“Mom.” Kayla kissed her mother. “You look beautiful.” Her salt-and-pepper hair was swept up in an elegant chignon and she wore a metallic ruffle belted jacket over a simple sheath with pearls.
“And you, missy—” Kayla glanced at her sister “—will be the belle of the ball as always.” The black animal-print gown clung to Courtney’s size-four figure before sweeping out like a mermaid’s tail to the floor. Trust her sister to show up her attempt to be a little mischievous with her front slit.
“Well, you’re not too bad yourself.” Courtney laughed. “I wholeheartedly approve.”
“Enough with all the compliments,” their father said from the front door. “We have to get going. We’re already late.”
“Hey, you can’t hurry perfection,” Kayla responded. “It takes time, Daddy, to look this good.”
“Amen!” Courtney chorused on their way out of the door.
When they arrived at the hotel where the premiere was being held, it was already in full swing. Actors, directors and the cream of Atlanta society were already milling around the ballroom in grand attire.
“Tonight would be the perfect night to mention your new perfume line,” Kayla whispered to Shane as they exited the vehicle. “You know, generate some buzz.”
“I agree,” Shane responded in her ear.
“So what’s new for Adams Cosmetics?” a reporter for the local newspaper asked once they hit the red carpet.
“It’s funny you should ask,” Kayla said, laughing, “because Adams Cosmetics will be debuting a fragrance in the coming months.”
“Perfume, that’s a new arena for Adams Cosmetics,” the reporter replied.
“True, but Adams Cosmetics has always been about beauty,” Kayla stated. “We’re in the business of making women feel good about themselves. We already have shampoos, conditioners and body products.”
“Perfume is a natural progression for us to expand into,” Shane added.
“I’m sure the public is eager to see what you have in store for us.”
“And we look forward to bringing them quality products,” Kayla replied.
Once they were done with the press bit, the Adams family separated and worked the room. Her parents went in the direction of some old friends while Courtney continued her due diligence with the press.
Kayla watched her younger sister toss her hair around for a photo op. “That went well,” Kayla said to Shane at her side.
“Yes, it did,” Shane said. “Now all I have to do is deliver a knockout fragrance.”
“Which you will.” Kayla squeezed his shoulder. “You know I have absolute faith in you. So let’s talk to Perry Lee. He’s the head of one of the banks I’d like to approach.”
“Kay, can you for once not think about business and let your hair down and have some fun? I sure intend to.” Shane went rushing off toward a group of beautiful women nearby that were ogling his good looks.
The dress was her letting her hair down, Kayla thought to herself. Kayla glanced around the room anxiously, wringing her hands. Why was she so nervous? It wasn’t like she hadn’t been to a hundred of these events before. Deep down, she knew why. Ethan Graham was expected to attend. All the gossip blogs were talking about who the elusive bachelor would attend the gala with. Would he be like his father and wait until later in life to marry? Kayla didn’t know.
She recalled their encounter in France a few years ago, when she’d made polite pleasantries and retreated as fast as she could from his overpowering male presence. But recently, despite all her best efforts, the man seemed to be haunting her daytime thoughts and nighttime dreams. It had to be because he’d suddenly shown interest in Adams Cosmetics, because she refused to believe it could be something more.
Kayla was happy when her eyes fixed on a certain redheaded entertainment reporter working the room with her cameraman. “Piper!” She waved enthusiastically at her oldest and dearest friend. Piper was petite, barely reaching five feet, with shockingly vibrant red hair and freckles spread over her fair skin, but no one could deny that when she was on-screen, you couldn’t take your eyes off her.
“Kay.” Piper stopped short when she crossed the room to her friend. “I’m loving the dress!” She turned to her cameraman. “Let’s take a quick break. I’ll find you in a bit.” He nodded before walking away.
Kayla blushed, but gave a twirl. “You like?’
“Oh, yeah.” Piper nodded. “Do you have your eye on someone tonight?” she asked, glancing around the room.
“Why would you say that?” Kayla chuckled nervously.
“Because you never show all the goods.” Piper motioned to the side slit.
“What’s wrong with being a little sexy?” Kayla inquired. “There’s a time and a place for it.”
“And clearly tonight is the night.” Piper laughed. “Let’s grab some champagne. They have the good stuff.” She tugged at Kayla’s arm.
“Sure, sure.” Kayla glanced over her shoulder uneasily. It felt as if someone was watching her, but when she turned around and found no one she brushed it off and joined Piper at the bar.
“She’s here,” Ethan stated from across the dance floor. Photos had done Kayla little justice. They didn’t capture just how sexy and beautiful the executive truly was. Luscious full lips, a mass of sexy wavy hair and legs that went on for miles. Ethan could feel his body temperature rising just looking at her.
He watched Kayla glide to the bar in a delicious confection of a dress. When she walked, it showed a very nice expanse of leg that was causing blood to rush through his veins. He watched as she sipped her champagne flute. Oh, how he wished he was that glass to receive those full lips of hers.
“She is, as are all the Adamses,” Daniel returned.
“Of course.” Ethan nodded, drinking his scotch. “And I think it’s time I reacquainted myself with Ms. Adams.”
“Good luck,” Daniel said as Ethan strolled toward the women.
Kayla and Piper were discussing Piper’s latest report about an up-and-coming actress who couldn’t seem to get off drugs and alcohol. Suddenly, Kayla felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention.
Kayla swung around and found herself staring up into a pair of dark brown eyes that were intensely focused on her. Although she’d known Ethan Graham might attend, she’d wanted their first meeting to be on her terms, so she could be prepared. Not like this—she wasn’t prepared to have the full magnitude of those sexy brown eyes on her. And the years, well, they had been good to him. She surmised he’d just hit forty, but that didn’t matter, because he was still the most magnificent specimen of a man she’d ever laid her eyes on.
Ethan still had a sinfully sculpted face with a square jaw that would make any woman weak at the knees. He towered over her at six foot three and looked debonair in a black tuxedo minus a tie. What was the saying, the suit made the man? In this case, it was the opposite—the man absolutely made the suit look good.
Piper was the first to speak. She was used to being around gorgeous celebrities as an entertainment reporter. “Ethan Graham.” She extended her hand. “Pleasure to see you again.”
“You, as well, Piper.” Ethan smiled at the redhead. “It’s been a while. I remember you running around in your knickers with Kayla.”
Immediately Kayla flushed at the memory of Ethan catching her and Piper running around in their boy-short pajamas when he and his father stopped by for a visit to their house.
“So