ADDICTED TO YOU

          Nevaeh (n/a pronounced Nevea) Belmont, the tabloid’s favorite socialite, ex-party girl, stood quietly in the foyer of her condo building, dressed conservatively and trying not to be nervous. It was silly really. She’d charmed heads of state and celebrities. She’d made the world her oyster. But one man still had the power to reduce her to a nervous wreck. Still…          Her father’s chauffeur-driven car arrived promptly at 7:35 p.m. Nevaeh normally would have driven herself to the ‘Take A Stand’ Children’s Foundation Gala dinner and silent auction but her father had wanted to speak with her in person before heading for the event. And, this was the only time he had in his extremely busy schedule. Not that she was surprised.            So here she was, try

“Okay, Neve,” she said slowly, looking carefully around, trying not to pass for a crazy woman talking to herself, “this is it! If this is what you want, you need to play this one right!”                  Nevaeh had dressed for her interview with Aiden Cargill with care. Her black Chanel suit was a classic and she wore it like a security blanket. She loved the feeling of the lined summer-weight wool skirt against her legs. She paired it with a pair of ultra-thin sheer French hose and some Manolos that were understated and sophisticated.          But even if she was dressed to impress, Nevaeh still, was extremely nervous. Her hands trembled as she took a sip of the coffee Aiden’s private assistant, Marilyn, had gotten for her. She hated being that betrayed by her own emotions and forced herself to rehearse in he

          Aiden had been surprised when he’d gotten the text from Nevaeh asking him to meet her at the High Tide Gallery on north Greystone Avenue. He’d worked later than he’d planned to and then made his way across town to the gallery opening for an artist that Aiden had never heard of before, Amedeo Bellini.          He mentioned Nevaeh’s name at the door and was told to go right in. He got a glass of wine from the waiter and walked through the room stopping to study the art. He’d never taken time to appreciate this kind of thing.          His brother, Landon, collected sculptures, and their mother had an affinity for photography. But Aiden wasn’t interested in anything unless it brought him closer to his goal of bringing down Skyler Belmont.        

          Nevaeh was tired, cranky, and out of sorts when she left her apartment the next morning for her meeting with Julian Devereaux. And she wasn’t very well prepared. She hadn’t gone back to the office after she’d decided to quit working for her father, so she had no notes other than the things she’d kept in her head.          And this might not be the best morning for a meeting because all she could think about was Aiden… his kiss… his hands… his embrace… She hated the fact that they’d both agreed to part ways. She knew it was the most sensible thing to do but she ached for him.          That kiss last night had made it impossible for her to do anything other than moon over the man, toss and turn in her bed thinking about him… naked… on top of her. And that

          She looked at her watch.“Damn it!” Nevaeh exclaimed slowly.          Nevaeh was thirty minutes late for her meeting with Julian Devereaux. She wasn’t exactly sure of what she’d agreed to in Aiden’s office but she knew they’d discuss it further when he came to her house tonight for dinner.          She called her housekeeper and informed her she’d have a guest for dinner. Then she stopped in front of the ‘Nevaeh’s Dresser’ corporate offices. Since their earlier meeting at Starbucks had been delayed, Julian had suggested they try for lunch.          He was lounging against a low railing that lined the handicap ramp leading to the entrance, cigarette in one hand, cellphone in the other. The wind blew