“If you’ll excuse me.” He stands, and casts me a lingering look filled with fondness. “I do hope you reach out, Victoria.”
I watch him leave the balcony. He finds his fiancee, a gorgeous woman in her twenties, at the top of the stairs. The two share a passionate kiss before descending back downstairs.
It’s strange. Reynard really does look like he loves her, when he’s all but admitted that he’ll cheat on her. I’m curious to find out what made him like…this.
I sit in silence for a while, tucked under the throw-blanket and clutching my wineglass, staring at the moon hanging high in the sky, shrouded by thousands of stars.
That’s where Asher finds me some indeterminate amount of time later. “Hey,” he says softly.
I smile at him. “Hey yourself. Did you have a nice catch up with your grandparents?”
“I did. My grandmother loves you, by the way. She couldn’t stop gushing about how beautiful and clever you are. My grandfather even seemed to approve, which is no small feat.”
“And your brother?” I ask. Asher picks me up, takes a seat on the stuffed lounger chair, and deposits me on his lap.
“I think he actuallynoticedyou, which is good. He probably sees you as a worthy adversary on account of your work and your brother.”
I cast him a frown over my shoulder. “Adversary? Why do I have to be anadversary?”
“He doesn’t have friends, and you’re not enough of a threat to be seen as an enemy. As far as I’ve seen, he places people he notices in a few categories; ally, adversary, enemy, or lover. You’re not an enemy, lover, or ally, so you’re an adversary. Worthy of caution and respect.” He kisses my shoulder. “When can we get you out of this dress?”
“When can we get you out of this suit?” I sigh. After comfortably goingyearswithout sex, I’m perpetually horny, thanks to Asher’s stunning ability to deliver earth-shattering orgasms.
“Not for a while. I plan to fuck you in it at least once.”
“Well.” I shift in his lap so I’m facing him, and lean in to kiss his neck. “We should probably get to that, shouldn’t we?”
Epilogue 2
Victoria
Dubai Grand Prix
“Who isthathottie?”
I follow Amanda’s line of sight, recoiling when I see she’s looking at the VIP lounge that overlooks the paddock and track, where my brother andReynardare looking out on the race track, standing side by side.
Dear god. “Which one?” I’m almost afraid to ask.
“6’4. Stormy grey eyes, square jaw—”
That describes both of them. My brother is just about a carbon copy of what Reynard looked like at his age, and Reynard has a silver-fox appeal about him.
“Which one?” My voice is slightly more shrill. If Amanda’s eyeing my father, that could actually amount to something—no matter that he’s getting married in a few months.
“—looks to be 30 or so.”
“Thank god,” I murmur.
Amanda casts me a surprised look. “You know him?”
“He’s my brother.”
“Oh.” She blinks. “Oh. Think you could introduce us?”
“I could, but it wouldn’t do any good. He’s not one for relationships.”
Amanda frowns. “And?
