Their parents walked away.
“That was a good one,” Kate said, smiling at the cameras aimed in their direction.
Rocking back on his heels, Christian sucked in air through his teeth and gave a light shrug. “Not my best performance, but you were entirely convincing, dear Kate. My ears bleeding copious amounts of blood can attest to it.”
Kate Von Lichtenstein, dubbed by the British tabloids as Peaches due to a very unfortunate sixteenth birthday party incident, playfully swatted him on the arm. Her smile widened, dimples playing hide-and-seek in her cheeks. She hated their fathers’ machinations as much as he did, but they played their parts well. Simpering socialite and playboy actor. Okay, so maybe he wasn’t exactly playing at a part.
She linked her arm with his, pressing closer in the imitation of flirting. “How long are you staying tonight?”
He covered her hand with his, conscious of the very best angle that would serve to make their parents happy. “Just until the cavalry arrives. Then it’s off to Las Vegas to find a woman.”
Dark brown brows lifted and she tskd. “Ian Romanov having to find a woman—the zombie apocalypse must be at hand.”
“What do you mean Chemsky won’t budge on FRC?” Vladimir asked, capturing Christian’s attention.
As if on cue, his brother joined. “I have a meeting scheduled with Ivan on Monday. Rest assured he’ll see things our way.”
“Excellent news, Sebastian. Trust you to have everything in hand.”
Christian inwardly flinched as Vladimir gave Sebastian a hearty pat on the back and a look of respect. One that he would never bestow upon Christian. One that Christian thought he no longer cared about. But tonight, for some reason it twisted; it clawed and burned his insides.
“Come with me if you don’t want to die of boredom.” His cousin, Sasha, clapped him on the back. “Or from the lobster rolls. Paula Dean, that goddess of butter, would gasp in horror.”
“I’ve often wondered if your obsession with that woman had come to an end.” Christian let go of Kate and turned to face him.
Sasha canted his head. “You say obsession; I say worship.”
Christian grunted, then shot an apologetic glance at Kate whose attention was clearly elsewhere. From across the room, his brother’s eyes connected with hers for the briefest of moments before Sebastian looked away. Kate seemed to deflate.
What a bloody idiot. Christian gently patted her shoulder. “It’s time for me to make a run for it.”
Bright spots of pink colored her cheeks, before she flashed a brilliant smile. “I’d love to come with you.”
Christian lifted her hand to his lips.“We both know I’m not what you want.”
A wistful expression covered her face. “I’m not what he wants either.” She turned, walking away with her head held high as she melted into the crowd.
“Your brother’s a prat.” There was no love lost between Sasha and Sebastian. Rather strange if anyone asked Christian, given the way the three were inseparable growing up. Then again, Sasha had cast his lot with him instead of Sebastian.
“No argument from me there,” Christian replied. Kate would survive. Just as she always had. He pulled out his phone and texted his pilot. “Well, I’ve done my duty and now it’s off to Vegas to find a woman.”
Sasha scrunched up his nose on one side. “You do know women are here.” He gestured at the crowd of people. “In this room. Right now.”
Christian shrugged. “Not what Martha has in mind. I have to find a small town girl.”
“In Las Vegas?” Sasha asked, his voice incredulous.
“I’ll roll the dice and see what happens.” Christian grinned and slid his phone into his pocket.
Sasha raised his brows. “You are extraordinarily horrible at gambling. I’ve never seen a man more unlucky than you at cards. ”
Christian knew it was true, but he wasn’t about to agree. “Well, you know what they say: unlucky at cards, lucky in love. And I plan to get very, very lucky in Vegas.” Or at least appear to.
*******************
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Author Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the fabulous Andris Bear, for her photoshop skills and multiple readings. Somehow she didn’t come through the computer and strangle me for asking her to read this just one more time. Special thanks goes out to Michelle Kenny and Tammy Falkner! Couldn’t have finished Seduction without your help!
MARQUITA VALENTINE writes small town romances that are anything but small. Lisa Kleypas, Carly Phillips and Rachel Gibson are her favorite contemporary authors. Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man -- and if that doesn't work, they can console themselves with cheesy tater tots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children.
She loves hearing from her fans. Please email her at [email protected]. You can also find Marquita all over the internet:
Website: http://marquitavalentine.blogspot.com/
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Blog: http://ladyscribes.blogspot.com/
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter 3
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter One
Seduction of the Billionaire Playboy Actor Page 4