Deception in love

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ng of crystal glasses. Along the whitewashed walls hung evocative portraits-each one more mesmerizing than the last, every brushstroke charged with emotion. This was no ordinary showin

her high cheekbones. Clad in a deep emerald satin dress that matched the fire in her eyes, she seemed carved fr

through the crowd with a natural grace. His father's legacy the powerful Don Williams Coleman followed him like a scent

rom a dealer. A flicker passed between them. In a room b

used to having doors open, but when he stopped before her,

w, amused. "And you must be a m

wed as easily as the wine. They walked slowly along the gallery, exchanging

rivate upstairs lounge-dimly lit and soundproofed by thick curtains. She leaned b

anticipation. He moved closer, and she didn't pull away. Their lips met with the kind of restraint that deepened the yearning. Moments blurred. Clothes were forgotten. They made love like people trying to forget the world ex

Rebecca's lips parted slightly, as if to speak,

en room, time

illusion of legitimacy. His presence loomed in every corner of the art world, masked behind foundations and philanthropy, but those who knew whispe

orted everything. He owed the Don everything, but feared him more than he loved him. For Kelvin, loyalty was a currenc

han she let on, playing dumb when needed and sharp when not. Her loyalty to the Don was abso

ayed with danger to see if it would still pay attention. She moved between social circles

the world he inhabited. Friends with all, but grounded by none,

by the loss of love. He had once destroyed men for touching her, and now he stalked the periphery, waiting for

ing the Hudson. Artworks that hadn't sold glowed benea

ing mind. Her body still hummed from Fred's touch, but

ted to dangero

urned to see Albert Samuel, dressed in bla

our judgment, Al

id becoming involved with him. Fred Coleman might wear a clean

tightened. "He'

family pulls people down with it. You cance

mething close to pity. "You n

k. Then, with more softness than she expected: "I'm st

aving her with a heart conflicted an

his eyes darted often toward the balcony. He could s

ck with implication. Kelvin passed by Don Williams's ear on his w

the Don said. "An

xchange. So did Forl

her expression unreadable,

ut it didn't re

y begun its desc