Part 4 (1/2)

He had seen Sarah contemplating ”Sarai” and joined her at the wall. ”Brilliance on canvas. Your sister is such a talent, Sarah.”

Sarah blushed, though she knew Martin looked at the picture with nothing more than a practiced art dealer's eye. ”She certainly is, Martin.”

Mick joined them. ”'Tis one of my favorites.”

Rivka poked his stomach none-too-gently. ”Only because it gives you a chance to ogle my sister's goodies, you pervert!”

”Ah, sweetheart, you should know the only goodies I ogle are yours.” Mick bent her over for another kiss. Rivka, who knew exactly that, laughed throatily.

Martin ignored them. ”We'll just wait for our last partner to arrive.”

Sarah had the distinct sense Mick and Rivka's antics embarra.s.sed the stately gentleman. She supposed she was so used to their bawdy behavior by now, nothing they did could faze her. After all, when they had all been living in the tiny apartment she'd rented before buying her house, there hadn't been much s.p.a.ce for privacy. Sarah probably knew as much about her sister's love life with her husband as they did--more than Sarah wanted to know anyway.

”He should be here any minute, check in hand.” Rivka briefly pulled away from Mick. He wrapped his arms around her and, eyes s.h.i.+ning, she leaned into his embrace. ”Then we'll officially be in business.”

Sarah studied the light on Rivka's face. It was her sister's dream come true--her own gallery. Mick stole another kiss from Rivka, and Sarah felt a momentary pang she refused to recognize as jealousy. Her sister had it all. A successful career and now her own gallery. And a husband who adored her.

Sarah had no more time to dwell on what she may or may not have been missing in her life because the bell on the front door chimed to announce the arrival of the final partner.

”In here!” Rivka called.

”h.e.l.lo,” a masculine voice said, and Sarah's heart did a triple-thump.

”I'd like you to meet my sister, Sarah Lazin,” Rivka said when the tall, dark-haired man had finally made his way to The Bold Room.

Sarah could say nothing, could only stare in mingled shock and excitement at seeing him again. He was even more handsome than she remembered, if that was possible. She blushed.

”We've met.” Alex spoke wryly. ”h.e.l.lo, Sarah.”

CHAPTER 3.

She was going to die. Explode. Spontaneously combust. There's no way around it, Sarah thought. Being this close to Alex was going to send her over the edge.

”Alex, the gnocchi was superb.” Martin pushed away his dessert plate and wiped his lips with the fine linen napkin. ”And the cheesecake divine.”

Alex smiled and s.h.i.+fted his weight, which made his thigh rub against hers. Again. ”I'll send your compliments to the chef.”

They had all gone to The Foxfire after the successful gallery meeting, at which Sarah and Alex had not had to interact directly. But everything changed when they got to The Foxfire.

Though the restaurant was only a few blocks from her house, Sarah had never eaten there before and hadn't realized Alex was the owner. The food was delicious, the atmosphere elegantly casual. Alex had made menu suggestions then left the table a few times to make his rounds through the restaurant. She had watched him greeting new customers and old alike with the same easy grace. He'd even stopped to admire a little girl's placemat masterpiece, drawn with crayons Alex himself had provided. Sarah had to admit she was impressed.

It wasn't until he'd actually sat down to eat with them that the problems began. Sarah had been prepared for him to ignore her, especially after the way they'd last parted. He didn't ignore her. He watched her. His eyes caught hers at every opportunity, which, since she wasn't able to stop looking at him, happened a lot. His hand brushed hers ”accidentally” when he pa.s.sed her the b.u.t.ter for rolls she couldn't bring herself to eat. His thigh pressed on hers every time he s.h.i.+fted in his seat. His fingers caressed the back of her neck when he reached behind her to take something Rivka handed him.

In short, the d.a.m.ned gorgeous man was seducing her in front of her sister, Mick and Martin, and not one of them had any clue.

Every time he touched her, it sent a s.h.i.+ver of antic.i.p.ation straight between her thighs. Sarah blessed the thick sweater she wore. It hid the sharp peaks of her erect nipples. She wasn't so pleased with her choice of skirt. It rode too high on her thighs, leaving too much room for air to caress her body in all the ways she was wis.h.i.+ng Alex would.

”How was your dessert?” Alex's tone was a trifle concerned. ”You hardly touched your plate.”

”It was delicious.” She hadn't eaten a bite, unable to stop imagining the smooth whipped cream coating Alex's stomach while she licked it off.

Alex's slow smile traveled from his sensuous lips to heat his striking hazel eyes, and the tension rose even higher between them. Why, exactly, had she not wanted to go out with him? Something about him being too good looking? She couldn't really remember. Alex's stare caught her like a stream catches a fallen leaf in its current, and she swirled around and around until she no longer knew which direction she ought to go.

”Well, folks, this old girl's got to roll,” Rivka announced suddenly with a loud yawn.

Martin glanced at his watch. ”I do as well. It's late. I'd best be getting home. I've got a long drive to North Carolina tomorrow to oversee the packing of those paintings Rivka was showing down there.”

Rivka stopped putting on her coat. ”Are you ready, Sar?”

She wasn't, but didn't quite know how to say so. ”Actually, I'd...”

”Let her finish her dessert,” Mick scolded. ”Just because the desserts go straight to your thighs, don't deny sweet Sarah her pleasures.”

Rivka slapped him lightly. ”You, my husband, are aching for a breaking. We all came together. Remember? If Sarai doesn't come with us, how's she going to get home?”

If she had her way, it wouldn't be dessert going straight to her thighs. ”I'll walk. You can drop off my car for me later.”

Rivka looked doubtful. ”If you're sure.”

Sarah tore her gaze away from Alex's long enough to look at her sister. ”I'm sure. Go on. I'd like to eat the rest of this cheesecake.”

”All right. Talk to you soon, Sarai.” Rivka pressed affectionate kisses to her sister's cheek and Alex's. ”Can't thank you enough, Alex.”

Before Sarah knew it, the table had cleared and she sat alone with Alex. She glanced at her watch. Martin was right. It was getting late. Not only had their group left, but most of the restaurant had cleared out as well. The staff had already begun putting some of the chairs up on top of the tables in preparation for closing. ”I guess I'd better go, too.” Sarah didn't move.

”I've been thinking about you all week.” Alex's voice was so low it was almost as though he didn't want her to hear.

The sweet spot between her legs pulsed, once, twice. ”You could've called.”

”You didn't give me your number.” His voice was quiet, but his eyes were hazel fire.

Her fingers itched to smooth the errant lock of dark hair away from his forehead. His gaze felt heavy upon her mouth. When she licked her lips, the brief tightening of his jaw showed he had been watching her lips.

”Sarah, I know I'm not your type of guy. I know we both got off on the wrong foot, but I like you. I'd like to try again. If I wear a bag on my head, do you think you can stand to be seen with me?”

His utterly incongruous statement forced a startled laugh from her. Once out, another joined it, until she had to hold her sides from the force of her mirth. Alex laughed with her, their mingled chortles ringing through the nearly empty room. An overs.e.xed blonde stopped to stare at them with narrowed eyes, but the rest of the staff ignored them.

”Do you want me to call you a cab?” His eyes caressed her mouth, and she licked her lips again just to watch his gaze darken.

”I don't live very far. How about you walk me home instead?”