Page 25 of In a Bind

Chapter Nineteen

Raini

Anthony handed me another cocktail. "Here. Looks like you need this."

I raised it in a silent thanks and took a sip. I glanced around at the people, dressed in designer clothes and all trying to out snooty snoot each other as they browsed the art. Anthony, my art professor, had talked me into displaying a few of my pieces, landscapes that had been part of a required project for my graduate class. I found them boring, but Anthony insisted they were just the thing that people were looking for. Plus, he'd somehow come to the conclusion that I'd someday soon be one of the up and coming talents in the art world. He'd sold me as such to the people putting on the art show. I wasn't nearly as convinced about my talent, and since we'd had an on again off again romance, I wasn't sure that Anthony was seeing my art through unbiased eyes.

Anthony's hand rested proprietarily on my lower back and I discreetly moved forward, away from his touch. Lately he seemed to be inclined to start up our relationship again, but I had no desire for it at all. After the last off switch had been flipped, I wanted it to stay off.

"I love this bright blue dress, by the way. Especially how it hugs every curve," Anthony said in a low voice. He had been going overboard all night with flirtatious overtures, and I had deflected each one with zero response.

His mention of the dress brought to mind the last time I’d worn it, a month ago at the birthday party. A warm blush covered my skin unexpectedly as I thought about Zane pushing the dress up above my panties while he held my hands above my head. Suddenly, the room felt stifling hot.

"I'm going to step outside for some fresh air." I hurried through the gallery to the patio area and hadn't realized Anthony had followed until his hand, once again, touched my back.

"Did I stir up some heat in there with my comment about the dress?" he asked.

"Yes, but not in the way you think." It wasn't the first time something had taken me back to those hours with Zane, and something told me it wouldn't be the last. And poor Anthony thought he had been the one to make me blush. "Look, Anthony," I started, but he pressed his finger over my mouth.

"No, before you say anything, I wanted to give you some news that I think you'll be happy to hear."

I stared in annoyance down at the finger on my mouth. He dropped his hand.

"What is it?"

"I've been invited to study in Paris for a few months, and I get to bring my most promising student with me. Of course that's you."

"Is it my artwork or the thought of us having sex that makes me the most promising?"

"Raini, you know I think highly of your talent." He smiled. "On the canvas and on the bed sheets." His hand slid to my bottom. This time I wasn't discreet when I stepped away from his touch.

His expression soured. "What is it about you and commitment, Raini? What the heck are you so afraid of?"

I stared up at him. "The only thing that scares me about commitment, Anthony, is committing to the wrong person. I respect you as my teacher, but whatever else we had, that's in the past."

His dark brows knitted together. "Is there someone else?" A dry laugh followed. "Look who I'm asking that question to? Did you meet someone? Is there actually a man out there who has snared the most elusive catch of all, the heart of Rainsford Bonneville?"

"No. Yes. Maybe. Probably not."

An annoying smug laugh followed. "Well, that answers that. I need to get back inside. You think about my offer. Paris, baby. Paris." He walked back inside. I leaned against the stone retaining wall dividing the patio area from the parking lot. I finished my cocktail as I stared down at my bright blue dress.

I wondered if he ever gave me a second thought after that weekend.

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