Steel and Lace Read online

  "OK. I’ll wear it."

  "Yay," Cate clapped her hands together. "Now to tackle that mess of hair on your head."

  "What? What's wrong with my hair? I always wear it straight," I whined.

  "Exactly, which is why we're going to give you some soft waves tonight." I sighed and slumped down into the chair in front of the vanity as Cate ran for her curling iron.

  "I draw the line at lipstick. I’m not wearing it, Cate," I glared at her in the mirror once she'd returned.

  "Lip gloss. At least lip gloss," Cate bargained.

  "Fine," I smiled at her reflection.

  Two hours later we'd just settled into a corner at the club. It was a swank space that walked the line between modern lounge and nightclub. The dance floor was large and packed with bodies, but there were small nooks with oversized chairs and couches tucked around the room. Sawyer had met us outside and we'd just ordered drinks.

  "Let's dance, Eva," Cate attempted to haul me out on the floor by my elbow.

  "Oh, no. I need a few drinks first." As if on cue the waitress arrived.

  "Drinks are on the house tonight," she said with a smile.

  "Really?" Sawyer's eyes brightened immediately

  "According to who?" Cate looked at the waitress.

  "Boss's orders," she shrugged. Vodka cranberry for Cate and I, and a draft beer for Sawyer. Cate introduced me to the vodka cranberry a few years ago and I quickly learned that they went down like juice and left me with a treacherous hangover the next morning, and sometimes with some blank spots in my memory of the night before.

  "So what are you going to do about the watch?" Cate took a sip of her drink.

  "I’m giving it back. I doubt he'll like it, but I’m not keeping it."

  "Tell him I’ll keep it!" Cate giggled.

  "What watch?" Sawyer narrowed his eyes. Cate jumped at the chance to fill him in on the gift that had arrived for me earlier this morning.

  "I took the liberty of doing a little research on your behalf," Cate looked back at me. "It's worth a lot, Eva. Like, $12,000 conservatively." I choked on my vodka cranberry and my insides burned as the beverage sloshed around in my system.

  "$12,000?" Sawyer coughed.

  "No, he wouldn't spend that much. No way," I shook my head.

  "Yes, way. He's a billionaire, Eva. 12 grand isn't even a drop in the bucket for him. It does however raise the question of the meaning behind it. Still no ideas?"

  "No," I shook my head, still confused by Carter Morgan and his extravagant gift.

  After a few drinks it felt like my bloodstream was humming to life and Cate dragged me off the couch to dance. The dance floor was crowded and sweaty bodies were gyrating against each other from corner to corner. The thumping beats vibrated deep within my body and my hips moved along with the music. Sawyer wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his body flush with mine.

  "You look beautiful tonight, Eva," he nuzzled into my ear. My cheeks flushed and I wrapped my arms around his neck and inhaled his spicy cologne. Just as the deejay was transitioning into the next song, a deep voice was at my shoulder demanding the next dance. My head jolted up in surprise to find Carter Morgan and his steely blue eyes boring a hole into me. Suddenly the drinks on the house made sense.

  Sawyer raised an eyebrow at me and I nodded my head as Carter stepped in and wrapped his arms around my waist. He was dressed in a navy suit and looked impossibly sexy surrounded by guys in jeans and button down shirts. Carter's arms felt like hard steel that held my body tight to his and had my blood humming with energy. The air between us sparked and it felt like we were drawn to each other by pure sexual tension.

  "I thought you were just friends, Evangeline. That guy had his hands all over you," Carter's deep voice resonated in my ear.

  "We were dancing," I looked up into his eyes as his left hand skimmed up my hips and torso to land on the back of my neck. His fingers were tangled in my hair and it felt so possessive and intimate. He was driving me wild. Because the vodka cranberry had lowered my inhibitions, I pressed my body impossibly tighter to his and did what I had been dreaming of doing all week. I snaked one hand to the back of his neck and tangled it in his almost too long locks, and brought the other up to the scruff along his jaw. I ran my fingertips delicately along the sharp angle and then used my fingernails to scratch along his perpetual five o'clock shadow. He groaned in my ear and I felt his other hand leave the hollow of my waist and makes its way slowly over my bottom to my thigh. His fingers reached the hem of my dress and played just underneath it enticingly. My heart began to pound and my breathing became heavy. I had never been so turned on with just a few small touches. Carter Morgan’s fingertips shot fire into my body and his eyes clouded over with a dark lust that left me trembling.

  We danced through the song as other bodies jostled against us, but it was as if we were in our own bubble. One arm wrapped around me and his fingertips sliding ever so slowly up my thigh, inching my dress up. I couldn't have been more surrounded by Carter in sight, scent and touch. His hands all over me, his body covering mine, his intoxicating fresh water scent surrounding me. Just as the song was ending Carter's fingertips crept to the inside of my thigh, dangerously close to places I ached for him to touch.

  "Let's go," his throaty voice whispered in my ear as he grabbed my hand and began to pull me off the dance floor.

  "I can't," I protested, but he continued to drag me between the bodies towards the door. "Carter, I can't leave. I came with Cate, I can't just leave her here." Carter finally turned and cocked his head to one side. A dangerous look passed through his eyes that made something deep within my stomach flutter.

  "Fine, but this isn't over, Evangeline," his eyes clouded over with lust.

  We weaved our way through the people and it was only then that I realized that he was still hanging onto my hand. I looked down at our fingers intertwined and my heart skipped a few beats. What was this? What was he doing to me? We reached the far corner of the club and saw Cate and Sawyer laughing around a fresh round of drinks. Carter's jaw tightened as he and Sawyer locked eyes. He tightened his grip on my hand before dropping it. I sat down on the couch next to Cate, and Carter sat down beside me.

  "We ordered you another drink, Eva," Cate informed me with a glance at Carter. Just as I was reaching for my vodka cranberry Carter slid it out of my reach.

  "I think Evangeline has had enough to drink tonight." My head whipped around to him. Carter ignored me and motioned a waitress over."Water, please."

  "I’ll decide when I’ve had enough to drink, thank you." I reached for my drink again.

  "Evangeline," Carter's eyes flashed with anger as he pushed my drink away further. I narrowed my eyes at him, my independent streak, no doubt powered by the alcohol in my system, flared to the surface.

  "Actually, I'm not done," I reached for my drink and took a long sip as I locked eyes with him.

  "You're being immature, Evangeline." I continued to stare at him as I finished off the rest of my drink. Just then the waitress returned with the water. "Another, please." I sat my glass down on the table in front of me.

  "No, Miss Austin has reached her limit," Carter dismissed the waitress.

  I gritted my teeth in anger. "What are you doing?" I glared at him.

  "We're not doing this here," Carter grabbed my elbow and hauled me off of the couch. I yanked my elbow from his grip.

  "You’re right, we need to talk. In private," I turned to glance back at Cate. "I’ll be fine." She nodded and Carter guided me to the exit with a firm grip on my hip.

  "What's your deal, Carter?"

  "To what are you referring?" Carter's eyes flashed in amusement.

  "Buying drinks for us, telling me when I've had enough, and the watch!"

  "Glad to hear you got it," Carter's hand tightened on my hip as he guided me down the sidewalk.

  "I got it, alright. Does your girlfriend know you go around giving random girls expensive watches?" I planted my feet, for
cing Carter to stop and talk to me face to face.

  "Girlfriend?" Carter crossed his arms.

  "The girl you were with at the party. I can't imagine she would take too well to the idea of you gifting jewelry to other women. Where is she at tonight? Does she know you're here?"

  "Nikki and I aren't dating," the corner of Carter's mouth lifted in a small smirk.

  "Well, I'm still not keeping the watch," I turned on my heel to leave.

  "You don't like it?" Carter's eyes flashed hurt for a moment.

  "It's not that," my voice softened. "It's beautiful Carter. Stunning. But why did you send it?"

  "It reminded me of you. Delicate, beautiful, bright," his hand came up to rest on my cheek. My head swirled just as much from the alcohol in my system as from his words. I placed my hand at my forehead to shield my eyes from him for a moment, as if I couldn't see him, I could think clearly. Apparently he took the gesture to mean I was feeling sick.

  "I knew you'd had enough to drink. You should have listened to me, Eva," Carter placed his hand on my arm to help support me.

  "No, it's not that. I’m fine. I’m just confused, Carter." I searched his eyes for a moment. "The watch is too expensive. It's beautiful, but I can't keep it. I won't." His hand tightened on my arm.

  "Well, I’m not taking it back," he said bluntly. I let out a sigh. For every ounce of sex he exuded, he was just as maddening. I didn't know whether I wanted to be in his presence as much as possible, or if I should run away and save myself the headache.

  "Fine," I jerked my arm out of his reach and began stomping off down the sidewalk.

  "Where are you going?" Carter caught up to me in a few quick strides.

  "Home," I walked with single-minded focus.

  "You can't walk from here. It's dangerous."

  "Of course I can, and I am." The emotional whirlwind he'd had me in all week had me reeling and I was on the verge of a breakdown. If Carter Morgan didn't leave me alone I couldn't be held accountable for my actions. His grip tightened on my arm.

  "Leave me alone, Carter."

  "You're not walking," he ground threw clenched teeth.

  "I am," my eyes flashed angry. He dragged me tight to his body and pressed his lips roughly to mine. Both of my hands went to the nape of his neck and ran through his silky hair. I wanted to be tighter, closer, every part of my body making contact with his. I nipped at his bottom lip and a deep rumble escaped from his throat. He held me tight to him and walked us both backwards until my body was trapped between him and the brick wall of the building. His body hovered over mine as his hand traveled up my thigh and underneath my dress.

  "I’ve wanted you all night, Evangeline. I couldn't keep my eyes off of you, and when you were dancing with that guy," his other hand moved from my waist down to my bottom and squeezed. I nodded, my breath coming out in heavy pants.

  "Me too. I’ve wanted you too," I pulled his head to me and pressed my lips to his. His tongue danced with mine and I tasted his slightly minty taste. He broke our kiss and his teeth found my earlobe as he nibbled and then groaned when my hips thrust into his thighs, seeking friction. He hitched my leg up around his hip and slid his hand higher up my thigh, so close to where my body was aching for him.

  "You smell so good, Evangeline," he said in a throaty whisper. "I can't help but wonder how you taste." Carter's hand slid higher and his fingertips found the edge of my panties. My breaths were ragged and my heart was pounding in my ears. I was lost to my desire for him. He could take me right here in an alleyway off of Tremont Street if he wanted to. He could do anything, I was at his mercy. Thankfully, we were just outside the glow of the streetlamp, but people were moving up and down the sidewalk just a few yards away. I groaned as Carter continued to flirt with the edge of my panties. Then he dropped to his knees and ran his hand slowly up my leg, from ankle to knee, and then slowly up my thigh, lifting my dress as he went. He hitched my leg over his shoulder and ran his nose slowly from my knee, higher and higher, until he reached the apex of my thighs. He ghosted his nose over the black lace of my panties and inhaled deeply.

  "So sweet, Evangeline," he slipped his finger just inside my panties. "And so ready." My hips bucked at his unexpected contact.

  "But not here, Evangeline. I won't take you on the sidewalk." A small whimper escaped my throat as he stood up and pulled my dress down over my thighs. My blood was humming through my veins as I tried to recover from his full assault on my body. I ran my hand through my hair. Carter pulled out his cell phone and instructed someone to pick us up. A minute later a black Bentley pulled up to the curb. Carter opened the back door and placed his hand on my back to help me in. I slid across the seat and straightened my dress. Carter sat down next to me and barked my address to the driver before pushing a button to raise the privacy glass.

  "How do you know where I live?" My eyes shot to his.

  "Research, Evangeline," one corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. More research. He was thorough, if not a bit on the stalker side. My head was still swirling with a combination of alcohol and the beautiful man sitting next to me who'd just had his head between my thighs. I crossed my legs to relieve some of the tension he had created. Carter noticed my movement and he smirked knowingly.

  "Problem, Evangeline?"

  "No," I lifted my head high. I would not fall at the mercy of Carter Morgan again. He was playing me, and I wasn't willing to be played. His hand reached across the seat to land on mine gently. I glanced at him and a mischievous gleam flashed across his eyes. We weren’t doing this anymore. He wasn't going to continue to leave me in a whirlwind of emotion. I jerked my hand away and twisted my fingers together in my lap. The lights of the city blurred by out the windows and groups of people were laughing and walking out of clubs. This man drove me insane; he was both infuriating and alluring all in the same breath. The car pulled up to the curb outside of my building. I hesitated for a moment thinking about what to say.

  "Until we meet again, Evangeline." Those words again, he'd said them to me that morning at the coffee shop. I turned to him for a moment, my eyes traveling from the fabric of his suit hugging his thighs up to the scruff on his jaw and then into the icy gaze that was regarding me thoughtfully. I blinked once, as if to erase the image of Carter Morgan from my mind and then turned, opened the door, and stepped out into the night.

  Four

  "Coffee..." Cate stretched her arms above her head the next morning.

  "Ready and waiting," I glanced at the coffee maker.

  "And how was your night, Evangeline?" Cate's eyes gleamed with excitement. I glared at her for mocking Carter's use of my full name. She arched an eyebrow at me.

  "We walked a few blocks, exchanged some words, then he took me home."

  "That's all?" Cate scrunched her nose in disappointment.

  "There may have also been a kiss… or two," I took another sip of my french roast.

  "Eva!" Cate shrieked.

  "Cate, my ears!"

  "Tell me! Was it amazing? He has lips made for kissing," a dreamy look clouded her eyes.

  "It was mind blowing," I sighed.

  "I knew it! Did you sleep with him?" Cate leaned closer, eyes wide.

  "No."

  "Why not? I would have. That man is sex on legs," she took a sip of her coffee.

  I laughed at her, "Yes he is, and dangerous."

  "Why dangerous?" Cate frowned.

  "He leaves me in a tailspin. I don't know if I'm coming or going with him. I swear he is the most frustrating, demanding, obstinate, alluring and sexy man that's ever walked the planet." Cate nodded in sympathy. Just then the doorbell rang. Cate's eyes shot up.

  "I’ll get it," I slid off the bar stool and headed for the door. Standing on the other side was a man holding a black garment bag.

  "For you, Miss Austin, from Mr. Morgan," I frowned. He placed the bag in my arms, nodded his head and walked away. I closed the door with my foot and walked back into the kitchen, tossing the garment bag on the
kitchen island where Cate was sitting.

  "Again?" Cate set her cup down and reached for the bag. I shrugged and waited for her to open it. She unzipped the bag and a beautiful black gown lay within. Cate gently pulled it from the garment bag and gasped as she held the dress up.

  "Eva…" Cate's eyes danced over the dress taking it in. It was a black gown with a delicate lace overlay, cap sleeves and a scalloped neckline. The gown was slim through the waist and then gently flared out into a pool of fabric on the floor. I approached the dress and my fingertips gently traced the lacy neckline.

  "It's Marchesa. This dress just walked the runway last week," the air whooshed from my lungs.

  "Here, there's a note," Cate passed a folded piece of paper to me. I opened it and found a note sprawled in Carter's slanted hand on his personal letterhead.

  Evangeline,

  It would be a great pleasure if you would accompany me to the Boston Children's Fund Charity Ball tonight. Be ready at 7.

  Carter

  "He wants me to go to a ball with him tonight," I looked at Cate.

  "Eva!" Cate saw the worry in my eyes and gave me a tight hug. "I’ll help you get ready. You'll be stunning." I sat down on the bar stool and laid my head on the island.

  "I don't fit in his world, Cate."

  "You will be great, Eva. You are smart and beautiful, and Carter obviously thinks you will be perfect," Cate rubbed my back. "Now come on, let's do a spa day to get you all polished and glossy for tonight," Cate bounded off into her bedroom to get ready.

  Cate and I had just returned from being waxed, plucked, and buffed within an ounce of our lives. Cate had given me a sexy smokey eye to go with the black lace gown and my hair was in soft waves down my back. She helped me into my dress and let me borrow a pair of black peep toe Louboutins for the night.

  Butterflies flitted around in my stomach as she held my hand and walked me to the floor length mirror in her room. "You look stunning, Eva. He won't be able to take his eyes off you," she smiled proudly.