The date was perfect. The wine glasses sparkled in the moonlight, a gentle breeze blew the fragrant scent of roses from the garden below, the roasted lamb fell apart delectably in Addison’s mouth. Phillip looked perfect. The way he was staring at her in her strapless dress let her know she looked perfect too. Just perfect, perfect, perfect.
“This is wonderful.” Addison indicated the balcony, the candles, and the soft music in the background. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Phillip took a sip of his wine. “A special meal for a special lady.”
Addison’s cheeks warmed. She was special. Well, at least he must have thought so, since he went through all the trouble of making their wonderful dinner.
“This dish is delicious,” Addison said.
“It’s Raphael’s, my chef’s, specialty.”
Addison slapped herself mentally. Of course he didn’t make the food himself, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t worth the effort. He probably never cooked. However, he obviously had requested his chef’s specialty for their date, so at least he’d put thought into it that way.
“He makes it every Wednesday night,” Phillip added.
Or not, she thought.
Oh, well. Who cared if Phillip didn’t make it when it tasted that good? Although, Felix had made the picnic for her and Naia a few days earlier, and that turned out to be surprisingly tasty. And it had obviously taken a lot of time and effort, which was very thoughtful.
Never mind about Felix, Addison told herself. She was with Phillip in his beautiful house, on his terrace, for an evening spent under the stars. It was such a romantic idea for Phillip to come up with.
“The balcony was a wonderful idea,” she said. “It’s such a nice night.”
“Yes, my butler saw how mild the weather was going to be this evening and suggested it.”
“Oh, that was thoughtful of him.” Okay, well, he may not have had anything to do with dinner or the idea for the terrace, but his touch could be seen in the details. The moment she’d sat down at the table, she’d noticed a vase of periwinkle hydrangeas arranged as the centerpiece.
“You remembered my favorite flowers.”
Phillip seemed pleased she liked them. “How could I forget when you’re all I can think about?”
Addison’s eyes dropped to her plate, embarrassed by the dazzling smile he gave her. “Thank you.”
“So I had my maid pick them up from the flower shop this afternoon, especially for our evening.”
“That’s so”—she hesitated a beat—“thoughtful.” Of his maid, she added in her head.
Addison struggled not to roll her eyes. But at least he’d thought about the flowers, and it was the thought that counted, right? Unable to find anything else to say, she took another bite of Raphael’s lamb.
Silence settled over them except for the tinkling of silver on plates. She paused to take a sip of wine. The rich flavor burst in her mouth and she almost moaned with delight. Oh! The wine. Addison had never tasted one so complex. Phillip must have picked it out himself. Such good taste he had. Such refinement. “This wine is amazing.”
“Yes, it is,” Phillip agreed. “I enjoy a good wine. Although, my wine cellar isn’t quite as grand as Alistair Yates’s is claimed to be.”
Addison shifted uncomfortably at the mention of Alistair. She was still bothered by her run-in with him at the park.
Phillip turned and called over his shoulder. “Hugh, could you please grab us another bottle from the cellar?”
His butler seemed to appear from the shadows. “We’re all out of that particular Cabernet, sir.”
“No problem,” Phillip said. “Just choose whatever you think is best. You did a fine job with this one.”
So the wine wasn’t exactly his idea either. At least he’d thought to invite her to dinner, she told herself. Unless, of course, he outsourced his text messages too.
When they’d finished their meal, Phillip invited her to sit on a marble bench on the other side of the terrace. He sat close enough that she could smell his cologne. Her nose wrinkled at the citrus tang of it, reminding her a little of a toilet bowl cleaner. She made a mental note to jot cologne down as a potential Christmas gift and instead tried to focus on the scent of the flowering vine that draped over the bannister behind them and fell all the way down to the garden.
“You look lovely tonight,” he told her.
“Thank you.”
“I’m so glad you said yes to dinner tonight. I know it’s been a difficult couple of weeks for you. You probably have a lot keeping you busy right now.”
“It’s been a little crazy.” To say the least, she thought, but it wasn’t like she could babble about that on a date, about undercover ops, and weird dog-themed sex parties, and dog show intrigue, and Felix.
The only person who would understand her crazy life at the moment and what she was going through was Felix himself. But she wasn’t exactly talking to him at the moment. Not after how they’d left things at his house on Sunday. But Addison’s life had been so consumed by all of their crazy adventures that she didn’t have much else to talk about.
“But I’m sure it will all turn around soon,” she said, giving her best peppy cheerleader smile.
“That’s the spirit,” Phillip said, clearly oblivious to the strain in her voice.
“I just feel so bad for all those owners who lost their dogs,” she said. “I hope they find them.”
“I couldn’t imagine losing Baxter.” He shook his head. “I’m even hesitant to bring him to the gala on Friday evening, but they assure us it’s completely secure. Are you going?” he asked her, with a hopeful expression.
“Yes, I was planning to. My friend Zoe is the event coordinator, and I can assure you it will be very secure.”
Phillip slid closer to her on the bench until their legs were brushing against each other. “Well, if you’re going. And I’m going,” he said suggestively. He laid a hand on her bare leg where the slit in her skirt had parted. His fingers felt stiff and clammy, making her shiver. “Perhaps we should go together?”
“I’d love that,” she said, when she’d recovered, hoping he thought it was a judder of excitement.
Felix had originally been booked to work the gala. Although, if they didn’t solve the case before then, he wouldn’t be.
Annoyed with herself for thinking about Felix when she was on a date with Philip, Addison looked deep into those perfect blue eyes in front of her. Not muddy brown like Felix’s. Well, not muddy exactly. Felix’s eyes were a bit warmer, like a rich polished mahogany wood. Very much like Naia’s. And Naia’s sparkled when she smiled, she supposed a little like her dad’s.
But she wasn’t going to think about Felix. She was focused entirely on Phillip’s perfect hair and perfect teeth. She noticed his perfect eyes studying her mouth, and his perfect lips as he brought them closer to hers. His perfect hands reached for her face and he ran his fingers though her wavy blonde locks.
“Ouch.” She winced as his watch caught in her hair. “I think I’m stuck.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” He tried to pull away but froze as she flinched again.
“That’s okay,” she said. “It’s just pulling a little.”
“Here, let me help.” He fiddled with his watch, tugging on her hair for a few seconds until she was free. “There. That’s better.”
“Thanks.”
He gave her a sheepish look. “Were you ready for some dessert?”
Now that the moment between them had been totally blown, Addison didn’t know what else to do but nod. “Yes, thank you.”
Addison needed something sweet to calm her nerves. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Her hands had turned cold and clammy while anxiety buzzed through her whole body until she just couldn’t sit still. Something wasn’t right.
I’m just overly excited, Addison told herself. A hot date with Phillip Montgomery III? What girl wouldn’t be thrown off her game?
Phillip got to his feet and headed for the French doors leading into the drawing room. “I’ll go see what’s keeping Hugh.”
“Sure thing.” Addison watched Phillip go back into the house, noticing that his butt was perfect too.
The moment he disappeared from sight, she frantically smoothed her locks back into place. She rearranged herself on the bench into a come-hither position to await Phillip’s return. No, she thought, maybe sultry’s better. She crossed one leg over the other. The slit in her dress gaped open to reveal just enough thigh to be seductive but not slutty. Yes, seductive was definitely best. She decided to nudge the slit open an inch wider and waited in that frozen position.
In the silence that could only be found in an oasis like Phillip’s property, there was a faint rustle. Breaking her pose, Addison glanced behind her, half-expecting a wild animal. But she saw nothing in the creeping vines along the bannister.
Addison returned to her seductive pose, only to be startled by another noise a moment later. This time the rustling was closer. The green leaves along the bannister vibrated like there was something caught in the ivy, too big to be a bug or a bird. Maybe it was some kind of animal. Faint grunts and heavy breathing reached her ears. A very big animal.
Leaping to her feet, she backed away from the bench. She was about to scream out when a hand reached over the bannister, gripping the vines for dear life. A head of dark curls surfaced over the edge, followed by a pair of mahogany eyes.
“Felix?” Addison hissed.
He gave her a strained, lopsided grin. There was a snap. The vine he was gripping broke away. He grunted, disappearing from sight.
Addison gasped and ran to the edge of the terrace. Fearing the worst, she peered over the bannister on her tiptoes. She saw Felix’s hand clamped desperately around a flimsy vine just on the other side. It groaned ominously under his weight.
“Oh my God.” Addison lunged forward and gripped his wrist.
She tugged and heaved as Felix grunted his way up the wall of ivy. She probably wasn’t helping much, but by the time he’d thrown his leg over the bannister and landed safely on the stone terrace, she was panting from the effort.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered between gasps for air.
Felix flopped down on the bench, face red, arms bright with pink and red welts from climbing the vines. He glanced up at her. “What am I doing here? What are you doing here?”
“What do you think I’m doing here?”
His eyes widened as he took in her dress. He started to nod with understanding. “You’re spying on him, aren’t you? Deep undercover stuff. That’s good. That’s good. You really went all out.” He ran a finger down the front of her dress, and she felt it like hot candle wax running from her breast to her belly where his touch lingered.
“You look”—Felix’s eyes darkened—“seductive.”
His words were like honey, thick and sweet. She glanced at his lips and felt the urge to suck more of those words right out of his mouth.
Addison shook her head, trying to clear her mind. “Is that what you’re doing here?” she demanded. “You’re here to spy on Phillip?”
“Of course, we still haven’t crossed him off the list yet.” He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “So what have you found out so far?”
“Nothing.” Addison tried to drag Felix to his feet, but it was like trying to move a mule. “You can’t be here right now.”
“Why not?” A devilish smile curled his lips, and his fingers found their way to the slit in her dress. He laid his palm against the inside of her thigh, caressing her smooth skin. As it rose higher and higher, her legs automatically parted ever so slightly, enough for him to run a finger along the silk between her thighs.
From his position on the bench, he was at the perfect height to press his face against her, teasing her with kisses over her thin dress. She could feel the heat of his breath and his lips working against the fabric like they were searching.
For a moment, Addison forgot where she was and the risk of them being discovered together. Or maybe she reveled in it.
The gamble, the excitement, the rush. It heightened her need for Felix, made her want to rip off his clothes right there and see if she could have him before their time was up. Like a race against the clock, only there was no way to know when the alarm was set to go off.
It seemed to be a common occurrence with the two of them. Maybe it was their thing, or maybe Addison just wanted Felix anywhere, any way.
“No,” she panted. “Phillip will be back soon. He’ll catch you here,” she said, even as she ran her fingers through his hair. She felt like Juliet urging her Romeo away to safety. The forbidden feeling of their meeting at war with their undeniable attraction.
But that wasn’t the only thing to consider. She needed to make the smart decision, to use her head. Wasn’t that what she’d set out to do with Phillip in the first place? To choose the right guy?
However, that was when she’d written Felix off as just another bad choice. Then she actually got to know him. And Naia. It didn’t feel so cut and dry anymore. But standing with Felix on Phillip’s terrace while on a date wasn’t exactly the best place to weigh her options.
“Wait. Stop.” Addison pushed Felix away. “You have to go.”
“Why?” He stared up at her in surprise, like what could possibly be so wrong about the situation? “I haven’t had time to look around.”
She glanced back through the French doors into the mansion, afraid she’d see Phillip returning any second. “Because this is a date.”
Felix’s shoulders dropped. He leaned back so he could really look at her. “You’re not serious.”
The ironic look on his face ignited something inside of her. She recalled his words from the last time they spoke. How he thought Phillip was just using her, like she wouldn’t actually be able to get a guy like him interested in her otherwise. Suddenly she was as angry as the night they fought at his house.
“I’m perfectly serious. Why wouldn’t I be on a date?” She crossed her arms. “And it’s not like it’s any of your business anyway.”
But she wasn’t sure that was true anymore. She rubbed her temples. She had so much to think about. For now, she had to get him out of there.
Addison hovered over him, ready to throw Felix back over the bannister if Phillip returned.
Felix’s face screwed up. “A date? At his house? Isn’t it a little early for a sleepover?”
But Addison didn’t think that was any of his business either, and her irritation spiked. “Well, when it’s right, it’s right,” she said vaguely.
“What makes him right?” He stood up, towering over her.
Despite their whispers, she could hear the anger behind his words. But she didn’t think he was angry with her. Frustrated maybe.
“Is it because he’s rich? Because every year The Gate lists him as one of San Francisco’s most eligible bachelors?” That little vein in his forehead pulsed. His eyes narrowed. “Because you’re so desperate you’ll fall for any man?”
She inhaled sharply, clenching her fists at her sides. “I’m not desperate enough to fall for you.”
The moment it flew out of her mouth, she regretted it. Both because his face flinched like she’d shoved a hot curling iron against his stomach and because she felt that same pain, in answer to his own. Because she knew it wasn’t true.
The anger faded from Felix’s face and his breathing slowed like the fight was leaving him. “Fine,” he said flatly. “Enjoy your date. But I’m not relying on your fantasy obsession to tell if he’s innocent or not. I’m scoping the place out myself.”
“Felix.” Her voice wavered with building tears. “I—”
Footsteps thumped in the hall, echoing down the cavernous expanse. Addison’s apology caught in her throat. She began shoving Felix back toward the bannister.
“Someone’s coming. Go back down the wall,” she hissed.
Felix’s eyes went wide. “I can’t. The chef and butler were down there. They heard me earlier and searched the grounds. I was backed into a corner. That’s why I came up here.”
“Then hide,” she urged. “Quick.”
Felix’s head whipped back and forth, looking for a place to hide. Racing through the French doors, he dove for the thick, floor-length curtains draped on either side. Once he was hidden behind them, Addison rearranged them to look natural again.
“I’ll distract him,” she told the curtains. “You can sneak out.”
Felix peeked his head out. “How are you going to—”
“I hope you like crème brûlée,” Phillip called out as he swept into the room with two small dishes on a silver tray.
Felix whipped the curtain back into place just as Phillip entered the room.
Addison jumped away from Felix. “Sounds delicious,” she said, her voice a little too high-pitched. She cleared her throat.
“Sorry I took so long,” he said. “Apparently the maid thought she saw someone sneaking around on the grounds, so Hugh went to check into it.”
“You’re kidding?” Addison opened her mouth in what she hoped looked like shock. She might have loved movies, but she’d never be nominated for an Emmy, that was for sure. “Should we call the cops?”
The curtain twitched, and Addison could practically feel the agitation building behind them.
“No. No.” Phillip was busy arranging the dishes and dessert forks on the coffee table, clearly not used to serving himself. “I’m sure it’s just a stray animal or something. Nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t want to ruin our night together.”
Addison’s body felt stiff and unnatural. All she could think about was trying not to look at the curtain, so of course that was all she wanted to do. She was paranoid, certain Phillip would somehow see Felix or hear him breathing behind the drapes.
“Shall we go back out on the balcony for a while?” she asked. If she could just get Phillip out of the room, Felix could make a run for it.
But Phillip sat down on the leather sofa. “I was thinking we would be more comfortable in here. I wouldn’t want you to get too cold.”
His usual polite and mild demeanor shifted, and his voice became throaty with lust. Addison could see it in his half-lidded eyes, taking in the sight of her standing in the doorway. She suddenly felt self-conscious. Was she still flushed from Felix’s touch?
Phillip patted the seat next to him. “I’m sure I could keep you warm in here.”
There was a soft snort from behind the curtain—too soft for Phillip to hear across the room, Addison hoped.
“That sounds even better.” Addison smiled coyly, but cursed in her head. It would appear strange if she argued, so she had no choice but to sashay across the room and cozy up next to him. By the way Phillip watched her hips move beneath her dress, she doubted it would be very hard to distract him.
Addison took a seat, close enough to Phillip that her body rubbed against his. She crossed her legs, and the slit in her skirt fell open, revealing a whole lot of thigh.
Phillip slipped an arm around the backrest behind her. She caught his gaze drinking in the view down her neckline.
“See?” he said. “Isn’t that better?”
“Much warmer,” she agreed.
He caressed her exposed knee with a shy fingertip, sliding it slowly up her thigh. “I’m feeling a little warm myself.”
There was another snort, this time loud enough for the both of them to hear. Addison froze. When Phillip pulled away, she knew he’d heard it too.
His focus shifted across the room, and he moved to stand. She couldn’t let him near those curtains.
Addison practically lunged at Phillip. Grabbing his chiseled jaw in her hands, she planted her lips on his, desperate to keep him there.
His kiss wasn’t exactly how she imagined, not warm and luscious, not falling into step with hers like two professional flamingo dancers. In fact, his lips were a little cold and thin, slipping over hers like wet hands trying to grasp a slimy bar of soap in a bathtub.
Phillip grabbed her bare shoulders and gently pushed her away, but she resisted.
“Did you hear something a second ago?” he asked against her mouth.
“Nu-uh,” she mumbled.
She shoved her tongue in his mouth, effectively shutting him up. Her leg swung around until she straddled him on the couch, pinning him there. Now all he could focus on was her and her tongue caressing his, her hips grinding his lap. What strange man behind the curtain?
Phillip’s hands were no longer pushing her away, they were groping, tugging her skirt out of the way, exploring. He gyrated beneath her, inviting her swirling tongue into his mouth with his own. He gripped her thighs, pulling her against his moving hips, and grinded against her.
Soon Addison began to feel him stiffen beneath her, digging hard between her legs. His breaths came harder, faster. He let out an eager grunt in her mouth. Cupping her butt, he flipped her onto her back. She yelped in surprise as her back hit the sofa.
The desserts lay forgotten on the table. Phillip practically dove on top of her, nestling between her legs. His cool lips slithered their way across her cheek and down to her neck, over her collarbone.
Addison moaned and squirmed beneath him, encouraging him to keep going, but her focus was on the curtain across the room. She shifted her head to the side to see over Phillip’s hunched back. He obviously took this as a sign to begin nuzzling her neck.
It tickled a little. In fact, it felt gross as his tongue ran and flicked in annoying circles over her skin. She cringed, but continued to encourage him.
“Yes,” she purred. “Oh yeah.”
His awkward hand slid up the slit in her dress, crawling against her bare skin until he reached her panties. He ran a finger over the smooth material.
The curtain shifted a fraction, and Felix’s head poked out. When his searching eyes fell on the sofa, he froze. He didn’t look angry. His jaw didn’t so much as clench, and his eyelash didn’t even bat.
Finally Addison waved him on, as in Go, while faking another,“Yes. Oooh, right there.”
Phillip rubbed a finger over the silk between her legs, where Felix had been exploring not long before. He groaned as he did so, rubbing with a new fervor.
Addison realized with embarrassment that it was because she felt wet. He must have thought he excited her.
But it had been Felix’s doing on the balcony. It had been him that her body reacted to. While her brain had been telling her Phillip was the one from the start, her body couldn’t lie.
Perhaps, she thought, it was time to let her heart speak up.
Felix took his chance. Darting out from behind the curtain, he dashed across the room, stepping light as a burglar. When he made it to the door, Addison’s body relaxed in relief. That is, until Felix caught her eye.
They locked gazes and just stared at each other as her so-called Prince Charming grinded on top of her. Suddenly, she snapped out of the fantasy she was trying to hold on to, the stars, the candles, the wine, and fell back to reality.
It was like when someone munched on popcorn in the theater behind you, pulling you from the trance of the big screen. No matter how hard you tried to ignore it, you just couldn’t return to that place of ignorant bliss. The mindset that you escaped to during a movie, allowing yourself to believe that anything was possible.
When Felix turned away for the last time, she saw a grimace contort his handsome face. She felt her heart contract painfully. Her eyes began to sting and a single sob escaped her.
Phillip must have interpreted this as frustrated pleasure, like she just couldn’t wait any longer, because his fumbling fingers tugged her panties aside. Her body automatically recoiled. It suddenly felt so wrong.
Clamping her legs shut, she pushed him away. Phillip stared down at her in shock as she struggled to find something to say.
“What about dessert?” she asked, as airily as she could.
“I’ve got dessert right here.” He descended on her again, but she forced him back, unable to stand another second of his kisses and touch.
Phillip drew away, kneeling on the sofa between her parted legs, staring down in confusion.
She shook her head as though waking from a really long dream and sat up. “I’m sorry.” She tugged her skirt back down. “It’s getting a bit late. I should go.”
She couldn’t look him in the eye. Heck, she didn’t even know how she’d look at her own reflection in the eye when she got home.
“Of course,” he said, clearly abashed. “I’m sorry.”
“No. Don’t be sorry.” She smiled warmly at him. It wasn’t him; it was her. “I had a wonderful time tonight, but I should get going.”
“I’ll show you out.” But Phillip still looked confused. Maybe as confused as she felt. “Will you still be going to the gala?” he asked as they headed down his sweeping staircase to the foyer.
“I will.” She smiled again, but couldn’t seem to make it reach her eyes. “I’ll see you there.”
He looked disappointed but tried to hide it with a gracious smile as he opened the front door for her. “Great. I’ll see you there.”
She’d agreed to be his date, but she was so flustered at the moment. It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no. She needed time to think.
“Thank you for a nice evening.” To make sure he knew she meant it, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him goodnight on the cheek. “I look forward to seeing you again.” Because she did. She just didn’t know in what capacity any more.
Outside, the night felt colder. She wrapped her arms around herself and headed for her Mini. Once inside, she sighed and checked her phone. There was a text from Felix.
Checked the house. Your boyfriend, Prince Charming, appears to be clean. Enjoy your fantasy.