Page 28 of Nigel
"Oh. Yes. Like Iwas saying, it is not merely an agency, but a place where we tap intoour clients' needs and do our best to give them exactly what theyrequire."
“And it isworking?”
“It is.”She busied herself with the meal so that she did not have to noticehow the lock of hair falling down his forehead gave him a sexyappealing look. “You are artistic.”
His thick eyebrowslifted, a smile playing around his lips. “Care toelaborate?”
She shrugged. “I have read up on some ofthe projects you have undertaken. The museum in midtown is a perfectexample. You turned that decrepit building into a work of art.”
“It was a teameffort.”
“Now you arebeing modest.”
His smile widened. “Iam indeed.”
“Because italso said you came up with the design. And worked with the designteam personally.”
“I like to behands on. Have you been there?”
“Once or twice.I went with my niece and nephew a few weeks ago.”
“You are not anonly child.”
“I have threeolder brothers.”
“I see. And Iam guessing they are overprotective?”
“To say theleast. Lionel, the eldest, is a lawyer. We lost our dad when we wereteenagers and he took over as the man of the house.”
“And the othertwo?”
“Jeffry is acop and Kyle is a doctor.”
“A family ofprofessionals.”
“Yes.”She tinkered with her wine glass. “What do you want with me?”
The question threwhim for a minute and at first, he had no idea what to say. Picking uphis wine, he took a fortifying sip, before putting the glass down.
“I am attractedto you.” Pushing away from the table, he strode over to asection of the wall and pushed a button. A well-stocked cabinet slidforward like magic.
Choosing a bottle ofscotch, he poured some into a glass. He took a sip before turning toface her. “I felt it the very moment I saw you even though Iwas in that miserable state.’ He brought the glass with him andsat back down.
“I have to tellyou something, I have only shared with family members.” Hebroke off with a sigh, his expression bleak. “I had hoped toavoid telling you until we were- “He gestured with one hand. “Iwant a relationship with you Ava.”
The fork fell fromher nerveless fingers and made a clattering sound at the side of theplate. “That’s insane.”
“Yes,” heagreed grimly, rubbing his hand over his forehead. “Indeed, itis. But it happened before. In college.” He took another sip ofthe bourbon. “I was twenty and her name was Sara.
She was sweet andaffectionate and not impressed by my – my parents’ money.The plan was for us to get married as soon as we finished ourcourses. She was studying forensic science and I was doing businessand architecture.”
He swallowed morebourbon. “She went out one night to grab us something to eat. Ishould have gone with her and made a halfhearted gesture to do justthat, but I was behind on course work and was determined to finish.”
His hand fisted onthe table. “I did not notice she was not back until half anhour later. I got the call when I was going to look for her. Anaddict had jumped her and slit her throat. For the food she had withher and her phone.”
“Oh God,”Ava whispered, her appetite disappearing. “I am so sorry.That’s – that’s awful.”
“Yes.” Hefinished the drink and put the glass away. “It took me years toget past the guilt and anger at the needless loss of life. But all Iwanted to do was to just work, just bury myself in the job. I did notwant to feel that way again and have someone else taken from me.Until you.” He gazed at her.