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Sizzling. The word ran back and forth through his thoughts, returning him to the image of the sexy receptionist he'd had the lucky chance to encounter earlier that day at the Robertson Corporation. The way her glance had sidled over to him as she walked into the elevator had brought out all his hunting instincts. She was intriguing. He'd sensed a wild streak in her, just beneath the surface, and it caught his interest immediately. She was attractive too, in an unusual, bohemian way. Pale skin and amber eyes, dark hair shot through with red—hair that needed to be tamed. Her body was curvy but lithe, blatantly sexy in the way she walked and moved. She'd taken the business card for The Hub. He wondered if she'd find her way over.
Who'd have guessed the chore would turn out to be so interesting? At first he'd been nonplussed when his mother requested he deliver papers on her behalf, but he soon forgot that, thanks to the receptionist he'd had the pleasure to deliver them to. Her direct gaze had been filled with blatant appraisal, as if she was scoring him on his potential sexual performance when she looked him over, and that alone made his blood roar. She was one hot woman.
He pulled the car on to the gravel driveway of his parents' home and took off his shades, dropping them on the passenger seat as he got out of the car. Instead of going to the front door, he walked further down the driveway. Reaching over the fence, he unlatched the gate and stepped inside, catching sight of his mother on the patio as he did so.
She was carrying a tray of refreshments over to a table in the shady corner of the patio, beneath the trellis laden with trailing honeysuckle and bougainvillea plants. Hearing the dogs friendly barking she squinted over and lifted her glasses in one hand, peering through them without actually putting them on.
"Vain as ever," he murmured to himself as he returned her wave. Strolling over, the hounds at his heels, he put his hands out to embrace her.
She hugged him, petite and fair against him, although they shared the same blue eyes and inquisitive minds.
"Mother, you look more beautiful than ever." He rested a kiss on her forehead.
She dismissed his remark with a wave of her hand, but beamed, nevertheless. Smoothing down her perfectly smooth, silver-gray bob, she gestured at the seat next to her own.
"You're the perfect English gentlemen, despite the dash of Greek blood you have inherited from Dimitri."
"Just a dash?" He gave her a quizzical glance as he took his seat. "You're after something. When you don't need me you tell me I'm his offspring." He already knew she was after something when he'd had to play courier on her behalf.
"Nonsense, I wanted to see you. Boredom is sending me doolally. This early retirement business can drive a person mad."
He tutted, reached over and held her by one slim shoulder as he looked her over. "The rest is doing you good. You look stronger than you have in a long while."
She shrugged from his grasp, drawing his attention to the refreshments. Zac eyed her watchfully. She hated to admit she wasn't as strong as she used to be, but he was relieved to see her with more color in her cheeks than she'd had this past year. She'd been a fit woman all her life until the previous year, when she'd had a mild stroke and her lifestyle had come under severe scrutiny.
"Did you manage to deliver that little package for me?"
"I did. And I hope you have a good reason for sending me with documents the courier could have taken directly himself."
"What did you think of the place?" She sipped her drink, feigning nonchalance.
"The Robertson Corporation?"
"Yes."
"They have a very attractive receptionist."
"Zachary!"
He rested back in his chair and chuckled. "I assume it's the company you've hired to oversee the Ashburn investments?"
She nodded.
"I checked them out online before I went over. They have an impeccable reputation. I'm sure you knew that when you hired them. Just relax."
"I'd be able to relax if you helped me with my work." The way she spoke about the company as if she was still at the helm was such a giveaway.
Zac sipped his drink, making her wait. "I'm well aware that you plan to carry on by hook, crook or subterfuge." He smiled at her benevolently.
Adrianna let out a dismissive sound then rested her perfectly manicured hands together in a contemplative pose. "You are more observant than your father, I'll give you that."
"And less easy to influence?"
"Yes." She rolled her eyes. "I suppose it's an admirable quality, even if does make my life more difficult." She shuffled in her chair. "Zachary, darling, I realize I made a mistake not encouraging you to get involved in the family business earlier, but I thought your father was right and you should establish your own interests first."
"And I agreed with that."
She nodded impatiently. "You've created a little niche of your own in the property business now, but it takes up more time than it should."
