Page 22 of The Collector's Temptation

And maybe that was what I needed most. Not someone to tell me what to do. Just a friend to remind me who I was.

I rose from the couch and went to the small bookshelf in the corner. From behind a row of cookbooks and art theory texts, I pulled out my notebook. It was worn and dog-eared, filled with scribbled notes, sketches, timelines, and suspicions.

I ran my fingers over the cover, suddenly more certain than ever. It was time to pick up the thread again.

“Are you going to talk to him about it?” Melanie asked from the couch.

I hesitated, clutching the notebook to my chest. “I’m not sure. What if it’s all just a coincidence and he’s only been a distraction because we’re falling for each other? I’d hate to accuse him of something and be completely wrong, ruining things between us before they truly get started.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “You don’t have to confront him. Not yet. Just…start asking the right questions again. Get back to doing what you do best.”

“I think I will,” I agreed, glancing down at the notes I hadn’t touched in too long.

As I sat back down beside Melanie and picked at my creamy dessert, I reminded myself that Aston had never lied to me. He hadn’t hidden where he worked, his far-reaching connections, or even how deeply he was entrenched in the art world.

Sure, he had access to places others didn’t. But so did a lot of influential people. That didn’t mean he was part of something shady.

And there was always the possibility that he had the same concerns as Melanie. Maybe he didn’t want me to get hurt chasing down a theory that could blow up in my face professionally. Or worse.

Aston could just be trying to protect me.

That sounded exactly like something the man I was falling for would do.

9

ASTON

My mind was preoccupied with the fucking Manet and thatbâtard, Sterling Ellis. We could be in deep shit if the situation wasn’t handled just right.

I considered canceling my plans with Kerrigan, but she had become the balm to my soul, and I needed to see her. To feel her in my arms. To drag her scent into my lungs and drown in her laughter. I could forget about everything else and focus solely on the woman who had fast become essential to my survival.

It was gorgeous outside, and the evening temperatures were supposed to be a little warmer than usual. So I’d driven my Porsche convertible, thinking Kerrigan might love riding in it. When we walked up to it, she beamed at me and bounced on her feet with excitement. “This is yours?”

“It seemed like the perfect night to have the top down,” I answered, not mentioning that this was one of six cars I owned. Charles and I had been born to wealth and both received hefty trust funds when we turned twenty-five. And forgery didn’t exactly pay peanuts, either.

I wasn’t DeLuca rich, but my grandchildren’s grandchildren would live comfortably if their inheritance was managed well.

I let go of Kerrigan to open her door and chuckled when she clapped her hands excitedly. “I haven’t ridden in a convertible since I was a teenager.”

My lips pressed together into a flat line as I helped her into her seat. “Boyfriend?”

“Uncle,” she replied with a smirk. Obviously, she hadn’t missed the note of jealousy in my voice.

Once I had buckled her in and came around, climbing into my own seat, I hit the button to take the top down. While we waited, I cupped my hand on the back of her neck and urged her to come toward me while my head descended. Then I sipped from her sweet lips for a few seconds before sealing my mouth over hers.

We were startled out of the kiss when the convertible top snapped into place, but I didn’t let her go right away.

“I’ve been dying to do that since the moment I saw you tonight,” I growled, pressing my forehead against hers.

Kerrigan’s breath stuttered when she exhaled slowly. Then she whispered, “Me too.”

“I can’t get the taste of your pussy out of my mind,” I grunted as I dragged my lips along her jaw and up to her ear. “Next time, I won’t be licking it from my fingers.”

A wicked smile stole across my face when she shivered and squeezed her legs together.

“We’d better go before I decide I need that taste on my tongue right now.”

She swallowed hard before nodding.

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