The Art of Love

by Celya Bowers

  She nodded and reached for the plate, but Brendan shook his head. “Since this was partially my fault, I’ll feed you.”

  She thought the gesture was sweet, but she would feel like an invalid, and she’d already been down that road after Robert left her for dead. “No thanks, Brendan. I can feed myself. You helped me upright. That’s enough.”

  He ignored her protests. “This morning, I’m feeding you.”

  She didn’t get the chance to refuse his help. He presented her with a forkful of eggs. She had no choice but eat the delicious breakfast.

  After she finished eating and took her medicine, he helped her into the bathtub. “I’ll give you a massage when you get out of the tub.”

  “You’re spoiling me.” She sat back in the hot, bubbly water and sighed. If she had to be injured, it was nice to be waited on hand and foot.

  * * *

  While Peri was in the bathroom, Brendan checked in with his office. With the start of the new year things had been fairly slow. He had faith in Dante and knew that he could handle any emergency that might crop up. He dialed Dante’s cell phone.

  “Hey, boss, not coming in today?”

  Brendan glanced at his watch. It was barely seven in the morning. “How do you know that?”

  “Just had a feeling. You guys are just getting back from the ski trip. Everybody needs a rest. Everything is all good. Place ran like a top while you were gone. Oh, by the way, the restoration expert asked me out on a date.”

  Brendan shook his head. The young expert had had an eye on Dante since she started there a few months ago. Brendan had tried to hint to her that Dante was gay, but she wasn’t hearing it. “Did you let Katie down easy?”

  “Actually, I thought I would give it a try and see what you straight guys are always talking about. Maybe she’s what I’ve been missing.”

  “You’re missing a man, that’s what you’re missing. Dante, I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “It’s just dinner,” he told Brendan. “Besides, I told her I was just coming off a break-up, and I’m not looking for anything serious.”

  “And she was okay with that?”

  “That’s the funny part,” Dante said.

  This wasn’t going to be good, Brendan thought. “What?”

  “She’s just getting over a break-up, too. But here’s the real kicker.”

  He was going to drag this out forever, Brendan knew. “What?”

  “Will you quit saying that? I feel like I’m in an I Love Lucy comedy skit.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Continuing with the story,” Dante said. “Her last lover was a woman!”

  “So a lesbian is asking out a gay man?”

  “Good nutshelling.”

  “I’m so glad I’m not coming in today.”

  “Is something wrong with my baby?” He asked in reference to Chelsey. “How did she like skiing?”

  “Chelsey is fine. She loved skiing. Peri hurt her back, so I’m staying home with her.”

  “What did I tell you about table sex?”

  Brendan snorted. “Dante, I’m hanging up the phone.” He ended the call and went back into the bathroom.

  Peri was just getting out of the tub when he entered. If the slow steps she was taking was any indication of the pain she was in, he was in trouble. “Would you rather go to the doctor?”

  “No, it feels like I pulled a muscle.” She reached for a towel and winced in pain.

  Brendan grabbed the towel, wrapped it around her and carried her into the bedroom. He laid her face down on the bed and unwrapped her like a Christmas present.

  “Brendan?” Peri asked.

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Giving you a massage. What else, silly?”

  CHAPTER 26

  Later that afternoon Peri lay against a mound of pillows. Brendan was right, after his massage and some great medication, she felt much better. He wouldn’t let her get out of bed for anything except to visit the bathroom. He was in the kitchen fixing dinner.

  Peri wasn’t used to so much down time. She called and checked in with her assistant and then called Kyla. She needed someone with a clear head, but since she didn’t know anyone like that, she was stuck with Kyla.

  Kyla was at home due to her morning sickness. At only eight weeks, Kyla was throwing up three to four times a day. The doctor was sure the problem would level out, but wanted her at home until it did. Peri missed her friend. Another reason she wanted this Robert mess over with.

  Whatever Robert was planning was going to be good. He’d breached the restraining order several times by camping out across the street from her condo, but because he hadn’t out and out threatened her the cops were slow to do anything about it. She knew enough about Robert to know that he was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

  She dialed Kyla’s home number and waited for her friend to pick up. “Hey, Kyla.”

  “Don’t you ‘hey’ me,” Kyla said. “How was your trip to Colorado? Why aren’t you at work?”

  “The trip was wonderful. I learned to ski. The reason I’m not at work is because I hurt my back.”

  “How could you hurt your back with that big, strong, handsome Irish man at your beck and call?”

  “It was his fault. The man’s sex drive is going to be the death of me.”

  Kyla laughed. “You don’t mean…” Kyla said. “You, of all people, having a sexual injury. So what happened? You guys were doing it on the floor?”

  “The kitchen table.” She waited for Kyla to stop laughing. “I’m going to have to buy another one.”

  “Why?”

  “I can’t eat there now.”

  “Why not?” Then Kyla started to laugh again. “I just realized why you can’t eat there. Brendan did.”

  Peri felt her face grow warm in embarrassment. “Exactly.

  Every time I’d see that table, I remember what Brendan did to me on that very table. I can’t believe the things I let him do to me. What’s wrong with me?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with you, Peri. You’re just in love with a very sexy man who doesn’t mind showing how much he loves you. Don’t worry, Peri. You always do things for the man you love that you wouldn’t if you guys were just dating.”

  “Robert used to ask me to do that all the time, but I wouldn’t. Brendan didn’t even ask. I just did it because I knew it would please him. I think I’m turning into you.”

  Kyla chuckled. “And that’s bad because?”

  “I guess it’s not bad, but you have to admit, this is so not me.”

  “But you’re happier now, even with all this mess with your ex, than I’ve seen you in a long time. Enjoy it, Peri. You deserve every second of happiness Brendan gives you.”

  She thought about her friend’s words and realized Kyla was right. “Thanks, Kyla, you’re the best friend a girl could have. I’ll come see you soon.”

  * * *

  Brendan was in Peri’s kitchen making one of his favorite meals. He should have made it more figure-friendly for Peri, but he thought she’d lost enough weight already. He could never tell her that, not if he liked living, and he did. So he settled for making a full fat version of shepherd’s pie. Luckily, Peri had all the ingredients and he didn’t have to go out for anything.

  He had just finished cooking the ground meat, and had put the potatoes on to boil. He had just enough time to check on Peri. He found her sitting up, but staring into space. Although they discussed his life, they never discussed hers. “Honey, are you all right?”

  She blinked when she heard his voice. “Yes, just thinking about Bailey.”

  Brendan held his tongue. Peri’s oldest sister was proving to be his biggest enemy. He sat on the bed and reached for Peri’s hand. He caressed her hand, hoping this would soften the blow of whatever her sister had said this time. “What did she say?”

  “I don’t know if I should be telling you this,” she said quietly, �
�but I would like another opinion.”

  Brendan’s brain raced with possibilities. “What is it?”

  “She said she’s not happy. She and Elijah have been married almost twenty years.”

  Was that it? A little marital discord? Could it really be that simple? Brendan schooled his features to look serious. “Why is she not happy?”

  “She says he’s been working a lot. He up for a promotion at the FBI and he’s pulling a lot of extra hours. Since Dakota arrived, he seems to think he needs all this money for her college education.”

  “Has Bailey said anything to him?”

  “No. I honestly think she’s afraid to talk to him about it.”

  Brendan could hear it in her voice. “So what kind of plan do you have rolling around in your head?”

  “You think you know me?” She laughed. “I was thinking of having them over for dinner or something.”

  “Honey, I don’t mind, but let’s take care of the Robert situation first. Then we can move on to marital counseling.”

  She looked at him and took a deep breath. “You’re right, as always. I really feel awful inviting someone over here with him playing voyeur outside.” She pushed the covers back and slowly got out of bed.

  “Where are you going?” Brendan rose and helped her stand upright.

  “Toilet.” She took a few steps and inhaled again. “Is something burning?”

  “Potatoes!” Brendan ran out of the room, determined to save his dinner.

  The potatoes didn’t burn, thank goodness, at least not all of them. Good thing he peeled extras. As he assembled the shepherd’s pie, he thought about Bailey and Elijah. How could he get them to open up? There was an opening at the gallery coming up at the end of next month. He knew how much Elijah liked art. Maybe that would be a good place for Bailey to discuss how much he is working. He shook his head. Why was he sticking his Irish nose where it didn’t belong? He already knew the answer to that. Peri.

  “Is everything okay?” Peri asked, standing in the doorway of the kitchen. “Did dinner get ruined? I have some TV dinners in the freezer.”

  He glanced at her. She looked better than she had this morning, but she still wasn’t herself. “It’s fine, baby. Just a few potatoes got scorched, but I made extra.” He tried to help her to a seat in the kitchen, but Peri shook her head.

  “I can’t sit there.”

  “Why?”

  “Scene of the crime. I can’t look at that table without remembering what we did there earlier this morning.”

  “So are you regretting making love on the kitchen table? I didn’t hear you complaining at the time.”

  “I’m not complaining now, Brendan. I’m telling you why I can’t sit at that table. I don’t regret what we did. I’ve never been that…”

  “Spontaneous? Eager for it?” Brendan now understood. It had nothing to do with him or what they did. This was about her.

  “Free.”

  Forgetting about the shepherd’s pie for the moment, he pulled her in his arms and kissed her. “Peri, you’re always free.”

  She nodded. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but when I was with Robert, I would have never thought about making love on a table. Actually, I don’t think I ever considered sex with Robert as making love, either.” Slowly a smile formed on her sexy lips. “We made love on the kitchen table.” Finally she looked in the direction of the table.

  “Yes, we did,” he told her. “Need an instant replay?”

  “No, my back hasn’t healed from the last time.”

  Brendan kissed her forehead. “Well, there are plenty more rooms to practice in.”

  “The next time, the bed gets my vote.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?”

  * * *

  That evening, over delicious shepherd’s pie, Brendan told Peri about his assistant and the restoration expert. They were sitting at the kitchen table. The same table she didn’t think she could ever look at again. She smiled. Brendan helped her over yet another hurdle. He taught her to embrace what happened between them. Once she did, she could not only look at the table, she decided she didn’t have to buy a new one, either. Peri thought she’d misunderstood. “I thought Dante was gay.”

  “He is,” Brendan said and then took a bite of the pie. “And Katie is a lesbian.”

  “I like Dante, but why ask out a gay man for a date? Maybe Katie is bisexual.”

  He picked up the glass of wine she had placed in front of him. “Could be. I doubt it, but it’s possible. She told Dante she was just coming out of a ten-year relationship with a woman.”

  Peri grinned at all the possibilities. “Stranger things have happened, Brendan. Would it be so horrible if they got together? Maybe she’s just looking for friendship.”

  “I don’t know.”

  She reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “Is there another reason you don’t want them getting together?”

  “She’s new to the job and I don’t want her attention diverted when Dante decides that he doesn’t like women anymore.”

  Then she understood. She’d met the young woman only twice, but knew Brendan considered her his responsibility, because she was here in Texas with no family. “You think Dante will hurt her?”

  “He won’t do it intentionally, but sometimes Dante isn’t totally focused on anyone but him.”

  “And you’re worried that if he breaks her heart, her mind might not be on those priceless painting she’s restoring.”

  “You make me sound heartless, and that’s not it. I genuinely like Katie and don’t want to see her get hurt.”

  “Well, sweetie, she’s a grown woman. You warned her about Dante, and that’s all you can do. You’re not her father, only her employer.”

  “I know. I think one day that could be Chel and I would hate to think that I didn’t warn her.”

  It made her think of her past. Her family had tried to warn her about Robert, when he started to change, but she didn’t listen. Instead, it made her cling to Robert even more. Even when money started coming up missing from her accounts, when he started smoking pot in the house, and when he started hitting her, she stood by her man. After she landed in the hospital, no one said ‘I told you so’; they just wanted her to get better.

  “Honey?” He tugged on her hand. “Are you okay?”

  “I was just thinking. You’ve done all you can for them both, you’ll just have to be there for them if and when it falls apart.” She wiped tears away with her free hand.

  He seemed to immediately understand her. “Your family had warned you against Robert?”

  “Yes, but like most women in that situation, I wouldn’t listen. Just like Katie isn’t listening to you. It’s a choice, Brendan.”

  “I know, baby. I may not like it, but I have to deal with it.”

  They ate the rest of the meal in silence. When the quiet that stretched between them started to drive her nuts, Peri suggested they watch a movie.

  “Let’s watch it in bed.”

  “You got a deal.”

  * * *

  Later, as they settled in bed, Peri realized she had been had. Brendan wanted to watch the movie in bed all right, just his bed in his house. His argument was that he needed fresh clothes, and he asked her to come along for the ride.

  Once at his house, he started making noises about how much bigger his movie collection was and they would enjoy the movie much more at his house.

  He’d been so wonderful to her today, there was no way she could have denied him anything. So she agreed to stay.

  “See, isn’t this better?” They were in his king-sized bed rubbing feet, and any other body part that came in contact with each other.

  Peri had to admit, she hadn’t felt this kind of bliss in a long time. Never, in fact. She was nestled in the bed with next to nothing on, and she didn’t mind. What was it about this man that had her walking on the crazy side of love?

  CHAPTER 27

  The next morning Brendan wa
lked into his office, looking for signs of chaos. He’d been gone almost two weeks, but everything was in its place. Dante knocked on the door before he could sit down. He had two large cups of coffee in his hand and a sly smile on his face.

  “Hey, boss, glad to see you back,” Dante said, handing Brendan a cup.

  “Thanks, Dante. How did it go? Any problems?”

  “Not really. There was a problem with one of the exhibits. The aluminum one, remember the local artist kept demanding more space?”

  Brendan sighed. Avalon Garcia was local and milked it for all it was worth. True, his dedication to tin foil was massive, and Brendan had accommodated him as much as he could. “What now?”

  “He’s threatening to withdraw it.”

  “What did you tell him?” Brendan took a healthy sip of the coffee. Dante was the best assistant he’d ever had. He always got his coffee order correct, as well as handling anything that came up at the gallery.

  Dante set the cup on the table. “First or second time?”

  “Both.”

  “The first time was a few days after Christmas. He waited until there was a big crowd in front of his display and started complaining how if he had more space, it would look better. The guards got scared and called me.”

  Brendan nodded. “Good, at least they followed protocol.”

  “I politely told him that you had allocated him the proper amount of space. When he persisted and demanded more space or he was walking, I told him to go ahead.”

  Brendan laughed. “Good. That’s what I would have done.”

  “I learned from the best. Avalon stormed out and then showed up a few days later on New Year’s Eve at closing time. This time he showed up with a news crew.”

  “Oh, no,” Brendan said. “Why didn’t you call me? We came back New Year’s Eve, I could have dealt with him. How did you handle it?”

  “I was not about to call you for something that petty. I politely told him and the news crew that we have no quarrel with Mr. Garcia about gallery space. If he feels that he somehow has more rights to space than, say, a Picasso or a Renoir, then we welcome him to take his display out of Maza’s. At his expense, of course.”