Bare, p.9
Bare, page 9
“I’m sorry,” she offers.
“Don’t be,” Sem counters with a squeeze to her elbow. “I found my inspiration in my ex-husband once and now that we’ve parted, I’ve found new inspiration.”
She looks over at me. I see something new in her eyes. It’s a softness that wasn’t there before. “You never know where you’ll find inspiration.”
I raise my glass of champagne in a silent toast. Her words ring as true for me as they do for her. This woman is inspiring me to want to give her more experiences just like this.
***
“Why did you arrange that for me?” Piper slides onto the backseat of the car that I called for after we said our goodbyes to Sem.
She’d spent more than an hour with him discussing the finer details of many of his sketches. He was open and accommodating as he answered each question she had. His patience was admirable given how exhausted I know he is.
When I handled his divorce, he told me he owed me. We’ve kept in touch through the occasional email since and when Piper mentioned in class that he had an exhibit in town, I called in the favor.
Her framed sketches weren’t part of the deal. I gave those to him as a thank you for taking time to meet with her.
“I could tell that you were a fan.” I smile as I settle in next to her. “I knew you’d enjoy the chance to meet the man behind the work.”
“Enjoy?” She laughs. “Tonight was the best night of my life.”
Is not was. It’s not over yet.
“Where are we headed, Piper?” I nod toward the driver. He’s silent, waiting for an address.
“I should get home.” She nervously plays with the edge of her clutch purse. “I doubt I’ll be able to sleep. I just met Sem Jansen.”
Those words are music to my ears. She’s not ready to call it a night. I’m sure as hell not either. “Let me buy you a drink. I know a place not far from here.”
I can see the internal debate in her eyes as she contemplates my invitation.
Say yes, Piper. Fucking say yes.
“I guess one drink would be alright,” she whispers before she looks out her window.
It may not be the exact response I was hoping for, but I’ll take it. The night is still young and anything can happen.
Chapter 25
Piper
I gingerly sip the martini that I ordered. It tastes nothing like the ones I used to drink in Denver with my college friends. Ironically, it makes me miss them and the simple life I had back there.
When I left my parents’ house to move into the dorm my freshman year, I thought my future was in the palm of my hand. Four years and one fine arts degree later, I was back on their doorstep with a pile of student debt and no idea how to earn a living.
They took me in, cleared my financial obligations and sent me out every morning with a cup of coffee in hand and a stack of resumes.
I worked in retail, food service and finally landed a job teaching art in a community center.
When the opportunity to move to New York popped up, my mom and dad were hesitant at first, but they let me go with my small savings account and their blessings.
“Are you thinking about Sem?” Griffin taps his fingers on my hand. “You floated to another dimension there.”
I stifle a laugh with another sip of my drink. “I was thinking about home and how dramatically different my life is now.”
He takes a swallow of the soda water he ordered. It made me second-guess my choice of beverage, but he insisted I indulge since it was a special night for me.
“What was life at home like?”
I draw in a quick breath. “Easy, quiet.”
“Boring?” His brows perk.
I consider that for a second. “No. I wouldn’t say that. Life ran at a different pace there. I’d wake up early and work on my unfinished sketches. I’d usually sit on the front porch right after the sun came up.”
A ghost of a smile touches his lips. “It sounds very peaceful.”
He’s incredibly handsome. I’ve felt a rush of heat flowing over me since we sat down at this secluded table in this quaint bar. He not only looks like heaven dressed in that tuxedo but he smells divine. Add to that the fact that he went out of his way to arrange for me to meet Sem, and I’m ready to crawl into his lap and kiss him.
“Have you always lived in New York?” I ask to break the spell I’ve put myself under.
“Always,” he answers without any hesitation. “It’s home to me. I wouldn’t say it’s home sweet home, but it’s where I belong.”
That answer is way too intriguing for me to just skate past it without asking more. “Why isn’t it home sweet home?”
“New York can be a bitch in her own way.” He takes a sip of water and then scowls before pushing the glass away. I can tell he’s regretting not ordering something stronger. “The city hasn’t always been kind to me.”
He’s not the first person I’ve heard talking about Manhattan as if it’s a living, breathing being. I suppose in some ways it is. “What has the Big Apple done to you?”
His brows draw together as he studies my face. “It’s stolen from me.”
“It stole from me too,” I joke. “At least one New Yorker did. I think he’s a New Yorker.”
His shoulders relax with the change of subject. “The police never nabbed that asshole?”
I shrug. “Not yet. I even did a quick sketch of his face and dropped off a copy at the precinct. I thought they could match that to their database and get a hit.”
I didn’t think it could hurt. The officer at the desk gave me a sympathetic smile when I dropped off the sketch on my way to work one day. I have no idea if he even showed it to another soul. It doesn’t matter at this point. I’m over that night.
“You sound like you watch too many detective shows.” He leans forward. “My friend Sebastian works homicide with the NYPD. I could get him to take a look at the sketch. Maybe he’ll show it around. If the guy who robbed you is a repeat offender, one of Sebastian’s buddies might recognize him. “
“If you think it’s worth a shot, I can give you a copy of the sketch in class on Monday.” I know he’s trying to be helpful, but I doubt that anyone who works in homicide would recognize the jerk that took my stuff. He may be lousy in bed, but he didn’t strike me as someone capable of murder.
“You can send me a copy tonight.” He raps his fingers against my clutch. “Get out your phone so you can program my number into it.”
“I’ll bring the sketch to class. I don’t need your number.”
“You want it,” he counters, staring into my eyes. “I want yours, so let’s exchange now.”
I don’t move. “I don’t want your number.”
“The lip, Piper.” His hand leaps to my chin. “That adorable way you bite your lip makes me...”
My gaze drops to his lap. I knew I should have taken the seat across from him and not the one next to him. He’s too close, and now, he’s hard. I can see the outline of his erection through his pants.
“If you’re worried I’m going to call you non-stop I can assure you that I won’t.” He raises his right hand in the air as if he’s taking a vow. “I’ll keep my distance until you kick Rufus to the curb.”
“Rufus?” I hear the surprise in my voice when I say his name.
Griffin rolls his eyes. “The model you like hanging out with.”
“I know who Rufus is,” I say quickly. “Why did you bring him up?”
He leans so close that I can feel his breath against my cheek. “I don’t know what you see in him, but once you get tired of it, I’ll be waiting.”
I look into his eyes. He thinks I’m dating Rufus. He went to a lot of trouble to arrange for me to meet Sem even though he thinks I’m sleeping with another man. If I didn’t fully appreciate the gesture before, I do now. “Why did you set up tonight? Why do all of that for me?”
He brushes his lips against my cheek. It’s so soft that it’s barely more than a whisper of skin against skin. “You deserve to have every one of your dreams come true.”
I inch to the side so his lips are almost touching mine. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He kisses my cheek one last time before he leans back in his chair “And I won’t complain if you throw a compliment my way in class every once in a while.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. I laugh and even though I know I should tell him that Rufus is only my friend, I don’t.
I want the memory of this night to stay exactly at it is. I don’t want anything to change what I feel right now.
Chapter 26
Griffin
I eye Piper up trying to telepathically ask her where the hell those compliments are that she promised me on Friday night. Class is almost over and I haven’t even received a smile from her.
That’s not exactly true. She did offer me a half-grin when I first walked in. I was late, as usual. Today it was almost eight before I slid onto the stool behind my easel. By the time I flipped open my sketchbook and looked to Brenda for advice on our nightly assignment, class was in full swing.
I put the charcoal pencil to paper and managed a few lines around his ankles. I didn’t glance in the direction of the front of the class where Rufus is because an ankle’s an ankle.
After spending an evening with Piper, I can’t stand the sight of the man who will likely go home with her tonight.
“You missed out on a good time on Saturday.” Brenda doesn’t say my name, but it’s obvious she’s talking to me. The woman sitting to her left pretended not to speak English mid-way through our first class. I know it’s a ruse meant to deter Brenda from talking to her. I just wish I had thought of it first. It’s fucking brilliant.
“I had a great time on Friday night,” I counter with a killer smile.
Brenda scratches her head. “Blonde or brunette?”
Not that it’s any of her business, but I’ve got nothing to hide. I glance at Piper. I offered to take her home on Friday, but she insisted on grabbing an Uber after we exchanged numbers. I didn’t push even though all I wanted was to crawl into her bed. “Brunette. A very beautiful brunette.”
“Lucky girl.” She tosses me a half-hearted wink. “I had a blast with Rufus on Saturday. Thanks for asking.”
I don’t give a fuck if she had the time of her life tagging along on Rufus and Piper’s date. “Good for you.”
“Piper was there too.” She motions with her pencil to the center of the room where our teacher is standing dressed in a dark green skirt and white blouse. “She knew a hell of a lot about every sketch. Don’t get me wrong. It was interesting and all, but the beers back at my place weren’t drinking themselves if you know what I mean.”
I take a moment to sketch out a foot complete with five toes. It’s not bad. “I take it the three of you took the party to your place?”
“They bailed on me.” She sighs heavily as the tip of her pencil glides along the paper before she reaches forward to smudge it with the side of her thumb. “Rufus said he had a friend in town and he wanted to take Piper to meet him. I wasn’t invited to that.”
I doubt the friend could measure up to Sem Jansen. I’ve got Rufus beat on that.
“The exhibit goes all week.” Brenda rubs her thumb on her jeans transferring the dark charcoal dust. “We can check it out together tomorrow night. I still have a half a case of beer back at my place.”
I commend her for her commitment to try and ride my cock, but it’s never happening.
“I’m interested in someone else.” It’s the truth. I haven’t been able to look at another woman since I first saw Piper in my office weeks ago. The idea of fucking anyone else isn’t on my radar at this point. There’s only one woman I want.
“The brunette?” She questions. “I can be a brunette within the hour if that’s what you’re looking for.”
She’s a mousy blonde with too much determination. I can’t help but laugh at the offer. “As tempting as you are, Brenda, nothing is ever going to happen between us. As I said, I’m interested in just one woman.”
“Whoever it is she’s lucky.” Piper’s voice catches both Brenda and me off guard. Brenda turns to face her. I take a beat to erase the goofy grin off my face.
Damn right she’s lucky. She’ll see it for herself once she realizes Rufus is not the right guy for her. I am.
“I was just about to say the same thing.” Brenda whips that pencil in her hand along the arm of my jacket. Again.
“Griffin introduced me to Sem Jansen on Friday night.” Piper steps closer. “It was incredible.”
“You did that for her?” Brenda catches my eye when she glances at my profile.
I nod as I look over my shoulder at Piper. Her hair is down tonight; loose curls are framing her face. She seems content and at ease. “I called in a favor. I’m hoping my final grade will reflect the extra effort.”
Piper’s green eyes light up. “Your work is improving, Griffin. I don’t think you have to worry about your final grade.”
I don’t give a fuck about my final grade. All I care about is the fact that she’s finally looking at me like I’m more than just her student.
***
“Griffin?” Piper calls to me from where she’s standing near the front of the studio.
Class ended five minutes ago. I took my time hauling my ass off the stool because I was hoping she’d remember that she has something to give me. I want time together, her body, and whatever else she’s willing to share with me, but that’s not why I’m hanging around.
“I have a copy of that sketch we talked about.” She turns to where she placed her sketchpad. She drops it and her purse on a small table by the stage before every class. I’m assuming that’s her routine since I’ve only witnessed it once.
Class is usually in progress by the time I arrive.
I walk over to her. I was going to mention the sketch as a way to grab a few minutes alone with her. I know she always leaves with Rufus in tow. I want tonight to be different, but if all I get is a few seconds of her time, I’ll take it.
Jesus. I’m losing my grip on reality. Since when do I crave a woman’s attention?
“I feel funny about you taking this to your friend.” She holds the sketch in her hands so all I can see is the back. “You said he works homicide. I don’t think the guy who robbed me is the murdering type.”
I don’t think he is either and I doubt that Sebastian will be any help, but I want to do whatever I can to catch the son of a bitch that fucked her over. She didn’t deserve that treatment. Hell, no one does, but the fact that he conned a woman like Piper makes my blood boil.
“Give me the sketch and I’ll take it to Sebastian. If he gets a lead, I’ll let you know.”
“I have a photographic memory when it comes to faces.” The paper moves a little in her hands as she tightens her grip on the edges. “This is exactly what he looks like.”
I look down when she flips the paper over to show me the sketch.
“I know that asshole.” Rage surges through me at the sight of the man’s face. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”
Chapter 27
Piper
I stare at the screen of Griffin’s smartphone. I can’t believe my eyes. It’s a headshot of a man. He owns an insurance company uptown. He’s also the man who took me to bed and then took off with my belongings.
Marco Tresoni.
“How do you know him?” I tear my gaze away from the phone to look at Griffin. He’s still angry. It’s written all over his expression.
He lowers the phone, cursing under his breath as he looks at the floor. “I’m representing his wife in their divorce.”
Divorce? The man I met that night told me that he’d never been married. That was his response when I asked if he had a wife. I wanted the one-night stand but not with a man who made a vow to someone else.
“That’s why he had your card,” I offer, my mind trying to piece everything together. “He told me his name was Kent. Do you think he was just using it as a fake name or deliberately trying to impersonate you?”
“Either way, he’s in deep shit.” He rakes his hand through his hair. “I’ll rip him apart with my bare hands.”
I shouldn’t like this side of him, but I do. He’s seething mad. I can tell that he’s genuinely pissed at this guy for what he did to me. I’m just grateful that now the police can do their job and arrest him.
“I’ll go back to the precinct in the morning and tell them I know who robbed me.” I feel a sudden rush of relief. I haven’t let that night ruin my life but what happened still jars me when I’m alone and I give it too much thought. “I can’t believe we figured it out.”
That lures a smile to his mouth. “You look happy and I’m ready to toss him in the East River.”
I laugh. “You wouldn’t really do that.”
“Give me five minutes alone with the guy and test me.” He fists his left hand. “I can go find him tonight, Piper. I know where the asshole lives.”
I step forward to rest my hand over his. He instantly loosens up and cups my hand in his palm.
“We’re going to let the police do their job, Griffin.”
“Are we?” He moves to rest our hands in the center of his chest.
I stare at them, liking the subtle intimacy, but wanting even more. “I should thank you for solving the mystery.”
“We did that together.” His thumb rubs circles over my hand. “We should thank each other.”
I want that, but he’s interested in someone else. I heard him tell Brenda that less than an hour ago. My stance on getting involved, in any romantic capacity, with a man who has a girlfriend or wife hasn’t changed. I won’t do it, even if I want the man more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.
I tug my hand free, not wanting to prolong the inevitable.
He exhales harshly when our hands part. “I’m sorry for what happened to you. All you wanted was a one-night stand and you ended up in a hotel room with a sewer rat.”
