Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Seb rubs his hand over his forehead. “Fuck.”
“Right?”
“What did you do?”
“I panicked inside, but I think I kept a calm exterior. I couldn’t ask her what she meant because June was there. So I just flirted a little—”
“You’re a shitty flirt, Riv.”
“You’re telling me, but I did my best. Anyway, a few minutes later, Emily started dancing topless, and not to be outdone, Misty and June dragged me to the floor and bared all.”
“So you don’t know what she meant.”
“I don’t. But I’m thinking the four of us need to approach her together. Find out what she knows.”
“That’d be optimal,” he agrees, “but how? Alex is AWOL. Besides, the four of us together might seem threatening. Or she’ll think we want a gang bang.”
“My God, your mind is always in the gutter. That’s a good point, though. We don’t want to seem threatening.”
“Seriously, what could she know? We’ve kept everything under wraps for twenty damned years. Misty runs in celebrity circles, but so do I, and not one paparazzo’s managed to dig up anything. We didn’t leave any stone unturned, Riv. We’re good.”
“I thought we were too, but this woman has almost as much money as we do, which begs a question. What does she stand to gain by being here?”
“A rich husband?”
“She doesn’t need a rich husband.” I shake my head, wishing I had another drink.
“Maybe she’s secretly in love with one of us.”
“If that were the case, why come here and compete? She’s got access to men like us. If she wanted one of us, she could have made her interest known before now.”
“I don’t know,” Sebastian admits. “Damn. Just when I was ready to jump on that dance floor and look like an idiot.”
I nod to Evangeline, who’s standing near the doors to the mansion. “She may know something about why Misty’s here.”
Sebastian glances toward our matchmaker. “She looks like she’s about blow her stack.”
“Yeah. This topless dance session seems to have her on edge. I’m not sure why, since the whole clothing-optional excursion tomorrow was her idea. But now may not be the best time to approach her.”
“Are you kidding? It’s the perfect time. Enter Seb. I can calm the most turbulent waters.” He stands.
“Man, you do think highly of yourself,” I mutter as I follow him toward Evangeline.
Our matchmaker smiles as we approach, her painted black eyebrows arching. “Gentlemen.”
“You look like you could use a beverage,” Seb says in his raspy low voice that I’ve seen make women swoon.
“God, no.” Evangeline shakes her head, her straight black hair hardly moving. “I’ve got to be up early tomorrow to see to our boat ride. Why aren’t you gentlemen on the dance floor? I can’t believe you’re not interested in that…needless display.”
“Oh, we’re interested,” Seb replies. “But Riv and I need some information on one of the young ladies.”
“Which one? I gave you detailed biographies, and you’re certainly welcome to ask any of them anything.”
“Misty Holmes,” I say. “She’s a hotel heiress. Why exactly is she here?”
Evangeline looks down—only for a split second, but I notice. “She’s beautiful, intelligent, and available. I wanted to give the four of you a pool of women from all walks of life. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?” She raises an eyebrow.
I look toward the dance floor. Emily and Ariel still have Brett’s rapt attention. Heather and June are dancing close to them, but Misty…
Misty is swaying her hips gently…and looking straight at the three of us, a sly smile on her pretty face.
“Good enough,” Seb says. “Thanks, Evangeline. Come on, Riv.”
Seriously? He’s satisfied with that response? I follow him back to the table and sit down.
Sebastian’s gaze seems focused on Misty. “She’s lying.”
“Who? Evangeline? Or Misty?”
“Evangeline.”
Anger curls at the back of my neck. “Lying to us? After what we’re paying her for this?”
“Yeah.”
I narrow my eyes. “How can you tell?”
“She looked down for a minute.”
“Yeah, I caught that. But it could mean anything. It’s getting late. She’s tired.”
“True, but she also got defensive.”
I raise my eyebrows. “She did?”
“Yeah, when she said, ‘that’s what you wanted, isn’t it?’ She volleyed back to us when all we were asking was why she chose Misty. Misty is independently wealthy and has no need of our money. We weren’t accusing Evangeline of anything. It was a valid inquiry. So why would she justify her actions by shoving it back in our faces? Why not just leave it with her initial response, which was acceptable?”
I look toward Evangeline, who’s still standing by the doors, her gaze on the dance floor.
“Trust me,” Seb continues. “As a performer, you learn how to interpret not just the words but also the facial expressions and body language of your audience, of your fans, of your agents and attorneys. Of everyone. Without that skill, you’ll get eaten alive in my business. I’ve been reading people for the last ten years.”