She held her hand out palm up, and though he wanted to toss the damn elastic out the window he gave it to her. “Thanks,” she said quietly.
“For what?”
“I put vanity before comfort.”
“I don’t imagine you being vain.”
“Well, not like ego. I just like to look…well kept.”
“I’ll keep you well,” he said before he could stop himself. Damn, normally he wasn’t such a hound, but he could think of nothing but her in his arms. Her in his bed. Her…just her, and that disturbed him.
“Rand?”
“Don’t, okay?” Rand asked.
He concentrated on the road. Hardly noticed that the long, sunshine-colored strands of her hair brushed his arm every thirty seconds or so. Hardly noticed that her scent engulfed him. He wanted to bring her closer so he could breathe her in. Hardly noticed that for once a different kind of tension was pursuing him.
He felt like a big, mean bastard. He turned the radio down and concentrated on his driving, annoyed at her for ignoring him and mad at himself for reacting as if he were in junior high school.
He clicked off the radio and floored the accelerator.
“You okay?” Corrine asked.
He’d had enough of being a beast and wasn’t about to say another thing to her until they arrived at the yacht. And then he’d find a way to make sure he didn’t take her actions so personally. But she appealed to him on too many levels. “Yeah.”
She closed her laptop and put it away. “I’ve always loved the smell of the beach.”
“Me, too. One of the first times I beat my older twin brother was at beach volleyball. We played all afternoon and we kept switching off winning, and then finally I won two in a row,” he said.
“You know, I grew up in Florida but never got to go to the beach until I was in college. That trip was my shot at freedom, and I stood on the shore looking out at the endless horizon and vowed to make the most of every opportunity given to me.”
“You’ve kept that vow,” he said.
“Yes, I have.”
“Why is success so important to you?” he asked. He knew that he shouldn’t get to know her better. That knowing the woman behind the executive would only make her more tempting, but there was no way he could resist learning more about her. And the few glimpses he’d had of the real Corrine told him they weren’t well suited. There was a sadness in her eyes sometimes that made him believe she needed an average guy without the baggage he brought to any relationship.
“I’m an orphan.”
Her words didn’t make sense to him at first. He had so much family that he couldn’t imagine a life without them. And even when his five siblings weren’t around he had friends who were like family. “When did your parents die?”
“I’m pretty sure they are both still living somewhere.”
“Have you ever tried to find them?” he asked. He liked knowing he was part of the past as well as the future through his ancestry. Though he and his father had never seen eye to eye on one thing, Rand wouldn’t change his lineage. He liked knowing where he came from, and if the pressure of being a Pearson was too much to bear sometimes, that was a price Rand paid.
“No.”
“You should think about it,” he said.
“Rand, I’m never going to look for them.”
“Why not?”
“I was abandoned when I was two days old.”
Her words cut him. No one should have abandoned this woman. Why hadn’t he let her alone? “I’m sorry.”
“Why? It was a long time ago.”
He reached across the gearshift and found her hand. It was clenched in a tight fist, nails digging into the flesh of her palm. Though her words sounded as if she’d gotten over it, the truth was her emotions ran deep and strong. He pried her fingers open and slid his hand around hers. And he knew how time could lessen the pain but not totally abate it.
He said nothing else as they drove along the highway, the wind in their hair and hands tightly clasped. She didn’t speak, either, and when he pulled off the highway and had to let go to downshift, she reached for her handbag and pulled out a brush.
He knew he wouldn’t be holding her hand again or seeing any more glimpses into her soul. Because as she put up her window, and he did the same, she morphed into someone he didn’t want her to be. She smoothed her hair back into place, and she was no longer the woman he’d spoken to earlier but the corporate executive looking for her next promotion.
The party was fun in spite of being a work event. Corrine mingled through the crowd with Rand at her side. Tarron and Corporate Spouses had a strategic partnership for training—the project Rand and Corrine had been working on, so he knew many of her colleagues. As they circulated through the room, Corrine couldn’t help being aware that this was how things might be if she ever had a husband. It was a little unnerving. Finally the party wound down and everyone started to leave.
“That went well,” Corrine said as they helped tidy up after the party. Corporate Spouses had helped man the check-in table and had arranged for a caterer. Though Rand wasn’t in charge of this event, he’d still made sure everything ran smoothly. And when Paul had asked her if she’d mind helping supervise the cleanup, Rand had said he didn’t mind staying.
“Did it?” Rand asked.
He’d been distant since their conversation in the car and Corrine wasn’t sure what to make of that. There was something about telling people that your own parents thought you weren’t worth keeping that made them treat you differently. She’d revealed too much and had worked hard to keep him at arm’s length during the luncheon. She shrugged. “I guess not.”
He faced her suddenly, his green eyes intent. “It wasn’t anything spectacular.”
“Spectacular isn’t necessary for success,” she said.
“No, but it makes life more exciting.”
She watched him working and realized that he craved excitement. It clung to him like a second skin. She knew then that if she hadn’t bid on him they’d never have been intimate because they were in two totally different universes. Maybe they’d never been meant to meet. Every time she’d messed with fate it came back to haunt her. Just once she’d like to find a guy and have the kind of relationship that her peers at work seemed to take for granted.
“I like to blend in,” she said.
He came over to her. The sun streaming through the windows behind him made it impossible for her to see his features. He touched her cheek, rubbing one finger down the length of her face, resting his hand against her neck.
“I noticed,” he said.
She couldn’t think while he touched her. She knew her pulse had increased. He probably felt her racing heartbeat. Could he see inside her? Did he realize that she wanted more from him than three cold impersonal dates? She stepped back. I’m in control, she reminded herself.
She felt like she should apologize but didn’t. Quiet was who she was. “That’s not your way, is it?”
“Not really. I like to shake things up.”
“I noticed. I’m sorry I didn’t want to play in that trivia game,” Corrine stated, referring to the game many of the guests had played.
“No problem. I just thought we could win.” She knew they would have. She’d always been good at those kinds of games but never played them in public. It seemed like the only people who participated at company events were the glory hounds and those who’d had too many drinks.
She had a strict rule about alcohol and work-related functions. She thought Rand must, too, because he’d drunk cola all day like herself. Actually, she’d drunk diet, but Rand didn’t need calorie-free drinks. His body had been sculpted by years of being top dog. Of honing his body and skills until he was simply the best man in any room. Realizing an uncomfortable silence had fallen, she attempted to break the mood.
“Sometimes winning isn’t the most important thing.”
He grabbed his chest and staggered backward. “Say it is
n’t so.”
Corrine chuckled. She liked his self-deprecating humor. She liked that he’d let her set the tone for their presence at the party. She just plain liked him and that was…dangerous.
“What’s wrong with him?” Paul asked from the other side of the room.
“I shocked him,” Corrine said.
“How?” Paul asked.
“I told him winning wasn’t everything,” she said with a grin.
“Oh, no.”
“Are you still weakened from the blow?” Paul asked Rand.
“Yes. That’s my Kryptonite. Need a quick fix. Must win.” Rand staggered around the room like a weakened man, clutching the table for support.
“Good. How about a quick match of beach volleyball?” Paul asked.
Rand straightened slowly. “What did you have in mind?”
“Two on two. You and Corrine against me and Angelica.”
Paul was looking at Rand, but Rand looked at her and Corrine wasn’t sure what to do. She shrugged. “I don’t have a change of clothes.”
“Angelica keeps spare clothes on the yacht. I know she’d loan you some. I’ll go check with her,” Paul said, leaving the room.
She sensed Rand’s eyes on her as she finished clearing the last table and put some things in the trash. She didn’t want to look at him. Didn’t want to see that challenging light in his eyes. But she glanced over her shoulder and was captivated.
“Wanna play?”
No, she thought. She wanted to retreat to her home ground—her safety area—and forget about her job and men and everything. At least until Monday when life would be normal again.
“I’m not good at sports,” she said carefully. She prided herself on mastering whatever she attempted. When her prowess at sports never developed she’d given up on them.
“You said winning wasn’t everything.”
“But to you it is.”
“How about we just have fun?”
“I can do fun.”
“Really, without your laptop?”
“Make up your mind. Do you want me to play or not?”
“I want you to play, but it’s up to you,” he said.
She knew he’d be disappointed if she didn’t play. Why did pleasing him matter? But for some reason it did. Before she could answer, Paul returned with Angelica.
“Come on, Corrine. It’ll be fun,” Angelica said.
Corrine nodded and found herself in a very short time standing barefoot in the sand wearing borrowed clothes. Rand wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.
Her mind ceased functioning and all she could do was breathe in the masculine scent of his aftershave and feel the warmth of his body pressed to hers. His leg was hairy and tickled where it rubbed against hers.
“Here’s the plan,” he said, his words brushing across her skin.
“I can’t hit the ball very hard,” she said.
He smiled at her. It was the kind of smile that people always gave you when you were athletically challenged. “Don’t worry. I can.”
“Tell me what to do.”
“I will.”
“Don’t let this go to your head,” she said.
“How?”
“I’m still in charge.”
“How can I forget it? You bought me, remember?” he asked.
She knew she didn’t want to like him but realized it was too late. He served the ball and the game progressed. She realized that Rand Pearson was the kind of guy that made her wish she still believed in happy endings.
Three
Rand knew Paul had meant for the game to be friendly; the inclusion of the women pretty much said it without words. Angelica, though, was a fierce competitor and Corrine as well rose to the occasion, playing with more spirit than skill. But Rand had never been able to participate in any match and not give it his total concentration.
Even his demons demanded perfection from him. He did everything to the max without worry for the consequences. And sometimes the price he paid was high.
He forgot about winning the first time Corrine flinched, putting her hands up to block the ball instead of hitting it back over the net. But it soon became apparent that Corrine didn’t like to be unsuccessful. She watched Angelica and Paul and found weaknesses in their game that allowed her and Rand to stay even with them.
They’d probably be able to win if he could keep his eyes off her bare legs. It wasn’t as if hers were the first he’d ever seen. But for some reason his eyes kept straying there. And his libido went into overdrive.
The sand was warm beneath his feet and he imagined only the two of them remained on the volleyball court. She was sweaty from the sun and from playing. Her T-shirt clung to her torso like a second skin, revealing all that her neat dress had hidden earlier. He wanted to toss the ball to the ground and pull her close to him. Not to huddle over game strategy but to taste those full lips of hers.
“Rand?” she asked. He imagined her calling his name in a much more intimate situation. Urging him closer to her body, bringing her mouth to his and whispering his name as her lips touched his.
“Rand?”
He glanced up to find Corrine staring at him. He became aware of the ball in his hands and the fact that he was supposed to be serving instead of ogling his teammate’s legs. Damn, she got to him faster than any other woman he’d ever known. The tension that was always his companion settled in the pit of his stomach. It had been a long time since another person had affected him this deeply.
“Yes?” he asked, hoping his reaction to Corrine wasn’t visible to the world. His beach shorts weren’t made to disguise the hardening of his groin. He shifted a little and decided he had to concentrate on the game. The sexual thing he could handle if that were the only draw to Corrine. But the depths he kept glimpsing of this woman’s soul made him wary.
“You okay?” she asked. She’d pushed her sunglasses to her head, and her eyes were serious as she watched him.
Did she suspect where his mind had been? “Fine. I was figuring out the score.”
“Two-two,” she said.
Okay, time to play and forget about the tempting woman whom he didn’t want to like. The woman who’d shared some of her past with him and whom he realized he wanted to know more about. But he’d never ask. Because knowing more meant forming bonds and commitments. He wasn’t a “forever” kind of guy. He couldn’t ask anyone to share the life he lived because it was based on subterfuge.
He served the ball and the game ensued. It was fast and furious, and despite her claim not to be good at sports, Corrine played well. The next serve would determine who won the game.
Rand just couldn’t wait for it to be over so he could hit the shower, preferably a cold one. And try to forget about how Corrine’s shorts had ridden up on the curve of her buttocks as she’d lunged for the ball. She had a sweet, curvy rear that made his fingers tingle with the need to test the resilience of those curves.
“Time out,” Corrine called, and walked to the center of the court. She stood there staring at him. Had she realized his mind wasn’t on the game?
“You tired?” he asked. She was flushed and her eyes seemed exhausted.
She shook her head. “I want to talk to you.”
He waited, but she gestured impatiently for him to join her. Angelica and Paul were huddled together, but it looked as if they were smooching rather than discussing strategy. Part of him hungered for what they had, but Rand quickly pushed it deep down and ignored it as he always did. Having it all came at a high cost and he wasn’t willing to pay the price.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“Umm…”
He waited. She didn’t smell sweaty, he realized, but faintly floral and something else that he associated only with Corrine. He’d held her in his arms twice and some things had become imbedded in his senses.
“Were you serious about playing for fun?” she said at last.
Not really, but he knew that coaxing her into the game had been
his motivation earlier. Still, he couldn’t tell her how important winning was to him. “Yes, why?”
“Good.” She nibbled her lower lip and he watched. He thought she said something about not caring if they didn’t win, but all he could do was watch her teeth and tongue and her sexy lips and wonder how they’d taste under his. Would she react with the passion he sensed was bottled up inside of her? Or would she be cool like her outer surface image?
“I think we have a good shot at winning,” he said at last.
“What if we didn’t?” she asked.
He realized she was trying to tell him something without saying the words. “I’m not making the connection here, darling. Just tell me what you’re trying to say.”
She shrugged. “I don’t think I should beat my boss.”
“Paul doesn’t care if we win. I’ve played him lots of times at basketball and golf. I usually win,” he said.
“That’s different.”
“How do you figure?” he asked, leaning closer to her.
She tilted her head to the side and then stood on her tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “You don’t work for Paul.”
He ignored the jolt of that went through him. “That’s right, I don’t.”
She pulled back and met his gaze evenly. “You work for me, right?”
He arched one eyebrow. “We both know I do.”
She grimaced at him. “I’d like to see you lose when you do that eyebrow thing.”
“Oh, does it bother you?”
“You can be so annoying when you try.”
“I know. It’s a gift.”
“I don’t like it, Rand.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
“Good. Remember what else I said.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“Then I’ll say it now. I’d rather not win.”
“Do you have a plan to lose? Because Paul will notice if we suddenly start missing the ball.”
“You’ll just have to pretend to be distracted,” she said.
“How am I supposed to do that?”
“You’re a smart man. You’ll think of something.”
Tycoon For Auction (HQR Silhouette Desire) Page 3
