Page 113 of Disarming Caine

Samantha

NewYear’sEve.I’dspent the last six by myself in my little RV or a hotel, depending on what town I was in at the time. Just me and a bottle of champagne. The way I liked it. At least, the way I used to like it. Antonio had blown into my life like a hurricane and changed everything. Part of me even thought it was a change for the better.

I’d left early in the morning for shopping and a spa day with my sister to prepare for the evening. My hair and makeup were a miracle and I couldn’t wait for Antonio to see it.

The hotel was six floors and adjoined the Convention Center. The lobby was open to the second floor, where a walkway allowed guests to look down and people-watch. There were seating areas and a bar with many partygoers already milling about in their finery for the evening.

My phone buzzed with a text from Antonio.Were you still planning to join me at the ball?

A flutter burst in my chest. With a laugh, I sent a message back.Coming up now. I’ll knock three times, then you close your eyes. It’s a surprise.

He responded,Looking forward to it.

Then he added,But not looking.

We were on the sixth floor—no shock, knowing him—in a suite. I knocked three times and cracked the door open. “Eyes closed?”

“Sì, bella.”

“Good!” I pushed the door open slowly, double-checking that he wasn’t cheating.

The main room was large and open with two seating areas, while a kitchenette sat to the left, access to a bathroom beyond that, and double doors to a bedroom. A long set of track lights suspended from a metal bar stretched the length of the room, dimmed to pale light.

He sat in one of the over-sized chairs in front of the television, watching—

I stopped dead in my tracks. “Are you watching hockey?”

“Kevin and Nathan told me that watching the World Juniors over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday is a tradition for hockey families. Can I open my eyes now? I missed you today.”

“Keep ‘em closed, Ferraro.” I growled in his ear.

“I’m enjoying this.” He smiled broadly and squeezed his eyes shut tighter.

I moistened my lips, the slight stickiness of the lipstick reminding me not to bite my lip or kiss him. It was hard not to.

His black tux, the shiny shoes, the little white pocket square. The jacket highlighted his broad shoulders, while the stark white shirt made his olive skin glow. “Dinner starts in an hour. Will you be ready?”

“Absolutely. You know me, I’m never late.” I closed the doors of the bedroom behind me, flicking the lock. “You can open your eyes now.”

“You’re hiding from me!” He rapped lightly on the door.

“Give me ten minutes.”

I undressed, careful not to ruin the hair and makeup. Cass had forced me to buy a tiny piece of tissue that claimed to be underwear, plus garters and stockings. Not me at all.

Antonio will appreciate it, she’d said.Try to woo him for once.

Then she’d thrown a black silk teddy over my arm for after the ball. What was the point? I’d put it on, he’d take it off, and then it would sit in a crumpled heap on the floor.

Although doing that meant she was trying to support me in the relationship, which was a huge step for her.

Next came the double-sided tape to hold the dress to my chest, or he wouldn’t be the only one getting a show. A quick glance in the floor-length mirror to make sure everything was in place. My hair was half-up, half-down, cascading over my shoulders, adding to the sweep of the halter neckline. Finished with his mother’s—no, my—necklace and gold chandelier earrings.

And I was… beautiful. He was going to love this so much.

“One minute left.” The hockey game was playing in the background and his voice was distant enough he must have sat back down.

“Eyes still closed?”

---