“Well,” I start, “when we were small, we begged our father to build us a treehouse, but we didn’t have a tree …” My voice trails off. The most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen stands across from me in the ballroom. Almost like I’m in a movie, time slows and I have eyes only for her.
Surrounded by these stuffy socialites, my mystery woman stands out because of her glow. Her hair is the color of dark, rich chocolate, accentuating fine, delicate features and lips so lush that my mouth goes dry. Her figure is curvy, with a generous bosom, narrow waist and round rump that I’d love to get my hands on. I’m just about to make my way over when suddenly, Evelyn steps directly in my path.
“Are you okay, Channing?” she simpers, reaching up to touch my face. “You look a bit feverish.”
My body wants to jerk away from her touch, but I hold back the impulse because that would look bad in front of the other partygoers. Not to mention, there are probably photographers roaming the party right now, ready to take snaps. Instead, I merely smile at Evelyn with shuttered eyes.
“I apologize for my rudeness,” I say, forcing a smile, “but I just saw Jack O’Donoghue. He and I have a business deal to hash out, and right now is the perfect time.”
Evelyn’s eyes go wide.
“Is it something I could help with?” she purrs. “You know, Jack O’Donoghue got divorced last year and I hear he has some very peculiar tastes these days. I could help satisfy them, if you’re into that.”
Inwardly, I cringe. Yech. The word on the grapevine is that Jack is now bisexual, and dating both men and women. Not only that, but it’s a polyamorous threesome thing, which is fine for him, except I don’t see myself with another man. Ever.
“No, I’m sorry but this is strictly business. Please, enjoy the rest of the ball.” I excuse myself with a slight bend of my head and then quickly survey the ballroom. But it’s as if my mystery woman has disappeared off the face of the Earth. Where could she have gone? She was so gorgeous, so how could I lose her without first getting a taste of those lips? I’m so dismayed that when a slender hand slips onto my arm, I jerk. But it’s just my sister Laurelin.
“Channing,” she says, shooting me an odd look. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve lost something important.”
“I think I have,” I surprise myself by saying. “There’s a woman here who’s absolutely stunning. She’s wearing a black and white dress.”
My sister smiles.
“Okay, but that pretty much describes one hundred percent of the women here. Any other details?”
I scan the room.
“Brown hair? Face like an angel?”
My sister harrumphs in a very unladylike manner.
“I swear, you’re useless. But just in case you’re wondering, the terraces are open too. You might want to check there.”
I nod. Right, the terraces.
“Thanks, Laurelin,” I grunt. But then I turn back to my sister as she tilts her head towards me in question.
“Yes?”
“I just wanted to tell you that I think Mom would be proud to see what you’ve done tonight.”
“Channing,” she says, blinking rapidly, “you’ve never said anything like that to me. Are you drunk?” she jokes, but I can tell she’s pushing back tears.
I hold up my hand and move my pointer finger and thumb an inch apart. “Just a little,” I tease.
My little sis laughs and pushes me gently toward the nearest terrace. “Go. I’ve got things covered here. Oh wait, take these.” She plucks two glasses of champagne off a nearby display table. “Go and meet your mystery woman before another man sweeps her up!”
I don’t need to be told twice. I head out onto the nearest terrace with two glasses of bubbly in my hands. The air is pleasantly chilly, but not uncomfortably so, and the sky is an endless, rich navy blue. Plus, right across from me is my mystery woman. What are the chances?
I take a moment to observe her. God, this woman’s gorgeous. She doesn’t realize she’s being watched and stands at the railing, her rich brown hair blowing in the breeze. Tendrils of light jasmine scent tease my nostrils, and with the city lights twinkling around her, her silhouette is full-figured and lush. My mouth goes dry.
But a man’s got to make his move sooner or later.
“Hello,” I growl, coming up next to her elbow.
She startles, turning around to look at me with big brown eyes. God, I could drown in eyes like hers.
“Hi,” she murmurs gently.
Her voice is as soft, smoky, and utterly tempting. “I saw you downstairs,” I say, offering her the champagne. “You looked thirsty.”
She giggles a bit, and the sound is like music to my ears.
“Thirsty? Really?”
I nod with a wink.