been a colossal mistake. Though there’d been a time when he wouldn’t have hesitated to seduce her for gain, he wasn’t that person any more. And he wanted that part of his past to stay buried. If what he had done became public knowledge, the Castillos’ reputation would be tarnished beyond repair. Dating someone with her bad press would be like digging up everything he was ashamed of and announcing it to the world.
Using her fame to his advantage, however, was a risk he’d take for the charity.
Alexa turned to the older woman and extended her hand. ‘Mrs Castillo, you have a lovely home.’
Ric couldn’t believe Alexa recognised the other woman. Maria and her husband were well known in Spain for their expanding chain of luxury hotels and charity work, but he hadn’t thought the news of their success would spread to London or if it did, that it would be the kind of news to interest Alexa.
‘Thank you. Where did you get your dress? It’s stunning.’
Ric stiffened. He was reminded yet again how little the silk number covered. It was entirely inappropriate. His irritation returned full force.
Not to mention the way it chiselled away at the resistance he’d spent the day building up towards her. Alexa answered Maria and went on to talk about shoes. He held onto his irritation with a death grip. Inviting her tonight had been a mistake. People would take one look at her on his arm and he could kiss their presence at his function goodbye. After all, what self-respecting businessman would date someone as wild and inappropriate as Alexa?
Flowing champagne, good food and boring conversation seemed to make the stick up Ric’s ass more apparent. Alexa kept a polite smile on her face as he stiffly marched her from one mind-numbing introduction to another, his hand never leaving her hip.
Her skin hadn’t stopped prickling since she’d seen the way he’d eyed her when she left the limo—the look she’d been both dreading and anticipating all day. The one that said he wouldn’t mind tearing the dress from her body with his teeth, then showing her what his idea of fun really was…
Get your head out of the gutter, girl.
Then the almost kiss. Her heart pounded remembering. She’d forgotten that she was still angry at him and submitted to his hunger. She’d even felt the same feral attraction she saw in his eyes, an attraction she needed to get over quick. Thank god Mrs Castillo had interrupted them or she’d have been one frisk away from ending up like her mother.
Her eyes flickered to Ric. He sported a charming smile while he nattered in Spanish to a couple who couldn’t speak English. She wondered again why he tensed up when Mrs Castillo had appeared. Maybe he was grateful she’d interrupted them—or irritated—but he looked uncomfortable more than anything.
The fire in her belly, and her desperation to hide it, made the party more interesting than it should have been. Throughout, she managed to keep her business head on and treated the night like she would if she were scouting clients for Together. And she had the feeling Ric was scouting too, but no idea why.
As she glanced around at the décor, she felt like she was in a fairy-tale. Everything was shiny and grand. The lighting highlighted the white table cloths with pink and baby blue trimmings. A huge, crystal chandelier sporting five tiers centred the massive dance floor and a band dressed in tuxedos played on the stage at the far back of the room. The place oozed money and class and made her a little uncomfortable. It was too similar to the parties she’d been dragged to by her father after her mother died.
‘Mr and Mrs Santos, this is Alexa Green.’ Ric introduced her to an elderly man with a twenty something year old wife.
Alexa noticed that after he introduced her to Mrs Castillo he stopped referring to her as his date. It was around the same time he started to act like someone had shoved the stick up his ass.
Alexa held her hand out and allowed Mr Santos to brush the back with his lips. His wife threw her a death glare, then turned to Ric with a sultry glint in her eye. Alexa stepped closer to Ric. She may not be dating him, and didn’t even particularly like him, but it was rude to eye up other people’s partners, and so blatantly. Alexa decided she didn’t like the skinny blonde.
Ric’s hand tightened on her hip.
‘A pleasure to meet you, novia,’ Mr Santos crooned while his wife remained eerily silent.
‘The pleasure’s all mine.’ She said what was expected with a smile. Her father had taught her well.
‘Enrique, the whole place is buzzing about the charity ball you’re hosting next month. I’m assuming your presence here tonight is to secure our attendance?’
Trying to keep the surprise from her expression, she turned to look up at Ric. The charming smile he’d worn all night returned and a husky laugh escaped him. Alexa shivered all over.
‘You’ve caught me.’ He clapped the old man on the back. ‘It’s for a good cause. There are too many children living on the streets in Spain and it isn’t the government’s priority to help. Your support would be appreciated.’
Alexa ground her teeth to stop her mouth gaping. She wouldn’t have pegged Ric as the caring type. Especially about someone he couldn’t gain anything from. The fire in her belly morphed into a warm glow. She gulped down her champagne. Damn. She hadn’t expected him to have a heart in that magnificent chest.
Heart or not, don’t go there.
‘Of course we’ll be there.’ Mr Santos pulled his wife to his side. She looked like she’d rather be anywhere else.
Alexa felt a pang for the old man. He deserved better than a gold digger.
‘And I hope to see your beautiful Alexa.’
Only having a week left on her holiday, she opened her mouth to explain she would have to return to London.
‘Of course Alexa will be there.’ Ric squeezed her hip in what felt like a warning. ‘In fact, Alexa’s helping me organise the event.’ Another squeeze. Harder this time.
Uh, uh, no way.
She wasn’t going to allow him to use her, and he had nothing to blackmail her with this time. Her father had used her mother for his gain so many times she’d sworn she would never let anyone do the same. And Ric—the big sneak-freak—was trying to do exactly that.
‘I’m sorry, Mr Santos. I’m flying back to London next week. I hope you enjoy it.’
Ric’s arm stiffened around her. ‘Alexa, may I have a word?’ He spoke through gritted teeth.
‘Actually, I’d like another drink, if you don’t mind?’ She fluttered her eyelashes innocently, all the while knowing she was ticking him off, if his clenched jaw was anything to go by. Well, he wasn’t the only who was miffed. ‘Thank you, sweetie.’
Ric, obviously too straight laced to cause a scene, released her and left to find a waiter—or ditch her. Alexa’s lips quirked.
‘Trouble in paradise?’ The blonde parasite’s face twisted into a smile.
‘Not at all. In fact, Ric and I aren’t dating. I’m merely accompanying him for the evening,’ Alexa said, while trying
