Page 16 of Acquiring Ainsley
“Lucky me.”
He drank some of his cocktail and devoured me over the rim of the tumbler with his dark-brown eyes.
Damn it.
My stomach twisted, and my thoughts turned back to that night at the Whitney Museum, a night when I’d also been drinking too much, and on the arm of Lawrence Chamberlain, a boring man I didn’t love, but one my father had wanted me to marry.
The memories of that night at the museum were mostly a blur, but Trevor had stopped me as I made a beeline for the open bar and another glass of champagne. It was about the same moment that I’d come to the realization I couldn’t force myself to marry Lawrence.
“It’s been a long time,” Trevor had said.
“Yes. Not that I’ve been wondering how you’ve been,” I’d replied with a tartness to my voice.
“Haven’t seen you since just after your college graduation.” His gaze roamed over my body. “A shame.”
“Hardly.”
Even with the haze of alcohol, I’d had to admit he was more handsome than I remembered. That annoyed me. Leave it to someone like Trevor to become more distinguished with time. And on top of that, there was something behind his eyes, something that felt like amusement and cunning.
“Well, believe it or not, I have been wondering about you.” Trevor lifted his cocktail glass. Soft classical music played in the background somewhere across the expanse of the museum’s gathering area. “And also, about your father’s company. I’ve been hearing a few things about—”
“Whatever you think you’ve heard, it isn’t the truth,” I retorted before I turned my attention back to the bar. I ordered my refill before answering him again. “We’re doing better than ever.”
He studied me. “That so?”
“Yes.” I put a hand on my hip. “We just reached new quarterly profit records.”
Trevor took a long sip of his drink. “Are you sure about that?”
“Of course.” Doubt pulled at my stomach, and I frowned. When the bartender handed me the fresh glass of champagne, I barely noticed it as I took it. “Why?”
Trevor glanced at the rest of the party, then motioned for me to follow him down a small corridor off to the side of the event venue. By the time we reached a secluded spot near the stairs, curiosity had washed over me.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “Whatever you want to say, I’m sure you could have said it at the party.”
He shook his head. “It’s complicated.”
“Meaning?”
He took a deep breath. “I’m in the business world, Ainsley. People talk about things behind closed doors. They whisper secrets long before those same rumors become ugly truths.”
“I’m aware, Trevor.”
“I don’t think you are.” He stepped closer to me, as if to make sure only I’d hear his next words. “From what I understand, you might need my help more than you realize.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.”
Trevor leaned down and put his mouth near my ear. He smelled like bourbon and cologne, topped off with a faint musk. The heady mixture enhanced his handsomeness, and I bit the inside of my bottom lip. I needed to steady myself and remain in control. Our families had pitted their fortunes against each other for decades, and he was my enemy, not my equal.
“You know, I’ve been thinking about something,” he said, his voice raspy and sending chills through my body. “We might be rivals, but it doesn’t always have to be that way.”
It was perhaps the last thing that I’d expected him to say. Surprised, I tried to step away from him, and instead found myself backed against the wall next to the staircase entrance. I was wedged between it, and him, and there was no moving away.
“It doesn’t?” I managed to reply.
He shook his head, then took another long swig of his drink. “We might be able to do more if we’re allies. We could run this town.”
Unconvinced, I focused on my still untouched champagne glass. “I’m doing just fine without your help, thank you very much. I don’t think you have anything I—”
