Below was the Ohio, wide, winding, and glistening in the midday summer sun. Long barges and other vessels inched up and down the watercourse, and CiCi spotted the Spirit of Jefferson docked below. Across the river was Indiana, stretching into a mist of blue and green infinity past the towns which dotted the state’s southern shore.
He’d given her another exquisite view. Not a thing to keep and put on a shelf or a bottle of perfume or bourbon or even a piece of jewelry to wear. He’d given her an image, a vision of the beauty of this place that they would share for one night. Walker had given her another memory.
“Gorgeous,” she whispered.
“Sure as hell is,” Walker said, and she realized he was at her side, gazing down at her.
Walker put his arms around her waist and kissed her, slowly moving his hands to her head and tangling his fingers into her curly locks.
“You need a shower,” he declared, moving his lips to her neck.
“The bathroom in this place is probably as big as the first floor of my house.” She tilted her head back to allow Walker to continue his attentions to the tender area beneath and around her right ear.
“Let’s find out.” He took her by the hand and moved toward the bedroom she’d spied upon entering the penthouse.
A knock at the door interrupted their short journey. Walker cursed, released CiCi’s hand, and went to the door. Upon checking the peephole, he opened the door, and a bellhop was there with a package in hand.
“Ms. CiCi Summers?”
CiCi walked to the door, revealed her identity, and was handed the package. Walker tipped the young man and shut the door.
“What’s that?” Walker asked.
“You don’t know? This isn’t from you?”
“Nope,” he said. “Open it.”
On top was an envelope with CiCi’s handwritten name on it and the instruction: open note first and alone.
“This is odd,” Walker said.
CiCi examined the familiar handwriting on the envelope, and strongly suspected she knew the identity of the mystery gift giver. “It’s okay,” she said, moving into the bedroom. Walker followed her, and CiCi turned in the door between the living area and the bedroom. “No. Out,” she said, clutching the box to her chest and placing a hand on the doorknob. “My instructions were to open this alone.”
“But you don’t know who sent that,” Walker protested and pointed to the package, frowning.
“Actually, I think I do. And I don’t want to mess with that person.”
And she shut the door in Walker’s face.
Trying to ignore the still-stunning view and her palatial surroundings (there was a grand piano in the bedroom at the window!), CiCi placed the package on the bed and opened the card.
It was as she had suspected. The package was from Hannah.
Hope you’re alone—if not, kick Walker out of the bedroom, because that’s where I’m assuming you are right now.
CiCi laughed out loud. The arrival of Hannah’s package had indeed interrupted their journey to the bedroom. Well, to be more precise, their intended goal had been the bathroom, but she knew the ultimate destination. That big, wonderful bed that was right in front of her. She continued reading.
Here’s a little gift for you. I felt bad buying this and you not having it, so I decided to remedy that problem. My only condition is that you wait until after the banquet tonight to put it to good use. This is the perfect opportunity for you to use that phrase ‘Let me slip into something more comfortable’—and have it mean something! Enjoy. This is such a fun time. Love, H.
CiCi didn’t understand what Hannah meant about “fun time.” The gala? The evening? The time of year?
CiCi opened the package, which had been wrapped in plain brown paper, and a hot pink and bright turquoise box from Booty-Teke was revealed.
“Oh, my. She didn’t…,” CiCi said to herself as her fingers delicately brushed away the cocoon of tissue paper inside the box.
Hannah had indeed done what CiCi suspected: she’d given her the gown CiCi had lusted after at the boutique, but in that wonderfully deep garnet color.
She pulled the garment halfway out of the box by the straps, marveling as it glowed as though electrified from the natural light pouring into the room. CiCi got a little teary by the gift; it was exceptionally thoughtful and completely unexpected. And it hit her what Hannah had meant about the “fun time.”
CiCi and Walker were in that period of their relationship where they were having fun being in love. No other attachments, responsibilities, or worries—only each other. They were consumed with each other’s existence and wanted nothing more than to be in each other’s presence. It was that sweet, slightly naïve period of a relationship when you can make love all night long and wake up the next morning (assuming you slept at all) and not feel sleep deprived at all. And once awake and parted, you could still sense the hands of your lover on you long after you left his arms, thinking you were gonna die until you found yourself in that same safe place once more.
CiCi checked the package to see if there were any other items in it, and her hand hit a piece of paper.
Were you looking for matching panties? As if any woman or man would want them with this thing. Get real.—H.
CiCi snorted so hard it hurt.
“Can I come in yet?” Walker asked as he knocked on the door.
CiCi giggled at his question and proceeded to carefully replace the nightgown in its wrappings and box. She found a large closet and put the package on a shelf, hopefully out of Walker’s line of sight.
“Come on in,” she said, and he was in the room before she said the last word.
“Where’s the package?”
“I put it away,” she said, keeping her eyes on his face. He was curious and eager. She aimed to keep him that way for the rest of the day and into the evening.
“Who sent it? What was it?”
“Little mysteries that will be revealed at an appropriate moment in the future,” she said as he approached her.
“Sounds like fun,” he said, and she smiled, thinking of Hannah’s note.
“I can promise you that.”
“Now… where were we?”
“I was going to take a shower.” She spied their luggage near the bedroom door behind Walker. CiCi hadn’t noticed it when she entered the room because she’d been so intrigued by Hannah’s package. She walked around him, retrieved her bag, and flung it onto the bed.
“I thought we were going to take a shower,” he said.
She removed her toiletries bag from her suitcase. “Not now.”
He caught her by the waist. “So you’re going to make me wait?”
She smiled wickedly and could not stop herself from laughing. “I think you’ll be pleased with what awaits you.”
He released her, went to the closet, and retrieved his garment bag. “Good things come to those who wait?”
“You’ll get to be the judge of that. But where are you going?”
“To the other bedroom.” Walker picked up his duffel bag from the floor. “If we’re going to do this waiting thing, I want to get ready in the other bedroom on the other side of the penthouse. Watching you shower and get dressed—well, that would be too much torture and temptation.”
“So we come out of our respective corners at what time?”
“Cocktail party begins at six, and we’re supposed to meet everyone shortly before then in the lobby.”
CiCi closed the bedroom door and began to contemplate her inevitable meeting with Walker’s father. They had never discussed whatever the problem was between the two men, and she had finally chalked it up to unresolved father-son crap that he’d tell her about in due time. For now, she was happy to look forward to seeing Evelyn and Nina once more. And she was beyond excited that she was going to see Walker named as Master Distiller of the Year.
After a short nap, CiCi showered and readied herself. She was very happy with the fit of the black-and-garnet dress,
and she silently thanked the goddesses of all foundational wear for women when she slipped into the frock. It fit perfectly, and she knew she looked hot.
She enjoyed seeing Walker’s smirk vanish from his face when they met in the living area of the penthouse before heading down to the lobby. His eyes combed over her body, and she shivered just a little under his gaze, anticipating the time when they would be alone together later that evening and he would give her a similar look when he saw the red nightgown.
Walker looked particularly delicious. He was in a dark suit, white shirt, and red tie. His hair was neatly combed, and he was so uptight he looked like a spring that could become uncoiled at any moment. She could feel the tension rolling off him—his nervousness about the evening as well as the intense sexual energy that was buzzing between them.
The man needed a stiff drink and a good lay, and both of them would be easy for Walker to obtain that evening. She would guarantee it.
Chapter 28
Walker gave CiCi a soft kiss on the lips, complimented her looks, and offered her his arm. She put her black clutch under her arm and adjusted her long silk scarf that served as a kind of wrap, and they were off to the lobby.
“You look wonderful!” Lila gushed.
As they waited for Walker’s family to arrive, they met the others from the Old Garnet group in the lobby. Hannah glowed as bright as a jewel in her red silk dress, while Lila looked sexily demure in her outfit. CiCi saw Bo put his hand on Lila’s hip, causing her to smile. He then patted her about the waist, moving his hand lower along her rear.
“Bo!” Lila protested in a harsh whisper, although CiCi could clearly hear.
Both then turned a very deep red and CiCi turned away before either of them could see her face. She knew what Bo had just discovered about his fiancée’s attire.
Jana was there without a date.
“I thought you told me you were going to bring a friend from Lexington,” Hannah said, mildly annoyed.
“He broke his arm,” Jana said in explanation. “Fell off his bike.”
Jana looked lovely in a deep navy-blue sleeveless sheath. Very simple, clean, and it effortlessly brought out the wonderful color of her red hair. She excused herself briefly to go to the bathroom and asked the group to wait on her before going into the banquet.
“Thanks for the gift,” CiCi whispered to Hannah as the others fell into conversation.
“Did he see it?” Hannah asked.
“Nope, I did as you instructed. It was really too much, Hannah.”
“Nonsense,” Hannah said, smiling. “Just remember to have fun.”
CiCi smiled back, knowing that wouldn’t be a problem.
“Hey, they’re here,” Walker said, nodding toward the large revolving door at the front of the hotel lobby.
In walked Evelyn Cain in a black dress, holding an older gentleman’s hand. Nina followed in a purple silk dress with flutter sleeves and a low neckline.
CiCi swallowed and tensed; Walker responded with a quick squeeze of her hand.
“It’s okay,” he whispered.
After Walker’s family offered him birthday greetings and the women said hello to CiCi, Walker turned to his father. “Dad, please let me introduce to you Catherine Summers,” he said.
Jeb extended his hand, which CiCi took and shook. “Pleased to meet you,” he said. The man was polite, but stiff and formal and forcing a smile which made him look like he was in physical pain.
Then Jeb’s face suddenly brightened, and he waved at someone over CiCi’s shoulder. CiCi turned to see who was behind her, but she instinctively knew the face she’d see.
Jana.
Jeb left CiCi and the group and made a beeline for Jana, whom he hugged.
Walker pulled CiCi’s hand to his chest. “Let’s go.” He kissed her on the lips and told his mother and sister that they were heading upstairs to the banquet room to start enjoying the evening. “Sorry about that,” Walker said as they entered an elevator for the short trip.
“Make it up to me and get me a drink,” she said, smiling and taking his proffered arm. CiCi was determined to not let anything ruin the evening.
“Name it, and it’s yours.”
“Garnet Center Cut, of course,” she demanded as the elevator doors opened and they walked out to the banquet level of the hotel.
He stopped and looked stricken. “I didn’t bring my flask,” he said apologetically. “Damn, why didn’t I think about that?” He patted the front of his jacket as though he expected the flask to be there.
CiCi held up her clutch. “Then it’s lucky I did, Mr. Master Distiller of the Year,” she lightly mocked.
“You brought yours?”
“Of course,” she said. “Of all nights, this night is most worthy of celebration, and that requires the best bourbon.”
“How much do you have?”
“About half a flask,” she said, and they walked toward the banquet hall hand in hand. Behind them, CiCi heard Hannah’s voice and figured that the rest of the Old Garnet crowd had caught up with them.
“So you’ve been sipping on what I gave you,” he observed.
“Yes. I took your words to heart. I’m enjoying it, savoring every drop and every moment I’m drinking it.”
They had just reached the doors to the room when Walker stopped, pulled CiCi to him and kissed her. She was surprised and nearly stumbled, but his strong hands held her up—including one hand that landed on her rear.
“Get a room!” someone from behind them cried.
CiCi turned around, angry. “Hannah, you stay out of—”
But there was Lila standing next to Bo, holding his hand, and grinning at CiCi and Walker.
“Just a sec,” CiCi said to Walker and walked to Lila’s side.
“Oh, did I offend?” Lila giggled. “Really, you two are quite the sight—”
“Are you cold?” CiCi asked Lila in a very low whisper so Bo wouldn’t hear.
“Cold?” Lila’s brows knit together in amused confusion. “Why would I be cold?”
“Well, since you’re not wearing any undies, I thought the air-conditioning in here might be a little too brisk for all your lady parts.” CiCi brought her forefinger and pressed it to her lips, stifling a laugh while Lila’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, dear, you’re pale now. The cold is too much for you.”
“Shut up!” Lila hissed, startling Bo and drawing his attention from conversation with Kyle.
CiCi clucked her tongue and walked away, leaving Lila in an embarrassed snit. CiCi heard Bo asking his fiancée what was wrong as CiCi, laughing, returned to Walker’s side.
The next hour was a blur of bourbon and banter.
Walker was immediately recognized and lauded upon entering the room. He greeted old friends, colleagues, and bosses, and seemingly slapped every back and shook every hand in the room. CiCi was so happy to see him treated with such high personal and professional regard. He was in his element and amongst his peers.
But she was not his arm candy.
Walker introduced CiCi to every last person by name and profession. He treated her in every way as not only the woman he loved but his equal. She met CEOs, other master distillers, bourbon aficionados, liquor distributors, and marketing people. By the end of the hour, she’d barely had a few sips of bourbon but was dizzy from the flurry of activity.
The time for the dinner approached, and they found the reserved table for the Old Garnet group. With Walker on one side of her, CiCi insisted that Nina sit on her other. CiCi wanted to get to know Nina better, and she was interested in any stories Walker’s sister might care to tell her about her brother. After they sat, CiCi noticed that Nina was giving her father disapproving looks. Jeb was next to Jana and talking animatedly while mostly ignoring Evelyn who sat on his other side.
Rather than talk about Walker, CiCi instead learned a lot about Nina’s job: she was a prosecutor in the office which investigated and regulated attorneys in the state. Nina told some very interesting,
funny, and horrible stories about attorney misconduct, and CiCi shared some of her own since she’d worked in the legal world for the better part of the past decade. She also discovered that Garner Robson, a well-known young attorney in Frankfort, was Nina’s boyfriend. He was absent that evening because it was his parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary party.
Jeb’s continuous chatter with Jana lasted through dinner (bourbon-glazed pork chops), and CiCi’s regard for the woman improved when she thought she saw Jana tiring of Jeb’s continuing attention. Eventually, by the time dessert was served (bourbon-honey ice cream with bourbon-infused cherries), Jana was trying to talk more with Bo, who was sitting on her other side. This turn of events left Jeb with only Evelyn as a conversation partner, and from her dour look, CiCi knew she was not pleased with her husband’s behavior. The display did not go unnoticed by Walker; throughout dinner, he was frequently frowning in his father’s direction.
After the dessert was cleared, the award presentations began. There were only three honors, and Old Garnet was taking two of them. The first award was a lifetime achievement award to a former master distiller at a large distillery in Louisville. His introduction (by three different people) took longer than the man’s actual acceptance speech, which couldn’t have lasted more than a minute.
Then it was time for the Distillery of the Year award presentation to Bo and Hannah.
Brother and sister went to the podium at the front of the room to accept their award, a golden bottle mounted on a small wooden barrel. Hannah spoke first but was visibly and audibly upset and struggled to speak.
“I know many of you are aware we lost Mom earlier this year…,” was the last coherent thing Hannah could say before the tears overtook her. Bo hugged his sister at the podium, and allowed her to cry on his shoulder for a few seconds before taking over the speaking duties. At the end of his remarks, he specifically thanked Walker.
“We would not be here without you, my friend,” Bo said, holding the award aloft and looking at Walker. He then motioned for Walker to join him, which he did reluctantly and only after Lila and CiCi’s intense urging.
Distiller's Choice (Bourbon Springs Book 4) Page 25