Thrill Me

“I said I’d put in a good word for her.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Really?”

She tried not to smile. “Eddie has a point. I mean you’re a pretty hot guy and I’ve been hogging you all to myself. That’s hardly fair.”

“So now you’re going to pimp me out?”

“Just a little. You know, above the waist.”

Humor brightened his dark eyes. “A side of you I never would have guessed.”

“Is that a no?”

“It is, and later, I’m going to have to punish you.”

She giggled. “In your dreams, big guy.”

“Promise?” He leaned close. “By the way, we have confirmation from the high school.”

“You heard from the drama teacher?”

“I did and she’s excited about the project. She said her students are happy to give us as much feedback as we want. So I’m going to need your help with the questionnaire.”

“Of course. We can work on that tonight.”

One corner of his mouth turned up. “Don’t think for a second I’ve forgotten about your punishment.”

“Never.”

She turned back to the class and realized that the ridiculous exchange had taken care of her nerves. At least the ones that made her want to barf. Now she was a little apprehensive, but in a good way.

She waited until one minute past the hour, then welcomed everyone to the class.

“Tonight we’re going to talk about how to create a visually appealing video. Once you have conquered the technology so that your shots are in focus and well lit, there’s a lot you can do to make them more interesting.”

She paused, half expecting Eddie or Gladys to make a crack about naked butts, but both women were busy taking notes. The sight of them scribbling away made her oddly happy. This town, she thought ruefully. Just when she thought there weren’t any more surprises, she found herself playing teacher and liking it.

* * *

AS HIS MOTHER had promised, Del thought, Ceallach Mitchell’s birthday was celebrated in style. The weather had cooperated, no doubt willed by his stubborn father. The sun was shining, the temperature warm enough that the sides of the tents could be rolled up, allowing the hundreds of guests to move easily through to all parts of the venue.

There were magnificent pieces of his father’s work on display. Several slide shows highlighted other pieces of his work. Music played through speakers and waitstaff circulated with appetizers and champagne. There were foreign dignitaries, friends from town, other artists and plenty of reporters. Ceallach Mitchell was a big deal. Del sometimes forgot that, but today was a good day to be reminded.

“Mom owes us,” Aidan grumbled, snagging a glass of champagne from a passing tray. “Why did we have to get dressed up? We just did that for Zane’s wedding.”

“I don’t think one counts against the other.”

“It should.”

Not that it mattered. Elaine had been clear on the dress code. Given how much work the party had been to organize, he wasn’t going to argue. On the bright side, the party meant Maya was dressed in some fitted dress with a low neckline. Talk about a great view. The dark red material looked soft. He planned to find out if that was true later. When he took her home.

They weren’t living together, but he hadn’t left her place since the evening of the family dinner. They made love over and over again, hanging on to each other as if they never wanted to let go. He wondered how much of the intensity was them and how much of it was knowing their time together was limited.

“Nice party.”

Del turned and saw his brother Mathias approaching. He was the more outgoing of the twins. Funny and charming, he always had a woman or five hanging on him. He and Aidan shared a love of variety, although Del was pretty sure Aidan would win the volume challenge.

“If you like this sort of thing,” Aidan grumbled. “What’s with the suits?”

Mathias chuckled. “Let it go. Mom will kill you if you loosen that tie.”

“Why aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“I look damn good in a suit,” Mathias pointed out. “Besides, I do this sort of thing all the time at the gallery. Charm the patrons. They want to see the artist, touch our magic.” He winked. “Trust me, letting them touch brings out the checkbooks.”

“While Ronan is in the back working?”

Mathias shrugged. “You know he’s the dark, brooding one. He’d rather be alone with his art than meeting our clients.”

Del believed that. Ronan was the twin who kept to himself. He supposed the differences could be explained by the brothers being fraternal twins. No more connected than he and Aidan or Nick. Just as well. If they’d been identical twins, they would have been even more trouble.

“Ever wonder how Mom got through it all?” Del asked.

Mathias’s humor disappeared as his gaze sharpened. He went completely still. “What are you talking about?”

“The five of us, so close in age. We were terrors. Was there a single piece of furniture we didn’t destroy? I’m amazed we didn’t set the house on fire.”

“Oh, that.” Mathias relaxed. “She was a patient woman. Of course, she had to be to put up with Dad.”

“How’s he taking the news you’re not moving back?”

Mathias sipped his champagne. “I think he’s relieved. He doesn’t want the competition.”