The Sculptor's Seduction (The Gentlemen's Guild Book 2) Read online

  “I work—”

  He cut her off again. “I don’t care.”

  “I can’t just take off of work.”

  “I’ll pay you double whatever you would make.” His fingers flexed hard into the stone, willing it to bend underneath his will – just like he was trying to do to her.

  The silence on the other end of the line killed him.

  “So, now you want to pay for my company?” she asked, the practiced coyness returning to her tone.

  “No, I want to pay you to not be someone else’s.” What was left unspoken was that he’d asked because he wanted her company, otherwise he would have just rescheduled the session; but that he wouldn’t admit to.

  “So, you want to spend the entire night with me?” Cyn asked, not missing a beat.

  “Well, depending on when the party is over, we can come back to the studio.” He kept his response purposely evasive.

  “Ok. Well, I’ll have to let you know tomorrow.” His fingers dug into the marble again. He wanted to know now – he wanted to know that she was his.

  For that night, of course – only for that night.

  Chapter 6

  Sloane stood outside the restaurant tapping his foot against the pavement while he waited for Cyn to arrive.

  She’d texted him the day after they’d spoken to tell him that she would be able to go to Tristan’s party and asked for the place and time. He’d cursed himself for not insisting that he would pick her up, but in the end, it was probably better this way.

  Pierce had his schemes; well, Sloane had a solution.

  Things had gone too far the other night; he needed to step back underneath the cool exterior that he’d originally crafted and tonight, in front of Pierce, was going to be the first step to regaining that distance between them.

  “Hey there, handsome.” Her sinfully sweet voice wafted over from behind him. Fighting his instinct, he turned around slowly, casually to greet her.

  Christ. If he made it through this project alive, he should be elevated to sainthood for being able to keep his hands off of her. His face held its mask while his eyes drank in the sight of her. Cyn wore a simple red dress – not as short as what she’d been wearing the night that they met, but still short enough to give him a tempting look at long length of her legs. The rest of it – again, unlike the other night – wasn’t made to be an excessively provocative dress… on a normal person. On Cyn though, it might as well have been a fucking negligee for how effortlessly it clung to every curve and every movement of hers.

  “Cyn,” he greeted her tersely. His voice wasn’t cold – no, his goal wasn’t to be rude to her, but she needed to realize that what had happened between them was never going to happen again. “Thank you for coming.” From now on, it was all business.

  “Of course.” Sloane coughed to disguise the sharp breath of air he’d been forced to take as her face lit with a genuine smile.

  “Shall we?” he asked, stepping to the side and pulling the door open, using it as a partial barrier between them as he allowed her to walk through first. He followed her through the opening and then began to lead the way upstairs to the restaurant’s event room where the party and the rest of the guests were. “So, you briefly met Tristan the other night,” he began to explain, keeping the conversation on a benign subject. “He recently got engaged to Ellie, who you’ll obviously meet tonight. And then Pierce will be here as well.”

  “Lovely.” Sloane couldn’t tell if her response was laced with a thread of sarcasm at having to see Pierce again. “How did they meet?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Tristan and Ellie. How did they meet?”

  He groaned inwardly. “Tristan is an artist – it’s how we became friends; it’s also how he met Ellie.”

  “Oh, is she an artist too?”

  “No.” His jaw clenched. “She was his model.” He didn’t elaborate more as to how Pierce had had a hand in that relationship as well; the similarities were already striking enough. Thankfully, they reached the entrance to the room so he was spared from saying any more as they moved into the public eye of the roughly seventy-five guests who were already wandering about, drinking cocktails and mingling with each other.

  “Sloane!” Tristan’s exuberant voice caught his attention just as one of the waiters stopped in front of them with a tray of champagne. Sloane turned toward his friend, a convenient excuse for avoiding the glass of alcohol; his gaze catching Cyn delicately picking up a glass.

  “Hey.” Sloane greeted his friend with a smile and they embraced in celebratory hug. “Great party.”

  “I’m just glad you’re here, man.” Tristan clapped him on the back, peering around his shoulder to Cyn. “Cynthia? I don’t know if I properly introduced myself the other night before I had to head out, but I’m Tristan, a friend of Sloane’s.” He paused looking behind him just as a head with vibrant red hair came into view. “And this, is my stunning fiancée, Ellie.”

  Sloane watched in jealousy – not at Tristan and Ellie’s interaction – but at how Tris managed to look at Cyn and not be phased by her beauty at all.

  “Nice to see you again, Tristan,” she said to him before turning to address Ellie. “Hi, Ellie. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Cynthia and I’m… here with Sloane.” The brief pause in her introduction was just noticeable to him… and to the redhead in front of them.

  “It’s so lovely to meet you, Cynthia,” Ellie replied, her face alight with happiness as she stepped forward to hug the other woman in welcome. Her greeting then transitioned to Sloane, who returned her embrace. “I’m so glad both of you could come.”

  Sloane watched as Cyn’s face continued to brighten under Ellie’s attention. It was impossible to help – she radiated life, especially around Tristan.

  “Thank you for inviting us and congratulations to the both of you on your engagement.” Sloane just stood in silence as Cyn seemed to take hold of the conversation with his friend’s fiancée.

  A hand on his shoulder put every fiber inside him on edge, preparing for the worst.

  Preparing for Pierce.

  “Sloane! Good to see you, man. Where the hell have you been lately?” The friendly tenor of Morgan’s voice brought immediate relief to his tense frame.

  He turned to greet the Guild’s business manager and their newest exhibition artist.

  “Hey,” he responded, shaking the other man’s hand firmly. “What’s new?”

  “Oh, not much – just trying to figure out some stuff with my photos… you know.” Morgan wasn’t an artist in the classical sense; he was a photographer and his photos were going to be the latest surprise in the Guild’s exhibition series. “Speaking of… I was going to get in touch with you next week about model auditions. I haven’t heard from you, but I know it’s getting close to the deadline for when you would need someone by.”

  Sloane grimaced. Cyn must have been listening because she turned around at that moment with a smile on her face, her hand extending in greeting to Morgan.

  “Hi, I’m Cynthia; I’m the model.” Unlike Tristan, Morgan’s jaw dropped – whether it was from seeing her or from her revelation, Sloane wasn’t sure. But Morgan definitely took in an eyeful of her that made him feel an inordinate level of animosity towards his friend who’d done nothing wrong.

  “Cynthia,” Morgan addressed her with a nod, clearing his throat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Morgan… a friend of Sloane’s.”

  “Nice to meet you. So, you work with Sloane?” she asked genially, again stepping right into conversation with his closest friends.

  “Yes. Well, sort of. We have common artistic interests,” Morgan replied cautiously, unsure of how much she knew about the Guild even with an NDA in place.

  Before that line of conversation continued any farther, a woman appeared at his side that Sloane had never met before.

  “I was wondering where you’d gone off too.” Morgan wrapped his arm lovingly around the sweater-covered shoulders of the
woman, but not in a sexual way. In fact, seeing the two of them next to each other, it looked like… “Sloane, Cynthia, this is my twin sister Ana.”

  Morgan had a twin?

  Aside from the blonder highlights that might have been artificially added to her hair, the two of them looked almost exactly alike. She was beautiful where her brother was handsome, but she was nothing compared to Cyn; at least in Sloane’s eyes.

  “Nice to meet you,” they said in unison. “I didn’t even know you had a sister.”

  “Yeah, well I try to forget I do most days, but sometimes she shows up and acknowledging her is unavoidable.” It was clear that Morgan was joking as his sister lovingly pretended to elbow him in the stomach at his playful complaint.

  “I’m usually based out of London, but I’m in the city for work for the short term, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to harass my big brother.” Her warm smile spread further, lighting up her features.

  “Well, you have my support in that regard,” Sloane said with a smile. “What do you do?”

  “Actually,” Morgan interjected before Ana could respond. “I’d like to talk to you guys about that. But, not now…”

  Noticing the beginnings of an awkward silence about to come on, Ana chimed in, “So, do you both work with Morgan?”

  Sloane and Morgan looked each other and glanced at Cyn, before Morgan interjected. “Oh, look, Tris and the bride-to-be are right here; let’s go over, I want you to meet them both before they are too swamped with guests.” He began to steer his sister around Sloane and Cyn. “We’ll chat later man. Good seeing you and nice meeting you, Cynthia.” The way he took one last admiring glance at Cyn as he walked by had Sloane gritting his teeth.

  “Yes, nice meeting you both!”

  “Nice meeting you, Ana.” Sloane gave her a small smile before turning to Cyn. “Do you want another drink?”

  She nodded mutely, spinning the empty champagne glass in her hand.

  “Your friends are very nice. I take it they are all artists and that’s how you know them?” she asked as soon as they were a few feet away from the congregation of his friends. He knew the question was coming.

  “Something like that.”

  “What do you mean?” She set her glass down on the bar. “I’ll have a glass of Chardonnay, please.”

  Sloane shook his head at the bartender who was waiting for him to order something. “We do other things; we have other businesses. Art is just our mutual hobby.”

  He enjoyed the look of surprise that crossed her features. “Are they in real estate, too?”

  “No. We all work in different fields – Tristan in investment banking and Pierce in the film production.”

  “Oh.” She picked up the glass of wine that was placed in front of her and took a long sip. “So then how did you all meet?”

  “We all went to college together, but I only really knew Pierce then. Tristan and I became friends later.”

  “And what about… what was his name… Morgan? How did you meet him?”

  “Pierce.” He scanned the room looking for that very person.

  “He seems to know a lot of people.” She chuckled.

  “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing for them.”

  She bit her lower lip, flipping a switch of desire inside his body. Desire that was now made worse because he knew what that flesh felt like, what it tasted like, and it was the only thing he wanted to get drunk on.

  “So, you have like an art club or something? Where you create stuff and show it? Or sell it?” Sloane groaned inwardly. This was not a conversation that they should be having right here or right now. “You haven’t told me what my sculpture is going to be used for.”

  She took another sip of wine, waiting for his answer. Instead, he began to move them away from the bar and over towards where Tristan and Ellie were conversing with some other guests by the windows. “Let’s move out of the way.”

  “Why the secret?” She pressed again.

  He was spared from having to answer her; then again, what ‘spared’ him was only bound to make the situation worse.

  “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Miss Cyn and my good, uninterested friend Sloane.” Pierce’s deeply entertained voice announced his welcome. “So good to see you again, my dear.” He stepped up to Cyn, whose flirtatious smile flitted over her face as he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Sloane felt his hand ball into a fist at his side – thankfully neither of them noticed.

  “Good to see you again, too, Pierce.” Cyn let him kiss her cheek although she didn’t seem as thrilled about it this time.

  Then his devilish partner turned his laughing gaze to him, barely containing the triumphant smile from overtaking his face. “Sloane.”

  “Pierce.” The name was accompanied by a tight smile as Sloane just let the man enjoy his moment of silent gloating.

  “I’m so glad to see that you brought this lovely woman with you. You have no idea.” Sloane just stared at him blankly; it was the only way to handle him. “I was worried there was something wrong with you.” He paused to look poignantly at Cyn. “You know, if he isn’t treating you right, give me a call. I’m sure your friend can attest to just how thoroughly caring I can be.” Pierce winked at her and for the first time, Sloane could truly understand how Tristan had punched him for insulting Ellie.

  “Have you seen Tristan and Ellie yet?” He bit out, trying to figure out a way to end this conversation as quickly as possible.

  “I was on my way over there, but I happened to see you first.” His gaze shifted back to Cyn. “How is that lovely friend of yours?”

  “Tash is good. I’ll let her know you asked about her,” Cyn replied, purposefully mentioning her friend’s name since it seemed obvious that Pierce had forgotten it already.

  “Wonderful.” A waiter stopped in front of them offering more champagne which Pierce took advantage of by picking up two glasses.

  “Did you bring someone with you?” Sloane asked.

  Pierce rolled his eyes. “Of course not. I just like to keep my hands full.”

  “Yes, well we all know how much of a struggle it is to put up with you in public situations,” Sloane taunted, unable to help himself. His half-serious, half-in-jest response drawing a smile to Cyn’s face that she tried to disguise by raising her glass of wine to her lips. It was hardly an insult, but Sloane should have known Pierce wouldn’t just let it slide.

  “This is a great space. I’m sure it must have cost you a fortune to build it, Sloane. What does the restaurant pay you in rent?” Pierce looked poignantly at him. Meanwhile, Cyn’s face turned to him in confused interest.

  “I don’t know off-hand.” He owned the entire building, only she didn’t know that because she thought he was just a realtor.

  Cyn looked back and forth between the two waiting for an explanation. “Did he not tell you?” Pierce asked a little too enthusiastically. “My very modest friend here is the founder and CEO of RSP Realty.”

  “You own RSP?” She turned to him in shock.

  “Pierce, can I talk to you for a second?” He turned to Cyn. “I’ll be right back.” Without giving Pierce the chance to say anything else, he put his arm around his friend’s shoulders and walked them back over towards the bar, leaving Cyn standing dumbfounded in the midst of strangers.

  Sloane owned RSP? That would make him…

  Everyone knew of RSP and that they owned most of the new buildings in Manhattan. However, only a few rumors made it out about the recluse that was the CEO. She didn’t even know how rich that would make him – and she wasn’t sure that she wanted to.

  That explained why he owned the building his studio was in; it also meant he owned One57, where she’d been showing apartments last weekend. She should have seen the signs – although there really weren’t that many aside from the suit he’d been wearing the night that they met and his slip when he’d told her he owned that building.

  Why wouldn’t he just tell her? Why continu
e to imply that he was only a realtor instead of a real estate mogul?

  Maybe because you were already coming on so strong he was afraid of what knowing his true wealth would mean to someone who could be specifically targeting rich men. Cyn groaned at the thought.

  “Cynthia?” A soft voice behind her broke her train of thought.

  She turned to see the future bride, Ellie’s, smiling face. “Yes. Oh, but you can call me Cyn.”

  “Ok, Cyn.” She smiled again at the welcome familiarity. “I saw Sloane and Pierce kind of left you stranded so I thought I would come over and chat. I need a break from all Tristan’s work colleagues anyway.”

  “Yeah, I’m not sure what is going on between them.” Cyn admitted truthfully, her eyes darting over to the two men in heated conversation.

  “Well, Pierce is an interesting character as I’m sure that you’ve realized. So, how did you meet Sloane?”

  “Oh, well. My friend and I were… out… the other night and we ran into them at a bar. Sloane needed a model for his next project and Pierce suggested that I do it.” It was more or less what had happened.

  “Pierce suggested it?” The redhead asked with a laugh – knowing that Pierce didn’t really suggest anything; he either bribed, browbeat, or bullied you into doing what he wanted.

  “Well, something like that.” Cyn laughed too.

  “I’m glad Sloane brought you here. I haven’t known him for that long, but I do know he’s far too lonely than I think is good for him; I see it in the way he looks at Tristan and I.”

  If she only knew how purposefully lonely the man wanted to be.

  “I don’t really know him that well; he’s pretty closed-off – then again, so am I sometimes, so I can’t blame him.”

  “Living in fear will do that to you.” Cyn almost choked on her breath at the truth in the woman’s words. How did she know?

  “I used to have cancer. It was a childhood cancer that hardly ever recurs… except for me; it came back twice.” Cyn listened fascinated as Ellie continued to share her story with her – a complete stranger – and with no hint of sadness in her voice, only wisdom. “I’ve overheard a few things about Sloane, but I don’t think that Tristan even knows what makes him crave his self-imposed seclusion. I do know that it’s no way to live because it’s not living. It’s how I used to be before I met Tristan – traumatized by my diagnosis. I was afraid to live because I was afraid that as soon as I started to enjoy life, my diagnosis would turn into a life-ending one. But going through the motions of living in fear is worse than any pain that life – or losing it – could have inflicted on me. I just hope that Sloane realizes that whatever he is afraid of, isn’t worth giving up life… or love… for.”