Degrees of Passion (15 page)

Sasha had avoided looking at him most of the day, pretending to focus on the tedious task before them. She’d spent the night at his house, sleeping naked in his bed, curled next to the warmth of his virile flesh. When she awoke, she’d held his stiff cock in her hand and he’d been kissing her neck. She still didn’t know who’d initiated it, but the sleepy lovemaking had been achingly sweet.

Even though she’d showered that morning, she still smelled him when she moved, the lingering scent of his cologne seemingly burned into her body. The accursed wetness gathered once more between her thighs, convincing her treacherous nerve-endings to tingle, which in turn lit her entire body on fire. It took all her willpower not to grab the front of his pants and drag him to the nearest empty room. She wore a fresh T-shirt she’d stashed in her bag and the same black sweater and jeans. At least they were clean as she’d put them on before going to his house to study.

‘I said my name is Katarina Richmond, as in the Richmond family, as in that big check you received for funding last month.’

The insistent words interrupted her sexual thoughts, dragging Sasha back to an unwelcome reality. Oh, no. What was Kat doing there?

‘My family donates to all the museum’s projects, some more than others.’ Kat’s voice held a condescending quality Sasha didn’t normally associate with her easygoing sister. ‘And I’m here to pick my sister up for lunch.’

Sasha grimaced. Kat was going to cause a very dramatic, Kat-like scene. Thrusting the brush at Kevin, she wasn’t sure exactly what she mumbled as she rushed to the door. She hoped to salvage her internship before Prichard became so insulted he decided to ruin her permanent record with his letters of reprimand and warning.

‘Your sister?’ Prichard was saying as Sasha rushed down the hall.

‘Sasha Matthews,’ Kat answered in exasperation. ‘She told my in-laws about your Project Aztec and they’re interested in holding a charity event. They want my sister to come to lunch to discuss the possibility. So, if you wouldn’t mind getting her for me, we’ll be on our way.’

‘I’m lead on the project, I’d be happy to—’ Prichard began.

‘They want Sasha and that partner of hers . . . what’s his name?’ Kat came into view. She was waving her hand in the air to dismiss the fidgeting Prichard. ‘They know her, they requested her and they sent me to retrieve her. The other guy they want because Mimi heard he’s cute. He is cute, isn’t he?’

‘Ah,’ Prichard stammered unintelligibly.

‘Kat,’ Sasha interrupted, doing her best not to gnash her teeth through the forced smile. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Ah, there you are, darling.’ Kat lifted her hands, walking towards her sister with her arms outstretched. Her slicked-back hair, expensive designer pantsuit and faux-fur coat carried an air of money and society. All were very unlike her sister. Kat hated wearing all white – unless it was some sort of photographic statement while she was working. ‘I can’t believe you didn’t tell Mr Prichard—’

‘Doctor,’ Prichard corrected.

‘Hm, yes –’ Kat eyed him up and down before ignoring him once more, continuing ‘– about our conversation.’

‘I wasn’t sure they’d be interested,’ Sasha lied, doing her best to keep up with her sister’s nonsense. There really was nothing she could do but go along with the insanity. ‘I didn’t want to speak too soon and ruin the surprise.’

Kat smirked so Prichard couldn’t see. Amusement filled her eyes and she looked on the verge of crying out in laughter. ‘Oh, we’re very much interested.’

Sasha stiffened. The look in her sister’s eye told her everything she needed to know. Namely, Sasha was going to hate what was coming. And, whatever it was, her sister was dragging Kevin into it.

‘I’ll just get my coat,’ Sasha said.

‘Get Mr Merchant as well,’ Prichard ordered, in what looked like an attempt to regain control. ‘I want you two to take as much time as you need this afternoon. I believe today could be a very good lesson to you on the reality of projects like ours.’

‘Then it’s settled!’ Kat announced. ‘Do hurry. You know Mimi hates it when we’re late. I’ll be out in the limo waiting for you.’ She strolled out of the place like she owned every museum in New York.

‘Miss Matthews,’ Prichard said in the stern tone she’d learned to dread.

Before he could yell at her, she rushed, ‘I apologize for my sister. She can be a little, um . . .’ Sasha searched for the right word. Pushy? Snobby? Imbecilic?

‘Charming,’ Prichard inserted. ‘All of our potential patrons are utterly charming. They have money and yet they’re conscious enough to care about human history. I can’t stress to you enough how important our patrons are, Miss Matthews. This project is in dire need of funding. I myself have had to attend these types of meetings.’

Sasha didn’t speak, as Prichard tried to make it sound like the whole arrangement was of his doing.

He continued, ‘The Richmond family are one of the museum’s biggest benefactors and, if they turn their attention to our project, we’ll be able to expand our staffing and equipment. Your sister is mistaken in the idea that they’ve already donated, but don’t correct her on it. That would be rude. They’re very generous to all the museums and can’t be expected to remember every charity they bless with their generosity. Oh!’ Prichard pointed into the air. ‘I’ll get you our pamphlets to take with you. And, I daresay, it’s good Mr Merchant is attending this gathering. His knowledge will certainly come in handy.’

Sasha flinched. Prichard’s meaning was not lost on her. He didn’t think she was smart enough to handle this on her own.

‘Hurry, hurry,’ Prichard shooed.

Sasha made her way back to the laboratory, a small feeling of disgust washing over her in light of Prichard’s ass-kissing greed. In her absence, Kevin had continued to work. He glanced up as she walked in, giving her a tiny smile.

‘Come on, I have to take you to lunch.’ Sasha reached under the table, grabbing her bag and coat.

‘Oh?’ Kevin chuckled, and added dryly, ‘Don’t make it sound so appealing.’

‘It’s not like that.’

‘You need me to help carry the order?’ he asked.

‘I need you to meet some of my family,’ Sasha explained, biting her lip. Nerves seized control of her stomach and she wasn’t sure she would manage to keep food down. She didn’t do this. She didn’t let guys meet her family. Why couldn’t she have just kept her mouth shut at Sunday dinner? Trust Kat to come up with some sort of crazy scheme to intrude into her life. She knew what was going to happen. Her sister would ask horribly embarrassing questions. And what if her mother was there? The thought of Beatrice and Kevin having a conversation scared the shit out of her. So what if Kevin appeared like he’d be cool with the eccentric matriarch of the Matthews clan?

‘Isn’t that a little, uh –’ Kevin ran his hand through his hair, glancing over to the twins before leaning closer. Whispering, he finished ‘– premature?’

‘My sister, she’s . . .’ Sasha weakly motioned to the door.

‘I think we all heard her,’ Kevin inserted.

‘She set up a meeting with her in-laws about the project and Dr Prichard wants us to go and—’ Sasha didn’t get a chance to finish the rambling thought.

‘Don’t keep them waiting, Miss Matthews, go,’ Prichard ordered from the door. To Kevin, he said, ‘I’m sure she filled you in. Here’s some information for you to . . .’

Sasha didn’t stay around to listen as she hurried to confront Kat before Kevin joined them. Snow fell in thick wet flakes from the dreary blue-gray sky and she automatically fastened the big buttons on her heavy wool-blend coat. The brightly diffused light hurt her eyes and she squinted as she searched the street for Kat. Finding a long black Richmond limousine halfway down the block, she trudged over the mushy, slosh-covered sidewalk. The sedan was big enough to fit eight passengers in the back.

The door opened and Kat poked her head out, frowning. ‘He’s coming, isn’t he?’

‘Please tell me this isn’t some elaborate scheme to meet the guy I’ve been complaining about,’ Sasha begged.

‘Would we do that to you?’ Kat asked, feigning shock.

Sasha’s chest tightened and she pressed her hand over her heart. Oh, no. ‘We?’

Zoe poked her head out of the car, leaning over Kat’s lap. A matching smirk lined both of her sisters’ mouths. Ryan leaned forwards to peer at Sasha. A grin spread over his face, partially hidden by the way his chin-length dark-brown hair fell over his features.

With a straight face and unconvincingly monotone, Zoe swore, ‘This isn’t just some elaborate scheme to meet the guy you’ve been complaining about.’

Ryan had the audacity to snort; suddenly chuckling so hard he had to hide his face by fading back into the darkened plush interior of the limo.

‘This isn’t funny,’ Sasha hissed, trying not to scream. ‘This is my work. You can’t just come here and interfere with my—’

‘Kevin!’ Kat lifted her arm, grinning. She pushed Zoe away and slid from the car. ‘Sasha has told us so much about you. We couldn’t wait to meet you.’

‘Kill me now,’ Sasha muttered. No one heard.

Sasha managed to turn around. He’d pulled the black skull cap over his head and wore the longer black wool coat with the dark-red scarf. The cut of the coat suited him, as it showed the breadth of his shoulders and slim tapering of his waist. She scratched at her forearm, absently rubbing the material over her tattoo as she looked at his hip.

‘Come in out of the cold,’ Kat insisted. ‘We’re a little full, so Sasha might have to sit on your lap.’

Sasha jolted as Kat bumped playfully into her arm, dragging her eyes away from Kevin’s hip. She hoped the look of stunned horror on her face could pass as apologetic. The uncomfortable stiffening of Kevin’s shoulders told her she’d failed. He cleared his throat. ‘Thank you. I’m sure we’ll manage.’

Kevin alternated his gaze from the faces surrounding him to the thick flakes splattering against the car’s tinted window. Kat had been joking about the crowdedness of the limousine. There was plenty of room and Sasha used it to her full advantage, making a point not to touch him even though they sat right next to each other. The plush black interior was edged with silver, attesting to the wealth of Kat Richmond’s in-laws. Long seats stretched opposite each other. Etched crystal glasses and a row of untouched liquor bottles filled a narrow bar. A drop-down flat screen with DVD player lay across the ceiling, in front of the closed screen between passengers and the driver.

The wintry air had flushed her cheeks and added a swollen effect to her lips, giving her a nice rosy hue. She didn’t wear a hat so the wind had tousled her hair. It reminded him of that morning, the way the dark locks splayed across his pillow as he thrust into her. He enjoyed the languid way her lashes swept halfway down her eyes when he made love to her.

As they drove, Kat introduced him. Zoe and her husband, Jackson, were next to Kat. Their brother-in-law, Ryan, sat on the opposite side of Sasha. Despite the rich setting of the car and the supposed wealth of half their party, he found himself relaxed with Sasha’s family. They were down-to-earth people, clearly not raised with the silver spoon shoved down their throats. Each carried themselves with their own distinct personality, which blended seamlessly into the group.

‘Glad to hear your project is going well. I, myself, never had a head for science or sitting still in a laboratory,’ Jackson allowed. The pleasant drawl of his Southern accent contrasted the hint of New York in Ryan’s. ‘I like moving around too much.’

‘I knew I’d never be into science the day they told us we had to dissect a frog. I was one of those kids who wanted to free the poor creatures,’ Ryan said. ‘To my shame, I didn’t.’

‘We’re hardly dissecting frogs,’ Kevin remarked. ‘Though it isn’t a dream job.’

‘What would be a dream job?’ Zoe inquired politely.

‘I’d . . .’ Kevin hesitated, glancing around at the interested eyes turned towards him. He didn’t talk about this sort of thing much. Maybe it was because he didn’t meet too many people who cared to hear about it. Sasha had been the first person he’d discussed it with and that had only been the night before. Thinking of the night before, he slid his gaze in her direction. ‘I’d much rather be out in the field.’

‘What field?’ Kat asked. The woman seemed to have a permanent half-smile tattooed across her face. He could see her as the mischievous one out of the bunch.

‘Somewhere exotic. Belize, maybe. There are hundreds of underground Mayan ruins waiting to be explored.’ Kevin pulled at his scarf, twirling his finger around the tightly woven end. ‘I honestly don’t care so long as I get to be outside.’

‘Oh, Ryan,’ Kat sighed. ‘Could you imagine taking our equipment down there?’

‘They’re photographers,’ Sasha explained quietly.

‘I know,’ Kevin answered. She’d already told him.

‘You do?’ Kat asked, surprised. ‘How could you tell?’

‘Sasha mentioned it,’ Kevin said.

‘Oh.’ Kat laughed. ‘I thought you were going to be one of those super-spy guys who notice everything.’

‘You watch too much television,’ Ryan teased.

‘That’s only because I now own a television,’ Kat quipped.

‘She’s talked about us?’ Zoe’s eyes rounded in shock as they turned in Sasha’s direction. ‘Wow. That is something. I always figured you denied you had a family when it came to guys.’

‘How long have you two been dating?’ Ryan asked.

Sasha became rigid, hastening to answer, ‘Oh, we’re not together.’ She gave a nervous laugh. ‘I mean, we’re just lab partners.’

A wave of pain hit Kevin in the chest like his heart had just been ripped out and thrown into the icy cold street. He didn’t move, didn’t even think to correct her. He thought he saw something in her eyes as she’d looked at him that morning, but clearly he’d misplaced his hope.

Just lab partners. Study buddies. Someone to fuck when the mood struck.