Pretty Face (9 page)

Trinity pulled one more thing from the bag. “You’re going to have so much fun. But I want you safe.” She handed Cody a gigantic box of condoms.

She had to laugh. “I’ll never use all of these before I die. Besides, I’m on the pill. I have been for years. It’s just smart.” Cody didn’t go into explanations. Once attacked, forever cautious. “The only sex I’ve had in the last few years has been with myself.”

“And Hunter, I know you two play.” Marnie always tried to put a positive spin on things.

“Yes, we’ve played,” she admitted. “But that doesn’t equate having sex, there was still no one touching me but me.”

“And that changes tonight.” Trinity let out a self-satisfied sigh. “Just think if we fix you up, we can work on Marnie next.”

At that unexpected declaration, Marnie blanched. “Me? How about you?”

“Here, here, let’s tackle one impossible task at a time.” Cody giggled. “Really, we’re all pretty hopeless. Three dateless women who run a dating site and won’t even sign up for its services themselves. If that fact ever leaked out we’d be out of business.”

“Actually, I filled out the form last week. Turned it in. This thing with me and Crockett is going nowhere,” Trinity confessed.

“Really?” Marnie was flabbergasted. “You’ll have to explain that over dinner while Cinderella is at the ball.”

“Speaking of…” Cody looked at the time. “I need to take all of this off and become me again. Nana is too cranky for me to be late.”

“Okay, we’ll leave you to it and we won’t call till tomorrow. Just in case you’re having hot monkey sex with Hunter.” Trinity hugged Cody hard.

“This is going to be a magical night and you deserve it.” Marnie joined in the embrace.

“Thanks, you two, I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re my only friends.”

“Quality beats quantity any day.” Marnie laughed.

When they’d gone, Cody took everything off and laid it neatly on the bed. When she checked in the mirror the next time, Sage was gone and plain Cody had returned. “Don’t look so sad,” she told her reflection. “This is your chance at the fairy tale. The carriage may turn back into a pumpkin tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wild ride tonight.”

*  *  *

“Let me see a picture of this Hunter fellow, curli-locks?” Nana sat in her wheelchair. She was a tiny lady, almost ninety years old.

“All part of the disguise.” Cody pulled up his photo on her phone, a close-up. “Here he is. I’ve told you all about him. I just never expected him to come and insist on meeting me.”

Nana peered at the picture. “He’s handsome as sin, that’s for sure.” She began expertly thumbing through the other photos and Cody had to grab it back before she came up the more risqué ones, like Hunter sprawled out on his bed with his cock in his hand. “Who taught you how to use a smart phone?”

A dry laugh from the elderly lady surprised Cody. “I’m old, not stupid. And why wouldn’t he want to see you, you’ve been teasing that boy unmercifully for months.”

At Nana’s astute surmise, Cody blushed. “We weren’t supposed to fall in love. I only did it so I could have a taste of what I’d been missing, what I lost after Joe hurt me.”

“Oh, I know, honey. I understand. And Hunter will too, you’ll just have to explain it to him.” She folded her hands over the lap robe, her fingers twisted with arthritis.

“I don’t know how to start,” Cody confessed, going to her knees and laying her head in her great-grandmother’s lap.

“Well, let’s see. You have three balls, three chances to show him how much you care, give him a glimpse at the real you behind the mask.”

Cody smiled faintly. “Marnie and Trinity went to New Orleans and found me three fantasy gowns, one gold, one green, and one purple. I have a gorgeous mask to wear and slippers that look like glass.”

“Sounds wonderful.” Nana stroked her hair. “Mardi Gras is a magical time. This is an ancient holiday, dating back to pagan times. Most people don’t realize it has its roots in Saturnalia and Lupercalia. Religion wove its way into it, but the grand themes remain. We grab onto life with both hands, we celebrate, we live, love and laugh, eat, drink, and be merry…” Nana paused for effect. “Because the time of sacrifice is near, the time when we give up what we need and what we want for the greater good.”

“Oh.” Cody was amazed at how the circumstances of her life, the very choices she had made seemed to fit into this fabled mold. Hunter had come. She, Sage, had this amazing opportunity to be with him, love him, enjoy him, grab onto the joy as hard as she could before she confessed her sins and repented, accepting the penance that would be her due. There would be no absolution for her, she was afraid. Once Hunter learned of her lies, saw her for who she really was, he would be gone.

“The man may surprise you.” Nana tried to console her. “Outer beauty isn’t all that some men are attracted to. During the time you’ve been together, he has seen your heart, touched your spirit, and bonded with your soul.”

“I hope so, Nana. I hope so.” She clung to the little woman’s frail knees. “What do I do? How do I act? What do I tell him?”

Nana stroked her hair. “As trite as this may sound, be yourself. You are who he loves. Talk to him, touch him, make him see how much you care. Use the mystique of Mardi Gras to your advantage. The three colors have meaning. I saw in the paper that the balls will be centered around these colors and their themes. Gold is power. Use this night to give him what he needs, use your feminine power. Green is faith. Use the second night to prove to him there is more to you than meets the eye. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. The third color is purple, the color of royalty, the color of justice. Upon the third night you must confess, unburden your soul and tell him what is on your heart.”

Cody sat back and wiped her eyes. “I am very nervous. Will you think about me tonight, Sage Donovan Napier?” She had to smile as she said the name. Cody hadn’t been terribly original when she’d coined an alias.

“I will.” Nana assured her. “Be happy, Pretty Face. Nothing worth having is easy. Give yourself to Hunter, show him your heart, he will see the true you, the one he loves.”

*  *  *

Hunter was nervous. He’d left Sage two messages, but she hadn’t responded. What if he went to this ball and she didn’t show, like she’d done him at the airport?

Standing in front of the mirror, he adjusted his tie. He couldn’t afford to think that way, Sage would show tonight and everything would be perfect. Hunter leaned forward and pushed a lock of unruly hair from his forehead. “I should have gotten a haircut.” Damn, he was nervous. He felt like this was his first date.

It was the first date that mattered.

It mattered a helluva lot.

Checking the time, he put the charm bracelet in his pocket and looked at his shoes once more. Yes, they were tied and polished. He guessed he was ready.

When he came to the truck, he wondered if it were fancy enough. Sage was a businesswoman. She might have money, drive a Lexus, live in a fancy house. What would she want with a poor carpenter? Dry-scrubbing his face, Hunter tried to laugh at himself. Sage had said she was nervous, afraid to meet him. Lord help, she didn’t know the half of it. He was as antsy as a randy teenager.

New Roads just wasn’t big enough to get lost in, but he’d played safe and looked up the address on his GPS. As he drove toward the Southern Belle Plaza, he wondered what Cody was doing. He hoped she wasn’t lonely tonight. How lucky he was to have his beautiful Sage waiting for him. An absolute thrill of anticipation made him shift in his seat. He couldn’t wait to look into her beautiful eyes, face to face.

Meanwhile…

Cody paced up and down the room. The hour was growing close. She could already hear the music rising from the courtyard below. Tonight wouldn’t be a time of modern music played by a country band, the Tre Fleur Balls were elegant, classical and followed the customs tested by time. Mardi Gras was more than just a parade. In New Orleans, New Roads, Mobile, Galveston and other parts of the south, it was a time-honored celebration where long established groups met to celebrate their way of life. The balls in New Roads weren’t as exclusive, but the ones in New Orleans were by invitation only and you had to know someone to be invited. There were times when even powerful governors of the state had wrangled for an invitation and found themselves excluded.

Since she held the tickets, Cody had left Hunter’s at the door. She’d considered meeting him at the front herself, but she couldn’t. Sage/Cody needed that extra moment or two after seeing him for the first time to get herself together. Taking a long last look in the mirror, she picked up the mask and put it on. “Here I come, Hunter, ready or not.”

The walk from the room to the elevator and from the elevator to the lobby seemed to take no time at all. Southern Belle was an ornate establishment on a normal day, during Mardi Gras it was a wonderland. Tasteful to the extreme, there was still a carnival atmosphere, countless balloons, centerpieces full of feathers and beads, artistic Venetian masks—all in the colors Nana had explained so poetically.

Two footmen flanked the large twelve foot tall doors leading to the Magnolia Room. Discretely, she turned over her ticket. “Has Mr. Hunter Reed arrived? Do you know?”

The gentleman bowed. “Yes, ma’am. About five minutes ago.”

“Thanks.” If Cody had thought she was nervous before, there was no comparison to what she was now. Her heart was beating so hard, it was thundering in her chest. There was an actual rushing noise in her ears. With tentative steps she moved down the hall, her heels making a clicking noise on the black marble floors. When she passed a mirror, Cody had to look twice, she missed a step. The reflection of the auburn haired beauty wearing a divine dress and a bejeweled mask was a stranger.

Standing in the doorway were two couples, splendidly dressed in couture evening wear. A waiter stood just inside, bearing a tray of full champagne glasses. When she was offered a drink, Cody politely declined. She needed all of her faculties to get through the next few hours. Strains of music filled the air as couples danced around the room. Everyone was dressed beautifully, the best Louisiana society had to offer. And all wore masks, their identity protected behind veils of silk and lace.

The ballroom was decorated in an Egyptian theme with ornate pillars on the sides, huge palm trees, and colorful flowers. Still ponds of water flanked the sides with lotus flowers blooming on their still surface. A glass and gold pyramid stood in the midst of the ballroom, surrounded by a carved Sphinx and a throne grand enough for a pharaoh. Cody walked the perimeter of the room, her eyes searching for that one figure she’d longed to see and feared to see at the same time.

Hunter.

Like a magnet, her eyes were drawn to a tall, broad-shouldered man standing by one of the large marble pillars on the courtyard side of the room. He was sipping from a glass, his eyes scanning the room. Cody began to tremble. She’d only seen Hunter in work clothes and he was handsome enough to turn any woman’s head. Now, here he was dressed up fit to kill and he took her breath away. The only way he could look better was naked and she could vouch for that. The man’s body was just about perfect.

She stood still. Completely still. Counting the seconds until his vision connected with her, Cody’s thoughts were spinning in her head like a whirlybird. What if he saw her, but he paid her no more attention than he did at the airport? She clenched her fists, locked her knees and held her breath, determined that this time she would walk up to him. If he didn’t make the first move, she would.

Across the room…

Hunter searched the room. Everyone seemed to be with someone. Where was she? He had been silently praying she wouldn’t stand him up. So far, he was certain she wasn’t here. Just like at the airport, there was no one here beautiful enough to be his Sage. Until he let his eyes rove a little farther and then he saw her…

A woman stood across the room looking right at him. She was beautiful, exquisite, delicate in form and feature. Her hair was a riotous tumble of gorgeous dark red curls and even beneath the mask, her eyes were the deepest, darkest blue. A tentative sweet smile curved rosebud lips. “Sage?” A slight nod of her head set off a chain reaction. His heart rate escalated to a furious beat, his feet began to move, and his face broke out into a huge, happy smile.

She didn’t let him walk all the way, there was no need for him to do that. Hunter was looking at her with recognition, with hope. All of the love she’d felt for him just bubbled out and she couldn’t have stayed still to save her life. It didn’t matter that people were watching, it didn’t matter that they were in a very public place, she ran into his arms and he swept her up, spinning her around.

“I can’t believe it. Sage, it’s you.” She was holding him tight around the neck, her body soft and warm in his arms. “You feel so good.” And she did. She fit. Almost familiar, just like he’d dreamed. Only the reality was better, so much better.

“So do you, Hunter.” Cody let her voice drop as she reverted to the accent her nana had taught her. He was still holding her about six inches off the ground. Sage clung to his shoulders. Their faces were so close. His eyes, even through the mask, were warm and welcoming. “I am so glad you’re here. I apologize for making you wait.”

“No regrets tonight. We’re together, that’s all that matters.” Wanting a bit of privacy, Hunter eased her down his body until her feet touched the floor. “Let’s step over here.” He led her to the side of the room between one of the pillars and a palm tree. “Let me look at you.”

Even though her scar was covered, her hair and eyes unrecognizable, she felt exposed. She’d stood this close to him before, at the house. But this was different. He was attentive, focused, concentrating on her with intensity, as if he wanted to consume her. Cody wrapped her arms around herself to still the tiny quivers of excitement.

“Cold?” He immediately began to rub his hands down her arms.

“No, nervous,” she answered, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.

Gently, Hunter backed her up against the wall. “Why would you be nervous? It’s me.” He studied her pretty face, what of it he could see. One side of the mask extended farther down her cheek than on the other side. Taking one finger, he touched the smooth skin gently. “I am so happy. It seems like I’ve been waiting for this moment forever. Do you remember what we said we were going to do the moment we met?”

“Yes.” Cody put her hand over his and moved it so she could kiss his palm. “You said you were going to push me against the wall and…”

“Kiss you,” he whispered as he bent his head and touched his lips to hers. Soft. Tender. Hunter had anticipated this so much that he wanted to preserve the moment forever. This was Sage, his Sage. An electric sizzle seemed to pass from her body to his. He moved his hands up to frame her throat, the pulse beneath his fingers beat in time with his own heart. When she moved her mouth against his, opening to him, letting his tongue slide in to taste hers, his whole body shook with desire.

“Get a room, buddy!”

Someone bumped up against him. Hunter covered Sage’s body protectively with his own.

“I think he’s drunk.” Cody loved the way Hunter was treating her. She almost told him she had a room, but she supposed it was too early. They should dance and talk first. “Shall we dance or do you want to get a drink and sit at the tables?” She pointed to the glass enclosed garden room.

“I want to do both.” He sat his drink on a nearby stand, taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor. “Right now, I want you in my arms. I’m not a good dancer, all I can really do is hold you and sway.”

“Sounds perfect to me.” Nothing had ever felt more natural, Cody allowed him to mold her body to his. Being held against his broad, strong chest was so exciting. “I love being close to you,” she confessed. “Your photos didn’t do you justice.” The moment she brought up the topic, Cody regretted it.

Hunter’s hand tightened at her waist. “You were always stingy with your pictures, but I have to say you are much more beautiful in person. You’re everything I dreamed you’d be.”

His beloved voice made Cody want to cry. If she were going to start the arduous journey toward truth, she might as well start now. “Oh, Hunter, I’m all dressed up. Consider how I look now a glamour shot. These curls are hair extensions, my hair is naturally dark and straight.”

Hunter shook his head. “Stop, I don’t care. I’m just so excited to be with you. I have you in my arms, nothing can spoil this.”

“I have on colored contacts, my eyes aren’t this blue.”

Hunter chuckled. “Okay, let’s see. Are these lips real?” He bent and kissed her again.

“Yes,” she muttered breathlessly between butterfly kisses.

“How about these?” He clasped her tighter and moved his chest across hers, her breasts mashed against his hard muscle.

Cody giggled. “Yes, I think the bra makes the most of them but if I were going to go fake, I would’ve gone bigger.”

“I can’t wait to see them.” Hunter laughed, hugging her even closer. “God, baby, it’s so good to be with you. When you wouldn’t see me, it hurt me so much.”

Cody reached up and clasped him around the neck, running her fingers up in his soft hair. “I’m so sorry. And before these balls are over, I’ll tell you why. I’ll tell you everything, I promise.”

Hunter frowned, confused. “I don’t understand, but I trust you.” Shifting her in his embrace, he turned loose of her hand and wrapped both arms around her. “Lay your head on my shoulder and let me hold you.”

Cody relaxed against him. One song drifted into another. “What’s this tune?” Hunter asked. “I don’t recognize it.”

“This is
If Ever I Cease to Love
, the official song of Mardi Gras. It was first used when the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia visited New Orleans in 1867. This was his favorite song. He was honored during that year’s Mardi Gras. Even the colors we use today—gold, green, and purple—were his choice.” She remembered her nana’s words. “This time is my gift to you. I want to make you happy. I want to give you me.”

Hunter groaned in her ear. “Is it too early to leave? I want you all to myself.”

“Yea, a little.” Cody giggled. She stood on tiptoe and whispered, “But I have a room for us upstairs.”

This time he growled. “Can you feel how hard I am?” He pressed his hips against her.

“You’re always hard,” she murmured, loving the chance to say the familiar words.

When a singer began to sing the song
If Ever I Cease To Love
, Hunter put his cheek to hers. “I’m so glad we’re together. I can’t imagine not loving you.”

Pangs of unease rose in Cody’s stomach. “I hope you feel that way by the time Mardi Gras is over.”

“I will.” Hunter was sure. “Let’s get something to drink and talk.” He led her through the crowd, accepting two glasses of champagne on the way. They found a small round table next to a fountain. Pulling his chair close to hers, they sat. Hunter turned toward her, running his hand under her hair to caress her nape. “I can’t seem to keep my hands off of you. Tell me something, anything you want me to know.”

Cody cleared her throat. “I can’t wait to spend these next three nights with you. I want us to cram just as much love, joy, and laughter into them as we can.”

Instead of making him happy, her words disturbed him. “You’re making it sound like this time will be all we have together.”

She shook her head. “No, but I think we both knew this was a test. We couldn’t assume that our online chemistry would carry over in person.”

“True, but since I’ve held you and kissed you, I think I know all I need to know.” He couldn’t look at her enough. It didn’t matter if her eyes were a different color or if her hair was a different style—that smile and her sweet expression was all her own.

“Thank you.” Sage totally surprised him by leaning over and kissing him on the lips. “Let’s give it time. I want you to be sure.” Hunter didn’t understand the look of sadness that came over her face. He started to ask her to explain when a commotion from the front drew their attention.

“Ladies and Gentleman, thank so much for attending the first of New Roads Tre Fleur Mardi Gras Balls. Tonight, we celebrate the mysteries and magic of Egypt. The Krewe of Thoth are our special guests and we honor the beautiful white ibis, Thoth’s emblem, which makes an appearance in our part of the world every winter. Our waiters are about to pass out the traditional King Cakes. If you are single gentlemen, you will receive a special one. You know the drill, bite into it and the lucky man who receives the silver bean is tonight’s King and is privileged to spend the rest of the evening with our queen…” He looked at a group of beautiful women to his right. “Whoever she may be. The gold pea will tell the tale.”

As soon as he was finished, two waiters approached the table. “Sir.” A tray was held out to Hunter. “Good luck.”

Hunter looked at Cody speculatively, so she explained. “Since you had a single ticket, you get to be in the drawing.” This was something she hadn’t thought of, and knowing her lucky, he’d probably win.

He frowned but took a tiny brioche pastry from the tray. “Okay. How about you?”

She smiled. “The queen and her court is kinda rigged. The current Miss Louisiana usually has the title in the bag.” Laughter and murmurs swept through the room. “Taste it, they’re good. But be careful, you don’t want to break a tooth.”

Hunter took a bite of the buttery treat. “You’re right.” Watching her little tongue lick a crumb from her upper lip was better…but it was still good. Opening his mouth, he took another taste and found a surprise sticking out of the remaining cake. “Look!”

“You won!” She’d been right. Shocked and dismayed, Cody still managed to smile. At his confused glance, she tried to reassure him. “That’s okay, we can hook up again tomorrow night. You go, have a good time.”

The Master of Ceremonies was searching the crowd. “Here’s our queen, the lovely Sandra Melancon, Miss Louisiana 2014. Who is our King?”

Hunter looked around. Another man was standing a few feet away, who had taken a pastry from the same tray. Jumping up, he headed over and whispered to him. The man brightened and took what was in Hunter’s hand.

“I have it. I have it. I won!” the strange gentleman called out.

When Hunter returned, Cody grabbed his arm. “Why would you do that? It’s an honor to be chosen, there are prizes involved!”

Hunter smiled. “Are you crazy? You’re the only prize I want. Why would I trade an evening with the woman I’ve been dying to be with, for a date with someone I don’t know and have absolutely no interest in?”

Cody put her King Cake down and wiped her fingers. Feeling pure elation, she stood and held out her hand. “Let’s go upstairs.”

Hunter was tempted to pick her up and stride out with her like a scene from a romantic movie. An overflow of memories threatened to consume him, shared moments of desperate desire, whispered words of love over the miles. “I thought you’d never ask.” When Sage smiled and tugged on his hand, Hunter thought he was going to break his neck getting to the elevator as fast as he wanted to go.

Together they laughed, both so full of joy and hope that they were about ready to pop. “Come here.” He pulled her into his arms as the doors closed, his lips hovering over hers. “I’m going to love you so good.”

Cody drew back, staring into his eyes, praying she wasn’t making a mistake. “You always have. Don’t you know you’ve become my life?”

Hunter followed her as she pulled back, his mouth so close to her that his warm breath caressed her skin with every word. “Why do you think I’m here? Why do you think I came to find you?” He moved his head, brushing his lips back and forth over hers with careful deliberation. “Fantasies of teasing you, making you whimper as I give you pleasure have haunted me for years. I want you, Sage. I want to make you mine. I want to worship you with my body the way I’ve dreamed of doing for so long.”

Her nipples were so erect, the pressure of them scraping against the lace of her bra made her gasp. “Did we push the button?”

“No!” He laughed. “What floor?”

“Six.” As the lift began to move, Hunter slammed his lips against her and her heart pounded as he took her bottom lip between his teeth and sucked on it. Cody wanted to pinch herself, this perfect man wanted her. She let her eyelids flutter close, and she gave herself over to the wonder of his kiss. He was so much more potent than she’d ever thought possible. Her pulse escalated, her fingertips dug into his shoulders as she surrendered.

Ding!

“Finally.” This time he didn’t deny his impulse, he placed a hand beneath her knees and one behind her back and lifted her. “You belong to me, Sage Donovan, and I’m about to prove it.”

“Room six-eleven.” She held up the key. His eyes were hooded and dark with desire.

“Put it in.” He instructed.

“Isn’t that my line?” she quipped and Hunter’s eyes widened. Cody giggled.

The sound was so sweet and so familiar. He loved it. When the lock clicked, he used his foot to push it open. Once inside, he sat Sage down, his eyes never leaving her face. “Let’s take this off.”