The Passion Series (12 page)

3 – Caught

The next morning, Ryan was back at the gallery, but not to see Heather this time. He wanted to speak to Gregory Darden—alone. He still didn’t trust Jamison, apology or not. He needed to hear for himself that the creep hadn’t made any further motions to antagonize the gallery.

“Good morning, Mr. Blake.” Gregory sprung to his feet with a quick smile.

“Gregory,” Ryan warmly greeted him. “And please, call me Ryan. We’re friends. You’ve been such a support to Heather. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.”

The two men chatted about various subjects and, somewhere in the mix, Ryan brought up the subject of Jamison Stanton. Only when he was satisfied that no further contact had been made with Gregory, nor was the gallery owner aware of any negative efforts against Heather, did he drop the subject.

He stood to make his exit, but stopped at Gregory’s words. “I think I have something you’ll want. Let me show you.”

Gregory stood and moved over to a panel behind his desk. Ryan could see numerous screens, each showing a section of the enormous gallery. He could see Heather’s paintings easily and would have seen any movement as well, although there were no patrons currently viewing the exhibit. Gregory looked over at Ryan.

“You see, I can watch the entire gallery from here,” he said. Ryan wasn’t yet sure of his intent. “Even though we have the place wired for security and, during the hours we are open, we have the security service, I still like to be able to watch what goes on.”

“That makes sense.” Ryan nodded once, in agreement with the tight security procedures.

“But what you may not know,” Gregory continued, “is that these cameras run twenty-four hours a day. Literally everything in the gallery is recorded.” Gregory smiled, friend to friend, and alarms went off in Ryan’s head.

“Everything is recorded,” Ryan repeated.

“Everything,” Gregory affirmed and reached in a drawer to withdraw a disc with yesterday’s date printed boldly in felt pen across the label. “It’s none of my business, but from just the few glimpses I got of what’s on this disc, I think you’ll want to take custody.” Gregory seemed tickled with his discovery.

Ryan’s mind flashed to the lurid scene of Heather… Yes, he would definitely want this tape. “Like I said, Gregory, we are friends. Thank you.” He took the offered disc, smiled, and shook Gregory’s hand. “I’ll see you soon, my friend.”

4 – Doubt

Heather sat, sipping her coffee, gazing at the view from the new Manhattan apartment she shared with Ryan. He’d left earlier than usual, saying he wanted to speak to Gregory. She knew he was looking out for her interests. It was good to know that Gregory was too. Between the two men, she felt protected—at least in her career.

She reflected on where the relationship with Ryan was headed. She felt a little confused. There was no question that she was drawn to Ryan. She’d been more open with him than any man she’d known. She’d stepped beyond previous boundaries.

Ever since they’d met at Matt
Lowen’s birthday party, actually a masquerade party, she’d been at Ryan’s mercy. She had to ask if she was ready, or even if it was right. Her subconscious nagged at her that she was going too far, that her inner passion was leading her into trouble. And she couldn’t fully deny it. Being around Ryan consumed her. She wanted him, more than she’d ever wanted any other man.

And she was willing to go to great lengths to please him. Being honest with herself, she had to face that it pleased her just as much. The sex they had together satisfied her. No, more than satisfied her—she craved it. It had become an obsession. It wasn’t possible for her to give it up.

Maybe it was simply that she didn’t want to. Nor was she strong enough to break the erotic bond between them. Aware she was in deep, it occurred to her she might be in over her head. Ryan was a strong personality, both in and out of the bedroom. She liked that in a man, but she was going beyond comfortable limits. Limits that she’d never dared cross before.

She didn’t know if she feared Ryan or just herself—her own inner demons. What really shocked her was the immense pleasure she experienced, no matter the sexual boundaries they pushed together. She assured herself that was the way it should be. It was right. So why did she feel the nagging fear inside?

5 – Co-star

Heather approached the entrance to Ryan’s new office building. Since he needed to work from New York while he was staying with her, he’d secured an office on the top floor. She was looking forward to lunch with him.

She glanced up at the big revolving-door entrance to the swanky New York building and surprise rocked her. Coming out, at a fast pace, focused and intent on leaving, was Christina
Levain, looking her sexy best in a long-sleeved leopard print dress, giving the impression her shapely legs were a mile long. Even though Ryan had assured her that Christina was just a woman he had dated in the past, Heather couldn’t help but react.

She wasn’t just a woman. She was a drop-dead gorgeous movie star, and an aggressive, emotional woman at that. Heather couldn’t imagine seeing her here, of all places. Ryan had only been in the new office for less than a week. There had to be a good reason for Christina to fly to New York to pay a personal visit. Heather looked away, hoping Christina wouldn’t spot her. She couldn’t face confrontation just now.

The stunning woman breezed by her, never looking right or left, followed by a burly bodyguard. Heather watched her until she was out of sight, admiring her long, thick, dark hair, which hung past her shoulders, and noted her confident stride, even in her high platform pumps. Christina was tall anyway, and in those shoes, she was imposing. Gathering her nerve, Heather started back toward the entrance to the building, now anxious to ask Ryan what that had all been about. She hoped it was something she’d want to hear.

Ryan stepped from the elevator the moment she entered the marble lobby. She was supposed to meet him at the restaurant, around the corner from the elevator bay. He had wanted to see her at lunch, missing her too much to wait all day. And she was so glad to see him. The instant he glimpsed her, he strode to her and wrapped her in a loving embrace. He never seemed concerned about showing affection in public. She liked that about him.

“Hi, angel,” he whispered in her ear. “I reserved a table for us.” He kissed her sweetly, lingering to slide his tongue next to hers. He kissed her behind the ear and down her neck. “Better escort me to the restaurant, before I get other ideas about what to do with my lunch break,” he teased.

The restaurant was bustling with activity. The hostess guided them swiftly to their table, which was right by the window, offering a nice view. Heather was always impressed with the atmosphere in New York. Everyone hurried along the street, singularly focused, in a hurry to be somewhere important.

As soon as they’d ordered and the wine was poured, Heather sprung her question. “Why did Christina fly out here from Hollywood to see you? I saw her leaving the building, just as I arrived. She didn’t see me, fortunately.”

Ryan looked over, giving her his full attention. Christina had been a sensitive subject in the past. He eyed Heather carefully, to check for any signs that something was amiss. It appeared Heather was more curious than anything, which gave him assurance of her trust. His eyes stopped momentarily, admiring the ruby and diamond necklace she wore. He smiled inside at the memory of their sweet encounter, so fresh in his mind.

“Christina is one headstrong woman, I’ll give her that. She flew all the way out to see me in person when a phone call would have sufficed.” Ryan took a sip of his wine. “You probably recall that I put my foot down about her being my co-star in the upcoming film. I have to be able to work professionally with an actress. That’s no longer a possibility with Christina. She’s made a nuisance of herself, chasing after me.

“That whole stunt of leaking to the press that I’d asked her to marry me was too much. It got out of hand. Yet she wouldn’t back off. I’m done with her. She was very upset, as you probably noticed. Apparently, this movie is an important career move for her.”

Heather sipped her wine, making a point not to interrupt. He was telling her what she needed to know.

“When she heard that my contract included the power to decline to work with a co-star that I didn’t find suitable, she exploded. The idea of being boycotted, so to speak, was more of an insult than she could take. Plus, her career is everything to her.

“She confronted me today. She was so angry she flew out here and stomped into my office, unannounced. I had no idea I’d be eye to eye with her this morning. I let her get it out of her system.

“The bottom line is that I could proceed with that movie and she’d be out. But it’s just not that important to me.”

Ryan looked at Heather with his piercingly beautiful, gray-green eyes, unable to hide his emotion. “What’s important to me is sitting right in front of me.” He was quiet then, just looking right at her. Heather melted, feeling tears well up. She tended to tear up, especially over her love for Ryan.

“So, I assured her that she could have the movie. I’ve fulfilled my contract with the studio, except for one remaining movie, and I have another year to start filming. So it doesn’t have to be this film. Let her have it. As long as she stays out of my life, I’m happy. And after the next film, I’ll have to see if I want to sign a new contract with the studio. The way my investment company is growing, it’s commanding more and more of my time. I may leave Hollywood. We’ll see.”

He moved his foot under the table to caress her ankle. Heather sighed in relief, not even fully aware of how tense she’d been. She was so glad that Christina didn’t seem like a threat anymore.

6 – Purchase

Ryan had been insistent that she leave the gallery early and have his chauffer bring her here. Her heels echoed as she stepped across the hardwood floor. The space was huge. A huge, empty space in New York seemed impossible. Everything there was so packed in, stores slivered in between each other.

Heather held out her arms as far as she could stretch and spun in a circle. “It’s so—so big.” Thoughts popped into her head and she dismissed them as fast as they came. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t imagine why Ryan had brought her here. Was he moving his office? Creating
his own movie studio? Nothing seemed right.

“I bought it,” he stated proudly.

“This whole space?” she marveled.

“The whole building.”
He beamed.

“The—whole—building?” Her eyes scanned the huge expanse, confusion still possessing her.

“For you,” he announced to her. “It’s yours, a space to create your own gallery. I decided you would do better with a permanent place to display your paintings.”

Heather just stared at him, unsure how to react. “You bought this…for me?” Her hands dropped to her side. She was unable to take it all in.

“For you, angel.” Ryan walked forward, wrapped his arms around her, and lifted her feet off the floor, like she was a child, then setting her back down. “Jenna is very excited to come and help you. She’ll arrive next week.” Heather’s mood lifted at the mention of her dear friend and assistant. Still, could she accept such a gift?

“I’ll be eternally in your debt,” Heather told him sincerely.

“I like the sound of that.” Ryan gave a deep, masculine laugh that warmed Heather’s heart. “But I thought you’d feel better if we share the profits. There’s a clause in the agreement that allows you to buy me out, any time you wish to take full ownership.”

“Oh, Ryan,” she gasped. The full impact of what this meant to her career began to dawn. She was so touched by his faith in her. She flew into his arms again, hugging him tightly around his neck, giggling with joy. Yes, under those conditions, she could accept.

7 – Demands

Just when everything was going so smoothly, the press had to rock the boat. The photos were spread out on the table. It was in all the papers and entertainment rags. Several shots of Ryan with Heather were revealed for the world to see, the headlines shouti
ng, “Ryan Spencer Blake Splits from Christina Levain.” She read down the column. “Seen with little-known artist, Heather Ann Lawson, who has a reputation for shockingly sexual art.”

How embarrassing. Heather wasn’t comfortable with such notoriety. The last thing she wanted was to blight Ryan’s reputation. Yet he hadn’t seemed to care. When she’d shown him last night, he’d assured her this was Christina’s way of saving face.

But he did seem preoccupied with a call from his agent. From what she could overhear, his decision to bow out of the movie wasn’t a popular one. And demands were made concerning exactly when he’d be available for filming. The question was posed: “When are you returning to Hollywood?”

Heather felt guilty. If not for her, Ryan would be in Hollywood right now, already filming his next box office hit. As much as it hurt her to think about her bad influence, she had trouble even considering the idea of him leaving. He’d gotten this Manhattan apartment with the idea of being with her. “Indefinitely,” he informed her, which was precisely the length of time she told him she might stay in New York.

She’d asked him point blank, “But are you willing to give all that up?” She was referring to Hollywood. “We don’t need it, baby,” was his only answer. Clearly, since they didn’t do without anything. She’d never lived a more privileged life. Money certainly didn’t seem to be an issue.

She wasn’t sure she could be responsible for pulling him away from the spotlight. If he regretted it later, he wouldn’t feel the same about her, knowing what he’d lost because of her. That thought worried her, and she’d told him how she felt. What she hadn’t told him, what she was barely able to face herself, was what really terrified her.

She was hopelessly in love with Ryan. Their passion seemed to know no bounds. As much as her heart soared to think of it, a fear also gripped her. She’d never been so open, trusted so much. Would he be willing to plunge to the same depths as she? Did he love her that much?