The Art of Love [Hedon Falls 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (17 page)

Melanie looked up from her spot on the kitchen floor when she heard the door open. Alexis walked through and came to sit beside her.

“I know we haven’t known each other long,” Alexis said. “But I’m a great listener.”

Melanie sighed. She liked Alexis. The older woman was friendly and had a great sense of humour. It felt like they had been friends for a while, and Melanie decided that maybe a fresh opinion might help. So she launched into the story, hoping that Alexis wouldn’t be too judgemental. As Melanie talked, Alexis listened patiently, nodding and saying very little. When Melanie had finished her story, she waited anxiously for the other woman’s reaction.

“Well,” she began. “I see you meant the term ‘clusterfuck’ literally.”

Melanie burst out laughing. It was exactly the right thing for Alexis to say, and the two of them giggled like fools for a few minutes before catching their breath.

“In all seriousness, though,” Alexis said. “It sounds like these men all love you very much. And you clearly love them. But I guess it’s difficult to get someone with old-fashioned ideas to think outside the box.”

Melanie nodded. “David just seems to get so jealous and possessive. I don’t know what to do.”

“But you said he had fun in the shower, didn’t you?” Alexis asked. When Melanie nodded, she continued, “Then it doesn’t sound to me like he’s averse to the idea. I think he’s probably just confused because he thinks he should be the only man but doesn’t understand why it’s so arousing to see you with someone else.”

“You might be right,” Melanie said.

“My advice, and you don’t need to listen to it at all if you don’t want to, is to stick with your decision to wait until after the gallery is open. You’re right about needing to concentrate and it sounds like being around these guys is a little too…distracting.”

Melanie grinned. “Distracting is a good word for it. Thanks for listening, Alexis.”

“No problem,” Alexis replied. “Anytime you need it, I’ll be right here.”

With the serious discussion over, the two women worked at getting the rest of the boxes unpacked and began organizing the café.

* * * *

Melanie spent the next few weeks madly organizing for the gallery opening. Serena helped her get the printed media together and was running her website. Alexis had hired two part-time staff and was training them for the café. Melanie had to hire another person to work the front of the gallery, and she had to train him or her as well. Plus the men began bringing their artwork in, which meant Melanie had to try to avoid being around when they were there. It all kept her very busy.

The day of the opening gala arrived, and Melanie spent the morning at the gallery making sure everything was perfect. She checked all the lighting, made sure all the information plaques were up, organized the literature at the front desk, dusted, polished, and vacuumed. She set out potpourri and toiletries in the bathrooms for her guests’ convenience, thinking to herself that it was probably easier to plan a wedding. She checked on Alexis and her staff who were cooking and arranging the
hors d’oeuvres
on trays to be put in the refrigerator. The rented punch fountain and champagne flutes were stacked up and ready to be used.

When Serena arrived to take Melanie to the hair stylist shortly after noon, Melanie found it hard to leave. “Just let me check—”

“Melanie, if we don’t go now, you’re going to have limp hair and be wearing jeans tonight. Is that how you want people to see you?” Serena asked.

“Fine! You win. Let’s go, before I think of something else.”

Serena drove them to the salon, rubbing her belly the whole way. Melanie noticed her grimacing a few times. “Are you okay?” she asked. Serena was thirty-five weeks pregnant, and since she was expecting twins, she could deliver any day.

“I’m fine,” Serena said. “These girls just keep kicking me the wrong way. It’s so crowded in there right now that they don’t have room to move.”

“Can I feel?” Melanie asked. Serena nodded and Melanie placed her hand against the side of Serena’s swollen belly. She smiled when she felt a kick against her hand. Though she would never tell Serena, Melanie was a bit jealous of her friend. She had two loving husbands, three adorable kids, and two more about to arrive. Melanie’s own dreams of a family would have to wait. She still hadn’t said anything to the men about their relationship status. She wouldn’t be able to avoid them tonight. It would look strange if a gallery featuring local artists didn’t have said artists in attendance at its opening.

She sighed heavily.

“You’re thinking about the guys aren’t you?” Serena asked. “What are you going to say to them tonight?”

“I really don’t know,” Melanie admitted. “I want them all. I guess there’s no other way to say it. In those few weeks with just Garrett and Justin, I was happy enough, but I just didn’t feel complete. I need David, too.”

“Then you should just tell them that,” Serena said.

“What if it means losing all of them?”

“If that happens, maybe it really wasn’t meant to be,” Serena said gently.

Melanie stayed silent for the rest of the drive, debating with herself on the best way to handle the situation, but not arriving at any conclusions. Thankfully, the time at the salon cheered her up. Serena was treating her to a fancy updo, waxing, and mani-pedi. They had a great time sipping their tea while the estheticians worked away on them, and Melanie certainly felt a lot more relaxed when they were finished. Serena drove back to her house, where they would both get ready together.

Melanie carefully stripped out of her clothes so she wouldn’t mess up her hair, and then stepped into the fancy lingerie she had gotten to go under her gown. She had a red lace thong and garter belt, which had cost her almost as much as the gown, but as she slipped into them, she felt extremely sexy. Her gown wouldn’t permit a bra. She admired herself in the mirror for a moment, turning from side to side to check the view. She wondered if she’d be the only one to appreciate the beautiful undergarments. With a sigh, she took her red gown off the hanger and carefully stepped into it. It was a sensuous silk, and though it had straps, its neckline plunged between her breasts and the back almost to her ass. She turned and checked her reflection from behind to make sure the thong didn’t peek out. The skirt fell to the floor. It was slightly flared but still clung in all the right places.

Melanie was in the bathroom of the guest suite applying her makeup when Serena knocked on the door. Melanie called her in.

“Wow!” Serena exclaimed as she looked Melanie up and down. “You look spectacular.”

Melanie flushed slightly and smiled. She had hoped to really dazzle tonight.

“You’re just missing one thing,” Serena said. She held out a velvet jewelry case.

When Melanie opened the case, she gasped. Inside laid a brilliantly sparkling diamond necklace with matching earrings. The pieces were gorgeous, and she shuddered to think how much they would be worth. “What are these for?”

“They were Mrs. Dalton’s,” Serena explained. “We thought maybe you’d like to borrow them for tonight.”

“Are you sure? These must be worth a fortune.”

Serena nodded. “You need to shine tonight, and these will help. There will be lots of important people there, and you need to look the part of the successful gallery owner.”

“Thank you.” Serena took the necklace from the case and began to fasten it around Melanie’s neck. Then Melanie put the earrings in and looked at herself in the mirror. She was barely recognizable. Her hair was elegantly swept up, with just a few pieces artfully dangling. Her makeup was dramatic and sexy, just like the dress. The diamonds completed the outfit perfectly.

“Are you ladies just about ready?” Liam called into the bedroom. “The limo is here.”

Melanie picked up her clutch and followed Serena out of the room and down the stairs. Serena’s friend Lisa stood at the bottom, holding Savannah on her hip, while Logan stood beside her, his chubby little hand gripping hers.

“You ladies look hot!” she exclaimed.

“Just don’t look too closely at my waddle,” Serena said and they laughed. Lance and Liam appeared in the foyer, each carrying a fur wrap. Lance placed his around Serena’s shoulders and took her arm in his. Liam did the same for Melanie.

“It’s too bad I’m already married,” Liam said as he led Melanie out the front door to the waiting limousine. “You’re positively stunning.”

“You can have him,” Serena said. “I don’t think I want to let either of them near me again. They have a bad habit of knocking me up.”

The four of them laughed as they headed to the gallery. They were the first to arrive, but other guests began to appear shortly afterward. Melanie stood in the foyer, chatting with each one as they came in.

“Thank you for inviting us,” said Jack Sullivan as he shook her hand. He was a local resident, CEO of a major company in Toronto, and married to movie star Kendra Hughes. But the woman on his arm wasn’t his wife. “This is our good friend Sophie LaPlante. She graciously agreed to come with me tonight since Kendra is away on a movie shoot.”

“I’m so glad you could make it,” Melanie said as she shook Sophie’s hand. The couple moved further into the gallery to look over the artwork and talk to the other guests.

When Melanie turned back toward the door, her breath caught in her throat. Standing just inside the foyer were Garrett, Justin, and David. All three were in tuxedos.
What is it about a man in a tux?
Melanie was frozen to the spot. The men began to walk toward her. Justin got there first. He placed his hands on her upper arms, leaned in, and kissed her once on each cheek.

“
Tu ed très belle, ma chérie
,” he whispered.

Next, Garrett hugged her gently, pressing a kiss against her ear before saying, “You look gorgeous.”

Melanie’s heart was racing, and she could feel the flush rising up her neck and face. Her stomach, and other areas, were tight with desire, and she was sure her hardened nipples were visible through the fabric of her dress. When David put his arms around her, she closed her eyes and exhaled a shaky breath. God, she wanted them! David slid a hand down the exposed flesh of her back, and she arched into him, hearing him chuckle at her response.

Before she could say anything else to any of them, more guests were greeting her. She introduced the men, who shook hands with everyone who entered. After the last guest had arrived, Melanie began circulating around the gallery to talk to people. At first, the men stuck fairly close behind her, but eventually, they were waylaid by others who offered praise and congratulations on their fine work.

The evening sped past. Everyone who came to the gallery seemed impressed by the work Melanie had done there, and the reaction to the artwork was mostly positive, though of course there were critics.

“It’s just pornography!” Melanie overheard the mayor’s wife whispering to her husband as they looked at one of Garrett’s paintings. She gritted her teeth and pretended not to hear as she moved on to where Justin was talking to Jack Sullivan.

“
Ma chérie
,” he said as he took her hand and pulled her to his side. He kissed her cheek. “
Monsieur
Sullivan has just offered to purchase my photographs.”

Melanie blinked. “All of them?”

“
Oui
,” he said. He turned back toward Jack. “I am most happy to sell you my work, but the piece called
Ma Beauté, Ma Vie
is not for sale.”

“No?” Jack said. He glanced over at the picture Justin had indicated. He looked startled as he looked back at Melanie, then back at the photo. “That’s you!”

Melanie felt a blush rising again as she nodded.

“Fabulous!” Jack exclaimed. “Justin, I’ll double my offer.”

“That is very generous,
monsieur
, but that photograph is not for sale.” Justin’s mouth was set in a firm line, and his chin was lifted in a slightly defiant manner.

Jack studied him for a moment, and then glanced at Melanie. A small smile came to his lips. “I see. Would you consider doing a commissioned piece?”

“I would be willing to do that, yes,” Justin replied.

Jack took out his wallet and passed a business card to Justin. “Call me on Monday, and we’ll make the arrangements.”

“
Merci, monsieur
. It would be my pleasure.”

Melanie watched Jack and Sophie move away before turning to Justin. “How much did he offer you?” she asked.

“Two hundred and fifty.”

“That’s not very much,” Melanie said, disappointed. She wanted her artists to be successful, and she was sure two hundred and fifty dollars wouldn’t even cover Justin’s costs to produce the photos.

“No,
ma chérie
. It was two hundred and fifty
thousand
.” Justin grinned at her.

Melanie’s jaw dropped in what she was certain was an unflattering look. That amount seemed like too much. “Was that the doubled offer?”

Justin shook his head and his grin widened. “If I had accepted double, it would have been five hundred thousand.”