Free The Artist (The Game Changers #2) by Shealy James

scanned his broad chest and jean clad thighs that hinted at the muscle underneath. This guy was too much. When my eyes came back to his face, the damn smirk was there along with a cocked eyebrow. He wisely didn’t comment about my perusal, but instead stepped forward and said, “You look gorgeous, Duchess.” Then he kissed my cheek, and I sensed how delicious he smelled, something masculine and provocative. I had smelled it before when he stood too close to me. The reaction was the same each time. Lust coursed through me again, so I stepped back. Distance was required.
    I smiled up at his dark eyes that wrinkled with amusement. He knew how he affected me. Unfortunately, I couldn’t read him as easily.
    “Ready?” I asked, needing to get out of my condo and far away from my bedroom.
    He nodded slightly and held the door for me. “Yeah. Let’s do this.” He didn’t sound as excited as he had this morning, but if I was about to show someone my work, I wouldn’t exactly be chomping at the bit to get there. I had considered how incredibly brave he was being by even considering showing me his art.
    I grabbed my coat and purse and followed him to the elevator. In the mirrored door, I saw a secret smile touch his lips. “What?” I asked, only making eye contact with him through the door.
    “I was just thinking about the last time I was in this elevator with you.”
    “Oh,” I frowned, thinking of all the possibilities, considering I couldn’t remember ever being in any elevator with him. Suddenly, it was me who didn’t feel so confident in our afternoon.
    “What’s that about?” He pointed to my lip that was tucked under my teeth.
    I turned to look up at him. “Seeing as I don’t remember ever riding in this elevator with you, I don’t know what you would be smiling about.”
    His smile grew wider. “I was carrying you, and even in your drunken stupor, you were trying to sneak a little cuddle.”
    “A little cuddle?” I scoffed. “I’m sure I was just cold.”
    “You’re anything but cold, Duchess,” he mumbled just as the elevator doors opened. I didn’t get a chance to ask him what he meant before he took my hand and led me down the sidewalk back toward his bar. It was bitter outside, so I hoped he wasn’t planning on keeping me outside too long. I had on my coat, but it was more for looks than warmth. Not to mention, I wasn’t exactly an all-terrain kind of girl.
    He stopped next to a small, sporty-looking Subaru that was parked on the street in front of his bar. Of course his car was black and sporty. It suited him. The only other thing I could picture him having would have been a motorcycle, which wasn’t exactly suitable for the weather today. With his dark hair, stubble, leather jacket, and black leather boots, I could see Maverick on a bike. He would definitely look hot on a Harley. Oh, who am I kidding? The man would look hot on a tricycle.
    He opened the passenger door for me like a gentleman, and I was more than pleased with his effort. Usually, men only treated me like this when my parents were around. It wasn’t me they wanted to impress; it was Dick who was the key to their future. Not Maverick, though. He didn’t know Dick, try to impress Dick, give a damn about Dick. Ahem. Too far, Katherine, too far.
    When he pulled into the traffic, I finally asked, “Where are we headed?”
    “A few places,” he offered vaguely while switching on his blinker to change lanes. Yes, I found a responsible driver as well. Note—he did not hire a car. This was a first for me. Of course, I had ridden with Maddox, but no guy I knew had ever driven on a date, or whatever this was. The men I knew were trying to either show off their money, or get lucky in the backseat…with the driver in the front. Classy, right? Too bad they had the wrong girl for backseat nookie. Kitty Peters was so not that girl.
    “You aren’t going to tell me?”
    His grin was infectious. “That would ruin the surprise,