Treasure My Heart

by Altonya Washington

  Minka settled her hand into his. “Minka Gerald,” she said.

  “I know who you are.”

  Minka waited for those extraordinary eyes of his to take a trail downward, just like they always did when men first met her. Besides, the cut of her black wrap dress offered quite the irresistible view.

  Oliver Bauer’s gaze took no such journey, however. Minka didn’t know if she felt more disappointment or offense over the slight. She blinked again, confusion pooling her eyes.

  “Bauer? You’re related to Vectra.” It wasn’t a question. Her new friend and this man shared the most entrancing eye color—a light walnut-brown shade. In Oliver Bauer’s eyes, though, there lurked a playful, almost rakish look.

  “She’s my sister,” Oliver confirmed.

  Minka frowned. “I thought she said you were older?”

  “Well, I am.” He feigned offense that she didn’t think he was. “By eighteen months, thank you very much.”

  “Your parents didn’t waste any time, did they?”

  Oliver shrugged. “My folks never wasted time when it came to sex.”

  Minka surrendered to more laughter. “I’m sorry.” She gave a quick shake of her head and cleared her throat. “You said there was something you needed to talk to me about?”

  Broad shoulders lifted beneath an olive-brown suit coat. “Not really.” His tempting mouth curved into a crooked smile. “I just didn’t much care for him talking to you, is all.” He inclined his head in the general direction of Charles Ruggles. His eyes never left Minka’s face. “Ms. Gerald.” He nodded once slightly, then made his retreat.

  * * *

  “So you’ve all heard the proposal,” Austin Sharpe said once his guests had settled around the meeting table. “Your minds are relaxed by drink and unoccupied by hunger.” Austin grinned while his audience laughed. “Do I have any questions?”

  All around the table were representatives from the companies Austin had tapped to play a role in his bold venture.

  “Yes, sir?” Austin sent an encouraging smile across the square table toward the man who had raised a hand.

  “Thank you, sir. I’m Ed Summeral—Wilder, VP Marketing,” the freckle-faced redhead said.

  Austin’s welcoming smile remained. “Go on, Ed.”

  “Thank you, sir, uh.” Ed moved to allow a server to top off the coffee Charles Ruggles had been drinking since the onset of the meeting.

  “Sir, what part will Wilder, specifically the marketing team, have to play in this venture?”

  “Good question, Ed.” Austin ticked an index finger in the VP’s direction. “This will be the marketing team’s turn to shine and get some credit for all that back-breaking work your boss loads on you.”

  Everyone laughed at Qasim Wilder, who sat next to Vectra.

  “My clients know I trust Wilder with my money, which means I trust Wilder with their money too,” Austin continued. “This is your chance to show them why. The same goes for all the departments represented here tonight. It’ll be exciting to see how you toot your horns.”

  More laughter followed as hands rose more freely following the opening question. Minka took notes on the queries from Wilder staff. Chances were high that she’d have to help the various departments at Wilder “toot their horns.”

  Absently, she toyed with a loose jaw-length curl. She glanced away from the pad and locked in on Oliver Bauer’s bright, potent gaze fixed on her. The heat of self-awareness coursed through her, and Minka cast a subtle glance toward Qasim and Vectra.

  The room and the square table were relatively large, but anyone paying close enough attention would be able to pinpoint the object of Oliver’s stare. Thankfully, Minka thought, no one else seemed to notice.

  She looked down at her pad again and only made a pretense at note taking. Another hand rose, this one belonging to Rita Waymore, the floor manager for Gallery V in San Francisco.

  “Mr. Sharpe, you’ve stated that Wilder handles your money, and we all know Bauer Development acquires your land and builds your executive parks, but what part will our gallery serve?”

  Austin nodded approvingly and smiled. “The part your gallery will serve is the one I’m most excited about, because it’s an unprecedented one. The work done by Oliver and his team at Bauer D is staggering. We’ve all seen it and can attest to that, I’m sure?”

  The room livened with sudden applause and cheer. Only then did Minka risk looking over at Oliver. Her heart performed another of its acrobatic flips when she saw that he was still staring her way. He had no qualms about allowing a few seconds to pass before he acknowledged the applause with a smile and wave.

  “I’d like for Gallery V to showcase that genius,” Austin Sharpe said. “My hope is that the skills that have earned Gallery V a reputation as one of the most cutting-edge art galleries on the East and West coasts will create a dazzling showcase of the new Sharpe Executive Business Park in South Beach, Miami.” Austin waved with a flourish.

  “Gallery V’s creator, Vectra Bauer, assures me that such a request is child’s play for her dynamic staff.”

  Another round of enthusiastic applause erupted.

  “Well, this concludes my presentation, folks.” Austin beamed as he surveyed the group. “We’ll all be meeting many more times over the course of the next several weeks.”

  “I urge you all to remain a little longer and get to know one another. We’re all going to be spending lots of time together,” he added before giving a final salute and reclaiming his seat.

  Conversation colored the room at once. Some remained chatting at the table, while others collected at the elaborate hot-beverage-and-dessert buffet that had been set up.

  Minka was drawn aside by Wilder’s financial consultants. She focused on the conversation and took notes on the group’s preliminary ideas for wowing Sharpe’s Miami clients.

  Much of the staff at Wilder questioned Minka’s decision to remain Qasim’s assistant when she so clearly had a talent in other areas. Alas, Minka was happiest helping her boss and friend, and more important, it kept her privileged background off the radar.

  The consultant team made plans for a lunch meeting the following afternoon. Once they parted ways, Minka decided it’d be in her best interest to get lost while she could. It had been a long day, what with the drive and visit with her grandmother in Petaluma as well as the drive back to San Francisco in time for the Sharpe meeting.

  She was wiped and made quick work of packing her tablet, pens and notepads in her tan portfolio tote. Despite her determination to make an exit, she paused and gave in to one last look at Oliver.

  He was tall, but height seemed to run in their family. He had the kind of lean, muscular frame that Minka was sure would make him a formidable opponent on a basketball court. Dressed as he was in a tailored three-piece, she couldn’t help but appreciate the breadth of his frame. Even at rest, he seemed on alert somehow, as if he were ready to act in an instant if necessary.

  He hadn’t bothered to get up and mingle, she’d observed. She supposed there was no need when a number of the meeting’s attendants made a point of stopping by his place at the table to hold brief conversations. Minka could tell that a great deal of the men were business as well as personal acquaintances.

  She wasn’t sure what to make of the women. A number of them had stopped by to chat or...simply be seen with him. Who could blame them? Cinnamon-skinned with that luxurious crop of almond-brown curls...he was gorgeous. The hypnotic gaze was such an undeniable draw, especially when paired with a perfectly crafted nose, a generous, alluring mouth, a wide forehead and a faint cleft in his chin.

  Minka closed her eyes and inhaled. Evidently, she’d observed him more closely than she’d realized during their earlier encounter. And you should go home before you do something really stupid, Mink.

 
Minka dug out her car keys and snapped the tote bag shut. She turned and smiled, genuinely happy to see Qasim and Vectra approaching.

  “Quite the cast of characters.” Minka turned an assessing gaze toward the mingling crowd. “It’ll be great to see it all come together.”

  “Yeah, it’ll be almost a shame to miss it.” Qasim Wilder looked to the woman at his side. He appraised Vectra with one meaningful sweep of his ebony gaze along her body. “Almost,” he added.

  Minka smiled curiously while looking between the two. “Am I missing something?”

  “No,” Qasim sighed the word and gave Vectra another look. “But we might. We’re thinking about getting lost for a while. So I want you to put together a team for this Miami trip.” Qasim eased a hand into one black trouser pocket and studied the room.

  “Austin’s not looking to get things started down there for another week or so...” He looked back to Minka with an encouraging smile. “I’ll support whomever you tap to send.”

  “Sim.” Minka rolled her eyes. “You know me well enough to know I can’t pick a team for something that important unless one of us goes along too.”

  Qasim’s very dark, very gorgeous face was a study in disapproval. “You deserve to get away more than anybody. We’ve got a good group, so give ’em some credit.”

  “If you don’t mind me saying, Minka,” Vectra chimed in, “from what I’ve heard, your boss is a real slave driver. You should take the time while he’s offering.”

  Minka laughed. “Well, it is Miami. I promise you guys I’ll take time to enjoy it.”

  “Well, if you change your mind—”

  “I won’t.” Minka shook her head to Qasim’s worry. “And Gram Z. already ordered me to take some time too.”

  Qasim’s curiosity was piqued. “How’s she doin’?” he asked.

  “Good.” Minka nodded with a quick smile. “She’s ready to give up her crown.”

  Qasim’s curiosity melted into understanding. “Do we need to talk?”

  “Yeah.” Minka’s nod was a bit more somber then. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” She smiled when he reciprocated her nod and then looked to Vectra and pulled her into a hug. “Have a good night.”

  “You too, hon.” Vectra’s light eyes followed Minka as she made her way out of the room, shaking hands and holding quick chats with colleagues. “What was that about?” she asked, turning back to Qasim.

  “Ever heard of Bryant Gerald?”

  Vectra frowned. “Gerald Industries? Bryant Gerald, the billionaire?” she blurted. “He...?” Her expression cleared. “Minka?”

  Qasim inclined his head a fraction. “He was her grandfather.”

  Vectra’s confusion mounted. “But why’s she working for you?”

  “Thanks.”

  Vectra responded with a playful eye roll and shoved Qasim’s arm.

  He flashed her a killer smile. “The Geralds are clients,” he explained. “Minka wanted to make it on her own—she wanted a position that would keep her under the radar, but still into everything. Her grandmother approved when I offered, but Minka would’ve accepted anyway.”

  “Hmph, sounds like her.” Vectra smiled. “What’d she mean about her grandmother being ready to give up her crown?”

  Qasim rubbed his jaw, some of the easiness of his expression receding to a more distressed look. “Sounds like Zena Gerald wants her granddaughter back.”

  * * *

  “Had enough already?”

  Minka stopped in the restaurant vestibule when his voice reached her ears. “It’s been a long day.” She found Oliver Bauer closing the distance between them. “And it’s going to be an even longer night,” she said.

  Oliver made a face. “Surely you get to take one day off? Sim won’t object to that, will he?”

  “No.” She smiled. “But I would.”

  “Ah.” He appeared satisfied. “It’s good to know Qasim at least tries to get you to take a break.”

  “He tries. Rarely succeeds.”

  “Interesting.” He leaned against a wall in the vestibule. “You always get what you want?” He seemed very interested in the possibility.

  Minka sighed, scanning the restaurant entrance as though she were taking time to seriously consider his query. “I think that only happens when it’s something I want bad enough. No sense fighting for it if it’s something you’re just going to lose interest in, don’t you think?”

  “Hold on.” He brought two fingers to his brow and tapped them there. “I need time to think about that. Seems I’ve fought for a lot of things I’ve lost interest in.” He lowered his fingers, shrugged. “Sort of a blow to realize I’ve wasted a lot of time.”

  “Consider it proof that you’re maturing.”

  Oliver winced. “My sister’ll be happy to hear that.”

  Minka felt herself staring, adoring... With effort she tugged her gaze from his exceptional face. “I really need to get home—”

  “Are you going out to Miami?”

  Her movements settled. “I’m sure I will be.”

  “More work.”

  “It’s Miami,” she rebutted with a smile.

  He grinned. “Right. So I’ll see you there.”

  “You’re going?”

  “It’s Miami.”

  She laughed softly. “Good night, Mr. Bauer.”

  “My dad’s the only one who enjoys that Mr. Bauer stuff. My friends call me Oliver.” He gave a quick tilt of his head.

  “Friends?” Her frown was teasing. “Have I reached that status already?”

  “You think you’re unworthy?”

  “I don’t know you. You don’t know me.”

  “Right.” He nodded, bumping his fist to his jaw. “I see your point. Guess that means we’re going to have to change that.” He held the door for her. “Good night, Ms. Gerald.”

  Chapter 3

  Minka tuned in to her phone’s ringing and reached for it, hoping to catch the call before it went to voice mail.

  “This is Minka.” She was preoccupied with folders on her desk and didn’t notice the lack of response on the other end of the line until a few seconds had passed. “Hello?” She shook her head and hung up, figuring she’d missed the call through her daydreaming.

  Smirking, she silently noted that it wasn’t even midmorning—way too early for daydreaming. How could she resist, though? If Oliver Bauer wasn’t prime daydream material, she didn’t know what was.

  The night before, she’d chatted with her female colleagues at the meeting, and it was clear they all knew Oliver. It went without saying that he had a successful personal life, but there was still the question of how successful. She hadn’t seen a ring, but knew that meant nothing. Men often went without their bands.

  But she couldn’t allow musings of Oliver Bauer to disrupt her workday. Things were going to be hectic enough without her being preoccupied by the sensuality that lurked in the man’s exquisite eyes. She looked at the phone still in her hand, and with a tired smile, she tossed it back across her desk.

  “Hey, hey, what are you doing here so early?!”

  Minka saw Qasim and blurted a surprised laugh. “Where’d you come from?”

  “The...elevator?” Qasim looked ready to laugh, as well. “Didn’t you hear the bell?”

  Grimacing, Minka made a play at shuffling through the folders littering her desk. “It’s been a long morning.”

  “Long morning, huh?” Sim slowed his steps the closer he drew to the desk. “My offer for time off still stands, you know? You could’ve at least slept in today.”

  “No...I arranged a few early meetings to follow up from the Sharpe thing last night.”

  “Oh, yeah...” Sim began to pat his trouser pockets.

  Minka watched curi
ously as her boss fished out his key ring. He pulled off a long silver key and handed it to her. Accepting it, she frowned expectantly.

  “It’s from Vectra.” He smiled. “She has a place in Miami near the gallery. She wants you to stay and enjoy it while you’re there.”

  “That’s sweet. Very sweet, but I—I can’t let her do that—it’s too much.”

  “Ah, take it.” Qasim waved off her attempt to return the key. “Vectra doesn’t think it’s much at all. She thinks you’ve probably got some palace on the beach.”

  “What?” Minka frowned. “Why would she think that?”

  Qasim shrugged, returning the key ring to his pocket. “The heiresses to billion-dollar fortunes usually have such things, don’t they?”

  “Oh, no.” Minka closed her eyes as if pained. “You told her?”

  “I’m surprised she didn’t figure it out sooner. It surprises me that a lot of people haven’t figured it out already. Guess that’s about to change, huh?”

  “Sim...”

  “Don’t worry. I told her how you feel about folks knowing. She promised to keep it quiet. At least until you claim the big chair.”

  Minka folded her arms over her short-waist walnut brown blazer. “I haven’t accepted yet.”

  “But you will.” Straightening to his full height, Qasim waved a hand toward the corridor leading to his office. “Shall we talk now or later?”

  * * *

  Needing to work off a sudden case of nervous energy, Minka headed to Qasim’s bar the moment she entered his office.

  “She says she’s got things she wants to do before she kicks the bucket, so it’s time for me to do my duty, blah, blah, blah...”

  Qasim grinned while getting settled at his desk. “I always said Miss Zena is a woman who knows how to live. Wish the same could be said for her granddaughter.”

  “Sim.” Minka’s head fell forward as she shook it. “Don’t start. Gram wouldn’t let up about me doing that very thing. She wants me to take time off and think about the job first before I accept.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I am about the business.” Minka set coffee to brew. “It’s about more than that, though. Gram doesn’t want me focusing so much on the business that I don’t give any time to what she considers the most important things in life, namely having a husband and family.”