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I’m struck by the craziest thought that he’s about to kiss me. The even crazier thing is that I’m about to let him.
‘Talia?’ Kiri’s voice pierces through the door. ‘Any luck?’
I flinch, returning to reality with a jump. He steps back. Cold air ripples over the space on my back where his arm rested. I brace to stop myself stumbling after him.
Kiri’s question slowly sinks in. I’ve completely forgotten why I came in here and I have no idea how long I’ve been standing here just—
‘Glasses,’ I remember dazedly. ‘I need to find glasses.’
‘That’s why you needed to get so close just now?’ A low laugh escapes him. ‘So you could see me properly?’
‘See your tie. Yes.’ But I can only stare at him again—his smile steals everything.
‘Sorry, sweetness. No luck tonight.’ He leans forward and kisses me on the cheekbone. It’s such a soft, swift brush of his lips that I wonder if I imagine it.
I don’t answer. I can’t. My brain is mush.
CHAPTER TWO
Dain
I CAN’T REMEMBER who I am or why I’m here or what I’m supposed to be doing. All I know is a scrap of a waitress urged me to do a ‘good job’ and all I want is to please her in every carnal way imaginable. That urge was so overwhelming I just kissed her cheek and a bolt of electricity slammed into me. Fortunately my reason returned with the force of it. Even so I stare at her for a second longer. She has shockingly pretty, big brown eyes—like a deer. She’s a bit of a Bambi all round with her slim, leggy build and her glossy black-coffee hair. Pretty thing materialised just as I’d sorted the ink stain on my shirt and helped me dress like some over-efficient boarding-house matron with nimble fingers and sweet concentration. Most women undress me. This one helped me do the opposite and it was one of the hottest moments of my life. Go figure.
Talia. It’s a delicate name for a delicate creature and I’ve a craving to taste more than just her name. Sex is a private pleasure I don’t take too seriously but I must admit that being mistaken for a stripper is a first. I’ll strip if she wants—her, that is—out of that black dress. I want to do more than strip her. I want to hear her moan again. I want her to melt against me.
It’s instant and it’s intense.
But given I haven’t indulged recently, maybe it’s reasonable that desire bites so hard now. My work-life balance has been more out of whack than usual. But she’s at work and I can’t harass her. Plus she’s even more confused as to who I am and why I’m here than I am. Right now I’m too amused and bemused to tell her. And, all right, yes, aroused. So I walk out of the room and down the corridor. There’s a ripple as I walk into the restaurant. I glance behind me, stupidly vain enough to hope she sees the reaction to my arrival. But she hasn’t followed me. Deflated, I stroll towards Simone, seated in the centre of the party. The woman beside her moves to make room for me.
‘You were supposed to be here hours ago,’ Simone admonishes as we hug. ‘But I don’t mind.’
Some people write Simone off as an airhead—a Sydney society eccentric. They’re wrong. She has an astute business brain. She’s also the only person from my past with whom I retain consistent contact outside the boardroom.
‘I’m glad you made it,’ she adds.
So am I, though not for any reason to do with my godmother. I’m haunted by the sound of a sexy little inhale as I brushed that completely inappropriate kiss on Talia’s cheek.
‘What held you up?’ Simone asks.
I’m not about to offer full disclosure. ‘Meeting ran overtime. You forgive me, right?’
Simone smiles. ‘If you invest in this project, you know I’ll forgive you anything.’
My smile becomes a little fixed. Even though she’s almost family, Simone still wants my money. Like everyone. ‘You know I can’t give you an answer on that without seeing the paperwork.’
She sighs dramatically. ‘Must you be so vigilant, Dain?’
‘Always.’
Business comes first but I do owe Simone and that’s why I’m here.
My family’s been in the residential property development business for decades. My great-great-grandfather founded the business and built it to a high level of success that was subsequently almost entirely destroyed by the viciousness of my parents’ divorce. They tore the company apart as well as their marriage. As well as me.
But it was down to me to resurrect what I could from the wreckage of it all. Because of Simone I was able to fulfil the promise I’d made to my grandfather. And I’ve done it. Anzelotti is the largest luxury apartment building company in Australia. We build thousands of them each year and still can’t satisfy the waiting list.
Expansion into New Zealand hasn’t been a priority, but Simone’s been making a case for my investment here for the past two years. Having her birthday party tonight was in part a deliberate act to entice me back to Queenstown. I was happy to indulge her but now I’m distracted because Talia appears in the room. Yeah, she is the one in charge. She’s ultra-efficient—minimal actions, maximum impact—and happily she’s aware of me. It’s barely two beats before she spots me sitting next to Simone. Her face is a picture before she pulls on a professional mask. She approaches immediately. Not going to lie, I’m delighted.
‘Is everything to your satisfaction, Simone?’ she asks.
