Because if his brother had ever looked at her in a sexual manner, Abram would have lost his mind. Which was stupid, because she was just an employee.
He placed a hand over hers, even though he knew he shouldn’t. Touching her was dangerous to him. To her as well. He had no business wanting her, for too many reasons. The least of which was that she worked for him and his brother. But mainly because she was too good for him. He’d told Viktor that the blonde from earlier wasn’t for him and he hadn’t been kidding. He knew he should take his own damn advice, but… “And you don’t need to even be here anymore. The restaurant staff should be cleaning up.” He ground out the last couple words, beyond annoyed that she was still here. She worked too hard as it was.
He glared at one of the waitstaff of the fusion restaurant he and his brother had just acquired. They were getting paid double overtime for this event tonight. He’d had to take a phone call and when he’d come back he’d found Lucy helping with the breakdown of the tables, moving around like the Energizer bunny.
“Hey, I tried to tell her she shouldn’t be helping. Three times.” The employee whose name eluded Abram held up his hands in mock defense before he went back to stacking the tea light candles. “Maybe she’ll listen to you,” he tacked on.
Abram nearly snorted. Doubtful. She never seemed to stop, no matter what task she took on. She was a dark-haired little pixie. Her espresso-colored hair fell in a sharp bob around her face. Usually she kept it stick straight but tonight there were soft waves in it and she had some sort of sparkly headband on. It should have looked ridiculous but it just made her look like a fucking princess.
Another reminder he had no business wanting her. She was too sweet and innocent for him.
She pulled her hand away from his, frowned up at him. Even in her four-inch heels she was only five feet four inches. “The faster we get this done, the faster everyone gets out of here.”
“It’s not your responsibility. They’re getting paid handsomely for tonight. Now let’s go. Viktor made me promise to get you home safely.” Using his brother as an excuse usually worked.
Her expression softened then. “That man is so sweet. Fine. Let me grab my bag.”
Abram gritted his teeth as she turned away, the fluffy skirt of her blue strapless dress twirling out as she moved. There were little sparkles in the skirt too. His brother wasn’t sweet, but Lucy seemed to think he was a big teddy bear. It was ridiculous. With him? She usually just seemed frustrated. He didn’t understand why.
She pulled a big black bag she called a purse out from behind one of the folded-up tables. It was her ‘work bag’ and he’d rarely seen her without it. The thing was so big he was surprised she didn’t topple over with it. On instinct, he plucked it from her hands.
She let it go with a sigh and he was glad she didn’t argue. By now she probably knew it was pointless.
He grunted, hoisting it onto his shoulder. “What do you have in this thing?”
“I can carry it for you if it’s too heavy,” she murmured, giving him a mischievous look.
God, what he wouldn’t give for a taste of her. Just one. “I think I can manage.”
“If you say so.”
He found himself grinning at her slightly sarcastic tone. At least she didn’t seem annoyed with him anymore. The woman made him crazy. “Did you get enough to eat tonight?” He knew she usually skipped lunch and basically seemed to exist on caffeine.
She snorted. “I didn’t get anything. I meant to, but got too busy. Hey, why are we going this way? My car’s in the parking garage.”
“I had one of the guys take it back to the office for you.” It was a company vehicle so they all had keys to it. “Viktor wanted to make sure you got home safely tonight. My driver will take you.”
“Oh…thanks.” There was an odd note in her voice, one he couldn’t define.
“Besides, I heard you say you wanted to see the Sanchez exhibit. I asked one of the staff from the art center if we could check out the display and they’re allowing us in before we leave,” he said as he opened the door to the art center. But he would make sure she got something to eat on the way home.
Sanchez was an up-and-coming photorealist artist in Miami. Abram didn’t give a shit about art but he could appreciate the man’s talent. The images were all of places in Miami or Florida and had soul.
Lucy blinked up at him, paused in the open doorway. “That’s very nice.” Did she have to sound so surprised by that?
He lifted a shoulder, uncomfortable with the way she was watching him.
She gave him a soft half-smile he felt all the way to his core. “Thank you.”
It took a moment for his legs to catch up to his brain. He fell in step with her in two strides then had to slow down because of their height difference.