Weapons of Mass Seduction (18 page)

Chapter Twenty-three

“
P
ia, Valen Bellamy is on the phone. What should I tell him?”

“Ask him to hold on for a minute,” Pia instructed. While Valen held, she did a modified, seated version of the victory shuffle. It had taken him two days to respond, but she knew he wouldn't be able to resist her gesture.

“Pia Jamison,” she answered, shutting down the glee and putting a little seductive edge on her tone.

“Okay, it worked. I'm smiling,” Valen said.

“Well, you just sounded so grumpy the last time we talked, I had to think of something foolproof. So the photo of the Indian Ocean taken from your favorite resort is my peace offering to you.”

“Like I said, it worked. Every time I look at it, my stress just melts away—at least for a second or two.”

“It is beautiful. I just might have to go see it for myself.”

“Well, it was a very gracious gesture. Was I really grumpy?” Valen asked.

“Oh, yes. Grumpy and cruel. You hurt my feelings, Mr. Bellamy,” Pia said with just the right touch of coyness.

“Then I must find a way to make it up to you.”

“Well, with your crazy schedule, I know it'll be weeks before you're available, so why don't we just call it even,” Pia suggested, crossing her fingers while applying a little reverse psychology.

There was a beat of silence before Valen, unwittingly taking her bait, asked, “What are you doing tonight?”

“Nothing, actually, but I thought you had some fund-raiser to go to,” Pia responded in a tone that held secret her glee.

“I know it's really short notice, and I apologize, but would you consider joining me? At least for a short time.”

“You have somewhere else to be?” Pia asked.

“Hopefully. If I recall correctly, you extended an invitation for me to see your favorite city spot. Maybe we can slip out and you can take me there,” he suggested, upping the ante.

“Well, I don't know. That invitation was extended before I saw your grumpy side,” Pia teased.

“I promise, Ms. Jamison. My grumpy days are gone. So is it a date?”

“Yes, it's a date,” Pia confirmed, though strangely uncomfortable saying the word. “What time and where shall we meet?”

“I have to jump, but Melody, my assistant, will get back to you. Pia, thanks again for the photograph.”

“You're very welcome,” she said, her broad smile proving she meant it. Though it had been a ploy for attention, she was glad he truly enjoyed her gift.

Chalk one up for the girls' team,
Pia congratulated herself, hanging up and swirling around in her chair.

“Dee,” she said, leaning into the intercom. “Can you please get me Carmen Grey, the PR and special events coordinator at the Empire State Building? She's in the file. We've worked with her before, on the Fantasia video. And then look up Nina Horton's number. I'm going to need her too.”

Pia sat and waited for Darlene to inform her that the call had gone through. She put her hands behind her head and with her feet on her desk leaned back in the chair, smiling wide and very pleased with herself. Valen Bellamy wasn't the only one who could campaign hard when need be. And he certainly wasn't the only one who could plan one hell of a surprise.

“Hello?”

“Hey, darlin'.”

“Flo! Girl, how are you? That red hot night must have caught fire. I thought you were going to call me the next day. So how did it go?”

“Good, all things considered.”

“Any hot pucking?” Pia asked, repeating her joke.

“No. Old Dan just wasn't quite ready for anythin' that kinky…” She paused, not sure she was ready to admit the defeat she was feeling.

“And?”

“And I think he was more excited by the hockey game than bein' with me. When it came time for the red hot part…well, let's just say the night cooled down considerably.”

“I'm sorry, Flo. I know how much you were looking forward to it.”

“It wasn't a complete bust. We agreed to start datin' again and see where we stand at the end of the year.”

“Sounds like progress. Have you started yet?”

“Well, we went to dinner and a movie this past Tuesday. We had a good time, considerin'.”

“There's that word again. Considering what?”

“Considerin' nothin' went as planned. I thought we'd try somethin' different like Thai food and then go see that Reese Witherspoon movie.”

“Sounds fun so far. It's hard to go wrong with pad Thai noodles and Reese.”

“Well, Dan decided he wanted to eat Tex-Mex—
again
—like he doesn't eat
that
six out of the seven days in a week. But I figured it was more important to have a good time than argue where my next five pounds were comin' from, so I agreed.”

“Sounds reasonable,” Pia replied.

“Yeah, 'cept he farted nonstop through the movie, but then that stunk too, so they kinda worked together.”

“That movie got great reviews,” Pia remarked between giggles.

“It did, but we didn't see it. When we got to the cinemaplex, Dan saw the new Nicholas Cage movie was playin'. He begged me to see that instead of ‘some chick flick.' By that time I was too miffed to care. But the popcorn was good and Nicholas Cage is cute, even though he's more than a few macaronis short of a mosaic.”

“I don't know what to tell you, Flo,” Pia said, hoping her uncontrollable laughter didn't make her seem insensitive and uncaring, but Florence was damn funny.

“Darlin', there's nothin' to say except that's marriage to Daniel Jeb Chase. At least we're spendin' time together. So enough about me and my sizzlin' love life. What about you? How you feelin' these days?”

“Good. The morning sickness has settled down, and even though I'm three months along, I'm still wearing my own clothes.”

“The first time around, I was nearly seven months before I had to make the switch. By the third kid, I went straight from peein' on the stick into the cow clothes.

“And speakin' of keepin' things hidden for as long as you can, how's your politician doin'? Any more dates in the park?”

“No, but I'm seeing him tonight.”

“So you two are datin' now.”

“No. I mean, I like Valen. He's a very interesting man, but the only reason I'm seeing him again is because my boss stepped in and insisted.”

“Your boss? I don't think so, sugar. Make no mistake, that was fate doin' the high steppin'.”

You're not even showing
. Dee's words echoed through Pia's head. She was grateful for that fact, particularly now, as she zipped up her evening gown. She'd chosen an emerald green Grecian-styled empire waist dress for her night out with Valen. It was the perfect design, not only because it was fabulously fashionable but because of the way the silky accordion pleats flowed over her body, camouflaging any questionable bulge. Strappy high-heel sandals and a crystal-studded headband completed her ensemble. Pia smiled. She was pleased. She looked appropriately dignified and yet sexy.

After a quick touch-up to her makeup, she grabbed her purse and wrap and the brown envelopment tied neatly with a bow and bearing a tag with Valen's name on it. She'd worked hard to create the handmade invitation, wanting it to look and feel special. Pia tried to convince herself that this was all about saving Reston Walker's event, but deep down she knew this was also about impressing a man who seemed so thoroughly impressed with her. It had been so long since Pia had experienced romance in her life that her soul was starved for the sweet thrill that came with such feelings. She knew it was only temporary, just for this one Cinderella night, but Pia was determined to savor every delicious moment this evening might bring and not worry about tomorrow until tomorrow arrived.

Pia headed downstairs to hail a cab. She climbed in and settled into the worn leather of the taxi seat. She could feel her stomach bubbling up, and for once it wasn't nausea. This was pure, unadulterated excitement causing her stomach to flutter. As much as she claimed the opposite to both Dee and Florence, she was looking forward to seeing Valen again. If everything went as planned, tonight was definitely going to be memorable.

The GOP candidate for the United States Senate had no idea what he was walking into later this evening. Thanks to some mighty string pulling, Pia was planning to top their breakfast at Greenacre Park, lovely as it was, in a big, big way. Pia was determined to make their one night together the best, most romantic
almost
affair to remember.

By the time Pia arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, its majestic lobby, with its sky-high archways, impossibly tall ceilings, and stately columns lining the room, had been transformed into a cool and charismatic summer venue. White linen curtains, gently caressed by artfully placed fans, fluttered along the room's perimeter, brushing along the grove of palm trees that had been shipped in for the event.

It was nine-forty. She'd agreed to meet Valen at nine-thirty, but in a space teeming with designer-clad lawyers, financiers, businessmen, and other such power brokers accompanied by their bright and shiny escorts, it was difficult to immediately pinpoint Valen's location. Pia watched this multicultural crowd of semiprofessional philanthropists merrily talking, dancing, and drinking and suspected that this was probably the second or third such event they'd attended this week.

She found her way to the bar and requested a ginger ale and lime. Then a commotion drew her attention away from her people watching. Turning to the source of the bustle, Pia saw Valen and his small but obvious entourage enter the party. From the moment he stepped through the door, Pia watched him work the room with his campaign manager. Guided by Ed, Valen made the rounds, shaking hands, smiling brightly, laughing appropriately, and charming his supporters and potential voters. Ed would run interference, directing Valen toward those he had to speak to and away from others he perceived to be trouble. Eventually they made their way to the bar, and the sight of Valen Bellamy walking toward her, with his suave, confident stride, made her stomach lurch with the kind of excitement reserved for kids on Christmas Eve.

Pia, remember what you're here for. Keep your eye on the prize.

It was impossible not to. The up-close view of Valen Bellamy was spectacular. While it was difficult for any man, no matter how unattractive, to look bad in a tuxedo, Valen wore the uniform exceptionally well. He looked as if he'd just stepped off the page of an Armani ad.

It was obvious the moment he spotted her. Pia watched as his tried-and-true candidate's smile grew wide into authentic personal delight.

Oh, this is going to be big fun,
Pia decided. She took a deep breath, eliminating any nerves and revving up her flirting machine.

“Valen Bellamy, so glad to see you,” a rough voice with a Don't-mess-with-me edge called out, interrupting their reunion.

“Reston. How are you?” Valen asked, returning his benefactor's hearty handshake. He glanced over the man's shoulder and was pleasantly unnerved to see Pia's eyes glued to him as she sipped her drink. He gave her a nearly indiscernible wink before turning his full attention back to his conversation.

“We should talk about the Bellamy Plan,” Reston Walker said, clinging to Valen's hand for dear life. “And the big announcement coming up. We need to nail things down.”

“We will. But not tonight. Please speak to Ed here and give him your ideas,” Valen said, reclaiming his hand. “We'll chat very soon.” Pia watched as he deftly stepped aside and behind his staffer, using Ed as a buffer so he could make a graceful exit. It was a skillful pas de deux the two had obviously performed countless times before.

With a head nod, Valen signaled to Pia to cross to the other side of the room. She joined him and for a frozen moment in time the two stood in a pool of mutual admiration, inspecting each other. Valen's eyes devoured Pia, starting from her sparkling headband to the red-tipped toes peeking from underneath her gown. Accompanying his gaze was a warm smile that was a mixture of manly appreciation and boyish delight.