“Rose, is everything okay?” She saw Corpias, and she knew that was why Mercury tightened up. His brothers must have spoken through their communication devices, warning him. It was a good thing to be interrupted before she did something stupid like kissed the man.
Mercury didn’t release her, but turned slightly.
“Yes, of course, Corpias, I’m fine. I just bumped into Mercury. Do you know him? We were looking at some of my paintings,” she added and tried to step from his hold but Mercury had a different plan. His arm eased along her waist and she felt his hand grip her hip.
Corpias gave Mercury the once over. “Molokai is waiting for you. Dinner is being served.” He stuck out his hand for her to take. She looked at Mercury, who was in a dead stare with Corpias. She looked at Corpias and the situation unnerved her. There was something between these men and Mercury didn’t back down but seemed to be challenging Corpias. She suddenly felt like being with Mercury was a smarter decision, but she needed her money, and she made a promise in a deal to have dinner with those men. The decision was made for her.
“Oh, then I should get back.” She turned to look at Mercury. She reached up and stroked his jaw. He eased his hand from her hip, then along her lower back, grazing her ass, making her gasp as she locked gazes with him. Those eyes promised her things. Things her inexperience with men gave her no real warning about, but obviously her body was curious as her pussy swelled and her heart raced with desire.
“Thank you, Mercury. I appreciate the compliments. It was so nice seeing you again.” She went to step back but Mercury pulled her close and kissed her cheek as he whispered into her ear. “Get away from them after dinner. I’ll find you and make sure you get home safely.” She nodded as she pulled back and then she gave a wave to him. As she walked with Corpias she looked at that sold sign.
Then she felt the hand at her lower back and Corpias guided her to the table. Molokai stood up.
“We were getting concerned.”
“No need. I met a friend of mine by the paintings and he was complimenting my work and catching up.”
She took a seat as the waiters began to carry over trays of food and more drinks.
“What friend?” Mulgoff asked.
“Mercury James,” Corpias stated, sounding annoyed, and she noticed Molokai narrow his eyes at her and look her over.
“Ah, Mercury James. He’s a very wealthy man, and does fantastic security work. You’ve known him long?” Weiller asked her.
“No, but his good friends are dating one of my best friends. I was just talking to him about my painting being sold. It was so weird to see that sold sign.”
“Weird?” Weiller asked her.
“Well, yes. Every piece I make is a part of me. I put so much into each piece. It’s hard to explain.”
Molokai moved his hand onto her knee under the table and caressed her thigh. She stared at him as she tightened up. “I understand. It’s bittersweet. To learn that someone has enjoyed your painting so much that they purchase it and will make it part of their home and enjoyment, but to lose it, to never see it again, is like losing part of yourself.”
Her eyes welled up with tears despite the fact that she now knew this man was trouble. She nodded and he squinted at her then gave her a wink.
“I want to see more of your work. Where do you keep your pieces?” he asked her.
“In storage and in my apartment.”
“Can we make plans for me to see them?”
She shyly looked away.
“Maybe some other time,” he said and then moved his hand and raised his glass. “To Rose and her knockout performance that cost me sixty million, which was definitely worth it, and to her success in selling her first painting. May there be many more nights like this one,” he said and they all clinked glasses and celebrated, but Rose didn’t quite feel like celebrating. Instead she looked for one of the James brothers and wished she was with them and maybe celebrating with them together.
* * * *
“Where is she now?” Mercury asked Slade as guests were leaving and some stragglers continued to hang around. Their security team was doing additional sweeps of the place and helping to secure merchants’ valuables as they packed things up.