He studied her for a long moment. “Something’s not right,” he began.
“Ladies and gentleman,” Ann Wingate, the mistress of ceremonies announced, saving Lilli from replying to Max. “It’s now time for the Silent Auction. Please make your way to the display tables and loosen your purse strings. And remember, it’s all for a good cause.”
“You’re sure you don’t want your cake,” Max said.
She shook her head. “Thanks, no. I’m curious what they’ve put up for auction.”
He nodded and stood, pulling her chair back for her to rise. “Pick a couple things you like and make a bid on my behalf.”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that.”
“Why not? It’s for charity.”
“Yes, but—” She broke off. “It wouldn’t feel right.”
He gave a heavy sigh. “Then pick out something I can donate to a good cause.”
She liked that idea much better. “That could be fun.”
With the exception of several interruptions, Max actually enjoyed himself during the next hour. Lilli’s careful assessment of the items amused him. He noticed she spent an inordinate amount of time studying an expensive baby stroller before she dismissed it and moved along.
“Which should I buy to give away?” he asked, curious what her answer would be.
“The spa and makeover packages for the women’s shelter downtown. The deluxe computer system for the homeless shelter.”
“That’s all?”
“I think they’ll provide good bang for the buck.”
“You didn’t see anything you like? Jewelry? A luxury cruise?”
She shook her head and he continued. “Baby stroller.”
She gave a start then shook her head again. “That thing costs almost as much as a car. Crazy expensive.”
Max couldn’t help wondering how long her attitude would last if she were exposed to luxury all the time. In his experience, women tended to easily grow accustomed to the finer things. She amused him at the same time that she attracted him. Her laughter affected him like a strong jolt of java and her determination not to brown-nose him startled him. He was surrounded by yes people and she didn’t hesitate to tell him no. Even though she was pregnant, or perhaps partly because of it, she drew his attention the way no other woman had.
How could she possibly be so innocent and sexy at the same time? He couldn’t believe his half brother’s damn good luck in finding her. She couldn’t be perfect, though, he reminded himself. No one was, and he’d never met a woman who didn’t have the capacity for deceit and manipulation. Still, he wanted her. And he wasn’t inclined to resist her.
Seven
“You absolutely shouldn’t have gotten that baby stroller,” Lilli said in a huffy voice. “It was insanely expensive.”
“Butter bean will like it,” Max said.
She threw him a sideways glance as he opened the door to the house for her. “He would have been just as happy with a less costly model.”
“You don’t know that,” Max argued. “The cutting-edge aerodynamic design, which features an unparalleled smooth ride,” he quoted from the manufacturer, “may make a huge difference.”
“In that case, he’d better be flexible because my compact car gives a high five to every bump in the road.”
He chuckled.
She turned to face him. “But seriously, I cannot accept the jewelry.”
“It’s just sterling silver.”
“David Yurman’s top-of-the-line.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand why you bought it for me. I told you I didn’t want anything.”
“I’m sure that was part of it,” he said.
“You mean you gave me this just to be disagreeable?” she asked, her eyes rounding in surprise.
“It contributed, plus as the hostess kept saying, it’s all for charity.”
Her lips twitched. “You don’t believe any of it. You don’t believe the manufacturer’s brag about the stroller and you think it’s stupid to hold an auction to get donations.”
“It’s a lot easier to just guilt people into giving money through the mail,” he said.
“But for some people, it’s more fun to give it away at an auction.”
He nodded. “Depends on the people.”
She bit her lip and her expression changed. “Maybe.” She paused. “I still don’t understand why you got me the jewelry.”
“The blue topaz reminded me of your eyes,” he said.
He saw a hint of something deeper than desire flash through her eyes before she took a quick breath and looked away. “Oh.”
His gut twisted with a surprising instinct to pull her against him and kiss her. Take her. He swore under his breath.
She cleared her throat. “Well, you shouldn’t have, but it was very nice of you.”
“I surprised you,” he said. “You thought I was a selfish miser like Scrooge.”
“I never thought you were like Scrooge.” She paused and seemed to decide that she shouldn’t elaborate.
He would love to know what she was really thinking.
“Thank you again. I should go up to bed,” she said and paused. “I was wondering,” she began and abruptly stopped.
“Wondering what?”
“It’s really none of my business.”
“I won’t know if that’s true until you ask the question.”
“I was wondering,” she ventured. “Do you have any godchildren?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Why do you ask? Did someone mention that to you tonight?”
“At the auction?” she said. “Of course not.”
He tugged at his tie. “The truth is I have five godchildren.”
Her eyes rounded. “Omigoodness. So many.”
He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “I’m not expected to do any real parenting. I’m actually a co-godparent. The parents just want my financial management in case anything should happen to them. Along with the gifts and tuition,” he added.
“Gifts
