Like I gave a damn.
Nicole finally announced her judgment. “They’re perfect. Each one is unique and beautiful. Whether she’s on a vacation or just spending the night in a man’s bed, she has the perfect ensemble to wear.”
“I agree.”
“I say we debut them in New York next week. I didn’t think you’d be able to top your last line, but you’ve proved me wrong—like always.”
I liked Nicole because she was real. She said what was on her mind, but she also spoke very little. She did her job well and gave me my space. If she spoke out against me, I knew it was in my best interest. She was a great assistant to have. She was so good I really didn’t consider her to be an assistant at all.
I slid my hands into my pockets and studied the models a moment longer, thinking of the exact jewelry I would have them wear. Jewelers usually asked to sponsor the show by loaning their finest pieces for my girls to wear. It gave them exposure and allowed my girls to wear million-dollar diamonds without my having to drop a single euro.
“Are you going to put Sapphire in the show?” She asked the question in front of the models, and collectively, they all wore the same glare. They were united in their hatred of Muse, their jealousy clouding their judgment.
I ignored Nicole. “Thank you, ladies.”
They took the dismissal and walked into the dressing room where they could strip off their pieces. When they were out of earshot, I turned back to Nicole. “Sapphire won’t be modeling for Barsetti Lingerie ever again.”
“Ever?” she asked incredulously. “People expect to see her at the next show. Even weeks after the last show was over, everyone was still talking about her. I think it would be a mistake not to use her. She’s your inspiration for a reason.”
I turned my gaze to the floor-to-ceiling window and watched the light hit the glorious city. Ancient and beautiful, it was a capital of artistic renovation. I could stare at it for hours and get lost in the details of the historic buildings. “No.”
“No?” she asked. “Why not?”
I wanted Muse to wear my lingerie for me—and only me. I’d seen the way men gawked at her when she was on the runway. The way they fantasized about her. They harbored the same obsession I did—because she was the sexiest woman on the planet.
I didn’t want anyone to look at her like that but me.
I turned back to Nicole. “She’s retired. That’s why.”
“But—”
“I won’t change my mind, Nicole. I was the greatest lingerie designer before her. I’ll still be the greatest after her.” I left Nicole in the studio and walked down the hallway to my office. Muse was inside, probably sitting on the couch reading a magazine.
Lacey Lockwood appeared in front of me, dressed in a sundress with her hair in curls. She’d changed out of the black piece in less than two minutes, probably because she wanted to intercept me in the hallway. “Conway.” She moved into me to kiss me on the cheek.
Muse admitted her jealousy to me, and anytime she saw lipstick marks on my neck, she lost her mind. I wouldn’t want a man kissing her, so now I honored her request by stepping back and making sure Lacey didn’t have the opportunity to touch me. “You looked beautiful in that piece. I know the audience will love it in New York.” I deflected the blow by complimenting her. Lacey cared about her career more than anything, and by giving her one of my best pieces, it would give her what she wanted.
But it didn’t put out the fire in her eyes. Smoke emanated from the sizzling of her irises. “What is this? You demote me in your last show, and now you won’t let me touch you? Is this because of her?” Lacey’s eyes darkened in intensity, her anger exploding.
“You’ll be the finale in New York, Lacey. So, don’t worry about Sapphire.”
“She’s not in the show?”
“No.” Now that Muse was gone, there was no reason for the other models to be jealous. No need to feel threatened.
Instead of making her feel better, she seemed to feel worse. “But she’s still around?”
I didn’t owe Lacey an explanation, so I stepped around her and walked away.
She didn’t come after me, but I knew she wouldn’t take this well. Lacey had made advances on me before, but I never caved. She didn’t want me for me, just what I could do for her career. But even if she wanted a single night with me, it wouldn’t change anything.
I never mixed business with pleasure.
I stepped inside my office and found Muse sitting on the couch. She was in a red dress Dante had picked up from one of my favorite designers in Milan. With short sleeves and a subtle texture, it was simple. But she didn’t need anything loud, not when she was so naturally beautiful.