Unbelievable Read Online Free Page B

Sebastian accepted her edict. “Fair enough. Are you ready?” He held out his hand to Brandi.
    Ready? Good God, no, she wasn’t ready. But at this point, Shay had left her little choice.
    She really didn’t want to touch him again. That one brief handshake had been enough to give her gooseflesh. Just looking at him made her heart beat faster. But she took his hand anyway. It was so large, it swallowed her smaller one. She noticed again that his palm was callused, his skin warm and dry. She actually liked touching him this way. Somehow, the gesture felt right. But she knew getting close enough to that big body to dance—to let him hold her—would be a mistake. She’d probably make a fool of herself and she couldn’t bear that. Not with him.
    Better to discourage him now; it would save them both a lot of aggravation.
    Shay had disappeared after the first picture—she was probably hiding. She’d dumped a volatile situation in Brandi’s lap with no warning, and though Brandi knew Shay meant well, Brandi was now in the unenviable position of turning down a sinfully gorgeous, sexy man.
    “Mr. Sinclair…”
    “Sebastian.”
    She faltered just a moment, then nodded. “Uh, right. Sebastian.” She looked around the room, avoiding his direct gaze. “I can understand the need to protect Shay’s reputation by going through with a few harmless photos. But there’s no point in carrying this farce any further than that. The idea of a trip together is absurd.”
    “No, it isn’t.”
    She frowned at his firm disagreement, but he didn’t give her a chance to argue. He towered over her, his expression mild, his tone calm.
    “Your sister has made me your gift. By now, everyone here knows it. If we tried to avoid the trip, someone would surely find out and the auction would lose its credibility.” He tilted his head at her. “Why are you so set against going?”
    Since she couldn’t very well tell him the truth, she mustered up her most sarcastic tone. “Gee, let’s see. I’ve just met a total stranger and now I’m supposed to go off on a private trip with him.”
    He only grinned at her, amused by her forced acerbity. Brandi sighed. Well, so much for insulting him. “Mr…. Sebastian. I don’t know you. I don’t know anything about you.”
    “Funny, but with the way you stared earlier, I assumed you’d be pleased to have my company.”
    She drew herself up, which was pathetic given the fact she stood at least a foot shorter than him. “You put yourself on a stage for just that purpose! Besides, I wasn’t the only one watching you.”
    “But you are about the only one who’d cause such afuss over a free vacation package! I think just about any other woman here tonight would be happy to go.”
    “Maybe I should just give one of them my gift then, and you can both be deliriously happy.”
    He stood glaring down at her for a moment, then his expression cleared and he chuckled. He had a nice chuckle…for a mountain. “Damn, I can’t believe I’m standing here debating this with you. Talk about a blow to the old masculine ego.” He took her arm and, without asking, led her toward a quieter corner. “I suppose if I must be abused, I ought to at least find some privacy so I can salvage a little pride.”
    Now Brandi felt totally flustered. Abused? She certainly hadn’t meant to abuse him. But she also didn’t want privacy. She wanted to go home to her quiet apartment and pretend none of this had happened. But looking around, she realized they were drawing notice, so she allowed him to drag her away.
    When they stopped in the corner Sebastian motioned for her to seat herself at a wooden bench there. She did, and then he sprawled beside her, taking up too much room, letting his thigh touch hers. Brandi stiffened. “Mr…. Sebastian. I’m sorry if I’ve insulted you in any way. Really. That was never my intent. It’s just that I don’t like being forced into a corner.”
    He stared at her for a moment