Any Way You Want It (Brand Clan #2)(22)

And Autumn had painted to her heart’s content. She’d painted people at a market, a red dress hanging in a boutique window, a bridge overlooking the Seine.

And she’d painted Zandra, a tender smile on her face as she’d quietly stroked her brush across the canvas.

It would be the last time Zandra saw her mother alive.

Shortly after Autumn returned home, Zandra received the phone call from her father that would change her life forever.

In a voice devoid of emotion, he’d told her, Your mother’s dead. Come home.

Reeling with shock and grief, she’d rushed back to Chicago, where she learned the unspeakable details of her mother’s suicide.

After washing and folding a load of laundry, Autumn had walked into the bedroom closet and hung herself with one of her husband’s belts. He’d found her there when he came home from work that evening.

Zandra was so absorbed in her dark reverie that she didn’t notice when her driver, Norman, pulled up outside the luxury high-rise on East Delaware and climbed out to open the back door for her. She woodenly thanked him and wished him a good night, then walked into the building, nodded abstractedly to the concierge and rode the elevator to her floor.

As soon as she entered her penthouse, she set down her purse and attaché case, stepped out of her heels and headed straight to her custom-built wine cellar off the kitchen. She needed a drink. The more, the better.

She’d just selected a bottle of merlot when her doorbell rang.

She frowned, wondering who it could be.

Not Remy, she prayed. After the emotionally trying day she’d had, she couldn’t deal with his overwhelming masculinity or the dangerous feelings he aroused in her.

She’d called him earlier to cancel their lunch date, citing an appointment that came up unexpectedly. In the heavy silence that followed, she’d sensed Remy’s skepticism and displeasure. But to her surprised relief, he’d accepted her excuse and told her he would see her later.

She hoped later didn’t mean tonight.

The doorbell rang again.

With a sigh, she set down the corkscrew and went to answer the door.

She was surprised to find one of her new neighbors standing there holding a bottle of wine.

He smiled, green eyes crinkling at the corners. “Hi. I hope I’m not intruding. I moved into the building a couple weeks ago, and I’ve been meaning to stop by and introduce myself. My name’s Colin.”

Zandra hesitated, then shook his proffered hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Zandra.”

“I know.” His smile turned sheepish. “I saw you heading out for a jog one morning and asked the doorman your name. He couldn’t say enough wonderful things about you.”

“Oh, I pay him to do that.”

Colin laughed, a warm, easy sound. He was a very attractive man, with dark brown hair, olive skin and the rangy build of a casual athlete.

He held out the bottle to her. “This is for you.”

“Oh, how thoughtful.” Accepting the wine, Zandra glanced at the distinctive label.

“It’s a Napa Valley rosé. I spent a day at the vineyards during my recent business trip to San Francisco.”

Zandra smiled at him. “I appreciate the gift, but I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You just moved here. I’m supposed to bring you something to welcome you to the neighborhood.”

His eyes twinkled. “Well, you could always invite me inside for a glass of wine,” he suggested.

“I could.” Zandra gave him an amused, considering look. She didn’t make a habit of welcoming strange men into her home, but Colin seemed harmless enough. She’d glimpsed him around the building once or twice, and judging by the way he’d been staring at her, she’d known it was only a matter of time before he would make his move.

Deciding she could use some company—if only to keep her mind off the troubling events of the day—Zandra opened her door wider. “Please come in.”

Colin smiled with pleasure, stepping into the apartment. As Zandra closed the door behind him, he cast an appreciative look around the spacious living room, taking in the glossy wood floors, luxurious crown molding, richly painted walls, eclectic collection of art and photography, and the plush sofa and chairs strikingly accented with red, chocolate and blue quartz.

He gave a low whistle. “I know we just met, but I need the name of your interior designer. This place is stunning.”

“Thank you.” Zandra smiled, accustomed to the reaction from new visitors. “She’s an old friend. I’d be more than happy to refer you.”

“That’d be great. I’m still settling into my apartment, but you’ve definitely given me something to strive for.”

“That’s good. Have a seat, and I’ll be back with the wine.”

As Zandra headed from the room, Colin went from admiring her decor to blatantly checking out her ass. That, too, was nothing new to her.

Inside the chef’s kitchen, she returned her unopened bottle of merlot to the wine cellar, then uncorked the rosé and filled two glasses.

When she reentered the living room, Colin was standing at the row of windows that boasted spectacular lakefront views. He turned and smiled warmly as Zandra handed him a glass.

“To beautiful new neighbors,” he toasted her.

She smiled. “And neighbors who come bearing gifts.”