The Principles Of Lust Read Free Page A

getting anywhere with the freak’n inventory ledgers she was trying to organize because she kept getting distracted by his presence.  
    Something had changed over the weekend. Still calm and quiet, Zach’s attitude had shifted subtly from distant and laid-back to watchful. She felt him even when she couldn’t see him. Watching her in a way that made her blood thicken and pulse slowly with a sensual heaviness.  
    Of course, being surrounded by erotic art constantly had made a low level hum of arousal her constant companion. But, whenever Zach was around the level kicked up a few notches.  
    Her cell phone vibrated on her hip, dragging her attention away from the view he presented as he applied stain to a display podium and the sensations it aroused within her. She never should’ve hit on him, she thought, as she unsnapped the phone from her waistband. He’d turned into a distraction she really didn’t need.  
    She flipped her cell phone open without checking the caller ID. “Teal Jamison here,” she said crisply.
    “Wow, you almost sound professional.” A deep voice full of humor came back at her.
    “The phone company hasn’t hooked up my freak’n phone lines yet so I’ve had to give out my cell number to all the business contacts.” She spun on her heel to stare at the one rich burgundy wall in the gallery. She really did like the ivory and burgundy color scheme she’d chosen. She clapped a hand to her forehead. Focus.  
    “Dominick, I need a favor.”
    “Whatever you need, you know I’m there for you, Sis.”
    If there was one thing in the life she could always count on, it was her family. Her older brother was a well-known columnist for a local paper, and Dominick absolutely hated it when people tried to kiss up to him, or use his name to get ahead. Teal didn’t like to ask anyone for favors either, but her free-spirited hippie parents had made sure that no matter where they lived or what else was going on in their lives, they knew they could always turn to each other.  
    There was no such thing as a favor that couldn’t be asked amongst family.  
    So she sucked it up and voiced her request. “I can’t get anyone from the paper to commit to coming to the opening next week. I’ve got people from the indie art magazines, but I want–-I need more attention to make Lush a success. I want someone from The City paper. Please … talk to Wanda Brooks for me?”  
    Teal had been told the society columnist didn’t cover art gallery openings unless they featured a big name artist, or a charity. Since Teal was just starting out, she didn’t have any big name artists, and the only charity she could afford to donate to was her own. She’d sunk everything, and then some, into Lush.  
    Heavy silence greeted her request and she rushed to fill it. “I tried to get them to listen to the unique angle of it being an erotic art gallery, but they wouldn’t listen. I know if I can get some of the wealthier people of the city to attend, I have a good shot at helping create a big name artist, as well as a successful gallery. You should see some of the stuff I’ve got here, Dom! Sculptures and photographs that are wickedly sensual and unique. People will pay the high prices for them, if only I can get them in the doors!”  
    “Awww, Teal.” Her brother’s voice was almost a groan. “I get what you need, but having me talk to Wanda’s not a very good idea.”
    “Why not? Come on, Dom. She’ll do it for you, women do anything you ask.” Just like men usually do anything for her.  
    They’d been raised to believe nudity and sexuality were natural in all its forms, and that seemed to give them an air of openly sexual energy that they’d both learned to use to their advantage in life.  
    She peeked over her shoulder at the man working in the center of the room. Usually was the key word there. The family charm didn’t seem to be working on Zach.  
    “Wanda the Witch and I don’t get along at all,