The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels (76 page)

* * *

Keith swore when he opened the door and saw Eric. "Hell, I was scared you'd come here one day," he said, kicking the door wider.

Eric walked into the studio. "If you were truly scared, you would have disappeared by now."

Keith grinned. "And miss you at work?"

"I'm not working."

He smoothed his goatee. "True. From what I've learned, Lonely Hearts aren't your thing. More like the Jamaican Hustle."

Eric glanced at him, but said nothing.

Keith continued. "But don't knock what I do. It's really easy and you don't get caught. Women like Adriana..." He shrugged. "You know. They're an easy mark. I saw her at a gallery and just
knew.
Took me less than a month for the first check."

Eric looked around the room.

"Junk, isn't it?" Keith asked, trying to read his thoughts. Eric's silence was beginning to make him nervous.

Eric's voice was soft. "I have another word for it." He looked at one picture where Keith was painting over the signature. "KSY?" Eric turned to him. "Another name?"

"Yes. Adriana nearly caught me. Never had to think so fast." Keith shrugged. "It was an old painting I hadn't adjusted." He cleared off a stool and sat. "I'm just a businessman. I'm not hurting anyone. Actually, I make them feel good. Adriana needed someone to help and I volunteered."

"Hmm."

"So I play the role of protégé. And it's easy money." He looked around his well-furnished studio. "You won't believe how easy this is."

"Unfortunately, I can. You could vomit on something and fetch a good price." He frowned at a picture. "I see you've already done that."

"Careful with your criticism. I recently sold a painting for six thousand dollars. A widow with a nice inheritance."

A slow, wicked grin spread on Eric's face.

Keith read the expression and swallowed, then swore. "No, you can't... But—"

"Don't worry, I'll cover for you and explain why you suddenly had to leave."

Keith narrowed his eyes. "How do I know you won't take the money?"

"You don't, but that's not your problem."

* * *

Eric sat in his kitchen, trying to create the best story to give Adriana about Keith, when his doorbell rang. He answered it.

Adriana stood there, tapping her foot. "I don't know whether to kick you or kiss you."

"Do you take requests?"

"No." She opened her coat, revealing a blue blouse, plaid skirt, and thick-heeled black shoes. Glasses hung around her neck. She pulled a ruler from her jacket.

Eric's eyes widened with pleasure. "You're a teacher."

"Yes, and you're about to learn a lesson."

"Great." He pulled her inside and closed the door. He grabbed a chair from the kitchen and set it in the living room. He sat and looked up at her. "Now you pretend I'm your favorite pupil that you had to keep after class." He pointed to the TV. "That's the blackboard, right? And I'm sitting in the front seat and you—"

"Eric—"

He shook his head. "No, not Eric. Try something different like—"

"Eric!"

He looked up at her and frowned. "What?"

"I'm in charge." She rested a foot on his lap. The stance inched up her skirt.

He peeked at her panties and grinned. "No Fruit of the Looms."

"No."

His hand inched up her thigh, stopping between her legs. His voice deepened. "Crotchless, even better."

She saddled him, undid his buttons, and took off his shirt. She reached for his trousers. "You've been a bad boy and—"

He held up his hand. "Wait, before I forget."

"But—"

"Just wait." He lifted her off his lap and disappeared into the kitchen.

Adriana fell face down on the couch and moaned. "I don't believe this."

"Adriana?"

She rolled onto her back and glared at the envelope in his hand. "That had better not be another business plan."

Eric held it out to her. "No, it's from Keith."

Adriana opened the envelope and pulled out a check. "This is from your account."

"I deposited the money just to be safe." He unzipped his trousers.

"Why?"

Her pulled them off and tossed them on the floor. "I spoke with Keith. He told me he had sold a painting and wanted to reimburse you for your help."

"Keith sold a painting? Isn't that great!" She smiled, smug. "I told you he had talent."

"Hmm." He scratched his chin. "He's moving to New York."

"That's to be expected." She tucked the envelope in her bag. "Now will you trust me to choose my friends?"

No. But he wasn't in the mood to argue. He pulled her onto his lap instead. "Let's finish what we started."

"Oh yes. Your first lesson..." She took a piece of paper out of her bra and unfolded it. "Is this."

"You haven't cashed it yet?"

"No."

"Why not?"

She flipped it over. "Because of this."

He stared at her, blank.

She shook the check. "Eric, this says 'I love you.'"

He nodded slowly then shook his head. "What's your point?"

"The day I crumpled up the check I hadn't looked on the back. Don't you see? I didn't know you loved me."

"Okay, but do you realize how much this is?"

"I don't care. The words mean more than the amount. Why didn't you just tell me?"

Because saying the words made them too powerful. "I wanted to show you."

She took off his glasses and stood. "I am very disappointed with you, Eric." She set his glasses on the TV and grabbed her ruler. "I had such hope for you, you demonstrated such promise." She slapped the ruler against her palm. "I usually can spot the students with the most potential."

"But I—"

Adriana directed the ruler at him. "You will not speak unless I give you permission. Is that understood?"

He nodded.

She slapped the ruler again. "Good." She circled around him, continuing to slap her palm. "So why did you behave so bad? Why did you push me away when you knew that you loved me? I suggest you close your mouth, Eric, unless you want it rinsed out with soap."

He sent her a glance but said nothing.

She stood behind him and used the ruler to trail a sensuous path down his arms and chest. "I believe I know the answer. You were afraid of what you felt." She whispered the words, her lips brushing against his ear. "It was something you couldn't control and you like being in control." She gently nipped his lobe. "But this time you weren't and that upset you. So at first you didn't say anything about your feelings because you thought I didn't love you. Then when you discovered I did..."

She stood in front of him and cupped the back of his head. "You still punished us." She undid her blouse. "Yes, and I do mean
us
." She brought his head to her chest. "You hurt me by denying what you felt."

His tongue darted between her breasts. "Feel that?"

"You're talking, Eric."

He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer. "Sorry."

"As I was saying, your denial—"

He shook his head.

"You weren't in denial? Fine, let's call it lack of communication."

He shrugged and kissed a path up her chest.

"You didn't think our feelings were enough. To you feelings are annoying, uncontrollable things and not a strong enough foundation to stand on. You've wondered about them for years. Is love strong enough?" She tugged off his boxers. "Fortunately, I have a theory. Love is as strong as the people who claim it. Some people's love, while genuine, is as durable as flint. But that's not us." She eased onto him. He looked anxious. "Relax, love, I'm wearing one." She moved against him, tightening around him as he filled her.

"When we love, it consumes us, seeps into our smallest vein. But there's no reason to be ashamed, because we're both strong enough to accept and cherish the gift from each other. We will never use it to hurt." She kissed his forehead. "Therefore you have nothing to fear. Because any time you fall it will always be into my arms." Her mouth swooped down to capture his. He surrendered willingly, his body eager and open to her, her body ready to honor him, adore him, please him. As their moment together slipped into the night he learned that love was not a weakness and that it took the greatest courage to trust.

* * *

Later, they lay together on the couch wrapped in a blanket, their bodies languid with pleasure. Adriana rested her chin on his chest and looked at Eric. His eyes were closed, but she knew he was awake. "What does KSY stand for?"

"Keith Simon Yothers." He opened his eyes. "Why?"

"Your story was clever except when you said, 'I spoke with Keith.' My brother's spoken to a lot of people and always ended up bloody afterward."

"I didn't touch him."

"I'm glad. I liked his face."

They fell silent. A bus rumbled past, pigeons cooed outside the window, and something scurried through the grass. Adriana looked around at all of Eric's plants and felt as though she had found her own private Eden.

"I think it would be beneficial to get married," he said.

Adriana shut her eyes and fell face forward on his chest. "Oh, Eric," she said, disappointed.

"What?"

She turned on her cheek. "I imagined the ways you would propose to me, even the boring ones, but that was the worst. It's so horrible I can't repeat it."

"I want you to marry me."

"That's a bit better. However, that's not how we agreed a proposal should go."

He sat up and lifted her in his arms. His eyes captured hers. "I love you."

Joy fluttered through her, tears glistened in her eyes. He was completely hers, the ice was gone.

"You're going to cry?"

"No." She cupped his chin. "That wasn't a proposal."

"I just wanted you to know."

"Thank you." She waited.

He looked at her.

"Eric," she warned.

He smiled. "I wanted to see how long you would wait."

She jumped to her feet and began to dress.

"Will you marry me?"

She sent him a glance and slipped into her shoes.

His smile fell. "I was only teasing, don't be angry."

She pulled on her coat and opened the door.

He grabbed her wrist. "Adriana, wait. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing. I've been waiting to ask you." He pulled a small box from a flowerpot and opened it. Inside was a band with an emerald, a ruby, and a diamond. "I chose the emerald and ruby because I fell in love with you Christmas Eve. I know we'll have our differences but I'd like you to be my wife."

She closed the door and slipped the ring on her finger. She looked at him and winked. "The answer is yes."

He snapped the box closed, recognizing her ploy. "You're a wicked woman."

"Just what a bad boy deserves." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

* * *

The spring morning crept into her room with the promise of a fresh new day. Adriana stretched her arms and turned to the empty space beside her. She could still smell Eric's scent on the sheets. She looked at the ring on her finger in wonder. It had been three weeks and the sight still made her feel giddy. No weight or burden came with the symbol of devotion, just love and commitment.

She looked at Elissa, who sat on the ottoman looking smug.

Adriana made a face. "I know you're a cat, but you don't need to look so pleased with yourself."

Elissa blinked.

She put on a robe and slippers, then checked on Nina, who was still asleep, clutching the pendant Eric had given her—two spiders on a rose. Adriana thought it was a rather creepy gift, but wisely said nothing when Eric had wrapped it around Nina's neck. She watched them share a mischievous look, but instead of feeling excluded she felt proud of their special bond. Already they were planning what their new place would be like. Adriana wasn't picky as long as there was plenty of closet space.

She headed for the kitchen and opened a cupboard. She stopped when she heard city sounds, seeping through an open window. She went to the living room and saw Eric fully dressed, standing on the balcony. His hands rested on the railing.

She went up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Congratulations."

"You're right. The view is nice."

She stood beside him and looked down. "Yes."

He paused. "So you won't mind living out here?"

She turned to him, alarmed. "Why?"

"Because I can't move."

She glanced down at his hands. His knuckles were pale. She bit her lip to keep from grinning.

His jaw twitched. "Go ahead and laugh."

"I love you too much to laugh at you." She sat on the rail. "I could do my little trick again."

"Don't you dare."

She swung one leg over.

He narrowed his eyes. "You promised."

She sighed and stood. "You're right." She ducked into the circle of his arms and looked up at him. He didn't meet her gaze. She could feel his shame. "It's going to be okay." She hugged him, her head resting against his chest. She abruptly let go, stunned. "I didn't realize you were terrified. Your heart is racing."

His mouth twitched. "No, that's your fault."

She giggled, pleased. "Oh." She tilted her head. "Then that's strange."

"What?"

"Why would you hold on to the railing, when you can hold on to me?"

His gaze went to her face, his eyes melted into hers. "You're right." He kissed her with his eyes and then his lips, all fears of falling dissipating into a feeling so strong he felt he could fly. He let go and gathered her in his arms.

The End