Chapter Three

 

“Caesario!”

He was greeted like a conquering king with grins and fluttering lashes, back pats and hugs, but not once did he forget she was there. Caesario’s arm stayed comfortingly around her waist the entire time as if to allay her anxiety at mingling with people with whom she didn’t have much in common. He made introductions, eased her into conversations, and overall put her at ease as they migrated from group to group. Though names had been put to faces, they were too many and too exotic for Elodie to remember every single one. All she knew was they were all dazzling and surprisingly welcoming. Elodie found herself having an enjoyable time.

“And who is this lovely lady?” The French-accented question came from a man who’d just joined them and been introduced moments before as Andre, a gemologist based in Antwerp.

“This is Elodie.” Caesario smiled warmly at her. Their gazes locked for an instant as he squeezed her closer. The move and the fact that he didn’t feel the need to elaborate was enough to arouse the interest in the eyes of both the men and the women in the group.

A statuesque redhead in a spectacular, but over the top, crimson Valentino gown eyed her suspiciously. “And what does Elodie,” she pronounced her name slowly, as if it took practice to say a name so pedestrian, “do?”

“To me?” Caesario looked down at Elodie and gave her a lascivious wink. “Anything she wants.”

The reply earned chuckles from everyone but the woman who’d posed the question.

Caesario’s grin broadened. “Elodie is a very talented designer. You should check out her boutique. Very chic. It’s frequented by the rich and famous. My dear aunt Ana has even become a recent convert.”

There were a few murmurs from around them, and Elodie was stunned to see several women who had been to her shop nodding in vehement agreement. Some were even wearing her designs!

How could she not blush? Not only at the praise but at his first comment? He wrapped his arm tighter around Elodie, anchoring her to him. Besides allowing her to feel the hard lines of his body, it was a very clear display of possession.

And she didn’t mind one bit. She didn’t care about the desirous looks she was getting from a few of the men or the venomous glares she was getting from many of the women—from the redhead, especially.

She could only be the woman Ana had been concerned about. Clarice. It was only natural to size the other woman up, wasn’t it? She was gorgeous and clearly knew it. But the vibe that came off her—and the superior look in her eyes—was off putting. And not only to Elodie from the side-eye glances she was getting from people around her.

Did she really have to worry about Clarice being a contender for Caesario’s attentions?

The warm splay of his hand over her ribcage had her forgetting all about the other woman. From all appearances, Caesario was determined to make sure that everyone knew they were together.

For Ana’s benefit?

Elodie’s gaze flitted around the room to find his aunt looking at them intermittently. It was quite amusing actually when everyone else seemed to be following her lead. Was it her influence that had everyone looking their way, or was Caesario so fascinating that no one could keep their eyes off him?

She knew she couldn’t. Handsome, magnetic, and charming. Three qualities that were apparent right away. Who wouldn’t want to keep staring at Caesario? And he was smart, able to speak intelligently about a wide range of topics in a dizzying number of languages. If all that wasn’t enough, being pressed so close to him only intensified her attraction.

If he could act as though he owned her, what was stopping her from doing the same? Especially with the redhead still glaring at her as if she wanted to tear her hair out. The urge to enrage the other woman was beneath her, and nothing would have amused her more at the moment, but Elodie was more interested in touching Caesario. To hell with every other consideration.

Elodie went to wrap her arm around his waist, but, as she slowly lifted her arm, she made sure her hand lightly cupped his tight ass on the way up. He might not have faltered in the story he was telling, but the way his body tensed against hers told her Caesario had more than noticed.

There was no mention or retaliation from him, however. He continued to chat, making sure never to leave her out of the conversation. For having the reputation of a womanizer, he was quite the gentleman.

Then, as he was translating what a Greek scientist was saying about the future of solar energy, he skimmed the underside of her breast with his thumb. Her mouth went dry. Had it been an accident? It might have been, but as she was beginning to relax again, it happened again. This time a slow, deliberate stroke. The touch, while little more than a brush, was enough to send a bolt of pleasure through her. The heat of his hand was like a brand through the gauzy satin of the dress. The graze of his thumb might as well have been a lick of fire.

The fine material of the dress was no disguise against her body’s response to him. Not that she could hide it from her face either. Anyone who cared to look would probably notice just how rapt she was.

They continued to chat, about the weather of all things, as mundane a topic as they could possibly discuss, but Elodie was barely paying attention. She’d had her fill of conversation anyway. Hours of chitchat about everything under the sun and now they were looping around again. Elodie did her best to nod and smile, reply with a murmur where appropriate, and probably giving off the worst impression of herself possible, but she was enjoying Caesario’s touch far too much to really care.

Not to be outdone, she shifted and gave his questioning glance a coquettish little smile in reply as she adjusted her hold of him. It wasn’t fair that he was able to touch her and she was impeded by his jacket.

Since it was unbuttoned, it was a simple matter of sliding her arm inside to loop around his back. What no one else could see was, as the topic of conversation turned to yachts and whose was the most impressive, Elodie had worked to untuck his shirt and tunnel her hand inside.

His skin was taut, warm—living silk over solid muscle—inviting her to touch and explore. How could she deny herself that?

With the flat of her hand she studied the fascinating landscape of his back. She traced patterns with the tips of her fingers, earning her a quiet groan from him. It was with a flinch from him that she knew she found a ticklish spot. Caesario nearly choked on his champagne when she gently raked the stretch of flesh with her nails.

Stifling a giggle, she did it again, prompting Caesario to twist away and grip her in front of him in what looked to be a loving hold, but he’d caged her arms to keep her from tickling him anymore.

The position, however, introduced new possibilities.

Especially with the hard ridge currently pressed in the cleft of her ass. She managed a wriggle of her hips before Caesario tightened his grip on her and leaned in to growl. “Play nice.”

She wriggled again. “Or what?”

He nipped her earlobe as he ground himself against her. “Or I won’t either.”

Elodie’s knees trembled as she leaned against him for support. Perhaps it hadn’t been the best idea when she was trying to make a good impression on everyone. Especially Ana. She could imagine Caesario throwing all niceties aside and dragging her off. A prospect that sounded far too good.

Composing herself, Elodie straightened, slightly apprehensive of meeting anyone else’s eye knowing they’d all been watching them avidly. When she finally mustered the courage, she lifted her gaze and unfortunately met sparks in the redhead’s eyes. With a final glare and a huff, at what probably looked to her to be a random spell of PDA, the redhead turned and flounced away.

A soft chuckle came from the man behind Elodie before slipping back into conversation. She had no idea whether it was connected to the redhead stomping off or something said since Elodie couldn’t hear a thing. Not with Caesario pressed up against her, his deliciously warm breath on her ear and neck whenever he leaned close to speak to her.

Movement from across the room drew her attention, and she caught a glimpse of Ana talking to a woman not too far away. As if she sensed Elodie’s attention on her, she looked up, took one look at them, then gave her a sly wink.

What must she think of her, letting Caesario hold her like he had every right to? But try as she might, she couldn’t put any space between them. Eventually, it became a choice between making a fuss or relaxing against him. She chose the latter, seeking the path of least resistance and the most pleasure.

He linked his arms in front of her as he leaned down to whisper, “Hungry?”

Starving, actually, now that she thought about it. With all the craziness of the day she hadn’t had time or even thought to eat. “I could go for a bite.”

Excusing them from the group, Caesario led the way through to where a decadent buffet lay spread over a huge table. Everything imaginable, from savory to sweet, was available and artfully displayed. It was almost a shame to disturb the work that had obviously gone into it. But her mouth had already begun to water, and Elodie could only be thankful that her stomach wasn’t betraying just how long it’d been since she’d had her last meal.

Elodie let her gaze wander over the delicacies. Where to start?

“You must try this.” Caesario picked up a tiny, beautifully decorated cake. A sacrilege to eat, surely. He held it out for her to taste. Elodie hesitated, aware they were far from alone, but relented. One bite had her stifling a groan of delight as the delicate flavors blended on her tongue.

He grinned. “Heavenly, isn’t it?” His attention dropped to her lips as his eyebrows lowered in consideration. “But I need…” In a deft move, he smeared some of the icing on her lips and swooped in to taste it with a kiss.

It wasn’t a brief brushing of lips either. They caught fire the moment their mouths touched. Caesario licked the sugary confection away with a swipe of his tongue before delving between her lips. The combination of his unique taste together with the icing made her head swim.

Caesario didn’t just kiss; he demanded. He took. He conquered.

Cake gone, his hands tunneled into her hair to grip her close as he brought his body flush to hers. Elodie couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. All she could do was cling to him in an attempt to stay upright while she attacked his mouth right back.

He pushed her back until her hips were trapped between him and the table, leaving her nowhere to go when he situated himself between them and rocked against her.

“Scusami.”

Elodie lurched back with an embarrassed gasp, not that Caesario was going to let her go. He eased back as if they had all the time in the world and moved them away without so much as a murmur of apology to the man wanting access to the food. It was clear he was only trying to break up the scene, and Caesario didn’t appreciate it.

Not that she had much of a chance to dwell, however. Caesario all but snarled at the man as he grabbed a gilded plate. He deftly piled a few mouthwatering items on it before leading the way through the massive French doors and out into the gardens.

He gave her a small smile. “I thought we could use some air.”

And she did. As enjoyable as the party had been, at least for the most part, Elodie needed a break from all the people.

Like the rest of the house, the garden was magnificent. As was the glittering aquamarine pool. Every part of the grounds was decorated with neatly manicured bushes sparkling with tiny white lights just like the ones on the path leading up to the house. The illumination that came from them was just enough to delineate the maze-like paths.

Apparently, several others had a similar idea. So much for finding some solitude.

Caesario didn’t seem happy about it either and muttered something under his breath as he doggedly forged a path through the estate. It seemed everywhere they turned there were people, however. The frustration thrumming through him would have been clear in the set of his jaw and tense line of his wide shoulders even if she couldn’t feel it through their connected hands.

Finally, he slowed and helped her sit on a stone bench overlooking the lake. In the velvet darkness, Lake Como was inky water cradled in the silhouette of the mountains in the distance under a deep navy sky. The lamps that lined the path there warmed the night with their golden glow adding to the surreal atmosphere.

And the air … it was so fresh. She took several lungs full, breathing deeply, enjoying the moment. It wouldn’t be long before she was back in the city, wishing she had taken more time to enjoy the refreshing atmosphere.

But, even there, there were people milling about, chatting quietly. Some doing even more. Elodie was still mildly mortified by their exhibition by the food. She couldn’t even contemplate being caught in a heated clinch as demonstrated by a couple by a topiary, though their audience here would be far smaller.

“A bite?”

Elodie found Caesario holding a morsel pinched between his fingers in front of her lip.

When she hesitated, he lifted a questioning eyebrow. “Didn’t you say you were hungry?”

She was. But, “It might be better for me to feed myself.”

He looked stunned. “Why? No one is paying attention to us.”

“Are you kidding me? Everyone is watching us. Listening to us. Everywhere we go.” She nodded at the couple kissing. “Except for them, of course.”

Caesario gave the couple a grin before turning up the wattage when he returned his gaze to her. “I think we should take a page out of their book and not care who’s watching.”

He would. Elodie shook her head, but she didn’t get the chance to say anything when an all too familiar voice pierced the quiet.

“Caesario! I didn’t expect you to be out here!” The redhead had found them, and this time she wasn’t alone. All but hanging off the man at her side, she dragged him toward Elodie and Caesario.

Elodie fought back a sigh at the smirk on the other woman’s face. The games were exhausting, and from the looks of things, they’d hardly begun. Did she really want to be a part of a world where people toyed with others’ affections?

“Apologies for intruding. We were just looking for a quiet spot.” The man was tall, broad, and burnished blond and didn’t pay any attention to the woman clinging to him. His focus glided from Elodie to Caesario.

Ignoring the redhead, Caesario stood, to extend his hand to the other man. “Marc du Champs. I’ve heard a lot about you. Your vineyards are spectacular. As are your wines. Though, I dare say, Italian vintages are still superior, it’s nice to see you trying to catch up.”

The bold statement brought a laugh from the other man as he took the proffered hand and shook it. “And, Caesario Altaviti, you’re as impudent as they say.”

Caesario helped Elodie to her feet, returning his arm to her waist. “This is Elodie.”

He took her hand and smiled. “Enchanté.”

“A pleasure.”

Elodie’s stomach unknotted a little as the men discussed wines as if they were old friends, pausing here and there to explain terminology or describe a process to her. Meanwhile the other woman’s face was turning the same color as her hair at being completely side-lined by them. It got to the point where Elodie found herself wondering if she would pop like an over-hot thermometer.

Just as she looked like she was going to scream, the redhead grabbed Elodie’s arm and dragged her aside. “I suppose you think you’re smart, ingratiating yourself on the duchessa as you have. But it won’t work. Caesario’s mine. He’d never have more than a fling with a nobody like you. Haven’t you figured that out yet? I’ve never seen you at the parties and events that he attends. You’ve only been invited to this one because you got your claws into the duchess somehow. Goodness knows it’s not because of your talent.” She smirked mockingly at Elodie’s dress. “End the delusion before you make a bigger fool of yourself. Take the hint.”

Elodie fought to keep calm. “Did it ever occur to you that there could be women who might not like parties? That don’t need to flaunt themselves at every chance to fulfill some void in their life or boost their ego? And perhaps those are the types of women Caesario prefers?” Elodie raked a scornful glance over her, almost enjoying the way the woman puffed up indignantly. “I’m willing to wager that every man you have set your sights on has run a mile to get away. Am I right?”

“Men covet women like me. Just as Caesario does.”

“Now who’s being delusional? It’s very simple. Caesario is a man who knows what he desires. If he wanted you, he’d be with you. Take the hint.” Elodie used her own words against her. “He doesn’t want you.”

The redhead lashed out. Her palm connected with Elodie’s cheek with a crack. “You don’t belong here. It doesn’t matter what you wear or who you get to befriend you. Someone like you will always stand out as a poor little outsider digging for gold the only way you can.”

A voice cut in before Elodie could break through the stunned haze and retaliate.

“I think it’s time you left, Clarice.”

The redhead nearly jumped out of her own skin when Caesario coldly addressed her. But Clarice wasn’t about to go without a fight. Her lips turned downward in a perfect pout and her eyes were wide, glistening with unshed tears. “Did you hear what she said to me?” She pointed at Elodie with a trembling finger, her bottom lip wobbling right along with it.

“I did. And I also heard what you said—and saw what you did—to Elodie. All I can say, is you’re wrong. I don’t belong to you, and I never will. We had one miserable date nearly two years ago, and it was more than enough to show me who you are. And you will never be what I want. As for Elodie.” He gathered her in his arms and ran a tender finger over the angry red mark growing on her cheek before he lifted his gaze to glower at the woman. “You should be so lucky to have anyone even think you’re as half as kind, beautiful, and talented as she.” He looked Clarice up and down as if she were the filthiest thing he’d ever seen. “Now leave before you embarrass yourself any further. And never come near either of us again or I’ll get the authorities involved and have you charged for stalking.”

The tears and the trembling ceased almost immediately as her spine straightened and her jaw jutted forward. “Your loss.”

Elodie watched Clarice’s departing back and shook her head, still taken aback at what had just happened. Not so much about the circumstances, but that it actually occurred. She’d been outed and treated as the interloper she was. Elodie didn’t imagine it would be so brutal and so public.

The people milling around still stared at them as if they hadn’t been able to believe what they’d just witnessed. Or maybe they were staring at the woman who dared to imagine she could be one of them. Elodie looked around for Marc, expecting him to be riveted as well, but he had long since disappeared from the ugly scene. At least that left her with one less thing to worry about.

She clenched her hands into tight fists to keep them from shaking as she lifted them to push Caesario back. “Please, excuse me.”