Текст книги "A Taste of Summer"
Автор книги: Beverly Preston
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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 18 страниц)
Chapter Five
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Pops of colorful dresses accentuated a sea of extravagant red gowns and designer black tuxes floating beneath the starry canopy. In a zip code known for its paper thin beauties, Carrie Ann flourished in a full length strapless gown crafted from delicate chiffon. Her regal beauty displayed in the sweetheart neckline and diagonally ruched bodice, making the most of her hourglass shape. She wore her dark locks swept back into a chic and sexy loose French twist.
Luckily, the storm front moving in held off a day, but she had to admit, she loved the tent. Mediterranean chic mixed with Hollywood glam creating a sophisticated cocktail lounge reminiscent of a luxurious retreat. Crystal chandeliers hung from the canopy filling the outdoor ballroom with a warm glow of intimate lighting. Spikes of energy sizzled through the atmosphere. The rush of adrenaline in her veins replaced several months’ worth of tension.
A broad smile never left Carrie Ann’s face. Her hips swayed to the soulful sound of jazz as she mingled through the guests. Jason approached her as if nothing had changed, thankfully. His gaze seemed softer, more relaxed, but he only spent a limited amount of time with her before wandering off to work the room filled with future clients.
As Carrie Ann stepped onto the raised platform at the far end of the pavilion her fingers gently cinched into the folds of her dress. The signature slit at the side of her gown exposing a hint of toned thigh. Crossing the stage, she made eye contact with Shayla, waiting in the wings to be introduced. Sara stood beside her wearing a gorgeous black dress and an irreplaceable grin. It was her assistant’s first big event and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t conceal her excitement.
Nerves fluttered in her tummy. As she reached for the microphone, the drummer of the jazz band gave a soft roll on his cymbal. A hush fell over the crowd.
“Good evening everyone.” Carrie Ann’s face heated with pride and anticipation. Her gaze surfed through the hundreds of faces, not focusing on anyone in particular, simply taking in the moment. “I’d like to thank all of you for coming out to the Have a Heart Foundation’s Fifth Annual Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction.”
The simple introduction earned a roar of fashionable applause.
“We’ve got an amazing evening in store for you. In addition to our smokin’ hot bachelors and sizzling, sexy bachelorettes, we have a room full of silent auction items ranging from surf lessons, to extravagant dinners, to luxurious spa treatments and several vacation getaways. So, make sure to put your bids in there as well.”
Carrie Ann introduced their many sponsors, giving praises for their good charity, receiving another round of applause from the crowd. Shayla joined her on stage wearing a stunning white gown, which earned a cat call from her husband, setting fire to her golden cheeks. Bachelors and bachelorettes paraded across the stage one at a time as Carrie Ann and Shayla took turns describing their best qualities and the date that would go to the highest bidder.
“We each have different reasons for being here tonight.” Carrie Ann curled her fingers over the shell of her ear, pushing back a lose strand of silky hair. “Some of you came to support friends. Others came to have a fun night out.”
“For some of you, it’s the best way to guarantee a date.” Shayla could barely contain her giggles adding her five seconds of comedic relief.
“But most of you are here because you know someone with heart disease. And unfortunately, like myself, some of you have lost someone you hold dear in your life to heart disease. A father. A mother. Perhaps a grandparent or sadly enough even a child.” She sniffed back the burning sensation threatening to spill. “So that being said, in the name of those we love, let’s make tonight’s event one to remember.”
Shayla’s husband, John, approached the stage, asking for the microphone with his long reach. Carrie Ann slipped a coy glance at Shayla. Her only response was a small shrug, before handing over the mic.
“What Carrie Ann is trying to politely say is, we know your heart is in it, but tonight…let’s open up our wallets and kick some ass for heart disease.”
Deafening cheers and applause erupted beneath the canopy, bringing a wry grin to John’s mug as he handed her back the mic.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself. Now, who’s ready to get this party started?”
“Twenty thousand.” A deep raspy voice called out from the back of the room.
A swarm of butterflies set free in her belly. She felt herself blanch, color draining from her face. Fuck! Fuckity-fuck! Her pulse hammered too fast, too hard, watching a pair of well-defined shoulders attached to a headful of sandy blond hair make their way through the crowd.
A cold ache chased through her body causing her to tremble. Carrie Ann attempted to be cognizant of the reaction splashed across her face, but she was slow to react. Countless emotions did a quick stampede through her heart.
Shayla carefully interceded, “See what I mean? I know you’re all excited, but you’ve got to wait for us to announce the first bachelor.”
A pair of whisky-colored eyes, demanded her attention as Summer moved toward the stage. His piercing stare shot straight through her, robbing Carrie Ann of her voice. Her breath caught when she opened her mouth to speak and a shaky laugh, awkward and uncomfortable, slipped from her lips.
She cleared the nerves from her throat. “You’re a little premature. Aren’t you, Ryan?”
Carrie Ann felt Shayla’s chilly fingers on her back, moving back and forth in a comforting fashion and prompting a clear reminder to keep her composure. Summer tipped his head to the side. The glow from the chandelier played over his striking features, casting spiky shadows from his lashes to the top of his cheeks.
“Never,” he taunted. The curve on his lips had nothing to do with a smile. “I’m bidding on you, Carrie Ann. In the name of charity, of course.”
Stunned faces and whispers danced around the quiet room. She looked at Shayla for backup, but her face mirrored Carrie Ann’s. Seconds felt like minutes. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest. Just beyond the side of the stage, Sara nodded hotly in the background. This triggered less than zero response from Carrie Ann. Seconds ticked by. Her assistant’s eyes bulged wide indicating she needed to do something.
“Twenty-five thousand.” Another familiar voice joined in the bidding.
Her head twisted, seeing Jason’s tall silhouette closing in behind Summer.
“Thirty-thousand dollars.” Summer’s tone held firm, tossing out the figure like he was throwing change in a wishing well.
Her eyes tracked his every movement. He didn’t budge an inch when Jason joined him center stage. Separated by a mere inches.
Jason countered without hesitation. “Thirty-five.”
“Fifty,” Summer interjected, before the bid barely left Jason’s lips.
Shayla whispered in her ear, “What should I do?”
Tension gathered force as hundreds of jaw-dropping faces waiting on bated breath. The absurdity of the situation was already too far gone to rein in the madness. She couldn’t turn down a donation of that magnitude. Only twice in the history of the event had a bid gone to this proportion.
Purely by some divine intervention, she managed to pull a coherent thought from her scattered brain. She conceded with a curt nod, “For charity.”
Given the green light, Shayla took control. “Mr. Calver? Will you be taking us to fifty-five?”
Jason didn’t even have time to open his mouth, let alone give a response. Without so much as flinching, Summer threw down the gauntlet, stealing any chance Jason thought he might have at winning the bid.
“One hundred thousand dollars.” His chin lifted as he approached the stage, never breaking eye contact. The reflection of her red dress, set fire to his amber irises. Summer slid his hands into his pockets, asking in a low voice, “Would you like me to add another zero?”
Cocky. Mother. Fucker.
Masking her fury, she forced a pleasant smile. “How generous.”
Peeling his focus away from Carrie Ann, he turned to Shayla. “Mrs. Mathews, put me down for one million dollars.”
In one swift movement, he hopped onto the stage to claim his prize. Applause erupted to a near earsplitting decimal. Feeling his hand at the small of her back, she had no time to react. In a blur, Shayla’s eyes popped as big as quarters as Summer escorted Carrie Ann off the platform. Leaving his hand-hold in the dust, she stomped…eloquently around the back of the stage, hiding behind a canvas panel.
The smell of tobacco put her on high alert. Her eyes darted into the corners of the veranda, praying not to find her father. Her life did not need any more special surprises. A bartender stood in the shadows smoking a cigar-like cigarette. He took one glance at their weighted demeanor and split without saying a word. She’d deal with him later for walking past two no smoking signs to light up.
Carrie Ann spun to face him head on. Summer held out his hands on either side of her, cautiously, corralling her so she wouldn’t escape. Ignoring the erratic heartbeat slamming against her ribs, she bolstered every ounce of infuriated pigheadedness she could muster.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Summer?”
“Cheating…a little,” he said softly. A mock smile tipped the edges of his full mouth…as if that would soften her explosion.
“Yeah, well, we all know you’re pretty good at that.”
He laid a palm to his chest, melodramatically suffering from the blow to his heart. “Come on now. We’re not going to hash that over again, are we? Play nice, Red.”
“Play nice?” she snarled through clenched teeth. “How about you go fuck yourself?”
Tiny laugh lines whisked outward from the corners of his eyes. “I’m more interested in fucking you.”
“Oh, give me a break!”
“I’ll give you just about anything you ask for.” His voice riddled with insinuation.
“Perfect. Get out of my face.”
“Sorry, that’s not gonna happen. We need to talk, Carrie Ann. I don’t plan on going anywhere until we do.”
A muffled round of hoots and hollers indicated that bachelor number one had just found a date. Urgency gathered in her gut.
“What do you want, Summer? Is this part of some sort of twisted therapy program for past mistakes?” He started to step closer, but she threw out a hand as a warning. “You’re invading my space!”
His eyes twinkled as if weighing the consequences of his answer. He whispered in a soft growl, “I’m gonna invade your personal space with my cock as soon as you come to your damn senses.”
She went scarlet. The provocative remark fired off a round of clenches, low and deep, striking a tender place hidden inside. She needed to escape him, but her legs felt encumbered and heavy, unable to carry her away from the lunacy taking place in front of her. The man melted her insides. He turned her to a withering mess with a simple smile. He also had a way of pissing her off more than any other man she’d ever known. It wasn’t fair or easy.
And neither was she.
“In. Your. Dreams.”
“Every night, Red. Every night.”
“Well, thank you for stopping by to lighten your wallet. The HAHF appreciates your generosity,” she riddled. Candor doused her hostility in formality. The air surrounding them was becoming saturated with resentment.
“Did you really think I’d let him outbid me? I don’t like that guy, Jason. I don’t like him one bit.”
Her eyed beaded. “You don’t get a say…now do you?”
“I did tonight.”
Despite her fists being pulled into tight balls, ready to take aim at any moment, he dared to ease closer. The scent of him filtered through her labored breathing. The spicy fragrance noticeable on her tongue, inflicting havoc on her palate.
Summer slipped his fingers into her closed hands. Every tiny muscle in his face softened, the seriousness severe, exposing a small porthole view into a matured, settled man. His handsome features verging on gloriously striking. Her lashes fluttered taking in the sight.
“This wasn’t my intent.” His chest expanded, pulling in a deep breath. Peering down at their locked hands, he jiggled her fingers. “I didn’t come here to do this. It just happened, Carrie Ann. I saw you…and you look so…”
Summers voice trailed off as he looked her over, almost as if he could hardly believe she was real. His examination was slow and sweet, and laced with ravenous greed, drifting over every inch of her. The fine hairs on her arms rose to sharp points. She could scarcely breathe.
His haughtiness faded, leaving only a vast display of raw emotions. The man had the distinct capability of casting a sensual spell over her with just one look. A rush of adrenaline struck low in her belly, but her heart strings constricted, tightening around old wounds.
“You look stunning.” Breaking into familiar territory, he eased in, their thighs brushing as he hovered above her. He added, “I’d tell you I’m sorry, but I’m not. I miss you.”
Refusing to look up at him, she stared at his shirtfront. It was a good shirtfront. Just enough imperfection to make her want to reach up and tweak his collar. Which was attached to his tan throat. Which led to his thick head of hair. No! No way! Not gonna happen!
“I’m not sure what you’re expecting for your million dollar donation, but—” The sound of footsteps walking off the stage, captured her attention. She continued in a whisper, “I need to get out there. I’ve gotta go.”
“I want one day, Carrie Ann. A chance to talk.”
Without any explanation or rationalization, she complied with a curt nod. Carrie Ann didn’t dare lift her chin to look up at him, knowing he’d have no hesitation taking advantage of the proximity of their mouths. She gathered her hands from his and skirted from behind the wall, heading for the platform.
“Red,” he called out in a low voice. She cast a half-glance over her shoulder attempting to hide the blush on her cheeks. His smiling eyes cruised around the room. “Great job. You’re totally rockin’ it.”
Pride swelled deep within, spreading heat throughout her chest and limbs. She couldn’t stop the stupid grin erupting from her face…which irritated the shit out of her. Sauntering up the steps, her hips swayed more than normal.
Shayla crooned, “Bachelor number two is a firefighter from New York.”
Gathering her wits, she reached for her mic, “Or at least he plays one on TV.”
Carrie Ann didn’t need to turn, she knew Summer’s eyes were glued to her ass.
*
As the after party began to wind down, the DJ took control of the energy level, transitioning into a smoother beat. Even without Summer’s ridiculous contribution, the generosity of others blew away prior donations, setting a new record for the auction. An accomplishment that proved her mettle and an achievement she could be very proud of.
Carrie Ann ignored the hushed rumors and quiet whispers of guests speculating what went down between her and Summer. Are they a couple? Did you know they dated? He’s getting laid tonight! She’s so lucky. Thankfully, Summer kept his distance, but she sensed his eyes on her all night long. An indescribable tickling feeling that blanketed her body drawing goosebumps to her arms and neck. The anticipation robbed her of her breath, waiting for him to show up at her side at any given moment.
Jason reverted back into friend mode. They chatted several times throughout the evening, but the hopefulness that had previously shone brightly in his eyes, faded. She assumed the cooling change in his expression was either do to Summer’s stunt or perhaps he shared the same lack of intimate interest. Regardless of the reason, there seemed to be no awkwardness between them.
Carrie Ann shared a couch with Shayla and John, as well as several others. Stiffness in her neck and shoulders began to subside, indulging in a sip of champagne.
“We gotta get going, Shay.” John raised from his seat and helped his wife to her feet. Everyone followed suit. “Carrie Ann, if you change your mind and want to join us on vacation, we’ll be on the beach in Hawaii.”
“I appreciate the offer, John, but I have to pass. As much as I adore those two boys of yours, that’s not exactly the kind of relaxation I had in mind for my vacation. Plus, the last thing I need is a raging case of hormonally induced maternal-itis.”
Smothering his laughter, he added, “I just thought since you have a million dollar date to fulfill…”
“Ha, ha. Screw you, John.” She jabbed him in the side. “Have a fantastic vacation. I’m sure you’re going to miss my babysitting assistance.”
The smartass grin fell from his mug. “I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty nice when you travel with us. Shay and I get to go on dates, the two of you get to spend time together, I get to go golfing…”
“I see how it is. The truth comes out,” she teased. Wrapping Shayla in a full embrace, Carrie Ann swayed a little, holding to her tightly, whispering, “Have a great time. Thanks so much for helping me every year. It wouldn’t be the same without you. Love you.”
“Love you too. It’s always a pleasure.” Shayla pulled back making close inspection of her unusual show of emotion. “You okay?”
A sting of sentiment gathered in her throat. “Yeah, I’m fine. Must be the champagne. Have a great time.”
Shayla squeezed her upper arms. “Call me if you need to talk.”
Jason appeared at her side with another flute of bubbly. Other couples wandered off, stealing away to the dance floor. Feeling relaxed, she took a long sip. The golden effervescent tingled her nose making her giggle a little. Jason held out a hand, encouraging her to sit. She snuggled into the corner of the white outdoor sofa, crossing one leg over the other.
“I’d say tonight was a huge success for you and for the HAHF.” Jason raised his crystal flute. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
The chilled bubbles slid down her throat. She licked her lips, catching a dribble of sweet liquid at the corner of her mouth. Her bottom lip felt numb as she tugged it between her teeth. Carrie Ann hadn’t eaten so much as one appetizer and the effects fuddled her senses, leaving her unsteady and a bit slow.
Easily distracted, she stared off into the distance, mesmerized by the heavy mist moving in. The drone of Jason’s voice slipped into obscurity. The fog took on a golden glow under the chandeliers, swirling in waves and eddies as people moved under the canopy. Without knowing what she agreed to, the words, “Sure,” floated happily from her mouth.
Following his lead, she took another swallow from the crystal flute and placed the empty glass on the table in front of them. She hooked her arm through the crook of his elbow, clutching to Jason as he escorted her to the dance floor.
“Oh, we’re dancing,” it came out more as an ambiguous statement than a question. Her free hand flew to dip at her throat, testing the giddy tremor inside her chest.
Jason caught her around the waist and she automatically draped a wrist near the back of his neck, relaxing against him. The smell of the ocean clung to the damp night air. A cool evening breeze gusted beneath the tent and a shiver chased over her bare shoulders. Carrie Ann slipped her other arm inside the fine silky lining of his suit coat for warmth, molding herself to his masculine form.
“I feel bad…not being able to save you from a date with Ryan.”
Her thoughts jumbled, losing focus to the wispy mist sweeping beneath the hem of her gown as they danced. “You mean Summer?”
Carrie Ann pulled her eyes away from the dreamlike haze to look up at Jason, but as he swayed to the side, her gaze collided with Summer’s. Head on. He stood in the distance beneath a long branch of a pepper tree covered in twinkle lights.
The muted lighting silhouetted his rigid stance, but she could still detect his irritation. His penetrating stare cut to her core.
For some reason his annoyance made her giggle a little. Slyly, she wiggled her fingers up and down in a waving fashion. This only made his heavy brow furrow into a hard squint.
“Yes,” Jason continued. “Hopefully that doesn’t discourage you from going on another date with me.”
Feeling slightly tipsy, she couldn’t contain an awkward, breathy laugh. It made her shake internally from head to toe. Carrie Ann clutched to Jason to keep from stumbling. The feel of his well-built back felt surprisingly nice under her palm.
Words and thoughts weren’t registering correctly. In the back of her mind, she knew there was a question she needed to answer, but her brain wasn’t functioning. She snuggled closer letting her hips sway freely to the rhythm of the music while her eyes fixed on Summer. The creases of her lips bent upward, relishing in the play of muscles under his white dress shirt.
He felt so good pressed against her body, but Summer looked confused, and pissed, and jealous. And far away. Too far away. It felt as if she were in a dream, standing on the outside looking in.
Two plus two were not adding up.
Hearing Jason’s voice at her ear made her recoil, jerking away from his body, as if the mere touch of him scalded her flesh. Her exhales came in labored huffs. The tips of her icy fingers rubbed clumsily at her neck and nape.
“You okay?”
Peering up at Jason, her head bobbled from side-to-side, sluggishly. Confusion grew. Beats of the music streamed through her veins, keeping pace with her heart. She could not understand why Summer was so far away.
Her head twisted, raking a seductive stare over the silhouette beneath the tree. The dim glow from above shadowed his features, hollowing his cheeks and defining the dimple set perfectly in the center of his chin. The man was like a force of nature, his presence a gravitational pull she couldn’t deny.
A slow burn of yearning brought a flush to her cheeks. Old cravings twisted deep inside, turning her heartbeat unruly. Her eyes drifted shut as her lips parted, releasing a long breath. She could feel him from across the room, the implicit fluency of his touch as it traveled over tender, vulnerable secret spaces of her flesh and heart. Places only he knew. Places only he owned. Her body had a mind of its own and it was becoming very, very hungry.
Suddenly, Carrie Ann Lowell felt like a million fucking dollars.
