Page 12 of Destined To Fall

Even the beautiful painting is struggling to hold my attention when all-too-familiar hands slip around my waist, yanking me from my errant thoughts and settling on my hips. Antony’s solid body presses up against my backside, once again uncharacteristically staking a claim. The disappointment I feel at his presence is unwelcome and unwarranted. What is wrong with me tonight? I must be coming down with something. Lustitis is surely a thing?

“You like this one?” Antony whispers in my ear.

“What?” My heart rate skyrockets with apprehension, and I resist my body’s stiffening response.

“I can see why,”he adds.

I angle my head around to better see him, utterly confounded.

“It’s very pleasing.”

The painting. Obviously, he can’t read my thoughts, which thankfully aren’t written all over my face. I almost want to sigh in relief, but it’s short-lived as I catch sight of Jeremy looking at me intently. At us.Ugh.

I twist in Antony’s arms, putting my back to Jeremy and dispelling the hands from my burning flesh. For a split second, I’m tempted to leave. All it would take is one look, one request, and Antony would rush us out of the building, his eager hands ravishing my body before we even made it to his penthouse suite. But I don’t.

“It’s fascinating, isn’t it? Apparently, a local up-and-coming artist. His brush strokes are rather unique in the way he captures—”

“Yes, I see.” Antony smiles, but it’s placating.“I’m going to acquire something stronger from the bar. What would you like?”

“Scotch. On the rocks.”

He nods before sauntering off, leaving me irked.

“Where did you find that one?” Jeremy’s smooth voice greets me from behind a few moments later.

“Not at an art exhibit,” I retort over my shoulder, not taking my eyes off the canvas.

“I thought you didn’t date.” His tone is almost accusing.

It brings a smile to my lips.“What do you think of this painting? I think the artist has real talent.”

“Luke? Yeah, he does.”

“You know the painter?”

“He has a small gallery in Portsmouth. I asked if he’d be interested in contributing.”

I swing around and gawk at him wide-eyed.“You did?”

“He’s an old high school friend of mine.” He shrugs.“I thought you said you didn’t date.” He raises an eyebrow, still expecting a response.

“I don’t.”

“Then what do you call this?” His head jerks toward Antony by the bar.

“Business,” I state, one corner of my mouth flicking up as I shift my gaze to Antony shamelessly flirting with a barmaid.

“You were correct about the painting, by the way.”

I glance back and find Jeremy studying my face.“You were eavesdropping?”

“I overheard in passing.”

Sure he did.

Antony draws my attention to him, his tall frame effortlessly parting the crowd as he makes his way back to where Jeremy and I are standing.Damn it.

“Well, he’s one bright cookie,” Jeremy says nonchalantly, taking a swig of his drink.

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