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She’d dressed nicely for her flight. Albeit her black trousers, white cowl-neck blouse and tailored red blazer were travel worn, she still looked casual but professional. While the driver announced their arrival at the gate, Julie pulled out her compact to double-check her makeup and smooth her hand down the back of her stylish pixie cut.
The gates opened, and the driver maneuvered the car down the long drive and parked in front of a huge stone villa. She would have been impressed by the house and its magnificent views if not for the obvious signs of a party going on. She frowned in confusion when the driver opened the door, where she was greeted by music coming from the back, along with laughter and voices. Three women in skimpy bikinis and two men in board shorts stood out front. Another car pulled up, and the group got in.
She glanced at the driver. “Are we at the right place?”
“Yes, ma’am. This is Dante Wilson’s residence.”
Julie nodded, then turned back to the sounds of revelry coming from the villa. She crossed the stone-tiled entrance to the front door. Julie rang the doorbell, unsure if the chime would even be heard over the sounds of the party. Hell, did she even need to ring the bell?
A guy wearing blue-and-red swim trunks opened the door. “Hey, come on in,” he said, waving her inside.
Julie thanked him, entered the home and immediately felt overdressed. Men in swim trunks and women in bathing suits filled the house. The main area, with tan stone walls, dark walnut floors, modern furnishings and expensive decorations, was completely open to the outside, where a crystal-blue infinity pool overlooked the ocean. Even more people in bathing suits milled around the expansive outdoor living space.
“Are you here for the party?” the guy asked.
“Umm, I’m meeting with Raymond,” she said.
“Oh, come on—he’s out by the pool.”
Julie followed him through the crowd out to the pool. “He’s there.” He pointed.
Raymond was in the middle of the pool, playing water polo with several bikini-clad women. Of course he would be. Julie rolled her eyes, but she smiled despite her disappointment that he wasn’t prepared for a real meeting. Raymond would never change. They’d met freshmen year in college at a party. Though she’d flirted with him, she’d turned down his attempts to get her in bed. She’d never felt that way about Raymond. Eventually, their flirty relationship had become a close friendship by the time they graduated and Raymond’s music career kicked off. She knew if there was a party to attend or a good-looking woman to get with, Raymond was there.
Still, as she stood by the pool, sweltering in a blazer while everyone else was clad in swimwear, a strong pull of annoyance that Raymond hadn’t mentioned she would be walking into a pool party and not a business meeting swept through her. She really hoped he wasn’t wasting her time. She loved Raymond like a brother, but she wouldn’t hesitate to wring his neck if he pulled her away from Atlanta over a whim of his.
“Hey, Raymond,” she called. Her voice, and the annoyance in it, carried above the music and female laughter.
Raymond turned away from the game to look her way. His grin widened. “Julie!” he exclaimed with slight surprise.
She worked very hard not to roll her eyes again. The volleyball hit him in the side of the head, and a chorus of chuckles came up from the various women in the pool.
Raymond shook his head and blinked several times. “I’m coming out now.” He swam to the edge of the pool and pulled himself out of the water. Every woman in the pool eyed his muscular body with desire and enthusiasm—chiseled muscles beneath smooth tan skin, a pretty-boy face with green eyes to boot. Julie understood their admiration, though she didn’t share their desire.
He took a few steps to her and tried to hug her. Julie jumped back and held up a hand. “No way, you’re soaking wet.”
Raymond’s eyes flashed with mischief that Julie knew all too well. “I’m serious, Raymond—this is a new blazer, and you can’t mess it up with a chlorine-filled hug.”
He chuckled and edged closer. “I haven’t seen you in ages, and you won’t hug me because of a jacket.”
Julie took a step back. “No, I won’t hug you, but I do feel like punching you.”
That stopped his movement. “What did I do this time?”
Julie raised a brow and looked around. “Ray, I thought we were meeting to discuss business. Instead you’re having a party.”
“Oh, that,” he said with a shrug. “We can still talk.” He waved over a woman lounging nearby. The beauty stood and brought him a towel. “Thanks, baby.” Raymond slapped her behind as she walked away, then wiped the excess water from his face.
“You know, I’d rather talk when you’re not in the middle of an orgy. I’ll check into the hotel, and we can meet up tomorrow.”
She’d booked the hotel suite for a month with plans to extend that or possibly rent someplace if it seemed the club opening would take a long time. If it fell through, she would make Raymond pay any hotel cancellation fees.
“No! Sorry, Julie, this party just kind of happened.”
Julie doubted that. There were too many people here for the party to kind of happen, but she kept that thought to herself. “All the more reason to wait until we can really talk about things.”
“Seriously, we can. Dante is here. I told him you were coming today.”
Julie glanced around at the people present. She recognized some celebrities and reality stars, but Dante wasn’t in the mix.
“He’s inside,” Raymond said. “Come on. At least say hello, since you got all dressed to impress, and then stay and relax for a while.”
“Raymond, I’m here on business, not to relax.”
“Not all business is handled in a boardroom, Julie. Chill out for a second and come meet Dante.”
He took her hand and gently tugged her toward the door. Julie twisted her lip but let him lead her. Honestly, she shouldn’t be surprised that Raymond asked her to meet him to discuss business at the same time Dante “accidentally” threw a party. His fun personality and spontaneity were part of the persona that had turned him into a star.
“How was your flight? Did the driver get to the airport on time? I gave him your arrival and told him to be there on time.” Raymond fired off the questions.
Julie answered those and the half-dozen others Raymond threw her way as they walked through the crowded living area toward the back of the house. His questions reminded her of their college days when he always worried about her walking across campus at night by herself. His concern for her welfare was why she’d eventually viewed him as a brother. His concern grew after her breakup with Antwan. She knew Raymond blamed himself for introducing her to the guy, and she believed that was why he was so forthcoming with her about all the sleazy ways men thought and the tricks they pulled.
In the back of the house, the sounds of the party were replaced by the sound of piano music along with Dante’s smooth tenor singing.
“Let me hold you in my arms. Let me comfort you all night long. Let me be the man to kiss away your fears.”
Julie’s heart ached as the words took her back to the time after the Antwan breakup when she’d listened to this song and yearned for a guy to be all those things. She’d listened to the song repeatedly. She hated herself for moping so much over a man who didn’t deserve it, and hearing Dante sing stirred up the longing she’d thought was long gone.
She and Raymond stopped at the open door of the room where the music came from. A large grand piano stood in the center of what she could see was a music room with other instruments, framed albums and pictures of the Wilson family lining the walls. Dante sat behind the piano; four women in colorful bikinis surrounded him like beautiful birds. She hadn’t listened to the song in ages. His voice swept her up in thoughts of how nice having a man actually kiss away her fears would be.
She’d known Dante was handsome and that he could sing, but to witness his talent and his beauty up close and personal took her breath away.
His eyes were closed, and the flash of his perfect white teeth gleamed between lips that made her think of marathon rounds of kissing, touching and sexing. His head swayed gently back and forth to the sound of the music. His curly dark hair was tapered at the sides and thicker on the top. A dusting of hair covered his square jaw. Julie’s gaze slid over wide shoulders in a white shirt unbuttoned just enough to give a glimpse of a smooth muscled chest and warm brown skin. As if she were still standing beneath the sun, Julie’s body burned. Her nipples hardened, and a slow, sultry heat that matched the smoldering sound of Dante’s voice slid through her body.
Julie shifted from one foot to the other. This was not good. She could not be attracted to him. She tried to ignore her primal response, but the concentration of heat between her thighs continued in a mocking sucks for you kind of way.
The music stopped, and no one spoke until the last note drifted away. Dante opened his eyes, and the ladies clapped and squealed their praise. His lips spread in a wide-open grin. His sexy dark eyes sparkled with a look that made a woman want to forget every lesson about acting like a lady. A sound, part whimper, part suppressed giggle, rang in her ear; a second later, she realized she’d made the sound.
Raymond shifted beside her. Dante looked up, his dark gaze connecting with hers so hard she gasped out the little bit of air that remained in her chest. Oh, hell, I’m screwed.
“Raymond,” Dante said, his very interested eyes still on Julie, “please introduce your beautiful friend.”
Chapter 4 (#ulink_a31715e2-0c5a-50e3-9f2a-099dbac91dbe)
Dante’s smile widened as the woman with Raymond snapped her mouth closed and lifted her chin. He didn’t miss the blatant desire burning in her wonderful light brown eyes before she’d hidden the emotion behind a professional mask. His gaze slowly traced over her body, and his abdomen tightened with anticipation. Forgetting the beauties who’d dragged him to the music room, and the fun he’d planned to have with them, Dante stood and crossed the room.
He took in more of her appearance the closer he got. He liked everything he saw: short, stylish hair highlighted blond, the bangs just long enough to brush arched brows; clear, direct amber eyes; and a full, sensuous mouth. Her black pants didn’t hug her curves, but the material didn’t hide her shapely figure either. The red blazer brought attention to her waist and the scooped neckline of her shirt drew his eyes to her sexy cleavage. Sexy cherry-red heels brought her to almost his height.
“Dante,” Raymond said. “This is Julie Dominick.”
Dante held out his hand. “Julie Dominick.” He said her name slowly, enjoying the sound. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
He took her hand and kissed the back, catching a whiff of her perfume. The warm scent brought to mind dark rooms and Julie sliding across satin sheets beneath him.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Dante,” she said, and she didn’t pull her hand away. “Out of all your songs, that is my favorite.”
Her gaze was straightforward—no batting lashes or shy glances. He liked that immediately. She was a woman who wasn’t hesitant. Despite her directness, that hot spark from when their eyes first met was nowhere to be seen. He wanted the spark back.
“I’d be happy to sing it for you anytime you’d like.”
Her smile tipped up at the corners, and she slowly slid her hand out of his. The gentle glide of her slim fingers sent shivers down his arm. “Raymond didn’t tell me you were having a party. I expected a business meeting.”
She’d ignored his obvious flirtation, which meant she was going to try to ignore what he’d noticed and felt between them. He should do the same, but direct and beautiful women were his weakness.
“A friend came over, and before we knew it there was a houseful of people. The whole party happened on a whim.”
“Hmm, is opening your club also due to a whim?” She looked from Dante to Raymond. He heard the insinuation that they were wasting her time. Dante grinned. Direct, beautiful and bold. Ballsy for a woman trying to go into business with him. He liked her even more, even if he didn’t like the assumption that he wasn’t serious about opening the club.
“I promise you, I’m very serious about the opening of my club. I’d like to debut new artists under my own label there. My family wouldn’t support these artists at venues owned and managed by W. M. Records.”
Her brows rose. He’d surprised her.
“Then I’ll do everything I can to make sure this place opens smoothly.”
Raymond smiled at them both. “I’m telling you, Dante, Julie is the right person for the job.”
His body was definitely on board with Julie handling this project, but his brain interjected. This was important to him for multiple reasons; he couldn’t just go with the decision the head below his belt was trying to get him to make.
“We’ll see. I’m talking to a few other developers.”
The corner of her inviting lips lifted, and her head tilted to the side. “Talk to them all you want. I know I’m the right person. In the next few days, you’ll know it, too.”
Dante added “confident” to the things about Julie Dominick that were making ignoring the head below his belt harder.
One of the women from the piano came over. “Are you ready to sing for us again?” she asked with a bright smile.
Julie stepped back. “I mentioned to Raymond that I can come back tomorrow to discuss business. I’m more than happy to do that.”
Raymond placed a hand on her arm. “Don’t leave, Julie.”
Dante zeroed in on Raymond’s hands on Julie, so familiar, without a bit of hesitation or awkwardness between them. Raymond said nothing was going on between him and Julie, but he’d also said she was the woman he could consider settling down with later, which meant Dante should pull back. No matter how his body reacted to her, he shouldn’t step on Raymond’s toes that way.
“Stay,” Dante said. “Change and join the party.”
She shook her head. “I’m not prepared for a pool party.”
Raymond chuckled. “You can’t tell me you came to Malibu and didn’t bring a swimsuit. Get the thing out, and come sit by the pool. I know this is a business trip, but you can have a few minutes to enjoy yourself.”
She glanced at Dante, and he nodded. He may not step on Raymond’s toes, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want her to stick around so he could see her in a bathing suit. Maybe the desire caused by that thought showed in his expression because the spark he’d witnessed earlier made a brief appearance in Julie’s eyes. It was quickly hidden when she turned to Raymond. “Fine. I’ll change and join you.”
Raymond dragged Julie away to get her bags and showed her where to change. Dante would have preferred to do that himself, but she was Raymond’s friend. Better for Dante to keep his distance.
He sang another song for the ladies in the music room but wasn’t really into having fun with them anymore, so he ushered them back to the pool. They kept him company, and he listened to them talk about inconsequential things. Each one tried to gain his attention and figure out who he’d spend the rest of the day with. It was a question he’d been debating before Julie walked through the door and broke his thoughts, scattering them like balls on a pool table.
The source of the scattering came out onto the patio, Raymond with her. Dante took a sip of beer that stuck in his throat. He coughed and sat up in his chair. Julie in a business suit was a man’s fantasy; Julie in a bathing suit was a man’s erotic dream. The red one-piece suit was plastered to full breasts and a flat stomach. It rose high on her hips; no sarong or wrap hid the perfection of her thighs and legs. Confident with a capital C. She’d switched the heels for a pair of red sandals. Dante took another gulp of his beer to stop his groan of appreciation from escaping.
She and Raymond settled into chairs across the pool. They talked and laughed, looking every bit the close friends Raymond said they were. She glanced around the space. Her gaze stopped several times as she took in the various people. When she stopped on him, a small smile lifted her lips and made his heart jump before she continued her perusal. What did that smile mean? Did she feel the same knocked-out-of-breath feeling when their eyes met, or was she just smiling at a potential business partner she had to acknowledge? He couldn’t say she was looking only for him because she seemed to check out everyone there.
He ran a hand over his face. What the hell? When did he become the guy obsessing over what a woman was thinking? Julie’s closeness with Raymond meant he had to keep his hands to himself. If she did get the job, getting involved with her might cloud his judgment about the club. He should ignore her.
A woman that Raymond had hooked up with came over to him and Julie. Raymond introduced her. Julie smiled and held out her hand. Dante noted her friendly and jealous-free greeting. The woman clung to Raymond’s side. After a few minutes of talking, Julie waved Raymond and the woman away. They strolled toward the door. Julie watched them, but there was no hint of regret, anger or disappointment on her face. Okay, maybe they are just friends.
Her eyes lifted and met his. Dante’s heart danced behind his rib cage. Again, she gave him a small smile, then looked away. He was up and out of the chair in an instant.
“I’ll have to tell Raymond to never leave a beautiful woman alone at a party,” he said as he sat next to her. “Someone else may slip in.”
Her smile was good-natured, not flirtatious. “Actually, I was waiting for him to leave. He has a way of unintentionally blocking. Now I’m free to talk with whomever I want.”
Dante liked the sound of that. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Anyone here you’re interested in having a conversation with?”
Her smile made him hot all over. “Actually, there is a guy I wouldn’t mind talking to.”
Dante’s grin widened. He slid his arm across the back of the chair and moved closer. “I’d love to know who.”
She looked over his shoulder, then used her head to indicate behind Dante. “Him. The guy in the green trunks.”
Dante frowned and glanced around. Carlos, the drummer they’d had to call in on the last leg of the tour after Dante’s original drummer got sick, stood on the other side of the pool. There was something about Carlos that Dante didn’t really like, but he’d chalked his feelings up to his dislike of unexpected changes. Carlos played well and hadn’t caused any problems on tour, so Dante ignored his weird feelings toward the guy.
“Him?”
“You sound surprised,” she said, and he swore amusement filled her voice.
“I thought you might be interested in someone else.”
“Really, who?”
There was definite humor in her amber eyes.
“I thought you’d want to spend more time with Raymond.”
She shook her head, then crossed her long and shapely legs. “Oh. Not really. Ray and I have plenty of time to catch up while I’m working with you two.”
Spoken as if she already had the job. “Him leaving with another woman didn’t bother you?”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement and she waved a hand. “That. No. I’ve known Ray way too long to get upset when he ditches me for another female.”
