The Billionaire Date by Leigh Michaels

that he couldn’t deny, he’d left the distinct impression that they were lovers. The man was as smooth as oiled steel.
    Obviously the reporter agreed with Kit’s opinion, for she gave a little snort. “Is tonight just a publicity stunt, then?”
    â€œOh, no,” Jarrett said airily. “We’re mixing work with pleasure. We’re going to try to convince some of the team members to auction themselves off.”
    â€œYou could just issue orders, I suppose.” Melinda’s eyes, colder than ever, turned to assess Kit. “And how do you feel about Mr. Webster offering a date?”
    It was Jarrett who answered. “Oh, she thinks it’s wonderful. In fact, she’s planning to buy me, even if it costs a fortune.”
    â€œIs she, now?”
    â€œThe trouble is,” he confided, “she wants me to offer a month in the South Seas—but I think she might be the only one interested in a trip like that. And if she was the only bidder she wouldn’t have to pay a fortune, after all, and the cause would suffer.”
    Kit decided it was time to take a hand. “So would Jarrett. He can’t stand the idea that he might go cheap.”
    â€œ Inexpensive , darling. Nobody has ever accused me of being cheap.”
    The reporter sniffed and moved away. As soon as she was out of earshot, Kit said, “What did she mean, you could just issue orders? Do you own this team?”
    â€œOnly part of it,” Jarrett said modestly.
    Kit’s heartbeat speeded up. “And you’re serious about asking your players to be involved in the auction?”
    â€œOf course I’m serious. I think at least half of them are eligible. Besides, why settle for raising a mere ten thousand when we could get into truly big money?”
    Kit felt a bubble of excitement rising within her. With Jarrett throwing his support behind her—real support—the auction would be an incredible success. “Jarrett, that’s wonderful! Now I’m really seeing stars.”
    â€œI thought you’d like the idea,” he said mildly. “And just think how impressed I’ll be with your skills when you manage to recruit all these guys without me even lifting a finger to help.”
    Â 
    Jarrett kept up a steady stream of light comment all the way from the arena to Tryad. Finally Kit said coldly, “It seems to have escaped your notice that I’m not speaking to you.”
    â€œOh, I noticed,” he said cheerfully. “I just decided to ignore it. Same time tomorrow?”
    â€œAre you joking?”
    â€œYou don’t want my help?”
    â€œThis is what you call help? With one sentence to your head coach you could solve the whole problem, but will you?”
    â€œTeam manager.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe coach wouldn’t go for the idea of the auction, but the manager might. And if I took over, it would violate the whole spirit of our agreement. It might even make me question whether you could have pulled it off alone, after all. Therefore, I believe I’ll just stay out of it and let you prove yourself. Front door or back?”
    â€œI beg your pardon?”
    â€œHere we are,” Jarrett said patiently. “At Tryad. I was just asking where you left your car. I wouldn’t want you having to walk around the building at this hour of the night.”
    â€œWhat a gentleman you are.” Kit’s voice dripped sarcasm.
    â€œOf course. I simply couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you.”
    She gave up. Jarrett had obviously been born with a better command of irony than she could acquire in a lifetime of effort. “Actually, I walked to work this morning.”
    â€œWhich way?” He put the Porsche into gear.
    â€œYou don’t have to deliver me. It’s only a few blocks.” But there wasn’t much conviction in Kit’s tone. The evening was cold and moonless, and she didn’t