Kiss Me Crazy by Ednah Walters, E. B. Walters Read Free Book Online Page B

preservation or restoration. Why is it here? Whose is it?” He had her. Anticipation tightened his gut. He wasn’t sure his plan would work when he’d spent days making phone cals, but the gleam in her eyes cinched it. Al that remained was setting the other pieces into place and slowly reeling her in.
    “It belongs to Bridget VanderMarck,” he said, keeping his voice neutral.
    Her eyes widened in recognition. Anyone in the art world knew Mrs. Bridget VanderMarck, formerly Bridget O’Maley, an iconic figure in the fashion industry. A year ago, she’d held a private auction of her late husband’s artwork and caught the attention of the media when a few of the paintings went for a milion dolars each.
    Then one of the colectors had a second appraisal done on his new acquisition and shocked the art world with the news that it was a forgery. The scandal that ensued alienated Bridget VanderMarck from the world she loved so much. That the colection had belonged to her deceased husband hadn’t mattered. The media and the art community stil vilified her. Only a few of her close friends, including Baron’s mother, had ralied behind her. Keeping the scandal alive was Jake VanderMarck, Bridget’s late husband’s son. The vindictive bastard had gone on record to say his stepmother was a greedy woman who’d replaced the original paintings with forgeries.
    Those who knew Bridget were aware who the liar was.
    “This is a genuine piece.” Kara’s excited tone puled him back to present. Her eyes were locked on the painting.
    “Yes it is. Jade and her team of experts just finished physical, chemical, and elemental analyses on it. It is genuine.” A sigh escaped Kara. “Okay. So what is it doing here? I thought Mrs. VanderMarck paid several appraisers across the country to reevaluate al of the pieces she owned and got rid of them.”
    “Yeah, but it’s costing her an arm and a leg.” He looked at his watch and picked up the painting. “I’m meeting her for lunch and need to leave now. I’l explain everything later.” Her eyes dimmed. “Why not now?”
    “Because I’ve got to run.” He started repackaging the painting.
    “Come on, Baron. Does she have more paintings? Is she going to use our galery to sel them? Are there any that need restoring? Framing?”
    Baron couldn’t stop the grin that crossed his lips. Kara was tenacious, a quality that could be both endearing and maddening, depending on the situation. Did she realize she’d said ‘our galery’?
    The woman wasn’t going anywhere. The only change that was going to take place around here was their relationship. It was about to get very close and personal.
    “Like I said, you’re always impatient.” He stood.
    “Everything wil become clear after we talk, which won’t happen if I don’t get out of here.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “You know I won’t concentrate until I know what’s going on.”
    He resisted the urge to smooth the lines marring her smooth forehead. But she looked totaly adorable when she pouted, made him want to lean forward and capture her lips in a kiss. He resisted the temptation, not wanting to scare her.
    “Oh yes you wil. You’re too focused to let something this smal bother you. Let’s talk later.”
    He turned before he could succumb to her pleading eyes and hurried upstairs. Once he loaded the SUV, he went back to his office to pick up the rest of his things, a dozen white roses and a box of chocolate for Bridget VanderMarck.
    His assistant was just getting into her office as he left his.
    They spoke briefly.
    “If I’m not back by the end of the day, close up,” he added.
    “Kara must not be disturbed; her sign is up. If you need counsel on any of the pieces, go to Rick. I’m not to be disturbed either, unless it’s an emergency.”
    Gena gave him a weird look and nodded. When he reached the main entrance, he glanced back and found her stil staring at him.
    His attire must have thrown her off. It wasn’t often he