“No problem. Hey, look, Maceo says he’s busy this morning. How about I swing by later and take you two ladies out for lunch?”
Ori hesitated, but Lucia nodded eagerly. “Yes, please. I could do with some distraction.”
“I’ll pick you up at twelve.”
At half-past eleven, Ori had caught up with her work and went to see Maceo. She updated him on progress for the exhibit as he watched her, smiling. Finally, she looked at him through narrowed eyes.
“What are you looking at, Mr. Bartoli?”
Maceo grinned. “The woman I love. Just remembering how I made you purr like a cat this morning.”
Ori laughed. “You have a one-track mind. Speaking of your woman, your woman is going to lunch with another man. How comeyourwoman isn’t being taken to lunch byyou?”
Maceo looked repentant. “Rufus called fromOh Mio Mio. He wants to come by at twelve to talk about a possible collaboration.”
Ori was impressed. Rufus Armando was one of Italy’s foremost gallery owners. If Maceo could land a collaboration, it would be a huge get.
Maceo was watching her. “You don’t mind going out with Alex, no?”
“Of course not, baby...” She got up and leaned over the desk to kiss him. “Alex is a friend. Besides,” she flashed him a breast, making him laugh, “better you don’t have me all day … makes the anticipation even sweeter.”
Maceo growled at her. “Damn, woman. I don’t need to have wood before my meeting.” They both laughed and Ori stood, rearranging her blouse. Maceo stood to walk her out, kissing cheek and using the opportunity to murmur in her ear, “I’m going to fuck you stupid later,mio caro.”
“You’d better,” she said silkily, cupping his semi-hard cock through his pants. God, would she ever get enough of this man?
Ahalf hour later, she was seated in a littletrattoriawith Lucia and Alex and remembering Maceo’s kiss. Lucia and Alex were chatting amiably and Ori took the opportunity to study Alex. He was slightly taller than Maceo’s six-two, but they had the same dark hazel-green eyes and intense brooding look. Alex’s hair was slightly lighter, closely cropped, vague militaristic, and his broad shoulders and slim hips meant he wore his expensive suit well. She could imagine him being a virile and strong lover …god, what was she thinking? But there was no doubt that he had a feral, animalistic sensuality beneath that calm, silent exterior. For a second, Ori let herself imagine Alex in bed … She wondered if he ever let a woman take charge in bed like Maceo did, and whether Alex was ever that generous. Somehow, she couldn’t imagine it.
She shook herself.Jesus, the man has just buried his lover, Orianthi Roy, and you’re imagining what? Being fucked by him? You’re in love with Maceo, for crying out loud!
Ori felt herself blushing and—just her luck—Lucia happened to glance at her at that moment. “You okay?”
Ori tried to laugh her embarrassment off. “Hot flash,” she quipped. “Must be my age.”
Lucia laughed, but Alex studied her. “You’re all of what? Twenty-five?”
“Twenty-eight.” Given what she’d been thinking about, Ori could barely look him in the eye.
“Same age as Viola,” Alex murmured, and Ori felt bad for him.
“I’m so sorry, Alex...” She leaned over and patted his hand, and he gripped hers for a second, squeezing her fingers.
“Thanks. Sorry. I didn’t think; that was insensitive.”
“Don’t be silly,” Lucia said, much to Ori’s gratitude. The mood had changed at the table now. “Viola was part of our family; we all miss her, Alex.”
Ori smiled at him. “I wish I had known her.”
“Me too; you would have liked each other...” Alex cleared his throat. “I’m waiting for the day when talking about her isn’t painful, or no longer causes people to feel weird around me.”
“I don’t know about the pain part,” Ori said gently, “but I think weshouldtalk about her, for your benefit and to honor her. Why should the mention of her name be a cause of embarrassment or awkwardness? That’s not the sum of her life. Talk to me, Alex. Talk tousabout your life together. Celebrate it. I certainly won’t talk about AJ just in terms of his death.”
She hadn’t meant to go on a rant, but at that moment Ori felt it was the right thing to say—and she believed it, too. “We may not have known each other long,” she said to him now, “but I would like us to be friends, Alex.”
Alex smiled at her. “Same here, Ori. Thank you. And you’re right; we should celebrate them.”
Lucia watchedas her two friends talked, glad they had found common ground. There was only a very slight concern that sat in her chest as she watched them.The way he looks at her.Lucia had no doubt that Ori was totally and irrevocably in love with Maceo and, despite her initial misgivings, she seemed now to be trying to bond with Alex.
But Alex was in mourning, deep mourning, for a woman who resembled Ori more than a little. Viola had been sweet, kind, and loving, and, still, someone had murdered her. Did the person who had killed her want some kind of revenge on Alex? Would being his friend put Ori in more danger than she already was?
