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The week flewby until my next public appearance with Mia. There were practices and meetings and press interviews, and then finally, there was the gala benefiting my charity, Ford’s Friends. For the last several years, I had gone by myself, but tonight, Mia was my guest.
I’d never been more nervous.
After my brothers caught on to my feelings the weekend before, I was more determined than ever to stifle whatever attraction I had for her. This was a business deal, plain and simple.
Because even if Mia was sexy, you know what else was sexy?
A championship ring.
A renewed contract close to my family with plenty of money to support my charity.
Achieving my goals before life was ripped away from me, like it had been for my mom.
Whatever infatuation I had with Mia wasn’t worth losing all that, even if I did have a chance with her. Which was doubtful. She was a successful older woman. And me? I was on the verge of losing my contract.
With my priorities back in check, I put on my suit and tie, visualizing the evening before me. I was determined to keep my focus on the charity, on what the funds raised could do for grieving kids in Texas. I imagined what it would be like if no oneever had to go without grief counseling, if no widowed parents had to sacrifice financially to support their child’s mental health.
That thought drove me as I finished getting ready and then went to the car waiting for me out front. Usually, I didn’t mind driving myself places, but with Mia and me set to arrive together, it made sense for me to use her car service.
I got in and chatted with her driver, Zeke, until we arrived at the massive condo building Mia called home. It wasn’t too long before she stepped out of the elevator, and my mouth went slack.
She looked more stunning than I’d ever seen her, adorned in a shimmering silver dress that cut across her cleavage with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a slit that showed her luscious thigh as she walked toward me. Her blond hair was pulled back, showing diamond earrings dripping from her ears.
I forced myself to swallow as she approached. “Wow, Mia... You look incredible.”
She smiled, doing a spin for me. I loved how she did that. Instead of shying away from my compliments, she embraced them, giving me even more of her to enjoy. When her spin ended, she faced me, a free tendril of hair fallen across her forehead.
I reached out to brush it back, stunned by how soft her skin felt beneath my fingertips. How my heart fell when I had to pull my hand aside.
“Shall we?” she asked, gesturing toward the limo.
I nodded and held the door open for her. I didn’t trust myself to speak. Especially not when I watched her get into the car, catching a clear view of her bare shoulders, the baby hairs trailing down her neck. It was unexpectedly alluring.
Championship ring.I reminded myself.
Contract.
Charity.
I followed her into the car and shut the door to see her reaching for the refrigerator toward the front. She pulled out a bottle of champagne and two glasses. “Let’s celebrate your charity tonight,” she said with a warm smile. My eyes hungrily trailed the path of her dark red lips.
She set the glasses aside and tugged at the cork.
It popped, and her lips formed a surprised O that was incredibly cute and impossibly sexy at the same time.
I wasfucked.
This was going to be a long night, convincing myself I couldn’t have what was right in front of me.
21
MIA
I couldn’t getover Ford Madigan in a suit.
Something about broad shoulders, a fit body, and perfect tailoring of the navy-blue fabric had me practically salivating. I needed the chilled champagne just to cool myself down.
But even better than his looks was watching him interact with donors at the gala. He always introduced me first, putting his hand on my lower back and making sure I wasn’t an afterthought in the conversation but an active participant.