"What was his name?"
She squinted. "I don't remember. Why do you ask?"
"I'd like to know whom I should be jealous of."
"You’re joking." She shook her head, touching his arm.
"I never joke, Tess."
The laughter in her throat died. "I don't believe you. You have three brothers."
Finally, a huge smile spread across his face and she saw those dimples of his. "Caught me."
She tapped his arm and placed her hand in her lap. "Now, stop laying it on so thick."
"I would never..."
She tilted her head. The boys in Miami would never compare to her one night in New Orleans, but she needed to keep a semblance of herself. "Jewels, the sexy, controlling male a girl wants to tame, why do I feel like it is all an act?" She sat back against the leather. "Forget it. I want to spend the evening learning who you are. Can you handle that, Mitch?"
"Yeah. You surprise me, Tess."
With an exhale, she straightened in her seat as the limo stopped. "I'm full of them.” She looked out the window. “Where are we?"
Green lawns of grass broken up by old oak trees that lined manicured paths was a scene so romantic that people wrote poems about it. In Miami, there were always palm trees and balmy breezes. Here, the wind from the river rustled the leaves.
"White invitation,” Mitch said, getting out of the car.
She blinked and stared at him as he offered his arm to help her out. "And that is?"
"Sorry. In New Orleans, the most powerful people in the city are invited to these rotating “white invitation” events.”
Tess stood and brushed the wrinkles off her red dress. Her lips curled as she crossed her arms. "That sounds racist."
He smirked. "The tablecloths are white linen. The plates are white. Women wear white."
She froze, her eyes widening as she looked down at herself. "We can't go in. I'm in red."
"If you wear a color, diamonds are your ticket to wearing white."
She fingered the huge stones around her neck. This was a requirement for the party? She had never heard of such an event, but she wasn't exactly in the diamond necklace community back home. She hugged her waist.
"I'll feel out of place if everyone else is wearing white."
"If you wore white, you'd stick out as new because you didn't know the exception. So, brave up.”
He led her onto a path.
"Is this the park?"
"Audubon. Dinner is by the biggest oak tree. Dancing is in the Butterfly Garden that overlooks the Mississippi."
Butterflies, too? Mitch Morgan knew how to swoop a woman off her feet. Tonight, she'd figure out just how brave she could be—and with him at her side? Unstoppable. She nodded. "Let's do this."
He smirked. "You're funny, Tess."
He had no idea. Right now, she felt like someone had waved a wand over her head and she had entered a fairy universe.
5
The diamonds on the women would tempt any thief. Tess clung to Mitch to ensure she wasn’t imagining her surroundings as butterflies outside the dome passed them on the grass. Tess blinked at the crowd. There were more sparkles than Tess had ever seen in one place. She pressed closer to Mitch.
"How many people were invited?"
He shrugged and placed her hand over his heart. "I don't know, but most of the old society and business elites are always here."
They passed a shiny wooden floor that held at least twenty tables of ten, each draped with white linen. Everyone held a glass in the air and drank as they greeted each other. One woman her age raised an eyebrow at her. Tess shrank so close to Mitch, she was practically part of him.
She whispered so only he heard. "What will they think of me?"
He lifted her chin and smiled down at her. "That you're beautiful."
Her pulse quickened as they walked away from the crowd. She placed her hand on his arm. "Mitch—”
"Let me show you the dance floor."
Another wooden floor was placed between butterfly vines inside a see-through dome overlooking the Mississippi River. He opened the door and butterflies floated around them.
Mitch gently squeezed her side. "You like to dance?"
This was some dream location thought of by people who loved fairies. She followed him down the path that might as well be built on clouds. None of this seemed real. He held up his hand and waited. She smiled and twirled into his arms.
"I grew up in Europe where there is no stigma against a man dancing. I enjoy it."
He spun her into a waltz as a harp played in the distance. Her head spun. Everything was beautiful. If only this could last longer than a millisecond of her life.
"Mitch, do you like New Orleans?"
After another twirl, he answered. "It’s the closest thing to a home as an adult I’ve had, but now that my mother has died, I am free to leave.”
Her pulse beat wildly. If he moved to Miami, where he had property on Key Biscayne, she'd be able to see him again. Her heart stirred. She’d like this to be more than a one-night stand. However, that was something for another dream.
"Where do you want to go?"
"My bank has its roots in the south, although we've opened banks in Central and South America now, too." He moved fluidly, expertly around the dance floor.
A small mist for the butterflies splashed her dress. She didn't care. All she cared about at that moment was staying locked in his embrace.
"I know. Miami is the epicenter for Central and South Americans doing business in the States."
He pressed her closer. "I don't want to talk business with you tonight, Tess."
Whoops. She hadn't even thought about it. Her face heated. She sighed. What she dreamed was probably impossible. "I didn't mean it as a business question."
"Then why did you ask?"
She swallowed. The truth was the only thing she had at the moment. "I wanted to know if I'd see you again."
His eyes widened, but he kept in step with the music. "Do you want to see me again?"
The harp ended, then a saxophone started. The heavens shifted as they moved into a more freestyle dance. Yes, she wanted to see him, but she couldn’t say that. She had to pretend. Her heart beat faster, as if it knew she was being stupid, but she pressed on.
"I haven't decided that yet. Just wondering if it were a possibility."
His gaze had a warmness to it. "Then what have you decided?"
“Let’s not put expectations out there.” As he held her hand and twirled her like she were a ballerina, she said, "But when I’m old and gray and looking back on my life, tonight is going to be a moment I cherish. I want to remember this night forever."
He brushed his lips against her ear and desire coursed through her. "Then we'll need to do more than dance.”
Mitch led her away from the crowd and onto the grass. Her heels sunk into the lawn, so she took them off. She pointed for them to go out into the secluded garden closer to the riverbank.
"This is already something I'll never forget, Mitch. Now, what about you?"
He held the net open for her as they escaped through the exit. "What do you want to know about me?"
She sighed as they walked down the garden path, crickets singing. She slipped her shoes back on as they headed farther away from the music. "Who are you?”
"Mitch Morgan."
She laughed as she shook her head. "Not your name. Who are you?"
He stared at her like he didn’t understand her question. "I'm a businessman. Tonight, your dance partner."
"The song ended, Mitch."
As if she somehow commanded it, the music behind them stopped. She heard someone announce that dinner was served.
He steered her back toward the party, whispering, "We'll dance again."
Adrenaline rocked through her. "Will we?"
He snaked his arm around her waist while they made their way to the tables. His body was hard, and she wondered what he looked like under that tuxedo.
She hadn't meant to make him suspicious of her. She was no good at being coy. "The truth is I do hope to see you again. That this isn’t just one special night in my life."
"So you want to see me again?" He bestowed a bright smile upon her, setting off waves of desire. Did he know exactly what it did to her? She turned away and straightened her glasses to ensure they didn't show steam.
He gently removed her glasses. She stared up at him as he took out a cloth from his pants pocket and wiped them free of any smudge, then settled them on her face.
She leaned into him. "Yes, but without the sparkle and dazzle of tonight. Next time, I can make dinner for you and we can talk, alone."
"I've not done that with a pretty woman in years."
When they reached the tables, they saw guests already seated. He led her toward the group and handed his card to the maître d’. They were directed to a table in the back beneath a large oak branch. The waiter held out her seat.
Two women already there twirled their hair and perused Mitch, as if he were on the menu. Tess leaned in to whisper, "That might be because you were absolutely dating the wrong women."
Perhaps both of the ladies at the table had already dated Mitch, and that was why they were being so bold. It was too soon for Tess to ask about his dating life. One of the women held her napkin over her mouth and whispered to the other. Tess refused to let them get to her. Instead, she unfolded her napkin and scooted her chair closer to Mitch as the waiter poured them both a glass of wine.
Mitch, so close his breath tickled her ear, said, "I agree with you. How do you know?"
"Because someone was stupid enough to let you go and you're now here with me." Now, that was brave but she meant every word.
She picked up her glass and held it out to him. Smiling, he picked his up and clinked hers.
Once they both sipped, he put his glass down. "I've not had a girlfriend in two years. The last one left me because I spent too much time at work, which was probably true. Then, with my mother..." His jaw clenched.
She placed her hand on his arm. "Mitch, if you’re not ready, you don't have to talk about your mom.” Tonight was supposed to be a distraction for him. He’d clearly loved his mom. She must have been a great woman, to raise such fine children under difficult circumstances.
"Thanks,” he said as the waiters placed food in front of them.
Jambalaya spices from the blackened red fish wafted toward her nose. She licked her lips and picked up her fork, digging in.
"I like spending time with you, Tess."
The thought of being in his bed was more delicious than food. Her cheeks felt hot from thinking about how he’d look naked and waiting for her on a soft blanket. She tried to eat, but the tender food fell off her fork.
She tried again, this time getting it into her mouth. Amazing! Savoring each morsel of delicate fish, she ate the entire thing—she’d never had anything so good in her life. She wiped her lips, then played with her rice.
Mitch stared at her as he sipped his wine. He probably thought she was completely classless. She hadn’t said a word about it tonight, but she rarely ate on dates. However, that fish was out of this world, and her tongue ached for another taste. She placed the fork down and Mitch finished his meal. "That was delicious."
"New Orleans is known for good food."
"Truthfully, I usually never eat on dates." One appetite sated, she allowed the smell of his cologne to tease her desires. Mitch Morgan was a dream.
He leaned closer to her, lowering his voice. "Why do women do that?"
She glanced toward the two ladies staring at them. "I don't know about all women,” she whispered, “but I worry I'll get something stuck in my teeth and look idiotic. I’m usually nervous.”
He studied her mouth. "You do have a piece of blackened fish between your teeth."
"What?" She opened her purse and pulled out a compact mirror. She smiled, wiping a finger across her teeth. "Where? I don't see it."
A huge smile grew on his face. "I'm joking, Tess. You're perfect."
She laughed and shook her head as she returned the makeup to her bag. "Besides teasing me, tell me what you do for fun."
"Poker." He shifted in his chair. "Care to play?"
She ignored the challenge and gazed up at him. "You gamble?"
"Not really. I play with my brothers." He again spoke close to her ear, spiking her body temperature. "We bet with nickels and dimes kept in a jar. At the end of the game, the coins go back but the winner is the bank and dealer next time around. In addition to having bragging rights, of course.”
"Oh.” His family suddenly sounded more human than the “House of Morgan” stationary her mother typed on made it seem. "So the game is a testament to your manhood."
He nodded, his easy grin returning. "Absolutely."
Her pulse quickened. Neither of them moved as a waiter removed their plates and set dessert in front of them. She grasped her seat, though she wished she held him.
"How about when you're alone? What do you do?"
His pupils dilated as he stared into her eyes. She sighed when he placed his hand on hers. "Wish on a star for you to show up in my life.”
"Relentless flirting." She giggled, tracing his hand with her thumb.
"Is that a problem?"
"Only if you stop."
If they weren't in public, she'd have kissed him.
Then the ding, ding, dong of a chime hushed the crowd. She swallowed as she was transported back to the present moment. She fixed her glasses.
"What’s going on?”
He threw his napkin on the table and squeezed her hand. "The speeches will soon begin. Let's get out of here."
"Now?" she asked as he already had her standing.
He froze. "Do you want to hear political speeches?"
She smirked. "Nope. Lead the way."
After leaving the park, he guided her through the streets and up a dimly lit path where the limo waited. Following him beneath the canopy of trees made her imagine all those film moments when the couple walked off to live happily ever after. For this one night, she believed in the impossible.
6
Tess smelled like raspberries. Mitch assumed it was her shampoo. Perhaps with time, he might not want to kiss her entire body and taste her skin, but he doubted it. Her kiss earlier had knocked him out of his natural element. He took one more whiff and placed his hand on her thigh.
"Want to go back to my place for a drink?"
Without even blinking, she nodded. "Yes."
A smile grew on his face. Tess Taylor in his bed was the best thing he could imagine. He slid his hand higher as she moved closer. "That was easy."
"I am not myself tonight and I’m quite enjoying the freedom." She kissed the base of his throat.
Home was one minute away. Mitch closed the privacy partition as his hand reached the edges of her underwear. At the same time, he traced the outline of her face with his thumb, drawing her near. "Who are you then?"
"I'm Tess 'No Plan' Taylor." Her lips lifted to his.
His heart beat fast as he leaned down and tasted Tess’s mouth. No other woman had ever tasted half as sweet. Almost innocent, her kiss was laced with something that called to his core. He took another sip, letting his body amp up. Once they were home, he'd strip every piece of clothing off her, one by one.
In an effort to restrain himself, he ended the kiss. His entire body stiffened as they rounded the corner that led to his house. They were so close.
He increased the space between them to ensure he had full control of himself. "So, Tess…” He cleared his throat. “What exactly do you do for Morgan Enterprises?”
"I thought we weren't talking about work tonight,” she said, straightening her dress.
The space helped him cool down. "Fair enough. I’ll just feel bad if I'm seducing my brother's secretary.”
A giggle escaped her throat. "Well, my mother is his secret
ary, so that would be gross."
"What?" Unable to stop touching her, he covered her hand.
She shrugged. "My mother also works for Morgan Enterprises. She’s been Peter's secretary since he was sixteen and walked into the building as the heir apparent."
The limo stopped. A moment later, his driver opened the door and Mitch tugged her hand to follow him out. "So you'd be hard to steal away then."
He stopped and stared at his house, which was bright and seemed full of activity. Movement at the window caught his eye, almost like his mother watched him, which was impossible.
"Steal? I thought this was seduction. I had hoped..." Her voice trailed off as she followed the direction of his stare. "Never mind." He led her to the front door. "Why is your living room light on?"
He shook his head, unlocking the door. Why was the TV on? Thieves did not watch television. He and Tess walked into the house, and he saw black luggage covered in band stickers in the corner. "What the...”
Axel claimed his voice usually made women's panties melt off their bodies, but Mitch thought his brother sounded squeaky and more like a mouse.
"Mitch, I didn't know... I came to talk about my search for Catherine..."
Mitch shared a look with Tess and hoped she’d understand. So much for being alone. "Axel, it's okay. You are always welcome."
Axel's gaze went to Tess, then back to Mitch. "I tried to go into Mom's apartment, but I couldn't stay."
If he had been in Axel’s shoes, he wouldn’t want to stay there, either. His body cooled as he stood next to Tess. "No. Of course not. I'm glad you are here."
Then his other two brothers came out of his kitchen and into the living room, potato chips and beer in hand. They stopped when they saw Mitch and Tess.
Mitch sighed. No one else seemed to care that their mother specifically requested they not gather together after the service. "Galen. Damien."
Galen's mouth snapped closed as he held the bag of chips. "You were on a date?"
Tess turned red and let go of his hand. "I should go. I'll just call a car.”
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