Nobody Does It Better

Chapter Eleven

The only reason Lucas had accepted to come to this charity event was a tall, lean beauty named Mina Morowa. Mina and Lucas had began a casual relationship when he'd invested in her father's horse breeding farm in Ghana several months ago. He found Mina, as a person, mildly interesting: as a lover, she was quite talented. Even though she might have originally had a misguided idea that their relationship would lead to marriage, Lucas had set her straight, in his own subtle, gentlemanly way. They both understood that this date was casual, that after tonight they would go back to not speaking for long periods of time.

Mina tightened her grip on Lucas's arm. 'There's someone you simply have to meet.'

'Is there?' Lucas replied.

'Yes. It's Austin Kimani.' Mina all but dragged Lucas across the crowded room.

'Who's he?'

'My ex.'

'Oh.'

'You're not jealous, are you?'

Before Lucas could think of a diplomatic response, Dick Otieno waylaid them. The man placed his thick, strong hand on Lucas's shoulder. 'Still getting all the pretty girls, I see.'

Lucas smiled at Dick despite the fact that the feel of the man's hand on his shoulder made him slightly uncomfortable. Even when they'd been students and rugby teammates together in high school, Lucas had sensed something a little off center about the guy. They had never been friends, but now ran into each other occasionally at various functions. Apparently they were in the same social circle.

'Mina Morowa, may I introduce Dick Otieno.' He eyed the bulky man. 'Or would you prefer Otis?'

'Come on now, Luke,' Dick smirked.

Mina faked a smile. Dick removed his hand from Lucas's shoulder and grasped Mina's hand, much to her surprise. She gasped softly.

While Dick babbled his way through what he probably thought was some witty repartee, Lucas zoned out and leisurely scanned the ballroom. The crème de la crème of Nairobi society was in attendance, along with several out of towners. Celebrity stylist, Rose Sylvia, spied Lucas, raised her hand and waved. Rose was the best in the country, and that was the reason Lucas had hired her to personally style all his outfits. That, and that she was smoking hot.

Too bad she wasn't straight.

Who was the man talking to Rose? Lucas wondered. He looked vaguely familiar, but Lucas couldn't quite place him.

'Who's the guy with Rose?' Lucas interrupted the going-nowhere conversation between Mina and Dick.

Gazing up thankfully at Lucas, Mina said, 'That's Paul Olano. The son of the owner of Caltech Petrol Stations. You're the one who lives in this country and you don't know him?'

Lucas grunted.

'Please excuse us Dick.' Mina tugged on Lucas's arm. 'We simply have to say hello to an old friend before we leave.'

'We're leaving?' Lucas grinned. Nothing would please him more.

'Of course we are. I'm traveling to Ghana in a couple of days. I want you all to myself for a little while tonight.'

Dick choked on his own saliva and awkwardly excused himself.

'Very effective,' Lucas said once Dick was out of earshot.

'Whatever do you mean.'

'You as good as told Dick that you intend to have your way with me tonight.'

'I do,' Mina said, a wistful expression on her lovely face. Then her expression changed, hardened; and she laughed. 'Let's just call it what it is, okay?'