“Oh really?”
She nods. “It’s expected to go for somewhere around three hundred million.” Four, I almost respond. That’s what my Konstantin is banking on. “Can you imagine?” she adds all wide-eyed delight.
“How have you been? How’s Theo?”
Her expression twists again. “Well, that didn’t go anywhere. But he did.”
“Not Geneva again?”
“I don’t know where he went.” She shrugs. “To the graveyard of boyfriends past.”
“Another one bites the dust?”
“Don’t be mean,” she says miserably, though not sincerely.
“Do you own a creepy doll collection by any chance?”
“What?” The word gurgles with a laugh as she presses her fingers to her mouth.
“In your bedroom, I mean.” I give a little shudder. “All those blank staring eyes can be a bit off-putting.”
“Sounds like you know that from experience.”
“A gentleman never tells.”
Isla folds her arms. “You’re no gentleman.”
“Didn’t I make sure you came first?”
Eyes wide, she swings her head left then right. “Not in here!”
“Of course I didn’t make you come in here.” I pause. “But I can if you’d like.”
She huffs and shakes her head, her cheeks so pink.
“What about cats?”
“Cats? What are you talking about?”
“I’m just trying to help you understand why you can’t hang onto a man. Cats are needy creatures.”
“And all attention needs to be on you?” The frilly collar of her blouse flutters as she folds her arms across her chest.
“Peanut, you know that’s not true.”
She turns a delicious pink at my suggestive tone. “No cats,” she blusters, “What I have is an adorably large Labrador with floppy ears and a problem with flatulence.”
“Maybe that’s your problem.”
“Gertie?” She presses her hand to her chest, faux aggrieved.
“Maybe she’s the source of your relationship woes.”
“That’s not true because I can’t even get a man to come back for coffee.”
“I’m grateful you didn’t put that in air quotes.”
“Lest I offend your delicate sensibilities?”
God, I love making her laugh. “More like it’d make me jealous. You’ve never invited me to your flat.”
“Because we agreed you couldn’t say things like that.”
“Not even if they’re true?”
“Especially if,” she says with a tiny shake of her head. “Oh, bugger.” Tilting her head, she mutters the rest of her words. “My boss is coming, and she doesn’t look happy.” Her gaze turns pleading. “Pretend to be a potential buyer.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“W-What?” Her eyes are as wide as saucers now, and they skim over my shoulder again.
“Invite me back to your place,” I demand, surprising us both.
Her gaze reflects her confusion, and she shakes her head.
“Invite me, Peanut. And promise you’ll wear those shoes when I fuck you.”
“Isla.” A haughty female voice makes her name sound like a complaint. “Did you find the box of programs?”
“I…” Her gaze flicks to me, and I watch as she makes her decision. “No. Sorry, Sabine. I was just helping Mr. Vanyin with his questions.”
The woman comes to a stop between us. Tall, attractive, and red-haired, her eyes widen a touch as she recognizes my name. “Mr. Vanyin. How wonderful to finally meet you. I’m Sabine Le Blanc. We’ve spoken on the phone.”
I give a clipped nod but don’t offer my hand.
“If you’d permit it,” she begins, “I would love the opportunity to show you the—”
“Thank you, but Isla has been most helpful. If you’ll have the time,” I add as I half pivot away, “I believe I saw a Bracquemond in one of the other rooms.”
“Yes, we have—”
“Mr. Vanyin,” the woman says condescendingly. “Isla is just an assistant. She has no expertise or even knowledge of Marie Bracquemond.”
“I require her eye and her opinion, not to repeat facts she has learned rote. And I don’t have a great deal of time.”
“But of course,” the woman demurs, gesturing Isla ahead.
“I think I’ve made you an enemy,” I mutter as we walk away.
“Don’t worry about it.” As we turn a corner, Isla’s shoulders visibly sag. “She already hates me.”
“I’m sorry, Peanut.” In the hallway between spaces, I touch her shoulder briefly, feeling like a bastard for putting her in an uncomfortable position.
“It’s fine.” She turns to face me with a deep sigh.
“Should we view the painting?”
“No need. She won’t interfere if there’s a chance of a sale. And something tells me she knows you have deep pockets. Besides, I won’t be here much longer.”
“New job on the horizon?”
“Eventually.” She glances away distractedly. “I’m moving back to Scotland.”
I said I’d be sorry if I broke her heart, but it looks like she’ll break mine first.
21
Isla
“Where?” Niko shakes his head as though he’d misheard.
“Scotland,” I repeat.” I’m going home.”
I’m not sure what I was expecting as his hand glides past my hip. A twist of the handle and the door behind me opens, and he backs me inside.
“Niko!” I protest, laughing. The door closes behind him, and the room is plunged into darkness. I’m suddenly not laughing anymore.
“Say that again.” His voice sounds deeper for some reason, but I’m not afraid as he reaches for my hand.