Free PaintedPassion by Tamara Hunter

Louis had often joked about Carlos’ stable of women. For
one quick second, she wondered what type of man Carlos would be in a
relationship. Who cares? It’s not as if I’m interested in dating anyone.
    She glanced at him. Based on what had brushed against her
stomach last night, the man had a lot to work with. Who reaped the benefit?
    “What happened back there?”
    His question returned her to the present. “I rescued you
from two young women determined to introduce themselves and take advantage of
you.”
    “Appreciate the save.” He laughed.
    The deep sound made her insides tingle with longing.
    They entered the restaurant, and a hostess seated them at a
booth. Trella slid onto the leather seat opposite Carlos.
    A bespectacled waiter appeared. After setting glasses of
water on the table, he passed them each a menu. “I’ll return in a few minutes
to take your order.”
    Carlos eyed the bags piled on the seat next to her. “Found a
few things?”
    She nodded. “My one guilty pleasure.”
    “Hmm. Louis said you were a champion shopper.”
    “It isn’t my fault I can sniff out bargains.”
    He appeared scandalized. “What? No spa treatments?”
    She laughed. “I would love to indulge in an entire day of
treatments, but I haven’t had time. Maybe after the gallery showing.” She
sipped her water. “Everything okay with your client?”
    “They renewed their service contract for another three
years.”
    She studied the menu. “Your guys do what?”
    “Watch those who are watching the patrons.”
    “Wow. Does anyone trust anyone these days?”
    “Checks and balances is the name of the game, babe.” He
perused the menu. “Ready to order?”
    “I’m leaning toward the organic chicken with vegetables and
the tomato and basil salad.”
    When the waiter returned, Carlos ordered for Trella then
included steak and potatoes with steamed vegetables for himself.
    A smile creased his face. “You’re not planning to show me
what you bought?”
    “Are you interested?”
    He gasped in mock offense. “Think of me as one of the
girls.”
    As if . “Fine. But remember, this was your idea.” She
pulled a blouse from a bag as she regaled him with bargains from her shopping
spree.
    A tall, slender woman with breasts barely contained by the
halter of a yellow sundress stopped beside their booth. Vermillion-colored lips
formed a perfect pout. “You didn’t return my calls, Carlos.”
    He paused in the act of raising his glass. “Bambi?” The
water sloshed inside as he set the glass down hard.
    The woman laughed. “As if you could forget about me.”
    He slid from the booth. “Trella, this is Bambi. Uh, a friend
of mine.”
    Trella managed a brief smile at the woman then returned her
attention to Carlos. Was the man blushing?
    Bambi leaned over to finger the sleeve of the chiffon blouse
Trella held. “This is gorgeous. If you like the bargains here, you should try
the outlet mall. Have you been there?”
    Trella shook her head, unable to speak in the residual cloud
of the woman’s cloying floral perfume.
    “You should go there. Have Carlos take you.” Bambi flicked
strands of honey-colored hair over her shoulders, the flowing mane clearly
maintained at a salon and not from a do-it-at-home kit.
    “Don’t worry, baby.” She ruffled his hair. “I’ll make the
other night up to you.”
    Trella fought against an instant rush of dislike. Bambi was
one of Carlos’ harem. You are not interested, remember? She stuffed the
blouse into the bag, uncaring about wrinkles.
    “The other night?” Trella blurted the question, any
intention of remaining unaffected thrown out the window.
    Bambi nodded. “He wanted some loving before he left town,
didn’t you, babe?”
    Carlos picked up the glass and drained it as if it were the
last liquid sustenance allowed him. Bet he wished it was whiskey.
    Asshole . He possessed the gall to kiss her as if he
were single, when obviously he regularly reclined on this woman’s