had a room here at the Golden Duchess. It was nothing fancy, one of their basic hotel rooms, but it worked for him. When he had arrived last night, he had been in no mood for company, more concerned with seeing Avery again tonight. Worried that he had messed up his chance with her and that she would never forgive him.
That’s why, when he entered the grand ballroom and glanced at the stage, he felt like he had been kicked square in the gut by Tank. Avery stood front and center on stage, illuminated by a spotlight. Gone were the torn jeans and tank top, and the down to earth woman he’d come to expect. In their place was a fucking knockout. She wore a slim, form-fitting black and silver number that sparkled beneath the spotlight. The dark brunette hair normally worn so carelessly in a braid or ponytail was artfully arranged, and she wore makeup that made her eyes, those big doe eyes, appear even more hauntingly beautiful.
He stood still, transfixed, as he watched her address the crowd.
“In honor of them, and all future scientists, I want to thank you all for coming tonight. Get your bids in by ten, eat, drink, and enjoy the evening. Without further ado, I would like to introduce the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Maestro, take it away.”
The spotlight shifted to the orchestra and the dance floor as music began. It was a fast jazz number that blared through the ballroom. Avery descended the stairs from the stage, and Colt lost sight of her for a minute. He marched through the crowd, past full tables of people eating and laughing.
Nothing mattered but finding Avery.
They met at the edge of the dance floor. “Avery.”
She seemed to drink him in with her eyes, but then her gaze shifted and grew wary. “Colt, I didn’t think you’d come.”
“Dance with me.” He approached and circled her waist before she could refuse him.
He could see it in her eyes. She wanted to fight him. If they’d been alone, she would have. But she conceded with a tight nod and grim smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Colt didn’t waste time, pulling her out onto the dance floor just as the orchestra switched to a slow waltz.
“What are you doing, Colt? Why are you here?”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for what I said, and the way I acted. I need to explain.”
“I can’t do this right now.” She shook her head and wouldn’t look at him.
His heart hammered in his chest. “Please, before you turn me away, I need you to know something.”
“And what’s that?”
“I love you, Avery. And I know I have no right to ask—no, to beg—for your forgiveness. But if you would please hear me out, give me five minutes to explain… and if you find that you can’t forgive me after that, I’ll leave.”
“I can’t,” she said, her eyes swimming with unshed tears, and she pressed her lips together.
Defeat slammed into him. He was truly damned, and had destroyed the best thing that had ever happened to him. He started to release her, but she continued, “I can’t do this right now. If you could wait until the auction is over, then we can go to my place and talk. Will you wait?”
Hope gathered in his chest. She wasn’t turning him away yet. He swallowed past the lump in his throat and said, “For you, Avery, I’d wait until hell froze over.”
She gave him a tremulous smile. “Okay. There’s lots of food and drink. I need to go check on the caterer, and…”
He squeezed her waist and released her. “Go. I’m not going anywhere, except off the dance floor.”
“Thank you. I’ll find you as soon as it’s finished,” she said, and zipped away with that same energy that had drawn him to her from the first.
Colt found a spot near the bar where he could watch all the action. He even found something that he bid on. He figured it was something he could write off as a charitable donation if he won, and it might not hurt as an act of penance on his part.
And, as the night progressed, he watched Avery. She dazzled and entertained. Gone was the science klutz, and he began to wonder where the woman he’d fallen for had disappeared to. He ended up with the winning bid, and pocketed the diamond tennis bracelet. If Avery wouldn’t accept it, he could always give it to his mom for Christmas.
But then she was