She doubted that. He’d barely given her the time of day before moving on to a woman with an impressive cleavage. So why the sudden interest now?
Confusion reigned as she forced a polite smile. “I’m flattered.”
“You don’t look as if you belong here any more than I do,” Tristan said, echoing what would’ve been London’s opinion a few short weeks earlier.
She glanced away from him and surveyed the party guests, noting the difference from the charity event where she’d first met Harrison and his brother. That evening the women had been dressed in expensive gowns and dripping with jewels. They’d navigated the room dispensing sugary phrases in droll tones.
Tonight’s assembly wore jeans, team apparel and the occasional blazer or party dress. London recognized that she stood out in the leopard pumps she’d borrowed from Maribelle and her classic little black dress. As when she’d gone to the racetrack in Richmond, her styling choices highlighted that she didn’t have much in common with these unpretentious people. No wonder Tristan had approached her. He wore a gorgeous custom suit in dark gray more appropriate to the yacht club than a tent.
“I have to admit this isn’t exactly my regular crowd,” London said, hating the way that sounded even though it was true. “I take it you don’t have much to do with Crosby Motorsports?”
“Hardly.” Tristan glanced around before leaning down as if to share a confidence with her. “My brother is the one who likes to get his hands dirty.” His sneer made his contempt for Harrison clear and the contrast between the brothers grew starker. “The fact that he races cars has made him an embarrassment to our family.”
London wondered if Tristan had any idea she and Harrison had been seeing each other. “He’s quite successful at it.”
“Successful...” Once again his gaze moved over her, this time lingering at her neckline. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those racing groupies. You appear to have a little too much class for that.”
The man’s prejudice was so blatant that London found herself momentarily speechless. And as she grappled with a response, it occurred to her that she’d been equally snobbish in the beginning, before she’d gotten to know Harrison. Shame brought heat to her cheeks.
“Feel like getting out of here?” Tristan’s fingers curved over her hip, lingering for a few seconds as if to test her reaction. When shock kept her from pulling away, he must’ve taken that as encouragement because his palm slid over her backside and he gave her butt a suggestive squeeze. “My house is twenty minutes away.”
London thought about the flash drive she’d taken to carrying in her purse. What excuse could she give Harrison that would let her slip away with Tristan and get the information off his computer? Her mind spun as she conceived and discarded a dozen justifications for leaving the party with Tristan. None of them made any sense.
“I—”
She never got to finish her refusal because Harrison emerged from the crowd and spied her standing with his brother. His brows came together in a frown that was half annoyance and half confusion as he noticed where Tristan’s hand had gone. With an inaudible gasp, London stepped away from Tristan and tried to catch Harrison’s gaze as he approached them, but his attention was firmly fixed on his brother.
“What are you doing here?” Harrison demanded, his expression and tone unfriendly.
“I am the head of Crosby Automotive.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“This is a family business,” Tristan pointed out.
“And you’ve made it pretty clear you want nothing to do with us.” Harrison’s eyes narrowed. “Or at least that’s been your attitude before your profits started to dip. What? Are you hoping to convince Jack to help you out financially?”
Tristan’s expression darkened. He obviously didn’t appreciate his younger brother pointing out his shortcomings.
“I don’t need his help or yours,” Tristan said. “And this little shindig of yours is a complete bore. I’ve got better things to do.” With an elaborate sigh, he glanced at London and gestured toward the door. “Shall we?”
Harrison turned stunned eyes her way and London opened her mouth to explain, but her scrambled brain produced no words. Why hadn’t she come straight out and told Tristan she was dating Harrison? Scheming was not her forte.
“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Harrison said.
“Why don’t you let the lady decide?”
“Ah, actually I came here with Harrison,” London said, cringing as she realized it was too little, too late.
She now understood that balancing her growing affection for Harrison against taking down his brother wasn’t possible. It was either one or the other and the moment for her to choose was now.
“You two are dating?” Tristan asked, laughter in his voice.
“Well...” she hedged.
Harrison suffered none of her hesitation. “Yes.”
While Tristan laughed at their diverging answers, London stared at Harrison. She found herself short of breath as their gazes clashed. In his sea-glass eyes she saw her future. The beauty of it struck her and suddenly she wanted to cry. She’d ruined everything.