Sweet Sinner

Chapter 6

Seeing Anthony Dark at my art gallery was unnerving. He had this way of commanding attention no matter where he went that was just…intimidating - let alone the way he looked at people.

"Were you just talking to Anthony Dark?"

I spun around and saw Tricia, a sly smirk on her face as she handed me a champagne glass full of sparkly liquid.

I rolled my eyes, "He came over because he was with the woman who was talking to me."

"Who knew he was into older women…" said Tricia, her eyes wandering the room until she found Mrs. Lincoln talking to Patrick.

Where the hell did he go?

"I don't think they're together."

"Good, because I'd hate to tell that woman that her date's staring at you."

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

She nodded her head over in the opposite direction and sure enough, his eyes were on me. And he didn't even have the decency to look embarrassed about it! If anything he looked happy that I'd caught him staring, if that smirk was of any indication.

"This is ridiculous." I muttered, pointedly ignoring him.

"The fact that an incredibly sexy, extremely wealthy, incomparably successful man is interested in you is ridiculous?"

I rolled my eyes, "He's not interested in me."

"I beg to differ, and I know guys."

I took a sip of my champagne and risked a glance back over to where Anton had been standing, but he wasn't there anymore. I didn't know if I was relieved or even more nervous than I'd been before.

"He's just trying to get under my skin, and I refuse to let him."

"Just because Dylan -"

"It has nothing to do with Dylan. Guys like Anton are all the same. They want someone to mess around with. I mean you heard the interview, he's not looking to settle down."

"He also said there wasn't a woman in his life." she shot back with a smirk.

"That doesn't mean he's looking for one."

"Keep telling yourself that." said Tricia smugly, "But I'll bet you anything he's interested, and he's not going to go away so easily."

I just rolled my eyes, choosing to ignore the comment and said, "I'm glad this is going so well."

Tricia smiled, "It's awesome. Patrick's been busy pretty much since it started."

We both looked over to see Patrick, a clipboard in one hand while his other was waving around, clearly excited about whatever he was talking about with Mrs. Lincoln.

"Did your favorite sell yet?"

I shook my head, "No, I don't think so."

I looked over to the far wall, catching glimpses of it through the crowds of people. It was simple enough - a drawing of my mother, or a silhouette rather, of her out on the balcony of our old house. I'd watched her stand there for hours sometimes just watching the city.

"Actually," said Patrick, scaring both of us, "It just sold…for an insane amount of money."

"What do you mean? It was already priced."

He nodded, "I know, and I said that, but he didn't care. Said he wanted to pay a thousand dollars for it."

"Wait a minute, he?" asked Tricia, a smirk already sliding onto her face.

Oh no.

"Yep, tall, dark, and handsome himself." said Patrick, obviously still a little shocked.

"No. Tell him no."

"What, are you insane?" asked Tricia, and by the look on Patrick's face he agreed with her.

"That's a crazy amount of money, and there's no way I'm going to accept it."

"Honey, he wouldn't have offered it if he didn't have it."

"There is no reason for him to -"

"I told you he likes you." said Tricia.

"No, he doesn't. He wants to prove a point, and I don't want to be a part of it." I argued, crossing my arms.

"What point? He likes the art and -"

"That's just it, he doesn't like it."

"Annie, why would he spend a thousand dollars on art he doesn't like?"

"To prove a point!"

Tricia rolled her eyes and said, "So what, he wants to overpay. It's not like you'll see him again."

"That's what you told me a month ago." I said, turning to Patrick.

He shrugged, "I'm not a psychic, but honestly, where else could you see him at?"

I shook my head. This wasn't happening.

I scanned the room, finding him quickly - he was pretty easy to spot - and made a beeline for him.

"Have you completely lost your mind?"

He raised an eyebrow, that stupid smirk still firmly fixed to his face as he answered, "No."

"Why are you trying to give me a thousand dollars?"

"Because I like the painting."

"Because you find it 'aesthetically pleasing'." I shot back.

He shrugged, "I like it. Does it matter why?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but Tricia came up beside me and wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

"You'll have to excuse her. She's just a little protective over it, it's her favorite one."

"That's not why I -"

"That's understandable." said Anton easily, "It's a beautiful piece."

I could almost see Tricia swoon at his words - I, on the other hand, was not impressed.

"You're not fooling me."

"I don't have to." he said simply, "I just have to pay you."

I crossed my arms and glared at him, "I don't have to sell it to you."

"No," he said with a shrug, "But you will."

"Anton, are you about ready to go?"

All three of us turned to see Mrs. Lincoln walking over to Anton, a slightly strained smile on her face.

"I was actually having quite the interesting conversation with Ms. Spellman and her friend..."

"Tricia." she supplied quickly.

"So you're Ms. Kavanaugh, the woman who was supposed to be giving the interview."

Tricia nodded, "Yeah, I'm sorry I couldn't make it."

He shrugged, "You still got the article, and I got to meet Ms. Spellman."

Tricia smiled, but I - again - was not impressed. What was with this guy?

"It actually isn't all that interesting of a conversation at all." I said to Mrs. Lincoln. "In fact I think Mr. Dark was just leaving."

She opened her mouth, but Anton beat her to it, "As soon as I pay for that painting."

"Oh, you found one?" asked Mrs. Lincoln, stepping closer to him.

He nodded smugly, "Yeah, quite the piece too. Ms. Spellman's favorite."

Mrs. Lincoln looked between the two of us, and then turned to Anton, "Well I'm leaving, I've got to get up in the morning."

Anton simply nodded and she turned to me, "It really was a beautiful gallery. I'll be sure to tell people about you."

Before I could thank her she was gone, disappeared out the door.

I didn't know what to think of her, honestly. She seemed nice enough, but only when things were going her way. She also seemed extremely protective of Anton, so they must have a relationship that went back a few years.

She looked nice enough though, for her age. Her hair was well maintained and she looked in shape.

All of a sudden Tricia's phone was ringing and she gave me a pointed look before whispering, "Be nice." under her breath and leaving Anton and I alone.

"So about that painting, Ms. Spellman."