I Love My Secret (Nicole's Erotic Romance) by Sabrina Lacey Read Free Book Online Page B

never got to be. This painting
of her that I wrung out from my heart over a year ago hasn’t made me cry since I
finished it. I think he’s right. I saw the fear in her, though I was never
aware I saw it. In life, all she wanted to do was be a statue of control. It
was probably the direct result of being passionately in love with a man who was
never in control of himself. She did it for balance. But now I see that I have
always known… she was scared. We aren’t
meant to be statues, Momma. We’re meant to be human.
    As Danny talks about my latest piece, ‘Uplifted,’
one thought spins round my head: I wish I’d seen she was scared while she was
still alive. Maybe I could have helped her to feel, to get it out. My head is
leaned to the side, and Danny’s mouth is moving, but I hear nothing from this
world. I’m living in the past, in a time when my mom could look at my paintings
and tell me she saw me the way I see me, as only she could. I don’t hear the
sound of the door below, as it opens. I don’t hear the steps on the stairs as
someone walks up. I don’t hear the creak of the top floorboard as he walks into
the studio.
      “Well,
what do we have here?”
    As my head whips toward him, Danny turns his whole
body around in surprise. He scans Michael and instantly his body shifts in posture.
It’s not only that Michael is better looking, with his dark, Spanish mystery
infusing everything about him; it’s the way he holds himself, as well. His
confident eyes could level most men. Danny doesn’t stand a chance in a man-off.
Problem is, he knows it.
    Confused, I hear myself speak. “Michael. I didn’t
think you’d be here until later.”
    He shifts his stare to me. “Would you like me to
leave?” I’m confused by his expression, the fiery look behind his eyes. Is he
jealous? It looks like something else…
    Danny holds his hand out. “I’m Danny. Here to look
at Nicole’s paintings.”
    Michael walks to him and shakes his hand. When he
lets go, he graces him with an answer. I want to hit and fuck him at the same
time as he says only, “Michael.” It’s not what he said. It’s the way that he
said it; if you think she’s yours… you
are so very, very wrong.
    I feel the need to fill in the blanks for Danny.
“This is Michael’s studio…”
    “Our studio,” Michael interrupts.
    I glance at him, then back to Danny and add, “I rent
it with him, but it’s definitely more his than mine.” I look from one to the
other.
    Danny’s hackles are definitely up. “I see,” he
says, and he does. He sees everything.
    Looking from one to the other, I stammer,
“Michael, we were just leaving.”
    “You came to see Nic’s work?” I stare at him,
because he sounds like he doesn’t believe it.
    “Yes,” Danny answers, frowning.
    Michael smiles one of his rare mesmerizing smiles,
and crosses to me. He takes my chin in hand and plants a sensual kiss on my
lips, one I can’t help but return. As his lips leave mine, I look at Danny,
unsure of what to do. Danny has clearly registered that Michael just marked his
territory.
    I shoot a look to Michael and step away toward my
guest. “Um… Are you ready to go, then?”
    Danny’s jaw tightens, the smile gone from it. He
nods and starts for the stairs. My stomach twists and I shoot another look to
Michael over my shoulder, but his face remains firm and unapologetic. He says
nothing as we leave down the stairs. Grabbing our coats, and locking the door
behind me, I wait until we’re on the street to look Danny in the eye and
apologize for my studio-mate’s unprofessionalism. I’m hoping against hope that
this doesn’t sour him to buying one of my paintings.
    He speaks first. “I’m sorry. I thought when I
asked Grant how things were going – and he said they aren’t – well, I thought you were single. Stupid
assumption, considering how drop-dead beautiful you are.” He shakes his head
and I can see him mentally kicking himself, his expression that