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His breath came out in a rush. ‘Hell’s teeth, you could have warned me. I mean, she’s one of my all time favourite pin-ups.’ Lizzie raised her eyebrows at him and he grinned. ‘Along with you, of course.’ His eyes swung back to Catherine’s tall, elegant figure. ‘But I mean, wow. She doesn’t disappoint in the flesh, does she?’
Lizzie put a hand on the side of his face and pulled his attention back to her. ‘No, she doesn’t.’ She raised her mouth and kissed him hard on the lips. ‘And that’s just to remind you who you came with.’
She was drawing back when he circled her waist with his arm and pulled her more firmly against him. ‘How could I ever forget that?’ he whispered before deepening the kiss.
The man could kiss. There was no doubt about it. In fact his kisses should carry a health warning. In particular, they shouldn’t be allowed in a public place because when she was kissing him, she became totally unaware, and dangerously uncaring, of where she was.
‘Hey, lovebirds. What’s the phrase the kids use? You need to get a room.’
With her mind still full of Nick’s kiss, it took a moment for Lizzie to take in who was speaking. ‘Siobhan,’ she managed as her and Nick drew apart. ‘Good to see you.’
Lizzie turned to Nick and made the introductions. Siobhan was a fellow model. Poor Nick would be totally fed up with meeting models by the end of the evening. On the other hand — she took in his slightly gaping mouth, the glazed expression — perhaps he’d quite enjoy it.
‘Is everyone at this party going to be an actress or a model?’ Nick asked as she guided them towards the bar.
‘Are you hoping the answer will be yes or no?’
His boyish grin spoke volumes. ‘I’ve got to admit, as parties go, this one certainly has its advantages.’
Shaking her head at him, she surveyed the partygoers. ‘Well, I hate to disappoint, but I can also spot a few actors, a couple of directors, some photographers.’
‘Any accountants?’
‘Only you so far.’ Clasping his jacket lapels, she drew him towards her and kissed him again. ‘But the night is young.’
They found a table and were soon joined by a few more models from the agency. Nick looked in his element, so much so he didn’t bat an eyelid when she told him she needed another drink. Typical. Give a man a pretty face and he forgot everything else around him. Even those he’d come to the party with, apparently. Huffing out a breath she rose to her feet and wandered over to the bar. She was almost there when she was accosted by Catherine and dragged over to a quiet corner.
‘Darling, he’s adorable,’ she gushed. ‘Lean, athletic body topped by puppy dog eyes in an intelligent face. Please tell me this man is it.’
Lizzie found she couldn’t speak. Biting at her lip, she sadly shook her head.
‘Why ever not? You know I’ve been worried for you lately, my darling. Your taste in men has taken a real nosedive and that was even before that toerag Charles. This one though.’ Her eyes zeroed in on Nick, who was grinning at Siobhan and making her laugh. ‘This one is a keeper.’
‘I want to keep him,’ Lizzie replied quietly. ‘But I’m very much afraid I can’t.’
‘Can’t?’
Watching Nick made her heart ache, so Lizzie turned her focus back to Catherine. ‘I know this sounds melodramatic, but he’s too good, Catherine. Certainly for someone like me.’
‘What utter nonsense. He sounds exactly right for someone like you. Much more so than those awful types you’ve been cavorting with recently.’
Lizzie swallowed and wished she had a drink in her hands. She needed it right now. ‘Maybe, but Nick lives in England. I need to live out here. He loves the peace and quiet. I need limelight and attention.’
Catherine narrowed her eyes and stared at her. ‘You don’t need the limelight. It just comes with your job.’
‘True, but I do need the job. Besides, I think you get the partner you deserve in life. And I’ve got a terrible feeling that for me, it isn’t Nick.’
‘I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.’
Catherine would have said more, but Lizzie decided it was high time she changed the subject. ‘Sorry, ignore me. I’m being sentimental because he goes back home tomorrow. You know what will cheer me up?’
‘It wouldn’t be a turn on the dance floor by any chance?’
‘Exactly.’ She linked her arm through that of her friend. ‘Come on. Let’s show this crowd some real moves.’
* * *
As the party became more raucous, Nick grew more restless. He could honestly say he’d enjoyed the first few hours. There were definite benefits of being introduced to some of Lizzie’s friends. At times he’d had to blink to remind himself this was real. He wasn’t just experiencing some hot fantasy where he was surrounded by the world’s most gorgeous women. He’d even managed to make a reasonable impression. Apparently his stereotypical English appearance was cute. Given a choice, he’d have gone with something more macho, but frankly beggars couldn’t be choosers and Hugh Grant seemed to have done all right out of it.
