The Accidental Engagement (13 page)

Ivy scowled at her reflection in the mirror. Since when had she become
that
girl? Her sister Holly had always been the boy-crazy one, not her.

There was a knock on her door. Jack was early to pick her up. She opened the door to find the most devilishly sexy man in the world standing at her door. There was no doubt about it, Daniel was born to wear a tux. Her lips parted for air as she studied him.

“Can I come in?”

Ivy stepped aside and waited for him to speak with an anxious knot in her stomach. This was it. He was going to tell her what a huge mistake they’d made and how they needed to end it before it went any further. She was already starting to formulate her argument when he surprised her by tugging her into his arms.

“You are absolutely ravishing in that dress.”

Ivy exhaled in relief. Maybe he had more sense than she gave him credit for. Giving his lapel a little tug, she said, “You look awfully handsome yourself.”

She tilted her head up to accept a sweet, tender kiss but pulled away before it could intensify. He tried to pull her back but she made a tsking sound. “Uh uh, my stylist will kill me if I ruin this.” She waved a hand in the general direction of her hair and face.

His look of disappointment was so adorable and so gratifying it was all she could do not to throw herself into his arms. He reached out a hand to trail a finger over the edge of her bodice. Her lips parted and she had to force herself to take a step back before his wandering hands made her lose all sense of reality.

“Jack will be here any minute.”

Daniel let out a little growl at that, dark desire turning to something even darker. “You’re jealous,” she teased.

His hand sneaked out and pulled her back against him, where she could feel the hard evidence of his desire. “Damn right, I’m jealous. I want to have you in
my
arms tonight.” He leaned over so she could feel his breath against her ear. “
All
night.”

Ivy giggled and wriggled against him. She’d never seen this side of Daniel. He was practically
playful
. She could definitely get used to it.

A knock on the door made them both freeze in place. “That’s probably Jack,” she whispered. “You know, my
fiancé
.”

Daniel winced at the word and leaned down to brush his lips over hers, careful not to muss her hair or makeup. “To be continued,” he whispered.

Jack burst into the room like a bull in a china shop, effectively ruining the mood. “Who’s ready to par-tay?” he said, using an obnoxious frat boy accent.

Ivy laughed. “I am!”

“Oh, hey man, I thought we were going to meet you in the lobby.”

“I wanted to make sure Ivy wasn’t late.” Daniel shot her a pointed look. “Again.”

Ivy rolled her eyes and smothered a laugh at his lie.

“Ivy’s in
trouble
,” Jack sang. He danced up to her and pulled her into a waltz. “You, my dear, look absolutely spectacular. Has anyone told you that yet?”

“No one.” Ivy laughed again as Daniel glowered at her over Jack’s shoulder.

Jack was just getting started. He twirled her around and then pulled her into his arms for a melodramatic embrace. “Are you ready to be my smitten kitten, my eternally betrothed, my happily ever after, my—”

“That’s enough, you two,” Daniel interrupted. Ivy giggled at his gruff tone. She didn’t think she’d ever tire of making him jealous.

* * * *

Ivy stepped into the ballroom and straight into a fairy tale. The vaulted ceiling was lit with chandeliers and candlelight as elegant men in tuxedos danced across the floor with glamorous women dripping with jewels.

She was Cinderella at the ball.

“Ah, my beautiful children,” Brunelli called out when they entered. He gave each man a warm embrace before coming to Ivy. He held her at arms length and looked her over with an admiring gaze. “Ah,
bella donna
. You are truly the most beautiful woman in the room.”

She returned his kisses. “Thank you, Gianni.”

He led them further into the ballroom. “So, what do you think?”

Ivy tried to reply but found herself speechless at the extravagance that surrounded her.

Before long, Ivy and Jack were swept onto the dance floor and into the heart of the party.

If Ivy was Cinderella then Jack, of course, was the perfect Prince Charming. She saw older women look on in delight while the younger women watched with barely concealed jealousy as Jack fawned all over her—over cocktails, while eating appetizers, while mingling among the crowd and, his favorite, on the dance floor. Ivy had to admit, despite the fact that she was with the wrong date, she was enjoying herself. That is, until she caught sight of Daniel—or rather, Daniel’s popularity.

Jealousy gnawed at her as she watched one glamorous woman after another throw herself at him. Maybe she was being unfair. Maybe they weren’t
throwing
themselves, but they were certainly flirting. And Italian women, she soon learned,
really
knew how to flirt.

“What are you looking at, my dear?” Brunelli had found her standing alone in the crowd.

“Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just trying to find Jack. I seem to have misplaced him.” This was a lie, of course. Jack had told her he was going off to find them both a glass of water. What she had been watching was Daniel dancing with another woman—an annoyingly beautiful and buxom other woman.

Brunelli was looking around as well, apparently to help her track down her errant fiancé.

“Thank you so much for inviting us, Gianni. This has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

He waved off her thanks. “Not for long, my dear. Once you and Jack wed…well, you know he enjoys these types of affairs.”

Ivy gave him her most innocent smile. “You’re right, I suppose. I guess I’ll have to get used to this sort of lifestyle, won’t I?” She leaned in a little closer. “But I’ll always remember this night as my first gala and it will always be my favorite.”

Brunelli’s laugh was more like a roar and it drew curious smiles from the people around them. “I like you, Ivy, I really do. And I like Jack, too.” He dipped his chin and gave her a knowing look. “And I especially like Daniel.”

“What about Daniel?” Ivy started at Daniel’s low voice in her ear. He was standing behind her looking positively dashing, like the hero in an action movie.

“Ah! Speak of the devil,” Brunelli said.

“And he shall appear,” Daniel finished. He was smiling at the older man and Ivy noted that it was one his genuine grins, not one of the polished smirks he normally wore. She also noted that she was beginning to be a bit obsessed with deciphering his different smiles. If Holly were here, she would be cracking up over her ridiculous infatuation.

Brunelli wrapped a fatherly arm around Ivy. “I was just telling this beautiful young lady how much I admire you, Daniel. Or can I too call you Danny?”

“You can call me anything you want once we’re partners.”

Ivy could feel Brunelli’s laugh since she was still firmly fixed to his side. He wagged a finger at Daniel. “Funny boy. Funny, funny boy.”

“You know he’s one of my people, yes?” he asked Ivy.

At her questioning look, Daniel explained. “My mother’s family was from Tuscany, which is where Brunelli lives.” She didn’t miss the fact that Daniel, while keeping a friendly tone and demeanor, had gone strangely stiff beside her at the mention of his family.

Brunelli was beaming at her. “Ah, it is the most beautiful place in all the land. You have been, no?”

Ivy shook her head. “No, this is my first trip to Italy.”

Brunelli fixed Daniel with a mock glare. “This is a tragedy, my friend. You must take this charming young woman to Tuscany.” Before Daniel or Ivy could respond, he barreled on. “All three of you will come to stay at my home. I insist.” Daniel began to protest but Brunelli held up a hand to cut him off. When he spoke his voice was firm and there was no mistaking his meaning. “I insist. You will all come to my home. Only there will I make my final decision regarding the merger.”

She saw Daniel’s jaw clench but he was perfectly poised when he bowed his head in a gracious gesture. “We would be honored to be your guests.”

When Brunelli turned to her she pasted on a smile. Much as she loved Italy, she had been hoping that this hoax would be over soon for so many reasons. She couldn’t even let herself think about her parents—the longer this went on the harder it would be to tell them the truth and the more hurt they would be.

Who was she kidding? She was living a lie—they would be hurt no matter what. Even so, for her own peace of mind she needed this deception to come to an end.

And then there was Daniel—arrogant, commanding, charming, intelligent, funny, passionate, and insanely sexy Daniel. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life. And not just physically. She wanted to go on a date with him. A proper date. She wanted to flirt with him whenever and wherever she wanted. She wanted to get to know him so well that she never had to see that stupid phony smirk ever again. She wanted to introduce him to her friends and watch him charm the socks off of her family. She wanted a relationship, plain and simple. But how could they be together if they were forced to keep their affair a secret?

Jack joined them and broke what was about to become a tense silence. He slapped a hand on Brunelli’s back, wrapped a possessive arm around her waist and began a conversation about the political official who’d stopped to talk to him in the lavatory—while he was going to the bathroom.

Soon they were all laughing and the awkward moment had passed.

* * * *

The foursome drank wine and chatted for a little while until Brunelli asked to have a word alone with Jack to discuss some details of the project he was working on. “Daniel, please, escort this
bella donna
onto the dance floor. Ivy looks so beautiful when she’s dancing.”

Ivy laughed at the over-the-top flattery but neither could refuse when he added, “Please, indulge an old man.”

So Daniel gave Ivy a gallant bow and proffered his arm, which she accepted with a little curtsy. Never forgetting their roles, Ivy cast Jack a loving look before gliding onto the dance floor and Daniel joked, “I’ll take good care of her.”

Once on the dance floor, Ivy melted into his arms with a sigh. This was where she belonged. This was the man who made her heart race but he was also the man who infuriated her and challenged her and held her while she slept. This was the man she was falling in love with.

She nearly lost her footing as the word took root in her mind.
Could it be?
His arms tightened around her as he moved in time with the music. There was no doubt in her mind—this was her home. Here in his arms, this was where she always wanted to be. She was falling in love.

She allowed herself a moment to indulge in the new realization and when she looked up, she found him studying her with an unusually solemn expression.

“Is everything all right?”

He smiled down at her and leaned in a bit so no one around them could hear. “Perfect now that I finally get to dance with you.”

“What, Miss Botox in the green strapless number didn’t have good rhythm?”

His arms around her tightened a bit and she could feel the rumble of his laugh as their upper bodies momentarily pressed together. “So I’m not the only one who gets jealous. Good to know.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

They both pretended to be serious for a moment before bursting into laughter. The music changed and he led them effortlessly into a new step, one that allowed him to hold her a bit closer as they swayed in time to the music.

His voice was low and soft. “You know you are the most enchanting woman in this room, don’t you?” She opened her mouth to speak but he unexpectedly twirled her and brought her back, making her laugh even more.

He watched her laugh with a warmth in his eyes that made her heart pound and the rest of the room disappear. He smiled then, a genuine, tender, almost sad sort of smile. “You may just be the most enchanting woman I’ve ever met.”

They were interrupted by Jack who tapped Daniel on the shoulder. “May I cut in?” They were both brought to their senses and Daniel was quick to let her go. They had come dangerously close to outing themselves; they had been so lost in one another that they’d almost forgotten where they were and why. And if
she
knew it than Daniel—

“It’s time for me to say good night.”

She hid her disappointment when she kissed his cheek. “Good night, Daniel. See you in the morning.”

But she didn’t have to wait until morning. A limo dropped her and Jack off at the hotel and they said good night in the elevator. She almost let out a shriek when she opened her door and caught a glimpse of movement near the window.

Daniel was sitting in an armchair, cast in the shadows of a dim desk lamp. “How did you get in here?”

He held up a key card. “I paid for the room, remember? I suppose the front desk thinks that warrants a key of my own.”

Planting her hands on her hips, she pretended to be angry. “I’ll have to have a talk with the front desk.
And
security.”

He ignored her teasing. “Just stand there for one moment. I want to take a look at you. I was trying all night not to stare. Do you know how difficult that was when you were there, looking like that?”

His words made her heart flutter in her chest with pleasure. She struck a model’s pose. “What, this old thing?”

Even in the shadows she could see the desire in his eyes and her own body grew warm in response. Every part of her was sensitive, primed for his touch. Moving her hands along her sides, down to her waist, she saw his eyes narrow as he followed her every move. She licked her lips, excited but slightly nervous. Turning to the side she slowly—oh so slowly—inched the zipper down.

Ivy heard a hiss as he sucked in air and her confidence grew. She let the soft material slide down, slowly revealing the strapless black bra. When she let it fall to the floor with a whoosh, she heard his groan and smiled. She had bought the garter belt and barely-there panties for this moment and it had been worth every penny.