What a Rich Woman Wants (10 page)

Their gazes moved from Lesley to Niko and back. Sissy leaned toward Lesley and said none too subtly, “We'll talk. Nice to meet you. Niko, was it?” They moved back into the crush. Lesley had arranged their arrival approximately halfway into the cocktail hour. Apparently most of the other guests had the same idea, for the crowd had grown substantially in the past few minutes.

The bartender placed napkins in front of them. “Pinot grigio for the lady,” Niko said. “I don't suppose you have Corona?”

“No, sir. Michelob, Michelob Light, Bud Light and Amstel Light.”

“Amstel Light.”

He handed Lesley her glass and gave two drink tickets to the bartender. He dropped a five-dollar bill into the oversize glass goblet at the end of the bar. “Thank you, sir,” said the bartender.

Niko nodded and picked up his bottle of beer. He didn't intend to drink much, but he'd found tipping waitstaff beneficial, especially when he needed information.

He kept close to Lesley as she moved through the crowd. She stopped or was stopped often by other guests. She introduced him each time, offering tidbits of information about her acquaintances. He shook hands with the men and politely greeted the women. He couldn't miss the speculative glances sent toward him and Lesley.

After half an hour, chimes sounded and the ballroom doors were thrown open. The servers politely indicated to the guests that the cocktail reception was over and they were to find their tables.

Not surprisingly, their table for ten was at the front, close to the stage and the dance floor. Lesley set her nearly empty glass down at one of the settings and placed her evening bag on the chair. Niko set the beer he'd been nursing at the setting next to hers.

Another couple had chosen seats across from them, so Niko followed Leslie while introductions were made. Soon the other seats were filled. More introductions were made until finally, mercifully, everyone was seated.

An older gentlemen stepped up to the podium on the stage and made some opening remarks, welcoming everyone to the event. An invocation followed. A small band with a female vocalist began to play soft rock classics. Servers streamed out with the salad course. Diners were offered a choice of red or white wine and requests were taken for a fish or meat entrée.

Niko declined the wine, chose the fish, and watched Lesley in action. She was charming and graceful. She put everyone at the table at ease, asking those closest to her leading questions and keeping the conversation flowing by appearing genuinely interested in their answers.

The woman next to him had engaged her husband and the couple on the other side in conversation, so Niko relaxed. He didn't have to contribute anything, just smile politely. He didn't think he'd ever smiled so much in one hour as he had tonight.

Once everyone had been served and wine had been poured, the salads were addressed. Niko was glad he'd reviewed place settings earlier and that he knew which fork to use. He quietly ate the unimpressive salad and listened in on two different conversations.

When he'd finished, he set the fork on his plate and pushed it slightly away. Lesley leaned close. “Everything all right?”

“Great. Wonderful. Fantastic.”

She frowned slightly. “What's the matter?” she whispered.

He leaned toward her and did something he'd been wanting to do. He tucked a wavy strand of hair behind her ear, letting the silk of it slide through his fingers. He put his mouth to her ear and whispered, “I'm bored.”

She burst out laughing and he sat back, grinning at her reaction. Her laughter caught the attention of everyone else at the table.

“You have to let the rest of us in on the joke now,” insisted Doug Snyderman, who was seated across from her.

The others chimed in in agreement.

“Should I tell them?” Lesley asked, sliding a glance in Niko's direction.

“Up to you.”

“Niko told me he's bored.”

The woman next to him, whose name was Charlene, chuckled. “Oh, darling, you're not the only one.”

“Hear, hear,” Doug added, as the others murmured their agreement.

“In fact, Niko's been thinking about planning his own event,” Lesley continued. “Much more fun, he assures me.”

Niko sent an amused look her way.

“Really, Niko?” Charlene said. “Tell us. We've been doing the same old thing for years, it seems. Everyone pretends they've planned something new and different, added an unusual twist to their event, but I swear it's all been done before.”

“We need some fresh blood. Some new ideas.” This came from Doug's wife, Marsha. “Tell us what you've got in mind, Niko.”

Niko glanced at Lesley again. Was she serious? Were they? She nodded like she knew what he was going to say. Like they'd discussed it already, which they hadn't. In fact, Niko was going to be making it up as he went along, but he decided to follow through on a glimmer of an idea he'd had after Lesley's speech in the car.

“A salsa competition,” he said.

“Salsa?” Doug boomed. “With tortilla chips?”

Niko chuckled. “No, but that's not a bad idea. Salsa. Dancing.”

“A dance competition?” said Charlene's husband, Mitchell. “That'll be a tough sell. To the men anyway.”

“Not if we have some young, cute, female instructors to teach them the steps.”

Mitchell leaned forward. “Okay. I'm listening.” Everyone chuckled at his earnestness.

“Of course, we'd also have to find some young, good-looking male instructors for the ladies,” Niko said

“Now you're talking,” Charlene and Marsha put in simultaneously. More laughter followed.

“Instead of
Dancing with the Stars
, maybe we can do it outdoors. Dancing Under the Stars.” Niko began to seriously warm to the idea, which took shape the more he spoke. “I say we ditch the black ties.”

“Hear, hear,” Doug and Mitch said.

“Everyone wears something loose and comfortable. Clothes they can dance in. In fact, we could add on a dance costume competition. Give out trophies for all kinds of stuff. Best dressed couple. Most unusual outfit. Back to your idea, Doug, we serve chips and salsa. Margaritas. Tequila. Corona and Dos Equis. Sangria.”

“We'll call it the Salsa Ball,” Lesley put in. “No, wait. The Salsa Bowl!” She patted Niko's wrist in her excitement, which made everyone laugh.

The servers cleared the salad plates and began serving the entrees.

“You could throw in an auction. A trip to Spain. A stay at one of those resorts in Cancun or Porta Vallarta. A cruise with stops in Mexico,” Charlene suggested.

“Cooking lessons, dance lessons, Spanish lessons, for that matter,” Kate Keller added. “I'd love to know what my cleaning lady is saying.”

“I'd like to be able to communicate with the landscapers,” her husband Bob said.

“I love the whole idea,” Candace Mueller broke in. “It does sound different and fun. But what would you be raising money for, Niko?”

Lesley had set him up and had done it perfectly. She'd given him the ideal opening. Everyone at the table was already on his side. They were interested in what he had to say. Now it was up to him to keep the ball rolling.

Over the entrees, he outlined the Challenge Project and why it was so important. The men at the table asked most of the questions, but the women had a few as well. By the time the plates were cleared, Doug had suggested Niko put together a presentation for his men's club, and Mitch wanted information on becoming a corporate sponsor. “Great PR for a firm like ours,” he told Niko.

When dessert and coffee arrived, table-hopping began, along with restroom and smoke breaks or another trip to the bars.

“Don't we have to go socialize?” Niko asked Lesley after he'd noticed the mass exodus from their table. “Make some more contacts?”

“They'll come to us,” Lesley informed him.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because Sissy Spano and Myra Daniels will have told everyone I'm here with you.”

“Of course. Now they're all dying to meet me.”

“Exactly. Uh-oh. Brace yourself.”

Before Niko could blink, a woman swathed in a shimmering gold gown wrapped her arms around Lesley and pressed her cheek against hers. “Darling! Are you having a wonderful time? You didn't tell me you'd found an escort. You must introduce me.” She winked at Niko as she straightened.

Niko stood and helped Lesley with her chair. “Mother, meet Niko Morales. Niko, my mother, Mitzi.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Robinson.”

“Oh, please. Mrs. Robinson makes me sound ancient, which I assure you I am not. Or a seducer of young men, which I assure you I am. It's Mitzi. Especially for you.”

Niko smiled. He was beginning to understand Lesley's various smiles. The cool, reserved one she used for business settings. The polite, slightly warmer one she brought out for social occasions such as this. The genuine one that gave him glimpses of what he thought of as the real Lesley who lived somewhere beneath her carefully constructed facade.

Mitzi Robinson wasn't drunk, but she was tipsy. Niko caught the speculative, calculating gleam in her eye as she assessed him. “Wherever did my daughter find you? Niko, is it?”

“Actually, I found her. And may I say I'm quite happy I did.”

Mitzi's gaze shifted to Lesley, who offered her nothing but a cool smile. Before she could say more, another couple edged closer, angling for an introduction. After that there was an endless parade of people who wanted to meet Lesley Robinson's mystery date. Niko knew he'd never remember most of them or be able to put a name with each face, but he also knew Lesley had his back. That was enough to let him relax into a situation he'd otherwise have found uncomfortable in the extreme.

When finally it seemed he'd met everyone in the room and the crowd began to thin, it was time to leave. While he waited for Lesley to visit the ladies' room, it occurred to him that he'd actually enjoyed himself when he hadn't expected to. He'd been thinking these social gatherings would be unpleasant necessities he'd have to weather to achieve his goals. If he were on his own, that would probably have been true. But having Lesley at his side, championing his cause, watching his back, made all the difference. He owed her. Usually he didn't like owing anyone. But with her it didn't bother him at all.

“You're deep in thought.” She appeared in front of him almost as if he'd conjured her with his thoughts.

“I was thinking about you.”

She smiled in delight. “Really?”

“Thank you.” He bent and kissed her cheek. He didn't think about it; he just did it. Even that tiny, impersonal touch got to him. He already knew how silky her hair was. So was her skin. The scent of her perfume had faded, but the barest whiff almost sent him reeling.

“For what?” She appeared puzzled.

“For everything,” he said simply. “Ready to go?”

There was a queue in the valet line. Every valet hustled to retrieve cars and collect tips. The departing guests were subdued, chatting quietly in small groups or waiting silently with a spouse.

“Good evening, Lesley. You're looking well.” A man pressed a lingering kiss near Lesley's temple. Her hand was nestled in the crook of Niko's arm and she tightened her fingers around his elbow. Even if she hadn't, he'd have sensed her tension.

“Steven,” she said coolly, then made a pointed attempt to ignore him.

The man was having none of it. He stared at Niko. “Where are your manners, Lesley? Aren't you going to introduce me to your, ah, date?”

Lesley sent him a look that was close to a glare. “Niko Morales, Steven Lambert.”

Even Niko was aware of the interested looks directed their way from the others waiting for their vehicles to appear. He did not offer his hand but merely inclined his head in Steven Lambert's direction.

“Morales, eh? Seems to me we've met somewhere before.”

“I doubt it,” Niko and Lesley said at the same time. They grinned at each other.

The line moved forward but Steven stayed with them. “What line of work are you in, Morales? Landscaping? Produce? Ditch digging?”

“Steven!” Lesley hissed.

Niko didn't know what the guy's problem was, but he knew better than to be goaded into a physical confrontation. “I'm a cop,” he informed Steven with a smile.

“Ah. For a moment there I was afraid you'd stooped to sleeping with the hired help.” This he directed at Lesley.

“No, Steven, I believe that's your specialty,” she hissed back.

As if by divine intervention, her Lexus appeared on the drive in front of them. The valet handed the keys to Niko and opened Lesley's door. Neither of them said goodbye to Steven.

“What a prick,” Niko commented as he accelerated down the hotel's sloping driveway.

“You have no idea,” Lesley agreed.

“You know him well?”

Lesley turned to look out of the window. “He's my ex-husband.”

“
That
guy? I think I pulled him over for some minor traffic violation a while ago.”

She faced forward. “I hope you don't think less of me.”

“Why? Because you married a jerk and then had sense enough to get rid of him? Of course not. My past relationships aren't exactly something I'm proud of.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Not judging me.”

“It's not my place.”

“Too bad the rest of Willow Bay doesn't think like you do.”

“You're the one who has to live with your choices. As long as you're okay with them, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Or says.”

Lesley leaned her head back against the seat and smiled at him. “How'd you get so smart?”

Niko flashed her a grin. “I read a lot.”

Chapter Ten

Niko's phone rang just as he started the dryer. A day off meant laundry, cleaning house and a trip to the supermarket.

He didn't recognize the number but answered anyway. “Morales.”

“Niko?”

“Yes.”

“It's Kate Keller calling. We met at the Emerald Ball.”

“Yes, of course. How are you?”

“I'm well. The reason I'm calling is Marsha Snyderman and I were talking after the ball and we've decided we'd like to organize the Salsa Bowl.”

“That's great. Plus you have what? A year to plan it?”

“We'd like to do it this year, actually. With your approval, of course.”

Niko sank onto one of the stools in the kitchen. “I'm…sure, but I thought all the venues were booked. I thought you had to plan events way ahead of time.”

“Usually, that's true. It's true most of the regular venues are booked this season, but we thought we'd try something different because the Salsa Bowl's going to be an entirely different kind of gathering.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Niko, we've got a
ton
of ideas we're dying to discuss with you. Would you be free by any chance to join us for dinner this evening at the Royal Cove Club? Bob and Doug will be there too, of course. You won't believe this, but they're dying to get involved as well.”

“Wow, Kate. That sounds great.”

“We'll see you then? Around seven in the lounge? Oh, jacket and tie required.”

“Of course. I'll see you then.”

Niko hung up and looked around at his humble abode. He could hardly believe what had happened since he'd met Lesley. The challenges he'd expected to get the community center up and running were falling by the wayside. The hardest, finding funding, had just gotten that much easier. Now he'd have the kind of support from the kind of people in Willow Bay that he needed. He owed Lesley. He owed her big time.

Lesley entered the Royal Cove Club, scanning for her mother, who would be with close family friends Becky and Walter Collins. Thursday evenings were traditionally spent having drinks and dinner at the club with friends. Mitzi never missed an opportunity to socialize, and now Lesley could hardly blame her. A pall had fallen over the Robinson estate ever since Richard returned from the rehab center with his nursing staff and strict schedules. And more recently a complication had kept Richard out of his wheelchair and bedridden.

Lesley was less inclined to go out on a regular basis, but she often gave in to Mitzi's pleas and joined her, especially if it was with the Collinses, who were old and dear family friends. Walter was chairman of the most successful independent bank headquartered in Willow Bay. Becky sat on the boards of several charitable foundations, most notably Willow Bay Hospital and the local shelter for abused women. Her outgoing personality balanced Walter's more serious tone. They'd been college sweethearts and had four grown children and eight grandchildren.

Lesley wanted to spend some time with Ricky before she left since she wouldn't be there to tuck him in tonight. She'd been making more of an effort to forge a bond with him, to spend quality time with him every day. This afternoon they had walked the beach together. She'd learned Ricky was more willing to open up to her in such a setting, telling her bits and pieces about his teachers and what went on at school.

She'd showered and zipped herself into a black cocktail dress and added minimal jewelry, just enough to accent. She wanted a glass of wine and one of the club's exquisitely simple and delicious entrees, and to make an early night of it.

She peeked into the lounge, never sure if her mother and the Collinses might still be enjoying the cocktail hour or if they'd already been seated. She saw the Kellers and the Snydermans holding court at the bar, but someone else was with them, someone she hadn't expected to see. Niko.

She couldn't help but stare. She had to convince herself that her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. Next she had to put the brakes on the flutter of excitement that ran through her. He wore the same sports coat as when she'd first met him, paired with a light-blue tie and dark-gray slacks. His hair gleamed and his smile flashed at something Doug had said. Lesley caught herself staring.

He noticed her, probably because she was staring, and waved a hand in greeting. She got hold of herself and joined the group, everyone bussing cheeks and sharing greetings. Niko was last. He pressed his cheek to hers—oh, how quickly he had learned the gestures of her circle. She drank in the subtle citrusy scent that clung to him. Lesley could never figure out if it was soap or cologne, but whatever it was made her want to get closer to him.

“We're doing some preliminary planning for the Salsa Bowl, Lesley,” Marsha bubbled. “You should join us. Niko needs a dinner partner.”

“Oh.” Lesley eyed Niko in confusion. “I would, but I'm meeting my mother and some friends for dinner.” Lesley tried in vain to stamp down the surge of jealousy that shot through her. Niko had infiltrated her world, her social circle. Without her.

True, she'd made the introductions. Her aim had been to help him navigate his way through the country club set and build support for his cause. But she'd expected to be by his side along the way. She'd found him, after all. She'd created him in a way, for Pete's sake. She'd paid for the damn tuxedo that let him access the event where he'd met the Kellers and the Snydermans in the first place.

As soon as she had those thoughts, she felt ashamed of herself. She hadn't expected him to stay in awe of her while she personally handled everything for him, had she? That was the kind of nonsense she found out too late Steven had expected from her.

She'd bought Niko a suit and offered him guidance, but she wasn't responsible for his success or failure with the Challenge Project. He'd have succeeded with or without the Robinson Family Foundation's support. She'd recognized Niko's inner drive. He wouldn't give up on something until he got what he wanted. He'd do it his way.

“Maybe I can make the next meeting. If I have enough advance notice.” She addressed this statement to the group but she made sure her gaze rested longest on Niko.

He gave her one of those knowing grins, and she had the feeling he'd followed her train of thought from start to finish. “We wouldn't think of proceeding without you, would we?”

The others jumped in to agree, and Kate said, “We only called Niko this afternoon, as a matter of fact.”

Lesley breathed a sigh of relief. This was an impromptu meeting. She knew how impetuous Kate could be, so she wasn't surprised.

“I'd best find my mother. It was lovely seeing you all.” She was sure she could feel Niko's gaze on her all the way to the dining room. She smiled at the warmth the thought gave her.