Keeli stifled her panic at having to produce forty pieces by October in addition to maintaining adequate Etsy and art show inventory. There was no cash advance, of course, and Keeli was unsure where the money would come from to buy materials or to pay rent until October. She said none of this, asking calmly
about percentages, deciding she would live with the 60/40 split, although not happily.
The manager promised to forward a consignment contract for Keeli to review with her attorneys and suggested they talk again in a month. Keeli thanked her warmly and headed back to the parking space in a downpour.
Keeli knew she should be thrilled to have someone consigning her work; it was what she had been working toward for six long months. But she had no idea how she could survive until October. She needed someone else to buy a lot – for cash - before then. She went running through the rain already planning her next call in her head.
Oh great, now I look like a drowned rat too.
Keeli knew that she was holding her emotions together by a thread and her dripping hair threatened to push her over the edge. First Wyatt, now a 60/40 split and no sales before October. Keeli literally felt the black cloud over her head.
However, once in the dry car, air conditioning cooling her warm face and drying her damp hair, Keeli realized she had finally acquired a sales partner. It was a first for her. Someone finally said yes. After all the rejection, Keeli realized things might be looking up.
Pulling her phone out, Keeli added a calendar entry to check back in one week if no contract had arrived, she fired off a quick note to herself to replace the necklace she sold last night and begin the 40 consignment pieces and yeah, she checked her email and texts. There was nothing from Wyatt.
Chiding herself for even checking, she navigated to the gallery/shop in north Evanston for her 11:30 appointment. Waiting while the manager finished with a client, Keeli had time to compare her work with that on display throughout the store. Her work would compliment the inventory they had, but not compete directly. It would be a great location, the right clientele. She crossed her fingers and approached the manager as the client took her bag and left the shop.
An hour later she had a definite ‘maybe’ from the manager who had to review Keeli’s work with her partner before committing to anything. They agreed to get back together in two weeks. It was not the answer Keeli had hoped to receive, but the door remained open. It was the best day Keeli could remember since she began hawking her wares. It was the first day with no one saying “no”. She would take it, and be grateful.
Back in her Zipcar, Keeli failed to resist checking her phone again. Nothing from Wyatt, but a missed call from an unknown number caught her attention and she listened to the message immediately.
“Keeli, hi. This is Melissa Howe Wallace, Wyatt’s sister. You may remember me; I bought a ring from you a few weeks ago. The nanny has the kids today, and I was hoping we could make a plan to meet? Call me at your convenience, please. I look forward to speaking with you.”
The message was lovely and welcoming, triggering a stab of regret that Keeli would never get to know this woman. She may not be with Wyatt anymore, but Keeli knew she had to return the call. Good manners dictated that she do so.
Taking a deep breath, Keeli waited four rings then heard the same lovely voice at the end of the line.
“Hello? Wallace Residence.”
“Melissa? It’s Keeli Larsen, returning your call.”
“Keeli, hi! Thanks so much for getting back to me quickly. I wanted to make a plan to meet for lunch. I am not sure what your schedule is like but Wednesdays are usually best for me. Can you find the time?”
Choosing her words carefully, Keeli responded. “Melissa, I think you should know that I am not dating Wyatt any more.”
“I see. I didn’t realize.” After a brief silence, Missy continued, “but this is not about Wyatt, this is about us, and lunch. I am in the suburbs, but I could come to you in the city perhaps?”
“Actually, I am in Evanston right now,” Keeli offered.
“Fantastic, let’s meet in say thirty minutes? Please, call me Missy. All my friends do.” Missy suggested a small Italian restaurant halfway between her home and Evanston, gave Keeli the simple directions to get there and was gone.
Keeli sat stunned, not quite sure what she had just agreed to, but looking forward to it just the same. Keeli would have to delay her plans to visit her manufacturer until later in the week. Today was certainly turning out differently than she had imagined. Thank God she had decided to get out of bed after all.
Following her hastily scrawled directions, Keeli had no trouble finding the charming Italian bistro/market right along the lakefront. Missy was waiting just inside the door looking tall, lovely and untouched by the rain. Keeli had forgotten just how beautiful she was.
Beaming a broad smile, Missy linked her arm through Keeli’s as they followed the host to their table. “So, Keeli Larsen, I have grand plans for you. Let’s eat and then let’s talk.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Keeli did the short walk home with her portfolio under one arm and her hobo bag and a small bag of leftover four-cheese fettuccini in the other. The rain had subsided to a lovely, refreshing drizzle.
At her door, she juggled her packages and dug out her key but was arrested mid-reach to the mailbox by the sight of a huge floral box in the corner of the small foyer. Hoping against hope she dropped her portfolio and reached to turn the box until the card was visible. They were for her and could only be from one person.
Resisting the urge to tear open the card right there, Keeli maneuvered her portfolio and keys so that she was able to carry the long box as well. Beaming with pleasure, itchy with anticipation, she fumbled with the lock, threw open the door and gently placed the flowers on the small table in the living room.
She had savored the moment long enough and tore off the lid and reached through layers of tissue to discover an enormous bouquet of pink roses and lush greenery. Keeli did a quick count, before inhaling the fragrance and burying her nose in 24 long-stemmed blooms. Finally she reached for the card.
“I am an ass.” That was it, no signature, nothing but the brief contrite phrase written in a bold masculine scrawl. Keeli read it three more times before holding it high above her head and dancing around the kitchen like a moron.
Ending her jig, Keeli reached for her phone, stood there in careful thought and eventually typed “Hey Ass, thanks for the beautiful flowers.” She hit send, listening to the whoosh sound to assure herself it was sent and then waited. And waited. And waited.
Telling herself that watching the phone would not help, Keeli went to change out of her suit and uncomfortable, damp pumps. She returned to the kitchen in comfy work jeans, a ratty t-shirt and her Keds, put her leftovers in the fridge and poured a big glass of water before checking her phone again.
Nothing.
She gathered her tools and materials to get some work done. She needed forty new pieces for October. She was behind schedule for creating a new collection. She sketched listlessly, knowing she needed to head to the basement and get busy but also aware that she couldn’t get a phone signal down there. Keeli dragged out her time upstairs another thirty minutes before giving in. Refilling her water glass, she gathered her supplies to head downstairs.
He’s busy. He’s an important man, lots of meetings. He sent flowers for God’s sake, what more do you want, selfish girl? Who am I kidding? I want him to call!
Checking her quiet phone one last time, Keeli filled her arms with materials and opened the door.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Wyatt enjoyed watching Keeli jump a clear foot off the ground. Standing there, hand poised to knock he had obviously surprised her. She had surprised him but he managed to hide it better, a smug grin on his face.
He looked gorgeous in a tailored navy suit, hair glistening with raindrops, watching Keeli check him out slowly, seeing the admiration in her eyes.
Bowing slightly from the
waist he gave Keeli a disarming smile and pronounced, “Ass extraordinaire, at your service.”
Dropping her armload, Keeli stammered, “How did you get in downstairs?” Wyatt had more important business than discussing the lack of building security. Rather than answer, he gathered her close, tasting the sweet honey of her lips and mouth, ravaging her with his tongue and squeezing the breath from her only to replace it with his own.
After what felt like several long, satisfying minutes, he stepped back to admire her dirty work clothes, kissing her nose, then the top of her head.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” He was pouring on the charm. He could not get over how good she felt, how scared he had been at the idea of losing her. Just thinking about it again, he pulled her close, running his hands up her back. He reached under the dusty t-shirt to stroke her silky skin before wrapping his large hands around her tiny waist to tug her up against his growing erection. She felt so damn good.
Keeli kissed him back, pressed herself tight again him, pulled him fully into the apartment and kicked the door shut with her foot. She broke the kiss, breathing like a sprinter and pulled him toward her bedroom without a word. She took a step, ran her tongue along his lips, took a step, nibbled his neck, and took a step. She was intoxicating. He kept his hands about her waist, following her halting steps down the hallway, keeping her lips tight against his, her tongue entwined with his.
She shut the bedroom door behind them, rattling the necklaces hanging there. He heard several hit the floor, but she motioned to ignore them, and pulled him back into her embrace. Their hands brushed as they both lifted her shirt, breaking the kiss long enough to pull it over her head before clinging to each other again.
Wyatt pushed her against the hard planks of the door, leaning into her with his body, pinning her in place. His hands stabbed into her curls, grasping them lightly, holding her head in place as he plundered her mouth. Gasping for air, he pulled back, kissing her hair, her cheeks, her lips, her eyes and then her lips again, settling there with a groan of satisfaction as her lips part and her tongue sought his.
Their mouths danced the dance of lovers, stroking, dipping and tasting every moist inch. First Keeli demanded from Wyatt, her mouth drawing from his until he took command and pulled from her all she had to give. She tasted sweet and tangy, making him briefly think of what she had for lunch before losing the thought again.
Keeli reached her hands under his lapels, rubbing the hard muscles of his chest through the fine, cotton of his shirt and he carelessly shrugged his suit jacket off his shoulders. She caught it before it hit the floor and moved to drape it over the back of the upholstered chair in the corner but Wyatt kept her pinned against the wall, tossing the jacket in the general vicinity of the chair without concern.
He loved the feel of her pressed tight against him, tight muscled and small except where her full breasts were flattened against his chest. He felt a rapid heartbeat, not sure if it was hers or his. He was moving against her, a slow hip movement, grinding her gently between his hard body and the door. His erection was bursting against his pants, pushing hard into her softness, and he mimicked the movements of sex.
She was so responsive, pressing against him, touching him everywhere, up his arms, his back, pulling his shirt from his pants. Keeli fluctuated between kneading his hard muscles and skimming his skin, heating him up and leaving him wanting more. Her hands cupped his ass pulling him harder against her, leaving him no doubt of what she wanted.
Keeli made small sexy sounds as Wyatt caressed her everywhere, his hands in her hair, sliding over her breasts, her arms, and her hips. He stopped long enough to pull his shirt over his head and yank off his elegant tie, letting both fall to the floor forgotten. She responded to the delicious sensation of skin on skin running her hands from shoulder to waist along the sides of his body, snaking into the top of his belted pants.
Wyatt stepped back, pulling her with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he lifted her, his hands sinking into the taut muscles of her behind.
“I have thought of sinking my hands into your ass again every day. You are such a temptress, taunting me in the elevator, and then disappearing. I thought I would go mad trying to find you.”
“You remember,” Keeli’s pleasure was tangible and she peppered Wyatt with tiny kisses all over his face. “I thought you didn’t remember me. Why didn’t you say something?”
“I’m saying something now,” he growled in her ear before capturing her mouth in a heart-stopping kiss. He continued to hold her with one strong arm leaning back far enough to unsnap the tops of her jeans, stroking her abdomen before sliding his hand around the side of her body pulling the jeans lower. Leaving them hugging her hips, Wyatt traced lazy circles on her back, first small provocative movements, then larger movements, his fingers skimming over her bra, over her sides, resting on her abdomen, fingers stealing lower. All the while she pulled him tight to her with her strong, lean legs wrapped tight about him, her sex hot against his stomach.
Cradled in his arms, she felt small, vulnerable and sexy as hell. He wanted her, craved her, but felt protective at the same time, trying to slow down this freight train driving him to possess her. His thumbs skimmed her breasts over her bra, touching the bare skin below, then her breasts through the lacey material, then skin. It was heavenly torment and he felt power coursing through his veins watching her unbridled response.
He took the remaining two steps until her knees connected with the edge of the bed and gently released her, his arm wrapped behind her to ease her down. His drugging kisses were endless. Her eyes were lust filled, glazed with desire, and locked with his deep blue gaze.
She threw two small pillows roughly to the floor just before she landed on the threadbare quilt. He followed, laying on her heavily, his body driving hers into the mattress. Keeli wrapped her arms about his muscled torso, her hands stroking every chiseled inch. When her small hands slid along his waist and he felt her small fingers brush against his erection, Wyatt drew a shaky deep breath and reached for her jeans, concentrating on getting her undressed while he could still think.
She released a small sigh of pleasure when Wyatt unsnapped her bra and removed it with one hand while reaching for her pants with the other. Wyatt continued his slow kisses, savoring the velvety feel of her lips, the moist warmth of her mouth. He was bruising her mouth with crushing kisses that she returned with equal force.
Wyatt rolled away from Keeli only enough to start slithering her jeans down her legs. Her hands were draped over him and she clung to his body so that when he moved she followed, almost pushing him over the edge the bed.
“Damn single bed!” he growled.
“Sorry,” Keeli replied before he captured her lips again in an intoxicating kiss. “Next time, my place. “ He saw the excitement ratchet up in her smoking green eyes. “Does it please you, Keeli, knowing that there will be a next time? Believe me, there will be too many ‘next times’ to count.”
“Okay with me,” she barely got the words out before sucking in her breath, aware of Wyatt stroking the area he revealed by opening her pants, smooth fingertips teasing the top of her panties, dipping lower.
He began kissing Keeli harder, sucking on the fullness of her bottom lip, drawing her tongue from her mouth to his while his hands pushed against the denim of her jeans sliding them lower with his long arms. When they were below her knees, he broke the kiss long enough to remove them completely. They were caught, wrapped around her Keds sending both of them into peals of laughter. The sexual tension broke as Wyatt struggled to remove both the jeans and the shoes trapped beneath them. The clumsy work completed, Keeli laid back in nothing but the small swatch of lace smiling up at him self-consciously.
He stared at her body with hunger and admiration and heart-stopping lust.
“You’re so beautiful.” Wyatt’s voice was raspy, full of longing.
“You make me feel beautiful when you stare at me like that,” Keeli sh
yly replied.
Keeli reached for his belt but Wyatt brushed her fingers away, instead breaking his scrutiny to undo it himself. With a smirk he kicked off his shoes noisily, then removed his pants in one fluid motion. His erection tented the black boxer-briefs that hugged his hips, his manhood on proud display.
Laying skin to silky skin, he wrapped a large hand around her bare breast, feeling the weight of it in his hands, his long fingers tweaking her hardening nipple. Her body arched up from the mattress at the combination of soft and tough. She was so responsive, so free. It sent a lightning rod of desire shooting through him. Keeli reached around Wyatt, trying to draw closer, hold him tighter, running her hands along the tight muscles of his toned body, feeling the uncoiled power. She reached up into the hair along the nape of his neck, trying to tug him impossibly closer.
Wyatt trailed moist kisses down Keeli’s chin, sucking gently at her neck and shoulder, finding a small spot that sent sharp desire pooling in her belly and eliciting a moan from between her lips. He slid further, wrapping his lips around her tight nipple, laving it with his tongue, swirling the wet warmth around his mouth before lightly biting down. Keeli let out a small yelp, followed by a little mewl of contentment.
“Oh my god,” she sighed with contentment and desire. “That feels incredible.” Keeli clawed at him, as if she was trying to crawl under his skin. “My body is on fire, Wyatt.” He could feel her heat; see the light sheen of moisture on her upper lip as she strained against her own longing. A light floral scent and the aroma of his expensive aftershave mingled with the earthy smell of arousal. Her feet were shuffling against the quilt. He recognized her restless desire, her unconscious reach for more. It made him feel powerful.
Wyatt’s mouth licked and sucked as he paid equal homage to her other breast, fulfilling a longing Keeli had not recognized she had. He brushed his rough cheek against her stomach, and listened to Keeli’s heart pound as she held her breath.
Bedazzled (The Beguiling Bachelors Book 1) Page 18