Page 15 of Passion and Revenge

Vincent’s eyes light up with amusement. “You may want to try a different excuse, Miss Marino.”

I feel heat rise up my cheeks, and I bite down on my lower lip. “Well,” I drawl.

“What did I say about biting your lip?” His gaze zeroes in on my mouth.

“I don’t remember it word for word,” I quip. “But it was something about you wanting to be the one to do the biting.”

The air around us becomes charged as his stormy eyes meet mine. Goosebumps rise up on my arms, and my nipples harden.

“I added a blueberry muffin for you, darling. You’re welcome.” Jean’s voice slices through the tension between us, and Vincent takes a step back. He clears his throat and tries to look unaffected, but I can see the way his jaw clenches, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat.

I want to ask him if he’s the one who bought my paintings, whether he’s hung them up yet, and also if he’s been thinking about me as much as I have been thinking about him. Anything to keep him here.

But I bite the questions back.

“Well, since you insist on not letting me drop you off, I have to get back to work,” Vincent says.

“Of course. Um, have a great day at work.”

He nods in response and then makes to walk away. At the last second, he pauses and throws me a look. “Speaking of work.”

“Yes?” I hate the desperation in my voice.

“Will you be free tomorrow?”

“Free?” Is he asking me on a date? Oh God. Is it finally happening?

“Yes. I have my eyes on a set of paintings that I discovered at an anonymously owned storage unit sale. I believe they are the real deal, but I’ll appreciate a second opinion in evaluating them.”

“Of course, I can do that,” I tell him.

“I hope it won’t be a bother. I know you probably have better things to do with your day. I’ll pay you for your time, of course.”

What better things? If only he knew I’d been spending all my days thinking about him. Gee, I’m turning out to be such a creep.

My mouth forms a firm line. “That won’t be necessary. It’ll be my pleasure to look at paintings with you.”

Something flashes in his eyes. There and gone. I wonder if my words were too forward. But instead of taking back his offer, he gives me a pleased smile.

“It’ll be my pleasure, too,” he says. “Give me your contact details, and I’ll send you the address or pick you up if you prefer.”

I rattle off my phone number, and he types it into his phone.

“I’ll give you a call,” he says.

“Okay.”

“Good day.” He raises his cup in a small salute and then walks away. This time around, I watch his retreating back, admiring the wide lines of his shoulders and back.

“He’s a looker, eh?”

I snap my head to face Jean, and she winks. My face heats at being caught staring after him, but I just grin and reply, “Yeah, he really is.”

After locating my missing earbud, I stuff myself full of Jean’s sugary delights and then make my way home.

My phone dings with a notification and I pull it out of my pocket, expecting to see another text from Sal, but I guess he’s achieved his aim of annoying me for the day because the text isn’t from him. It’s from a new number.

Vincent:Texting so you’ll have my number too. It’s Vincent.

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