The Wager: A Billionaire Romance (4 page)

"Do you dance, Lily?" I asked once we were alone.

She glanced up at me like she was surprised I was still there.

"No."

"That's too bad," I said.

She didn't even bother to look at me again when I spoke. This was definitely a new experience for me. I'd never been ignored like this by anyone before. Who was this shrewish woman who would turn her nose up at me? I wondered.

"You're drink's empty. Let me get you a new one," I said undeterred as I pointed to the empty glass in her hands.

She released an exasperated huff before shrugging her shoulders and handing me the glass. "I'll have a martini," she said.

"Coming right up."

I smiled as I walked away. Despite her frigid attitude, I wasn't put off one bit. In fact, I found that I like the challenge of cracking that hard shell she had built around herself. Something told me she wouldn't be won over with jewelry or flashy things. That would have been too easy. I knew I'd have to really put more effort in than my usual game if I wanted to win her over.

Once I'd ordered the drinks, I walked back over to where I last left her. I stopped in my tracks when I saw her in a heated conversation with Maxwell Stein. From the back, I could tell she was visibly shaking. I came up quietly and stood behind them unobtrusively as Maxwell continued to rant at her.

"You stupid bitch," Maxwell seethed. "Who do you think you are, talking to me like that? Who the hell are you? How did you even get invited? You should just get out of here before I make a spectacle of you."

I waited for her to sting him with a biting reply. After all, rumor had it she'd already thrown a drink in his face and cursed him out in public. She should have taken him to task for threatening her, but no words came out of her mouth. She just stood there as if she were frozen. Maxwell continued his hateful rant and I'd finally had enough.

"What's going on here?" I asked, making my presence known.

I had the satisfaction of seeing a glimmer of fear cross Maxwell's features.

"Roman, this is no concern of yours. I was just having a private conversation," he said defiantly.

"I think it is my concern when you go making threats against my friend," I stated.

My voice came out harsher than I intended and I was surprised to find myself feeling protective of Lily. Something about the way her face was trembling and the way the moisture glistened in her eyes as if she were holding back tears tugged at something inside of me. I didn't examine those feelings too closely. Instead, I directed all my anger at the man causing her pain.

"Your friend?" Maxwell blurted. His color was heightened and I could see he was trying to find a way to extract himself from the situation before it got worse for him.

"Yes, she's my friend, and if I hear about you threatening her again or even looking in her direction, I will personally make sure you regret it."

He laughed nervously. "You're mistaken Roman. I wasn't threatening anyone; we were just having a friendly chat."

"Do you think I'm an idiot, Stein? I heard everything you said. Now you will apologize to the lady, and after that you'll have exactly three seconds to get out of my face before
I
make a spectacle out of you."

My voice brooked no opposition. I could see exactly when the indecision and defiance turn to defeat as Maxwell finally realized he had no choice in the matter.

"My apologies if you were offended by my words," he said stiffly. "I never meant any harm."

With a curt nod of the head, he turned and walked away without looking back. Once I saw him safely on the opposite side of the ballroom, I looked down at Lily who was standing still beside me. She hadn't moved or said a word during the whole ordeal.

"Are you all right?" I asked her.

She finally looked up at me and I could see the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, magnified by the lens of her glasses. It was a strangely beautiful sight, and she looked so fragile and vulnerable. It only lasted an instant. She gave her head a tiny shake and just like that, she had regained her composure.

"Yes, thank you," she said. Her voice was calm and controlled. "I don't know why I froze up like that. I guess I was just taken by surprise."

"You don't have to thank me. It was my pleasure. Maxwell Stein is a drunkard and a bully and it brought me great pleasure to put him in his place. Someone should have done it long ago," I said.

She laughed lightly, a pleasant tinkling sound. "Well, thanks all the same," she said, smiling up at me.

I grinned back at her, pleased that she was finally warming up to me, and for that I had to thank Maxwell. I decided to press my advantage and see if I could get her talking and opening up to me.

"I hope you don't mind my asking, but why was he so angry with you?" I asked.

"Because he's an arrogant jerk. He spilled his drink on me and then tried to fondle me."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I had no idea he was such a creep. Now I wish I had humiliated him."

"I'm glad you didn't. He'd probably blame it on me and then try to find some way to cause a scene once you were gone. No, I'd just rather wait this night out in peace and quiet until I can finally leave."

I didn't mention the fact that she was already being gossiped about. She'd probably freak out and want to leave immediately.

"You're not having a good time?" I asked.

"Not exactly," she said. I bit back a smile as I watched her try hard not to roll her eyes at me.

"But this is the social event of the season," I teased. "People would sell their first born to be among the guest list."

"I'm not one of those people. And if this is the last black tie event I ever get asked to go to, then I'll count my blessings."

"That's too bad. I hate going to these events too, but unlike you, I can't just turn my back on it all."

"Why not? I assume you're rich and you don't seem to care what people say about you. Why not just do whatever you want and make yourself happy?"

"You surprise me," I said honestly. "There aren't many women like you who'd say that. They'd never pass up an opportunity to be seen. At least, not anyone that I know."

"You must know some pretty shallow people, no offense," she added.

"None taken. Maybe I should get out more--expand my social circle," I mused.

She didn't reply and just shrugged her shoulders. Chad and her friend soon returned and I thought it best to retreat while I was ahead. I stood a little away from the crowds in a shadowed corner of the ballroom as I watched Lily and her friend depart. The first meeting didn't go as well as I had expected, but then again, it could have been worse. There was definitely more to Lily Hayward then met the eye and I intended to find out all her secrets so I could make her fall in love with me. Who would've guessed that this unassuming bespectacled woman would prove to be so intriguing? Maybe I would enjoy wooing her more than I thought.

Chapter Three: Lily

I had given myself Sunday off to recover from the ordeal of the gala. It had actually turned out worse than I could have imagined. Not only did I make a spectacle of myself arguing with that jerk Maxwell Stein, but he had to come back for a second round to try and start another scene. Thankfully, Roman Conrad had been there to nip that situation in the bud.

I'd been surprised by his help. When I'd first met him, I thought he was just like all the rest of them and had written him off as a snob. Sure, he was devastatingly handsome, and rich to boot, but I'd heard about his reputation, and wanted nothing to do with a man like that.

When he stayed by my side even after Mel and Chad had gone out to the dance floor, I was annoyed. I'd wanted nothing better than to be left alone and I didn't make a secret of it the way I stood there and glared at anyone who even looked in my direction. He didn't seem to take the hint. I know it was petty and silly of me, but I'd had enough of the people there giving me funny looks all night.

I thought Roman had finally gotten the hint when he told me he was getting us drinks. There was no way he was coming back, I told myself. It was just an excuse to get out of there without looking rude. As soon as he left, though, Maxwell Stein strode up to me looking even drunker than he did the first time I saw him. His eyes were bloodshot and bleary, and he looked unsteady on his feet. I'd been about to apologize to him for my rude behavior, until he pointed his stubby finger at me and narrowed his eyes.

"There you are! I've been looking for you," he slurred.

"Listen," I began. "I'm sor--,"

"Shut your mouth and you listen to me. You've got some nerve talking to me the way you did. Do you know who I am?"

I should have just slapped him across the face and stormed off, but I froze. The last thing I wanted was to be in the center of another spectacle. His voice was getting louder and more vicious and I was afraid he would draw a crowd. I hated myself for feeling so frightened and vulnerable, especially in front of that jackass, but I let my insecurities and fear get the better of me.

Just as I thought I was going to break down into tears, a cool hard voice at my back halted Maxwell's tirade midstream. Roman entered the fray so calm and casually, as if he had not a care in the world. Then when he defended me and called me his friend, I could barely keep my jaw from dropping to the floor. What kind of game is he playing? I wondered. When I managed to sneak a peek at his face, the hard glint in his eye and the firmness of his jaw told me that there was no love lost between these two men.

It was all so strange and confusing, but thankfully Mel finally agreed to leave shortly afterwards. On the way home, I couldn't resist asking her about Roman Conrad. She had heard of him, of course, she admitted. Apparently everyone knew of Roman Conrad.

"Obviously he's a playboy," she'd said. "I mean look at the guy, he's not exactly hard on the eyes."

I couldn't disagree with her there.

"Plus, he's got all that money," she continued. "Not only from his family, but he's done all right for himself on his own.""

"Yes, money always trumps looks, for men anyways," I replied. "And when you've got both, well that's just a recipe for disaster."

"But he can't be all bad. After all, he did come to your rescue." I had told Mel about both incidents with Maxwell Stein and she was livid. I'd never seen her so angry, she even threatened to have her mother blacklist him from next year's event.

"I never said he was. He's just so out of my league that there's really no point talking about it further."

"He's always seen with the hottest models or the newest up and coming starlets," she said, ignoring me completely. "It's like he's got the golden touch, you know? Once a girl is seen on his arm, their fame and popularity just skyrocket. Like George Clooney, you know?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I said dryly.

Mel stuck out her tongue at me, "Don't act like you don't ever read the tabloids. I've been to your apartment and I know where you stash them."

Color rushed to my cheeks, but I couldn't help the smile that tugged on my lips. "You tell anyone and I might have to kill you," I teased.

"Yeah yeah, Miss Above-It-All. So did you have a good time?" she asked. She looked at me so hopefully, I didn't have the heart to tell her it had been a miserable experience.

"The free booze was nice," I said.

It wasn't exactly a lie. The free booze was actually one of the only redeeming things about the night. Meeting Roman Conrad wasn't half bad either. He wasn't at all what I expected. I thought about his behavior and him coming to my rescue and I couldn't reconcile the two images I had of him. He was definitely a puzzle.

I shook my head, putting the brakes to that line of thought. I wasn't going to be the one to figure him out. Leave that to one of the many women he dated. Besides, I was sure that after last night, I'd never even see him again.

"I thought it was amazing," Mel sighed dreamily.

The comment startled me out of my musing and I studied Mel for moment. She sat looking off into space, a small smile playing about her lips. I knew what this meant. I'd seen the signs many times before.

"You did seem to have a good time once Chad came into the picture," I ventured.

Instantly her face lit up and she turned to me eagerly. "He's the most wonderful man I've ever met!" she declared.

"Isn't that a little premature?" I asked.

"You've met him, Lily. Tell me he wasn't a perfect gentleman. I don't think I've ever felt that kind of connection with a guy before. I mean, even Brian, who I was almost engaged to, couldn't hold a candle to Chad."

"Brian couldn't hold a candle to most people," I muttered.

"He's asked me to go out with him again," she said.

"Mel, I say this as your friend and someone who only wants to see you happy." Once I had gotten her attention, I continued. "Don't jump in so quickly. I've seen you get hurt too many times before. If he's as great a guy as you say he is, he'll be around for the long haul."