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When she faced me, the smile on her face made me realize I wanted more from her than I even realized. I’d been infatuated with women before. However, this wasn’t infatuation. It wasn’tlove either, although I wanted to experience that or something close to it, and I wanted to experience it with Oya.
I wrapped my arms around her waist pulling her closer to me. Her smile widened as she wrapped her arms around my neck. “Where to sexy?”
“How about my place?” My brow arched and she laughed. “Yes, my place. And I want a repeat of what we did at the shop.”
“I’m not going to disagree with you about that,” I said, chuckling.
“Then, follow me.”
5
We stepped into the foyer of the massive two-story brick home in the wealthiest part of the city. I don’t know what I expected, but this place seemed so not like her. Over the top was what came to mind.
“I got it in the divorce,” she said as she pulled off her heels, and tossed her keys in the large bowl that sat on a table in the foyer. “Not my taste, but my ex-husband liked anything and everything extravagant. Would you like another drink?” she asked as I followed her to the little miniature bar sitting in the corner of the massive living room we’d just entered.
My eyes landed on the huge grey stone fireplace and the piece of artwork hanging above it.
“Is that what I think it is?” I asked, my eyes widened.
She handed me a tumbler of whiskey. I looked back at the painting while taking a sip of the amber liquid.
“Depends.” She took a sip of hers. “What do you think it is?”
“A Jackson Pollock original.”
“You would be correct.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the beige couch sitting in front of the fireplace. “It was a wedding gift from my ex-in-laws. My ex fought for it in our divorce like he did with everything else. But I won it. I’m not a Pollock fan, but I was glad he didn’t get his greedy hands on it.”
“Your divorce must have been dirty, huh?” I eyed her as she took a huge gulp of liquor, draining the glass.
“It was. I fought for two years, and he fought me every step of the way.”
“Why so long?”
“He didn’t want to let me go so I could live my life.” She sighed. “To be honest our marriage was over long before I filed for divorce. He was leading a double life and when I found out, he gave me a reason to walk away. And nobody walks away from Thomas Williams.”
I stiffened. “Congressman Williams?”
“The one and only,” she responded, rolling her eyes.
Thomas Williams was a real bastard and a crooked politician. If you gave him enough money, he’d help pass legislation you needed. He was also unstable, greedy, and in the pockets of the Russians and possibly the Bianchis.
“He sounds like a real motherfucker.” I drained my glass, then sat it on the coaster on the coffee table.
“He is. However, you live and you learn. I’ve moved on with my life even if he doesn’t agree with me doing so.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. Was he harassing her?
“What’s that mean?”
“He has this wild idea we can work things out. But that ship sailed even if he doesn’t want to let me go. The only good thing that came from our relationship was Andrew.”
“Your son?”
“Yes. He just turned twenty-five and I couldn’t be prouder of the man he’s become.”
I could hear the pride and love for her son in her voice. Hopefully, whatever this was between us, Andrew would give us his blessing.
“I hate to celebrate someone else’s heartbreak but I’m so fucking glad your ex fucked up.”
