Blinding jealousy coursed through Stephan’s veins as Mickey threw her head back and laughed loud enough for him to hear her from the distance, and she shoved playfully at David’s shoulders. “He’s a danger. I can’t explain it, but it’s not only the way they are together.” Too late he realized the mistake he’d made, practically admitting that was jealous. He’d been so careful not to let that out, and he’d just failed in his endeavor.
“She’s quite a woman.” Liam stood there, and Stephan could feel his manager’s eyes boring holes in him. Still he didn’t respond, and Liam finally said, “Stephan, you’ve lost your entire family. No one expects you to remain alone for the rest of your life.”
That caught Stephan’s attention, and he turned blazing eyes on Liam. “I will not dishonor the memory of my mate. Aiyana was my one true mate. And I may lust after a woman or two. I might even take care of my physical needs on occasion. But I will never connect with anyone as I did with her, and anything less would be a disgrace to her memory.”
“Stephan, your family…”
“Would agree with me,” he interrupted before Liam could say anymore. However that sentence was going to end, it would have caused Stephan more turmoil. Instead, he patted Liam’s on the shoulder, seething as he glanced at David again, pulling at Mickey’s wrist, trying to coerce her into the pool. “I appreciate your concern, Liam, and I also appreciate you taking care of things today.”
He walked off, ignoring the quiet protests his manager made as he headed toward Mickey and her unwelcome friend. She saw him coming and waved, and a quick look at David’s face told him there was no love lost between them. Stephan gritted his teeth and smiled, hoping it didn’t come off as a grimace. “Good evening, Mickey,” he said, trying not to let his inebriated state affect his movements or speech pattern.
“Stephan! Listen, I owe you a great deal of gratitude. Having your resources at my disposal means that I can actually take the night off and relax. Everything is done for the day, and I get to actually enjoy your beautiful resort tonight.”
“I’m glad to be of service. You have anything you want or need at your disposal. Anything you ask of me is yours.” He was aware of the entendre behind the words, and he victoriously watched David shift uncomfortably while Mickey flushed all over, her pulse throbbing wildly in her neck.
“I just might use that calling card,” she told him, her eyes filled with mischief. It was the first time she’d shown any sort of open interest, and Stephan was fully aware she didn’t even know it was seeping out.
But David obviously didn’t miss it, chiming in, “I think we’ve got everything handled, Stephan. But we appreciate the offer. We should be fine for the evening.”
And with those words confirming that they would be spending the evening together, sparking the flames with the liquor still in his system to fuel them, Stephan nearly lost it. He had to get away, or he would do something he regretted. So, instead of bursting out and starting a fight with the regretfully present David, he merely smiled and nodded. “Please, enjoy. Mickey, allow me to gift you. All meals and drinks and entertainment are on me tonight. If David chooses to join you, I’ll extend the offer to him at your discretion. Have a good evening.”
That had been a bit of a nasty thing to say, but he couldn’t help himself. Mickey wasn’t meant to be his. Stephan had had his woman. But she certainly shouldn’t be with this man, who leered and had no backbone. He stank of something Stephan couldn’t place, something that reminded him of cruelty and deceit, malice and danger. Mickey smelled of innocence and light. The contrast was clear.
Tonight, while the two of them reveled together, Stephan would hide out in his suite, where it was safe and he would do no harm.
Chapter 7
Mickey’s nerves were taut as she checked every detail one last time. Speaking into her headset, she asked, “Are all cameras in place? The bride’s party enters in less than ten minutes.”
She listened carefully as twenty cameramen confirmed their position and readiness, trained on the event in the grand garden from every possible angle. David was in charge of assuring that air traffic was controlled, disallowing any errant cameras from picking up on the event from overhead. But her entire team was alive with whisperings, having caught glimpses of the bride and groom finally and awestruck by their stardom.
This was going to be the event of the year, and Mickey had thrown everything at it from every angle. If this went over successfully, her portfolio would be such that the business would flourish, and they would be in such high demand they would have to start scheduling out years in advance and turning people down. Of course, if there were any hitches, she’d be the embarrassment of the industry.
So far, all was well, and she took a moment to breathe deeply, calming her racing heart. But every time she closed her eyes, she pictured Stephan, glancing at her with heat in his eyes or feeling his breath as he stood too close. Seeing him stride through the hotel, giving quiet commands that were followed without questions. He had a raw power to him that was even more intriguing than his appearance, and that was saying something.
“We have liftoff,” came the voice of her team member who stood by the door to the dressing lounge where the bride and her maids had prepared. From her post on the balcony, Mickey watched the procession, followed by the ceremony, whispering orders when necessary and smiling broadly as everything went as planned. Better, even, if she was honest. She always expected a small error, but perfection ruled this day.
Things grew a bit chaotic as the ceremony ended and the room began to empty. She rushed along to the ballroom, where the reception had been set up, checking with the catering team from the hotel and all the other aspects of the arrangements. The flowers were beautiful, the lighting was ideal, and the cakes were delightful and smelled of sugar. The champagne was icing, and the bartender was set up in the back, the dance floor in the front, with the chocolate fountain in the back corner, enticing and bubbly.
It took only about an hour for all of the guests to make their way into the ballroom and chatter before being seated, and many of them had drinks in hand. The food would be served shortly, once the newlyweds made their big entrance. Yes, her team had created a tight run ship that was faring quite well. She was relieved and excited, and she wished only that she had someone to share it with.
After the toast, followed by the couple’s first dance, Mickey relaxed. All that was left was to cut the cake, and that was a simple enough thing she really had no control over. She could pat herself on the back for a job well done. She headed into the kitchen, thanking the caterers for the plate they’d set aside for her. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast, too anxious, and now she hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the smell of everyone’s dinner washed over her. She managed a few bites, washing them down with a glass of cold water.
“You’ve done incredibly well.” The smooth voice was unmistakable, and it crawled up her spine with a tingle and a shiver. She turned, her appetite for food forgotten as she witnessed the allure of Stephan’s presence, decked out in a three-piece suit with a bowtie. He was insanely appealing on any normal day, but now, he was the epitome of a dream come true.
And he was staring at her like she was a meal to devour. “Thank you. We couldn’t have pulled it off without you and your staff.” Her throat was dry, her voice hoarse and raspy.
“You look divine,” Stephan told her, stepping closer. “I take it you’ve got time for a walk?”
This was likely a very bad idea. But how could she resist? Stephan had always been a gentleman, even when there were moments she wished he would cross the line into devious and depraved. Admittedly, she’d grown overly fond of him, and her desire swirled through her anytime he was near. And still, he hadn’t pushed any boundaries, and for that she was grateful and determined to show him courtesy.
“I do.” He gestured for her to leave the kitchen and pressed a hand to the center of her back to guide her. It seared her skin through the thin material of her silk dress, and she shuddered slightly, hoping he didn’t notice. He led her through the wandering crowd in the ballroom, and Mickey was curious of their destination. He didn’t say anything, and that made it all the more mysterious.
And then she saw it. The chocolate fountain.
All her memories of telling him this would be the dark corner where romance and secrets happened flooded her, and her stomach churned with dozens of butterflies and a sinking feeling that made things lower in her body tingle. He stopped just short of the corner, his gaze searching the many people partaking of the chocolate, the quiet flirting and giggling that exuded from each one of them. “This was probably your best contribution. I’ve seen a lot of people over here, sharing secret glances and exchanging numbers.”
Mickey gulped, wondering what would happen next. “I see. It seems to have been a great inclusion. Anything that makes the guests happy.”
