"No, I was a bitch."
"And I understand why."
"You're too easy on me."
"I can go harder."
Even over the phone, she sensed the curve of his lips as he smiled. A smile she'd already she'd gotten used to.
"Oh, I bet you can."
He laughed now. "I have some news."
"What kind? Good I hope?"
"Excellent. I figured out why you look so familiar."
She bolted upright as the drowsiness vanished. "I knew it. The ghost of Darren came to you in a dream, didn't he?"
"You're a sucker for the paranormal, aren't you? But no, I had no ghostly visitations. It's even better. Can you come over?"
"Now? I haven't showered or eaten-"
"You can shower with me and I'll cook breakfast. Kurt is outside your apartment with a car."
Shower with him. The idea slid heat through her, and she almost got lost in that image, until his words registered. She blinked in astonishment. "Outside my apartment now?"
"Yes."
"I can drive you know. My car works fine."
"I know." He gave a husky laugh. "But I wanted you here right away."
"Why? Is it that exciting?"
"I think so. Also, I miss you."
His bluntness surprised her.
"I missed not having you in my bed last night. Waking up beside you. That's twice now."
His words warmed her and she tightened her grip on the phone. "Okay. I'll throw on some clothes and go meet Kurt. But this had better be good for calling me so early."
"It is."
Renee hung up the phone and got dressed. Five minutes later she was leaving her apartment building and climbing into the back of Devon's luxurious, black, tinted‐windowed, car.
Her curiosity was aroused more than ever as Kurt drove her to Devon's estate. At least this would give her the chance to apologize for her behavior last night. The last thing she wanted to do was turn on Devon. It was ridiculous to blame him for his ancestor's choices.
She closed her eyes, relaxing against the buttery leather of the seats. A person could get used to this chauffer thing. Not to mention it saved her on gas, seeing as he lived a good half an hour away.
When they arrived Renee said a quick goodbye to Kurt and hurried inside. Devon must have watched her arrival, because he was waiting for her in the foyer.
"All right, now what's this big-"
He pulled her against him, crushing his mouth down onto hers. Her knees almost gave out as his tongue stroked into her mouth, exploring deeper and deeper with each hungry plunge. He pulled back, brushing soft kisses against her mouth before letting her go and leaving her breathless.
He leaned down and touched his nose against hers. "You'll love what I'm going to show you."
Trying to maintain her ability to stand, she drew in a shaky breath. "What is it? I'm getting more curious by the minute."
"Follow me." Devon took her hand and led her up the staircase.
Renee hurried to keep up with him, wondering if this all was just a ploy to get her back into his bedroom. He should know better, it wasn't like she'd resisted in the first place. But he bypassed his room and continued down the hall.
They reached another short flight of stairs that led to a small door. An attic.
Renee shivered, pushing aside the creepy sensation that wanted to take over. It wasn't that she was afraid of attics. It was just ones that were in houses over a hundred years old that made her a little nervous.
"I had lighting put in ten years ago." He glanced back. "So it's not as frightening as it looks."
She flashed him a relieved smile. It was amazing how well he could read her.
Devon opened the door and hunched down to climb in. Renee took a deep breath before following suit.
By the time she was inside Devon had the lights on and the room, with its high ceiling, was filled with a soft glow.
As she glanced around, she saw there were dozens of boxes stacked everywhere, plastic storage bins, and objects covered in sheets.
Devon strode to the far end of the room and then brought back a rectangular object that was wrapped in fabric.
"Here we are," he murmured as he began to unravel the fabric.
Renee couldn't even let herself blink as a wooden edge appeared first, then the splashes of color on a canvas.
A painting.
Devon glanced at her and their gazes locked, before he turned and finished unwrapping it.
Renee's chest was tight as she stared down at the portrait of a woman.
"It's her." She hovered a finger over the name that was written at the top of the portrait, dismay sweeping through her. "It's Anne Stoddard."
Chapter Fifteen
"Yes."
The woman could have been her twin-only the period dress separated them. Her hair was the same, long and black, but twisted atop her head. The same pale blue eyes, small nose and curved mouth. She wore a blue gown, and a smile that could only be for her lover. The resemblance was shocking.
"I'd seen the painting a few times when I was a kid," Devon said. "I remember thinking she was the most beautiful woman ever."
Renee turned to look at him, her heart pounding a little harder now. "Why would he keep a painting of her? What do you think it means?"
Devon shrugged, not taking his eyes off the portrait. "Maybe he stole it as a souvenir. It could have been the era equivalent to keeping a woman's panties after sex."
Renee grimaced. "Nice. Except this probably cost a lot more than a pair of underwear."
"Undoubtedly. Don't you think it's crazy how much you look like her? I realize you're related, but this is uncanny. When I saw you that night at the party I must've subconsciously remembered the portrait." He turned to face her, his gaze studying her as intently as he had the painting a moment ago. "And I wanted you like I've never wanted another woman."
She swallowed hard. "Devon, I..."
"The painting is yours."
Shock ripped through her. "You can't mean that."
Even still, her glance drifted back to the painting-an antique in itself. The frame was thick and beautifully carved. But the oil portrait on the canvas made it priceless.
"I mean it, and you will accept it. It's truly the least I can do to make up for the wrongs done to your ancestor."
"It was centuries ago," she murmured weakly.
"Maybe, but you built up hope that this brooch would be found. And although I couldn't begin to tell you where that item may be, the painting I can give you." The last words he spoke while handing her the painting.
When she made to protest, he gave a small shake of his head. "This is not up for negotiation. Come, let's go back downstairs and I'll make breakfast."
Devon turned off the lights, and they made their way back through the small doorway, pausing just long enough to lock up.
As they neared Devon's room, Renee grabbed his shirt and tugged him back.
"Thank you for the painting." She set it on top of a small table in the hallway. "You have no idea how much that touches me."
His gaze darkened and slid over her. "You're welcome. And we really should go downstairs, before I'm touching you physically as well as emotionally."
She gave a tiny smile and looked at him through her lashes. "That might not be a bad thing. Maybe before breakfast we could take that shower?"
"Maybe you're on to something." He arched a brow and pulled her into the bedroom, and toward the French doors leading to his master bath.
She wanted him again. As ridiculous as it was, and as insatiable as she felt, she couldn't get enough of Devon Murray. It was just as he'd teased. He touched her. Both on an emotional and physical level.
"You have far too many clothes on," she murmured, and reached to undress herself.
Devon watched her wiggle out of her clothes and sighed. This morning had been perfect so far. He had wanted to fix her breakfast and get her all relaxed, and then hit her with the bad news.
But with her naked, and his body already responding, he knew he would be a fool to argue. Not to mention this might be his last chance to touch her.
The dark thought slipped in and settled like acid in his belly. He didn't want to consider the possibility, but he was a realist. After Renee heard the rest of his news, there was a good chance she'd want nothing to do with him anymore.
"Come here, sweetheart." He took a step forward, picked her up, and carried her into the bathroom.
"Carrying me? So romantic." She gave a husky laugh and looped her arms around his neck.
He set her down in the shower and then turned on the spray.
"Cold! The water's cold, and that's not the least bit sexy." She yelped, jumping back from the stream.
"My mistake." Sort of. He gazed at her nipples, which were now tight and glistening with the drops of water. He might've done that little trick on purpose.
When the water warmed up, sending puffs of steam into the air, Renee stepped back under the stream.
"Aren't you going to join me?"