My beautiful billionaire player

CHAPTER 4

She is donning a halter dress in an ivory color that I am not familiar with. The ivory stands out beautifully against her honey-blonde hair and olive complexion. "I don't recall ever coming across something like this before."

It's brand new. I made the purchase just before we left. "Think Alan will like it?"

"I believe Alan would like you in whatever you were wearing. Or absolutely nothing at all."

She laughs, but she is aware that it is correct. He is very interested in her. "I have a feeling that he likes me."

"Being reserved doesn't suit you, Sash. Naturally, he has feelings for you. It baffles me how you could possibly call that into question. Since we got here, he has not left the premises at any point."

"I am aware of this, but he has not uttered a word or taken any action," she says.

It's only been three days since it happened. There are some guys who won't make s****l advances on you within the first thirty seconds of meeting them.

"I know. I guess I'm having second thoughts about myself because he hasn't made an effort."

"Keep an eye on his reaction as we leave the room. You won't be in the dark about where he is mental."

Alan can tell everything about Sasha just by looking into her eyes. He has a serious crush on her. Unluckily, Mike's reaction to me is very similar to how he reacts to everyone else. What is the devil am I trying to achieve? It was a huge error on my part to attend this event as Mike's guest while wearing this dress; however, it is too late for me to change my mind now.

It seems that lady luck is on my side because I am able to sidestep Mike for the first half of the evening. He's very busy presenting his vintages, but as usual, I don't have any luck on my side. After we have finished eating, he takes my hand and gently pulls me from my seat. "Would you like to dance with me?"

I give him a friendly smile and proceed to join him on the dance floor, primarily because I can't think of a good reason not to. One dance. I'm able to fulfill your request.

I give Sasha and Alan who are dancing my attention for a moment. She is more ecstatic than a pig in mud, and I couldn't be happier for her. Her romantic success hasn't been all that much better than mine, to be honest. It would appear that she is having a good time.

"Alan doesn't seem to be in a great deal of distress either. If I had to guess, I would say that you and I have been dropped officially for the rest of the night."

Shit! This ensures that we won't have any company when we return to our apartment later. "Don't worry about it. I still have jet lag. Even so, I'm going to try to avoid staying up too late tonight."

A young man walks up beside us. "Mr. Winston, I'm sorry to bother you, but we're having a hard time tracking down your merlot," the man said.

Mike brings an end to the rocking motion, but he does not let go of his hold on me. "I truly apologize. What is your name?

"Hello, my name is Adam, and I'll be working as a server for tonight's event."

Mike looks puzzled. All of my different vintages were kept in the same place.

Adam gives the impression that he is sorry while shrugging. "We have looked everywhere for it, but we just can't seem to find it with the others."

He frees me from his hold. In the midst of all the confusion, I have no doubt that it was moved around. Could I please have your attention for just a second?

It's not a problem. Tonight is a very special occasion for you. You have to put in whatever effort is necessary in order for this to be successful.

He runs his hand down the length of my arm. "My absence won't be for very long."

"It's okay. There's no rush," Really. Don't be in a rush.

As I make my way to the dinner table, I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt because the interruption has made me feel so much better. On the dance floor, I keep my eyes on Sasha and Alan, and I immediately recognize her signature moves. She then points to him and mutters, "I'm f**king him tonight," as they continue to circle around. His back is turned to me during this time.

That is not the first time I've come across that, and I am certain that she will. That would be Sasha. She has only been on a different continent for a total of three days, but she has already established a relationship with her next potential partner. I mimicked the motion of a tigress's claw by raising my hand in the air and making a low roar with my mouth.

I am startled by a man's voice as she is making the same gesture behind his back while I am laughing at her. "Are you having fun with the wine tonight?"

When I look up at the person who is speaking, I am not prepared for who it is that I see. I could be brought down by the smallest thing. It's him, the handsome man we saw in the club earlier.

The other night I only had a brief opportunity to observe him, but he seems to have improved his appearance since I last saw him. He has the kind of broad shoulders that I'd like to run my hands across and down his strong arms. He's also tall and has broad shoulders. In contrast to the businesslike attire he is wearing, his dark hair is disheveled, and I can't help but wonder whether he did that on purpose or whether a woman has just finished running her fingers through it. If the second possibility is correct, then holy cow, that's one lucky lady.

Another suit is on him; this one is dark platinum, and he's wearing a pinstriped shirt that Mike previously owned. His azure eyes are brought out to their full potential by the cohesion of his blue and platinum tie.

What did he say, if anything? Oh, wait, he wanted to know if I was having fun with the wine. At the very least, I believe that's what he said. "I am. Very much."

He looks away from me and concentrates on the glass that is in front of me. "What exactly are you going to have?"

Oh, s**t. I am unable to identify the type of wine that was served. In my view, there are only two categories: positive and negative. After giving it a quick look over, I determine that there is no point in trying to act as though I am familiar with it. “Honestly? I don't have a damn clue. It's red, and it tastes delicious. That's the extent of my knowledge."

As he takes the glass from my hand, he gives me a friendly smile. He first examines it by lifting it up, and then he tucks it under his nose. The wine in question is a Cabernet Sauvignon. He raises it to his mouth and takes a short drink from it. "Not bad."

Oh, double swoon. He has his lips where mine used to be. Glass of good fortune Because I know nothing about wine, I'll have to take it on faith that you're telling the truth.

As he looks at me, a furrow forms in the middle of his brow. Damn. His eyes are the kind that you can get lost in with very little effort put forth, and they are mesmerizing. "If you don't know anything about wine, then I don't know how you ended up at a vintage dinner."

"One of the students is showing off his vintages, and I'm here as his guest," she said.

He makes a motion toward my wine glass, which he is still holding in his hand. "Does this belong to one of your close friends?"

Is it Mike's? They had begun to run together after a number of glasses had passed. "That's how I see it."

"It's to the point. I am unable to say the same thing about the majority of the other things I have tried tonight."

"I'll tell Mike you said so. Or perhaps you'd like to." He took a few steps back, but we shouldn't have to wait much longer to see him again. I say a prayer in my head that he won't come back and interrupt the conversation I'm having with the man I haven't been able to stop thinking about since the last time we spoke.

He smiles in an awkward way. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe that you owe me a dance.

"Yes, I believe I do." He grabs my hand and leads me to the dance floor, where the band is playing a version of "Someone Like You" by Van Morrison that is pretty good. We start to match the tempo of the music.

"You're from the United States?"

"Each and every day, and on Sundays, twice."

He has a chuckle. "What in the world would drive a funny Yankee like you to move to Victoria?"