Love/Forty Page 10

  “I did. I felt giddy and then had a feeling everyone in the world knew that was for me and I felt happy and warm inside.”

  “I’ll have to remember to wink at you more often.”

  “We’ll hardly ever have a chance to see one another, otherwise I wouldn’t have told you how the wink made me feel. I probably shouldn’t have told you. And I think the wink was much more than a little gesture and you knew that; you sent a message, exposing your feelings.”

  After a moment of silence, she asked, “Now who’s blushing?”

  “I can assure you I had a reaction, but I didn’t blush.” He gave a slight fake cough and asked, “I want to know if you’re free to spend the day with me tomorrow?”

  She smiled and winced, overwhelmed, and gave a quick answer. “Yes. I’m free, and even if I had something on my calendar, I’d cancel the appointment in order to celebrate with you.”

  “All right. This is great. Now you have to promise not to ask any questions, but I’m going to send a car for you around three a.m.”

  “Three in the morning?”

  “That sounds like a question, Mercedes. This is not an interview. This is a date to spend the day together. You have to trust me, no one will know we are together.”

  “And how are you going to pull that off?”

  “No questions, promise?”

  She nodded even though he couldn’t see her and she hadn’t verbally agreed on the no question deal that reminded her of the on one condition theory.

  After another moment’s silence, he continued, “I’m taking that for a yes.”

  “I nodded,” she said, smiling.

  He chuckled. “You are going to be in for a surprise and you will be gone until the following morning. I’ll have you home before dawn. I promise. You may bring a small bag of toiletries, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, and some makeup, if you want to freshen up, but that’s all. Oh, and don’t forget some of your perfume.”

  “Dante,” she protested.

  “This is a surprise. I’m not telling you anymore. Be ready when the car and driver arrive to pick you up and you’ll be off on a sightseeing tour. I’m kidnapping you. Your brother knows nothing about this; please don’t tell him. He will be taking a late flight to Florida and may call you before he leaves. All right?”

  “What should I wear?”

  “I said no questions, but okay, something sharp and swanky will do, except not a cocktail dress. Oh, and don’t eat, not even breakfast. Trust me. I’ll be waiting for you when you arrive.”

  “Have you lost your mind?”

  “Ah! Remember, no questions. You don’t take orders very well, but maybe after dinner tomorrow night you’ll be less wary the next time I plan a special event.”

  “How do you know there will be a next time?”

  “That’s a question. Good night, Mercedes. I can’t wait to see you.”

  With that, Dante hung up and left her with insides full of excitement and feverish cheeks. She picked up the phone and called Faith.

  “Why are you calling, we’ve been together all day?” Faith asked, teasing.

  Mercedes gave her friend a word-by-word recap of the phone conversation; all the while feeling her heart beat wildly.

  “Someone has to know where I’ll be, although I’ve no idea where exactly, but I need backup. What should I wear?”

  “Something dinner smart, an outfit that won’t wrinkle. How about that new jumpsuit you bought at Saks? It’s dressy, yet not cocktail dressy; you can wear it anywhere. And, enjoy the mystery date, Mercedes. I think your brother was right—I think Dante is the man for you. Try not to be so apprehensive! Your brother is his agent. He’s not going to rape you, seduce maybe… Obviously, you’ll be somewhere in New York, and you know your way around town better than he does, I presume. You can always hail a cab. Bring mad money if that will make you feel better.”

  “Faith!”

  “You’ll be fine. Enjoy. Love you,” and with that, Faith hung up and left her alone with a body of jittery hormones to cope with during the night, or what was left of the time she had before the alarm buzzed, she thought as she hurried off to bed.

  She fell asleep with thoughts of wearing the correct outfit to cover twenty-four hours. She thought of wearing the dress she wore in Arizona, but on second thought, Faith was right. Her new outfit should knock his socks off, except she didn’t think he wore socks. Ever.

  ****

  Mercedes woke up long before the alarm rang and carefully selected the few toiletries she planned to pack leaving her a lot of time to get ready.

  She daydreamed in the shower and couldn’t imagine where he might take her, but decided it had to be somewhere in Connecticut, or even Rhode Island, away from the maddening crowds. A trip to Newport would be nice, she thought, lobster by the bay at the Brick Alley Pub.

  With all those guesses running through her head, she began the hour-long preparation to dress. She put on her make-up, pulled her hair back in a twist, using hairpins and spray to be sure her hair would stay in place, and finally stepped into her new black Ralph Lauren sleeveless jumpsuit, zipped up the side and immediately grabbed a cardigan in case the evening turned cool.

  Faith was correct. The outfit looked stunning. She placed a hand on her chest and hoped Dante wouldn’t think what she wore was a risqué invitation. The jumpsuit’s circular two-inch wide jewel collar felt snug around her neck and held the front that narrowed at the neckline, leaving her shoulders bare. The bodice slit open from the middle of the neckline and ended a tad above her waist.

  She had purchased a special bra at Victoria’s Secret that stuck to her skin on her side and around the front of her breast. She tried not to think what would happen if even one half of the bra didn’t remain in place. “Another wardrobe malfunction, I guess,” she muttered, looking again in the mirror.

  The top of the suit clung to her body in a perfect fit she highlighted with a camel-colored leather belt at the waist and carried a matching tote that held everything she’d need because she didn’t want to be burdened carrying two bags.

  The bootleg pants flared slightly at the bottom and she wore a pair of huarache gladiator sandals that were comfortable enough in case they went shopping or sightseeing. She put on a pair of large gold circular earrings and wore a wide gold cuff on her right wrist and a watch on her left arm that had a tan leather strap.

  She paced around the loft, made sure all the appliances were turned off or unplugged, and hoped the driver wouldn’t be late. She was excited and hated to wait for anyone because she always made an effort to be on time.

  Much to her surprise, she received a buzz ten minutes before three. She answered the intercom, and after the driver identified himself, he said, “Mr. Edwards said to tell you to bring your passport.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “No, miss. Those were my orders.”

  “All right. I’ll be right down.”

  Mercedes shook her head and opened her desk drawer, grabbed the leather case holding her passport, placed a pair of large sunglasses with a black frame on her head and tossed her sweater over the bag.

  The driver waited downstairs and like a gentleman held the doors for her. He wore a black uniform, hat, and all. She felt relieved that he didn’t drive a stretch. The last thing she needed was to draw attention to herself. He drove a handsome black four-door Lincoln instead. As soon as they took off, she asked, “Do you know where we’re going?”

  “I’m not sure,” he answered. “All I know is that I’m to take you to a private terminal at the airport.”

  “The airport?”

  He nodded and looked at her in the rearview mirror. “Guess that’s why the passport. I’m sure when you get on the plane the gentleman will tell you where you’re headed.”

  “Thank you…” she whispered, wrinkling her nose. I guess.

  Mercedes had to admit she was excited about seeing Dante and was certain he must have flown on the red eye because he had plans to go
out with his parents and Max and some friends last night after the tournament. She wondered if he had gotten any sleep at all.

  She couldn’t believe he wanted to get back on a plane to take her somewhere, and when they arrived at the private terminal, she frowned when she saw the sign, International Flights Only.

  The driver said, “Have a pleasant flight, Miss. I’ll see you when you return.”

  Mercedes smiled and entered the small terminal. Her heartbeat increased and fluttered. She remembered Dante said he was going to kidnap her, and she wasn’t sure she shouldn’t turn around and head back home. Then the word, Canada, came into her mind and she raised her shoulders. “Crazy,” she murmured, thinking a day in Montreal, a place the paparazzi wouldn’t expect to see him.

  After a quick customs inspection of the articles inside her tote, she was led out onto the tarmac where a married couple, a pilot, and a hostess waited to meet and welcome her aboard. To her amazement, there was no sign of Dante.

  “What time do you expect Mr. Edwards,” she asked, feeling a little embarrassed that she didn’t even know their plans.

  The hostess, Charlotte, said, “We’re taking you to him.”

  Her husband, Arthur, smiled at her, closed and locked the door of the plane and entered the cockpit, tipping his hat, while the hostess sat across from her, buckling her seatbelt. “As soon as we’re in the air, I’ll serve breakfast and try to provide you with anything else you may need or want.”

  “Can you tell me where we’re going?”

  “A quaint village about an hour and a half outside of Paris?”

  “France?”

  Charlotte formed an O with her mouth, shook her head, and asked, “You didn’t know?”

  “No. I had no idea.”

  Then Charlotte laughed. “I was given instructions not to tell you where we were going until we were in the air. But I guess on the runway will be satisfactory. Have you been before?”

  “Yes, to Paris once, but I was a young girl then.”

  “Then you will have an exciting visit to Toulon. The Edwards’ are delightful.”

  “Edwards, plural?” Mercedes asked.

  “Yes. This is their company’s private plane. Young Mr. Edwards will be at the airport to pick you up and you will be visiting his parents’ home. A wonderful surprise, no?”

  Letting out her breath, Mercedes answered, “Definitely. Dante said today was going to be a surprise.”

  Once they were in the air and Charlotte got up to fix their food, Mercedes ventured to ask, “Guess you’ve done this often?”

  “All the time. I order the food from the airport caterer. They deliver everything about half an hour before we depart. May I offer you coffee or tea, water or soda to drink?”

  “If you have hot chocolate that would be wonderful,” she said, but thought this morning, even though she hardly ever drank alcohol, she’d rather have a scotch, two fingers, neat.

  Charlotte brought her a hot chocolate with marshmallows on the side of the saucer, along with some miniature pastries. “Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes.”

  “When I asked if you did this often, Charlotte, I didn’t mean fix meals, but rather, did Dante have you fly across the ocean to pick up other dates?”

  Charlotte turned around and did a double take. “Oh, no, Miss McFadden. As a matter of fact Mrs. Edwards called my husband last night to get him to prepare the flight plan, then she asked to speak to me, and I quote, ‘This must be someone very special, Charlotte. This is the first time he has brought a woman home for us to meet.’ ”

  Mercedes blinked and exhaled silently. Her cheeks remained warm and felt rosy, and she was positive that had nothing to do with the temperature or the hot chocolate.

  She and Charlotte enjoyed a pleasant meal together, chatting, and afterward, she sat back and closed her eyes, hoping to sleep in order to help pass the time. She was nervous and excited at the same time. With Dante’s hostess seated across the aisle from her, she didn’t even dare call Faith to tell her she was on her way to France.

  She couldn’t figure out why he didn’t tell her about these plans and that his parents were with him. Why didn’t he want her to tell Max they planned to spend a day together? In France of all places? Too many things raced through her mind about the day and filled her with great apprehension. The only choice she had was to place her confidence in her brother to assure herself that Dante was all he said he was and she shouldn’t worry. All that was left to fret over was to make sure she didn’t fall asleep in front of his parents. Well, at least they would act as chaperones. That brought her some relief.

  With her eyes kept closed, she calmed herself down mentally and while she didn’t sleep, she rested and daydreamed about the adventurous day that lay ahead. Be calm, be yourself, she thought, pretend you’re going on an interview for a major magazine. The ball is in your court!

  Pun intended! Wait until she tells Faith about their first date. Of course, if things don’t go well, she knew whom to blame.

  ****

  When the plane taxied to a halt at Aéroport International in Hyèresy, France, Dante experienced the same excitement he only ever felt moments before playing in a major tennis tournament finals. He waited anxiously for the door of the plane to open and the steps to unfold, and when Mercedes stepped out onto the platform, the sight of her caught his breath and his chest filled with air upward through his body making him flush until he felt lightheaded and a grin spread across his mouth. He loved that she seemed unaware of her natural beauty.

  He watched her lower her sunglasses off the top of her head, and thought she wanted to keep him from seeing her expression, or maybe, perhaps maybe, she wanted to take a private look at him.

  With a warm look of approval, she gave him a slight wave, and the tight muscles in his abdomen relaxed immediately. He worried that she might not be pleased he hijacked her to France, but when he called her to set up the date, he didn’t want to give her an excuse to turn him down. He had made a promise to himself to court her until she was as much in love with him as he had been from the first moment he laid eyes on her. And today, she was even more beautiful than his memory recollected.

  Chapter Ten

  Walking down the steps to the tarmac, Mercedes’ legs felt like they were filled with sand. She thought she’d disintegrate into a heap at the bottom of the stairs. She flipped her sunglasses back on top of her head and observed him standing there. The depth of his passion was written in his eyes.

  He dressed casually, but his outfit spoke of wealth. He wore pale-yellow, soft linen slacks with a silk pastel print shirt tucked in at the waist, accenting his muscled build. The sleeves were neatly folded up to his elbows exposing the strength in his forearms. One wouldn’t be able to tell he had spent the last two weeks competing in a tennis tournament, except maybe for the gorgeous tan that at least spoke of a country-club life.

  Looking at him alerted her to how dangerous being in his company was. He rendered her powerless to his virility. She couldn’t tear herself away from the magnetism in his eyes that captured her, and if he had faults, she doubted they’d be conspicuous to her. He was temptation and every time he looked at her, his expression mimicked the first time he had ever seen her and she couldn’t control the color that spread across her cheekbones. He was worldly and sophisticated and she was inexperienced and naive. And a virgin, she reminded herself.

  He took her hand before she reached the last step and his electrifying touch managed to trigger a charge through her body that immediately stirred her senses. She was certain he experienced the same jolt by the reaction on his face; his eyes widened only for a moment but she didn’t miss his reaction.

  “Welcome to Paris,” he said, leaning in toward her, while she stood frozen on the bottom step. They were eye to eye, and he stared at her until he lowered his eyes to focus on her mouth. She moistened her lips and took in a silent breath, prepared to accept his kiss. She wanted him to kiss her, her mind cried out beggi
ng him, anticipating how his inviting lips would taste as he moved in even closer. Instead, he kissed her on both cheeks as she watched his lips turn up barely enough to show his dimples and suppressed grin. He appeared as though he tasted victory, knowing full well she expected a true kiss. He guided her down to the ground and asked, still holding her hand, “Did you have a pleasant trip?”

  “Yes, quite,” she managed to say, breathless. “This was a huge surprise and I’m not sure how to react.”

  He waved goodbye to Charlotte and Art, then said, “Relax. This is supposed to be a fun day and the start of a great celebration. You wanted to know what my life was like and I decided to show you. Well, right after you take a quick trip through a small customs check.”

  Did he say relax? Mercedes silently took in the scent of him and worried how she would be able to calm down before she met his parents. She was convinced her emotions were as visible to the world as his seemed to be. She wondered if he were testing or teasing her?

  He interrupted her thoughts, and said, “I assume Charlotte told you we’re going to my parents’ place for lunch. I hope you don’t mind. They’re headed back to Italy later today, but I wanted them to meet you.”

  “That’s fine. I’d love to meet them. They must be very proud of you and I know they enjoyed the French Open.”

  “They did. Max had a great time, too. We had a huge celebration dinner and party last night that would have been perfect if you had been there.”

  “I’ve been reminded by my best friend that I should have been there. But I’m afraid I would’ve been a wreck. I was better off at home.”

  Dante held the door for her into the airport and within seconds, she was positive she would have been able to smuggle in anything because everyone there seemed to know him personally, and paid no attention to her. That made her wonder if the women he dated felt as insignificant as she did. Shaking her head slightly, she puckered her lips and frowned. They were no doubt all beautiful, rich, and famous.

  Nevertheless, the custom officers, pilots and other passengers were thrilled to see him long enough to grab a couple of autographs and photos. He was the rush of the day and that brought a broad grin to her face watching everyone congratulate him. Customs took no time at all checking her through and within minutes they were back outside getting into a car.