Twice the Temptation

by Francis Ray

  The question caught Gabe off guard as much as the desire he suddenly felt to touch her face, to hold her in his arms. Until now, no one else had understood his desire to leave something tangible behind. His hands clenched instead. “Humble, scared, grateful.”

  Her attention refocused on the painting. “Is this for sale?”

  “No. It’s a surprise gift to the woman’s husband. They’re friends of mine,” Gabe explained. “I’m supposed to deliver it tonight.”

  Jessica straightened and pushed her glasses back in place. “I’m glad the portrait is going to someone who will appreciate and cherish it. A lot of things in life aren’t. Thanks for taking the time to share your work with me.”

  “My pleasure,” he said, meaning it. “Maybe you can come by my studio before you leave.”

  The idea was so intriguing that Jessica almost said yes before realizing he was probably just being nice again. Men, especially ones as sexy and handsome as Gabe, never had time for her unless there was an ulterior motive. Somehow she didn’t want to chance finding out Gabe was like all the other men before him.

  Smothering her disappointment, she said, “I’d like that if I have time. Shall we go?”

  Gabe had never been around a woman who confused him more. On the slow, bumper-to-bumper drive back on the George Washington Bridge after delivering the portrait to his friends in New Jersey, he wasn’t able to get Jessica out of his mind.

  One moment she had tears in her eyes looking at his painting, the next she was stiff and unapproachable. But he couldn’t erase the image of the careful way she had touched the clasped hand and fingers of mother and child.

  Or the brief flash of hurt that crossed her expressive features when the maid at her aunt’s apartment told her that her Aunt Irene had gone skiing with some friends. The maid wasn’t sure when she would be back. Jessica was to make herself at home and her aunt would call later.

  The thoughtlessness of her aunt and that of Shelton coming so close together had to bother her. Yet she had discounted both as if she had expected no less. Gabe’s fingers flexed on the steering wheel as the black luxury car broke free of the bridge.

  He’d attempted several times without success to reach Shelton after leaving Jessica earlier in the day. His secretary, then later his answering service, kept repeating he was unavailable. Gabe knew he wasn’t with a woman unless it was business-related. Shelton might be a louse, but he was a loyal louse. Even so, sometimes Gabe could shake him.

  Up ahead was the familiar turn to his brownstone on Striver’s Row. If he continued, he could take 96th Street and be on the East Side with Jessica in twenty-five minutes. He rolled tired shoulders.

  Since dawn he’d been up painting. She wasn’t his problem. Clearly she had wanted to get rid of him. He looked at the digital clock in the dash. Eight-forty-one.

  The car passed his turn and kept going. It wouldn’t hurt to check on her.

  No one should spend their first night in New York alone.

  Jessica couldn’t have been more surprised to see Gabe through the peephole than if it had been Denzel Washington. Frowning, she unlatched and opened the door. “Did you forget something?”

  One hand dug into the front pocket of his tailored slacks, but his gaze never faltered. “No. I thought I’d drop by and see if you were all right.”

  She stared at him a long moment, unsure if she had heard him correctly. People tended to forget her even when she was still in the room with them, but especially if she was out of sight. Her aunt and Shelton were perfect examples. “I beg your pardon?”

  His hand zipped out of his pocket. “No one should spend their first night in New York alone.”

  Pleasure, slow as a sunrise, began to spread through her and reflect itself in her growing smile. “Actually I’ve been to New York several times.”

  “Oh.” His gaze and feet shifted. “In that case, I guess I better let you get back to doing whatever it was you were doing.”

  He actually appeared embarrassed. The thought of her having such an effect on such a commanding figure was so incongruent that her smile burst into laughter. His shoulders stiffened beneath his leaf-green herringbone jacket. Nodding brusquely, he whirled and started down the wide, carpeted hallway at a fast clip.

  He was several feet away before she realized he probably thought she had been laughing at him. She ran to catch up with him. “Wait. Please wait.”

  He did, but he didn’t appear overjoyed by the prospect. “Yes?”

  “I think you misunderstood me,” she told him, searching his eyes for some softening. “I’d like it very much if you’d come back inside and have dinner with me. I’ve never had to eat dinner alone in New York and I’d like not to start.”

  Her hands were clasped to her chest, her eyes behind her glasses were bright with expectation. The tightness in his stomach eased. “Sure.”

  Her smile blossomed. “I’ll get another place setting.”

  By the time he was inside the apartment and had closed the door, she was rushing out of the kitchen with silverware, china, and a wineglass. He went to help.

  “Slow down.” Relieving her of everything, he quickly arranged the elegant place setting atop a white banana-silk place mat with a matching silk organza napkin.

  Looking up from placing the stemware etched in twenty-two-karat gold on the table, he found her staring at him. “Did I do it wrong?”

  “I was just trying to imagine my father or one of his friends helping set the table, and I couldn’t.”

  “Maybe they aren’t as hungry as I am.”

  “I think it’s more man that. Please have a seat.”

  He did, and in a matter of moments he was eating freshly grilled salmon. “My compliments to the chef.”

  She dipped her head in acknowledgment. “Thank you.”

  “You cooked this?”

  She laughed, a low, sweet sound that made her expressive face come alive. Despite the lack of makeup, she was almost pretty. Large brown eyes sparkled in the light from the glass candelabrum. Gabe found himself laughing easily with her and thinking models would kill for her cheekbones.

  “Since you picked me up from the airport and carried all my luggage up here, I’ll consider your outburst a backhanded compliment,” she said easily.

  “Please do.” He took another bite. “How did you learn to cook this well?”

  “My mother.” The smile slowly slid from her face. “It’s part of my training, but I’m afraid she’s doomed to disappointment.”

  “Training for what?”

  Her head came up sharply, as if she had unintentionally revealed too much. Her head dipped briefly as she pushed her salmon around on the richly colored china featuring exotic butterflies and delicate gold blossoms. “It’s too boring to talk about. I’d rather hear about you and your painting. You seem to have done well for yourself.”

  He decided to let her change the subject. Maybe if she knew him better, he could help her with whatever it was that caused her to look so down and retreat from him. “What you see is from my other life a little over two years ago as a stockbroker when I was pulling down six figures a year plus bonuses.”

  He placed his fork on his plate and gave her his full attention. “I’ve bought relatively few things since I decided to paint full time. Frankly, my art is not supporting itself yet.”

  “You gave all that up to paint? Why?”

  Gabe had seen the same astonishment in the faces of other people, but this time he didn’t see the derision. Somehow he had known he wouldn’t. “Because I lost two close friends in less than six months. One to a car accident, the other to a massive coronary.” His hand tightened around the stem of the wineglass.

  “The three of us had big plans and dreams for the future. For them, that day never came. I decided I didn’t want that to happen to me.”

  Her hand lightly touched his jacketed arm. “Walking away took more courage than staying.”

  “Most people think it was a cop-out.”<
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  “Not to anyone who has seen your work. You obviously did well as a stockbroker, but people were probably waiting in line to take your place once you left.” Her fingers tightened. “Your paintings come from the heart and they can come only from your heart. Therein lies the difference.”

  His large hand covered hers. “Thanks.”

  Awkwardly she pulled her hand free and picked up her wineglass and took a sip. It didn’t help to steady her nerves or to stop the strange sensation quivering through her.

  Somehow she still felt the lingering touch of his hand on hers, of her hand on him. She had been right. Gabe made a woman want to risk everything and tempt fate.

  Too bad she hadn’t the foggiest notion of how to do either.

  THREE

  The next morning Gabe repeatedly rang Shelton’s apartment doorbell, then pounded on the door when there was no response. It was half past seven and Shelton seldom left for his office until after eight. His baby brother had some explaining to do.

  The door abruptly opened. Shelton stood with a towel wrapped around his narrow waist, water beaded on his well-conditioned brown body. “What’s all the rush?”

  Stepping past him, Gabe entered the immaculate apartment, done completely in stark white with splashes of black for accent. Glass and chrome gleamed everywhere. The apartment always reminded Gabe of a showroom, not a home.

  “Where were you all day yesterday and last night?” Gabe fired.

  Shelton swung the door closed. “Taking care of business. What do you think?”

  “You couldn’t have found one minute to call the woman you claim you’re going to marry?” Gabe asked, the anger that had been simmering all night coming to a boil.

  The frown on Shelton’s boyishly handsome face cleared. “You always were a sucker for the lost ones. You dragged home so many stray animals and people, Mom always said she sometimes hated to see you come home.”

  Gabe planted his hands on his hips. “Jessica is not lost. She’s a grown woman who you should show some consideration and attention.”

  “I got it covered, Gabe,” Shelton said dismissively, turning toward his bedroom. “Jessica understands. She knows business comes first.”

  “Did she tell you this or is it your assumption?” Gabe asked, following Shelton into the luxurious bathroom. Greenery cascaded from high arches, and mirrors reflected the men’s images and that of the immense sunken whirlpool tub and glass-enclosed shower.

  Shelton picked up the electric shaver from the marble countertop. “Look, Gabe, I know since you left the corporate world you tend to think less of those of us who stayed. Jessica has been trained to be the wife of a corporate executive.”

  “She’s not a puppy,” Gabe snapped.

  “Gee. I should have known not to ask you to meet her, but I needed someone to look after her while I was busy. I still do.”

  “You mean you’re not going to see her today either?” Gabe asked, wondering how his brother could be so callous. “Then why in the hell did you invite her to New York?”

  Looking as exasperated as his brother, Shelton laid the shaver aside. “I thought I’d have it together, but there are a few glitches that I need to straighten out before the office opens in thirteen days.” His face hardened with resolve. “But it will open on schedule.”

  Gabe didn’t doubt it for a minute. Nothing stood in Shelton’s way when he wanted something. That was the reason he was so worried. “In the meantime, you expect Jessica to spend her time alone in her aunt’s apartment?”

  “Irene is there with her,” he returned easily.

  “Irene went skiing and she left a message with the maid saying she didn’t know when she was returning. Seems she had something better to do, too,” Gabe said, not even trying to hide his annoyance at the absent aunt and Shelton.

  “What!” Shelton exclaimed. “How could she do this to me?”

  Gabe shook his head. Did Shelton ever think of anyone besides himself? “How indeed?”

  Shelton’s eyes narrowed on his brother. “I need you now more than ever with Irene gone. You have to help me on this, big brother. Keep Jessica occupied until I have time to ask her to marry me. Her parents have secretly given me their blessing.”

  Something tightened in Gabe’s gut. “How does Jessica feel about this?”

  “She’ll be grateful. She’s no raving beauty,” Shelton scoffed.

  Although Gabe had thought the same thing, hearing the words out loud made him want to shake his egotistical brother until his capped teeth rattled.

  Apparently taking Gabe’s silence for agreement, Shelton continued, “I know personally she hasn’t had a real date in years. Her male cousins were her escorts to her prom, her debutante parties, and her sorority functions. I’m her last chance for a marriage and she knows it. Her parents know it also, and they approve of my intentions.”

  Gabe needed to know one thing. “Do you care anything about her or is she a means to an end?”

  “I wouldn’t condemn myself to live with someone I didn’t care anything about. She’s reserved, intelligent, and manageable. I haven’t even tried to make a move on her,” Shelton related. “I don’t want my future wife to have even a hint of gossip linked to her name. After we’re married, I promise I’ll take care of her and respect her.”

  “In exchange for an eventual partnership in her father’s law firm,” Gabe stated, certain of the answer.

  Shelton winked and smiled. “Senior partnership. Her old man can’t live forever.”

  Gabe looked down at the black marble floor, then back up at the man he had carried on his back as a child when he was too tired to walk, had given the tire off his own bike until his could be repaired, had fought bullies to keep him safe. “I don’t know you anymore.”

  “Gabe, don’t get sanctimonious on me,” Shelton pleaded, his hand gripping his brother’s upper forearm. “You know I always keep my word. I won’t be a bad husband to Jessica. Just help me out and keep her entertained for a few days.”

  “On one condition.”

  Suspicion narrowed Shelton’s black eyes. “What?”

  “That you’re up front with her and you let her make the decision; no coercion from you or her parents,” he said, flatly ignoring something twisting inside him. “The choice has to be hers.”

  Shelton laughed his relief. “Whew. You had me worried. No sweat. Jessica knows what a catch I am.”

  Gabe shook his dark head in derision. “No wonder you’ve never liked wearing a hat. It would be impossible to find one to fit over that big ego of yours.”

  Grinning, Shelton playfully punched his older brother on his wide shoulder. “It’s a good thing I love you.”

  “Likewise,” Gabe said, then his eyes narrowed, his voice carrying a hint of steel. “Don’t hurt her, Shelton.”

  “Why would I want to hurt the woman I’m going to marry?” he asked. “To show you, I’ll send her some flowers.”

  Gabe nodded. It was a start. “A phone call and a visit would be better.”

  Shelton picked up the shaver and flicked it on. “I’ll try to call, but I’m booked solid. Tell Jessica hello for me and I’ll see her as soon as I can.”

  “I may help, but I’m not your messenger boy.” Turning, Gabe left the room, feeling his brother’s stare all the way.

  Jessica awoke the next morning without much enthusiasm for getting out of bed. As she had told Gabe, she had been to New York before and although she thought the city fascinating, she didn’t particularly enjoy the prospect of seeing it again by herself.

  It was a sure bet that Shelton wouldn’t be around to go with her. Not that she wanted him to, she thought, throwing back the goose-down comforter and getting out of bed. Now, his brother was a different matter and also entirely unlikely.

  Pulling off her flannel nightgown, she adjusted the water in the shower and stepped beneath the tepid stream. Gabe was only being nice and she’d probably never see him again. The thought saddened her and the feeling stayed
with her through getting dressed and eating breakfast.

  Two hours later she still hadn’t shaken her melancholy and was seriously considering booking the next flight home to Atlanta. Her parents would have to accept the fact sooner or later that she and Shelton weren’t getting married. She had wanted to ignore Shelton’s invitation, and had only accepted because her parents had insisted that she do so.

  Sighing, she picked up a magazine. There was something to be said for moving out of your parents’ home once you completed college. At least they couldn’t nag you all the time.

  She tossed the fashion magazine aside seconds later. It hurt to think that her parents thought so little of her ability to get a man on her own that they thought they had to practically throw her at Shelton. All right, she admitted, she hadn’t been doing so hot in that area, but her parents were supposed to believe in her when no one else did.

  Restless, Jessica pushed to her feet and stared at the New York skyline from her aunt’s windows. She had known from childhood that her father had wanted a son to carry on the firm after he retired, and no matter what she thought of Shelton, he was reported to be a good lawyer.

  The fact that he was in charge of opening the branch in New York was a clear indication and testimony of her father’s faith in him. If George Ames couldn’t have a son, a son-in-law was the next best thing.

  He and her mother were both doomed to disappointment. Love was the only reason she was getting married and when she did, the man she chose wouldn’t treat her as an afterthought. He wouldn’t forget she existed unless he wanted something from her the way Shelton did.

  The chime of the doorbell interrupted her thoughts. Waving away the maid, who had come from the study, Jessica went to the door. She had met many of Irene’s friends. Her mother’s older sister had quite a few colorful acquaintances. Hopefully it was someone Jessica knew and they wouldn’t mind staying a little while to help her stave off boredom.