Chapter Four
Gabe sat in his car, staring out at the street, and wondered if he’d lost his damn mind. This woman—Elle—didn’t want anything to do with him. Hell, she’d practically run out of the room screaming when she realized he wasn’t Nathan.
That said, he couldn’t ignore how much he’d liked how it felt being with her. Elle was the polar opposite of the women he was used to. Her being so different should have turned him off—or at least just been a mild curiosity—but he couldn’t shake the feeling that there could be more to this if he gave it a shot. Besides, Nathan thought ambushing her was a great idea.
He chose not to remember all of Nathan’s other shit ideas that hadn’t seemed so great once Gabe walked through the front door and into the gallery. There was a solid chance this one was shit as well. Christ, what was he thinking? She wasn’t going to want to go out with him. He should just apologize and disappear from her life for good.
Yeah, that was a decent idea. Better than his first one. Plan in place, he meandered around the gallery. It’d been nearly six months since he’d been here last and Gabe was struck by his brother’s collection, just like always. Though he wasn’t an art snob by any means, there was no denying his brother had an eye for this stuff. Gabe still preferred the scrap-metal sculptures, but he could appreciate the chance Nathan gave to other artists whom he displayed in his galleries. No wonder the damn things sold for such insane prices.
“See something you like?”
He turned and was struck damn near dumb by the sight of Elle dressed in a funky pink skirt that showed off her killer legs and a striped tank top—a serious improvement over the ruffles and satin. Yes. Gabe definitely saw something he liked. A lot. Though her outfit wasn’t overly clingy by any means, Gabe couldn’t get the image of her naked out of his head. His cock jumped to attention despite his best effort.
“You.” Her blue eyes went wide and she actually took a step back. “What are you doing here?”
Not exactly a warm welcome, but she wasn’t calling the cops either. Gabe would take what he could get. “I came to buy a painting.”
Elle snorted—an accident if her blush was anything to go by. She ran her hands over her skirt, which distracted him all over again because it made the lines of her hips stand out. Gabe would give his left hand to be able to touch her there one more time.
“Stop it.”
He jerked his gaze back to her face. “Stop what?” Would she actually accuse him of ogling her like a dirty old man?
“You—” Her eyes blazed, mouth drawn into a tight line before she smiled at him. Funny, she still looked pissed as hell despite the fact that her lips curved up. “Which piece were you considering?” Elle’s tone said she doubted he could afford it.
The dismissive attitude stung his pride. This chick didn’t know a damn thing about him. All she saw was the busted face and tattoos, and assumed he was trash. The truth was Gabe could buy every single painting in this goddamn gallery and still be sitting pretty.
Gritting his teeth, he turned toward the paintings near the front window, and played along. “These ones caught my eye.”
He waited to see if she’d dismiss him, but Elle sighed and her heels clicked on the floor as she came over. “They’re the newest available—they were just picked up from a show in town. Mr. Schultz has a passion for supporting local artists.”
Mr. Schultz? Was she playing with him? Or did she really not realize he was Nathan’s brother? Gabe watched her out of the corner of his eye, taking in the way she seemed to be unable to pull her gaze from the center one. “Are they a set?”
“They can be.” Elle shrugged. “It’s up to you if you want to spend the money to acquire them all.” Again, her tone said she was humoring him. “They certainly seem to suit you.”
Gabe recognized the theme as Dante’s Inferno. Of course she’d think he was destined for one of the nine circles of hell. Inhaling deeply, he got caught up in the scent of her, something deep and woodsy. It wasn’t a scent most women would choose, but it made his mouth water all the same. “And what would you choose?”
Elle blinked. “Me?”
“Yeah, you. You work here, so you must have a favorite. Which one would you choose?”
“I don’t see how that matters.”
“Humor me.” Gabe looked at the paintings. As usual, they ranged from the delicate and beautiful to completely abstract to the dark stuff behind him. No one could accuse his brother’s taste of sticking to one niche—though they might have a case for multiple personality disorder. Which would she choose?
“You’re serious?” When he just motioned for her to lead on, she huffed out a breath. “Fine.”
Without hesitation, she marched through the gallery. Gabe followed, taking the opportunity to watch the play of muscle along the back of her legs. Those heels were killer. He definitely approved.
“Stop ogling me.”
He found himself grinning. “Does it bother you?”
“Of course it bothers me. It’s completely inappropriate.” She waved at the painting she’d stopped in front of.
It was beautiful, which was hardly surprising. Pink flowers blossomed over stark black inkblots. It took him a second to place the background as a woman’s back. Subtle, but it brought everything into focus.
“That would make a hell of a tattoo.” He was already picking out the inks in his mind. The flowers would be difficult since they were so perfectly shaded, but Gabe could do it. He wanted to do it.
“Of course you would say that.”
“What? You think tattoos aren’t art? Just because it’s ink and skin instead of paint and canvas doesn’t make it any less of a masterpiece.”
Even six inches shorter, she still managed to look down her nose at him. “What are you actually doing here?”
“I have no idea what you mean.” Even as the lie rolled off his tongue, he got distracted with thoughts of kissing her. How could he not? The Cupid’s bow was so inviting when she pursed her lips in disapproval.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you really going to stand there and pretend like you’re actually here to buy a painting?”
Someone had her panties in a twist. Gabe raised his eyebrows and feigned surprise. “What are you talking about?”
Her mouth did that “o” thing again. After a glance around as if making sure they were still alone, she leaned forward and poked his chest. “How dare you come to my place of work and act like you don’t know who I am? This is all your fault.”
Oh, this should be good. “How can you possibly blame me? I was in bed, minding my own damn business when someone decided they wanted some hanky-panky.”
“Hanky-panky? What are you, twelve?” She poked him again, harder this time. “I thought you were Nathan the entire time. I didn’t know who I was with. You knew I was a stranger and you still would have had sex with me.”
He kind of liked this pissed-off side of her. “Well, yeah. I mean, look at you.” He motioned to her, hoping if he kept talking she wouldn’t call him on the crock of shit he was spinning. “What man is going to turn down a gorgeous, half-naked blonde crawling into bed with him? I may be pretty, but I’m not stupid.”
“You—I swear—I can’t believe you!”
Gabe decided he liked it when she sputtered even more. Then her gaze coasted over his body, the look so brief he never would have noticed it if he wasn’t watching her so closely. He grinned. “Now I get it.”
Her foot started tapping. Gabe could tell she was biting back words, but eventually her temper got the best of her. “Spit it out,” she snapped.
“You want me. That’s why you’re so angry about this. You liked what we did. You wish we would’ve gone further.”
“I do not!”
Yes, she had. Gabe had been around the block enough times to know when a woman was coming and when she was faking it, and Elle sure as hell hadn’t been faking it. And, instead of flaunting what they’d done or flirting, she was wicked pissed. It turned him on. “Come out with me.”
“Excuse me, what?”
“I want to take you on a date.” Actually, he wanted to get her naked again, but Gabe could hardly say that out loud. She looked like she was going to spit in his face at the thought of sharing a meal together as it was.
“Absolutely not.”
“There you are!”
They both turned as Nathan walked through the door. He smiled as if he hadn’t overheard them arguing. “Elle, I see you’ve met my brother, Gabe.”
For a second there, he thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head. “Brother?”
“Yep.” He threw an arm around Gabe’s shoulders. “He just got back into town Saturday night from dealing with one of his clubs in…where was it? San Francisco?”
“Los Angeles. San Francisco was last year.” Which Nathan damn well knew. Any other chick would be panting at the thought of going on a date with him knowing he had multiple clubs—and the cash that went with them. Elle just looked like she’d swallowed something nasty.
“I didn’t know you had a brother.” She pressed her hand to her chest, and Gabe wondered if he was going to have to catch her when she passed out. But Elle took a deep breath and straightened, pasting a smile on her face. She shot Gabe a look, as if her boss’s having a brother was his fault, too. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Yeah, you too.” He couldn’t decide if he liked this woman or if she drove him nuts—still too soon to tell. Hell, it might be both.
“I’ve got to go.” Nathan gave Gabe another pat and headed for the door. “I’ve got a few appointments so I won’t be back until well after lunch. Elle, take a couple hours off and lock up behind you.” And then the bastard waltzed out the door.
Gabe didn’t waste any time. “So about that date…”
With his brother gone, she let her anger rise to her eyes again. “Not a chance.”
No way was he going to let her get out of this. He shrugged, striving to appear unconcerned. “It’s okay. I get it. You can barely look at me without wanting to toss me into a coat closet. It’s no wonder you’re hightailing it like a coward.”
“You’re insufferable! I’m no coward, and I most certainly do not want you.”
He had her and she didn’t even know it yet. “Prove it.”
Her chin went up. “Fine. It’s only lunch. What’s the worst that could happen? Oh wait, it already did.”
Okay, ouch. The woman had some claws. “Then you’re safe.”
“Hardly.”
“How about I promise not to get you naked and ravish you?”
She started to say something, but bit it back at the last moment. The fire in her eyes nearly made him take back the promise.
Elle recovered quickly. “As if I would want your hands on me again. Been there, done that, bought a T-shirt. It wasn’t that great.”
Gabe started to point out that she sure as hell did enjoy their time together, but he swallowed the words. She’d agreed. Better get her in the car before she changed her mind. “Sounds great. I’ll drive.”
She hesitated and finally sighed. “Okay.”
When he offered his hand, she pointedly ignored it and went to grab her purse instead. Well, fine. He led the way down the block and around the corner to where he’d parked.
“Oh my God.” Elle actually laughed when he unlocked the door and held it open for her. “You are such a cliché.”
Gabe looked from her to his red 1968 Camaro. It was in prime condition—he’d restored it himself, everything from the leather seats to the engine. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” She slid into the passenger seat and Gabe shut the door, but he swore he heard her mutter, “I bet he has a leather jacket too.”
Damn it, but he did.