The Taming of a Wild Child. Kimberly Lang

admit he still got a bit of immature glee sometimes over the situation, but the reality was that he really did support the mission of the Children’s Music Project and was more than happy to sit on the board. “Nouveau riche” might not be a title he’d shake anytime soon, but he and his nouveau riche friends were the prime check-writers these days. Times really were tough all around—especially for those who’d lost a bundle in the market crash. Genteel poverty in the upper classes was a New Orleans tradition that dated back to Reconstruction—which only underscored the fact that the right DNA was more important than a healthy bank balance, and the lack of that DNA would forever keep certain doors locked tight.

      He went to the bar to refill his drink as the CMP’s executive director took to the small stage that normally contained the house band. There were general thanks, a rundown of the year’s successes, plans for the future …

      Jack Morgan, a partner in the law firm that represented St. James Media and an occasional racketball partner when no one else was available, joined him at the bar and signaled for a refill, as well. “How long do you think the speeches will last?”

      “Why? Got a hot date?”

      “Would that get me out of here?” Jack slid a bill across the bar and then rested against it with a sigh.

      “Make a run for it. No one will notice you’re gone.”

      “My mother will.”

      Donovan snorted. Mrs. Morgan was a true dragon of the old order. “Sucks to be you.”

      “Tonight it does.”

      “… Lorelei LaBlanc,” the director announced.

      That got his attention, snapping his head toward the stage so fast his neck cramped. His first thought—What the hell is Lorelei doing here?—was rebutted by remembering the remark she’d made Wednesday about stepping in for Vivi and Connor while they were on their honeymoon. Still … he’d seen her more in the last week than he had in the last five years.

      Then Lorelei emerged from the crowd to climb the steps to the stage, and he nearly dropped the drink he held in his hand.

      Wrapped in a curve-hugging deep purple dress, she looked like a princess addressing the motley masses. Lorelei was the epitome of elegance, style and class, a product of extremely good breeding. She wore it easily, confidently. That black hair curled around creamy shoulders and tendrils snaked over her breast like a caress. Want streaked through him like a flash, and the low whistle he heard from beside him proved he wasn’t the only one feeling it.

      “Damn,” Jack muttered. “Little sis grew up nicely.”

      He considered Jack more of an acquaintance than a friend, so it was tough to allow him to keep his teeth as the compliments continued.

      Lorelei’s smile was blinding as she took the microphone from the director. “Vivienne hasn’t missed one of these events in years, and she didn’t want to miss this one, either, but she hopes you’ll forgive her since it’s her honeymoon.” Lorelei paused as polite applause moved through the crowd. “And before you ask … yes, I do know where they are. But, no, I won’t tell you where they went. You’ll just have trust me when I tell you it’s fabulous and they’re having a wonderful time.”

      A laugh rippled through the crowd. He had to admit Lorelei knew how to command a crowd’s attention.

      “I’m not just here tonight on behalf of my sister. I’m here for Connor and ConMan Studios, as well.”

      At the mention of Connor’s name the low rumble of conversation in the crowd died instantly.

      “As you can imagine, music and music education is a cause very close to Connor’s heart. CMP has focused, by necessity, on in-school programs for younger children …”

      Lorelei looked comfortable up there, and if public speaking was one of her fears it certainly didn’t show in her speech or body language. She had that same presence that Donovan had seen in her sister—that confidence that could only come from the security of knowing exactly who she was. Unlike her sister, though, Lorelei had a low, hypnotic timbre in her voice that sounded like pure sex to him.

      It did bad things to his equilibrium.

      “It’s my great privilege to announce tonight that ConMan Studios is partnering with the CMP to expand its summer programs for the area’s youth by providing not only funding, but space and access to some of the city’s best musical talent.” She paused for the applause, and then said with a laugh, “We have big plans in the works, so rest assured you’ll all be hearing from me very soon. And often.”

      There was shock that Lorelei was going to be so involved with whatever plans Connor had cooked up with Vivi for his project, but it didn’t cancel out the slice of desire that cut him at the sound of that husky laugh.