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  “I promise not to leave Boston because of Maximilian. I love my work, and my father can’t do anything but call and harass me by phone. I think he wants me to get all this stuff about making my own way in the world out of my system.”

  “What he doesn’t realize is I haven’t touched my trust fund in the last year. I’m supporting myself. With each day I don’t ask him for money, he loses more and more control over me. Besides, my mother would send me money if I asked. She hates my father and relishes any opportunity to make his life miserable.”

  “Sometime you’ll have to tell me the story about how they connected to begin with. I can’t imagine a man of your father’s reputation marrying your mother.”

  “Her beauty lured him like a siren. Of course, it didn’t hurt that she came from a wealthy family. He couldn’t keep his zipper up, and my mother had no qualms about flaunting her lovers, either. Doesn’t make for a very solid marriage. Maybe if my mother’s family hadn’t wanted her to marry a man with a title she would have married for love.”

  “You’re not your mother or father.”

  She turned on the hot water. The added heat relaxed her muscles. “I know. But I’ll never marry for money. Nor will I marry a man who wants mine. I’m tired of being pressured by my father to do just that. He wants me to marry someone he can control. It won’t happen if I can help it.” Tess finished with a frustrated huff.

  “Listen, if you’re serious about the gala, I’ll pick you up at seven next Saturday. It’s formal, so wear something long and chic.”

  “I’m working on a gown that will raise a few eyebrows. Do you mind if I wear it?”

  “Honey, I trust your good taste. I know you would never show up in a dress that would damage your reputation for design. Me, I’ll be in a black tuxedo, so no matter what color you drape over your body, we won’t clash.”

  “My dress is black and silver, so no problem with clashing. Maybe I should dye my hair red.” She unhooked her thick mane and let it drape over the towel pillow. She’d never do anything to destroy the natural color. It was the one asset she wouldn’t change, but teasing Chris was so easy.

  “Don’t you dare touch your hair. Men want to get lost in your tresses. Along with all your other perfect assets, your hair is your crowning glory.”

  “Thanks. I’m only kidding. I’ll see you next weekend.” She hung up and crawled out of the tub. Her skin glowed from the brisk rub with the white towel, not unlike her reaction to Max’s kisses. She slipped between the cotton bed sheets and prayed she’d dream of hard lips, strong fingers, and Max’s earthy scent.

  ****

  On Saturday night, when Tess opened her apartment door, Chris gawked at her. “Do you or don’t you like it?”

  She stood with her hands on her hips. His reaction was hard to gauge. The dress had been a challenge to create. The leather bustier hugged her body like a second skin. The strategically placed cut-outs offered a glimpse of bare flesh in all the right places to tease and tantalize. The black leather molded to her trim torso down to her hips, where a flowing silver tulle skirt floated to just above her ankles.

  It was reminiscent of a Degas ballerina dress, with a modern twist of leather. The high heels she chose had a dainty strap around her ankle and foot. They showed off her graceful arch.

  To complete the look, she painted her toenails red to match her fingernails.

  “Tess, as always you’ve outdone yourself. This creation will have every woman there wishing they had your assets. A lot of them will hang onto their dates hoping the guys don’t get a look at you and follow you around like smitten puppies.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m going for, a dress that attracts dogs. I’m more into salivating men who will place gifts at my feet and worship me.” She gave him a coquettish shoulder move and fake air kiss.

  “Your diamond choke collar makes the ensemble edgy, sort of a mix of chic biker chick and someone’s expensive pet. Maybe they’ll think I keep you happy. But I bet you’re looking forward to one man, in particular, trying to claim you. It seems my illustrious cousin will be there alone.”

  “There are grumblings afoot about his being scorned by some female, and he hasn’t felt like dating. He’s immersed himself in business, and his mother demanded he be at this event.” Chris laughed.

  Tess gave him a sweet smile and said, “My necklace is fake.” She would never admit her week was spent scouring the Internet for any information on Maximilian Westfield. A woman could never be too prepared to seduce a man. She needed all the ammunition she could get.

  “Let’s head to the gala. I think we’ll arrive so our entrance will be noted by everyone present.” Chris held out his arm so she could link hers through it.

  She caught their reflection in the polished metal walls of her building’s elevator and for a moment thought they made the perfect couple. He would disappoint many women tonight. Sooner or later he would have to go public with his sexuality. A man like Chris shouldn’t be alone—he had too much to give to suffer without a special someone.

  The hotel’s ballroom glowed from thousands of tiny white lights strung around the space. A number of heads turned when they arrived, and Tess squeezed Chris’s arm so he wouldn’t walk away from her. Even though she’d attended these types of functions since she’d turned eighteen, her stomach always did flip-flops at the number of strangers mingling around her.

  Chris patted her hand. “Once you start talking to a few people you’ll be fine. I’ve never known someone to have such an adventurous personality and yet freak in a roomful of people. Smile and pretend you’re one of the actresses you dress. Take a deep breath and relax your grip on my arm. I think you’ve cut off the circulation to my hand.” He chuckled.

  Tess dropped her arm and said, “God, I’m sorry. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.” She smoothed out a wrinkle she’d caused in his sleeve then stood with her hands by her sides. Familiar theatre patrons, as well as many of the season ticket holders for the plays mingled close by. She recognized them, but she’d never met them.

  Chris introduced her to a group of men who were members of his college alumni association. They were all in expensive tuxes, and each one held a different drink.

  As if on cue, the men smiled in unison. The man closest to Tess stepped forward, his hazel eyes raked over her before he said, “Christopher, where have you been hiding Tess? I’m Brad Kingston, and these are guys you don’t need to know. As a matter of fact, I’m going to whisk you away to the dance floor and not give anyone else a chance to beat me to the first dance.” He took her elbow and ditched his drink on the tray of a passing waiter. “I’ll bring her back after she agrees to dance only with me,” he called over his shoulder.

  Chris waved at Tess. She gave him a shrug and laughed before she disappeared into the crowd with Brad.

  “I can’t believe Christopher has kept you a secret. He seldom brings a date to these boring functions.” He swung her onto the dance floor and started to waltz. “Do you live in Boston?”

  “I do. And what about you?”

  “Born and raised in the city. But I don’t think you were born here. You sound British with a hint of a Boston accent and something else.”

  “I was born here but grew up in London and Rome before I returned to Boston. Although I spent many summers here while growing up. You’re a very good dancer. Do you do it often?”

  “When I have a beautiful partner like you. It’s expected of men in my family to be able to dance. We wouldn’t want to embarrass the family name by tripping some hoity-toity debutante. Mom wouldn’t be able to show her face in public.” He gave a self-deprecating snort.

  “I take it you’re not enamored with these functions.”

  “It’s part of the job of being a Kingston.” When Tess’s look remained polite, he asked, “You’ve never heard of the Boston Kingstons?”

  “Sorry. I try not to get wrapped up in the society pages.”

  “It’s refreshing to meet a woman who is
n’t after me for my name. Before someone cuts in, I’d like to ask you out to dinner, unless of course you and Christopher are a couple.”

  “Just good friends and I’d love to have dinner with you. But if you’re such a famous Bostonian, wouldn’t your parents balk at you being seen with me? After all, I’m a nobody.”

  “Hardly. And no, they wouldn’t mind at all. My older brother is already married and has two young sons, so the family name will live on in him. He’s done his duty and sacrificed himself, so my younger brother and I can date whomever we want.”

  “Your poor brother. You make it sound like he was sold into marriage.” She frowned.

  “Believe it or not, Ben is a lucky guy. His wife is one of the nicest women I know, and she’s a loving wife and mother. However, we enjoy teasing him whenever we get the chance. How about you? Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  Tess enjoyed the effortlessness of both their conversation and the dance. Her skirt swirled around her legs as Brad turned them at the far end of the dance floor. “None. I’m an only child. My parents divorced, and neither has had any more children.”

  The music came to an end. Brad bowed a little then guided Tess over to a table and grabbed a cocktail napkin. “I need your number before someone else takes you away to dance.” He held out a pen.

  She wrote her number on the napkin and handed it back. “I look forward to your call.”

  She was about to tell him she was free anytime when a deep voice said, “Ms. Medici, I think you promised me this dance.”

  Tess pivoted on her toes. Maximilian stood behind her. His smile sent goose bumps dancing down her arms before she replied, “Good evening, Mr. Westfield. I didn’t realize you would be here. Do you know Brad Kingston?”

  “We’ve met. Shall we?” He held out his arm and Tess placed her hand inside his elbow.

  “Thank you, Brad. I look forward to another dance later in the evening.” She smiled at him over her shoulder as she walked away with Max.

  “Maximilian, don’t you think you were rude?”

  “There’s no love lost between Kingston and me. He has no idea what it means to work hard and leaves most of his family’s business in the hands of his brother. His idea of a work week is to go into the office on Friday and pick up a pay check.”

  “That doesn’t give you license to be rude.”

  He narrowed his eyes and glared down at her before he let out a sigh and nodded in resignation. “You’re right. I didn’t care for the way he looked at you. Did you give him your phone number?”

  “Yes. He asked me to dinner.”

  “You still haven’t gone to dinner with me. Will you make time for Brad?”

  “Max.”

  He leaned down to listen.

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you and me to have dinner. I’ve been warned to stay away from you. We both know nothing can come of a relationship between the two of us.”

  “Why would you say that? It would only be dinner.”

  “And a spanking.” She giggled up at him when he straightened and appeared to blush.

  “I was teasing you. I would never spank a woman.”

  “Maybe Maximilian wouldn’t, but how about Max? I thought we agreed he would enjoy it.”

  He tightened his arm around her waist and pulled her a little closer to his body. “And who would you like? Maximilian or Max to take you to dinner?”

  “Alas, I would love to have dinner with Max, but he’s controlled by Maximilian and his duty to his family. There is no room for me in his life.” She sighed.

  “Tess, I…”

  The music stopped. She dropped her arms and clapped along with the other dancers. “Thank you, Max.” She leaned into him so no one else would hear. “I enjoyed dancing with you almost as much as kissing you. Good night.” She turned and started to walk away toward Christopher and his friends.

  “Wait.” Maximilian took hold of her elbow and steered her in the direction of the French doors along the side of the room. “Let’s get some fresh air.”

  “Why? So you can kiss me in the shadows? Heaven forbid you show any kind of affection to a woman who’s beneath your class. I’m not a toy, Maximilian. Don’t play with my feelings thinking you can buy me off in a week or two with some expensive bauble.” She stopped moving, and he dropped his hand.

  He stared at her for a moment, a hint of frustration shadowed his eyes, before he said, “Thank you for the dance.” He gave her a slight bow and walked away.

  Well fuck. Cracking Maximilian’s upper-crust attitude might be next to impossible. She gave herself a mental kick and went in search of Chris.

  He handed her a glass of champagne. “I saw you dancing with my cousin. So who do you prefer, Brad or Maximilian?”

  “Brad is a better dancer. Although Maximilian was a little distracted.”

  “You looked spectacular dancing with both men. I’m surprised some other guy hasn’t already asked you to dance. There were a lot of salivating men adjusting their pants when you were waltzing.”

  “Chris, most of the men here brought dates. I doubt they’ll leave the women they brought to dance with me.”

  “I suppose you’re right. Ah, here comes Brad to claim you again. He’s one hot guy if you ask me.” Christopher took Tess’s untouched glass out of her hand and downed her drink. “Sure wish he was gay.”

  Brad caught Tess giggling as he approached. “I hope you’re not laughing at me.” He gave her a sheepish smile. “I guess that sounded insecure.”

  “I was laughing at Chris handing me a drink and then taking it back to drink himself. Hasn’t some other woman snagged you for a dance?”

  “I’ve managed to dodge any advances so I can claim another one with you. Also, my family would love to meet you.” Brad held out his hand.

  “I’d love to dance with you, but I’m not sure about meeting your family.”

  “They’ll love you. My sister-in-law and my mother are dying to know where you bought your dress.”

  “She designed it, and made it with her own two hands,” Christopher announced in a louder-than-necessary voice.

  Tess huffed and stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “You’ve had enough to drink. If you’re not careful, you might let something slip.” She raised her eyebrow at him before she headed to the dance floor with Brad.

  Chapter Three

  Maximilian couldn’t take his gaze off Tess. Her supple leather top, cradled her breasts, holding them as if encased in his hands. The cut outs in the fabric showed glimpses of her skin, hinting at all the places he wanted to caress. He’d enjoy inching it down and seeing if she tasted as sweet as he remembered.

  As she and Brad danced past him, she laughed at something Kingston whispered in her ear. His fingers opened and closed in a fist by his side. Her flirting with the man made him seethe. Brad was damned charming, but didn’t she realize he needed a wife with money to survive in the jet-setting world he played in? Brad wouldn’t appreciate her quick wit, only using her for his own pleasure before he dumped her for some heiress.

  “No, thank you,” he grumbled at the waiter, who stuck a tray of crabmeat hors d’oeuvres in front of him to sample. Something about her made him want to sweep her off her feet and carry her home, where no other man could touch her. He moved toward where she talked with Brad’s family.

  Max hesitated before he reached the group. Maybe she preferred Kingston to him. Brad stroked his thumb over her shoulder, and Max quickened his step. He hated the fact the man was anywhere near her. The specter of rejection loomed in his mind, but he forged ahead, his need to have her outweighed the possibility of embarrassment.

  “Tess, would you do me the honor of this waltz?” Maximilian held out his hand and hoped she wouldn’t laugh at him and say no. Brad, his mother, and his sister-in-law looked on. A collective hush froze the group, and Tess looked directly into his eyes. He tried not to blink.

  “That sounds lovely, Mr. Westfield.” She placed her hand
in his and followed him out to the dance floor.

  “Thank you,” he whispered in her ear as he took her into his arms.

  “You’re welcome.” She gave him a knowing smile before he twirled her around the floor.

  “You and Kingston look good on the dance floor. It’s too bad he needs to marry a woman with money or the two of you would make a great couple.”

  Tess’s spine stiffened under his hand.

  Not very tactful. He wanted to kick himself. She didn’t say anything for a moment. Then her shoulders lost their correct posture, and she gave him a sad look.

  “I’ll heed the warning, Maximilian. I shouldn’t have come this evening. Seems I’m not fit to be seen in the company of all the Boston rich.”

  If he could cut out his own tongue, he would. What an ass. “Tess, that isn’t what I meant. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

  “But you were willing to sleep with me. Wouldn’t you hurt me the same way you accuse Brad of? Isn’t there some man in this whole room who doesn’t care if I have money or not? Who doesn’t flinch at my less-than-perfect pedigree? You all seem to fall into the user category. I think I’ve had enough dancing for the night.” She stepped out of his arms at the end of the floor closest to the doors and disappeared into the grand foyer.

  “Tess, wait.” Maximilian caught up to her outside the ballroom. “I’ve made a mess of this. Please, let me take you home. I’d like to talk with you where we’re not surrounded by a bunch of nosey people waiting for the next juicy piece of gossip. I want to get to know you better.”

  Tess glanced around at the people near them. Few spoke. Most leaned toward them in a covert way in order to hear their conversation.

  “I need to let Chris know I’m leaving.”

  He pulled out his phone and hit a button. A moment later he said, “Tess has a headache, and I’m taking her home. No need for you to leave since I was heading out.” He clicked off the phone and tucked Tess’s arm around his. “Let’s go. My car is out front.”

  He didn’t give her time to change her mind and navigated through the crowd to his waiting car. The driver held the door, and Maximilian followed Tess into the back seat.