Enticed (Dark Passions) Read Free Page A

I could muster, I said “I just moved
to the city and my walls are a little bare. I could use a stunning photograph
or two of the city to liven the place up.”
     
        
He nodded, and took another sip of his whiskey. “What do you have in mind?”
     
        
I could feel myself getting wistful as I said, “A stunning photograph of the
New York skyline at night.”
     
        
I saw interest flare in his eyes as he asked, “Why the skyline?”
     
        
I shrugged and said, “While I’m thrilled with my new apartment, it’s on the
sixth floor of a low rise. I don’t exactly have a panoramic view of the city.”
     
        
I looked at him expectantly as his eyes caressed the curves of my lips. He
finally met my gaze, his eyes suddenly dark and intense, and said, “I think I
have just the thing for you.”
     
        
There was something so potent, so forceful, so searing about his gaze that I
felt my insides begin to tremble with desire. With our eyes locked, it was just
too much, and I wanted to tear my gaze away from him, but I couldn’t. His eyes
were demanding a connection with mine and refused to let me turn away.
     
        
“Give me your number,” he commanded, “And I’ll take you to see one of my
galleries.”
     
        
I felt myself hesitate, and he saw it in my eyes. He reached his hand over to
cover mine. His grip was strong and warm. “I want to see you again, Melanie.
And for that to happen, I need your number.”
     
        
Remembering my resolution to swear off men, I shook my head and pulled my hand
away. “Give me your card or something. I’ll call you.”
     
        
With his eyes blazing, Bradley leaned forward and said firmly, “No you won’t.
You’re going to chicken out, and by the time you change your mind I’ll be old
and gray.” He pulled out his Smartphone, tapped it a couple of times, and then
looked at me expectantly. “Your number,” he commanded again.
     
        
I took a deep breath. Then I gave him my number.
     
        
Satisfied, he put his phone away, then reached into his pocket for his wallet.
He pulled out a card and handed it to me. I looked down at it and audibly
gasped. Bradley Gibson. The Bradley Gibson. Owner of several chain
hotels. And art collector extraordinaire. How did I not put two and two
together? Art was just his hobby, but he was well-known for discovering
up-and-coming talent, buying their works at low prices, and selling high when
they became famous.
     
        
“Now you know where to find me too,” he said. “I’ll call you soon to set up a
time for visiting the gallery.” Then he stood up, and with a scorching
expression in his eyes that made my core melt, he tilted up my chin, held my
gaze for a moment, and then softly pressed his sensual lips to the corner of my
trembling mouth. I could feel the prick of his stubble on my cheek, his warm
breath on my lips, and it made my heart rate quicken, my head spin, and my body
throb with yearning for him.  
     
        
As I watched him walk back over to his table, his jeans just fitted enough for
me to make out the shape of his awe-inspiringly tight ass, I let out a little
moan of sweet torture. No question. I was a gonner.
     
    ***
        
“You’ve got the wrong office. Corporate is on the twelfth floor, not the
tenth,” Sarah said first thing Monday morning while leaning against the door to
my office and taking in my outfit with an amused expression.
     
        
I was wearing an ash colored Dior blazer over a vintage pencil skirt, and a pair
of black suede Jimmy Choo pumps. With one hand on my hip, I raised an eyebrow
at Sarah, and looked her up and down in mock distain. She had on a chunky gold
necklace, purple suede come-fuck-me heels, and a mauve sheath dress with a gold
belt around the waist and a leopard print along the hem. “Let me guess. You
were out ‘couging’ last night and didn’t have time to go home and