“Clearly,” Malik replied. “But since when did you stop confiding in us?” Maybe Sage felt she didn’t need them anymore, or that they didn’t need her, which was far from the truth.
“I never stopped, Malik,” Sage replied. “I guess my head is a little screwy these days.”
“How can we help?” Quentin asked.
“You can’t,” Sage said. “I made my own bed and now I have to lie in it. I know how you all feel on the subject.”
“Just because we don’t approve doesn’t mean you can’t talk to us about it,” Malik said. “We’re still your family.”
“I know that,” Sage said. “Trust me, I do. It’s the one thing I haven’t forgotten, but you guys can’t make someone love me. He either does or he doesn’t.” Her voice cracked. “And he doesn’t, so I have to live with that.”
“Sage, I’m sorry.” Quentin wrapped his arms around her shoulders and squeezed her tightly. “I can see how much you love this guy, but if he doesn’t realize what a gem he has in you, then you’re well rid of him.”
“Tell that to my heart.” Sage sniffed.
Dante held out his handkerchief and Sage blew her nose. She tried to hand it back, but he shook his head. “Keep it.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“Ride this out until the end,” Sage returned.
“You mean you’re going to continue seeing him when you know he doesn’t love you back?” Dante couldn’t believe his ears. He just couldn’t understand why Sage would subject herself to that kind of humiliation.
Sage knew it sounded ludicrous, especially when he said it like that, but Dante didn’t understand the depth of her feelings. “There’s a lot about Ian that you don’t know or understand. He grew up like us. He understands what it’s like to be alone and not have parents. And I know he cares about me. Any time with Ian is better than none at all.”
“Don’t tell me you’re waxing poetic, that it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?” Malik didn’t buy for one second that Sage was that sentimental.
“I’ve made my peace with this,” Sage told her friends. “And you’re just going to have to accept that.”
Everything with Sage was going along swimmingly, Ian admitted to himself. Last week, Ian had cleared the air of any misconceptions she might have about their forming any commitment and now he could put Dante’s warnings aside. In fact, he wanted to invite her to the breast cancer charity event he was participating in Saturday night. Although he had to be there because he’d volunteered to be auctioned off, Ian wanted Sage to bid on him so that she was the woman he went home with at the end of the evening.
Ian picked up the phone to ensure that. “Hello, gorgeous.”
Sage smiled when she heard Ian’s voice. “Hello, there.”
“Please tell me you don’t have plans for Saturday.”
“Hmm, why is that?”
“Because I need you to attend this breast cancer event with me. I’ve been asked to participate in the bachelor auction and I want to ensure that you are the highest bidder.”
“Oh, really?” she said with a smile in her voice.
“Yes, really. I’ll cover whatever check you write and have the funds in your account the next morning.”
“You do realize we’d be appearing in public and people might consider us an item,” Sage replied.
“And I’ll just comment that as my attorney, you graciously agreed to be my companion for the evening.”
“I don’t know.” Sage was leery of going out in public with Ian. It was one thing going to his penthouse, but it was quite another going as his date to a charity event. What if it blew up in her face?
“C’mon, don’t say no. I really want you there and it’ll be fun.”
“All right, all right.” Sage chuckled at his pleading. “I’ll see you Saturday.”
Saturday arrived with much anticipation for Sage. She’d wanted to splurge and treat herself to a new dress at Bergdorf, but Ian had a designer one sent to her by courier earlier that morning. When she opened the box, she’d been stunned by the one-of-a-kind design. The color of cognac and made of pure silk, the gown was strapless with crinkled tiers and a mermaid skirt. She would be the belle of the ball.
“You look absolutely breathtaking,” Ian said when he arrived to pick her up at her condo. He twirled her around so he could get a better look. The dress fit her like a glove, hugging her curvy bottom and petite bosom.
Sage smiled. She liked the look of appreciation in Ian’s eyes. “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.” He looked masculine and powerful in his tuxedo, which she was sure cost a fortune as the cut emphasized his broad physique.
“Come here.” He reached for her, but Sage stepped away.
“Uh-uh.” Sage wagged her finger at him. “You’ll ruin my makeup.”
Ian pouted like a puppy. “You’re no fun.”
Sage grinned broadly. If he started kissing her, Sage doubted they’d stop and would miss the event. “Let’s go.”
A limousine was waiting for them outside and took them to the St. Regis hotel. A photographer snapped a shot of them exiting the vehicle. “I’m sure we’ll be in the gossip rags tomorrow,” Sage commented.
As they took the elevator to the penthouse, Sage thought of the explanation she would give the senior partners if they asked why she was out with a client. She would say she was his companion in the hope that she could persuade him to give the firm all of L.E.’s business.
When they exited on the roof, Ian was greeted by Lorelei Griffin, the organizer of the event. “Ian, thank you for agreeing to spotlight this event in your magazine,” Lorelei said.
“No problem. It’s a good cause,” Ian responded and turned to Sage. “Craze is exclusively covering tonight’s event. Lorelei, this is my attorney, Sage Anderson, with Greenberg, Hanson, Waggoner and Associates.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Lorelei replied, extending her hand. “Welcome to the fifth annual Breast Cancer Fashion Show.”
“Thank you.” Sage shook the woman’s hand.
“She really is quite lovely, Ian.” Lorelei kissed his cheek as they entered the pavilion. “How long do you plan on keeping this one?” she murmured in his ear.
“What did she say?” Sage asked when they stepped inside.
“Just that you’re beautiful,” Ian whispered in her ear. He had no intention of letting Sage go anytime soon. He was having too much fun, in and out of bed. “Come, there are a few more people I want you to meet.”
While he was introducing her to several influential businessmen, Sage noticed Lisa Randall, the supermodel she’d seen Ian with at the Craze launch party, arrive. As always, Lisa was stunningly beautiful. She was draped in a white halter dress with a black trim that just so happened to have a plunging neckline and a slit that went all the way up to her thigh. Several photographers surrounded her, eager to get the perfect shot, and Lisa ate it up.
“Everything all right?” Ian asked, smiling down at her when she’d become silent.
“I should be asking you that question.” Sage inclined her head in Lisa’s direction.
Ian followed her line of vision and frowned. He hoped Lisa wasn’t there to start trouble. “Lisa’s an ex.”
“I know. She was at the launch party, remember? But she clearly doesn’t want to stay that way if her presence tonight is any indication.”
“Don’t tell me you’re jealous.” Ian peered down at her. Her guard was up, so he couldn’t read Sage’s expression. He wondered if it had something to do with their conversation about her feelings for him.
“Not at all.” Sage blinked several times and turned to face him. She wouldn’t give Lisa the satisfaction. “You’re here with me, aren’t you?”
Ian grinned. He loved Sage’s confidence. “That’s right, I am.” One arm circled around Sage’s waist.
Sage was doing her best imitation of a stiff upper lip. She was, in fact, very unsure of their relationship. She
’d given in to temptation and along the way her heart had gotten involved. Somehow, her love for Ian surpassed what she felt for Quentin, Dante or Malik, and now Ian Lawrence had his own special place there. How would he react if she expressed her true feelings? Her mind went to that afternoon aboard Elusive when they’d made love and Sage knew that answer. He’d run for the hills.
“We should probably get seated.” With his hand on the small of her back, he led her to their table. The table for eight was nearly full when they arrived. Ian introduced her around the table and they settled in for the evening. The conversation sparkled and the dinner wasn’t bad for a catered event, but it was the auction that Sage was looking forward to. Before he’d left to go backstage, Ian had told her to bid whatever it took to ensure he would end up as her date.
Lorelei was the hostess for the evening and got the auction under way. Several prestigious men she’d seen in the society pages were auctioned off for ridiculous sums of money. Sage couldn’t believe how easily the wealthy threw away their money even if it was for a good cause like cancer research.
When it was Ian’s turn, Sage perked up.
“Now, ladies,” Lorelei began. “You all know this gentleman is one of the wealthy bachelors in town. So you know what that means…if you want a night with this guy, you’re going to have to dig deep in your pockets. He is one of the most prominent men in the multimedia world today, with a media empire that spans publishing, television and radio. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Ian Lawrence.”
The curtains flew back and Ian stepped out on stage. Sage was shocked at how many women stood up clapping for him and making catcalls. She was going to have her hands full.
Ian didn’t seem to mind the applause one bit. In fact, he was eating it up as he walked down the runway. He paused at the end of the runway and spun around for effect.
“The bidding is going to start at ten thousand dollars.”
Sage raised her placard.
“I see ten thousand. Do I hear another bid?”
“Twelve thousand,” a woman from the adjacent table offered.
“Thirteen thousand.” Sage raised her placard.
“Do I hear fourteen thousand?” Lorelei asked the crowd. “Look at this man.” She motioned to Ian. “He is an Adonis. Surely you can do better, ladies.”
Ian helped Lorelei out by removing his tuxedo jacket, swinging it over his shoulder and spinning around. The women went wild.
“Twenty thousand,” a voice from the back of the room said.
Everyone seemed shocked by the sudden jump in price and turned to find the owner of the bid. Sage’s eyes landed on Lisa, standing tall and proud in the center of the room.
Sage coughed. She felt a slight strangeness in her chest but shrugged it off. She was just getting overly excited because of Lisa’s shenanigans. From his stance, Sage could see that Ian was not pleased with the change of events.
“Do I hear twenty thousand, five?” Lorelei asked.
Sage raised her placard.
“Do I hear twenty-one thousand?”
“Twenty-two,” Lisa threw out.
“Twenty-three thousand.” There was no way Sage was going to let Lisa get the upper hand. She fanned herself with the placard.
“Oh, it looks like we have a catfight in the works.” Lorelei egged the crowd on while Ian stood uncomfortably on stage.
“Twenty-five thousand,” Lisa yelled.
Sage coughed again and leaned over to grab a glass of water. She was starting to feel hot and sweaty, but she wasn’t going to let the leggy model get the better of her. Sage dabbed at her brow with her napkin.
“It seems someone really wants a night with Mr. Lawrence,” Lorelei told the crowd. “Who is going to challenge her?”
“Twenty-six,” Sage returned.
“Thirty thousand,” Lisa yelled.
Sage rose and glared at Lisa. “Thirty-five thousand.”
From on stage, Ian could see the battle of the wills going on between the two women, but he knew in the end that Sage would win. He’d given her carte blanche to do whatever it took.
Lisa smiled. “Fifty thousand dollars.”
Sage nearly choked and had to take a seat. She hoped another asthma attack wasn’t coming on, but she was getting worried. She took several deep breaths to calm her nerves. She had never expected that Lisa wanted Ian this much. She was willing to pay anything just for an evening alone with him.
“Well, well, well…” Lorelei paused. Things were certainly getting interesting. She hadn’t expected such a dramatic change of events. “Do I hear fifty-one thousand?”
Sage realized she had to go for the jugular like she did in the courtroom. No holds barred, just full-on attack. Lisa would never see this coming. This was war. Sage rose and spoke loud enough so that everyone could hear. “One hundred thousand.” She turned and glared at Lisa, daring her to go higher. She hoped Ian wasn’t upset; he had told her to do whatever it took to win.
The crowd went silent at the outrageous sum. “We have a bid of one hundred thousand dollars for Ian Lawrence. Any takers?” Lorelei glanced in Lisa’s direction. Apparently, the amount was too high for Lisa’s blood because she shook her head.
“All right, going once, going twice, sold.” Lorelei threw down her gavel. “Mr. Lawrence is all yours at a hefty sum.”
Ian quickly exited the stage to the side. Sage looked a little distressed as she made her way out of the ballroom. This was all Lisa’s fault and he intended to set her straight once and for all.
Sage was nearly to the restroom when she was circumvented by Lisa in the hallway. The tall beauty stood directly in her path.
“So you think you won?” Lisa shouted at her.
“Move out of my way.” Sage tried to push past her, but Lisa wouldn’t budge. She was starting to have difficulty breathing and needed to use her inhaler.
“You haven’t won. All you’ve done is make a fool of yourself. Everyone in there could see that you two are more than just attorney and client.”
Ian arrived before Sage could speak. “Lisa, stop it! You’re the one who is causing a scene.” Several onlookers in the hallway had stopped to see what the commotion was all about. Ian came in and stood between the two women.
“Me?” Lisa laughed derisively. “Is that a joke? You’re the one who is sleeping with your attorney!”
“You have gone too far.” The full force of Ian’s dark eyes turned on Lisa and she looked down.
Sage could hear the shocked breaths from those nearby and the thought of what this could mean to her career instantly caused her chest to tighten.
“Don’t you see he’s using you?” Lisa said, getting in Sage’s face. “When he’s done with you, he’ll be on to the next woman. Hell, he was with me for six months, which was a record. Trust me when I say that Ian never stays with one woman for long. You’re nothing more than a bed warmer.”
When Ian turned and saw how pale and sweaty Sage was and heard her wheezing, he immediately went into alert. “Back off, Lisa!”
“What’s wrong with her?” Lisa questioned. Her competition looked as if she were ready to expire.
“She has asthma.” Ian circled his arm around Sage’s shoulders and whispered in her ear, “Where is your inhaler?” When she didn’t answer, he grabbed her purse and pulled out the inhaler. Although weak, Sage reached for it and brought it to her lips. She tried to breathe after one puff, but when her breathing still didn’t returned to normal, she tried a second puff, but the inhaler went dead.
“Sage, there’s no more. Do you have another?” Ian asked, searching her face.
Sage shook her head.
Before Lisa could utter another word, Ian swiftly lifted Sage into his arms and carried her down the hall to the elevator. Ian was beside himself as he waited for the elevator to descend. This was all his fault; he should have neutralized Lisa before she was allowed to run roughshod over Sage.
“Ian…” Sage eked out.
“It’s oka
y, love. We’re almost there.” Ian bent down and swept his lips over her forehead.
As soon as the doors opened, Ian rushed through the lobby.
The concierge came up to him, his face etched with concern. “Sir, is she okay? Do you need any help?”
“Just get me a cab,” Ian barked.
“Will do, sir.” The concierge snapped his fingers and before Ian knew it, the doors opened and a taxi was in front of him. A bellman opened the taxi door and Ian slid Sage inside before jumping in himself. “Take us to the nearest hospital.”
“I’m okay, really I am,” Sage reassured Dante, Malik and Quentin from the emergency room hospital bed. Ian had stepped outside to make a telephone call.
“Are you sure?” Dante asked, stroking back her hair.
“I’m positive. I just got overly agitated at the bachelor auction.”
“Let me look at you.” Quentin looked into Sage’s eyes and he didn’t like what he saw. “Can you guys give me a minute?” He needed to have a one-on-one with Sage.
“We’ll be outside if you need us,” Malik said.
After they’d left, Quentin turned around. “So why don’t you tell me what really happened.” He sat down on the bed beside her and reached for her hand.
“I told you.”
“You’re lying. Try again.” Sage wouldn’t be able to lie to him when it was just the two of them. She never could. The two of them had always shared a special bond.
Sage lowered her head. She didn’t like being cross-examined, least of all by Quentin. “All right, I’ll tell you.” She gave up. There was no way Quentin was going to take no for an answer. “Ian and I went to this bachelor auction and we ran into his not-too-distant ex-girlfriend.”
“And?”
“It was awful.” Just thinking about it caused Sage to reach for her oxygen mask and put it to her mouth. She breathed for a long while before venturing without it again.
Quentin waited patiently at her side. There was no way he was going to let this rest. Sage meant the world to him and he was not going to let some millionaire mistreat her, just because he thought he could.
If You So Desire Page 14