Bidding On The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 8) (20 page)

***

He stepped out of the golf cart and fell into step alongside Colton as they walked into the clubhouse. He’d played the worst game of his life. Not that he cared much. It was only a game. Still, he suspected Colton would never let him forget it. Not after he’d lost to Derek so many times in the past. And if they’d played weeks ago like they’d planned, he would’ve beat Colton then too.

Tonight his mind had been in too many different places to focus on golf. Brooklyn planned on giving Trevor the bad news this evening. Fallout from their meeting would soon follow. The inevitable confrontation with her father worried her. She hadn’t said as much, but he’d sensed it. She’d been preoccupied and unusually quiet throughout breakfast this morning. When court broke for lunch and they’d met for coffee, she’d spent more time folding and unfolding her napkin than eating the cookie she’d ordered. He’d tried distracting her by talking about their upcoming getaway. He’d gotten a few nods and smiles but not much else.

Thoughts of their trip occupied his mind when Brooklyn’s talk with Trevor didn’t. This weekend he wanted everything from the trip to the Cape to their time there and back perfect. He planned to wipe out any reservations Brooklyn might still harbor.

“Next time don’t just send your clubs to play. Plan on being there to use them,” Colton said.

“If I do, you’ll never beat me.”

“Our game in April was a close one. What do you say we play again on Sunday?”

Together they entered the Fairway lounge. Numerous country club members said hello as they walked through.

“Some other time. But feel free to practice without me. You need it.”

“That’s rich coming from the guy who just played like he’d never held a club before in his life.” Colton beckoned a waiter over to their table. “Only a woman could distract you this bad. Who is she?”

Colton, like everyone else, would know eventually. Besides, it wasn’t like he’d run and tell Novak before Brooklyn broke the news to him. “Brooklyn.”

“As in from the auction? I was hoping her sister, Milan, would be the highest bidder for me Friday. I’ve heard some wild stories about her. Would love to see if they’re true.” Colton gave him a knowing look, and Derek suspected they’d heard some of the same stories.

“But I would’ve settled for Brooklyn. I was surprised when she bid on you. You must have been pissed. You had both Tasha and Zoe fighting over you.”

At least their charade at the auction had fooled some people. “She’s got better taste than to bid on you.”

“Can’t be that good, if she ended up with you.” Colton chuckled and went for the Scotch the waiter had delivered. “If you want to trade, say the word. I’ll gladly take Brooklyn off your hands and you can have Tyanna. I’m sure Tyanna won’t mind if we switch.”

“You’ll have to occupy Tyanna yourself.” He hadn’t recognized the woman who won Colton. “Who is she anyway? Is she from around here?”

“Recent transplant. Bought a summer place in Bristol. Have you ever eaten at a Bayside restaurant?”

Derek shook his head. “Never heard of it.”

“It’s a popular chain up and down the West Coast and across the Midwest. Her family owns it. She divorced sometime last year.”

“I’m sure you’ll make her glad she did.”

“Damn straight. She’s a little older than I like ’em but still smokin’. If you change your mind though, say the word. I bet Brooklyn knows how to show a man a good time. The judges must spend more time staring at her rack than listening to her arguments.”

Since he’d admired her body before, it made sense his friends had too. None of them had ever said it though.

“You two have been friends a long time. You’ve taken a taste or two, haven’t you? Was that what Friday night was about? Is she looking for more of your time? She dished out a nice little amount for you. I hope you give her every penny’s worth.”

He’d grown used to Colton’s way of discussing women and his sex life. Today each word struck a nerve and had him reconsidering their friendship. “This weekend we’re going to Rosewood.”

“A wild sex-filled weekend at your father’s house? Couldn’t you have thought of a better place? Christ, fly her down to the Bahamas. Spend the weekend on Paradise Island. Think about the fun you could have on the beach down there.”

Derek ground his molars together again. If he didn’t leave soon, he was going to need a trip to the dentist. “She likes the Cape, so we’re taking the
Affinity
down there this weekend. If she wants to visit the Bahamas next, I’ll take her there too.”

Colton sat up straight, and Derek could practically see the lightbulb go on over the guy’s head. “You’re together.” Colton grimaced. “Damn, man, I didn’t mean what I said before. Forget about it. Still, can’t you take her someplace besides the Cape?”

When they had more time, he planned on it. This weekend he didn’t want to waste a lot of time traveling. “When did you become a travel agent? Did Merrimack Investments fire you?”

“Like they’d ever do that.” Colton’s cocky smile was back in place. “I know how to make a woman happy. Always thought you did, but I guess not. I can give you some pointers if you need ’em.”

“Colton, if I needed help, you’re the last person I’d ask. But trust me, I know how to make Brooklyn happy.” And he was looking forward to doing it again soon.

***

Her smartphone chirped a reminder she had messages she hadn’t listened to. She checked her missed caller list. In addition to Trevor’s number, both her dad’s and Milan’s numbers showed up. A knot of tension developed at the base of her skull. Trevor had mentioned some pictures of her and Derek. Had her dad seen them too? He only occasionally checked social media, but her mom kept up with it. If she’d seen anything, she might show it to her husband.

Her dad’s last message played over again. Although he’d asked her to call him back, she hadn’t. He’d been angry enough when he left his first message. Combine the fact she’d never returned the call and whatever pictures were floating around, and he’d be all-out furious now.

The tension shifted upward and a dull throb started. A throb that intensified when her phone rang.

Milan
appeared on the screen, and she let out a whoosh of breath. Her sister didn’t care what happened between her and Trevor or anyone else.

“Way to go, little sis,” Milan said.

“What did I do?”

“Knock it off. You know what I’m talking about. That little ruse of bidding on Derek because it was for a good cause. I never believed you saw him as just a friend. Not that I blame you.”

Evidently another person had seen some pictures of them. Maybe she needed to check the Internet and social media sites more often.

“He’s hot. I’d sleep with him or any of the men in his family. To hell with Dad’s opinion. How long have you two been hooking up? Details. Come on, share. I want to know everything.”

Wow, did they even come from the same planet, Brooklyn wondered.

“There are no details to give.”

“Please.” Milan drew out the word. “I saw the way he kissed you on stage. And those pictures on the
Star Report’s
website from the weekend. You’ve been screwing him, and if you haven’t, then you’re an idiot.”

Sometimes her sister had all the refinement of a barnyard animal. “What was on the website?”

“A few nice shots of you two getting hot and heavy in Newport. The caption mentioned a shopping center. I don’t recall the name. Check for yourself. They were part of yesterday’s celebrity sighting section.”

Wonderful. And they’d always be there. That was the wonderful thing about the web. Once something went on the Internet, it never disappeared.

“Dad saw them too.” Milan’s voice became serious. “I only heard Mom’s side of the convo. She insisted he had nothing to worry about. Said you knew what you needed to do.”

Brooklyn closed her eyes, the light in the room making her head ache even more. Soon the nausea would come. It always did when she got a migraine.

“I assumed they were talking about Trevor and you. Am I right?”

“Yep.”

“Listen, screw Dimension and Dad. If you don’t want to be with Trevor, don’t be. Life’s too short not to have fun and be happy.”

She’d laugh if she didn’t fear her head would topple to the floor. It didn’t happen often, but today she agreed with Milan’s assessment.

“Considering what I overheard, Dad’ll be calling you soon. Thought you’d like a warning.”

“Thanks. He left a message. I’ll deal with it later. When my head isn’t trying to rip itself in two.”

“Don’t give in. Dad can renegotiate with Lawrence Jones,” Milan said with conviction. “And have fun with that prime piece of man you caught.”

Her fuzzy, pain-filled head picked up on the word renegotiate. Before she could contemplate asking what her sister meant, the call disconnected.

Brooklyn nodded, her foot tapping the floor under the desk. Max Hale had come in thirty minutes ago, and since then he’d been shooting the breeze, an occurrence that was becoming more and more common these days. With his retirement announced, Max had stopped taking on any new cases—not that he’d been taking on many since his heart attack anyway. Most days Brooklyn didn’t mind the break the older attorney’s conversations provided. This evening she did.

She’d seen little of Derek this week. Still suffering from a migraine, she’d called in sick on Wednesday. He’d stopped to check on her after work, but she hadn’t been up for company. Not quite herself yet, she’d worked from home yesterday. When he stopped by with dinner, she’d had a hard time keeping her eyes open, so he hadn’t stayed long. She suspected she’d looked like hell too because he’d asked if they should postpone their getaway.

Although uncertain of how she would feel today, she’d insisted they keep their plans. And once Hale left, they could get the weekend underway. Derek was waiting in his office for her. When he’d returned from court, he’d shot her a friendly wave as he walked past her door, but with Max sitting across from her, she’d only been able to give him a nod.

“Did I tell you Noah starts at Georgetown this fall? Plans on studying medicine. I’d hoped after interning here for two summers he’d go into law. His father and I tried changing his mind. Noah’s stubborn. Insists medicine is for him.”

Brooklyn remembered the man’s grandson and wasn’t surprised he’d turned away from law. Although a nice kid, he’d seemed a bit of a rebel. The type who wanted to pick his own path, and the more someone pushed him in one direction, the more he’d run the opposite way. “Maybe Holly will go into law. She seems to like working here.” Brooklyn referred to Max’s granddaughter who was working at the firm for the summer.

“Maybe.” Max looked at his watch and winced. “I’m supposed to meet Carol and the Feathertons at the club, but looks like I’m going to be late. Enjoy your weekend.”

“You, too.”

The office door closed and she turned toward her computer. The moment Derek saw Max leave, he’d be over and she planned on having a little fun with him.

As expected, her door opened and Derek walked in without knocking first. “Thought he’d sit in here all night.”

She heard the door click as it closed, but she still didn’t look in his direction. “I know. Give me another ten minutes and I’ll be ready to leave.”

“Whatever you’re doing can wait.”

“It’s important,” she insisted, using the same tone she used in court and trying not to smile.

Derek came around the desk and looked over her shoulder. “Important, my ass,” he said when he saw the solitaire game she was playing. With a hard yank, he pulled her chair away from the desk and scooped her up. “Time to go.” He headed for the door.

“Put me down.” She slapped his shoulder, making him stop, but he didn’t let her go. “You can’t walk into the hall carrying me like this. There are people here.”

“So what? I don’t care. If they don’t know about us already, they will soon.”

She glared at him. “I do. I don’t want people talking about us.” Brooklyn suspected some already were, but they didn’t need to add fuel to the fire.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m just eager to go.” He put her down. “Are you ready?”

“Most definitely.”

Brooklyn had expected they’d drive down to Newport before setting off. So she was pleasantly surprised when Derek entered the parking lot for the Providence Marina.

“When did you move the
Affinity
up here?” she asked after he opened the car door for her.

“Last night after I left you. I didn’t want to waste time tonight.”

Derek slipped an arm around her waist and kept it there all the way down the dock, only letting her go as she stepped onto the seventy-eight-foot Squadron he’d purchased the previous summer. A purchase she’d been envious of. Although she loved the water and spent as much time as she could on it, she’d never learned to pilot any kind of water vehicle.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to let Oscar know we’re ready to depart.”

She’d met Oscar before. Derek hired the retired Naval officer whenever he used the
Affinity
for entertaining. Since it’d only be the two of them on board today, she’d assumed he’d man the controls like he normally did when they went out. “It’s only us. Why did you bother hiring him?”

“Too hard to focus on you and the water.” He winked at her before he left.

Getting comfortable meant changing out of her suit. Brooklyn carried her overnight bag below deck. In the past when she’d gone out on any overnight trips, she’d used one of the smaller guest cabins. Today she passed by her favorite one and entered the main cabin instead, a place she’d never ventured into before.

Like everything else on board, it appeared as though this space had been custom-designed to Derek’s specifications. A large bed took up much of the cabin and a long desk lined one wall while a sitting area occupied another. With no trouble, she could picture her and Derek cuddled together as Oscar whisked them off on romantic getaways every weekend until the weather turned too cold.
One day at a time. Don’t get too far ahead of yourself
.