He moved to open the outer door for his assistant and gave her a sheepish smile, like that of a son caught in a guilty act. "All yours, Duhamel. You're right. We have about ten minutes before we should go and she can't wear that dress."
The older woman entered the room, discrete enough to pretend she hadn't interrupted just in time. Before Dominic closed the outer door behind him, he said, "Just make sure it's boxed and added to today's purchases."
His wink was about the sexiest thing Abby had ever seen. She fell back against the mirrored wall.
As Marie approached with a few dresses slung over one of her arms Abby said, "We were just … I mean nothing…"
Marie waved her free hand and smiled. "You don't have to explain anything to me, dear."
"I just don't want you to think…"
"What I think, Abby, is that you're going to be good for Dominic."
Abby didn't think her face could get redder.
"I know. I know," Marie quickly interjected. "I shouldn't have said anything. It's none of my business, but I like you." She held a dark blue, much more conservative dress up. "Now, go try this dress on before Dominic wears a hole in the carpet from pacing out there."
Abby wondered if Dominic had any idea how lucky he was to have Marie in his life. She reached over and gave Marie a spontaneous hug, before taking the blue dress from her. Marie adjusted her blouse and said, "Don't go getting all emotional on me, now," but her words didn't negate the pleased expression on her face.
Chapter Seven
The playful mood of the morning was gone. Abby sat next to Dominic on a dark leather couch in the corner of an immense, book lined lawyer's office. She wanted to reach over and take his hand, but instead folded both of hers in her lap. Abby didn't know much about antiques, but the vase next to her was obviously quite old and probably worth a decade of her annual salary. She'd understood what Dominic had wanted at the boutique, but here, in his world, she wasn't sure what her role was.
An older, mostly bald gentleman walked in. His casual gait halted just long enough for him to reveal and then quickly conceal his surprise that Dominic was not alone. With a nod that seemed meant for himself, the lawyer addressed them as he walked toward them.
Dominic stood, but did not extend a hand of welcome.
"Dominic," the man said with no sign of having taken offense to Dominic's cold greeting.
Dominic seemed to bristle at his familiarity. "Thomas."
"It's been a long time," the older man said and turned to collect a few papers from his desk before walking to a leather chair across from them.
"Not long enough."
"Still angry, I see." The observation held a hint of regret.
"I'm not here to rehash the past. Where is my sister?" Dominic paced before the couch, his tension filling the room.
"Her car just arrived downstairs." His regard moved from Dominic to Abby.
She stood and accepted the handshake he offered.
He said, "Thomas Brogos. Long time family attorney."
"Abby Dartley." Unsure how to label herself, she left it there.
He held onto her hand as if expecting more.
"Secretary?" he finally asked.
"Middle school teacher," she answered, breaking their connection and looking at Dominic's stiff profile. He was wound tight enough to pull a muscle. The lips that had gently caressed and teased her an hour before were compressed in anger.
"Interesting," Thomas said, looking from Abby to Dominic and back. He seemed poised to ask another question, but Dominic stopped pacing and silenced the man with a simple raised eyebrow. Subtle body language for a man who looked like he wanted to hurt someone.
"Please sit," Thomas instructed.
Dominic sat beside Abby and placed a hand on her knee, sending another message and successfully discouraging further questions.#p#分页标题#e#
The lawyer nodded, flipped open the folder and began to organize the papers to piles on a small table between them.
A tall, thin woman swept into the room in a huff. Both men stood immediately. Abby stood a second later, feeling unsure of her role in any of this.
The woman greeted the lawyer warmly, then sat stiffly in the one remaining chair and brought the temperature of the room down about ten degrees with the look she gave Dominic. The resemblance between the two was striking, leaving little doubt of their relationship. Dominic's sister wore her black hair pulled harshly back from her face, accentuating their most striking shared asset, piercing gray eyes. She was dressed in a female version of his power suit with simple, albeit expensive, shoes and only the merest hint of makeup. She was a stunningly beautiful woman who wanted her ideas to make an impact rather than her looks.