Free Venus in Love by Tina Michele Page A

acclimate herself to the gallery in person. She knew she wouldn’t have much time to wander the entire place beforehand, but she had enough time to see a few of the more well-known pieces. She made her way to the American collection. She gave herself half an hour to peruse the exhibition and made sure that she watched the time. Morgan was easily hypnotized by most artworks and frequently lost track of time when that happened. True to her nature, she found a piece by Frederick Church and was quickly absorbed into the painting. She moved in close in an attempt to smell the paint on the canvas. She had never been to Niagara Falls, but she could hear the roaring water all around her as she stood on the edge of the cascades. Morgan closed her eyes and imagined the cool spray on her face.
    “Ever been?”
    Morgan’s eyes flew open at the sound of a voice. She quickly stepped back from the painting and looked over at the woman standing next to her.
    “Excuse me?
    “Have you ever been to Niagara Falls?” the woman asked.
    “Oh. I have not, unfortunately. But judging from this painting, I have no doubt that it’s quite spectacular.” Morgan looked at her watch. She realized she had once again overshot her time allotment and was a tad thankful for the stranger’s interruption.
    “I can assure you the majesty of the falls has nothing on you.” The stranger held out her hand. “Lilly Kent.”
    Morgan blushed and took her hand. “Morgan Blake. And thank you, but I’m sorry. I’m late for an appointment.” Morgan turned to leave but stopped quickly. “It was nice to meet you.”
    “The pleasure is most definitely mine, Ms. Blake.”

    *

    Lee was running late for her lunch appointment with Lilly Kent. Running late never set well with Lee, but she knew that Morgan’s interview was scheduled for noon, and Lee was anxious to get out of the building. She had wanted to avoid coming to the office at all. More importantly for her plan, she needed to avoid seeing Morgan until Alex had sealed the deal. Of course, when Lilly called to meet for lunch, Lee realized she would need to stop by the gallery for the documents they needed to review. Lee expected to be in and out quickly, but once word spread that she was on the premises, her phone had not stopped ringing. After Lee put out the last of the administrative fires, she grabbed her keys and left the office. To her dismay, Lilly wasn’t waiting for her.
    “Alex, did Kent go downstairs?” Lee asked.
    “Yes, ma’am, about twenty minutes ago.”
    “Ugh…okay…thanks,” Lee said as she headed to the elevator. She pressed the down button, but something inside her said that taking the stairs would be better just in case Morgan was on her way up. She turned and headed to the fire exit stairs instead. When Lee exited the stairwell into the large lobby, she recognized Lilly coming out of the American Masterpieces exhibit.
    Lilly was a very attractive woman in her thirties with long straight black hair. Lee guessed she was likely of Latin descent with deeply tanned skin and a trim but athletic figure. Lee thought she could have been a soccer or basketball player in college. Lilly preferred neatly tailored suits designed for women but in the patterns and fabrics common for menswear. Although she was incredibly attractive and openly lesbian, Lee was not sexually attracted to her. Truth be told, Lee could hardly stand being in the same room as the woman. Yet, Lee’s disinterest did not squelch Lilly’s advances or suggestions of a casual hook-up, as Lee also found her pretentious, high-maintenance, and teeming with all the qualities she avoided in a partner, sexual or otherwise. Lilly was oblivious of Lee as she approached. It seemed that something or someone had her undivided attention. Lee stopped next to Lilly and followed her stare across the room. Lee’s stomach dropped to her knees when she recognized the woman who held Lilly’s gaze.
    “Holy shit!” Lee whispered as her