Close to Perfect (31 page)

Authors: Tina Donahue

BOOK: Close to Perfect

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“That is
Weiss,
not Winters!” Abbie called out.

The MC squinted as he looked into the crowd, then glanced at his cue cards. “Oh yes,” he said, “Weiss & Maples. So sorry, Ms. Maples,” he called out to Ms. Weiss.

Cait exchanged a look with Billy, then held back a sigh as the MC went into a bio of Carmen Campbell that included everything but her age and measurements.

At last an older man shouted, “Can we just get on with it?”

As the crowd laughed and the MC opened the bidding, Cait's gaze lifted to one of the chandeliers. It was a monstrous sucker that sparkled nearly as much as the engagement ring her father had given to his latestâ

“Here!” Billy suddenly shouted. “I bid twenty-five hundred dollars!”

Bless you.
Cait lowered her gaze, delicately lifted the skirt of her gown and got ready to get the hell off the stage.

“Three thousand,” a male voice called out.

The gown slipped through her fingers. A moment later, Cait's gaze slowly lifted even as her heart paused. She warned herself not to look into the audience. If she did, there would be no turning back.

It can't be his voice
.
That's just not possiâ

“Thirty-five hundred,” another man called out.

Cait looked at Billy, who was glancing in the direction of that last voice. When she looked, a middle-aged man wiggled his fingers at her.

Taking a cautious step back, Cait swung her head in Billy's direction. He had to bid again no matter what Walt or the Princess of Darkness said. Billy had to win this date with her.

Come on, damn you, bid!

Billy looked from her to Walt who was finishing his dessert as if this had nothing to do with him. His dough was safe.

“We have thirty-five hundred!” the MC said with the same enthusiasm reserved for a million-dollar bid. “Going once, goingâ”

“Four thousand,” that first male voice called out.

Cait's mouth went dry, while her heart raced. Four months ago she told herself she would never forget that voice, nor a touch that caressed her soul and a scent that so effortlessly aroused. Four months ago, she knew she would not allow herself to see him again.

This can't be happening.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Cait's gaze finally swept the crowd. She glanced at faces she knew and those she did not. She saw bored expressions and questioning gazes. She moved past most quickly...

And finally lingered on one.

Sean.

Cait's lips parted in a quiet sigh as his gaze touched hers. In that moment everything else, even the last four months, faded away. Her gaze hungered over him as it had that night, touching his eyes, his hair, his mouthâ
oh, his mouth.
It welcomed, it pleasured, it comforted, and healed all the hurt Cait had ever felt, all the loneliness she had endured.

How she had missed him.

Without thinking or pause, Cait stepped forward recalling the last time they were in this room. Then, Sean's hand on hers had sealed the events of the night. Then, his breath had whispered against her cheek, his gaze had demanded and she had willingly followed.

BRAVA BOOKS are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

Brava and the B logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

ISBN: 978-0-7582-1319-8

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