Billionaire Undone(62)

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter what they think anymore. Hope is the only one who matters,” Jason confided angrily.

“You think she’s really in love with this guy?” Travis asked curiously, relating Ally’s situation to Hope’s, and it annoyed the hell out of him. Obviously, some loser was latching onto Hope Sinclair for her money, using her like Ally’s ex had used her.

“No. But Hope has a huge heart. She’s likely to fall for just about any sad story.”

Travis watched a slow smile form on Tate’s face, a smile he’d seen before, and it scared the shit out of him. Tate was forming a plan, and it was likely to be trouble.

“I have an idea,” Tate confirmed. “But it would be questionably illegal and pretty damn devious. How far are you willing to go to get this woman?”

Jason shrugged. “As far as I need to go. It doesn’t matter.”

“She could end up hating you,” Tate warned.

“Better than her being indifferent and marrying some other guy. Let’s hear it.”

Travis listened as Tate outlined a plan so outrageous that even he was surprised. The crazy thing was…it just might work. Tate was ex-military Special Forces, and he had balls of titanium sometimes in the crazy shit he was willing to do. But he was also an excellent strategic planner.

“You ready to take that kind of risk?” Tate asked Jason bluntly.

“Yeah. It would give me exactly what I want,” Jason answered in a dangerous tone.

That clenched it for Travis. Jason really was in love with this woman. Either that or he was as crazy as Tate.

“I’ll help you any way I can.” If the guy loved the woman that much, he’d do whatever he could to help Jason. God knew he could sympathize with his situation.

“I will need a favor,” Jason answered slowly.

“What is it?”

“I’m going to have to leave in the morning. And I’m scheduled for the auction. I can’t leave them hanging now. Can you take my place?”

Travis balked at the thought. “I can’t. I’m here with Ally.” He wouldn’t mind the humiliation to help Sutherland out, but he couldn’t do that to Ally, and he didn’t want to be with any other woman for an entire night except her.

“I’d be more than happy to entertain Ally for you,” Tate said wickedly.

“You’ll have your own date. And if you touch her, I’ll kill you,” Travis grunted, just the thought of leaving Ally unclaimed for the evening making him irritable.

“Just have her bid on you and win,” Jason suggested. “I’ll cover the tab.”

That could work. Travis might have a few moments of humiliation, but Ally would do it. “I’ll cover it. I’d pay anything for a night with Ally.”

“Thanks. I’ll owe you, Travis,” Jason told him gratefully.

“No, you won’t. Just get the woman and I’ll consider us even. No woman deserves to marry someone who’s just out to use her,” he rumbled, thinking about Ally. He wanted Sutherland to be successful, both for the guy’s sake, and Hope Sinclair’s.

Travis stood, ready to get back to the guesthouse. “I need to get back and check on Ally.”

“I told you to take it easy because of the altitude, Trav. You do something to leave her breathless?” Tate asked in a pseudo innocent voice.

Travis thought about their earth-shattering lovemaking earlier in the hot springs pool. He glared at Tate as he answered, “I sure the hell hope so.” Turning to Sutherland, he added, “Good luck. I hope it all works out.” He shook Jason’s hand and headed for the door, silently hoping that this woman Jason cared about was as smart and had a heart as big as Jason claimed she did. She was definitely going to need it.





Ally couldn’t remember an occasion when she’d been more nervous in her entire life. She smoothed down the silky material of the black cocktail dress, wondering if she should change. It was sexy and dressy, but the hem ended at mid-thigh, and exposed way more of her legs than she usually showed. The black stiletto heels were extremely high, and the neckline plunged down to the valley of her breasts, making it impossible for her to wear a bra with the ensemble. Luckily, the top portion that covered her breasts had heavier material and pleats that covered everything. Still, she felt naked without a bra.

She took one last stare at herself in the mirror, murmuring to herself, “You can do this. They’re just people.”

But those people would be looking at her because she was bidding for Travis. He’d explained to her this morning about what had happened with Jason Sutherland, and what he needed her to do. She wasn’t exactly comfortable bidding with Travis’s money, but he’d looked so vulnerable that she would do anything to get him out of an obligation he obviously hated. And it really touched her that he was doing it for Jason.