Submersed by Rachelle Vaughn Read Free Book Online Page B

“Daddy, it’s not serious or anything. We haven’t known each other for very long.” And that was the truth.
                  “Well, I’m glad you met someone, Olivia.”
                  I was glad it made my father happy even though he was oblivious to the dirty trick I was playing on him and everyone else.
                  “Cornelia seems to have taken to him,” I pointed out.
                  I glanced over to where Dillon and Cornelia were dancing, or more like Cornelia was groping , but Dillon was looking at me instead of his sticky-handed dance partner. It occurred to me that if I really did have a boyfriend, it would be smart to keep him away from Cornelia Davenport.
                  “She’s not who he has his eye on,” my father remarked.
                  I looked back at Dillon and he winked at me. I quickly looked away and focused on not tripping over my feet.
                  When the orchestra switched to a new song, Dillon was at my side like he ’ d never left. Somehow, he’d managed to peel himself away from Cornelia and her roving paws. My father went to dance with Gwendolyn and Dillon brought me close to his chest again.
                  “Mrs. Davenport sure likes you,” I commented dryly.
                  “She’s just trying to get Mr. D’s attention.”
                  I glanced over at Howard dancing the tango with the wannabe supermodel. “Too bad Mr. D has his attention glued firmly to that poor girl’s cleavage.”
                  Dillon’s hand crept dangerously low on my back. There was just too much of him. I was drowning in his scent, yet I knew I had to cling to him like a life preserver to save me from myself.
                  Partway through the evening and after several exhilarating dances, I’d forgotten I was paying him for a good time. It was nice having someone by my side while I made necessary small talk with my father’s associates and the charity’s committee members.
                  Last year, I had danced an obligatory dance with my father, then sat at our table watching everyone else make fools of themselves before ducking out early to watch old Katharine Hepburn movies upstairs in my room.
                  Tonight, Dillon and I danced until I was out of breath and my feet ached. He knew a little bit of every dance style to make it fun. The tango, ballroom, salsa. Knowing how to dance must have come in handy in his line of work.
                  When the event started winding down, we said our goodbyes and Dillon walked me to the elevator.
                  “Well, Dillon, thanks so much for tonight,” I said, stabbing at the elevator call button.
                  He smirked at my lame attempt to end the evening. “Are you trying to get rid of me already?”
                  I blushed and looked down at my shoes. “No.”
                  “Let me at least make sure you get up to your room all right.”
                  “Are you sure?” It wasn’t like there was a lot that could happen to me from here to there.
                  “Yeah. I have a few hours left.”
                  That’s right. He was still on the clock. I had just assumed he’d have his car brought up and then drive away into the Nevada desert. At least that would have saved us an awkward goodbye.
                  “Okay,” I said meekly. I wasn’t sure why he needed to come back to my room. I’d already paid him in advance, so what was there left to do exactly?
                  The door of my suite closed with a click and I leaned against it. It was good to be back in my sanctuary.
                  “You really pulled it off, Dillon.”
                  Actually, Dillon had charmed the