“In private, of course not, don’t be foolish,” he said, just a tad faster than I would’ve guessed. “But as you are well aware as an artist, perception is reality. I need to show up to this gala with a presentable date.”
Need.
Curious, I thought. Cassius almost never said he needed anything, a true statement even in our youth. He didn’t even seem to notice the slip, but I sure did. I was too focused on the moment.
“I will tell you what, as it is no skin off my back,” he said. “I will sponsor a solo exhibit at theRed Courtfor you, and I will make sure you have an interview and are presented to potential buyers of your work. But, in return, you must not set limits on how we present ourselves at this gala.”
Talk about a deal with the devil.
A solo exhibit at theRed Courtwas the closest thing to a guaranteed ticket to an artistic career. Whatever happened atAlluretonight, there was always the risk of this being a one-off event. A one-hit wonder, if you will, in my world. I’d almost certainly have some interested patrons, but without repeat appearances, I’d slowly fade out of artistic conversation.
But show up at theRed Court?
On the other hand, no matter what either of us said, there was some things money could not buy out, could not suppress, and an obvious fact was one them: that what happened in public often had a way of influencing what happened in private.
Holding hands in public with a pretty smile wouldn’t just get Cassius good press; it might ignite some old sparks in us.
Hugging Cassius in public with some kind words meant to be overheard wouldn’t just make Cassius look good; it would create terribly potent temptations for both of us.
An evening with Cassius wouldn’t just benefit both of us; it might turn into a full night if the cards fell where they needed to.
Where they might.
And…
Well, it wasn’t as cut and dry a decision as I had hoped. I should have had a healthy fear of getting too involved withCassius, and a part of me did. But that wasn’t the part making the decisions.
And frankly, not even the sensible side of me could disagree with the fact that this would be a massive boon to my business.
“That is a deal I will make,” I said.
Cassius did not move his head. He didn’t even move his lips. Had I folded too soon? Had I made it too easy on him? Would he get bored and?—
He held his hand out, his elbow close to his side, making it so I would have to move in.
“Shake on it, Sarah,” he said. “Put your word on the line. Agree, Sarah Carpenter.”
God, the way he said my name, the way he could send shivers down my spine with his tone alone…
I looked down at his hand. Firm, strong, powerful—if anything, it would have only gotten stronger in the years since. The only thing more potent to a billionaire than a relationship was a contract, which this handshake would all but be. Once I took his hand in mine and shook…
“Well?”
I gulped. Take the plunge, and I might be showing some weakness. Iwasputting my career in Cassius’ hands, which was one step closer to putting my heart in his hands.
What would the King of Hearts do with one that he’d once held softly? Tenderly? Lovingly?
Would he respect it? Nurture it?
Or crush it in a way that seemed even beyond his most disdainful manner?
Too much was on the line. Too much could be had.
I extended my hand and shook it.
Heavens, the spark that flew through my body as our skin made contact for the first time in years defied both description and expectation. I had expected to feel something based on howthe conversation had gone so far. I had not expected to feel such tingling and desire—yes, desire—that I wanted to move my body forward, press into him, and see what happened there.
Not here, I told myself. Not in public. Cassius would never allow it.
