Her Heart's Desire

“Miss Gentry?”

“Yes.”

“Hi, we’re your hair and makeup stylists for tonight.”

“Oh. Come in,” she said, stepping aside.

Ivan had pulled out all the stops on the day just for her, and she was going to ensure that he received his money’s worth. By the time he saw her that evening, she would be as primped and coiffed as she could possibly be.

After a delectable bath prepared by one of her stylists, Tiffany submerged herself up to her neck in rich, perfumed water infused with rose petals. It was straight out of a movie. She couldn’t wait to tell Milán and Jeannie about her lavish day.

By the time she was completely dressed and ready two hours later, she felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Except Richard Gere wasn’t the one waiting for her in the hotel lobby—it was Ivan standing in front of the limo dressed in a black shawl collar dinner suit. His tall, well-built physique definitely did his attire justice. He was clean-shaven and too desirable for her to put into words. She tried, but the only thing that escaped her lips came out in a soft whisper. “Have mercy.”

*

When she reached him, Ivan’s eyes roamed over her wine-colored gown, her smoothed hair and plum-tinted lips. Lips that, if he were lucky, would travel all over his body later. The thought made him grin. Ivan held out his hand when she reached him. Her fingers lightly touched his before he raised his hand up and slowly rotated her around. Her hair was slicked down and reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. The only ornamentation was a single diamond pin. The style accented the low-dipped back of her gown.

When he completed the turn, he raised her hand up to his lips. “Have mercy, indeed.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You read lips, too?”

“Only yours,” he remarked smoothly.

Ivan took her wrap and helped her into the limousine. Smithers shut the door behind them. Before their driver pulled off, he raised the privacy shield between them.

Tiffany turned to Ivan. “Do you know how ridiculously pampered I felt today…right now? Ivan, no one has ever, ever spoiled me this way before. It wasn’t just about the money you spent, it was the thought and love that went into it. Those simple gestures were loud and clear amidst all the extravagance. I just wanted you to know that I saw them, and they mattered.”

“Tiffany, you are such an exceptional woman—you’re kind, thoughtful, sexy as hell, smart, determined and loyal to those you love. I would spoil you like this each day if I thought you’d let me.”

“I hope you know you’ve exceeded all my expectations tonight.”

He held up her hand and kissed a trail down her arm. His eyes glittered like a tiger stalking his prey. “Lord, I hope not. Then again, there are plenty of hours left for you to have a change of heart.”

Tiffany reveled in the moment…their moment.

By the time they returned to the hotel, Tiffany had been thoroughly wined and dined. As they rode the elevator up to their suite, she looked to him and said, “You’ve definitely made up for not telling me about getting hurt. In case there was any doubt, you’re forgiven.”

He opened the door for her. “Well, if I wasn’t, I think I have just the thing that would’ve sealed the deal.”

Tiffany walked through the door and stopped in her tracks. The living room had been transformed with music, a fire and lit candles. On the dining table there was another bottle of champagne with a platter of fruits dipped in chocolate.

“I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that I’m the most romantic man you’ve ever met.”

She peeped up at him from under her eyelashes. “Yes, but I guarantee that is not what I was thinking.”

“Ah. My mind-reading skills aren’t what they used to be.” He held out his hand. “Would you care to dance, Miss Gentry?”

“I’d love to, Colonel Mangum.”

Ivan twirled her into the center of the room, and then they swayed in time to Smokey Robinson’s “Cruisin’.”

“I love it when we’re cruisin’ together,” he sang in her ear.

“He sings, and dances, too. Is there anything you can’t do?” she said as he dipped her.

“There are most definitely a few things on that list, but luckily for you, romancing my woman ain’t one of them.”

“I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it…” she sang back.