Excerpt A Little Slice of Heaven

Any doubts Gianna had about her appearance disappeared the moment Kyle saw her. He stared, face drawn and mouth agape, for ten long seconds-she knew, she counted-then extended a hand as if touching a faraway constellation.

The trip to Bergdorf's and all the ministrations had paid off. Strapless gold brocade hugged her bosom and waist before cascading outwards with the help of a generous black tulle underskirt. Bare shoulders, dusted with gold powder, sparkled. Thanks to two hours in Jean de Viv's chair, her long hair now lay in thick ribbons of curls. Tiny golden stars pinned each tress to her head. Miniscule gemstones embedded in the center of each star, Jean had advised, would twinkle beneath the chandeliers inside the Crystal Palace, giving her a celestial appearance.

While she floated to where Kyle stood waiting, his gaze followed every move, never blinking, never turning away. Their hands made contact, and an electrical charge tingled from her fingertips to her wrist. "I feel like a kid on prom night," she confessed.

"You look like a goddess." His voice was a husky whisper, thick and enveloping. "Any man who would willingly walk away from you is a fool."

New heat spiraled into her cheeks, and she waved a hand to cool the air. Her face had already been rouged enough. The last thing she needed was her own bloodstream adding additional color. "You look good enough to grace the cover of GQ," she said.

If she felt like Cinderella on her way to the ball, Kyle definitely fit the role of Prince Charming in his black tuxedo, black tie, and white dress shirt. With this gorgeous man by her side, she could take on the world and come out on top. "Are you sure that's a rented tux?"

"Borrowed," he corrected with a grin that curled her toes. "Not rented."

God, would she ever get used to his smile? Or the way her heart pounded when he stood so close?

"Hard to believe." Did he hear the way her voice shook? "I mean, this tux could have been made just for you. You and your friend must be built to exactly the same proportions. Are
you twins or something?"

He didn't reply, but folded her hand over his elbow instead. "Shall we go?"

"I'm..." The words stuck in her throat as anxious butterflies tickled her insides. Quick! Change the subject. Buy time. "You know, you haven't told me. How do you like working at Villa Mare with my parents?"

With an exaggerated groan, he grimaced. "You might have warned me your mother is the Grand Dame there."

Despite her teetering nerves, she giggled. "Everyone thinks Dad is the tough one. The truth is, he's a big pussycat. Now, Mom, well, Daddy says she looks fluffy as a cloud, but cross her and you're in the middle of a hurricane."

His finger traced the inside of her palm in a slow, lazy fashion. The simple action sent skitters of electricity straight from her hand to the center of her heart. "You've got a lot of your mother in you, Gianna. Remember that tonight."