The Black Sheep and The English Rose. Donna Kauffman
her napkin in her lap, but did nothing more than shoot him a quick, expressionless glance, before continuing to settle herself in. Good to know she was willing to follow his lead on occasion.
Finn turned his attention exclusively to Reese then, though he kept Andreev in his peripheral vision. He was frankly more interested in what the Russian was thinking at the moment than what was going through Reese’s mind. Reese would likely react to this disruption somewhat predictably. He’d want to mitigate the fallout of Felicity’s unplanned intrusion so as not to lose the sale. Not that he couldn’t get another buyer for such a precious piece. But setting up another transfer would take time. And that was the one thing Reese couldn’t afford now that he had possession of the artifact. Especially not with Felicity Jane smiling at him so guilelessly.
“Yes, I do,” Reese said, casually shifting his gaze from the gentle swell of Felicity’s creamy breasts, to Finn’s face. He hadn’t bothered to hide his prurient interest in her, but there was no gleam of challenge in his clear gray eyes, either.
Finn struggled a little with the fact that though Felicity claimed Reese had shown no sexual interest in her, there was both the manner in which he’d left her, and that blatant stare just now, that said perhaps it was otherwise. And yet, Finn still believed that Felicity had been telling the truth. Perhaps Reese just wanted to stir the pot. Finn supposed time would tell who the fool was. Time was becoming quite the precious commodity all the way around, it seemed.
“Do you have a specific area of interest?” Finn asked, not expecting a straight answer, but wanting Reese to know he wasn’t simply Felicity’s man candy for the evening.
Reese easily held Finn’s gaze, not the least bit intimidated. “Oh, I dabble in quite a few areas.”
Finn merely smiled. Perhaps it was better if Reese underestimated him. “A man of many talents, then.”
Reese shot Felicity a brief, but surprisingly personal smile, then turned back to Finn. “So it’s been said.”
Finn dug his fingers into the napkin he’d been spreading on his lap, but otherwise did nothing to give away the surprisingly strong impulse he had to suddenly rearrange Reese’s aristocratic nose. “Anything specific capturing your interest of late?” He kept his tone harmless. His gaze, if Reese was even a remotely good judge of character, was anything but. “I understand you are tapped in quite well to the international grapevine. Any good tips on currently available…commodities?”
From the corner of his eye, Finn noted the Russian’s jaw visibly tighten. He didn’t make eye contact, but Finn had little doubt when Andreev speared a stalk of asparagus on his plate, he was imagining cleanly skewering something else entirely. Good. Finn wanted him pissed off, wondering if Reese was playing him, worrying that this deal might slip right out from under him. Because even a soulless man like Andreev had to be a little unnerved at the prospect of returning to Chesnokov with his pockets empty. That was bad for business.
“There are always items of interest available,” Reese said smoothly, as if oblivious to the tension circling the intimate setting. “The global market moves swiftly. You really need to stay on top of things if you want to succeed.” He glanced at Felicity again as he said that last part.
Finn knew he was being baited. What he hadn’t expected was how hard it was not to let it get to him.
“Oh, John, don’t sound so pompous,” Felicity teased, interjecting herself into the conversation with casual ease. She spoke to Reese quite comfortably, like old friends. Or lovers.
Finn hated the doubt that began to creep in.
She rested a hand briefly on Reese’s forearm. “Tell us what exciting deal you’re cooking up with Yvgeny, here.” She gifted the Russian with a fast, charming smile. “We’re being quite rude, intruding on your business dinner, but it’s so rare John and I get the chance to catch up, what with him always in a rush, and me being so tied up all the time.”
Her smile spread, and Finn felt her toe nuzzle his ankle as she continued talking. Flirting was more like it, not that the Russian was buying anything she had to sell. Yet. Finn would have enjoyed sitting back and watching her work the table if he hadn’t had to stay so alert to every nuance of even the slightest reaction in either man.
“Come now,” she continued, “the least we can do is allow you a moment to gloat over whatever wonderful item it is that John has craftily secured for you. I’m certain I’ll be jealous and wish it were mine.”
It amazed Finn how innocent and sincerely enthusiastic she came off. Not that either Reese or Andreev were falling for it, but it was good to know just how broad her range of acting skills was. They both might need them before the evening was over.
“I promise to pout only for the briefest of moments when I hear what fabulous find I’ve missed out on.” She looked at Yvgeny. “I’m afraid I’m quite the spoiled child my father—bless his departed soul—always accused me of being when it comes to acquiring new baubles. I can be ever so determined, to the point of petulance, when I don’t get my way. But never let it be said that on the rare occasion I don’t emerge the victor, that I don’t extend the lucky winner my heartiest congratulations for a battle fiercely won.” Her smile spread. “Though, I’ll admit that I do keep track of those lost opportunities. You never know when they might surface again.” She glanced at Reese. “And I so hate to lose anything twice.”
Andreev gave up eating all together, his dead stare presently pinning Reese squarely to his seat.
To his credit, Reese didn’t exhibit the slightest shred of panic, despite the fact that it was clear the Russian was visibly quite unhappy now. “My darling Felicity Jane, I’m well aware of your rather obsessive proclivities, but, as even you must know, you can’t have all the toys.” He turned his most charming smile on the three of them, white teeth flashing now. It was a striking difference from the man they’d first walked in on, and very effective. “Whatever would the rest of us do for fun?”
Felicity rewarded his blatant attempt to lighten the suddenly tense mood with a delighted laugh and swat at his arm. They were saved from further conversation when the sommelier arrived with Felicity’s requested bottle of champagne. She turned a charming, confident smile on all three men, as if commanding the attention of a room full of admirers was quite the normal evening activity for her. For all Finn knew, it probably was.
“I thought it only fair that I come bearing gifts. I hope you’ll see fit to forgive me, Yvgeny,” she went on, favoring the Russian with the full force of her charm. “Please, enjoy a glass of some wonderful champagne, won’t you?”
Andreev stared at her for a second that stretched quite uncomfortably. Finn was a heartbeat away from coming out of his chair, as every protective instinct he owned flared to life. But Andreev abruptly stood instead and turned his attention to Reese. He spoke in rapid Russian, then ended in English with, “I’m afraid I shall no longer be requiring your services. I’m certain you will be hearing from my employer.” He shoved his chair back roughly enough to draw attention from several nearby diners, but exited the dining room swiftly and quietly, with no further dramatics.
The noise in the room quickly resumed normal levels. Except at their table, where the tension remained high, as did the resulting echoing silence.
Reese very calmly folded his napkin and laid it across his plate, his dinner half eaten. “I’m afraid I’ve also lost my appetite.”
Felicity’s lips formed a distressed little moue, but the light in her eyes gave away her true feelings. “I’m so sorry if our intrusion had anything to do with that.”
Reese signaled the waiter, then stood as the young man crossed the room. “Enjoy yourselves,” he said to them, then looked to the waiter. “Please include their dinner and anything else they desire on my bill, Edgar.” He pushed in his chair, then lifted a satchel Finn hadn’t noticed he’d tucked under the table. “I trust you’ll also enjoy the remainder of your stay in New York. You’ll have to forgive me if I say I hope our paths don’t cross again.” He looked to Finn.