believe I’ve never been in this room?”
I glance around the austere space. “We rarely use it.”
“Why have it?” She picks up a tiny sandwich and takes a bite. “Mmm… Chicken salad.”
“For moments such as this.” Miles holds out a hand. “Would you like a snack, Miss…”
“Winthrop. Joselyn. I’m good, thank you.”
My eyes snap up, and she’s here.
She’s dressed in a charcoal suit perfectly tailored to her tall, statuesque frame. It’s expensive, Armani, I’d guess, with a white silk blouse under the jacket. The top button in the center of her chest gives me a peek at her soft cleavage, and her glossy red hair is brushed over one shoulder in smooth waves.
She looks amazing.
“Sorry, Miles,” Daisy covers her mouth as she swallows her bite. “I forgot you haven’t met my cousin. Sly, this is Miles Klaut, founder of Antiques Today. He’s a legend in the business and not at all as scary as he seems at first.”
“Do I seem scary?” Miles puts a hand on his chest and winks up at her. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Winthrop.”
I step around the table, and her eyes flare when she sees me in a most satisfying way. “It’s nice to see you again, Joselyn.”
“Spencer.” Her voice is quiet, slightly husky, pure sex. “How are you?”
“Much better now.” I give her a rare smile, and she blinks away quickly, cheeks flushing.
Don’t be afraid, Sin.
“Spencer said you’re an artist when it comes to flowers.” Miles motions to the chairs, and she and Daisy sit.
“An artist?” She arches an eyebrow at me, and I lightly shrug.
“I described what I saw. Would you like something to drink?”
“I’ll have a water, thanks.” She takes a chair, and I hand her a bottle of Pellegrino before rounding the table to sit across from her.
From this angle, I can study her beautiful face as we chat. Miles leads the discussion, explaining his ideas, and Daisy is quick to catch up with him. She lists potential venues and themes and the pros and cons of each.
Leaning back in my chair, I let the two of them run with it, preferring instead to memorize the flicker of dark lashes over ocean eyes. The afternoon sun highlights the red streaks in her hair like fire, and I notice a faint sprinkling of freckles across the top of her cheeks. Her skin is like ivory. She’s a rare beauty.
“Sly has connections with one of the best caterers in the area, and of course, she’ll handle all the floral arrangements.”
“Did you have anything in particular in mind?” Her voice is smooth like whiskey, with a hint of smokiness. “We’re lucky that we can get almost anything here.”
“I think the New Englanders would be most impressed by tropicals.” I lean forward, joining the conversation.
Daisy lights up in her unique way, nodding quickly. “Did you bring your portfolio, Sly? Show Miles the one you did with the tiger lilies.”
“I didn’t…” Joselyn looks worried, glancing from her cousin to Miles to me. “It’s in Fireside. I-I wasn’t planning to do this anymore.”
“No need to apologize, Miss Winthrop.” Miles smiles at her, giving me a knowing glance. “Anyone who can make an impression on Mr. Freeze here must be worth her salt.”
Her pink lips part, and a wicked image flashes across my mind.
“Who’s on the guest list?” Daisy climbs onto her knees in the chair, leaning on her elbows, and with her hair in a ponytail, she’s like a kid planning a birthday party.
Miles eats it up. Nothing makes him happier than people jumping onboard his unnecessarily elaborate plans. “I’ve got Brimfield and Skinner. Grafton—”
“Oh! I hope they send Heather. She’s so fun. I’d love to show her my store.”
“I’ll put in a special request for Ms. Olsen to attend.”
Joselyn sits quietly in her chair, chewing on her bottom lip. She’s different today, quieter, and I don’t like it. She can’t be intimidated by all this. She’s far too talented to be insecure. Something else is troubling her, and I want to know what it is.
At the wedding reception, she had the nerve to mock me, and it was annoying as fuck and ridiculously adorable.
I want her to do it again so I can pull her across my lap and spank her creamy, white ass. Then I’ll smooth my palm over her soft, pink cheeks. Then I’ll follow with my lips…
Her eyes are on me, and I try another smile. She blinks hesitantly before finally returning my greeting with a small smile of her own. That’s better.
“I