“They’re beautiful.”
“They’re not the only thing that is beautiful in my home.” He turned her around and gave her this very cocky smile. It was one she had seen plenty of times with Rian. “I saw you alone, wandering the halls and admiring the artwork. You aren’t like the other snobs at the party.” He grinned again.
Oh. Ok. Wow. This guy was totally hitting on her, and she was at a loss for words right now.
“I’m Dominic Adroniv the Third.” He took her hand before she could react and brought it to his mouth for a soft kiss. “Tell me, why are you here alone…” He lifted his eyebrow.
“Sorcha, my name is Sorcha Case.”
“Sorcha, Irish in origin and meaning light.”
That took her back a step. “Yes, that’s correct.”
His smile was so darkly handsome that it actually made her slightly uncomfortable. “So, Sorcha, why are you here alone?”
“I’m not actually.”
That had him looking amused. “Well, then the man that accompanied you doesn’t deserve your attention if he left you alone.”
“I actually wanted to go to the restroom, and got caught up in all the artwork.” She stared into his dark eyes and then looked over at where she knew Rian was. His back was to her, but he was now engaged with several other men in conversation. “I’m actually here with him.”
He turned and looked at where Rian stood, and as if her cocky bastard of a man that was driving her mind and heart wild heard them, he turned and stared at them.
Dominic retreated a step and clasped his hands behind his back. “Ah, Mr. Rian Hartford, the devil of the corporate world.” Dominic sounded a bit impressed when speaking about Rian. “He plays hardball, but I’m glad to say I have him in my court.”
“That he certainly does.” She instantly felt her cheeks heat, because the thoughts that had entered her mind were less than innocent. Dominic cleared his throat, and she snapped her head toward him.
“I certainly don’t try to pick up women that are already taken, especially by Rian. Please accept my apology for trying to woo you with my Fabergé egg charm.”
She chuckled softly and glanced down. “It was a very nice charm, just for the record.”
He smiled and bowed, actually bowed to her in that old-world gentlemanly way. “With that I’ll leave you to enjoy the artwork, and just so you know,” he pointed to door off to the side. “The bathroom, for when you’re finished.” He bowed again, and then turned and left her alone.
She looked at Rian again, saw that he watched her with curiosity and with a hint of heat, and then his attention was drawn toward the men speaking to him again. She glanced at the eggs again, stared at the detail put into each one, and then finally turned to the bathroom.
She pushed open the door and stared at the marble gold and white opulence. Clearly this Dominic man did not skimp on the price tag when it came to decorating his place, even the bathroom. After using the facility she went to the sink and washed her hands. After drying them she stared at her reflection in the mirror, surprised her hair was still in the same perfectly placed up-do as when she first got it, and for the first time in her life she actually felt as beautiful as Rian said she was. Of course she didn’t think she was ugly, but what woman didn’t have off days where they looked at themselves in the mirror and thought they looked like death run over twice? The bathroom door opened, and before Sorcha could see who it was the woman started speaking.
“I wondered where you went off to.” The woman that spoke was gorgeous and svelte, and had a body that was tight and toned. Her blonde hair was left down and flowing, and her lips were bright red, which matched her dress. In a nutshell she was gorgeous and perfect, and the type of woman that annoyed Sorcha.
“Excuse me? Do I know you?” Sorcha turned around and stared at the blonde. No, she had never seen the woman, especially not if she ran in these kind of circles.
The woman crossed her arms over her chest, which popped out her breasts. “No, we’ve never met, but you’re seeing a man that isn’t yours.” The woman curled her lip in disgust and glanced up and down Sorcha. “I’m Beatrice,” she lifted a perfectly plucked eyebrow, “and Rian belongs with me.”
Oh. Okay, this was awkward, as clearly this was the woman Rian had gotten the text message from. “I’m Sorcha—”
“Save it. I know every woman wants Rian. He’s quite the catch, wealthy and comes from a good family, but you and I need to get something straight.” The woman stepped forward. “He has commitment issues, and because of that I am giving him a little bit of breathing room.”