Page 61 of The Mastermind

I whirled around to see a man in a white tux smiling at me. Blond hair, green eyes, an attractive face, and an overall nice build, but nothing compared to the man who overwhelmed my heart.

“It is,” I said, turning my gaze back to the shore.

The man approached the railing and stood beside me. “Have you been to Newport before?” He had a distinctive voice but not as commanding as Remi’s.

Stop comparing every man you meet to him.

“I have. The sunrises and sunsets are remarkable here.”

A gentle breeze blew by, and I shivered and rubbed a hand down my bare arm.

“It’s still chilly even for early June.” I headed back inside.

He followed me, placing a gentle hand on my back. A slow song came from the band in the corner. “Would you like to dance?”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Remi chatting with three women. Nobody owned me. I should enjoy my time tonight.

“Sure.”

“What’s your name, by the way?” He led me around the ballroom.

“Audri, and yours?” As I twirled past Remi, I sensed the storm in him following my every move. The force tingled my skin even as the nameless man took me away.

Remi tapped him on the shoulder.

The man turned. “Remi.”

“I’m cutting in.” Remi gave him a lethal stare. “You’re dancing with my girlfriend, Brian.”

My mouth dropped open.

“Oh, we were just dancing.” Brian looked down at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were with my brother.”

I knew Remi had a stepbrother, but I’d never met him.

“You’re done here,” Remi said in a bitter tone as he grabbed my hand.

Brian smiled and strode away to join a table with a group of men and women who were more receptive to him.

Remi gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “I don’t like that you gave the first dance to another man, Audri.”

He acted and sounded like a possessive lover. I admitted I was hoping to garner some reaction from him, but this whole scenario between me, him, and Alice drove me nuts.

“Well, you were busy with your harem of women. I didn’t think you’d mind if I danced with somebody. I didn’t think you’d notice.”

“I noticeeverythingabout you.” Amusement flickered in his eyes. “Now, let’s dance, shall we?”

How could he switch from cold to hot like that? He had been frigid to his brother, and now the heat radiating from his eyes made me want to escape back out to the balcony to cool off.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE

REMINGTON

The momentI saw Brian with Audri, my blood boiled. Did Brian know Audri was with me and danced with her to piss me off? Or was he simply interested in her? That could be a possibility. Men had been eyeing her from the moment we entered the ballroom. I shouldn’t have left her alone to mingle.

I knew Brian and his preference. He was like her ex-boyfriend, Kevin, who preferred to be with several women simultaneously. Regardless, Brian wasn’t going anywhere near her ever again.

Seeing them together shattered the wall I had built. That pivotal moment flashed like a lightning bolt through my mind and my heart. Any confusion, any hesitation, any doubts about being with her crumbled.I knew without a doubt . . . Audri was mine.

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