The Painter's Passion

by Dr. Rebecca Sharp

“I should get back to the house,” she offered quietly. “I want to call Ellie and have a chat with Tash. Morgan said she was upset yesterday about something.”

  The kind man that he was, Tony accepted the end of their prior conversation, immediately responding with concern for her housemate.

  “I hope everything is ok. She did seem pretty determined to be a help to us and you can’t help but admire that after everything that she’s been through.”

  Seriously, why couldn’t she want him?

  She hadn’t been intimate with anyone since what Shane had done – part of the reason that she’d kept Tony and his feelings for her at bay for the past year. Neither he nor Gino knew what she’d been through and in spite of everything that Tony had just said and how he treated her, Ana didn’t have the desire to tell him.

  Pierce, on the other hand, she wanted to tell. But she also wanted him, and in her mind, those two things were mutually exclusive. Unfortunately, her feelings were becoming much too attached to want to take the risk that he would lose his desire for her.

  Her feelings for Pierce were another realization that she’d been trying to ignore.

  Of course, Tony insisted on escorting her back to the house and she accepted. They were only a few blocks away from the mansion and it was a nice, cool, breezy day for a walk.

  She took the steps up to the front door slowly, unsure how to end their time together after everything that Tony had said. She didn’t want to hurt him, especially not right now with the weekend coming up, but she also didn’t want him to continue to get his hopes up. So, she kept her head down, hoping he would take the initiative to say ‘goodbye.’

  Just when they reached the landing, she turned to face him, seeing his mouth just start to open to take the lead as she had hoped, when the door flew open behind her, startling them both.

  She whirled around to see Pierce – dark and brooding – standing in the frame. His eyes weren’t even on her, they were staring Tony down; Ana was pretty sure that if it were humanly possible, Pierce would have set her friend on fire with his glaring gaze.

  “Pierce.” Tony addressed him calmly, even though his expression revealed slight concern.

  “Where’s the third musketeer?” His voice was hard and demanding, his body just at taut.

  “Ana and I grabbed some lunch after our meeting.” Tony’s response was meant to imply that Gino had not been invited to that post-meeting event.

  “Ana,” Pierce growled, “can I please speak with you?”

  He continued to look at Tony as though he were going to murder him, and Tony – not usually one to instigate – actually appeared to have a stubborn, possessive streak as well, holding Pierce’s stare.

  Ana huffed and rolled her eyes; she was not about to stand out here and become a casualty in this testosterone war.

  “I’m going inside. Tony, I will talk to you later. Thank you for lunch.” She gave him a small smile before turning back to the dark wall in front of her. “Excuse me,” she said curtly, not waiting for Pierce to move before she squeezed past him.

  He could either follow her if he had something to say or he could continue whatever silent duel he and Tony were waging; she had a feeling which object was more important to him.

  And she was right.

  She was only a few steps into the hall before she heard the door shut behind her and heard Pierce’s harsh footsteps on the hardwood floor.

  She’d expected him to follow her. What she hadn’t expected was the way his hands grabbed her waist, spinning her around, and pushing her up against the wall and pressing his body flush against hers.

  She was trapped between a rock and a hard place.

  Her heart was racing and her breath was cycling rapidly from her body; she wasn’t ready for this.

  But whatever it was, she wanted it.

  She’d been up and out of the house this morning before seeing him – a purposeful attempt on her part. After what had happened last night, she wanted a moment to breathe before seeing him again. She also didn’t want any more distractions before her meeting with Gino and Tony, knowing that she’d agreed to go to lunch with Tony afterward; she’d been distracted enough.

  Last night…

  Again, memories flooded her of his flesh quivering beneath her touch, his body on the brink of losing control, the way he had crumbled under the touch of her mouth – all because of her. Her lower muscles clenched at the thought of how big he was, wondering what he would feel like inside of her – and not her mouth.

  She shuddered against him and he pressed himself tighter to her, letting her feel that same arousal pressing against her stomach.

  “What was that?” he rasped harshly, his eyes storming in anger.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why did you go to lunch with Tony?”

  “Because he asked.” She held his dark gaze, daring him to confront her with why he was truly upset – daring him to admit his jealousy.

  “What is going on between you and Tony?” His voice was now deadly quiet. Or maybe it only seemed that way because her heart was beating so loudly in her chest.

  “Nothing is going on between Tony and me,” she retorted, her frustration getting the better of her. “And if there was, why would you care?” She bit her tongue as soon as the words left her. Why would she even say that? Because she wanted him to admit to his jealousy

  Because she wanted him to care about her.

  “Are you serious right now?” He laughed harshly. “Why would you…” He trailed off, his gaze breaking from hers for just a second, before it returned with a force that made her knees weak. He leaned closer, his lips just a breath away from hers. “Maybe because my fingers were down your pants yesterday, making you come? Or maybe because you had my cock down your throat last night, sucking on me until I exploded underneath you?”

  Dear God. She was sure her jeans were soaked through at the heat of his words. She tried to press her thighs closer together to ease her aching core, but it was no use. He had one knee wedged between them. Instead, she resorted to pressing her hips harder against that thigh.

  His face moved slowly to the side of hers and his lips grazed over her ear. “Is this a game to you, Princess? Am I playing ‘who has a bigger dick?’ or ‘who can give Queen Ana the better orgasm?’ He bit out and Ana felt her breath hitch at his words, pain searing through her body. “Because this,” The word was emphasized as he ground his hips against hers and it took every cell of restraint that she possessed not to groan in response. “This isn’t a game to me. Is it a fucking game to you?”

  She turned her face away from him; she couldn’t look at him right now. Anger and hurt fought inside of her, leaving only a path of destruction through her body.

  He had no idea just how hurtful his careless question was; he had no idea that she’d never orgasmed before in her life – that until him, she’d believed she’d never be able to. It was overwhelming, just like him, and the fact that he’d been the one to give her that only complicated everything. And now, unknowingly, he’d taken that life-altering experience and thrown it back in her face.

  “You mean someone else besides you gets to play games?” Her voice was thick with the tears that were about to fall hot and heavy from her eyes.

  “You are not a game to me, Ana,” he whispered, his hand coming up underneath her chin to try to turn her face to his.

  She resisted for a second before she allowed her liquid gold eyes to meet his, recognition dawning on him that his words, spoken out of jealousy, had hurt her.

  “Really? Because it sure does feel like it, only, I don’t get to play your game; I only get to lose.” And with that, she used all of her strength to push away from the wall and away from him, fleeing up the stairs to her room.

  How dare he?

  She wiped the painful tears angrily from her face; she shouldn’t be crying over him. Tony was her friend and colleague and she could go to lunch with him if she wanted.

  But, the day
after you had his cock in your mouth? The morning after you pleasured him?

  She grimaced. Ok, so maybe from his perspective that would seem a little inconsiderate and as though she was vying for both of their attentions.

  But he’d been the one about to kiss her with a naked woman in the other room waiting.

  Then again, since that night, he hadn’t gone out and there had been no signs of other guests gracing his room the way there had been before that fateful evening.

  She shook her head, turning on the shower, and stripping off her clothes.

  By now, the tears were gone. The hurtful words he’d said were a faint memory compared with the lasting heat throughout her body, not just from being pressed against him, but from knowing just where his anger had come from.

  Jealousy.

  She’s seen it before when Tony was around, but this afternoon it had erupted.

  Pierce was jealous of Tony.

  The thought almost made her laugh. She’d never had someone jealous over her before. Not that the immediate results were that pleasant, but the lasting feeling of the possessiveness that had radiated from his body and his desire to stake his claim to her…

  That sent goosebumps all down her spine.

  She was pretty sure that Pierce didn’t have relationships – based on what she’d heard – that he was a once-and-done kind of guy. But, he’d kept coming back to her; he was jealous because of her. That was nothing like what she’d been led to believe about his character.

  Don’t, Ana.

  That was the kind of thinking that would get her in trouble.

  She wanted him and he wanted her. Why was this becoming more complicated?

  They were only together for this short time – why not just give in to what both of their bodies wanted?

  That would be enough, she told herself; to feel pleasure, to feel desired, to feel worshipped (physically)… that would be more than enough.

  And it was certainly more than she’d ever gotten before. Why should her heart need to be involved? That was the last thing she wanted. And it was probably the last thing he wanted too.

  Enough was enough.

  Their desire had them playing this cat-and-mouse, anger and jealousy, tease and torment, game for too long. She didn’t care if it was wrong. She didn’t care about what her brother would say if he knew – this wasn’t his life. And if this was going to be her only shot at feeling beautiful and desirable with no strings attached – no opportunity to be taken advantage of – then she was going to take it.

  Her desire goaded her on, saying that she’d made the safe choice once and look what that had left her with; her desire begged her to take the risk because how could it end up any worse?

  Pierce was bound to hurt her, but at least she knew that; she was prepared for the worst.

  It was safer to choose the devil you know over the devil you don’t.

  And she certainly knew that Pierce was a dark, desirable, devil.

  Chapter 16

  He slammed his first against the wall where Ana had just been standing in front of him. There was no point in going after her right now; he was a fucking mess.

  Right now, he needed to not feel.

  Stalking into the kitchen, he opened up the freezer, reaching for the bottle of vodka. Fuck, he’d never felt the need for that intoxicated numbness like he did around Ana… like he needed in order to deny himself her.

  He’d meant every word he’d said last night – she should have left; she was too good for him.

  He shut the fridge door only to find Tash standing behind it, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked questioningly at the bottle.

  He scowled at her. “Don’t start with me.”

  “I was actually just going to ask if you would pour me a glass, too,” the petite blonde replied.

  He raised an eyebrow but pulled a second glass from the cupboard. “So, why are you drinking?”

  She let out a small laugh, taking a sip of the vodka. “I’ll share if you do,” she replied. His lips thinned and she continued with a sigh. “It sounds crazy, but I’m tired of sitting here recovering; I’m tired of being babied and kept on the sidelines of… everything… after what happened with Julian.”

  Pierce took a sip, watching as Tash got lost in her frustrations. “I know it was necessary at first, but now, all it’s doing is keeping me trapped there, in those memories. I know Ana is concerned about my helping, but I needed it and I don’t think that’s why you suggested it, but thank you.”

  He just nodded as a ‘you’re welcome’ and as a silent agreement with her assertion.

  She paused, taking another sip of the clear fire.

  “So, what’s the problem? You’re doing something. You’ve been getting out of the house recently with Morgan…”

  “Cyn is keeping something from me.” Her eyes met his and he saw the betrayal-tinted sadness in them. Fuck.

  “Why do you think that?” he asked hoarsely.

  Cyn and Sloane were keeping something from her. After Julian attacked Tash, realizing that she’d found out about his illegal drug activities, their friend, Sebastian, had been there to help – staying the night with Tash, making she that she was safe. What Sebastian then revealed – but not Tash – was that he wasn’t actually a model and he wasn’t actually gay; it was his cover story. He and his partner, Cam, had been undercover trying to bring down Sanchez and his drug cartel. So, while Pierce brought Tash across the pond to get her out of Sanchez’s grasp, Sloane, Cyn, and Sebastian had been working together to arrest Sanchez and make it safe for her to come home.

  But Tash knew nothing of this. She knew Sloane was trying to do something to help her. She knew nothing about Sebastian than what his cover provided. And that was going to be a problem.

  “I told Cyn something that I remembered the other day about when I was with Julian and she said that she would let Sebastian know. She said she meant to say Sloane, but I don’t think she would make that kind of mistake. I tried to ask her about it again yesterday. She told me she was going to call me to explain but then when she did call, she had nothing to say. So, I asked about it again and she brushed me off, insisting that she just misspoke. And I just broke down because something inside of me knows that my very best friend is lying to me. When I hung up the phone, it was the first time since being here that I truly felt alone; and that’s when Morgan found me and suggested that we get out of the house.” Tash dragged in a breath, attempting a small smile. “Maybe I’m reading into it; maybe I’m wrong. Morgan thinks I should believe her.” She shook her head.

  Of course, he did. Morgan didn’t know anything either.

  Pierce was the only one here who knew what was happening with Sebastian. And of course, it had to be he who came across Tash this afternoon.

  Fucking people always putting him in this fucking situation.

  “You’re not,” he replied smoothly; she deserved to know. Cyn obviously couldn’t see what this was doing to her friend.

  He swore that he told her the truth because he was in an angry ‘I-don’t-give-a-fuck’ kind of mood, but his sympathy for her evident distress was hard to ignore.

  Tash’s gaze shot to his. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re not wrong. She didn’t misspeak. Sebastian has been helping them investigate Sanchez.” He drained the remainder of the alcohol from his glass.

  “Why? Why would they bring him into it? Julian is dangerous.”

  Pierce let out a chuckle and briefly looked up at the ceiling. He was going to be in trouble for this, but since when had that ever bothered him?

  “I wouldn’t say that they brought him into this, Tash,” he began, confusion settling in her eyes. “Sebastian isn’t whatever you think he is. He works for the FBI and he’s been investigating Sanchez undercover for the past three years.”

  She just stared dumbly at him.

  “It wasn’t a coincidence that Terri called him that night,” he continued, looking at the empty glass, wo
ndering if he wanted more. “When he found out about Sanchez’s involvement, he got in touch with Sebastian on purpose. Sebastian, then, turned to Sloane and asked for his help – mostly because he’d wanted to question you more, but we’d already left the country. Plus, I guess, Sloane’s outside perspective… and occupation… is coming in handy.”

  Still, Tash said nothing.

  “It’s not Cyn’s fault,” he huffed, wishing she would respond with something. “Sebastian made everyone promise not to say anything to you. Sloane and Cyn aren’t even supposed to know.”

  “Why would he make them promise that?” she finally said, anger and hurt pouring into her tone. “I don’t understand.”

  “Yes, you do,” he said firmly, his stare boring into her. “Because they care about you, Tash. The guy beat the shit out of you and probably would have killed you. He destroyed your apartment.” Her eyes widened again and Pierce realized that she may not have known about that part either. What the hell. “He is looking for you because you know too much. And that means, the people who care about you are trying to keep you safe and the less you know and the less you are involved the better.”

  He hadn’t meant for his tone to come out as hard as it had, but he wasn’t like his friends; he didn’t have the practiced capability of being compassionate with his words. They were the truth and she needed to hear them, but that was all that he could offer especially right now because as much as he wanted to help ease her pain, there was only one hurting woman that he could focus on right now – the one upstairs that he was responsible for hurting.

  He began to walk towards the steps but Tash’s hand on his arm stopped him.

  “Pierce, wait,” she said softly. “Thank you… for telling me.” He stood still, waiting for her to finish so that he could continue his self-loathing, upstairs in his studio. Alone. “I can’t say that I’m not upset that they kept it from me, but I understand why. You were obviously not supposed to tell me, so thank you, and I will do my best to keep this in confidence for now because I know they will give you hell for sharing.”