birthday presents. Except it wasn't her birthday, and that made this unexpected surprise, and Steve's attention, so much more special and memorable.
Tossing the box top aside, Liz parted the pale pink tissue paper and felt her body flash hot at the all-red, provocative ensemble she discovered. She fingered the edge of a satin-and-lace garter belt that came with nude silk stockings, and felt her body stir with desire when she caught sight of the sheer, barely there panties with convenient side ties-the only thing that held the scrap of fabric together. There was no bra, but the dress he'd bought for her didn't require one.
'Oh, my,' Mona said, and lifted her gaze from the sexy lingerie to Liz. 'Steve certainly went all out, didn't he?'
Liz could only nod, overwhelmed by Steve's generosity. 'He even included a matching purse. The only thing missing to complete the outfit is a pair of red strappy shoes.'
'Which screams for the two of us to go shopping this afternoon.' Mona grinned. 'I've got an extra employee at the bookstore who can handle things for a couple of hours; how about you?'
She owned an old pair of red leather pumps, but she refused to ruin the effect of the striking outfit Steve had sent her with a staid pair of shoes. 'Yeah, I can wing it.' Besides, she'd rather be out shopping than sitting here in her office worrying and growing increasingly nervous about tonight's party.
'And while we're out, let's get your hair and nails done, too,' Mona suggested, her eyes bright with anticipation. 'I'm guessing Steve spent a small fortune on everything, and you can't wear a head-turning dress like this and not look the part of a sexy siren.'
Mona's comment was made innocently and out of pure excitement, but Liz felt a moment's hesitation at the realization of how much Steve had spent on her. For once, she ignored that sensible little voice in her head and refused to think about the cost of Steve's gift. This was one present she'd accept from him guilt-free, because she wanted so badly to look and be the part of a seductive, sophisticated woman who'd captured his interest.
Tomorrow the fairy tale would be over, but for tonight, she'd be his every fantasy.
Steve couldn't take his gaze off of the gorgeous, breathtaking woman sitting next to him in the backseat of the limousine as their chauffeur drove them to the Ultimate Fantasy mansion, located in an exclusive area of Lincoln Park.
She quite literally took his breath away.
When he'd chosen the red dress for Liz to wear, he'd imagined she would look stunning, but he was unprepared for the full effect of the dress, combined with artfully applied makeup that enhanced her green eyes yet didn't overwhelm her pretty features, along with the way she'd worn her hair. Her blond tresses were swept up into a soft, sensual style that showed off her neck and the line of her jaw and gave him access to plenty of bare flesh-from her shoulders all the way down to the base of her spine. Then there were those red, sexy strappy heels she was wearing that made her stocking-clad legs look impossibly long and slender.
But for as centerfold-seductive as she looked, it was the sweet, wholesome, down-to-earth woman beneath all the outer trappings who drew him the most, and always would. And as her gaze met his in the dimly lit interior in the backseat of the limo, he could tell she was nervous about what the night would bring.
He picked up her hand, those red, polished nails of hers turning him on, and sought to distract her with other things, like how taken he was with her. 'You look absolutely amaz-ing.'
A blush swept across her cheeks, matching the glossy shade of red she was wearing on her lips. 'Thank you… for the compliment and everything else.'
Grinning, he stroked his thumb along the pulse in her wrist. 'You're welcome, for the compliment and everything else.'
He winked at her, telling her without words that he knew exactly what 'everything else' applied to: the outfit and lingerie he'd sent to her. Although the partition between them and the driver was raised, there was no telling if anyone was listening in on their conversation; therefore, they still needed to keep things low-key.
He splayed his palm on her knee and playfully fingered the hem of her dress. 'Mind if I take a peek at everything else?' he asked shamelessly.
'Be my guest,' she invited boldly.
He slowly, gradually pushed up the bright-red material, taking in the way the nude stockings made her legs shimmer and the lacy band at the top hugged her thighs. Lifting his gaze back to hers, he used his imagination as he traced the garter strap with his fingers, smiled as he touched her panties, and her breath quickened. He found the ties at the sides of her hips, and his groin tightened at the thought of how easy it would be to tug on those ties and remove that flimsy barrier between his fingers and her soft feminine flesh.
'Very, very nice,' he murmured, and withdrew his hand from beneath her dress.
'Thank you.' Her sultry voice was laced with the same desire shining in her eyes.
He stroked his fingers along her throat and down the deep, plunging V neck of her dress, watching with pleasure as her breasts quivered at the illicit caress, and her nipples peaked against the fabric. 'For as incredible as you look, the dress is missing something, though.'
She frowned at him. 'I can't imagine what.'
'Let me show you.' Reaching into his coat pocket, he withdrew a flat, velvet-lined box and flipped open the top, revealing a delicate choker of sparkling diamonds shaped into connecting hearts, along with matching earrings.
She gasped in shock, and her wide eyes shot to his. She shook her head, the gesture as firm as her tone when she spoke. 'Steve,
He'd anticipated her reaction, but he wasn't taking no for an answer. 'I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I insist.' Very casually he removed the necklace from the velvet lining and released the clasp. 'If you're going to be mine tonight, I want you to look the part of a pampered escort.'
Considering the charade they were playing, his request was simple enough, and it would be in bad taste for her to argue, and she knew it, too. But he could tell she wasn't happy about accepting yet another gift from him, even as she turned in her seat and allowed him to put the choker on for her.
It had been a spur-of-the-moment decision to buy her the extra accessories. When the woman at the boutique had suggested one of their inexpensive rhinestone necklace sets to compliment the dress, Steve decided that he wanted her to wear the real thing. She deserved the real thing. And he could easily afford it.
Once the necklace was secured, he let his fingers linger at the sensitive nape of her neck and kissed her warm, smooth shoulder. He felt her shiver, and she glanced over her shoulder at him, searching his face, his expression, which he hoped revealed exactly how he felt about her.
'This is too much,' she protested in an aching whisper.
It wasn't nearly enough, not when he wanted to give her everything she desired, if only she'd let him into her heart. 'Let me be the judge of that, okay?'
She swallowed hard and touched the necklace reverently, tracing the line of connecting diamond hearts with her fingers, her gaze never leaving his. He saw the love shimmering in the depths of her eyes, knew it was there even if she wasn't ready to admit to the emotion.
And for now, for tonight, that knowledge would have to be enough.
Liz kept her arm linked through Steve's and remained close to his side as they mingled in the casual, cocktail- party atmosphere, using him as an anchor as well as making sure that the other party girls knew that he was taken,
Liz shuddered at the thought, took another swallow of her wine to subdue the jitters in her stomach, and tightened her hold on Steve's arm. She wouldn't be sharing her guy with anyone, and they would be out of there just as soon as they gleaned the information they were after.
She'd also made up her mind that if this party produced no results as far as Valerie was concerned, then she was going to call her aunt and uncle and let them handle the situation, no matter how much it pained her to do so.
