“I’d love to!” Zena eagerly accepted Oscar’s hand. “Minka, take care of Oliver until I get back.”
“Miss Z., I’ve got to be going too,” Oliver said.
“Oh, poo.” Zena pouted for a moment before smiling Minka’s way. “You don’t mind showing Oliver out, do you, love?”
Minka stood while Zena rounded the table to envelope Oliver in a hug. She gave him final orders to be in attendance for the stockholders’ meeting then set off with Oscar to the gardens.
“Your grandmother’s somethin’ else,” Oliver said.
“You have no idea.”
“Will you make me wait until the stockholders’ meeting to see you again?”
“What for?” Minka shrugged. “My grandmother already knows something’s up.”
“Yeah.” Oliver smirked. “I’m pretty sure my dad does too.”
“Will this put a cramp in your style?” Minka fixed him with a leering stare.
Oliver gave a dismissive shrug. “Most women I know don’t take me for a one-woman guy. They’ll just assume you’re—”
“Another of your harem?” She finished with a playful smile.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Most of the people you’re likely to meet will think you’re with me for my money and assume you’re just—”
“Another gigolo?”
“Sorry.” Minka grinned. “We’re quite a pair, huh?”
“We could be.” No playfulness tinged Oliver’s words. He stepped closer, cornering her near the lanai’s entryway.
“Oliver—”
“No more hiding,” he said seconds before his mouth touched hers.
The kiss was a provocative mix of sweetness and sensuality. His tongue pursued hers with deliberate teasing lunges that coaxed needy whimpers from her. When she whined his name, he chuckled softly.
“Come see me tomorrow? My office?”
“Are we going to have a meeting?” Disappointment colored her words.
Again, he laughed. “You could say that. Come see me?”
She nodded.
“Good girl.”
He put a lingering open-mouthed kiss to her neck and walked away, leaving her reeling in dissatisfaction.
* * *
“Is that what you’re looking for?” Lorna Spikes looked from the laptop to her friend’s scowling face.
“This is good work, Lorna. I definitely have what I was looking for.”
“Mind clueing me in?”
“He’s there.”
Lorna inclined her head, brown eyes narrowing. “That doesn’t go a long way in clueing me in.”
Minka was still scowling at the laptop’s screen. “What are you doing over there, snake?”
“Minka! You’re scaring me. What the hell is going on?”
“I think Will Lloyd’s up to his old tricks again.”
Lorna twirled a thin braid around her fingertip. “I’m drawing a blank on the name.”
“He worked for Qasim until a few months ago. Sim had reason to believe the guy was stealing money from a charity fund. We then caught him red-handed, and he was fired.”
“So...explain to me why this fool is working for one of our subsidiaries and not sporting the latest in orange jumpsuits?” Lorna asked after several silent moments.
Minka sighed, pushing away from the desk at her home office. “Against my better judgment, Sim decided not to press charges. He just wanted the man out of Wilder.”
“That doesn’t sound like Qasim.”
“Well...the guy’s an old army buddy. Saved Sim’s life once.”
“Admirable.” Lorna nodded from her relaxed spot on the sofa. “And understandable that Sim wouldn’t want to see the guy behind bars...but you still believe he shouldn’t be trusted?”
“I know he shouldn’t be trusted.”
“Based on the embezzlement?”
“Based on the fact that he’s been making calls to me—somewhere he just sits on the line and says nothing, others where we’ve had a few...choice words...for one another. He blames me for bringing an end to his scam.”
“Have you lost your damn mind?” Lorna’s voice was almost inaudible with disbelief. “Have you gone to the police?”
“I’ve got Walter Penner on it. He’s the one who traced the calls back to a hotel in Salinas.”
“Ah...” Realization was dawning for Lorna. “And the police?”
Minka stood and walked a short path behind her desk. “I don’t want the sleaze in jail for making prank calls, Lorna. I want him in jail for embezzlement.”
“But Sim isn’t pressing charges.”
“Sim won’t, but I would.”
Lorna whistled. “Min...what you’re talking about... it’s entrapment.”
“It would be, but I won’t have to lift a finger to set any traps for Will. Chances are he’s already working overtime on a way to screw with Calvin Spring’s company. All I’ve got to do is wait.”
“You sound pretty confident this guy’ll do something that stupid.”
Minka sat on the edge of the maple desk. “It’s who he is—he thinks he’s smarter than everyone else.”
“And is it wise to taunt someone like that? An ex-military someone?”
“As aggravated as I was over Sim’s decision to let Will get off, I accepted it. But now he’s working for Calvin Spring. It’s an investment firm, remember?” She watched Lorna nod. “It’s not as powerful as Wilder, but it could entice someone like Lloyd to dip into money that’s not his.”
Lorna leaned forward on the sofa. “I take it you haven’t shared any of this with Miss Z. yet either?”
“No...but I only just confirmed Will’s employment with a BGI subsidiary, so—”
“Minka, stop.” Lorna left the sofa. “Save that weak explanation for Miss Z. It’ll be fun to watch her rip you apart over it.”
“I don’t need her upset over this, Lorna.”
“Which you know she would be, and for good reason. Why do you have to take this guy down yourself?”
“Dammit, Lorna, I’m about to be the head of a multi-billion-dollar organization. If I can’t take down a thief, what does that say about my business prowess?”
Lorna waved off the reasoning. “Not buying it,” she sang.
Minka held her head in her hands. “Lorn...if I had just waited before going to Qasim with this, that idiot would’ve probably put his foot in it so deep that Sim would’ve had no choice but to put him in jail.”
“Minka?” Lorna took a step toward her friend and then hesitated. “You aren’t blaming yourself for a decision that Qasim made, are you?”
“No, but I don’t think I can sit by and see him get away with it again. Especially since he’s now targeting me for revenge.”
Lorna seemed more horrified the longer her friend spoke. “You really believe money is all he’s after, Min? This sounds personal. What if he wants to get closer than calling you on the phone?”
“Just set up the meeting with Calvin Spring, all right?” Minka pleaded. “I’ll get Will Lloyd out of my life before any of that happens.”
“On your own?”
“Yes, Lorn!” Minka closed her eyes, seeking to calm her heavy agitation. “I have to prove I can handle difficult situations.”
“And you think going off on your own Billie Badass mission is gonna prove that?” Lorna shook her head forebodingly. “Your grandfather didn’t get where he did by playing the lone wolf. It’s okay to ask for help, Min. A shoulder to lean on can be a lovely thing.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Minka gave a resolved sigh. “Now can we discuss how I want to handle this conversation with Calvin Spring? I could really use your help in tweaking it.”
Lor
na caught the sarcasm and groaned. “If you insist.”
Chapter 14
“It sounds like fun, Vectra. I’ve been dying to get out there and see the vineyard at night.”
Vectra’s laughter came through the other end of the phone line. “Trust me, it’s an incredible sight. So we’ll have dinner on the terrace facing the west vineyard. The sky is incredible even long after the sun sets. It’ll be a great view for dining.”
“Well, count me in.” Minka laughed.
“Yes!” Vectra sounded as if she were clenching a triumphant fist on the other end of the line. “Okay, so we’ll get started around eight. Does that give you enough time to get out here?”
“Should be fine. I’ve only got one meeting, since my boss has been in a strangely good mood lately. He gave me a few extra days off after Miami.”
“Wow...wonder what that’s about?”
Minka smiled over the blatant sarcasm in Vectra’s voice. “I’m sure I have you to thank, but I’m not about to question it. See you around eight.”
The call ended and Minka expelled a deep breath. She was at Oliver’s office for the first time. His work space paid distinct homage to his love of architecture. The rich wood paneling accentuated the black wood framework of photographs, and an inviting array of sofas and armchairs hugged corners, making for cozy nooks in the busy work space. Lamps hugged those spaces as well as the main desk and additional drafting tables the room boasted. Minka’s impromptu tour led her into a kitchen/living area along the office’s second level. She wanted to sink into the bliss promised by the oversized suede sofas of rich earth tones that complemented the carpeting beneath.
“How do you like it?”
She turned sharply at the sound of Oliver’s voice. “Sorry for snooping—your admin wasn’t specific about what parts of your office were off-limits.”
Oliver grinned. “That’s because nothing’s off-limits to you. How do you like it?”
“It’s fantastic.” Minka turned to observe the space again. “You can work, play, sleep, eat, everything from here.”
“Yeah.” Oliver looked pleased. “That was the plan when I designed the place.”
“Uh-oh.” Minka looked wounded. “Please tell me that you don’t spend your nights here on the regular?”
“Afraid I do.”
“Hmm...that doesn’t sound like the playboy I’ve heard of.”
“I’m highly misunderstood, Ms. Gerald.”
“Well.” Minka’s voice and expression held a refreshing air. “You’ve got me here now. Where do you want to get this strategy session started?”
Oliver was the one to appear wounded that time. “Is that the impression I gave when I asked you over?”
Minka smiled curiously. “It was pretty much all my grandmother talked about during lunch.”
“Oh, I think she had her reasons. And not all of them were business related.”
Minka laughed. “You caught that too, huh?” She folded her arms across the lavender wrap blouse she wore. “And you know that your dad wasn’t fooled either.”
“I wasn’t trying to fool him.”
“We should focus on what we’re here for.”
“Good idea.” Oliver seemed strangely pleased. He promptly crossed the room to relieve Minka of the work tote she carried.
“I’m going to your sister’s for dinner.”
“Why?” The news gave Oliver pause.
She smiled. “To eat? That’s usually what happens when you’re invited to dinner.”
Muttering a curse, Oliver rubbed his fingers through the curls at his nape. “Prepare yourself for a lecture on what a bad relationship choice you’re making.”
“That’s crazy. Your sister loves you.” Minka made herself comfortable on an amber lounge chair.
“I know.” Oliver smiled as Vectra’s image came to mind. “But the idea of me in a relationship gives her plenty cause for concern.”
“Why do you think that is?”
Oliver eased a hand into his trouser pocket and shrugged. “She’s got her reasons.”
“Valid reasons?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“But you still don’t agree with them?”
“I tend not to agree with things that hinder me from getting what I want.”
“Want is future tense, isn’t it? You’ve already had me.”
“I want to keep you, Mink.”
“Hmm...” She cast a lingering stare toward the ceiling. “I’m not sure I can be kept.”
Oliver didn’t return her teasing smile. “I’m serious.”
A series of dings pinched the air from Oliver’s cell phone. He cursed the interruption but gave a resigned smile when he checked the display. “Vec? Just talkin’ about you.” Curiosity took hold of his features suddenly, and a few seconds passed.
“What’s the occasion for inviting me to this dinner, and will I be PO’d at the end of it?”
“You’ll just have to come and see.”
“What’s up your sleeve, Vecs?”
“You’ll have to come and see. Will you?”
Oliver studied Minka for a few seconds and then grimaced and nodded. “I’ll be there. What time?” He nodded again and then hung up.
“Guess who’s coming to dinner?”
Her smile was sweet. “I told you there was nothing to worry about.”
“I don’t know how you figured that,” he said with a scowl.
“Well, if it helps, we can pretend there’s nothing going on.”
Oliver’s scowl deepened. “Why in the hell would you think that’d make me feel better?”
“I just meant...” Minka cut short her explanation when she realized it was doing more harm than good.
Oliver’s scowl remained in place, its darkness appearing to intensify when he joined Minka on the lounge chair. “I didn’t ask you here to talk business.” His voice held a calm that belied the fierceness of his expression. “I have no plans to act like I don’t know you.” His stirring gaze took a quick, heated trip down the length of her.
“Okay.” Her heart was in her throat as her expectations mounted. She began to speak and then seemed to think better of it.
“What?” Oliver dipped his head to urge her to continue.
Minka focused on her hands in her lap. “I have to leave here soon to head right out to Vectra’s if I plan to make it on time.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t take long with you.”
Expectation had Minka’s heart dancing from her throat to her stomach. “I just don’t, don’t think I’ll have time for a shower.”
Oliver erupted into laughter then. If he hadn’t known it before, he knew it then. The woman had completely endeared herself to him.
“Is that funny?” she asked in a small voice.
“I can’t get over how precise you are.”
She conceded with a shrug. “It’s the mark of a good admin.”
Curiosity took hold of his gorgeous features. “Why that job? It’s a noble one for sure, but you could’ve come on board as a VP or something. Sim would’ve probably created a position for you.”
Minka looked ready to laugh. “Not all billionaires have massive egos, you know? I guess it’s all about that plain ol’ Minka persona I wanted to build. Besides, as Sim’s admin I’m not restricted by the expectations of a title. Being an admin is more freeing.”
“Your family did an excellent job raising you.” He rubbed one of her curls between his thumb and index. “I’ve known women with far less who expect far more.”
She smiled.
Oliver dropped a hand to his knee as if he’d suddenly recalled something. “You haven’t seen every room in this place, have you?”
“I...” Minka looked
bewildered. She accepted Oliver’s hand when he offered it.
Together, they walked in silence, taking a short spiral staircase at the rear of the living area.
“Oliver, where...? Oh. Oh...wow.”
Oliver stopped at the door frame and let Minka walk ahead. He enjoyed the sight of her strolling the bath. By then, he was sure she thought he and his sister had some weird obsession with bathrooms. He smiled, watching as she ran her fingers across the sink’s brass fixtures and the glossy dark oak finish of the privacy panel shielding the toilet area at the far end of the room.
The cabinets were inlaid with mirrors and had Minka imagining what it’d be like to make love in such a place. The idea hit her out of nowhere, and she shook her head to try ridding herself of it. Oliver was still leaning against the door frame, but she felt as if he were much closer.
She rested against the oak counter space and studied the skylight above without really seeing it. Her mind was clearly on other things. It was a heady feeling to know that the man every woman wanted, wanted her.
Oliver pushed off the jamb and joined her at the counter. Gently, he tugged Minka to her feet and directed her to stand before him while he took her spot on the counter.
“This is convenient,” she marveled at the room, her dark eyes alight with amusement. “Comes in handy when you entertain, I guess?”
Oliver took no offense, merely making a tsking sound as he made slow work of appraising her body beneath his gaze. “There you go thinking the worst of me again. This is where I work, Minka. I never entertain here.”
She swallowed, faintly arching into the slow outline his thumb was making around the curve of her breast. “What’s this, then?”
He smiled. “This is me changing that fact.”
“You’ve put a lot of thought into this place,” she said as he began undressing her.
“I did,” Oliver said softly. “It takes proper attention to bring any space alive.”
Minka sucked in a sharp breath. She dragged her eyes from the high, open ceiling to Oliver, who had used an expert’s touch to relieve her of the lavender blouse and bra. Her fingers lightly cradled the back of his head, her nails tangling just barely in the soft, chestnut forest of his hair. His head dipped and moved as he licked and suckled her nipples, using a tireless rhythm that forced needy moans from her throat.
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