Leah's Seduction: 2 (Gianni and Leah - Leah's Seduction) (4 page)

Chapter 7

The dinner with Gianni had been like a fairy tale, and Leah wouldn’t have been surprised if she had awoken the next morning to find everything had vanished. The way he had treated her, and the intensity with which sex had escalated, left her desperate for more. Yet fearful it would end.

It didn’t end, despite her worries. Although Leah continued to spend nights alone in her apartment, she frequently stayed at Gianni’s place. He was often working late, or unavailable, but not always. And when his schedule allowed, they met for dinner or the theater. She couldn’t help but wonder if he had any other women. But she doubted it.

She should have had more confidence, considering his behavior. Gianni acted like she was important in his life, but Leah wasn’t sure she could measure up. He seemed convinced she already had. Except if that was true, he wouldn’t have asked one of his fashion consultants to go shopping with her.

That was a sore point. Leah had never intended to be the center of attention in the fashion world. Her job was behind the scenes. But Gianni had the idea she was hiding her beauty. It sounded more like flattery to her, but she had agreed to go out with the consultant and make the effort.

The result was a new wardrobe of sorts. Some of the items that looked good on her were too expensive. Gianni had offered his credit card, but she had refused. She was an independent career woman, and didn’t want to feel that she was being supported by him. Even if he was wealthy, Leah wanted to make her own way.

As the weeks went by, life fell into a new pattern. Leah focused on her career during the day, but found that she looked forward to Gianni’s calls. And when he didn’t call, she was disappointed. She tried to stay rational about it, treasuring the time she had with him, and not making her greed for Gianni’s attention an issue.

When they were together, it was exciting. Gianni still seemed a bit cautious with her, and kept her at arm’s length emotionally. But sexually he had no such reservations, and continued to guide her. The sensations she’d experienced with him were beyond description. Even if she’d had her journal, she wouldn’t have known what to write.

It was difficult to say how she felt. Good, of course. But he edged her into territory that was foreign to her. Leah found that the more she had, the more she wanted. Her blossoming sexuality wasn’t anything new. She’d had passion building up inside for a long time.

No man had yet tapped it. And no man could have hoped to release it like Gianni had. It wasn’t that simple, though. The way he dominated and controlled her was addictive. Leah knew that he’d opened her body and mind to something that she needed. Now that she’d had sex that satisfied her in that way, anything less wouldn’t do.

Many times she had contemplated what was happening, and couldn’t say for sure that it was healthy for her. The way Gianni led her into acts that had a taste of the forbidden turned her on. And she couldn’t have pulled back, even if she had wanted to.

Not that she did. Her concern was about becoming dependent upon Gianni, when he had made no commitment to her. Nor did she expect him to. The thought of losing the intimacies she shared with him was too much to face. So she pushed it aside, and accepted the present for what it was. And for as long as it would last.

*****

The following month, GR Showroom hosted a bash for their buyers. It was held at a low-ceilinged venue with good acoustics, and Gianni planned for music to be a big part of the event. The space was a double level, with room for the catwalk on the top floor, and a bar downstairs.

The party following the fashion show would be a highlight of the season. The room for the DJ and the dance floor was large enough to accommodate the expected crowd. The dark lounge was filled with plenty of couches, and a small stage for those who felt like showing off.

Upstairs was a huge backroom, where the models dressed. Leah arrived early to help Kyra. Not that she had any talent with arranging outfits. There would be a team for that. Knowing Leah planned to attend, her friend had asked her to come early and meet her in the dressing area.

It was more for fun than moral support. Leah was glad to be involved, and being in the back, out of sight, was comfortable for her. Since the show was important for Gianni, she wouldn’t have missed it. And she was glad to find his sister, Daniela, already at the counter, helping Kyra with makeup.

Since Gianni’s promise to look out for Kyra, he’d made sure she was in shows he could supervise, whenever that was possible. Gianni observed from a distance, but it was enough to assure Leah that he was looking out for her friend. He had become Kyra’s self-appointed guardian.

Her friend had noticed, even before Leah told her. It was impossible not to notice Gianni’s presence at an event, or ignore the fact that new modeling opportunities were offered. Kyra was grateful, although she didn’t think she needed looking after.

For the high-profile event, Leah had worn one of her new outfits. It was conservative in comparison to some, but it flattered her figure. Gianni had voiced his approval before, when she’d worn the pale blue dress with buttons down the front.

In the back, it was noisy, with many models fussing over their hair, or how something fit. It was early, and the commotion had barely begun when Leah stepped inside. She spotted Daniela putting Kyra’s hair up, and went over to join them.

“Hey, ladies.”

Both glanced over and returned the greeting, but were engrossed in their creative work.

“She’s going to do something unique for me,” Kyra said.

“I want to watch. Maybe I can help,” Leah said.

Daniela smiled, her hazel eyes shining. Her faded jeans fit her petite figure, and paired with a navy cotton shirt under a short brown leather jacket, the casual look suited her. The choppy cut of her dark blond hair was cute, and the only makeup she wore was peachy gloss on her lips.

“We’re just goofing off right now,” Daniela said. “We have time.”

Leah sat on a stool to watch. “Do you work Gianni’s shows all the time?”

“Not always. I like to, but sometimes I have other commitments. He gives me lots of support, though, so I love to return the favor.” Daniela picked up a makeup brush and scrutinized her supplies.

On the table were several plastic cases of eye shadows and blush, in a wide range of hues. She considered what she wanted to do, then grabbed a bright blue shadow and started to work.

“Don’t make me look too weird,” Kyra said.

Daniela swiped the blue color over the top of Kyra’s forehead. “Oh, you haven’t worked with me enough. I’ll make you look great.”

Leah clasped her hands together, and leaned forward to observe the transformation in progress. “It’s wild what artists do. Some of the models at shows look like works of art.”

“Exactly,” Daniela said. “It used to be that a runway show was all about the clothes. The models did their own makeup, if you can believe that.”

“Not now,” Kyra chimed in.

“These days,” Daniela went on, “backstage is a stage of its own. Often there is a swarm of journalists. Sometimes they interview the lead makeup artist, and it’s published on social media.”

Leah watched the brush fly over Kyra’s eyes, rimming them in deep blue in a wild pattern. “It takes talent to satisfy the beauty-obsessed fashion world,” she said.

“That’s the part I love,” Daniela said, dusting off some excess powder. “I can paint glamorous eyes, or even a neon-accented hairstyle. Always something to catch the eye, and stun the buyers. Even the frantic pre-show pace doesn’t stress me out. It’s exciting.”

With one stroke of the brush after the other, and dabbing with sponges, Kyra’s face became a chiseled work of art. Bright blue under the cheekbones and around the hairline made a bold impression. And the deep, almost black, blue around her eyes gave them a mysterious depth. To finish the look, Daniela painted on a pure red lipstick in perfect lines.

Leah was so engrossed that she didn’t see Gianni approach, but she smelled his cologne. Turning, she saw him standing next to her, devastatingly handsome in his charcoal blazer. He placed his hand on her low back possessively, then studied Kyra’s look. “Bold is good,” he said. “You should wear it, Kyra, with the stark white dress.”

“You think so?” Kyra’s deep-set eyes grew wide. “We were just playing around.”

“Sometimes that’s how the best looks are created.” He smiled at Daniela, and she leaned over to put an arm around his neck. Gianni seemed to enjoy his sister’s affection. Looking back at Kyra, he said, “You might consider teaming up with my sister more often. She has been doing makeup since she could first hold a brush.”

Daniela giggled.

“Okay, well, I see things are in hand back here. I have a lot to attend to.” Gianni kissed Leah, and began to walk away. The touch of his lips lingered on hers. Leah didn’t want him to go, and was glad when he called back to her, “I’ll see you out there when the show starts.”

The quiet of the backroom didn’t last. As it filled up, the noise level rose, and the flurry of activity began. Kyra seemed used to it, as did Daniela. But for Leah it was nerve-racking, and she was glad her career choice had been toward the business end of things.

Leaving the other two to finish up, and knowing Kyra would soon be swamped by others who would dress and prep her, Leah left. The catwalk was surrounded by rows of chairs, and clusters of attendees milled about. A few sat, huddled together, involved in more serious discussions.

She looked for Gianni, but didn’t see him right away. The one person she didn’t expect to see bumped into her. It was Vadim. “Excuse me,” she said, annoyed that he didn’t so much as acknowledge that he had nearly knocked her over.

His steely eyes bored into her. “Leah, were you backstage?”

For some reason, she didn’t want to tell him anything, though there was nothing to tell. The challenge in his voice set her on edge. “Yes, it’s huge back there. Everyone is in a flurry of preparation.”

She must have diverted his attention, because Vadim didn’t pursue that line of inquiry. Leah had a question of her own. “What are you doing here? You never mentioned you’d be attending.”

Leah hadn’t meant to be snippy; it had just come out that way.

Vadim’s eyes narrowed. “Sometimes I like to see things for myself.”

His words grated on her, and the deeper meaning was clear. If he relied on Leah for all of his information, some things would be missed. The insult was uncalled for, as the marketing strategies she had come up with had already been put into play. And sales had spiked as a result.

But Vadim would not admit the part she played in the company’s success. His ego wouldn’t allow it. “Well, enjoy. I’m looking for someone,” she said, and brushed past him.

As Leah walked away, the smirk on his face caught her eye. But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her react. To date, she’d kept up appearances, and not revealed her relationship with Gianni publicly.

If Vadim suspected, he didn’t say so. But the way he looked at her, either he had guessed the truth. Or he had hoped it were so. The man’s ruthlessness was no secret, and he would see her close relationship with Gianni as an opportunity for profit.

The thought reminded Leah of how little she really knew of Gianni’s business. He didn’t talk much about any of his showrooms, his strategies, or his plans. When they were together, with the heat of their attraction roaring into a blazing fire, she didn’t expect him to talk business.

But it occurred to her that even when they shared a meal, went for a walk, or stopped for coffee that Gianni was tight-lipped. The competitive nature of the industry called for high security. She just hoped that was the reason he never talked about his business. Not that he didn’t trust her.

Chapter 8

The show was a success, and Kyra garnered attention with her royal-blue shadow, red lips, and tightly-fitted white dress. She must have scrubbed her face and redone the makeup, because late in the show when she paraded down the walk in a red lace mini-dress, Kyra looked completely different.

Leah had learned to read Gianni’s expressions, and didn’t miss that he was pleased with the buyers’ reactions. Fresh fashions from up-and-coming designers were the talk of the show. And there was little doubt that sales would follow.

For a while, Leah was on her own at the party downstairs, because Gianni had to meet with a couple of people. She got a glass of champagne at the bar, and looked for Daniela, but didn’t see her. Likely she was still backstage changing, and Leah might not see her at all. While doing makeup, Daniela had mentioned she had plans to go meet someone, and wouldn’t be at the party.

Loud rock music filled the space, and dancers filled the floor. Tables of food lined the walls, and servers walked through the crowds with trays of drinks. Leah found a seat and settled in to watch, hoping Gianni wouldn’t be long. It would have been better if Kyra had changed and come out to have a drink with her. But the models were going to a different party, so Leah was left alone.

She had caught a glimpse of Vadim at the show, just before the lights went down. But she didn’t see him in the crowd at the moment, and assumed he wouldn’t attend the party. It was difficult to imagine him smiling, or having fun.

Then she saw a familiar face, immediately recognizing the journalist she had met in Los Angeles. He came over to her, carrying his camera. His dark hair was disheveled, and his shirt was unbuttoned at the top, with sleeves pushed up, like he’d been working. Which she was sure he had been. The pit where the photographers could snap shots of the models had been packed, and she knew that each vied for the best vantage point.

As he got closer, Leah was struck once again by how handsome he was. He was leaner than Gianni, but had an athletic build. When he was a step away, she noticed his blue eyes. That had been one thing that had attracted her before. Without preamble, he sat next to her and smiled. “Leah,” he said.

“Hi, Cody. I figured we would run into each other at some point. You covered the show?”

“One of many. It was a madhouse. But I got some good shots.” He held up his hand to flag a waiter. “I need a drink.”

Leah wondered what Gianni would do if he walked up right then. Would he get the wrong idea? Cody was just being friendly, that was all.

Gulping his drink, Cody sat back. Then he frowned. “Are you still with Gianni Rinaldi?”

“You get straight to the point, don’t you?” Leah sat straighter. “And what makes you think I’m
with
him, anyway?”

Cody laughed. “It’s obvious. I didn’t buy the
he’s mad at me
story. Not that he wasn’t mad. But he didn’t have to follow you, and scoop you away from me, just to resolve a disagreement.”

“Well, we resolved things, in any case.”

Cody studied her. “You’re making a mistake, you know.”

Leah raised her eyebrows.

“Being with Gianni.”

She lifted her chin. “You keep saying that. How do you know who I’m
with
?”

“Let me show you something,” Cody said, and turned on his camera. He scrolled through some pictures, and found what he was looking for. “Take a look at these.”

The shots were of Leah with Gianni. She examined the pictures one at a time, trying not to show any emotion. Relief washed over her when she saw that none of the shots revealed anything too personal. “So what? We work in the same industry.”

Cody gulped his drink. “I can see it, even if you can’t.”

She lifted her glass. “You can see what?”

“That you are getting sucked into Gianni’s web. He’s a powerful man, and don’t think if he shows interest in you that he doesn’t
want
something.”

She knew perfectly well what Gianni
wanted
, but didn’t dare think of it, lest she blush and give herself away. “I think you are being cynical.” Leah said it even though she found his words unsettling.

Cody shook his head. “Not at all. You’re new to this game. Many of the players have history together.”

She stiffened. “Are you referring to something specific?”

“Don’t you find it odd that you happen to work for Mason Barrington, one of Gianni’s enemies?”

“I worked for Mason before I ever met Gianni. I don’t see the connection,” she said. “Plus, you don’t know for sure they are still enemies. He’s never mentioned anything about that.”

“Of course not.” Cody leaned closer. “I just don’t want you to be a pawn in their game. I don’t know you that well, but you seem nice. You need to watch it, Leah. You are caught between two powerful men. Keep your eyes open.”

Leah found the implication distressing, but she wasn’t about to let Cody know. “I’ll be okay. I know what I’m doing.” She looked into Cody’s blue eyes. He seemed sincere. “Maybe you’re just jealous.”

He shrugged, and then smiled. “Maybe I am. But unless you want your relationship to be in the media, I’d be careful what you do in public.” He paused. “If I wanted to, I could have published some of the photos of you with Gianni, and let everyone see that you are the new woman in his life.”

“You’d just be guessing,” she said. “And so would everyone else.”

“It’s not that much of a guess.” Cody put the camera strap over his shoulder. “The look on your face when you are around him gives you away.”

Leah sighed.

“So far you’ve stayed under the radar. But somebody else, some other journalist, is going to pick up on it. And they will run with it.” He smiled. “They won’t be nice like I am.”

Leah was miffed. “And why are you being nice? Why don’t you publish the photos and make up your story? You’re passing up on the profits there, aren’t you?”

He hesitated. “Maybe I want to see you again…if things don’t work out with you and Gianni. So I’d rather stay friends for now.” Cody stood up. “Just be careful.”

When he walked away, Leah gulped half of the glass of champagne she had been holding. Believing that Cody was just jealous didn’t make the knot in her stomach go away. There was some truth to what he’d said. But she didn’t believe all of it.

When Leah had first told Gianni she worked for Barrington, she had noticed a reaction. But he hadn’t said anything at the time. Or since. If there was something between the two men, she didn’t know about it. Either Cody imagined it or, if it was true, it was part of the past. Not worth mentioning.

But Cody had a point that she was in an awkward position. She wondered if there would be repercussions if Mason found out her relationship with Gianni was more than just business. Possibly, it would jeopardize her job. Or worse, she might lose Gianni.

The situation had disaster written all over it. If only Gianni would confide in her more, so she would know what he was thinking. But she didn’t see that happening anytime soon. Although it would be good to discuss with him how they should act in public. At least to find out if he agreed they should be discreet.

Gianni hadn’t expressed concern, but then, the relationship was new. They hadn’t been seen together that much. Yet, in that short time, Cody had managed to take quite a few photos of them. Leah needed to be smarter about it. And she needed to talk to Gianni.

Leah took a deep breath, trying to refocus on the party. Beautiful people dressed in evening wear danced, laughed, and drank all around her. She had been invited as Gianni’s guest. But she felt so alone, so different, like she couldn’t fit in.

Downing the rest of her drink, she looked up to see Gianni coming over. He was a welcome sight. He wouldn’t be using her, would he? So far, he had been good to her. And he hadn’t asked about business. Was that just so she would let her guard down, and never suspect anything?

“Hey, baby,” he said, and sat beside her. “Sorry I left you alone so long.”

Looking into his eyes, Leah couldn’t imagine his intent was to deceive. Pushing aside the bad feelings, she smiled. “It’s good to see you. I think I need more champagne.” She held up her empty glass.

Gianni flagged a server, giving Leah a second to regain some composure. Taking a flute from the tray, the server handed it to her. Then he handed another to Gianni. This was a party. It was time to have fun. Cody had been exaggerating, trying to drive a wedge between her and the man she was crazy about.

Gianni sipped his champagne and looked into her eyes. Leah felt better. It was all okay; it had to be. She didn’t need to start conjuring up things that didn’t exist. For once, she was with a man she craved. And he treated her better than she could have wished for. Taking Cody’s warnings to heart wasn’t in her best interest.

Putting aside her doubts, Leah leaned over and kissed Gianni’s cheek. In response, he put his arms around her, still holding his drink in one hand, and gave her a lip-bruising kiss. It took her breath away, and she deepened the kiss, wanting him more than ever. The taste of him and the scent of his cologne made her pulse quicken.

When Gianni pulled back, she touched his cheek. “You don’t seem concerned about anyone seeing us.” She hadn’t intended to be so blunt, but having said it, Leah waited for his reaction.

“Why would I?” He furrowed his brow. “This is my party. No photographs are allowed inside after the show.” Then his blue-gray eyes became stern, and she knew he was no longer thinking about pictures. “In fact, I could pull up your skirt, right here. And take you like I’m aching to do. Like I have been aching to do since the moment I saw you in that blue dress.”

Leah’s skin warmed, and her sex pulsed. Would he really do what he threatened? And if he did, what would she do? So far she hadn’t been able to refuse him anything.

“No one could say a word.” His eyes gleamed. “And I’m tempted to do just that.”

She believed him. Feeling weak under his gaze, Leah was glad when he took her hand. He squeezed, and that gave her the reassurance she needed.

“But I’ll wait,” he said, “for now.” Then he put his drink on the table, and held her face in his palms. “Are you okay, baby?” Worry clouded his expression.

Gianni was so perceptive. It was impossible to hide something from him. He picked up on her emotions so easily. It was unnerving. “I’m fine,” she said. “Now that you’re here.” And she meant it.

Pulling her onto his lap, Gianni stroked her back, and she leaned against him. Leah wondered if he believed her, and whether she had given away anything. But she thought not. He seemed satisfied for the moment. And he wasn’t one to pretend.

The feel of his hard thighs underneath her, and his masculine scent, became her focus. Nothing else mattered, or even existed. Not when she was in his arms. She turned to him, feeling his breath on her skin, and her blood heated. He was so damn sexy.

“Leah,” he said in a raspy voice. Lust filled his eyes, and her heart skipped a beat. She thought to reply, but no words came out. Her gaze locked with his, and Leah wasn’t sure how to respond. Gianni had that effect on her all too often.