Page 130 of Strange Seduction
“Oh, I get it now! So like… you pay people to build stuff? You must be very rich.”
He puffed up immediately. “Well, I like to think so.”
“I like richandsmart people,” I purred.
He blushed.
I leaned slightly over the display, pretending to inspect the model. My neckline dipped just enough to keep his eyes exactly where I wanted them.Predictable.
“What’s that?” I asked, pointing toward the carved detailing along one of the walls—an element I’d actually helped Theo choose.
“Ah,” the man said, peering closer. “Those are etched design features. The architect added them for texture. It’s actually…pretty well made.”
“I think so too,” I nodded. “It makes the whole thing look…timeless. Especially with those big windows.”
He leaned in, warming to the performance. “Yes, yes… this is very good work indeed—”
“What’s very good work?” another voice cut in.
We both looked up to see a visibly balding man approaching.
“None of your concern,” the first man snapped. “I’m educating this young lady on the details of this model.”
The newcomer took a long, calculating look at the display. Then at me. Then back to the pervy man with thick glasses.
“Itiswell done,” he said slowly. “But I’d rather hear from theactualarchitect, Martin. Not an idiot.”
Glasses flushed a dangerous shade of red. “The only idiot here is you,Jack-ass.”
And just like that, they were off.
Doubt: Guess this is Martin and Jack?
Looks that way.
Their raised voices drew over a small cluster of investors, eager to watch the alpha standoff. I stepped aside with a demure smile, letting them battle it out like toddlers.
“Whoa, whoa—fellas. Let’s not argue in front of the lady,” one of the older men said, stepping between Jack and Martin.
“It’s that clown’s doing, sir,” Jack snapped, smoothing his jacket. “I was just trying to admire this display.”
The lead gentleman stepped closer to the table.
Closer to me.
He leaned in, his breath grazing my cheek, and for a second, I wondered if he was about to kiss me.
My eyes drifted behind him, right to Theo. He stood cool and detached next to an amused Carter, sipping his drink as he watched the scene unfold with unreadable calm. His gaze met mine, and I took note of how tightly he gripped his cup. I took a noticeable step back from the man before the cup ended up at his temple.
I felt eyes on me.
They burned into the side of my skull as I tried to focus on the task at hand. But the stare made my neck hot, and I finally scanned the room. My glare landed on a very annoyed Vince standing at the back of the room. I didn’t even know he was here this evening. I hadn’t seen him since that day in his office, and I wondered if Theo did something to him that made him look at me with so much…irritation.
I don’t want you around Vince anymore.
Theo’s words rang in my ear. I looked away from Vince because it didn’t matter what happened between Theo and him. Theo said to avoid Vince, and I was gonna respect that.
My loyalty lay with him.Always.
