Читать книгу A Cinderella Seduction - Karen Booth - Страница 13

Three

If Daniel wasn’t mistaken, he hadn’t merely laid eyes on one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen, she was coming his way. He never played coy, so he made eye contact again, but still his pulse raced. She was stunning—floating through the room as if her feet never touched the floor. Her dark hair was swept up and back from her face, accentuating her graceful neck. He hadn’t pondered kissing a woman in that region for months. Now it was all he could think about.

“Hello.” She had an air of self-assurance that was simply breathtaking. This was a woman who was accustomed to taking what she wanted.

“Hello yourself.”

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

Taken by surprise, he couldn’t help but laugh. What a confident way to greet a stranger. “Clever.” He held out his hand. “I’m Daniel.” He stopped short of offering his last name. No one knew he was in New York scouting locations for Stone’s, and he intended to keep it that way. Luckily, few people in the States knew him by sight. In London, it would be a different matter.

She slid her long, delicate fingers against his and shook his hand, sending ripples of warmth through him. “Emma.” She let go, leaving his palm tingling.

“So, tell me, Emma, what brings you to an event like this?”

She looked up at him from beneath a fringe of dark lashes that brought out the sheer sexiness of her brown eyes. “My job. I work for Eden’s.”

A waiter walked by with champagne, which gave Daniel a moment to decide how best to proceed. This gorgeous woman who’d managed to find him was employed by the company his mother considered the enemy. “Can I interest you in a drink?”

“Yes, please.”

Daniel took two flutes and handed one to Emma. “To new friends?”

Emma shook her head. “You can’t toast with a question. To new friends.” She clinked her glass with his.

For the first time in three weeks, Daniel wasn’t so eager to get home to London. He also found himself dismissing his commitment to staying away from the fairer sex. “Hear, hear.” He took a sip, studying her rosy-pink lips as they curved around the glass. “What do you do for Eden’s?”

“Number crunching, mostly.”

The lights in the room flashed off and on. Emma looked up, then returned her sights to him. “I guess we have to find out seats?” The crowd began moving toward the double doors leading into the adjoining room.

Something in Daniel’s gut told him he was an idiot if he let Emma get away. They were just getting started. “Did you come alone?”

“I didn’t, but my date ditched me.”

“Date?”

“My sister. I mean my half sister. It’s complicated.”

“I see. Well, if I’m not being too forward, where are you sitting?” he asked.

A sheepish smile crossed her lips. “My seats are in the front row. I have an extra if you want to join me. My other sister wasn’t able to make it.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your sister.” But he wasn’t sorry he would be sitting with Emma. “And I’d love to join you.” He didn’t have to tell her that his seat was also in the front row. He’d let her think she was giving him a thrill.

They made their way inside and found their seats along the runway. Daniel subtly surveyed the rest of the front-row attendees, and spotted Nora Bradford, the designer he had to speak with before the end of the evening. He’d have to find a time to break away from Emma, which was a real shame, but for now, he would enjoy himself.

“You haven’t told me what you do, Daniel,” Emma said.

He couldn’t afford to tell her the truth. He had no idea of her stature at Eden’s or to whom she might end up speaking. “I’m here in the city looking at some real estate for my family’s business.” Not a lie. Not a lie at all.

Emma nodded, her eyes wide and eager. “Sounds exciting.”

“Not as exciting as meeting you.”

Emma smiled and shied away, looking down at her lap and running her fingers over her evening bag. The crowd had filled the room, the conversation at a steady din, broken only by the introduction of a thumping beat of dance music. The lights went down and the volume grew louder, the bass reverberating in Daniel’s hips and thighs. Or perhaps that was Emma’s effect on him. He had an amazing vantage point sitting next to her, one where he could admire the dips and valleys of her collarbone and shoulders. She had exquisite skin. Touchable and shimmery. How badly would he jeopardize his family business if he asked an Eden’s employee out for dinner?

The models began to strut down the catwalk, which would normally catch Daniel’s attention, but Emma was the real attraction. She leaned into him. “Isn’t it exciting?”

“It is.” He found himself smiling, of all things. That was not his usual reaction when forced to attend an event like this.

“This is my first time coming to one of these.”

Utterly charming—those were the words the came to mind. “I never would’ve known. You seem like an old pro.”

She reached over and swatted his thigh with the back of her hand. Now the grin on his face felt as though it might never leave.

Emma studied the models and applauded, her enthusiasm for fashion seeming so genuine. Her face was full of wonder as she followed each new design down the runway. Watching her became Daniel’s primary source of entertainment, especially as she pointed out her favorites.

“Ooh. I love that one,” she whispered in his ear. The hint of warmth from her sweet breath brought every nerve ending alive, like flipping on a switch.

“It’s lovely.” You’re lovely.

She repeated this exercise over and over again, muttering comments into his ear whenever she found a particular design detail interesting. As the show went on, she seemed to become even more comfortable with him, leaning in closer. The conversation continued, and he found it was easier to hear her if he slung his arm across the back of her chair. She placed her hand on his thigh, sending signals straight to his groin. He wanted her. He wanted to take her home. But he had work to do after the show was over. Important work he couldn’t afford to miss.

When the designers and several models made their final procession, Emma was one of the first in the audience to shoot to her feet and applaud wildly. Daniel was even more entranced. He loved her lack of inhibition. He was intrigued by the possibilities of getting Emma into his bed.

“I take it you enjoyed yourself?” he asked as the music died down and the crowd began to filter out of the room. From the corner of his eye, he saw Nora Bradford walking away. He couldn’t let her out of his sights, but he wasn’t ready to excuse himself from Emma. He needed her number. He deserved a little fun while he was in New York. No strings attached, of course.

“It was amazing. The clothes were incredible. It’s definitely been the most exciting part of my job to date.”

Daniel wasn’t sure how much he should dig into Emma’s life at Eden’s. He dreaded learning anything that might indicate she was not a woman to pursue. He wanted her, but he wouldn’t risk everything to take her to bed.

“One more drink?” he asked, unwilling for this to be goodbye.

“Yes. Please.” Emma answered instantly and smiled widely, momentarily numbing him to his sense of duty to his family business. Daniel knew where a second drink might lead, or at least where he wanted it to go, and that was not a good idea. He had unfinished business tonight. And it didn’t involve the stunning woman from Eden’s department store.

* * *

Emma worried for more than a moment that she’d answered too quickly. Daniel was all suave sophistication, and she’d been nothing but goofy with excitement during the fashion show. She wasn’t sure what had come over her, except that she felt different right now. For the first time, she felt as though she could be comfortable in this world. More importantly, she could hold her own with a handsome man like Daniel.

“Shall we?” Feeling a bit invincible, she hooked her arm in his and snugged him close to her.

The look he cast down at her shook her to her core. So confident. So pleased. So hot. “Please.”

Emma took a step and her shoe caught on the carpet. It twisted right off her foot and she stumbled forward.

Daniel kept her from falling with a strong hold on her arm. “Are you okay?”

Embarrassment heated her cheeks, but she was determined to make a graceful save. A little hiccup was not going to ruin her evening. “I’m great. Just need to get my shoe.” She reached down to hook her finger into a silver strap, but as she bent at the waist, she felt a pop behind her. Cool air hit the center of her back. She still needed her shoe, so she crouched to grab it. In a rush, the cold spread down her spine. The zipper.

She let go of Daniel’s arm, righted herself and immediately flattened her back against his chest, clutching her dress to her bosom with one hand and her shoe in the other. The fine wool crepe of his tuxedo brushed against her bare skin. Her zipper had split wide-open. The only thing that was keeping the dress on was that impossibly tiny silver hook at the very top and the few inches of bodice before the skirt started.

“Everything all right?” Daniel grasped her shoulders from behind and looked down at her.

Emma’s chest was heaving. Panic coursed through her veins. Of course something disastrous would happen. “My zipper. I think it broke.” She knew one thing as soon as those words came out. The humiliation of this scene was going to last her entire lifetime. She’d have to start taking the stairs in her apartment building. She might have to move.

Daniel pushed her shoulders forward ever so slightly. “Indeed it has.”

That small breach of the space between them told her exactly how bad it was. Daniel could see far more of her than was reasonable for the first few hours of their acquaintance. Her bare back. Her skimpy panties. “Do you think you can fix it?” Luckily, most people had made it back out into the reception area. The few still milling about didn’t seem to notice. “I can’t walk out of here with half a dress.”

He pulled her a little closer and lowered his head. “No. But we could stay in here with half of your dress.” His breath was warm against the slope of her neck.

She craned her head, looking at him over her shoulder. His lips were so close, achingly within reach. If they were somewhere quiet and private, this mishap could’ve been the perfect icebreaker. Her clothes were already half off. Might as well go all the way. “As fun as that sounds, I’m still going to need to walk through that room at some point.”

“Hold on. Let me see if I can do anything.” He waited as a few people walked past, then he made more space between them.

Emma tried very hard to not think about how much he was essentially studying her naked back and every inch of lacy undergarments that went with it. “Well? How bad is it?”

“From where I’m standing, the view is spectacular.” He traced his finger along one edge of the zipper, his warm skin brushing hers. It had been so long since a man had touched her like that, and certainly no man as sexy and handsome as Daniel.

“You get bonus points for flattery.” And for making me dizzy. “I’d still like to know if the dress can be saved.”

“The two sides of the zipper aren’t attached anymore. It’s just the hook holding it together.”

Emma didn’t know a lot about garment construction, but she did know that there was no saving that stupid zipper. “What do I do? I didn’t bring a jacket or coat.”

“I did.” Daniel stepped back and shrugged his shoulders out of his tuxedo jacket. Emma got a much better sense of his body now that it was hiding under fewer clothes. If she wasn’t so deathly embarrassed, she might be daring enough to invite him home. He placed his jacket on her shoulders and held her shoe and handbag as she slipped her arms inside.

“This is so nice of you.”

“Think nothing of it.”

Emma sat in a chair and worked her foot into her shoe. “I’m not accustomed to such chivalry.” Not even close. Her only real boyfriend had been the sort of guy who didn’t want to share his umbrella in the rain.

“Still care for a drink?”

Emma stood, well aware that whatever magic she’d managed to conjure this evening would evaporate if she was the woman walking around in a broken dress and tuxedo jacket. “It’s probably best if I head home.” She could hardly believe the words. He was too amazing. She was missing her chance. Hopefully, she’d have another, perhaps run into him in the building again.

He nodded. “I understand. There’s someone I need to track down, anyway. Let me walk you to your car, though.”

Emma pulled out her phone and sent a text to Mindy’s driver, who said he could be out front in a few minutes. The disappointing end of this evening was unimaginable, but she was determined to steal a few more lovely moments with Daniel. “That would be nice.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything bad happen.” He placed his arm around her shoulder and walked her through the double doors.

They wound their way through the crowd. Several people gave her funny looks, but she did her best to hold her head high. Daniel’s presence certainly made it easier. He ushered her outside, where the red carpet photographers were lying in wait. As soon as she was spotted, the flashes started going off. Yet another thing she had not bargained on.

Emma squinted as the bright lights made it hard to see. A black SUV pulled up to the curb and Mindy’s driver rounded the back of the car, waiting for her on the sidewalk.

“That’s my ride,” she said.

Like the perfect gentleman, Daniel escorted her to the waiting car, and Emma climbed into the back seat. As soon as she was inside, she started to remove his jacket.

He held up his hand. “Please. Keep it.”

“No. It’s okay. I know you have to go back in and find someone.” She had to wonder who he was meeting. Surely there were hundreds of women in that room who would love even a moment with Daniel. Still, Emma was immensely grateful for the time she’d had with him, even with the way it was ending.

He slid his hand onto her shoulder and gave a subtle squeeze. Even through the suit fabric, it was wonderful. “I’m the only person who has seen the state of your dress. When you arrive home, I’d like you to be able to retain your dignity.”

She smiled. “That’s so sweet.”

“Oh, I have my reasons. If you keep it, it’ll give me an excuse to see you again.”

Emma’s face flushed so quickly she was surprised she could still sit up straight. “You’re forcing me to hold your jacket hostage?”

He leaned in even closer. Good God, she wanted him to kiss her. She found herself puckering just to extend the invitation. “Part and parcel of being a gentleman.”

The car behind hers honked. She jumped. Daniel grimaced and looked back.

“I should go,” she said, hoping he’d protest.

“I’ll need your number if I’m going to see you again.”

His voice was a bit desperate and that was when the realization hit her—he didn’t recognize her from their building. Looking back at the first thing she’d said to him tonight, she was shocked by her own brazenness. That had been a far bolder gesture than the real Emma would have ever made.

“So you really don’t know who I am? I don’t look the slightest bit familiar to you?”

“I’m so sorry. Should I know who you are?”

She laughed quietly, but it was more born of sad resignation than happiness. He hadn’t noticed the everyday Emma. Not at all. She leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek. She desperately hoped that wouldn’t be the extent of things between them, but if it was, at least the end could be on her terms. She’d either be bold Emma and go to his apartment, or she’d be her old self and leave the jacket with the doorman and attempt to hide from Daniel forever. First, she needed time for her ego to feel a little less bruised.

She reached for the door handle. “Don’t worry, Daniel. I’ll find you.”

And just like that, the driver pulled away from the curb and sped off into yet another magical big city night. Emma wrapped her arms around herself and sat back in the seat, looking off through the window, wondering what was ahead for her and her slightly-less-mysterious Mr. Brit. Romance? At least a real kiss? Or was tonight as good as it would ever get?