Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“That would be me,” Courtney said in a giddy tone and started toward the direction the auctioneer indicated, tugging Georgia along.
Still stunned, it took Georgia a moment to regain her bearings and pull back from Courtney’s hold. “Wait.”
Her sister stopped, a little frown forming between her brows. “What’s wrong?”
Everything. “I don’t need to be with you while you meet Drew.”
“Yes, you do,” her sister insisted, smiling wide as she grabbed Georgia’s hand. “I need you to introduce us.”
She really wanted to refuse, and she’d be lying if she didn’t admit that she was envious of Courtney winning this date with Drew. Jealous, even. But she didn’t want to come across as petty. She’d already told her sister there was nothing between herself and Drew.
Georgia had had no claim on the man, and he’d already made it clear he didn’t want her. So how could she begrudge her sister this date?
“Okay,” Georgia said and exhaled a deep breath. She’d introduce them, then beeline it back into the ballroom and give Courtney and Drew time alone to get acquainted. Or maybe she’d stop in the ladies’ room and be sick. That was also an option.
She followed Courtney to the greeting area, where the first four couples were chatting. Drew stood off to the side, his hands pushed into the front pockets of his trousers, and for the first time that evening, she really looked at his gorgeous face, expecting him to be watching her sister. Instead, his intense green eyes were focused on her as they approached.
She chewed anxiously on her bottom lip and when his warm, seductive gaze dropped to her mouth, her heart beat a little faster in her chest. His eyes lingered long enough to affirm the mutual awareness and attraction between them was still there despite what had happened at the banquet. Confusion still swarmed in her belly, not helped at all by his heated stare.
Just as she and Courtney reached him, he finally shifted his gaze to her sister, an amicable smile in place.
“Drew, this is my sister, Courtney. Courtney, Drew Daniels.” Georgia quickly made the introductions. “The last thing you need is a third wheel, so I’ll let the two of you get acquainted.”
She turned to go, but once again Courtney caught her hand, stopping her.
“Wait. There’s something I need to tell you.”
Georgia forced herself to face her sister only to find a naughty glimmer of satisfaction sparkling in Courtney’s eyes. “Happy birthday, Georgie.”
She blinked at her sister, not sure what was going on. “What are you talking about? My birthday isn’t until next weekend.”
“I know that,” Courtney said, her tone exasperated at Georgia’s confusion. “He’s your early birthday present.” She waved her hand at Drew with a flourish, causing the bangles on her arm to make a tinkling sound. “I won him for you.”
“You did what?” Georgia’s eyes widened in shock while her face heated with mortification.
“I know you’re not deaf,” an amused Courtney said.
Drew let out a chuckle and Georgia wanted to die. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him and discover what he really thought about this debacle.
Instead, she gave her sister a firm look. “Umm, can I talk to you alone for a moment?”
“Sure.” Courtney smiled at Drew. “Excuse us for a second. We’ll be right back.”
“I’ll be right here,” he replied.
Georgia snuck a glance, and the corner of his mouth was quirked up in a grin.
She pulled her sister along this time, rushing them away from Drew. When she was certain they were out of earshot, she spun on her sister. “What are you doing?” she hissed.
“Matchmaking?” Courtney said, frowning at Georgia. “Why are you so upset? I thought I’d gotten you the best birthday gift ever.”
Courtney had, except for the little problem that said birthday present wasn’t interested. “There’s nothing between us to matchmake.”
Her sister laughed. “Oh, Georgie, you are so wrong. I saw the two of you at the awards banquet and the hot way Drew looked at you while you were dancing. And again tonight, his gaze followed you all around the ballroom while you did your best to keep your distance. All I’m doing is giving you a gentle push to go for it.”
“Gentle?” she practically screeched. There was nothing gentle about a public bid on a man as if she were desperate. “And what do you mean, go for it?” Courtney sighed dramatically. “Go for Drew. Spend a weekend with him. Embrace the bad girl I know you’ve got inside of you somewhere beneath that responsible, conservative personality that keeps you from being daring and fearless.”
Unable to formulate a thought, Georgia gaped at her sister, who wasn’t finished. “Go have fun without overthinking things like you always do. Relax and enjoy yourself, and for God’s sake, jump his bones, multiple times because he’s fucking hot and you deserve some really good orgasms.”