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He seems unconcerned as he sips his coffee. “Honestly, I don’t have a preference. I’m an old man, darling. I’m not good with that kind of thing. I do know, though, that I want these pieces to be like nothing anyone has ever seen before. I want them to make people stop in their tracks and to brighten a room at the same time. I’m a man who has to have the best.”
Kylie is quietly listening, a slight crease between her brows. Is she dreaming of the possibilities such free-rein gives her, or confused by a client having no opinion about such expensive paintings? “Okay… and the one for your main office?”
The moment the question leaves her lips, I stop. I know exactly what he wants for his main office, and this is the part that makes me a little more nervous than I thought I would be. I hadn’t told Kylie he had seen the secret photo of her painting back in Willowcreek. And to be honest, I’m not quite sure she will be willing to do this one.
“Well… this one I want more for… personal use.” he says, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes as he glances at me for a moment. “Something that’s not your everyday style. A more erotic piece, perhaps a beautiful woman to put on display.”
To my surprise, Kylie doesn’t react. She remains calm and composed. Clearing her throat for a moment as she lays her pen down, she crosses her hands over the notebook with a professional smile on her face.
I’d give anything to know what was going through her head at that moment.
But alas… I’m not privy to that kind of information.
“I think that’s all very manageable Mr. Moore. Dante plans to run me to the property after our meeting to view the spaces. I’m sure I can come up with some amazing feature pieces for you.”
Damn.
Everything about the way she is acting right now, down to the way she looks, makes me want to pin her against the table and ravish her. Mr. Moore is clearly sold on her, and that’s exactly what I’d been hoping for.
“I knew you would be able to give me what I want,” he says, lifting his hand to lay it atop hers for just a moment. Though most would see the act as endearing, something in me shifts.
He has no right to touch her, contract or not. Especially when I know what he’s thinking.
What does he expect to get from Kylie?Moore was so captivated by the painting when he saw it. He has to be fantasizing about her in that painting. Her hands tied, the erotic position of her body against the faceless man… does he imagine that’s him?
Forcing myself to calm, I push the thoughts from my mind as I lift my water glass to my lips.
Moore is nothing but a client… an old man looking for artwork.
And I’m overreacting, letting my mind wander when I should be celebrating.
Fuck. I need a real drink…
Chapter Eighteen
DANTE
As soon as we’re back in the car, I let go of the tension that had been building from Moore’s affection towards Kylie. It’s clear that I’m being ridiculous with the feelings I have. To get jealous over an old man? Fucking hell. How pathetic can I be?
Kylie’s quiet, though. Her eyes scan over the notebook as the driver sets off across town. She barely has said anything to me since we left the restaurant, and I don’t understand why the hell that bothers me.
“The meeting went well,” I finally say, clearing the silence between us.
“Yeah,” she replies with a sigh, closing her notebook. “It did. I was so nervous this morning, but after going over things with him… all that’s gone. I’m really looking forward to getting these pieces done. How far away is the building?”
I pause, mouth opening as I give a short sigh. “About fifteen minutes away.”
“Oh, well that’s not bad.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “Moore likes to keep everything he loves very close to him.”
She laughs at my comment, her eyes meeting mine. “Well, he is a very sweet old man. I’m happy to help bring his vision to life. Thank you for thinking of me for this opportunity, Dante.”
I’m slightly taken aback by her gratitude. I don’t understand why it seems to catch me off guard, but it does. It’s as if I feel proud that I did something to please her, even if it was just getting her a job.
Dismissing what she said, I pull out my phone and begin scanning through my messages.
“Once we get done here, I’ll drop you off at the apartment. Then I have to run to my office to handle a few things. I was thinking that we should go out tonight, celebrate how well the meeting went. What do you think?”
