Embrace My Heart(17)

Robb raised his glass in toast. “And now you’ve got more power than you know what to do with.”

Qasim reached for his glass, reciprocating the toast. “Making money is the best kind of therapy.”

“A woman’s love and affection can be an even better kind.”

“Robb...” Qasim rested his head against the high back of the chair. “I might agree with you if all this possessive crap hadn’t reared its ugly head again the second I admitted to myself how much I want her in my bed.”



“You promised not to do this to me, Olive.”

“Are you really gonna try to convince me that no one else here could give you a ride home?”

Vectra smiled tightly. “I can see you haven’t learned much about wooing women from your father. Taking your date back home is one of the top rules.”

“But we’re talking about you, not women.”

Vectra attacked Oliver’s shoulder with a playful yet firm punch. They both dissolved into full-blown laughter over the tease and the action that followed.

“Look, Vecs, all the men here are guys I trust.” Oliver planted a fist to the center of his chest. “I even took the liberty of asking one.”

Vectra followed her brother’s gaze past her shoulder to where Qasim approached them from the curving hallway that led to an outer balcony along the VIP room.

“Olive,” Vectra spoke through clenched teeth.

Oliver kept his voice low. “Don’t even try it. I caught your dance earlier. What was going on when you disappeared before that?” He moved on to greet Qasim with a handshake and hug before Vectra could lash out with her retort.

She kept her palms plastered at her sides to resist fisting them. She and Qasim had parted ways shortly after bestowing warm birthday greetings upon Robb DeWitt.

Qasim had stopped to talk with Robb for a while and she’d taken time to chat with Robb’s wife, Davia. Afterwards, Vectra had mingled a bit more until she’d caught up with Oliver only to have her brother tell her he’d made plans to spend the rest of the evening with one of his female acquaintances.

“I hope taking her home won’t put you out too much,” Oliver said. “I could easily toss her butt in a cab.”

Qasim grinned broadly at the man’s merciless teasing. “It’s no problem.” He waved toward Vectra. “You ready?”

“More than,” she gritted, elbowing her brother out of her way as she moved past him.

“Have a good night.” Oliver sent a wink in Qasim’s direction.

Qasim jogged a little to catch up to Vectra. She’d bolted off, taking the back exit from the VIP balcony that led down into the garden dining area. It was a lush spot smack-dab in the middle of stately trees and vibrant flora that lent splashes of dazzling color, hence Robb DeWitt’s motivation in naming his establishment Dazzles.

Vectra had taken a seat on one of the wrought-iron benches along the man-made pond that wound through the dining area. There, she had removed her shoes to massage her dance-weary feet. The black benches were accentuated with coral-colored cushions to encourage patrons to relax there in greater comfort. Vectra was securing the strap of a sandal when Qasim sat down next to her. He watched her intently—fascination pooling in his stare as it fixed on the sandal cupping her delicate foot and the thin ties about a trim ankle.

She paused before putting on the next sandal, taking time to rub her arch, using her thumb to work the muscle there.

The look of utter delight upon her lovely features held Qasim entranced. Her eyes were closed, and he thought it must be the way she appeared when she slept. He couldn’t imagine himself ever wanting to let her out of his bed if it was.

The interlude ended far too soon for his liking. Vectra finished securing the second sandal and Qasim found himself tilting his head to follow the trail of her leg bared by the raised hem of her dress. The curve of her thigh had him rubbing and squeezing his hands in hopes of quelling the desire to feel the lush limb beneath his palm.

“Ready.” She stood.

“You have a bag? Wrap?” He stood, dark gaze wandering adoringly across her bare arms and shoulders.

“Too warm for a wrap and I’ve got everything else I need here.”

Qasim watched as she patted a spot along her upper thigh. At his confusion, Vectra smirked and took his hand. She repeated the patting move, this time guiding his hand along her thigh. There was an uneven spot.

“It’s a pouch for my ID and money...”

Qasim was reluctant to move his hand when Vectra released it but made himself ease back.

“Most women need to carry more than that,” he observed.

“Most, maybe, but not all,” Vectra explained with a cool smile. “I wasn’t planning on going anywhere but the party and back home. I keep a house key hidden someplace inconspicuous, and security at the estate is amazing so I don’t see the need to bog myself down with a bag.”