The Billionaire's Bodyguard Bride (13 page)

The nerve of the woman, Lauren fumed, realizing Melanie was no longer content containing her cattiness to rude remarks. Now she was attempting to engage Rafe in a game of footsie, and she wanted to be certain Lauren knew it.

Making a scene was not an option. She had a part to play, and she would do so with dignity. There was no way she would give Melanie the satisfaction of knowing she’d struck a nerve.

The waitstaff cleared the tables and took dessert and beverage orders while a dance troupe assembled. The male dancers were attired in authentic Mexican charro vests, jackets, and flowing pants while the women sported white blouses paired with brightly patterned silk skirts.

The troupe launched into an energetic rendition of the Mexican Hat Dance. At the end of the performance the dancers gave an overview of the steps, and invited the onlookers to join in.

Lured by the infectious rhythm, dozens of guests took them up on the offer.

Lauren tapped a foot to the upbeat rhythm. “It looks like fun.”

“Shall we give it a try?” Taking her hand, Rafe drew her to her feet before waiting for her response.

They joined the group out on the dance floor, and it wasn’t long before they were caught up in the intricate footwork. The tempo steadily increased, leaving them breathless and laughing by the time the band segued to a romantic ballad.

Already racing, her heart revved into overdrive when Rafe pulled her into his arms. “Did you know the Mexican Hat Dance wasbanned in the nineteenth century?” he asked as they swayed to the music.

“I had no idea. Why was it banned?”

“The dance represents courtship, with the woman first rejecting the man’s advances, and the man eventually convincing her to accept them. It was thought to be too overtly sexual.”

“The dance seems like harmless fun to me.” Unlike the man who now held her tightly in his arms. There was nothing innocuous about him. It was like tangoing with a two-legged tiger. She could feel the subtle shift of powerful muscles under the luxurious fabric of his suit jacket as he skillfully led her around the floor. The silk barrier did nothing to mask the toughness that lay beneath the formal clothing.

Rafe drew her closer. “Thanks for trying out the dance,” he murmured.

“I enjoyed it. Besides, Melanie made sure I knew her foot was wandering under the table. I figured I should rescue you before she inflicted any damage.”

“You were a little late. I think I’m bruised,” he winked.

Rafe Dimitriou in full charm mode was a force to be reckoned with. “Poor baby. You can ice it later.”

“Or we could go back to our suite. You could kiss it and make it better.”

“But then we’d miss the piñata.”

“Why don’t we sit that out? I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be in Melanie’s vicinity while there are big sticks around.”

“I’m pretty sure I can hold my own.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he drawled.

Lauren bit back a groan as Melanie approached with Milton in tow.
Speak of the devil.

“May I cut in?” Payne requested smoothly.

Rafe’s hard glare told the man what he thought of the request, but good breeding won out and he nodded, reluctantly switching partners with his nemesis.

Lauren suppressed a shudder of revulsion as she attempted to put a respectable distance between her and her slimy dance partner.

“It seems to me your marriage was rather sudden. You’ve hardly had time to get acquainted with Rafe,” Milton speculated, a taunting gleam in his eyes. “I’m willing to bet there’s a lot you don’t know about him. Has he told you he and I were partners once upon a time?”

“As a matter of fact he has. He didn’t mention what you did to lose his trust, though. Care to enlighten me?”

Milton leered at her breasts before placing his hands too close to them for her comfort. “How badly do you want to know?”

The innuendo and his wandering digits sparked Lauren’s temper. “Not that badly,” she refuted firmly, placing his roving hands back in the socially polite zone.

“There’s no need to get testy. I’m going to give you some friendly advice. There will come a day when your new husband’s limited fortune will fall short of your expectations. When that day comes, just remember I’m only a phone call away.”

Ice frosted Lauren’s emerald gaze. “Since you don’t seem to get it, let me spell it out for you,” she fumed. “I’m with Rafe because I love him. I admire him as a man, not as a bank balance. If he were destitute on a street corner, I’d still choose to be with him. I won’t tire of him, and on the zillion-to-one chance I ever do, I certainly wouldn’t settle for a man like you.”

Milton appeared unaffected by her rant. She wished she could say the same. Her retort had been intended to reinforce the role she was playing of Rafe’s wife, but the vehemence with which she’d delivered the diatribe had surprised her.

His beady stare reminded her of a cobra, although she was certain even a snake would have more warmth in its eyes. “That’s a nice little speech,” he sneered. “You’ll change your tune when you take those rose-colored glasses off and see Rafe for what he really is. It’s only a matter of time before you tire of him as Melanie did. When you do, I’ll be waiting.”

“You’re going to have an awfully long wait,” she spat, amazed at his audacity. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I actually feel sorry for Melanie. I wonder what she would think if she knew you’d just propositioned me.”

“She wouldn’t be surprised at all,” Milton shrugged, unconcerned. “Nor would she care. We have an open marriage by mutual consent.”

Repulsed, Lauren scanned the crowded dance floor for Rafe. She breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted him weaving his way through the throng to reclaim her, a scowling Melanie trailing unhappily behind him.

Taking her hand, Rafe glared at Milton with an I-mean-business look in his eyes. “You’ve monopolized my wife long enough, Payne.”

As the Paynes departed, Lauren let Rafe gather her back into his arms. She tried not to dwell on how right it felt to be tucked within his embrace. “You have impeccable timing.”

“So I’ve been told,” he winked.

Her heart flip-flopped at his seductive smile, and her fingers itched to trace the sexy dark stubble shadowing his strong jaw. “Your former business partner and your ex-fiancée are determined to be nuisances. They’re going to do their best to make us misstep this weekend.”

“Well, they’re going to be very disappointed when their efforts fail. It’s good to have you in my corner, Lauren. Thank you for that, and for putting up with all of this.”

“It’s not that horrible,” she shrugged. “I’m actually having fun. The estate is like a palace, the food is fabulous, and the entertainment is great. The company’s not half bad, either. The Paynes excepted, of course.”

“That goes without saying,” Rafe grinned. He nodded towards a brightly colored, star-shaped piñata hanging from the patio rafters. “Look, a group is assembling by the piñata. Shall we check it out?”

“Absolutely,” she readily agreed.

Rafe chuckled at her enthusiasm as they watched the participants’ efforts to break open the brightly colored decoration, clapping and cheering them on. “Did you know the breaking open of the piñata tells a story?”

Lauren shook her head, intrigued.

“Beating the piñata while blindfolded represents faith and the struggle against temptation. When the piñata is cracked open, the treats that spill out represent the rewards of not succumbing to sin.”

“Fascinating. Shall we see how good you are at resisting temptation, Mr. Dimitriou?”

“Ladies first,” he insisted.

Her eyes were covered with a silk scarf and Rafe guided her into position amidst the crowd’s good-natured banter. The teasing came to an abrupt halt when her first swing of the stick hit the target dead center. She pulled off the blindfold, laughing as the piñata’s bounty cascaded down around her.

It was a wonderful evening, and she told the Fullertons as much when she and Rafe relayed their thanks before returning to their suite.

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach when Rafe opened the door to their room. It was foolish to fixate on sharing a bed with him, but she couldn’t seem to focus on anything else. The suite was enormous, but the bed still seemed to dominate it.
You’re an adult
,
she lectured herself firmly.
You can handle this
.

Rafe slipped his suit jacket off and loosened his tie. “I have to meet with Chuck and the other bidders at the crack of dawn tomorrow, so I’m going to call it a night. Would you like to shower first or shall I?”

“You go ahead. I’m going to read for a while.”

The drama unfolding between the covers of the suspense novel that had previously held her enthralled couldn’t compete with her ruminations regarding what was transpiring in the ensuite bath. The sound of the shower filtered through the door, conjuring up images of Rafe standing naked under the warm spray.

It was impossible not to imagine the path the water droplets would take as they coursed across his broad shoulders and six-pack abs before streaming down his muscular legs.

Turning his shower time into her very own erotic fantasy was
so
not helping. She needed to get a grip if she was ever going to get any sleep tonight.

More than just a little hot and bothered, she decided to distract herself by checking her e-mail. She found a quick update from Liz letting her know all was well at the agency. Liz also confirmed that she’d arranged for protection for tomorrow’s off-site golf outing.

The Fullertons’ plans for the following day had the men heading off to a nearby golf course while the women visited a spa. When she’d learned she and Rafe would be separated, she’d texted Liz with his itinerary. Knowing Michael would be in place to watch over Rafe while he was at the golf course was a weight off her shoulders.

Relieved, she tucked her purse containing her handgun in the nightstand by her side of the bed. The weapon was a sobering reminder of what this mock marriage was really all about. It was critical that she stay focused on her mission. That meant pushing all thoughts of Rafe—aside from his safety—out of her mind.

Remaining invulnerable would be easier said than done, she decided, when the object of her ruminations emerged from the shower smelling of soap and clean male. He was sporting a sexy pair of pajama bottoms, but his glorious chest was on full display.

“Any preference as to which side you sleep on, Mrs. Dimitriou?” he inquired, pulling back the bed covers. The dark gleam in his eyes told her he knew exactly how he affected her.

“I’ll take the side closest to the balcony.” Security was tight, but if someone was going to be foolish enough to risk breeching the estate, the balcony would be the obvious point of entry. It was the weakest link.

From the moment Rafe felt Lauren’s slight weight shift the mattress beside him, he knew he was in for a sleepless night.

She had placed as much distance between them as she could without toppling off the edge of the bed. Now she fluffed her pillow. A silky arm accidentally brushed his bare chest as she tossed and turned in an effort to get comfortable, and his gut clenched in reaction.

What would she do, he wondered, if he gave in to the all-consuming need to take her into his arms? How would she react if he proceeded to stroke every square inch of her delectable body, blazing a trail for his mouth to follow? Would she beg for his possession?

Yes, he was certain she would capitulate. If she truly were as disinterested as she claimed, she wouldn’t melt at his touch. She wanted him. Her desire for him blazed in the emerald depths of her eyes and emanated from her lips when their mouths met. He would be patient, he determined, and wait for her to come to him. It was only a matter of time.

Just when he thought she’d settled in for the night, she readjusted her pillow again. Sighing, he reached over and turned the small bedside light on. “Trouble sleeping?”

“I guess I’m still keyed up from the party. And I’m a little apprehensive about tomorrow’s girl-bonding day at the spa.”

“You’re not looking forward to a day of pampering and relaxation?”

Lauren shook her head. “It’s not my thing. I’d rather go hiking or horseback riding than be buffed and polished. I suppose that wouldn’t help your cause, though.”

It was a flimsy excuse for her case of insomnia, but he’d allow her to take refuge behind it for now. “You don’t have to go along on the day trip with the other wives on my account. The Fullertons are already taken with you, and everyone here buys into our marriage. There’s no reason you can’t spend the day tomorrow doing whatever pleases you.”

Lauren shook her head. “No. I promised you I would play my role to the fullest, and I will. It won’t kill me to do a little schmoozing on your behalf. I know you need to get some rest. Why don’t I move over to the sofa?”

He wasn’t about to let her off the hook. “You’re fine here. Shall we try and get some sleep?”

At her nod, Rafe reached over and turned the light off.

A few minutes later, Lauren rearranged her pillow again.

She was killing him.
How could he forget he was sharing a bed with her if she continued to toss and turn? With a groan, he reached over to turn the light back on.