Bidding On The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 8) (17 page)

Brooklyn patted his cheek but didn’t smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Then what did you intend on saying?”

“Maybe now is a good time to eat lunch.”

Not a bad idea
. If he had food in his mouth, he couldn’t tell her how angry her comment made him. “Sure, and afterward we’ll take the
Affinity
out.”

He stood and reached out a hand. “Too bad we don’t have more time this weekend. I’d take you into New York so we could go shopping.”

Brooklyn took his hand and allowed him to pull her up. “We don’t need to go so far for a simple swimsuit. I got this one at the mall.”

He eyed the suit she wore and arched an eyebrow. “All the more reason to visit New York.”

“Knock it off. There’s nothing wrong with this suit,” she said as they gathered up the things they’d brought down with them.

“Let’s agree to disagree on this one.” He took her hand and started up the beach toward his deck. “Since New York is out, the mall will do, I guess. How does a little shopping trip one night after work sound?”

“I’ll get back to you.”

He’d expected a similar answer. She planned on putting it off, hoping he’d forget about their agreement. “If you want to tell me your size, I’ll go without you. I don’t mind.”

“The size depends on the style and the brand. You better wait until I can come with you so I can try things on. We’ll go soon.”

Derek dropped everything they’d carried back up in a heap on the deck and grabbed her around the waist. “I’m not going to forget, Brooklyn. You might as well tell me when a good time to go shopping is. Otherwise, I’ll go, pick something I like, and get every size they have in stock so you can try them on.”

“And you’d do it too,” she said, sounding resigned.

He checked his watch, another thought coming to him. “Or we can hold off on lunch and hit Long Wharf Mall and the Brick Market Place today. I can find you something in one of the stores there.” The more he considered it, the more he liked the idea. “Yeah, let’s do that. When we come back, I’ll put the steaks on the grill, and if we have time afterward, we’ll take the
Affinity
out.”

“Fine. If it means getting the shopping trip over with.”

He gave her a quick kiss. “Don’t be so excited.” He pressed his lips against hers again. “It’ll be fun. I promise.”

***

Located between Thames Street and America’s Cup Avenue, the Brick Market Place consisted of three parallel rows, each containing various stores and restaurants making it a tourist hot spot. This afternoon was no exception, as shoppers of all ages strolled in and out of the buildings. Even the benches were crowded as tourists stopped to rest their feet and soak up some of the sun. He’d never cared for shopping regardless of the location, and he made a point of avoiding the busy shopping districts downtown during the summer.

However, today’s shopping adventure he couldn’t wait to start.

Derek stood in the courtyard and studied the storefronts along Goddard Row. The first two stores in the row sold jewelry and a third sunglasses, but next in the line, a store called Narragansett Bay, looked promising.

“Come on. We’ll start in there.” He took a step forward. When Brooklyn stayed still, he reached for her hand.

“Are you sure we can’t renegotiate this?”

“A bet isn’t a legal contract. You can’t renegotiate once it’s done.”

“But, Derek—”

Rather than hear any of her arguments, he kissed her. On some level, it registered as a bad idea. They stood in the center of the crowded courtyard where anyone might see them. Despite recognizing it, he lost himself in the feel of her body pressed against his, her arms wrapped around his neck, and the way her hair fell over the tops of his hands.

After a while, the sound of various conversations and the movement of people around them pulled him back to the present. “You trust me, right?”

She nodded.

“Good, because I know what I’m doing.”

Although the store sold everything necessary for a day at the beach, Derek found its selection of swimwear inadequate and soon after entering they strolled back out empty-handed. He didn’t let their lack of success discourage him. There were plenty of other stores for them to check out.

“If you see a store you want to visit, say the word. We can shop for more than swimsuits while we’re here.” Derek considered their next stop. Many of the stores catered to tourists. While there was nothing wrong with that, tourism was a big part of Newport’s economy, it did mean many of the gifts and apparel they carried were intended as souvenirs.

“Did you forget who you’re with?” she asked.

Brooklyn, unlike most of the females in his family, never cared much for shopping. Still, something might catch her eye today. “Impossible, and I remember how much you hate shopping, but there are a lot of shops around here. Something might look interesting. We already passed a few jewelry stores, and I see a fine arts store at the end.”

“No shopping for me today. I just want to get what we came for and go back to your place.”

“I like the way your mind works,” he whispered before tugging on her earlobe with his lips. “Let’s try Island Wear next.”

According the sign above the glass door, the upscale-looking boutique sold only women’s swimwear. A bell dinged when they entered and immediately the mannequin in the center of the store caught his eye. Or perhaps the bikini on it did. The crimson top tied behind the mannequin’s neck and consisted of two triangle pieces held together at the bottom by a large black ring. The black bottoms had a V-cut front and red rings held together the sides. Brooklyn would look spectacular it in.

“Can I help you find something specific?” an employee said, approaching them.

“We’re just looking,” Brooklyn said.

“Actually, I think we found what we want.” He checked the woman’s nametag. “Can she try this one, Gabby?” He pointed to the swimsuit on display.

“Absolutely. This one came in this week. It’s by a new designer from London. All her work has been very popular this month. What size do you need?”

“Derek, we should look around more first,” Brooklyn hissed in his ear as she yanked on his arm. “There are a lot of swimsuits here.”

He already knew what her expression would be before he glanced at her. “You agreed. And I think this is the one.”

The evil glare she shot him would’ve sent a lesser man running. “Fine.” She turned her attention back to the saleswoman. “It varies. Anywhere from a size six to a ten fits me.”

“I’ll grab several sizes and meet you at the dressing rooms. They’re located in the back. We also have a sarong that matches this suit if you’re interested in seeing it.”

“Please.” Brooklyn walked away without a backward glance in his direction, leaving him to either stand there and wait or follow her.

He picked the second option.

A padded wicker couch and two chairs sat in front of the three dressing rooms, and he dropped into a chair while Brooklyn waited for Gabby to return.

“It’s going to look great. Trust me,” he said.

“Derek, if we were talking about picking out a new car, I’d trust you. This is something else altogether.”

“Here we go. I grabbed three different sizes for you to try, but if you need another one, press the button inside and I’ll get it. I also brought this one for you to try. It’s a little different than the one you picked out, but it’s been very popular.” Gabby held up a black-and-white bikini that reminded him of the one worn by the Bond girl in
Dr. No
, and then unlocked a dressing room.

Brooklyn stepped inside, threw him a look letting him know how displeased she was, and closed the door.

Thanks to the gap between the door and the floor, he had a good idea of what Brooklyn was doing. At first she stood there, and he suspected she was glaring at the two bikinis and silently calling him some unkind names. Eventually her feet moved, and she kicked off her sandals. Another pause, followed by what sounded like “What was I thinking.”

He watched her feet move as she changed. Or he assumed she was changing. With the exception of the one comment, she remained silent. Only the sound of rattling hangers came from inside the dressing room.

“I don’t know about this,” Brooklyn said, indicating she’d at least put one of them on.

“Does it fit?” he asked.

Under the door he saw her feet move as if she turned in different directions to check her reflection in the mirror. “Just because it fits doesn’t mean I should be wearing it.”

“I’m positive it looks fantastic. Let me in and I’ll give you my opinion.” If it wasn’t rude, he would’ve opened the door already rather than wait for an answer.

“No way.”

He prepared to remind her that he’d see her in it at some point, but Gabby joined them again.

“How are you doing? Do you need another size? A different style?” Gabby asked.

“I’m not sure.” Brooklyn’s voice drifted out to them. “It fits, but…”

“She won’t let me see.”

“Would you like my opinion?” Gabby asked.

Silence followed the saleswoman’s question, and he expected Brooklyn to decline her help. Then he heard the doorknob turn.

“Please. If you don’t mind.”

Gabby slipped inside and the door closed again.

“I don’t usually buy suits like this,” Brooklyn said, and her nervousness came through in her voice.

“It’s perfect for your figure. The color looks great on you too. Your boyfriend has a good eye. ”

Derek smiled and almost said
I told you so
. Since she was already unhappy with him, even though she shouldn’t be since she’d agreed to their bet and knew the terms if he won, he kept the comment to himself.

“I guess I’ll take it. And this too.”

He assumed she referred to the sarong. With the exception of the bikini Gabby had suggested, it was the only other thing in the dressing room with her. He knew she’d never buy both swimsuits.

“I’ll let you change and meet you up front. Your boyfriend’s going to love it on you.”

He agreed wholeheartedly. Now he needed to get over the next hurdle: getting her to actually wear it. Brooklyn could be stubborn. He wouldn’t put it past her to put off spending any more time on the beach or on the
Affinity
with him. Even as she stood changing, she was probably coming up with a half dozen excuses she could use. If she did, he’d pick his way through them all.

She picked up her briefcase and empty travel mug then switched off her office lights. Although it was not quite five, since she’d come in to work at seven this morning, no one would mind if she called it a day. On her way down the hall, she passed by Derek’s office. The door remained closed. She’d expected to either see or hear from him at some point today. While she knew he had a trial going on, she’d thought he’d stop in her office when they broke for lunch or perhaps send her a text asking her to meet him. Something they both did on a regular basis. Neither happened. While she realized she shouldn’t read too much into it, she couldn’t stop herself.

However, even without any communication from him, he remained in the forefront of her thoughts. The same place he’d lurked ever since he’d kissed her in front of a room full of people.

In fact, she blamed her inability to sleep the night before on him. When she’d returned from Newport, she’d sat up picking apart the entire weekend. She’d scrutinized every word he’d said as well as each kiss they’d shared, starting with the fundraiser and ending with their time at his condo. As far as appearances went, it seemed like he did love her. He hadn’t confused some other emotion with love. And without a doubt she loved him. She’d just always buried and denied the truth. Since their first kiss up on stage, denying the truth had become more and more impossible. After their time together yesterday, burying her love was no longer an option, something that both scared and excited her.

Sure, he’d acted the attentive boyfriend yesterday. What if after she’d left he’d had second thoughts? Perhaps he’d spent the night analyzing their weekend together as well and decided he’d had his emotions confused. Their friendship would be over. Considering the way he’d touched and kissed her on the beach, she’d never be comfortable in the same room with him again if he confessed he’d been mistaken.

No point in worrying about it.
It happened
, Brooklyn reminded herself as she stepped into the elevator. Besides, she had other fires to deal with. The first being her family. Her dad had left an uncharacteristically long message while she’d been with Derek. In it he’d first reminded her of the promise she made him and how beneficial it would be if she and Trevor married. From there he’d proceeded to remind her Derek would never be welcomed into the family. He’d concluded by alluding to the consequences she’d face if she chose to forget about Trevor and get involved romantically with Derek instead.

She’d deleted the message after listening to it. Unfortunately, she couldn’t erase the words from her mind. She wished she could. It had been like listening to a complete stranger speak using her father’s voice. A stranger she didn’t like or want to know.

All her life her dad had supported her decisions. When she’d announced she wanted to join the swim team rather than dance, he’d wished her luck and gone to every meet he could. Later, when she decided she wanted to be a lawyer rather than study business and join either his company or her mom’s empire, he’d taken her to tour colleges with the best prelaw programs. To have him turn on her like this hurt.

Upset and in shock, she hadn’t returned his call. She knew not doing so only bought her some extra time. If she didn’t call him tonight either, he’d reach out to her. While she could not answer the phone, ignoring him wouldn’t solve the problem.

Brooklyn pushed the glass door open and stopped short. A black limousine waited at the sidewalk while a chauffeur stood near it chatting with Derek. When he noticed her, he started toward her while the chauffeur opened the back door.

“Great timing.” He reached for the door she’d yet to release.