All Bets Are On by Cynthia Cooke Page A

with someone like him had made her forget all her troubles.
    And gave her a whole set of new ones.

Chapter Fourteen
    Derek spotted Jaclyn and her friend as soon as they walked into the ballroom. She looked incredible in a long, shimmering gown of gold that hugged her body in all the right places. What made her even more beautiful was the plain fact that she didn’t realize how truly stunning she was.
    He approached her at the bar, leaning in to give her a kiss. “You look incredible.”
    She turned her head slightly so his lips pressed against her cheek. “Thank you, Derek. You look nice, too.” She gestured toward her friend. “This is my friend and business partner, Trish Anderson. Trish, meet Derek.”
    Derek’s gaze swept over Trish, who looked the complete antithesis of Jaclyn. Too blonde, too made-up, too flashy. “Nice to meet you,” he said, holding out his hand.
    Trish placed hers in his for far too brief a second. He only got images of shoes and purses before she pulled her hand away. But he’d bet a trip to Hades she was the foundation’s embezzler. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Derek. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
    Beside him, Jaclyn sucked in a quick breath.
    “Oh, not too much, I hope,” he said with a wink.
    Trish playfully flicked his arm with her hand. “Only the most scandalous details.”
    Jaclyn’s mouth opened in outrage as she glared at her friend.
    “Kidding,” Trish said, holding up her hands. “Oh, look there’s Robert. Finally.” She waved to a man just coming in the door. “Have a good time, kids, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” With the twist of her wrist, she was gone.
    “Unbelievable,” Jaclyn pushed through gritted teeth.
    “That’s one word,” Derek agreed. He couldn’t say he was sad to see her go, but he was able to determine one thing. Trish liked expensive things. “Can I get you anything? Wine? Champagne?”
    Jaclyn nodded, looking distracted. “Something white and fruity.”
    “All right. I reserved us a table on the verandah.”
    “Great,” she said, distracted. “There are too many people and too much noise in here.”
    “If you’re sure. I feared you’d be disappointed. You seemed to enjoy the ballroom last night.”
    She looked up, finally focusing on him, and grinned. “Not as much as I enjoyed the rubber chicken. I was so looking forward to a repeat.”
    He leaned in close to her. “I hope that’s not all you are looking forward to.”
    She held her ground. “Don’t get your hopes up too high.”
    “Ah, but you know how much I love a challenge.”
    She actually rolled her eyes and he couldn’t help his wide grin as he walked around the other side of the bar and ordered her wine and himself a scotch. She certainly wasn’t like any other woman he’d been with in a very long time. Usually the pretty little empty heads couldn’t wait to please him, saying anything he wanted to hear, doing anything he wanted to do.
    “So is that her?” Minos asked, coming up to stand beside him.
    “Yep. The same one you torpedoed when you blabbed to my sister about our bet.”
    Minos looked stricken, like he should. “I should have known that Deirdre would spill the beans. Sorry, Boss.”
    Sorry didn’t cut it, but Derek didn’t say anything. Not here.
    “She’s quite the looker,” Minos added after a long silence.
    “You sound surprised,” Derek said dryly.
    “Well, you never would have guessed from her online profile pic.”
    Derek spun around and faced him. “Why not? She’s the same woman.”
    “Yeah, minus the glasses and that hair, it’s…”
    “It’s what?” he pressed.
    Minos gave him a conciliatory smile and shrugged. “It’s pretty nice.”
    Derek’s stare hardened, his voice deepening. “I’m glad you like her, now make sure you stay away from her.”
    “Why?” His minion sounded almost disappointed.
    “Because I don’t want you playing any of your games with this one.” The warning was clear; what