Melting the Ice (19 page)

“That must have been difficult for you.”

He shrugged. “All it did was piss me off and make me work harder so I could prove them wrong.”

Carolina touched his arm. “Which you did.”

“Yeah, I did. I hated all those assholes that didn’t believe in me. I was determined to show them just how good I could be. It took me two damn years, but the Travelers called me up, and I’ve been there ever since. And I’m good, Lina. I’m very good at my job.”

She loved seeing the fire in his eyes, the confident way he spoke about playing hockey. “You know, in college, I always thought of you as the hot jock all the girls chased. I never thought of you as having any substance. I never thought of you as someone who struggled.”

He shrugged. “We didn’t really know all that much about each other back then. I thought of you as the rich girl who had it easy.”

She laughed. “I struggled so much in college. I was chubby the first year, then after I slimmed down, I was socially awkward. I didn’t know how to deal with all the attention I was getting. And I was trying to focus on my studies, which were so important to me. That drove me. And then, of course, I had that monster-size crush on you. You were such a distraction.”

“Uh . . . sorry?”

“It’s not your fault. Totally mine. But typical for the age. And that’s in the past, anyway. The thing is, I understand what you’re saying. About then, and about now. There are some things I can control, and other things I can’t. I can’t control what the media says and thinks. I can only control what I do. How I create my line. That’s my performance. And I’m working my ass off to design it the best way I know how.”

He rubbed her back. “That’s all you can do, Lina. You can’t be anything other than what and who you are. You can’t apologize for being a Preston, for having money, or for your dad being the VP. All you can do is say, ‘Hey, I’m Carolina Preston, I’m a fucking brilliant designer, and here’s my stuff. Like it or kiss my ass.’”

She burst out laughing. “Well, I don’t know that I want to go that far in my advertising, but I like the sound of it.”

“Okay, so you can modify it some, but babe, there’s a lot of shit you can’t control. The media is one of them. Just do what you do best, which is make clothes. And try to tune out the rest of it.”

She looked at him, struck by how gorgeous he was. Beyond that, she was amazed at how perceptive and deep he was. And she’d always relegated him to the dumb jock category.

How very wrong she’d been. “You’re very smart. And you possess a lot of common sense.”

He leveled a wry smile at her. “I like to think of it as self-preservation.”

She laughed, then stood. “I guess we should stop hiding out in here before someone comes looking for us.”

“Too bad. I was just thinking we could make out on the sofa.”

“Terrible idea, especially if the person who comes looking for us is my mother.”

“Or your brother.”

“Yes.”

They made their way back to the party, where, thankfully, the media had gotten their photos and sound bites and had taken their leave. Which meant everyone was free to enjoy the rest of the evening. Drew led Carolina over to the buffet, where they enjoyed crab- and lobster-stuffed pastries, along with so many other delicacies that Carolina was so full she could barely suck in her stomach by the time Drew had filled two plates for her.

“This dress is going to burst,” she said.

“Bull. You’ve hardly nibbled.”

“You’re comparing me to yourself, and you burn off a lot more calories than I do.”

“Just do some of that yoga stuff that you women like to do and have another plate.”

She laughed. “Yoga stuff? Maybe I should go ice skating. Then I’ll end up with a sculpted body like yours.”

He leaned in closer. “If your body looked like my body, I wouldn’t want to have sex with you.”

She heated from the inside out. “You need to kill the sex talk in this crowded room. And stop standing so close to me.”

She took a step to the side and Drew grinned at her. She shook her head and went off to find Evelyn, who was at the other end of the buffet line.

“I can’t stop eating,” Evelyn said.

Evelyn looked gorgeous in a red dress that flared out at the waist into a wide skirt. She had pulled her hair up into a fashionably messy knot, and had diamond drop earrings on.

“Love this dress,” Carolina said.

“Thanks. I can’t wait to wear the Carolina Preston line. I’m excited to see what you’re going to put out there.”

“I’m equal parts excited and dreading the show.”

“Worried about the critics?”

“Of course.”

Evelyn put her arm around her. “Nothing you can do about them. They’re going to think whatever they think. I already know you have amazing talent. And I have a feeling that the critics are going to love you.”

“I hope so.”

“Gray and I will be up after Christmas so you can test-dummy him for whatever clothes you want him to wear.”

“Great. I’m sure he’s just so thrilled.”

Evelyn giggled. “Beyond belief. But he’s your brother and he loves you and he’s happy to help out. Have you fitted Drew?”

“For some of the clothes, yes. Not for the underwear, which of course won’t go down the runway, but I have an advertising campaign I want to run, and I can already imagine how I want to structure it.”

“You do? Care to share?”

Her mind was whirling, because the idea had just hit her. “Actually, not just yet. I have to finish formulating it in my head.”

“Your eyes are sparkling.” Evelyn inched closer. “Is it dirty?”

Carolina laughed. “Not exactly. But it’s definitely sexy.”

“Will Drew go for it?”

“I have no idea. I certainly hope so.” Now that the idea was in her head, she wanted to do the shoot right away. She wondered how soon after the holidays she could arrange it. She’d have to discuss it with Drew. And with his team. And Madison Square Garden. If it worked out like she was hoping, it could be profoundly sexy. And an incredible draw for her line.

Gray came over and slipped an arm around her shoulder. “You look like you’re lost in thought.”

“Oh, yeah. Thinking about work, actually.”

He gave her a playful squeeze. “It’s Christmas. Stop thinking about work for five freaking minutes, would you?”

“Do you stop thinking about work from February through November?”

He lifted his gaze to the ceiling. “Uh, not really.”

“Then shut up.”

“Shutting up. And filling my plate with more food.”

“Good. And Evelyn says you’re coming up for fittings?”

He grimaced. “Only if I have to.”

“You promised. And you have to.”

“You’re not going to make me wear anything stupid, are you?”

“You mean like a clown suit? No. Nothing stupid like that.”

He gave her a dubious look. “Carolina. What exactly are you putting me in?”

She squeezed his arm. “Clothes that will make you look fabulous, obviously.”

Evelyn slid her arm around Gray’s side. “What? You don’t trust your sister?”

“Not a bit.”

Carolina laughed and moved off, finding her father and mother talking to an Oklahoma senator she knew well. She stopped and chatted with them for a few minutes, then excused herself, wandering around to make sure the guests were all taken care of. If there was one thing her mother had taught her, it was how to be a good hostess. And since her mother was occupied, it was up to her to see to the guests.

She mingled for about an hour, chatting up the guests and making sure to thank them for coming tonight. She crossed paths with Gray and Evelyn a few times, who were doing the same thing—playing good hosts.

But she hadn’t seen Drew. She wondered if he was hiding out. Not that she’d blame him. Sometimes these parties could be excruciating, especially if you didn’t know everyone.

She finally spotted him in a corner with their neighbor, Gil Nelson, and Senator Ed Langton, the three of them engrossed in some deep conversation. She had no idea what they could possibly be discussing, so she surreptitiously made her way in that direction, hoping to eavesdrop.

“You’re out of your mind, Drew. St. Louis has the edge in the playoffs this year. Grant Cassidy, their quarterback, has the best stats in the NFL this year. He’s taking them all the way.”

Drew shook his head. “I think you’re full of it, Senator. It’s New York all the way this year.”

Senator Langton let out a loud snort. “I don’t know what’s in that drink, son, but you’re delusional.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to agree with the senator, Drew. Cassidy has the talent at quarterback, and with Cole Riley at wide receiver, the two of them are unbeatable.”

“I think you’re both going to be disappointed when your team crashes and burns.”

Sports. Of course. Carolina shook her head and started to wander off, but a few minutes later, a hand wrapped around her upper arm.

“Thought you’d escape, huh?”

She smiled at Drew. “Well, you were all tied up arguing about football.”

“We’re done. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”

“And I suppose you do.”

“You bet I do. New York will take it all this year.”

Since she had zero investment in football, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll take your word for it.”

“Not a fan?”

“I don’t watch a lot of football.”

“But you know the teams. I mean, come on. You’re a New Yorker. You have to be a die-hard fan.”

She laughed. “No, I don’t.”

“I’m not sure I can continue to talk to you if you’re not going to take a stand here.”

“What are your thoughts about cashmere versus silk?”

He frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Exactly.”

“Oh. I get it. You have about as much interest in football as I do in fabric.”

“See? I knew you were smart.”

“But you like hockey.”

“I do like hockey. I also like baseball.”

“But not football.”

She shrugged. “Never got into the sport much.”

He followed her as she wound her way through the rooms.

“And obviously, you like auto racing.”

“Obviously.”

“Do you ever go and watch Gray race?”

“Yes, when I can get away from work. I also go to watch baseball games. And of course, hockey games.”

“But again, not football?”

“No.”

“I’m taking you to a game.”

She paused to look up at him. “Totally not necessary.”

“I feel it’s my duty to educate you. You don’t know what you’re missing. I’ll get us play-off tickets. You can spare a few hours to go to the game. You can’t work twenty-four hours a day.”

“Can’t I?” He was right, of course, but she was enjoying bantering with him.

“You probably would. But you shouldn’t.”

“What shouldn’t my daughter be doing?”

Carolina cringed when her mother came up beside her.

“I’m trying to educate your daughter about the wonders of football, Mrs. Preston. It turns out she’s not a fan.”

Her mother looked at her. “You’re not? How did I not know this?”

“I don’t know, Mom. Surely this doesn’t surprise you.”

“I thought you liked all sports.”

“Correction. I like a lot of sports. I’ve just never gotten into football.”

“And I told her I could take her to see a New York play-off game. She’s trying to tell me she has to work.”

Mrs. Preston shook her head. “She’s always working. Too hard, unfortunately. Drag her away from work for a few hours and make her go breathe in some fresh air, Drew.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Oh, there’s Felicia. I haven’t had a minute to talk to her yet tonight. Please excuse me.”

After Carolina’s mother walked away, she turned to Drew. “You planned that.”

Drew gave her a look. “You think I secretly met with your mother and concocted a plan with her to take you to a football game?”

“Okay, maybe not. But it sure was convenient.”

“It was, wasn’t it?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to a football game. I don’t like football.”

“Because you’ve never been to a game. Trust me, once you’re there, you’ll love it.”

“I don’t like being told what to do.”

“Then I’ll call you up and ask you out. You’ll say yes, and we’ll go to a football game.”

“You’re infuriating.”

He grinned. “I know.”

He was also gorgeous, and she wanted to slide her hand along the very crisp lapels of his suit. Keeping her hands to herself tonight was proving to be difficult.

“Have I mentioned how very gorgeous you are tonight?”

She snapped her gaze to his. “Yes. And I appreciate it very much. And you should stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re hungry and I’m a midnight snack.”

He leveled a predatory smile at her. “Is it midnight yet?”

She looked at her watch. “After midnight.”

He leaned in closer. “I want to swipe my tongue across your neck, then take a bite.”

Fighting the shudder, she stayed put and whispered, “Stop that.”

“Stop what? Am I turning you on?”

“No.”

“You’re lying. You have goose bumps.”

She ran her hands over her arms. “It’s . . . cold in here.”

He laughed. “No, it’s not. In fact, I’d guess you were hot.”

Why was she even having this conversation with him? “I’m going to see to the guests.”

“Okay.”

She walked away, but he was right. It wasn’t cold in here. The staff made sure the temperature was comfortable. Not too hot, and definitely not too cool. It was Drew that gave her goose bumps, ones that still stood out on her skin because his words still lingered like a slow-moving picture playing in her head.

Her, reclining on the chaise in her room. Drew, coming up behind her to slide his tongue across her neck.

She rubbed her arms again as her nipples tingled.

Damn him. She was going to immerse herself in this party and forget all about him for the rest of the night.

No matter how difficult that was going to be.

SIXTEEN

IT WAS AFTER ONE IN THE MORNING BEFORE ALL THE guests had left. As was typical for her parents, they stayed up until the last guest was out the door.