As I made my way down the steps of the stage, I could see my father’s grin.
With every step I took, I felt the happiest I had in years and the most terrified. What would Jasper say?
Reed had bid on me; surely that had to mean something? But so, what? You can’t do anything about it anyway.
When I arrived at our table, the auction closed, and the DJ started up the music. It was the most successful charity event in years. And all because of Newport’s prodigal quarterback giving up fifty grand.
I was buzzing, even though I could tell Jasper was desperate to say something. Luckily, he didn’t get the chance as there were too many people around.
We both split off and mingled with the guests. I steered clear of Reed’s table. Wondering if he would come and speak with me. I certainly didn’t want to go over there and look desperate.
After freshening up in the ladies' room, I made my way back into the hall.
“So, if I ask you to dance. Is that part of the date or an interlude?” Reed’s voice came from behind me.
“An interlude?” I questioned almost breathlessly.
“Yes. A sneak peek as to what I might be getting.”
I turned to face him, my heart drumming a beat in my chest. I suddenly felt nervous.
“Shouldn’t you dance with your current date first?”
He glanced back to where the blonde was sitting. She appeared to be messaging on her cell.
Reed sent me what I imagined he thought was a comforting smile. “That’s Mia. She isn’t my date. She’s my Head of PR.”
I frowned. “Well, she’s clearly in love with you. You should have seen her face when you bid on my Lot.”
He grinned, and those dimples I used to love appeared. “She was pissed I won. Not because of me, because of you, Storm. Mia bats for the other team, and you’re looking especially beautiful tonight. How could she resist you? Fuck, how could anyone here?” Reed added with a sweep of his arm. There was a boyish twinkle in his eye, one that I had missed so much over the years.
And then he delivered another blow, lowering his head as he husked, “You’re cute when you're jealous, but you don’t need to be. I have loved one woman in my entire life, and we both know who that is.”
I almost melted into a puddle. Hearing him say those words should have made the happiest girl on the planet, but it didn’t. It just reminded me of how cruel and perverse my situation was. How trapped I felt.
I swallowed, feeling as though I would burst into tears at any moment.
Reed could see how thrown off balance I was by his veiled confession, and he stepped forward, further into my space. He then switched the subject back to what appeared to be his gay assistant. “Yep. Mia wouldn’t have minded bidding on you herself and was just about to, but I beat her to the punch,” he explained, raising a finger to thread some of my hair behind my ear. The tender touch was almost my undoing. I didn’t even care that half of Newport surrounded us.
I needed to meet him halfway somehow, but without giving him the wrong message. “Well, I’m glad you did, bid on me, I mean.”
A silence fell between us.
“Yeah. I don’t think they come any straighter than you, Teacup,” Reed replied with a knowing look. Had he misinterpreted me to let me off the hook, or to protect himself? Maybe both?
I swallowed, my eyes roaming over his perfect face. Fuck I was glad he was there. “I didn’t mean it for that reason.”
A beat of silence passed. “I know,” he said softly.
The amount of money he had bid on me came flooding back. “And fifty thousand dollars, are you nuts?” I puffed with wide eyes.
“Don’t you think you're worth it?” He grinned.
Glancing down at my hands, I started to pick at my nails. “For one date, probably not.”
“Bullshit.” That brought my head up, and Reed grabbed my hand to stop me fidgeting.
His expression had switched, intent glittering in his dark gaze.
