Page 132 of The Chase
“Careful, don’t make me fall in love with you.”
I let out a laugh. “Well, if that’s all it takes...”
He broke into a smile. “Let’s carve out some time later to explore that theory.”
“Here?”
“I hear they have a pool grotto. We can skinny-dip. I’ll show you my sea monster.”
I burst out laughing. “You’re on.”
Through the swarm of guests came a striking vision—
The blonde’s long stride and elegant form were equally as stunning as her beauty. She held herself with the glowing confidence of a supermodel, and I guessed her age at thirtysomething. With her chiseled cheekbones and flawless complexion she owned perfection. Her red dress was as long and clingy as mine, though she easily stole the spotlight with that thick diamond necklace shimmering around her long neck, and more stones twinkled around her wrists.
If we were competing in the pert nipple awards, she’d be the front runner. Her low-cut dress and sheer gown revealed her thoroughbred genes in all their long-limbed glory.
She swept toward us with a catwalk stride. “Tobias!” Her accent as posh as a Sunday at Ascot. “You came.”
“Violet.” Tobias leaned in to kiss both her cheeks.
It wasn’t so much a sense of jealousy as me soaking in the futility of competing with this goddess.
“This is Zara.” He gestured to her. “Zara, this is our hostess, Violet Maxwell.”
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.
“Thank you for inviting us,” I replied.
Violet beamed. “Tobias, your bride is a real hottie.”
“We’re not married,” I said.
“Not yet, but you two are a perfect match.” She waved her hand. “Hugo will be so happy you’re here. Hugo, come here.”
A tall, handsomely weathered eighty-year-old stepped out of the crowd. “Well, look what the cat dragged in. Tobias.”
“Hugo.” He proffered his hand and shook his. “Always a pleasure, you both look wonderful. May I introduce Zara Leighton?”
From the way Hugo rested his hand on Violet’s arse, this was not her father. That blinding ruby-and-gold band on her left ring finger proved they were married. This man was at least twice her age. And she looked so damn happy.
Tobias eloquently parlayed the conversation away from himself and managed to get Hugo talking about his morning golf, which of course Hugo had won. A few strategic questions later and Hugo was also sharing his plan to buy another hotel in Milan, an impressive addition to his apparent collection, Violet shared with us.
“We’re off to Utah in January,” said Violet.
“Perhaps we’ll visit you?” said Tobias. “Stay at your Grand Royall. I hear you’re taking five stars to the next level?”
Violet beamed at him. “We can attend Sundance together.”
“Zara would love that,” he said.
Hugo looked triumphant. “We have a rare conch shell trumpet on display!”
Tobias’s face lit up with joy.
“We have all sorts of stuff here we know you’ll like,” said Violet. “Go take a look. We simply must do dinner.”
“We’d love that.” Tobias’s gaze roamed toward where a crowd had turned the corner. “It’s that way?”
