Page 30 of Nothing to Win

“Your family keep you hidden.They demand silence even in public.That’s not what I want.”

And she still didn’t get it.Doing what she was told would be easier if she had a clue what was being asked of her.

“What do you want?”she questioned.

“You’re an obvious trophy.Any man looking at you knows your beauty.”Oh, wow, that churned a spur of heat within her.“Talk to me, be part of the conversation.”

She shook her head.“I’ll embarrass you.”

“You won’t.”

“I’ll be intimidated.”

“Look at me…” Her gaze returned to his.“If you have questions and don’t want to ask in front of people, ask me when we’re alone.Stay with me.Be at my side.”

“I’m not business minded.”

“Did your father tell you that?”His fingers grazed her jaw.“You can do this.Use your fire.”

Her what?Was he nuts?

“I can’t,” she said.“I’m nothing like you and—”

“You’re more like me than you think.”

Like him?No, no one could be like him, especially her.

“I don’t have fire,” she murmured, “not like you.”

“If you didn’t, we wouldn’t be in this.”And she could almost believe him with that certainty staring back at her.“Stop hiding yourself, Irish.Our deal stands.Make people believe you’re proud to stand beside me.”

“I am.”Quickly, she went closer.“I am proud.”

All things considered, she should be otherwise.Society would be watching them, expecting that.

“You’re used to being stunning and silent.”He guided her hand to his chest.How did he know that?Until a few days ago, he couldn’t have known she existed.“You have the first part under control.”

“Mister, I need—”

“I know,” he said and let her go to reach into his inside pocket.“That’s the quid.You get your quo.If nothing else, this relationship will be fair.That’s not a courtesy I extend to everyone.”

He took a slip of paper from his jacket and unfolded it to show her.

“A blank check?”she said.“You’ve signed it.”

“Fill in the amount and donate it on our behalf.”

Flattered, her lips curled slowly.This generosity was unrecognizable from anything she’d experienced.

“Mister,” she swooned, her eyes flitting to his before dropping to the check again.

When she reached for it, he folded it and kept hold of it even as her fingers curled around it.

“By my side.”

“By your side,” she said, rising to sneak the check while distracting him with a brief kiss.“Will you dance with your trophy?”

Linking her hand in his arm again, he turned them toward the ballroom doors.“Depends if she quids.”