Page 35
He’s good. I see why Helen says he can charm anyone. It’s really too bad that his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
Kara reclaimed her hand by pulling it out of his grip and letting it drop to her side.
“Eat, get a drink, have a good time,” Sam suggested jovially, slapping Simon on the back. “Happy birthday, little brother.”
“Yeah, thanks for the party,” Simon grumbled, shooting his brother an I’ll-get-you-for-this look that only brothers could exchange as he nudged Kara toward a cluster of guests and the food in the living room.
“You love me. You know you do.” Sam smiled, his voice teasing and arrogant at the same time.
“Not today,” Simon snarled back.
Sam laughed wickedly as he moved away, advancing toward a group of people who were motioning for him to come over.
“Bastard,” Simon said in a low, irritated voice.
Kara rolled her eyes, keeping her amusement to herself. “He’s your brother, Simon.”
“Not today,” he repeated, his hand sliding across her back as he led her to the lavish food and drink tables.
Sam’s home was stunning, surprisingly decorated in white, light, airy décor that made the already-spacious mansion appear even more enormous and grand. Well-dressed guests chatted in groups, their wealth and status obvious by their dress and their ease with the sumptuous surroundings.
Kara tried not to gawk like the penniless woman she really was, but it was difficult to keep her gaping mouth closed. The women were dripping with diamonds and gems and their expressions were cool. The men smelled of money and power, gathering in groups, probably discussing business or golf scores.
Simon filled their plates from a large buffet that was bursting with elegant-looking appetizers that were being continually replenished by silent employees. She picked up two napkins that were folded so precisely that she almost felt guilty about messing them up. The dishes were obviously fine china and Kara frowned. Crap…she’d hate to have to clean all of these dishes and wondered how many servants it took to clean up the mess after the party was over. Hadn’t the wealthy ever heard of paper plates and napkins?
She didn’t have any idea what she was eating, but she downed every morsel on her plate after she and Simon had found a quiet corner to eat. Every bite melted in her mouth and she licked her lips as she consumed the last delicate treat, hoping she hadn’t left crumbs on her face.
“God, that was delicious,” she uttered appreciatively as she handed her empty plate to a roaming waiter.
“May I get you anything else, madam?” the older waiter asked politely.
“No, thank you. I’m full.” She smiled as the little man gave her a polite bow and moved away.
Simon had discarded his plate and snatched two full champagne flutes from a passing waitress. “I love that about you,” he said quietly as he handed her a glass.
“What?” She gave him a confused look as she accepted the glass, sipping slowly at the drink, trying to decide if she liked champagne. It was dry, but not bad.
“You enjoy your food. You don’t pick away at it or eat like a bird. I’m almost jealous when I watch your face. If it’s good, you look well-pleasured,” he answered before taking a healthy sip from his glass. “Watching you eat is almost an erotic experience.”
She shrugged as she lowered the glass from her face. “If you don’t have an endless supply and you’re never sure when your next meal will be, you appreciate the taste of good food.”
“Will food always be an orgasmic experience for you?” he asked casually, but his eyes were full of mirth.
She tried not to smile, she really did, but her lips twitched as her eyes met his. “Probably.”
“Simon!”
The male tenor voice carried across the room and both of them turned to see a middle-aged man raising his arm, trying to get Simon’s attention.
“You better circulate, birthday boy. Youarethe guest of honor,” she told him with a smile. “I’m going over to talk with your mom for a while.”
He didn’t look happy, but he left her side and went to greet the man waving frantically for his attention. She sipped her drink and watched as Simon moved around the room, greeting people, his smile charming. While he might not have quite the charisma that Sam had, Simon could work the room. Not for one second did he look uncomfortable with these people. He was able to chat and make small talk, taking total command of himself, moving in and out of the crowds as if he belonged here.
Because he does. He may not always like socializing, but he plays the game well.
Her gaze stayed riveted on him, marveling over this part of Simon that she had never seen before. The man had so many layers, so many facets to his personality.
Forcing herself to stop staring like a complete idiot, Kara looked around for Helen, finding her at the buffet table.
Kara reclaimed her hand by pulling it out of his grip and letting it drop to her side.
“Eat, get a drink, have a good time,” Sam suggested jovially, slapping Simon on the back. “Happy birthday, little brother.”
“Yeah, thanks for the party,” Simon grumbled, shooting his brother an I’ll-get-you-for-this look that only brothers could exchange as he nudged Kara toward a cluster of guests and the food in the living room.
“You love me. You know you do.” Sam smiled, his voice teasing and arrogant at the same time.
“Not today,” Simon snarled back.
Sam laughed wickedly as he moved away, advancing toward a group of people who were motioning for him to come over.
“Bastard,” Simon said in a low, irritated voice.
Kara rolled her eyes, keeping her amusement to herself. “He’s your brother, Simon.”
“Not today,” he repeated, his hand sliding across her back as he led her to the lavish food and drink tables.
Sam’s home was stunning, surprisingly decorated in white, light, airy décor that made the already-spacious mansion appear even more enormous and grand. Well-dressed guests chatted in groups, their wealth and status obvious by their dress and their ease with the sumptuous surroundings.
Kara tried not to gawk like the penniless woman she really was, but it was difficult to keep her gaping mouth closed. The women were dripping with diamonds and gems and their expressions were cool. The men smelled of money and power, gathering in groups, probably discussing business or golf scores.
Simon filled their plates from a large buffet that was bursting with elegant-looking appetizers that were being continually replenished by silent employees. She picked up two napkins that were folded so precisely that she almost felt guilty about messing them up. The dishes were obviously fine china and Kara frowned. Crap…she’d hate to have to clean all of these dishes and wondered how many servants it took to clean up the mess after the party was over. Hadn’t the wealthy ever heard of paper plates and napkins?
She didn’t have any idea what she was eating, but she downed every morsel on her plate after she and Simon had found a quiet corner to eat. Every bite melted in her mouth and she licked her lips as she consumed the last delicate treat, hoping she hadn’t left crumbs on her face.
“God, that was delicious,” she uttered appreciatively as she handed her empty plate to a roaming waiter.
“May I get you anything else, madam?” the older waiter asked politely.
“No, thank you. I’m full.” She smiled as the little man gave her a polite bow and moved away.
Simon had discarded his plate and snatched two full champagne flutes from a passing waitress. “I love that about you,” he said quietly as he handed her a glass.
“What?” She gave him a confused look as she accepted the glass, sipping slowly at the drink, trying to decide if she liked champagne. It was dry, but not bad.
“You enjoy your food. You don’t pick away at it or eat like a bird. I’m almost jealous when I watch your face. If it’s good, you look well-pleasured,” he answered before taking a healthy sip from his glass. “Watching you eat is almost an erotic experience.”
She shrugged as she lowered the glass from her face. “If you don’t have an endless supply and you’re never sure when your next meal will be, you appreciate the taste of good food.”
“Will food always be an orgasmic experience for you?” he asked casually, but his eyes were full of mirth.
She tried not to smile, she really did, but her lips twitched as her eyes met his. “Probably.”
“Simon!”
The male tenor voice carried across the room and both of them turned to see a middle-aged man raising his arm, trying to get Simon’s attention.
“You better circulate, birthday boy. Youarethe guest of honor,” she told him with a smile. “I’m going over to talk with your mom for a while.”
He didn’t look happy, but he left her side and went to greet the man waving frantically for his attention. She sipped her drink and watched as Simon moved around the room, greeting people, his smile charming. While he might not have quite the charisma that Sam had, Simon could work the room. Not for one second did he look uncomfortable with these people. He was able to chat and make small talk, taking total command of himself, moving in and out of the crowds as if he belonged here.
Because he does. He may not always like socializing, but he plays the game well.
Her gaze stayed riveted on him, marveling over this part of Simon that she had never seen before. The man had so many layers, so many facets to his personality.
Forcing herself to stop staring like a complete idiot, Kara looked around for Helen, finding her at the buffet table.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156
- Page 157
- Page 158
- Page 159
- Page 160
- Page 161
- Page 162
- Page 163
- Page 164
- Page 165
- Page 166
- Page 167
- Page 168
- Page 169
- Page 170
- Page 171
- Page 172
- Page 173
- Page 174
- Page 175
- Page 176
- Page 177
- Page 178
- Page 179
- Page 180
- Page 181
- Page 182
- Page 183
- Page 184
- Page 185
- Page 186
- Page 187
- Page 188
- Page 189
- Page 190
- Page 191
- Page 192
- Page 193
- Page 194
- Page 195
- Page 196
- Page 197
- Page 198
- Page 199
- Page 200
- Page 201
- Page 202
- Page 203
- Page 204
- Page 205
- Page 206
- Page 207
- Page 208
- Page 209
- Page 210
- Page 211
- Page 212
- Page 213
- Page 214
- Page 215
- Page 216
- Page 217
- Page 218
- Page 219
- Page 220
- Page 221
- Page 222
- Page 223
- Page 224
- Page 225
- Page 226
- Page 227
- Page 228
- Page 229
- Page 230
- Page 231
- Page 232
- Page 233
- Page 234
- Page 235
- Page 236
- Page 237
- Page 238
- Page 239
- Page 240
- Page 241
- Page 242
- Page 243
- Page 244
- Page 245
- Page 246
- Page 247
- Page 248
- Page 249
- Page 250
- Page 251
- Page 252
- Page 253
- Page 254
- Page 255
- Page 256
- Page 257
- Page 258
- Page 259
- Page 260
- Page 261
- Page 262
- Page 263
- Page 264
- Page 265
- Page 266
- Page 267
- Page 268
- Page 269
- Page 270
- Page 271
- Page 272
- Page 273
- Page 274
- Page 275
- Page 276
- Page 277
- Page 278
- Page 279