The Billionaire's Reckless Marriage (Limitless)

“Look.”

He nodded toward the auctioneer, who was sweating profusely under the bright spotlight. A large drop of sweat was suspended on a wrinkle near the top of his forehead. Unable to tear her eyes away, she watched with morbid fascination as the shiny liquid quivered on the ridge and then began a slow downward trickle. It paused on top of his eyebrow for a moment, then dropped down to his cheek and continued its trek. Finally, it reached his chin and plummeted through the air, landing in a puddle at his feet. An actual puddle!

She covered her hand with her mouth to keep a giggle inside, noting a new drop had already formed on his forehead.

Finn leaned close to her ear again. “We hire Chuck for every auction event, and he sweats like this every single time.”

Laurie knew they had paid to fly him to the fundraiser.

“Why?” she whispered back.

“Because he also volunteers at one of our teen camps.” Another drop of sweat splashed to the floor, as Finn continued, “A big heart makes up for a little sweat.”

She knew the comment was meant to help with her nerves, and part of her didn’t want it to work. But it did. And she loved him for it, even though it hurt.

Chuck announced the jewelry set, and she rose to her feet, surprised when Finn stood with her. He lifted the tux coat from her shoulders and slipped it on, before tucking her left hand in his arm. As he walked up the steps with her and across to the center of the stage, he joked about avoiding Chuck’s puddle. By the time he left her to stroll across on her own, her knees had stopped shaking.

“Tell us, Laurie,” Chuck said into the microphone, “how does it feel to wear those Avanza diamonds?”

He approached her where she stood, diamonds sparkling under the hot lights, and pointed the microphone at her mouth. Laurie gave him a genuine smile. “I feel like I’m worth a million bucks.”

Chuck’s laughter shook another drop of sweat to the stage floor and he swept his arm toward her in a grand gesture. “There you have it, gentlemen. Here’s your chance to let your lady know what she’s worth and change the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands of kids at the same time. Now what am I bid?”

He started his auctioneer chatter, so fast Laurie couldn’t understand the words. As the bidding went on, Laurie was called down to the floor level so that bidders could inspect the jewelry more closely. The price went sky high, with several internet bidders competing as well. Then the auctioneer announced, “Going once, going twice… Sold to bidder number 517 for $1,245,000!”

Amid the claps and cheers, Laurie removed the jewelry and handed it to the assistant, surprised to feel bare without it. She risked a quick glance at Finn, but he was already preparing to make the final acknowledgements to close the event, except for the music and dancing to follow. As he took the stage, achingly handsome in his tuxedo, her heart got stuck in her throat. How could she have even dreamed he would love her the way she loved him? What would a man like Finn Anderson ever see in a woman like her, other than a diligent, passionate employee? Looking back, every word and action, even that fateful kiss he’d resisted with such persistence, had the singular purpose of keeping her at a distance. To protect her. If only he’d had the guts to tell her the brutal truth, she might not have fallen for him so hard… so deep.

The next two hours she worked her tail off, discarding her blistering pumps to pad around in bare feet, hiking the hem to avoid stepping on it. She was so busy handling the payments, arranging for delivery of the auction items, and directing the cleanup efforts, she only had time for a hasty goodbye when her brother left. But she kissed his cheek and promised to call, having already forgiven his well-intentioned interference. When she finally dragged herself out, it was well past one a.m.

On her way to the elevator, she spied Finn at the front desk, bowtie loose, tux coat thrown over his shoulder. She could see his exhaustion in his posture as he propped his weight against the desk. Part of her wanted to march to the front and take over, sending him up to his room to rest. She couldn’t help worrying whether he’d done too much too soon after his hospital stay, putting his health at risk. But she reminded herself it wasn’t her job—Finn didn’t want her meddling in his private life. Why did it hurt so much to admit it?

Raw and drained, she collapsed against the back corner of the elevator, watching the numbers light up. All she could think about was surviving until the next day, so she could escape the nightmare. Finn would be flying home via private jet, and she was free to ride back on the train… a cross-country trip, three blessed days with no reminder of her pain.

Maybe when she returned to New York, she could find a new job. It wasn’t quitting—it was a fresh start. She’d learned, long ago, she couldn’t count on anyone but herself. So why was she being forced to face that lesson all over again, with almost every single relationship in her life? Only Stephanie had been a constant, faithful friend. Maybe it was a different lesson she needed to learn… one of forgiveness and letting go of expectations. Three days alone would give her plenty of time to contemplate. But would it be enough time to get over Finn?

Chapter 18

Laurie slipped away from the hotel early the next morning, avoiding any chance encounter with Finn. His first phone call came in shortly after she arrived at Union Station. But she wasn’t prepared to talk to him—mentally or emotionally—so she turned off her phone. In her master plan, she would compose a letter that night on the train, apologizing for what she now understood as intrusive actions that had put him in an awkward position. But for now, thinking about Finn tore her stomach up.

Desperate to keep her mind occupied until the six p.m. departure, she stored her suitcases and signed up for a bike tour of Los Angeles. What she thought would simply be a way to occupy her time turned out to be fun and fascinating, and included restaurant stops with the best tacos she’d ever eaten. The outing was great, except for when she was missing Finn… which was all the time. She kept thinking how much Finn would’ve loved it, since he liked every kind of outdoor sport and eating. Maybe she would add a postscript to her letter and recommend it for the next time he was in LA.

Back at Union Station, she turned her phone on to read a book when about fifty text messages showed up from Finn. She scanned the last few, which essentially said, The least you could do is let me know you’re alive. Call me!

A wave of guilt crushed her. She should’ve realized he would worry—he was a caring sort of man. Reasoning that by now he was on the plane bound for New York, she tapped out a message that would be waiting for him when he arrived.

I’m alive and well. Phone was off for a tour. Have a safe flight home.

She sat back, prepared to read a book on her phone until the train arrived, but her phone beeped with an incoming message.

Finn: What tour?

Should she ignore it? She wasn’t ready for a deep conversation. But what could it hurt to talk about the tour?

Laurie: Sightseeing and Tacos Bike Tour. It was awesome.

A few seconds later, another message came.

Finn: Can’t believe you didn’t invite me!