by Melissa Jane
“This is Deidrick Peterson.” She watched me expectantly waiting for my reaction as if I should know who he was. Truth was, I didn’t. “Oh, for goodness sake. Every day I lose more hope for you,” she said dismissively with a frustrated grunt.
Choosing to ignore her insult I plastered on a fake smile for the man looking at me with narrowed eyes. “Good evening Mr. Peterson.”
“Josie,” he returned the greeting in a high voice. “Please call me Deidrick.”
“Deidrick was expressing interest in purchasing your entire collection, however, he does have one request.”
“Yes, I do,” he interrupted clearing his throat. “I would like to see the figures in a more euphoric state, embracing a more…happier stance.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Peterson…Deidrick. If you are interested in buying the collection, you will be taking them as is.”
He looked at me like I spat in his face. “I can’t imagine it would take you long to make the changes, being as talented as you are, but I can promise you the value of the work will only increase with a slight change of mood.”
“The value wouldn’t mean anything to me after the sale Mr. Peterson.”
“Deidrick,” he corrected, now annoyed. “I am willing to offer you more to meet those changes.”
“Changes?”
The familiar voice behind me sent a tingle of pleasure through my body and calmed the rage that was beginning to boil inside me. In front, Professor Lindsay’s face lit up like a Christmas tree before it morphed into something I assumed was her interpretation of a seductive pout.
“Both Deidrick here and Professor Lindsay have suggested I change the mood of the painting to something a little more…decorative.”
“Now, I didn’t say—” Peterson backpedaled.
“To me the emotion in their expressions tells me a story about angst and loss,” Leo began as if he had been versed in it. “That alone makes me more curious about the back story between the characters compared to if they just appeared content.”
Peterson rubbed his chin with chubby fingers as he considered what was being said. “I suppose you are right Mr…?”
“Santiago.”
“Well, thank you for your insight, Mr. Santiago. Rest assured Josie, I will still be placing a bid.”
“Thank you,” I barely managed even if I wasn’t particularly thrilled about my artwork hanging on his walls.
“So, Leo,” Professor Lindsay spoke for the first time since she saw him. She sounded breathy…needy. “What are you doing here? If you wanted to pose for us again, you only need ask.”
With a courteous smile, Leo politely explained, “My nude modeling days were short-lived, but thank you. I am actually here for Josie.”
Professor Lindsay couldn’t look more crestfallen if she tried. In a lame attempt to hide her disgust, she shot me a look of contempt before composing herself.
“Josie?” she asked, although she knew the answer.
“Yes, Josie is with me and I am here to support her.”
“But she’s leaving!”
Did every woman in the world have to always bring up the elephant in the room?
“Yes,” Leo chuckled, although he wasn’t finding the situation funny. “We are well aware that she is leaving and that’s something we are taking in our stride.”
“Right then.” She looked put out and she held me fully accountable for it. “Unfortunately Ms. Marks, the university’s budget has not accommodated for the acquisition of student work this year. So you will be relying solely on the generosity of our audience here tonight.”
That simply wasn’t true, but my care factor was nil. Her eyes presented a challenge as she subtly glared my way, and I made no effort to rise to meet it.
“That’s fine, Professor. I’m sure you can appreciate that I have more pressing issues I need to deal with before I leave. Like ensuring I spend as much time with my gorgeous boyfriend as I can possibly manage.”
Her face twisted with a sourness I had come to see in her personality throughout the years. And now was no different. When her eyes flicked to something behind me, a scowl took hold of her already angry features. Turning to follow her gaze, I saw one of the gallery helpers dressed in black working his way down the line of paintings and placing a red dot sticker under each one. Reaching back, I gripped Leo’s hand as my heart started to pound. The helper kept moving until he passed us. Every single one of my pieces now proudly wore the red sold sticker.
“What the hell just happened?” Deidrick Peterson asked, eyes wide in shock.
Professor Lindsay was rendered speechless.
“Purchasing has not yet opened,” he spat angrily. “Why wasn’t I told it had opened earlier?” It seemed that despite his adamancy of not being a hundred percent happy with the artworks, he was merely bluffing.
“I…I…,” my professor stuttered.
“If you don’t mind, Professor Lindsay, Mr. Peterson,” Leo interrupted. “I’m going to steal Josie away so we can celebrate her sale.”
With a hand placed on my lower back, Leo steered me toward a waitress carrying a tray of champagne. Collecting two, he handed me one.
“Can you believe someone just bought my entire collection?” I was in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened and before the night was even half way through.
A broad smile spread across Leo’s face. “Yes, I can. Your work is insanely good, Josie. I’m not at all surprised.” Leaning forward his lips touched mine and I melted. The mix of his cologne and gentle yet possessive touch left me light headed. “I’m so proud of everything you’ve done,” he announced, pulling away and holding up his glass. “Congratulations my beautiful girl.”
“Thank you,” I said after taking a sip. “I still cannot believe it. I would love to know who bought it all so I can thank them.”
“I’m sure it’s all going to a good home.”
“I’m just so glad neither of the other two purchased—” My sentence was cut short, attention drifting to an interaction happening behind Leo.
“What is it?” he asked following my gaze.
“Could you just excuse me for a second?” Not waiting for an answer, my eyes remained transfixed on my target. In the corner of the room, Marge stood wiping the tears from her cheeks as Laney spoke with her.
Approaching slowly, I caught the last of what was being said.
“I honestly don’t know how you have made it this far into the course, Margery.”
She knew full well that wasn’t her name.
“Purely out of respect for the University, I feel like passing you would only breed a culture of sub-standard work.”
“Excuse me,” I interrupted, my stern voice earning me a hostile glare. “Marge, would you mind giving us a moment?” Unsure of what was happening, her eyes widened and I could see she was anxious about the whole thing. Nodding her head slightly, she headed for the main exit, unable to face the crowd.
“Is there a reason why you keep interrupting me when I talk, Ms. Marks?”
“Don’t ‘Ms. Marks’ me, Laney. We are the same age.”
“What do you want?” she said, rolling her eyes in annoyance.
“I want to know why you persist in targeting Marge. Is it because you get the response you want from her? The tears, the sense of successfully humiliating someone?”
“Her work isn’t up to University standards, it’s as simple as that.”
“That’s bullshit, Laney, and you know it. I, myself, have looked through her work, and yes, while it is no high distinction, it is certainly a credit. She meets the criteria for everything, and you have no right in failing her in her final year or even speaking to her the way you do.”
“Watch your mouth, student. You are certainly not qualified to make that call. I am.”
“Are you, really? Because I’m fairly sure you and I have completed the same degree, finishing on high distinctions, so I guess that makes us equal. Oh wait…” pausing for effect, I watched her
eyes narrow as she waited for what was next. “I suppose you do have some advantage I would never want.”
We stood, eyes locked in a silent standoff. Slowly, realisation dawned.
“It was you wasn’t it?” Her lips barely moved as she whispered the words.
“Depends on what you’re suggesting.”
“The one skulking the halls after dark.”
“I was hardly skulking. But even if I were, that’s nothing compared to your breach of university policy. You see, you have no right in telling Marge she’s an embarrassment or promotes sub-standard work. What would people say when they find out about you?”
“You have no idea what you are doing, Ms. Marks.”
“Don’t get on your high horse with me, Laney. You don’t have a leg to stand on. And I’m almost certain, Professor Jolly won’t be too happy when he discovers all the humiliation and possible sacking could have been avoided if you just learned some manners and quit bullying fellow students.”
“No one will believe a word you say. Just because you have been selected for Lafayette doesn’t mean the Professors here actually give a damn about you.”
“They will when I show them the evidence.”
Laney scoffed, but her eyes saw fear. “You don’t have anything to hold against me.”
“Don’t call my bluff. I leave in a few days but before I do, I want to see Marge’s grade as the Credit that she deserves. Do you understand?”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No. Not at all. You dug this hole yourself. It’s up to you as to how you get out of it.”
Turning on my heel, I headed back to where Leo was waiting. He’d been watching the whole time and while my stomach was in knots over the situation, all I saw was a mischievous look shining from his gorgeous eyes.
“You are incredibly sexy when you’re fired up, Josie. I almost want to get into trouble just so I can see it again.”
Despite my body still shaking from the interaction with Laney, a laugh erupted.
“In fact,” he continued, this time scanning the room, “how about we get out of here and celebrate your sales in a way we do best.”
My body heated from the inside and with the limited time we had left together, I couldn’t imagine anything better.
CHAPTER 27
“Are you ready?”
“What?” I sounded like a wounded animal. “Why on earth did you get me to do this? I’m nowhere near ready.”
“Yes, you are, Bella.” Leo was attempting to soothe my nerves, but it was only making matters worse.
“Leo,” I rounded on him. “In case you haven’t noticed you are like some…” I wracked my brain, “graceful swan when you dance, and I look like a drunken one-legged gazelle.”
Leo bit his lip to refrain from laughing. “That reminds me,” he said leaving the room.
Huffing an exasperated sigh, I turned back to the mirror and studied my reflection. I looked beautiful. Leo and Natasha had worked well in picking a suitable dress for the dance, and it was stunning. It was Saturday night. Doomsday. The day of reckoning. Very shortly we would be on stage, everyone staring at us, everyone critiquing our moves.
Returning no less than a minute later, Leo entered carrying a tray with four shots of tequila.
“Extra nerves requires extra tequila,” he said placing the tray on the small table and handing me a glass.
Exhaling heavily, he held his own while he stared into my eyes. There was a glimmer of emotion he had momentarily allowed to be seen. This wasn’t an easy night for either of us. Tomorrow, I would be leaving.
“Bella,” he swallowed, “you’ve given me the best three months of my life. This dance is ours. It’s our story.”
My eyes welled with burning tears and as one slid down my cheek, he used his thumb to catch it from falling. I nodded slightly unable to convey my true feelings. If I did so right then, there was no way I was walking out on stage.
“Salud, Bella.” His fingers gently lifted my chin so my gaze met his once again. “To us.”
***
Our tequila nights had come to an end. That would be the last time Leo and I would drink to celebrate our time together. Yet, as I stood waiting to be announced, Leo somewhere in the crowd, I could feel the two shots of tequila working their magic. A weight had been lifted and a bittersweet melancholy replaced the sadness I felt earlier.
There were a few hundred people gathered, already sweaty from their dancing. The night was hot, the air dry. Citronella poles surrounded the vast area, their flames flickering with the gentle sea breeze. The music faded and I inhaled deeply knowing my time was next.
An accented voice took over the speaker, his enthusiasm amping up the crowd. When introductions finished, a round of applause started but was soon overcome with music.
I recognised the tune immediately. It was one I had said I was extremely fond of, but not the one we had practiced to.
It was raw, emotional and held me transfixed every time.
Walking out on stage, the faces of everyone in the crowd muted from the lights shining in my eyes, I stopped in the middle of the floor.
The beat would be the same but the tempo different. Slightly slower and more intimate.
Despite the tequila, my body began a slight tremble. Not until I smelled his cologne and felt his chest press against my back did I start to relax.
“Bella, you look stunning,” he mouthed against my ear, a shiver coursing down my spine. I could feel the eyes of hundreds watching, waiting.
When his right hand reached around my stomach to clasp my left, I knew it was time to start. Leo’s hips began a gentle rock easily highlighting the beat for me. With a gentle push with his free hand on my back, I curled away from him until we came face to face. Although it was a quick step designed to get us into position, I still took the time to admire just how incredibly handsome Leo Santiago was. His lips twitched and gave a wink before pulling me close against his hard chest. In position, his thigh slipped between my legs and he moved me across the floor with ease and grace I was sure no other man possessed.
When his hips moved, as did mine, a measure designed to show off the woman’s body in all its sensual glory.
Leo’s hand left my waist and cupped my cheek, pulling me close until our lips grazed. We moved like this for at least sixteen beats before finally he kissed me. The crowd applauded, but it became white noise in a world that was just Leo and me.
“Why this song?” I murmured.
Kissing me again, he spun me out in turn before bringing my back against his chest.
“I will show you tonight. Just feel it.”
Less than a minute later the song came to a close and as the audience cheered and clapped with approval, Leo ended the dance by snaking his hands to the nape of my neck, our foreheads touching. His tongue darted out to moisten his lips, the undisguised sadness in his eyes breaking my heart.
***
Later that night, Leo took his time showering me. I could have done it myself, but in his words, he wanted to enjoy every part of me. I couldn’t argue with that and as his hands ran over my body creating a slipstream of soap suds, I relished in his touch.
Before we were even fully dry, I lay on the bed with Leo hovering above, his lips trailing my neck and teeth gently biting my breasts. For the next ninety minutes, Leo Santiago indulged me. He possessed my body and took me to the peaks of climax I’d never experienced before. He was selfless. He was controlled and crazed all at the same time.
By the time we were crying out together, our moans a blended chorus, sweat had covered every inch of our bodies.
I was tender, red and swollen.
Used, celebrated and worshiped.
And I had never felt more alive.
CHAPTER 28
The next morning Leo dropped me back home.
I needed some time with Nicole before I left and despite us both now having busy lives, I needed to make sure she was okay. Taking the stairs two at a time to t
he second floor, I headed straight for her room and saw something I’d never seen her do in fifteen years of friendship.
“Jesus! What’s happening?”
She looked up through her long lashes with a knowing smile. “Just a simple domestic chore.”
In shock, I watched as she carefully folded her blanket under her pillows and smoothed out the creases.
“You’ve never made the bed before…ever.”
Standing straight, she paused. “I know. Everyone around me is changing, so I think it’s only fitting I do too.”
“By starting to make your bed?”
“By just growing up, I suppose.” Her smile turned sheepish. “Plus, Jase is super tidy and I don’t want him to think that I’m the opposite.”
“Ah, now the truth comes out. You did a fantastic job for your first ever go.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
I watched as humor left her beautiful features and her face turned into a picture of sadness. “Josie,” her bottom lip began to tremble, eyes instantly spilling tears, “I don’t want to start this next stage of my life without you.”
With a shattering heart, I made quick steps toward my vulnerable friend. “Hey, come on,” I cooed wrapping my arms tightly around her. “You won’t even notice I’m gone.”
“Shut up,” she muttered against my shoulder followed by an unladylike sniff.
Shedding my own tears, I stroked her long mane. “This is so wonderful for you,” she choked. “And I am happy.”
“I know,” I barely managed.
“But things just won’t be the same. You’re my best friend and the sister I always wanted, and two years just seems like a world away.”
“Do you remember when you had your job interview and we went out shopping for like two days just to buy one dress for it? Then five minutes before you were called in, you spilled your latte down the front of it tripping up the stairs?”
“It was your foot that tripped me.”