Chapter 23
When Bruno had said he’d have more details for her soon, Marissa assumed she would receive an agenda and information about the logistics of their trip. His executive assistant did provide that information, but she also gave Marissa the name of an upscale boutique where Bruno had an account. She had never heard of the place, but that was no surprise since the designer clothes were not in her price range.
She felt a bit out of her depth approaching the entrance after work on Friday evening, but the moment she stepped into Cherise, the nervous butterflies in her belly disbanded.
The interior of the store was luxurious but welcoming, with soft lighting and the subtle fragrance of flowers in the air. Right away, a woman with white-blonde hair secured at her nape approached with a broad, inviting smile that instantly drew Marissa in and made her feel at ease.
“Good evening, Ms. Liburd. Welcome to Cherise. I’m Olivia, and I’ll be assisting you this evening. I’m told you’re attending the James Beard Awards next week in Los Angeles. Is that correct?”
“Yes, and I’m not sure where to begin,” Marissa said with a nervous laugh.
Olivia’s smile was as warm as her tone. “Not to worry. That’s why I’m here.”
She guided Marissa to a cozy seating area with comfortable-looking sofas and soft music playing in the background. A tray of tiny sandwiches, petit-fours, and fresh fruit sat on white platters on a table in front of the furniture.
“Please help yourself to the refreshments. What can I get for you to drink? We have champagne, sparkling water, still water, coffee, and tea.”
“Still water is fine,” Marissa answered.
Olivia left, and Marissa sat on the sofa. She looked around the store. They seemed to be the only ones there.
Olivia returned with a chilled bottle of water and a glass containing two cubes of ice with a lemon tucked onto the side. She placed them in front of Marissa.
“Are we the only ones here?” Marissa asked.
“Yes. The store closes at five, but Mr. Santana asked us to stay open to accommodate your schedule.”
Marissa opened her mouth to apologize but stopped. This was the norm in Bruno’s world. She just wasn’t used to it.
“Thank you for doing that,” she said instead.
Olivia asked Marissa a series of questions about her tastes and then disappeared again. Marissa sipped her water and ate two of the sandwiches while she waited. One was filled with salmon and cream cheese and the other with cucumber, cream cheese, and dill. They were so delicious she had to rein in her greed.
Olivia rolled out four dresses on a rack for Marissa’s review, each eye-catching in its own way. She stated why she chose each one, explaining that she incorporated Marissa’s preferences as well as her own assessment of what would flatter Marissa’s shape and coloring.
“We’ll start with these four, and if they don’t work, we have others you can try,” Olivia said.
“Sounds good.”
With Olivia’s help, Marissa tried on each dress. The first three fit well, the fabrics draping just right over her curves. In the full-length mirror, she admired her appearance in the third dress from different angles. Electric-blue, the top fastened around her neck with a gold loop.
“What do you think?” Olivia asked.
They both stood in the mirror in the dressing room. “Making a decision is tougher than I expected. The black is really nice, but I also like this one. This blue is gorgeous.” She smoothed her hands over her hips.
“This dress does look good on you,” Olivia agreed, adjusting the neckline. “But we have one more to go. The red.”
Marissa checked her appearance again. The blue did look great, but red was her color, so she couldn’t leave without trying it on. When she did, the transformation was immediate—even without the accessories, jewelry, and having her hair done.
“This is the one.”
Olivia nodded. “This is the one,” she agreed. “We’ll need to adjust the bodice a little, but that shouldn’t take long.”
They smiled at each other in the mirror.
“One moment. I’ll be right back.” Olivia left and returned with a gold clutch.
“Oh no, I don’t need a bag. I’m only getting the dress,” Marissa said.
“Mr. Santana told us to provide you with the full ensemble, including shoes.”
“Shoes?”
“Yes. What do you think about the clutch?”
Marissa took the purse. The metallic gold leather was the perfect complement to the red dress. “I like it a lot,” she admitted.
“Excellent. Now let’s find you some shoes.”
In the end, she had the dress, a pair of high-heeled sandals, and a gold clutch, yet didn’t have any idea how much everything cost. She wanted to ask but refrained, afraid to find out the damage.
“You’re all set. Now I need your address where we can deliver the dress and your accessories after the bodice adjustment is completed.” Olivia waited patiently at the register with her hands on the keyboard.
Marissa gave her the information, slightly overwhelmed but giddy at being treated like royalty.
Afterward, she shook Olivia’s hand. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope to see you again, and enjoy the event.”
* * *
Bruno was halfway up the steps outside Cherise when Marissa exited.
“Bruno,” she said, looking surprised, but not unpleasantly so.
“Am I too late?”
“I didn’t know you were coming.”
He lifted a hand in greeting to Olivia, who was standing at the door. “All set?”
“All set,” she confirmed with a nod.
She left them alone, and he returned his attention to Marissa. “I didn’t plan to come, but I was nearby and thought I’d pop in and see which dress you chose.”
That wasn’t true, but she didn’t need to know he had made a special trip from across town to see her.
Marissa continued down the stairs until they were standing on the same one. “As you can see, you’re too late. I already picked my dress.”
The playfulness in her voice piqued his interest.
“Are you saying I can’t see it now? I have to wait until next week?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“I could ask Olivia to open the door.”
“You could, but I’m asking you not to.”
“I’m deeply wounded.” He placed a hand over his heart.
“That I doubt,” she said with pursed lips and an arched brow.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a smart ass?”
“Yes, I’m looking at him.”
“I doubt I’m the only one.”
“There might have been one or two others,” Marissa admitted reluctantly.
“Uh-huh. Can I give you a ride anywhere?”
“No. I brought my car. I’m parked on the next street.”
“Then I’ll walk with you.”
Marissa started down the stairs, and Bruno followed more slowly, hanging back to indulge in the lovely rear view in her figure-hugging slacks. He hadn’t forgotten the pleasure he experienced gripping her round ass cheeks. Last night he’d fantasized about her lying beside him, his hands and lips exploring her body and prompting those husky moans he’d savored in The Wine Cork’s kitchen.
Ay Dios, this woman was quickly turning into an obsession. He was drawn to her, like metal to magnet. No matter how much he fought, he kept sinking deeper and deeper under her spell.
Marissa aimed a look over her shoulder. “Having trouble keeping up?” she asked.
He fell into step beside her. “No. I was just enjoying the view from back there.”
She shot a surprised look at him through her glasses. He needed to dial back his comments, but every time they were together he wanted more. He wanted to tease her, to touch her, to kiss her. To smell the arousal between her thighs again.
She cleared her throat. “Thank you for providing the dress and accessories.”
“No thanks necessary.”
They approached her white Camry and came to a stop.
“Is Cherise where you usually send your women?” Marissa asked in a casual voice, though there was nothing casual about the question.
Bruno stepped back, allowing light to slant across her face and give a good view of her expression. “What does it matter? We’re going as friends.”
“I’m curious, that’s all.” She shrugged.
“I don’t send my women there, but I have, on occasion, asked Olivia and her staff to help one of my dates with a dress. I haven’t made the request very often.”
“Oh.”
Bruno’s phone chirped, and he saw the reminder for a meeting on the screen. He cursed. He was so taken with Marissa he’d forgotten all about the appointment. If he hurried, he might only be ten to fifteen minutes late. They’d wait regardless, but he hated to be tardy.
“I have to run. I have a meeting that I completely forgot about, and I haven’t had dinner yet,” he muttered.
“I have snacks in my bag, if you want something to hold you until after your meeting,” Marissa offered.
“What kind of snacks?”
She removed her messenger bag from the trunk and placed it on the hood of her car. “I have potato chips, nacho chips, Twix, and a couple of Snickers.”
Bruno peered at her collection. “Why do you have all these snacks? I’ll take the potato chips.”
She handed him the bag. “I’m a mother with a growing kid…” She sighed. “I’m a liar.”
Bruno lifted his eyebrows. “You don’t have a kid? Because I’m pretty sure I met Theo at the hospital a while back.” He popped a salty chip in his mouth. He hadn’t had one in years probably, accustomed to making his own homemade chips from potatoes.
Marissa laughed, a sound as magnetic and enthralling as the first time he heard it, weaving a spell around him that lingered in his ears long after she stopped.
“No, I mean that I lied about the reason for the snacks. They’re for me. I don’t let my son eat this stuff, which makes me a hypocrite.”
“Marissa has a flaw,” Bruno whispered with exaggerated shock.
“Don’t tease me, I feel bad enough. Do you want anything else?”
“I’ll take one of the Snickers.”
When she handed over the candy, their fingers brushed, and he felt a spark. Sharp, sudden. His gaze met hers, and for a brief moment the world narrowed to only the two of them.
“I, um… I better go,” she said.
Good idea, because right now he had the sudden urge to kiss her again.
“Good night, Marissa.”
He stepped away from the vehicle, and she climbed in and drove off. The sensation of her touch lingered on his skin, a tantalizing reminder of their brief contact. The simple act of taking candy had transformed into an intimate exchange filled with unspoken possibilities.
Placing a couple of chips in his mouth, Bruno strolled to his car, pleased that he’d come by because he’d learned quite a bit. The attraction between him and Marissa was as strong as ever, and when she’d inquired about other women using his account at Cherise, he had seen jealousy.
All of which meant the trip to L.A. could end up being much more interesting than he had originally expected.