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Antonio’s eyes clung to the stunning emerald green ball gown she wore.
Breathtaking!
Emerald green was one of his favorite colors. Actually, it was his only favorite color. He had positive association with that beautiful hue of green and it had little to do with finance. There was something calming, seductive and captivating about emerald. It was, as Lucy was, precious!
If he could remember correctly, that color was the symbol of balance and harmony, renewal and rebirth. It had been said to be an emotionally powerful color as far as love was concerned.
Love?
Why did that word love seep into his mind?
Her floor-length evening gown hugging her tiny waist and accentuating her beautiful curves and voluptuous bosom drove him virtually insane just looking at her. It was so tempting not to reach out and hold her close.
She’s beautiful. Oh, God, she’s amazing.
Lucy was certainly more pleasing to his senses than any other woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
Don’t go there, Antonio. You’re damaged, remember?
Damaged.
She doesn’t deserve you. She’ll only get hurt by you.
Those haunting words forced an emotional battle to rage within Antonio.
Lucas moved close to Antonio on the steps of the stairs and continued to watch his cousin’s reaction to seeing Lucy.
“Man, I hate being right.” Lucas grinned and shook his head. He then raised his wineglass to his lips.
Just then, one of Antonio’s associates walked over to Lucy and struck up an animated conversation. Antonio noticed the dude even had the audacity to place his hand on her lower back. Antonio narrowed his eyes. The image of another man flirting with Lucy struck a dangerous chord within him that caught him by surprise. Why should he care? Why did he care?
“I’ll be right back,” Antonio said to Lucas as his gaze followed Lucy and his associate. Antonio made his way through the crowded dance floor but not before being stopped by several guests.
“It’s a fine party here, Antonio. Thanks,” a woman said to him as she grasped his dinner jacket. He’d turned around and recognized that it was one of his contract employees at his realty branch in the suburbs.
“Thank you,” Antonio said with an air of distraction. He could tell the woman wanted to chat with him but his dark gaze was still fixed on Lucy. It was as if she was his companion and somebody was trying to step into his territory.
His blood felt as if it had reached a boiling point. His heart pounded hard and fierce in his chest. He gently placed his hand over the woman’s hand on the breast area of his jacket and placed it by her side with as much courtesy as he could.
“Thank you so much for coming…Amanda,” he said, recalling the woman’s name at the last minute. His tone had an air of finality to it. He could see the woman retreat with disappointment. He hadn’t even looked at her again.
His eyes scanned and noted that Lucy was now hidden in the sea of well-dressed guests at the affair. Music continued to blaze through the speakers and the dim ambiance of the ballroom didn’t make it any easier. The noise level was extremely high considering he was amongst three hundred excited guests. Chatter and laughter, the epitome of people having fun. Why wasn’t Antonio enjoying himself at his own event? Was it because as much as he chose to deny it, something was missing? Or someone?
“You look lost, Antonio.” It was his assistant, Mariam. She was wearing a long dark blue evening gown and looked more stunning than she ordinarily did. She’d put in a lot of effort for the occasion. Mariam was typically conservative and rarely wore makeup.
“Everything is okay, Mariam.” Antonio sighed heavily. “I’m just looking for someone,” he replied sharply. Bitterness spilled over in his tone. He didn’t like being interrupted, no matter the situation. How on earth did Lucy manage to vanish from his view so suddenly?
He needed to speak to her at once. He was so sure she would have sought him out upon her arrival. Or perhaps she was about to contact him before being rudely interrupted by his associate.
“Oh,” Mariam said, sounding surprised as she looked around. “Who are you looking for?”
Just then, Lucy appeared in front of him. Antonio’s body reacted to her stunning presence. She looked even more enticing up close. Her sweet perfume wafted to his nostrils. She smelled as good as she looked. His mouth watered to taste the sweetness of her lips again. Her gentle, soft lips.
