Owning Violet (The Fowler Sisters #1)(15)

Her gaze flashes to mine. She looks miserably guilty. “Not at all.”

“Because I make you uncomfortable.” I pause, waiting for an answer, but she says nothing. “I don’t want to upset you, Violet,” I lie.

But I like affecting her. It turns me on.

Her eyes now flash with a new emotion. Amusement. “I’m not a delicate flower who needs coddling, Ryder.” She checks her phone, huffs out a sound of irritation, and stands, gathering her things and pressing them to her chest. “We don’t have time to wait for Rose. Let’s go.”

Well, well, well. A show of a personality. I like it.

I fall into step beside her as she strides the short distance down the hall to the conference room. I hurry ahead of her at the last moment, holding the door open, and she strides in before me, murmuring her thanks. I let my gaze fall to her ass, appreciating the way it shifts and moves beneath the fabric of her dress. The simple black heels she wears are really nothing close to simple, considering that recognizable red I see flash as she walks.

Christian Louboutins. I know because Pilar says she feels sexy when she wears them, and so she wears them all the damn time. I swear the man designs shoes so that women feel sexy and men want their women wearing Louboutins and nothing else when they f*ck them.

“Is this everyone from your team? Are they ready?” She waves at the two men and two women sitting at the table waiting for us before she turns to face me, determination written all over her pretty face. I nod in response, immediately impressed.

“Good.” She strides to the head of the table and pulls out a chair, settling in with a polite smile on her face. “Ready whenever you are, Mr. McKay.”

So we’re back to the formalities. Well, two can play at this. “Can’t wait to discuss your new project, Violet.” I settle in at the other end of the table, thankful we’re not in one of the bigger conference rooms. Otherwise, we’d be shouting at one another.

Her gaze flickers at my saying her name but other than that, no reaction. “As you know, I’ve been working on creating my own cosmetics line. Something similar to what my grandmother did when she first started Fleur.”

“Yes, we’re all aware. I hope you don’t mind, though, that we didn’t bring any initial concepts to you.” I glance around the table at the other members of my packaging team. “We wanted to hear what you are looking for first. Best to come in with no preconceived notions, don’t you think?”

“I do.” She nods, looking pleased. “The line will be small. Sold at only the most high-end stores in a limited-edition run. We’ll be using only the finest quality pigments and ingredients. I’m a big believer in saturated color. The cosmetics will be natural but vibrant.”

Violet has turned into the efficient businesswoman. She’s hot in this mode. “What sort of packaging were you looking for?” I pull out my iPhone, ready to take a few notes, knowing that everyone else at this table is taking notes, too, and would give me theirs. I prefer to listen. Absorb.

Observe.

“I was talking about it with Rose earlier and we both agreed it’s imperative to get the packaging just right. It will make or break the success of the line, you know,” she continues, sending me a pointed look.

I sit up straighter. No chance am I going to disappoint her with this. “Packaging is definitely important, I agree.”

“Definitely. It has to grab the customer’s eye. It has to feel rich and elegant, glossy and perfect in their hands. And that’s what I want. Glossy perfection.” She tilts her chin up, those dark, fathomless brown eyes meeting mine. I’d call her lips glossy perfection, but I don’t think she’d appreciate hearing it. “Those are the two key words. Plus I want something sexy, sophisticated. Rich. It needs to say ‘exclusive’ without screaming it.”

“So nothing too obvious.” I type hurriedly in the notes section on my phone, listing her key words.

“Exactly.” She glances up when the door opens, and I turn to see Rose hurrying in. She settles in a seat close to mine, sending me a smile before she looks at her sister.

“Sorry I’m late. I had another meeting,” Rose explains. “It just let out.”

“We were talking about glossy perfection,” Violet tells her.

“Right!” Rose turns to me, a thoughtful expression on her pretty face. She’s as stunning as her sister, but I find Violet infinitely more attractive. “You know, kind of like Violet’s lips. Did you happen to notice them today?”

I swallow hard. Damn Rose Fowler for bringing up her sister’s sexy-as-hell peach-glossed lips! “I didn’t,” I lie smoothly.

“Hmm, well, I think even the color is perfect. It would coordinate well with Fleur’s current palette.” Rose waves a hand toward her sister and I lift my gaze, meeting Violet’s across the table.

She’s blushing, licking her glossed lips and making me f*cking crazy. “What’s the name?” I ask.

“What?” Violet blinks, reminding me of a trapped animal about to face her doom.

“Of the lip gloss you’re wearing.” I smile blandly.

“Oh. It’s called Peachy Pie. Part of the Lickable line.” She blushes more and I’m captivated. I have never in my life encountered a woman so shy, so unsure of herself and her sexuality. Businesswise, she seems on it. Yet even a hint of flirtation comes into the conversation and she’s a bashful schoolgirl, completely unaware of her power.