Fauxmance (Showmance #2)(45)
“The X-rated version perhaps?”
She shook her head at me as the butler took our coats and handed us each a lacy, Venetian style mask. I put mine on then helped Ellen with hers before we were led into a large dining room. There must’ve already been twenty people there. They all wore half masks, too, but even so, I recognised some famous personalities. Ellen seemed a little awestruck as she took it all in.
“I always tried to tell myself that behind the glitz and glamour, celebrities probably live boring, jaded lives, but I’m starting to think that isn’t true,” she whispered.
“Depends on the celebrity.”
“Have you ever slept with a famous person?” she went on, still whispering.
I glanced down at her, my expression wry. “One or two.”
“Really? Who?”
I suspected she was trying to distract herself from her nerves, so I indulged her this once. “Have you heard of Alicia Davidson?”
She stared at me, mouth agape. “Are you freaking serious? She’s like, one of the most beautiful women in the world.”
“Yes well, everybody poops.”
She scrunched up her face at my response and I chuckled. “You’ll no longer be in awe of beauty if you imagine the person taking a dump. It’s a scientific fact.”
“I don’t want to imagine any of these people doing a number two, thank you very much,” Ellen replied before Krystyna approached.
“Elodie, Julian, so lovely to see you both,” she said, her smile somewhat predatory. I understood why when she walked up to Ellen, placed a hand on each of her shoulders, then kissed her right on the mouth—with tongue. Ellen blinked in shock and I couldn’t help my grin.
It was certainly one way to initiate her into the party.
I knew I’d promised her I wouldn’t let any men make untoward advances, but I hadn’t anticipated it would be a lady I had to look out for.
Krystyna turned to me and gave me the exact same kiss on the mouth. I wasn’t quite as shell-shocked as Ellen, as I’d been expecting it. I imagined that’s what thrilled Krystyna, the fact she could shock people with her sexuality. I’d gone through a similar phase during my twenties.
“You two are our guests of honour tonight. Come and let me introduce you to everyone.”
“Sure,” Ellen finally spoke, but she still seemed a little out of it. Was that the first time she’d kissed a woman? The colour in her cheeks, and the way her chest rose and fell, sent a swell of desire directly to my groin.
This party was certainly going to be interesting. Though I had a feeling my attention would be all for my lovely date and not for any of the other attendees. And at a swingers party no less. How very ironic.
First Krystyna introduced us to a well-known TV actress who’d recently won a Bafta, and her husband, who was a strikingly handsome executive. He took Ellen’s hand and kissed it, and I noticed her swallow nervously, her nostrils flare. Again, I enjoyed her reaction, though a part of me wished to be the one eliciting it.
“Elodie, I hope I’ll see more of you later,” he murmured into the kiss.
Normally, I was all about the free love, but tonight my possessive streak was coming out. It was coming out more and more around Ellen.
We were introduced to several more couples before my eyes landed on a familiar face. I just couldn’t seem to shake Warren Gold these days. He approached us, a different lady on his arm tonight. Thankfully, she wasn’t an ex-client, but a famous singer. She looked young. Too young for him. I knew for a fact Warren was pushing forty, even though he’d been telling everyone he was thirty-five for years.
“Julian, we have to stop meeting like this,” he said, all white teeth and bronze tan.
“I can see you’ve been enjoying the Majorca sun,” I replied.
“I just got back a few days ago. I miss it already, though London does have its charms,” he said, casting his gaze on Ellen. He took her hand, kissing it just like her previous admirer. “I’m so pleased to see you again, beautiful Elodie, and in such an opportune setting.”
I wanted to punch him. The only saving grace was that the singer on his arm was eyeing me appreciatively. Warren noticed, too. I could tell by the slight twitch of his jaw that it bothered him. Still, I slid my arm around Ellen’s waist and pulled her to me, just to make my point clear. Warren would not be putting his hands on her tonight. Or ever.
She gasped quietly at how tight I held her. I turned my attention to Warren’s date.
“I’m Julian.”
I held out my hand and she took it, giggling when she replied, “Rebecca.”
We shook hands, but before I could say anything more, there was the clink of silverware on glass. Branson Sutton stood at the head of the long dining table. He wore a dark shirt, the first few buttons undone.
“I’d like to welcome you all to our humble home tonight. The chef will be serving a menu of grilled figs, veal, and for dessert, well, I’m sure we would all prefer to indulge in other pleasures.”
There was some low laughter before he continued, “I see some old faces and some new. I hope tonight lives up to every one of your expectations, for there is no higher pleasure in life than to seek the ultimate divinity of our flesh.”
I leaned in to whisper in Ellen’s ear. “Somebody thinks they’re in Eyes Wide Shut.”