Page 11 of Out of Office Nights
The lingering look the middle-aged butler cast her she was used to, dismissing it as she surveyed her surroundings. She’d been subject to every expression under the sun when it came to her physical features.
Long before she’d crossed the challenging threshold between girl and woman, she’d been labelled everything fromgoddesstowitch,angeltoJezebel. And while a thick skin hadn’t ultimatelyprotected her vulnerable heart, she’d learned better composure and poise in the face of others’ reaction to her.
So she ignored the hovering butler and took in the black-trimmed cream elegance and comfort of the luxury furnishings she knew would feel heavenly to touch and relax in, the priceless art she recognised from some of the most renowned artists both living and dead and the gorgeous hints of soft-toned veined marble. Then she feasted her eyes on the pièce de résistance, the iconic landscape spread out like the most exquisite banquet beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
Central Park was the perfect rectangle surrounded by glittering lights in the early evening, kissed by the spectacular orange sunset over it.
She was so absorbed in the breathtaking vista, she didn’t hear the footsteps approaching until they were feet away. Bracing herself, she turned. Only to feel another hollowing in her belly.
‘Mara, Gio, I didn’t know you were here.’ If her tone faintly reflected her disappointment at Teodor’s continued nonappearance, she fervently hoped they didn’t pick up on it.
Mara, one of Teo’s dozen-strong assistants who worked at his flagship House of Domene base in Milan, quirked one carefully plucked eyebrow, her expression hovering between mild amusement, condescension and barely disguised jealously that immediately made Sabeen’s tense up.
‘Of course I’m here. We’re always on call for whatever Teo needs. You know that.’
The familiarity with which she addressed her boss invoked the intended speculation that Sabeen absolutely despised herself for. Berating herself more sharply, she smiled coolly, switching to look at Gio, only to stifle her frustration at his equally unwelcome expression of amusement and heated appraisal of her body.
‘Right. I see.’ She flicked her gaze past them, letting the obvious question hover in the air. She wasn’t going to ask, risk it come out wrong and be forced to deal with their attitude. She was unsettled enough as it was.
Gio stepped forward, hand outstretched, forcing Sabeen to reluctantly place hers in his, grimacing when he weaved his fingers through hers. ‘We’ve been here all day, slaving away to ensure your gown is perfect. Now it’s time to transform you frombellissimatomagnifica,’ he crooned, kissing her fingers.
She tugged herself firmly from his hold, ignored his patent disappointment as she followed them both down the familiar hall. Her heartbeat picked up when she heard deep tones behind one of the closed doors, but Sabeen kept her focus rigidly straight, aware of Mara’s watchful gaze. She had zero interest in being drawn into any drama from one of Teodor’s acolytes. Or was she more than that?
Tightening her grip on her fraying emotions, she followed them into the room, and her breath whooshed out with wonder all over again. Admittedly, she’d been too busy making wrong choices yesterday to fully appreciate his creation, even though she’d been speechless when she’d tried it on. She’d been mildly alarmed that he might see how deeply affected she was by his raw, unbridled talent, that tinge of envy that his artistry wasn’t stunted in any way by doubt or whatever demons seemed to be stifling her.
Now she fully appreciated the breathtaking design of the unapologetically feminine and confidence-endowing strapless gown with a long back slit, embellished with glittering crystals banding the waist. But what elevated the ensemble was the detachable caped sleeves, which fell to the floor to end at the precise length of the dress’s hem, embellished with the same crystals that formed a wide collar to hold the sleeves in place.
And in the centre of that collar, instantly recognisable and formed entirely of studded diamonds, was the opulentDsignature logo.
Long before she’d met and experienced the befuddling secret attraction to the shameless playboy behind the House of Domene label, Sabeen had fallen head over heels with Teo’s sublime talent.
Here, now, she could put her mortifying personal feelings aside and bask in the utter glory of Teodor’s design, allow herself the thrill of knowing this masterpiece would grace her body, that she might even rediscover her own inspiration simply by wearing the stunning gown.
She barely registered setting aside her handbag and undressing, her only focus on opening herself up to that possible inspiration as Mara and Gio fussed about, cinching her into the gown and presenting her with silver stilettos and a velvet, crystal-studded clutch.
She’d worn her hair up and done her make-up in shades of silver beforehand, and she was fastening her simple diamond bracelet when she heard the muted indrawn breath behind her.
Eyes snapping to the mirror, they collided with the molten silver searing gaze of Teodor, decked out in a silk-lapelled tuxedo so sublime on his gladiatorial body it was positively blasphemous.
‘Leave us.’ The gruff command electrified the space as she was conducting a helpless once-over that he was mirroring so belly-hollowing effectively then added, when his assistants didn’t move fast enough, ‘Now, please.’ His gaze darted to Mara then to Gio, with a nod and a flash of a supernova smile before adding, ‘Thank you for your hard work.’
Again, since he’d snatched every crumb of attention, Sabeen barely registered Mara preening at his praise before his focus was back on her.
On his creation.
The harsh correction didn’t stop the careening butterflies from turning her belly into a rollercoaster as he sauntered closer her, brazenly trailing a third appraisal, then going one better to circle her, bringing that formidable presence and intensely evocative scent with him.
‘You look exquisite,’ he stated after his second circuit.
Her fingers convulsed around her clutch at the throaty offering. ‘You mean your gown looks exquisite,’ she forced out.
She couldn’t afford to be lumped in with others. Not when her very skin itched to preen just like Mara. Just like the many hapless women—and men—out there who only needed to set eyes on this man to fall into throes of adoration.
She was not and never would be one of them.
Her one disastrous relationship with Nathan Gray had taught her that it would be pure folly to tangle with another playboy. Or any man for that matter.
From the corner of her eye, she saw his nostrils flare at her crisp correction. Then his eyes narrowed a fraction.
