Viktor nodded once and headed out. Going into business with Abram two years ago had been one of the best decisions he’d ever made. He hadn’t even known he had a half-brother until three years ago.
He texted his driver as he headed toward the art center and away from whatever commotion had just happened. It was fairly late for a meeting, but there was a piece of property he’d had his eye on and the real estate agent couldn’t show it until tonight.
The art center was silent as he stepped inside, his shoes almost completely noiseless as he headed down a long hallway that would exit onto a quiet side street. Instead of parking in the main garage attached to the convention center he’d had his driver drop him off. It made things easier when he wanted to leave. No traffic to deal with.
There were a few staff from the Celebration of Chefs and probably from the art center itself along the hallway, acting as ‘security’ so people wouldn’t wander into closed display areas they weren’t allowed in. But everyone was silent as he passed, simply smiling politely and nodding.
When he pushed open one of the glass double doors at the end of the long hallway, the salt-tinged, slightly humid Miami night air rolled over him. The heat of summer could be sweltering during the day but at night it was more than bearable, especially with the breezes.
Not that he cared about any of that when he spotted the tall, sexy Dominique talking quietly to a man around her height. At least with her heels they were the same height. They were standing near a built-in bench along the sidewalk next to a cluster of palm trees. Even though it was evening there were enough lights around the center, including one nestled in the palm trees, to illuminate her perfectly.
When she shifted her feet he realized there was another woman next to the man. A petite brunette with Mediterranean coloring who was tucked up against him, her arm wrapped around his waist. They were all murmuring quietly.
The goddess had her back to him, showing off the sweet curve of her ass and her toned calves. It was like she’d walked out of his fantasies. Her long, blonde hair cascaded down her back in big waves and he wondered what it would be like to run his fingers through them. To wrap his fingers around a thick section and hold her head back, nibble along her neck and jaw before he claimed her mouth.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Beautiful women in Miami were a dime a dozen, but she was…stunning. There was no other word for her. Something about her poise and confidence called to him. The way she walked and moved was like…a goddess. Like she didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought about her.
As if she sensed him watching, she turned around. Her dark eyes widened, then just as quickly narrowed in clear anger.
At him.
He stilled, watching her carefully. Her reaction to him was unexpected. They’d never met. That much he was sure of. He didn’t date. And she was someone he’d never be able to forget.
Her jaw clenched as she watched him for a long moment, the anger there so clear, so potent, he felt it like a body blow.
She broke eye contact first, turning away from him, her body language changing in an instant. Her back was ramrod straight and he could practically feel the tension rolling off her.
Frowning, he headed in the other direction to where he knew his driver was waiting, but he kept her in his peripheral vision.
Only once he was inside the back of the armored vehicle did he text his half-brother. Find out who the blonde is. Her name is Dominique. I want everything you can dig up.
He wanted to do the checking himself but Abram was a genius with computers and getting into places he didn’t belong. While Viktor could eventually find out what he wanted, Abram would do it in a quarter of the time.
Right now he wasn’t feeling patient where she was concerned. He wanted to know what the hell he could have done to warrant such a reaction from a stranger.
Consider it done.
His brother’s responding text soothed a fraction of the tension surging through him. But he wouldn’t be satisfied until he found out exactly who she was. And until he met her in person.
Chapter 2
“You don’t have to stay and help. I’m fine getting out of here by myself.”
Abram watched as Lucy slid the clean champagne glasses into the storage container. She was so methodical in everything she did, so damn organized. She was the best thing that had ever happened to him and his brother. Business-wise.