Art of Deception (Contemporary Romance)

  She turned to the next rendering, the expanded kitchen. She let out a guffaw. He really didn’t know her at all. He’d drawn in appliances. At least the new refrigerator wasn’t harvest gold.

  She flipped to the next scene. It was her favorite. She stared at the swan bed with its flowing draperies. She imagined reclining atop its high mattress with pale colored linens. It was truly fit for a princess.

  That’s what Jon deserved; a real princess and Max was only a pretender. If he was trying to make a silk purse out of her it would be futile. She wasn’t silk purse material.

  It was ridiculous to encourage him because, in the end, he’d be disappointed. In the end he’d be angry and she’d be broken-hearted. In the end...

  For a time, she stared at the moon spilling into the loft through the skylight, clutching the renderings to her chest. The scent of lavender grew cloying and she blew out the candle.

  Resolutely, Max climbed out of the tub and changed to a pair of jeans and slid into her Birks. She stuck her toothbrush in one pocket and some cash in the other. She called a taxi from the lobby and ordered the driver to take her to Jon’s high-rise.

  On the way over, she was filled with doubt. What if Jon wasn’t there? What if he was there with someone else? The driver pulled up to the structure and she paid him. Standing on the sidewalk, she hesitated, and then entered the building.

  Jon had taken her in through the parking entrance and it had been much less daunting. The lobby was very shiny. Everything was made of polished granite, steel and mahogany. She rang for the elevator and paced as she waited for its arrival. The doors opened so silently, she didn’t hear. She jumped when she turned and saw them yawn open for her.

  She stepped in and pushed the button for the top level. Max had little time for panic as she was delivered to the penthouse floor in what seemed like a heartbeat.

  She stood outside his door for a full five minutes, debating her rash action. Finally, she rang the bell and waited.

  Max heaved a sigh. He’s not home.

  She felt both relief and disappointment. As she turned to leave, the door opened.

  “Millie?” Jon looked confused. He was probably entertaining someone.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have come. It’s late.”

  He grabbed her hand and drew her roughly into his arms. His lips found hers as he lifted her off her feet and inside his apartment.

  “You’re here,” he whispered, setting her down. “I can’t believe it. I was aching for you and here you are.”

  “Here I am,” she said. “I wanted you to know that I’m positive that I’m not the right woman for you, but I do love you.” Her insides quaked but she hoped she appeared to be rational.

  “I love you too and that’s all that matters.”

  “It’s not,” she said. “There are so many things going on and I know I’m all wrong for you.”

  He stopped her with his finger to her lips.

  “I’m the one who gets to decide if you’re the right woman for me and I think you’re a perfect fit.”

  She grinned as he picked her up and whirled around with her. “And they say love is blind.” She squeezed down a pang of remorse, thinking the look of joy on his face would be gone when he discovered what a liar she was. Would he ever believe anything else she said?

  “No, I’m looking right at you and I think you’re my perfect mate.”

  “For tonight, I’ll concede that point,” she said as he lowered her to the floor. “And that’s my butt.”

  “Yeah, but what’s this?” he asked, fingering the lump in her pocket.

  “I brought my own toothbrush.” She removed it from her pocket and held it aloft.

  “I have just the place for it.” Jon took the toothbrush and led her to his bathroom. He placed it in the holder beside his toothbrush. “I guess this officially means you’re spending the night.”

  A feeling of panic rose from the depths of her stomach. “I am.”

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “No.” Max kicked off her Birkenstocks.

  “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Nope.” She removed her tee shirt and let it fall to the bathroom floor.

  “So, you came here to...” Jon tried to control his grin but it got away from him, lighting his eyes with a warm flame of desire.

  “Yes,” she said. “I came to be with the man I love.”

  Jon pulled her into his arms, lowering his mouth to hers. His kisses always made her feel unstable, as though on a boat in the middle of a tack, lifted by waves.

  They drew apart. Max stroked her fingertips over his chest lightly before applying them to the task of unbuttoning his shirt. She pushed it off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, all the while aware that this was not the kind of shirt that you threw on the floor.

  He stuck his fingers in the waistband of her jeans and popped the snap.

  She felt desire radiating through her from the point where his fingers made contact with her skin.

  Jon knelt before her, kissed her stomach and slowly drew the jeans down her thighs. His fingers invaded the space under the elastic stretching across her hips. Her bikini panties slid to her ankles as his tongue continued to explore her most private parts.

  She gasped, leaning against the cool tiles, a sharp contrast to the flames devouring her nether regions. She twined her fingers in his hair, as his assault grew stronger. “Oh, no! Don’t!” She moaned.

  Jon glanced up at her, grinning.

  “I mean, don’t stop.” She kicked her jeans and panties aside. Jon carried her to the bed and didn’t stop. He covered every inch of her body with kisses. She felt warm. Too warm, as waves of passion roiled up from her belly. She held onto his shoulder, enjoying the play of his musculature under her fingers. “Jon,” she whispered.

  He leaned close to her to respond. “What’s the matter, my precious?”

  My precious? A wide grin spread across her face. No one had ever called her precious. Is he blind? Is he crazy? Is this what love does to you?

  He grinned in return. “What’s on your mind?”

  “I just wanted to tell you that you don’t have to work so hard. I am deeply, passionately and completely in love with you.”

  The dimples at the corners of his mouth flashed. “That’s exactly why I have to work so hard. I want to keep you that way.”

  She drew in a breath. “No problem.”

  His gaze held her while he lowered his mouth to take possession of her lips.

  Holding her, kissing her, Max felt like she was floating, far out to sea. Uncharted waters that she knew might drown her. For now, she gave herself over to the process of being loved.

  And love her, he did. He made sure she was totally sated before he was done. Max was caught up in the swirling eddy of the physical, spiritual and emotional personification of the word love. The joining of their bodies took her beyond any experience she had previously known. She thrilled with each deepening thrust, gasping out in pleasure. After the last rapturous crest was reached she slid down into the comfort of Jon’s arms. He brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her lips softly.

  “This was wonderful,” she whispered.

  “This is the rest of our lives.” He kissed her brow.

  Her stomach tightened up as she fought against the desire to bare her soul; to tell him her terrible hurtful secrets. She heard Willa’s voice in her head, cautioning her to keep it together, at least until after the show. She settled into his embrace to preclude any response.

  Later, as he slept, Max lay with her head on his shoulder listening to his steady heartbeat and rhythmic breathing. As much as she loved the way he made love to her, she also loved the way he held her, as though she was something precious he didn’t want to lose.

  Above all else, Max didn’t want to be lost.

  ~*~

  Willa and Merrick gazed up at the stars. They lay naked on their backs, her head resting on h
is arm. She tried to contain her smile, with little success.

  The boat rocked gently as waves lapped at her sides, producing a wet splashing sound.

  Merrick’s love-making seemed to go on and on. Every time she thought he was done with her, she’d found she was mistaken. He was able to re-ignite her passions with a kiss, a look or a stroke of his fingers on her bare skin.

  She stretched and turned toward him, grazing his side with various parts of her body. She planted her chin on his chest.

  “We should be heading to shore soon.”

  “Soon.” He turned toward her, embracing her with his free arm. He caressed her hair, ran his fingertips over her shoulder and down her back.

  “Don’t tell me you’re ready to go again,” she said.

  “I’m just touching you.” He kissed her temple.

  “That’s how it starts.”

  “I’m learning how it starts with you.” He kissed her shoulder.

  “Stop! I have to go home.”

  “Why? We could stay here tonight. I have a bed in the cabin if you’re cold.”

  “I’m not cold,” she said. “You’ve definitely kept me warm. But I have to be at Max’s place by nine. The truck is coming to transport her paintings. I have to be there.”

  “I understand. I’ll take you home.” He rolled over on top of her, cradling her head. He balanced his weight on his forearms as he kissed her.

  Willa stroked down his back with her fingertips, letting her nails drag over his skin on the way back up.

  He kissed down her body, paying particular attention to her breasts.

  She drew in her breath and arched her back as he circled her nipple with his tongue. “It doesn’t feel like you’re taking me home.”

  “Funny,” he said, his voice husky with desire. “That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “I have a breakfast meeting with a client,” Jon told her. He pulled into the parking lot at her loft and started to park.

  “Just let me out here,” Max said. “I don’t want to keep you.” She reached for the door handle.

  “I want to keep you.” His voice was soft, but the intense expression on his face stopped her flight.

  A flush of warmth suffused her. “You know what I mean.” She leaned close for a kiss and then opened the door. “I’ll see you later.”

  “I’ll meet you at the gallery when I’m done.” He drove off with a wave.

  Max watched him leave, yo-yoing between joy over the fact that he loved her and regret for the mountain of lies that threatened to wreck their happiness. She climbed the stairs and unlocked her door, leaving it open for whoever was to come.

  She still needed to attach plastic over the frames of her latest works before the truck arrived. She felt jittery. Her dream was about to come true. Her work would hang in a major gallery. Her one-man show would make the Sunday Chronicle.

  Max Foster was coming into her own.

  “Hey, Girl!” Willa staggered in the door and collapsed on the futon, leaning her head back.

  “What are you doing? You’re never tired. You’re Willa, the Energizer Bunny. Get up!” Max circled around her, gesturing in mock dismay.

  “Leave me alone.”

  “Who are you and where is Super Willa?”

  “She went on her first real date with your brother. She’s exhausted and decided to sleep in this morning, so she sent me in her place.”

  “So, you’re Wimpy Willa?”

  “Shut up and get me something to eat.”

  Max was grinning down at her. “I can make toast.”

  “Anything.” Willa stretched out on the futon and closed her eyes. “Would you chew it for me?”

  “What did you guys do last night?” Max placed a slice of bread across her electric skillet.

  “Merrick took me for a moonlight sail.”

  “Oh you poor baby.” Max hurried to her side. “Did you get sick? You look like death on a cracker.”

  “Thanks ever so much.” Willa sat up and tilted her head at an angle. “You’re saying I look like crap?”

  Max eyed Willa, choosing her words carefully. “I’ve seen you looking much better. Blowing chunks in the bay isn’t much fun, is it?”

  “I didn’t get seasick. The sail was wonderful. Merrick let me take the wheel.”

  Max stepped back and put both hands on her hips. “My brother let you sail his precious boat?”

  Willa sniffed the air. “What’s burning?”

  Max ran to the kitchen area and flipped the burning toast into the sink. She ran water over it and tossed the soggy remains in the trash.

  Willa took a vial of cologne out of her handbag and spritzed it in the air.

  “Okay, Willa. Truth time.” Max marched back and plopped down beside her. “What’s going on between you and my brother?”

  “I would tell you everything except I promised Merrick I wouldn’t.” Willa shrugged her shoulders and made a palms up gesture.

  “Because?”

  “We made a deal not to tell you because, if it doesn’t work out, you’d be uncomfortable. We thought we could pretend it didn’t happen if you didn’t know. We both don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Too late. You might as well spill it all because you know you will.” Max gave Willa a glare of mock fury.

  Willa tucked her lower lip under her teeth. “You’re my best friend in the whole world, but I don’t know how to tell you that your brother and I...”

  Max made a guttural noise in the back of her throat. “It’s obvious that you’re doing it.”

  “Yes!” Willa shrieked. “Your brother is so fine. He’s like a wild man. He jumped on me at least five times last night. I don’t know. I lost count.”

  “It’s the Foster curse,” Max said. “Our parents are still passionately in lust after two kids and years of marriage. We learned not to open any closed doors without knocking first.”

  Willa giggled. “I’m so in love with him, Max.”

  “I know, honey.” Max held out both arms and Willa laid her head on her shoulder. “I hope it works out.”

  Two men in Claremont coveralls hovered in the doorway.

  “Come in,” Max called. She and Willa sprang off the futon and set about getting the paintings loaded.

  Merrick came in a few minutes later. “Good morning,” he said. “I brought breakfast.”

  Willa smiled at him, the look on her face betraying her feelings.

  Max watched the interaction between the two. She’d never seen Merrick so attentive. A grin spread across her face. He’s in love. My brother’s in love with Willa.

  “Kolache, Max?” He offered her the box.

  Merrick took over supervising the loading of the paintings into the freight elevator. He helped arrange the largest painting in last and then loaded Max into his truck for the trip to the Gilman Gallery. Willa preferred to take her own vehicle.

  The Claremont truck led the way, followed by Willa in her Jaunty Jetta and Merrick’s truck bringing up the rear.

  Max glanced at Merrick. He looked different. His little smile was annoying and the way his eyes were fixed on the Jetta was enough to make one puke.

  She’d seen that look before. It was the same look on Jon’s face when he was looking at her. Max broke out with her own annoying little smile.

  When they arrived at the gallery, Willa grabbed a parking place and gave a little finger wave as she disappeared into the building. Max jumped out while Merrick was searching for a place to park his truck.

  The gallery was empty. All the walls were cleared and waiting for the arrival of the Max Foster collection. A shiver ran down Max’s spine as the enormity of the event dawned upon her.

  “Cherise, Dahling!” Willa crowed.

  A curvaceous brunette wearing four-inch stilettos tip-toed toward Willa, shrieking in a high-pitched Texas drawl. “Ma chérie, it’s been too long.”

  They exchanged air kisses and shoulder hugs.

 
; “Congratulations,” Willa said. “You were so wise to book Max Foster’s show before another gallery scooped you. You’re always on the cutting edge, Cherise.”

  Cherise, wrinkled her nose and grinned. “I try to stay au courant.”

  Max stepped out of the way as the painting she’d produced for Oleg Cantwell was brought into the gallery. The men set it on the far wall and returned to the truck to continue unloading.

  “Hey.” Jon arrived and slipped his arm around Max’s waist.

  “You’re early,” she said.

  “I thought you might like some help.” He kissed her cheek. “And I wanted to see you.”

  She smiled up at him. “I am glad to see you. We just got here. Your men are bringing in the paintings now.”

  “I’ll go talk to them.” He walked out to the delivery van.

  She watched him through the huge store front window. She turned to the big canvas and began to carefully remove the wrapping. Stepping back, she held the plastic in her arms. The colors came alive against the gray wall.

  “It looks phenomenal,” Willa said, joining her.