Page 11 of Robert

“Sonya,” her eyes wandered over Robert, a hungry predatory look in her light green eyes. “You are here together?”

“Yes. I know introductions are unnecessary. And I am sure you are going to be printing the fact that we arrived at the same time. So, let’s get it out of the way. Robert and I are seeing each other. Is that clear enough?” Without waiting for the woman’s comment, Sonya tugged at Robert’s hand to move them along.

“Very smooth,” he murmured, amusement dancing in his hazel eyes.

“I have had a lot of practice with people like her. Oh Robert, look!”

He felt a jolt when she dug her fingers in his arm and pressed herself against him. The outline of her breast could be felt through the thinness of his sweater, and it told him clearly that she was not wearing a bra.

Violent desire, such as he never felt before washed through his body and left him as weak as a kitten and it took him a moment to focus on what she was so excited about.

The sculpture was right in front of them, and it was beautifully carved, depicting a mother and child. The female’s head was bent, gazing in rapt wonder and love at the baby suckling at her breast.

“Isn’t it absolutely lovely?”

You are absolutely lovely, he thought achingly.

Shifting slightly and pretending to have an interest in the piece, he tried to gather his composure and ignore the tightnessthat was making him uncomfortable. Before he could form an appropriate response, a familiar voice sounded behind them.

“I hope you are thinking of making a purRobert.” The deep voice drawled in amusement. “There’s no touching of the merchandise unless you are claiming ownership.”

Robert was so happy for the distraction that he turned towards his friend with a wide smile that took Jackson aback and had him blinking.

“I am betting it’s overpriced as usual.”

“But surely worth every penny,” Sonya enthused. Robert had to tamp down the flare of jealousy as she walked over to hug Jackson. He felt the violent need to tear the man’s arms from around her waist and had to take a breath. Jackson was happily married to a wonderful woman; he argued to himself. There was no need for violence.

He was not aware that he had shown his hands until he saw the amusement flickering on his friend’s face.

“You are looking particularly lovely tonight darling,” he kissed her full on the lips and had Robert’s ire flaring.

“Thanks. I see Jerri and a few others.” Turning to Robert, she offered up a smile, blissfully unaware of the chaos she was leaving in her wake. “I will see you later.”

“Beautiful, isn’t she?” Jackson drawled, watching his friend staring at the departing beauty. “Exquisite bone structure and flawless complexion, not to mention those lips.” His smile deepened when Robert turned to look at him, fire blazing in his hazel eyes. “And I would remind you that I love my wife to pieces.

So, I am not in the least bit interested in what’s yours.” His look became curious. “I am assuming the territorial look means, she’s yours?”

“She belongs to herself,” he murmured gruffly. Shoving his hands into the pockets of his charcoal gray slacks, he turned his attention to the piece.

“Ah, she doesn’t know you have feelings for her.”

He shot his friend a discouraging look which did not stop Jackson in the least.

“It’s complicated.”

“Isn’t love always?” Jackson murmured smoothly. “If you continue to look at her like that, you are going to have to find a private room.”

“Get lost.”

“Now, is that anyway to talk to a friend?” Jackson tutted, fully enjoying the show. He came from a similar background as Robert.

He and his brother had been dumped at a group home when they were children and if it had not been the intervention and love of a childless couple, they might have been swallowed up by the system. Now they were very wealthy men, belonging to a society who would have shunned them if their status had been unchanged.

Jackson also knew that Robert had seen and done things that had hardened him into a brittle shell. But he was surprised and pleased to realize that his friend had found someone to take the brittle off. Jerri had done it for him.

He had found love in the most unusual manner, and he would be forever grateful to the woman who had accomplished the seemingly impossible. Before Jerri, he had his art and his brother, but his life had been empty. Now it was full to overflowing.

“You can purRobert the sculpture for her. It would look damn good in that office of hers.”

---