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Nash’s gaze snapped over to the woman in the princess costume, and he was surprised that he hadn’t recognized Eden before. There was no woman alive who had hair as beautiful. It fell around her shoulders in a waterfall of dark waves that shimmered in the light from the chandeliers like the ocean at midnight. The embroidered sleeves of the gown encased her long arms and then belled at the elbows like the skirt of the dress belled from her high waist. The bodice was so tight that it pushed her breasts up over the low neckline in soft, pale swells of flesh that Nash longed to touch.
“But she was supposed to come as a senorita,” he said more to himself than Grayson. “I sent her the costume.”
“Obviously, she liked my Juliet costume better.” Grayson slapped Nash on the back. “Sorry, Bro, but I thought you weren’t going to invite her. And anyone can see that you two make a perfect match.”
The perfect match? Nash wasn’t a perfect match for anyone. And he couldn’t blame Eden for realizing it. So why was she here? Especially after giving him the cold shoulder.
“Finally! I found you!”
The words pulled Nash’s attention away from Eden to the big, hairy guy in the leather bra and boy short set. A bra and boy short set that looked a lot like the one in the Lothario Collection. Except the guy must’ve had to alter the bra to fit his bodybuilder’s chest. A leather mask, thigh highs, heels, and a riding crop rounded out the costume. Nash couldn’t help feeling amused that he was talking to Grayson.
“I’m sorry,” Grayson said, “but I’m afraid that I don’t…”
The guy lifted his mask and winked. “It’s Doug.” He smacked Grayson’s butt with the riding crop. “Like the outfit? It’s from your collection.”
It wasn’t often that Nash had the opportunity to get back at his brother so eloquently handed to him. He took it without even a twinge of guilt.
“I’m sure Nash absolutely loves your outfit. Don’t ya, Bro?” Before Grayson could get over his confusion, Nash shot him a smile and walked away.
Once he left his brother, he headed straight to Juliet. He was tired of working his brain trying to figure out what was wrong. He wanted answers. And he wanted them now. Unfortunately, first, he had to greet the Huckabees.
“I think your costumes should win the prize,” he said as he moved behind Eden. “After all, Adam and Eve were the first lovers.”
Eden whirled around, and he found himself drowning in twin pools of gold that shimmered with fear. And if anyone should recognize the emotion in a woman’s eyes, it was Nash. He had seen it too many times not to. But he had never thought he would see it in Eden’s eyes. Not spunky Eden’s. His name came out of her lips as a hushed whisper.
“Nash.”
It was a struggle to keep the smile on his face. “I think it’s Romeo tonight.” He made a courtly bow. “And from the looks of things, you’re Juliet.” He watched her struggle for a reply before her grandmother cut in.
“Oh, isn’t that cute. You didn’t tell me that you were Juliet, Eden.”
Eden released her breath as if she’d been holding it. “I wasn’t sure. I never liked Shakespeare.”
Nash should’ve left. He should’ve turned and walked away without another word. Instead, he just stood there, frozen in the fearful eyes surrounded by her jeweled mask. “Then we have something in common. I failed it in high school.”
“Well, I think your costumes are adorable,” Doris said.
“But not very original, if you ask me,” Hammond said. “Now, your grandmother and I have original costumes. We’re not Adam and Eve. We’re a couple from my favorite reality television show…Naked and Afraid. Have you seen the show, Nathan? It’s where these couples have to survive out in the elements without any food or water or clothes. Nothing but a knapsack and a knife. Although mine doesn’t have a knife as much as goodies.” He pulled a brownie out of the burlap bag hooked over his shoulder and offered it to Nash. “Brownie?”
Before Nash could politely decline, Eden grabbed the brownie out of her grandfather’s hand. “I thought I told you no brownies, Pops!”
“Stop being so uptight, Eden.” Hammond snatched the brownie and took a big bite. “This place could use an ice breaker.” He nodded at the orchestra set up behind the empty dance floor. “And where’s the DJ? If they were playing rock and roll instead of this elevator music, folks would be dancing.”
“Maybe they just need the first couple to break the ice.” Doris sent a pointed look at Nash. “And what better set of lovers to start the dancing than Romeo and Juliet? Now get out there, you two, and get things started.”
At the moment, the only thing Nash wanted to get started was a large bottle of Johnnie Walker. He was about to make his excuses and go in search of one when Eden turned and headed for the dance floor. He should’ve let her go. But damned if he could.
Nash knew how to dance. Any Southern boy who loved women knew how to waltz to a slow country song. The song the orchestra played wasn’t country, but it wasn’t difficult to pick up the one-two-three beat. What was difficult was watching Eden flinch when he placed a hand on her waist.
“I guess you prefer my touch in the dark,” he said dryly. He watched her throat move as she swallowed.
“I don’t know why I let my grandmother talk me into this. I can’t dance.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to teach you.” He took her hand in his and slowly guided her through the steps. Once she had them, he took control and swept her around the floor. Doris had been right. As soon as they started dancing, other couples joined them. They were on their fourth lap when Eden finally spoke.
“Why Romeo? Aren’t you supposed to be Lothario… the seducer of women?”
“Grayson had a problem with the costume so he switched with me. That, and I think he’s trying to do a little matchmaking.” He paused for only a beat. “If you’re avoiding me, why did you come?” Her gaze locked with his, and he thought she might make up some foolish lie. Instead she was brutally, painfully honest.
