Page 61 of The Maverick (WaterFyre Rising #7)

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

VANESSA

My meeting with Shauna Casey at her studio turned into an interesting conversation when she showed me her new glass bowl collections.

I’d given her a brief description of what I envisioned for my terrariums. She had delivered my vision and more.

The glass containers ranged from round, oblong, rectangle, square, and triangle to abstract shapes that would give my terrarium a unique look.

She even had lanterns and various jars that had my creative juices going wild.

I appreciated a proactive artist who understood my needs.

So the casual meeting that was supposed to be a meet-and-greet turned into me signing a business contract.

I placed a large order with her. As soon as that meeting was over, I called the local plant shop to order succulents, moss, crystals, and other items needed for my terrariums.

Excitement zipped through me, making me remember the passion I had when I was younger—when things weren’t so dark.

My love for plants and nature had returned.

Actually, it had never disappeared; it just stepped to the side temporarily.

But Attikus had inspired me to reclaim that passion and do something with it.

As I drove back to my office and parked, my stomach growled.

I glanced at the time on the dash and shook my head.

It was already three in the afternoon and I hadn’t eaten lunch.

I rushed into Loretta’s Café and got in line.

The lunch crowd that usually packed this space had already died down.

Still, there were about eight people in line ahead of me.

I glanced at the assortment of pastries and smiled. Maybe I could take some home for Attikus.

I placed my order of a coffee, a turkey sandwich, and an assortment of cookies and brownies.

While I waited, I turned, and my heart skipped.

Dr. Messina—the man in the photo on Attikus’s vengeance board—sat in the corner talking to two college students.

They were wearing T-shirts from Brown University and the University of Rhode Island.

My plan to rush back to my office vanished. I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by. When I got my food, I grabbed a table nearby with a good view of them and began eating while keeping my ears trained on their conversation. It was noisy in the café, but I was close enough to hear them.

I opened the notepad on my phone and took notes: the date, location, subjects, their description, and so on. Data was crucial, especially for analysis.

“You think we’re perfect candidates, Dr. Messina?” asked the boy with the Brown University cap.

“I saw your thesis, and I think it’s brilliant. We need intelligent kids like you to join our team, Joshua.”

“Do we need to get our parents’ permission for this?” Joshua asked.

“You shouldn’t have to.” Dr. Messina sipped his drink. “It’s like a work-study because you’re getting paid.”

“Awesome!” cheered the girl with blonde hair. “How much money are we talking about?”

“Depends on how well you perform, Ana.”

“I’ll need time for my homework,” Ana said.

“You do this at your own pace. We meet three times a week after six in the evening. The first meetup is tonight. It’s more of a meet and greet.

Refreshments will be served.” He glanced at his fancy watch.

“If you know any trusted friends who might be interested, bring them with you. You get a bonus if they sign up with the program.”

“Really?” Ana asked.

“Of course. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. But I only want those with serious interest.”

They chatted for a few more minutes until Dr. Nico Messina got a phone call and had to leave. But before he left, he told them to meet him at the Modern Research Group at the Canal Walk. This was my opportunity to find out more about this doctor. Any information would help Attikus.

An insane thought popped into my mind as I headed back to my office at the gallery.

I spotted Willow showing a couple the triptych of an abstract painting.

The gold leaf on each of the three panels glistened under the spotlights.

Without interrupting her, I entered my office to get some administrative work done.

When I finished answering emails and paid some bills, I rushed to the mall to grab a Rhode Island School of Design T-shirt and a cap. Then I returned to my office and worked on the layout of where I’d place my terrarium and other plants for sale in the gallery.

My phone buzzed with a text, and my heart leaped.

Attikus : Busy working?

Vanessa: Always. Missing me or something?

Attikus: Yup. (smile emoji)

He’d only been gone for a day, and I missed him so much. He wouldn’t return from his meeting in New York until tomorrow.

Vanessa: Are you done with your meeting?

Attikus: For now. Another one starts in an hour.

Vanessa: What are you doing?

Attikus: In my hotel room, thinking about my wife.

My inner thighs quivered, and all thoughts of work vanished.

Attikus: What are you doing?

Vanessa: In my office, thinking about my husband.

Attikus: Are you brainstorming a painting of me?

He didn’t know I’d already finished a painting of him, including the abstract painting we’d done while rolling around on the floor. I’d cut out a section from the canvas fabric and turned it into a gallery-wrapped canvas.

Vanessa : Are you offering to be my model again?

Attikus : A husband is there to support his wife with everything she needs.

Vanessa: Your wife needs another painting session with you.

Attikus: Why don’t you tell me what you’d do to me, Mrs. Mount.

I grinned at the name.

Vanessa: Mr. Mount, I’d strip you and make you stand at the center of my studio.

Attikus: I’d want you naked too.

Vanessa: I’ll think about that.

Attikus: Non-negotiable.

Vanessa: I’m the artist—my call.

Attikus: I’m the model you NEED.

Vanessa: I’ll get a new model then.

Attikus: If you want him to DIE.

Vanessa: (eye-roll emoji)

Attikus: I don’t share my wife’s attention.

Vanessa: Moving on, Mr. Mount—we’re in the studio now. Your stalk won’t behave.

Attikus: Not my fault. My wife is so hot.

I snorted at this entertaining text.

Vanessa: I walk over and grip you.

Attikus: The artist’s grip—my dream come true.

I laughed.

Vanessa: Your face lights up as I move my hand up and down.

Attikus: My hands are all over your breasts.

I sucked in a breath as liquid oozed out of me.

Vanessa: The model must be punished for misbehaving.

Attikus: What will you do?

Vanessa: What do you want me to do?

Attikus: Paint me with your tongue.

I grabbed a glass of water to cool my heated body.

Vanessa: How does it feel?

Attikus: The most incredible brushstroke . . .

Vanessa: Never had this kind of lunch date before.

Attikus: Me too. This needs to be repeated.

Attikus: Gotta go clean up before my meeting.

I gaped at the message. Did I make him come?

Vanessa: You okay?

Attikus: Thanks for the quickie. Can’t wait to be home.

Oh, my gosh. I didn’t know how to respond because my body was also reeling with arousal.

I should have mentioned Dr. Messina to him, but I’d forgotten during our fun texting. I feared if I told him what I was about to do, he’d cancel his meeting and rush back to stop me.

I had a couple of hours before I had to head to Canal Walk to look for the Modern Research Group, so I began a new painting, pouring joy into it. Thinking of Attikus, I painted an abstract landscape. I was lost in creation when my phone buzzed with the reminder to meet those college students.

I changed into the RISD T-shirt and jeans, tied my hair back, and pulled on a college logo cap.

Then I grabbed an old backpack I used for my paint supplies when I took trips to the park or into the woods.

It had paint splattered all over it, making me look like a poor art student in need of a part-time job.

I took some cash from my wallet and a fake driver’s license with the name Nikki Lau and shoved them into an old, tattered wallet.

I had paid a lot of money for the ID years ago when I needed a fake identity while searching for ways to get my mom out of prison.

After using it only once and almost getting caught, I realized it wasn’t the safest approach.

So why are you using it now?

Intuition and the Chill and Chat with the girls gave me the courage.

I supposed this was my way of being a Smart A.S.S.

This was a rare opportunity to see what Dr. Messina could offer.

I shoved the wallet into the inside pocket of my backpack, pulled on my paint-splattered sneakers, and glanced at myself in the mirror.

Poor art student, indeed. I slid my phone into the back pocket of my jeans.

Leaving everything in my office, I went to the front desk and told Willow I was heading out and would return before closing time.

I took the bus to the Canal Walk, near Brown University.

When I got off, I walked toward the ten-floor brick building with the colorful flags at the front entrance, which faced the Providence River.

The Canal Walk was a wonderful route for walkers or joggers.

I’d come here often to paint when I was home visiting during the summer.

It was a lively area, booming with business and college students from around the world.

I glanced at the metal nameplates to see that Modern Research Group was on the first floor. My phone showed I was still twenty minutes early. I found a bench nearby, sat down, and waited, hoping I’d encounter Joshua and Ana before they entered.

A boat sailed by and caught my attention.

I hadn’t seen boats along the Canal Walk except during special events like the WaterFire arts performance that occurred on the weekends.

As the boat moved past my sight, I saw the city logo.

Maybe these were maintenance people ensuring the water was clear of trash.

A few minutes later, I saw Joshua, Ana, and two other students walking toward the building.

I approached. “Hi! Are you here for the part-time gig?”

Ana looked at me. “Yeah. You?”

“I heard about it, and I’m interested in making some extra money. Art supplies are expensive!” I smiled at Joshua, the redheaded girl, and the athletic boy with brown hair. “Is it too late for me to sign up?”

“How did you hear about it?” Joshua looked at me.

“My friend said she had a meeting with Dr. Messina at Loretta’s Café the other day. She’s traveling so she couldn’t participate. I forgot about it until hours ago.” I frowned. “Don’t tell me I’m too late to sign up.”

Nodding, Joshua flicked a look at Ana. “You can add her to your list. I don’t mind.”

“Thanks!” Ana beamed as she looked at me. “You can be my referral.” She took out her list and added my name.

“Thank you so much!” I said as I entered the building with them.

“Welcome to the team. I’m Stacy.” The redhead smiled. “And this is my friend, Eric.”

“I’m Nikki. So happy to meet all of you. Let’s hope for a fun job that pays well!”