DESIGN FOR LOVE (13 page)

As she got closer, her guess was confirmed. She was about to quickly retrace her steps when he caught a glimpse of her from the corner of his eye and turned to greet her.

“Hi, Francine!” he smiled, that 100 watt smile almost unbuckling her knee joints. He waved her forward to the empty seat next to him, much to the hardly disguised annoyance of the stewardess. “Come on over, sit down for a second. What would you like to drink?”

She found herself drawn to that disarming smile. “Well, just for a minute, then.”

“What would you like?”

“Perrier water will be fine.” she replied.

He looked at the stewardess with the unspoken command as she smiled back at him, recovering her composure. “Perrier water it is.”

Francine sat down tentatively and he shook her hand, that electric touch almost stopping her heart. He grinned again. “I didn’t see you get on board?”

She nodded towards the rear of the plane. “Not quite selling enough yet to warrant first class status.”

He fixed her with that serious, warm look as her breath seemed to be disappearing from her lungs. “Just a matter of time. Congratulations on the write up in the Times.”

“Thank you.”

“Yes, Chris Matlin can be tough, but you seemed to have charmed him.”

She smiled. “I wouldn’t exactly say I charmed him, but you’re right, I do need to thank him when we get to Monte Carlo.”

She suddenly realized that as they had been looking at each other, he was still holding her hand, almost absent-mindedly. She removed it quickly.

“And where are you staying in Monte Carlo?” he asked. “Don’t tell me it’s the Hotel Du Nord?”

“The very one!” she smiled accusingly. “Now, this has got to stop.”

He tried to look innocent. “What has got to stop?”

“Following me around!”

He touched her arm. “Well, you know how you need someone to look out for you from time to time.”

She smiled. “Yes, but my Ex won’t be along on this trip!”

“I’m not thinking of your Ex,” he replied. “You know what these Riviera gigolos are like, especially when a lovely lady is involved.”

Her heart almost skipped a beat. ‘Lovely lady’! That was the second time that even a hint of his sexual attraction towards her had crept into their conversation. Regaining her composure, she managed to keep her voice under control. “So, you’re my unpaid protector, are you?”

This time, the impact of that fabulous smile almost knocked her socks off. “Let me put it this way,” he began. “I’m getting used to being around you, Francine, and seeing the scrapes you can get into, I guess the occasional need to look out for your interests could indeed arise.”

She didn’t know where the words came from, but before she could stop them they were out as she fixed him with a much bolder look than she could really justify, taking into account her current heart rate. “Let me ask you something, Gerard?”

“Of course, fire away?”

“Are we flirting, or what?”

Those warm green eyes opposite darkened momentarily before brightening again. Was it surprise or guilt that caused it, but it happened so quickly that Francine didn’t even notice it. “I don’t know, Francine, are we?” he replied.

The words of her father instantly echoed in her mind. He had always told her. ‘If in doubt, always answer a question with a question.’ and here was Gerard doing that exact same thing to her. She could feel the color rising in her cheeks as she struggled to find a reply.

Of course she was enjoying flirting with the handsome man next to her, but what if he didn’t even see it that way. He already had a girlfriend. What to say, how to answer? After what seemed hours of deliberation, that in fact only took a couple of seconds, she answered coolly. “Well, let me put it this way, Gerard, figuring out you and your sense of humor is almost like flirting, at least it’s never dull!”

He smiled. “I agree. You know, Francine, you really are a unique person. Not a bit like the typical women I meet every day.”

‘Oh, great! Now he thinks I’m weird!
’
she mused. “Unique in what way?”

He thought for a moment. “Well, you seem to adapt well to people. Take me for instance. I’m sure you could have strangled me back in Dallas for my insensitive remarks, yet now we seem to be at least on friendly terms.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“And you know, I can’t remember meeting a more challenging woman!”

‘Great, now I’m challenging!
’
she held her voice under control. “Challenging?”

“Yes, each time we speak, although the conversation is always stimulating, I’m never sure what will come out next?”

She smiled. “Good!”

“And I’ve never met anyone with better exit lines than you!”

“You noticed?”

He held up his hands in surrender. “Big time!”

She suddenly felt a little sorry for her previous abruptness. “You’re right, I guess I have been a bit abrupt in the past.”

“Heck no! I probably deserved every word of it!” he then reached over and unexpectedly squeezed her arm. “Come to think of it, I guess we are flirting a little at that!”

She started to panic as she pulled her arm away, just as the Stewardess brought her drink. “Yes, well that’s more than I can handle right now,” she stammered. “I just stopped by to say hello, but if you see any dragons lurking around, feel free to draw your sword. Goodnight, Gerard!”

As she started to walk away, he added smilingly. “See what I mean, killer exit lines!”

She smiled over her shoulder. “You ain’t seen nothing yet!” before walking through the curtain and back to her seat, next to the snoring Vince.

Sitting back in her seat, she suddenly realized how fast her heart was beating. She had forgotten that flirting could be so exhilarating and she was under no misapprehension that what had just happened back there was without a doubt the early stages of big time flirting, at least as far as she was concerned.

She closed her eyes, amazed to find herself wondering what it would have been like if Gerard had suddenly grabbed her and kissed her. But then, as in her past reveries, the lovely face of Jeri suddenly loomed large and ominous, bringing her back to reality.

Should she even be considering flirting with a man who so openly flaunted his girlfriend in front of her and the rest of the World, everywhere he went, and even worse, a girlfriend that she couldn’t help liking!

One thing was for certain, when she reached Monte Carlo, she must not lose her focus on the job at hand, yet sitting up there in first class, was the biggest distraction she could ever imagine. Little did she know how big!

CHAPTER 25

Francine wasn’t sure what had gone wrong or how it had happened, but the Customs Officer was definitely not a happy camper.

“You must pay duty on the merchandise, Mademoiselle!” he insisted.

“But it’s only being imported for exhibit purposes. I’ll be taking it back out of the country in a few days.”

The man was a little, greasy-haired control freak. Why was it that customs authorities around the World always seemed to appoint such obnoxious officials? He shook his head in disagreement.

She looked at Vince for help, but he shrugged his shoulders, not absolutely sure what their rights were. Behind them a familiar voice interrupted.

“Perhaps I can be of assistance?”

Francine spun round to see Gerard standing there flashing that familiar smile. Here he was again, how did the man
do
it?

“I’m not sure. This guy says we have to pay duty on the fashions but we’re not bringing them into the country for good.

Gerard smiled. “Correct, Let me try.”

“Be my guest.”

He then spoke to the man from a few minutes in fluent French and after a lot of gesticulating the man produced a form that Francine signed before the man impatiently waved Francine and Vince on through.

On the inside of the terminal after clearing customs, Francine and Vince looked at each other and heaved a sigh of relief.

“Well, thank goodness that’s all over,” Francine sighed. “It’s a good job Gerard showed up.”

Vince was watching her closely, a smile on his face. “Yes, and my, does he have the hots for you, Princess!”

Francine turned on him, a look of feigned astonishment on her face. “Now don’t start that again, Vince.”

He smiled. “Start what?”

By the time they sorted out their bags and ordered a limo to get them and their precious cargo to the hotel, Gerard was nowhere to be seen. Francine sat back in the limo to enjoy the ride and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking as they took the coast road. Even in the fall, the Riviera was still a blaze of color with rich green vegetation and brilliantly colored flowers everywhere. The warm salt breeze of the Mediterranean drifted in through the open window like a soothing balm as both Francine and Vince smiled at each other, like two knights having finally found the Holy Grail.

Vince squeezed her arm. “We finally made it, Princess!”

“I know, and it scares me to death!”

He grinned. “Yeah, me too, now this is one nervous breakdown I’m
really
looking forward to!”

“Yeah, right!”

As the limo pulled into the lush forecourt of Hotel Du Nord, the sun was setting in a golden haze, silhouetting the lush palm trees in its aura.

The Bellman showed Francine and Vince to their rooms after Francine had checked that the accommodations for her models were confirmed. They both had a large room with a balcony overlooking the sea and when Francine finally tipped the Bellman, she settled into the luxury of the room. It was only then that she realized that the beautiful floral arrangement on the table by the window had a card attached.

Her first thoughts were that it was sweet of Roger to think of her. However, when she read the card, her mouth sagged open. It read. ‘Good luck with the show, kindest regards, Gerard!’

She had to admit, the man was full of surprises. His timing was impeccable, judging by the way he always seemed to turn up at the right moment. The fact that he was still looking out for her at this very moment felt good. It felt
very
good.

She picked up the phone and asked to be connected with Gerard’s room. The operator politely corrected her that it was a suite not a room. Why was she not surprised?

He answered the phone on the first ring. “Gerard Cinclare?”

“Hi, Gerard, this is Francine,” she began. “I wanted to thank you for your help at the airport and also for the flowers and the card. They’re lovely, but you didn’t have to do that.”

“Think nothing of it,” that warmth was back in his voice. “You see, I’m not such a bad guy, after all.”

‘You could say that again!
’
she was tempted to reply, but settled for. “I’m beginning to realize that. In fact, you’re doing such a good job, I’m tempted to find other dragons for you to slay.”

He laughed encouragingly. “Bring them on, but only one at a time please,” he paused a moment before adding. “By the way, do you and your companion have plans for tonight?”

Once again her heart rate was picking up speed like a Titan rocket. “I don’t think so, but I’ll need to check with Vince. Why?”

“There’s a welcome cocktail reception for the designers and potential customers, perhaps you can both make it later?”

Francine felt totally remiss at not knowing the plans for the show, so engrossed had she been in getting everything ready on time. She sounded apologetic. “Look, I know I’m supposed to know where and when for this get together, but to be honest I’ve been too busy to check.”

He laughed again and even on the phone there was something so relaxing about that incredible voice. “Perhaps you should put me on your payroll, that way I can make sure you make it to all the right functions.”

She smiled at his humor. ‘Are you kidding, I’d just settle for having you in my Customer Data Base!’ she mused before replying.

“So, are you going to tell me where this cocktail session takes place?”

“Of course, right here in the ballroom at 7.30. See you there, goodbye, Francine.”

“Goodbye, Gerard, Oh, and before you go, I have a question?”

“Fire away?”

“Are we flirting again?”

He laughed. “Of course, see you later.” he put the phone down and Francine caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. As she looked at her reflection, she heaved a sensuous sigh. ‘Oh boy!’

was all she said.

In the event, Vince needed no second asking to attend any event that involved free booze and hopefully some good looking European guys and so he and Francine agreed to go down around 7.45 later that evening.

CHAPTER 26

After carefully unpacking, Francine debated what to wear.

Once again, distractions were starting to filter into her mindset.

Was she dressing as one of the so-called designers, with the world fashion press paying close scrutiny to every stitch, or was she dressing in something that would catch the eye of a certain prospective customer?

After much deliberation and holding a variety of outfits in front of her before a full length mirror, she came up with a solution. Why not kill two birds with one stone? Consequently, she decided to have her hair shoulder length and to show a little style and cleavage at the same time.

She chose a full length black dress, hugging her hips and waist sexily with an interesting hint of cleavage. With her body, a hint was all it took to give the image of all that lay beneath, or at least that was what she was hoping that Gerard would notice.

If it was any consolation to her, the words from the first man to see her, albeit although it was only Vince, were more than encouraging.

When she opened the door when he called by at 7.45, he took one look at her and just one word involuntarily popped out of his mouth. “Jeez!” was all he said.

She looked alarmed. “Is something wrong?”

He smiled. “Are you kidding! I gotta get me a stick, girl!”

“A stick?”

“Yeah, somebody’s got to beat these Europeans off with it, big time!” he grinned. “But perhaps Mr. Wonderful will oblige.”

When he saw the look in her eye, he quickly held up his hands in surrender. “I know, I know!”