Page 10 of Robert

Giving the driver the order to depart, he pressed the button to ensure privacy and asked if she wanted champagne.

“I can’t say I have ever been in a full-service limousine before. It is well stocked, right?”

He nodded. “Coffee or champagne?”

“Oh, champagne, absolutely.” Her smile rivaled that of the midday sun and had his hands clenching. “So, Robert, shall we talk about what you do?”

He handed her the flute and poured his own, setting the bottle back into its icy bed. Pushing the button, he slid it back in place before settling back in the seat.

“You want to talk business?” His dark brown brows lifted slightly in inquiry.

“I am fascinated by business and especially the kind of business you are in. Oh, this is damn good.”

His lips quirked in amusement, and he watched as she took another sip and then another.

“I am happy you like it. It’s from my vineyard in Verona.”

“You have a vineyard?”

“Several.” He watched her with that intense look that was beginning to unnerve her. “You want to know what we do?”

She nodded.

“Faulkner Industries as the name suggests, is diversified. We are into discovering new enterprises and building on the ones that exist. Example, software, electronics, factories all over the world.” He sipped his champagne thoughtfully, relishing the taste of the very fine vintage on his tongue.

“There was a time when I could not tell the difference between fine wine and vinegar.” His mouth twisted slightly. “I had to learn the difference; it was very interesting.”

She tilted her head in that delightful way of hers and made him want to bridge the distance between them and take her mouth that surely tasted like the wine she was sipping. He wanted to sip from her and wondered if being this close to her was advisable.

“You must be very proud of your accomplishments. I read in Business Weekly that you made a deal with the Chinese to lower import and export costs on certain items.”

His brow lifted slightly. “I had no idea you were that interested in the industry.”

She shrugged, one slender shoulder lifting elegantly. “I had to do some reading up on the man I am about to enter into an agreement with.”

“Interesting turn of phrase. Agreement.”

Her tapered eyebrows rose. “Isn’t that what it is? An agreement?”

He did not respond immediately, causing her to wonder what he was thinking. He was exceedingly difficult to read, something she had a feeling that had been perfected over the years. She had also read about his meteoric rise over the years and knew that he was a force to be reckoned with.

“We are here.”

It would be later when she returned home, that it occurred to her that he had not responded.

The gallery was situated in the middle of the busy and popular area of what was termed the ‘up and coming marketplace’ and was where the extremely rich and famous do their browsing and hanging out.

The long strip had a scattering of well-known restaurants, quaint store front shops, museums, antique stores, a health store and a gym owned by a famous action movie star.

Taking her elbow, Robert ushered her through the glass doors that opened into a wide area where people were already gathered, sipping champagne, and admiring the artworks grouped on the various walls.

There was an upstairs section, where still more people were gathered and the press, who had been privileged to attend, snapped pics of the celebrities present.

Ellie, the editor of ‘Celebrities Now!’ made a beeline towards them, her pointed face zeroing on the fact that they were together, and he had his hand on her arm.

“Want to do this now? Or should I get rid of her?” He murmured, bending so that he could be heard.

“She will only speculate.” Turning her head, she gave the woman a charming smile. “Ellie, how nice to see you.”

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