“I am not insatiable. I am just very frustrated.” She arched an eyebrow at him.
“Not for much longer.” He rubbed his hand across her bottom. “How is your ass?” he whispered.
“Warm and sore, like the rest of me.” She grinned.
“Do you think anyone would notice if I pinned you against the wall and made love to you right her, right now or would they think it was art?”
She laughed loudly at his suggestion but offered him a shrug of her shoulders that suggested he should try and see.
“Well in that case.” He walked her back against a wall and pressed against her gently.
“James,” she gasped and then saw the image over his shoulder. “What the…?” She managed to side step Jim and went to stand in front of the painting she just stared at.
Jim joined her. “What’s wrong?”
“That!” She pointed at the piece in front of them.
Jim looked from it to her and shook his head. “I am obviously missing something here,” he said and they both cringed at the sound of another voice
“Tash, Princess, you came. And looking as foxy as ever.”
They turned and came to face to face with him. Jim viewed Gerry suspiciously but thought that at six feet, with broad shoulders, narrow hips, bright blue eyes and bleached blond hair, he and Tasha would have made a very striking couple, especially within the art world. He decided that he may have to access some online images of them, just out of curiosity. As if reading his mind, Gerry hugged Tasha tightly and stood at her side with an arm around her waist giving him an instant image of how attractive a couple they made. He kissed Tasha on the cheek and she seemed at ease with his familiarity, Jim, however, was not. He stretched out a hand to Gerry, the one that would force him to unhand his girlfriend and as Gerry accepted Jim’s hand, Jim’s free hand was around Tasha and resting on her hip.
“Jim, Gerry, Gerry, Jim,” she said abruptly before looking at Gerry then pointed at the piece beside them. “What is that doing here?”
“Being exhibited,” said Gerry with a grin.
“I hate it.” Tasha’s voice was filled with venom, shocking Jim more than Gerry. “And I would really like you to take it down.”
“Tash, please, don’t be that way, it’s beautiful,” he protested.
“Beautiful? It signifies my misery, hurt and humiliation at your hands,” she spat at him.
“I can’t take it down, it’s part of the exhibition and it has been really popular, a few people have expressed an interest in it, and nobody knows the back story,” he said defensively.
“I do!” Tasha almost screeched as she stared at him with a shake of her head, but it was the firmness of her tone that startled Jim most because he had never been witness to a truly angry Natasha and there was no doubting how pissed off she currently was.
Jim watched on, confused as Gerry said, “Your American friend, Lenny, has asked for first refusal on it.”
“No! For fuck’s sake Gerry, how could you? Please don’t sell it and don’t exhibit it again, burn it, but don’t show it,” she pleaded and then angrily punched at Gerry’s chest. “You owe me that at least.”
“Sorry, but what is going on here?” asked Jim as he pulled Tasha back towards him.
“This is a piece inspired by Tash and she doesn’t approve of it.” Gerry simplified the details.
“I like it,” said Jim as Tasha glared at him. “How much is it?”
Gerry stared at him and shrugged.
Jim frowned. “Don’t be coy, Gerry. Is it for sale or not?”
Gerry shrugged again, making Jim sigh with annoyance.
“Tasha,” said Jim. “Could you get me a drink please, baby?” he asked, smiling at her.
She knew exactly what he was doing and went off to find the bar before she ended up punching Gerry or trashing his exhibition, maybe both.
As she left, Jim fixed Gerry with a steely glare. “Gerry, let me put my cards on the table; I don’t know what the story is with...” he stared at the title of the piece and nodded, “or maybe I do. Tasha doesn’t want ‘Betrayal’ exhibiting or selling on to strangers, especially not Lenny. He is my ex-wife’s husband and my children partially reside in their house and she was mortified to find that other piece adorning their wall so would be very upset if this one found its way there. I am assured that despite what happened between you and Tasha that you still care for her and I know you were on hand when that animal of a father flexed his muscles last week. So, if you don’t want to keep this piece for your personal collection, then sell it to me. Name your price.”
