Prosecco & Paparazzi (The Passport Series Book 1) (26 page)

Liam lifted a handful of hair so that he could gently nip at my shoulder. “Because I’d love to take a long, hot bath with you and do absolutely nothing.”

Shivers ran through my body. I turned to wrap my arms around his shoulders. “That does sound fabulous. Next weekend, we’ll find a hotel to hide away in.” I rubbed against him suggestively.

“Not next weekend, I’m afraid,” Liam answered and withdrew my arms from around him. He looked serious.

“Why? What’s happening next weekend?” I asked nervously.

Liam began to dig through his bag for his clothes and his bathroom kit. He was clearly trying to avoid looking at me. My stomach flopped while I quietly waited for his answer. Finally looking up, he said nervously, “Well, my mother and father would like to meet you. So I thought you could come to Dublin next weekend.”

“Oh!” I distracted myself by preparing for the evening while I pondered the enormity of this. Liam seemed happy to follow suit.

Because there were so many of us, we took two cabs to the Waldorf. Taylor and Marcus went off by themselves, leaving the rest of us to cozy up in the back of the other. Hillary pointed out the sights of London as we drove past St. James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, and Pall Mall. “Covent Gardens isn’t too far from the Waldorf, if we feel like heading over there later,” Hillary explained, continuing on. She was clearly nervous at being in such close proximity to Michael.

While Hillary described the history of the Waldorf, Liam quietly said, “She does realize we’ve all been to London before, doesn’t she?”

“I think she’s just nervous. I have to say, I really didn’t expect Michael to make such an impact on her. Do you think he’s interested or just having fun?”

“I really don’t know. Michael hasn’t said anything, but then again, he wouldn’t. Even though we’ve evolved to the point where we can send our women off to work, we don’t meet for tea and biscuits and share our feelings with each other,” he gently teased.

“I just hope she doesn’t get hopeful without any reason to. I’m sure Michael is a nice guy and will be a perfect gentleman.”

My attention was diverted when Michael started to talk about a transvestite club near Covent Gardens that he had stumbled upon. Not sure what Hillary’s response would be, I was thrilled to see the Waldorf. “Look, there’s the hotel. I’m so excited to see Tiziana! It seems like forever since we were in Chamonix together.”

The cabbie pulled up in front of the hotel; Taylor and Marcus were waiting for us. Together we ventured inside, Hillary leading the way to the Homage Bar. The contemporary décor was in sharp contrast to the exterior façade. Tiziana and Ted weren’t there yet, so we gathered at a table away from the bar.

The drinks were just being delivered when Marcus and Michael said in unison, “Wow!” Looking up to see what they were staring at, we followed their gaze to the beautiful woman entering the room.

“Tiziana!” I shrieked, jumping up to greet her.

“Wow,” said Liam, rising to his feet.

Tiziana rushed over. Her cleavage seemed to nearly spill out of her low-cut dress. “Bella, look how beautiful you are! You look so happy.” She greeted me with kisses. “You remember Ted!” she added, once she released me from her embrace.

“Of course. How are you?” I replied more sedately, giving Ted a brotherly hug. Liam had approached us and was immediately introduced.

“Now I can see the reason for Charlotte’s smile. I’m so happy to meet you!” Tiziana purred to Liam, giving him hugs and kisses, too.

Tiziana then introduced Ted to Liam. “You’re a very lucky man. Congratulations on your wedding,” Liam replied, shaking hands with Ted.

“Don’t I know it? Thanks!” he said with a huge smile and a pat on Liam’s back.

As they walked back to the group, Liam teased Charlotte, “You might have mentioned that Ted, was
the
Ted Blackwell.

“Does that change anything?”

Liam didn’t want to admit that it did, so he shook his head no, letting the subject drop.

At the table, introductions were made all around. Michael and Marcus were clearly having a hard time keeping their train of thought. They seemed to be mesmerized by Tiziana’s shimmering silver gown.

“Don’t worry! You’ll recover,” Ted told them quietly, with a snigger. Embarrassed at having been caught, once the two men refocused on the group, the penny dropped. Almost simultaneously, both men suddenly recognizing Ted for who he was, an international business mogul responsible for generating thousands of jobs worldwide. The men at the table exchanged stunned looks, and then decided to play it cool.

Ted called the waiter over and ordered champagne for everyone. There was much ceremony around the delivery of the sterling silver ice buckets and chilled champagne. The bottles were expertly opened, glasses were filled, and Ted rose to make a toast. “To my gorgeous Tiziana and her beautiful friends. Oh, and of course to the men, as well! We look forward to many such occasions.” We all called our thanks and raised our glasses in tribute before letting the bubbly fluid trickle down our throats.

The champagne continued to flow freely as the women in the group happily entertained the men with tales from when we first met through to our encounter with Ted at the casino. I was so thrilled to be there, in the moment, that even thoughts of Des Bannerman couldn’t take the smile from my face.

Ted took over. “I’m sure you can appreciate the situation. I’d gone to Chamonix to visit an old friend and play cards. We were well into our third round of drinks and had lost several hands of blackjack when suddenly two delightful women accosted us. Charlotte here passed herself off as an expert at the game, giving us all kinds of advice. I was so dazzled by Tiziana that I couldn’t focus. In the end, I couldn’t tell you if Charlotte’s advice was any good. All I know is that I lost a hell of a lot of money that night.” Everyone laughed, most wondering what a hell of a lot of money was to him.

“I didn’t know you were an expert at blackjack,” Liam said to me, drawing the group’s attention.

“I read
Blackjack for Dummies
when I found out there was a casino in Chamonix. You’ll notice that it was Ted who lost his money. I never lost a dollar of mine.” I smirked.

Soon after, I made my excuses and went in search of the restrooms. I was soon joined by a few others, and we chatted while unnecessarily fussing and primping. Upon returning, I saw that Liam and Ted were standing apart from Michael and Marcus, looking somewhat serious. Hoping nothing had happened, I walked over to them and said, “What are you two discussing, a trip to Monaco? I can lend you my book.”

Ted quickly replied with a smile, “No, no! I wish, but no. We were just talking. Tiziana made me promise that I would make sure Liam was on the up and up and not another gigolo trying to spend your millions.”

“Ah, well, now he knows I have millions. I’d been keeping that from him. Don’t let any more of my secrets out of the bag.” I laughed, sliding an arm around Liam’s waist and relaxing. All seemed well.

Just then, Tiziana and Hillary walked over, bags and wraps in hand. “What’s next? Where are we off to now?”

“Ted and I booked a table at Scott’s, if that sounds appealing. If not, we can go elsewhere. Have you been there? They serve the most delicious food. There’s an oyster bar, and I know how much you love oysters!” Tiziana replied, teasing me.

“Well, if there are oysters involved, I’m all for it,” Liam replied with a leering grin.

Marcus called from just a few feet away, “Oysters? Did I hear someone mention oysters? If there’s a saddle involved, I’m definitely in.”

Ted and Tiziana exchanged a confused look while Taylor and I laughed. “Never mind,” I said to everyone else. “It isn’t worth explaining.”

Tiziana, Liam and I waited for Ted in front the restaurant, the others safely stowed in a cab and heading toward Scott’s. When Ted pulled up, Liam let out a whistle and remarked, “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever been in one of these!”

“Would you like to drive?” Ted offered, keys dangling from his hand.

“Ah, I don’t think I would know how,” Liam said, laughing and waving off the keys.

The four of us climbed into his 1938 Morgan 4/4. “Isn’t it lovely? To be so free, on a summer evening, the air warm?” Tiziana hummed over her shoulder, her fingers stretching toward the evening’s stars.

Liam asked just loud enough to be heard over the roar of the engine, “Does she always talk like that?”

“Do you mean the purring or the drama?” I asked quietly, nuzzling his neck to muffle my voice.

“Bella, you see! The summer night just begs for romance,” Tiziana trilled again, seeing our heads together. She laid her head back and gazed at the night sky. “So lovely.”

“I have my answer about the drama and the purr!” Liam chuckled. “She is unique.”

“Yes, she is.” I leaned forward to give Tiziana a kiss on the back of her head and heard her throaty laughter.

Liam and I realized that Scott’s was in Chelsea when we arrived just a block away from Hillary’s house. Ted dropped us off at the restaurant and set out to find a parking spot with Liam’s help. We joined the rest of the group standing under the canopy.

Michael held the door open for us all to enter. Tiziana made her way to the elegantly dressed man who was charged with the responsibility of seating guests.

“Hello! Is the private room available tonight?” she asked.

Eyeing her décolletage discreetly, he gulped and replied, “I’m afraid not this evening, madame. I apologize for the inconvenience. We’re booked quite full. I would be happy to call Bam-Bou or Le Caprice and inquire if there is seating available.” He was truly an accommodating fellow.

“Not to worry, darling. We have a reservation. I think I see our tables now.” Tiziana pointed to a large empty space at the back of the room.

“Oh, are you Mr. Blackwell’s party?” He seemed relieved to be able to seat our group.

“Yes, we are,” Tiziana confirmed with a dazzling smile.

Taylor elbowed Marcus and Michael. “Would you please put your tongues back in your mouths? On behalf of all mere mortal women, we acknowledge she’s beautiful. But if you guys keep this up, those of you who are mere mortal men won’t be getting laid tonight!” Tongues back in their mouths, once again looking contrite, Marcus and Michael took up the rear as the maître d’ lead us to our tables.

We didn’t have to wait too long until Liam and Ted joined us. It turned out that they had parked the car at Hillary’s and walked back to the restaurant. “Lovely night. A shame not to enjoy a few more moments of fresh air,” Ted remarked.

Just then, the maître d’ who had greeted us at the door approached the table. “Sir, may we begin?”

“Charlotte, since you’re unable to join us in Saint-Tropez, I thought we would bring the party to you!” Ted explained. No sooner said than an extravagant tropical centerpiece was placed on the table; at the same time, a waiter appeared with a tray of spectacularly beautiful cocktails. After he had presented mine with a flourish, I asked the waiter about the pale pink concoction.

“A fresh hibiscus blossom is placed gently in the glass. Then a touch of syrup made from hibiscus flowers with a subtle rhubarb flavor is added. The glass is then filled with a perfectly chilled, delightfully dry sparkling wine picked by our hostess—an Italian prosecco.” Tiziana, who had followed the waiter’s explanation, earned an air kiss from me. Years earlier, Tiziana had introduced me to prosecco, and it had become a favorite. If on a menu, I ordered it.

The tables were soon cluttered with assorted dishes that were both beautiful and tasty. Halfway through the meal, Ted announced that the men were to pick up their drinks and plates and switch places with someone else.

A moment later, Ted set down beside me. “I’m indeed a lucky man, Charlotte. I have the pleasure of sitting next to the second loveliest woman in the room.”

Dismissing his compliment, I said, “Ted, you’re very kind. It’s easy to feel beautiful in such a glamorous place.” Our exchange paused momentarily for the waiters to clear away debris. I held on tightly to my cocktail, knowing without a doubt that I would need it.

“So, now an opportunity to get to know each other. Other than your blackjack skills, Tiziana tells me you have many talents.”

I suddenly found myself suspicious. I searched my brain for something witty or intelligent to say. Glancing around the table quickly, my eyes found Liam, who was laughing at something Taylor and Marcus were debating. I was on my own. I glanced back at Ted and found him studying me. Grasping for something, I said, “Work! Right now there’s an endless supply of work. That’s where most of my talents are focused these days. I’m somewhat surprised that Taylor and I were able to get away tonight.”

“I’ve heard Faith Clarkson can be a real ball-breaker.” For Ted to know who Faith Clarkson was surprised me, quite frankly. I’d thought they were fish in very different ponds.

“Lucky for me, I don’t have any balls,” I stammered.

“I don’t know. Tiziana tells me you can be quite tenacious,” he said with a smile. I found myself wondering if he had a point to any of this and what the hell Tiziana’s comment was supposed to mean.

Giving myself time to understand the much-too-subtle subplot to this conversation, I stuck with a familiar topic. “When I need to be, I suppose. The new office is coming together, thanks to all hands on deck.”

There was a moment of prolonged silence while Ted assessed me. “So, coming to Saint-Tropez for a week on the boat is really out of the question then?”

Surprised, I said, “I want to come! Of course I do. However, Ms. Clarkson would be extremely unimpressed with me if I took any vacation before the winter holidays.”

“I wouldn’t dream of asking you to do less than you should. I just thought that, if other issues were preventing you, we could make it work.” I was surprised by his comment.

Taking a deep breath and not knowing what else to say, I looked at him calmly. “You must have a big boat!”

“It’s big enough,” Ted said, nonchalant.

Game-playing time was over, if that was what we were doing. “I respect the fact that Des is your friend and best man.” I paused briefly to take a deep breath and regain my slipping composure. “The main reason I’m not coming is work. But if it weren’t, I don’t see any way around the restraining order. Instead of asking me about this, I suggest you ask Des Bannerman. I am and always have been in the dark.”