"But Tonya and her pink thong-"
Vanessa grabbed him by his tie. "Will be wrapped around your neck if you complete that thought."
"I'm crazy about commanding women," he said, spinning Vanessa around so she could fill the glasses with the seductive blue liquor. From behind her, he added the lemon wedge garnishes.
The heat emanating from his body made Vanessa want to push against him, made her wish for privacy and endless hours to indulge in fantasy and lust. For a moment, she closed her eyes and breathed in the enticing, spicy scent of him.
"If we get drinks out quick," Mia said, "we might not have a revolt."
Vanessa felt her face flush. She was getting too wrapped up in Lucas. After she filled the tray, she handed it to him. "You're walking home if you flirt with those women."
He winked. "Yes, ma'am."
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Oh, no, chère," he said as he walked toward the door. "This is really hard work."
With another wink and a smile, he sailed out of the kitchen.
"God, he's beautiful."
Vanessa eyed her partner. "Don't think I won't put the whip on you either."
"Just promise me I get your outfit for my date with Colin on Tuesday." Her eyes danced. "It clearly has an intoxicating effect on men."
"I guess the lake trip went well." With the flurry of catering prep, she hadn't had the opportunity to ask about the big boating date.
Mia wiggled her pink satin-clad hips. "Ooh, la, la." Dressed in the good-girl outfit-a tight silk dress, gathered on the sides and boosting her friend's bosom to new heights-Mia embodied cheeky fun. The big pink bow holding back her ponytail did nothing to spoil the I'm good, but not really innocent costume.
"How did you get Lucas to trade a date for work?"
"He volunteered."
Mia's jaw dropped. "Maybe it's true love. I mean, who would trade dinner and clubbing for this?" As she flung her hand out, a cheer rose from the other room.
No doubt the stripper their client had requested they hire had dispensed with another piece of clothing. Vanessa only hoped Millie was keeping her clothes on.
At the start of the party, Vanessa had shamelessly pressed a cocktail glass in her hand, introduced her to the hostess, then darted off to deal with the appetizers.
Millie had gotten into the spirit of the party. After a woman had suffered through a cheating husband, then a dead husband, Vanessa figured she deserved any fun she could get.
So far, Millie hadn't pulled a Tonya routine, but Vanessa still hoped the woman didn't give details about the night to her father.
Focusing on Mia, Vanessa considered true love. She was hot for Lucas, enjoyed being with him, but love was way in the future. She had a business to keep afloat, and, hopefully, a family to repair.
She was having fun with Lucas and counting on nothing else. No matter how many times she had to tell her fluttering heart of that simple fact.
Mia snapped her fingers in front of Vanessa's face. "He volunteered."
"He wanted to see what my work was like," she said as she loaded a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries.
"He wanted to see your ass in that leather skirt."
Vanessa hefted the tray over her shoulder and headed toward the door. "Oh, no. I kept that a surprise."
"Don't forget it's mine on Tuesday," Mia called after her.
8
VANESSA ENTERED the living room and found the stripper down to his silky black shorts and half the women too busy fawning over Lucas to notice. The next time her lover came to work with her, it was going to be at the Sister Mary Katherine retirement party.The stripper, on the other hand, was not heading toward a potbelly. Vanessa wished she could fully appreciate him, but with Lucas nearby to appreciate, the stripper didn't even come close to comparing.
He continued with his teasing, hip-swiveling dance as Vanessa set the tray of strawberries on the coffee table. Her body throbbed for Lucas, but she made polite conversation with several guests.
Conflicted desire consumed her thoughts. She wanted him alone, but she enjoyed watching him interact. She needed to touch him, but she liked reveling in the anticipation.
She loved the crinkles that formed at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. She was crazy about the way he watched her when she talked. He was genuinely interested in what she thought. He wasn't just waiting for her to be quiet so he could make his own point.
He'd swung into the role of server so easily she remembered he'd done it before, working his way through school as a bartender.
His smile drove her wild. Beneath that serious lawyer there was a fun-loving guy, one who might not get out too often, but who clearly wanted to run free. His desire to be with her, his instinct to protect her made her sigh, her heart flutter.
Though her practical side was reserving judgment, most of the rest of her was cheering in unison.
This guy is special.
As another cheer rose, she focused again on the party. Millie's eyes were a bit glazed as she smiled vaguely at Lucas delivering a fresh drink, but hopefully she wasn't brooding over her cheating husband.
After he made his sweep through the guests, Lucas swung his empty tray over his head and walked toward Vanessa.
She watched the stripper execute a hip swivel.
"He's gay," Lucas said.
"He's not. Mia asked. Though who'd care. He's really hot."
Lucas cast a sideways glance at her. The challenge in that look made her shiver. "He is, huh?"
She tucked her arm through his. "Well, pretty hot."
"Thanks for letting me come tonight."
"Thanks? Catering is exhausting, before, during and after a party. Don't you want to go back to your cushy office?"
"God, yes." He laid his hand over hers. "But I like watching you-and not just because of the black leather getup. You and Mia are experts at making things happen, at including everyone, making a gathering an event. I can't wait to see what you do for my party."
She glanced at him. "What party?"
"The one I'm giving at my apartment that you're catering."
"Have we signed a contract on this?"
"I think it was more of a handshake deal." He paused, then grinned. "Or maybe a kiss."
"Just where was this kiss?"
"You mean where did it take place, or what body part was involved?"
He was too much. But then she'd always been an advocate for excess. "Both."
"In my office earlier today, I said I wanted to hire you. The details on what I kissed afterward are a little fuzzy, though. Maybe we should have a reenactment?"
Vanessa glanced around at the cheering, singing, dancing women. They seemed content. "I think that can be arranged." She headed down the hall to the spare bedroom where the women had stored their purses.
Obviously getting into the spirit, Lucas shut and locked the door. "You are a naughty lady."
She laid her hand in the center of his chest, pressing him back against the door. "I'm the dominatrix-lady tonight, and you'd better behave." She stepped close, flicking her tongue across his bottom lip, then sinking her teeth in lightly. "You're only getting a taste," she whispered. "I have other business to finish."
He moaned like a man in pain. "As your lowly assistant, I only deserve a taste."
Pleased, she laid her mouth over his, pushing her tongue lazily past his lips. He tasted like icing, and she smiled inwardly at the picture of him dipping his finger into the cake he'd served. The heat between them roared to life. She curled her fingers into his shirt as need invaded her body.
He molded her against him as he seduced her mouth. She tried to maintain her playfully dominant role, though she felt the urge to let him enfold her in his warmth. Her sense of independence would never let that last, but the impulse was still there.
Sometimes she felt in awe of his interest and pursuit. Why her? How had she gotten involved with this fascinating man? Was it possible their attraction could last?
He'd shown no desire to change her, to always put his needs ahead of hers, as others had in the past. Would he someday? One day, would he be embarrassed to tell his friends and colleagues that her profession involved wearing a leather bustier from time to time? Would his desire to be respected among the wealthy and successful force him to someday apologize for her catering?