AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Monique snapped her mouth shut and glared at both of them.
He took several steps back, tossing an apologetic look at Tess. “I’m sorry, Tess. I came to say hello, not create drama.”
Tess looked unconvinced. “Drama has become my stalker.
I should start walking backward.”
Graham gave her a tight smile. Hell, even annoyed, Tess looked spectacular. Her dress fit her to perfection, and she’d carefully applied makeup that highlighted her expressive green eyes and pouty lips. Her toned legs looked amazing in the short skirt and strappy sandals, and underlying her sultry scent was the fresh scent of apples. He wanted to whisk her away from the fake laughter and clinking glasses, wanted to go back in time to that rain-soaked night. He wanted to peel the dress from her body, kiss his way along her collarbone, and make her shatter against him again and again.
What he didn’t want was her standing there frowning at him. Maybe even setting more bricks in the wall they had between them. “I’ll say goodnight.”
Monique nodded. “Yeah, you should.”
Tess said nothing in his defense, so there was little left to do than walk away.
So he did.
And ran right into the main reason he’d buffed his dress shoes—Miles Barrow.
“Hey, Graham Naquin, new man about town, I’ve been looking for you,” Miles said, extending his hand. “Gotta tell you, you’ve got competition with those gals over there. When we meet, I’m going to need to be dazzled.”
Graham took the proffered hand. “You think Ullo isn’t prepared to do that? Frank and I have worked up a deal you won’t be able to refuse, but we shouldn’t discuss it now. I’d love to have drinks with you this week or maybe drop by your offices. The sooner, the better.”
“Call my office Monday morning and tell Jules to schedule us a liquid lunch.” Miles grinned, slapping Graham on the back.
Out of the corner of his eye, Graham saw Monique and Tess watching them. The two women looked mildly concerned and he liked that. Graham wasn’t going to let Monique get her stiletto in the Oedipus door… even if she had the magical Tess on her team. After the exchange with Tess on Thursday night at the soccer field, he’d dropped by to see a bedridden Frank, seeking his approval on a three year contract with Oedipus. He knew that as CEO he didn’t need Frank’s permission, but it felt like the right thing to do.
Frank had been weak, but in good spirits… except when Graham had mentioned Tess. A prickly rift still gaped between the father and daughter. But overall, he saw gratitude in Frank’s eyes as they hammered out a proposal that would give the super krewe early priority in the building schedule, locked in prices, and a hefty discount on tractor rental. It was a to-the-bone contract, of little benefit to Ullo, but he’d be damned if he lost this account. Oedipus, with its overindulgent floats and eye-popping fiber optics, had always been a showcase for Ullo Float Builders. Making calculated risks was part of the business, and Graham felt in his gut it would be a good gamble.
“I’ll call Monday morning. Go ahead and get a bucket of ice ready for the champagne. We’ll have a lot to celebrate,” Graham said.
“I like your confidence, Naquin. Can’t wait to see what Ullo wants to do for Oedipus next season. Now go have a good time and meet some of the other members of the krewe. They’re good people who love a good time. No more business tonight—too much wine to drink and pretty girls to dance with,” Miles said before melting into the crowd.
Graham couldn’t resist looking back at Tess, not because he wanted to one-up her, but because he’d hated the way he’d left things between them… hated Monique’s ugly words. Nothing about the way he felt about Tess had to do with Mardi Gras, floats, or getting a leg up in business.
No, it had everything to do with something he’d believed couldn’t exist for him.
But Tess was no longer standing in the foyer. She was gone.
TESSPRESSEDHERSELFinto a small shadow on the balcony of the Yacht Club and wished herself away to anywhere other than where she now stood. Stock-still and breathing shallow, she wondered if she stood motionless long enough she’d turn into a statue.
God, she wished she were a statue. Then no one would expect anything of her. Wasn’t there a play or something about a girl who turned into a statue… or was that about a girl who had been a statue and then fell in love with her creator?
Falling in love.
Every little girl’s fairy tale. She’d cherished the wonder of that moment, imagining it as she lay on her down comforter, staring at the soccer posters on the wall of her childhood bedroom. She’d look sophisticated, holding a glass of champagne. And he would be handsome (looking like David Beckham), swooping in, kissing her hand and taking her in his arms. And she would know. Somehow she’d know this was the man for her. Love would slam into her, and happily ever after would be sitting right behind her smiling prince.
That was the way it was supposed to be.
Easy.
But nothing about what she felt for Graham was easy. She hated him. She loved him. Wanted to punch him. Wanted to kiss him. Falling in love wasn’t supposed to be this confusing. Usually, she wasn’t the kind of girl who looked at the glass half empty. But this particular glass from the tales of Tess Ullo’s life looked cracked. No, shattered… just like the one she’d dropped minutes ago, making her look incredibly stupid in front of everyone.
Someone stepped onto the balcony and walked to the edge overlooking Lake Pontchartrain, a stark figure against the light of the full moon.
Graham.
Her flippin’ prince.
