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“Being married to an attorney,” Daniel said, “I know as many lawyers as I do actual people. Do I need to remind you that you could be disbarred for solicitation, which—last time I checked—was illegal in this state?”
“There’s no crime in bidding on a prize in a charity auction for a good cause.”
Daniel doubted the man even knew what “good cause” the money was going to. “Didn’t I hear you say you wanted Anya to undergo a medical exam to make sure she’s virginal enough for you?”
Mr. Harpring raised his hands in surrender—mock surrender. “A man is allowed to flirt with a pretty girl. And joke around, like I did. But since you’re busy, Miss Anya, I’ll go. See you the night of the auction. Wear pink, if you don’t mind. I love pink.”
He winked and left the music room. Obviously this wasn’t his first time at Kingsley’s—he left by the alley door, the private door.
When he was gone, Anya exhaled heavily and sat down hard onto the sofa’s black leather ottoman.
“Now you see why I was trying to talk you out of this? You really want a sleaze like that to be your first time? Did you finally come to your senses or are you still planning on going through with this idiotic auction?”
She looked up at him with wide eyes. Wide and wounded. Immediately he hated himself for going on the attack with her. She wore a white sundress and a white lace headband that made her look like a half-grown child, ready for a picnic in the park.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry. I just…I hate men like that.”
She blinked away tears. “So do I.” Her voice shook. Daniel realized he was looming over her. He went down on his knees in front of her. He put his hand by her leg—by it, but not touching it. Just a hand that she could take if she wanted.
“Hey, he’s gone now.”
“Now,” she said and shrugged. “He wanted to see if there was a reserve price on me. Or if I’d be interested in a…” She made a disgusted face. “A pre-sale.”
“He wanted to scare you,” Daniel said softly, very softly. “I know the type. He gets off on it.”
She looked at the floor.
“I’ll talk to King. I’ll make sure he’s not at the auction,” Daniel said.
She met his eyes. “I can tell him. I don’t need you to do it for me.”
Exhaling, he stood up. “All right. I get it. You don’t want my help. You’re an adult. I’ll leave you alone.”
Though he hated walking away from her, sitting there still shaking, he did. He started for the door, not as a bluff but because she was right. She could tell Kingsley herself what had happened. She didn’t need him—clearly didn’t want him, either. She was an adult.
He reached the door but stopped when she spoke two words in a small voice.
“Thank you.”
What was this? A crack in the ice? A thaw? Or just politeness?
“You’re welcome,” he said, then started to leave again.
“I do need to measure you again,” she said. “For your suit. The jacket is pieced together at Signore’s.”
“I’ll call and make an appointment.” He wanted to say more, do more. He didn’t want to push, however, and have her push him away again. But he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Do you need a cab? Ride home? I can have King’s driver take you to work if you’re going in today.”
“I’m on front door duty here,” she said. “This is my other job.”
“How many jobs do you have?”
“Not enough.” She gave him a slight smile.
“I suppose if I offered to give you some money you’d hate me, right? Hypothetically?”
She nodded, though the smile remained on her lips.
“Stubborn women. What is it with me and stubborn women?” he said.
