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“Hey, doll. I have come at Mr. St. Claire’s request for his lady,” she announces.
“Oh, I’m no?—”
The older lady studies me and smiles.
“So you’re Kalum’s lady.” Her gaze sweeps me from head to toe. “Yes… I can see it. You’re breathtaking, my dear.”
“I was thinking Balmain for tonight. Baroque jacquard dress, short, tight, high neck with a double strap sandal, black and gold.”
The woman’s eyes light up. “Oh… yes, I have the new collection, and it will look perfect on her. Chic, classy, but very sexy. It will make her legs look like they go on forever.” She walks to the Balmain section on the floor. “I have to be careful with you, Janine. You might take my job,” she teases.
“And give up my good job with Mr. Sensitive and Condescending? Never,” Janine says playfully.
“He’s that bad, huh?” I chime in.
“Yes, but he is nice and reasonable when it comes to you for some reason. It’s like he can’t say no.”
“We’re just old friends.”
“I think he wants to be more than friends, but I don’t want to pry into your personal relationship.” She stops at a rack of dresses. “Oh, wait. Maybe I do. I love a good love story. Even if I prefer women myself. Either way, love is love.”
I like Janine and her craziness. She’s a great assistant to Kalum. She has a way of making sense while keeping you on your toes.
40
KALUM
Iwait for her to be dropped off at the front of the restaurant. My clients are already inside, seated at the table, but I’m dying to see her first. To walk in with her by my side and take her to dinner. My hands are shaking. The Rolls pulls up with Cason’s men trailing.
I wave them off when I step out. I want to see her first.
Janine texted me a few minutes ago with two words.“You’re welcome.” Whatever that means.
When the car stops in front of the exclusive restaurant, cameras flash in rapid succession when I open the door. One long slender leg with golden skin slides out. My breath catches in my throat when Aura, with her silky straight brown hair with a hint of red, slides her slender hand into mine, and I help her out. Her makeup is perfectly applied in nude shades, and I swear, I stopped breathing for a second.
I ignore the flashes from the cameras behind me as my eyes rake over her. She looks sexy from the designer knitted dress to the delicate nail polish on her pretty toes. She looks like a model on the cover ofVogue.
When I pull her to my chest, I close my eyes briefly so I can smell the flowery scent of her perfume. I’m almost tempted toditch the dinner and place her back in the car and take her back to my apartment and peel that dress off while I taste every inch of her skin. I want her all to myself.
“Do I look okay?” she asks in a soft voice.
“You look perfect. You look gorgeous, Aura. Thank you for coming with me.”
She gives me a white-toothed smile. Her straight white teeth against her lips make my pulse beat uncontrollably. I give her my arm, and we walk inside the restaurant.
We make it to the table where both men are seated. They stand when they see me approach with Aura.
“Hello, gentlemen. Aura, these are my business associates.” I point at the man to my left. “This is Mike Ryder.” And then I point at the man seated next to him. “And this is Frank Ipstein. I have an upcoming project in a partnership. They are building a tall skyscraper here in New York that I am funding.”
“Hello,” she says with a nervous smile.
I don’t like the way Mike looks at her. A little too hard for my taste, but I let it slide. This time. I give him a hard stare when I catch his gaze. He wipes his brow nervously. Frank smiles at us both but looks away and takes his seat after Mike.
I hold out Aura’s chair beside me.
When Mike takes his seat, he glances at Aura once again when she scans the menu. I talk about our business to avoid reaching over and strangling him. I don’t know why, but anyone who looks at her like they are fucking her with their eyes, I want to commit murder.
After we agree on the date when construction will commence, Mike clears his throat. “So Aura. How is it that you know Kalum?”
