He was definitely on his way out. He had given it two hours tops and would have to find a way to tell his mother that he was off for the night. He wanted sleep. The last few days had been hectic, brutally busy. He needed rest.
In three days, he had put in thousands of miles of travel. Being the CEO of a thriving real estate company was not a cakewalk. He often found himself wondering how the hell his dad got through it. Not only had he been a businessman, but a husband and a father to boot.
Rodney realized only recently that there had been no lack in his childhood. His father had attended every game, every debate and competition he had ever participated in. And he had beena damn overachiever. Roy Lancashire had also been a superb husband. He had been the envy of most of his friends whose parents were either going through messy divorces or living in stony silences.
Shaking off the memories, he forced himself to look around the sumptuously decorated ballroom of the Elite Club. Almost everyone had turned out. He caught a glimpse of several out of towners.
He had arrived early enough to enjoy a card game with Liam, Adam, David and to his surprise, Merrick and Nico. It often amused him to see royalties rubbing shoulders with self-made billionaires, people like Jackson Colby who had been brought up in a group home, before being adopted by a wealthy couple, him and his brother. The members were an eclectic group, comprising of some of the most powerful men in the world.
He was a third generation member and had been brought up in wealth. His eyes wandered idly around the room, taking in the glitter of gowns, subdued laughter and conversation, business transactions taking place and flirting here and there.
He had come solo with his mother as escort. For a minute, he felt the slightest twinge of envy when he noticed Kane Takahashi, the famous restauranteur, with one arm wrapped around his stunning wife who was also in the business. The couple had been married for several years and still managed to look as if they were in the first blush of love.
His gaze trekked over to Bradley. The man was in his fifties, but one could not help but notice that he had eyes only for the beautiful Leesa.
He was about to put away his glass when the reverent exclamation from the man beside him caused him to look towards the doorway.
He felt his entire body freezing and then pulsing. The woman had timed her entrance perfectly. She was with another female, one that faded into oblivion next to her. He wondered dazedly if it was the gold of her gown or the fact that she was dressed as Cleopatra, but he did not think so. She was lit up like a star shooting from the sky.
The gown glittered, picking up the lights from the dozens of sconces that had been lit for the occasion. She was smiling at something her friend was saying and even from across the room, he could make out the brilliance of her teeth. And the lushness of her lips.
The gown was shy of being indecent, outlining her curves and clinging to her body like a lover's hand.
Suddenly, she lifted her head and their eyes connected. Rodney felt the powerful slam of lust straight through his body and lefthim staggered. Blindly passing the glass to his companion, he moved across the room.
Ignoring the voices calling to him and hands reaching out to delay his progress, he did not stop until he was standing in front of her.
"Hi."
"Hi." Melanie was in heels, but he still topped her by a few inches. Carrie had nudged her in the ribs when he started towards them and whispered in excitement that she had hit the jackpot.
"Honey, that's Rodney Lancashire. Old money and a definite hottie. He's also very single."
"Come with me?" He barely acknowledged her friend as he held out a hand.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere I can be alone with you. I'm Rodney Lancashire."
"Melanie." She put her hand in his. "This is my friend Carrie."
"Nice to meet you." He nodded briefly, without taking his eyes off Melanie. "Shall we?"
"Yes." Taking a deep breath, she stole a glance at her friend, who gave her a discreet thumbs up.
He wound his way through the throng of curious eyes and led the way to a pair of double doors leading to a sweeping balcony. Closing the doors behind them, he led the way to a group of palm trees waving in the brisk breeze.
"I did not think." Shrugging out of his jacket, he draped it around her shoulders.
"Thanks." Melanie felt her palm moistening. She had prepared herself for this moment and had her story down pat in case it was required.
Leaning on the rail with his back to the spectacular view of the east side of the club, he trained intense tawny eyes on the exquisite woman in front of him.
"Where have you been?"
"Pardon?" Her brow creased in puzzlement as she returned his gaze. His jacket was soft and carried the subtle scent of his cologne.
"Why haven't I seen you before?"
