The Billionaire's Forbidden Desire (8 page)

“No, but—”

“I’ll have Al prepare one of the guest wings for your use.” When she opened her mouth, he raised a hand. “No, you won’t say anything except ‘thank you.’ This house has over twenty bedrooms, and I’m the only one living here. I’m sure we can spare one of them for you. Maybe even two.”

She didn’t want to stay in this house, no matter how many bedrooms it had, after the mention of propositioning. Salazar might still try something. Without Chad, she was in a vulnerable position…just like she’d been with George.

“I have a dog.” She tilted her chin up, watching for Salazar’s response. Chad had always said that being mean to animals was the surest sign a person was a jerk. If Salazar reacted badly to Roco, she’d leave and take her chances at a homeless shelter for the night and figure something out later.

“Is it with you?”

“
He
. And yes, he’s downstairs. Your butler said he couldn’t come up here with me.” Now that she thought about it, that might have been some kind of sign already.

He shrugged. “As long as he doesn’t bark all night.”

She cleared her throat. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

Salazar nodded. “You’re too skinny. How bad is your situation, really? You look like you haven’t seen food in weeks.”

“I’m not…” She pulled her lips in, embarrassed. She hadn’t eaten since she’d fled Seattle, saving her money for Roco. “I haven’t had much appetite lately.”

“Well, that’s understandable. Why don’t we get you fed? One of my sons—Mark? Ring any bells?—owns a couple of restaurants in town. I’m sure he can give us a table, and we can do a quick, early supper.”

“Sure. I’d like that,” she said, her shoulders sagging a bit. She’d noticed Salazar hadn’t said anything about not having a grudge against Betsy, but right at the moment she wasn’t going to bring it up.

One step at a time.

“Afterward, I need to stop by a charity auction. You should come along. It’s Elizabeth’s gig. You know her, right? Elizabeth Pryce-Reed?”

Sophia nodded gamely, although she had a slightly sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Elizabeth was Salazar’s sister’s only daughter. This could get awkward.

“Don’t look so torn. It’s going to be a grand affair. I’m getting old, so I gotta do my good deeds while I can. You know, to be able to sneak my way past the Pearly Gates when it’s my time.” Salazar laughed. “She’s going to hit me up to feed some children somewhere. No matter how much she raises every year, there’re always more hungry people somewhere in the world.” Salazar slapped both palms on his desk and stood up. “Okay! Why don’t you freshen up and change into something a little dressier? If you don’t have anything, Al can find you something acceptable. God knows the boys’ girlfriends have left enough clothes here over the years. And we can discuss how we can help you get back on your feet.”

Dane looked out his office window. On this day, three years ago, Shirley had died.

Probably nobody else remembered. Nobody had been upset about her death but him anyway.
But the circus of grief was astounding
, he thought sourly. If it had been a movie, everyone would’ve gotten Oscars.

Suddenly images of Sophia at her father’s funeral flashed through Dane’s mind. Her tears and open expression of loss. She’d dashed off all of a sudden, right in the middle of the ceremony, and Dane had hidden himself among the trees. Desperation and something else had driven her that day, but he still didn’t know what it was.

And he had no idea why he’d felt the almost overwhelming urge to show himself and embrace her, tell her everything was going to be all right.

A part of him wanted to check up on her, see how she was doing. He wouldn’t have to do it himself. The family’s PI on retainer, Benjamin Clark, would be more than happy to put a man on her.

Except that would be so damn stalkerish.

Dane grimaced.

Besides, what was there to check? Given how well off Rick Reed had been, she was going to be fine. She’d find some nice schmuck to marry and live happily ever after with two point three children…

He shook his head as bitterness churned in his gut. It wasn’t like him to feel like this about a woman. Any woman, really, much less one he’d slept with only once.

If she’d been just slightly less perceptive…seen him as a guy who drank because he liked to drink and fucked her because he was doing what men naturally liked to do, then he might not have ended it in Mexico the way he had. On the other hand, she might not have lingered in his mind either.

There was a knock at the door, and he said, “Come in.”

He tapped his fingers as the HR director sat across from him and crossed her legs. In her mid-forties, Patty Peterson projected a polished professional image in her pale beige blouse and skinny skirt. She was great at her job, completely no-nonsense, although she knew how to lay it on thick with the workforce when necessary. Amazing that his workers couldn’t see what was in her steel-gray eyes.

“It’s already seven. You going to spend the night here again?” she said.

“Maybe not, if you get to the point fast.”

She shook her head, the tip of her brown bob swishing around her neck. She was one of a few people who didn’t seem bothered by his directness, and he respected that about her. “Normally I wouldn’t bother you with something like this, but we just heard from JJ’s lawyer.” She leaned closer, her expression turning even more serious than usual. “She wants to sue for wrongful termination, sexual harassment and gender discrimination. Oh and she’s mad that you deducted the cost of a new desk and couch from her last paycheck.”

He smiled. “Tell her I don’t keep office furniture that people have fucked on. Also tell her I look forward to being served because I’d love an excuse to release the tape.”

Patty raised one sculptured eyebrow slightly. “What tape?”

“The sex tape. JJ screwing her boyfriend right here in my office. It’s very explicit.”

“She’s claiming you tried to have sex with her.”

“In her dreams. But if she’s honestly going to try that tack I can bring the pictures of the women I’ve dated in the last twelve months. JJ doesn’t measure up to any of them, in any way, and nobody’s going to believe I’d want to force myself on an average-looking brunette when I’ve had all these stunning blondes in my bed. By the time I’m through with her, she’ll never get another job in this state.”

Patty looked at him with a glint of respect in her eyes. “Remind me never to cross you.”

“I believe I just did. Also, Patty?”

“Yes?”

“I needed a new assistant yesterday. See that I have one tomorrow.”

She nodded crisply. “Got it.”

His mobile phone rang. The screen flashed VANESSA. Normally he’d let it go to voice mail, but she was hugely pregnant. Possibly it was some kind of emergency.

He dismissed Patty with a finger-wave and swiped the phone screen. “I’m busy, make it quick.” He needed to change and make an appearance at Elizabeth’s charity function. Another hundred thousand bucks or so in tax deductions would be helpful this year.

“Do you know what Dad’s doing right now?”

Dane started removing his tie. “No.”

“He’s at Éternité, with some young thing that looks like she’s barely out of high school.”

“And?”

“‘And?’ He’s been flaunting her, claiming he’s only doing what you advised him to! Do you have any idea what it was like running into him and
her?
”

So Salazar wasn’t beyond help. “What’s wrong with that? It keeps him young and happy. He isn’t going to be married much longer. For all we know, he’s signed the papers already.”

Vanessa made a choking sound. “That’s precisely what’s wrong with it! Him being single soon, and we both know Dad doesn’t do single even if he can’t be faithful. I do not want my son to have a grandmother who’s younger than his mommy.”

So that was the issue. “Dad probably won’t be so eager to remarry, now that he knows a prenup can’t keep him safe.” On the other hand…if the woman in question was exceptionally clever, she might be able to ensnare him in an ill-advised second marriage. Thankfully, Salazar had never particularly valued women for their intellect.

Vanessa was sputtering, so Dane took a breath and made a concerted effort to be nice. “Don’t worry,” he said. “She won’t be your stepmom since Salazar isn’t your dad.”
Easy
. He smiled, pleased with his finesse.

“What about
our
mom? It’s going to hurt
her
.”

“The divorce was her idea. It’s not like she didn’t know what would happen once he was single again. If she doesn’t like it, she can always get herself a younger man. She’s still beautiful.”

“
Are you absolutely crazy?
”

She hadn’t said anything worth acknowledging, so he went on. “Being upset over something this inconsequential isn’t like you.”

“Dane!”

He was about to hang up, then stopped. His sister was pregnant after all. “Eat for two, relax and fantasize about spending all that Sterling money.”

He hit the red button and tossed the phone on the desk. Two seconds later the thing buzzed again like an angry hornet, but he ignored it. Let her complain to Justin Sterling if she was still upset. That was what husbands were for.

Dane got up and changed into a tux. As he was leaving his office, a blonde walked into the elevator, her golden hair reminding him of Sophia again.

Damn it.

He looked away from the woman. There were plenty of pretty blondes to be had in the city. There was no reason to keep thinking about Sophia Reed. As a matter of fact, he was going to have one in his bed as soon as the damn charity function was over.

Elizabeth’s charity function was as grand as expected. Nothing but polished marble floors, giant chandeliers and a live orchestra for his cousin’s events. Dane hadn’t been able to attend the past few times, but it was good form to go when one could. After all, somebody had to think about the starving, under-educated children of the world…even while worrying about their tax bracket for the year.

He sipped champagne as his date clung to his arm. Her hair was sculpted into some kind of towering…thing on her head. She wore too much makeup and her dress was inadequate to cover her surgically enhanced tits. None of that was really relevant, though; she was vapid and blonde, just the way he liked.

He would have bet his Lamborghini she didn’t remember his name. Not that he knew her name either—didn’t care and didn’t want to know.

“You made it!” Elizabeth came over and gave him a big hug. “I wasn’t sure if you could.”

“I told you I would.” He hugged her in return; anything else would have been awkward and rude.

She pulled back, looking up at him with a smile. Her golden curls were pulled back in a manner that made him think of ancient Greece. Unlike his date, Elizabeth was adequately covered in a red Versace. “Still. I know you’re busy.”

“Remember that next time you decide to invite me. I can just write you a check.”

“But it’s nice to see you and catch up. Even Ryder showed up.”

Dane cocked an eyebrow. Elizabeth’s older brother Ryder hated this kind of gig. He was more of a rowdy party type. The more half-naked women the better. Coke and other drugs were de rigueur although Dane didn’t know if his cousin indulged. “You sure it’s not an impersonator?”

Someone slapped Dane on the shoulder. “Nobody can impersonate my good looks.”

Dane managed to not roll his eyes too hard as he turned to greet his cousin. Ryder Pryce-Reed was an actor and a notorious playboy—the black sheep, the one who deserved every ounce of derision Shirley had felt for the Pryce-Reed children.

“Showing unusual restraint tonight I see,” Dane said. “Only two women?”

“One for each arm,” Ryder cheerfully agreed. “But I had to come. Charity event, right? And just by walking in the door I upped the average handsomeness of the men at this party by at least twenty percent.”

Dane snorted. “And reduced the collective intelligence by twice that.”

“Don’t hate the player,” Ryder said, impervious. He waggled some fingers at Dane’s date. “Hey, beautiful. Wanna hang out with us rather than this humorless ogre?”

She giggled, and Dane gave Ryder a cool look. There was no point in indulging his cousin, who was hopelessly inappropriate. “You can have her after I’m finished.”

Elizabeth covered her ears. “Oh my god, I did
not
hear that.” She walked away.

“Prude.” Ryder chuckled. “Well, gotta go see and be seen. I was told to be good.”

“Faint hope.”

“Very.”

As Ryder disappeared into the crowd, Dane shook his head. No wonder Shirley had been worried about Geraldine. Her oldest child, Blake, was the only one with a decent head on his shoulders, but he was too busy to humor his mother.

Dane mingled, saying hello and making small talk as needed. He could play the part as well as anyone, even if he thought it was pointless. He even managed to be polite to a fat politician who bored him with empty talk about “bettering the community.” It was obvious the entire world would be a better place if he were abducted by aliens, but Dane refrained from saying as much.

Finally somebody else distracted the self-deluded man, and Dane turned around to locate his date. She’d left a few moments earlier to freshen up, but hadn’t come back yet. He was finished for the evening and wanted to leave before the bachelorette auction started. A hundred thousand bucks in donation was more than sufficient to make up for his refusal to bid on women who didn’t appeal to him.

As he scanned the crowd, the hair on the back of his neck stood up. The right side of his face suddenly felt over-sensitive, like somebody was dragging needle tips across his cheek. The sensation reminded him of Mexico—god, he really needed to stop thinking about that damned place—but it seemed like he couldn’t help himself. Very slowly he turned, then sucked in air.

There, barely five feet away, was Sophia. And she was looking right at him.

She had on a classy black dress that deepened her eyes to dark emerald, and high heels added several inches to her stature. Soft pink lipstick glistened on her plump mouth, which was slightly parted as she stared at him over her champagne glass.