Read Online Gold Diggers by Tasmina Perry - Free Book Online Page B

looked over and smiled at the old woman as Karin countered the bid. Just then, Molly’s finger soared skywards.
    ‘Molly! What the hell are you doing?’ hissed Summer, nudging her mother sharply.
    ‘Getting Adam Gold’s attention,’ whispered Molly.
    ‘Ah, and I see lovely Molly Sinclair has bid eight thousand pounds for this glorious stretch of rainforest. Well done, Molly!’ announced Tom, as the heads of the audience swivelled towards Molly, who quickly lowered a strap of her dress to show off a little more curve. For a second Molly bathed in the glory, knowing every man’s eyes were on her plunging neckline. Adam Gold smiled at Molly from across the ballroom and Molly’s eyes locked with Karin’s.
    ‘Any advance on eight thousand?’
    To Summer’s relief, Judith Portman’s hand stretched in the air. ‘Nine thousand pounds from the lady next to Molly,’ said Tom. ‘I see we’ve got a little duel going over this fine lot. Excellent stuff, ladies.’
    Suddenly, as if it had a life of its own, Molly’s hand jumped into the air again.
    ‘Ten thousand pounds! Ten thousand from Molly!’ said Tom excitedly. ‘Any reply from your neighbour?’
    Molly turned nervously to Judith.
    ‘No, no, you’ve worked so hard tonight, darling,’ said Judith, reaching over and patting Molly’s hand. ‘The rainforest is yours. I’ll make do with a couple of water pumps in Nepal.’
    Molly’s hands felt clammy and her heart was racing.
    ‘I’m going to have to rush anyone else wanting theMozambique rainforest …’ said Tom, waving his gavel in the air.
    Karin looked over at Molly, a thin, triumphant smile on her lips. Molly felt her heart race, her mouth suddenly dry.
    ‘Judith, please, you have the rainforest,’ said Molly desperately.
    ‘Going … going … GONE!’
    The gavel came crashing down. Molly smiled but her eyes weren’t laughing as her stomach felt as if it had plummeted to the floor.
    ‘I do hope you’ve enjoyed yourself,’ said Karin, turning to face Adam. Sticking to her game plan, Karin had managed to practically ignore Adam Gold all the way through dinner, allowing all the other female guests on their table to flirt outrageously with him. But now she had seen Molly Sinclair making her move – she didn’t remember seeing her name on the guest list – Karin decided that it was time to up the ante. While she had no intention of sleeping with him that evening, she wasn’t going to let him go home with anyone else either. Especially not Molly.
    ‘It’s been a triumph,’ said Adam, raising his glass of champagne towards her in salute. ‘Thanks for inviting me. Looks like the auction made around two million bucks as well.’
    ‘You’ve been counting?’ said Karin.
    Adam smiled and his eyes twinkled. ‘I’m always counting,’ he said.
    Karin looked away as the jazz band launched into a tune on the stage.
    ‘So did you find this place?’ asked Adam, his eyes drifting around the room and up to the gilded ceilings. Karin watched him discreetly. He had the casual confidence of someone completely assured of his position in life. ‘Buildings like this remind me why I’ve moved to London,’ he said. ‘Back inNew York we throw a party at the Frick and think, “Man, this place is awesome!” But this place, it’s the real thing. Well, Gothic Revival, first time around, anyway.’
    ‘Mmm, you know your stuff,’ she said, nodding. ‘It belonged to the son of our first prime minister who went crazy adding turrets and extra wings, turning it into Sleeping Beauty’s castle.’
    ‘And you clearly know your stuff,’ he smiled back. ‘How about you give me the guided tour?’
    Smiling inwardly, Karin allowed Adam to lead her out of the room, his warm hand pressing against her bare back until they had walked out of the rear of the house. Outside the sky was black and cold and there was an intimate stillness that made Karin feel slightly exposed.
    ‘So, why did you move to London?’ asked