‘Janelle.’ Valentino smiled and slowly released her hand.
God, they looked perfect together. Her blonde to his dark.
Feeling like a poor cousin next to the stunning model Miller excused herself and left the men to ogle Janelle alone. No need to be a glutton for punishment.
She’d veered off from her decoy destination of the bathroom and made it to the glass bi-fold doors leading outside when Dexter appeared at her side.
‘You know, Dexter, I don’t know if I can go another round with you,’ Miller said with bald honesty.
It was another balmy, star-filled night and she just wanted fresh air and peace.
He had the grace to look uncomfortable. ‘I read some of the ideas you put down this afternoon. They’re good.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘The only thing bothering me with that comment is that you seem to have expected something less.’
He tugged at the collar on his shirt. ‘Can we talk?’
Resignation settled like a brick in her stomach and she extended her hand towards the deck. Might as well fulfil the fresh air component of her plan at least.
‘By all means.’
Dexter walked ahead of her, but when he made to continue down the steps towards the more secluded Japanese garden Miller stayed him. ‘Here’s fine.’
She had no wish to recall the heady kiss she had shared with Valentino the night before any more than she already had. Not with Dexter around anyway.
Winding around various partygoers, Miller found a quiet part of the deck and turned to face him. ‘What did you want to say?’
‘Firstly, I wanted to apologise for being such an a-hole in the meeting earlier today. My intention was only to stop you from getting hurt.’
Miller felt a sense of unease prickle the skin along her cheekbones. ‘I’ve noticed that you haven’t seemed yourself lately,’ she ventured. ‘Is something going on with Carly again?’
‘No, no. That’s well and truly over.’ He gripped the wooden railing and seemed absorbed by the whiteness of his knuckles.
‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ Even though she had never met Dexter’s wife, Miller hated to hear of the end of any marriage.
Dexter jerked back and flexed his hands before catching her eye. ‘Come on, Miller. Surely you know what this is about?’
Miller stared at him. Shook her head. ‘No.’ But she did know, didn’t she? Ruby and Valentino had already warned her...
‘Okay, if you want me to spell it out I will.’ He seemed slightly nervous. ‘Us.’
‘Us?’ Miller knew her voice had become shrill with alarm.
He nodded, clearly warming to his subject. ‘Or more specifically the chemistry between us.’
‘Chemistry?’
‘I want you, Miller. There’s been something between us since the moment we met.’
He held his hand up and silenced her attempt to save them both any further embarrassment.
‘I know you don’t want to acknowledge it because we work together, but you know I’ve felt like this since university. My coming to work for Oracle six months ago has just made those feelings deepen. And, yes, I know what you’re going to say.’ He stopped her again. ‘I’m your superior and office affairs don’t work. But I know of plenty that have and I’m willing to risk it.’
Miller was speechless, and barely noticed when he took her hand in his. ‘I’ve been behaving like an idiot this weekend because I haven’t wanted to accept that you’re really dating that pretty boy inside. Okay, I can see the appeal. But we both know it won’t last, and I’m not prepared to hold my breath and wait around for it to fizzle out.’
‘That’s too bad, Caruthers. I would have enjoyed seeing you atrophy.’
Miller jumped at the sound of Valentino’s deep, modulated voice and so did Dexter. She glanced up and was once again taken aback by the cold glint in his eyes—a stormy-grey under the soft external lights.
He looked relaxed as he regarded Dexter: preternaturally relaxed. In this mode she could easily see why he was going for his eighth world championship. The shock was in the fact that other drivers had dared go up against him in the first place.
Miller saw Dexter’s chest puff out in a classic testosterone-fuelled gesture and was horrified that he might cause a scene. Because right now Valentino looked as if he wanted to chew Dexter up and spit him out sideways.
‘You don’t have ownership rights here, Ventura.’
Ownership rights? Miller’s gaze swung back to Dexter. What was she? A car?