Page 57 of The Mastermind

I hadn’t been able to think of a solution, so for the last few weeks, I’d let things move at their natural pace. Neither of us brought up the topic, even though it stirred in the air and followed us everywhere. At least it felt like that to me.

She swept a gaze over me, touched the lapel on my Brioni tux, then yanked at the tie she’d chosen for me. “This Armani ivory shirt coupled with the Hermès aqua tie brings out your eyes. I think I did a fabulous job picking these out for you. You look dapper and . . . rakish.”

I laughed, and her eyes crinkled, obviously satisfied with my reaction.

“I love it when you smile.” With her index finger, she drew a smile line in the air. “It makes me want to cause trouble with you, DLS.”

She’d never let that name go. I never realized something as boring as “Dangerous Line Segment” or “Dangerously Loaded Smile” would make me feel so worthy.

“I’m always up for causing trouble with you. Name the place and time. We can make interesting ‘line segments’ connect . . . intersect. Tangle.” I winked at her.

She laughed. “Leave it to you to make math sexy.”

“It’s the company. When you’re around, I’m wired differently.” I offered an arm to her. “Ready to go?”

I’d already brought our small luggage down to my car and booked a two-bedroom suite with a gorgeous view of the shoreline.

“Yes.” She slipped her hand through my arm, and I led her down a hallway to my private garage, where my BugattiChiron was parked.

Audri gasped. “We’re takingthiscar?”

“Since you were so fascinated by it, I figured it was time you got a ride. It’ll be back in my secured garage after the event.”

“Yes, please.” Her eyes beamed as her fingers traced its exterior like the first time she’d seen it.

As we drove to Newport, Rhode Island, she glanced around the car, touching here and there as though she was marking my car with her scent.

“It rides well,” she said. “Very smooth and quiet. The insurance must be obscene.”

“It is, but it’s worth it. It’s not just a car. It’s a collectible, an ‘obscene’ piece of art that I don’t drive often.”

“How many people have you driven in here?” she asked while her fingers caressed the dashboard, making me wish I was the damn dashboard.

A smile crept onto my mouth, hearing the question behind the question.How many women have you driven in this car?

“You’re the only woman who’s had the privilege of sitting in that seat. Your brother and the other boys are the only other people. Is that the answer you wanted to hear?”

“If that’s the genuine answer, then yes. I only want to hear the truth.”

“Thatisthe truth, Audri.”

“Thank you for the dress too.” She folded her hands and placed them on her lap. “You didn’t have to buy it for me. I have dresses at home.”

“I have clothes at home too, but sometimes, it’s nice to go shopping for something new, like the start of a new beginning. Besides, I loved the spark in your eyes when you spotted it and wanted you to have it.”

Audri and I went shopping a couple of days ago, although I didn’t like to shop. Normally, I’d call up my stylist at various stores, told them what I wanted, and they’d deliver the products. I enjoyed shopping with Audri. We’d been spending a lot of time together, like a couple.

“I’ve always been drawn to aqua. Do you know what I thought of when I saw the dress?”

“The beautiful water in Hawaii?”

“You,” she said. “The aqua reminds me of your eyes . . . and Mochi’s eyes too, though his had been a shade darker.”

Her words shifted something in me.

Women had told me they loved my body and my face, but the simple way Audri said it affected me the most. The color had a deep meaning for her. I didn’t have conversations while I had sex with a woman. It was a physical union, something to achieve pleasure, not intimacy that required conversation or emotion. So whatever those women said to me, during or after the ordeal, left with them.

It made me sound cold and uncaring, but I had been upfront with all of them and wasn’t leading them down a misguided path. Those women knew exactly what they were getting themselves into. I didn’t want any attachments or complications.

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