Riley sat diagonally from me, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “You’re all such idealists,” she said lightly, her tone dipping into flirtation as her eyes flicked toward me. “But it takes morethan charm to win people over. Sometimes… you just have tomake them want to say yes.”
Theo shot her a look, half amused, half unimpressed. “Ah yes, the Riley Hayes school of persuasion. Bat eyelashes, close the deal.”
Her smile sharpened. “If it works, it works.”
I nodded along but my mind was elsewhere. On the blueprints we'd reviewed earlier, the subtle flaws in the eastern villa designs, and, inevitably, on her. The woman who'd invaded my thoughts, her image burned into my memory like a brand. The pool, her eyes wide with trust and something more. I'd been rude at the end, pushing her away to regain control, but it hadn't worked. She was under my skin.
The conversation flowed around me, but I caught snippets going around. I sipped my wine, a rich cabernet that did little to dull the edge of anticipation. Dinner was meant to be a casual team affair, but I knew she'd be here. And when she arrived, it hit me like a wave.
Aurelia entered the pavilion, and the world narrowed. She wore a black knee-length off-shoulder dress that hugged her figure with elegant precision, the neckline dipping just enough to reveal the graceful curve of her shoulders. One shoulder was draped in a satin wrap, a luxurious fold of fabric that cascaded like liquid silk, adding a touch of asymmetry that was both sophisticated and tantalizing.
The dress skimmed her body, accentuating her waist before flaring slightly at the knees, a perfect blend of poise and allure. Black pencil heels elongated her legs, giving her steps a confident click against the wooden floor. Her hair was neatly tied into a bun,exposing the slender line of her neck, with a few tendrils escaping to frame her face.
She was stunning, a vision that made my chest tighten. I stood abruptly, my chair scraping back with a sharp sound that cut through the chatter. Everyone froze, eyes turning to me in surprise. Even Victor raised an eyebrow.
I cleared my throat, forcing composure. "Excuse me. Important phone call. I'll be back shortly."
Without waiting for responses, I strode out of the pavilion, my heart pounding not from any call, but from her. The lounge area was adjacent, a quieter space with plush loungers overlooking the dark lagoon, the water lapping softly against the shore. I sank into a chair, pulling out my phone as a prop, but my mind was on Aurelia. That dress, how it molded to her curves, the satin wrap like a tease, promising more. Her bun, exposing that neck I'd want to kiss, her heels adding a sway to her hips that was mesmerizing. She was beautiful, effortlessly so, a light in this contrived paradise I'd built. But beauty like hers wasn't just skin deep; it was in the way she carried herself, confident yet vulnerable.
I stared at the blank screen, willing my pulse to slow. This wasn't me, distracted, off-balance. I'd built empires on control, on keeping emotions at bay. But Aurelia... she unraveled me. Minutes ticked by, the night air cooling my skin, until I felt steady enough to return.
Back in the dining area, the team had resumed, plates of grilled seafood and tropical salads circulating. Aurelia sat among them, her laughter ringing out, clear and genuine as Theo finished another anecdote. "No way! You actually convinced the client to go with neon accents? Bold move!"
She threw her head back slightly, her bun holding firm, but a loose strand danced across her cheek. The sound of her laugh twisted something in my gut, envy, sharp and unexpected. She was so alive, so effortlessly drawing people in with her warmth, her spark. My life had been shadows for years, deals in dark rooms, the weight of family secrets. My mother had been the light once, her laughter filling our home, her stories chasing away the gloom. But after her death everything darkened. Father buried himself in his empire neglecting Anton, Zora and me. I built walls. No one lively, no one to pierce the armor. Until her. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s the crack in my armor, the one place I can’t reinforce.
I slid back into my seat beside Aurelia, the table's arrangement putting us close enough that our arms nearly brushed. The team nodded my way, but conversation flowed on. I leaned toward her, my voice low, meant only for her ears. "You enjoy keeping me waiting, Aurelia?"
She turned, her eyes meeting mine, a playful glint in them. "You're used to everyone living by your clock, Mr. Krogen? Consider this... a lesson in humility."
The retort caught me off guard, and I smiled, genuine, unbidden. "Touché. But Keith, please. Mr. Krogen makes me sound like my father."
She arched an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Alright, Keith. Only if you drop the waiting accusations. I was fashionably late."
"Fashionably stunning," I murmured, my eyes tracing the satin wrap on her shoulder. "That dress suits you."
Her cheeks flushed faintly, but she held my gaze. "Flattery now? What's next, poetry?"
"Only if it earns me another lesson," I replied. Seeing her eyes widen, I lean back as the waiter served our mains, seared tuna for me, a light pasta for her.
The conversation shifted, Vanya asking about the island's construction. "How did you even dredge the foundation? The engineering must have been insane."
I explained briefly, the reinforced platforms, eco-barriers while watching Aurelia. She bit into her food, her lips closing around the fork, the light tint of her lipstick leaving a subtle sheen. It was sensual, the way her mouth moved, deliberate yet innocent. Her dark long eyelashes fluttered as she blinked, catching the lantern light, framing those expressive eyes.
And there, just visible at the edge of her off-shoulder neckline, a small faint mole on her collarbone, barely noticeable, a secret mark that begged to be traced with a finger, or lips. The thought sent a heat through me, imagining kissing that spot, feeling her pulse quicken under my touch.
She caught me staring, her fork pausing. Our eyes locked, the table's chatter fading. "You analyze people like they're puzzles?" she asked, her voice soft but challenging.
I didn't look away, letting the intensity build. "You make it impossible to do anything else."
She faltered, a blush creeping up her neck, her eyes dropping to her plate. The way she blushes makes me want to drag her to my bed and ruin her perfectly. Satisfaction curled in my chest, a faintsmile on my lips. I leaned back, signaling the waiter. "A glass of cognac, please."
The evening wore on, desserts arriving, mango pavlova, chocolate truffles. Theo regaled us with more stories. Aurelia joined in, her laughter light, her comments sharp and insightful. I contributed when needed, but mostly observed, the cognac warming my veins.
After dinner, we strolled to the lounge area, the group relaxed from wine and good food. Vanya yawned first. "Early tour tomorrow. I'm out. Night, everyone."
Steven followed with Riley, offering a polite nod. Theo stood next, adjusting his sleeves with an easy smile.
“Excellent dinner, Mr. Krogen” he said lightly. “We’ll be ready first thing in the morning.”
