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“I have never gushed in my life.”
“You were quite animated. With good reason. I love, love, love these pieces.” She leaned in close to a picture of an old firehouse with a clock tower. Beside it were photos of a barn, a fire truck and a watch with exposed gears. “Is it a stippling effect?”
“Very perceptive. I’m a master of shadows.”
“Really? Shadows.” She stepped back and looked at the picture again.
A hand at her waist drew her in front of Jethro. He followed the line of the fire truck with his finger. “The shadows disguise the layering and add depth and dimension.” He spoke right in her ear, his breath blowing over the sensitive skin. She shivered and fought the urge to lean back against him.
“Yes. I can see the shadows are key.”
“Ethan, there you are. And Jethro, you finally made it. Excellent.” A woman with pale skin, black sharp-edged hair and bright red lips swept up to them. She wore a black suit that flowed around a reed-thin body. Hooking her arms through each of the men’s, she led them away. “The press are here. Time to make nice.”
Lexi followed as best she could considering the crowd quickly closed around her now she didn’t have the almighty Jethro Calder with her. When she got cut off, she decided to look around at more of the art. The woman obviously worked for the gallery and it sounded like Jethro would be busy for a few minutes, so he shouldn’t miss her.
As she strolled around, she encountered several people she knew. The director of her last dance review at the Golden Link and his wife, a pit boss from Pinnacle and his partner, and a client of hers from Modern Goddess. She chatted briefly with each making sure to talk up the artist; she even influenced a sale with the director.
She kept her eye on Jethro in case her duties were needed but the dark-haired woman, whom she’d learned was Lana, the gallery manager, guarded him like a lioness with her cub. No wannabes were getting through her.
Ethan found Lexi by the buffet table.
“Hey, I’ve been racking up sales for you.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He grabbed one of the fancy bottles of water. “And I’m glad I caught you alone.”
“Ah-ah.” She shook her finger at him. “You promised Jethro no flirting.”
“He’s who I want to talk to you about. I want to thank him for his patronage by giving him one of the pictures. I thought you could help me choose one for him.”
“Oh, goodness. We really haven’t known each other that long.”
“Maybe not, but you obviously have his number. And he likes you.”
What an interesting comment. She wondered what made him think so. She laughed. “I think we both have you fooled.”
“No.” Ethan shook his head, his green gaze serious. “As a photographer and an artist, I’ve learned to read people. I’ll admit Jethro is tough to get a read on because he doesn’t show much emotion. Most people don’t even try unless they want something from him.”
“That’s just sad.” She dismissed a pang of guilt. He couldn’t miss what he didn’t know he had.
“Yes.” Ethan sipped the expensive water. “But it’s a persona he fosters. He doesn’t let people close.”
“You’re just proving my case.”
“I’m proving my case. Because you see the man. You recognized his excitement for my work. You tease him.” He shook his head. “Seriously, I’ve never seen anyone talk to him the way you do. And he takes it. That’s how I know he likes you.”
Okay, he’d made a couple of good points, but Lexi still wasn’t convinced. She’d love for Jethro to like her. It could only help her case, make him predisposed to help her. But the evidence seemed pretty flimsy to her.
“That and the way he looks at you. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night.”
Of course the comment had her searching out Jethro, and sure enough he looked right at them even as he talked with an elderly Japanese couple. She waved and he cocked a dark brow.
“This should really be your choice.” She told Ethan.
“I’d still like your help.” He insisted.
“Okay, but I should get back to him soon.”
“This won’t take long,” he assured her. “And he’s busy taking care of business so we have time.”
“Business? You mean patron stuff?”
“No. He doesn’t have to do much with that except praise my work.”
Uh-oh. She sought him out again. Had she misread the Japanese couple? Could they be overeager gamesters she should be saving him from?
“He’s dealing with boring owner stuff.” Taking her arm Ethan led her to the first picture. It already had a red dot indicating it had been sold. “There’s plenty of time for you to help me.”
“I didn’t know Jethro owned the gallery. Is he going to be moving it to the Pinnacle?”
“He hasn’t mentioned any plans to do so. And it has a following here, so I wouldn’t think so.”
Interesting. Calder was associated so closely with Pinnacle, she found it difficult to think of him branching out to other casinos. But then Pinnacle wasn’t just a casino but part of a huge entertainment conglomerate. The company started out creating and distributing video games. The hotel and casino were decorated based off the first game, a postapocalyptic world where everyone fought to survive.
The diversification made her wonder if he might be considering breaking away from Pinnacle. When she got the time, she’d have to think of what that might mean to her plans.
“Has Jethro shown an interest in any particular piece?” she asked Ethan. “That might be a place to start.”
“Good idea. Let me think.” He stopped and propped his hands on his hips. His gaze ran over his work displayed on the walls. “No. He’s shown general appreciation but not for any specific piece. As I said, Jethro doesn’t give up a lot about himself. That’s why I was hoping you could help.”
Lexi spied a picture of a smoking cigar in a crystal ashtray next to a bottle of aged bourbon in the forefront of an old-fashioned parlor. The colors were muted but powerful. She thought of the old-world elegance of Jethro’s restaurant and knew he would appreciate the piece.
“That one.” She nodded toward the painting. “It would fit nicely in his restaurant so it’s something he’ll like.”
Ethan considered the painting and then nodded. “You’re right. It fits him. Let me grab it before someone buys it. Thanks.” He dropped a kiss on her head and strolled off.
“He’s still making moves on my date,” Jethro drawled close to her ear. “I might have to have a talk with him.”
Lexi jumped and swirled around. “Geez, how long have you been there?”
“I just walked up. Why? Something happen you don’t want me to know about?”
“Nope. You startled me, is all.” Looking to divert his attention from Ethan, she gestured to the crowd. “You must be pleased. Ethan told me you own the gallery.”
“It’s a recent acquisition.”
“Calder.” Her former director and his wife came up to them. They made a stunning older couple. “You’re doing a great job here at the gallery. Ethan Kittrell is quite a find.”
“Thomas and Irene.” Jethro offered his hand to the couple. “Thanks for coming. We’re always pleased to provide something unique for our collectors.”
“Indeed. Irene fell in love with a couple of prints we’ll be taking off your hands.”
“Irene, I’ve always admired your taste.”
The older woman beamed under his approval. “And you’ve redeemed my opinion of yours when it comes to women. Oh, I know how you young men like to play the field, but I hope you realize what a treasure you have in this girl.”
“You know Lexi.” Jethro’s expression went blank.
Oops. Time to do her job. He was either insulted, and trying to find a nice way to tell a good client to mind her own business. Or counting to ten before blasting her, with no consideration of future relations.
“Irene, you’re going to make me blush.” Lexi interceded before Jethro could react. “There’s actually nothing romantic going on. Jethro knew Alliyah and today was her birthday. We’re just celebrating her together this evening.” She smiled through the sadness. “She would have loved this.”
“Oh, my dear.” Sympathy filled Irene’s brown eyes. “She would indeed. My apologies, Jethro. Such a tragedy to lose her so young. Do you know how her—”
“Family is doing?” Lexi quickly interrupted before Irene could mention Alliyah had a daughter. “Yes. Everyone misses Alliyah terribly but we’re doing as well as can be expected.”
“Good, that’s good. She’s lucky to have had you for a friend. You let us know if we can do anything.”
“Absolutely,” Thomas confirmed. “And remember, you’re welcome back with the troupe anytime you want.”
“Thank you both. You have a good evening now.” She gave them both a peck on the cheek and sent them on their way.
“Sorry about that.” She patted Jethro on the arm. “But no harm done.”
She hoped not anyway. She wanted to be the one to tell Jethro about Jazi. To gauge his reaction and sway him to her cause. He was a sharp guy; she didn’t want him to be wondering about a child in Alliyah’s life and start counting down the months.
“What are you after?”
“What?”
Jethro’s firm grip on her arm gave her no option but to join him in a dimly lit hallway.
“Hey.” She tried to shake her arm loose, but he held on.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
“I don’t know what you mean. I’m Lexi.”
“How is it that you know everyone?”
“I don’t know everyone. That’s crazy.” She pulled against his grip. “You’re hurting me.” Not really, but he had her unnerved and that was close enough.
“Quit squirming and it won’t hurt.” His fingers loosened but he retained his hold, forcing her to follow him down the hall.
“Let me go and I’ll quit squirming.”
He opened the door of a well-appointed office. It had a feminine feel and Lexi guessed it belonged to Lana, the gallery manager.
Jaw clenched, he released her. Then frowned at the red marks on her skin. “Your skin is too delicate.”
She rubbed her arm singeing him with a reproachful glare. “Apology accepted.”
She dropped into a visitor’s chair and crossed her legs.
“Sorry,” he muttered belatedly, grudgingly. He sat on the edge of the desk. “Now tell me how you know so many people. I saw you talking with people all over the gallery.”
“Just because I talked to people doesn’t mean I know them. Is this about me not protecting you from the madding crowd? You seemed fine whenever I glanced your way.”
“Mocking me will not save you. Answer the question.”
“Save me?” She laughed.
He didn’t.
“You targeted me, Ms. Malone. I want to know why.”
CHAPTER FOUR (#ulink_762d1faf-c1d9-5831-bcff-fa4624d7a903)
LEXI PUSHED THROUGH her front door, slammed it shut behind her and threw the bolts. Unable to shake the sense of being pursued, she backed away.
Pull it together, girl. The man had better things to do than chase her down.
After Jethro dropped his question bomb, she’d slipped out when Lana and Ethan walked in carrying the piece Ethan had chosen for Jethro.
Best timing ever.
Okay, she’d panicked.
She hadn’t been prepared for his questions.
In the bedroom she grabbed a nightgown—a lavender bit of silk edged in black lace—and headed into the bathroom for a shower. She’d bolted. What else could she do? He thought she was some femme fatale intent on getting something from him.
And, in a way, she was.
He’d been so intense she didn’t know if she’d ever be prepared to face off against him.
But she would. For Jazi.
Lexi clung to the fact he gave Miguel a healthy tip when he learned of his new baby. It showed he had some sensitivity for kids. Right?
During the cab ride home she’d decided she needed to call tomorrow and make an appointment with Jethro. She’d see him before she went into work and get this all straightened out.
Stepping under the spray, she rinsed her hair, letting the hot water soothe her. As plans went, it lacked finesse and relied heavily on his willingness to see her again. But what she’d learned of him tonight told her an up-front, honest approach was her best bet.
All the things she could say filtered through her head as she dried off and applied a tropical-scented lotion in honor of Ethan’s Escape painting. The silk of her nightgown glided over her skin in a sensual fall, ending at midthigh. She continued to ruminate while combing and drying her hair. The thick auburn tresses were still damp when she thought she heard a knock on her door.
Flipping off the hairdryer, she listened and the knocking came again. She wrinkled her nose. The last thing she needed tonight was the distraction of a friend coming over for gossip and coffee, something dancers liked to do. Since she’d left the troupe, she often had people dropping by.
Or maybe that’s exactly what she needed. To just get out of her head and focus on someone else for a while. By the time she reached the door, she was ready to embrace whoever stood on the other side.
