Read Online The Jewel of His Collection by Fae Mallory - Free Book Online

if she’d forgotten that fact. He wanted to see what she was capable of, and she hadn’t disappointed.
    The only thing he regretted was that he hadn’t been able to talk with her more about the choices she’d made for the exhibit. His initial plan was to be much more involved with its development, but his responsibilities to his company had interfered. The financial department had turned up some anomalies, and tracking down the source was taking up far too much of his time, meaning that he’d been forced to push his pursuit of Violet onto the back burner until it was sorted out. Even in the midst of the mess, he’d been determined to attend the premiere, envisioning a private celebration with Violet afterward. He wanted to hear her talk about his paintings after surrounding himself with her design.
    When he stepped into the museum to see her wearing yet another colorless tent, Ian had to swallow a curse. Tonight was her moment to shine, and she’d again opted to fade into the background. It was obscene. Briefly, he toyed with the idea of offering her Geminids in exchange for control of her wardrobe. He’d burn every hideous tent dress she owned and put her in something that would showcase her voluptuous figure. Something slinky and electric blue would set off her eyes and let him appreciate her inviting curves. Violet wouldn’t be able to fade into the background then. Every eye would be on her, appreciating her beauty just as much as her talent for design.
    Then he saw that damned reporter sniffing around her and rethought his fantasy. Violet didn’t yet know that she was his and to display her to her best advantage would only be inviting competition. Hallar already looked far too interested, and he didn’t know what she looked like under the swathe of fabric she called a dress. If he did, there’d be no getting him away from her, and Ian wasn’t one for unnecessary complications. There would be plenty of time for revamping Violet’s wardrobe after he got rid of Hallar.
    Logically, Ian knew that the reporter was no real threat to his relationship with Violet. In his brief conversation with the man, Ian had discovered that not only did he know nothing about Hunter Madden, but also he barely recognized the name Pollock. Violet could have no interest in someone who didn’t share her passion for art.
    Still, she’d seen fit to defend him when Ian pointed out Hallar’s ignorance, making him glad he’d gotten rid of the reporter as quickly as possible. If he and Violet were old school friends like she’d implied, there was always the possibility that the warmth of nostalgia would rekindle a romance, and that was not an obstacle he cared to surmount. He needed to make sure that Hallar kept his distance from Violet. Ian had never considered himself the jealous type, but Violet made him feel downright territorial. He’d waited years to find someone who shared his passion, and now that he’d found her, it was all he could do not to simply throw her over his shoulder and drag her back to his house.
    Violet probably wouldn’t appreciate that, so offering Leroy a hundred dollars to make sure the reporter didn’t get back inside was the next best thing. Despite his precautions, Ian still felt better when he saw Violet leave the museum long after the party was over. He watched carefully as she got into her car and drove away, his long vigil rewarded by the sight of her. Violet was safely on her way home, and just as important, she was alone.
    Leaning back against the seat, Ian yawned and closed his eyes, smiling at the image of Violet that formed behind his eyelids. She’d been a nonentity to the partygoers, none of them noticing the jewel in their midst. Like any art collector, Ian had spent hours combing through lackluster amateur work in hopes of discovering a hidden treasure. Now, he’d found one.
    Violet was his secret. In her shapeless dress, she hid in plain sight, and it amused him to think of all the men