The Billionaire's Forbidden Desire (9 page)

He blinked. He had to be seeing things. He’d been thinking about her earlier and that had to be the reason…except she didn’t vanish.

A sensual
zing
went through him. His entire body responded, alert and vibrating with anticipation.

Everything around them seemed to fade away, leaving only her. Damn, she looked amazing. He could make out every detail, including a slight tremor in the way her delicate throat worked.

And she kept staring back at him, those green eyes dark and direct, like she could pierce through all the outer layers and reach the core of him.

His insides went hot and cold at the same time. Her ability to see through his armor was the reason why he’d left her the way he had.

How the hell had she gotten invited? Elizabeth would’ve never asked her to come, given the ugly history between their mothers. His cousin wasn’t a shit stirrer.

Sophia’s slim fingers shook, even as her eyes held his. The skin on his shoulders grew hot at the memory of her nails digging in as he drove into her. His blood roared and went south, straight to his dick.

Damn it.

The flute slipped from her grip. Before it could shatter on the floor, Dane lunged and grabbed it, the cold liquid sloshing over his hand.

She blinked as if a spell had been broken.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice low and husky.

He handed the glass to a waiter who’d appeared unobtrusively. Sophia’s gaze roamed all over his face, her gaze like a feather brushing his skin.

“How did you get invited?” he asked.

“I didn’t. I came here with somebody.” Her fingers toyed with her choker.

Dane glanced at the bauble…and then took a second, longer look. Triple-stranded with diamond accents, it was just like one that used to belong to his grandmother. He studied it, then hissed out a breath as he saw the initials S J P.

It
was
his grandmother’s. And she’d left it to Salazar, so…

How the hell had Sophia gotten it? Or should the question be,
what had she done to earn it?

Something dark and ugly unfurled in Dane’s belly. It was all he could do to stand there like a civilized human being.

Vanessa’s call came back to him. So. This was the stepmother candidate his sister had been worried about.

Technically there was nothing that would stop Salazar and Sophia from marrying; they weren’t blood relations. And normally Dane wouldn’t have given a fuck who his dad screwed around with.

But this wasn’t a normal situation, and Sophia wasn’t just any woman.

Dane had a feeling that she would be able to accomplish what other women before her had not—getting Salazar to put a ring on her finger. After all, she’d already managed to get Shirley’s choker.

“We need to talk.” Dane took Sophia’s elbow and looked around. The area was too crowded. “This way.”

He led her toward a pair of French doors. The garden would provide better privacy. He had no desire to become somebody’s gossip for the week.

As he pulled her past the doors, she stumbled and cried out. He stopped instantly, biting back a curse. “Don’t tell me you can’t walk in those heels.”

“It’s not that. They hurt.”

“Then why are you wearing—? Never mind. Why do women choose their clothes and shoes so poorly?”

“I couldn’t put on flats.”

“Of course.” Salazar liked his women in heels.

Dane let go and waited as she arranged herself. The outside lamps illuminated the wince on her face, and something like sympathy stirred inside him.

Damn it
. This wasn’t what he needed. He knew better than anybody how well people could pretend. Innocents didn’t just gravitate toward people like his father or swindle valuable chokers from them.

And not just any choker, but one of Shirley’s. Dane clenched his jaw. Technically it was Salazar’s now, and he could do whatever he wanted. But given its history, it should’ve stayed in the family. There were other baubles, meaningless ones, that could serve as…incentives.

“So where do you want to talk?” Sophia asked.

He motioned with his chin toward a bench in the shadows. “Over there. We should have some privacy.”

She nodded and followed. They didn’t touch, but he felt her anyway across the small distance between their bodies.

“Sit.”

He waited until she settled on one side of the bench. He didn’t take the spot next to her. He was so restless, he could barely stand still. But he knew better than to let her see his agitation.

“What are you doing with Salazar?” he asked.

Her mouth parted. “You know him?”

Dane laughed. “You could say that. Now what the hell kind of game are you playing, Sophia?”

“Game? I’m not playing any game.”

“Right.” She opened her mouth but he waved a hand dismissively. No longwinded explanations. “Fine, let’s play it your way. Salazar is my father. Now answer my question.”

Sophia gasped and blinked a few times. “I had no idea.”

Dane smiled.
And I’m the king of England
. “Did he promise to marry you as soon as the divorce is final?”

“What?”

“Surely you’ve heard about his marital situation. Come on. You didn’t get this far”—Dane gestured at the choker—“without doing some research.”

“Dane, what are you talking about? There was no ‘research’.”

Uh-huh. Women ran into Salazar and ended up with family heirlooms all the time.

“I had to come to L.A.,” she continued. “I have nobody back home.”

“You could’ve called me.”

“You mean your lawyers,” she said, her voice sharp.

“So you called after all.”

“Don’t worry.” Her mouth tightened. “I was never pregnant.”

“That wasn’t what I was thinking.” If she’d called the lawyers, she must’ve discovered who he was. And since they weren’t idiots, whatever they’d offered probably hadn’t been satisfactory for her, assuming that they’d bothered. They’d most likely laughed at her for wanting anything when she wasn’t even pregnant with his kid. He should’ve left her his private number after all. “What’s your endgame here, Sophia?”

“Oh for…! I keep telling you, there is no game.”

Typical denial. Wasn’t even worth acknowledging. “Do you think you’re too smart to be played by Salazar?” He tilted his head. “Did your father not leave you enough money?”

She choked back a bitter laugh. “Enough money… How would you define that?”

He narrowed his eyes. “A couple of million at least.” Which wouldn’t have been a lot for Rick. He’d inherited over a hundred million dollars.

“And you’re acting like I’m the crazy one.” She laughed, this time not bothering to keep it quiet. The sound was full of derision. “Two million dollars? Really?”

“Chump change for you?”

“I would’ve been happy if his estate was worth two hundred dollars.” She gave him a long, level look. “Listen to me carefully, Dane. There’s nothing. Zero. No money.”

Despite himself, Dane believed her. He pulled back.
How could Rick have died broke?

And why was Sophia being so candid about her money situation? Most gold diggers didn’t like to talk about their poor finances. They preferred not to give any
wrong
impression, like people were too stupid to figure it out.

“I needed a safe place to stay, and Salazar was the only candidate. If you wanted me to contact you, maybe you shouldn’t have snuck out in the middle of the night.”

Touché, and he hated her for putting him on the defensive. The women he associated with didn’t do that. They were either too busy fawning over him or following his instructions. Any other kind were ruthlessly cut from his life, the only exception being his family. “I left a number,” he gritted out.

“To your lawyers. You might as well have told me to go fuck myself.” Her hand flew to her mouth and she shook her head slightly. Then she got up, chin high. “Excuse me. I think we’re done here, and I need to get back inside.”

He gripped her wrist. “Not to him.” He could stand anything but her going back to his father.

Her eyes glittered in the dark. “Why would you care? You never wanted me more than once.”

The cynicism ate at him like acid. It didn’t belong on the perfectly formed lips that had haunted his memories over the past three years.

A sudden fury seared him. Did she have any idea how much he hated himself right at the moment? Even knowing who and what she was, something inside him warmed at the sight of her, and he craved that warmth with the desperation of a man lost in the long Arctic winter.

She had no right to look at him like he was some pathetic pawn she found wanting.

You should’ve never been born
.
Then none of us would have to suffer through this ridiculous game
.

Each softly spoken word stabbed into him like an ice pick. Her pulse leaped, beating against his hand. There was a small tremor in her breathing, on her lips that softened ever so slightly.

It was an Oscar-worthy performance. It had to be. But even knowing that, he couldn’t stop himself.

He crushed his mouth against hers.

She made a small sound and melted under him. His tongue flicked over her mouth, then invaded aggressively. He’d show her he wasn’t fooled by her clever games. He’d played with best of the best—his parents.

Her pulse fluttered faster against his palm. The heady, sweet taste of her filled his mouth, her body pliant. She met his tongue with her own. Her free hand reached over and grabbed his shoulder; her body arched into his.

A pulse of desire reverberated through him, making every cell edgy with anticipation. His cock hardened, stabbing at her belly. She merely moaned and rocked, their mouths still fused.

Their breaths mingled, their lungs breathing the same air. Sophia flooded his senses, and his heart thudded like it existed only for that moment. He still couldn’t figure out what it was about her that drew him like this, and he wanted to unravel her so he could stop this madness.

He pulled her wrist behind her. Her back arched further against his chest, her breasts flush against his torso. He palmed her small tit, and she mewled, the sound muffled against his mouth. Even through the layers of clothing, he could feel her pebbled nipple.

She became bolder, her teeth nipping at him to give her more, eroding his control. Damn it. Every drop of blood in his veins seemed to rush south. There was nothing but desire pounding in his temples. He wanted nothing more than to rip her panties off and take her in the garden. To show her how stupid it’d been for her to go to his father when he made her scream his name while his cock was buried deep inside her.

A small rational voice in his head said this was wrong, that he was letting her use sex to manipulate him. The kiss should’ve been a punishment for both of them, not something he got a sick kick out of.

He quashed the voice.

Dane’s fingers slid under her skirt and touched her drenched panties. She cried out as he ran his knuckles along the wet strip of lace, then bumped lightly against her swollen clit. Her breath became erratic pants. Sexual need glittered in her green eyes, and he pulled her even closer. He circled his thumb against the nub, while breathing in the sweet scent of her—all that luscious female aroma.

Tremors ran through her. He could feel her pulsing against his hand, and he knew she was close.

“Dane, please.”

“Please what, sweetheart?” he asked tauntingly, unwilling to give in. She’d been inexperienced before, but she wasn’t anymore. He wanted her to show him how much she’d learned since then.

When she stayed quiet, he dipped the first knuckle of his forefinger into her dripping pussy, grinding the heel of his hand against her clit. She bit her lower lip, a sublime expression settling over her gorgeous face. But it wasn’t enough. He made sure it wasn’t enough.

She clutched him to her, nails digging into his muscles. Her moist mouth parted, and he had to rein himself in. Thrusting into her throat would be incredible, but this wasn’t about that.

“Say it,” he whispered hotly against her ear, making her shiver. “Tell me what you want.” He deepened the penetration, pushing to the second knuckle.

She gasped, tilting her pelvis in silent supplication for more, but he retreated slowly. “Please—”

“Sophia? Where are you?”

Shit
.

Dane pulled back, pulled out, pushed Sophia away until she was at arm’s length. She whimpered, her eyes glazed with frustrated need. “Elizabeth,” he whispered.

Sophia flinched as if she’d been slapped. Her hands trembled as she smoothed her dress and checked her hair.

Dane closed his eyes briefly. His cousin had some of the shittiest timing in the world. He hadn’t meant to leave Sophia on the edge and frustrated, but now… He adjusted his jacket and waited until Sophia dropped her hands to her sides.

“Over here,” he called out.

Seconds later, Elizabeth appeared. “My goodness, I panicked a little when I couldn’t find you.”

“What do you need her for?” Dane said, his voice colder and harder than usual.

Elizabeth blinked. “What’s gotten into you?”

“You’ve interrupted a conversation.”

“Well, sorry about that, but it’ll have to wait. Sophia, you need to get out there for the bachelorette auction. You’re up soon. And Dane, your date’s been looking for you. You might want to go back inside and find her.” She smiled slyly. “Unless you want to bid?”

“You know I don’t do auctions of this kind. If you want more money, just ask.”

“Oh, yes, I know, but hope springs eternal. First time for everything, and all that. Maybe you can win Sophia and continue your conversation while helping some under-privileged children.”

Then she smiled, took Sophia by the hand and led her away.

Pressing the tip of his middle finger against the spot between his eyebrows, he watched them disappear. Various contradictory emotions tangled and knotted until they were an ugly ball in his chest. Then he suddenly chuckled.

Buy Sophia and continue their conversation
.

If only Elizabeth knew.

* * *

Sophia was shaking inside, but she didn’t let it show. It wasn’t that difficult; she’d had years of experience controlling her nerves for competitions.