It isn’t lost on me how his gaze slides down to the mound of cleavage framed by the deep V of her dress then back up to her glossy lips.
“What kind of investing do you do?” Isaacs asks me, eyes still glued to Mandy.
“I’ll grab you boys some more drinks,” Mandy murmurs, excusing herself.
“Big developments. I don’t touch it if it’s less than five hundred million dollars, though I’ve been doing some public-private partnerships. I said I’m not doing any more government work, but then I might be able to be swayed by the right price.”
“Yeah, those government contracts. Too much red tape. But you have experience financing those?” Isaacs rubs his belly.
“Had a whole team dedicated. I was going to move them into another department.” I shrug like I don’t have them all lined up, just waiting for this port contract. “Not sure if there’s anything out there worth keeping the team in place.”
“I don’t know if you heard”—he lowers his voice—“but my firm is doing the new port.”
“Huh. I’ve been hearing about that thing for years. Did it finally go through?”
Isaacs nods. “I need to line up investors, ones who know what they’re getting into and know how these projects work. I cannot get tied up in litigation on this. I was going to self-finance, but…”
“The interest rates.” I nod sagely. “And they’re being so stingy with revenue bonds these days.”
“Exactly.”
“Let me know if I can help at all. Since your type seems to be girls who love corgis, I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you at these dog-pound functions.”
Isaacs belly-laughs and slaps me on the back again. “Dog-pound functions. You’re hilarious.”
Mandy’s back with the food and more alcohol. Her timing is impeccable. She interrupts before the conversation can peter out, and it ends on a high note.
“Scotch okay, boys?”
I take the glass, slightly warm from her hand, and savor a victory sip.
“Such a lovely, caring girl.” Isaacs takes her hand and kisses it.
The possessiveness is a claw on the back of my neck.
Mandy doesn’t seem put out. “I just like to make sure everyone is comfortable, especially Salinger.” She runs her thumb over my chin.
“You have to take care of a man.” Isaacs shakes a fist. “Women these days don’t seem to understand that.”
“Back rubs. Steak and potatoes for dinner.” Mandy smiles.
“Exactly! Don’t fuck with his food. It’s the little things.” Isaacs picks a piece of steak from the plate she holds, slurps it down. “Delicious. Too bad that and the scotch are the onlythings worth being here for—present company excluded.” He turns to the other young woman. “Claire, are you ready?”
“We just got here.” His girlfriend pouts.
“Are you ready?” I ask Mandy.
“We are staying for the auction.” Her tone leaves no room for argument.
Isaacs chortles. “I like a woman who takes charge.”
“Someone’s in a better mood,” Mandy whispers to me after Claire drags Isaacs off to look at the auction table.
“Textbook.” A grin spreads across my face. Selecting one of the themed snacks off her plate, I eat a mini hamburger decorated like a turtle, then I reach for another.
Damn, but her tits do look amazing in that dress.
Mandy’s giving me that wide-eyed look again. She quickly stuffs a mini hamburger in her mouth, chewing furiously, when she notices me watching her. “Why are you staring at me?”
