know that?” I asked, feeling naked all of a sudden.
“I’m not sure why. But you seem very familiar to me, Penelope.”
“Please call me Penny.”
“Penelope suits you. May I call you that?”
I had to admit my name sounded sensual issuing from those fleshy lips.
“Do you live alone in Soho?” he asked, running his finger along the rim of his glass.
“Um… no. It’s Sheldon’s house. He’s been kind enough to let me live there. I also use his studio, which is up the road.”
“Sheldon Sprite. I know his family.”
“Oh, you’ve met them?” My voice was unintentionally high-pitched.
“Just at a few gatherings. I don’t know them well. I’m familiar with Sheldon’s work.”
“He’s an amazing artist.”
“As are you, Penelope.”
The waitress arrived with my drink, and not too soon either. My hand trembled as I lifted it. I wished I could be cool, calm, and collected, fluttering my hand about, just like the other women in the bar.
I gulped down my G&T like it was water.
“We ended on a bad note the other night.” He studied me. “I’m not the big bad wolf you might think I am. I didn’t remain at the Cherry Orchard. I’d like you to know that.”
“I believe you.” I took another big sip.
Blake must have noticed my hand trembling. “Am I making you nervous?”
I nodded. “I’m not very confident around men I don’t know well. Especially men like you.”
“Men like me? There are others?” he asked with a subtle grin, which he wore well.
“No. You just give off an air of sophistication that makes me feel inferior.”
His eyebrows drew in. “You see me as arrogant?”
“Not exactly.” I played with my glass. “Although, I suppose you could come across as that to some.”
“You’re not the first to accuse me of that.” He cast a tight smile. “I don’t suffer fools, and I’m choosy when it comes to company. I’m probably more like you than you think.”
I jerked my head back. “How would you know that?”
“Your art. There’s something in it that speaks to my soul.”
I caught a glint of softness in his eyes, making me wonder if in fact he was sensitive and wore that air of superiority as a shield.
“You’re moving in the realms of mysticism, Mr. Sinclair.”
“I like those realms, Ms. Green,” he retorted, with a flicker of a smile that weakened my knees.
“If you didn’t resemble a male model, I’d say you possess creative spirit.”
“Can’t I be both?” His lips moved up at one side, revealing a dimple.
“Beautiful people can be a little vain.” Thanks to the gin, I’d finally relaxed.
“Are you vain?” His eyes plowed in so deep that it was impossible to hide.
I shook my head. “I have nothing to be vain about.”
“That’s not true. You’re very beautiful, and you’re extremely talented. You’re in a league of your own. You have plenty to be vain about.”
“I don’t see myself like that. I am overweight. And my technique’s somewhat underdeveloped.”
“I disagree with all of that. Technique’s important, but one doesn’t want to become a slave to it.”
I opened my mouth in surprise. “My lecturer said something to that effect.”
“I think I read it somewhere,” he said, taking a sip of his drink.
I shifted subtly in my chair, hoping I wouldn’t leave a damp mark because I was melting from his steamy gaze.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“Um… for success?”
His lips curved. “I meant to ask whether you wished to eat.”
I appreciated that he hadn’t made fun of my naivety.
“Oh. Sorry.”
He shook his head. “No need. Be yourself, Penelope.”
That wasn’t easy around him, especially with that deep husk caressing my name as though he were making love to it.
“I’m not hungry. But I probably should eat,” I said.
“Good. I’ve made a reservation at the Ritz.” He looked down at my empty glass. “Shall we go?”
I rose, hoping that the heat coming out of my vagina wasn’t obvious.
He towered over me and placed his hand gently on the middle of my back as we exited the bar.
The night air was refreshing and welcoming. I took a deep breath and tried to walk steadily, even though my high heels, being new, gave me grief as they dug into my ankles. We arrived at a shiny black Bentley, where a very tall man awaited us. He greeted me with a nod and opened the door for me.
I slid in, and my skirt, sticking to the leather, rode up, revealing my chubby thighs. I lifted my body and wiggled the skirt down.
Blake gave me a subtle smile.
11
* * *
BLAKE
NORMALLY, CHEAP PERFUME made me