He frowns as he looks me up and down. “What’s happening right now?”
I bite my lip to hide my smile. He means my underwear.
“I’m getting dressed,” I reply. “I’ll be ready in a minute.”
He walks into the bedroom and circles me as he looks me up and down. “What . . .”
I put my hands on my hips as I wait for him to say it out loud.
He sweeps his hand in the area of my Spanx. “What is this?”
“What’s what?”
“Those gigantic underpants.”
“Spanx.”
“Hayden, when I look at those, the last thing I’m thinking about is spanking you.”
I giggle. “No, silly, that’s the name of them. They hold all your bits in, smooth everything out.”
He raises an eyebrow as he keeps circling me, his eyes drinking me in. “Diabolical.”
“What is?”
“Genius marketing,” he mutters to himself.
“Huh?”
“They package grandma underpants with the promise of making a woman thinner, smooth, and rewarded with spanking.” He nods as he contemplates the concept. “Brilliant. I need to hire the marketing head of this company. They’ve totally nailed it.”
I laugh. Trust him to analyze the marketing plan. I put my hands on my hips. “It’s what married women wear.”
“I have to tell you, and I know I speak for all mankind”-he curls his lip-“not a huge incentive to walk down that aisle.”
I giggle. “Get out. Let me get dressed.”
He kisses me quickly and walks out of the room. “Take them off,” he calls as he disappears up the hall. “My woman has curves.”
I smile as I step into my dress. I love that man.
“Your seats are this way, Mr. Miles.” The usher gestures. With my hand firmly in Christopher’s, we follow him into the ballroom. I look around in awe . . . my god.
This place is spectacular.
A string quartet plays in the corner. Huge crystal vases of flowers, chandeliers hanging low, candles flickering on all the tables, creating a beautiful ambience. Everyone is in black tie and looking ever so glamorous. The room is abuzz with chatter and loud laughter.
Boy . . . this is full on.
I suddenly feel very out of my depth, like I don’t belong here, nervous like never before. I grip Christopher’s hand with white-knuckle force.
“It’s fine, Grumps.” He winks at me over his shoulder. “You look beautiful.”
How does he always know exactly what to say?
I force a smile, and he leads me through to the table. “Hello.” He smiles to everyone as he proudly presents me. “This is Hayden.”
I feel my face blush. “Hello.”
“This is”-he gestures around the table-“Margaret and Conrad, Eva and Mario.”
I give a wave. Oh hell . . . this is so awkward.
“This is Edward Prescott and Julian Masters.”
My eyes land on the last man . . . I’ve seen him before.
Where?
He gives me a sexy wink and raises his glass. “I told you we’d meet again, Hayden.”
My eyes widen. No way.
He’s the man who owned the yacht in Greece . . . what the hell?
They’re friends?
My mouth falls open in shock.
He and Christopher laugh out loud, and Christopher squeezes my shoulder blade. “You look like you saw a ghost, babe.”
I laugh, half-embarrassed and not sure what to say.
“And this”-he smiles proudly-“is Elliot, my brother. Elliot, this is my Hayden.”
Familiar warm eyes smile up at me.
Oh . . . he’s like Christopher.
Elliot stands and kisses my cheek. “Hello, it’s so lovely to finally meet you.” His eyes linger on my face as he studies me, and I feel myself flush under his gaze.
He pulls out the chair beside him. “Sit next to me, Hayden.”
Oh crap . . . do I really have to?
I fall into the chair beside him, and Christopher sits on the other side of me.
Christopher puts his hand protectively on my lap as the waiter fills our glasses with champagne.
“It’s good to see you,” Mr. Masters says from across the table. “How was the vacation?”
“Great.” Christopher’s eyes meet mine. “Brought home an amazing souvenir.” He squeezes my leg.
“I see that.” Julian smiles as he looks between the two of us. “How are you liking London, Hayden?”
“It’s beautiful.”
I glance up to see Elliot’s eyes fixed firmly on me. He has his finger up along his temple and is studying me in great detail. I glance over to Christopher, who is now happily chatting away with the rest of the table.
Help.
I sip my drink. Eish . . . I feel like this is a test. Actually, that’s not true. I don’t feel it; I know it for certain.
“Are you here alone?” I ask Elliot.
“Yes, my wife is in Hawaii. She left last week with her brother, and I’m catching the first flight out in the morning.”
“Hawaii. So beautiful.” I smile.
“Have you ever been?” he asks.
“No. On my bucket list, though.”
“We have a house there. Lucky enough to go every year for a couple of months.”
“Oh, wow.” I frown. “What made you choose Hawaii for your regular holiday vacation?”
“My wife lived there for a while and fell madly in love with the place.”
I smile as I listen.
“It’s a shame she’s not here to meet you tonight. You’ll love her. She’s a lot like you.”
Oh . . . how I wish she was here.
The table all falls into chatter while I look around the room in awe. I’ve never been somewhere so glamorous.
Beautiful women in beautiful dresses . . . and can we talk about the caliber of men here? If handsome was a place, this would be it.
What the actual hell?
Black tie sure does bring out the best in everyone.
“You coming to the bar?” Elliot asks Christopher.
“No, I’ll stay here with Hayden.” He picks up my hand and kisses my fingertips as he smiles over at me.
A trace of a smile crosses Elliot’s face. “Who are you, and what have you done with my brother?”
Christopher laughs, and I do too. Does it make me a bad person if I’m glad he’s changed?