Page 37

Chapter Thirty-Two

T he receptionist was on the phone when Joe and Hank walked into the gallery. Was she new? Joe wasn’t sure, but then again he had only been here one time. Not bad looking in a rough sort of way. She kind of reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t place who. Didn’t matter. He was here for Claire.

They had just come back from a quick job, and Joe was anxious to see Claire. He’d already taken a ribbing from Hank about being pussy-whipped. As far as he was concerned, he was happy to be called pussy-whipped as long as Claire was doing it.

“So, big guy, I know you’re jealous, but I thought you were in a relationship with—” Joe stopped to remember her name. “Wanda? Wendy?” He snapped his fingers. “Willow, that’s it.”

Joe saw a sadness pass through Hank’s eyes, but it passed quickly.

“Shit, that was a while ago. Willow decided she liked the partner in her advertising firm better than a sap who was working his way up in a security firm, was always in danger and constantly leaving for a job.” Hank shook his head.

“She thought it was cool to tell everyone that I was a security guard but hated that I had to cancel plans if a job came up. I really thought she was it for me, but I’m better off playing the field.

” He cut the air with his hand. “No more serious relationships for me.”

They waited impatiently while the receptionist took down a person’s information. Joe was anxious to see Claire.

The receptionist put up her finger—one second. She smiled apologetically and winked at them.

“Although I might change my mind,” said Hank, giving the receptionist a big smile.

She was finally off the phone.

“Is Claire around?” Joe asked.

The woman nodded but not before making a distinctive grimace. Joe wondered what was up with that. He shrugged. Maybe she’s having a bad day.

“She’s on the third floor. You can take the elevator up.” She pointed toward a single elevator.

Joe pressed the button and got in. The elevator dinged as it opened to a vast expanse of space. Paintings were hanging on the wall, leaning against the wall, in boxes, stacked high. Claire was in a corner with a clipboard in her hands, a man breathing over her shoulder.

Who the hell was that? Joe had the urge to go over and fling the man aside, but at that moment, Claire looked over.

“Joe.” She gave him a broad smile and walked over to him. The man stepped back from her and squinted his eyes. His lips pursed.

“Hey, sweetheart. I just got home and couldn’t wait to see you.”

He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. A soft growl from the man had Joe staring at him.

“I’m so glad.” She turned to the man. “Joe, I want you to meet Roman Ferrier. He owns the gallery. ”

Joe stepped around Claire and shook hands with Roman. Perhaps a little too hard. Roman winced but didn’t remove his hand. What the hell was going on with this douchebag? He was definitely hitting on Claire. Joe made a mental note to ask Claire about it.

Hillary couldn’t help noticing the two handsome, muscular men walking into the gallery.

Oh my! Her mouth watered as the tall, dark-haired one sauntered up to her desk.

They were waiting impatiently but tough for them.

Answering the phone was part of her job—a job she needed to keep for the time being.

He had asked for Claire and Hillary told him she was on the third-floor cataloging pieces and to take the elevator up.

He left. But hunk number two stood at her desk and winked at her.

Oh, yeah. A player. She was in the mood for a player.

Ever since Keith died, well, since she killed him, and the new partner at the firm rejected her advances, she had been alone and not getting any sex or love of any kind—something she needed desperately.

“I’m Hank Peterman,” he said, putting out a meaty hand and giving her a half smile. His brown eyes were twinkling.

“Hillary Marshall.” She shook hands with him, feeling unrestrained power in the handshake. “So, Hank, what brings you here?”

He gave a head nod upstairs. “My friend Joe is dating Claire, and we stopped by for a minute.”

Interesting. Hillary filed that tidbit away. No telling when it would come in handy. They talked for a couple of minutes. Hank was leaning over her desk, breathing hard. His breath was sending shivers down her spine .

“So how long have you worked here?” he asked. Interested? Oh yeah. She could play back.

“Oh, a couple of months.”

They chatted for a few minutes. He asked where she had moved from and other innocent questions.

“I know this is fast, but how about going out for a drink sometime?”

Hillary looked into lustful eyes. He was a good-looking guy. Big. Probably big all over. “Wow, you don’t waste any time, do you?” she said.

“No, ma’am. When I meet a beautiful woman, I don’t waste time. Now, if you tell me that you’re dating someone, I’m going to be mighty disappointed.”

“Well, you’re not going to be disappointed.” Hillary was loving the flirting and the give and take. It had been a while. “I would love to go out with you. How about after work?”

He stepped back, clutched his heart. “That’s what I like. A woman who doesn’t play games.” He gave her a big grin. “Give me your address, and I’ll pick you up.” He stopped, looked troubled. “Or maybe since we just met, you would be more comfortable meeting me somewhere?”

Hillary gave him a once-over. Hank just stood there grinning while he followed her eyes going up and down, stopping midway at his crotch, then up and down again.

Oh, he was sexy, and he knew it. She guesstimated he was six feet two.

Had to weigh about two hundred twenty pounds.

The blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up did not detract from the muscular arms decorated with an interesting tattoo pattern.

She was curious where else he had tattoos.

Keith had been so vanilla. He never wanted to mess his body up with something like a tattoo or a piercing.

Hillary also loved Hank’s short brown crew cut and strong chin.

Maybe this was the beginning of her new life.

She scribbled her address on a piece of paper and handed it to him just as the elevator dinged, and Joe and Claire got out and walked over.

“Oh, I see you met Hank,” said Claire as she gave Hank a peck on the cheek and looked over at Hillary. She turned toward Joe. “And this is Joe Harkin.”

Joe stepped up to shake hands with Hillary.

“This sweet thing just agreed to get a drink with me,” said Hank, giving Hillary a big smile.

Claire clapped her hands. “That’s terrific.”

Oh, it was, Claire. It was.

They chatted for a few minutes until Joe looked at his watch.

“We’ve got to run,” said Joe as he kissed Claire goodbye.

Watching the two men walk out the door, Hillary smiled. “Now there’s a sight for sore eyes.”

“Mmhmm,” said Claire. “So where are you two going?”

“Don’t know yet, but he’s picking me up after work.”

“Hank’s a great guy. You should enjoy getting to know him.”

Oh, I will. Getting close to Hank, who appeared close to Claire, was going to be a treat. This might be the “in” she needed to get rid of Claire.

Joe drove Hank to the office. The whole time he couldn’t stop thinking about Claire and Roman. Roman might be a horndog, but he was precisely the type of man Claire should have. A successful businessman and a lover of art. He talked to the right people and could help Claire with her career.

Tough. Not happening on his watch. He would talk to Claire tonight and ask her if Roman was bothering her. If he was, that was something he knew how to fix .

“Man, that Hillary is a looker,” said Hank, interrupting his thoughts.

“I guess. She didn’t seem happy when I mentioned Claire’s name. Did you notice that?”

“No. Probably your imagination. Maybe whoever was on the phone was giving her a hard time.”

Joe shrugged. “I really don’t care. You sure didn’t waste any time getting a date with her.”

Hank sighed. “I’m getting tired of one-night stands, but damn, I need to get my rocks off, and she looks like she’d be a hellcat in bed.”

Joe shook his head. “Be careful what you wish for, my man. Be careful.”

“Oh, I will bro, right after I explore her luscious body and have her screaming my name.”

“Screaming might be the only thing she does as she runs away from you.” Joe laughed.

Hank lightly punched him in the arm and sat back.

Thoughts of Claire screaming his name as she came permeated Joe’s thoughts the rest of the way to the office. They were getting together later, and he had plans for how to spend their time.