Dazzled by Jane Harvey-Berrick Read Free Book Online Page A

Christ!
    She was gone for what seemed an interminable length of time. I caught myself chewing on a nail out of boredom. So much for the manicure .
    “Hi there!”
    I looked up, and a beautiful woman with short, sleek red hair was smiling down at me.
    “Great to see you again!”
    I gaped at her. “Er…”
    “Didn’t we meet at CJ’s party? He throws the best parties!”
    I stood up awkwardly. “Er, sorry, no. I don’t think so.”
    “Oh, you’re British! I just love British accents! They’re so sexy! I’m Sabena, by the way.”
    She held out a hand with long, square nails that look like they could hook out an eyeball from ten yards.
    “Miles. Er, pleased to meet you.”
    “Well, Miles, my date hasn’t shown so it looks like I’ve been stood up. Do you want to buy me a drink?”
    God, she was gorgeous!
    “I’d love to, but…”
    “Great! I’ll have a Cosmopolitan.”
    “Miles! What the fuck are you doing?”
    Rhonda was bearing down on me – it wasn’t a pretty sight. Automatically, I took a step back.
    “Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize you were with your grand mother!” said Sabena, rather waspishly. “You really should have said you were working – time is money, you know.”
    I watched, bemused, as she strolled away, flashing an almost indecent amount of thigh. My dick woke up.
    Down boy.
    Rhonda stared at me, her arms folded. “Would you like to explain what’s going on, Miles?”
    Suddenly, I didn’t have a problem with a trouser tent.
    Reluctantly, I turned my gaze from Sabena’s mesmerizing legs and blinked guiltily. “Search me, Rhonda. I have no fucking clue what’s going on.”
    I ran my hands through my hair in exasperation and was relieved to see her smile.
    “Well, Miles, she was a hooker.”
    Uh oh. Hadn’t expected that.
    “But… but she was beautiful!”
    Rhonda sighed. “They wouldn’t let her into a classy joint like this looking like a streetwalker, now would they? And by the way, when I arrived, she thought you were my rent boy.”
    What the fuck?!
    She smirked at me. Bitch.
    I was distracted as a soft crescendo of voices rippled across the lobby: Lilia had made her entrance. She glided across the floor, stunning in a floor length, emerald green gown, and as she passed whispers followed her like a breeze through a reed bed.
    “Hello again,” she said, softly.
    “Er, hi.”
    Rhonda trod on my foot hard. I took that to mean that she wanted me to say something else. I just didn’t know what. Or, maybe…?
    “You look nice,” I stuttered, trying to smile at Lilia.
    I heard Rhonda’s groan beside me.
    “You look stunning, Lilia, as always.” Rhonda filled in the gaps of my dismal Hollywood etiquette.
    “Why, thank you, Rhonda. Always lovely to see you.”
    They air-kissed while I tugged at my collar.
    “Yeah, you look great, Lilia. Very… green.”
    Very green? Oh crap!
    Lilia raised her eyebrows and seemed to be trying to rein in a smile. Rhonda’s mouth snapped shut so hard I thought she’d break a tooth. Or a tusk.
    “Shall we go? Miles?”
    Lilia was waiting for something, staring at me expectantly.
    “Miles,” snarled Rhonda. “I think Lilia would like to take your fucking arm!”
    “Oh, right. Sorry.”
    “Now listen: when you get to the venue, get out of the car first then stand aside and let Lilia get her shots on the red carpet. She’ll let you know when she’s done, then you’ll offer her your arm and escort her inside. Got that, Miles? It’s not rocket science. Follow her lead: at least Lilia knows what the fuck she’s doing.”
    “Yeah, yeah, I’ve got the picture.”
    She softened slightly. “I know you haven’t done this before, but you’ll be fine.”
    “You’re not coming with us?”
    Suddenly, I felt panicky.
    “I’ll meet you there, Miles. No one wants pictures of my wizened ass.”
    Which was true. I’d actually pay money not to see photos of Rhonda’s ass, in any state.
    We walked to the hotel entrance and I could feel