Chapters (68)
She brought it to the forefront and tipped her head to one side, considering his advice. ‘You think so?’
‘If you don’t wear that dress, Marilyn, the terrorists have won.’
‘Can’t have that then,’ she said, sounding convinced.
He gave her a peck on the cheek and a playful pat on the rump as he hurried past to have a quick shower and climb into his monkey suit. ‘Don’t be long now,’ he told her. ‘We have to be at Kip and Barb’s place by seven.’
‘Just making myself beautiful,’ Marilyn pouted.
‘Too late,’ he shot back. ‘You already maxed out on that. Now, get into that sexy, sexy dress and get ready to distract some rich morons while I shake them down for filthy lucre.’
Unlike the choice of formal wear, which really could go on for hours – days if you counted the phone hook-ups and girlfriend conferencing that went into compiling a short list – Marilyn Culver was something of a Picasso with a make-up case. A few minimal brushstrokes here and there and she could create a masterpiece.
Jed found himself stirring in arousal as he emerged from the bedroom doing up the buttons of his dress shirt. She really was stunning, and unlike the trolls he had previously married by accident, her beauty went deep. It was a pity to waste it on some of the assholes she’d be entrancing tonight.
‘Come on,’ he said. ‘Let’s take you out to dinner and a show.’
‘And I’m the show?’ She beamed.
‘No, you are on show. The entertainment tonight will probably be provided by Henry Cesky, about fifteen minutes after he hits the open bar.’
‘Oh, him . . .’ She frowned now. ‘He’s not very nice, is he.’
‘Well, you’ll just have to make up for any shortfall on his account, won’t you?’