“He might enjoy your company. Besides, hesaid he wanted you to show him around,notthat he plannedto sleep with you.”
Aida bit her bottom lip. This was her job,but she still didn’t like the idea of some guy pursuing her whenshe had Julian. She would keep everything completely professional,and if he tried anything or asked her out again, she would dealwith it.
“I’ll show him around,” Aida said.
“I know,” Nicolette said and walked away whena middle-aged couple waved her over to them.
Aida tried not to scowl after Nicolette; shewas pretty sure the woman would sell her for a goat if it meantmaking a sale. Sometimes she loved the woman, and other times,she’d happily choke her.
Brushing her hair over her shoulder, Aidaplastered on a smile as she crossed the room to Gerald. “I’m notsure you remember me,” he said as he extended his hand. “GeraldAddington.”
Aida clasped his hand. “I remember you, Mr.Addington. I’m Aida McConnell.”
His smile caused his brown eyes to twinkle.“And I remember you. Please, call me Gerald.”
“Gerald then. Nicolette tells me you areinterested in looking at some more work.”
“Yes. I’m furnishing my new apartment andrequire some art for my walls. My interior designer would prefer todo it, but when it comes to artwork, I choose my pieces.”
“Understandable,” Aida said with a smile.“I’ll be happy to show you what we have here and tell you what Iknow about each piece.”
“Sounds like a perfect way to spend theday.”
Aida’s smile almost faltered, but she managedto keep it in place. He fell into step beside her as she led himover to one of the new paintings. She kept their exchangeprofessional, and he didn’t try to make a move, but she felt hiseyes on her while they strolled around the gallery.
“How long have you been with your boyfriend?”Gerald asked.
Aida had been about to show him a paintingfrom an up-and-coming artist she believed would become one of thegreats. The words caught in her throat as his question completelythrew her off. She’d been enjoying herself, and now this.
Aida turned toward him. “We’ve been togetherfor over a week, but we’ve been friends for years.”
Gerald smiled at her, and before she knewwhat he intended, he grasped a strand of her hair and ran itthrough his fingers. Startled by the action, Aida stepped back andgrabbed her hair to tug it free.
“Please, don’t do that,” she said.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Was it out ofline?”
Aida wanted to tell him that, of course, itwas out of line; people didn’t go around touching other people’shair. It was freaky! But she bit her tongue. Nicolette would bepissed if she were rude to a customer who might become a potentialregular buyer.
She glanced around to discover they were allalone in the back hall. A sense of unease slid down her spine, andher hand twitched toward her pocket before she recalled she waswearing a skirt and her weapons were in her purse… in herlocker.
But she wouldn’t need them here. He might notunderstand boundaries and was turning out to be a little weird, butshe wouldn’t have to pepper spray him. Besides, she had enoughself-defense classes under her belt to feel capable of getting awayfrom him.
“It’s fine, but please don’t do it again,”Aida said.
Gerald smiled at her, but unlike before,there was nothing kind in this smile. Instead, malice glimmered inhis eyes, and the cruel twist of his lips sent a chill down herspine. She glanced around the hall again in the hopes someone hadarrived, but they remained alone. She hadn’t felt this trappedsince she was on the island, and panic rose to claw at herchest.
Deep breaths, she told herself.Remember to remain calm.
“I think we should head back up front,” shesaid. “It’s almost time to close.”
She didn’t care if Nicolette got mad at her,she didn’t want to be anywhere near this guy anymore.
“Julian is a lucky man to have someone sofaithful to him,” Gerald said.
Her mouth almost fell open, but she managedto keep her face impassive while every hair on her body stood onend. She swore a ghost passed through her body as she becameencased in ice.
“What did he do to ensure such faith?” Geraldpondered.
