Truth

thousand dollars! “I just don’t know about my entire collection. I don’t want to close my Provincetown studio.”
    The two of them discussed the possibilities and opportunities. They decided upon a sampling of her works on display in Palo Alto, with the entire collection available online. If this buyer or another wanted one of the works still in Provincetown and were willing to pay appropriately, Sophia would return to Massachusetts.
    An hour later, Sophia entered Derek’s office. As her long gauze skirt brushed the tops of her feet and her high heeled sandals clicked the marble floor of his private reception area, Sophia chose to ignore Danni’s looks and innuendos. Her mood was too high to worry about the immaculately dressed PA or the plush surroundings. She casually walked past the pretty blonde without speaking and stepped into Derek’s regal office. Brazenly, she wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and kissed his parted lips. Before she could introduce her tongue teasingly into his willing mouth, Sophia realized Danni followed her into Derek’s office.
    They both turned to see her standing in the doorway. Before Derek had the chance to recover from his wife’s licentious greeting, Sophia took the liberty of dismissing his assistant, “That’ll be all, Danni. Please close the door on your way out.”
    Danni looked questionably at Derek, who smiled uncontrollably, barely able to take his eyes away from the spirit filled woman who’d just fallen into his lap. Finally, he glanced toward his PA and confirmed Sophia’s wishes, “Yes, Danni, and please hold my calls.”
    Danni’s incredulous expression as she backed out of the office and closed the door added to Sophia’s euphoria.
    “ My, my, Mrs. Burke,” Derek managed between kisses, “To what do I owe this lascivious reception?”
    She explained the unbelievable procurement of three of her oil paintings. Derek stared, open mouthed, when she disclosed the bid. Eventually, he found his voice, “Wow, Baby! I love your work, but I’m shocked at that amount of money.”
    Sophia pouted, more in jest than reality, “What? Don’t you think they’re worth it?”
    He immediately pulled her against his chest and spun her around in his large leather chair. Sophia curled her legs into his lap and threw her head back, allowing her long hair to fan out and fall over his shoulder as his office became a blur. Leaning his mouth to her exposed neck he breathily whispered, “I think they’re worth ten times that! But, if you’re willing to part with them for a measly 2.3 million, I guess that’s your prerogative.” His lips connected her warm sensitive neck, immediately instigating purrs from the depth of her throat.
    When his lips slowed, Sophia pulled away and made eye contact. Looking suddenly serious, she went on, “There is a problem. The buyer wants them yesterday. I need to fly to Provincetown and ship them back here. Mr. George also wants me to ship some other works to put on display and photograph the rest of my collection. It’ll take me days to get them all packaged for mailing.”
    “ That dinner for Shedis-tics is Friday. Will you be back by then?”
    “ I’m sorry. I don’t think so.” She looked passively into his soft brown eyes, “If you want me to wait, I can ask Mr. George to contact the buyer, have him contact the mystery person, and see if it can wait.” Sophia watched through seductive lashes as Derek’s expression changed before her eyes. She saw pride, disappointment, indecision, and resolution.
    Eventually his light brown eyes glimmered as his cheeks rose in conjunction with the tips of his lips. “You know, when Shedis-tics asked me come out here early, they promised me some time off. How about, I travel with you? If we work together, we can package your art much faster. We might even make it back for this big dinner thing. I’m not sure why, but they really want me there.”
    Sophia stared at her husband in disbelief, “You’d really be willing to go with me?”
    “ Sure,” he kissed her lips, “we can consider it a romantic get-a-way.” Then with a predatory grin he added, “And maybe we can use one of those private jets they promised in my interview?”
    “ You know, Mr. Burke, I’ve always wanted to belong to an exclusive club.”
    “ Really, Mrs. Burke, what club would that be?”
    “ I believe it’s called The Mile High Club .”
    Derek closed his eyes and shook his head at the woman