preferences. She mouthed a thank you to Dana.
Alex nodded at the bartender, a guy who looked as if he was a soap opera actor in his spare time. Within moments, a Perrier appeared on the bar, next to three identical cocktails that glistened with gold flecks. Alex distributed them to the women. “We call this cocktail Golden Oblivion.”
Oblivion. That sounded good. Dana might have to have a couple.
Somewhere inside her, the voice of reason reminded her she had probably already mixed one too many drinks. However, although the wine and the Bailey’s had nudged her into happy territory, she needed something stronger to push her over the boundary.
She was too on edge, too aware.
“What do we owe you?” she quietly asked the bartender.
The man just glanced at Alex, who shook his head. “It’s on the house.”
“We can pay for our drinks. I don’t want to take advantage.”
“You’re my special guests, remember?” Alex winked. “It has its privileges.”
“Well…um, thank you.” Why did she have trouble stringing a sentence together in front of this man? “You’re not having one?”
“No.” He reddened. “They’re pretty sweet. I try to limit how much sugar goes into my body, but please enjoy yours.”
“I wish I could say I was strict about what goes into my body.” As soon as the words tumbled out of Dana’s mouth, she remembered what happened between her and Alex at the tiki bar. Her nerves finally manifested in a crazed laugh.
Alex’s gaze dropped briefly to her mouth, but he didn’t point out her slip of the tongue. “It doesn’t look that way. You look like you take care of yourself.”
“It must be all that running to the gourmet cheese shop.”
“You could have fooled me. You look beautiful, by the way. That dress…it’s life-altering.”
Dana’s cheeks heated. “Thank you.” She tried to look sophisticated, as if she attended VIP parties all the time. She sipped her cocktail. “Oh, my God. This is delicious.”
Laced with cinnamon and rum, the cocktail made her feel warm and pliable. This time, when she snuck another glance at Adam Maxwell, he looked like any other guy.
“I’m glad you like it,” said Alex. “Try to nurse it. I hear they’re stronger than they taste.”
Dana took another sip of the sweet concoction. Not strong enough.
Anise finally broke her silence. “It was nice of you to invite us, Alex.”
“My pleasure. I’m just sorry a divorce is what brought you to us.”
Anise’s eyes tightened. “That’s life. Onward and upward.”
“This trip is all about creating experiences,” added Bea.
Alex nodded in approval. “I’m glad my party will be one of them.”
As a buff man in swim trunks strode toward the pool deck, Jessica cleared her throat. “Oh, it’s an experience, all right.”
Alex chuckled. “Well, aside from the scenery, we have the best DJ, the best drinks, and the hottest dance floor in town. And now we have all of you.”
Jessica poked Dana. “This one’s a charmer.”
“He has his moments.”
Alex turned to look right at Dana. His questioning gaze was full of heat, one she couldn’t ignore.
She looked away, but no matter where she looked, she couldn’t escape the thick atmosphere or the allure of sex. She saw it in the flirting couples around the room. She definitely saw it in the bikini-clad guests out on the pool deck. And it shone clear as day from Alex’s eyes.
Maybe it was time she admitted he might have a thing for her.
Just as she did for him.
The knowledge might b
e unnerving, but it was also exhilarating.
“So,” Alex said to the other women, “tell me what you all do when you’re not partying in Vegas.”
Dana listened as her friends regaled him with stories about their work. When Jessica mentioned her flower shop, Alex was able to share anecdotes from his own floral designer at Vice. It was clear he had his hand in all aspects of the business, and his knowledge tickled Jessica.
Bea talked briefly about her art classes. Alex nodded, asking her opinion about a couple of hot art exhibits in the LA area. Clearly impressed he could carry on a conversation about modern art, Bea smiled when it became clear they shared some favorite artists.
Dana marveled at the way he could direct a conversation without monopolizing it. He was unlike any hotelier she’d ever met, and she’d met a few. Most of them were arrogant, wanting to talk only about themselves and their latest achievements. Alex certainly could have extricated himself from the conversation any time he wanted and sauntered off to find more “important” company but he seemed to be enjoying himself.
He certainly seemed much happier than when he was sitting on that couch, a subject of interest for the pretty people.
He kept looking her way, offering her shy grins. Each curl of his lips made her want to beg to see that brilliant wide smile again. In fact, when Bea teased it out of him with a couple of jokes, Dana secretly rejoiced.
Aside from being smart and well-read, Alex was just too beautiful.
The more she sipped her Golden Oblivion, the bolder she grew. Before long, she was able to return his heated glances. As the other women chatted, their voices faded. Locked in a bubble with Alex, she couldn’t have been more spellbound if he’d spiked her drink.
Covet was working its magic on her.
Anise didn’t seem to be languishing under the same spell. She’d noticed the way Alex hung close to Dana and the way he looked at her. Worse still, Dana suspected her sister had noticed the way she looked at him.
Guilt prickled the area between her shoulder blades. She should have told Anise about Tommy, but the timing had always seemed wrong.
Of course, Anise was jumping to conclusions. Dana would have done the same thing.
She had to fix this, and soon.
When Anise drank her last sip of Golden Oblivion, Alex smiled. “I’m glad you enjoyed the drink. Can I top it up for you?”
“No, thank you.”
“So, Anise,” he said. “What do you do for a living?”
“Sales.”
Alex waited for her to elaborate but she didn’t. “What kind of sales?”
“Real estate.”
“Ah.”
When the silence once again hung heavily, Dana spoke for her sister. “My sister is modest. She wouldn’t tell you herself but she’s amazing at what she does. In fact, she was the top broker in her company last year.”
“That’s great,” said Alex. “Congratulations. You must really understand the market.”
In any other situation, Anise would have appreciated the praise. This time, she merely nodded.
Bea polished off her Golden Oblivion. “I think maybe I could use a top up on that drink, Alex.”
“Of course.”
Anise chose that moment to break her relative silence. “Actually, Alex, if you don’t mind, I think it’s time we hit the dance floor. Right, ladies?”
“You bet. I want you to have fun. The DJ will be here until morning. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the fortune teller while you’re here.”
“A fortune teller?” Jessica’s voice rose. “That sounds fun.”
“She’s doing readings in the small room next to the entrance,” said Alex. “We also have one of the top illusionists arriving shortly to do some tricks for the guests. And when you’re in the club, please make sure Viola gets all your orders. I’ve asked her to take good care of you tonight. Food and drinks are on me.”
“That’s very generous of you,” said Bea.
“Like I said, you’re my special guests.”
He looked over his shoulder. Viola appeared again.
“Viola, would you please take the ladies to the table I reserved for them?”
“Absolutely.”
They excused themselves. When Dana stood still, Anise turned to her. “Aren’t you coming?”
“No. I’m good.”
“But…don’t you want your fortune told?”
Hearing her fortune was the last thing Dana wanted, even if it was hogwash, done for entertainment’s sake. “Not really.”
Anise paused. She looked at Alex and back at her sister. “Are you sure?”
“I’m quite sure. It’s quieter in here and I just want to enjoy my drink.”
The look on Anise’s face made it clear she was worried Dana might enjoy more than the cocktail. For a woman who appreciated a party, she was acting as she’d been invited to the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Dana understood. Anise had been betrayed and hurt, but it didn’t give her the right to play babysitter.
Anise pulled her aside. “I didn’t think this kind of party was your thing. You know, with all the fake eyelashes and fake boobs and fake people.”
“That’s not very nice. You don’t know they’re fake.”
“Believe me, honey. I can spot a fake a mile away. This place is pretentious.”
“No, it’s not. It’s exciting and fun. And maybe I will schmooze with the Hollywood crowd while I’m here. Is that a problem?”
“I think your friend Alex has the wrong idea.”
“And which idea is that?”
“That you’re available. And interested.”
“He’s just being friendly. I’m just being friendly.”
“Well, it seems to me you’ve become good friends pretty quickly.”
“Anise, go. The others are waiting for you. I’ll join you later.”
Anise followed the others out of the VIP suite.
Alex touched Dana’s elbow. “Your sister isn’t happy.”
“She’s just having an off day. I think she was uncomfortable, that’s all. She’s got a lot on her mind.”
“What about you? Are you comfortable?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. This place…it’s like another world. It’s a bit overwhelming.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not bad. It’s beautiful. I like it here.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you’re staying.”
“Me too.”
Left alone with Alex, her awkwardness returned. After all, aside from what she’d read in the papers, she knew very little about him. For courage, she took another sip of cinnamon nectar.
This time, as the lovely burn hit her throat, it warmed everything from the neck upward. Like brain freeze, only much better.
A group of partiers skipped past, laughing. They made their way to the pool deck, dressed in expensive swimwear. A couple of the faces looked familiar, but she didn’t ask Alex who they were. “See. I told you your party would be a hit.”
“You did.”
“Do all your parties have celebrity guests?”
“Not necessarily, but I do have some regulars, people I’ve known for years. A lot of them have been partying with me since the beginning. They have the means to travel and come to most of my events. I know them, they know me, and they understand they won’t be mobbed in the VIP suites. There are strict rules about who gets in.”
“So I was vetted?”
“I’m not worried about you and your friends. Something tells me you won’t try to corner Adam in a dark hallway, demanding his autograph.”
“I happen to be a fan. How do you know I won’t corner him?”
Alex leaned in a whispered. “Because I plan to keep you all to myself.”
Dana swallowed.
He gestured to one of the quiet nooks, one of the ones cordoned off by a red velvet curtain. “Sit with me.”
All they needed to do to make the space completely private was to u
ntie the cords holding the curtains back. If they did, no one would see them.
She hesitated. Right now, sitting in that nook with Alex seemed just as naughty as sliding between his sheets.
Isn’t that what you wanted anyway?
She might not have anticipated this exact scenario but she’d guessed they were headed in this direction.
He’s not asking you to take part in an orgy. He just wants to talk. Alex is a nice man. Since when is having a conversation a crime?
Only, right now, with the muted lights illuminating the shadows in his face, he didn’t look like a nice man.
He looked like a dangerous man.
And she was in the mood for danger.
There was also a wondrous sort of intrigue shining in his eyes. His eyes glittered with the fascination of a lost man who had just discovered a map.
A part of her wanted to see what he’d do with that map.
He led her toward the nook. It was more spacious than she would have expected, big enough to hold a black leather sectional couch and a couple of small tables. A tall vase stood next to it, filled with ornamental, feathery fronds that draped over one side of the couch. A single sconce cast a dim light over the area. She sat at one corner of the sectional, her rigid posture an indication of her nerves.
“Do you mind if I sit next to you?” he asked.
“I don’t mind.”
Alex sat back, his arm draped on the couch behind her. Dana angled herself toward him and crossed her legs. His gaze flickered toward them. His casual observation didn’t make her feel ogled but it certainly made her feel noticed.
She couldn’t help making her own discreet observations, specifically noting the way his shirt skimmed over hard abs.
He was perfect.
The man from Joe’s had all but disappeared. This man didn’t show the same vulnerability, although she suspected they might share the same loneliness, despite the people flitting on the other side of the curtain. The Alex from Joe’s had let most of his guard down, but this Alex had them firmly in place.