Page 31 of Nobody's Girl

Sofia was delighted. “I didn’t think you could come! Oh, god, Elli, thank you, thank you for coming.”

Elli grinned. “Couldn’t stay away. Indio sends his love but he had to work, so he’s back home with the rug-rats. Maceo and Ori are here, though…I know you met Maceo, have you met Ori?”

Sofia shook her head and Elli bore her off to meet Maceo’s wife. Orianthi Bartoli was gorgeous, and sweet and she made Sofia feel like she was already an old friend. “Maceo has gone into business mode,” she complained with a grin, “and, darling, one of your pieces has already sold.”

Sofia bugged at her. “You’re kidding.”

Ori laughed. “Nope. Come on, let’s go see – there’s quite the crowd around your work.”

In the end, Sofia had arranged her work, with the Gallery painting in the center, flanked by the portraits of Desiree and Ivo either side, then the two abstracts one the ends. Sofia knew it wasn’t the most sophisticated or cohesive arrangement, but even so, it worked. She saw the Sold sticker on Ivo’s portrait and felt a pang of sadness.

Ori saw her face and whispered. “I wouldn’t be too sad to see it go – this is business and you have the real thing. A lot of young artists feel that way when they start selling their pride and joys. It is a spectacular portrait.”

“The model is pretty spectacular,” Sofia smiled but felt a little better. She saw Ivo talking to Maceo and another man, blonde, tall, handsome with a kind face, who she didn’t recognize. Elli followed her glance.

“Grady Mallory. The lovely Asian woman with him is his sister-in-law, Quilla. They run the most prominent art foundation in the world. You’ve heard of Ran Mallory?”

Sofia nodded. Who hadn’t? Ran was - or had been before his recent death – the most prominent member of a family who, for the most part, lived for art. His daughter-in-law Quilla’s foundation had been responsible for championing artists from impoverished backgrounds. Sofia had known all about the foundation, but then she was still a part of the Rutland family, she had hardly qualified as impoverished.

“Come and meet Grady and Quilla. Flori’s around somewhere,” Ori looked around. Sofia felt nervous but she reminded herself that was why she was here. She steeled herself. Elli, walking beside her, squeezed her hand.

“Deep breaths. It’s going to be fine.”

As they walked across the gallery, Sofia saw with amazement that both of her abstracts now had Sold stickers on them. In a flash, she was being introduced to the Mallory’s, and to a host of other people whose names she immediately forgot in the furor. She saw Ivo and Desiree chatting with other guests – Ivo caught her eye, mouthing, ‘Are you alright?’ and Sofia nodded. She really was. This was easier than she had expected – all she had to do was talk about her passion for art.

After an hour, Desiree made a speech, thanking everybody involved in the building of the gallery, especially Ivo. “My oldest, dearest friend, Ivo Zacca, you are a remarkable man. I called you for help and boy did you come through for me.” She looked over and raised a glass to Sofia. “Ladies and Gentlemen, our newest bright star, Miss Sofia Amory.”

A cheer went up and glasses were raised as Sofia went scarlet and tried to hide. Desiree laughed. “Sofia, never before have I had a debuting artist sell their entire exhibit in one night. Now, I do admit, that I did buy two of them myself. For one thing – a girl’s got to have a great portrait of herself to take home.” She bowed demurely to loud applause and much laughter. “And, of course, we couldn’t have the stunning painting of this place go anywhere else. So, I admit to purchasing those for myself. But, Sofia, I think I would have had a fight on my hands. Your future is more than bright, girl, it’s on fire.”

Sofia blushed again as applause rang out and faces turned toward her. She felt Ivo snake an arm around her waist and kiss her temple. “I love you, Piccolo,” he whispered and she beamed up at him.

Desiree went onto to thank her other artists, less they felt side-lined, but all Sofia could think about now was the man beside her. “I love you so much,” she murmured, her lips against his. The kiss turned into something not fit for company and giggling, they slipped out of the main room and into the side-rooms.

Ivo pressed her against the wall as he kissed her. “You know we were talking about getting caught?” His smile was mischievous, his eyes sleepy with desire. Sofia chuckled.

“There’s maybe about three hundred people next door.” She said but Ivo was already hutching up her dress around her hips, and once her touched her clit, she was helpless. Her hands went to his fly and she freed his burgeoning cock from his pants. Ivo tugged her panties from her with one swift move and Sofia gave a muffled cry as he thrust his cock deep inside her. They fucked hard and fast, Ivo’s strong arms supporting her, muffling their cries of release by kissing each other fervently. Recovering, Sofia burst into giggles. “This is the most amazing night,” she straightened her dress and Io tucked himself into his pants, grinning at her.

“Just the start of your stellar career, and of our life together.” He cupped her face in his cheek. “Sofia…live with me. I haven’t found a place yet but I’d rather we found something we both love. I don’t want to wait anymore.”

And Sofia knew without a doubt what her answer would be.

He moved away from the door, his erection pressing painfully against his pants. Watching them fuck had made him hard, inconveniently so – but at least now he knew who was screwing Sofia Amory. Ivo Zacca.

Ivo freakin’ Zacca.

Grant smiled to himself and as he mixed back into the crowd, he wondered how Tamara would take the news that Sofia had bagged herself one of the most eligible billionaires on the planet. It would drive her wild. Grant promised himself that he would be fucking when he told her – Tamara’s angry sex was second to none and this would make her apoplectic. He would have to be careful. Tamara might want to move Sofia’s murder up to sate her rage, and he couldn’t allow that. He wanted to enjoy Sofia’s death, not rush it. He would find a way to sate Tamara and keep her in line.

He stayed on the periphery of the crowd, observing them all. There were a number of exceptional beauties in the room, he thought, anyone of them would be a pleasure to fuck – and to kill. All too high-profile, all too risky.

“Hey there.” Grant turned to see Sofia behind him. She smiled at him and his stomach twisted with desire. She was still flushed from love-making, her dusky skin had a beautiful pink blush high on her cheeks. A second later he was aware he was staring and shook his head, grinning ruefully.

“Sorry, sorry, hello again. I’m sorry, it’s just…you look breath-taking.”

More blushing. “Oh, um, thank you. Have you got a drink? Oh, you have, um…” She was adorably nonplused. He decided to save her.

“Your work is incredible, Sofia. Thank you for inviting me.”