Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
The Van Beeks’ home was just as impressive as the Whitmans’, and they clearly knew many people, because their huge garden was teeming with folks. As we walked around the front and to the backyard, Rafe placed his hand on the bare skin of my lower back and I shivered at the brush of his palm against my skin.
“You cold?” He frowned down at me.
“Nope.” I couldn’t look at him.
I stared at the yard instead. It was similar to the Whitmans’, minus the tennis court. Today it was laid out with tables decorated in linen and silverware. A string quartet played off to the side beneath a beautiful oak tree, and it wasn’t my imagination that they were doing classical versions of current pop songs. To our left, a little farther from the main action, was a large tent with an open awning and inside it appeared to be a full working kitchen, staff, and buffet setup. Servers passed with trays of champagne, and I noted they were coming and going from a bar next to the kitchen.
Wow.
These people did not do parties like other people.
“Rafe, Star, thank God!” Gigi hurried over to us, beautiful in a fifties-style summer dress. Her feet were noticeably bare, and I saw for the first time the tattoo of vines and flowers that wove along the edge of her right foot and crawled up the side of her ankle. It was beautiful.
Rafe leaned down to kiss his sister’s cheek and murmured in amusement, “Where are your shoes?”
“Oh, they were crippling my feet.” Gigi hugged me tight. “I kicked them off somewhere. Who knows where?”
“I’d have done the same.” And I would have. “Your tattoo is awesome.”
“Thank you! And look at you. You were smart and chose sexy-comfort.” Gigi eyed my feet and then swept her gaze upward. “You look unbearably beautiful. I’m not sure we can still be friends.”
I rolled my eyes. “You couldn’t live without me now.” Gigi and I had met up a few times for coffee while I was in the city, and I had to admit I was falling a little in platonic love with Rafe’s sister. She reminded me a lot of Kendall and I couldn’t wait for them to meet.
“This is true.” Gigi gave Rafe a meaningful look. “You should really do something about that.”
Rafe scowled at his sister while I frowned in confusion. “What does that mean?”
“Ooh, there’s Sharon. I haven’t spoken to her in ages. Catch up with you later!” Gigi dashed away with all the energy of an eight-year-old.
“What did she mean?” I looked up at Rafe.
He shook his head. “No idea.”
Then his hand slid onto my back again and my brain fritzed. It was all I could think about as we walked through the party, nodding hello to people we passed. Rafe led us to a small cluster of guests who stood near a makeshift dance floor. Jen and Greg were among them.
The sounds of children’s laughter and screams met my ears and I followed them to the pool where kids were in their swimsuits goofing around. I smiled at that, because the sight of them took a little of the stuffiness out of the party. I spotted Charmaine among the group and knew that Pippa, and possibly Hugo, had to be around somewhere.
Jen saw us first, her eyes lighting up as we approached. Rafe’s parents greeted us warmly, and the whole time he didn’t remove his hand from my back. He gestured to the couple that stood with his parents. “Star, this is Emily and Matthew Van Beek. Emily, Matthew, this is my girlfriend, Star.”
I shook hands with the couple, who seemed friendly, and wished Emily a happy birthday. I tried to concentrate on the conversation, but as they asked if it was true Rafe and I met at Charmaine’s birthday party, Rafe’s hand lifted from my back . . . and then I felt his touch between my shoulder blades. He trailed his fingertips lightly down my spine. Slowly, sensually.
My breasts swelled at the unexpected touch, my nipples hardening. Panicked, I didn’t answer Emily right away.
Someone coughed and then Rafe spoke. “We did meet at Charmaine’s party.” He trailed his fingers back up my spine.
The bastard.
I didn’t dare look down to see if my nipples were poking through the thin fabric of my dress. I couldn’t wear a bra, so all I had on was boob tape.
What was he doing to me?
“So you’re friends with Pippa?” Emily smiled.
Trying not to frown, I wondered why if they were such close friends of the Whitmans they didn’t know how we’d met.
“Yes,” Jen answered for me.
Greg eyed her with a frown.
“Well, now we are.” I stared in confusion at Jen. “But, no, I was at the party working. I’m a costume character actor.”
Matthew looked curious. “What does that entail?”