Page 106 of For the Love of Art

I stopped at a book I wasn’t expecting to see. I pulled it out and held it up to Nathan. “Fifty Shades of Grey?”

Nathan chuckled. “People also leave books here, and they wind up in my collection.”

“You sure you don’t just relate with the megalomaniac billionaire love interest?” I asked

“Are you saying I’m obsessed with my power?”

I shrugged. “I guess not in the same way Christian is.”

“No. I don’t have a red room, nor have I really ventured into the world of BDSM.”

My eyes widened. “So you’ve read the books?”

“I–” His jaw tightened. “I was curious, and as you can see, the books were left here, so one weekend I–”

“You read all three in one weekend?” Now I laughed.

“Alright. I’ll leave you to pick a book.”

Nathan turned, but I grabbed his wrist. “No. Stay. I’m sorry. I’ll stop teasing you.”

Nathan pulled me against him, his hand touching the bare skin my bathing suit allowed for. I shivered as his fingers ran along my spine.

“I’d like to think I’m as talented at sex as men in romance novels.” Nathan pushed my bathing suit straps down until my breasts were revealed.

All the hairs on my body stood on end as he took a nipple in his mouth and sucked.

“You are,” I breathed.

He cupped my breast, teasing my nipple as he kissed along my neck. I breathed out a pleasured sigh. His hand moved lower until it was between my legs. He circled my clit through the fabric of my bathing suit.

Knock. Knock.

No!

Nathan’s lips found mine as his hand slipped around the back of my skull, locking my face against his.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The sound was more insistent, and Nathan pulled away with a groan.

“One second.” He kissed me again, then left the room.

I put the copy of Fifty Shades back on the shelf and pulled my bathing suit back up so I was covered before sneaking into the dining room and peering around the arch into the entry. Nathan stood at the door, and I could just make out a man with golden skin and a large white grin that had to be bleached.

“Todd.” Nathan slapped hands with the man, and then they shook. “Good to see you.”

“You too. I was wondering when you would come out here,” he said. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised it took until the fourth.”

Nathan laughed. “Yeah, it’s been busy since I opened the new gallery.”

Todd looked over Nathan’s shoulder, and I moved further behind the wall, worried he’d see me.

“Seems pretty quiet in here,” he commented. “I figured you’d have a bunch of friends.”

“Not this year.” Nathan stepped, so more of his body filled the door. “I wanted something quiet.”

I moved further into the dining room and pressed my forehead against the wall as I listened.