Marius nodded in agreement. “Blake needs an answer. He also requested that you meet with him. He’s interested in getting to know you and your art. Privately.” His eyebrow lift spoke volumes.
Is it just art he wishes to buy?
I gaped at Marius as though he’d asked me to perform a lewd act in front of a crowd.
What does that amount of cash even look like? The thought of a studio, where I could live and paint, shook me back to reality. “Um… sure.”
Marius released a tight chuckle. “For a moment there, I thought you were going to refuse. You gave out a cold vibe, Penelope. I mean, if you want to survive in the art business, you have to smile when meeting a wealthy client. And Blake Sinclair’s in the Forbes top one hundred.”
Sheldon whistled. “That rich.” He stared at me as if to say, “What are you waiting for?”
I kissed Sheldon on the cheek.
Marius waited impatiently, his attention switching from me to Blake, who looked serious and disinterested, ignoring the attention his powerful, handsome presence attracted.
“Lead the way,” I said.
Blake Sinclair had his back to us, which made it easier for me. I could barely stand, let alone walk with his blue eyes smoldering all over me.
My heart pumped fast. What can I say? “You’re a sleazy, virgin-buying creep, but I’ll take your money anyway?”
He turned, and his beautiful face softened at seeing me. I let out a deep breath in a bid to relax my throat. By my side, Marius was all smiles. I thought he was going to kiss me. Blake Sinclair’s generous offer would deliver the hardworking curator a nice chunk of commission.
Taking his cue from my new benefactor, Marius left us alone.
My fingernails dug into my damp palm. I couldn’t look at him, because my eyes wanted to drown in those aquamarine eyes that kept changing from light to dark. Although he wore unaffected confidence as well as he wore his Italian jacket, I sensed a complex man.
“You’ll sell?” His deep voice resonated through my ribs.
I nodded. “I’d be crazy not to.”
He studied me for a moment, and his lips tipped up at one end, which was about as cheery as I’d seen him so far. “You’re reluctant to sell?”
I shook my head. “It’s not that.”
He waited for more, but I’d lost my ability to think. He gave me space, which I appreciated.
After I’d failed to elaborate, he asked, “How about if we leave here? Have you had dinner?”
“You’re asking me out?” I hated how shrill my voice sounded.
“It’s a bit noisy in here. And the champagne is a little off. I’d love a real drink, and I’m fascinated by your work. Your talent. That’s all. Nothing too serious.” He tilted his head and smiled for the first time.
A dimple in his cheek weakened my resolve, even though a voice within reminded me that he bought desperate girls for sex.
I glanced over my shoulder, looking for Lilly, and found her leaning up against a wall, wearing an unshifting smile and engrossed in whatever her Prince Charming uttered.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “Okay. I could eat something. I’ve been busy all day and haven’t had much time.” I bit my lip. “Um… should we say something to Marius?”
He lifted his large hand. A sapphire ring stole my breath. The blue stone accented his eyes, and I fell into a trance. As a painter obsessed in color, I tried not to drool over its beauty.
He smiled gently. I couldn’t believe he was the same man. His face had changed completely. I wasn’t sure which I preferred—the brooding, inscrutable version or the charming, sensitive one. Both.
“I’ll quickly have a word with Marius. Don’t go anywhere,” he said.
“I won’t.” My smile quivered.
For some reason, I thought about my dull underwear. Why that came into my fraught mind, I couldn’t tell. Maybe it was because after he passed me his scent lingered and traveled into my nostrils and all the way down to my crotch, which throbbed against my very unsexy cotton panties.
I watched him move through the crowd. Now that he wasn’t so close and robbing me of air, my senses returned. Firstly, I had to tell Lilly. Considering her tipsy state, I needed to know that she was okay, even if I would have preferred a quiet exit.
I looked over at Sheldon, who was chatting to an older couple, pointing up at his work.
I waited until Blake returned, and as he walked toward me, my legs weakened, and my heart sped up again. I didn’t know how the hell I could eat, especially with his eyes plowing into mine and those sensual lips, which his tongue had a habit of brushing, ravaging my faculties.
Wearing a faint, almost uncertain smile, he returned to my side.
“I need to see that my friend Lilly is okay. Do you mind waiting?” I asked.
“Of course not.”
I paused. “Can your friend be trusted?”
His brow gathered as he studied me. “If you’re asking if he’ll try to seduce your friend, then he probably will.”
“She’s a bit fragile, that’s all. What I meant to ask is…”
“Is he a womanizer?” He tilted his head.
I nodded.
“James likes his girls. He’s not really the marrying kind, by his own admission.” He stared at me. “Didn’t I see you both the other night?”
“Huh?” Fire pumped through me, waking me out of my schoolgirl crush. “Are you implying that I visited that place?” I paused for a moment to collect my words. “I saw you too. You were there. Exploiting desperate girls, I might add.”
“What are you talking about?” He frowned.
“Just that you attended that sleazy place.”
“Now, look, Penelope. I was there only because James asked me along for support.”
“But you looked?”
His head pushed back. “I didn’t. And why are we discussing this?”
“Because Lilly had a bad time.”
“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that.” He paused. “In all honesty, I’m not surprised. It’s that kind of place.”
“And you should know, right?”
“Excuse me?” His eyes darkened to a deep shade of anger. He lifted his cleft chin. “And what about you?”
“I left just as you were entering.”
“Why are you suddenly judging me?” he asked.
“I suppose it’s your prerogative to exploit desperation. I’m sure you’ve never experienced hunger and mounting bills and a life that offers no way out.”
“That’s where you’re very wrong, Penelope. Be careful. Don’t be fooled by appearances.” His low, grave voice sank deep into my gut.
“I might be young, but I’m not a fool.” I turned my back on him and stormed off, like an idiot.
Fueled by anger, more at myself than Blake, I got to the other side of the room.
Fifteen minutes earlier, I’d been staring at the promise of a new life, and now here I was—the same Penelope Green, living in a stinky estate with a mother who could barely open her eyes.
I noticed Blake leave. Shit. I’d blown it. I kicked myself.
9
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