Tycoon For Auction

“Cling to that memory,” she said with a laugh.

He joined her, even though she was having fun at his expense. There was something warm and almost adorable in her eyes that made him want to protect her. Much the same as he’d wanted to earlier when he’d realized she was trapped on the dance floor. But he’d never been anyone’s protector except Angelica’s. And she’d been safe because Rand couldn’t really fall in love with her. And he’d been doing it to pay back a debt. Business was the one thing he’d always been good at.

He was a loner by nature and he didn’t want to get too involved with Corrine. He let his arms drop, and the music ended a second later. There was confusion in her eyes. He knew he had to get away before he gave in to the temptation to take everything she had to offer. Because the woman he’d just held had a softness that she didn’t usually let the world see.

And that softness called to everything masculine in him. Made his chest swell and his muscles flex. It made him want to defend and protect her from everyone except himself. And Rand Pearson was no woman’s hero.

He’d learned that the hard way.

He pivoted to leave.

“Is this payback?” she asked.

He stopped and took her elbow to escort her off the dance floor. He’d never forgotten his manners before. He prided himself on always being a gentleman. Something his parents had instilled in him since he’d first known the difference between boys and girls.

He stopped at the edge of the dance floor and turned to thank her for the dance. But those gray eyes of hers made the words die unsaid.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

He walked away from her, knowing that he was going to need more than the words “never let the client get personal” help him this time. Because there was something about Corrine Martin that made him want to forget rules and lessons learned in life. And he was old enough to know better.

Two

Corrine neatly managed to avoid spending time with Rand until her first official date. She’d even corresponded with him through e-mail instead of calling him. His last e-mail had been brief to the point of seeming curt, but that didn’t bother her. She regretted the impulse that had led her to bid on him and wished that she had some way to go back in time and change things. Although she knew that time travel didn’t exist, she wished she could go further back than Rand Pearson’s appearance in her life and make some huge alterations.

Today was a sunny Saturday in March, and Paul Sterling, Tarron’s CEO, was having his annual staff party on his yacht moored in West Palm Beach. It was a two-hour drive from Orlando and Rand was picking her up.

She’d suggested meeting him there, but he’d sent back a reply saying only that he’d pick her up at ten. He pulled up at five till, and as he climbed out of his car and came toward her front door she wished again she’d never bid on him. Her pulse hammered, and everything feminine in her came to life.

She didn’t have time for this. She’d wanted to have an escort to social functions because she always seemed to be the only one alone. And it made her stand out. She hated to have attention drawn to her. She liked blending in with the background.

She knew there was no way she was going to survive the two-hour drive down the coast unless she had a distraction. The doorbell rang and she glanced frantically around her neat house. Spotting her laptop in the corner she grabbed it and her leather carryall and headed for the door. Work had been her salvation since she was fourteen. She realized early that at work it didn’t matter where you came from, only how well you did the job.

She shoved her Ann Taylor sunglasses up her nose and opened the door. The classic designer appealed to Corrine. Rand was leaning negligently against the porch railing, staring out at the street. She lived on Kaley, in one of Orlando’s older sections. Her home had been built in the fifties and required lots of care, but she loved it.

“Nice neighborhood,” he said, glancing up and down the street, which wasn’t too busy this Saturday morning.

“Thanks. Ready to go?” she asked, not wanting to encourage him to be nice to her. The other night had shown her that he’d slipped between her defenses and that was something she refused to let happen again.

“What, no tour?”

“Not today. I don’t want to be late.”

“We won’t be. We’ve got five minutes to spare.”

“Traffic could be heavy. I don’t share your confidence.”

“Want to bet on it?” he asked.

She knew from Angelica that Rand would bet on anything. And he usually won. She’d never gambled in her entire life. Not even on the twice-weekly Florida lottery. She preferred the safety of investing her money over the risk of losing a dollar to a chance of becoming a millionaire. “No.”

“Scared?” His eyebrow rose behind his sunglasses.

“Of a bet with you? I don’t think so.”

“Then, why not?”

There was only way to beat this man, she thought. And that was with wit, because he was too smart and confident for his own good. “You don’t really have anything I want.”

He pulled his glasses down to the tip of his nose and regarded her over the top of the lenses. “Really?”

“Really,” she said.

“I’ll take that as a challenge.”

She pushed her glasses back on her head and gave him her haughtiest stare. The one that made people back off. “Will your swelled head fit in the car?”

“No problem. The car is a convertible. I’ll put the top down if need be.”

She laughed and closed her door, locking it behind her.

“Why are you bringing your computer?” he asked.

“I have some work I need to do. I hate to waste the time since you’re driving.”

“You can’t take one day off?” he asked.

“Sure I can. I just don’t want to.”

“Don’t you ever have any fun?” he asked, opening her door for her.

“I like working.”

She knew it was an old-fashioned gesture, and yet she liked it. He probably did it without thinking, but it made her feel good. She dropped her bags on the floor and smoothed the skirt of her sundress under her as she slid into the car. She felt the heat of his gaze on her legs as the hem slid up on her thighs.

Was he interested in her as a woman? Since he’d kept his distance after their dance she figured his attraction to her had been posturing since she’d been the one in the position of power.

He slammed the door and walked around in front of the car. He wore khaki shorts and a golf shirt and looked like an advertisement for easy living. She pulled her sunglasses back into place, then smoothed her hair along her head, searching for any strand that might have escaped the ponytail she’d pulled it into this morning. Neat and tidy, she thought.

“I like my job, too, but that doesn’t mean I don’t take time to enjoy life.”

“I’m not an unhappy person, Rand. And you’re working today.”

“I know.”

“So why shouldn’t I?”

“Never mind.”

She pulled her laptop from its case and powered it up. Rand fastened his seat belt and neatly backed out of her driveway. The traffic was heavy, but he wove through it effortlessly. She pulled up the company memo template and pretended to be composing the memo in her head, but all she could concentrate on was Rand.

His muscles flexed each time he shifted the car. She could practically smell the testosterone as he drove. And she wondered if she’d really survive if he decided to take her words as a challenge.

Because without even trying to, he was engaging her senses and distracting her from her work. She knew then that she’d never claim the other two dates she’d purchased from his company because there was no way she was going to be this close to him again after today.

Rand knew it shouldn’t matter that she was working as they drove down to West Palm Beach. Ivanna Marckey, the last client he’d provided a corporate escort for, had spent all the time to and from engagements on the phone or reading e-mail on her PDA. But for some reason it bothered him when Corrine did the same.

That wasn’t true. Not only did her actions disturb him—she did. From the tips of her hot-pink toes to her sleek blond ponytail. She seemed aloof and he wanted to bring her down to his level. He wanted to see her hot and mussed. He lowered the windows so the air circulated around them, tugging the long blond strands from her neat coiffure.

She glanced over at him. He knew he should have asked before he lowered the windows. He’d been raised with more manners than most, and this was one of the reasons why he’d left Chicago many years ago. He sometimes reacted without thinking. Something that Pearsons simply didn’t do. Especially ones who seemed to live a charmed life.

“Do you mind?” he asked at last.

She shrugged. “I guess not. I wish I’d brought a scarf.”

She turned back to her computer and started typing again. Obviously not too concerned with the wind. Or too ruffled by it.

“We’ll stop before we get to the yacht club so you can fix your hair,” he said, trying to make up for his behavior.

“Okay,” she said. Her pleasantness made him feel like a bully on the playground.

He wanted to push harder to see what it would take to get a reaction out of her. A few more miles passed, and when they got on I-95 heading south he couldn’t stand the silence anymore. It just left his mind free to wander and he’d never been that comfortable with himself. Usually he blared the radio on a heavy-metal station, but today there was an interesting distraction right next to him.

Her sundress was demure on the outside, but it was encasing a body that was his version of heaven. Long, slim limbs and generous curves above and below the waist. In his mind’s eye he could still see her white thigh from when she’d gotten into the car.

He imagined his hand sliding up that leg. He knew it would be as smooth as silk. He’d touched her arms and shoulders the night they’d danced together and his fingers still remembered her texture. The roughness of his callused hands on her soft skin. He wanted to touch her again. Now.

Sexual tension pumped through his body, making him heavy. Dammit, he needed a diversion. Too bad she was engrossed in her job.

Which he knew shouldn’t bother him, but it did. Everything male in him wanted to rise to the indirect challenge she issued by ignoring him. And that was the one thing he’d never been able to resist. So he fiddled with the radio dial until he found a classic-rock station.

Instead of something hard and raunchy, the sensuous sounds of Dave Matthews and his band singing one of their ballads. The soft, emotional lyrics didn’t help his situation as he felt the beast in him rising to the surface.

He tightened his hands on the wheel. She hadn’t even glanced at him when the music blared out of the speakers. Unable to help himself, he reached over and removed the elastic holding her hair back. She didn’t move to stop him, only glanced toward him.

“Problem?”

“You’re going to have to take it out later, anyway,” he said. Which had to be the lamest excuse in history. But there was no way he was going to tell her more.

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 isn’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.