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“Not much, as you know. Planning for the fall and winter, which I’m already almost done with. Grant writing. Lots of that.” I shake my head, annoyed with my reality.
“Your family never helps you out or —-“
“I don’t want thatbloodmoney. Unlike the rest of the world, I know the true Costas. I’m sure you understand.”
He nods profusely, then lifts his cup to those lips that used to overwhelm me. The magic of that mouth. I swallow the mini moment of lust down with the first sip of tea.
“That’s perfect,” I note. He winks.
“Have you heard of the Knightsbridge community in London?”
I shake my head, “I don’t know much about London. Only been there once when I was sixteen.”
“Ever have anydesireto go there?” The way he chose to emphasize the word, desire.
“Um, actually. Yes. There’s an art studio there whose interior I tried to duplicate. Well, definitely inspired by it. And, I hear the community is enormous there.”
“I have a home in Knightsbridge. I’ll be there this summer, and there are too many parties and events these coming months that I can’t be at all of them. I need someone with me. Preferably a woman as someone like me will have to fight off desperate artists if they think I’m single and —-“
“Wait! What?” I try my hardest not to laugh.
“None of my money is blood money. As you know, my elder cousin, Sergio, passed his mini art empire to me before he died. That was a helluva start for me. And since then, I’ve been trying everything to create a new legacy. And, so, hear me out.” He pauses for some tea.
“You don’t have to waste time this summer writing grants. You can be in London being chauffeured around, meeting fellow artists, networking, and strategizing. I need a partner. Someone to play a lover of mine,not be a lover of mine.Strictly business and I will donate a generous sum to your art studio that will keep your summers pumping for at least five years, guaranteed.Guaranteed!You can’t beat that offer, Micola. Don’t worry, my home in Knightsbridge has a few rooms, and you can have the one with the veranda. Explore London all summer. Study art. Meet friends.”
Damn. This all sounds marvelous and very tempting.
“Why can’t I just come as yourfriend?”
“There’s a benefit of being tied to a Costa in the art community. Friends aren’t enough. We have to walk in together, shake hands together.”
“I can only hear my brothers now.” I shake my head.
“You’ve had no problem putting them in their place, and they have no plans of being in London this year, do they?”
“I honestly doubt it, but who knows.”
“Listen, the truth of the matter is, we look great together. A stunning young Italian couple. We can at least work in each other’s favor this summer.”
This sounds too good to not do. However, this is very dangerous. I don’t want to accidentally end up in bed with him. I need to have a good talk with my body later.
“What’s the time frame?”
“Next weekend till early to mid-August. Not even a full two months, but when I show you this art schedule. You’re going to flip.”
My hands turn sweaty. The excitement of being in London around artists from all over is a big turn-on.Remember, Micola, I tell myself. The orgasm is in the art, not sharing a home with this man and his magic mouth.
“You said you’ll donate a generous amount to my studio?”
“Set you, your assistant, and even the young kids up for success. My accountant is looking into the number for you. But trust me, it’ll be more than sufficient.”
Fucking Alex.He found another way to get into my life. I get it. It’s for us both.
“We’re not kissing or doing anything strange to prove we’re together. Maybe hold hands from time to time and make sure we smile at each other, but once we’re behind doors, absolutely nothing. Okay? I know those homes in London can be small, so I —“
“Ha! My home isn’t small, but everything you’re saying makes perfect sense. This is all business.”
“You know you owe me.”
