Erica"So? How was your trip to Dallas?" Lanie leaned against the counter in Matt's kitchen later that night as I chopped up veggies for a stir fry. I was glad that she decided to still come even though we were adding Matt to the mix."It was good. Like I said, I fit in with Matt's family so well. Not that I didn't know that. I mean, hell, I just got back from Jamaica as the only non-family member to attend Kent's wedding." I picked up a bell pepper and handed it to her.She leaned in and bit it. "What's going on? You're tense.""No, I'm not." I popped the rest into my mouth."Lies." She moved to the sink and washed her hands.Matt was in a room down the hall, working furiously on adding the accents to the portrait before he would let me or Lanie see it."I'm good." I shrugged and tossed the veggies in our stir fry pan. "It's just that Mitch came in today when Matt and I were kissing, which was a little awkward.""The new director at the firm?""Yeah." I glanced over at her. "I though
Erica"Wow." I stood in front of the portrait and tears filled my eyes. "I've never seen anything so beautiful." I wanted to reach out and touch it, but I knew better. "It's magnificent, Matt. Surely you don't really see me like that."The woman staring back at us from over her shoulder was a goddess. She was borrowing my face, but she was far more intriguing and enticing than I would ever be."It's exactly the way I see you, baby." He moved in front of me and leaned down to kiss me softly, slowly. It was a good thing that Lanie was already gone and it was just the two of us. I wanted him. Badly."I love it so much. It makes me feel alive. Like you see me... I mean, really see me."His strong hands ran down my back and over my rear, squeezing softly as he ground against me. "Good. I want you to feel all of that and so much more.""Make love to me." I ran my foot up the outside of his leg and hooked my knee over his hip."Where do you want me?"I wasn't sure of the true meaning of the
MattErica left early the next morning, and I faintly remember her leaving, but I was too out of it after our all-night fuck fest. I was a lucky bastard, and I knew it. The alarm went off around seven, and I rolled on my side and groaned. Someone knocked on the door."Jonathan's people are right on time," I mumbled and got up. The hope had been that I would get to sleep until noon, but no... I just had to have the guys come pick up the painting early on the morning before the showing. Ridiculous last minute shit. So typical me.They knocked again and Zek went nuts barking at the door, the little guy no bigger than my foot."Come here, buddy." I scooped him up and opened the door before rubbing at my eyes."Mr. Bryant?" Two burley guys stood in the hallway."Hey guys. You with De Luge?""Yeah. Mr. Luntz said that you had an important piece that he wanted wrapped and hand delivered to the gallery.""Perfect." I moved back as Zek wiggled in my arms. "It's in the first bedroom on the left
Matt"You look good. Happy." Damon patted me on the chest as we walked into the showing an hour before the crowd was supposed to arrive. My father had gone up to the office to make an appearance and check in with everyone. He'd show up at six with the guests for the evening, which was fine by me."I am happy." I reached up and fixed his tie as we stood in the foyer. "You know that picture I did of you the day you found out about mom's cheating is in here, right?""Yeah." He rolled his eyes. "It's fine. I know it shows a depth of human emotion and you need that. I would imagine that most people aren't going to be able to tell it's me anyway. I was just a kid then.""Most people don't realize that you're just a kid now." I checked my watch and swallowed hard. Why did the evening feel like a make-it-or-break-it time in my life? It was just a showing. Worst case scenario, the attendees hated my work and left without buying anything. I still had my job at M&B, and most importantly... I had
EricaButterflies danced in my stomach over the way he looked at me. It wasn't a passing thought or a hopeful wish for the future, but our reality. He wanted exactly what I did... us, together forever."Matthew. Erica. Let's get ready for the big reveal." Jonathan clapped his hands together and turned, walking toward a large canvas covered in velvety black cloth. "Everyone. If I could kindly have your attention please. Now comes the time in the evening when we're proud to share Matthew Bryant's centerpiece. The bidding will start at five hundred thousand dollars and go up from there.”I glanced around to find Lanie talking to a handsome, older guy near the bar that Jonathan had set up in the corner. His suit fit him well, and she seemed lost to him. Interesting. I'd have to get the scoop later.Matthew and I moved up to stand beside Kent and Damon as I realized what the painting was of. Me. Naked."Hey, guys." I glanced over at the two of them as embarrassment swirled in my belly, dou
Matt"You sure you're going to be okay without me?" I smiled down at Erica as she stood encircled in my arms tightly. "I'm the only one that knows how you like your coffee in the morning."She laughed, but the sound was far from joyous. Something was wrong and had been since the fucking art show. I couldn't pry from her what was going on, so I'd forced myself to stop trying over the last week. I'd just love her through it, and when she was ready to talk - if ever - she would."I've been making my own coffee for many years before you came along, Matthew Bryant." She lifted to her toes and pulled me down for a long kiss.Every cell in my body woke up and begged for me to push the moment farther."You know I love you, right?" I reached up and cupped the side of her cheek as the sound of my father's private jet roaring to life stole her attention.She turned and looked toward it before stepping back from me. "I know. I love you too. Please be careful, okay?""I will." I pulled her in agai
Matt"Where are mom and dad?" I set Bethany down and glanced around."They went away for a few days together." Bethany shrugged and slipped her arm into mine before dragging me to the kitchen. "Tell me all about the art show.""I already told you all about it." Damon glanced over his shoulder as we walked into the kitchen. "He lost his million-dollar virginity that night."I rolled my eyes and moved to sit down at the breakfast nook. "Dumb."Bethany laughed and turned to stand across the counter from me. "Did you enjoy it? Was it everything you thought it would be?""Yeah." I smiled. "Erica was brilliant, but she always is.""Hey. Speaking of Erica..." Damon turned and tilted his head to the side. "What the fuck was going on with you and that painting you did of her?"Anger swam in my stomach as I thought about the situation with Mitch. "I didn't want Mitch to have the painting.""What painting?" Bethany asked."The one of Erica naked." Damon moved over to stand beside Bethany. "Why d
EricaAfter dropping Matt off at the airport, I wanted to go home and face plant in my bed, but unfortunately, I'd set up a meeting with my staff to go over some new ad specs that morning.I glanced in the rear-view mirror to see Matt stop by the stairs of the plane and glance back. My heart filled with a warmth I didn't know if I would ever have. Being raised by a loving father and hateful mother made for a less than steady experience.Tears burned my eyes as memories washed over me. The one that stuck in my mind's eye as I drove through the city was being at the opening night of Matt's showing.Fucking Mitch Roberson."Goddammit," I growled and turned to face the studio. What was Mitch doing? Why was he messing up the one thing Matt had going for him? This night meant everything to him. Everything. I pulled out my phone and texted Mitch, grateful that we exchanged numbers the week before. Me: What the fuck are you doing? You're messing up this night.Mitch: So ask me to stop. Off