Trust in Advertising (23 page)

“Sorry.” She was too embarrassed to look him in the eye.

“Stand on his feet. He doesn’t mind,” Madison offered when she saw Lexi blushing.

“You don’t have to do this, Vincent. I’m sure there’s someone here you need to talk to. Besides, Jade will have a stroke if she sees us.” Lexi tried to slip out of his grasp, but Vincent tightened his hold on her and smiled.

“Jade is off talking to someone, and after all the help you’ve given to me tonight, I have time for one dance with you … and any bruises I may get as a result.” His warm eyes swept over her face, his features softening. “I’m sorry about earlier, with Jade.”

Lexi shrugged her shoulders, but couldn’t break eye contact, mesmerized by him up close. “I can take care of myself when it comes to Jade.”

Her feisty attitude made Vincent smile. “You certainly can. It’s quite refreshing to see, actual y.” Vincent smiled apologetical y. “Stil , I should have said something to her. What she said to you was completely uncalled for. She didn’t mean any of it.”

Lexi threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, she most definitely meant every word of it, Vincent. I have no doubt of that.”

“She’s very insecure.”

“She’s very rude too.” Lexi sighed. “You’ve had to make quite a few excuses for her tonight. Don’t you ever get tired of it?” She searched his face, trying to get a read on what he could possibly see in Jade.

Vincent closed his eyes and nodded his head.

“Then why on Earth …” Lexi let her voice trail off. It was not her place to launch into this conversation with Vincent. Their relationship could be described 133

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as tentative friends at best, and they were currently in the middle of a huge fundraiser where Vincent still had plenty of work left to do. Definitely not the place to talk about crazy girlfriends.

The two of them danced awkwardly in silence, looking anywhere but at one another. Lexi heard him softly humming the tune that the band was playing, perfectly harmonizing with the instruments. He lightly tapped his fingers on her back to the beat of the music, tickling her and giving her chills.

Needing a distraction, Lexi decided to make small talk on a very safe topic: work. “Have you been able to talk to a lot of people?” Lexi noticed Julian and Christina dancing right behind them.

“Yes, actually. I danced with Mrs. Warner, and she said I’d be hearing from her husband early next week. So when that call comes in, we’ll work around their schedule to set up a meeting. I apologize, but you might have to do some rearranging of things.”

“No problem, boss.” Lexi gave him a mock salute.

“You’re too far away.” Vincent pulled her closer so that her cheek was nearly against his chest. “Much better. Now we don’t have to yell.” His chin brushed against the top of her head, and Lexi’s heart raced.

He listed off who he had and had not spoken to yet, but Lexi was completely distracted. Dancing with him had nearly given her a heart attack when they were a foot apart, but having her body pressed against his rock hard chest was almost more than she could stand. The earthy smell of his cologne was intoxicating. It took every ounce of her self-control to not wrap her arms around his neck and snuggle close like she had dreamed of doing so many times. His hands felt like blast furnaces on her body, setting on fire everything they touched. A wonderful tingling sensation flowed throughout her body as they danced. She thanked God that her feet were cooperating so that she actually looked like she knew what she was doing on the dance floor.

She pulled her thoughts together and focused on the reason they were there—to work. Christina caught her eye and nodded in her direction. Lexi stood on her tiptoes and put her lips to Vincent’s ear as they approached.

“Julian Stone, to your left. He has a soft spot for music, big Beatles fan. Use it.”

“Got it,” he whispered against her cheek just before he turned her toward the designer. A chill shot down Lexi’s back as his hot breath rolled down her neck.

“Lexi.” Christina and Julian came dancing up beside them, and Vincent stiffened.

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“Relax, Vincent,” she purred in his ear, then turned to greet the couple.

“Christina, Julian, are you having a nice evening?”

“Absolutely.” Julian grinned at Lexi before turning to her dance partner.

“Vincent, right? I’m Julian Stone.”

“Julian, nice to finally meet you. And I assume this beautiful woman is Christina? Lexi has told me so much about you. You look lovely this evening.”

Lexi gave him a subtle pat on the back to let him know he was doing well.

“Thank you, Vincent. The gala is spectacular. Thank you for inviting us. I think Hunter’s raised a fortune tonight.” Christina gushed about how delicious the food was and asked for the name of the party planner for future reference.

“Lexi can get you the names of everyone we used. I’ll have her E-mail them to you, if that’s all right.”

“That would be great. Thanks. After the new line hits the runway, we’re going to throw a big bash,” Julian said. Lexi suspected he was baiting Vincent to see if he’d jump into shop talk or keep it light.

Vincent played it cool. He didn’t launch into a million questions about the line or when it would be hitting the market, just like he hadn’t gotten desperate and offered to bring the phone numbers over to Julian personally. He waited.

Like a game of chess, the two men asked cautious questions, Julian trying to get Vincent to work information out of him, and Vincent being interested but not nosy. Lexi and Christina collectively sighed in relief when Vincent eased the conversation toward music and the two men became immersed in their discussion of the classics.

Finally, Julian laughed. “He’s good, Lexi. You’re right!” Julian held out his hand to Vincent. “Have Lexi call Christina next week, and we’ll do lunch. You know what, screw lunch. Do you play basketbal ? I think better when I’m playing.”

“Basketball it is. But don’t expect me to let you win because I’m interested in working with you,” Vincent said, earning another booming laugh from Julian.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, man. Great meeting you, Vince. Lexi, always a pleasure, my record goddess.”

“Bye, guys. Christina, I’ll talk to you soon.”

She and Vincent watched the couple make their way to the bar. Julian was soon surrounded by admirers. Lexi was so excited, she couldn’t help herself and hugged Vincent. “You did it! I can’t believe the way you worked him. You’re brilliant.”

The smile on Vincent’s face was electric. He held her tighter and buried his face in her hair as they danced. “We did it. Lexi, thank you. I couldn’t have 135

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done it without you.” He pulled back, but kept his face close. His lips were so inviting and just within reach. Lexi began nervously gnawing on her bottom lip to distract herself. Vincent continued to smile and stare at her.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“For what?”

“For everything, but most of all for not remembering you.”

Lexi’s breath hitched in her chest at his words. They had never talked about the fact that he didn’t remember her. There really wasn’t much to even say about it. It was a lifetime ago for both of them, so he didn’t ask and she didn’t offer, and that was how they had existed until now.

“How could I not notice you?” he whispered as he reached out and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek.

All the blood in her body surged to her face. “Your mom said you were an unobservant boob if that helps.” Lexi was trying to lighten the situation before her heart leapt out of her chest and he realized the effect his touch had on her.

He threw his head back and laughed, spinning them in a circle. “I guess I am. I’ll try and work on that, okay?”

Lexi could have spent the next few moments over-thinking things and reminding herself to keep her distance from Vincent. She could have acknowledged that she had absolutely nothing to offer this successful, sexy man with a supermodel girlfriend, other than her organizational skills and talent for slipping him greasy burgers on the down low. Instead, for once she simply went with it and enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms. Even if it meant nothing to him, for that dance, she pretended it did.

But eventually, as the music slowed and came to an end, she drifted back to reality. Lexi swallowed, trying to clear her head, but the rumble of his laughter and the heat from his body overwhelmed every sense. He was too much. He was … everything. She had to stop this train of thought before she was crushed all over again. What better way than to dredge up the past.

“It’s not your fault you don’t remember me. I was horribly shy.” Lexi’s chin dropped to her chest, allowing her hair to veil her face from his prying eyes.

“Got over the shyness, did you?” Vincent teased, lifting her chin so he could catch her eye. “Because anyone who stands up to Tony on her first day, stops him in his tracks, and threatens to fire him, then tells me when I’m being an ass … well, that doesn’t exactly sound like something a shy person would do.”

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“That shy girl is still in there, don’t you worry. I’ve simply gotten better at faking my bravado.”

“Well, I’ll never tell,” he said with a wink as he led her off the dance floor.

Leigh was there to greet them when they stepped back onto the carpet.

“Lexi, who knew you were such a good dancer?” Vincent excused himself and headed over to Elizabeth.

“I can’t dance to save my life. That was al Vincent.” Lexi sighed and watched the guests still on the dance floor swirl around them. After a few minutes, she scanned the room and found Vincent and Elizabeth in what appeared to be a very serious conversation. His face was darkened again, all traces of amusement and fun gone. He appeared to be completely focused on business once again.

When she followed their gaze, she found Paolo Marradesi conversing with Adria Parketti. Paolo’s wife looked like she wanted to strangle Adria as she flirtatiously ran her hand down the front of Paolo’s chest, giggling about something.

“Leigh, Vincent hasn’t talked to Paolo yet, has he?” Leigh shook her head no. “Well, don’t look now, but Adria Parketti is about to wrap her legs around his waist right in front of his wife. Good Lord, does the woman have no shame?”

Leigh laughed. “Adria? Have shame? You must be kidding.”

“I’ll be right back.” Lexi hurried over to Vincent and Elizabeth and asked,

“What’s the plan?”

“No plan. No stalking. It’s called being patient,” Vincent snipped, obviously stressed out.

“I hate to break it to you, but you’re running out of time. His wife keeps looking at her watch. She’s ready to go home.” Vincent raked his hand through his hair.

Elizabeth took a deep breath. “You have to get five minutes with him, Vincent, or we’re screwed.”

“Go ask his wife to dance,” Lexi said as she nudged him and nodded her head toward Francesca Marradesi, who was burning holes into the back of Adria’s head as she continued her shameless flirting.

Vincent looked at Lexi as if she’d sprouted a second head. “And that’s going to help how?”

Lexi tapped her purse, indicating the note cards she carried with her. “She used to be a prima ballerina, Vincent, you read her bio. She probably loves to dance, but have you noticed she and Paolo haven’t stepped on the dance floor all night?”

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“No.” Vincent crossed his arms like a petulant child. “I know you’re new to all this, Lexi, but you don’t just steal away the wife of a man of Paolo Marradesi’s stature. It simply isn’t done.”

Elizabeth mulled it over in her head for a minute before reacting. “She’s right. Go try and score a few points with Francesca. Be your charming self, and pray that in gratitude she introduces you to her husband.”

“That, or Paolo will get jealous and storm the dance floor to reclaim his wife,” Lexi added. “Either way, at least you’ll get to talk to him. But let’s hope it plays out more like Elizabeth said. And if you know any Italian, now would be a good time to use it.
Buona
fortuna
.”

Vincent rolled his eyes at the women, took a deep breath, and confidently strode over to Francesca Marradesi. He respectfully bowed his head to Paolo, and then whispered something in Francesca’s ear that put a huge smile on her face. She took his hand, and the pair glided onto the dance floor. Lexi noticed Adria Parketti tense when Vincent walked over, and now that he’d absconded with Francesca, she looked absolutely livid.

“I hope this works,” Elizabeth murmured. In the next moment, she began cursing under her breath.

“What’s wrong?” Lexi scanned the room to see what could be irritating Elizabeth so much. It didn’t take long for Lexi to find the source. On the edge of the parquet floor stood Jade with her hands firmly planted on her hips, glaring at Vincent and Francesca waltzing together.

“We have to stop her, or she’s going to go out there and make a scene.”

Elizabeth took a step toward Jade when she was stopped by a group of businessmen and their wives that wanted to thank her for a wonderful evening.

Elizabeth was trapped by their small talk while Jade inched closer to Vincent.

Lexi immediately ran over to Leigh and enlisted her help. “Emergency situation. We need to make Jade disappear.” Lexi pointed to Jade, who was now tapping her foot furiously.

“Finally! Sean knows a guy—he only has four fingers, but I hear he’s good at what he does.” When Leigh saw the desperation on Lexi’s face, she dropped the act. “What can I do?”

“We just need her to leave Vincent alone for ten minutes. What can we distract her with?”

An evil grin spread across Leigh’s face. “I know how to get her feathers riled up over something other than Vincent. Come with me.” She took Lexi by 138

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the hand and hurried over to Jade, explaining her plan on the way. “Jade hates Martina Korikova. A few years ago they got into it backstage at a runway show in Milan. Martina called her short, low class, and fat, so Jade went nuts. From what I read in the tabloids, Jade went down the runway sporting a swollen eye from where Martina popped her one.”