The Billionaire’s Game of Love - Chapter One

Sometimes going home was a good idea.

This was not one of those times. Nor was this home. Not anymore.

Regan Belleck skimmed the elegant reception hall of Belle Haven, taking in the polished marble floors, fine art and crystal chandeliers. Her attention snagged on masculinity perfected.

It was his.

Regan ran trembling fingers over the beaded gown she’d found stashed in the back of her closet, stashed away like the life she’d thought she’d left far behind. A time and place she’d thought never to return to again. And less than a hundred feet away was a big part of the reason she’d spent all those years running.

Lucas Mercer.

He hadn’t noticed her yet, thank goodness. His attention bounced between those who approached him, vying for his attention. The growing numbers gave her a few moments to edge around the assembly of the Hamptons elite. She studied him and steeled herself for the reunion to come.

Dark hair that had once been an unruly frame around his face was now cut short. Neat and precise. Nothing like the impetuous young man he had once been.

The man she remembered hated formal gatherings. Champagne fountains and a designer wardrobe had never been his style. But strangely enough, he seemed relaxed and at home in his tailored suit, mingling among the rich and influential of her old life.

He’d done a lot of living in the time she’d been away, but then so had she. She wasn’t the same naïve young girl fresh home from finishing school with visions of romance, love and happily ever after.

Past and present collided as he turned.

Regan sucked in a breath as their eyes met, her pulse picked up a notch. He was not the same young man, there was no doubt about that now. His look was hardened, pretentious, his smile as fake as every breast implant in the room. The smile faltered for only a second as he excused himself from the conversation he’d been engrossed in and cut through the crowd in her direction.

If she’d even half expected a friendly welcome, she’d been wrong. There was no pretense of friendliness in his greeting.

“Which sacrificial lamb did your father send? Roxann or Regan?” His voice sent a shiver down her spine. If she had thought of his voice through the years, she’d never remembered it saying her name in such a deep and sensual way.

“My father had nothing to do with this,” she defended, even though she knew deep down her own words were untrue.

“Your father has everything to do with this,” he mocked, leaning closer, his dark eyes burning into her with a challenge to go against him once more. “Which twin are you?”

“Regan.” She replied, meeting his calloused gaze without flinching.

“And you won’t mind if I check, just to be sure?”

It should surprise her how he’d remembered one of the only sure visual ways to tell her apart from her identical twin. It didn’t. If Lucas were guilty of a poor memory, she wouldn’t be here entirely at his mercy now.

A gasp squeezed free from her tightened throat as his hand took hers, turning it gently to inspect the small birthmark on her inner wrist. His thumb grazed over the soft skin, the slightest touch almost making her forget how much she needed to hate him. She braced herself as the gaze from his chocolate eyes slid over her body, slowing only for a slight moment at the plunging neckline before glancing up into her eyes. “And is your sister lurking in the shadows somewhere, prepared to jump out and take your place and save you from the big, bad wolf?”

“I am not here to play games.”

“But games are your strong suit if I’m not mistaken? And I do have such a delightful game planned for us.”

Her back stiffened.

“Let’s get on with it then.” She really had no choice after all. If there were any other way… but there wasn’t. He would have his revenge.

“Of course.” He glanced over her shoulder and she turned to see him motion at a man who quickly scurried in their direction. “My fiancé is anxious to have the festivities over with so she can have me all to herself. Gather everyone on the terrace.”

“Right away, Sir.” The balding man scurried away, herding the masses out the large glass doors at the back of the room.

“Your first duty as my doting fiancé.” He reached inside his jacket, pulled out a thin piece of paper and handed it to her.

She turned it over and gaped. “A blank check?”

“I’m bachelor number five.” His fingers brushed lightly against hers. “Bid whatever you have to, Regan.” Tingles shot up her arm as he took hold of her hand and pulled her body against his. “Everyone is here tonight after all to see just how far you are willing to go for the man you love.”

His arm tightened against her back as she attempted to pull away.

“I do not love you.”

“That was your sister then? Really so hard to tell you two apart.” His lips barely brushed over her cheek as he gave her a light kiss. “Just think of this as a re-enactment of the last time you took your sister’s place. You were extremely convincing that time.”

Regan opened her mouth and began a quick retort, but before her mind could form any sort of defence that made sense, he was gone. His broad shoulders disappeared among the other party members already flowing to the spacious veranda outside.

Regan slipped the check into her clutch purse and debated running as far and fast as her feet could carry her. Back to the small ranch she’d been hiding these last six years. To let whatever fate her family had brought upon themselves come to pass. Instead she found herself following the crowd outside. As much as she hated to admit it, she had played a big part in that fate and unlike her other family members, she would own up to her mistakes.

If this game of his was the penance she had to pay, then so be it.

Candles and white roses covered most of the veranda. Small groups gathered and spoke in hushed tones as she made her way down the stone steps to a small platform set up in the garden near the fountain. She only had a few moments to appreciate the sunset over the bay before finding a spot near the front of the small stage.

Bachelor’s one through three were auctioned off quickly, all bringing in thousands for charity. Bachelor number four was led off stage by a platinum blonde, who looked more than pleased with her purchase, if the amount of times her hand strayed to his behind was any indication. Regan’s gaze slid back across the stage as the balding announcer stepped back to the microphone and declared the next bidding.

"Ladies and, well...ladies. Next up for your bidding pleasure we have our host, Lucas Mercer." The announcer’s melodic voice boomed over the hush that had descended over the crowd. On cue, he strode confidently toward center stage. His very presence demanded acknowledgement. An aura of barely controlled power drew every female gaze to him.

The stage rose nearly four feet off the ground, and from where she stood, she could take in a lot more than just the fine fit of the suit coat on his shoulders. His trousers fit twice as nice, accentuating muscular thighs when he moved. Regan let her eyes skim slowly up his broad chest till they arrived at his sculpture perfect face.

A dark brow arched in question as he caught her checking him out. The simple gesture sent her pulses racing.

"The bidding will start at a thousand. Do I hear a thousand dollars?"

"A thousand," she heard from somewhere behind her.

Regan smiled. He expected her to bid. He’d commanded it after all. And she was very sure the almighty Lucas Mercer was very accustomed to everyone doing exactly as they were told. She couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if she just stood there and let him be bid off to one of the butt-grabbing women in the crowd.

"I have one thousand." The announcer’s shout jerked her back to the present. Lucas’s piercing eyes sought out hers once again. He stood with hands on hips, strong, lean, powerful and he knew it.

She hated that about him. The smug satisfaction of knowing he had all the power. Her father had been the same way. Everyone was his pawn to control and life was a game to play. Winning was all that mattered, no matter the cost or who was hurt along the way.

"Two thousand." Another bid was yelled out.

Lucas shot her another look, this one laced with a tinge of fury. It thrilled her that for a short moment the power was hers. He’d been right about one thing, if he wanted a game she was more than capable of giving him one. A feeling of control eased through her and she smiled, motioning for him to give a little turn.

A delicious shudder ran through her body as he stood still, his gaze boring into hers before sliding slowly down her body. His eyes lingered only for a short time at her breasts, yet her body responded as though he possessed the ability to see through the thin layers of silk that covered her.

Her arms steeled on each side, as she fought the overwhelming urge to cover her body from his appraisal. His eyes returned to her face and her lips curved into a slow sensual smile.

The game was definitely on.

"Do I have three?” The emcee questioned. “The bid is two thousand..."

“Five thousand!” Whispers filled the garden as another bidder vied for top spot.

Lucas stared down at her as if he could impose his will with a mere look. She arched her brow and made the same motion with her finger for him to give her a little turn. Regan held her breath as he finally turned slowly, removing his jacket to give a much better view of his powerful body.

“Ten thousand,” she shouted out, raising her hand.

The emcee called out for more bids, and after a few tense seconds, he hit the small gavel against the podium and the bidding officially came to an end.

Regan stood her ground as Lucas grabbed his jacket and exited the stage, cutting a path through the few rows of people that separated them.

As he reached her, he took her hand in his. The heat of the sudden contact sent a bolt of awareness through her already statically charged body. His larger fingers wrapped around hers, turning her hand over before bending slightly and placing a tender kiss in the sensitive flesh of her palm.

“You like to live dangerously, don’t you?” he asked.

“Very.” Oh yes. A little danger could be a very good thing.

“Shall we dance?”

“I’ve just bid an outrageous amount of money on you. I do believe you owe me at least that.”

His hand brushed against the bare skin at the small of her back as he led her to the dance floor. The musicians began a slow number and they began to move together. Her hands roamed up over his hard chest, savouring the strength of him. The tantalizing scent of his cologne tempted her to lay her head against his shoulder and breathe in all of him.

She looked up into his eyes instead.

The heat she saw there frightened her.

“What would you have done if I hadn’t bid on you?” she questioned, a feeble attempt to break the sensual spell surrounding them.

“Ah, but you did,” he replied with just a touch of the playfulness she remembered from him.

“So what now?”

“Now we dance.” His hand tightened around hers as he maneuvered them toward the darkened edge of the veranda. Heat coursed through her body as his fingers dropped lower on her back and he pulled her against him.

“But we can’t dance all night.”

“Can’t we?” His fingers tightened, pulling her closer against his strong all male body. Warmth rushed through her at every point of contact. “All night is not a problem for me, Regan.”

Her breath caught. His innuendo was not lost on her. There had been a time when she’d wanted nothing more than to be in his arms like this, to have him say these things to her. But he’d chosen her sister.

The memory broke the languid spell he’d cast over her. She’d gotten lost in the moment and nearly forgotten the real reason she was here. He didn’t want her now any more than he had then. She was just a means to an end. He’d use her, humiliate her and throw her out when he was done.

That was what she needed to remember. Lucas Mercer was an evil man and enjoying a moment of dancing in his arms was not a luxury she could afford.

Lucas looked down at the woman in his arms.

She hadn’t changed much. Her body was graceful and fluid, every movement practiced and smooth.

The dress fit her like a second skin. Black silk and intricate beadwork, it flowed over every curve. Tiny straps held the dipping bodice over perfect breasts. Every now and then, when she’d move just right, he’d catch a hint of a smooth, flawless curve. The jet-black material heightened the glow of her healthy skin and when he could force his gaze up, he noticed the color also accentuated the dark rim around her deep green eyes.

Her hair was swept up and held in place at the back of her head. Tendrils of coffee colored silk escaped. Ringlets teased along the nape of her neck and framed her face, drawing his attention to generously curved glossy lips.

He looked down into her eyes and his body reacted instantly. He wanted her. Not the sort of reaction he’d thought to have with a woman who had ruined his family.

Dancing with Regan was something he’d never done. He’d danced with her twin and they were nearly the same person. They’d shared everything after all.

Even him it seemed.

That was a line a smart woman would never have crossed.

“I think I should get you some refreshments. Champagne?” He pulled away, putting some much needed space between them.

“That would be nice.” Her smile faltered for only a second. “And I think I’ll excuse myself to the powder room.”

Lucas watched the sexy sway of her hips as she strolled through the couples still dancing. He waited for the glance back that never came before heading toward the refreshment table.

Having her around again, even if only for a short amount of time, would take some getting used to. She was more of a temptation than he’d thought. For a split second his mind remained in the past. On the night he was to have married her twin. Leaving him at the alter would have been too kind. That in itself would have destroyed his family’s reputation. The Belleck twins had something much more humiliating in mind. They’d switched places.

“I have the paperwork you wanted prepared in your office.”

Lucas grunted his acknowledgement as his lawyer, Roman Stone, walked up beside him. For a split second he debated calling the whole thing off. He’d built his father’s empire back to what it had been and more. He had everything he wanted. He’d bought his enemies home, taken over his business. But the shame was still there. The shame and the fact that a mere woman had brought it all on him.

“Having second thoughts?” Roman asked, downing the last of his champagne and switching it out as a waiter with a tray of fresh glasses strolled by.

Lucas grabbed a glass for himself as well and took a slow sip.

“No,” he replied quickly. The cool liquid only left him wishing for something stronger. Something to dull the ache building in his groin. The attraction had hit him instantly when he’d first spotted her across the room earlier. Poised, elegant and surrounded by the exclusive crowd she’d once strived to impress. But never looking more lost and alone.

“Would you like me to have the lady brought to your office?” Roman questioned, the diamond accents in his Rolex glittering as he lifted a flute of champagne to his lips.

Lucas weighed his options even though he knew already what his answer would be.

“Yes. Find her and bring her to my office.”

Dancing with Regan was not a good idea. Signing the papers and making this arrangement official as quickly as possible was.

This moment was one that had been six long years in the making. His father had staked everything on the marriage and merger that would have saved him from financial ruin. He’d lost it all on the whim of a pair of spoiled brats who’d had their daddy wrapped around their little fingers.

Lucas hadn’t been sure which daughter Belleck would send now that the tables were turned, he hadn’t really cared. But now that Regan was here, he was pleased it was her. It would make his revenge all the sweeter.

She was exactly what he needed. She’d hurt him the most with her lies of friendship and caring, of not wanting to hurt him. He hadn’t expected to be so instantly attracted, but it was something he could deal with. He’d been attracted before. Chemistry meant nothing. Regan might seem all sweet and innocent, but she was playing a game the same as him. That she thought she actually stood a chance against him was entertaining.

She would be a challenge he assumed. But in the end she would give in to his every demand. Family meant everything to her. If it meant saving her father, she’d make the same choices she had before.

A worthy opponent might make the next few months even more entertaining but in the end he would win.

Regan and her family would pay.

He’d just have to be a little more careful and keep his guard up. Off guard was not a place he found himself anymore after all.

Especially with a woman.