The governing force dons another black-on-black suit.
Mysterious.
Deadly.
I don’t know why that thought pops into my mind. I’ve never equated lethal to sexy. Still, my brain runs away with me.
What if he’s not a doctor? He has the demeanor of an undercover operative. May fare better as secret services to her Royal Majesty in England.Stop it, Lux, you’re thelucky, young lady he leads on in every city he passes.
Either way, my thong could nourish a desert as I ponder the idea of the doctor being a spy. Not that I’m saying his intelligence doesn't do anything for me. Nope. Dr. Victor Finch has checked every box on a list of any woman’s desires.
Two hours later, my fatuous cravings have diminished. Seated on a rooftop with gray travertine walls and opulent white chairs, Graham’s introduced us to the Starbucks lady he couldn’t stop talking about. Suyoung’s skinny, but damn, I could throw her. Like I have honestly considered it.
The chilly night air flutters the flames from the fire pits situated near each sitting area. The liquor flows endlessly and adds to the warmth. A pop song has everyone in the center dance floor, except for a few ladies slinking around our table. The guys sit on the opposite sides of us. Suyoung hasn’t taken her eye off Victor, even as she sits next to me.
Victor tries to coax me into dancing with him. I avert my gaze from him so that I won’t make a fool of myself on the dance floor. Floundering for something to divert my attention from Victor’s hypnotic stare, I give Suyoung the ol, New Yorker, “How you doin’?” line. Hell, I’m the shy one, so shoot me.
In response, she whips out her cellphone, fingers tapping.
“Okay.” I rub the bridge of my nose.
Graham is on the opposite side of her, running his hand over her arm. He says something in her ear.
“I want to dance.” Suyoung pops up from the seat.
Graham starts to rise.
“No, not with you, Graham, with yourbrother,” Suyoung replies. Though a vocalist's crooning elevates in pitch, you can physically hear the crushing of Graham’s spirit.
Victor shrugs and gets up. Now this self-centered bastard won’t even look me in the eye as he takes Suyoung’s hand. I grab my flute of champagne and down the bitter drink. I’m not a drinker, so hopefully, tipsiness can overtake the desire to act out of character. As they walk away, I take myself out of the equation, heart crushed for Graham.
I mumble, “Graham . . .”
“I’m sorry,” he apologizes.
“What have you done wrong?” My eyebrows knead together. And of course, the music changes again. The DJ gratifies the diverse crowd, now offering a sultry ballad. I glare at our dates, asking, “Does Victor do this all the time?”
Graham lifts his double shot of vodka and downs it in a single gulp. That’s answer enough.
14
VICTOR
Suyoung’s sleek body molds into my arms. The music transitions, and I’m considering whisking Suyoung farther into the crowd.
“Ahh, long time no see, Victor.” Suyoung slips into Thai.
“Yes, very . . . long . . . time,” I reply dryly, brushing up on the language.
While Graham divulged my first name prior to me giving him the signal that we’re amongst enemies, I’m positive my wayward brother guarded his surname, and I suspect Suyoung lacks the resources to unveil it.
“Sweet, tiny girl on your shoulder this evening. I thought you liked them taller, exotic.” Her thin eyebrow rises.
“Fancybreathing?”
“I do.” She flashes a grin.
“Refrain from ever mentioning Luxury again,” I declare as my fingers grip the small of her back.