Treasure My Heart

by Altonya Washington

  The idea almost made her laugh. Anything between her and Oliver would definitely have to be tabled, no matter how much she’d love to explore it. The old saying about never mixing business with pleasure was popular for a reason. Such a rule had served her well, and she wasn’t about to abandon it now. No matter how tempting it was to do so.

  But he won’t be business for long, Mink. You’re about to be an ex-employee of Wilder, remember?

  Her third head-clearing shake was accompanied by a fist to the mattress. Minka pushed herself to stand and took some calming breaths before leaving the bedroom. She followed her nose to the coffee and was halfway there when she realized she was still wearing the robe. Her plan had been to get dressed.

  She paused halfway down the staircase and debated whether to get dressed when Oliver rounded the corner and sprinted up the stairway. He stopped a few steps shy of barreling into her. Bracing a hand to the wall, he fixed her with a guileless grin.

  “I was just coming to ask how you take your coffee...” His baritone carried faint traces of breathlessness.

  “What are you doing here?” Minka blurted the first thing that came to mind. She regarded the hand he offered with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. Yet she accepted his escort down the remaining stairs. She let him tug her hand over the crook of his arm as though it were a common occurrence between them.

  “I always check out the place for Vectra whenever I’m in town,” Oliver explained as they walked. “I have a key, and I knew she was heading off somewhere with Sim.” He snorted. “But I knew she’d probably give me grief about checking in since she’d consider it one of my overprotective brother moves.”

  “Is that label accurate?” Minka queried.

  “I don’t think so.” He shrugged. “But the one on the other side of the protection tends to feel differently about it.”

  Minka studied her fingers resting across his forearm. “So you believe her feelings are baseless?”

  “She’s my little sister.”

  “By eighteen months.”

  “It’s my job.”

  “Because she’s a woman.”

  “All right.”

  He owned the chauvinism with a coolness that would have had her bristling had he been any other man. He made her want to laugh instead. She couldn’t help but wonder how infuriating her escort could be.

  The aroma of brewing coffee grew sharper, and soon they were crossing the threshold into the kitchen. Like other rooms in the condo, the kitchen was vast. Furnished with state-of-the-art gadgetry and appliances, the kitchen was done in tones of walnut, mocha and beige, with splashes of cream and burgundy.

  Minka thought the space had the same soothing allure as the rest of the house. Oliver pulled out one of the wrought iron stools from the large cooking island. Once Minka was settled, he went to the cabinet near the towering black fridge and selected mugs.

  Minka watched while he labored over choosing the mugs. “It’s all right, you know? You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m fine. You don’t have to stick around to make sure I’m not about to jump out of my skin.”

  “Well, we can’t have that, can we?” Oliver turned with the two mugs he’d deemed appropriate for their coffee break. His eyes raked her skin.

  “I know you’re okay.” He poured the coffee. “Maybe I’m the one about to jump out of my skin over the thought that I could have stumbled in on my sister in her bathwater.” He shivered as if truly mortified by the idea.

  The kitchen echoed with the sounds of Minka’s laughter.

  Oliver kept his eyes on the mugs, but the smile curving his lips hinted that he highly approved of her reaction. It took Minka quite a few tries to stifle her hearty laughter.

  “Sorry.”

  “What for?” He shrugged.

  Minka shook her head. “You sounded so horrified just now, and I—I shouldn’t offend you by making light of it.” Laughter hovered just below her words.

  “Well, hell, Minka, it’s a horrifying thought.” He shivered again.

  The gesture threatened to send Minka back into laughter.

  “You didn’t offend me. It’s never offensive to hear a beautiful woman laugh.”

  The confession surprised her, and she stared at him while absorbing it.

  “How do you take it?”

  She couldn’t answer—the question rendered her just as immobile as his confession.

  “Minka? How do you take your coffee?”

  “Sweet.” Jeez, Mink, don’t make an even bigger fool of yourself. “Sugar and cream,” she rephrased.

  Oliver seemed to think nothing of the manner in which she delivered her responses. He dutifully prepared the beverage and then passed her the mug, while blowing across the surface of his own unsweetened black. For a time, they enjoyed sips from their mugs in silence.

  “Minka?” Oliver didn’t lift his gaze from the mug he held. “What you said about not jumping out of your skin.”

  Minka nodded. “Yes,” she said, noticing he was looking elsewhere.

  “What I’m about to tell you might change that.”

  “Okay.” She cupped the mug in her hands, needing the warmth it provided.

  “I want to know what you’re like in bed.” He looked at her then.

  She couldn’t close her mouth. “Oliver...” was the best she could manage after a few seconds.

  “Sorry.” He didn’t look at all apologetic. “I’ve always had a problem with not beating around the bush. Truth is, I’m very proud of myself for not telling you this the first night I met you.”

  Minka finally got around to swallowing. “Is that kind of straightforwardness what makes you so successful with women?”

  His smile was one of surprised curiosity. “How do you know I’m successful with women?”

  “Kind of hard not to know.” Minka focused on her coffee again. “Anyone watching you at dinner the other night could tell you’ve got no shortcomings in that area—almost every woman in the room made a point of stopping by to speak to you.”

  “I know a lot of women intimately, Minka, that’s true.”

  “And do you make a point of ‘not beating around the bush’ with every woman you know?”

  “I’ve never said what I just told you to another woman.” His tone registered as totally sincere.

  Minka sipped her coffee in hopes of quelling her laughter.

  “You don’t believe me?” His gaze fell to her smiling mouth.

  “Well, since we’re being straightforward.” She looked at him. “No, not at all.”

  Oliver dissolved into laughter. “I didn’t say I’d never thought it about another woman, but I’ve never told another woman that.”

  “Ah...” Minka propped her chin with her hand. “You need to be more vocal with the clueless ones, huh?” She was teasing, but some of her playfulness eased when she saw his expression change. “Oliver...?”

  “I don’t know why I told you that.” He gave a half shrug. “Maybe I just didn’t want there to be any confusion.”

  “And you think there would be?”

  Again, he shrugged, this time giving his mug a turn, slightly disturbing its contents. “There usually tends to be.”

  “You’re right.” She returned her focus to her mug too. “That’s why I never sleep with men I know through business.”

  “Have there been many of those?”

  “A couple.” She continued to study her mug. “Those experiences have been enough for me to turn down future opportunities that present themselves.”

  “Future opportunities?”

  “Mr. Bauer.” She smiled, knowing full well what he was asking. “Surely you’re not curious about how many men I’ve slept with?”

  “Men are always curious about how many men a woman has
slept with, especially a woman they’re interested in.”

  “You included?”

  He appeared thoughtful. “A week ago, my answer would have been ‘no,’ as I’ve never been interested enough to care.”

  Dark eyes sparkled with curious disbelief. “And now?” She gave an airy wave. “Suddenly that’s changed?”

  “Well I’m not in the habit of spending so much time talking to any woman, unless it’s business related.”

  “Excuse me.” She blurted a laugh. “But that’s not saying much for your wooing skills.”

  “I won’t argue that.” He raised his hands in surrender. “But in my defense, you’d be surprised by what a few witty remarks, reservations at the best restaurants and a few nice cars can do for a guy’s sex life.”

  Minka’s gaze took a slow perusal of the powerful cords of muscle lining his exposed forearms. “You seem like the kind of man who’d be about more than that.”

  “Sometimes I think I might be.”

  “Why the hesitation?”

  “No reason to be fully committed to it, I guess.”

  “Is commitment an issue for you?”

  He smiled. “An issue...that’s a funny way to put it.”

  “Is it? Does it scare you?”

  “It’s got me more curious lately.”

  She gave a sage nod. “Why do you think that is?” She was vaguely aware that she’d reverted back to sighing her words again. She didn’t care. His eyes were amazing. The shade—such a captivating light brown—made looking away impossible.

  “I want to know what makes perfectly rational people risk their sanity for something so fleeting,” he confessed.

  “It’s interesting you feel that way. According to Vectra, your parents had a very happy, long marriage.”

  “Not long enough. My dad wanted forever.” Oliver sighed, rubbing his fingers through his hair again. “We thought he’d kill himself when our mother died. Loving someone to the point of wanting to kill yourself if you lost them...? I don’t know what I think of that. Before I saw you running out of my sister’s house the other morning, I’d never given any of it a second thought.”

  “Oliver...what are you...what are you trying to say?”

  “I’m saying that when I saw you I wanted to take you to bed, but I want things like that on the regular.” He grimaced over the admission. “But it was only with you that I wondered what it might be like to take you to bed every night.”

  “Oliver...” She straightened. “You—you don’t know me.”

  “Will you let me change that?”

  Minka seemed to snap out of her dreamy haze then. “It will change—we’re going to be around each other for weeks if Austin Sharpe has his way.” She laughed, hoping to bring lightness to the moment. She eased off the chair to retrieve the coffeepot for a refill. When she turned after adding sugar and cream, he was right behind her.

  “This isn’t about business,” he said.

  “Oliver, it’s always about business. This, we, it wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  He smiled, apparently not agreeing with the prediction. “It’s still early, yet.”

  “Oliver...” Minka let her words drift into silence, at a total loss. He took her hand, and she blinked when she felt cold metal against her palm. She saw the key, and the exasperation in her gaze turned to curiosity.

  “You shouldn’t have to worry about me just dropping over whenever I feel like it.”

  She laughed, a great deal of her apprehension easing. “It’s your sister’s place, Oliver.”

  “It’s yours while you’re in Miami. Besides...” His light eyes pooled to a bolder hue. “I’ve never been any good with temptation.” He held her cheek, thumb brushing her high cheekbone. Nodding approvingly, he looked as though his expectations had not only been reached, but exceeded. He issued her a quiet good-night before leaving.

  * * *

  “I’d suggest limiting it to members of the senior executive staff and the board.”

  Austin Sharpe nodded at Minka’s suggestion just as his brows rose to acknowledge a raised hand from a member of his staff. “Yeah, Barry?”

  “It says here that Gallery V can handle four times as many people,” Barry Tomkin read from a page he’d pulled from the portfolio.

  “Barry, keep in mind that we’ll be there, too.” Minka smiled patiently at Sharpe’s Marketing VP. “Additionally, we want the focus to be on the art, which is the facilities your boss wants the clients to lease or purchase. The emphasis shouldn’t be on how packed the house is. Though I think we could have a standby list of guests to be granted last-minute admittance. A line of waiting guests might look good for the event.” She gave Austin an indulgent smile. “Just my two cents.”

  “It’s a lot more than that.” Austin returned a grin. “Guys, Ms. Gerald has put together some of the biggest functions out West for one of the largest firms in the nation. If there’s anyone’s input I value most, it’s hers.”

  Several men at the table shifted in their seats, yet regarded Minka with curiosity, grudging admiration and something more primal.

  “Meeting adjourned. Minka? Stay a second,” Austin requested.

  When they were alone, Minka said, “I’m not out to be the teacher’s pet.”

  “Ah!” Austin waved. “It’s good for them to see that they aren’t always going to command the meetings.”

  “Well, this preliminary meeting was a good idea.” Minka began to pack her things. “I only hope the other kids remember how to play nice once teacher leaves the class.”

  “None of them can argue with your track record, Minka.” Austin knocked the table with a decisive fist.

  “I’ll take your word for it.” Minka finished packing. “The pieces will be arranged at the gallery’s discretion, but I’d like to see the office space firsthand, if we could arrange that before the event.”

  “Fine idea—you can head out whenever you’re ready. I’ll make sure a car is available.”

  “Sounds good.” Minka stood, smiling when Austin followed suit. “We’re still meeting with members of the executive staff for dinner, right?”

  “That’s still the plan.”

  “See you tonight, then.” She headed off.

  Austin reclaimed his seat and took time to admire Minka making her way out of the restaurant where she’d met him and his team for breakfast. He was still in the midst of admiring her departing figure when Oliver arrived.

  “Oli! Didn’t think you’d be able to make it this morning.”

  Oliver inclined his head toward Minka. “How long have you known her?” He took a seat at the square glass table.

  “Let’s see.” Austin leaned back in his chair. “She worked for Sim long before I became a client.”

  “She’s very on top of her game,” Oliver noted.

  “Damn right she is. No one can deny that.”

  “Coffee—black,” Oliver told the waiter who’d approached. “Guess it’s difficult for her to be taken seriously, looking the way she does.”

  “Hmph—all that knowledge coming from someone so gorgeous.” Austin shook his head. “It stirs a man in the nicest way possible.” He noticed Oliver’s tight, disapproving expression and smiled. “Forget about Minka Gerald, my friend. You may be the most successful ladies’ man I know, but no way will you get that woman to deviate from that code of hers. Not mixing business with pleasure? It’s like gospel to her.”

  “Yeah.” Oliver shifted in the chair he’d taken. “I got that part loud and clear.”

  “But you believe you’re the guy she’d break her own rule for, huh?”

  “I’m the last guy she should break it for.”

  “Mmm...and why do I have the feeling you’ll try to make it happen anyway?” Austin began to laugh.


  Oliver joined in soon after.

  Chapter 5

  Minka made a quick stop by Gallery V. Once a few members of the staff discovered where she was going, they asked to come along. Minka was glad for the company, especially once they were well into the drive to the business park.

  The beauty of South Beach wasn’t lost on the passengers inside the Mercedes limo Austin Sharpe had secured for the trip. Vectra Bauer’s gallery manager, acquisitions chief and event planner—all Florida natives—entertained Minka with stories of jockeying for camera time on Miami Vice back in the eighties. The conversation was so colorful that Minka almost hated to see it come to an end when they arrived at the site.

  It was a breathtaking property with a backyard view of the Atlantic. Minka and the Gallery V workers parted ways soon after clearing the courtyard.

  She was quietly appraising a row of office cottages spanning the southern end of the park when her phone interrupted her.

  “This is Minka,” she answered after digging the mobile from her fuchsia tote. “Hello?” she said again when her earlier greeting went unreturned.

  “Hello?” She pulled the phone away to ensure the call was still connected.

  “Quite a place, huh?”

  Minka heard the voice behind her and turned to find a rail-thin redhead walking toward her. “It is,” she agreed, smiling as she tossed the phone back into the depths of her bag.

  “Hildy Craft, site supervisor.” The redhead extended a hand.

  “Minka Gerald, I’m with Wilder” she returned.

  Hildy nodded. “I know. Mr. Sharpe said you were coming over.” Her face turned toward the courtyard. “Some place, huh? The guy’s really a genius, isn’t he?”

  “Definitely.” Minka fell in step with the other woman. “Everyone knows what an open thinker Austin is—this proves it.”

  Hildy laughed. “Yeah, Mr. Sharpe’s a genius in his own right, but I was talking about Oliver.”

  “Oh—agreed, agreed. It’s not everyone who’s got such an eye for real-estate potential.”