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‘Never fear, I willnotbe your MC for the evening,’ she said with a soft laugh that sent a thousand arrows firing through his skin. That laugh had brushed over him, breathing across his body, teasing him, promising him, taunting him, demanding of him, just as it always had.
Could you meet me for a drink later?
He pressed his fingers into his thigh with more strength. The invitation had blurted out of her mouth, and he’d been so tempted to agree—which was why he’d immediately, harshly, responded in the negative.
He dropped his head forward, his breath strained, and he felt his date cast him a curious look. It sobered Graciano, and he remembered an important lesson he’d learned many years ago: never reveal your feelings. Keep your cards close to your chest. Never show them how you feel.
Never let them know you’re hurting.
Never let anyone see your pain.
He straightened, renewed determination in his eyes as he focused with laser-like intensity on the stage, waiting with the appearance of calm as the charity auction proceeded, many valuable items being offered to the delighted audience. The sums attained by each lot were truly eye watering, reflecting both the value of the listings as well as the worthiness of the cause: McGiven House offered respite accommodation to those fleeing domestic violence. It was a cause close to Graciano’s heart—he had personally donated millions of euros to charities such as this, and yet it never felt like enough.
Until he could forget what it was like to go to bed starving and afraid, he would never feel that he’d done what was necessary.
Graciano went through the motions for the evening, making conversation where necessary, even as every cell in his body was focused on the last lot of the night—Alicia herself—and an idea began to take hold.
A foolish idea, one he knew he shouldn’t credit, yet couldn’t ignore.
As he watched her, so effortlessly graceful and charming, convincing everyone that her heart was made of pure gold, all he could think of was her actions towards him, of how easy she found it to see him cast out onto the street once more, of how that rejection had stung him to the core.
Graciano didn’t make decisions based on emotional impulses; it wasn’t wise. But in that moment, it was a thirst for revenge, a need for retaliation, that had his insides firing to life with determination. Ten years ago, she’d destroyed his trust, and even though he’d moved on and built a hell of a life for himself, the effects of her treatment had spread through his life like poisoned tentacles, and he sought—needed—an exorcism of sorts.
He wouldn’t have sought her out, but given that they’d crossed paths once more, he refused to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Alicia Griffiths would be his, and he’d make her admit how wrong she’d been to discard him as though he were trash.
‘Remind me why I let you talk me into this?’ Alicia muttered to her assistant, casting her a pleading look as the second-to-last auction item entered a frenzied bidding war. It had been nerve-racking enoughbeforeshe’d known Graciano was in the audience.
‘Because you are altruism itself,’ Connie said with a wink.
‘Yes, yes, but I’mbehind-the-scenesaltruism. Auctioning myself off is madness.’
‘Firstly, you’re auctioning your considerable experience as an events planner, not yourself. Secondly, it’s far too late to back out. I happen to know Maude Peterson is desperate to secure you for her granddaughter’s wedding and has her chequebook at the ready.’
Alicia raised a single brow, but she was distracted. ‘A wedding, hmm?’ That would require her to put aside her innate disbelief in the idea ofhappily ever after—or at least, pretend to.
‘A very expensive English country wedding with a list of well-heeled guests who would all be excellent donors to our charity,’ Connie pointed out, bringing Alicia’s attention back to the current scenario.
‘I don’t think I can tout for donations at a wedding.’
‘No, but Maude is a gossip and she’s bound to tell everyone about the charity.’
‘Yes, that’s true.’ Alicia pulled her lips to one side, eyes skimming the audience as her stomach flipped and flopped. Just the idea that Graciano was there, that he’d be watching her, made her feel a thousand kinds of strange.
Butterflies filled her belly as the auctioneer raised his gavel. Her eyes flitted to the screen behind him, blinking with surprise at the huge amount the first-class trip to New York—donated by a footballer—had achieved. Well above the ticket price, but of course, it wasn’t just flights and premier accommodation: the internationally famous sports star had offered to cook dinner for the winners and host them in his home—a truly generous donation. Everyone was doing their bit, and now it was Alicia’s turn.
Besides, taking a week of annual leave and using it to plan an event for some rich socialite was hardly arduous. She could plan any event in her sleep, and it would be nice to turn her skills to something other than charity dinners, fun runs and auctions.
The auctioneer began to introduce Alicia, reading the bio Connie had provided:
‘Alicia Griffiths is a name known to all of us for her tireless work at McGiven House. Since joining the organisation four years ago, she’s more than trebled the charity’s income and raised the profile, enabling us to expand our offerings fourfold. In practical terms, that means we help a lot more people because she’s put us in a position to do so. Prior to joining McGiven House, Alicia worked for the Royal Family as a protocol and events officer, and now, her pedigree and skills as an event planner are available to you. Alicia is generously offering one week of her time to arrange whatever event you have in mind. Be it corporate or personal, her work will be limited only by your imagination.’
The auctioneer turned to the side of the ballroom, where Alicia continued to wait in the wings. ‘Alicia? Join me on stage.’
Her stomach was in a thousand knots and her knees were shaking. He was out there somewhere; that derisive curl of his lips haunted her as she walked on stage.
‘You’re sure I can’t back out?’ she muttered to Connie, only half joking as she took a step onto the stage.
