“Accomplished? You mean famous,” Ashley corrected.
Crystal shrugged. “They are the best in their fields or famous for their philanthropy and humanitarian efforts. He’s dated CEOs and pro athletes. Politicians and princesses.”
“I guess he doesn’t feel threatened by a woman’s achievements,” she said with a fixed smile. If this was true, what was he doing with her? She had struggled in school and dropped out of college in her first semester. She had no skills or special talents. No ambitions other than to build the strong and happy family life she’d never had.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Crystal continued, as if her words hadn’t pierced Ashley’s thin guard, “he’s had his share of supermodels and movie stars. He’s just not interested in a woman whose goal is to be a wife or a girlfriend.”
What about a mistress? Not that she strived for that job. She had been blackmailed into bed because she had no power or influential friends. Ashley bit the tip of her tongue in case she blurted out her thoughts.
Crystal tilted her head. “I feel like I’ve seen you before.”
Ashley stiffened. She remembered comments like that. It only took a few moments before they connected her with one of her father’s scandals. “I haven’t been in Miami for years.”
“Have you been in the news lately? I have to admit, I’m a bit of a news junkie,” Crystal said as she pressed her bejeweled hand over her impressive cleavage. “TV, newspapers, blogs, tabloids. I get my news anywhere and everywhere.”
“No, I haven’t done anything newsworthy.”
“Crystal, they are playing our song,” Omar said as he wrapped his large hand over his wife’s wrist. “It’s time to hit the dance floor.”
* * *
Sebastian watched Ashley as her frown deepened. She hadn’t spoken much. She had stood at his side, but he knew she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings.
Was she was thinking about tonight? How she would lose control in his arms? She had no idea that he also couldn’t stop thinking about the magical night that lay ahead. Or that he would make sure she lost control before he did.
He didn’t know how much longer his restraint would last. Having her close to him, touching him, was a test. He was careful not to stroke her skin or allow his hand to linger on the curve of her hip. Once he started, he wouldn’t stop.
He tightened his hold on her waist. “Smile, Ashley.”
Ashley gave a start and then glared at him. “I am smiling.”
“No, you’re not.” He dipped his head and pressed his mouth against her ear. She shivered with awareness and his body clenched in response. “But I know one way I can put a smile on your face.”
She yanked her head back and bared her teeth. “I’m smiling, I’m smiling. See?”
“Can you look less bloodthirsty and more adoring?”
“Why? The only people who looked at me were Omar and Crystal.” She tugged at her short hem again. “Don’t get me wrong, Cruz. I’m grateful that I’m unrecognizable. I can only assume I look like all your other mistresses.”
He’d never had a mistress, but she didn’t need to know that. He didn’t want her to get any ideas that she was different or special. He’d had many lovers, but he’d never had to pay for the exclusive rights of a woman.
“And how much longer do we have to stay here?” she asked.
“Eager for bed, mi vida?” He certainly was. He hadn’t felt this desperate since he was a teenager. It was difficult to circulate among the crowd when he wanted to drag Ashley to his bedroom.
She clenched her jaw. “No, I’m tired of acting like I know what’s going on. Your guests talk about people I don’t know and places I haven’t been. I wasn’t aware that you were raising money for a charity until you talked that socialite into giving double. Where is the money going?”
“To my old neighborhood,” he said tersely. He briefly closed his eyes as he tried to banish the memory of graffiti-stained walls and the stench of rotted garbage.
She sighed. “Can you be a little more specific?”