Secrets and Seduction Las Vegas (Sexy Italian Imports Book 1) (30 page)

She looked into her sister’s eyes, waiting.

“Oh, B.S. Who am I to give advice to anyone? Especially you. Your life is perfect.”

Valerie shrugged. She still didn’t know what Antonio’s demons were. Could they be serious enough to end their relationship? She took Monica’s arm. “Let’s get back to the party.”

They joined their family as the five-minute warning sounded for the end of the silent auction, and they were asked to take their seats for dinner. The family table sat near the front of the room, just off the dance floor. A large band on the stage played softly.

As Antonio held her chair, Valerie touched his hand. “I’m looking forward to dancing with you.”

He looked at her seriously. “I don’t dance.”

Her eyes opened wide. “Truly?”

“Afraid so. I can’t dance.” He took a sip of water, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation.

“Even slow dancing?”

“If I’m forced.” He smiled to soften the edge of his words.

She loved to dance. Having to put him in a headlock and drag him onto the dance floor any time she wanted to waltz did not sound like fun.

The gala drew nearly a thousand people, and dinner dragged on forever, a four-course affair with a different wine served at each course. She imbibed a little, but she needed to keep a clear head. A number of her patients were here, and she had her all-important reputation to protect.

When the tables had been cleared of everything but dessert and aperitifs, the program began. The board chair made a speech, thanking all the sponsors and donors, volunteers and staff. Then he called the mayor to the stage to present an award.

The mayor reiterated the thanks to all those involved in the gala as well as the day-to-day running of the shelter. “Now it is my privilege,” he said dramatically, “to announce a newly created award. The board of directors has initiated an annual award, precipitated by the outstanding, selfless work of this year’s recipient. It is Humanitarian of the Year, and along with a plaque there is a gift, donated by one of our sponsors. A two-week Hawaiian vacation.”

There were ooohs and aaahs around the room, and Valerie looked at Antonio and narrowed her eyes. She’d love two weeks alone with him on an island—where he couldn’t get away from her on weekends.

He frowned at her, as if waiting for her to explain her look.

“This year’s recipient…” The mayor spoke into the microphone. “Well, I’ve been told she does not know she has won the award. But if you could choose one person in this room to be recognized for her extraordinary efforts to benefit the shelter over the last year, this would be the woman.”

Everyone glanced around the room, and Valerie noticed a lot of people smiling at her. “Nooooo,” she whispered to herself, but her heart began beating a little faster. It couldn’t be her. She looked around the other side of the room and found the same thing. A couple of people winked at her; one woman blew her a kiss.
Oh my God
.

Chapter Twenty Five

Antonio took Valerie’s hand under the table. “You?”

She was shaking, and his warm, steady hand comforted her. She shrugged. His expression seemed as amazed as her own must look.

The mayor rattled a piece of paper. “Let’s start with the little accomplishments. She brought in the most donations for the silent auction tonight. First, from her incomparable sister, Dr. Monica Kane…”

“Me?” Valerie whispered. Her hand flew to her mouth. She looked at Antonio, who smiled and squeezed her hand under the table. Then, looking at her family, she saw their smiles.

Scott’s eyes were moist. “Our Valerie. We’re so proud of you.”

The mayor laughed. “Okay, the jig is up—we all know who it is, but please let me continue with my well-rehearsed speech.” The audience laughed, relieving some of Valerie’s jitters. “Her sister, Monica Kane, one of the top cosmetic surgeons in Las Vegas, donated one free tattoo removal.” Everyone clapped and laughed, and one man woo-hoo’d. The mayor smiled. “That must be the winner of the tattoo removal.” More laughter.

“From her brother, Ryan Kane, she procured a week-long houseboat rental on Lake Mead.” More applause. “From her parents, Dena and Scott Kane, one complete kitchen or bathroom makeover through their construction company.” Applause. “From the amazing Wolfgang Puck—a four-hour cooking lesson.” He glanced around the room. “Wolfgang, buddy, are you here?”

“Ya, I’m here.” Wolfgang’s distinctive German accent filled the room. “Present and accounted for, your Mayorship.” The audience laughed and applauded.

“And last but not least, from her…um, boyfriend—is that right, Antonio?”

Antonio smiled and nodded, and it was Valerie’s turn to squeeze
his
hand under the table. He brought her hand up and kissed it, looking at her with adoration.

“From her boyfriend, Antonio Daniato, a.k.a. Grey Thornton…” The room filled with surprised ooohs and aaahs, and people shifted to get a look at him. “A full set of all his hardcover books, first edition, autographed.” Much applause. “Thank you, Antonio.” Applause and hoots filled the room.

The mayor held up a hand to silence the room. “Now, the serious stuff. More important than her fundraising efforts, Valerie set up a counseling program—a top-notch group of psychologists, one of whom is at the shelter every day of the week. She set up an on-call program where psychologists are available 24/7 to the staff and residents of the shelter. And she herself donates one day every week to spend at the shelter.”

The mayor wiped his brow. “Valerie, you’ve been busy. It makes me tired just thinking about it.” The audience laughed. “She’s also implemented a dozen other programs, helped developed intake criteria, and she sits on the city’s Task Force for the Homeless as an expert, and…” He pointed at Antonio. “Not because of her experience—okay, Daniato?”

Antonio shrugged. Valerie laughed at his discomfort. He looked at her and smiled guiltily.

“We all know who this year’s Humanitarian of the Year is. Come on up here, Valerie, darling.”

The audience stood, applauding her. Her mother and sister had tears on their cheeks, her dad’s eyes were moist, and Ryan let out a loud woot.

Antonio offered her his arm and escorted her across the dance floor to the steps leading up to the stage. “Congratulations, baby.”

She was speechless. She walked up the stairs, shook the mayor’s hand, and smiled at the clapping, cheering crowd.

The mayor brought the group under control. “On behalf of the board of directors, the employees and sponsors of the shelter, Valerie Kane, I give you this symbol of our gratitude.” The board chair stepped forward holding an acrylic plaque that held her photo and signatures of the board members and other officials as well as the title and date of her award.

“And as mayor of this great city, I thank you personally.” He grabbed her in a bear hug and kissed her on the cheek.

“Thank you.” Valerie swallowed hard as the chairman handed the plaque to her.

Someone in the audience yelled, “Speech!” Then more voices echoed.

She walked to the microphone. “I had no idea…” Her voice caught in her throat, and she tamped down the urge to cry. “This is a surprise. I don’t feel I did as much as our esteemed mayor has extolled as my list of virtues. It was a group effort. Every one of the staff and volunteers, as well as the board members, made each of the ideas I proposed a reality and implemented them tirelessly. I enjoy and appreciate working with each and every one of you.”

She took a breath. “This is difficult,” she said, looking at the mayor. “How do you do this every day?”

“Valerie for Mayor!” Ryan yelled, and the crowd roared with laughter.

The mayor pointed a mock-warning finger at Ryan.

She smiled at her brother. “I want to especially thank everyone at this table.” She gestured to her family and Antonio. “You have all given me the inspiration and the courage to do more than I thought I ever could. I love you all.” She looked at Antonio, and their eyes met for only a second, but she felt a communion.

To the audience, she added, “If one person can do this much in a year, imagine how much we can all do together over the next year. Thank you. I truly am delighted to receive this award.” She looked at her plaque. “Thank you all.”

The applause was deafening, shouts and hoots as everyone got into the spirit of the evening. She smiled and turned to leave the stage, but the mayor kept her next to him.

“Settle down,” he shouted over the noise. When the room quieted, he announced, “Valerie once told me, and I don’t remember the occasion, but she said her favorite song is “Call My Name” by Prince. Our band…” He gestured behind him. “…has been practicing all week. This is for you, Valerie, dear. Enjoy.” He turned to the band, “Fellas!”

She heard the first words of the song, “Call, call my name,” as she walked across the stage to more applause. Antonio stood at the foot of the stairs and guided her down. He took the plaque and offered her his arm. People were still standing and applauding, and she couldn’t remember ever feeling this high. He set the plaque down on their table. “May I have this dance?”

She was so pleased he’d asked her, she just nodded. He led her back onto the empty dance floor and pulled her into his arms. Someone turned the lights down low and started the disco ball spinning. It was surreal. Held in his arms, the music, the romantic lights. He was a very, very good dancer.

As the words of the music washed over them, their eyes met and locked. Something magical was happening. His eyes were shining and she couldn’t look away. She moved her hands from his arms to his chest. He pulled her closer. They swayed to the music.

Moving his hand from her waist up her back, he touched her just above her gown. Softly stroking, lingering on her skin, his caress made her warm, made her want to melt into him.

He furrowed his brow as he whispered the words of the song to her, “I love it when you call my name.”

She moved her hands to his shoulders, slid them up, and touched her fingers together at the nape of his neck. His hair lay silky on her hands, his skin warm under her fingertips.

He shook as if his body had taken a chill.

When the shaking stopped, he inhaled slowly. “Valerie. I love you.”

Her eyes closed. This was heaven. She opened them to look at his beautiful, perfect face, his dark, emotion-filled eyes.

“I love you, Antonio.” His eyes danced. The smile on his face was so touching, it made her eyes tear up. She never imagined he would tell her so soon. She hadn’t known he felt the same way she did. The song ended, and he bent his head and stole a kiss. She wanted to leave immediately, but there were a thousand people to receive congratulations from.

He escorted her back to their table and handed her over to the embraces and tears of her family. As she predicted, it took two hours for her to receive all the kind words and hugs from the attendees. Antonio stayed by her side the whole time, chatting with people, refilling her water glass, touching her softly on the back, or holding her elbow.

It killed her not to be able to have the privacy to dissolve into his arms. When she’d greeted everyone possible, she looked at Antonio, really looked at him for the first time since they left the dance floor. Their eyes spoke the same language: “Let’s get out of here.”

“I’ll call for the limo.” He dialed his cell phone.

“I’ll say goodbye to the family.”

****

Antonio set her plaque on the seat across from them. He’d never known pride as fierce and all-consuming as he’d felt when Valerie had received the award.

The driver craned his neck back toward them. “Congratulations on the award, Dr. Kane. Quite an honor.”

“Thank you. Word travels fast in this town.”

“Where to, sir? Ma’am?” the driver asked.

Antonio looked at Valerie. “Would you like to go anywhere? A club? Or just for a drive?”

She looked at him, and what he saw in her gorgeous blue eyes made him weak.

“No.” She whispered. “Let’s go home.”

His choice exactly. “My place?”

“Yes.”

He told the driver, “Turnberry,” and rolled up the privacy window. He put his arm around her, and she snuggled close. “I want you in my bed.” He felt her shiver.

She rested her head on his shoulder. “What a fantastic night.”

“Baby, the night isn’t close to being over.” When he got her alone, he would peel off her dress, unpin her hair. “We’ll be at the condo in a few minutes, or I’d get started right now.” He traced her full lower lip with his thumb.

“I can wait, but he’d better be taking a shortcut.”

Antonio laughed softly. “Patience, sweet. It’s been a hectic evening.”

She closed her eyes. “It’s like a dream.”

He looked at her plaque. “You’re an amazing woman.”

“Thank you. It was unexpected.”

“Your speech was great. Inspirational.”

“I barely remember.”

“I think you’re on the ballot for mayor.”

She laughed. “Ryan is such a hoot.”

“He is. But you should think about running for public office. You’d make a great politician.”

She looked up at him. “Maybe someday. I’m enjoying my life too much right now to make any major changes.”

Antonio looked into her eyes and saw her happiness—a glow that told him she truly loved him. “Is your life perfect?”

She shook her head, “No one’s ever is, but mine’s close. Very close.” She smiled at him. “Is yours?”

He skimmed his knuckles down her cheek. “Damn near perfect.” For the first time in his life, he was in love, and he didn’t want to screw this up. He needed to tell her about his dancing. Tonight. His stomach clenched. How would it go down? Should he do it before they made love? No, he needed the reassurance that she wanted him. He shook his head. Making excuses. Looking out the window, he tried to compose the right sentences.

They pulled up to his condo tower. Stepping out of the limo, he offered her his arm, and they rode the elevator up to his penthouse. They walked into his living room and Valerie sighed. “I lose my breath every time I see the view out your windows. It’s really incredible.”