Bare (Just This Once 2)

Damn right she’s lucky. She’ll see it for herself once she realizes Rufus is not the right guy for her. I am.

“I was just about to say the same thing.” Brenda whips that pencil in her hand along the arm of my jacket. Again.

“Griffin introduced me to Sem Jansen on Friday night.” Piper steps closer. “It was incredible.”

“You did that for her?” Brenda catches my eye when she glances at my profile.

I nod as I look over my shoulder at Piper. Her hair is down tonight; loose curls are framing her face. She seems content and at ease. “I called in a favor. I’m hoping my final grade will reflect the extra effort.”

Piper’s green eyes light up. “Your work is improving, Griffin. I don’t think you have to worry about your final grade.”

I don’t give a fuck about my final grade. All I care about is the fact that she’s finally looking at me like I’m more than just her student.

***

“Griffin?” Piper calls to me from where she’s standing near the front of the studio.

Class ended five minutes ago. I took my time hauling my ass off the stool because I was hoping she’d remember that she has something to give me. I want time together, her body, and whatever else she’s willing to share with me, but that’s not why I’m hanging around.

“I have a copy of that sketch we talked about.” She turns to where she placed her sketchpad. She drops it and her purse on a small table by the stage before every class. I’m assuming that’s her routine since I’ve only witnessed it once.

Class is usually in progress by the time I arrive.

I walk over to her. I was going to mention the sketch as a way to grab a few minutes alone with her. I know she always leaves with Rufus in tow. I want tonight to be different, but if all I get is a few seconds of her time, I’ll take it.

Jesus. I’m losing my grip on reality. Since when do I crave a woman’s attention?

“I feel funny about you taking this to your friend.” She holds the sketch in her hands so all I can see is the back. “You said he works homicide. I don’t think the guy who robbed me is the murdering type.”

I don’t think he is either and I doubt that Sebastian will be any help, but I want to do whatever I can to catch the son of a bitch that fucked her over. She didn’t deserve that treatment. Hell, no one does, but the fact that he conned a woman like Piper makes my blood boil.

“Give me the sketch and I’ll take it to Sebastian. If he gets a lead, I’ll let you know.”

“I have a photographic memory when it comes to faces.” The paper moves a little in her hands as she tightens her grip on the edges. “This is exactly what he looks like.”

I look down when she flips the paper over to show me the sketch.

“I know that asshole.” Rage surges through me at the sight of the man’s face. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

Chapter 27

Piper

I stare at the screen of Griffin’s smartphone. I can’t believe my eyes. It’s a headshot of a man. He owns an insurance company uptown. He’s also the man who took me to bed and then took off with my belongings.

Marco Tresoni.

“How do you know him?” I tear my gaze away from the phone to look at Griffin. He’s still angry. It’s written all over his expression.

He lowers the phone, cursing under his breath as he looks at the floor. “I’m representing his wife in their divorce.”

Divorce? The man I met that night told me that he’d never been married. That was his response when I asked if he had a wife. I wanted the one-night stand but not with a man who made a vow to someone else.

“That’s why he had your card,” I offer, my mind trying to piece everything together. “He told m

e his name was Kent. Do you think he was just using it as a fake name or deliberately trying to impersonate you?”

“Either way, he’s in deep shit.” He rakes his hand through his hair. “I’ll rip him apart with my bare hands.”