He stood, straightening his suit jacket, and walked away without a backward glance.
Confident.
Commanding.
Certain I would follow.
The worst part was, he was right.
I waited exactly five minutes before I went looking for him.
Chapter 2
Lucas
Iwasn't looking for her.
That's what I told myself as I waited in the garden, scotch in hand, watching the fairy lights flicker on as dusk settled over the vineyard.
After finishing my first drink, I'd stopped at the small outdoor bar nestled among the roses to get a fresh one before finding this quiet spot.
I'd attended John Parker's daughter's wedding out of obligation, not interest.
Another business associate's milestone event, another appearance to maintain relationships that kept Turner Holdings at the top of the industry.
I certainly hadn't expected to find myself waiting for a woman whose name I didn't know.
"Mr. Turner? Is that you lurking in the shadows?"
I turned to find Eleanor Chen, John’s director of operations, approaching with a flute of champagne.
Her shrewd eyes assessed me with the kind of sharp efficiency I’d only heard about in whispers from his staff.
Not lurking," I said.
"Appreciating the solitude."
"At a wedding?" She laughed.
"That's ambitious even for you."
"The ceremony was lovely."
"Which part? You were distracted the entire time." She sipped her champagne.
"The mystery woman in the gold dress?"
I kept my expression neutral.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Please. I've worked with you long enoughto know when you're interested in something—or someone."
"Careful, Eleanor. I might tell John you’re misbehaving again.”
She raised her glass in a mock salute. "And I'm still the woman who saved your Madison Street deal last quarter. Which earns me the right to say: she's too young for you."
"Goodbye, Eleanor,” I said pointedly.
