I glanced over and checked her out. Alicia twisted her fingers again, and I frowned. I didn’t like that habit. She wore a beautiful cream dress, hair upswept, with a few tendrils curling around her face. Alicia wore heels and a diamond pendant I’d bought. Her makeup was natural and not overblown. Alicia was understated, elegant, and exactly what I imagined.
“Perfect, darling,” I said with a slight frown.
“What?” Alicia demanded, looking worried.
“Just mind the fatty foods, Alicia, you’re starting to look a little hippy, and that dress shows off everything,” I commented mildly.
Alicia flinched, and then smiled. “Of course,” she murmured.
“Come on, let’s go.” I held out my hand, and Alicia placed hers in mine. I rubbed my thumb over her engagement and wedding rings. They weren’t the original ones I’d given her. Those had been the best I could afford back then. Now I could buy better and more expensive things, so I did.
Alicia’s former engagement ring had a half-carat diamond. This one sported five carats and caught everyone’s eye. It made a statement. Her wedding ring also held three carats. Once I’d begun making a profit, I’d taken to spoiling Alicia. It gave me joy to see Alicia dressed in clothing and jewels I’d bought for her.
I led Alicia out to the car and helped her in. Again, Alicia had learned that women of our class didn’t get in and out of a vehicle themselves. They were handed in and out. Alicia smiled up at me, and I couldn’t help it; I leaned forward and kissed her lips lightly.
“Touch your lipstick up, honey,” I said.
Alicia pulled down the sun visor and did. When I climbed into the driver’s seat, Alicia was yet again perfect. I was so damn proud of my wife.
On entering the lounge of Sinclair’s mega-mansion, I should have been nervous; I was the youngest man here at twenty-six, but I wasn’t. The surrounding men ranged from thirty to forty-five, all self-made billionaires and powerful. Aaron Sinclair was a venture capitalist who rarely took an interest in a fast-expanding business. He went for more long-term prospects, those who’d proved themselves. Aaron held the power that could make or break a business and a government.
Brock Gardner ran the top investment brokerage business in the states and had as much influence as Sinclair. If I could secure funding from either of them, I’d be a very happy man. The third person on the team was Dax Maverick. He owned a luxury travel company with several cruise ships, private resorts, and trains.
The fourth was famous for his foul-mouthed tirades and for not holding back. Ryder Jasper didn’t care who liked him or who didn’t. Jasper, a corporate raider who took no prisoners, was cold and methodical when asset-stripping those unfortunate companies he acquired.
The fifth was Jude Knox, who ruled a media empire with an iron fist. No doubt about it, I should have been intimidated. The five of them were known as the Funding Five, having helped many businesses succeed.
“Oliver!” Aaron said with a smile, holding out his hand. I grasped it and then accepted the other’s handshake.
“This is my wife, Alicia.” I completed the introductions, knowing they were unnecessary, but I still did them. Alicia would have studied the files I’d given her on these men and their wives and would know the appropriate responses.
“A pleasure to meet you,” she said, smiling sweetly.
“Would you like a drink? Winona is checking dinner,” Aaron replied.
“A soft drink for me, I’m driving,” I responded.
“It’s okay, darling, I’ll drive,” Alicia offered, and I ran a finger down her cheek. It was possessive and claiming, and I knew it.
“Are you sure?” Of course, she was; this was something we’d planned.
“Definitely. Oliver likes whiskey on the rocks.” Alicia smiled shyly.
“Alicia, this is my wife, Winona,” Aaron stated proudly as a beautiful woman approached.
“Hi Alicia, why don’t you come join us in the kitchen? We’ve mocktails,” Winona asked with a warm smile. Alicia glanced over, and I kissed her gently.
“Go have fun,” I murmured as my gaze warmed. Alicia blossomed under my scrutiny and followed Winona.
Alicia
After dinner, we congregated in the lounge again. The men took seats at one end while we sat around a small coffee table. The chatter had been pretty much what I’d expected until now.
“I have to ask, Alicia, where did you get that dress?” Saska inquired as she sipped a mocktail.
“Oh, this?” I asked, looking down. Concerned, I bit my lip. Did they like it?
“It’s stunning and looks fabulous on you,” Winona agreed.
