Cover art © 123RF/Andrey Kiselev
Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
About the Author
CHAPTER ONE
Gemma didn’t know which was worse, a million goose bumps or old Mr. Rainey.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we start the bidding at $10 million.”
The most important day of her young life, and McCallister’s head auctioneer for the New York branch might as well be selling a paint-by-numbers kit. Why couldn’t the man sound more enthusiastic? After all, this was a K. L. Wentworth watercolor up for sale—a multimillion-dollar work of art that she, clever Gemma Gilmore, had authenticated as genuine.
She should have stayed away from today’s auction. It was too much, especially now that Mr. Rainey appeared to be doubly bored by a phone bid. “We have a bid for $11 million. Do I hear $11.1?”
Okay, enough of that dry, old stick. Just concentrate on who’s bidding.
Snuggling herself back into the small alcove away from the crowd, Gemma scanned the spectators seated in neat rows across the auction room. Two of McCallister’s regular bidders were in their usual row, ten seats apart. One was scratching his nose to place his bid, while the other bobbed his head to keep up. The entire auction room knew who they were. With those two well-known rival collectors of American twentieth-century paintings in attendance, everyone at McCallister’s usually had a friendly bet on who would win. Gemma had already put her money on the Nose Scratcher taking home the Wentworth.
By the time she’d completed her room check, the bidding had picked up pace. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have a phone bid of $14 million.”
Leaning forward out of the alcove, she scanned the back of the auction room thick with spectators, security guards, and every employee of the New York office. The whole staff usually turned out when the big works came up for sale. Gemma spotted her new appraisal intern looking in her direction. She smiled. He waved back.
The auctioneer stopped mid-drone. “James O’Mara, no bidding gestures—you know that.”
Oh Lord, he’s in for it now. Everyone turned to look toward the back wall. Laughter rippled across the room as Jamie uttered a bashful “sorry” before putting his head down. The poor guy had just broken the golden rule of auctions, and it was her fault.
“Ladies and gentleman,” Mr. Rainey continued dryly, “now that young Jamie has decided not to bid for the Wentworth, the offer stands at $14 million.” She sighed as chuckles flooded the room again. She’d have to buy Jamie a cheer-up drink after work.
Idly sweeping her gaze past Jamie, she studied the rest of the crowd. As usual, there were more people than seats, but those standing were only here for the ride and would probably drift off after the next big-item lot had sold. No eye-popping bids were likely to come from them. In fact, there was nobody interesting at all.
Oh, except for one. She would have missed him if it weren’t for his impressive height. He stood in the far corner, half-obscured by a pillar and so well separated from the crowd, she briefly wondered why. He was far too broad-shouldered to be a typical art collector. True, they came in all shapes and sizes, but she could usually spot a collector at fifty yards, and they definitely didn’t look like this guy. Under that dark business suit there was a powerful physique, and it hadn’t gotten that way by hanging around auction rooms. A professional athlete, maybe? No, that wasn’t it. Despite that easy stance, there was a strength and control way beyond athletic prowess. The man seemed almost ... dangerous.
Challenging.
She knew she shouldn’t stare, but then again, why not? He was just one big aphrodisiac-on-a-stick. And the fact that she could drool over him from the safety of her alcove made it so much more delicious. Almost naughty.
Gemma stared harder when he brought a large, tanned hand up to rub along the dark stubble of his jaw. No wedding ring. Not that it meant anything of course, but still, the knowledge seemed to sweeten the view.
And what a view it was. Gemma actually licked at her lip when he shifted his weight and his jacket slipped open so she could savor the promise of rock-hard abs under the white business shirt. She shivered, her stomach doing somersaults at the thought of having those abs under her fingers. Under her mouth.
Oh mercy, she was an idiot. Her engagement might have ended two months ago, and of course she needed to get back in the swim, but ogling to the point of sexual fantasy was straight-out tragic. Besides, it was also a complete waste of time since she was one of those types who looked but never touched. That was her trouble. And she hadn’t even done much of that lately, being too preoccupied with her job to look at anything other than paintings and her laptop. But then, she’d never seen a man like this at a McCallister’s auction. Or anywhere else, for that matter.
“The bid is $15,900,000, ladies and gentlemen. This is your opportunity to own one of the great American watercolors. Do I hear $16 million?”
Gemma started when she heard the magic figure called out. The two most expensive paintings she’d ever authenticated were up for sale today, and the first one was close to setting the record for a Wentworth.
So she really should focus on the auction, but all she could do was stare at that corner. But hell, that man is more beautiful than a hundred Wentworths. A sexy Greek god, that’s who he could be. Maybe Perses, the Titan god of destruction? He looked as if he could handle anything. Her, for instance. Right now.
Gemma chewed off the last of her lip gloss as Perses stepped forward from the pillar and slid his hands in his pockets, the movement stretching his suit pants temptingly across his crotch. Oh, but she just had to take a wee peek at that. Fantasize a little more. If that guy knew what was flipping around in her head, he’d have her arrested for mental molestation.
Was that the top of a tattoo peeking above his shirt collar? Lord, she so needed to know.
But how?
Perhaps she could step out of her alcove and catch his attention with a smile when he looked her way. The trouble was, he seemed to be more interested in the Wentworth than the crowd, so that probably wouldn’t work. No, the only way to meet him was to go over there and start a conversation.
He was well away from the crowd and the auctioneer, so she wouldn’t be disturbing anybody. And there was no reason why she couldn’t watch the rest of the auction with Perses. It was totally appropriate. After all, this was a prestigious auction house, not a bar. Besides, if he didn’t want company, she could simply say she had mistaken him for someone else. Or something like that.
The sharp bang of Mr. Rainey’s gavel snapped her attention back to the auction. “Sold, to Number 214 on the floor for $17 million.” The Nose Scratcher had come in with a final, devastating bid. Wow. A record. No one had expected the Wentworth to do so well, considering most of the artist’s other works had dropped in value over the past five years. Today’s record sale would automatically add hundreds of thousands in value to every other Wentworth. And she had played a key part. Her day was shining brighter by the minute.
“Ladies and gentlemen, there will be a short break while the next lot is prepared.”
Perfect timing. Gemma tucked a stray curl behind an ear, straightened her black mini dress, and, in a moment of pure recklessness, undid two buttons of the bodice, then did them up again. Way too obvious. Besides, with her good legs and new five-inch pumps, she didn’t need the extra help from her cleavage.
But what would she actually do if she gained his interest? Ask him out?
Sure, why not?
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You can do this, Gemma.
Armed with her brand-new confidence, she slipped out the nearest exit door and walked quickly along the passage to the side door closest to Perses. He didn’t seem to notice her when she stepped in quietly. Or had he? Side-on to her, he was staring straight ahead, but Gemma had the impression by the way he shifted on his feet that he’d put her in his peripheral vision. That he was studying her. His hands were still in his pockets, stretching the fabric ...
Whatever you do, don’t look down!
Gemma breathed in deep and coughed. “Excuse me.”
He didn’t turn. “Yeah.”
Not a good start. “I was wondering if you ... ” Hell, this was all wrong. The man obviously wasn’t up for company. Okay, it was time to execute the backup plan. “I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else.”
She’d only just rotated on a heel to hightail it back to her alcove when the deep voice cemented her to the spot.
“Who?”
Who? Good question. “Um ... just someone ... you wouldn’t know him.”
“Maybe I would,” the voice insisted quietly. “Who?”
She turned, knowing her whole body, right down to her toes, was turning pink with embarrassment—and she was helpless to prevent it.
“No, really, you wouldn’t know him,” she squeaked, wondering if making a run for it would look too undignified.
Too late. He’d already turned and taken a casual, yet somehow controlled, step toward her. A pair of dark hazel eyes locked on hers. Eyes that might pass for a deep auburn in the sun. Irises flecked with black. Utterly charismatic.
“Why have you been staring at me?”
“Sorry?”
“Don’t play dumb.”
Heat flared at the insult. Fine eyes or not, the man was flat-out rude. But then, her half-baked idea to introduce herself to the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on was turning into one of her all-too-frequent silly decisions when it came to men. She’d never been very good at impromptu introductions, especially to the hot ones, and what a moment to remind herself of the fact.
“As I—I explained,” she stammered, furious with herself as much as at him, “I thought you were someone else.”
His brow rose in surprise, drawing her attention to his features. An outdoors face, rugged and tanned. Undeniably good-looking, especially with that hard-cut profile and masculine mouth so full of sensual promise. Of course, he had to know it. A hundred women would have given him a heads-up on that. Yet somehow he didn’t seem the type who spent a lot of time doing the dating thing.
“Right. And it took you ten minutes of staring and unbuttoning your dress to come over and talk to this ‘someone else.’ Lucky guy,” he said without a trace of humor. “What were you intending to offer him?”
World, stop and let me off. The man had seen everything. Her eyes flew down to check her buttons, knowing his gaze was right behind hers. Thank God, still together. He had to think her an idiot for sure. And if she had any doubt about it, his dry tone confirmed it.
“I’m impressed with your”—he flicked a less-than-subtle glance down at her legs—“resourcefulness. So how do you know this lookalike?”
Now he wanted details?
“We dated for a short time,” she blurted out. Surely that would shut him up long enough for her to escape. “Anyway, I have to go.”
“I’m afraid you can’t go.”
Of course she could go. Who on earth did this guy think he was, ordering her around on her territory? “Says who?” she argued. Sexy Greek god or not, she was so done with this conversation. “Who do you think—”
“The auction is about to start again. You’ll have to stay here ... with me.” It was quietly said but with enough authority to clamp her mouth shut. But dammit, he was right. If she left the auction room, she wouldn’t be allowed back in. It was one of McCallister’s rules that no one, not even an employee, could break when the big works were up for sale.
While she dithered for an answer, he smiled and looked her over again. “I can see you’re okay with that?”
Lord, if this wasn’t a mess. Her brain was urging her to make an exit, her idiot body arguing the point. Besides, the next lot was her main reason for being in the auction room today, and to leave because of Perses, or whoever he was, was ridiculous.
But where to stand? The pillar. “This will do,” she breathed, taking the few steps to reach it, ready to hug the thing for support.
He seemed pleased with her decision. “Good. I’ll stand with you.” His deep voice drowned her senses like some rich Kentucky bourbon. That voice alone was a lethal drug.
When he moved to within inches of her back, Gemma realized with a sick thud that she’d put herself exactly where he wanted her. She was trapped between the pillar and Perses.
Gemma shifted on her feet, her whole body tingling with awareness that his chin was only inches from the top of her head. Too close. Too tall. Even in heels, she barely reached past his collar ...
Collar? She’d not checked out his tattoo, but it hardly mattered now. The most expensive work she’d ever authenticated was up for sale, and this was her big day.
“Lot 59. Dreaming Atlantis by Frank Bonvalet. Oil on canvas, 1912. Known as the ‘lost work’ when it disappeared forty years ago after a prolonged ownership dispute. For the first time ever, Bonvalet’s most elusive work is up for sale. We have an opening phone bid of $25 million.”
The crowd gasped in unison. A high opening bid, but the work was expected to sell for around $35 million.
The bourbon voice rumbled down at her. “You like the Bonvalet?”
“Sorry?” Gemma muttered inanely. Then, when he waited in silence, she added on a rush, “Oh, yes, I do like it.”
“What do you like about it?”
“Um ... ” She groped for something to say. She couldn’t think with that big body perilously close. “I … I guess it’s the way Bonvalet uses color and light, especially where the land meets the sea. It’s like one cannot exist without the other. Like ... ” She paused, wondering if she should dare risk using the word “lovers.”
“Lovers?” He echoed the word so softly she could barely hear it over the blood pounding in her ears. “I like that.” He moved closer. “Very much.”
He wasn’t flirting, she was sure of that. He wasn’t the type. No, Perses seemed more the type that cut straight to the chase and took what he wanted. Did he want her? She hitched a breath as the idea whirred around in her head, imagining those powerful arms holding her steady against the pillar, his mouth on hers, taking what he wanted.
“The bid stands at $45 million.” Gemma blinked, her rampant sexual fantasy replaced by sudden shock. Omigod! Forty-five million! This was so far above the auction estimate it was beyond belief. She’d been so focused on Perses she hadn’t heard the bids between.
She couldn’t stop herself from bouncing on her heels like an excited teenager. “Omigosh! Did you hear that?”
He didn’t answer, just adjusted his position so he could look down at her. Thoughtfully.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a phone bid of $50 million.”
Gemma gasped as a hush fell across the auction room. This was the highest ever paid for a Bonvalet. “Do I hear $50 million and $100,000?” Silence.
“I’ll take fifty.” The room was pin-drop quiet. “Going once ... going twice ... this is your last opportunity, ladies and gentlemen.” A long, agonizing wait as Mr. Rainey wearily scanned the room again and checked the row of McCallister’s staff taking phone bids. All shook their heads. Finally, he banged his gavel. “Sold, for $50 million!”
Excited applause and chatter broke out across the room. “I wonder who bought it,” Gemma asked, half to herself.
“You never told me.”
“Sorry? Told you what?”
“Which boyfriend you mistook me for.”
Drat, they were back to that again. Time to construct a lie that would put the matter to rest once and
for all. “Actually, there’s no point. He died.”
“I see,” he said. “And you thought he’d come back to life and you’d get reacquainted?”
Oh hell. Caught fair and square. “I have to go.”
“Just a minute.” This was a man used to being obeyed—and damned if her hot-to-trot body didn’t like it. “Tell me what you really came here for.”
As if he needed to ask. Going by his expression, he already had the answer.
“It was a mistake.”
“It’s never a mistake to get what you want.”
“Except I ... I didn’t come here for anything.” What a blatant lie that was.
“Yeah, you did.” His voice dropped to a sensual burr designed to tempt. “So perhaps we could ... ?”
The invitation permeated every pore in Gemma’s overheated body, drawing her in, wrapping her in its sensual promise. Looking up, his eyes nailed hers. Intense. Commanding. He knew. He could take her right here, right now, and she probably wouldn’t do a thing to stop him. Gemma forced her gaze away, trying desperately to expel the terrible, erotic thought.
This has to stop. Leave. Now!
But a heartbeat later, a powerful arm slid around her waist and she was bent back, giving him access to her mouth. It wasn’t a long kiss, but the moment Gemma gasped against his lips and felt his tongue slip an inch inside her mouth to taste her, she knew Perses was taking what he wanted. His hold was so light it was almost at odds with his strength. An easy hold, but an all-claiming hold just the same. Enough to make a woman want to stay put. “Very nice,” he murmured as he raised his head and his arm fell away. “My lookalike must have been one happy guy before he died.”
Gemma was so shocked she couldn’t speak. The man had tongue-kissed her. Just like that. As if he’d done nothing more than flick a stray hair off her shoulder.
He grinned. “So what killed him?”
Killed whom? Oh, dear Lord, now she had to think of some medical condition or something. “A paragliding accident,” she mumbled, thinking fast. Surely that was tragedy enough to put an end to this whole conversation.
Whirlwind Romance: 10 Short Love Stories Page 5
