Tempting the Artist

by Sharon C. Cooper

  Luke glanced at his watch. “Thanks, Robin. Until they get here, hold my calls.” He took the bag of food from Christina and grabbed hold of her hand, guiding her to his office. Once there, he closed and locked the door.

  “Now where were we?”

  He set the bag on the table near the sofa and cupped her face between his strong hands, covering her mouth with his. A contented sigh slipped from her as Luke’s tongue explored the inner recesses of her mouth. The kiss, slow and thoughtful, sent a wave of desire rushing through Christina’s body, and she didn’t want it to end. She took what he gave freely. Her arms went around his neck as she felt a sense of urgency with every swirl of his tongue, touch of his hand, and the feel of his body grinding against hers.

  His hands scaled down the side of her body, his touch scorching her skin through the material of her clothing. No other man had ever turned her on the way Luke did, and Christina knew without a doubt that no other man ever would. His erection pressed against her stomach, and her need for him intensified.

  “Ah, baby,” he groaned into her mouth and lifted his head, his breathing as ragged as hers. She took a step back. Her fingers touched her lips that were still warm and tingling from his kiss.

  “That’s not enough for me. I want more. I want you.”

  “I thought you were hungry.” She played coy, knowing the look in his eyes told her exactly what he wanted.

  “There’s a battle going on within me. Part of me is starving since I didn’t eat breakfast, but the other part of me prefers to taste you instead.”

  When he pulled her back into his arms, she placed her hands on his chest. “Tell you what. Why don’t we eat first because I’m hungry too … for food. Then we’ll see how much time we have afterward.”

  After a slight hesitation, he agreed.

  Sitting on the sofa, Christina pulled their meals out of the bag. The heady smell of onions, garlic, and basil, immediately greeted her when she took the lid from her lasagna, her mouth watered in anticipation.

  They both moaned when the succulent spices hit their tongues.

  “You were right, this is amazing.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  Christina had mentioned her favorite Italian restaurant on several occasions and decided he had to try the lasagna. When she told him she had a special treat for him for lunch, of course he initially thought she meant her.

  “You’re awfully quiet. Is anything wrong?” Luke asked between bites.

  “I’m fine. While I was waiting for you, I saw someone that I knew talking to Gary. Someone who I wish would fall off the face of the earth.”

  “Wow, that bad huh?”

  “Worse. I feel about him, the way you feel about Gary.”

  Luke shook his head and dabbed his mouth with the napkin in his hand. “That’s impossible. You’re too much of a sweetheart to have the same thoughts about that guy as I have about Gary.”

  “I don’t know Lucas, my thoughts might surprise you. This guy used to work for Jenkins & Sons years ago and caused all types of trouble,” she said between bites. “He really messed up and crossed the line when he attacked Toni.”

  “What?” Luke’s mouth hung open, and his brows slanted in a frown. “When did this happen?”

  “When she first met Craig.” Christina told him how Toni had been doing plumbing work for Craig, and Leroy showed up at Craig’s house. He found out she was there alone fixing a plumbing job that he had screwed up. They exchanged heated words, and he attacked her.

  “You’re shittin’ me. If I were Craig, I probably would have killed that asshole.”

  “Trust me, he wanted to and probably would have if Toni hadn’t been so shaken up by the experience. Instead of pummeling the guy, Craig called it in.”

  “Apparently this guy is not that bright, attempting to have his way with a woman, and then doing it at a detective’s home. That’s just plain stupid on so many levels.”

  “He’s not known for being the smartest man in town. Or at least he wasn’t when he worked for us. Now he’s a general contractor and owns a small construction business. We hadn’t heard anything from him until he tried to sue Jenkins & Sons, but nothing ever came of the bogus lawsuit.”

  “Well, hopefully, you guys won’t hear from him again. As you mentioned earlier, maybe he’ll fall off the face of the earth … and take Gary with him.”

  Christina laughed, knowing that she shouldn’t wish something like that on anyone, but she couldn’t help herself. She didn’t like Leroy, and she didn’t trust him.

  Luke wiped his mouth with one of the napkins from the bag. “That was delicious, babe. Thanks for bringing lunch.” He stuffed the empty containers back into the bag.

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad you had time for lunch since you often work right through.” Christina popped a small piece of the garlic bread into her mouth before stuffing the rest into the trash.

  “How much time do you have left?”

  Christina shook her head and laughed. “You’re insatiable.”

  “I’m in love.”

  Her heart fluttered like the wings of a bird. He had spoken those words many times before, but for some reason today they sounded different. They felt different. Maybe it was because he was leaving town later that night and wouldn’t return for five days. Since getting back together, they had seen each other daily and Christina would miss him terribly.

  “I’m in love with you too.” She stood and reached for his hand. “I have about fifteen minutes before I have to leave. Maybe you can show me around your bathroom before your next appointment arrives.”

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Would you like to order a drink while you wait for your party?” the perky server asked Luke. Her Goth look: black clothing, black lipstick, and a shiny black mohawk, reminded him of one of many reasons he loved New York. People from around the world flocked to the city that was a melting pot of cultures, as well as personal styles.

  “Yes. I’ll have a Heineken and a glass of water.”

  “Alright, I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

  “Thanks.”

  Luke glanced around his favorite pizza joint. The appetizing aroma of homemade bread, onions, garlic combined with a host of other scents of Tuscany had his stomach growling in anticipation. The food and the eclectic atmosphere made the establishment one of the most popular lunch spots in Midtown. His workload had once been so crazy busy that he didn’t get to frequent the restaurant often, but ordered takeout weekly.

  “Here you go.” The server set down two coasters and placed his drinks in front of him. “Would you like to order or did you want to continue waiting for the other person in your party?”

  “I’m a little early, so I’ll wait.”

  He was meeting his friend, who was also a private investigator, Michael Cutter. Luke had hired him on a number of occasions to assist with his past cases. Unlike some P.I’s, Michael dug deeper than most and could find a paperclip in a haystack. The guy had contacts in high and low places, able to get answers that no one else would think to look for.

  After Christina’s photo had ended up in a magazine regarding her Chicago show, Luke contacted Michael. Not only did he want answers about the photographer, he wanted to find out how the news got out about Sasha Knight. Since Luke knew he’d be in New York for a few days, he suggested they meet while he was in town.

  Sitting next to the large picture window gave Luke a perfect view of the masses of people on the sidewalk rushing to get to their destinations. Horns blaring and people lifting their hands to hail taxis gave him a rush of New York adrenaline. The energy of the city was already seeping into his bones, and he had only been there two days.

  Luke’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket. A quick glance at the screen and a smile spread across his face.

  “Hey, baby. I’m surprised to hear from you this time of day. Shouldn’t you be elbow deep in paint right about now?”
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  “Yeah, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I figured I’d give you a quick call and then maybe I can get some work done.”

  “It’s good to hear your voice.”

  “You too. I also wanted us to agree to something.”

  “Oh boy. I’m almost afraid to ask.” He never knew what to expect from her. “What is it?”

  “We should have a rule that we can’t be apart for more than three days.”

  Luke chuckled. “Now that’s a deal I can agree too.”

  They talked for a few minutes, and his chest tightened thinking about how he fell in love with her more and more every day. He had also grown fond of the Jenkins family. Sunday brunches with them felt as normal as breathing, and he hadn’t missed one in weeks. Also, bi-weekly outings with her male cousins and her brother were a regular occurrence. He couldn’t believe how quickly her family had become the family he never had. If someone had told him a year ago that he would live in Cincinnati, be in love with an eccentric artist, and have intentions of marrying into a huge family, he wouldn’t have believed them.

  Luke glanced up and noticed his friend had walked in and was scanning the small restaurant. Luke waved him over.

  “Hey, baby, Mike just walked in. Let me give you a call back a little later.”

  “Okay. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Luke pocketed his cell phone and stood.

  “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal son returning home.” Michael grinned and stuck out his hand. He pulled Luke in for a one-arm hug and clapped him on the back of his shoulder.

  “Only for a couple of days. So don’t get used to seeing me.”

  Luke gave his longtime friend a once over. Often mistaken for Nick Cannon, he garnered attention wherever he went. He and Mike were about the same height, but Mike had at least twenty pounds on him, all muscle. A work out aficionado, it appeared his friend still hit the gym regularly.

  “You’re looking good, man.” Luke gestured for him to have a seat across from him in one of the clunky wood chairs that had seen better days.

  “It appears you’ve stepped up your workout unless you intentionally bought that T-shirt a size too small. Your arms are almost bigger than mine now.”

  Luke laughed glancing down at his navy blue Tee and bent his arm making his bicep pop. “Yeah, I’ve been doing a little somethin’ somethin’ now that I’m not working eighty hour weeks. I told you before, when I grow up I want to look like you. I figured I had better get started.”

  They talked and clowned for a few minutes before the server came over to take their order.

  “I’m still trippin’ you left all of this,” Michael spread out his arms, “to live in the Midwest and you’re still there. I thought, for sure, you would’ve moved back by now. So I guess the town is treating you well.”

  “Yeah, what can I say? My life is in Cincinnati now.” The longer Luke lived in Ohio, the less he thought about New York. The relocation started out a little rocky, but he couldn’t leave now. Not unless Christina was willing to go with him, and he was pretty sure she wouldn’t move anywhere that was too far from her family.

  “So who is she?”

  “Who is who?”

  “The woman you’re in love with?”

  Momentarily caught off guard, a slow smile covered Luke’s lips. He lifted his beer bottle to his mouth and took a long drag from his beer, casting a glance across the table at his friend. No sense in denying anything. Michael was so good at what he did, he probably knew what Luke had for breakfast.

  “Somehow I think you already know.” Luke set his beer on the table.

  Michael grinned without admitting anything.

  “When I sent you a photo and asked that you look into the Chicago incident with the photographer—”

  “I couldn’t help myself.” He shrugged. “I was curious. She’s a beautiful woman.”

  “I agree, but how did you know that she and I were together?”

  “I didn’t.” Luke narrowed his eyes. “At least not until you just admitted to it.”

  Luke shook his head and laughed. “I guess that’s why you’re the best P.I on the east coast.”

  Michael placed his hand over his heart. “Just the east coast? Man, you wound me. You calling me instead of using someone else to dig up information for you must mean that I’m the best in the country.”

  “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. You’re the best.”

  The server came over with their extra-large cheese and Italian sausage pizza. “Okay, here you go.” The steam rising from the pie carried the pungent scent of roasted garlic, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers that had Luke longing for a taste.

  “Can I get you two anything else?”

  “Maybe extra napkins,” Mike said. They both dug into their meal the moment the server left the table.

  “So what did you find?” Luke knew his friend. Michael Cutter never came back empty handed.

  Michael opened his mouth to speak but stopped when the server returned with napkins. He waited until after she left before saying anything.

  “According to my sources, the camera man took pictures of your woman during a show in New York.”

  “New York?”

  Michael nodded. “Supposedly his boss found out about this artist who was on the verge of blowing up, but no one knew who she really was, and they started digging.”

  “Wait. When we saw him in Chicago, he mentioned that he knew who she was because of a reliable source. Any idea of who that might be?” Luke grabbed another slice of pizza. He had eaten the first slice so fast he barely remembered swallowing.

  “Her agent, Valerie Cook.”

  Luke’s hand stopped mid-air, the pizza slice an inch from his lips. “You’re shittin’ me.”

  “Nope. Valerie sent an anonymous email from a dummy account and apparently the magazine’s tech department was able to trace it back to the source and found out the email came from her office.”

  Damn.

  Luke knew the woman was up to no good, but he had no idea she would betray a client’s trust this way. Now he had to break the news to Christina and wondered what she would do with the information.

  “I appreciate you looking into this for me.”

  “Anything for you, man.”

  “What about that other situation?”

  “Gary Rouse. Let me first start by saying that it looks as if someone else is investigating him.”

  Again, Luke was caught off guard, but then again, maybe he shouldn’t be too surprised. Gary was a low-down, pompous jerk. Nothing should surprise Luke when it came to the guy. He had a feeling Gary probably had more enemies than friends.

  “I haven’t been able to find out yet who exactly is digging into his background, but my first guess would be a government agency, probably the FBI or CIA. They’re digging deep.”

  “So were you able to find anything?”

  “Yeah, he used to work for another law firm in Cleveland before he suddenly went to work for dear ol’ dad.”

  “Really?”

  Luke had never considered that Gary might have worked for any other firm than Atwater, Rouse & Stevenson, his father’s firm.

  “He probably would have still been there if he hadn’t gotten himself into a little trouble. Well allegedly got himself into trouble. Years ago, he was investigated for stealing from client trust accounts and using the funds for personal use. The case never made it to trial. His father had hooked him up with a big shot attorney who poked holes in the case. Shortly after he was cleared, Gary joined Atwater, Rouse & Stevenson.”

  Luke would bet his life’s savings that Gary had been guilty. “Anything else?”

  Michael shook his head. “Not really. About two years ago, there was some chatter about him taking money from clients, promising to perform legal services, but delivering nothing. I’ll have to do a little more digging. It looks as if he’s covering his tracks pretty good these days.”

 
; Luke sat back in his seat, twisting the now empty glass of water back and forth, dissecting all that Michael had told him. He didn’t trust Gary, and he was glad to find out his suspicions weren’t off.

  “Does Gary have a law degree?”

  Michael narrowed his eyes and folded his arms. “Why do you ask?”

  Luke hesitated, wondering if he had hit on something. “The files he keeps on his cases look as if he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Most are incomplete. The ones that are complete are done either by one of the paralegals or a junior attorney.” Or by me, Luke thought but didn’t voice his thought. “So, does he have one?”

  “Yeah, he has one. Although it took him three times to pass the bar.”

  “I see.” Luke finished off his second slice of pizza and called the server over for more water.

  “So, what are you going to do with this information?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I might sit on it for a while since you’re thinking he’s currently being investigated. I’m a true believer that if you do wrong long enough, it’ll come back to you in one way or another. I have a feeling Gary’s going to get what’s coming to him.”

  “I’m sure you’re right.” Michael pushed his plate aside and placed his used napkins on the table. “I’m surprised you haven’t asked about that other situation.”

  “I figured if there were something to tell, you would’ve told me by now.”

  “You’re right. I would have.” He leaned forward and folded his hands on the table. “Right now, all is quiet with the Donati family. There’s nothing that leads me to believe that they know you’re related to Scott. If they do know, they don’t see you as a threat. Of course, if anything comes up, you know I’ll contact you.”

  Luke nodded. Now he had more than just his safety to consider. Christina was his number one priority, and he would never want any of his baggage to affect her. Ever! It gave him comfort in knowing that if the Donati family thought he knew anything, they would have acted immediately.

  “Thanks, man. I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

  “We’ll see if you’ll be thanking me when you get my bill.”