She blushed again, and it was damn cute. Picking up a pencil, she began to tap back and forth, like a seesaw. “Yes, Blu told me about the parties, your security, and how the cleaning crew moves the furniture in and out. But to be honest, I’m still not sure about having it here. We have some pretty valuable art, and I’m responsible for all of it. But…for a hundred grand per party, I could possibly be convinced to take it down and put it in the safe.”
Now she was talking.
“Do you mind if I look around?” I asked. “It just so happens, I’m in the market for some art for my foyer.”
I knew that would get her. Plus, my walls really did need some art.
“Please. Make yourself at home. I’ll leave you alone for a few minutes while I return some phone calls.”
The place was cavernous. I could only imagine what her monthly rent was. And if her soon to be ex was the douche I thought he was, she needed cash, and she needed it fast.
Thick velvet curtains were suspended in front of the floor-to-ceiling loft windows. Perfect for privacy. The hardwood floors were of old, wide planks, worn by decades of footsteps. The effect was industrial and organic. And it was perfect. It would hold all our furniture and props with room to spare. I had to hand it to Blu for fast thinking.
Now, to convince her to join our team. And other things.
“Avril, I’ve looked around. The place is amazing. I hope you’re seriously considering working with us. We could take you on as a partner,” I said.
Her eyebrows raised. “A partner? I didn’t know that was part of the offer.”
“What do you think?” I asked.
“I think…that I’d like to attend a party first, at your current location, to see what they’re all about.”
Another Blu idea, most likely.
“Excellent. Can I count on seeing you then?” I asked.
“I think so. Yes. Yes, I’ll go,” she said.
“Now, can you show me some pieces for my apartment?” I asked.
An hour later, we were having a glass of wine in Avril’s office. She’d shown me the pieces in her gallery she thought I’d be interested in once I’d clumsily explained my taste in art and what my home looked like. I could learn a lot from that woman.
“Well, Avril,” I said, putting down my glass to head out. “I think I’ll go with the first piece you showed me. Can I convince you to deliver it in person? I’d like to get your take on the best place to hang it, if you’re available for that.”
She stood and walked me to the door. “I’d love to help you with that, Ash. I often work with clients to place the pieces they get from us. It’s one of the best parts of my job, seeing where our art ends up.” She leaned against the wall, hand resting on the doorjamb.
Her earlier nervousness was long gone, replaced by a faint sadness around her eyes that not even her bright smile chased away. I knew how she felt, to be let down by someone she loved.
We all had our stories, didn’t we?
I placed my hand over hers on the wall, wrapping my fingers around it. She responded by gripping mine back. Good sign.
“You’re very beautiful, Avril.”
Her blush returned, with a smile.
She gazed right at me with her dark eyes. “Thank you. I am so glad you stopped by—”
She didn’t get to finish because I leaned toward her and kissed her cheek, close enough to her mouth that she stopped talking and made the sweetest little sigh. I slid my lips toward hers, lingering just at the corner of her mouth to test her openness. When she turned to place her lips directly on mine, I knew my kiss was welcome and commenced to crush her lips until we had trouble breathing.
I stepped back, stunned by the connection. I could have stood there and kissed her all night. But there’d be time for that later.
I had good news for the guys. And not only about the venue for our parties.
Chapter 9
AVRIL