Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(55)

Sam appeared next to Kenny.

The second Dellina saw him, she suddenly forgot how to breathe. Had he always been so good-looking? How did the other women in the room keep from ripping off their clothes and begging him to take them—which was what she desperately wanted. Which, of course, she couldn’t. Nor, it seemed, could she look at him. Because when he smiled at her, she ducked her head and prayed she wouldn’t blush.

At first she didn’t understand what was wrong, but then she got it. She was shy. Apparently hot, fast, mind-clearing sex left her elated and a little unsure. What was he thinking? Did anyone know? She didn’t want that. She was on the job and her professional reputation was important to her. Sleeping with clients was not going to be good for business.

“We appreciate all you’ve done,” Taryn said, drawing Dellina back to the moment. “Me, especially. Because I refused to have anything to do with planning the party, and if you hadn’t stepped in, it would have been a disaster.”

Kenny glared at her. “Are you saying the three of us couldn’t have pulled it off?”

“Yes.”

He shrugged. “You’re right.”

Jack handed Dellina a blue bag. A familiar blue bag because she’d just handled twenty exactly like it.

“Thank you,” Taryn said. “From all of us.”

The guys nodded. She thought maybe Sam’s gaze was a little more intense than the others, but she couldn’t be sure.

She took the bag and looked inside. The blue Tiffany’s box was bigger than the ones she’d seen. So she wasn’t getting the same diamond stud earrings.

She untied the white ribbon, then lifted the cover of the box. Inside was a beautiful bangle. A center row of diamonds with a twisted rope of gold on either side. The piece was gorgeous, but not so huge that she couldn’t wear it every day.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmured. “Thank you.”

“Sam said you weren’t the diamond stud earring type,” Taryn said, helping her with the bracelet. “That this was something you could wear every day. Seriously, you’ve done a great job with the party. Thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome.”

Dellina looked at the bangle on her wrist and knew she’d never owned anything so nice before.

Taryn hugged her. Kenny and Jack did the same. Sam touched her last, briefly pulling her close, then releasing her.

“All right, I have to go unpack,” Taryn said.

“How many suitcases?” Jack asked. “Three?”

Taryn sniffed. “Just one. It’s only two nights.”

“You’re lying,” Kenny said conversationally. “You can’t go anywhere with just one suitcase.”

“Yes, I can. Angel is letting me use part of his.” With that, she turned and walked away.

Kenny and Jack followed, leaving Sam next to her.

“You okay?” he asked when they were relatively alone.

She made herself look into his dark eyes. “Yes. You?”

One corner of his mouth turned up. “Never better.” His mouth straightened. “About this morning,” he began. “It was unexpected.”

“I know.”

“And great.”

Now she smiled. “Better than great. But private.”

His expression relaxed. “Exactly.”

“Because it isn’t anyone else’s business and we have to work together this weekend.” Not to mention the fact that she had no idea if it had been a one-time thing or if they were going to see each other again.

“Hello, my love.”

Dellina saw Lark and Reggie approaching. “Parental alert behind you.”

“I knew my luck was too good to last,” Sam muttered before turning. “Mom. Dad. You made it.”

“Of course we made it,” Lark said as she pulled him close. “I’m very excited to meet your clients. Plus we get to spend more time with you.”

She stepped toward Dellina as Reggie hugged his son. But before Lark drew Dellina into what she knew would be an enthusiastic embrace, Lark hesitated. Her blue eyes widened and she smiled broadly.

“Reggie, look,” Lark said, her voice carrying through the foyer of the hotel. “Sam and Dellina had sex today. And from the glow on her face and the way she’s carrying herself, the orgasms were especially delicious.”

* * *

DELLINA CAREFULLY PULLED up the side zipper of the black taffeta dress she wore. It was by a designer whose name she couldn’t pronounce. One of Taryn’s castoffs from their clothing exchange a couple of months before and the only one Dellina had thought could be let out enough to actually fit her.

The bodice had lots of shirring and was fitted to the waist. The skirt flared out to just above the knee. A designer friend had worked her magic, inserting matching panels into the side seams, giving Dellina the extra few inches she’d needed. The V in front was low enough to be evening appropriate but not so low as to show anything. Tonight wasn’t about her. Despite being invited to the party, she was staff, not a guest. Staff who had slept with the boss.

Dellina pressed her hands to her cheeks. She’d redone her makeup, hoping to cover what seemed to be a permanent blush. While not everyone had heard what Lark had proclaimed, Taryn, Jack and Kenny had, along with the front desk clerks, a couple from Omaha and a few others she didn’t know. At least none of the Score guests had arrived yet.