Even if it wasn’t with Alaric.
“No carbs before a red carpet event,” Sally screeched, snatching the pastry plate from Georgia’s hands. She tossed it in a nearby waste bucket and grabbed a low-carb food bar from her purse, shoving it into Georgia’s hands. “Eat this and you’ll actually fit into your dress. You’ll thank me later.”
Georgia resisted glaring at the woman and instead slowly unwrapped the bar and took a bite. The subtle taste of cardboard wrapped in a thin layer of flaky chocolate filled her mouth, accompanied by a dusty wave of de-fatted peanut powder. Her face contorted with dislike and Alaric chuckled next to her. She turned to glare at him as he slowly raised his own danish to his mouth and took a sensual bite, closing his eyes and humming with pleasure.
Something inside of her burst, filling her torso with the fluttering of a million little butterfly wings. She stared at his lips, wishing for one second she could lean forward and kiss the little spot of frosting off the corner of his mouth. He opened his eyes to see her watching him and winked, brushing away the frosting with the pad of his thumb.
“Want to get out of here?” he whispered.
She nodded her head so hard, she was sure he could hear her brain rattling.
“I’ve got an idea.” The left side of his mouth curved into a confident grin. “Play along, okay?”
He stood and set his jaw firmly into a serious frown. Sally had just ended her session on celebrities and had transitioned into the after-party situation. She paused when she saw Alaric looking at her expectantly.
“Yes?”
“Sally, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take Georgia along to a brunch date my secretary scheduled for me while I’m here in New York.” He tilted his head slowly to one side, confidence cascading off his broad shoulders. “I hate to interrupt your important meeting, but I’m afraid it’s in an hour and the Kennedys don’t like to wait for anyone.”
Sally’s dark penciled eyes widened to the size of dish plates. “Did you say…the Kennedys?”
“Yes.” He shrugged, as if he dined with the famous family every week. “They’ve been dying to meet her. I’d hate to disappoint them.”
Dollar signs practically flashed across Sally’s forehead. She nodded mutely and then gestured wildly for Georgia to get up.
“Why are you still wearing your pajamas?” she demanded, her voice reaching a higher decibel than normal. “And where’s Loraine? I swear, that makeup artist is never where she’s supposed to be…”
As Sally led her into the bedroom, Georgia looked over her shoulder and spotted Alaric clutching his stomach, his face red with laughter. She grinned, knowing all too well there was no brunch. Alaric had set into motion the perfect escape plan.
The day was theirs.
?
“Do you have any idea how much trouble I’m going to get into when Sally figures out this was all a ruse?”
Georgia leaned back against the leather seats of the Lamborghini convertible and grinned happily, her giant sunglasses hiding half of her face. The wind from the road whipped around her and threw stray curls into the air. The soft white silk fringe from her dress fluttered wildly, as if she were an angel in flight. It was a mesmerizing sight.
Alaric tightened his grip on the steering wheel, willing himself to pay attention to traffic and not get distracted by the heavenly sight beside him. When he’d seen her sitting in that hotel chair early this morning with her arms wrapped around her knees and a devastatingly cute pout on her face, he couldn’t help but come to the rescue. He knew exactly what she needed. His secretary had rented the car for him at the last minute that morning and they were almost to their destination.
“She’ll never know,” he said, throwing her a sideways grin. “And if she does, blame it on the Kennedys. She can’t exactly chew them out for not showing up to our brunch date.”
She smiled and bit her bottom lip, leaning toward the windshield to get a better look at the marina that appeared before them. “Is that where we’re going?”
“Yep.”
Alaric pushed the engine a little harder and sped down the last bit of road before turning toward Chelsea Piers. He thanked his lucky stars that he’d recently had his boat moved here. It would be the perfect escape for them both. No screaming fans, no annoying paparazzi, and no lecturing publicists. Just the water and the warm August sun beaming above them.
The Hudson River winked at them from between the piers. Several sail boats had already made their way out onto the water, their brilliant white sails snapping in the breeze like flags. Alaric pulled the Lamborghini into the valet parking on Pier 59 and tossed the keys to the young man waiting for him. He snatched a black duffle bag from under the front hood and by the time he’d rounded the car, Georgia stood alongside the curb, watching him with an amused smile.
“Now what, Mr. Mysterious?” She peered over the top of her glasses at him, a crooked smile on her face. “Are you taking me fishing?”
“If that’s what you want to do.” He suppressed a smile and offered her his arm before he could think twice.
When she linked her arm through his, heat burst in his stomach. This was beginning to feel too much like a real relationship. There weren’t even any cameras around. They had no one to impress. So why couldn’t he keep his eyes off of her?
“We have to head to the Marina,” he said, trying his best to keep his voice low and steady. No need to let her know of his inner struggle.
“More and more mysterious.” She pushed her glasses back up her nose and pulled him forward. “Let’s go.”