Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 34

He turned to look at her, his eyes drifting from her face down to the plunging neckline of her wine-red gown.

Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Pretty bold, asking me to pick you up right in front of Zachary."

She leaned back, tilting her head to meet his gaze.

"Zachary went to pick up Vera," she said with a coquettish smile. "So I was stranded. Cabs can't get into the VIP lane, which meant I had to bother Mr. Hawthorne to make the trip."

The sunlight filtering through the window traced a soft, luminous glow along her profile.

"You look beautiful today," he said.

Zachary had said the exact same thing half an hour ago.

Tilting her chin up slightly, her long lashes fluttered, and her eyes curved in delight. "I dressed up just for you."

In the driver's seat, Layne was gripping the steering wheel so hard he was practically gouging holes in it.

He stared rigidly straight ahead, the tips of his ears burning bright red.

To keep a low profile, his boss had specifically chosen this car—which didn't even have a privacy partition!

The car turned onto the main road and headed toward the port.

They rode in comfortable silence.

She leaned against the window, watching the city blur past. Beside her, Sebastian kept his eyes fixed on her reflection in the glass, quietly watching her the entire ride.

Upon reaching the port, a horde of paparazzi lined both sides of the entrance, their camera flashes firing off relentlessly as luxury car after luxury car rolled through.

Concierges flanked the lanes, directing the vehicles smoothly into the VIP drop-off zone.

Layne, ever the professional, discreetly parked the car in an inconspicuous corner away from the chaos.

She smoothed out her skirt and reached for the door handle.

"Thanks, Mr. Hawthorne," she said over her shoulder. "I'll head out now."

Her wrist was suddenly caught.

She turned back, meeting his dark gaze.

"Just a verbal thank you?"

Leaning over, she pressed a brief, fleeting kiss to the corner of his mouth.

"You look amazing too," she replied with a smile.

Willow peered past her. "You're alone? Where's Zachary?" she demanded, a note of irritation in her voice. "Is he not even pretending anymore? He's not walking in with you to an event like this?"

Audrina plucked a glass of champagne from a passing tray and took a sip. "Who cares about him."

Willow furrowed her brow. "What's his problem?"

"It doesn't matter." She swirled the liquid in her glass. "I don't need him to babysit me."

Just as she spoke, a voice called out from behind.

"Audrina."

It was an elderly, familiar voice, trembling with emotion.

Her grip on her glass tightened instinctively. She spun around.

An older man with silver hair stood a few steps away. Leaning on his cane, he looked at her with a face full of absolute adoration.

Audrina hurried over to him. "Waldo!"