Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) (39 page)

Glancing past her, he replied, “Delkin.”

There was a long pause and Brie carefully controlled her breathing as she looked over her shoulder.  Harper Delkin’s hair swept back from his face and she realized she’d never seen the man so close.  Pewter gray eyes stole her ability to think and she was inexplicably
terrified
. 

Hudson turned her chair and stood to one side.  Natalia appeared on her other.  The two dark men locked eyes and the silence felt intensely heavy. 

Brie didn’t trust herself to speak. 

Elijah, Delkin’s bodyguard, stepped around his boss and captured her attention.  Cutting her eyes to his, one of his lovely pale green ones
winked
.  It made her grin before she knew what she was doing. 

Then the lean man went down on one knee in front of her.  Eye to eye, she stared at the lines of his face and didn’t realize she’d zoned out until he took her hand in both of his. 

“I’m Elijah Eklund.  I’ve heard quite a lot about you, Miss Hernandez.  We have mutual friends.”

“Mutual friends?”

“My cousin Eira works at the winery.”

“Eira is your
cousin
?”  She couldn’t stop the smile that broke over her face.  “I adored her as an intern.”  Laying her hand over the top of his, she added, “I was happy she returned after college.  How is she?”

“Well.  She speaks highly of you and asked that I send her regards.”

She closed her eyes for a moment and his waited when she opened them.  “I can’t…recall her last name.  I don’t think it’s the same as yours.”

His hands tightened slightly.  “No, it isn’t.  I’m glad to formally meet the woman she’s talked about for so many years.”  Gazing up, he added, “Have you been introduced to Harper?”

“No, I-I haven’t.  Our families work together but…we’ve never met.”  Delkin lifted her top hand and held it.  Her other was still held between Elijah’s and the simple contact with both men made her head spin. 

“Miss Hernandez, a pleasure.” 

He bent and kissed the back.  His lips were hot on her skin. 

“You can call me Brie.”  The words were barely a whisper.

He was so
close
and when his eyes lifted, silver pupils surrounded by thick black lashes enthralled her.

“You will call me Harper.”

One side of her mouth lifted.  “Thankfully, I’ve grown accustomed to bossiness.” 

“It will save time.”  At her small gasp, he returned to his full height but didn’t release her hand.  He seemed to analyze her.  “For what are you willing to make an exception?”  She struggled to change gears.  “You wish to bid on a piece of art?”

“Yes.  I…”  She swallowed hard.  “The whale.” 

Harper stared at her for a long time.  “You like it very much.” 

“It makes me feel wonderful.” 

“Your painting of the building was spectacular.”

“Thank you.”

“I want you to paint my family home.”  She started to shake her head and he interjected, “Money is no object.”

“Money doesn’t matter.”

“Money
always
matters, Miss Hernandez.”

“Not to
me
, Delkin.” 

Her unintentional use of his last name in the way Hudson always used it caused the man’s eyes to widen.  She heard Natalia stifle a laugh at her side.  Her best friend remained interestingly quiet. 

“I’m sorry, I…”

“Don’t apologize, Brie.”  She met Elijah’s laughing green eyes.  “You’re unique.  He has no frame of reference.”  Squeezing her hand, his smile spread.  “What he
meant
to say was that it would be lovely to have you visit.  While there, perhaps you’d be inspired.”

“Visit…?” She was confused.

“Harper holds a gala in the fall to celebrate the anniversary of the company.  A three-day affair to which Hudson and Natalia are always invited.  Perhaps you’ll join them.”

Looking down at her lap, she murmured, “I can’t travel right now.” 

“Brie?”  Raising her face, she noticed his light brown lashes were tipped in platinum blonde.  “It’s an annual event.  When you’re able to travel, consider your invitation an open one.”

Elijah knew about her accident.  She assumed Harper did, too.

Inhaling carefully, she explained why she wasn’t taking commission pieces.  “I…did the painting for Hudson because he’s my friend.  It was a gift.  Even if I wished it, to do another painting of such scale, I have to stand for long periods.  For his building, I used a step stool to reach the top of the canvas.  It isn’t possible for me at this point.” 

“Your invitation has no conditions.”  His fingers moved gently over her hand and wrist.  She felt unusual callouses on the tips.  “Being an artist and a Washington native, you’ll appreciate the beauty of the estate, whether you ever paint it or not.”

“Miss Hernandez…Brie.”  She looked up and Harper frowned down.  He held her hand firmly.  “I misunderstood.”

Her smile was amused as she guessed, “That must have been painful to admit.”

“A dagger to my chest.”  She laughed and he stared at her for a long moment.  As if a bit irritated to admit it, he murmured, “You are lovely.”

Unable to respond, she glanced at Elijah.  He nodded.  “You truly are.”

“I…”  Raising her eyes to Harper’s, she replied, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.  Enjoy your evening.  We’ll meet again.”

The words sounded like a threat.  “Alright.”

Both men kissed her hands simultaneously, Elijah rose with another wink, and they nodded to Hudson and Natalia.  They turned and the bodyguard preceded his boss into the crowd.

She watched them until they were out of sight.  Looking up at her friends, she asked carefully, “What was that?”

“Explain.” 

She looked at Natalia who had one brow lifted and frowned.  “Are you putting me in front of those men?”

“Darling, you are a beacon in the darkness for men such as Harper.”

Narrowing her eyes, she quipped, “He seems easily annoyed with me.”

“He is annoyed by things he doesn’t understand.  Much like Hudson.”  Bending, she moved a stray curl away from her face and asked quietly, “Are you opposed to getting to know him?”

“I’m in no
condition
…”

“Stop.”  Hudson’s voice was firm.  “You will cease acting as if you have nothing to offer.  Being the person you are is more than enough to fascinate those around you.”

“I’m embarrassed.  The
scars
and this stupid
chair
…”

He crouched and took her hand.  “You are not a fucking circus pony who must perform on cue.  You were
hurt
.  You are
healing
.  There is no reason to be embarrassed, Gabriella.”

Inhaling slowly, she nodded. 

* * * * *

The rest of the evening was spent listening to people talk about business, art, and mutual acquaintances.  Her friends included her and she was careful to appear present and animated. 

Inside, she couldn’t stop thinking about the way it felt to have her hands held by Harper and Elijah.  It was such a simple contact that she knew she was making it bigger than it had any business being. 

She wondered at her interest in men she’d just met. 

They were attractive and smelled incredible.  Harper was known to the people in Hudson’s circles and was a business associate of her parents.  Other than that, she didn’t know much about them. 

Before they left the party, she inquired about the sculpture she wanted so desperately.  Natalia told her that auction winners would be contacted the following day. 

Riya, Tawny, and their men crashed her late dinner with Hudson and Natalia.  They spent hours talking about the play, the building, and more but Brie wasn’t really paying attention. 

As much as she loved each and every one of them, she was grateful to return to her silent apartment in the hour before dawn.  Natalia insisted on helping her out of the formal gown and into something comfortable.  She gently brushed her hair and loosely braided it down her back.

Then her two friends kissed her goodnight and she locked up behind them.  Racing thoughts made it impossible for her to sleep. 

When the apartment phone rang at eight in the morning, she picked it up in surprise. 

“Brie, this is Carlo.  You have a delivery.  Is it alright for the men to bring it up?” 

“Of course.”

Using the walker, she made her way to the front door as the freight elevator beeped.  She watched as the enormous whale she’d fallen in love with was carefully wheeled out of the interior and across the hall. 

Barely able to speak, she directed the men to set it up in the corner of her living room.  It was even more spectacular in her apartment.

When they were done, she said, “Wait a moment, I’ll grab my bag…”

“No, ma’am.  We’ve been taken care of already.  Have a good day.” 

The last man handed her a heavy linen envelope with her first name written in masculine scrawl and he nodded as he pulled the door closed. 

Lowering slowly to the edge of her sofa, she opened the envelope and felt her heart hit a hard gallop. 

Gabriella,

You are captivating.

My brother was thrilled to learn you were so taken with his work
. 
I could not risk it falling into less-appreciative hands.

May it continue to bring you pleasure.

Harper

She re-read the short note several times.  Then she picked up the phone and called Natalia. 

“Darling…why are you awake?” 

“I haven’t been to sleep.” 

“Is everything alright?” 

“Harper bought me the whale from the auction.  It was just delivered.  Is this…I mean, if I keep it am I committed to something?”

“You mean is it similar to my collar?” 

“Something like that.” 

“No, darling.  It’s simply a gift.  An extravagant one but nothing more than a gift.”  There was a long pause.  “Do you
want
it to be more?” 

“I have no idea.”

“Brie, give it some thought.  They will pursue you more openly going forward.  I’ve known Harper for two decades.  He won’t stop until you either tell him no or agree to belong to him…and his oldest friend.” 

“I don’t even know what that means…not with him.” 

“Let’s have lunch.”  There was the sound of rustling in the background and Brie heard Natalia sigh.  “Make that dinner.  We’ll answer any questions you have, darling.”

“Thanks.  Enjoy naked time and send my apologies for interrupting.” 

“No, Brie.  I’m so glad you woke me up.  I’ll call you later.” 

Making her way into her studio, she unclipped the sketch she’d drawn of Harper and Elijah the night of the building commemoration from her easel. 

It was a sketch her friends had noticed but not questioned. 

She’d gradually added to it over the past weeks, including splashes of color and giving it more substance.  Much like her original drawing of Hudson and Natalia, the level of detail announced it to be a project she returned to often. 

Brie hadn’t wondered why she didn’t put it away.  Most of the sketches she did were stored or gifted to the subjects in them.  Removing stationary from her desk, she set down the picture and quickly wrote a note. 

Harper,

Thank you for the sculpture and the compliment
. 

I didn’t make the connection that Harrison was your younger brother.  I last saw him when he was barely a teenager.  His work is truly remarkable. 

Please accept a far simpler gift from me in thanks.

Brie

Before she could second-guess her decision, she sealed the envelope and made her way to the lobby business center using her walker, passing Carlo who was shocked to see her downstairs alone. 

Printing Harper Delkin’s name on the priority box, she returned to the front desk to speak to the concierge. 

“Can you help me find a mailing address?” 

Taking the package, the young man’s expression was confused as he read the name.  “You don’t need to mail this, Brie.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Mr. Delkin owns an apartment on the floor below Mr. Winters.  He rarely uses it but as it happens…ah, here he is now.” 

Ladies’ Night

A Short Story by Shayne McClendon

April 2015 – Undisclosed Bar in New York City

Tawny Ratliff smiled as the bartender handed her a tray filled with shots and mixed drinks. 

“Do you need help with this?”

She laughed.  “Nah, I got it.  Thanks.  I’ll tip heavily in case there’s vomit or breakage over the course of the evening.”  He blinked but said nothing.  Winking, added, “Later.”

At a large corner table of a dive she’d been trolling in New York City for way more years than her best friend realized, the ladies cheered as she approached. 

They were already drunk…but Tawny could do better.  As long as she got them home in one piece, she was going to make sure they were well and truly bombed before she let them out of her sight.

“Riya.  I promised the guys you’d return with
all
the clothing you left wearing so if you put that back on, I won’t have to fake a crazed game of hide-n-seek the second I get off the elevator.  ‘Kay?” 

Stomping her foot under the table, the brunette pulled her shirt over her head clumsily.  “Can’t do
nothing
‘round here!” 

“You can get drunk off your ass and I can record it.  That’s a thing.” 

Linn laughed so hard that liquor flew out of her nose.  It made her twin sister hysterical and therefore useless to offer assistance. 

Teddy, a woman who could probably create gourmet fare from canned meat, staggered to her feet and patted Linn’s back.  Incredibly helpful until she fell, rather gracefully, across the sisters’ laps and the threesomes’ laughter reached new heights.