Passion Fish, page 30
When he clapped his phone shut, Will turned his gaze to Eve, his eyes sparkling. “Sorry about that. Business never ceases, even when I’m 3,000 miles away from it.” Will scooted his chair closer to the table and rested his elbows on the edge, folding his fingers together in front of him. “So, how has your day been at the museum?”
The remainder of lunch was spent on enjoyable, yet superficial, conversation, Eve’s mind not quite as engaged as it could have been. Whatever he’d been talking about on the phone—twice—he didn’t share with her, and Eve wasn’t sure why. Neither call had seemed like it had anything to do with Townsend Industries, and that bothered her, but she felt guilty about that. Eve knew she had no right to know who he had been talking to or what he’d been discussing, but she couldn’t help feeling like he was hiding something.
After work, Will suggested they visit the gym, so they spent an hour there before dinner, each wearing headphones during their individual workouts. Both dinner and their evening were quieter, their conversations sparse and surface-level. Will asked a few times if anything was wrong, and Eve lied, saying there were some issues at work she was dealing with. He sensed she wasn’t going to offer more information, and he let it drop. In bed, they simply held each other, nothing more. Was the romance over before it really had time to grow?
Thursday morning, though, they both woke up renewed, and after feeling Will stroke her hair and kiss her tenderly, Eve reassessed her concerns from the night before. She still wasn’t sure where they were relationship-wise, but she recommitted to be brave enough to talk with him before he boarded his plane Saturday morning.
“Tonight we’ll be with everybody watching the game,” Eve said, “but I’d like to reserve tomorrow night for something special. Would that be okay? I’d like to take you out one last time before you head back to Boston. You have to agree, though, that I get to pay the bill—the whole bill. I promised I’d play host while you were in Santa Barbara, and I feel like I haven’t done that at all.”
Will looked down at her as she laid her head against his shoulder. “I must disagree with you, Ms. Carwyn. You have been a most delightful host this week.” He rolled toward her and swept a few kisses across her neck, making her melt, as usual. She couldn’t form coherent thoughts so she didn’t even try to tell him her plans for a talk or ask what would happen when he went back to Boston. Instead, Eve simply returned Will’s passion.
Later that morning, she sat at her desk at work, allowing her mind to reminisce about the wonder this week had been with Will. As fantastic as Boston had been, their time in Santa Barbara had meant so much more.
Trying to distract herself from the fact that Will would be leaving in just forty-eight hours, Eve got up to wander the halls of the museum. This was something she usually did a few times a day: making sure employees were posted where the more expensive artwork was displayed, and taking time to interact with visitors and answer their questions. As she strolled into the Local Artists’ Gallery, she stopped short.
Eve looked from Julian to the attractive, black-haired woman at his side. He slipped his arm around her waist and smiled at Eve, extending his hand to for her to shake.
“Eve, I’m so glad you’re here. I wanted to introduce you to Miranda Katz. Miranda, this is the SBMA’s curator, Eve Carwyn.”
Eve shook Julian’s hand and then Miranda’s, and realized her look of surprise was probably disconcerting to the woman.
“It’s wonderful to meet you! Are you from the area?”
“I’m a recent transplant,” Miranda responded, a slight German accent evident in her voice. “Julian and I met about a month ago in San Diego and have been enjoying visits to various art museums all around California. Today is the first time he’s felt confident enough to show me his own creations.” She looked up at him and smiled. “And they’re wonderful!” Turning back to Eve, Miranda added, “Don’t you agree? Julian’s work is simply spectacular!”
“Yes, that’s the reason we’ve been showcasing his work.” Eve gave them a genuine smile, and Julian really looked at ease. For the first time in a long time, he didn’t look at Eve like she was his possession.
Eve talked with them for a few more minutes before continuing her tour of the museum. All the tension she’d been feeling since finding her tires punctured just melted away. As she walked away from Julian, she left behind the nightmares and horrors he had inflicted. It’s finally over, she told herself.
***
It was Gage’s first night off since Sunday, and he was happy. Normally, he hardly worked at Stratus during the week, but he’d had to trade several days with Austin to get the night off for Noelle and Thomas’s dinner party, and the little weasel had really screwed him.
Gage knew he must really love Skye, because he had even worked a Tuesday theme night. This time it had been a beach party. The fact that the club was a block from the beach didn’t seem to bother the owners when they came up with the brilliant idea. Gage was pretty sure the hope was that a bunch of women would come in their bikinis, and the horny guys would follow. That’s not exactly what happened. In the end, it was a bar full of guys in swim trunks standing on the sand-covered dance floor. A total bust as usual.
The memory of how Skye had convinced him to trade away his entire week was still fresh in his mind, though, and Gage felt a smile creep across his face. In her all-white lace bra and panties, she had looked innocent and pure…until his eyes roamed down to her red high heels. Just thinking about Skye like that was making his pants tight again.
The other consequence of Gage’s busy week was that he hadn’t spent any time alone with Skye since Sunday night. He didn’t get home from Stratus until after one in the morning, and since she had to be to work early, Gage had been sleeping alone. That was definitely going to change tonight. And if he had his way, there wouldn’t be much sleeping going on.
Suddenly, Gage was rethinking the idea of spending the evening with friends. He just wanted to keep Skye at home with him for the rest of the night…or their lives. But there was no way Skye would let him get away with that. This whole thing had been his idea in the first place. So he headed off for yet another cold shower in preparation for the evening.
***
When he picked Skye up, she met him at the door, purse in hand and ready to go. Skye was smart enough to know that if Gage came in, they would never leave. As the two walked down the hall of Skye’s apartment building, Gage couldn’t resist giving her a smack on the ass. Skye yelped and turned to him.
“Gage, I know that look. Don’t even think you are going to be getting anything until after we’ve eaten dinner.”
“What? I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was just admiring that fantastic ass of yours.”
Wrapping his arms around her tiny waist, Gage pulled Skye to him, crashing his lips into hers. As her hands moved up and around his neck, he slid his own down to her spectacular rear and gave it a little squeeze. Skye moaned into his mouth, and Gage’s body reacted instantly.
Gage pressed her further into his excitement and kissed along her jaw and up to her ear. “Can’t we please just go back into your place?” he whispered before letting his tongue trace the shape of her ear. Skye shuddered. It took everything she had not to take him up on the offer.
When he felt Skye’s reaction, Gage released her and turned back toward her apartment, but a tug on the back of his waistband stopped him in his tracks.
“Hold up there, lover boy. We are not going to blow our friends off to spend the rest of the night in bed.”
“Awww, come on, babe. Please. It’s been so long.” Gage tried to look hurt.
“Gage, I promise that after dinner I will make sure you are more than satisfied. But for now, put this thing away and let’s get going.” As she said this, her hand slid over the material of Gage’s pants.
“Fine, just give me a second here.” Gage tried to adjust himself so his “situation” wasn’t quite so obvious. Skye just stood back, staring with a smirk on her face.
“Do you want me to help?”
“No! You just stay right where you are and please try not to look so damn sexy.”
Skye laughed as he closed his eyes and began doing deep breathing, like he was in labor.
After a few minutes, Gage was able to make his way to the car and opened the door for Skye to get in. He’d never been so thankful that she wasn’t wearing a skirt. Seeing her legs would have made him lose it completely.
In spite of their little moment, Gage and Skye were the first to arrive at Grizzlies. Finding the largest booth, they slid in to wait for the others. Thomas and Noelle couldn’t make it, so it would just be the six of them tonight. Gage was looking forward to hanging out with Will a little more. After Julian, he had to be sure Will was actually normal.
Beau and Josie came in not long after Skye and Gage, making a scene as they did. Josie was hanging on Beau’s back as he galloped in through the door. The entire place looked over when Josie yelled, “Yippee-ki-yay!” She waved her hands in the air like she was riding a bucking bronco in the rodeo.
Beau smiled as he lowered Josie from his back at the booth. Gage and Skye sat staring and speechless like the rest of the place. Beau was usually pretty reserved and to see him indulging Josie’s crazy side was a surprise. In that moment, both of them saw that what Josie and Beau had was real. They complemented each other perfectly.
A few minutes later, Eve and Will showed up, too. They didn’t make the grand entrance the other two had, but they definitely looked like a perfect match as well.
Once the group had moved past greetings, Will, Beau, and Gage went to order the food and beer. The trio joked about getting onions and anchovies on the pizza, knowing the girls would kill them. They didn’t dare act on that idea—all of them still wanted to get lucky tonight.
After talking the bartender into changing the giant TV to the Sox game, the men made their way back to the table with two pitchers of beer.
“Hey, Gage, if you are going to drink, give me your keys and order me a soda.” Gage did what Skye requested and returned a few moments later with a glass of soda.
“So, I actually saw Julian and his new girlfriend today,” Eve informed the table as Will and Gage poured everyone’s drinks.
“Seriously? She actually exists?” The doubt in Skye’s voice was apparent.
“Yes. He was showing her his work at the museum when I saw them. He introduced us, and I have to say, I thought she was very nice. She seemed to know a lot about the art world.”
“So, do you think the worst has passed?” Josie asked Eve.
“Yeah, I think so. I think he’s moving on, just like I am.” Eve looked over at Will, causing the rest of the group to let out a collective “Awww . . .”
“Damn! I was looking forward to hurting the guy, really badly!” Gage actually was a little disappointed.
“Well, I still don’t trust the slimy prick,” Skye said.
Gage found himself looking at Skye with the same starry eyes Eve had just given Will. Reaching over, he laid a hand on her leg, squeezing her thigh lightly. He was rewarded with a smile and a slap of his hand.
Eve was much more at ease than any of them had seen her over the past couple of weeks, which let everyone else relax a little more, and the subject of Julian quickly faded as they moved on to other things until the pizza arrived.
While they ate, Gage revealed how he had tortured Suzanne at her last session. He’d told her about his friend from Boston who’d had some chubby girl hitting on him at the gym, and then asked her if she had been there. Everyone nearly choked on their food as they laughed. The best part of the story? She was now so worried, she booked extra sessions with Gage.
“You may have to share your fee with Will,” said Beau with a laugh.
As the night went on, the guys began a great debate about whether any of the teams they followed would make the playoffs this year. Will was adamant that his Red Sox would be there in the end. When they heard a burst of laughter come from where the girls were huddled, the guys all looked over at the same time.
“You have got to be kidding me, Will. Boston won’t even see the playoffs, let alone the Series,” Skye called over to them.
That was it for Gage. A hot, smart, sexy woman who knows sports? Holy Crap! He’d hit the jackpot.
“Okay, everyone, we’re going to call it a night.” Gage had done his part and entertained their friends for a few hours, but the fact that Skye was into sports… He had to have her now.
Grabbing Skye’s hand, Gage slid her out of the booth. After saying goodnight to everyone, he steered her to the door. Gage knew he needed to get Skye somewhere private before he stopped caring who witnessed the things he was planning on doing to her.
The rest of the group laughed as they watched Skye and Gage leave.
“Good Lord,” Josie started, “I wonder if they know anything about each other besides knowing that Gage has a tattoo on his hip, and Skye has a birthmark on her inner thigh?”
“How do you know Gage has a tattoo?” Beau asked, his eyebrows raised.
“Skylar is very detailed oriented, honey. Don’t worry, I have no desire to see any other man naked for the rest of my life.” Josie leaned in to kiss him.
“Good to know. ‘Cause I don’t plan on letting you see another naked man for the rest of your life.” Beau then took a page from Gage’s book and tossed Josie over his shoulder as he headed for the door.
“Bye, guys!” Josie called.
Eve and Will waved as the couple disappeared. They were both a little stunned to be left sitting alone.
“Umm…so, I guess it’s time to go home, too?” Will asked with a little chuckle.
“I think that would be a good idea,” Eve replied a little apprehensively, as she slid out of the booth. Fortunately, Will slid out right behind her, because the beers she had been drinking hit her, and Eve swayed slightly. Will wrapped her in a hug.
“It’s all right, Eve. Just because all the cool kids are doing it doesn’t mean we have to succumb to peer pressure.”
He was smiling when Eve looked up at him, and her heart skipped a beat. She never thought she would meet a man as perfect as Will Prentiss, or that she would have to say goodbye to him so soon. Determined not to let that thought ruin the rest of their night, Eve gave Will a small kiss before slipping her arm through his. Will made sure he had a firm hold on her as they walked out the door to go home.
Chapter Twenty
The night at Grizzlies had been fun. Will just fit with everyone; he’d become an instant part of their group like Beau had. And having Will with her was a wonderful, heady feeling. She loved that although he could be having a great time with the guys, when he was near her, he was holding her hand or had his arm around her shoulder or her waist. His touch was so much more intoxicating than the beer she’d been drinking.
However, probably because of her relief about Julian, she’d celebrated the evening with a little more beer than she should have. Her plan had been to set things in motion for a special night with Will tomorrow night, when she would let him know she loved him and wanted him—all of him.
By the time the two got home, the beer had taken its toll. Will kindly got her a glass of water and an Advil to minimize the headache he knew was coming. And the extra alcohol in her system did lessen her inhibitions.
“You treat me soooo good, you know that?” Eve’s mouth refused to speak as clearly as her mind wanted it to.
“Thank you, Eve. Do you want to brush your teeth before you pass out?”
He’d surely had as much beer as she had. Why wasn’t he tipsy?
“I might need you to put the poothtaste…um…the poothtaste… No, that’s not right.” Eve slowed down and tried to say each word individually. “Will. You. Put. Tooth. Paste. On. My. Brush?”
Will smiled and kissed her forehead. “Yes, Eve.”
He led her to the bathroom and sat her down on the toilet lid while he completed her request. Eve stayed seated while she brushed her teeth, and when she got up and moved to the sink to rinse, Will stood behind her, his hands on her hips, to keep her from toppling over.
“I’m very kissable now, Will. My breath is minty fresh!” She turned to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“While I agree you are very kissable, as usual I might add, you are also very drunk and need to go to bed.”
“Aww… Does that mean we’re not gonna fool around?” Eve gave a feeble attempt to be suddenly sexy in front of him. At first, she thought he was going to take advantage of her uninhibited state when he gently put her in bed and lay down beside her. Instead, he pulled the covers up to her shoulders, kissed her sweetly, and told her to close her eyes. It wasn’t long before she fell asleep in his arms.
