Free Jane Millionaire by Janice Lynn Page A

on a soft sultry night. Enchanting. Seductive.
    Damn. He walked over to a waiter holding a tray full of champagne and picked up a glass to down the contents.
    Tonight was going to be a long night.
    # # #
    Jill’s face hurt from smiling, but she kept her lips turned upward as she shielded her nose from Bachelor #9. Bachelor #7 had wandering hands. Bachelor #8 had stomped her toes at least twenty times and Bachelor #9, well, his morning breath had decided to stick around for the evening’s excitement and smelled like something straight from San Padres’ sewers.
    Relieved the song finally ended, she excused herself as Bachelor #10 made his presence known. She bit back a sigh and forced her smile to stay put as yet another hunky man took her in his arms.
    “You look tired,” he commented as he gracefully led her through a waltz.
    At least, he wasn’t stomping her already sore toes.
    “Uh-oh. That’s not supposed to show. I’ve still got two more dances.” She was tired. Tired of dancing with all these men when what she really wanted was to find Rob.
    No, she didn’t want to find him. What she wanted was to not even care that he was in the same room. Either way, it didn’t look like she was going to get what she wanted this evening. She kept smiling anyway.
    “Maybe no one else noticed.”
    “Maybe.” But she doubted it.
    “And maybe the next two won’t use your feet as target practice.”
    She laughed. A real laugh compared to the feigned ones at Bachelor #4’s incessant jokes. Ugh. “That would be nice. Was I grimacing that badly?”
    “No, you were very gracious and kept your smile in place even after most women would have politely--or not so politely--excused themselves.”
    “Most women aren’t having their every movement, and word,” she added, remembering the mike she wore. “Taped.”
    “True.” He smiled, and Jill relaxed. She took a closer look. Bachelor #10 was a ruggedly handsome blue-eyed blonde who looked like he should model Stetson cologne for a living.
    “I can’t remember your name. I’m sorry. I know it’s terribly rude of me as each of you introduced yourselves after I came downstairs, but the names ran together,” she said in her most practiced princess voice.
    “Bachelor #10, Jeff Kensington.” He grinned, not seeming to care that she’d had to ask.
    “You’re the safari doctor?”
    He nodded, his smile reaching his eyes, letting her know he truly loved what he did.
    “Tell me about your work.”
    As they swayed to the music, he did. The song ended quicker than she would have liked. Jeff was a wonderful dancer, and the medical missions he was involved with in Central America fascinated her. But Bachelor #11 patiently waited for his turn.
    The next two dances passed pain free, and she managed to keep a smile plastered on her face for the cameras.
    The bachelors milled around sipping champagne and chatting. She joined the closest group--Jeff Kensington’s group. She’d fulfill her obligations by mingling with the men and would hopefully see Rob before the night ended.
    No, she didn’t want to see Rob. She needed to forget Rob. She’d keep her eyes on the bachelors. However, if Rob just happened to wander into her field of vision, well, a girl couldn’t be blamed for looking. She mentally rolled her eyes, but kept her smile bright.
    The next two hours flew. Jill allowed the men to convince her to join them in a few more dances—just not 4, 7, 8, or 9.
    Someone tapped on her shoulder, and she turned to see which bachelor wanted another dance, praying it wasn’t one of the dreaded four. She’d only had two glasses of champagne but her insides bubbled with giddiness when she saw the tall, obscenely handsome man standing next to her.
    “Rob!” He was the last person she’d expected, but the one she’d longed to dance with all night, if she was honest with herself. She raked her gaze over him. His tux fit to perfection, emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow hips.