Page 34 of Desire
“You know what bid I’m referring to.”
“Mr. Christmas,” Kylie finally blurted. I’d heard that tone before. She was about to show him no love. “I’m surprised you came out tonight. With so many fires to put out because of Christmas Industries, I would think it wouldbe difficult to find time to attend a gala.”
Jasper narrowed his eyes at her, but it was different than the way he looked at me. His gaze lacked desire or even the will to engage, which was why he turned to Rod. “I’m sorry, have we met?” he asked.
Rod seemed surprised Jasper had spoken to him. He glanced uncomfortably at Kylie as though he were just about to be caught shaking handswith the enemy. “Um, I’m pretty sure we haven’t.”
Jasper grunted thoughtfully. “I saw you with Miss Henderson earlier.” He glared at Rod, who seemed to be waiting for him to say something else.
“Why are you so concerned with Holly Henderson? Aren’t you marrying your fiancée?” Kylie asked, smirking at Julia.
Julia rolled her eyes at Kylie, showing her that it would take a gunto the head to get her to entertain Kylie’s taunt.
“Jasper has made a generous donation to tonight’s cause,” Dave said, as if the tension at the table had escaped his notice, which I was sure it hadn’t. Dave was too sharp not to detect it.
“Oh, I’ve done more than that,” Jasper said, wearing a sexy, lopsided grin that captured the attention of all the women at the table except hisdate.
Julia Valentine seemed to be there, yet she was not present. She wore an expression similar to the one she’d had on Christmas morning. It was as if life was tugging her in all the directions she didn’t want to go.
“Do tell,” Mrs. Eastman said.
“Not yet, honey,” Dave said.
Jasper’s gaze landed on me again, and Kylie pinched my thigh under the table. “Why does hekeep eye-fucking you?” she whispered, with her mouth close to my ear. “He has no fucking shame.”
“Oh, by the way, Holly, let me know when you’re ready to leave,” Rod said. Then he set his attention on Kylie. “We came together.”
I gasped and quickly turned to her. “He came to my room and asked if I wanted to come here together. I said yes, but…” I shook my head.
“Why do youthink I care?” Kylie asked.
I pressed my lips together, looking at her like the cat who ate the canary.Really, are she and Rod going to pretend as if they were never a couple?Well, if that was how they meant to play it, then I wouldn’t say anything to change it.
“I don’t think you care,” I finally said.
“So, Holly Henderson,” Jasper said and put a hand on Dave Eastman’sshoulder. “We were talking earlier about how talented you are.”
“Yes, you’re so accomplished to be so young,” Dave said.
“And so is Kylie,” Rod added.
Kylie glared at him as if she wanted to rip his head off.
“You’re a beautiful woman,” Jasper said, still eye banging me. “You’re smart, charismatic. I wanted to talk to you about having your own show.”
“What?”Kylie and Rachel asked at the same time.
“How are you fucking calling shots for BCN?” Kylie hissed. The hate she had for Jasper Christmas was written all over her face.
Dave Eastman and his wife seemed stunned by her demeanor and what she had just said.
“Kylie meant…” Rachel started. Her skin had turned a blotchy red. Knowing Rachel, as soon as she and Kylie were alone, shewould be tearing a new one into the rambunctious reporter.
I figured I had better speak up for my friend. It was clear Jasper was the most powerful person at the table and the only one who could save Kylie’s hide.
“She didn’t mean any disrespect, Mr. Christmas. We as journalists can become so passionate at the most inopportune moments.”
He smirked, and once again, I forgotto breathe. “It’s Jasper,” he said then sat up straight. “And no need to defend Miss Roberson. She and I have history, so as you said, Rod Huff, I know she’s a formidable journalist. It seems we’ve had our rounds. She’s the cat; I’m the mouse. Or am I the tiger, and you’re the rodent?” Jasper winked at her, grinning as if he were just joking.
