Commissioned In White (Art of Love Series) (16 page)

“I’ve become impervious to most women,” Drake said sadly. “There’s only been one that got past my defenses in a long time.”

“Do I know her?” Brooke asked coyly, reaching out a finger and tracing the pattern on his tie.

“Intimately,” Drake said, his gaze holding hers.

Neither of them saw the guy coming up behind Brooke until he put his hand on her back.

“White or red?” the man asked quietly, leaning down to whisper in Brooke’s ear.

“Red,” she said quietly back, smiling as her date glided away to find her some wine without ever making eye contact with her.

“Since he didn’t know what kind you preferred, I’m guessing this is a first date for you two,” Drake said, stepping back a little to put some additional space between them.

“He’s just a friend,” Brooke said softly. “I wasn’t sure you’d be here, since you didn’t come to the wedding. I figured you didn’t want to deal with what happened—or with me. I decided to be classy and not goad you into anything or track you down.”

Drake put a hand in his pocket. “Fair enough,” he said. “How about if I admit to watching the door for you all night? And I have been thinking of you, even if I haven’t sought you out.”

Brooke smiled. “I think I like the sound of that. And since you’re being so honest, maybe you’d like to get something to eat after this is over. I can do my confronting then. You’ll have between now and then to build your excuses for why we haven’t spoken in weeks.”

“Tonight? You mean go out to eat—like a date? What about your
friend
?” Drake asked, the word stinging his tongue.

The man she’d brought with her was at least a decade younger than him and very likely more appropriate for Brooke. He had no business entertaining thoughts of dinner or anything else for that matter. But he did, and the smile in her eyes for him wasn’t helping.

Brooke just shrugged. “If I had known for sure you’d have been here alone, I would have been alone too. I drove here in my own car. All I have to say is good-night to him. Since you haven’t yet answered me or accepted my offer, why would I want to do that?”

“What if I want more than dinner?” Drake asked, wishing he could take the words back when her eyes widened in surprise. He imagined this was what a bear felt like waking up ravenous after hibernating for months.

Brooke cleared her throat, pleased that Drake had the nerve to so openly admit to the attraction between them. “Well, what if I want more too?” she asked in return. “Are you planning to run away this time?”

There was a full minute of silence while they just watched each other.

“I’ll make you a deal,” Drake said finally, moving in very close until he could whisper the rest in her ear. “I won’t run away and leave you unsatisfied again, even if I change my mind about indulging myself. Do you trust me?”

Brooke’s heart was pounding furiously when Drake finally stepped away, but she held her ground. “No, I don’t trust you at all, but I badly want to kiss you again. Anything else that happens would be a bonus at this point.”

Drake’s hand tightened on his glass, and he took one step back towards Brooke, then stopped when her date friend appeared again at her side. He looked up at the much taller, much younger man, and then back at Brooke.

“If I say no, does he get the same offer?” Drake asked.

“A woman is entitled to a few secrets, Dr. Barrymore,” Brooke said softly, pretending to be unconcerned. “I’m still waiting for your answer to my original offer.”

“Are you trustworthy?” Drake asked.

“Well your virtue isn’t safe with me,” Brooke replied. “But I don’t lie or pretend I’m not interested like some people I know.”

Drake laughed at what she said, and then noticed the man with Brooke wasn’t even looking at her—or him. Instead, he was paying a lot of attention to a group of young men standing nearby. Suddenly, Drake wanted to laugh, but didn’t dare because it would ruin the moment.

“I’d call your bluff, Dr. Daniels, but it just so happens I badly want to kiss you again too,” Drake said firmly.

“Want to do it now?” Brooke asked, feeling dizzy at the sheer amount of longing she felt to feel her mouth on his again.

“Hell yes,” Drake shot back, drinking more wine and wishing he didn’t care what anyone else thought.

“Is there a private place in the gallery where we could indulge?” Brooke asked in her most innocent tone.

“No,” Drake said sadly. “Carrie’s office, and that’s locked up.”

“Then. . .dinner?” Brooke asked.

“I guess it’s a date,” Drake said finally.

Brooke nodded, turned to the man she was with, and guided him deftly away from Drake.

All Drake could do was watch her go and wonder why Brooke Daniels was the only woman in seven years to tempt him.

Chapter 10

“How about this one?” Brian asked, passing his aunt a tiny drawing he’d done on a piece of cardboard.

“Oh, I really like that one. It looks just like him,” Reesa praised. “Have you drawn all of us?”

Brian shook his head. “No—well, not yet,” he amended. “A person has to sit pretty still for a long time. Zack and Sara never stop moving long enough, not even when they watch TV.”

Reesa laughed. “So true,” she said, hugging him hard. “I think this is the one. Can I borrow it?”

“Sure,” Brian said with shrug. “You going to carry it in your pocket like Shane carries yours?”

Reesa snorted, but only because it was a romantic idea for a twelve-year-old boy. She was learning that Brian had quite a few of those hidden away. He was going to be quite the man when he was grown. She was going to have to teach him how to not break too many hearts.

“You remind me of your father more and more every day, Brian. He had your wicked sense of humor and your big heart,” Reesa said, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. “I’m sorry I had to schedule your last counseling session on a Friday, but tomorrow is the last one—just like you wanted. So make sure you get all the closure you need.”

Brian laughed. “I was thinking I’d just say good-bye and thanks for nothing.”

“Try a genuine thank you and a respectful good-bye,” Reesa told him.

“I can probably manage that,” Brian said with a snarky grin. “If you’re going to insist I be polite, and I’m guessing you are.”

“You’re guessing right,” Reesa said firmly, even as she laughed at his teasing. “Be nice to your counselor and I’ll take you on an adventure with me afterwards. You can be my sidekick.”

“An adventure? With you?” Brian repeated, skepticism obvious in his voice, but he didn’t care.

He never had to lie to either of his aunts or pretend to feel something he didn’t. Aunt Teresa always seemed to accept that he had questions and doubts about everything. He loved her for nagging him hard over it, and he tried not to disappointment her.

“Yes. I’m having an adventure,” Reesa told him firmly. “I’m sure it will be a huge surprise to you and probably change how you feel about me. But I guess it’s time you learned that adults can be just as wild as kids.”

Brian snorted. “Okay—whatever. Bring on the adventure. I’m your guy.”

But really he didn’t see what his aunt could possibly do to surprise him.

***

Boy had he been wrong about his Aunt Teresa, Brian thought as he sat gripping her hand while she winced in pain. She had just about crushed his fingers a time or two in the last hour. Definitely after this, he would never make the mistake of underestimating her again. And he would tell his brother that he’d been dead-on right about girls.

They were all crazy.

Still, you couldn’t not like them for it, Brian thought. Zack had said that too, and he certainly had to admire what his aunt was doing.

“Hang in there, it’s almost done,” Brian said very calmly. “Wow, you should see it, Aunt Teresa. I’m really good.”

Brett Hill kept his focus on replicating the kid’s drawing of Shane, but he grinned at the wide-eyed boy while he laughed at the tiny, brave woman Shane Larson had married. If the kid hadn’t been with Reesa Larson, he’d have risked the beating from the giant blonde man he liked to find out what his new wife thought about Shane’s tongue stud.

The woman was a looker for sure. Definitely not what he ever pictured Shane ending up with, but after he got done with her tat, she was never going to be the same woman again anyway.

Having learned the hard way not to watch what was happening to her arm, Reesa squeezed Brian’s hand in gratitude for his chatter and distraction. It kept the queasiness away. Also, Brian’s bragging and pleased expression had Reesa laughing even through the pain. Her youngest nephew was definitely going to be a guy-guy when he grew up, she decided.

The eyebrow piercings had been painful, but over quickly. The last hour getting the tattoo had been torturous. She only hoped it proved worth it. Right now, she wasn’t so sure.

“Maybe I’m the one who needs counseling. Doing all this seemed like a good idea in my head. I never thought about the pain,” Reesa whined.

“I still can’t believe you used my art for a tattoo,” Brian said with awe. “That’s so mega cool, Aunt Teresa. You were right about this being an adventure. Sorry I doubted you.”

“Wow. Genuine humility from a twelve-year-old, I must be doing something right,” Reesa said, feeling the instrument of torture shut off at last.

“Done,” the man said, smiling. “You are now officially branded by some of my best work, though I still question the subject matter of the art you chose. Make sure you tell Shane I said hello and congratulations on his marriage.”

Reesa nodded as she watched Shane’s tattoo and piercing artist put some ointment on her new tattoo.

“You do good work,” Reesa said, meaning it as she watched Shane’s face disappear under several layers of gauze. It was a good likeness and the tattoo artist had enhanced Brian’s drawing.

“You look real cute with that trio of eyebrow rings on that tiny face of yours. You and Shane will look almost like a Goth couple,” Brett said with a cheeky grin.

“Not exactly what I was hoping for, but close enough,” Reesa said, smiling.

When she and Brian walked out onto the street, guys hanging out at the sports shop next door stopped to smile at Reesa and gave Brian a thumbs up sign.

Brian laughed. “They think you’re my girlfriend, don’t they?”

“I wouldn’t know what they think,” Reesa said, head down as she headed to the car. “Do I look that different?”

“You look cool,” Brian said. “What’s next on the adventure list? I don’t want it to end.”

“I need some ripped jeans to complete the look. Chelsea’s are too long for me, even with my heels. Are you up for some shopping?” Reesa asked.

“I’m just the sidekick. You’re the hero. I’m with you,” Brian said, linking his hand in hers as they laughed and headed to the car.

Reesa sighed in contentment at Brian’s hand holding hers, and hoped Shane’s reaction to what she’d done would be just as positive.

***

Shane sat at same table in the bar where Reesa had picked him up several months ago now and stared hard at Joe, who was sipping beer and singing along off-key to the loud music. Looking around now, he wondered what in the hell he had ever gotten from hanging out in bars. Man, his expectations had certainly changed in just a few months.

“So what are we doing here? We could be drinking beer at home and finishing the shelving in the garage room,” Shane said.

Joe laughed. “Dude—your wedding is tomorrow. This is the traditional night before with your friends, which is only me in your sad case since both your brother and your father were too busy.”

“I had plans too, which is why I ask again—what the hell are we doing here?” Shane demanded.

“Dude—relax. We’re going to hit on chicks for a couple hours and pretend you aren’t tied down already. I know you’re not going to sleep with the ones you pick up, but hell, you weren’t doing that before you married Reesa. Just open your mind to the good old days. You certainly look like you used to.”

Shane lifted a hand to his eyebrow rings. Joe had insisted he put them in and dress in his favorite jeans for the evening. But he’d thought they’d be going to get something to eat or maybe a movie. Something other than trolling a bar, which hadn’t even been on the possibility list of his worst imaginings.

“I’m married Joe. I don’t belong here,” Shane said firmly. “Plus, I just don’t want any other woman. I’m not making that up. It really works that way.”

“Dude—chill,” Joe ordered. “Drink your beer. We’re not staying long. I just wanted one more final night of us hanging out and being guys together. I’m not trying to make you do something you’ll regret or Reesa will kill me over. Now if you pick up a strange woman on your own—well, your wife will never hear it from me. I will keep to the man code.”

Shane rolled his eyes at Joe’s speech and lifted his beer for a drink to keep from swearing.

“Hey, Shane. You haven’t been in here in a while. Looking for some company tonight?” a sultry voice asked.

Shane swung a disbelieving gaze to the tall blonde standing there with a welcoming smile on her face. His gaze travelled down her long legs and back up with no interest whatsoever. It was like looking at one of his Dad’s statutes, very beautiful but definitely not real enough for him.