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Luckily, he didn’t have to wait long to see the final result. When he exited the bedroom, Marissa came down the hall from the guest room at the same time. He stopped to watch her walk toward him in a one-shoulder, red satin sheath dress with an overskirt attached at the waist. The design showed off her womanly shape, and the red color looked amazing against her skin. Red was definitely her color.
She wore her hair down in a tumble of bouncy, full curls and wore gold and ruby teardrop earrings in her ears and the matching bracelet on her right wrist. She stopped several feet away, a gold clutch in her hand.
“This is what your money bought. What do you think?” She turned in a circle and gave him the full view.
Of course her ass looked fantastic. He bit his bottom lip.
“Money well spent,” Bruno said.
He extended his arm to her, and they took the stairs to the first floor. He decided to drive tonight, so they took his candy-red Ferrari 812 GTS.
“My brother is going to die when I tell him I’ve ridden in this car,” Marissa said, as he held the door open for her.
Bruno went around to the driver side. As he settled in the seat, he asked, “Is this his dream car?”
Marissa nodded, smoothing a hand over the leather seat. “A Ferrari is his dream car. He knows everything about them and has drooled over the new models every year, saying that one day when he suffers from a midlife crisis and his kids are grown, he’ll mortgage the house and buy one.”
Bruno chuckled as he started the vehicle.
“Nice cufflinks.” Marissa traced the gold and black pearl design.
“Thank you. Rose gave them to me when I was nominated for my first James Beard Award years ago. I won for Best Emerging Chef. It’s become a tradition for me to wear them to every award ceremony.”
“So, they’re sort of your lucky cufflinks?” Marissa asked.
Bruno rested one hand on the steering wheel and let his eyes trail over her, taking in the exquisite image of her in the seat—the big, sexy hair, the red dress and red lips, the jewelry.
“Yes, and I’m hoping I get lucky tonight.” He revved the engine and pulled out of the garage.
When they arrived at the venue, a formal red carpet with photographers was waiting. Bruno couldn’t help but feel proud of the woman on his arm. Marissa looked incredible. She had decided not to wear her glasses tonight. He told her she could, but she insisted she could see fine without them.
On the red carpet, she leaned on his arm, smiling for the photographers before Bruno took her hand and led her inside. Once inside, they circulated among the guests, and he introduced her to other chefs and restaurateurs. One in particular he was happy to see. Esteban Galiano, from Miami, with his wife, Sonia—a well-known sommelier and a golden-skinned beauty with a pixie cut.
“I thought you weren’t able to come this year,” he said to Esteban, a native of Argentina and his competition for Outstanding Restaurateur.
“I didn’t think we would, but our plans changed, and now, here we are.”
“Hello, Sonia.” Bruno leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek.
Introductions were made and then Esteban and Bruno stepped aside to discuss business while the two women talked. Bruno asked his friend’s opinion about a particular investor group interested in doing business with him since he knew Esteban had done business with them in the past.
As he and Esteban talked, his gaze drifted to where Sonia and Marissa were chatting. A warm feeling filled his abdomen at the sight of her engaging with the other woman. She was naturally a good conversationalist because of her work as a matchmaker, but that’s not why this odd sensation filled his insides. It was because being here with her felt natural. Everything about the entire evening felt natural, including holding her hand as he led her into the ballroom.
He wasn’t simply attracted to the outer shell of this woman. He was attracted to the inner person. Her wittiness. Her ability to engage him and others. Awareness struck him like a lightning bolt. She was the perfect companion.
How did she feel being here at this event? How did she feel about him? Would she allow herself to break the rules and get involved with a client?
After a few more minutes of conversation, during which he collected information from Esteban that would be helpful in his meeting with the investors, Bruno walked over to Marissa, and they continued their movement through the party.
“I hope you’re having a good time,” he said quietly.
“I am. This is all extremely exciting. When does the actual awards show start?” she asked.
“Not for another half an hour. This is the pre-awards period, which is an opportunity for everyone to network and catch up.”
Glancing at the door, he saw Ivy Johnson, head of the restaurant arm of Johnson Enterprises, headquartered in Seattle.
Regal and elegant, the dark-skinned beauty approached with a tall, bearded man by her side.
