by Nana Prah
Tanya stepped out the way after opening the door so Mei could roll the clothes in. She stretched out an arm with a lavender overnight bag in her hand. “This is for you, too. All the things you’ll need to sleep comfortably tonight, including slippers.”
Her heart melted. Miguel had thought of everything. Then something in her hardened as if the molten lava of her organs had been splashed with arctic water. He was a ladies’ man. Of course he knew just what a woman needed in an overnight case. She wondered if he had a bunch of them hidden in the plane so he’d always be ready.
“Mr. Coleman has a good eye.” Mei slid a hanger to the left of the rack. “He told me to bring most of the clothes in a size twelve.”
How had he known? It had taken a year of sheer willpower and exercise, despite Broderick’s discouragement, to shrink from a size twenty-four to a twelve. She wasn’t as skinny as she’d thought she’d be at the beginning of the process, but she was happy with her health. It might take more time to get accustomed to looking into a mirror and seeing the woman with the curvaceous figure staring back at her. Sometimes she still felt as if she were obese.
Mei pulled out a brightly patterned blue, green, red and white Lycra jumpsuit that dipped too low in the back for Tanya’s comfort. She waved her hands in front of her to keep the revealing outfit away. All of her lumps and bumps would show if she struggled into it. “Do you have anything a little looser?”
“With your curves, it would look spectacular, but if you aren’t comfortable, then try this one.” She pulled another dress off the line and handed it over.
An electric-blue sheath dress made out of the softest silk she’d ever touched. The sleeves billowed out past her elbows and the hemline hit just at the knee. Before she could turn to skip into the bathroom, Mei pulled out a bag from the lower shelf of the rack. “He wasn’t as sure about your lingerie size, so there are various ones in here for you to choose from. He said to remind you to take as many as you want.”
She drew the line at him buying her underwear, but taking it out on the woman wouldn’t be appropriate. She’d save her annoyance for Miguel. With the satchel in hand, she headed to the bathroom.
Ignoring the bag was impossible, so she hung the gorgeous dress on the door and unzipped it. The most beautiful bras and panties assaulted her eyes, and she groaned. The temptation to take all of them, whether they fit or not, hit her hard. She pulled out a stunning deep-purple-and-turquoise number and checked the tag. Thirty-six C. Perfect. After slipping off her own clothes, she tried on the bra. Her breasts sat up as if begging for someone to reach out and grab them, and talk about comfortable. She shimmied her shoulders and found it supported her.
Damn, Miguel. She shouldn’t want to keep it, but she wouldn’t fight with herself, especially over something so beautiful. Digging into the bag, she found the matching panties in her size, happy to see they were high cut rather than a thong.
Weren’t they partying for two nights? Maybe another set would be in order. And she had to get home on Sunday. Three in total, and that would be the end. No more gifts from Miguel for the rest of her life. The canary-yellow-and-tan-lace concoction beckoned to her along with an emerald green satin one. Both fit her like a dream.
After releasing the dress from its hanger, she slid it over her body. She hoped the moan at being swathed in something that had to be as soft as an angel’s wings didn’t carry out of the massive bathroom to where Mei could hear. The material was so luxurious it brought tears to her eyes. She stood up straight at the sight of herself in the mirror. Was this hot woman her?
She turned and so did the lady in the mirror. She smiled at her reflection. For the first time in her life, she fell in love with herself. No longer did the woman with low self-esteem about her body shine through her eyes. She’d taken the knocks life had thrown her way and grown into someone more beautiful because of them.
Grabbing the new goodies, she stepped out of the bathroom with her head held high.
“You look outstanding,” Mei said before pulling out a dusky-pink leather skirt paired with a gold off-the-shoulder long-sleeved thin sweater. The last ensemble consisted of a more casual pair of ash-colored wool trousers and an exquisite violet blouse. Tanya’s head nodded in agreement at Mei’s very professional eye before taking them to try on.
The garments were perfect. She slid the electric-blue dress back on and sighed with bliss before heading out. “They’re both wonderful,” she said, still gazing at the leather skirt she would dance the hell out of tomorrow night.
“You are a vision.” The deep Southern-accented voice that sent a tingle from her head down to her big toe didn’t belong to Mei.
Her mind went blank when she beheld the man standing before her. Miguel had changed and tried to hide his appearance, but she saw straight through the disguise. The artistic makeup altered the angle of his eyes. She didn’t know how he’d done it, but his nose appeared wider and the fake full beard seemed real. Just like the first time they’d met at her club, he’d darkened his skin, but the stomach paunch was new. Once again, the dark brown contact lenses disturbed her. Dressed in a dark, rather plain and unflattering suit with a dark blue shirt underneath, she wouldn’t have given him a second glance if she saw him on the street.
She grinned. If his goal was not to be noticed in a crowd where everyone tried to look their best, then he’d done a brilliant job. “Thank you. You look, um, good, too.”
He angled his head, which was covered by a short Afro wig, toward her.
Mei held out a stunning beige pair of low-slung, open-toed, kitten-heeled shoes. “Please try these on.”
With a quick look at Miguel, she reached for the shoes feeling like Cinderella. Glad she’d done her nails last weekend, the pink polish of her toes peeked through as she slipped her foot in. Once again, a fantastic fit. Mei smiled at her and pulled out one more pair for her to try on. This one was a simple black pump with a wedge heel.
Was it a coincidence or had he remembered that her lower back didn’t do well with high heels? Even after she’d lost the weight, they were still torture devices. “You have wonderful taste, Mei. Thank you for bringing over such beautiful clothes.”
The petit woman laughed with a head toss, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “I can’t take the credit. Mr. Coleman asked me to grab the clothes from the Astacio line, Entonne.”
Tanya’s brow curved upward so high she thought it touched her hairline. She was wearing the clothing line his family had created. They didn’t cater to middle-class folks, so she knew the clothes she’d be wearing over the weekend would put her credit card in the red. “Thank you for coming to dress me.”
“It’s always a pleasure to see lovely clothes on such a beautiful woman.”
Miguel stepped forward and claimed Tanya’s hand. The soft brush of his lips against her knuckles sent electricity bursting up her arm. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Too enthralled with the web of sensuality he’d encased them in, Tanya barely noticed as Mei bade them goodbye and pushed the rack out the door.
Suddenly shy, she looked up at him through her lashes. “Thank you for the clothes. They’re gorgeous.”
“Not even half as stunning as you. I can’t wait to show you off tonight.”
For the first time in her life, she couldn’t wait to be seen. Being Cinderella wouldn’t be a bad thing. Not if she could pretend, if only for the weekend, that Miguel were her prince.
Chapter 14
“Where did Mr. Coleman come from?” Tanya asked as the limo took them to their destination.
Miguel had known she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from asking. She hadn’t inquired about the costume she’d seen him wear to her club. He blamed it on the shock she must’ve had with the changes he’d recommended.
He found it impossible to look away from her glamorous beauty. He’d had a makeup-and-
hair stylist drop by to do something quick. He’d warned them not to use a heavy hand because she didn’t need it. What they’d done to her made her glow as her updo emphasized her oval face, high cheekbones and full lips.
All he wanted to do was kiss those glossy lips. Did they taste as sweet and succulent as the raspberries they reminded him of?
The snapping of fingers in his face brought him back. “Earth to Mr. Coleman.”
He reached forward for his glass of champagne to wet his desert of a mouth and stall for time. Maybe she’d forget her question.
Tanya waved her hand from his realistic-looking wig down to his non-designer-shoe-covered feet. “What’s up with this look?”
“Does it bother you?” Unable to resist, he slid his finger along the smooth curve of her neck and enjoyed her shudder at his touch before she swatted his hand away. He smiled, expecting nothing less. He wouldn’t have minded if she’d grabbed his hand and kissed his palm, but they weren’t at that point yet. “Would you like me to show a little more skin?”
She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. “Tell me.”
Her lips tipping downward worried him. Why did she think he was dressed up like this? “I don’t want to be recognized.”
She nodded and her mouth dipped farther downward, but she didn’t say anything else.
“What’s wrong?”
“You seem to wear disguises when you’re with me. Are you embarrassed to be seen with me? I know I used to be bigger and I still haven’t lost—”
“No. Not at all.” For her to think he didn’t want to be seen with her hurt. How could she think such a thing? He grabbed her hand and kissed the knuckles. She took in a sharp breath, but didn’t pull her hand out of his. “I have never been embarrassed to be seen with you. Not back in college, and certainly not now.”
She stared at him as if trying to decipher the truth in his expression. Entranced, he rubbed slow circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. He could stay with her like this all night. He’d rather they be alone than share her with the club goers they were about to have a meaningless experience with.
He’d never felt this strong need to be with a woman before. Growing up was a fascinating experience.
“Then why the costumes?” she asked softly.
The limo stopped in front of a place where he could feel the music pumping even from inside the vehicle. Rather than get out, he pressed the intercom button and told the driver to make a ten-minute loop around the block. He had to explain to her the need for the disguises before the night went any further.
The woman he loved would never again feel insecure about something he’d done.
Miguel angled himself so his shoulder rested against the backrest, and he propped his knee on the seat. Her dark eyes implored him for an answer.
“It’s no secret I used to be a wild young man.”
Her snort eased the tension. “Used to be?”
“Yes. That’s what this disguise is all about. If you’ve been following me in the entertainment sector, you’ll have noticed that for the last six months I’ve maintained a pretty low profile.” Had she been paying attention to his excursions? Her unchanged expression didn’t give him a clue. He’d been on a binge of parties and women just to forget her. It never happened. She’d hovered.
“I still like to go out every once in a while, but it’s no longer necessary for the media to always know about it.”
“Why not?”
“Everyone must grow up at some point, right?” Her pursed lips didn’t denote belief in his words. “I’m vying for the position of Executive Public Relations Officer for Astacio Enterprises. The person currently in the position will be retiring next month.”
Tanya nodded but her eyebrows remained crinkled.
“When my father offered me the job, he attached a single caveat.”
“Stop all the partying and be a respectable member of society,” she filled in.
He chuckled. “You said it as if you were in the room with us. At first, I threw a fit at his offer. He’d always tried to tone down my behavior with threats and promises. In the end, I did what I wanted and loved it.” He leaned his head against the seat. “Other than your brother and my siblings, my parents know me better than anyone else in the world. They must’ve seen that I needed a change, but didn’t know how to get me out of the lifestyle I’d entrapped myself in. When he gave me time to think about it, I did. I realized that my life had no purpose. No meaning. Jumping from party to party wasn’t enough. Sure, I’d become the king of marketing, but there was still something missing.” You.
All it had taken was her walking into his office that first day to realize how much he’d missed by not having her in his life. “Not that I thought speaking to the media about the state of the Astacio empire would bring meaning into my life, but I had to give it a try. So I accepted my father’s challenge. He gave me until my thirtieth birthday. Six months to keep my name out of the headlines in any kind of way that wouldn’t benefit the family or the company, and the job would be mine.”
The past six months had been easier than he’d anticipated. The party lifestyle on an every-weekend basis no longer appealed to him. “Fund-raisers replaced partying all night with musicians, actors and pro athletes. I started spending more time at home and getting to know my family and found that I really liked them.” He smiled. “You’ll love my parents. And Lanelle is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. My older brother, Leonardo, can be boorish, but he means well.”
She returned his grin. “Your hard-as-nails corporate-lawyer brother? What did the last article I read call him?” Tapping her chin, she thought for a second. “A ruthless barracuda.”
Miguel laughed. “Yeah, he’ll go for the jugular, especially when it comes to work, but he always has my back. Changing my life was one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
He drew in her sweet scent as she reached out and rubbed her hand along his cheek. Moving might scare her away and there was nothing quite so exquisite as having her soft hand touch him.
“This is why tonight I’m out with a rather plain, slightly padded, bearded man,” she said in a low voice when she removed her hand.
“Yeah. Plus I like dressing up. Being someone other than myself can be fun.”
“But you’re such a wonderful man.”
He watched her, looking for any sign of sarcasm. His heart sped up and joy seeped into him when he found none. Did she think so? “I don’t remember you having that opinion a few days ago.”
Her eyes glimmered. “I’ve always thought so. Even when you acted like a punk.”
“I was pretty good at it, wasn’t I?”
“Sometimes too good. But, underneath, you were always a sweet guy and a true friend.”
His head would explode soon, but then the reality of his life came crashing down. “There’s another reason for the costume.”
She arched a brow.
“The media can be relentless. If they saw us together, they’d come out with all sorts of rumors.” He gazed into her eyes. “I want to protect you from all of that. If you aren’t accustomed to the limelight, it can be daunting.”
She looked away with a nod. “I understand.”
He hooked a finger under her chin to have her look at him. “If it were up to me, I’d show you off to the world. You’re the finest woman I’ve ever known, Tanya. You always have been.” Just as he was about to lean in to kiss her, to finally indulge in the sweetness and passion he remembered, the car came to a stop.
She cleared her throat and glanced down at her watch. “It’s already eleven. You said we have five hot spots to get to before the break of dawn. We’d better get started.”
“Who’s turned into the party girl?”
She raised her hands and shimmied her shoulders. “Me. Me.”
He laughed and tapped on
the glass divider so the chauffer could let them out. Yes, this was a business outing, but who was to say he couldn’t show her the best time of her life? Maybe then he’d be able to work his way back into her heart.
Chapter 15
Miguel must have hundreds of layers to him, and Tanya was compelled to peel them all away to find out what goodness lay beyond each of the previous ones. Why was she so fascinated with him? The question had to wait for an answer because the hot song that pulsed into her had her dancing as they were whisked into Vespar.
He’d had the foresight to get his alias’s name on the VIP list at the clubs so they had no difficulty getting in. They’d been escorted straight into the building and up the stairs to the VIP lounge. The music shook the walls as she bounced her upper body to the well-mixed beat.
If her club could be this trendy and packed, she’d own Cleveland. She slid closer to Miguel on the plush dark couch he’d chosen. “This place is amazing. Now I know what you mean about the dance cages.” A couple danced in an elevated enclosure in the far corner of the club and seemed to be having the time of their lives. “But ours will be ground level. Less heart palpitations for me. The insurance premium must be crazy.”
“I’m glad you’re coming around to seeing things my way. What would you like to drink?” Miguel asked when the server sauntered over.
“A Long Island Iced Tea.”
His brows rose to above the level of the ostentatious rose-tinted shades, but he didn’t comment on her choice before turning his attention to the waitress. “One Long Island Iced Tea and a bottle of sparkling water.”
The woman nodded and her smile widened as she said, “Anything you want.” Even in this gruff disguise, Miguel’s raw masculinity shone through.
He angled his body toward Tanya. “How the hell have things become such opposites in our relationship?”