Carnal: Pierced and Inked

by Simone Sowood

  “It’s going to take years.”

  “No skin off my nose. I need you to set me up a secondary company for me, from now on all new hotels will be run through it. As for the old stuff, I know I’m guaranteed to win, so tie up this thing and grind him down as much and for as long as you can.”

  “This sounds personal,” she says and sighs.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Care to fill me in on the situation? As your lawyer, I need to make sure this is in your best interest. And as your sister, I need to make sure you’re okay.”

  I quickly fill her in, leaving out the finer details of our time in Kelso’s bedroom.

  “Fine. Since I think this’ll blow over and you’ll change your mind about it, I’ll send him a letter today notifying him that the offer to settle has been rescinded.”

  “Perfect, I can always count on you.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  We talk a little longer, mostly about Skye but also about Kelso. I even told Julie how I showed Skye my room dedicated to my charity. If she’d had any doubts about my vendetta against Kelso, they’re gone now.

  I hang up and checked my watch. The gallery still wouldn’t be open for at least an hour. I force myself to concentrate on my work.

  The new luxury hotel that I just opened locally is doing far better than I’d anticipated. I was supposed to go by yesterday afternoon and meet with the manager, before the thing with Skye happened. After some deliberation, I decide to go by today as a way to distract myself from her.

  “Lawson,” I say answering the phone. I know it’s my assistant, but it’s how I always answer.

  “I just spoke with Gordon. He doesn’t have any more of her work yet. And he’s got a waiting list. Plus, two of those people have demanded rights to outbid other buyers.”

  “Holy shit, that’s awesome.”

  “Awesome? It’s going to cost you way more. I told him to add me to the list of people with the right to bid.”

  “Nevermind. Thanks for doing that. Julie will be contacting you soon about a new direction with the lawsuit.”

  I hang up.

  The news has given me the first hope I’ve felt since Skye shut the door on me. Drumming my fingers, my mind starts to race on what I can do with the news. I phone back my assistant.

  “Yeah?”

  “Can you take me out of the bidding war? I have several by her already.” The real reason is I don’t want Skye to be able to say that she’s only selling paintings because I’m buying them.

  “Okay,” she says, sounding confused.

  “But what I want you to do is set up a profile piece on her in the next Heywood Magazine.” We put a glossy magazine in all the rooms of our higher-end hotels.

  “I’ll get on that.”

  “And make sure they make it as glowing as possible. Have them include good photos of my pieces by her.”

  “Sure thing.”

  This time when I hang up, I’m actually smiling. I sit for a few minutes, visualizing the magazine spread on her. Our clients are all loaded and many love buying up new artists. If that won’t be a boost for her, I don’t know what will be.

  I’m about to change to head over to my newest hotel when a thought hits me. After a few minutes of Googling, I pick up my phone again.

  “Hello,” says a groggy voice.

  “Hello, is that Gale Simmons?”

  “Speaking.”

  “My name is Lawson and I’m writing a feature article on your daughter for Heywood Magazine, and wondered if I could interview you for the piece.”

  “You’re what?”

  “Skye Simmons, the artist, is your daughter?”

  “Yes.”

  “She’s one of the hottest artists on the scene right now. People all around the country are on waiting lists to outbid each other for her work.”

  “They are?”

  “You’re her mother, are you not aware of that?”

  “I haven’t spoken with her in a while.”

  “Why’s that?” Will she admit the real reason? I doubt it, but I would like to hear it pass her lips.

  “Oh, we lost touch after she moved to California.”

  “How sad. You must miss her a lot. I bet she misses you too.”

  “Yes, an awful lot. I just never…” her voice trails off.

  “Well, what was it like having such a phenomenally talented child? What age did she start to show her promise?”

  “Oh, she always loved to color.”

  “I’ve interviewed many artists over the years, and know how important it is for the artist to be supported by family and friends. Was Skye able to count on you?”

  “Oh, uh, we’ve always been impressed with her abilities.” Whatever, liar.

  “Can you give me a soundbite for the article?”

  “Let me think. Skye always had a crayon in her hand from the time she was a toddler. Her whole life, all she ever wanted to do was draw and paint. She had no interest in doing things like going to the prom, only paint, paint, paint.”

  “That’s great. I’m going to be interviewing her next, is there anything you want me to ask her?” If she doesn’t get the hint now, I’m going to have to spell it out slowly for her.

  “Just tell her how proud I am of her. And that she was right for following her dreams.”

  “Gale, that’s the kind of thing you really should tell her yourself.”

  She is quiet for a few seconds. We talk for a few more minutes before I end the call. Satisfied, I head over to meet with the manager at my new hotel.

  On Display

  (Skye)

  I’m utterly exhausted from being up all night. It’s almost ten before I manage to haul myself out of bed. I’d been happy to lay in bed all morning, half asleep and pretending Lawson was holding me.

  It takes twenty minutes in the shower before I’m awake enough to know for sure I can get out of the scalding water without crawling right back into bed.

  I drag on the first underwear I pull out of the drawer. My hair is still wet, but I don’t care. I scrape it into a ponytail. It’s hot out, and I throw on a simple sundress.

  Now dressed, I finally allow myself to turn on my phone. Nothing. Not a single text or missed call from Lawson. My heart sinks.

  For whatever reason, I’d expected to have dozens of them. But zero? I guess that means he’s got the hint and given up, just like I wanted. That’s what I wanted, right?

  So why does the lack of messages hurt so much?

  The only thing I know to do is trudge into my studio. Without any plan, I set up three new blank canvases and prepare my paints.

  In a repeat of yesterday, I take out my emotions on the canvases. Reds, blues and grays are soon spiraling and intertwining with each other.

  No paint gets on the floor or walls. Instead, the painting is more delicate than yesterday. There’s less anger and more sadness. The longer I paint, the more despair ends up in front of me.

  Am I romanticizing him because he was my first? Or is it because he was the only person I’ve ever cared about as much as I care about my art.

  Or am I right in thinking I’ve been duped by him? That he used me?

  The more I think about it, the more angry red spatters begin appearing across my canvases.

  Lawson cost me the commission with Kelso, just like he cost me my job at Johnny’s. Things like that just don’t matter to the rich.

  It’s seems a little too difficult to believe he didn’t come up to Kelso’s bedroom to have sex. And to be found by Kelso, as a way to score points in the war between them.

  But I don’t want that to be true.

  Kelso was a creep from the day I started working for him. There was no surprise when he acted the way he did when I went back to his house. Just remembering him touching me sends a wave of nausea through my body.

  At least one thing isn’t in doubt: Kelso’s a creep.

  But he didn’t do anything to me until he walked in on Lawson and me. If that hadn’
t happened, I would’ve been able to avoid him and finish the commission, collect my fat paycheck and put on a gallery show.

  Why did Lawson come to the house that morning?

  But the biggest issue of all is why doesn’t Lawson care that I lost the commission? He seemed relieved by it. Why doesn’t he care how important it is to me? That’s what really hurts so much.

  I glance over to the abstract paintings I did yesterday. I shake off my smock and pick up the canvas I think conveys the most hurt. Even though it’s abstract, there’s no mistaking the anguish I was feeling when I created it.

  Lawson won’t be able to miss the way he made me feel. And right now, I need him to acknowledge the way losing the commission hurt me. I lay it in my trunk and get in my car.

  After a couple of wrong turns, I find my way to Lawson’s mansion. I get out the painting and balance it on one arm while I ring the doorbell.

  “Yes?” a man says as he opens the door.

  “I’m looking for Lawson.”

  “Mr. Heywood isn’t home, would you like to leave that for him?” he asks, nodding toward the painting.

  I pause, debating, deciding.

  “No, it’s okay. He asked me to deliver this into his hands. Do you know when he’ll be back?”

  “He’s at work now, I don’t know how long he’ll be.”

  I have to try. “Oh, is he at the office?”

  “I believe he’s gone to the newest hotel for a meeting.”

  “Thanks.”

  I flop back in my car and take out my phone. A quick poke around on their website and I have the address for the latest hotel. And it’s local! I’d figured it would be in Los Angeles or San Francisco or somewhere even further away.

  A local hotel is easy. I drive to it, wondering how big of a scene my presence will create. I don’t want anything public, that’d be humiliating.

  The hotel is super fancy looking. The kind of place only the rich can afford. It’s smaller than I’d anticipated, with a stylish Georgian front.

  Even though I shouldn’t, I leave my car parked in front of the entrance, I’m surprised there’s no valet parking.

  I grab my painting, balancing it on both arms, like I’m delivering pizza. My purse is slung over my shoulder. Halfway between the car and the door, my phone rings. I ignore it and stroll inside.

  The lobby is subdued. Vases of fresh-cut flowers fill the room with their scent. Busy rehearsing what I’m going to say, I vaguely notice pictures in heavy frames around the room. It feels more like walking into a home than a hotel lobby.

  Halfway to the front desk, I realize the painting hung behind it is one of mine. A glance to the left shows me two more of my paintings along that wall. I come to a standstill and shift my body to the right. Two more of my paintings hang there, between the blue hydrangeas.

  My jaw drops. I can’t move, my feet are frozen to the ground.

  Why didn’t I know Lawson bought my paintings from Gordon? And why are they here, in the lobby of this beautiful hotel?

  “Can I help you?” the receptionist says from behind the desk. Her voice sounds faraway, as if in a dream.

  I don’t move. I can’t. Every part of me is frozen. No matter how long I stare at my paintings, my brain simply cannot compute what they mean.

  “Miss, are you looking for someone?” the receptionist says again.

  Why are my paintings on the wall? Lawson bought them. He hung them here. But why?

  Because, idiot, he likes them. He likes them enough that he bought them and put them on display in his newest hotel.

  But why didn’t he tell me? I would’ve accused him of only doing it because I’m fucking him. He tried so many times to convince me to let him help me and I’d always refused.

  And then he went ahead and did it anyway.

  The receptionist appears in front of me, a fake smile plastered across her face. She gestures to the painting in my arms. “Are you here to deliver that?”

  I blink, forcing myself to drag my focus away from my paintings.

  “Uh, yeah. I’m looking for Lawson Heywood.”

  “Mr. Heywood is in a meeting, would you like to leave it at the desk?”

  “No,” I twist myself to put my body between her and my painting, “I have to give it to him myself.”

  “Sure, no problem. You’re welcome to take a seat anywhere while you wait.” She turns and hurries back to her position behind the desk.

  For all I know, his meeting is all day. Do I wait? I could sit in the car and wait. Maybe that’s better. I turn to face the doors.

  “Skye,” Lawson’s voice comes from behind me.

  I spin to look at him. He’s dressed in a dark suit, and my breath hitches at the sight of him. He’s walking up to me with another man.

  “Lawson.” I’d planned to lecture him. To throw my painting in his face and make him feel my pain. But now that I’m looking at my paintings on the walls, I don’t know what to do.

  “Rick, this is Skye Simmons. The artist who created all these paintings.” He points to the walls.

  “You don’t need to tell me who Skye Simmons is, we have people asking about the artist of these paintings all the time.”

  My heart stops. Did I hear him right?

  “Excuse me? They do?”

  “Oh yes, we’ve had multiple people offering to buy them. I’ve had to get a stack of business cards from the Piek Gallery to give out.”

  A light goes on. That must be why people from all over the country are phoning Gordon.

  Refusing to Let Go

  (Lawson)

  Skye hasn’t blinked since Rick first spoke. She looks like she’s in shock. I move to her side and put my arm around her.

  “Thanks for bringing your painting down here. Come with me.” I turn to Rick, “You don’t mind if we use your office, Rick, do you?”

  I don’t wait for Rick’s response and guide Skye away.

  When I walked into the lobby and saw Skye standing there, my chest tightened. She sought me out. She fucking tracked me down and that thought alone lessens the weight that’s been pressing on my shoulders.

  I hope she doesn’t see me here in a suit and on business and think I’ve pushed her behind me. I needed a distraction, is all. A distraction from the way she slammed the door on my face.

  The door to Rick’s office is propped open. We enter the room and I push the door shut behind us. We’ve only been open a couple of weeks, and his office glistens with brand spanking newness. It even smells new. A desk is along one wall, and a small, circular meeting table and chairs is in the corner.

  Skye still hasn’t spoken. I take the painting from her and set it on the table.

  It’s different from her other stuff, there’s no picture, just abstract blotches of paint. But it’s intriguing.

  I stare down at it, turning it in a clockwise motion, trying to figure out which way is up. The colors are subdued — there’s nothing bright or cheery about it.

  Her eyes are wide and her lips slightly parted. She’s examining me as I examine the painting. I don’t know what to make of it, other than that the longer I stare at it, the more my mood sinks.

  I shift my gaze to her. When our eyes catch, a lump instantly forms in my throat. I swallow to try to clear it. Her eyes betray a hundred emotions brewing inside her.

  Neither of us speak. I lift my hand, hoping to find her cheek but instead settling on grasping her hand. My insides wrench, it feels like this is my chance, my one shot, at getting her back. There’s so much at stake, I’m terrified of messing up.

  “This is great, thanks for bringing it. It’s different from your other stuff, but it’s just as powerful. Maybe even more so.”

  “I wanted you to see how you made me feel.” Skye’s voice is sharp, with much more confidence than I’d anticipated given how vulnerable she’s seemed since I found her in the lobby.

  “Yeah, I’m kinda feeling that way myself.”

  “Angry?”

  “F
rustrated. Anger at myself.”

  “At least I’m not the only one who’s angry at you.”

  “Anger at myself for not being able to explain things better. For upsetting you. Believe me when I say the last thing I would ever want is for you to be hurt.”

  “Then why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why did you make me lose my job and not even care? Twice!” The volume of her voice increases.

  “It wasn’t intentional.” I squeeze her hand tighter, trying to hold onto her.

  “Why are my paintings hanging in the lobby?”

  “Because I like them. They’re perfect for our needs.”

  Skye squeezes her eyes shut. “But why didn’t you tell me you bought them and were using them for your hotel?”

  “Because it would’ve pissed you off. And trust me, I never wanted to piss you off, even though I managed to anyway.”

  “You really like them?”

  “Do you think I’d hang them in my hotel if I didn’t? This is a new, boutique luxury range of hotels I’m rolling out. We charge a fortune for the rooms, and we can’t do that if the first things clients see when they come in is shit hanging on the walls.”

  She swallows, her eyes tracing my face. I release her hand, and run mine up her arm. Skye doesn’t resist when I hook it around her shoulder and pull her into me.

  My arms rise and fall with the heaviness of her breath. I nuzzle my face into her hair, inhaling her flowery shampoo. Whatever else, there’s no way I’m letting go of her now.

  I bring my mouth close to her ear, lower my voice, and say “I didn’t help you because I like making your body purr, I did it because you’re an amazing artist. It helped me more than you anyway. Your work has been a huge hit with clients. We get so many offers to buy them it’s difficult to say no.” I pause to clear my throat. “With any other artist, I would’ve sold them off. But because it’s you, I refuse to let go of them.”

  We fall into silence again. I hold her tighter, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other cupping her head.

  “But the other people who want to buy more from Gordon, are they all you? Do you just get different people to pose to buy them?”

  “Why would I do that? They’re competition for me.” Her breath stops at my words so I carry on. “The only other thing I’ve done, because it’s you, is to take myself out of the bidding war for your next painting. I did that for you, so other people would get to have your paintings all over the country, and so you wouldn’t think I was helping you. You’ve made it pretty clear you don’t want my help.”