The Oscar de la Renta black lace slip dress was one of the most provocative things she’d ever worn. The sweetheart neckline revealed only a modest amount of cleavage, but that was the only thing modest about the dress. It clung to every curve of her body, ending just below the knee in a sheer lace panel. With it she was wearing ultra sheer black seamed stockings, and black suede Louboutin stilettos. Her hair had been blown out into a full, tousled style, her makeup darker and more dramatic than usual with smoky eyes and red lips. The only jewelry she wore was a pair of black and white diamond drop earrings, and her engagement ring.

And she was glad now that she’d decided on this particular dress, given that nearly every other woman here this evening had also dressed a bit more daringly than usual. Tessa gave a little sniff to notice the way Lindsey Bennett was once again showing off her surgically enhanced, gravity defying boobs to every half-drunk male who was interested in sneaking a peek. Poor Matthew, as usual, had been left to his own devices over by the bar, chatting with Jordan and his date. Tessa decided at that moment that she really, really disliked Lindsey, and rather spitefully wished that Matthew would give her a taste of her own medicine one day soon by flirting with one or more of the women here.

“And I absolutely love this club!” gushed Julia. “It’s sophisticated, but warm at the same time. And the food and drinks have been to die for. I didn’t even know this place existed until you sent us the invitation. Is Ian a member?”

Tessa shook her head. “Even someone with his connections is on the waiting list, if you can believe that. No, Jordan’s a member here and arranged for us to have the party. He’s been so sweet, so helpful, offering to take care of everything. I didn’t even have to make a phone call. He arranged for all the food and the bartender and even the DJ.”

“Humph.” Julia arched a brow scornfully. “He’s also got the hots for you big time, girl. That’s probably why he’s been so sweet.”

Tessa stared at her matron-of-honor in disbelief. “That is so not true, Julia! Just because you were right about Ian being attracted to me doesn’t mean Jordan is as well. My God, he has a different woman with him every time Ian and I see him. And, yes, he flirts with me a little but he flirts with everyone. Besides, Jordan is very well aware that I’m crazy in love with Ian.”

“Not to mention the fact that Ian would break his face if he ever did more than a little harmless flirting,” said Julia dryly. “Hey, maybe I’m imagining it. After all, the guy has got to be the biggest player I’ve ever met. At least he didn’t try to hit on Lauren. I would have paid good money to see how that scene played out!”

The two women giggled together at the very thought, then turned their attention to the middle of the room where Sasha and her date Miguel had started to dance. The DJ, who’d been spinning a mix of standards, oldies, and contemporary hits, had evidently been requested to play some sultry salsa music instead. And it became apparent within seconds that Sasha and her partner were skilled pros at this type of dancing.

“Wow!” Tessa whispered to Julia, as Miguel spun Sasha around and around rapidly, their feet moving as quickly as their swaying hips. “I had no idea she could dance that way. I mean, you can tell from our yoga classes that she’s had major dance training at some point in her life, but I didn’t expect her to be this good.”

Julia nodded. “Her mom is a ballroom dance teacher down in Los Angeles. And Katya used to compete when she was younger, won a bunch of competitions. Sasha doesn’t talk about her parents much, but I do know her mom is originally from Russia, while her dad is Portuguese. Or maybe Brazilian, I’m not sure. But, damn, that girl sure can dance, huh?”

Every pair of eyes in the room was focused on the two dancers, and when they finished, Miguel dipping Sasha so low her hair brushed the floor, a raucous round of applause started up. As the crowd clamored for more, Miguel signaled to the DJ. Moments later a slower, sultrier song began to play, and Miguel started to lead Sasha through a sensual rhumba. Sasha’s date/dance partner was an extremely attractive Spaniard, with olive skin, chocolate brown eyes, and longish jet black hair tied in a ponytail at his nape, and Tessa hadn’t missed all of the admiring feminine gazes directed his way this evening.

“Well, that seemed to liven things up a little, didn’t it? Sorry to break the news, sweetie, but this party of yours has been awfully dull until now.”

Tessa grinned as Lauren sidled up beside her, slipping an arm about her waist as she did so. Even the free-spirited, outdoorsy Lauren had dressed up tonight, in a short, strappy red cocktail dress that probably belonged to Julia, since her usual attire consisted of jeans, T-shirts, and hiking boots.

“Sorry, no bar fights allowed in this place,” teased Tessa. “And I know it’s a little stuffy, but Ian isn’t exactly the sort who enjoys wild parties. Neither am I, for that matter.”

Lauren looked mildly disgusted. “Good thing they serve top shelf booze at this place. Otherwise, I probably would have slipped out two hours ago to watch the baseball game at the closest pub. Come on, Tessa, let’s liven things up a little, huh? I swear I haven’t heard so many upper crust British accents since I was forced to watch an episode of Downton Abbey. The longest three hours of my life.”

Julia frowned. “One episode should have only been an hour.”

Lauren grimaced. “Guess it just felt like three hours. And this party is almost as boring as that show was. Hey, I know how to spice things up! We can play a game of strip poker. I know for sure Ian’s brother Colin would be up for that. Plus your friend Isobel. That girl’s a hoot after she has a few drinks. Not really digging the purple hair, but she has some great tats.”

“No strip poker,” rebuked Tessa. “Ian and I just want to have a fun evening with our friends, with good food and drinks and music.”

Lauren stuck her tongue out. “What you really meant to say is that His Lordship over there would have a royal cow if you even considered playing strip poker. I can’t imagine him being cool with you stripping down to your undies in front of all these people. And - hey, I know! Since you refused to have strippers tonight – and you could have had a female and a male one, you know - then I think you ought to give your man a little lap dance. Now, that I’d pay good money to see!”