“It is for his friend,” James assured her, “you. Mr. Tremaine hopes you will attend the ball as his guest.”
Lisa made noises of excitement as she dug through the other bag and brought out high-heeled silver shoes to match the dress. “Oh, these are so cute.”
“Put them back, Lisa. I’m not keeping them.”
“Aw, come on, Kenzie. You’re not going to turn him down. It’s that yummy goodness that was here the other night, isn’t it? He’s obviously got money. Girl, you would be nuts to give him up.”
“He’s not mine to give up. Now put the shoes back.” She zipped the dress into the garment bag and held it out to James. “Please tell him thanks, but no thanks. I can’t accept a gift like this, and the ball is tomorrow. I don’t appreciate the short notice.”
James made no move to take the bag.
“I’m serious.”
Pink tinged James’s cheeks. “Miss, I have been told not to return with the items no matter what, or I will have to find new employment.”
Kenzie’s mouth dropped open. “He wouldn’t dare fire you because of me.”
“Without reference, miss.”
“That arrogant son of a—” She yanked her cell phone from her pocket and started to dial, but it rang, and her irritation rose higher at seeing the display. “Easton Tremaine, who the hell do you think you are?”
“I need you there to help me.”
“Please, you’ve done just fine on your own for, what, thirty years?”
“Thirty-one.” The amusement in his tone grated. No man had ever gotten her so pissed.
“Well, I refuse to wear this dress or these shoes.”
“You don’t like them? I can select something else for you, a different designer perhaps? I’m sorry to insult you with a dress off the rack, but the charity is tomorrow night.”
“Off the rack?” Her voice rose to a squeak. “Every piece in my closet is off the rack!”
“What argument are you trying to make here, Kenzie, because I don’t understand?”
She pinched the bridge of her nose and sat down. He was deliberately being obtuse. If only he were there for her to smack his handsome face. Maybe then he’d get it. Words, for the first time, escaped her.
“Would you be willing to do me this favor by being there?” He had dropped his voice low, and the deep timbre seemed to vibrate over her most sensitive regions, a result he no doubt strove for. “You won’t be my date.”
That brought her up short. “Huh?”
“I will take Jocelyn to the ball, but the envelope James provided for you is an invitation that will get you in. You will be on hand to give me pointers about handling Jocelyn. Also, the other women on the list will be in attendance. You can observe them firsthand.”
Despite her determination not to keep the dress, she had felt a little excitement deep down inside that he was asking her out. Of course, she’d intended to refuse, but now he was saying her assumptions were wrong. She would go as a consultant and nothing else. How could you expect anything else, Kenzie? Don’t let a man like him get in your head.
“Are you going to go?” Lisa said, standing in front of her like a lost puppy with wide, hopeful eyes. Seriously, it wasn’t like either Lisa or Denise had long-term lovers themselves. They did date more than she did, though.
“Fine, I’ll go, but I can get my own dress to wear.”
“No problem.” She heard the sarcasm dripping from his words. “The guests are all multimillionaires and billionaires, or at least work with them on a regular basis. I’m sure you’ll find appropriate attire.”
Her stomach tied into tight knots. “You want to scare me off, don’t you?”
“The Kenzie I know wouldn’t run in fear.”
She warmed at that and grinned. “Boy, you don’t know me. Fine. I’ll wear the dress.”
“And the shoes?”
“Yes.” She rolled her eyes.
“Good. I’ll choose diamond earrings and have those sent over as well.”
“I draw the line—”
He hung up.
Chapter Six
Easton stood leaning on a wall with his hands stuffed into his pockets. He scanned the crowd of partygoers for Kenzie, but he knew she hadn’t arrived. The last time he checked his watch, she was forty minutes late. Why wasn’t she here? Had she backed out? He shifted from one foot to the other.
“Easton, did you hear me?” his date asked.
He managed a glance in her direction. “Of course. Stock options, correct?”
“Yes, that’s what I told him.” Jocelyn’s husky voice had always turned him on. Now, it irritated him. “I wouldn’t take less. Anyway…”