Chapter 2

Brandon

Once I had my beer, I walked around idly to take a look at the paintings that were placed artfully on the vibrant walls of the gallery. They were abstract and varied from bright and patterned to darker with shapes of people. I liked it.

I wasn’t a big art fan apart from appreciating it here and there when I visited friends. My apartment was the best of the best, but the walls were empty as far as art and pictures. I’d only been there for six months now and worked too much to decorate. Mom and Moira bitched at me on the regular, but it wasn’t at the top of my list.

I heard my sister laughing in one of the other expansive rooms, but my eyes were locked on one of the large paintings. It was of a shadowed woman on a beach looking over the water, painted in broad strokes on the canvas. I looked it over slowly and sipped my beer as I glanced at the tag hanging from the corner. I could afford it easily and I glanced around to find the owner before Moira walked into the room to find me.

“Are you shopping for something for the house?” She teased me as she glanced around. “Good stuff, isn’t it?”

“She’s talented. I’ve heard a lot of good things around the room and they were right.” I agreed as I focused on the painting that was now haunting my mind. “How do I purchase this one?”

“Are you serious?” She asked as she looked over the painting. “It’s a little edgy for you, isn’t it?” I narrowed my eyes at her and she told me that she’d find the owner and be right back.

“Mr. Kinsley. Thank you for coming,” Diana greeted me with a hug as she joined me in front of the painting. “You like this piece?”

“I do. I’d like to purchase it this evening.” I told her as I pulled away, looking into her warm brown eyes. Diana was an older woman that worked with art for years. She was a close friend of Mom’s and had a lot to do with her booming career as an agent.

“Let’s go to my office and take care of the details.” She suggested, and I followed her through the gallery into a private office in the back of the building. She sat in her chair and I took the one across from it, making small talk as I filled out paperwork and paid for my new painting.

I left the office with a smile, knowing that I was done here for the night. I was turning to head to the bathrooms to my right when I saw a door open and someone tumble out. I rushed forward and caught them, hearing a gasp as my arms kept the person from falling to the marble floor. “Are you okay?” I asked as I noticed lavender hair moving under my face.

“Thanks to you,” came a soft voice as she righted herself and blinked at me. The lavender hair was just the beginning of the beauty of this woman. She had porcelain skin that was flushed and gray eyes that were wide on her face, making her different from the other women I had in my life.

“Hi.” She smiled, and her full lips caught my attention as I gazed at them for a moment.

“Hello.” I replied as something coursed through me that resembled my usual lust with a twist. “I haven’t seen you here. Did you just arrive?”

“No, I was here before anyone else. I helped them set up.” She smiled and started to walk towards the main gallery before I reached out my hand.

“Wait a moment. I need to take care of something, but I’d love to talk more.” I told her as I nodded towards the bathrooms.

“Sure.” There was a question in her voice as I turned to hurry into the bathroom.

I did my business and washed my hands before looking in the mirror. Women were always affected by me and I straightened my tie once more before returning to the hallway. This woman was different from the moment I looked at her, but something told me that I needed to make her mine.

I opened the door and found the hallway empty. I cursed as I walked through the alcove that led to the first room, ignoring the variety of sensual expressions on the faces of the surrounding women. They were all the same, but I wanted the wide-eyed gaze of the woman I’d caught in the hallway. There was an innocence there that was rare, and I sensed that she was genuinely herself. She had a quirky style that screamed it and I needed to know more.

I paused as I saw Moira talking to the woman. They were at the bar sipping wine and laughing. Their styles went well together though my sister was the flashier of the two. I took in the woman I met for a moment, seeing that she was wearing a cocktail dress in a shimmering silver with black heels. She fit the occasion, but I sensed she didn’t have the wealth that my own family did.

In fact, most of the women that I slept with ran in the same circles as my friends and family. I’d never realized that before as much as I did now.       Moira lifted her glass and saw me staring at them, frowning as she noted my gaze was on the other woman. Her eyes narrowed, and she shook her head slowly. I raised a brow in return and walked towards them, watching as Moira glared at me. She wasn’t usually this protective of women, being a man eater herself.

“Sister of mine. Mind of I join you?” I asked as they both gazed at me. I ordered another beer and watched as understanding crossed the face of the other woman.

“You’re Marilyn’s son?” I nodded, and she gaped at me for a moment. “She might be representing me soon. When she wasn’t here, I assumed that nobody from the family or firm would attend.”

“Representing you?” I repeated as she nodded.

“Mom asks us to come in her place in bigger events. Brandon, I’d like you to meet the artist featured tonight. Alicia Moore, meet my brother Brandon.” Moira smiled at me as shock registered on my face. “He purchased one of your paintings, so it was a good thing that we came. I’ve been trying to get him to decorate his new place since he moved in.”

“Which one?” Alicia asked as her eyes went wide, making my cock stiffen in my briefs. I wanted to fuck the innocence out of this girl and make her scream my name.

“Girl on a beach.” I watched her face, seeing emotions cross it as she registered this information. Her brows furrowed, and she looked me over slowly for a moment.

“I didn’t think a guy like you would buy that one,” she murmured as I feigned being insulted by her statement.

“It was beautifully done. What’s not to like?” I shot back as she looked at Moira. My sister had a huge smirk on her face, enjoying a woman that wasn’t falling at my feet for a change.

“Thank you.” She decided to go with the polite approach. “This was my first showing, and it went surprisingly well. I appreciate your support.” I could see that I was getting to her on some level, but Alicia was keeping her cool.

Moira sipped her wine and gave me a victorious look as I reached for my beer. I knew that this would take work, but I’d have her.

Alicia was approached by several people throughout the night and basked shyly in the spotlight. It made me unable to speak with her, but I just observed. I saw that she noticed the women that I was sending away by her curious looks my way. I saw the way she blushed under my steady eyes.

Moira left about an hour and a half in, but I told her I was staying. She shot me a dark look and told me that Alicia was too good for me. I didn’t need to strip her of the dignity the others didn’t walk away with. As she walked out with one last warning in her eyes, I knew that my sister was right. I should leave this one alone and move through the vapid women that I was accustomed to.

Still, I stayed and nursed the same beer. I made an effort to talk to some of Mom’s colleagues and do what I was here to do while I watched Alicia. She was friendly and through that, flirting in a way that she was not aware of. At least, I didn’t think so. Alicia glowed and lit up the very room with her enthusiastic chatter and arm movements as she spoke. I never saw a woman do this before, not even my ex.

Once the night wore down and people slowly started to trickle back out into the city, I pressed my hand down my chest. I knew that all of my efforts at the gym were obvious even in this getup. I approached Alicia, and she glanced up at me with a wary look. She was like a pixie at her height and I found it sexier than anything before.

“Can I help you? Is there a problem with the purchase?” She asked as I smiled and shook my head.

“I wanted to see if you’d have lunch with me over the weekend. I’d like to know more about your work.” I assured her, and she arched a perfect pink brow at me.

“I don’t think that is a good idea. I am going to be working with your mother soon. Isn’t that a conflict of interest?” She queried as I smiled the crooked smile that melted women into a hot pile of mush.

“I am not involved with that business. I work in investments, so no. It is separate from my family and their individual business.” I saw a glint of weakness in her eyes as she glanced down at the floor. “It’s just lunch.”

“It’s never just lunch.” She mumbled as I leaned in close to catch her words.

“What do you mean?” I asked as she looked up at me with steel in her eyes.

“Guys like you. It’s never just lunch. I am new to the city and trying to make something of myself, Mr. Kinsley. I appreciate your purchase, but I don’t think this needs to move past that.”

Unbelievable. Women didn’t turn me down.

“I don’t think that you are completely convinced about that, but I’ll give you this move.” I murmured low against her hair as I felt her shudder. I stood and met her eyes, seeing the need wash through them before I shot her my smile that girls got when I knew I had them in my grips. She just wasn’t aware of that yet.

“Get home safely. And Alicia?” She looked at me with a confused expression. “Best of luck to you. You are highly talented.” I was being sincere about that. I turned to leave, feeling her eyes burning into my back before I pushed open the door. I slipped into the car and told Martin to take me home. I was alone, but it felt right in this moment. Any sex would be with Alicia on my mind and that didn’t feel right. Not with her.

I showered and slipped into some briefs to relax in before going to sleep. I assumed that Moira would be sleeping elsewhere, and irritation flared deep inside at my sister. She wasn’t usually such a cock blocker. Why was she protecting Alicia so much?