The Billionaire’s Forbidden Desire(23)

So Salazar wasn’t beyond help. “What’s wrong with that? It keeps him young and happy. He isn’t going to be married much longer. For all we know, he’s signed the papers already.”

Vanessa made a choking sound. “That’s precisely what’s wrong with it! Him being single soon, and we both know Dad doesn’t do single even if he can’t be faithful. I do not want my son to have a grandmother who’s younger than his mommy.”

So that was the issue. “Dad probably won’t be so eager to remarry, now that he knows a prenup can’t keep him safe.” On the other hand…if the woman in question was exceptionally clever, she might be able to ensnare him in an ill-advised second marriage. Thankfully, Salazar had never particularly valued women for their intellect.

Vanessa was sputtering, so Dane took a breath and made a concerted effort to be nice. “Don’t worry,” he said. “She won’t be your stepmom since Salazar isn’t your dad.” Easy. He smiled, pleased with his finesse.

“What about our mom? It’s going to hurt her.”

“The divorce was her idea. It’s not like she didn’t know what would happen once he was single again. If she doesn’t like it, she can always get herself a younger man. She’s still beautiful.”

“Are you absolutely crazy?”

She hadn’t said anything worth acknowledging, so he went on. “Being upset over something this inconsequential isn’t like you.”

“Dane!”

He was about to hang up, then stopped. His sister was pregnant after all. “Eat for two, relax and fantasize about spending all that Sterling money.”

He hit the red button and tossed the phone on the desk. Two seconds later the thing buzzed again like an angry hornet, but he ignored it. Let her complain to Justin Sterling if she was still upset. That was what husbands were for.

Dane got up and changed into a tux. As he was leaving his office, a blonde walked into the elevator, her golden hair reminding him of Sophia again.

Damn it.

He looked away from the woman. There were plenty of pretty blondes to be had in the city. There was no reason to keep thinking about Sophia Reed. As a matter of fact, he was going to have one in his bed as soon as the damn charity function was over.





Chapter Twelve


Elizabeth’s charity function was as grand as expected. Nothing but polished marble floors, giant chandeliers and a live orchestra for his cousin’s events. Dane hadn’t been able to attend the past few times, but it was good form to go when one could. After all, somebody had to think about the starving, under-educated children of the world…even while worrying about their tax bracket for the year.

He sipped champagne as his date clung to his arm. Her hair was sculpted into some kind of towering…thing on her head. She wore too much makeup and her dress was inadequate to cover her surgically enhanced tits. None of that was really relevant, though; she was vapid and blonde, just the way he liked.

He would have bet his Lamborghini she didn’t remember his name. Not that he knew her name either—didn’t care and didn’t want to know.

“You made it!” Elizabeth came over and gave him a big hug. “I wasn’t sure if you could.”

“I told you I would.” He hugged her in return; anything else would have been awkward and rude.

She pulled back, looking up at him with a smile. Her golden curls were pulled back in a manner that made him think of ancient Greece. Unlike his date, Elizabeth was adequately covered in a red Versace. “Still. I know you’re busy.”

“Remember that next time you decide to invite me. I can just write you a check.”

“But it’s nice to see you and catch up. Even Ryder showed up.”

Dane cocked an eyebrow. Elizabeth’s older brother Ryder hated this kind of gig. He was more of a rowdy party type. The more half-naked women the better. Coke and other drugs were de rigueur although Dane didn’t know if his cousin indulged. “You sure it’s not an impersonator?”

Someone slapped Dane on the shoulder. “Nobody can impersonate my good looks.”

Dane managed to not roll his eyes too hard as he turned to greet his cousin. Ryder Pryce-Reed was an actor and a notorious playboy—the black sheep, the one who deserved every ounce of derision Shirley had felt for the Pryce-Reed children.

“Showing unusual restraint tonight I see,” Dane said. “Only two women?”

“One for each arm,” Ryder cheerfully agreed. “But I had to come. Charity event, right? And just by walking in the door I upped the average handsomeness of the men at this party by at least twenty percent.”