The Artist (The Game Changers #2) (3 page)

Chapter Five

“Kitty,” my father answered the phone with his usual lack of greeting.

“Lunch next week, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“I just am. By the way, I reserved two paintings. They’ll be expecting your payment.”

“Fine,” he stated, nonplussed by my request. I knew he was about to go in for the kill, though. “Your mother is back in town. She will be by your place to pick you up for lunch at twelve thirty. Be ready.”

“Fine,” I responded in a similar manner.

“Let Sharron know about lunch. I’ll be back on Tuesday.”

“Sure.” We both hung up without goodbye.

With that, I emailed Sharron, my dad’s assistant, the lunch request so she could schedule it. Then I finished the final touches on my latest column before climbing into the shower. I allowed the three hundred and sixty degree jets to massage my body and let my mind think about the night before. I might have conditioned my hair twice while distracted by my memories. The art showing had to be one of the strangest events of my life. Not only did I have the strange interaction with the maverick I couldn’t stop thinking about, but Eve and I actually carried on a pleasant conversation. For one thing, I didn’t feel the need to repeat my Oscar-worthy performance as the woman scorned, because no one around us cared about it. It also helped that Grant wasn’t there to challenge me. I’d had enough of alpha males evoking out of control emotions in me for one night. While Grant never made me feel the way Adam had, he had an uncanny way of making me lose my temper with the effortless raise of an eyebrow.

Finally, I decided not to reflect any further on the events of the night before. Instead, I wrote the night off as a fluke and mentally prepared for lunch with my mother.

My phone rang right on time. I took the elevator down to her Benz and allowed her driver, Charles, to open the door for me. She sat on the opposite side of the car from me, eyeing my cashmere sweater, ankle pants, and loafers.

“Interesting color choice, Kitty.”

“It’s in my palette, Mom. Don’t be rude.”

She clasped her hands on her lap. “Fine. How was the gallery showing?”

“Good. We’re having lunch next week with Dad. She seems a little clueless but receptive.”

My mother pursed her lips. “New money…your father will handle it. She’ll be a millionaire in no time.”

I laughed. “I don’t think she’ll need Dad for that. You should see her work.”

“She may not need him to make her first million, but she’ll need him to help her keep it. New money never knows how to manage such assets.” She turned her head to face me. “Enough about Miss Withers, though. We have more important matters to discuss.”

A hundred bucks says she was referring to my love life. “Oh?” I asked without turning toward her. Instead, I turned my head to watch the traffic pass us by.

“We need to find an eligible suitor for you.” Yes…she really talked like that. Eligible suitor? Did you know that arranged marriages were all the rage these days? Women like me simply could not pick their own husbands by dating like a normal person. Leaving a girl to her own devices? Now, that would be a travesty.

“Mother, I can find my own husband, if you give me the chance.”

“Don’t be silly, Kitty. I’m not going to interfere. I am simply trying to introduce you to eligible men who are worthy of your attention.” Oh, great. I couldn’t wait for her to “not interfere.”

“It isn’t just the two of us for lunch, is it?”

“No, dear. Edward Nichols will be meeting us there. He’s an attorney from New York who just joined your father’s firm. He’s dashing and unattached.”

“Dashing and unattached. What’s wrong with him?” I asked, even though I didn’t really want to know anything about this man.

“You know how attorneys are. They’re married to their job until they make it big. He hasn’t had time to settle down.”

“Sure.”

I didn’t get to say anything else because we arrived at the restaurant and Charles was quickly at my door. My mother and I were guided from the lobby to a table where a very attractive man sat with a scotch and his Blackberry. He stood when he saw us approaching. His manners were impeccable as he greeted my mother warmly.

“And you must be Kitty,” he said as he kissed my cheek softly.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Nichols,” I said as he held my hands in his. Everything about him was too soft, too polished, too manicured. He was nothing like Maverick. I shook that thought from my head immediately. Maverick was not someone I needed to be thinking about as I sat down with my mother and potential suitor. Yes, I rolled my eyes at that thought.

“Please, call me Ward. My father was Mr. Nichols, and it makes me feel old.” Now that he mentioned it, I wondered how old this man was. I was guessing late thirties but with how manicured he was, he could be over forty. He was obviously prematurely gray, because his skin was smooth and wrinkle-free. Not even a frown line on his forehead, and I doubted he was going for Botox every three months.

“I’m so glad you could find time to make it out to Seattle, Edward. I hope my husband isn’t keeping you too busy, and you can find some time for fun,” my mother said as Ward held my chair for me while the host did the same for my mother. Her use of his formal name didn’t surprise me. Even though she called me Kitty, she called all others by their formal names. I had never been afforded that sign of respect and had stopped wondering why years ago.

“Well, he allowed me out long enough to meet with you two lovely ladies, didn’t he?” Oh, he’s a charmer too. Great…

I smiled politely at his lame comment. My mother gave a fake giggle and said, “I have no doubt he will let you out to play with our Kitty more often while you’re here.” How could my own mother make something sound so revolting?

I was burning with humiliation my mother thrust upon me. No longer the broken-hearted bachelorette, I was suddenly going to be playing the role of the desperate spinster. Just call me Kitty the Cat Lady.

Ward gave me an indulgent smile. “Oh, I hope so. Your daughter is beautiful, Mrs. Peters. Of course, I can see where she gets such beauty.” Oh, heavens. I seriously think I might vomit.

“Thank you, Edward,” my mother responded sweetly just as the waiter set down wine for my mother and me and another scotch for Ward. I resisted the temptation to down all three drinks and walk out of there.

They continued speaking as if I wasn’t there, and at some point, I stopped listening all together. Instead, I picked at my lunch of grilled fish and vegetables while examining the room around me and mentally writing my next article about the art show. Thinking about the article only reminded me of the strange events from the night before. How could my parents expect me to marry a man like the one next to me when the man who I really wanted was a complete one-eighty from him?

Where Ward was all three-piece suits and soft hands, Maverick was leather and tattoos. Even Ward’s smooth voice was unappealing compared to the deep rasp of Maverick’s. In my book, they didn’t even compare, but my opinion didn’t matter. It never had and never would. That reminder had me tuning back into the conversation, which I immediately regretted.

“My property in St. Croix is my favorite, though. It’s my home away from home.” Blech.

“That sounds like a lovely place to take a vacation, very romantic.” Double blech!

He offered my mother his smarmy grin. “I wouldn’t know, Mrs. Peters. I’ve never found someone special enough to take there.”

“You may be in luck there, Edward,” my mother said as she looked across the table at me.

“I certainly hope so,” he responded and gazed at me as well. I smiled politely but maintained my silence, seeing as my patience had escaped me already.

My mother scooted her chair back. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to powder my nose and allow you kids to talk.” I inwardly laughed at her calling us kids, considering Ward was probably closer to my mother’s age than mine.

Ward stood when my mother did and promptly sank back in his chair and finished off another scotch. I watched him for a moment as his whole body relaxed.

“Nicely played, Ward. I take it you knew you were being set up with the boss’ daughter?”

“It’s all I’ve heard about since I met your mother two weeks ago. She’s invited me to dinner several times in New York to woo me. Next thing I know, I’m on your father’s private jet on my way out to Seattle to consult on a special project.”

“Ah. I see. How long you here for?”

“A week. Apparently you and I are to attend Governor Rollins’ birthday party next weekend.”

“Of course.”

“I’m sorry. I just ended a ten-year relationship. I am not interested in all this.” He waved his hand between the two of us.

“Don’t worry, Ward. This isn’t my first rodeo. I was roped into this lunch on the car ride over. We’ll go to the party because it’ll be bad for both of us if we don’t. Then we can go our separate ways. You go back to New York while I stay here. I will tell them we didn’t work out.”

“You really are a beautiful girl, Kitty. Why are they doing all of this?”

“Please call me Katherine. They’re doing this because my parents are the ultimate control freaks, and I am the puppet whose strings they control.”

He smiled, a genuine smile this time. “Katherine.”

“Yes.”

“Cut the strings,” he said as if it was so easy.

I didn’t want to explain why I felt the need to continuously do what my parents asked, so instead I changed the subject. “Ten years, huh?”

“Yeah.” He nodded, and I could see him physically remove the emotion from his face. “We both worked eighty-hour weeks, so it was the perfect arrangement.”

“And you never took her on a romantic vacation to St. Croix?”

He laughed. “No, I just bought the property a month ago, right after we decided to end things. I’ve only been once to complete the inspection and sign the papers.”

“What happened with ten years, if you don’t mind me asking something so personal?” Hey, he brought it up.

“She decided she wanted to get married and have kids. I’m forty-three and haven’t ever once considered starting a family. Why in the world would she think I would want kids now?” Yes, Ward was definitely closer to my mother’s age.

At his shocked expression, I laughed. “Her clock was ticking?”

He laughed. “I guess so. Too bad I’m more interested in punching the time clock than uprooting my entire life for her biological clock.”

“Well, at any rate, I’m sorry it didn’t work out. It must have been nice to find someone you could tolerate for ten years at the very least.”

“How’s everything?” my mother asked as she came sweeping back to the table. I watched as Ward fell back into his pleasing persona.

“Wonderful. You daughter’s as lovely as I expected, but I’m afraid I need to head back to the office.”

My mother checked her watch. “Yes, we must be going as well. We have fittings for the Governor’s party to get to.” Yet another surprise for me. I loathed fittings with my mother. It took mental preparation to be able to tolerate her opinions on my body and the dresses for the hours it took to get through a fitting.

“Thank you for lunch, Mrs. Peters,” Ward said as he held my mother’s coat then kissed her cheek. He then turned to me and kissed my cheek. “See you soon, Katherine.” My name was whispered as if the use of my real name was our little secret. He winked just before turning and heading to the car that was waiting for him. My mother took his whispering and winking as flirting.

Charles opened the door and helped us into our car. Once the door was closed, my mother said, “You’re going to be alone forever if you can’t make it work with him. He was smitten with you.”

Like usual, I had the urge to laugh at my mother’s poor assessment of the situation, but I knew better. Instead, I nodded and turned to stare out the window and count the hours until I could lock myself in my condo…alone.

Chapter Six

I avoided my parents for the next couple of days until I was forced to have lunch with my father and Blythe. It was uneventful, for the most part, considering they mostly discussed possible investments and maximizing earning potential. Blah, blah, blah. It wasn’t until the moment when Blythe and I headed to the parking garage together that I was reminded of her connection with a certain tall, dark fantasy of mine.

“So, you met Adam…” she said once we had started walking away from my father.

I nodded and refused to meet her curious eyes. “I did. We ran into each other at the coffee shop by my condo, then again at your art show. You were the one who actually introduced us, though.”

“He’s a great guy, Kitty.”

I wasn’t sure what to say to that. Was she bragging about her boyfriend? “Yes. He seems very nice.” Polite and friendly was the only way to tread carefully. I could feel this leading up to something, but there was no way I was going to be the star player in their kinky little threesome fantasies.

“I’m not trying to pry, but I saw how you two looked at each other. The sexual tension was undeniable. If I hadn’t come in the room, you two would have stood there all day imagining each other in any number of compromising positions.”

Using all of my strength to appear unaffected, I simply replied, “I don’t know what you mean.”

She stopped walking and threw her hands on her hips. “Give me a break. I’m eccentric, not blind.” She started walking again then added, “What’s the hold up? He’s hot. You’re hot. You’re both unattached.” And this is why you shouldn’t jump to conclusions. “Have some fun with each other and see where it goes.” Unattached…Now, there was something to think about.

I laughed. “That’s the thing. Even if I wanted something to happen, it can’t go anywhere. My parents decided long ago that they will choose who I date. It’s just easier if I let them have their way.”

“Are you fucking serious right now? How old are you? Twelve? Grow up and cut those strings, girl. Don’t get me wrong, your dad’s a good guy and a great businessman.” She paused and gave me a sardonic look. “But you’re too old for someone to tell you who to fuck.”

A woman who knew nothing about my life was judging me. Lovely. Perfect. This day couldn’t get any better.

“Look, I don’t mean to be crass, but you deserve to have a little fun without Mommy and Daddy interfering.”

“I appreciate your wisdom, but Mommy and Daddy always interfere. Besides that, what would Adam want with a spoiled brat like me? He seems like the kind of guy who would rather avoid dealing with controlling parents and go for a laidback, low maintenance kind of girl.”

“Wouldn’t we all rather avoid dealing with controlling parents?”

“Exactly,” I said.

We said our goodbyes once we reached my little two-door Mercedes convertible. It was a relief to get into my car and only hear Theory of a Deadman coming through my speakers. I needed a break from my thoughts and Blythe’s oh-so-helpful advice. She couldn’t possibly understand the kind of authority my parents had over me. There was only one other person I knew who had yielded power as long as I had, and he recently grew a pair of balls and told his parents to shove it. Falling in love, apparently, made you brave.

I tried to rid myself of the depressing thoughts running through my head by going to my spot to do some writing. I walked into the coffee shop in the early afternoon, certain I would be able to get my favorite chair while most people were still at work. I was not happy to see it occupied, and even less thrilled when a pair of dark eyes looked up, pinning me where I stood in the doorway of the coffee shop. I stood frozen for just a moment as his blank expression changed to one of pleasure. I didn’t have a chance to process how I felt about that, because someone came barreling into me from behind, causing me to fall forward into another man who wound up with coffee all down his shirt.

“Watch where you’re going, asshole!” I heard the guy with the new coffee stain growl at the person who initially ran into me. If I hadn’t been thoroughly embarrassed before, I was now. All of the commotion caused the coffee shop to silence as everyone stared.

The large, scruffy man who had run into me was apologizing and trying to help me get my bag back on my shoulder, but Maverick wasn’t having any of that. “Hands off her,” he snapped as he pulled me from between the two men. Scruff McGhee held his hands up in surrender and backed away from a very angry Maverick. Coffee stain guy glared at Scruff and promptly headed toward the restrooms.

Maverick turned his eyes to me, and the anger dissolved from them immediately. “You all right, Duchess?”

“I’m fine,” I said before giving him a faux indignant glare. “You were in my chair.”

He grinned and shrugged. “I told you it’s my favorite.”

“Can I have it back now, Maverick?”

“Hmm…” I suddenly registered how close we were standing. I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact while his hands held onto my arms as if he was afraid I would fall over again. I had a moment where I thought about pushing up on my toes and pressing my lips to his. They were right there, so close and so sensual. I wanted his lips on mine, and everywhere else on me, if I was being honest. Then some unknown force snapped me out of that moment and brought me back to reality. Nothing could ever happen…well, nothing but some harmless flirting.

“Please,” I batted my eyelashes boldly. “I just experienced a traumatic event. I think I deserve the comfy chair.” I had to admit, this flirting business felt good.

“Then I guess it’s only fair. How about I buy you a coffee as well?”

“How about a chai tea latte instead of coffee?” I asked with a sweet smile. Kitty Peters wasn’t typically sweet, but there was something about Maverick.

“Done. Go get our chair before someone takes it. I’ll be over in a moment with your drink.” He finally let me go, and I felt unsteady from the separation. If it were up to me, his warm hands would be on me at all times, and the touch I craved wasn’t limited to my arms.

Ignoring my body, I headed over to the table. I placed his iPad in the orange chair he sat in the last time we were both here then curled up in our favorite chair that was still warm from him. It wasn’t long before he was bringing my tea and joining me in our spot.

“Thank you,” I said when he handed me my tea.

“Sure thing, Duchess. It’s the least I can do after I distracted you into getting run over.” He added a wink that would only work for someone like him. No ordinary guy would pull off that wink.

I ignored his flirting and focused in on the nickname he had assigned me. “You do know my name isn’t Duchess, right?”

“You know mine isn’t Maverick?” he fired back.

“Touché.”

“Although I do appreciate you recognizing I’m a nonconformist.” How could I not? My father would die if he saw the tattoos peeking out from his shirt. The thought gave me a little thrill, and I wondered for a second if I could give my father a heart attack by bringing Adam to the gala next weekend.

“All right then, Adam, what is it you do in my chair all the time?”

“Read, work, people watch. What about you, Katherine? What do you do when you sit in my chair?”

“I write. My chair.”

“What do you write?” Then he mouthed, “Mine,” drawing attention to his lips that were unmistakably sensual and extremely distracting. His tongue darted out, licking his lips, causing me to feel things that I definitely didn’t need to be feeling.

Clearing my throat, I responded a little shaky. “A small column in an online magazine about the shenanigans going on around town.”

“What magazine?” he asked.

“Now that would be telling, wouldn’t it?”

He stared thoughtfully at me for a moment then asked, “You covered Blythe’s showing?”

“I was there for my dad. He’s helping her invest in some different options.”

“Ah and you were…”

“I was checking out her art, showing support, you know? Keeping connections while my dad’s in New York.”

“I see.”

“What about you? I thought you two were together, but when I met with Blythe today, she indicated she was unattached.” Actually, she said that Maverick was the one who was unattached, but I didn’t want it out there that we were talking about him. Something told me his ego didn’t need it.

His brow furrowed in confusion. “Together? Me and Blythe?”

I nodded.

He laughed at that. Hmm…interesting. “We aren’t. We went to art school together. She’s a little too out there for my liking.”

“Art school? What kind of art do you do, Mr. Vaughn?”

“I paint murals like the one over there.” He nodded to the back wall of the shop.

I looked to the back where a realistic mural depicting a coffeehouse scene completely covered the wall. It was this coffeehouse. The colorful chairs and tiny tables gave it away. At first glance, the wall looked like an extension of the shop, as the depth made the shop look like it went on for several more feet. It was intriguing, and something I had never noticed before.

“You painted that?” I asked, surprised by his talent.

He nodded.

“Wow.”

“You seem impressed, Duchess.”

“I am. Who knew you were so talented?” I added saucily.

“Ouch.” He clutched his heart like I wounded him. “I’m a man of many talents.”

“Like?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He gave me that damn smirk I had been obsessing about since I saw it while sitting in this very chair the last time.

“Nice cop-out, Maverick.” He laughed. This man intrigued me more each time I met him. I had a feeling it would be bad for me, but I couldn’t help finding out more about him. “Where else do you have paintings?”

“Here and there,” he said. “Maybe one day I’ll show you.”

“Okay. That’s fair.” I wouldn’t tell him what magazine I wrote for, so this was his way of retaliating.

Our eyes connected and remained locked for a long moment. Once again, my heart picked up the pace, and those feelings I shouldn’t be feeling returned. Maverick was hot. From his dark eyes that bore into me, to the scruff on his chin, to the damn smirk, his face was one that belonged on the cover of a magazine…or a romance novel, for that matter. His body, from what I had seen, didn’t hurt either. In fact, I wouldn’t mind getting a better look. Stop it! Kitty Peters does not lust after hot, tattooed, coffee-drinking, smirking guys.

“How about you have lunch with me this weekend?” he asked, effectively ending our lust-filled staring contest.

“Are you going to take me to see your art?”

“Possibly. I was thinking more along the lines of making plans to see you instead of running into you randomly.”

My heart fluttered a little in a totally different way from moments before. He wanted to see me. I let myself get excited before reality came crashing down on me. The reality being my parents. They would never allow me to date a guy like Adam.

“Sounds fun, but I can’t.”

“Can’t this weekend or can’t ever?”

“Ever,” I said sadly. Unfortunately, neither Blythe’s advice nor Adam’s intense presence could make me brave enough to challenge the power my parents held over me.

“Hmm…we’ll see about that.” He looked at his watch. “Sorry, Duchess. Gotta go. See you next time.” He stood over me for a second then said, “There’ll be a next time.” With that, he walked out of the coffee shop, leaving me sitting in my favorite chair with my mouth hanging wide open.