Page 78 of Burning Caine

She reached over and hit the call button on the steering wheel. “Hi, Antonio! It’s Lucy and Sam!”

“Two beautiful women on one phone call. I’m a lucky man!”

Lucy giggled, while I rolled my eyes. But that voice. Those soft lips. His thumb rubbing my thigh. The curve of his muscles under my hand.

“Antonio. What do you want?”

“Lucy, it sounds as though Samantha is in a mood today. You are keeping her out of trouble, I hope?”

Yes, humiliating.

She kept laughing, though. “That’s a two-person job, at least.”

“Sì, you have a good point. Did she tell you about the auction on Saturday?”

I had to put an end to this. “Enough. Why are you calling?”

“Oh, bella, you’re no fun today.”

As much as I tried to be serious, I could feel the smile creeping up my face. He was too charming for his own good. For my own good. But how much of it was real and how much was everything Victoria Meyers had said? Was he wining and dining me? Did we share a moment outside my hotel or was it all a game to him?

And was it a good thing or a bad thing that Cass had called and interrupted me before I pulled him into my hotel room? That would have been a mind-blowing night.

“Two things, and I would appreciate if you wait until I’m done. One, I would like to see you today.”

Lucy’s jaw dropped and she tried to poke my arm, but I dodged it.

“Two, I was thinking about what you said aboutLes amoureuxbeing at Mason’s Gallery last year, and thought perhaps I could join you when you speak with them? If I know you at all, you will be going today? No time wasted.”

My first instinct was to say no. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on my job with him and his hands and his lips and his voice there. My second instinct was that another art expert might help with the conversation. Plus, he’d been a big help Saturday. He was honey to my vinegar.

Lucy chimed in. “We’re on our way there right now.”

“Perfetto! I’ll see you in ten minutes.”

As he hung up, I shook my head at Lucy. “You need to keep your mouth shut sometimes.”

She blew a bubble at me, from gum I hadn’t known she had in her mouth. “Not my strong suit.”

Chapter 31

Antonio

Ipausedwithmyhand on the gallery’s door. Samantha was explaining something to Lucy about an abstract piece, while the two of them laughed. She used her hands to describe the movement, her whole body involved in the story. As though she were art all on her own.

Saturday had been a miracle. This amazing woman had spent the evening with me, danced with me, let me hold her. She was open to becoming friends and hopefully more.

How could I spy on her? No. I was ensuring she had all the information she needed for her claim. I was helping her. Taking a deep breath, I entered the gallery, the chime of the bell over the door announcing my arrival. The women turned to see me, two very different smiles on their faces.

Lucy was giddy. She wore her excitement on her sleeve. It was charming.

Samantha, on the other hand. What was her smile? Forced, for certain. But was she forcing it up or forcing it down? Regardless, I approached her first.

“Ciao, bella.” I took her hand to kiss, but she restrained it. Was she embarrassed around Lucy? I bit my lip and took the guess. “If you are uncomfortable about me kissing this hand in a professional setting, I could kiss Lucy’s, as well.”

She frowned at me. Not the playful frown, but a genuine one.

I moved on to Lucy and gestured at the artwork on the walls. “So, how do you feel about abstract art?”