Kadeen stood under the hot shower, allowing the water to run down the length of his body as he stood in the bathroom of his penthouse apartment.

He had gotten the place on a whim, really. Kadeen had never particularly cared for heights, but when he’d seen the view of Central Park from this place, he’d known that he had to have it. The great thing about being a sheikh was that one could generally always have what one wanted, and he was handed the keys to the penthouse not two weeks later.

Turning off the faucet, Kadeen reached for a fluffy towel and made short business of drying off. He had left the office early with the intention of going out and exploring a possible acquisition; it also didn’t hurt to leave behind the one woman who he absolutely could not get involved with. Shaking the water from his hair, he dismissed the thought entirely before heading to his closet to get dressed.

The Sheikh’s closet was a room in and of itself. To his left, Kadeen had a wall of shoes and ties. To his right there hung a wide variety of shirts, vests, and blazers. Before him were rows upon rows of pants, perfectly organized. In the middle of the room there was a small bench for his leisure, or putting on his shoes. He tossed his towel on the bench, enjoying the feeling of the air on his bare skin.

He made quick business of putting together an outfit—grey slacks with a contrasting vest over a button-down shirt. When he stepped in front of the mirror to look at his reflection, he was satisfied with the result.

Sliding into a comfortable pair of shoes, Kadeen approached a lock box, where he pressed in a code. The door opened to reveal several sets of keys, and he deliberated for a moment before selecting one and closing the door once again. He walked into the living room, barely noticing the twinkling lights of New York that were viewable from every angle around him, before tossing on a coat and heading down the elevator to the main lobby.

The apartment building was lavish, the lobby extravagantly appointed with marble flooring and crystal chandeliers. It was nothing Kadeen wasn’t already used to, but he did enjoy the feeling of walking on diamond-encrusted tile every time he left his building. There was a parking garage just across the street, and he glanced both ways before dodging cabs to get to the entryway. He typed in his passcode, the door buzzing loudly as he opened it and walked through.

He had paid a little extra to have his car collection parked on the first level, and it was worth it. Kadeen often had very little patience when he was ready to go, and having all his cars at his disposal was something he felt was worth the extra couple thousand a month.

He located his vehicle of choice for the evening—a black Jaguar—and slid into the driver’s seat, starting the engine with the push of a button. His sound system turned on, and he entered a playlist for a night on the town—something edgy with a techno beat. With the bass pumping, he peeled out of the garage and headed downtown, weaving in and out of the bustling, early evening traffic.

Kadeen arrived at the club he was looking for, which was fairly empty so early in the evening. He parked his car at the front, leaving the keys with a valet in a red uniform who rushed to park it for him. Kadeen pulled a wad of bills from his pocket and slid it into the kid’s hand.

“Park it in the front, will you?” he said.

The valet’s eyes widened at the sight of so many bills. Seeing that they were hundreds, he grinned. “You got it, sir.”

Kadeen nodded to him before striding confidently to the front door of the club. The doormen nodded to him, opening the door as he walked through. It was too early for there to be a line, but Kadeen was confident that he would have received the same treatment even if the line had been around the block.

The club contained a dancefloor with several VIP areas surrounding it. It was one of the most exclusive places in town, and Kadeen just happened to be a good friend of the owner. Glancing around, he found that very gentleman sitting in a VIP booth in the back, doing some last minute calculations before the night got busy. Kadeen headed in his direction, though the man didn’t look up.

“Seriously? You haven’t balanced out until now?” Kadeen asked, sliding across from his friend.

Jake looked up, his young face sporting a pair of glasses that he removed as he glanced at his friend. “We had a party last night that didn’t end until eight in the morning. So yeah, this is when I have time to get my numbers lined up for the night ahead.”

Kadeen took a look at the pile of papers Jake was going through. “Aren’t you too young to be using such antiquated methods? Get yourself a computer, man. You can afford it.”

Jake replaced his glasses on his nose and continued his calculations. “I like to be able to write in my numbers. Looking at a screen isn’t helpful, and I don’t want to cram myself in an office somewhere in the back.”

“So instead you’ll go over the private financials in the middle of the club where anyone can see.” Kadeen said, leaning over to read some of the papers. “A two-hundred-grand bar tab! Who paid for that?”

Jake glanced up again as he finished writing out his last numbers. His grin dug into his cheek, revealing a dimple. “We had a celebrity or two in here last night. You know how they like to show off.”

“I don’t know if it’s showing off so much as the inability to manage money, but who cares when we reap the profits?”

“You said it,” Jake agreed, sitting back and looking at Kadeen. “You’re early. I didn’t expect you until much later.”

Kadeen shrugged, leaning back as well. Jake’s table was one that had a view of the entire club, and it was permanently reserved for him. Like Kadeen, Jake was a young entrepreneur who had become successful well before thirty, and for that reason the two had become fast friends.

“Figured I’d get your attention before you get swept into another party.”

Jake nodded. “You’re a smart man.”

“I pride myself on it.”

“Come on, then,” Jake said, collecting his paperwork and scooting out of the booth.

Kadeen stood and followed as they made their way past the bar and through a back door, to Jake’s office. Kadeen had often wondered why his friend refused to do business there. The space was elaborately luxurious. The walls were lined with books, though Kadeen could hardly guess what they would be about, sitting in a night club. The walls were adorned with art, which was what had brought Kadeen to the establishment in the first place. He glanced around until his eyes landed on the piece he had come to evaluate.

Jake watched him closely, instantly noticing the direction of his gaze. “You don’t waste time, do you?”

Kadeen continued to stare at the painting, his mind working fast to evaluate it. While Imogen was certainly a pill, she was a useful pill, and he found himself wondering if he shouldn’t have brought her with him on this excursion. “I don’t. Tell me what you know about it.”

“Oh, but you didn’t say please,” Jake teased.

When Kadeen didn’t take the bait, Jake sighed and joined his friend in front of the painting. It was of a beautiful woman holding a cornucopia filled with fruit. She was naked, lying on a blanket in a lush forest, her hair the same color as the bark in the trees. Kadeen wondered if Nicole could tease that color out a bit more back to its original timbre. Thinking of Nicole while he stared at the painting elicited thoughts he did not want to acknowledge, so he changed course and began considering the price.

“I know this is seventeenth century, very likely a genuine van Poelenburgh, though you would probably have to get that tested. It didn’t occur to me that you might actually want the stupid thing—it was handed down to me after my father died, so I just took it. The truth is, I want to redo this entire room. It’s way too stuffy for my taste.”

“Didn’t you design it when you bought this place?” Kadeen asked.

Jake shook his head. “I wish. We got it as the previous owner left it. The cost to upgrade wasn’t worth the expense at the time. After going over last night’s takings, though, I think it might be time to make a change.”

Kadeen nodded, turning his attention back to the painting. “How much do you want for it?”

“Ah, straight to the point, no dillydallying. I’ve always admired that about you, you know.”

When Kadeen only stared at him, Jake crossed his arms, enjoying the suspense.

“Two million,” he said finally.

Kadeen laughed. “You make two million on a typical Friday. You don’t need that kind of money. I’ll give you five hundred thousand.”

“Hey, I’ve got other expenses, too. Besides, this painting can fund the renovation I’m looking to complete on this place.”

Kadeen stared him down, crossing his arms.

“One million,” Jake said.

“Nine hundred thousand,” Kadeen countered.

Jake mulled the amount over for a moment, pursing his lip as he considered. He held out his hand for Kadeen to shake, which he did.

“You have a deal. Take it, and good riddance.”

Kadeen grinned, then, and his smile reached his eyes. “You can have it in my car by the time I leave?”

Jake nodded. “Of course. What kind of establishment do you think I’m running here? Now, tell me you’re going to stick around and have a drink with us. I’ll even buy you one.”

“I suppose it’s the least you could do after bilking me of nine hundred grand.”

“Like you can’t afford it.”

“Good point. I’ll have the money with you tomorrow.”

Jake shrugged. “I know you’re good for it. Now come on. Let’s get drunk.”

Kadeen followed Jake back out into the club, which was starting to fill with scantily clad women and men who would make fools of themselves for the chance to take them home.

Jake led the way to his table, where he ordered a round of drinks and motioned for a bouncer to invite a few girls up. Moments later, four undeniably beautiful women arrived at the table, sticking out their chests and pouting their lips, making sure everything was on display. The very male part of Kadeen instantly responded to their charms. The part that was being stubborn for no good reason felt like pushing all of them away.

Frustrated at this turn of events, Kadeen began flirting with a redhead, who was more than happy to listen to everything he said, though it didn’t seem like she understood a word of it. There was only one woman who understood and loved art to the same extent he did, and he did his best not to think about Nicole’s deep blue eyes, hidden behind her glasses as she worked over yet another a masterpiece.

“So what do you say?” the woman asked.

Kadeen blinked. He had completely stopped paying attention.

“I’m sorry, say about what?”

The woman smiled and swatted him playfully on the arm. It was not a gesture he found endearing.

“You’re such a tease!” she giggled. “What do you say to taking this party back to your place, Your Highness?”

“Who told you to call me that?” he asked, setting his drink down.

Kadeen wasn’t normally one to turn down good liquor, but for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to imbibe. He had gotten what he came for, and it was time to go home.

Before the woman could answer, Kadeen turned to Jake. “I’m heading out,” he said.

Jake frowned, leaning in to better hear over the loud music. “You can’t go yet, the night hasn’t even started!”

“My schedule isn’t the same as yours. I have a plane to catch in the morning.”

Jake sighed dramatically, but he waved over a bouncer and gave him instructions, presumably to fetch the painting for Kadeen.

“Pleasure doing business with you, Jake. Until next time.”

Jake waved back at Kadeen before turning his attention to the two women on either side of him.

Kadeen cleared his throat, waiting for the redhead to move so he could get out, and she pouted.

“You don’t want me?” she asked, as she scooted to the end of the booth and stood.

Kadeen rose and stepped away from the table, considering just walking away. The pout could very easily be fake. Women were excellent at playing games. His conscience wouldn’t let him.

He turned to face her. “I’m sure you’re a lovely person. I’ve just got to get going. Have a good night, and good luck.”

Without elaborating, he turned and made his exit. A bouncer was waiting by the front doors with the painting covered in a black sheet. When Kadeen stepped outside, the valet was quick to hand him his keys.

“Thanks, kid,” the Sheikh said, tossing him another hundred-dollar bill.

The valet nearly bowed out his gratitude, but instead smiled broadly and wished him a good evening.

With the painting safely tucked away in his Jag, Kadeen sped for home, thinking about the work Nicole could do on such a specimen.

Of course, it wouldn’t do him any good to think about Nicole at all.