The Passion Series Read Free

a month.”
    “Yes, I‘m aware of that, but Monica still calls the shots around here. I told her you were busy. She says this client can’t wait. And he’s a VIP.” Jenna’s cheerfulness almost rubbed off on Heather, except she was still agitated over this new development.
    “They are all VIP.”
    Jenna stared at Heather for a moment. “Something’s wrong. What is it?”
    Heather blushed. “You won’t believe what I did last night. I don’t believe it myself.”
    Jenna waited, not blinking.
    “Sit down, Jenna. I need to talk. Please shut the door.”
    ***
    It didn’t seem like Jenna had moved a muscle through the whole recounting of last night’s event. It was quite a romantic tale, especially with some of the more sexual details omitted.
    Heather ended the erotic tale with, “I don’t even know his name.”
    “I could find out,” Jenna offered. “After all, how many men look like you describe and were wearing a black silk mask at last night’s party?”
    “Don’t you dare say a word about it. I’ll die of embarrassment if anyone finds out. The last thing I want is for him to know I’m asking about him.”
    “Whatever you say.” Jenna shrugged.
    “And don’t give me that look.” Heather rolled her eyes.
    “Heather, we’re friends. I wouldn’t do anything to embarrass you. I just want you to be happy again. Just because you had your heart broken doesn’t mean you won’t find love again. Really, it won’t do any harm to have a look at the guest list from last night. I could get it from Monica.”
    “No, definitely not!”
    Jenna shook her head and walked slowly from the room. “Okay, then. That envelope on your desk includes all the details, including the address. It’s confirmed for this afternoon.”
    Heather briefly considered calling Monica and telling her she couldn’t make it. But Monica Walker managed several commissioned artists. She ha d all the right connections and wasn’t someone easy to say “no” to. There was no choice—she’d have to go.

5 – The Limo Ride
    Heather slid into the backseat of the Mercedes. She needed to relax, so decided to take the company transportation. It was unseemly to arrive to a client’s office driving your own car. Monica made sure that a limo was available for any Walker’s Private Painting appointments. Monica Walker knew the value of appearances, if anyone did.
    Heather settled into the plush leather seat. It was a beautiful time of year in Los Angeles. The clear blue skies and pleasantly cool temperature of the April afternoon boosted her morale.
    The address was printed on the outside of the envelope, a well-known downtown office building, so the driver would have no trouble getting her there. The short drive would be just enough time for Heather to look at the details of the project.
    She opened the square envelope and extracted the contents. On top was a color photo of the client. Monica always stressed that knowing the client was key to delivering the perfect painting. Heather picked up the photo to look more closely.
    Her heart skipped a beat. The gorgeous male face looking back at her was enough to take anyone’s breath away. And yet, there was something else.
    That strong jaw, those male lips with a definite cupid’s bow, was all too familiar. And the thick, sexy eyebrows followed the round shape of those piercing gray-green eyes.
    Oh, God! It was him. Even without the black silk mask, she couldn’t mistake him. The butterflies in her stomach and her pounding heart told her she was in trouble. Breathe, Heather, breathe , she told herself.
    She tried to think calmly, but it was useless. She was going in to meet a new client that she already knew intimately. Worse yet, she’d have to pretend she didn’t know he was the man from the party last night.
    She could possibly get through this meeting without being discovered. Maybe he wouldn’t be able to recognize her from the night before. She looked entirely different today. No