He straightened away from bar, intending to do just that.
Well, hello, stranger. A tall, leggy blonde sidled up to him.
Misha, he greeted, recognizing the former wife of one of Houstons many oil executives. I didnt know you were in town.
Back from Paris last week, she purred, resting her elegant, manicured hand on the arm of his suit jacket. She was a former model, born and raised in Germany. Shed had a brief but profitable marriage in Houston. Word on the street was that hed ended up with the sports cars, while she got the Tigers season tickets.
Would you care to dance? he asked dutifully, even though hed prefer to spend his time confronting Jeffrey.
But, of course. She took his hand and moved to the dance floor.
Misha, it turned out, had spent the past few months traveling, perfecting her tan in Tahiti, visiting a game preserve in South Africa and dedicating a new museum wing in Prague. She offered to show him her all-over tan, but Mitch graciously declined.
His next dance partner was just back from St. Kitts. It seemed shed bought a little bungalow beside the ocean. Shed taken up snorkeling. She throatily informed him there was a hot tub on the balcony of her hotel suite, and then hinted that shed like to show him how long she could hold her breath.
Mitch honestly didnt remember these parties being quite so crass. By midnight, all he wanted to do was head for the hotel, take an aspirin and crawl under the covers.
Alone.
But then his gaze caught Jenny.
She was in the corner talking to Emily, being handed another martini. A green one this time. She seemed to have developed a taste for exotic drinks. And he didnt know what had gotten into her with the clothes lately.
That short skirt showed off her incredible legs, and their navy silhouette made a mans mind go all kinds of places. Shed worn her contacts again, and her ornate earrings sparkled whenever she moved her head. His gaze rested on the shimmering peach tank top, making out the rounded curves of her breasts against the slinky fabric. It was obvious shed forgone a bra.
He couldnt remember ever seeing her braless. Then again, he supposed he hadnt been looking. Why was he looking now? What the hell was the matter with him? What, exactly, would it take for him to learn his lesson?
He caught sight of Jeffrey. The man was heading in Jennys direction again, a predatory gleam in his eyes. This time, Mitch did make his move. And he didnt let anyone stop him along the way.
Jeffrey, he greeted heartily, falling into step with the man.
Hey, Mitch. Glad you could make it.
Mitch would just bet Jeffrey was glad hed shown up with Jenny. I see youve met Jenny.
Jeffrey frowned. Ive met her lots of times before.
You didnt dance with her before.
Her hotness factors gone way up in my books.
You keep her out of your books.
Jeffrey turned his head to look at Mitch. Huh? What are you talking about?
Shes my assistant, you moron. Keep your hands off her.
We were only dancing.
Mitch shot Jeffrey a dark look. Youre talking to me here, Jeff.
Jeffrey gave a sheepish smile. Point taken.
Shes a nice girl.
Then shell slap me across the face, wont she?
You give her any reason to slap you across the face, and your face will be meeting up with my fist.
Jeffrey sputtered out a laugh. So says the cripple.
Ive still got my left.
In answer, Jeffrey looped an arm over Mitchs shoulder. Careful, buddy. Youre starting to sound territorial.
I told you, shes my assistant.
And thats all she is?
Absolutely. If Mitch said it out loud often enough, maybe it would come true.
Why dont I believe you?
Probably because Mitch was lying. Because your brains in the gutter.
Your brain and mine have been partying together down there for quite a few years.
Mitch spoke slowly and deliberately. Not with Jenny.
Hey, Jenny, Jeffrey sang out as they approached. He did a few mock dance steps, making her smile. Got time for one more spin around the floor?
Jenny turned and stumbled ever so slightly on her high-heeled boots, bracing herself against the bar. Her green eyes were bright, her smile more dazzling than usual. Mitch had seen her with only the two, but how many drinks had she had?
We have to head out, Mitch interrupted before she could answer. If there was any chance her judgment was clouded, Jeffrey was the last guy she needed to be around.
Its barely midnight, Jeffrey protested.
Weve planned an early flight in the morning, Mitch lied again. They could take the jet back to Royal anytime they wanted. But he stepped up beside Jenny, threading her arm through his.
Cole around? he asked Emily.
The woman sniffed her delicate nose. How would I know?
You were dancing with him.
Only till I could get rid of him.
Jenny pointed. Over there. Behind the pillar. She started to move, but Mitch held on, causing her to trip again.
How many martinis did you drink? he asked.
She looked up at him, blinking her long lashes as if to bring him into focus. I ordered two. But I barely sipped either of them. Why?
Because youre a lightweight, he murmured.
Thank you. She nodded sarcastically. I just lost three pounds.
He couldnt stop a grin at her joke as he ushered her forward to where they could meet up with Cole. Time for bed, princess.
As they passed Jeffrey, the man shook his head, chuckling darkly at Mitch. Assistant. Right.
Mitch threw a surreptitious elbow into Jeffreys rib cage.
Im starving, said Jenny from the third-row seat in the chauffeur-driven Escalade as they sped along the shore of Galveston Bay.
Mitch twisted his head to look at her. Thats probably a good idea. A little food in your stomach along with the liquor.
Will you stop, Jenny huffed. I sipped on two teeny little martinis. Im just hungry because its late. Look. She pointed out the tinted window, turning her head as they cruised past the red neon sign. Cara Mia Trattoria. And its open.
Cole spoke up from the bucket seat next to Mitchs in the middle row. If she can read Italian, she cant be that bad off.
Jenny smacked the back of Coles bucket seat. Im perfectly sober, people.
Cole grinned, while Emily gave a shrug. I could eat.
Mitch turned forward to address the driver. Can you take us back to Cara Mia?
Of course, sir, the uniformed man responded. He checked the rearview mirror, then pulled a U-turn in advance of an upcoming red light, taking up the right-hand lane, before signaling to pull up to Cara Mias front door.
Of course, sir, the uniformed man responded. He checked the rearview mirror, then pulled a U-turn in advance of an upcoming red light, taking up the right-hand lane, before signaling to pull up to Cara Mias front door.
As the SUV came to a smooth halt, Mitch handed the man a twenty-dollar tip.
Thank you, sir. You have the services number?
I do, Mitch confirmed, yawning the door open.
Were on duty for the team until three.
Mitch nodded his thanks and stepped out of the vehicle. He turned to offer his hand to Emily, whod been sitting behind him, but his gaze moved reflexively to Jennys flirty skirt as she exited from Coles side.
They have a deck, she announced as she rounded the back of the SUV. Wisps of hair had worked loose from her knot and curled enchantingly around her bright face. Do you think we can sit out there?
Mitch curled her arm around his own, steadying her across the cobblestone drive. Im sure theyll let us sit wherever we want.
She inhaled. I love the ocean.
Wind bent the palm leaves, and rolling waves sounded rhythmically in the distance.
Fresh airs probably good for you, he observed while she disentangled her arm from his and stepped toward the restaurant stairs.
The hostess wove her way in front of them through the crowded tables on the restaurants deck. She showed them to a view table, overlooking lighted gardens, an expansive lawn and stone walkways that led down to a sandy beach. The tide was in, and the surf was up. Propane heaters warmed the air, and a floral centerpiece anchored the billowing white cloth on the round table.
Jenny plunked into a padded wicker chair and snagged a leather-bound menu.
A waiter filled their water glasses and offered cocktails, but they all opted for iced tea.
Isnt that gorgeous? Jennys attention was distracted by the tiny pink lights decorating the flower gardens. In an instant, she was on her feet, crossing to the rail of the sundeck for a better look.
Chicken marsala pizza? suggested Cole. With avocado and eggplant.
Emily peered over her menu at him. What is that? Like, nerd pizza?
Are you calling me a nerd?
She smirked. Just commenting on your taste in pizza.
Well, what do you suggest?
Sausage, ham, peppers, mushrooms, onions, pepperoni.
What are you, pledging a fraternity?
Its a classic.
You want me to order a pitcher of draft to go with it? asked Cole. We could have a chugging contest.
Emily stuck out her tongue at him.
Mitch chuckled low at the pairs antics, glancing to check out Jenny at the rail of the deck.
She was gone.
He straightened in his chair, gaze darting from table to table. Had she gone to the ladies room?
He stood.
What? Emily asked.
Wheres Jenny?
Emily and Cole peered around the busy deck.
Mitchs gaze snagged on her boots, discarded beneath her chair at the table. He instantly shifted his attention to the lighted gardens. There she was, halfway down the stone path, meandering her way toward the ocean.
Got her. He pointed, tossing his napkin onto the table. Ill be right back.
He trotted down the stairs and strode his way through the quiet gardens toward the beach. The salt tang grew stronger, and the roar of the waves filled his ears as he caught up to Jenny.
Going somewhere? he asked as her feet hit the sand.
Just breathing the night air, she responded, and turned in a circle.
Only two drinks? he confirmed.
She shook her head and rolled her eyes.
I was afraid youd decided to take a swim, he admitted.
Itll take more than a few sips of a martini to get me into the ocean in September. She plunked down on the soft sand.
Once again, he was struck by how different she seemed from the regular Jenny who masterminded his financial spreadsheets, deftly handled demanding club members and wrote concise, informative month-end reports. The transformation was more than a little disconcerting.