I couldn’t resist. As I pressed a hand to Ana’s lower back, guiding her toward the door, I leaned down and murmured in her ear, “You already did.”
She blushed appropriately. And, happily, even with our schoolmarm hustling us away, she still looked pretty pleased. As well she should.
“Family photo time,” I whispered to her as we re-entered the ballroom. “I know what I’ll be thinking about as I smile for the camera.”
She gave a hushed laugh, soft and intimate. Yeah, this was a good thing. Lola was wrong, we weren’t going to save it all for the cameras. I had a lot of plans, and they involved lots of time far away from prying eyes, doing the kinds of things Ana would only do with the guarantee of privacy, no record at all. Just between us.
CHAPTER 3
Ana
I’d never seen anything like this private black tie ball hosted by one of the more prominent families in New York. Everyone was dressed like they were attending a red carpet awards show. The champagne glass in my hand felt so heavy it had to be real crystal. Who used real crystal for a party of hundreds of people? What would the bill for broken glasses be, alone? Never mind paying for the never-ending platters of hors d’oeuvres, the copious free alcohol flowing, the countless wait staff, the decorations.
The Christmas tree in the corner of the room stretched all the way to the ceiling and overflowed with ornaments positioned just so. Opulence and shimmer abounded everywhere you looked, though owls seemed to be the main theme. Popping out among the branches I spotted a bunch of ornaments with white fluffy feathers and glittering beaks. Even the Charlie Brown tree Jillian and I had bought outside a bodega in Brooklyn and lugged up the three flights of stairs had set us back $70. How did these people have so much money? I’d never seen such a thing.
“You doing all right?” Ash asked, by my side as he had been all night. Including in the hallway. A flush of heat stole over my entire body at the memory. What that man did to me, I’d never experienced anything like it. “You want anything else? Gram has some salmon and…” He craned his neck looking over at a giant banquet table decked out with trays, “anything else you could possibly think of. Want to go check it out?”
I shook my head. “No, thanks.” Shame I wasn’t more hungry. My Aunt Irina would want me to fill my purse up with dinner rolls. Every time we went out to eat, she’d tuck an extra ketchup packet in her purse. Because you never knew.
I wondered if Ash’s grandmother had ever encountered a ketchup packet in her entire life. Though she didn’t seem too high and mighty. She’d seemed surprisingly friendly when we’d met, inviting Ash and me to tea. I’d have to ask the PR team about etiquette when taking tea with an older British woman, but something told me they’d have no idea. How to strategically flash your va-jay-jay to paparazzi while exiting a limo, the proper way to plump up your lips and pout while angling for the camera, that they knew. Not so much the traditions of elders.
“Want to go check out the band? They’re really good.”
“I’d love to.”
Ash held my hand, leading me through the crowd. It seemed to part for him, but I guessed that happened a lot for a rock star. Funny, I hadn’t known him long but I hadn’t seen much of the strutting cock-on-the-walk yet. I’d seen him hiding under my desk in a library, greeting his grandmother with affection and getting accosted by stuffy and displeased-looking older relatives. It was cute, I had to admit. I’d have to watch it with thoughts like that.
I could already tell, Ash was too good at the romance angle of this arrangement. Just the way he’d looked at me when I’d exited the limo had taken my breath away. When he’d first seen me tonight, he’d gazed at me the way every girl dreamed a man would look at her one day, as if I were some sort of celestial creature dropped down from above, beyond gorgeous in every way. Only Ash had enough of a carnal glint he didn’t make me feel like too much of an angel. He made me feel like he wanted to cherish, worship and adore me, only with Ash I had a feeling that would involve a whole lot of licking, sucking and finger-fucking. If only I could manage to feel less turned on by that thought.
He led me right up to where the band played at the far end of the ballroom, loud enough for people to dance nearby but not so loud as to deafen conversation in the rest of the party. How did the hotel get that exactly right? There must be a prescribed Waldof-Astoria decibel level.
“This guy on bass.” Ash pointed out a tall, dapper looking fellow clearly enjoying himself playing an upright bass. “He’s good.” The whole band sounded great to me, playing upbeat swing standards people of all ages could enjoy.
“He’s pretty cool.” I smiled, enjoying the jaunty tilt to his hat. Even in a tux, he had the whole hipster swing vibe down with a goatee, red suspenders and polished wing-tip shoes.
Ash scowled a bit. Jealous? That meant I had to tease him. With a sigh, I continued. “I wish he were my date tonight.”
“What?” There was a hilarious sharpness to his voice. I couldn’t help it, I broke my guise, a peal of laughter rising up.
“Well.” Ash recovered himself, straightening his tux that needed no straightening. “I mean, I guess that guy would be fine to hang out with. If you liked hanging out with guys old enough to be your father. But, Ana.” He turned to me, looking strangely serious. “You shouldn’t date musicians.”
I had to laugh again. “Said the musician.”
“Yes, that’s why I’m saying it. We all suck. Nothing but late nights and touring and groupies. It’s not for you.”
“OK, Ash.” Settle down, I wanted to say, but I turned my attention to the band. I got it. He didn’t want me getting attached to him. He was warning me off, setting boundaries. Letting me know that whatever had happened out in that back corridor didn’t mean anything. None of this did. I was hired help.
“Asher.” His grandmother appeared by his side, looking impressively grand and lively though I guessed she had to be in her late 70s. “Why don’t you join them and sing us something.”
“What?” For a famous singer, Ash looked shocked at the request. “You’ve never wanted me to sing at this party before.”
“I’d love it.” She smiled at him and I could already tell, she was going to get what she wanted. I bet she always did. “We all would.” She gave me a quick look and I realized she wanted me to join in the persuasion.
“I’d love to hear you sing, Ash.” I meant it, too. I’d heard him enough times through my earbuds while walking down the streets of New York City. What would it be like in person?
“Yeah?” He looked at me, the hint of a smile tugging at his mouth. What a mouth. I loved it when he kissed me. And earlier, he’d said he wanted to taste me. I didn’t think I’d survive that. OK, grandmother standing a few feet away. I needed to fan myself and reign in my thoughts.
“Let’s have some Frank,” his gram decreed. Without waiting for Ash’s green light, she raised an index finger to the lead singer. Just that slight gesture caught his attention. He knew who was signing his check that evening. At the end of the current number, he excused himself for a moment and hopped over to us.
“Wonderful music
tonight.” Ash’s grandmother sparkled at him.
“We’re having a grand old time.” He looked it, too. I bet his earnings for this party covered some nice presents under his tree this Christmas.
“Would you be so kind as to let my grandson sing a number?”
“Yeah, no problem.” He turned and suddenly seemed to realize who he was standing next to. “No shit!” he exclaimed, a hand to his forehead. “Sorry.” He looked back at Gram, realizing he’d cursed.
“I understand.” She nodded her forgiveness.
“Hey, man.” Ash extended his hand. “You guys sound great.”
“Wow, what are you doing here? I didn’t have any idea—”
“Asher’s my grandson.” Gram sped things along. “Now, if you’d be so kind.”
“Yeah, yeah.” The band leader gave himself a little shake, clearly trying to pull himself together.
“Be right back.” Ash gave me a smile and a quick kiss on the cheek. Damn if it didn’t feel so right.
“I do hope he’s treating you well, dear.” Ash’s grandmother kept her attention on her grandson as she spoke.
“Sure.” What would she think of all of this, his elaborate ruse to rehab his image? Something told me she wouldn’t approve.
“The trick is to expect nothing less.”
“Oh.” I nodded. It sounded easy when she said it.
“Never settle.” Now the dazzling force of her sparkling blue eyes looked directly into my soul. She tapped me lightly with something on my arm for emphasis. A small fan, I realized, which she then folded up and discreetly tucked into the end of her elbow-length glove. So that was where people kept their fans. Not that I’d ever actually talked to anyone in a ball gown with a fan before, but I’d seen my share of period films. I liked my Jane Austen.
“All right, you guys and dolls, we’ve got a crazy treat for you.” The leader spoke into the mic. “Any of you out there ever heard of a cat named Ash Black?”