“They are absolutely beautiful. And I can tell they’ll be far less sheer in the places that matter. What about adding some color trim to a few of the panties, to allow for mixing and matching the bra and panties?” I suggest, holding back the desire to just comfort him by rubbing my fingers through his perfectly messy hair. The poor guy looks mentallyexhausted.
In a hot way, ofcourse.
“I like that idea. I’ll add some before I go to bed.” He pushes the tablet to the side. “We need to discuss a few intricacies regarding the fashion show and theball.”
I take a sip of tea. “Okay. I’m allears.”
Antonio winks and, for a split second, I think he wants to say something sarcastic. “Fabulous. Now when we head back to Milan tomorrow, I’m gonna need you to work on the following items.” He opens up a notebook and rips out a sheet of paper containing a list ofitems.
1. ’80s music tracks for fashion show—enough to fill our thirty-minuteblock
2. Runway style sets—these must match the lingerie theme/music each model will walkto
3. Runway backdrop design—what do you have inmind?
Looking up from the list, I catch him staring at me. Not a creepy kind of a stare, thankgoodness.
“Anythingelse?”
He shifts in his seat, placing both elbows on the table. “Uh, yes. Let’s see. About the fashion show. Ramon has worked behind the scenes of each of theCraveMeshows, for the last five years at least, making sure all ten models are dressed and in place. You’ll work with him on number two on that list. But he’s in Aspen right now and isn’t due to arrive here untilSaturday.”
I nod and continue to sip mytea.
“Right. Then,” he hesitates before going on, “well, there is the issue of the ball. I uh, I don’t exactly have a date thisyear.”
I feel my entire body heat up; maybe it’s the tea or maybe it’s thesudden—
“So, will you be my date this year? I promise to be a completegentleman.”
…the sudden anticipation of him asking me to be hisdate.
Looking at me, I’m sure it’s hard to tell I’m melting inside. But I need to play it cool, not only to fool him, but to keep myself in check. I’ve sworn off men, and there is no way I plan on getting romantically involved with my dreamy-as-fuckboss.
This is all work-related.
Riskybusiness.
I mean strictlybusiness.
“Of course. Whatever you need me to do to make this event a success forCraveMe.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. Thank you. There is one morething.”
I raise myeyebrows.
“The top lingerie designers save their newest chemise or nightgown, sporting it much like one would a ball gown for the ball instead of on the catwalk. And this year I am one of the top designers listed. It’s a first for me and I hadn’t thought of who I wanted to wear that piece, untilrecently.”
I lift the cup to my mouth, waiting to hear more. Like, will I get to meet a famous model now and get to help dress her for theball?
I take a sip of the now lukewarm tea and before I can even swallow, Antonio says, “You. I’d really like you to wear the piece I plan to feature at theball.”
Tea goeseverywhere—sprayed out of my mouth due to shock. “Shit. I am so sorry,Antonio.”
He flies up out of his seat and just begins to laugh. “Well, I wasn’t expectingthatreaction.”
I spring up from the chair, run into the kitchen to grab a towel, then run back into the dining room to clean up tea that has splattered all over Antonio and the table. Only when I return to the dining room, I nearly pass out, coming face-to-naked-bare-pectorals. Antonio has removed his shirt and is using it to wipe up the tea from thetable.
Damn, he’s like a fucking machine. I can hardly lookaway.
