NERTHUS
“Ah, Renee, what a wonderful sight for my old sore eyes.”
I giggle as I take Robert’s hand that he is offering me to get out of the cab.
“Hi, my dear. You look very handsome yourself.” I flash him one of my best smiles, as I take his hand and we walk up the stairs to the gallery.
Entering the spacious hall after going through security, he blows a whistle as he looks at the enlightened paintings hanging on the wall.
“Perfect. This finally seems to be an art exhibition that will suit your taste.”
I laugh and confirm that he might just be right. He picks at his tailored suit as if he wanted to get it to sit better on his tall frame. After having passed his hands through his pepper-salt hair, he offers me his arm to take.
We slender through the exhibition leisurely while chatting and commenting on the artworks. I play the good companion as he gets into conversation with the other guests and am at his side to crack jokes with him as the hosts hold a speech addressing the wealthy guests for donations. I have actually always liked Robert as a client. He is an older gentleman with a black humor and is intelligent enough to have a conversation go on for hours.
As we are standing in front of a breath-taking abstract large texture painting, Robert passes his hand, slicking his hair back and his signet ring shines in the spotlight of the painting.
“Aaah, your eyes are sparkling. Let me get this one for you.”
“Oh, no, Bobby. That would be too much, please.”
“You even checked the brochure twice for this one. I saw that.” He says snickering while bouncing his pointed finger in front of my face.
“I just wanted to be prepared and you are right, I like this one, but I beg you! Thank you, but no!”
I laugh as I put my hand on his arm. He is about to retort something with a big smile on his face as we get interrupted by a voice that I thought I would never hear again.
“Mr. Caruso.” Robert’s face falls slightly before he regains his untroubled composure.
“Ah, Mr. Rodberg. What a pleasure meeting you on such an occasion.”
I nearly forget how to breathe as I turn around to my sinful fantasy dressed in a tailored tuxedo that hugs his smoking-hot broad frame delightfully.
After shaking hands with Robert, Rodberg turns to me. His black eyes capturing my gaze, has me having the fantastic flash back of him making me beg for more as he is thrusting into me forcefully. I shift on my feet as the memory hits me pleasantly in the awesomely right place.
“Can I introduce you to my wonderful companion, Renee?”
I flash him a smile and actually would have enjoyed having his hand enveloping mine. But as he doesn’t offer me his, I act like the educated lady I am and keep my hands to myself.
Bummer.
“Hi. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise, Renee.” At least he doesn’t mock me or my name in front of my client. As they engage in a conversation about business, I politely disengage but keep standing next to Robert. I let my gaze roam while I let the men talk without any interruption. Naturally, Robert talks like a waterfall while Mr. Rodberg stays mostly quiet just uttering comments and I have to smile to myself.
My eyes fall on his companions. The two men wear unreadable expressions but surely give off the vibe of better not being messed with. While the one on his right is slightly smaller than him but looks like a bodybuilder, the one standing on his left is a gigantic guy, even towering over my mysterious hulk but rather on the slender lean side. While the bodybuilder is constantly assessing the surroundings and is letting his eyes fly over the room if they are not concentrating on Robert, the slender guy has his eyes set on me. As my eyes meet his deep blue ones, I tear myself away immediately and shift on my feet. I concentrate back on Robert and force up a smile before I take advantage of a short pause in the conversation and touch Robert’s arm gently. “Bobby, I’ll be at that masterpiece over there. If you would excuse me.”
“Sure, love. Take your time.”
I nod to the gentlemen before I step away from them. Taking a deep breath as soon as I stand in front of a painting on the other side of the hall, I get offered a new glass of champagne by a banquet waiter and take it with a smile.
About 5 minutes later, I feel his presence behind me just before he comes standing at my left side. My mysterious Adonis takes a sip from his flute before he speaks.
“Isn’t he too old for you?”
I chuckle while taking a sip of my white wine. “I don’t exclude anyone. My clients come in all colors and shapes.”
Getting a short glimpse of how his face derails before he catches himself again, I gasp, a big smile growing on my lips. “Did you just wrinkle your nose at me?” I whisper shout and he clicks his tongue, ignoring me.
I look over my shoulder quickly, checking on Robert. Seeing that he is already busy with another man wanting to talk to him, I turn back around. We keep looking at the painting silently until I feel the urge to talk to him again. “Why are here you alone?”
“I am not.” He just states matter-of-factly, his eyes still glued on the art hanging before us.
“That’s not what I meant. I saw your… entourage. But why isn’t there a pretty lady with you?”
What am I even doing here? Wanting to converse with a man. I should go back to my client who is actually paying me.
He scoffs but doesn’t say anything more. Just as I’m about to think that he would ignore my question once again, he turns his head, his black eyes boring into mine.
“I don’t like bringing women to such events. They talk too much.”
I gulp as this is the longest I ever heard him speak and even if it feels like a blow in my stomach as I was clearly talking too much for him, it has my insides prickling.
God, I need a psychiatrist.