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“What’s in the tube?” asked Kendra.
Emerson opened the tube and slid out the contents. Out came a gorgeous lace parasol with an ornate, jeweled ivory handle. She wasn’t sure whether to be gobsmacked or laugh as she was pretty damn sure she was holding the parasol or umbrella of Viktor Romanov’s great-great-grandmother. Deciding the two were not mutually exclusive, she began to laugh.
She pulled up her e-mail and sent him a note confirming her availability for lunch. As she hit send, Emerson wondered if the charming façade he’d shown her last night and this morning didn’t mask something far more dark and sinister.
CHAPTER 4
EMERSON
Dressing to go to lunch with Viktor was proving to be difficult. Emerson had declined her sisters’ offers to help. She wanted to dress in a way that was professional—after all, he could prove to be a great source of referrals—but her female vanity also wanted to be somewhat provocative. How the hell did she pull that off?
Opening her closet, Emerson pulled out several things before putting them back. She thought she had settled on a pair of ethnic print, wide-leg pants and a solid wrap top, but as she pulled out the top, she found the perfect maxi dress made out of ecru bohemian lace that went from a more solid top to a more open bottom from mid-thigh down. It was sleeveless with a deep, plunging V-neck. She added flats in the form of leather lace up boots, a chunky bronze bangle bracelet and coordinating earrings. After applying her makeup, she decided to leave her hair in a braid.
“Whoa!” exclaimed Kendra as Emerson headed down the stairs. “You look incredibly sexy and yet still professional with a bohemian edge.”
“Just the look I was going for,” responded Emerson.
“Good. You have on flats. If he gets out of line, you can kick him in the nuts and run like hell,” added Tegan.
“Well, you two follow up with the people from last night’s event. I’ll go see what it is that Mr. Romanov is after.”
“I don’t know what he had in mind when he invited you, but once he sees that outfit the only thing he’ll be interested in is you. You look absolutely stunning,” said Kendra.
“Thanks. I shouldn’t be overly long; it’s just lunch.”
Emerson breezed out, trotting down the front steps and over to the garage that had once been a carriage house. She eased into her beloved red 1929 Ford Model A Roadster truck and pulled out into the driveway before waving to her sisters who stood on the porch. She loved her restored truck. Oh, there were purists who said she’d ruined it by adapting a modern motor, installing a nav unit, Bluetooth sound system, heating, air conditioning, and windshield wipers. But she didn’t care. She hadn’t found this old truck and given it a new life to take to car and farm shows; no, this was her everyday driver.
She punched the button to engage her mobile phone. “Romanov Imperial.” Viktor’s company was a multinational conglomerate holding company. What it actually did was somewhat unknown, and some of the rumors were unsavory, ranging from laundering money for the Russian mob to providing information and personnel to several intelligence agencies.
The phone was answered by a woman with a soft, sexy southern drawl—the kind of voice Emerson often wished she had. “Romanov Imperial. How may we assist you?”
“Good morning. Emerson Ravenel. I need to speak to either Mr. Romanov or whoever keeps his schedule. I’m supposed to meet with him for lunch, but he didn’t leave me a time or place.”
“I’ll put you through.”
There was only a moment’s hesitation before Viktor’s deep, sultry voice answered. “Emerson, how delightful. I had planned to call you a little later to see if the delivery had reached you and to see if I could persuade you to have lunch with me.”
Why was it everything about the man was so damn arousing? His voice was like the most sensual caress. Emerson imagined it wasn’t so much that one heard Romanov’s voice but rather experienced it. It wasn’t just that she could hear him; she could feel his voice as it rolled over her like some kind of immersive sensory experience.
“Although it isn’t necessary, I do have an opening today and so figured the least I could do was meet you for lunch. However, you failed to give me a time or place.”
“I didn’t want to presume and had planned to send my car.”
“Not necessary. I have a few errands to run so thought I’d fit them in and around when and where you wanted to meet.”
“In that case what about the botanical gardens at say one?”
“The gardens are closed today, and the restaurant is under renovation.”
“Such things are unimportant to a patron. If one will suit you, then I will meet you at the gate.”
“Sounds good; I’ll see you then. By the way, thank you for the return of my shoes and the lovely flowers. I’m afraid I can’t accept the vase or the parasol, although both are lovely.”
“If they pleased you then I must insist you keep them.”
“You can insist all you like, but I will have them returned. They are far too valuable. I’ll see you at the botanical gardens at one.”
She ended the call before he could respond and then ran a couple of errands, managing to get them all done before she made her way into the botanical gardens’ parking lot. As the gardens were normally closed, she was able to park right beside the entrance gate where a horse-drawn carriage was waiting. Emerson rolled her eyes as she got out of the car. She had no idea—other than the obvious, although given that he was way out of her league it seemed rather far-fetched to think he was looking to get laid by her—what his end game might be.
