Book I Chapter 2
PARTY HEARTY WHO SAYS WE WERE TARDY
The bright lights on the front porch of the old mansion beamed across the grand front door. Loud music echoed as the two friends crossed the threshold.
Carina smiled gingerly at the host as they entered.
Xavier Newhouse’s expressive brown eyes smiled back. He was a local kid that had made good. He was a businessman, a former jock and a self-proclaimed gift to all women.
He reached out and pulled Carina into an embrace like the sister he’d always wanted. “Hey there Miss Cutie, so glad you could make it, oh and your best friend Evie too.”
Eve looked up at the tall man standing in front of her. His jet black curly hair shone against the light. His dark eyes surveyed her in a way that put her on edge.
“Well, well, well, Miss Eve you are on my territory now. Want to pay your toll fees now or later?”
Eve frowned. “Screw you Xavier, and don’t call me Evie.”
“I’ve been trying to screw you but you just won’t let me,” Xavier chuckled.
More people pushed through the front entrance.
Xavier’s tone changed. “Guess what? I’ve got four rooms set up for your dancing pleasure. There are a few folks here from our old high school.”
“Really,” Carina’s gray eyes danced excitedly. “Who?”
“Nicholas La Cour and Quinn Rolandis, you remember them,” Xavier replied.
Eve’s mouth dropped opened. “Really? I had home room class with both of those guys. They were a lot of fun.”
“Nicholas and Quinn were way older than me,” Carina said. “But I was good friends with Nicholas’ sister, Lacey La Cour. Is she here?”
Xavier shook his head. Carina was like a little sister to him. “Sorry sweetness, I haven’t seen Lacey or that big mouth friend of hers Maëlle Mallard,” he smiled softly. “Speaking of big mouth friends, Evie, that red lipstick really looks sexy good on you tonight.”
Eve’s lips curled up into a devilish smile. She flung back her long wavy jet black hair.
“Why thank you Xavier,” she cooed. “Now what about that tall guy Kienan Egan, he was good friends with Nicholas and Quinn, is he here?”
Xavier lifted a brow. “I think I saw him come in,” he hesitated. “Is that what you like Eve, tall geeky guys. What about us solid rock hard jock looking guys? You know jocks are known to be non-stop grinding machines. We can go all night if a woman needs us too.”
Eve feigned innocence and leaned in close and cupped his face. “So Xavier, my red lipstick is really turning you on huh?” She leaned in close and kissed him hard on the lips.
The kiss broke out of control. Xavier groaned and tilted his head devouring Eve’s lips.
Eve took a step back and pushed out of his embrace. “My luscious red lips are as delicious as a red velvet cupcake, aren’t they Xavier?”
“Yes indeed,” Xavier said grinning wide.
Eve’s face glowed with mischief as she tore herself away from him and ran her finger down his lips and under his chin, she licked her lips and cooed softly in a smoky sexy voice. “Well then Xavier darling, when is big daddy going to put a ring on it?
“What?” Xavier asked like a quiet marriage scared man. Embarrassment and remorse flooded him. He took a step back.
Eve closed in for the kill and slowly caressed her fingers down his chest. “Wow Xavier, who knew you were husband material.”
“Marriage?” Xavier froze.
“Why yes of course, Xavier darling,” Eve whispered hoarsely. “What did you think I was after, your body?”
Someone muffled a laugh.
Xavier made a face at Eve and then quickly put some distance between them.
“Great to see you Eve,” a woman’s shrill raucous voice sang out. “By the way I like the way you handled Xavier.”
“Kitty Kennard, it’s wonderful to see you again!” Eve exclaimed.
Kitty, a pretty, petite almost fifty-something with a wavy cap of ginger brown hair cut fashionable to frame her face. Kitty was the editor, publisher, and co-proprietor of Talk is Cheap, Events, Announcements and Other Gossiping News. It was a local gossip column and website.
They were famous for knowing the goings on of local people to know. They knew if you were in or out or going up or down in the social scene in the South Bay area. Better known at the Silicon Valley or Geek Nation, as many locals joked.
Kitty giggled. “Same here, so where is baby sister?”
“I’m right behind you Kitty and you know I was hoping we’d see you tonight,” Carina said. “Have you got any hot gossip?”
“God you know I do, are you two all ears?” Kitty asked.
“We are. Start talking, and ladies move in close,” Eve murmured.
Kitty giggled. “Well, Charlene Baptiste is screwing Jacob Whitefield.”
“Everybody knows that,” Carina shrugged.
“Yeah but Jacob’s wife caught them screwing in her bed, and instead of throwing Charlene out on her arse She climbed in bed and joined them. She said seeing the two of them together made her horny again for the first time in years.”
“What?” Eve and Carina said simultaneously.
“Yes and his wife had nerve to tell Charlene that Jacob was so boring in bed. She stopped having sex with him. She was glad he’d started having an affair with her just so that she could watch them. That woman is a total freak.”
“You know Kitty it always amazes me how you know so much dirt on people.”
Kitty smiled and nodded. “Yes it’s a gift I have, folks like to tell me things, and I let them do the talking. Plus, I’m a good observer.”
“Eve!” Suddenly Xavier’s voice sliced the air. “Sorry to interrupt ladies,” he said. “Oh Eve, can I talk with you about something private?”
Eve shook her head. “Not now, I’m in the middle of a conversation here.”
“Later then?” Xavier asked. “And don’t forget to save me a dance.”
“Sure, later,” Eve mumbled.
The three friends watched as Xavier moved away.
Kitty shook her head disapprovingly. “You should have said no Eve.”
Eve and Carina looked at Kitty with disbelief.
“Eve shouldn’t talk with Xavier, huh?” Carina said. “I get it because you think he’s a player?”
Eve scowled. “Wait a minute you two. I’m the one who gets to decide who Eve talks to.”
“Hang on a minute Eve. We should find out what Kitty knows,” Carina said with deep concern. “Okay Kitty what do you know? Spill it.”
Kitty’s eyes grew as wide as saucers. “Just be careful Eve, Xavier can be possessive and old fashioned in his dealings with women. I’ve heard he believes it’s okay to hit a woman to keep her in line.”
“Oh really,” Eve said in disbelief.
“The bastard,” Carina murmured.
Kitty sighed heavily. “Let me give you a word of advice. You two ladies should always remember Prince Charming only exists in fairy tales. And most of all remember what is walking around today among us disguised as men, are really devils…All devils every last one of them.
Oh except for the ones that are just plain dogs.”
“Ah, you know Kitty it was great talking to you. But Carina and I need to talk to someone. Good bye,” Eve said hastily grabbing Carina’s arm and pulling her out of ear shot.
“Eve, we don’t have anyone to meet.”
“Shhhhh Carina, don’t let Kitty know that. That old bird gets loonier every day,” Eve shrugged. “Come on there’s got to be intelligent life at this party somewhere.”