“Zacharius and Reginald’s money will go to pay for extra supplies around here, maybe even that playground out back,” she tossed over her shoulder as she headed for the front door. “They are welcome to come by and see it any time. Thank you for bringing the donation by.”
She was the epitome of distant professionalism. “You’re welcome. I’ll be sure to let them know,” he said. “So how about that charity ball tonight?”
Her eyes flashed disbelief. “Thanks, but no. One ball a lifetime is enough for me.”
“You had a great time, admit it.”
She pressed her lips together.
“How about another bet?” he pushed.
“You’ve got to be joking,” she said dryly.
“Don’t be such a hard ass. You need an opportunity to drum up more donations for your company and I want the pleasure of your company on my arm.”
“You mean in your bed.”
“Well, that goes without saying, but it doesn’t have to be part of the bet, since we already know that would hardly be fair.” He winked.
She almost smiled. Almost. “How big of you.”
“I try,” he said, with a genuine grin. He really did enjoy this woman. She thought she had a good fuck last night, just wait until their next go around.
Before she could throw him out, a loud crash sounded from the next room, followed by screams and cries. They ran into the playroom to find one of the small bookshelves toppled over with a little boy sprawled on the floor surrounded by a pile of books.
Jaclyn hurried over to him. “Billy, are you all right?”
Kids were sitting in various places around the room, several were looking at the toppled bookcase, mouths open in awe, smiles on their faces, and laughter in their eyes. While the younger ones were crying. Screaming actually.
Jaclyn’s helper came running in from the back room.
“Ellen, where were you?” Jaclyn demanded. “What happened?”
“I was just in the back for a minute.”
“You can’t leave the kids alone. Ever. Even for a minute!”
Tears filled Ellen’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“No. I’m sorry.” Jaclyn picked up the screaming kid, who was crying so hard his face was a wet mess. To Derek’s horror she walked toward him and shoved the kid into his arms. “I bet you can’t get these kids to stop screaming. If you do, I’ll go with you to the ball.”
He held the kid out away from him, trying to avoid the drool. The stench that was coming off the child was downright revolting. “You’re joking, right?”
“I have a room full of screaming kids. Do I look like I’m joking?”
For a brief second he eyed the door to the outside and contemplated his escape. Then, he took a deep breath, swung the kid to his chest, and scooped up another.
“Lady, I’ll take that bet. You’re on.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jaclyn watched with stunned appreciation. Damn if Derek wasn’t able to calm one child after another. And she had to admit, she shouldn’t have been surprised that he had every little girl in the room smiling up at him. How did he do it? He exuded charm and magnetism. His effect wasn’t lost on her, either. Every time his eyes met hers, her heart would do a little zing. She’d look away quickly, only to find herself focused on his hands, large and sure, and then she’d remember everything he’d done to her with those hands and his lips last night.
And all thought would leave her.
She almost had everything back in order when the first parent came in. Within the next hour almost all the children were gone, and her blood pressure was finally dropping. What could have been a complete disaster had been averted. Though she was going to have to have a strong talk with Ellen. The kids had to be monitored at all times, especially when they were short handed like they were today. Where was Trish, anyway?
“So,” he said. “About tonight?”
She looked up sharply. “You’re really going to make me go to this thing, aren’t you?”
He waggled his eyebrows. “A bet’s a bet.”
She sighed. “And a deal’s a deal. And you do like closing the deal, don’t you? No matter what the cost?”
He took a step back and clutched his chest. “You wound me.”
“Am I that far off?”
“Not in the least. And I’m not ashamed to admit it. How about it? A little food, a little wine, and a good time. What do you say? Give a cad like me a second chance?”
“Do I have a choice?”
He grinned. “Not if you’re a woman of your word.”
Although she was, she wasn’t about to take any chances again. Not with this guy. She was just about to open her mouth to tell him so, when his eyes caught hers. She found herself staring into the depths of blue, lost in their brilliance, when he asked. “Are we on?”
As if she had no will of her own, no control over her own body, she started nodding even as her mind screamed no. Don’t do it. Don’t give in. Stay far from this one.
“What time shall I pick you up tonight?” he pressed.
“Pick me up?” she repeated, suddenly feeling like it was she who couldn’t string two words together. She thought about riding in the back of his limo again, about the feel of his hands on her, the taste of his lips, the sweep of his tongue. “How about if I meet you there?” she whispered, her voice catching.
“I’ll see you there, then. Seven?”
She nodded as a feeling of futility stole over her.
She stared after him as he walked out the door. What had just happened? She was all geared up to tell him no and instead… She didn’t know what had gotten into her; all she did know was that she was doomed. An idiot, and doomed.
Two hours later, and Jaclyn still couldn’t stop thinking about how she let herself get sucked into another one of these events. Where the hell was her head? In the potential money, she thought, and stared at the check Derek had brought her. She drove to the bank, deposited it, and then had desperately tried to bury herself in paperwork and pay the bills Trish had yet to get to, when her friend breezed in. “Finally,” Jaclyn quipped.
“Sorry, Jaxs. I meant to be in earlier, but I needed a new dress for tonight, and well, the day just got away from me.”
“We really could have used you today. Trust me.”
“Sorry.” She shrugged and dropped into her chair.
Jaclyn pushed down her annoyance. Trish was Trish, and she was never going to change. “Speaking of tonight, can I borrow a dress?” she asked.
“Sure. Which one?”
“Something suitable for the Adamson ball. And if I can catch a ride with you, too, that would be awesome.”
Trish swiveled in her chair. “You’re kidding? Since when do you want to go to these things?”
“They’re not all bad.”
Trish’s gaze narrowed.
“What?” Jaclyn demanded.
“Something’s different about you.”
“No it’s not.” Except she still couldn’t fathom why she’d agreed to go to yet another party. Somehow that man got her to do stuff she didn’t want to do. Last night was case and point.
“So, spill,” Trish insisted.
“Spill what?”
“How was the drooler?”
Jaclyn sighed and was ready to correct her about how incredibly good looking and sexy Derek really was when she thought better of it. She’d let Trish see for herself how irritatingly handsome the man was tonight. “He was great,” she said. “In fact, I got the money we need to get caught up on some of these bills.” She gestured to the huge pile in front of her. “And there may even be some left for a start on the playground equipment.”
“Seriously? That’s terrific,” Trish said, looking more than a little surprised.
“Apparently Derek seems to personally know everyone who is anyone in this town.”
Trish leaned back in her chair and grinned. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“So I can borrow some
thing to wear?”
“What about that red chiffon?” Trish asked. “It looks great on you.”
“Wore that last night.”
“Wow, two nights in a row. He must be a keeper.”
Jaclyn shrugged. “He has his moments. He did take me to Serendipity’s.”
Trish grinned. “Now I think I’m jealous.”
“Don’t be. No one is that perfect. He has his flaws.” Some pretty big ones, in her book.
“Well, obviously. He drools, doesn’t he?” Trish leaned across the desk and picked up the pile of paid bills. “Wow, you did get a lot done.”
Jaclyn laughed, and immediately felt better. “You ready to go? I’ll need extra time if I’m going to swing by to borrow something.”
“Sounds good to me, but you should’ve come out shopping with me. We could’ve had fun.” She stood and picked up her purse.
“I know. I just hate to spend money on expensive clothes I’m hardly ever going to wear.”
“Well, if you’re going to continue seeing Mr. Drooler, you might need to invest in some fancy clothes.”
Jaclyn grimaced. “Let’s hope not.”
“What? You don’t want to date him?”
Jaclyn thought of his scorching kisses and magic fingers, and how she had absolutely no control over herself when he was around. “It’s the charity balls I’m not real fond of.”
“Maybe after tonight your dates will be a little more intimate.”
Jaclyn shrugged. Maybe after tonight she’d never see him again.
“Come on,” Trish said. “Follow me home. I have plenty of dresses for you to choose from.”
“Then why did you need a new one?” She gestured to all the bags sitting at her friend’s feet.
“Because Robert has already seen me in all of those.”
Jaclyn smirked.
“Don’t worry, you don’t have to like him, I like him enough for both of us.” Trish smiled wide, and winked. “We’re going to have fun tonight, girlfriend.”
Jaclyn’s mind immediately jumped to the feel of Derek’s arms holding her as they danced, enticing her with intimate promises. “That we will.”
“You sure you didn’t sleep with him last night?” Trish asked, scrutinizing her face.
“Of course not. You know I’m not the type who gives it up on the first date. Why?”
“Because, girl, you are positively glowing.”
That night, Jaclyn felt like she could kick herself as she and Trish walked into the hotel ballroom. Why had she agreed to another ball?
“We are dressed to kill,” Trish said. “Every eye in the room has just watched us walk in. You must come with me to these things more often.”
“I think twice is my annual limit,” Jaclyn muttered, feeling very much like she was strapped to the bottom of a Petri dish. Every eye was on them—assessing, judging. She got chills just thinking about it.
“Head straight for the bar,” Trish whispered.
She didn’t need to tell Jaclyn twice. Her gaze quickly swept the room as they walked, and then she saw him and her heart did a little jig in her chest. Damn, he looked good in a tux. Too good. “There’s Derek,” she whispered, trying to keep the building excitement out of her voice.
Trish followed her gaze. “Not the short one with the thinning hair?”
Jaclyn smirked.
“The one in that terrible baby blue suit left over from the eighties?”
“No. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Strike-me-dead next to the flower arrangement, talking to the mayor.”
Trish’s eyes widened. “Oh, my.”
“I thought you’d approve.”
“And he took you for ice cream?”
“Yep.”
“Wow.”
“Yep,” Jaclyn repeated, watching him work the room, shaking hands, doling out chaste kisses. “Now you see my problem? Men who try that hard are too smooth, untrustworthy, and all around no bueno.”
“Your problem? Girl, you don’t have a problem. I’d be dropping my drawers for that man right here, right now.”
“You and every other vagina in the room.”
“But that sex appeal and those eyes.”
“Trish,” Jaclyn warned. Trish might be her best friend, but she had the morals of an alley cat.
“I really can’t believe that’s the same man who was drooling across your computer screen. What happened to your convictions about never dating gorgeous men?”
“Well, let’s just say he talked me into it.” And how exactly had that happened? She’d let him talk her into being there right then, too. She stiffened her resolve. She owed it to herself to prove to him that he wasn’t irresistible. That she could go out with him again without losing her shorts. She was stronger than she thought, and besides, he wasn’t all that. Even if he thought he was.
“I’m sure he’s a real smooth talker,” Trish added.
“Oh, you have no idea.” Smooth everything. Jaclyn sighed.
Trish reached into her pocketbook, pulled out a condom, and handed it to her.
Horrified, Jaclyn snatched it up, her gaze quickly sweeping the room to make sure no one saw them. “What is this?”
“With a man like that you need to be prepared for whenever the lucky moment might strike.”
“Trish!”
“And I’m sure if I look in that little handbag of yours, not a condom will be found.”
“Trish!” she repeated, even more outraged. Especially when she realized her friend was dead on. Not only did she not have a condom in her bag, she hadn’t used one last night when she should have. Fire flamed her cheeks.
“Sorry, but am I right or am I right?”
Jaclyn sucked in a deep breath. “I’m not going to dignify that with an answer.”
“Then just thank me, Jaxs, and take the damned thing.”
“Fine.” She slipped the condom into her evening bag. “I’ll take it, but I can guarantee you, I will not be sleeping with Mr. Irresistible tonight.” Not again.
“Why on earth not? What I wouldn’t give—”
“Because I don’t have casual sex, and I doubt Mr. Hottie Pants is the type who is in it for the long haul. I haven’t changed my mind on getting involved with good looking guys.”
“No, can’t say that I would argue with you about that. But still, it’s such a damned shame to let an opportunity for some really fabulous sex pass you by.”
Trish really had no idea how fabulous. Jaclyn needed to change the conversation, and quick, before she spilled just how weak-willed she’d been. And still wanted to be. No, not weak, she corrected, trying to make herself feel better. He had been a gift to her. A decision she’d made to walk on the wild side. For once. And did she regret it? Yes, because that bastard bet on her—twice. And she was the big laughing-stock loser. Worse, here she was at another party, because she’d lost yet another bet with him.
“Just saying,” Trish continued. “Men like that don’t come along every day.”
“No, they sure don’t.” And it was a damned good thing, too.
As if he could hear them talking, Derek turned his beautiful blue eyes her way. Heat rose up her chest. The bastard could set her on fire with only a glance. Pathetic. But the truth was, no man should be that handsome. It stacked the odds in their favor. Dark hair, deep blue eyes, high cheekbones, and a body that would make a girl fall down and swoon. Derek Wescott was too sinfully handsome to be real. To be human. Yep, spending the night with someone like him had made her forget all her troubles.
And gave her a whole set of new ones.
Chapter Fourteen
Derek spotted Jaclyn and her friend as soon as they walked into the ballroom. She looked incredible in a long, shimmering gown of gold that hugged her body in all the right places. What made her even more beautiful was the plain fact that she didn’t realize how truly stunning she was.
He approached her at the bar, leaning in to give her a kiss. “You look incredible.”
She turned
her head slightly so his lips pressed against her cheek. “Thank you, Derek. You look nice, too.” She gestured toward her friend. “This is my friend and business partner, Trish Anderson. Trish, meet Derek.”
Derek’s gaze swept over Trish, who looked the complete antithesis of Jaclyn. Too blonde, too made-up, too flashy. “Nice to meet you,” he said, holding out his hand.
Trish placed hers in his for far too brief a second. He only got images of shoes and purses before she pulled her hand away. But he’d bet a trip to Hades she was the foundation’s embezzler. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Derek. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Beside him, Jaclyn sucked in a quick breath.
“Oh, not too much, I hope,” he said with a wink.
Trish playfully flicked his arm with her hand. “Only the most scandalous details.”
Jaclyn’s mouth opened in outrage as she glared at her friend.
“Kidding,” Trish said, holding up her hands. “Oh, look there’s Robert. Finally.” She waved to a man just coming in the door. “Have a good time, kids, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” With the twist of her wrist, she was gone.
“Unbelievable,” Jaclyn pushed through gritted teeth.
“That’s one word,” Derek agreed. He couldn’t say he was sad to see her go, but he was able to determine one thing. Trish liked expensive things. “Can I get you anything? Wine? Champagne?”
Jaclyn nodded, looking distracted. “Something white and fruity.”
“All right. I reserved us a table on the verandah.”
“Great,” she said, distracted. “There are too many people and too much noise in here.”
“If you’re sure. I feared you’d be disappointed. You seemed to enjoy the ballroom last night.”
She looked up, finally focusing on him, and grinned. “Not as much as I enjoyed the rubber chicken. I was so looking forward to a repeat.”
He leaned in close to her. “I hope that’s not all you are looking forward to.”
She held her ground. “Don’t get your hopes up too high.”
“Ah, but you know how much I love a challenge.”
She actually rolled her eyes and he couldn’t help his wide grin as he walked around the other side of the bar and ordered her wine and himself a scotch. She certainly wasn’t like any other woman he’d been with in a very long time. Usually the pretty little empty heads couldn’t wait to please him, saying anything he wanted to hear, doing anything he wanted to do.
All Bets Are On Page 8