I nibbled my lower lip and glanced at him from beneath my eyelids. My gaze moved up and down his tuxedo and all over his face. “Why are we going to a party when we could stay here?”
He laughed. “Unfortunately, I’m expected.”
He placed a gentle and delicate kiss on my cheek, and his lips remained there for a few heart-stopping moments. “Not only do you look amazing, but you smell amazing too. I can’t wait to eat all of you up.”
“And again, I’m going to ask why we’re going to a party?”
“The anticipation of what is going to happen at the end of the night will make the evening better.”
“Yes, sir,” I said, not hiding my disappointment. I stepped away from him and sighed. “I’ll grab my things then we can go.” I turned around, and his hand landed on my right butt cheek. The smack wasn’t enough to hurt or sting, but it was enough to dampen my panties. “What was that for?” I asked, laughing.
“Because I wanted to, and because I couldn’t resist.”
Smiling and tingling, I grabbed my phone and purse I needed. “Let’s go.”
“Every single man is going to be jealous when they see you, but remember you’re mine, pet.”
I nodded. Always. He took my hand and led me to the elevator and then outside.
A driver waited by a stretch limousine and smiled when he saw us. Once we were situated and settled, James said, “Depending on the weather, it’ll take a few hours.”
“You said Pennsylvania, right?”
He nodded and grinned. “But not in the butt-fuck of nowhere.”
“As long as we don’t end up stranded during a raging snowstorm again, I don’t mind where we go.”
“I don’t know about that. Getting stranded wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen.”
I smiled. “You’re right, it wouldn’t.”
“Drink?”
“Sure. What you got?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Champagne?”
“Champagne it is.” He opened a small fridge and took out a bottle of Dom Pérignon and two flutes. He popped the cork and poured us both a generous glass.
“Here’s to an unforgettable night.” He clinked his glass against mine.
“Cheers.” I took a small sip, enjoying the bubbles popping on my tongue, then sighed happily when I swallowed.
“I’ve never had champagne in the back of the limousine before.”
“Have you ever had sex in the back of a limousine before, pet?”
I spluttered, thankful I had no champagne left in my mouth.
“You’re not serious? My dress will get all wrinkled. Do you know how long it took to get my curls to sit right and look natural?”
He chuckled, mischief dancing in his eyes. I swatted him playfully.
“Not funny. Besides, what would the driver think?”
“When the divider is up, he doesn’t hear a thing.”
I filed that piece of information away for later use. “Since we time to kill, I want to know more about you.”
“Like what?”
I took a sip of champagne. He may not answer the question I wanted to ask, but I figured I would ask it anyway. “What happened between Daniel, your sister, and you?”
He gave a raspy laugh, but there was no humor there. He sounded bitter.
He leaned forward and gripped the stem of his champagne flute. “After Daniel’s first divorce, he said he would pay me back, and he did. I made sure his first ex-wife got half of his earnings and a percentage of any future earnings. I also got her spousal support. Daniel hadn’t wanted to give her a penny. He found out my sister Sylvie was an extra on one of his movies.
“She had stars in her eyes. He wined and dined her, and they fell in love. Or I should say she fell in love with him. He introduced her to pain meds as a way to get high. When they stopped giving her a buzz, he provided her with harder drugs. She got pregnant, and he demanded she have a termination. She refused. She miscarried a few weeks into the pregnancy.”
My fingers flew to my lips. “He sounds like an animal. Did your family try to help her get away from him?”
“Every second of every day, but she was in love, and she accused us of trying to ruin her life. She’s still in therapy, but she’s getting better. She’ll never trust another man.” Rage colored his cheeks. “If I could kill him, I would.”
I sucked in a breath and pressed a hand against my heart. “I’m sorry, James. I had no idea, but now I understand.”
His lips turned down. “I feel for your friend Sophia. I’m surprised he allowed her to carry the baby. A leopard never changes its spots.” He shrugged his shoulders and downed the rest of his champagne. “So now you know.”
I kind of wished I didn’t.
He sighed and gave me a weak smile. “Enough about my drama. Anything you want to tell me? Any skeletons buried in your closet?”