Page 1 of Wicked Lord

CHAPTER 1

A TROPHY WIFE

Lorelei

An unexpected nervous flutter cramped my gut as Brock extended a hand. “Would you care to dance?” Mossy green eyes locked on mine, a practiced smile sliding across his lips. A smooth waltz played in the background, but I could barely hear it over the sudden wild thundering of my pulse.

I eyed my would-be fiancé, and then the circle of socialites watching our every move. It was the first summer event of Copper Cove’s mythical social season and everyone and their mother had come out in their finest.

The picture-perfect Brock Haversham was the center of attention tonight. As the son of a rich Texas oil tycoon, he didn’t often attend the East Coast charity event scene, and the horde of single ladies were dying to sink their manicured nails into him. His father had recently bought a summer home here in Maine, an escape from the brutal Texan summers, according to my dad. He and Brock’s father were acquaintances, having met at someparty for the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in D.C.

And now, in just a few short months, Brock and I were to be engaged.

I stared at his hand like it was a venomous snake, coiled to strike. Despite the smooth smiles and gentlemanly demeanor, there was something about Brock that had my hackles raised. This was only the second time I’d spent any sort of quality time with the guy, and he’d been on his best behavior all night. Maybe I was just going crazy?

According to my dad, I should be thrilled by thisadvantageous pairing. His words, not mine. I was freaking twenty-one and had zero interest in getting engaged right now. My life was just getting started, and I didn’t want to be tied down to a thirty-six-year-old and start popping out babies, no matter how much money he had.

“Lorelei?” Brock’s eyes narrowed as he stood there with his hand hanging in the air between us.

“Oh, right.” I placed my palm in his, and again, that overwhelming feeling of wrongness skated up my spine.

Oh, God, how was I supposed to have sex with this guy if I couldn’t even stand touching him?

Stop, Lorelei. You’re getting ahead of yourself here.

So far, Brock hadn’t done anything remotely psychotic. And I knew psychotic, because I’d fucked the king of unhinged men, Killian Davenport, on and off throughout my sophomore year at Stonewall University. He was one of the Lords, a powerful group of guys within the Sigma Delta fraternity who ruled the campus.

Hell, they seemed to rule the whole town of Copper Cove.

Thankfully, I had the summer off so I wouldn’t have to think about or see the jerk who broke my heart when he pickedthelove of his life over me.

Burying those thoughts to the furthest corners of my messed-up psyche as Brock escorted me to the dance floor, I forced myself to keep an open mind. Jealous gazes swiveled in my direction—a good number from my own sorority, the Zetas—and practically drooled over my date. Maybe being a trophy wife wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

When we reached the center of the dance floor, Brock swept me into his arms. His hold was formal, arms stiff as they encircled me. This guy definitely worked the cotillion circuit in Texas, no doubt about that.

“You look beautiful, by the way,” he whispered as he led me into a waltz.

“Thanks.” A stupid blush coated my cheeks.

When was the last time a guy actually paid me a compliment? Was I really that deprived of male attention? I did look beautiful in the pale pink ballgown I’d been forced to buy from a thrift store.

“You look good, too,” I mumbled.

OMG, kill me now. Did I just say that out loud?

I hated to admit it, but I found Brock crazy intimidating. Maybe it was the age thing or the money, but I’d never felt this way around anyone. That must have been it. He wasn’t this scary bad guy, but maybe he was just that different from the college guys I’d dated.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know you better.” Those eyes dipped to mine, and a swirl of heat brushed across my cheeks again.

Before I said something stupid, I pressed my lips together and nodded.

“What sorts of things do you like to do in your spare time? Are there any charities that you’re involved with? There are a number of worthy organizations in Houston that I think you could take a liking to. All the wives are involved?—”

“Wait, in Houston? We’re going to livethere?”

“Well, of course we are. Where else would we live? That’s where my business is.”

Shit… how had I not even thought of that?