Mia had to admit the Bellini dress had transformed how she felt about herself. Just putting it on had immediately made her feel as though she was stepping into a role. Like an actress in a film, she could act out her wildest fantasy. Now she felt like someone else entirely.
Mia wondered if it had been a good idea to accept his invitation for coffee. She’d seen the painting. Surely it was now time to leave and return the dress before she got caught?
It was obvious she was already walking on thin ice by using the ticket to the event and by wearing such an expensive dress—someone else’s dress. Mia dreaded what would happen if anyone were to find out the truth.
She glanced at the painting once more and decided that the effort had been worth it. It was so beautiful, even more so in the flesh. Her gaze sought the stranger, Trent Mavers. Surely over coffee this man would start asking her questions. Questions she wouldn’t want to answer. She chewed on her bottom lip, anxious now to find a solution to her problem. How could she tell him she worked at a dry cleaners and had only borrowed the dress for an evening? She shook her head and corrected herself. Who was she kidding? Hadn’t she really stolen the dress? She would certainly give it a five-star clean once she’d finished with it, but she was still breaking the trust she had with the customer.
Trent Mavers, on the other hand, obviously liked this new creation of herself. It would be a big disappointment for him to learn the truth. Better to continue the fantasy. It wouldn’t hurt anybody, and she was hardly likely to see him again.
But what to say…
If she kept mostly to the truth, she wouldn’t have to lie too much. If he asked, she’d just say she was a freelance art dealer. No need to mention the dry cleaners. That way she’d know exactly what she was talking about. Yes, perfect.
When Trent Mavers looked at her once more, she couldn’t help but feel swept off her feet. This man certainly knew how to charm, and she found herself enjoying his attention.
“It’s this way.” His deep voice lifted the hairs on the back of her neck. He guided her toward the hotel foyer, and an awaiting elevator. She could just feel the light pressure of his hand on the small of her back. It made her feel very protected. “After you,” he murmured, allowing her to enter before him.
The elevator was completely covered in mirrors and gave her a perfect view of him from every angle.
Aged around thirty-five, he stood about six foot three and weighed some two hundred pounds. The cut of his expensive suit did little to hide the broad shoulders and fine physique she knew lay beneath.
Dark hair fell casually around his collar, and contrasted perfectly with the most beautiful amber eyes Mia had ever seen. Flecked with dark brown, their golden hue only emphasized the size of his pupils. Like a panther, they followed her every move. He smiled a sensuous smile with smooth, full lips, and two sexy dimples creased into the side of his face. Mia braced her back against the chrome and glass in an effort to appear calm. This man had an air of the predator about him, and it excited her like nothing she had known before.
“So tell me, Mia, why have you come all the way from Sweden to America?”
She smiled back, aware now that the questioning had begun. She needed to keep her wits about her. Tell the truth where she could, and omit the rest. “I took a master’s degree at the Institute for Fine Arts at New York University.”
He nodded, obviously impressed. “Then you have a very good knowledge of art. Now I’m glad I’ve decided to buy the painting.”
“Me, too.”
The elevator reached its destination, and the doors opened with barely a whisper, revealing a large, stylish restaurant decorated in a sophisticated combination of mahogany and chrome. Mia could see a magnificent panoramic view of New York through the large windows. The beautiful art deco design of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings were clearly visible. Their lights twinkling against the backdrop of nightfall made them seem somehow magical.
“Come.” He guided her from the elevator. “Now, over coffee, I hope you’re going to tell me what I should be buying next.”
Chapter Three
Trent Mavers couldn’t take his eyes off her as she sipped so elegantly at her coffee. She had a natural sophistication and elegance that he’d always admired in a woman. Yet, Mia didn’t even have to try very hard. It simply seemed a part of her personality. He watched her tuck a stray tendril of her baby-blonde hair behind her ear and realized that if he continued staring at her, he’d unnerve her.
After clearing his throat, he spoke, “So, Mia, do you miss your home country?”
“Of course, I miss Stockholm very much, but I miss my parents the most.” She sighed. “At the moment, there’s so much I want to do with my life. So many things I wish to see.”
“Tell me more,” he urged, stirring brown sugar into his coffee.
A faint smile spread on her lips, and she shook her head. “Oh, I’ve bored you enough already. You must tell me about yourself instead.”
Trent wasn’t in the least bored. He was so intrigued by her he wanted to know everything about her in the minutest of detail, but he decided to let that pass, for now. “Very well,” he smiled back, “but only if you promise to tell me all about your hopes and dreams for the future.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.” He took a sip of his coffee and then placed the cup back on the saucer. “I live in New York, and I deal in securities.” He leaned back in his chair. “That’s everything about me in a nutshell. Now you.”
Mia giggled and then wagged a finger at him. “Oh, no. That’s not fair. You didn’t tell me anything.”
“So what do you want to know?” He kept his voice low as he stared directly at her. He felt pleased when a faint blush bloomed on her cheeks. Mia clearly realized the implications of their conversation. They were both feeling the deep mutual attraction between them now.
A look of wariness began to form on her face. “Maybe I should be going, Trent. I’ve already taken up too much of your time.”
He realized Mia was as skittish as a newborn foal, and he decided to change the subject.
He glanced at his watch. “Look, the night is still young. Why don’t you come and watch the bidding, and then I can take you somewhere special afterwards.” He held up his hands to show his intentions were honorable. “By way of appreciation for helping me discover the next Picasso or Dali.”
He watched the subtle nuances on her face as she thought for a moment. Then he breathed in a sigh of relief when she nodded her acceptance. Trent had always enjoyed the chase, but up until now, he’d never had to try too hard. For a woman as beautiful as Mia, he was willing to work that much harder.
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
“Good.” He decided to be more open about himself, something that he found increasingly difficult the older he became. He’d always been a closed book with friends and lovers, choosing to be guarded with information about himself. It was just part and parcel of who he was. “I haven’t always lived in New York, Mia. I grew up on a ranch in Virginia.” Trent surprised even himself by admitting to such a thing. He hadn’t thought about his childhood home in a long time. Too many memories, he guessed.
“How fascinating. Does your family still live there?”
“Yes. Although you could say we’re not exactly on speaking terms anymore. I disappointed them by turning away from ranching.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Surely they must know how successful you’ve become. If they did, they would welcome you back with open arms.”
He laughed, totally charmed by her enthusiasm once more. “Sometimes things aren’t that simple, Mia.” He thought of all the harsh words he’d had with his parents and especially his father. Sometimes there was no going back. He stared at the woman sitting opposite him. Not a line or wrinkle showed on her beautiful face. Mia was young and not yet jaded by life. It saddened him to think the grim realities of the world would soon wear down her youthful exuberance, just like it had with him. He pushed those thoughts away and concentrated on the here and now. Just a few minutes in her company and Mia had injected the zest for living he used to have back into his veins. “Anyway, how do you know I’m successful?”
She shrugged. “Aren’t you going to buy the painting?”
He grinned. “You’re right, and if we don’t hurry, we’ll be too late.”
“Oh, no, you must buy it. It’s such a beautiful painting. It needs someone who can appreciate it.”
He stood and held out his hand. “Shall we go then.”
A warm, contented feeling reignited within him as she slipped her small hand in his, and they headed from the restaurant. He glanced at the woman he’d only known for an hour or so, and he felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness. At that precise moment, he knew his world had changed forever.
* * * *
Mia felt as though she were slipping further and further into a fantasy. She had been so charmed by Trent that against her better judgment, she’d accepted his invitation to watch the bidding.
The night took on a surreal quality when he won the painting. It was so exciting. Trent seemed so cool and collected, but she literally bit her nails right up until the dramatic finish. When the gavel finally banged against the wooden plinth, she jumped for joy, clapping her hands together. A spotlight centered on Trent as a round of applause rippled around the auditorium.