In my circle of friends, I embody the term "social butterfly." I do it without thinking, like breathing. Yet despite this innate ability, the last thing I wanted to do was go to Cristal's party tonight.
The invitation had said "house warming." But knowing my best friend, I could read between the lines. It was only an excuse for her to show off her decorating skills on yet another client's house.
Just because I wasn't in the mood to socialize didn't mean I was going to slack off in the appearance department, though. Six hours before show time, I visited my regular spa. My muscles half-asleep from my massage, I took a seat at Jacque's station and fingered a small white card that I had found tucked into my invitation.
He magically turned my straight mane of ebony hair into loose curls that bounced softly around my face, and I pondered the five simple words in a smooth, professional handwriting on one side of the card: 'Your Saks card is lonely.'
Normally, I don't indulge in a new outfit for these events as they tend to be numerous throughout the year. However, I could tell Cristal was up to another matchmaking attempt, hence the reason I had gone all-out at the spa.
My pampering complete, I browsed the rack of dresses at the mall, remembering the last guy she had try tried to hook me up with. Sure, he had been handsome...and rich...but I wasn't into the old-Jack Nicholson thing. I had been polite, but after the party, I had made it clear to my friend that she could have found someone closer to my age. Hopefully, the candidate tonight would be in his thirties, like me, or forties at the most.
I made myself fashionably late to the address located in the area of town where you had to have a six-digit bank account balance to even speak to a real-estate agent. I couldn't help laughing at the fact that there was a valet service as I pulled through the iron gates, up a manicured lane, and around the circle drive. This host had spared no expense...and Cristal would surely be reaping the benefits herself. As she was prone to remind people, her name was spelled and pronounced "like the champagne, not the chandelier," and her taste far surpassed her self-worth.
I had never quite understood her obsession with catering only to the wealthy as their attitudes and opinions tended to be up in the stratosphere. But I wasn't going to complain when the sexiest Latino this side of the border opened the door to my Mazda Miata...and then offered me a hand. Whatever he said I could not understand, but it rolled off his tongue in fluent Spanish, and ended with "senorita" and a kiss brushed across my knuckles. Maybe this wouldn't be such a drag tonight.
"Danae!"
I heard my name as soon as I walked through the ornately-carved front door—held open by a butler in a black tux, no less. Arms surrounded me as soft lips kissed both of my cheeks and the heady scent of jasmine filled my nostrils.
"Hello, Cristal. It's good to see you." I hugged her back and returned the gesture she had picked up in Europe during her frequent travels.
"I thought you'd never get here." She held me out at arm's length. "You've been shopping! Excellent choice. He'll love it."
"Yes, I got your message. I'm glad you approve."
I glanced at my reflection in the gilded mirror behind her. The off-the-shoulder sapphire-blue cocktail dress I'd chosen covered all of my assets, but not entirely, leaving just enough to the imagination. And the satin material shimmered under a thin layer of black lace to the effect that my dark hair had a blue tint. Paired with a lace choker embedded with blue rhinestones and matching teardrop earrings, it was a wonder I wasn't blinking like a Christmas tree under the lights of the gigantic chandelier above us.
I let her take my arm and lead me away from the front door, my heels clicking on the marble-tiled floor. "Who exactly is he?"
Cristal squeezed my arm and whispered in my ear, "He is the owner of this fine establishment."
I took in the expansive foyer as we walked. A crackled-faux finish covered the walls. The focal point was an alcove with a chaise lounge in a cream material with a bolt of burgundy fabric draped over it. Anyone else would have said it had been thrown there, but knowing Cristal, it had been placed just-so to get the desired effect. An antique vase on a broken stone pedestal and a cluster of grapes spilling out of a bowl on its side were arranged on the ground. A vineyard mural decorated the alcove's inset.
"Do we get to visit Tuscany throughout the house, or just in the entryway?"
Her lower lip appeared, as well as the puppy-dog eyes, which on her were truly chocolate brown. The huge diamond on her ring finger proved that the look had worked at least once. "You don't like it."
"I didn't say that. I'm just trying to get a...feel...for this new candidate. I mean, if he wants to decorate the house like a villa, he should have just bought one instead of renovating a Chicago mansion. Save the taxpayers some money."
"Sometimes I wonder why I invite you to my parties." She stopped before a pair of open French doors. "Please behave. Pretend if you have to."
I gave her a squeeze in return. "You invite me because I'm your best friend. And you need me to keep the conversation flowing...even if it is as eye candy."
"Good evening, ladies," a velvety-smooth masculine voice said, interrupting our little tête-à -tête. "Madame Cristal, I see your guest has arrived."
I mouthed "Madame?" at Cristal. When I turned toward the owner of the voice, I found myself struck speechless by a pair of eyes that matched my dress, save for the depth in the former that made me feel like I was being drawn into a dark pool.
"Vincente, please meet my best friend, Danae. Danae, our host, Vincente."
His eyes locked on mine, and he took my hand from Cristal's arm, lifting it to his lips. I jerked slightly at the coolness of his skin. But if I had thought the valet's kiss was sexy, this guy made it seem like we were the only two people in the world and our fate balanced on the result of this sole act. His lips were just as cool—almost icy—but his breath was warm as it caressed my fingers. A mixture of shivers and heat rushed up my arm.
I blinked and forced a smile despite the confusion I felt. This man was definitely an enigma. While I normally embraced a challenge like him, something told me to keep my distance tonight. "It's nice to meet you, Vincente. Your home is lovely, from what I've seen so far. Cristal has done a wonderful job."
"I am greatly pleased that you are impressed, Madame Danae." He stepped to the side and gestured for us proceed. "If you would both please join me in the parlor, the celebration has already begun."
###
I passed the next few hours standing amongst small clusters of guests, sipping expensive champagne—Cristal's namesake if my taste buds were correct—taking in the surroundings, and eavesdropping for feedback. The villa theme had thankfully ended in the foyer. The parlor had been done in shades of blue and gold. And while modern and comfortable, there was still an air of wealth in the fabrics and décor as well.
The overall consensus was that everyone was impressed with the renovations. However, no one knew anything about our tuxedo-clad host with the thick black hair slicked back from his tanned, chisel-carved face except that he was not from America. And obviously had money to spend. Not to mention he was gorgeous and most likely single.
Even more perplexing was that from an appearance standpoint, he seemed to be around my age—mid-thirties. But his whole demeanor said he was older. Much older.
I was nibbling on an hors d'oeuvre of stuffed mushrooms when a tinkling bell silenced the room.
"If you would all be so kind and join me in the foyer, the tour will begin now." Vincente's deep voice reminded me of The Old Spice Man in the modern commercials, and goosebumps prickled my arms. He raised one hand, flicked his fingers once, and then proceeded to lead the guests through Tuscany to the main staircase.
"Well, what do you think?" Cristal linked her arm through mine. We trailed after the group who whispered amongst themselves as our guide explained what aspects had been remodeled and why.
"It's a lovely house. I said that already." I shrugged and leaned in to get a closer look at a statue of two snakes carved out of marble. They were intertwined in what could only be perceived as a sexual position, and their placement on a pedestal at the first landing made it hard to miss. "If you've seen one, you've seen them all."
Cristal snickered and then tugged me along. "I was referring to the man, not the house."
"Vincente?" I raised an eyebrow and pursed my lips. "He is very attractive."
"But?"
"There's just something about him...I don't know what it is."
"You, my dear, are too picky."
"Well, if I were to settle down with one of your many suitors, you would no longer have any fun trying to set me up."
Cristal only rolled her eyes and pointed out another statue. This one was a nude man and woman, also engaged in sex. She waggled her eyebrows at me and then tugged me onward.
I wondered how many more statues were displayed on the premises. Had Cristal found them or had he? And how much longer was this going to take? While I'd enjoyed being pampered and getting dressed up, I still wished I were home tonight, curled up with a good book.
On the third floor, Vincente pointed down one hallway toward a set of closed wooden doors and simply said, "My private quarters lie beyond. And they shall remain private."
Several women giggled as Vincente winked and flashed a grin at them. When our eyes met, though, I swear the color of his eyes deepened and his smile hardened for the slightest moment. It was the most seductive look I'd ever received from a man. And if I didn't know better, it was suggestive as hell.
I suppressed the moan that slithered up my throat. Thankfully, he turned to lead the group onward.
"I didn't get to renovate his quarters." Cristal jerked her chin back over her shoulder. "He was insistent on that. Kept the doors locked."
"That's understandable." We squeezed ourselves onto a balcony that looked down on a library. "At least the man has some dignity."
She frowned. "But aren't you the least bit curious?"
"The least bit." But I was instantly jealous of all the books lining the floor-to-ceiling shelves. I wondered what topics they covered. How old they were. And had he read any of them.
"Would you like to see them up close?" Vincente whispered in my ear.
I froze, my heartbeat doing a happy little pitter-patter as his breath caressed my neck. Slowly, I turned, only to stare into those mesmerizing blue orbs again. I hoped my cheeks weren't revealing the heat I could feel in them now. "The books? I'd love to."
Cristal winked at me as Vincente took my arm once more. I tried to ignore the whispers as he led me ahead of the group and we headed downstairs to the second floor.
He told a story about how he had acquired some of the books, but my mind was elsewhere. Mostly on how warm his fingers felt against my bare skin. Controlling yet gentle. Almost burning, branding me. It was maddeningly delicious. And ultimately strange since his touch had been cool only minutes earlier.
He continued to escort me throughout the second floor as he unveiled guestrooms, sitting rooms, two more libraries, and a very elaborate bathroom that I could have fit my entire condo in. Back on the first floor, among the many rooms we visited, I was most impressed with the ballroom, the gourmet kitchen, and finally the largest dining room I had ever seen.
"I used to hold many dinners and balls in my former home. The table was custom made to seat fifty." Vincente leaned in to whisper to me again. "It is most comfortable with just two, also."
The shivers returned. I refused to look at him, to let him see my reaction. I merely smiled and nodded, letting him lead me back to the parlor where the party had begun. When he stepped away to mingle with the other guests, I felt a sudden emptiness.
