Page 7 of Drew

Alyssa had been staring rather wistfully toward the exit and completely forgot to censor her answer. “Twice.”

“Twice!”

Shoot! She hadn’t meant to say that. She really didn’t want to get into this conversation with her landlady or anyone, for that matter.

“This is sure to be a lively spring, then!” Zelda took a sip from her champagne flute. “Until you showed up, things were looking pretty dull. First, I found a stunning new talent, and now everyone will flock to look at her artwork because she’s captured the attention of our most eligible bachelor!”

Alyssa barely had time to register the stunning compliment. Her mind was far too focused on the latter part of Zelda’s speech. Was she about to be thrust into the spotlight in this little town? She had mixed feelings. It would be fantastic for her artwork. Finally, getting some recognition might help her pad her floundering bank account, but did she really want the attention? She definitely didn’t want the wrong kind of attention.

The last thing she needed was another problem.

“He asked me to join him for coffee yesterday.”

Zelda’s grin widened as though she knew the best secret of the year. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you painted the Blood Moon last night, didn’t you?”

Alyssa narrowed her eyes. “I did. So?”

“So you met a downright gorgeous man for coffee, then went home and painted that hauntingly sexualized forest?”

Her frown deepened as she defended her work and reputation. “It is not a sexualized forest.”

“Oh, honey, there’s no shame in lusting after Drew. Two-thirds of the women in this town lust after him, and the other third are too old to care or too young to realize what a real man is supposed to be.”

She couldn’t deny that she’d been thinking of him as she added stroke after stroke to the canvas last night and early this morning. Ever since she’d met him, she’d had an odd energy racing through her body. She was fidgety and needy. It was all she could do to stand still tonight and engage in conversations about her work. The feeling was even worse now that he’d been here. His scent lingered in her nose; his presence had left her shaky and aroused. She needed to run. And tonight, she would, just as soon as she could get out of here.

After years of dreaming of this night, fantasizing about being featured in a gallery, here she was, wishing for it to be over so she could be free. All because of Drew and this odd feeling he provoked in her. Yes, he was dangerous.

Dangerous to her secret. Hazardous to the image she attempted to project everywhere she went. She wanted people to think she was normal when she was the farthest thing from it.

When she realized she’d been silent too long, she replied, “I’m having second thoughts about selling the Blood Moon.”

Zelda smirked. “I wondered if you might say that.”

“It hasn’t sold yet, has it?”

“Not yet, no.” Zelda looked across the gallery at the piece in question. “But several people have expressed interest in purchasing it.” Her gaze bounced around the room. “You’ve sold six others, though.”

“What?” Alyssa couldn’t keep the shocked gasp in. Her gaze followed a similar path as Zelda’s, surveying the canvases. “No way.”

Zelda pursed her lips, humor lighting her gaze as she responded. “Way.”

Alyssa blushed. The silly words had just slipped out. Then a thought occurred to her, and her gaze trailed the room for a different reason. Had her one fan shown up and purchased them? She glanced around but didn’t see Mitch. He often hung around the room's perimeter, watching her as she talked about her pieces. She hadn’t seen him yet, but she couldn’t forget that he’d promised to purchase one of her pieces soon.

It hadn’t sounded like a promise coming from him. It sounded like a threat.

“Who purchased them? Was it a man?” She tried to keep the concern from her tone but worried she’d failed. Mitch was someone to be concerned about, although she knew she could take care of herself if the need arose. He’d done nothing outlandish, but he gave off that creepy stalker dude vibe with just a touch of serial rapist tossed in. Enough to give her the heebie-jeebies and avoid being caught alone with him.

Zelda squinted, examining her a little too closely for her comfort. “It was multiple people.” The gallery owner placed her warm hand on Alyssa’s shoulder. “Relax. I know genuine talent when I see it, and you, baby girl, you’ve got it. You just need to learn how to sell yourself. Stick with me, and you can say goodbye to county fairs and flea markets for your bread and butter.”

Alyssa’s blush returned. “Thank you. Though I don’t know how long I’ll be in town.”

The older woman frowned. “But you only just got here.” She waved her hand in disbelief. “Last week!”

She shrugged as though it was no big deal when in truth, she’d loved the town the moment she drove into it. She really didn’t want to leave. “There’s a chance I might have to leave unexpectedly.” To avoid explaining, she changed the subject. “Which is why I told him no.”

“Him?” she asked, confused. Then recognition flashed across her face. “Drew? You turned down that fine specimen?”

She only nodded.

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