Cat Got Your Tongue? Read Free

over. “Close your mouth, Alexis,” Max said, shooting her a saucy wink. “You’re drooling.”
    “God, Max, you never told me he’s so gorgeous.”
    “Yeah, he is something to look at, isn’t he?”
    To her annoyance, her pulse started racing—and magnified with every step Cole took toward them. She had a vague suspicion that it had nothing to do with the champagne and everything to do with the man.
    He was pure masculine beauty.
    “Max, old friend,” Cole said, shaking Max’s hand and slapping him on the back. “I wondered if you’d make it tonight.”
    “Wouldn’t miss a bidding war with you for anything in the world,” Max replied with a laugh.
    “Ah, what’s an auction at Christy’s without some healthy competition?”
    Max signaled to the waiter for more drinks. “Only problem is, you have more zeros available in your bank account.”
    “Oh, I think you’ll do just fine.” Cole shifted his gaze to Alex, his eyes twinkling with undisguised interest.
    Max cleared his throat and gestured to Alex. “My date, Alexis.”
    Alex let the lack of a proper introduction slide, and tried not to squirm. What was up with her?
    Cole’s eyes drew her in, curiosity crossing his expression for a brief moment before disappearing. He offered Alex a hand and a warm smile. “It’s about time Max attended an auction with some company other than mine.”
    The waiter arrived and Max motioned to Cole. “Join us for a drink?”
    “I’d never pass on the opportunity to scope out my competition.” Cole glanced at Alex and eased into the vacant chair.
    “Cole’s known to have one of the best art collections in the world,” Max told Alex and leaned back in his seat, looking pleased.
    “Really?” Alex knew Cole was an avid collector, but the details of his collection were sketchy.
    Max nodded. “I’ve seen some of it. Impressive.”
    Alex sipped her drink and leveled a casual look at Cole. “What do you collect?”
    “Everything. Priceless paintings, ancient weapons and artillery, statues, tapestries, tablets, you name it.”
    “If it’s expensive and worth collecting, Cole would have it,” Max said.
    “Where do you keep your collection?”
    “Scattered here and there.”
    She doubted a man like him would scatter his priceless artifacts anywhere. No, they would all be placed and hung with meticulous care, and have top-notch security to ward off any interested art thieves.
    Max was quick to add more details. “His Manhattan townhouse contains a few pieces, but it’s pretty sparse compared to some of his other estates.”
    Alex nodded and sipped her drink, ignoring her previous decision to avoid alcohol for the night. She needed something stronger than determination to steady her nerves. “Do you often stay in New York?”
    “When I have business here.” Cole glanced out of the window as another limo approached. “I have a house at Jupiter Island, just north of Palm Beach, that houses a large portion of my collection.”
    Alex nodded. “Isn’t that where Celine Dion has a house?”
    “A mansion would be a better choice of words,” Cole said with a smile. “Tiger Woods also owns an estate a couple of houses down from mine.”
    “You’ve quite the neighbors.”
    “It makes for interesting dinner conversation.”
    And you’re quite the man.
    “Anything in the catalogue that interests you?” Alex asked, in desperate need of a distraction from the male heat that radiated off him in waves.
    Cole gave a casual shrug of his shoulders. “There are several pieces on auction tonight that have snagged my attention.”
    “The Renoir?”
    A small smile toyed at the corners of his lips. “What makes you say that?”
    “A billionaire at an art auction with a rare Renoir painting up for grabs?” She arched an eyebrow. “Doesn’t take Einstein to figure out which direction your wallet will blow.”
    A deep laugh rumbled through his body, rumbled through her. “You like