Chapter Twelve

Erin was already in the kitchen when Richie entered. He looked at her and stopped dead in his tracks. She was wearing a Grecian inspired one shoulder dress in white that was gathered under the bust by a thin gold cummerbund and then fell to the floor in swathes of soft material. She’d had her hair done in a mass of snaky curls that framed her heart shaped face beautifully. Her eyes had been made up in shades of gold and bronze and looked sensual and sexy. Her lips had a touch of barely there nude gloss. Richie felt himself twitch at the sight of her. He smiled broadly at her. It was not going to be easy to keep his hands off her tonight.

Erin stared at the tall handsome man as he entered the kitchen. He looked amazing. She had gotten so used to seeing him with mussed up morning hair and old ripped tee shirts that he took her breath away. He was dressed in a Nehru jacketed black suit with a snowy white mandarin collared shirt. His hair had been flicked out and feathered and she desperately wanted to run her fingers through it. He had a touch of black eyeliner around his lower lashes which gave him a devilish look.

Richie shook himself from his reverie; contemplating not going to the charity event and just ripping her dress from her and taking her on the kitchen table, and walked towards her, slowly.

“Erin, you look amazing.” he said as he neared her.

“So do you.” she replied, dreamily as he got nearer.

He stopped about a foot away from her and smiled. If he was to seduce her and break through her defences he had to take it slowly.

She put down her coffee mug and smiled up at him. If she was to get through his defences and make him see her as a woman and not an employee she was going to have to be clever about it.

“Are you ready for a night of tedious boredom?” he asked smiling.

“I don’t think it’ll be that tedious.” she smiled, looking at him from under her lashes, as she picked up her shawl and evening bag from the table.

“Why not?” he asked as he placed his hand on the small of her back to lead her out to the waiting Limo.

“Because you’ll be there.” She flirted, with a soft giggle as he opened the front door.

He looked at her and just waggled his eyebrows devilishly.

They walked companionably to the waiting car, enjoying each others closeness and the balmy night air.

Richie opened the door to allow Erin to get in enjoying the view as she did so. He followed her and they settled down in the plush leather seats.

“I love Limos” Erin said as she buckled in.

“Do you get in them often?” he asked, smiling at her.

“Oh god no, this’ll be the third one ever. The first two were in New York. My ex and I went over for Christmas shopping shortly after I moved in with him. It was amazing, we went out for dinner one evening and he’d rented us a limo to take us on a trip round the city before driving us to that restaurant in the middle of Central Park, you know the one I mean?”

“Oh yeah, I know it.”

“the food was heavenly!”

“So what about the second time?” he asked, liking the fact that she was unbuttoning bit by bit, but wishing it was her clothing that he was unbuttoning.

“Oh that was the ride from the hotel to the airport.” she sat smiling at him as she was lost in thought.

Richie noticed her smile grow dim and sat silent watching her.

Erin had been lost in thought of the trip back to the airport and of Michael handing her a small box and asking her to marry him.

Richie reached over and squeezed her hand. Erin gave a start as she felt his warm hand on hers but that turned into a smile as he squeezed reassuringly.

She turned to smile at him, “Thank you.”

“Anytime darlin’ I don’t wanna see you upset, and besides we’re here to enjoy ourselves tonight.”

“We are?” she lifted one eyebrow sardonically.

“Well, no…” he admitted shrugging, “ but we might as well have a few drinks while we’re there.” he smiled before leaning in closer, “Let’s get pissed and have a ball!” he whispered conspiratorially.

Erin just laughed, thinking that the evening may well turn out to be a lot more fun that she had originally thought.