The server arrived and prevented him from answering. Their plates were piping hot with steak and lobster, sautéed green beans with bacon and roasted potatoes. Another server brought their Dom Perignon champagne in an iced bucket and filled their glasses.
“Will there be anything else,” the woman said.
“No. Thank you,” Tyler smiled kindly.
The server moved away.
“Mmm! This looks good,” Lacy said in anticipation.
“The Brentwood Reception always provide excellent food. Dig in,” he suggested.
Lacy was a foodie and was not shy about eating. Tyler liked that about her. He despised women who only picked at their food because they wanted to maintain their figure. Lacy ate well and still had a fantastic figure.
“Why do you hide your figure in those ghastly clothes?” he asked between bites.
“I never thought of it as hiding my form. The clothes are just comfortable,” she answered honestly.
“They should be burned,” he grunted.
“Absolutely not! What would I wear? You can’t expect me to arrive to work naked.”
“I wouldn’t have a problem with that,” he grinned.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t; but I would,” she returned tartly.
“I forbid you to return to work in those ugly clothes. Take Penny with you and buy a new wardrobe,” he ordered.
“On whose dime?” she asked in astonishment.
He shrugged casually.
“On mine,” he answered.
“I can’t do that,” she exclaimed.
“You mean you won’t do it,” he corrected her.
“No I won’t. It’s not proper,” she stated primly.
“I should call you Mary Poppins,” he teased.
“I’m not Mary Poppins but I won’t accept such an extravagant gift. It’s not—
“Proper! I know,” he chuckled. “As if sleeping with me is proper.”
“That’s different,”
“Why?” he asked while chewing his lobster.
“Because it doesn’t cost you a penny,” she retorted.
Tyler thought that he would pay a lot more than a penny to keep her in his bed. But he wisely kept that thought to himself.”
“Well, I have the rest of the night to change your mind.”
“That’s a lost cause.”
“Is that a challenge? You know how competitive I am,” he asked slyly.
“It’s not a challenge. I just know I won’t change my mind.”
“We shall see,” he said smugly.
She narrowed her eyes.
“What are you planning?” she demanded.
“Eat. Your food is getting cold,” he advised her.
“Tyler! What are you hatching up?”
He laughed.
“Eat,” was all he would say.
Lacy chomped down on her lobster and wondered what he had up his sleeve. Well, whatever it was it wouldn’t work. She had never accepted clothing from a man who wasn’t her husband and she wasn’t about to start now. But she just didn’t trust that twinkle in his beautiful golden eyes. That spark made her weak in the knees and he knew it. He began talking of other things and she soon became caught up in the conversation. After their meal he stood and held out his hand to her.
“Let’s dance.”
“I’m not a very good dancer. I may step on your toes,” she said hesitantly.
“I’ll take my chances,” he smiled.
She still paused and he knew he would yank her from the chair if she didn’t agree immediately. He wanted to hold her in his arms and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. She finally placed her hand in his and he closed his hand over her small one tightly. He pulled her up and drew her to the dance floor in the other room. He took her in his strong arms and began to move to the slow rhythm of the music. Lacy felt the envious eyes of the other women boring into her and she remembered the role she was supposed to play. She looped her arms about his neck and nestled her head against his chest. He hugged her waist; pulling her close.
“Is this the part you wanted me to play?” she asked gently.
“Absolutely,” he whispered in her ear. “Just follow my lead.”
“I think I have the hang of it already,” she giggled.
“I bet you do,” he smiled.
He nuzzled her neck and she sighed contentedly. Lacy leaned against him unabashedly. His hand roamed her bare back and it felt so good. She sighed contentedly. Tyler heard her exhale and felt her body loosen. He ran his hand up to the nape of her neck and cupped her head. She wore her hair up in an elaborate French roll and all he wanted to do was release her vibrant hair and let it fall about her slim shoulders. She had lovely hair and he loved how it spread out on his pillow. The thought made him want to take her home and have his way with her. The music stopped and she looked dreamily up at him. Her gorgeous eyes were so damn sexy.
“How did I do?” she murmured.
“You were great. But there is just one more thing,” he said in a low voice.
“What?” She was perplexed.
“This.” He bent his head and caught her mouth in a soft kiss. Lacy could have sworn that she heard hisses in the room. It was amazing that these women could be jealous of her. She couldn’t wait to tell Penny. Tyler was a great kisser. Even with her limited experience she could tell and she reveled in it. She parted her mouth and his tongue swept inside. After a moment she couldn’t breathe but she didn’t care. She just wanted the kiss to go on and on. He finally lifted his head and smiled down at her. His sexy smile sent electric ripples coursing through her body.
“I think I like role playing,” she quipped.
He chuckled and pulled her back into his arms as the band began another slow tune.
“So do I,” he laughed softly.
They danced to several more tunes; some were an upbeat tempo and others slow. When the band finished their set Tyler led her off of the dance floor.
“There’s a guy over there that I want to speak to. Do you mind if I leave you for a few minutes?” he asked.
“Of course not. I think I’ll step out on the terrace for some air. It’s a little hot in here,” she said.
“I’ll come find you in a few minutes.”
He walked away with his elegant yet casual gait. Lacy watched him for a moment then moved onto the terrace and stood by the waist-high wall. She looked at the spectacular view of the downtown skyline and sighed in contentment. The night air was warm but there was a cool breeze that felt wonderful on her heated skin. A waiter passed by and offered her champagne. She accepted a glass and sipped the bubbly beverage in appreciation.
“You must be delighted to be on the arm of Tyler Sinclair. I mean, what girl wouldn’t; especially a little nobody like you.”
Lacy turned to see a tall, slender woman with blonde hair and dark piercing eyes. Lacy couldn’t tell the color of them, only that they were glittering viciously.
“I don’t know you and I don’t want to talk to you. Leave,” Lacy said quietly.
“Not until I give you a piece of advice that you had better adhere to. Stay away from Tyler. You’re poaching on ground that belongs to me,” she snapped.
“Tyler and I are friends. We work together,” Lacy said softly.
“I saw that kiss and I’m not stupid. I could see the infatuation written all over your face. You want him but he will never have you,” she hissed. “Tyler is mine and he always will be. You are nothing more than a passing flirtation that has expired.”