What the hell?
“This woman, right here”—his grandfather shook his head—“turned down a million dollars to stay away from my grandson.”
Brock beamed with pride.
“She’s also responsible for the very first real smile I’ve seen on my grandson’s face since he was twelve.”
Emotion welled in Brock’s throat.
Grandfather’s eyes started to tear up. “If all I knew were those two truths, it would be enough.” He nodded to Nadine. “Titus Enterprises was always going to sponsor a woman of their choosing in order to partner with the charity—the fact that they chose Jane just proves how smart it was for us to partner with them in the first place. A woman who would turn down money rather than never see my grandson again is a good pick. I’m proud to say that the first Bachelor Auction has been a resounding success.”
Stunned, Brock watched as Grandfather pulled Jane in for a hug and then whispered out of the side of his mouth, “Check Mate.”
Brock stared at him, confused. “I’m sorry; what?”
“Did you really think you could involve Nadine Titus and not your own grandfather?”
Brock’s mouth dropped open in shock. “But she said she wouldn’t involve you; she said—”
“That woman.” Grandfather shook his head. “Don’t trust her as far as you can throw her. But, we’ll talk later. What’s important is you finally understand that I never wanted you to marry someone I chose. Hell, if that were the case you’d be stuck with someone like that.” Nadine was pouring more wine into her glass while trying to talk on her phone and pull lipstick out of her purse.
“But all those conversations, the threat of the auction…” Brock nodded. “I still don’t understand.”
“Though,” his grandfather seemed to say as an afterthought, “I nearly did have a stroke when I saw four more names on the card—it does me proud that you’d throw your own brothers under the bus for charity—and that they’d agree to do it because they know how much you love her.” His lips twitched. “Your grandmother would roll in her grave if she knew how badly I’d hurt you. It seems we need to have a very long talk, son, but for now…” He motioned back to the auction and grabbed the microphone. “Now that we have that settled, shall we dance?”
“Take off your clothes!” A shout came from one of the tables at the back of the room.
“Pardon?” Grandfather sputtered. “What was that?”
“Brock Wellington!” Nadine shouted. “This young lady just paid over two million dollars for your sorry ass. You strip, and you strip right this instant!”
“She’s drunk; ignore her,” Grandfather chuckled awkwardly.
Clearly everyone was drunk, because soon women were chanting “strip, strip, strip.”
Jane burst out laughing and shrugged. “Give them what they want.”
Suddenly the music came on and the lights started strobing, and it was as if he’d been caught in a horrible version of Magic Mike.
Horrified, he was about to walk off stage, but Jane locked eyes with him and suddenly the rest of the world faded away.
Besides. It made her laugh.
And he had said that was all he wanted.
Her.
Her smile.
Everything about her.
Slowly, he shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it at Jane’s face; then, with a smirk, he started unbuttoning his silk shirt.
After the third button women started screaming.
Cameras flashed, and Brock strutted toward Jane as he undid the next few buttons, stopping in front of her when the last fell away.
He grabbed her hands and pressed them against his chest.
She helped him out of the shirt and tossed it into the air, amidst screams and whistles.
“I’m going to kiss you now.” He grinned.
“I’m going to let you.”
Their mouths met in a searing kiss. Too soon she pulled away, laughing as Nadine appeared beside her, phone hoisted in the air, snapping picture after picture.
“Humiliation’s complete.” He nodded. “Fantastic.”
“That is some stallion you’ve got there.” Nadine elbowed Jane. “Come on, stallion, give us a good neigh.”
“Grandfather,” Brock interrupted before things got even more awkward. If that was even possible. “About that talk.”
“Tomorrow.” Grandfather’s eyes seemed to twinkle. “For now, enjoy that you’ve bested me.” And then he winked, but before he walked away he paused mid-step, looking back over his shoulder. “By the way, you did me proud tonight.”
And then he was gone.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Were you worried?” Jane whispered in Brock’s ear once they were back at his penthouse apartment. She was still trying to get over the luxury and opulence that he lived in. She truly was in a fairy tale, and he was her prince in every way imaginable.