“Lorelei.”
She opened her eyes. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a tall, dark, handsome Liam who stood before her but rather the short, portly figure of Dustin, the Director of Fundraising.
“Dustin, I didn’t see you earlier. Have you just arrived?”
“No, I’ve been here all along, watching you try to steal my job. Seems other women’s husbands aren’t the only thing you like to take.”
A red haze appeared before her eyes. If she wanted her event to be talked about, slamming Dustin’s face repeatedly into the ice sculpture would be one way to do it. But with the Chairman watching it probably wasn’t the wisest career move.
She put a lid on her temper and straightened to her full height, dwarfing the Director of Fundraising. “I have no interest in your job. My only ambition is to raise money so these poor children can enjoy a day away from the hospital.” Dustin’s raised voice had caused a few people to stop their own conversations and listen.
“Then how the hell do you explain William Manning?”
William Manning? Had Liam told his boss about the event and he’d shown up? Why hadn’t he introduced her? She searched the crowd for an uggo with computer code scrolling across his eyes. She’d spent hours memorizing faces and names and didn’t see anyone she didn’t recognize.
“William Manning?”
“The man sat next to you. I’ve been trying to get him to donate for years. But I guess I don’t have the right equipment.” Dustin leered suggestively at her breasts and it was all she could do not to flatten him on the spot.
Dustin might be more incompetent than she thought. He’d probably heard that Liam worked for IWC Security and assumed he was the big boss. Liam certainly looked the part in his tux. “I think you must be mistaken. I sat next to Liam Mackenzie. He’s my date. I paid for his ticket myself.”
“Does he work in the Internet security field?”
“Well, yes.” A shadow of doubt clouded her vision and she swayed in her four-inch heels. The words “too good to be true” flitted through her mind.
“Have you been seeing him long?”
“A couple of weeks.” She sucked in a deep breath, but it didn’t lessen the crushing sensation in her chest.
“Well, somehow you’ve managed to snag one of America’s most reclusive billionaires.”
“What?” The air in her lungs whooshed out.
Dustin pulled out his phone, accessed a file, and showed Lorelei a photo of Liam with a full beard and longer hair, but Liam nonetheless. Below the picture was the caption, “William Mackenzie Manning, Chairman and CEO, IWC Security Ltd.” She stared at the photo for what seemed an eternity, trying to prove the face on the screen wasn’t Liam’s. There was no denying the eyes. The same liquid chocolate that melted her core whenever he glanced at her looked back at her from the screen. Grabbing the phone out of Dustin’s hand, she scrolled down to read the blurb below. The words billionaire and genius leaped out at her.
Her stomach sank through to her knees. She glanced up to see Liam approaching.
“Don’t think this means you can take my job. I’ll talk to him about corporate sponsorship.” Dustin’s voice sounded a long way away. She struggled to take a breath to ensure she wasn’t having another anaphylactic reaction. It wasn’t a peanut allergy restricting her airway, but her heart exploding. He’d lied to her. Played her like an idiota.
“You want to talk to him about sponsorship? Then now’s your chance,” Lorelei said. She spun on her heel and headed in the opposite direction.
…
As Liam reentered the ballroom, he spotted Lorelei standing by the dance floor. Next to her, showing her his phone, was a short, round guy with a sneer on his face. Whatever they were discussing was obviously distressing her and Liam quickened his pace. When he was ten feet away her eyes met his, and he knew the game was up. His heart plummeted to the floor and his stomach did a flip-flop motion sure to bring his dinner up.
He’d had this feeling before. The first time was when he was thirteen and the doorbell rang and two men in black suits and mirrored sunglasses stood at his door. The second time, when the doctor had told him there was no more hope for Marcus and all they could do was make him comfortable until he passed. And now, watching Lorelei flee the room.
“Mr. Manning, we are so excited you were able to join us this evening. It has been our pleasure to have you here.” The man who had upset Lorelei stepped in front of him.
One thing Liam hadn’t missed pretending to be a regular guy was people fawning over him hoping to get something. “I’m here with Miss Torres, as her date.” He tried to keep an eye on Lorelei to see where she went.
“Yes, Miss Torres, she’s been a wonderful addition to our team. However, I was hoping to meet with you to discuss—”
“Call my head of PR, Cynthia Dale. She’s in charge of the company’s charitable donations. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Lorelei had slipped through the patio doors and he intended to go after her.
At least a dozen couples were on the veranda, enjoying the warm night air. Gerald Burkow and his wife waved at Liam as he passed, but he ignored them. There was a figure at the far end of the terrace, all alone. As he approached he saw her stiffen, as though she knew who was behind her.
“Lorelei…” he said. He saw her shoulders tense, and a sharp stab of pain sliced through his chest. He’d hurt her. Should he just walk away before he caused more pain?
She turned toward him, her face a mask of fury and agony. “Do you have any idea how I feel? The estúpido Director of Fundraising had to tell me who I was dating?”
A flicker of hope came to life inside him. If it was only a case of embarrassment—
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. If you’ll let me explain.”
“Explain? Explain? What is there to explain? You had your fun playing regular guy with the dim-witted charity worker. Go back to being a billionaire genius now and leave me alone.”
“No.” He put his hand out to touch her cheek and brush away the tear that lingered on her cheekbone. She flinched and he dropped his hand as though scalded. His mind searched for words, not his strong point; he had to make her understand.
“No? What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” She was becoming hysterical, the tears flowing freely now. An audience was gathering but he didn’t care. Lorelei was the only one who mattered.