A dangerous longing for an assistant concierge to feel about a superstar billionaire.

Chapter 18

Since he was the table’s host, Luke did his best to hide his ferociously bad mood at the charity gala. All he could think about was wasting an evening he could be spending with Miranda.

He was annoyed by her gracious acceptance of the news that he had to attend this shindig without her. If she’d been disappointed, she’d concealed it well behind her unruffled smile. Orin Spindle had better pray he didn’t cross paths with Luke anytime soon.

Not that Luke’s personal trainer and date, Elyssa Lauda, didn’t look stunning in her formfitting sequined sheath. He often brought her to public events because she looked the part. That and the fact that she was gay, so neither of them would get into trouble after a few drinks.

But he wanted Miranda beside him so he could wrap his arm around her waist and pull her warm, curvy body close against him. It had been hard as hell to let his driver take her home to New Jersey in the dark, chilly hours of the early morning. He’d wanted to spin the sheets into a cocoon around the two of them and stay there until the sun blazed through the big window, talking to her, touching her, making love to her.

In the meantime, Miller had resorted to a professional connection for his date as well, bringing his high-powered literary agent, Jane Dreyer. Jane was using all her persuasive skills to talk Luke into writing his memoirs. So far he’d held firm, but it was surprisingly difficult to say no to the tiny blonde woman with the steely determination of a hunting tigress. Luke recognized a kindred spirit.

He got a brief reprieve from Jane’s cajoling when Trainor walked up with the mysterious Chloe on his arm. The CEO looked every inch the powerful businessman in his tailored navy suit, while his companion wore body-hugging blue lace, undoubtedly designer. The dress would look even better on Miranda, with her dark hair and curves. He pulled himself up short as his mind strayed to the specifics of where the dress would touch Miranda.

As she shook his hand, Chloe surprised him by saying, “I’ll never forget the eighty-two-yard pass you threw to win the Super Bowl. My heart was in my throat as that ball flew through the air. I’m a great fan of yours.” She nodded toward the rest of the room with a smile. “Along with everyone else here, I suspect.”

He could see what Nathan liked about this woman. There was a straightforward honesty about her that drew you in. He shook his head with a smile. “There are plenty of Patriots and Dolphins fans here.”

He introduced the two newcomers to Jane and noticed that even when he shook hands with Miller’s agent, Trainor never let go of Chloe. And she nestled comfortably against the CEO’s side. Their body language told Luke all he needed to know about how real the relationship was. The craving for Miranda’s presence intensified.

Miller strolled up with Elyssa, triggering another round of introductions. Luke saw the assessing way the writer’s gaze traveled over Trainor and his companion. Miller maneuvered himself into position beside Chloe. “So tell me how you and Nathan met. Being a writer, I’m always interested in the backstory.”

Chloe had the good sense to look wary before she said, “I worked for him briefly. I’m temping between permanent jobs.”

“An office romance, then.” The writer’s eyes brightened with interest. “So you spent hours in his company and still agreed to go on a date with him. You’re a brave woman.”

Trainor slid his arm around her waist in a protective gesture. “Foolhardy might be a better word. Not to mention the fact that for the first few days of our acquaintance, I had the flu.”

His date looked startled by his admission, but she smiled up into Trainor’s eyes in a way that made Luke’s gut tighten with envy. “And germs make him cranky.”

“I’ll bet,” Luke said, awarding her mental kudos for speaking frankly in intimidating company.

The CEO gave him a hard stare. “Chloe and I are going to take a look at the auction offerings,” Trainor said, guiding his date away from Miller’s inquisition. “We’ll meet you at the dinner table.”

“Methinks there’s more to the story than Trainor is letting on,” Miller said, watching the couple’s progress through the crowd of guests.

Luke saw Trainor snag two glasses of champagne from a passing server and hand one to Chloe, his look and posture intimate. “Doesn’t matter. That’s the real deal.”

“There’s many a slip twixt the champagne flute and the lip,” Miller said. “Based on what Trainor has said to me, it’s far from a sure thing.”

“Trainor discusses his love life with you?”

The writer chuckled. “Mostly he curses at me for getting him involved in this wager.”

“But he hasn’t backed out.”

“No.” Miller turned to Luke. “Having second thoughts?”

“I made the bet. It’s done.” Miranda slid into his mind again. He didn’t like thinking about her and the drunken wager at the same time. It made the reality of what he had bet on too vivid.

“Ah, but this gamble has just begun,” Miller said.

Luke had a strange desire to shield Chloe and Trainor from Miller’s cynical prying. “How’s the writing?”

The writer flinched, making Luke feel a twinge of guilt. “How’s the bruising?”

“Healing fast.”

“I’ve heard that’s one of your talents. You don’t get hurt much, but when you do, you recover at amazing speed.”