High Stakes Seduction - Book 2

by LeCoeur, Ami

  Our trip. "You're taking me with you?"

  "It's your account, remember?"

  "Well, all I did was talk with them and make them comfortable."

  "Obviously that was enough. They like you, and they trust you, and it's in my best interest to keep that relationship solid. So this is as good a chance as any to learn about handling designers. Besides, wouldn't you like to see some of Europe? Especially, on an expense account?"

  I laughed. "I'd like to see Europe regardless of an expense account, but that's probably the only way I would get to."

  Well, this was turning out to be interesting. Maybe this trip really was "business as usual".

  "But there's more." Antonio smiled at me with that twinkle in his eyes.

  My stomach twisted. The croissant suddenly felt like lead in my stomach, and it was more than espresso that was making my hands shake. Suddenly I felt trapped. I took a deep breath, trying not to look as nervous as I felt.

  "Tony!" came a hail from across the deck. "Just the man I wanted to see."

  "Damn," Tony muttered under his breath. "I'm sorry Angela, please excuse me."

  He stood up, greeting the distinguished looking older man, pausing slightly, before the two of them walked in the other direction.

  Chapter Twelve

  I looked over the itinerary as I sipped my afternoon tea. The ship would dock tomorrow in St. Croix—for the first time since we'd left. I had to admit, I was looking forward to getting off the boat. And this would be my first visit to any country outside the U.S. I'd spent the morning doing yoga in the gym, but that would take a backseat any day to a hike along the beach.

  Antonio had set up an excursion for us and I wondered what the island would be like. The weather was lovely and I was excited to finally spend some "off-time" with Antonio. Other than dinners, and our meeting this morning, he had been mostly unavailable and unapproachable.

  "Something will come up," I muttered. Then I remembered my vow from the previous evening, and felt embarrassed to be so cynical. I would make the best of the excursion. Regardless of the conditions. Besides, Maria was looking forward to seeing my photos.

  Maria. I had barely even thought about her on the trip. Other than the conversation last night with Tom Markus. I stood up and headed for the media room. It was time for me to contact my sister.

  ***

  "Sis!" Maria's face lit up when Skype connected us. "How is the cruise? Come on, spill it!"

  She always made me laugh. "Well, so far, not a lot to report. But tomorrow we're heading off to St Croix for a day trip."

  "How about photos? I'm waiting, you slacker…."

  I laughed again. "Soon, I promise. So far I've only taken photos of the folks onboard ship here. But after tomorrow I'll have a ton to share. So how about you? How's everything?"

  "Just fine, you worry-wart. The nurse is listening to me and I'm getting my way. Oh, and that chauffeur, Thompson, he's coming by tomorrow. We're going on a picnic in a few days."

  "Now you behave yourself!" I laughed. I was glad she would be getting out. Thompson was a good man and would make sure Maria was okay. "I'll check back with you in a couple days, then. Maybe we'll both have some good news to share."

  "Just remember to get the photographic evidence," Maria teased me.

  "Yeah, as if," I replied. "Talk with you soon." I ended the Skype call and stood up, glad I'd taken the time to connect.

  I glanced at my watch. Just enough time to get a quick nap and a shower so I would be refreshed for dinner. Maybe I could take a quick look at the flash drive Antonio had give me that morning.

  But the moment I set foot inside the room, my phone buzzed.

  “Dinner tonight with the Captain. Meet me at the boutique @ 4pm so we can pick out something special for you to wear –A”

  Something special? I’d been working for him for a month now and I thought my taste had proven suitable enough for him to no longer feel the need to dress me. I glanced over at the closet and noticed the door was open. Had he been going through my wardrobe? I shifted around some of the dresses, wondering what he could have possibly found wrong with them.

  Damn, I guess I still wasn't up to his standards if I couldn’t even dress to impress.

  “Better see what my lord and master wants,” I muttered sarcastically before heading to the shower.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I arrived at the boutique a few minutes early to find Antonio already waiting for me. He was back to his usual suit and tie, chatting amicably with the clerk, gesturing at some dresses.

  I had taken a look through my wardrobe after my shower, choosing what I thought was a gorgeous evening gown, suitable for the occasion. But it was still hanging in the closet. After all, Antonio had seen all my clothes, and, apparently, nothing was good enough for whatever he had in mind.

  I was surprised at the quality of clothing. I had no idea that cruise ships had designer fashions onboard, I thought they were stocked with more casual sporting attire. This was obviously an upscale boutique on a higher-end luxury ship.

  “There you are,” he said, greeting me with his dashing smile. I tried to ignore the flutter in my chest when he leaned in to add a kiss on my cheek. “What do you think of this?” He held up a deep violet-colored dress with thickly patterned lace covering a strapless bodice. It shirred at the waist with a diamond butterfly brocade, the skirts cascading down to mid-calf.

  It was far more demure than I had grown used to wearing with him, but I certainly couldn’t deny his eye for fashion.

  "Let me try it on." I took the dress into the fitting room.

  "We’ll take it," he said a moment later when I stepped back out. “Along with these shoes and earrings.”

  The clerk effused, accepting his credit card and leaving to ring up the purchases. Antonio stepped forward, giving me his appraising gaze, though this time it seemed to be tinged with a hint of mischief. “I wish you’d worn your hair up, the way I like it,” he said, tracing a finger along the curve of my one bare shoulder.

  I bit my lower lip, trying to suppress the wave of heat spiraling through me at his touch. “I’ll have to remember that for next time,” I replied.

  Antonio tucked a knuckle under my chin, raising my face until we were eye-to-eye, so unbearably close that if I just tipped up on my toes, I could brush my lips against his. I could taste him, explore his mouth with my tongue…

  “Sit down,” he said.

  I blinked. Then stepped back, glancing to the side where he was gesturing towards a plush couch.

  He took my hand, making my pulse race even faster, as he led me to the couch. Smiling, he, accepted a shoebox the clerk handed him. I sat, crossing my legs, and to my utter surprise, Antonio knelt down in front of me.

  He opened the box, taking out an open-toed pair of heels that matched the dress’s color almost perfectly. With practiced skill, he slid his hand slowly, along my calf, then slipped my foot into the shoe. All the while, never taking his eyes off mine.

  His touch was unnerving. I sat there, staring at him, unable to form a coherent thought as my skin tingled beneath the gentle caress of his fingers.

  He gave me a nod, and I carefully uncrossed my legs, extending the other to him. With the same maddeningly slow, sensual movements, he slipped the second shoe onto my foot, then he stood, offering me his hand.

  I took it and rose to face him. A small “thank you” was all I could manage. I fumbled slightly as I added the finishing touch of the amethyst drop earrings he handed me to complete my outfit.

  “Stunning,” Antonio said quietly. Then he offered me his arm to escort me to dinner.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The prestigious Captain’s Table was set above the dining room on a balcony that overlooked the water. The captain himself sat at the head of the table in his immaculate white uniform, while Antonio and I sat next to each other, across from several politicians and their spouses.

  “There’s little chance of that policy being im
plemented,” said an older man who sat opposite me with this wife. "At least not without a lot of opposition." I had no idea what this policy was about, but it was clearly important enough for him to keep bringing it up for more than half the meal.

  “The decision will likely be a tough one for the governor to make,” said another man, “But it’s only a matter of time before the voters get wind of it.”

  I was so tuned out of the political conversation that I almost missed when the woman on my right spoke to me.

  “Would you like to join us after dinner?” she asked. “We’re having a little get together in our stateroom.”

  I looked to Antonio, who was wrapped up in a conversation with the man on his left. “I’m not sure what our plans are for the evening,” I said, not wanting to commit to anything.

  "Oh, the men will want to continue their conversation. I'm certain of that," she replied.

  Antonio must have overheard her comment because he turned, leaning in to graciously accept the invitation. Shortly after dessert arrived, we excused ourselves from the table with promises to see the others later at their party.

  Antonio and I wandered the deck in a surprisingly amicable silence. I guess I’d had just enough wine to relax, but not enough to let myself get worried about what might be expected of me later, so I was able to just enjoy the moment.

  A warm, gentle breeze blew off the ocean, ruffling my skirt. Antonio stopped to gaze out at the moonlit waves.

  “Tell me about yourself, Angela,” he said softly.

  I glanced up at him, trying, as usual, to read his expression, but the shadows that played across his face told me nothing.

  “What do you want to know?”

  He shrugged. “The usual. Where did you go to school? How did you come to take an interest in photography?”

  Well, that surprised me! I hadn’t realized he knew much about me, though I guess the size of my camera bag might have given away the fact that I was more than just a casual photographer.

  “Actually, I went to school for French Literature. I was always really interested in the renaissance period and loved the culture of the time. My sister and I had this dream of visiting Paris to see it all. While I admire Maria's talent as a painter, I was always too impatient to sit and paint. The photography,” I shrugged, “that just sort of fell into place over the past few years. Especially after I…” I was too embarrassed to admit to him I’d dropped out of college. “After my family situation changed.”

  He nodded, giving me a small smile. “I was about twenty-five when my father passed away,” he said, turning back to stare out over the water. “My mother died when I was young, so I’d already grown used to her absence. When my father died, my world and my focus totally changed.”

  I wasn’t sure how much wine Antonio had had at dinner, but I didn’t think it was any more than I had. Still, this was so uncharacteristic of him, and I couldn’t think of any other reason to explain this sudden moment of sharing from him. I certainly wasn’t going to spoil a chance to learn more about this enigmatic man. I stood there, still and quiet, just listening to whatever he was willing to tell me.

  “I was fresh out of college at the time,” he continued. “His death became the reason for me to grow up—and quickly. In college I'd been a bit of a slacker, never really taking it too seriously. I'd gotten into my share of trouble. One night, I crashed three parties, and then got so drunk I drove my car right off a bridge and managed to walk out of it without a scratch. My dad’s legacy and money is probably the only thing that stopped the dean from kicking me out. Still I held it together enough to graduate. But I had never really applied myself to anything until after Dad died.”

  He paused, a bitter chuckle on his lips. I wasn’t sure what else to do, so I reached out and put my hand on top of his on the railing. He looked down at our hands for a moment, as if they were the strangest things he’d ever seen, but then he entwined my fingers with his.

  “Let’s go check out this party,” he said, motioning for us to continue walking.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The suite was beautifully decorated with dark wood furnishings contrasting the bamboo floor and wall trimmings. This was much more like what I'd imagined a ship's room to be. Mellow jazz played softly over the speakers, just loudly enough to be heard under the din of the small crowd. Antonio steered us toward the bar, pouring us each a drink.

  “Ready to mingle?” he asked with a wink as I took a sip of my wine.

  His arm slid around my waist and I stifled a cough, almost choking on my drink. We had walked hand-in-hand to the party; now his arm was around my waist? It brought back my original worries about his true intentions on this trip. Even though nothing had actually happened between us. Yet.

  I tried to relax as we followed the beckoning of a couple we’d met earlier at the captain’s table.

  “I’m glad you could make it,” said the woman. “I wanted to tell you at dinner that your dress is absolutely beautiful. Now that I see all of it, I am so very envious.”

  “She does wear it beautifully,” Antonio agreed, his smile brightening his face.

  "Antonio chose it for me,” I said, my hand resting on his chest. “He has such impeccable taste.”

  “We’re a little old fashioned here,” said an older man, holding out a wooden box in his palm towards Antonio. The man turned to me. “Would you mind if I steal him away for a few minutes so the men might have a word together?”

  I laughed. “Not at all,” I said, covering Antonio’s hand on my arm. “As long as you return him safe and sound.”

  Antonio smiled, brushing a lock of hair from my face. He leaned down to whisper in my ear. “I won’t be long,” Then he accepted the offered cigar and stepped out onto the balcony with the silver-haired man.

  “It’s not a bad life.”

  I turned to find the politician's wife standing at my side. “I beg your pardon?”

  “Politics,” she said, shaking her head. “If you can stand the late nights, secret meetings, photo opportunities and all the people you have to pretend to like just to get them to vote for your husband.”

  Then she laughed, a jaded expression clouding her eyes as she took a long sip from her drink. “At least the money is good, right?”

  I nodded, wondering where the conversation was headed.

  "Oh come on, Clarice. You know you love the parties and social events. Where would you be without the constant gallivanting around?" The brash, silver haired woman with sharp features asked as she walked up to us. She held her martini with perfectly manicured nails, delicately swirling the liquid in the glass.

  "No. Even the parties are boring now. I mean, you see new faces from time to time, fresh blood, if you will, but it's still always the same thing. The vultures circling, hoping for a piece of you."

  "Why Clarice, this is a side if you I haven't seen before. Come on honey, you need another drink." The two of them walked off arm in arm and I breathed a sigh of relief.

  I wandered over to the couch and sat down by myself, quietly sipping my wine and wondering what was really going on at this "party". Two men stood in the corner, heads almost touching. They seemed intent on their own conversation, isolated from what was going on in the rest of the room.

  But then I noticed one of them giving me the occasional surreptitious glance. I wasn't sure I'd seen them before, and I had no idea what interest they may have had in me.

  I used my discomfort as an excuse to go get another glass of wine. Standing near the bar, I scanned the room. Most of the men had that polished look that you associate with politicians or favor-seekers.

  Two men in particular stood out. One was standing near the sliding doors to the balcony. He seemed to be casually scanning the room, like me. But, he didn't have a drink, and he wasn't talking to anyone else, just standing there. The other was near the staircase, talking politely with a short, stooped over man leaning on his cane. He also seem to be scanning the room. For some reason, they rem
inded me of sentries.

  I made my way back to the couch, setting my drink on the table in front of me. Then, I let my imagination go, making up stories about why the sentries were here. Maybe they were watching for terrorists to infiltrate and try to steal state secrets. Maybe they were part of a human smuggling ring, looking for likely candidates. Or people they could interest in their wares. What if they were part of an advance team, preparing for alien abduction? Pretty silly, but I was getting bored.

  Most likely, they were simply bodyguards. After all, there were some important politicians here tonight.

  Loud laughter caught my attention at the other end of the room. A small group of men hovered around a chair, their attention focused on the woman seated there. Another man approached the group, drinks in hand. As the curtain of men parted, he passed the drink to the smiling woman.

  Sylvia, the upset woman from the other evening at dinner. She was obviously in her element here, basking in the attention the men rained down on her. Oh Henry, what were you accusing her of? I grinned, wondering where her Henry was at the moment.

  She obviously knew what she was doing. The men were entranced with what she was saying. I'd never really learned how to use my feminine wiles—at least not as effectively as this woman. Perhaps I could pick up a tip by watching her. Then I laughed. I was starting to remind myself of Gertrude. Juicy gossip, indeed!

  I decided to move closer to where she was sitting. There were enough people milling around, that I doubted she would notice me, and about now I was feeling like I could use a few good tips.

  I leaned up against a window that opened onto the balcony where the men were smoking their cigars and talking their man-talk. It was the perfect vantage point to watch Sylvia hold court.

  "Those are not the terms we agreed on, Walker!" I heard Antonio say through the open window. That shifted my attention pretty quickly, and while I continued to watch Sylvia, I was now far more interested in what I was overhearing from the balcony.