Chapter 4

Alicia

      I worked through the night, sleeping for a few hours in the morning. I had a hard time getting Brandon out of my mind after meeting him. He was charismatic and the best-looking man I’d ever seen. Screw that. He was an Adonis and gorgeous as hell. The fact that he paid higher for my painting than I asked was overwhelming along with the other sales I made that night.

I had to remind myself that Brandon was a bad boy, a man whore. I knew his reputation with a little research and his sister was clearly trying to shut him down the night of the showing. She was sweet, and I knew she loved her brother, but she knew what he did with women as did the media.

His mother was my agent now, and she adored her son. I still saw the warning in her eyes when she spoke carefully about him. Marilyn often changed the subject to my work and what she wanted to do with my career, just as charismatic as her son.

I looked at the phone every once in a while, as I painted my latest image. It was a sunset that I’d seen on a beach in California visiting my mom that I took a dozen photos of to remember the vibrant colors. I had it plugged in playing an Indie channel on Spotify as I worked, but the notifications were on. I was admittedly waiting for his call and ashamed of myself. I wasn’t an innocent virgin. I had a few boyfriends in my twenty-three years of life and slept with three of them. I knew what sex was but the carnal promise in Brandon’s eyes made my body weak.

I knew that he would change me if I gave him the power.

It fell into evening and I stretched, needing to move around after a long day. I made some tea in my kitchen and walked over to the window, looking out over the street. The lights were on and people were moving, and I let my eyes wander to the bistro a few doors down the block. It was bustling, and I felt the craving for a glass of their Sangria building in my stomach. I’d only nibbled throughout the day when I took breaks.

I was here on my father’s dime. We weren’t close, but he had money and told me he’d support me in New York for a year, something I was sure he did to make up for leaving me and my mom when I was ten. He went on to have another family and we kept in touch sporadically when I was still young. Once I was in college, we formed some kind of weird bond and he made the offer when I graduated from art school. It was a good school, and I’d taken a large amount in loans to go there, something Dad also paid for when he heard how much I’d owe. We still weren’t close, but I appreciated the help for what it was.

In addition to the artist loft, I had an allowance to survive on. It wasn’t an obscene amount, but I could enjoy New York with it if I budgeted the right way. I considered showering and walking over for a light meal and a drink, feeling grimy from my few hours of sleep and working all day. I’d have to shower, but I was tired, and I dropped to the floor to consider the idea.

I thought back to the night before. Seeing Brandon had stunned me, and I wasn’t myself the rest of the meal. My friend Tommy had been asking me out since we met three months ago, which was three months after I arrived. He was cute and sweet, but I didn’t feel the same way about him. I wasn’t kidding when I told Brandon that I wanted to focus on my painting. I did. I told everyone that when they asked for more. Tommy just didn’t seem to take the hint. When we left last night, he held me up and tried to kiss me good night.

I felt weird all night, hence the late painting. I wish I did want Tommy because he would treat me well. He was the most supportive friend out of all of them about my painting and would be there until the end. I’d slept fitfully during the short nap I’d taken, dreaming about Brandon and Tommy as my body and soul craved Brandon.

I woke up and decided to start painting again. I wanted Brandon to call as much as I didn’t. If I met him for lunch, he’d end up convincing me to have dinner. Dinner would lead to drinks and I knew that a man like him knew how to use his charm on women. He was already a big part of my fantasies on the nights I felt alone and got myself off. I wanted the kind of touch that would burn me.

I fell asleep on my old couch, waking up when the sun rose. I wondered if Brandon was the kind of man to wait three days or whatever the rule was. That sounded so juvenile, but it was possible. He was probably dating several people at once. I didn’t want to think about what he considered dating.

Everyone who heard I was a painter thought that my life was relaxing. It was quite the opposite, and I worked my ass off to get ready for the showing when Diana mentioned it. Now that my name was out there, I needed to paint more to keep it relevant. It was my dream, but it was work and I had six more months to prove myself as an artist that could support herself. I did all of this without family as my dad was distant and Mom lived in California with her new husband. She called me all the time and planned to visit soon but she couldn’t make it for Christmas. I already spent Thanksgiving with friends and had no plans for the upcoming one.

I heard from Marilyn before I did Brandon. She invited me to her home in Manhattan for Christmas along with family and friends, knowing that I’d be alone. I accepted her offer after a moment’s thought, not wanting to be alone. Brandon might never call, meaning there would be no reason not to see him with any sort of discomfort. I told her I’d bake a pie or two for dessert, thanking her again before we ended the call.

Her son called the following day, three days after we bumped into each other. I was surprised and annoyed that he waited until after I made plans with them for the holiday. We couldn’t see each other and play it off that we didn’t in front of Marilyn. She was shrewd, and I suspected that Moira was the same way just from our one meeting. I greeted him hesitantly, walking away from the painting to look out of the window.

“How are you, Alicia?” He asked me in his sexy, smooth voice.

“I’m good. How about you?” I asked as I stared at the cloudy sky with tired eyes.

“I’ve been busy. I meant to call you before this.” He apologized to me and I smiled. “Would you like to join me for dinner tonight?”

I looked at the sun in the sky, guessing I had a few hours to get ready. Wait. Was I considering going? “I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” I replied as he asked me why. “I’m going to be with your family for Christmas.”

“You are?” He asked as I moved to the couch, feeling restless.

“Your mom asked me. She knows I’m here without family.” I explained as I dropped to the cushions. “Do you think dinner is a good idea?”

“It’s just dinner. It’s a meal where we’ll talk.” He downplayed it, but I had a feeling it would be so much more. “I want to know more about you, Alicia.”

“Where do you want to go?” I asked to decide further.

“There’s a place near me that specializes in seafood and some steaks. Do you like that kind of food?” He asked as my stomach growled.

“I do.” I replied, feeling my heart beat in my chest as he asked if he could pick me up at seven. “I can take a cab and meet you there since it’s closer to your place.”

“Are you sure? I could send a car to get you.” How wealthy was this family?

“A cab is fine. I guess I’ll see you at seven.” I assured him as my nerves took over. We ended the call, and I ran a hand through my messy hair and let out a low scream. I was going to dinner with the gorgeous Brandon Kinsley.

I showered and put some product in my hair to make the curls soft. They were loose and hung around my shoulders before I did my makeup in a more natural way. I focused on my eyes with darker colors and picked a light gloss for my lips. I chose a burgundy wrap dress to wear, slipping it on over a lace bralette with matching underwear, blushing as I thought about him seeing them. I chose some black Mary Jane heeled shoes and checked myself in the closet before slipping my gray puffer jacket on. My clutch purse had everything I needed in it and I locked the door when I left, dropping my keys inside. I hailed a cab and pulled the hood over my head to block the chill as I slipped into the car. I gave him the address and buckled in for a wild ride.

I got out once we arrived and shook my hood off. I walked inside of the restaurant, admiring the low lights and candles as I inhaled the good food. Glancing around, I saw Brandon watching me from a corner with admiration in his eyes. It was incredibly intense, and I swallowed as I approached him.

“You’re here.” He stated once I was standing in front of him.

“I am. Are you going to make me regret it?” I asked as he raised a brow at me, a half smile forming on his incredibly sexy mouth.

“How would I do that?” He asked as a challenge passed through his eyes. “This is all in your control. At the very least, you’ll know me on Christmas because we’ve already done this song and dance. You’ll have plenty of people to have this conversation with.” I nodded and followed him as he approached the podium and leaned in to say something to the gorgeous blonde standing there. She looked up at him and her gaze instantly turned seductive as I frowned at her. She laughed at something he said and handed two menus to another girl, who also offered an eager smile before she told us to follow her.

I’d never understand most women. If a man was interested, he was. There was no need to throw yourself down at his feet and beg him like most women did to Brandon. I bit my lip as I realized that he seemed to be interested in me and hadn’t returned any of the attention given to him here. Maybe there was something to that. He gestured for me to sit first, pulling out the chair for me and making sure I was settled before taking his own seat across the small table. There was room to enjoy dinner together but the feeling of it was intimate.

Water was brought over by a waiter and he smiled at me as Brandon narrowed his eyes. I giggled deep inside as Brandon asked me if I’d like wine with the meal, making me nod. I didn’t drive, and I’d relax a little. He ordered a bottle, and I settled back, preparing myself for tonight.

The conversation was the kind that I enjoyed. We talked about his family and he shared both touching and humorous stories about his as I listened with rapt attention. I knew that this man knew how to keep the focus on himself but also suspected that he could get deep when he felt like dropping his wall a bit. He asked about me and I explained my absentee father and loving mother that was creating her own life in California. Brandon listened to every word, taking bites of the food on his plate and sips of wine as he seemed to take in everything, I said to him. He assured me that while his house might be crazy on Christmas, they were all kind and would welcome me.

“Mom didn’t tell me that she invited you. I wonder why,” he mused as I blushed and shrugged.

“Maybe she wanted to protect me. Your sister seemed to feel that way.” I offered, bold from two glasses of wine.

“Do you think I’m dangerous, Alicia?” He murmured as heat washed over my skin. Right here and now, he could be fatal for me.

“Are you?” I asked as I reached for my glass with a shaking hand. This man was intoxicating without being across a table from him with a wine buzz. My resistance was fading with every sentence out of his mouth right now.

“I don’t want to me. There was just something captivating about you that night at the gallery. I say that without having purchased your painting, Alicia. It’s gorgeous and I do think of you every time I look at it, but there’s more to you than your talent.” I blushed and took a long, slow breath.

“My art is all I can think about right now.” I’d explained my father’s deal and how much I wanted to make it. “I mean, I have friends that you’d probably label more as acquaintances. People that do the art thing as well. I just don’t feel connected to anything but painting and my need to be successful. I want to make it here, Brandon.” My eyes were wide and full of emotion as he reached his hand across the table to stroke mine, resting on the soft tablecloth.

“I get that. It shows in your work.” He assured me as I looked at his large hand on my sore, smaller one. “Speaking of friends, there was one at the restaurant the other night that seemed to want more of you than the others.” I frowned and then realized that he meant Tommy.

“Oh. Tommy. He has asked me out, but I won’t do it. I just don’t feel that way about him.” I shrugged, and relief crossed his face. Was he worried about that?

“I’d imagine that men want a lot of you,” he murmured as I stared at him.

“Me? No, not really. I mean, not that I notice. My mom always told me that I was in my own world somewhere far from other people most of the time.” He laughed, and I joined in, feeling something settle in my stomach.

“That’s not a bad thing. I deal with people all day and there are times I just don’t want to. Can I join you in your world sometime?” He asked me in a sincere voice as his eyes probed mine. The world I already lived in would be insane if he was there with me. I blinked and reached for my wine again. We were finished eating and finishing the wine having declined dessert.

“It’s not that exciting. I promise.” I told him, wondering where this night was going to. Brandon had been all intense and flirting with me the entire evening, but it wasn’t overkill. I felt like I did have control as he’d promised.

“I don’t know about that.” He looked over the table that showed the meal was over and licked his lower lip with a slow drag of his tongue. “I don’t want tonight to end. Can we go somewhere else?”

“It’s late, isn’t it?” I asked as I glanced at my smart watch. It was ten, and I marveled how fast the time passed.

“We’re in New York, Alicia. There are dozens of things we could do. How does some ice cream sound?” Brandon asked as I laughed softly.