Treasure My Heart

“Oh!” Zena rolled her eyes. “It’s nothing like that. I feel very fine. Although...” She intentionally let the word hang while her expressive eyes scanned the high ceiling of the foyer. “I do feel like I’m wasting away roaming around this house and that god-awful office building of your grandfather’s.”

“That building is a work of art.” Minka took her grandmother by the arm and led her from the foyer.

“Work of art or not, it’s hard to enjoy it if you don’t want to be there.”

“Which I’m guessing is what brings us to the purpose of this visit?” Minka continued to prompt.

“Your father was slated to be the one to take over, being our only son and only child,” Zena explained as they walked down a short corridor leading to a sun-drenched parlor. “But...you know how that’s turning out...”

Silence settled as grandmother and granddaughter covered the distance to the parlor. Minka walked ahead of Zena as they entered the room, which opened on to a split-level wraparound terrace, part of which overlooked a pool below.

“Your parents said nothing about coming back to the States when I spoke to them last week,” Zena said while taking time to water-spritz the arrangement of lilies and yellow tulips on the glass stand just inside the door.

Minka’s parents, Brice and Leslie Gerald, had lived in France for the past four years. Minka knew that Zena hoped they’d return, but Minka could hear the lightness, the happiness in her parents’ voices whenever she spoke to them. Returning to the States was definitely not on their agendas at the moment.

“They’re not coming back,” Zena confirmed. “Not to work anyway, which means the job is yours, my love.” She spread her hands, as if offering Minka a prize.

Minka’s eyes widened. “Gram Z....you said...you said you’d never do that to me no matter how much I wanted it. It was one of the reasons I went to work for Sim.”

“You’re right, honey, I did.” Zena began to walk through the parlor, water-spritzing the various arrangements of flowers brightening the space. “I said that because I wanted you to get out there and get more experience. You going to work for Qasim was a godsend.”

Minka could only frown. She wasn’t sure what question to ask next.

“Being over at Wilder, where no one knew your background, your family, your...money, I’d hoped you’d gain more than just a reputation as Qasim’s efficient, take-no-prisoners assistant.”

“Ah, jeez...” Minka closed her eyes. “Gram Z.—”

“I wanted you to come out of there with a husband, or at the very least some kind of meaningful relationship.”

“Gram, I wouldn’t have been any good at my job had I gone there looking for love.”

Zena gave in to a bit of soft laughter while spraying a vibrant vine that rippled all the way to the hardwood floor. “Such dedication to business.” Her dark eyes sparkled with both humor and regret. “You’re as ambitious as your granddad and your father,” she sighed, turning to Minka. “But at least your father had enough of my genes to get out of it and focus on what was most important. I wish you had gained those particular genes.”

“Me?” Minka straightened in her chair. “Why?”

“Being ambitious and business obsessed is expected of men. It doesn’t keep them from being drawn to women and companionship, but it tends to have the opposite effect on women.” She set aside the water bottle and began to stroll the room again.

“Women tend to shy away from husbands and families in pursuit of our goals,” Zena added.

Minka shook her head. “That’s not true, Gram.”

“It is in your case, though, isn’t it?”

Minka stood. “So you called me here to discuss my nonexistent love life.” Again, she tacked on silently.

“No.” Zena’s calm was unshakeable. “I asked you here to offer you the keys to the kingdom, so to speak. Bryant G Industries is yours, my love.”

“Gram.” Minka joined the woman on the other side of the room. “Be serious with me now. Are you okay, really?”

Zena laughed, the sound as bright and airy as the sunny flower-dotted room around her. “Babylove, I promise you I’m fine. I’m not about to kick the bucket, but there are things I’d like to do before the bucket is kicked.” She tugged at the cream-and-mocha ties around Minka’s figure-flattering dress and fixed her granddaughter with a stern look.

“Your grandfather always wanted a family presence in the building, and he wanted it to be family he trusted. You’ve been groomed for this your entire life.” Zena sniffed disdainfully. “Perhaps we groomed you too well for business when we should’ve spent time on home-ec.”

“So when do I start?” Minka asked after shaking her head over the “home ec” remark.

“Oh, there’s plenty of time, but it’s going to require lots of big changes on your part, so you should be ready.”

“Yeah...” Some of Minka’s budding excitement began to wane as thoughts of leaving her job at Wilder took shape.

“You’ll be acquainting yourself with BGI business associates that you may not know,” Zena said, “and even though others will be on hand to handle the day-to-day management of those clients, meeting you in person will go a long way to enhance those relationships. I’ll keep you posted on those dates.”

Minka only nodded. She didn’t want to reveal too much of her excitement.

Of course, Zena saw it clearly enough. “Your grandfather wanted family to take over, but I will find someone else to put in this space, child, if that’s what I have to do. My plan is to announce my successor at the stockholders’ meeting. I want you to use the time between now and then to figure out if this is really the life you want.”

“I’m not a hermit, Gram.”

“No, but my guess is that when you take an interest in a man, it’s not because you see him as a potential life partner.”

“Gee, thanks!”

Zena shrugged off her granddaughter’s outrage. “You know what I mean. This is one woman speaking to another now, Mi-Mi.”

Minka stiffened her stance and nodded. “A woman doesn’t have the same freedoms in business that a man does, Gram. I’m sure things weren’t easy for you when word got out that you were dating your boss.”

“Ha! Especially during those times.” Zena laughed, her dark eyes glimmering in remembrance.

“The gossip spread all the way to my parents,” Zena recalled, “through their well-meaning church members, of course.” She let out a purely girlish giggle and sighed. “At least they got it right. Bryant and I were quite the scandal. I’m sure we christened every floor of that gorgeous office building of his.”

Minka felt her cheeks heat even as laughter tickled her throat.

“Sorry, love.” Zena winked. “Your ears are still a little too young to hear about such romps.” She patted Minka’s cheeks and took a seat on the cushioned window seat that lined the length of the room.

“Things between your grandfather and I weren’t just physical, Mi-Mi. Bryant was just as interested in the way my mind worked when it came to business. Don’t close yourself off to a man because you’re afraid of what the world may think.”

Minka stood, quietly absorbing the advice.

“You’ll be surprised how the world fades into the background when a man you’d give anything to be with steps into the picture. And you’ll be just as surprised by what’s going to be demanded of you once you sit in the main chair. You’ll do well to have a man who not only understands what that responsibility means, but who also reminds you that responsibility isn’t all your world consists of.”

Zena sighed, satisfied that she’d delivered enough advice. “Just something to think about. Come on, Babylove. We’ll have tea on the terrace,” she said as she walked out of the parlor.

* * *

Minka rushed though the door of her dinner event for the Sharpe Organization and was relieved to see that the event had yet to begin.

The open bar was already being well used. Apparently the organization’s leader, Austin Sharpe, wanted his attendees nice and pliable before the meeting commenced.

Thoroughly pliable, if the level of intoxication of a few of the attendees was any indication. The room had been decorated with Southwestern flair, and the menu reflected the theme. She barely had time to get a drink of her own before she was cornered by one of her colleagues.

Charles Ruggles began slurring his opinions to her about why they should partner up over the course of the next several weeks to ensure that the Sharpe project went off without a hitch.

“Jus’ makes sense for us to join force—forces to ensure it all goes smooth...”

Minka stifled a laugh over Charles’s crooning of the last word. “Maybe we should hold off on setting any private meetings until we know more about what Sharpe has in store for us, don’t you think?”

Charles twisted his mouth. “Nope.” He smacked the word after a moment’s consideration.

“Why don’t we discuss it after the meeting?” She moved to excuse herself from where he’d huddled her against a wall.

Charles wasn’t quite done making his pitch. “You know this’ll involve us at some point...” He barred her escape with a hand planted against the wall. His other hand still clutched a glass carrying traces of vodka tonic. “You’ll enjoy how well we’ll work together—”

“Ms. Gerald? Could I have a minute?”

Minka looked over Charles’s head to the much taller man behind him, and her agitation instantly softened. Charles was still too absorbed in his drunken wooing to notice the interruption.

Minka’s gaze fixed on the stranger with the steady light brown eyes. She nodded just slightly to accept the man’s request, and looked on in wonder as he eased Charles aside and gently laid claim to her arm.

Chapter 2

“Thank you.” Minka smiled as the stranger led her through the crowded dining area to another unoccupied corner of the room.

“There was no need for a rescue. He’s harmless,” she said, her heart flipping when she looked up at her escort.

Wait a minute...flipped? The idea gave Minka pause, but yes, her heart had definitely performed some sort of acrobatic feat when the man’s gaze had met hers. She looked on as a curious smile curved his wide, carefully crafted mouth.

“You think I did that for you?” Unhurried, he released her arm. “I was just trying to help the guy. He really shouldn’t go into a meeting with a black eye. It’s not a good look.”

Minka laughed, her head falling back and her eyes closing. She missed seeing the stranger’s curious smile evolve into a provocative grin as he appraised her lovely dark face.

“I’ll have to make sure Charles comes over later to thank you for saving his face from your fist,” Minka said once she’d sobered from her laughter.

“Best to hold off on bringing him near me till after the meeting, or else he’s liable to get that black eye, after all.” The stranger smiled, then extended his hand. “Oliver Bauer.”

Minka settled her hand into his. “Minka Gerald,” she said.

“I know who you are.”

Minka waited for those extraordinary eyes of his to take a trail downward, just like they always did when men first met her. Besides, the cut of her black wrap dress offered quite the irresistible view.

Oliver Bauer’s gaze took no such journey, however. Minka didn’t know if she felt more disappointment or offense over the slight. She blinked again, confusion pooling her eyes.

“Bauer? You’re related to Vectra.” It wasn’t a question. Her new friend and this man shared the most entrancing eye color—a light walnut-brown shade. In Oliver Bauer’s eyes, though, there lurked a playful, almost rakish look.

“She’s my sister,” Oliver confirmed.

Minka frowned. “I thought she said you were older?”

“Well, I am.” He feigned offense that she didn’t think he was. “By eighteen months, thank you very much.”

“Your parents didn’t waste any time, did they?”

Oliver shrugged. “My folks never wasted time when it came to sex.”

Minka surrendered to more laughter. “I’m sorry.” She gave a quick shake of her head and cleared her throat. “You said there was something you needed to talk to me about?”

Broad shoulders lifted beneath an olive-brown suit coat. “Not really.” His tempting mouth curved into a crooked smile. “I just didn’t much care for him talking to you, is all.” He inclined his head in the general direction of Charles Ruggles. His eyes never left Minka’s face. “Ms. Gerald.” He nodded once slightly, then made his retreat.

* * *

“So you’ve all heard the proposal,” Austin Sharpe said once his guests had settled around the meeting table. “Your minds are relaxed by drink and unoccupied by hunger.” Austin grinned while his audience laughed. “Do I have any questions?”

All around the table were representatives from the companies Austin had tapped to play a role in his bold venture.

“Yes, sir?” Austin sent an encouraging smile across the square table toward the man who had raised a hand.

“Thank you, sir. I’m Ed Summeral—Wilder, VP Marketing,” the freckle-faced redhead said.

Austin’s welcoming smile remained. “Go on, Ed.”

“Thank you, sir, uh.” Ed moved to allow a server to top off the coffee Charles Ruggles had been drinking since the onset of the meeting.

“Sir, what part will Wilder, specifically the marketing team, have to play in this venture?”

“Good question, Ed.” Austin ticked an index finger in the VP’s direction. “This will be the marketing team’s turn to shine and get some credit for all that back-breaking work your boss loads on you.”

Everyone laughed at Qasim Wilder, who sat next to Vectra.

“My clients know I trust Wilder with my money, which means I trust Wilder with their money too,” Austin continued. “This is your chance to show them why. The same goes for all the departments represented here tonight. It’ll be exciting to see how you toot your horns.”

More laughter followed as hands rose more freely following the opening question. Minka took notes on the queries from Wilder staff. Chances were high that she’d have to help the various departments at Wilder “toot their horns.”

Absently, she toyed with a loose jaw-length curl. She glanced away from the pad and locked in on Oliver Bauer’s bright, potent gaze fixed on her. The heat of self-awareness coursed through her, and Minka cast a subtle glance toward Qasim and Vectra.

The room and the square table were relatively large, but anyone paying close enough attention would be able to pinpoint the object of Oliver’s stare. Thankfully, Minka thought, no one else seemed to notice.

She looked down at her pad again and only made a pretense at note taking. Another hand rose, this one belonging to Rita Waymore, the floor manager for Gallery V in San Francisco.

“Mr. Sharpe, you’ve stated that Wilder handles your money, and we all know Bauer Development acquires your land and builds your executive parks, but what part will our gallery serve?”

Austin nodded approvingly and smiled. “The part your gallery will serve is the one I’m most excited about, because it’s an unprecedented one. The work done by Oliver and his team at Bauer D is staggering. We’ve all seen it and can attest to that, I’m sure?”

The room livened with sudden applause and cheer. Only then did Minka risk looking over at Oliver. Her heart performed another of its acrobatic flips when she saw that he was still staring her way. He had no qualms about allowing a few seconds to pass before he acknowledged the applause with a smile and wave.

“I’d like for Gallery V to showcase that genius,” Austin Sharpe said. “My hope is that the skills that have earned Gallery V a reputation as one of the most cutting-edge art galleries on the East and West coasts will create a dazzling showcase of the new Sharpe Executive Business Park in South Beach, Miami.” Austin waved with a flourish.

“Gallery V’s creator, Vectra Bauer, assures me that such a request is child’s play for her dynamic staff.”

Another round of enthusiastic applause erupted.

“Well, this concludes my presentation, folks.” Austin beamed as he surveyed the group. “We’ll all be meeting many more times over the course of the next several weeks.”

“I urge you all to remain a little longer and get to know one another. We’re all going to be spending lots of time together,” he added before giving a final salute and reclaiming his seat.

Conversation colored the room at once. Some remained chatting at the table, while others collected at the elaborate hot-beverage-and-dessert buffet that had been set up.

Minka was drawn aside by Wilder’s financial consultants. She focused on the conversation and took notes on the group’s preliminary ideas for wowing Sharpe’s Miami clients.

Much of the staff at Wilder questioned Minka’s decision to remain Qasim’s assistant when she so clearly had a talent in other areas. Alas, Minka was happiest helping her boss and friend, and more important, it kept her privileged background off the radar.

The consultant team made plans for a lunch meeting the following afternoon. Once they parted ways, Minka decided it’d be in her best interest to get lost while she could. It had been a long day, what with the drive and visit with her grandmother in Petaluma as well as the drive back to San Francisco in time for the Sharpe meeting.

She was wiped and made quick work of packing her tablet, pens and notepads in her tan portfolio tote. Despite her determination to make an exit, she paused and gave in to one last look at Oliver.

He was tall, but height seemed to run in their family. He had the kind of lean, muscular frame that Minka was sure would make him a formidable opponent on a basketball court. Dressed as he was in a tailored three-piece, she couldn’t help but appreciate the breadth of his frame. Even at rest, he seemed on alert somehow, as if he were ready to act in an instant if necessary.

He hadn’t bothered to get up and mingle, she’d observed. She supposed there was no need when a number of the meeting’s attendants made a point of stopping by his place at the table to hold brief conversations. Minka could tell that a great deal of the men were business as well as personal acquaintances.

She wasn’t sure what to make of the women. A number of them had stopped by to chat or...simply be seen with him. Who could blame them? Cinnamon-skinned with that luxurious crop of almond-brown curls...he was gorgeous. The hypnotic gaze was such an undeniable draw, especially when paired with a perfectly crafted nose, a generous, alluring mouth, a wide forehead and a faint cleft in his chin.

Minka closed her eyes and inhaled. Evidently, she’d observed him more closely than she’d realized during their earlier encounter. And you should go home before you do something really stupid, Mink.

Minka dug out her car keys and snapped the tote bag shut. She turned and smiled, genuinely happy to see Qasim and Vectra approaching.

“Quite the cast of characters.” Minka turned an assessing gaze toward the mingling crowd. “It’ll be great to see it all come together.”

“Yeah, it’ll be almost a shame to miss it.” Qasim Wilder looked to the woman at his side. He appraised Vectra with one meaningful sweep of his ebony gaze along her body. “Almost,” he added.

Minka smiled curiously while looking between the two. “Am I missing something?”

“No,” Qasim sighed the word and gave Vectra another look. “But we might. We’re thinking about getting lost for a while. So I want you to put together a team for this Miami trip.” Qasim eased a hand into one black trouser pocket and studied the room.

“Austin’s not looking to get things started down there for another week or so...” He looked back to Minka with an encouraging smile. “I’ll support whomever you tap to send.”

“Sim.” Minka rolled her eyes. “You know me well enough to know I can’t pick a team for something that important unless one of us goes along too.”

Qasim’s very dark, very gorgeous face was a study in disapproval. “You deserve to get away more than anybody. We’ve got a good group, so give ’em some credit.”

“If you don’t mind me saying, Minka,” Vectra chimed in, “from what I’ve heard, your boss is a real slave driver. You should take the time while he’s offering.”

Minka laughed. “Well, it is Miami. I promise you guys I’ll take time to enjoy it.”

“Well, if you change your mind—”

“I won’t.” Minka shook her head to Qasim’s worry. “And Gram Z. already ordered me to take some time too.”

Qasim’s curiosity was piqued. “How’s she doin’?” he asked.

“Good.” Minka nodded with a quick smile. “She’s ready to give up her crown.”

Qasim’s curiosity melted into understanding. “Do we need to talk?”

“Yeah.” Minka’s nod was a bit more somber then. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” She smiled when he reciprocated her nod and then looked to Vectra and pulled her into a hug. “Have a good night.”

“You too, hon.” Vectra’s light eyes followed Minka as she made her way out of the room, shaking hands and holding quick chats with colleagues. “What was that about?” she asked, turning back to Qasim.

“Ever heard of Bryant Gerald?”

Vectra frowned. “Gerald Industries? Bryant Gerald, the billionaire?” she blurted. “He...?” Her expression cleared. “Minka?”

Qasim inclined his head a fraction. “He was her grandfather.”

Vectra’s confusion mounted. “But why’s she working for you?”

“Thanks.”

Vectra responded with a playful eye roll and shoved Qasim’s arm.

He flashed her a killer smile. “The Geralds are clients,” he explained. “Minka wanted to make it on her own—she wanted a position that would keep her under the radar, but still into everything. Her grandmother approved when I offered, but Minka would’ve accepted anyway.”

“Hmph, sounds like her.” Vectra smiled. “What’d she mean about her grandmother being ready to give up her crown?”

Qasim rubbed his jaw, some of the easiness of his expression receding to a more distressed look. “Sounds like Zena Gerald wants her granddaughter back.”

* * *

“Had enough already?”

Minka stopped in the restaurant vestibule when his voice reached her ears. “It’s been a long day.” She found Oliver Bauer closing the distance between them. “And it’s going to be an even longer night,” she said.

Oliver made a face. “Surely you get to take one day off? Sim won’t object to that, will he?”

“No.” She smiled. “But I would.”

“Ah.” He appeared satisfied. “It’s good to know Qasim at least tries to get you to take a break.”

“He tries. Rarely succeeds.”

“Interesting.” He leaned against a wall in the vestibule. “You always get what you want?” He seemed very interested in the possibility.

Minka sighed, scanning the restaurant entrance as though she were taking time to seriously consider his query. “I think that only happens when it’s something I want bad enough. No sense fighting for it if it’s something you’re just going to lose interest in, don’t you think?”

“Hold on.” He brought two fingers to his brow and tapped them there. “I need time to think about that. Seems I’ve fought for a lot of things I’ve lost interest in.” He lowered his fingers, shrugged. “Sort of a blow to realize I’ve wasted a lot of time.”

“Consider it proof that you’re maturing.”

Oliver winced. “My sister’ll be happy to hear that.”

Minka felt herself staring, adoring... With effort she tugged her gaze from his exceptional face. “I really need to get home—”

“Are you going out to Miami?”

Her movements settled. “I’m sure I will be.”

“More work.”

“It’s Miami,” she rebutted with a smile.

He grinned. “Right. So I’ll see you there.”

“You’re going?”

“It’s Miami.”

She laughed softly. “Good night, Mr. Bauer.”

“My dad’s the only one who enjoys that Mr. Bauer stuff. My friends call me Oliver.” He gave a quick tilt of his head.