Page 16 of Merrick

“Still crap.” She leaned forward to look at the name. “Vinnie Cadaver. Really? Is that his real name or something he made up to appear more interesting?”

“I think the latter. What don’t you like about it?” He had drawn closer during the debate.

“It’s little squiggles that could have been done by a two-year-old.”

“It’s called abstract for a reason.”

“A reason to give whoever this is to splash some paint on canvas and call it art.” She turned to look at him again and he felt the breath lodging inside his throat. “Would you buy something like this?”

He turned to look at the painting, to gather his composure. “I have two of his paintings. In another year or two, it would have doubled in price, making it an incredibly wise investment.”

“Darling.” They both turned as the woman walked over and slid her hand through his arm possessively. “I thought you were joining me.”

“I got …, detained.”

Margo was not certain if what she saw flashed on his face was annoyance, but it was quickly removed. “Jennifer meet Margo Sullivan. Margo, this is Jennifer Westley.”

Margo forced herself not to appear flustered. She recognized the woman and the name and knew her to be a judge. Not that she ever had an occasion to be inside her courtroom, but still, she did not want her cover to be blown.

But she did not have to worry. After a dismissive look, the woman nodded briefly, before turning to look at Merrick.

“We should go and see if we can find something for your bedroom,” she murmured seductively, causing Margo to roll her eyes. She was just turning away when she caught the amused look on Merrick’s face and realized to her chagrin that he had noticed her reaction.

“Give me a minute, will you?”

Jennifer hesitated, sending her a fulminating look before flouncing away.

“You’re probably going to have to buy her a stack of paintings to make up for sending her off.”

“Possibly.” He was surprised by his unusual reaction to her. She was a stranger, a woman he knew nothing about, but he felt drawn to her and wanted to see her again.

“How about coffee?”

She gave him a puzzled look and felt her heart quickening. “What about it?”

“We should have a cup. Tomorrow.” He swore beneath his breath as he remembered he was going to be gone for the weekend. “I have a business trip…”

“No.”

A frown touched his brow. “No?”

“You’re involved and I’m not looking for a relationship.” She was going to play it cool, Now that she had peaked his interest, it wastime to pull back a little. She could not have him thinking she was easy.

“I’m not…,” he felt frustration ripening when he caught sight of Maurice and his wife heading their way. “Look…”

“Merrick, darling. You have got to see this painting.” He turned towards his sister-in-law with a polite look on his face and when he turned back, Margo was gone. He scanned the crowd with a hint of desperation and saw no sign of her.

“Please excuse me.”

He went as far as the parking lot, but it was as if she had vanished into thin air. Shoving his hands into the pockets of his dark blue dress pants, he rocked back on his heels – the keen sense of loss astounding him.

*****

She should feel proud of herself. She had made the connection and her ploy had worked. She had put out the bait and he had fallen for it. All she had to do now was to reel him in.

He was involved with a judge. Sitting on the side of the bed, she kicked off the killer heels and massaged her insteps. She had wanted to explore the rest of the gallery but thought it prudent to just leave. She had not expected him to move so quickly and on the first meeting and his invitation to go for coffee had thrown her at first.

But she had the presence of mind to decline the invitation. And had taken the opportunity while he was distracted by his family, to leave. Rising, she peeled the figure-hugging material from her and tossed it on the sofa across from the bed. She had not bothered with underwear and had felt completely naked.

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