Page 38 of Fifth Avenue Devil

She nods, her eyes still fixed on the painting. "It was my secret garden. Just like the book. You know?"

“Interesting,” I say. It sounds a little forced coming out. I damn sure haven’t read whatever book she’s talking about.

Her lips twitch with humor. She gives me a little side eye as she moves on. I follow, feeling like I said the exact wrong thing. Curious, as I’m normally so well-spoken and quick with my quips.

We walk on, slowly passing through several rooms before she speaks again.

"This is gorgeous," Annalise says, nodding to a large painting. It’s from the 1600s and it depicts a woman in a transparent dressing gown, draped across her bed. "It's so… raw. Powerful. She’s obviously beautiful but also sort of sickly and apathetic. But there's also something deeply troubling about the way she looks off at something we can’t see."

My eyebrows rise. Again, I can't help but appreciate her keen dissection of the feelings that the painting evokes. She’s so fucking smart.

A completely novel thing for me to notice about a girl I am only interested in sleeping with. And I am still firmly in the no-relationship camp. But damn, this little girl is really fucking with my head.

I stare at the painting, trying to grasp for some comment, something to say. “It’s… unusual to see a painting of a naked woman in the 1600s. Right? Most art was like… biblical scenes?”

“Most nineteeth century art was commissioned portraits, I think.” Annalise’s eyes light up. “But your point still stands.”

I narrow my eyes on Annalise. “This isn’t fair. You’re just out of college. You’ve probably taken an art history class in the last few years.”

“Correct.” She smiles winningly. “I took Women Depicted in Art two years ago.”

Rolling my eyes, I glance at my watch. To my complete surprise, almost two hours have slipped by. "Annalise, I have another surprise for you.”

I start guiding her down a secluded corridor adorned with delicate frescoes.

"Another surprise?" She raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk gracing her lips. "You really know how to keep a girl on her toes, don't you?"

"Only the best for you," I reply, a hint of mischief in my tone.

As we round the corner, a beautifully set table comes into view, nestled in a quiet alcove surrounded by masterpieces from centuries past.

"Wow, Nate, this is...." She pauses, searching for the right words. "Incredible. It’s really thoughtful. I didn’t think you were capable of thinking about anyone other than yourself."

“I’m trying to get you in bed, not proposing marriage.” I toss off the words like they don’t mean anything. But inside, the strange feeling of pride expands because she gave me a compliment.

Take it easy, I tell my swelling ego.She’s just a girl. No need to react like the queen of England just offered to make you a knight.

We approach the table. Apparently, I want to be considered gentlemanly, because I pull out her chair, gesturing for her to take a seat. As she does, I can't help but marvel at how effortless she looks in this elegant and refined space. Like Annalise herself might be a piece of art.

"Thank you, Nate," she says.

As the dinner unfolds, a string quartet begins to play. Their quiet melodies provide the perfect backdrop for our conversation. Between sips of wine and bites of exquisite cuisine, I find myself talking about my childhood.

"Growing up, I always felt like I had to prove myself," I admit. "We were rich, but my parents were distant. My grandfather was the only one who seemed to believe in me. But his expectations were so high that it felt suffocating at times."

Annalise listens intently, her gaze never leaving mine. "It made you into the man you are.” She pats her mouth with her cloth napkin, then reaches out to trace the veins in the back of my hand. “A powerful CEO with a secret heart of gold. Or maybe bronze. We’ll see.”

Her tinkling laugh spreads and fills the air between us. My whole setup is working like a charm. We’re sitting close. She’s touching me. I’m telling her stories that make me seem sympathetic.

But damn if this moment isn’t also working on me. I shouldn’t be feeling the intense connection that I’m feeling between us right now.

I raise a glass to her. “We will see. Tonight, I think.”

She blushes and drops her gaze, pulling her hand away. Damn. I tripped on my own words again. But she starts speaking, taking me by surprise.

"You know, Nate, I've also felt this immense pressure to prove myself," she admits, her voice wavering slightly. "I have always felt that I was not good enough or strong enough or..." She waves her hand. "But I'm determined to make things right. I plan to earn the respect of those around me and show them that I am capable."

"Annalise, you're incredible," I blurt out. "You couldn’t let anyone down if you tried."

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