Читать книгу His Until Midnight - Reese Ryan - Страница 13

Four

Tessa had never been plucked, primped and prodded this much in her entire life.

She’d been waxed in places she didn’t even want to think about and had some kind of wrap that promised to tighten her curves. And the thick head of curls she adored had been straightened and hung in tousled waves around her shoulders. Now Milan Valez, a professional makeup artist, was applying her makeup.

“I thought we were going with a natural look,” Tess objected when the woman opened yet another product and started to apply what had to be a third or fourth layer of goop to her face.

“This is the natural look.” The woman rolled her eyes. “If I had a dime for every client who doesn’t realize that what they’re calling the natural look is actually a full face.” The woman sighed, but her expression softened as she directed Tess to turn her head. “You’re a beautiful woman with gorgeous skin. If you’re not a makeup wearer, I know it feels like a lot. But I’m just using a few tricks to enhance your natural beauty. We’ll make those beautiful eyes pop, bring a little drama to these pouty lips, and highlight your incredible cheekbones. I promise you won’t look too heavily made up. Just trust me.”

Tessa released a quiet sigh and nodded. “I trust you.”

“Good. Now just sit back and relax. Your friends should be here shortly. They’re going to be very pleased, and I think you will, too.” The woman smiled. “Now look up.”

Tessa complied as Milan applied liner beneath her eyes. “You sure I can’t have a little peek?”

“Your friends made me promise. No peeking. And you agreed.” She lifted Tess’s chin. “Don’t worry, honey, you won’t have to wait much longer.”

“Tessa? Oh my God, you look...incredible.” Rachel entered the salon a few minutes later and clapped a hand over her mouth. “I can hardly believe it’s you.”

Alexis nearly slammed into the back of Rachel, who’d made an abrupt stop. She started to complain, but when she saw Tessa, her mouth gaped open, too.

“Tess, you look...stunning. Not that you aren’t always beautiful, but...wow. Just wow.”

“You two are making me seriously self-conscious right now.” Tessa kept her focus on Milan.

“Don’t be,” the woman said emphatically. “Remember what we talked about. I’ve only enhanced what was already there.”

Tessa inhaled deeply and nodded. She ignored the butterflies in her stomach in response to the broad grins and looks of amazement on Alexis’s and Rachel’s faces.

“There, all done.” Milan sat back proudly and grinned. “Honey, you look absolutely beautiful. Ready to see for yourself?”

“Please.” Even as Tessa said it, her hands were trembling, and a knot tightened in her stomach. How could something as simple as looking in the mirror be so fraught with anxiety? It only proved she wasn’t cut out for this whole glamour-girl thing.

Milan slowly turned the chair around and Alexis and Rachel came over to stand closer, both of them bouncing excitedly.

Tessa closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then opened them.

“Oh my God.” She leaned closer to the mirror. “I can hardly believe that’s me.” She sifted her fingers through the dark, silky waves with toffee-colored highlights. “I mean, it looks like me, just...more glamourous.”

“I know, isn’t it incredible? You’re going to be the star of the evening. We need to keep you hidden until you walk across the stage. Really take everyone by surprise.” Rachel grinned in the mirror from behind her.

“Oh, that’s a brilliant idea, Rachel,” Alexis agreed. “It’ll have more impact.”

“This is only the beginning.” Rachel’s grin widened. “Just wait until they get a load of your outfit tonight. Every man in that room’s jaw will hit the floor.”

Tessa took another deep breath, then exhaled as she stared at herself in the mirror. Between her makeover and the daring outfit she’d chosen, there was no way Ryan, or anyone else, would take her for one of the boys.

Her heart raced and her belly fluttered as she anticipated his reaction. She couldn’t wait to see the look of surprise on Ryan’s face.

Ryan entered the beautiful gardens where The Great Royal Bachelor Auction was being held. Alexis Slade, James Harris and the rest of the committee had gone out of their way to create a festive and beautiful setting for the event. Fragrant wreaths and sprigs of greenery were strung from the pergolas. Two towering trees decorated with gorgeous ornaments dominated the area. Poinsettias, elegant red bows and white lights decorated the space, giving it a glowing, ethereal feel. The garden managed to be both romantic and festive. The kind of setting that almost made you regret not having someone to share the night with.

He sipped his Jack and Coke and glanced around the vicinity. Everyone who was anyone was in attendance. He made his way through the room, mingling with Carter Mackenzie and Shelby Arthur, Matt Galloway and Rachel Kincaid, Austin and Brooke Bradshaw, and all of the other members of the club who’d turned out for the event. Several of the bachelors moved around the space, drumming up anticipation for the auction and doing their best to encourage a bidding frenzy.

But Tessa was nowhere to be found. Had she changed her mind? He was looking forward to hanging out with her tonight, but he’d understand if she’d gotten cold feet. Hell, there was a part of him that was relieved to think that maybe she’d bailed.

Then again, Tess had said she’d be coming from somewhere else. So maybe she was just running late.

He resisted the urge to pull out his cell phone and find out exactly where she was. For once in his life, he’d be patient. Even if it killed him.

“Ryan, it’s good to see you.” James Harris, president of the Texas Cattleman’s Club, shook his hand. “I hate that we couldn’t convince you to be one of our bachelor’s tonight, but I’m glad you joined us just the same.”

“Didn’t see your name on the list of bachelors either.” Ryan smirked, and both men laughed.

“Touché.” James took a gulp of his drink and Ryan did the same.

“Looks like y’all are doing just fine without me.” Ryan gestured to the space. “I wouldn’t have ever imagined this place could look this good.”

“Alexis Slade outdid herself with this whole romantic winter wonderland vibe.” James’s eyes trailed around the space. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure exactly how her vision would come together, but she’s delivered in spades. I’m glad we gave her free rein to execute it as she saw fit.”

“Judging from everyone here’s reaction, you’ve got a hit on your hands.” Ryan raised his glass before finishing the last of his drink.

“Let’s just hope it motivates everyone to dig deep in their pockets tonight.” James patted Ryan on the back. “I’d better go chat with Rose Clayton.” He nodded toward the older woman, who looked stunning in her gown. The touch of gray hair at her temples gleamed in the light. “But I’ll see you around.”

“You bet.” Ryan nodded toward the man as he traversed the space and greeted Rose.

“Ryan, how are you?” Gail Walker took a sip of her drink and grinned. “You look particularly handsome tonight. But I see Alexis still wasn’t able to talk you into joining the list of eligible bachelors.”

“Not my thing, but looks like they’ve got plenty of studs on the schedule for you to choose from.” Ryan sat his empty glass on a nearby tray. “And you clean up pretty well yourself.”

“Thanks.” She smoothed a hand over the skirt of her jewel-tone green dress. “But I’ve got my eye on one bachelor in particular.” Her eyes shone with mischief. “And I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to get him.”

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to be the woman who has to run up against you.” Ryan chuckled. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, Ryan. See you around.” Gail made her way through the crowd, mingling with other guests.

Ryan accepted a napkin and a few petite quiches from a server passing by. Ignoring the anticipation that made his heart beat a little faster as he considered the prospect of bidding on his friend.

Tessa paced the space that served as the bachelors’ green room. Everyone else had spent most of the night mingling. They came to the green room once the start of the auction drew closer. But she’d been stuck here the entire evening, biding her time until she was scheduled to make her grand entrance.

“Tessa Noble? God, you look...incredible.” Daniel Clayton shoved a hand in his pocket. “But what are you doing here? Wait...are you the surprise?”

“Guilty.” Her cheeks warmed as she bit into another quiche.

She tried her best not to ruin the makeup that Milan had so painstakingly applied. The woman had assured her that she could eat and drink without the lipstick fading or feathering. But Tess still found herself being extra careful.

“Everyone will definitely be surprised,” he said, then added, “Not that you don’t look good normally.”

“It’s okay, Daniel. I get it.” She mumbled around a mouth full of quiche. “It was a surprise to me, too.”

He chuckled, running a hand through his jet-black hair. “You must be tired of people telling you how different you look. How did Tripp and Ryan react?”

“Neither of them has seen me yet.” She balled up her napkin and tossed it in the trash. “I’m a little nervous about their reaction.”

“Don’t be,” Daniel said assuredly. “I can’t imagine a man alive could find fault with the way you look tonight.” He smiled, then scrubbed a hand across his forehead. “Or any night...of course.”

They both laughed.

“Well, thank you.” She relaxed a little. “You already know why I feel like a fish out of water. But why do you look so out of sorts tonight?”

He exhaled heavily, the frown returning to his face. “For one thing, I’d rather not be in the lineup. I’m doing this at my grandmother’s insistence.”

“Ms. Rose seems like a perfectly reasonable woman to me. And she loves you like crazy. I’m pretty sure if you’d turned her down she would’ve gotten over it fairly quickly.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “But the truth is that I owe my grandmother so much. Don’t know where I would’ve ended up if it wasn’t for her. Makes it hard to say no.” A shadow of sadness passed over his handsome face, tugging at Tessa’s heart.

Daniel had been raised by Rose Clayton after his own mother dumped him on her. It made Tessa’s heart ache for him. She couldn’t imagine the pain Daniel must feel at being abandoned by a woman who preferred drugs and booze to her own son.

“Of course.” Tess nodded, regretting her earlier flippant words. She hadn’t considered the special relationship that Daniel had with his grandmother and how grateful he must be to her. “I wasn’t thinking.”

They were both quiet for a moment, when she remembered his earlier words.

“You said ‘for one thing.’ What’s the other reason you didn’t want to do this?”

The pained look on Daniel’s face carved deep lines in his forehead and between his brows. He drained the glass of whiskey in his hand.

“It’s nothing,” he said in a dismissive tone that made it clear that they wouldn’t be discussing it any further.

She was digging herself deeper into a hole with every question she asked of Daniel tonight. Better for her to move on. She wished him luck and made her way over to the buffet table.

“Hey, Tessa.” Lloyd Richardson put another slider on his small plate. “Wow, you look pretty amazing.”

“Thanks, Lloyd.” She decided against the slider and put some carrots and a cherry tomato on her plate instead.

There wasn’t much room to spare in her fitted pantsuit. She wore a jacket over the sleeveless garment to hide the large cutout that revealed most of her back. That had been one idea of Rachel’s for which she’d been grateful.

“Hey, you must be plum sick of people saying that to you by now.” Lloyd seemed to recognize the discomfort she felt at all of the additional attention she’d been getting.

Tess gave him a grateful smile. No wonder her friend Gail Walker had a crush on Lloyd. He was handsome, sweet and almost a little shy. Which was probably why he hadn’t made a move on Gail, since he certainly seemed interested in her.

“Okay, bachelors and bachelorette.” Alexis acknowledged Tess with a slight smile. “The proceedings will begin in about ten minutes. So finish eating, take a quick bathroom break, whatever you need to do so you’ll be ready to go on when your number is called.”

Alexis had her serious, drill sergeant face on. Something Tessa knew firsthand that a woman needed to adopt when she was responsible for managing a crew of men—be they ranchers or ranch hands.

Still, there was something in her eyes. Had she been crying?

Before she could approach Alexis and ask if she was all right, she noticed the look Alexis and Daniel Clayton exchanged. It was brief, but meaningful. Chock full of pain.

Could Alexis be the other reason Daniel hadn’t wanted to be in the bachelor auction? But from the look of things, whatever was going on between them certainly wasn’t sunshine and roses.

Tessa caught up with Alexis as she grabbed the door handle.

“Alexis.” Tessa lowered her voice as she studied her friend’s face. “Is everything okay? You look like you’ve been—”

“I’m fine.” Alexis swiped at the corner of one eye, her gaze cast downward. “I just... I’m fine.” She forced a smile, finally raising her eyes to meet Tessa’s. “You’re going to kill them tonight. Just wait until you come out of that jacket. We’re going to have to scrape everyone’s jaws off the floor.” She patted Tess’s shoulder. “I’d tell you good luck, but something tells me that you aren’t going to need it tonight.”

With that, Alexis dipped out of the green room and was gone.

When Tess turned around, Daniel was standing there, staring after the other woman. He quickly turned away, busying himself with grabbing a bottle of water from the table.

There was definitely something going on with the two of them. And if there was, Tessa could understand why they wouldn’t want to make their relationship public. Daniel’s grandmother, Rose Clayton, and Alexis’s grandfather, Gus Slade, once an item, had been feuding for years.

In recent months, they seemed to at least have found the civility to be decent toward one another. Most likely for the sake of everyone around them. Still, there was no love lost between those two families.

“Looks like Royal has its very own Romeo and Juliet,” she muttered under her breath.

Tess took her seat, her hands trembling slightly and butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She closed her eyes, imagining how Ryan would react to seeing her out there on that stage.