The Billionaire's Forbidden Desire (10 page)

But Dane…

He was something else. How could he act so nonchalant and unaffected?

“Was the conversation unpleasant?” Elizabeth asked.

“What?”
Oh
,
that’s right
. “No, just…unsettling.” In fact, it had been shockingly pleasurable and frustrating. Her panties were soaked through, and unfulfilled need throbbed between her legs. She was so swollen and slick down there, even the slight friction of the lace was setting her nerves on edge.

“That’s good. Dane can be…difficult. We all say that ice water flows in his veins.”

That didn’t sound at all like the man she’d met three years ago, but perhaps something had happened to him since then. “Has he been like this for long?”

“Ever since I can remember. Which is why he has no friends. Well, except for my oldest brother. They’re like two peas in a pod.”

“Are they?” She’d heard of Blake Pryce-Reed—impossible not to, since he was Uncle Julian’s heir—but she didn’t know anything about him.

A tall blonde woman came up to them. “Have you found my date?” Her dress was so tiny, it looked as though her breasts would pop out if she sneezed.

Elizabeth nodded. “Out in the garden. If you go that way, you might run into him.”

Sophia watched the blonde walk away on a pair of impossibly high heels, hips swaying in an exaggerated manner. “Who’s that?”

“Dane’s date.”

“Oh.” Jealousy knotted in Sophia’s gut. Suddenly the things she and Dane had done felt wrong and sordid. “How long have they been dating?”

“No idea, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s their first date. Dane doesn’t usually do more than one. Two is like this huge commitment from him.” Elizabeth pursed her lips. “He has a type.”

“I see.”
Big-breasted
.
Long-legged
.
Sophisticated
. None of which described Sophia.

“Dumb and blonde. At least he’s discreet, unlike Ryder.” Elizabeth made a face. “Let’s get you ready for the auction. You’re going to rock, and by the way, thank you so much for doing this. I know I sprung it on you.”

“Happy to help out.” Sophia smiled warmly.

She didn’t think she was much of an attraction. However, Elizabeth had gushed that having a famous athlete would bring in more money and said the fund would help build schools for young children. Sophia couldn’t pretend she didn’t care enough to do it. It was a small and brief discomfort for her, but a lifetime of opportunity for children somewhere. And now that she’d stopped competing, she didn’t have stalker problems anymore. So there was really no excuse for turning it down.

They went to the backstage to get ready, Sophia focusing on calming her nerves. She didn’t know why she felt so jittery. It wasn’t like she had to move elegantly on a pair of razor-thin blades over a field of ice or anything.

“Your turn.” Elizabeth squeezed her hand. “Good luck! You’ll be awesome!”

Sophia drew in a deep breath and pasted on a smile. This was simply performing, just like she’d done hundreds of times before in rinks. She didn’t even have to worry about executing difficult jumps or falling on an unforgiving surface.

Widening her smile, she strutted onto the stage. So what if her joints hurt? She’d done much more, winning competitions while her knees felt like they’d burst into flame. The emcee blabbered a few factoids about “tonight’s special surprise bachelorette.”

Sophia tuned her out and tried to see who was in the audience. Spotlights got in the way, keeping non-stage areas dark. Still, she thought she spotted the blonde—Dane’s date. Was he still out there or had he left already?

But then there it was again—a familiar tingling sensation that rippled over her. Dane was in the audience. She knew it. He was the only one who could make her feel this way.

Suddenly something that had been bugging her for a while clicked. He’d been at her father’s funeral…but chosen not to approach her.

Why not?

Hadn’t he thought she deserved a few words of comfort?

Bitterness tightened her chest. How little did she mean to him, anyway? Or the night that they’d had? Maybe she was stupid for thinking that it should mean more than it did. After all, it had been
her
first time, not his. Maybe leaving quickly after sex was par for the course for men like him.

Besides, Elizabeth had said one date was his style. He was sticking to his MO.

The emcee’s squeal jerked Sophia back to the present. “Five hundred thousand dollars! Ladies and gentlemen, a new record!”

Sophia blinked, dumbfounded. Who on earth would pay that much for a date with her? It was insane.

Then her old training kicked in. She’d managed to smile like everything was fine after a fall from a botched jump. She could control herself here too. She waved and blew a kiss to the audience before leaving the stage.

Elizabeth hugged her. “Did you
hear
that?”

“Yes,” Sophia said, almost numbly. “I had no idea people spent so much money.”

“They don’t. But I knew you’d be special!”

Sophia smiled ruefully. Despite her initial doubts, Elizabeth had turned out to be just as sweet as everyone had said. Even Betsy thought Elizabeth was perfect and saintly. “If she were Catholic, they’d’ve made her a saint.”

“I mean it’s already unbelievable that he stayed because he absolutely loathes auctions like this,” Elizabeth went on. “He usually just writes a fat check and splits, but for you, cousin, he stayed. And bid, and bid, and bid.”

Sophia grinned. As shallow as it sounded, it felt great to be wanted. Dane might not have thought she was worth his time or attention, but she shouldn’t let that bother her so much. Obviously there was someone who thought the exact opposite…and had showed it to everyone with half a million dollars! “So who’s the winner?”

“Dane.”

Sophia’s jaw slackened. “Dane?” she repeated faintly.

Elizabeth glowed. “The one and only.”

Sophia walked out to the floor. People beamed at her, gushing with congratulations. She smiled back and said all the right, polite words on autopilot.

The only thing on her mind was: why on earth had Dane bid so much money for her?

He’d made it clear he didn’t like her. Wanting her physically didn’t mean anything, not to a man like him who could have sex with any woman he wanted.

Salazar found her and handed her a glass of champagne. “Fabulous, my dear! What a way to make an impression.” He rested a fatherly hand on her shoulder, giving her a warm glow.

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“I was just telling Dane he did a good thing.”

“Well, I’d hate to embarrass a relative. It is her first social scene in L.A., after all.”

Sophia snapped her head around. Some parts of Dane were just like before—the stunning harshness of his beauty, the directness of his gaze, the large imposing body. She responded to them all, heat and nerves rolling and twisting in her gut as she recalled what had happened earlier outside. But there was something about him that was also very different now—he was harder, colder, infinitely less approachable. His formal clothes seemed to accentuate those qualities.

The blonde from earlier was clinging to him like an octopus, arms like tentacles and one breast flattened from pressing into his bicep. Dane made no move to discourage her. Instead he studied Sophia, his eyes steady.

Anger lanced through her, the earlier sexual frustration fueling her temper. How dare he stand there, cool as a cucumber, like nothing had happened between them? Or was it a regular thing for him to drag a woman outside and take her to third base at a public event?

“If that was your concern, you didn’t have to bother,” she said, her words clipped. “I’m sure somebody else would’ve bid a decent amount…without creating a spectacle.”

“A spectacle?”

“The excessive amount will only create unnecessary gossip. I prefer to remain more anonymous.” George wasn’t the type to read tabloids, but she didn’t want him to get even a whiff of where she was. She didn’t think he’d try to confront her, but then again she hadn’t thought he was capable of attacking her.

“You gave up any expectation of anonymity when you started coming to events like this. Especially on his arm.” Dane’s gaze raked over his father, then Sophia.

“Pshhh. Don’t be ridiculous,” Salazar said. “I’m old news. Boring.”

“People are still speculating that The Eternal Couple won’t split after all,” Dane said. “There’s a betting pool.”

“Really? I had no idea.” Salazar seemed oddly energized by the thought. “Did you put some money down?”

“No.”

“Should’ve, since you were the one who delivered the papers. You know the odds better than anyone.” Salazar yawned. “I think I’m done for the evening. Not as young as I used to be.”

“None of us are,” Sophia said quickly.

“You ready to exit in triumph?” he said.

“Sure.” She was wiped out from the long trip and the impromptu auction, and her hip was killing her. Also, her nerves were too frayed to deal with a disapproving Dane…especially when Malibu Barbie was all over him. “Completely, totally ready.”

Salazar turned to his son. “Well, good night.” He gave the blonde a rakish smile, then offered his arm to Sophia.

She looked at it, hesitating. She could feel Dane’s gaze. He looked even colder and more remote.

Her mouth tightened.
You know what? You aren’t the only one upset here
,
buddy
.

She put her hand on Salazar’s arm.

* * *

Dane watched them leave, the muscles in his jaw bunching.

Son of a bitch
.

Salazar had bid heavily on Sophia, and so had other men. She was an incredible prize. When Dane had gotten tired of the incremental bidding, he’d tossed out half a million to end the bullshit. He didn’t give a damn who the other women belonged to for an evening, but not Sophia. He’d be damned if his father would win her.

On the other hand…

Dane forcibly relaxed his fingers to avoid shattering his flute of champagne. He’d probably tipped his hand. Salazar wasn’t an idiot, especially when it came to women and sex.

This was why Dane was careful not to let his emotions show. Every time he got careless, he had to deal with an unpleasant aftermath with his family. Even his mistake of three years ago was coming back to haunt him.

“Honey, you all right?” his date said.

“Fine.”

“You wanna get going?” She pressed a huge plastic tit against his arm again. “I’ve been thinking of some…fun things,” she whispered into his ear.

Normally he’d like nothing more than to let her exercise what imagination she had, but the only thing he wanted right now was Sophia.

Sophia
…

His possible future stepmom if Vanessa was to be believed.

Damn it.

Dane drove to his date’s place at exactly one mile per hour under the speed limit. It wasn’t far from his penthouse. He parked in front of the luxury condo building and stared straight ahead. He had to get ahold of himself before he did something he’d regret. Like speeding over to his father’s house, dragging Sophia out and finishing what they’d started in the garden.

“You want to come in for a nightcap?” the blonde said, dragging her fingernails lightly along his thigh.

He picked up the offending hand and dropped it in her lap. “No. And if you don’t get out in the next three seconds, I’m going to start driving.”

She gasped. “You can be
such
an asshole.”

“So I hear. Now get out.”

“Fine!” She climbed out and slammed the door.

His hands flexed around the steering wheel as he maneuvered the Lamborghini toward his penthouse. A ball of pressure was bearing down on his rib cage. He took a couple of deep breaths and flexed his shoulders, trying to relieve it.

An urge to push the car to its limit and speed down the highway hit him, but he resisted, grinding his teeth. He hadn’t indulged in the last seven years, and he wasn’t going to start now. Not over Salazar. Not over Sophia.

Then what? Go home and drink?

Dane shook his head. That wasn’t enough.

He needed to run.

Pleasantly cool evening air caressed her bare butt
,
causing goose bumps to rise
,
but hot hands soon covered her naked skin
.
They pulled her closer until she could feel the long
,
thick erection against her belly
.
Strong fingers brushed tantalizingly close to her already soaking folds
.

Yes, yes, yes.

She moaned into his mouth
,
begging for more
.
Her legs spread as wide as possible
,
seemingly on their own volition
.
She arched her back
,
pressed into his big hard body
.

Still he maintained control over himself
,
and she bit back a frustrated groan
.
If she could just make him let go a little
…
If Dane would just
—

“Sophia?”

She woke with a start and blinked as her eyes focused on Salazar. “Uh…hi,” she said.

They were inside his car, which was currently parked in front of his house.

“Hi yourself. You must be pretty tired.”

She forced a smile, her lips feeling rubbery.
How do you deal with the father of the man who just starred in your dirty dream?
“It’s been a long day.”

The driver opened the door. The interior lights illuminated Salazar’s face, and she looked for any hint of an ulterior motive. Dane had been so certain that either she wanted to marry his father—which she absolutely did not—or that Salazar was planning to marry her for some weird, messed up reason. Some…game he was playing with his wife.

Dane knew his father better than she did, so was he right? But no matter how hard she searched, there was no hint of malice or ill-intent in Salazar. He seemed genuinely interested in helping her.

“Thank you,” she said, taking a chance, squeezing his hand and watching for the reaction. “For everything.”

He shrugged and smiled. “Hey, everyone can use a hand sometimes. Am I right?”