Page 29 of His to Explore
His smirk is positively sinful as he looks over at me. “Oh, I’m sure her hands will treat me just right.”
Oh, dear God. A minute ago, I’d been trying to think of a way to get out of this, but now it’s clear that my first priority needs to be separating Grant from my boss before he tells her all our secrets. I grab his arm and pull him away from the counter.
“What’s the rush, Kense?” he asks. “I’m enjoying getting to know your boss.”
“You want to see the art, let’s go see the art,” I grit out, tugging on his arm.
“It was nice to meet you, Gemma,” he calls back to her.
“Oh, the pleasure wasallmine.”
He’s chuckling as I march him over to a deserted corner. “What the hell was that?” I ask once we’re alone.
He shrugs. “What? I was being friendly.”
“You were being charming,” I shoot back. “There’s a difference.”
His face lights up. “Baby, are you jealous?”
“No,” I snap. “Of course not. I just don’t want my boss knowing all my personal business.”
“Relax.” His hand comes up to the back of my neck to rub soothing circles on my skin. “The only thing she knows is that a mysterious man has an obvious thing for you.”
That takes some of the force out of my annoyance. “You have a thing for me?” I squeak, making Grant laugh loud enough to turn several heads.
“Sweetheart, you have no idea.”
For a moment, I’m sure he’s going to kiss me right here in the middle of my workplace. But instead, he takes a step back,dropping his hand from my neck. “I was serious about wanting some art lessons,” he says. “Will you please show me around?”
I’m feeling far too flustered to give him a coherent tour, but I do my best. The weirdest thing happens though—after a few minutes, I stop thinking about how odd it is to have Grant in my professional space so unexpectedly. I stop thinking about how hot and bothered he always makes me feel. Once I start talking about the art, my racing mind relaxes, focuses.
And Grant stands by my side as I describe just about every piece in Gemma’s collection. He even asks questions, like he’s really interested, and not just appeasing me. It’s one of the nicest hours I’ve spent in a long time.
“You really know your stuff,” he says eventually. I look over to see his gaze once again locked on my face, his expression softer than I’ve ever seen it.
“She’s the best,” Gemma gushes, coming up beside us. “I swear half my clients request her instead of me when they need something sourced.”
My face goes pink. “That’s an exaggeration.”
Gemma shakes her head. “My goal is just to get as much work out of her as I can before she gets snapped up to do private consulting. Or opens her own gallery.”
The idea of me ever owning my own gallery is so preposterous that I have to laugh. Neither of them join in.
“You must have worked up quite an appetite with all that walking around the gallery,” she says in a falsely casual voice. “How about the two of you head out to get some lunch?”
I stare at her. “Gemma, I took my lunch break two hours ago.”
She scoffs. “I saw that pathetic frozen single serve meal you call a lunch. I’m sure this handsome gentleman would love to buy you something more substantial.”
“But…” I stutter, all my embarrassment rushing back. “I’m working!”
She waves, unconcerned. “Take the rest of the day.”
“Gemma, that’s—” But she’s already shooing me to the door. Grant follows, a huge grin on his face.
“Go, go,” Gemma urges. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” From the look in her eye, I have the feeling she’s going to give me the fourth degree in the morning. Great.
“Nice to meet you, Gemma,” Grant says. “Thanks for this.”
