Page 28 of Pride
“Come to my home in Wintshire. You can take photographs of the art and write something for your newspaper that you feel proud of. Something you’re happier to publish. I don’t usually give interviews, but I’ll make an exception for you.”
I bit my lip again, I did it without thinking, and he stared at my mouth, his nostrils flaring as he took a deep breath.
“I wouldn’t want to put you out,” I mumbled nervously. This man had a way of knocking me sideways. He heightened every one of my senses and tilted my world on its axis at the same time.
“You would never put me out. And I have the largest collection of S.K.A.M. art in the country, if that helps to sway you.”
“Okay,” I said. I really didn’t need swaying. And the way he beamed back at me, like I’d made his year, was infectious. It made me smile, too.
“Let’s hope Gold doesn’t rewrite that one,” Lloyd scoffed, and I wanted to tell him to fuck off.
Why was he still here?
“I wouldn’t put anything past that man,” Alex snapped. “But I doubt he’d go so far as to piss me off.”
“I’d be happy to write a piece for you,” I cut in, wanting to grab Alex’s attention again.
I was curious and excited to see behind the curtain of his life. To find out more about this man. But at the same time, I was thankful he was giving me a chance to redeem myself. He had the largest collection of S.K.A.M. art. This was a golden opportunity to write a review that reflected how impressed I was by his talent. To give the artist the review he deserved.
“Good. That’s settled then.” Alex slipped his hand into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “I’ll get my assistant to call and make the arrangements, but until then, here’s my card.”
I reached to take the card from him, and for the briefest moment our fingers touched, and I felt it again, that jolt of electricity.
But when he lowered his hand, it was gone.
I glanced at the card I was holding, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw him flex his hand by his side, as if the ghost of my touch still affected him.
“Thank you,” I said, “I really appreciate this.”
“It’s been lovely to see you again,” he said, his voice deep, yet gentle and sincere. “We’ll sort a date out soon.” And he took a step closer to me before brushing past and saying, “I’m sorry I have to leave you, but I’m late for a meeting.”
“Goodbye, Alex,” I said, turning to watch him walk out of the gallery and get into a black SUV parked outside.
“You do realise what just happened, don’t you?” Lloyd whispered, coming to stand too close to me. “I don’t think anyone has ever been invited to Sunford Manor, at least, not since the Duke and Duchess died. He’s always shunned visitors and he never entertains. When the Duke and Duchess were alive, they were always hosting events.” He nudged his arm into my side and smirked. “I think he likes you.”
“He just wants people to appreciate his art collection,” I replied, trying to fight the blush that I knew was spreading over my face.
“Be careful, though,” Lloyd went on. “S.K.A.M. is unpredictable. He’s someone you don’t want to upset. And if you do go to Sunford Manor, and write another piece for your newspaper, you need to make sure it’s right.”
“I’ll bear that in mind,” I replied.
“So, about that dinner...” Lloyd started, but I shut him down right away.
“I’m so sorry, but I don’t mix business with pleasure. Thanks for the offer, though.” And while holding Alex Kingston’s business card firmly in my hand, I turned and walked away, leaving Lloyd to stand there in shock and gawp at me as I left.
CHAPTER NINE
S.K.A.M.
Iwatched her walk out of the art gallery with a smug grin on her face. She stopped on the pavement outside and looked at the card she held in her hand like it was something precious. As if by knowing someone like Alex Kingston, it’d help her in the long run. Protect her from the bloody, vicious path she’d set herself on.
It wouldn’t.
Her smile grew wider, and she put it into her handbag and held onto the strap like she expected a villain to come along and snatch it from her grasp. There was a villain watching her, but they weren’t interested in stealing the contents of her purse. They wanted to steal something much more profound.
She stood tall as she walked down the road, glancing around before crossing the street and heading towards the train station.
She wouldn’t be smiling for long.
