Mistress & a Million Dollars / Satin & A Scandalous Affair: Mistress & a Million Dollars. Jan Colley
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manager and lover, had invested most of her money in a “surefire” deal and had lost it.
No, she didn’t need a man in her life.
And definitely not Jarrod Hammond.
Suddenly he started to walk toward her. She wanted to run as fast and as far away as she could, up the stairs and out on the top deck where the breeze off the harbor would cool her heated cheeks, but her strappy high heels seemed fixed to the floor.
And then he was standing in front of her, and she could do nothing but face him and try not to let him overwhelm her with his sheer presence.
“Hello, Briana,” he murmured as he leaned in close and kissed her cheek, his firm lips lingering just a whisper too long. “We seem to be running into each other a lot lately.”
She tingled. “Yes, we do,” she said, then saw his eyes darken at her husky tone. Quickly she cleared her throat, trying not to show that she cared he had touched her. “Um…but I didn’t expect to see you here, Jarrod.”
“Really?” A cool light came into his eyes. “Why not? Kim is my cousin.”
“Yes.” And one he must know more than the others, seeing that Kim had worked for the Hammonds until recently.
But that was merely a reason for his presence, not an explanation. The Hammonds and the Blackstones, despite being related, had thrown some pretty wild accusations at each other’s dynasties over the years. Marise had once briefly mentioned how Jarrod’s father, Oliver, had accused Howard Blackstone of some pretty dastardly things, including marrying Oliver’s sister for monetary gain. In retaliation, Howard had accused Oliver of arranging the kidnapping of his two-year-old son, James Blackstone. The child had never been seen again.
“Maybe I’m surprised to see you here,” Jarrod said, cutting across her thoughts, and she knew nothing much would surprise this man. She had the feeling he’d known she’d be here today.
“Kim and I have been working together on some of the Blackstone events,” she said, a touch defensively. “We’ve become friends.”
“Good. She could do with another friend right now.”
For a moment, Briana thought he was being sarcastic, but then she realized he was sincere. Something inside her softened. Kim had certainly had it tough these past few months, but coming from him—a Hammond who on his brother’s behalf now had another reason to hate any Blackstone—the comment was even more surprising. Perhaps he wasn’t as coldhearted as she’d thought?
“She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?” Briana said, turning away from him to look at her friend, mainly so she didn’t have to look at Jarrod.
“Yes, she does,” he said in a seductive voice that made her spin back toward him. He was staring at her.
Whatever had softened inside her now turned to mush. She had to force herself not to redden, her years of modeling doing nothing to stop the faint warmth rising up her neck.
She took a sip of champagne, then, “What did you think of the ceremony?” she asked for something to say.
His knowing blue eyes held hers a moment longer before breaking contact. He shrugged. “A wedding’s a wedding.”
It was such a typical male reaction that she had to smile. “Really? We’re at a lavish affair on a luxury cruiser in the middle of Sydney Harbour on a perfect autumn day, and the daughter of one of Australia’s richest men has just re-married her late father’s right-hand man.” She gave a rueful smile. “No, this wedding isn’t just any wedding. This is a Blackstone wedding in all its glory.”
The corners of his mouth curved with the beginnings of a sexy smile. “Do Blackstones pay you to promote them like this?”
She laughed. “I’d be stupid not to promote them, don’t you think?”
He paused, his eyes hardening as they swept over her features. “And you’re definitely not stupid, are you?”
Her smile disappeared. “That doesn’t sound like a compliment.”
Something came and went in his eyes. “I admire how far you’ve come in this business.”
She tried not to stiffen, but she did anyway. What was he implying? “It still doesn’t sound very flattering,” she challenged.
His lips twisted, then he appeared to mentally back off. “So you like to be flattered, do you?”
She realized he’d backed off only because he chose to. “Didn’t you know? I need to be flattered at least once every hour,” she mocked, then arched a slim eyebrow. “After all, isn’t that what all models are about?”
His eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a sardonic tilt to his mouth. “But you’re a supermodel.”
“So I need to be super-flattered,” she returned as a waiter offered to refill her half-empty glass of champagne. She put her hand over the glass and shook her head. She didn’t need more to drink. She needed her wits about her.
“I’m told I’m usually good at super-flattering a woman,” Jarrod murmured, once the waiter moved away.
Her gaze flew back to the man beside her and panic stirred in her chest. “I’m sure you are. Usually.” In a deliberate movement, she looked around for her date. Where on earth was Jake when she needed him?
And then she saw him listening with mild amusement to Danielle Hammond. The other woman’s coppery curls bounced as she moved her head animatedly, her full mouth wide and smiling in a friendly fashion.
“Looks like your date is occupied,” Jarrod said pointedly.
She glanced sideways at him and shrugged.
“So you’re not the jealous type?”
“Not in the least.” She enjoyed Jake’s company but, as handsome and charming as he was, he was only a friend. And thankfully he was someone who had nothing to do with the Blackstone dynasty and all its associated problems. But she wasn’t about to tell Jarrod any of that. “Danielle’s such a sweetie,” she added to show her non-jealousy.
“That she is,” he agreed slowly, but she could hear in his voice that he was still looking at her, trying to get inside her head and figure her out.
Pretending not to notice, Briana let her gaze wander around the room, forcing herself to concentrate on the other guests. Anything but concentrate on Jarrod Hammond…or let him concentrate on her.
There were about sixty guests and most of the faces were strangers to her, but she did see Sonya Hammond talking to Garth Buick, an urbane and charming man who’d been Howard Blackstone’s company secretary. They were only a few feet away and Briana could hear them talking about going sailing together. Something about the way they looked at each other—or perhaps it was the way they were trying not to look at each other—made Briana wonder if there was something between the two of them. If so, they were a good match. In her late forties, Sonya had a tall, willowy elegance that complemented the trim and well-toned Garth, who was just a few years older.
“Are you always so trusting?” Jarrod said, bringing her focus back on him.
She’d grimaced. “Unfortunately, no.”
His glance sharpened. “What happened to rob you of your trust?”
Heavens, how was she going to get out of this one? She only had to look at that firm jaw to know he wasn’t a man to give up when he wanted something.
“Nothing of interest,” she said airily, but her heart was pounding in her chest.
“Oh, but I think there is,” he said, confirming her suspicions.
“Let it go, Jarrod. It’s nothing important.” And to prove it, she scooped a canapé off a tray as a waiter passed by.
“Let