Joseph, page 2
“First of all, I take my camera because it is prudent to do so. You never know when there is something picture worthy and you were the one who encouraged me to do so. Secondly, whenever we are on a date, I make sure that I give you my full attention.”
“We never have sex!” He had shouted.
“That’s because you are a lousy lay.” She had shouted back. He had taken offense to that and had told her stiffly that she was not the woman he had thought she was. She had broken it off with him and thrown herself into her work. No more relationships for now, she thought grimly. He had been her second and it had not turned out well. She enjoyed her work, which was not really ‘work’ after all because she enjoyed every minute of it. She ran the sponge around the back of her neck and felt the wet tendrils of hairs there as she contemplated her next job. Some of her pieces were being showed in the local art gallery and she was getting nervous about it. She had shown pieces before but this time it was different. She was thinking of turning her work into a coffee table book and wanted to make sure that they were actually good enough. They were mostly black and white pieces and mostly of her favorite subject – her dad. The subject was candid photos of him pottering around in his vegetable garden, some of him sipping his cup of coffee, a pensive expression on his strong face. He made such a wonderful subject but refused to pose for a photo. He was the one who had turned her on to her career path when he had bought her the first camera when she was fifteen years old. She had taken pics of the wildflowers growing in their backyard and had graduated to shooting pictures of people who caught her interest. Settling against the padded rest, she took up the glass of wine and resumed sipping.
*****
“You seem a tad preoccupied.”
Joseph lifted his dark head and studied the quiet and composed beauty seated across from him. It was their last dinner before he left for his travels and he was trying to drum up some enthusiasm to give her the indication that he was enjoying the meal and her company.
“Is the lamb not to your liking?”
“It’s a bit dry.”
“We could order something else.”
“It’s fine.”
“Is it me?” She asked anxiously.
He quelled the impatience at her constant need for validation and wished she would be more assertive. But then again, that’s one of her attractions. She was not pushy – a quality that he despised in a woman. “It’s not you my dear,” he stopped short of patting her hand. “I am leaving tomorrow and there are still lots of things to do before then.”
“Do you want me to come over?”
He felt the surge of impatience again. She should be offering, not asking and because she did, he shook his head. “There is no need.”
“I am going to miss you. Will you call me?”
“Of course I will. But you will be kept busy. It is springtime and the palace has a lot going on.”
She nodded and sliced into her meat delicately, breaking off a piece of the meat and chewing it in a precise movement. She was a delicate looking strawberry blonde with cream skin and light blue eyes. She was demure in everything from the way she wore her clothes to the way she moved in bed. Her movements were very economical, and he often wondered if she had ever experienced an orgasm. He shook the thought away and concentrated on the meal.
“I was thinking that when you are back, we could plan our wedding. How does June sound to you?”
“I will let you know. What’s the rush?”
“You are right,” She agreed quietly. “We have all the time in the world.”
Her tendency to agree to everything he said was wearing on his nerves and he wondered why it was bothering him now. “She is not good enough for you.” His mother’s words taunted him, and he shook it away. “What do you think?”
“I want what you want.” She said with a gentle smile.
“We will discuss this when I get back.” He said with a forced smile. “More wine?”
She nodded and he poured the wine into the glass, topping his up in the process. “The weather is looking up these days.”
She nodded with a bright smile. “The showers are certainly doing wonders for the plants. I have been to Hyde Park a couple of days ago and it was wonderful.”
“We should go together.”
“A picnic would be heavenly.” She agreed.
“A picnic it is. I will put it on my schedule.”
“Thank you.” She said softly.
Joseph wondered what on earth she was thanking him for!
Chapter 2
“It’s an interesting piece. Is it one of yours?”
She turned at the sound of the cultured British voice behind her and felt a jolt to her senses at the dark brooding man towering over. “Yes it is.”
His hazel eyes assessed her, and she had the distinct feeling that he was searching for something. “The sharpness and focus are very precise, and you seem to know the subject.”
Her tapered eyebrows lifted as she stared at him. “He is my dad. You seem to know a lot about photography. Are you in the field?”
“I am more of a connoisseur.” He studied the framed pieces on the wall and ignored the pull of something from her. He had been standing in the room conversing with some of the patrons as he watched her. The black cocktail dress was a little too skimpy for his taste, but she wore it well, her petite frame shown to advantage and the color looked startling against her caramel skin. Her hair was caught in an elegant chignon at the nape of her neck and big silver hoops were at her lobes. “I collect.” He studied the other pieces, particularly an eye catching one with a little boy standing at the edge of what looked like a lake. He was wearing cut off denims and white t-shirt, the color stark against the black background. She had caught him in profile, with his dark face turned sideways as he was listening to something someone was saying to him. The water made a ripple and around the lake, wildflowers were blooming. “This is stunning.” He drew closer to the piece and studied it at length. “I must have it!“
“Thanks….!” They both looked around as a woman bustled forward.
“Del, darling, we need you around back for a minute.”
“I am sorry. Perhaps at another time!”
“No, please go right ahead. I have some more looking to do.”
He turned back to the photos on the wall and studied them in detail, mentally picking out several pieces that he would purchase. After he was finished, he turned his head to watch as she made the rounds around the room, chatting up patrons, her laughter distinct and provocative.
“Thank you,” he accepted the bubbly automatically as he continued to watch her navigate around the room. He was not in the least bit disappointed that she had not come back to have a conversation with him. He preferred to study her without her knowing. He had arrived this morning, and spent the time becoming familiar with the neighborhood. The apartment was in an exclusive neighborhood, complete with a doorman and a maid. The young woman would start tomorrow, and he was going to make sure that he was not around when she was doing her cleaning.
“Delightful pieces aren’t they?” He turned at the sound of the feminine voice and saw the matronly looking woman staring at the photos.
“They are indeed.” He agreed.
She turned her head to stare at him in interest. “You are from the UK.”
“I plead guilty.”
“I always love the English accent. I almost married me an Englishman when I was younger.”
“What stopped you?”
“Too cold and distant,” She leaned forward as she made the comment. “I am talking about the country of course.” She added with a braying laugh that got on his already heightened nerves.
“Of course” he said dryly.
“The man in the photos is her dad.” She gestured towards the wall.
“You know him?”
She nodded. “He served in the US army and lost his wife when Delores was a teenager. They are very close, hence all these photos of him.”
“He is not here?”
“He was here earlier, but he suffers from arthritis and cannot do a lot of standing.”
“I see.” Joseph studied the photos of the man and realized that there were little similarities between him and his daughter. “She must favor her mother.”
“Like looking in a mirror.” The woman commented.
“It was nice meeting you.” Joseph said politely as he made to leave.
“Did you buy anything?”
He started in surprise at the question. It went to show how rude and pushy Americans were. A proper English woman would never venture that question.
“I am thinking of doing so.”
“You look like you can more than afford several pieces.” Her light blue eyes assessed him boldly. “If I am not mistaken, the shirt you are wearing is the finest cotton and that jacket, well….”
Joseph stepped back in shock when she reached out to finger the lapel. “Is this cashmere?”
“I believe it is. Now, I really have to go.” He turned away rudely before the woman could say anything else and ignored the comment about not getting his name. Of all the nerve! He thought in disgust.
*****
He wondered if she was going to think he was stalking her. After last night, he knew that she would be at her favorite cafe – a small intimate place several blocks from the gallery. She often went there for breakfast especially after a show and he was right. She was sitting at a table with a newspaper in her hand and a cup of coffee at her elbow. Taking a deep breath, he walked towards the table and stood there, waiting for her to look up.
“Hello again….”
She stared at him puzzled.
“I am feeling a little offended that after our very lengthy conversation at the gallery last night, you do not recognize me.”
“Oh. I am so sorry. I met so many people last night that faces became a blur.”
“Understandable. Mind if I sit?”
She waved a hand, indicating that he should go ahead. The waitress came over immediately and he ordered a coffee and bagel. “You are not eating?”
“I already did. This is my second cup of coffee.”
“I see. The show was a success?”
“It seemed to be.”
“You are not sure?”
“The reporter was not very enthusiastic about the pieces.”
“You managed to sell a few pieces, right?” He thanked the waitress and ignored the blatant admiration on her face.
She laughed with that tinkling sound that lit up her face and transformed it. “More than a few….”
“There you go.” He waved a hand and stared at the bagel. He had forgotten his hand sanitizer in his haste to get out of the apartment and get here before she left. Using the napkin, he picked it up and broke off a piece, his hazel eyes meeting her curious ones. “I have a thing about germs.”
She nodded. “I did not get your name.”
“It’s Joseph Louie.” He extended a large manicured hand for her to shake.
“Very nice to meet you formally Joseph. My name is Delores….”
“Canton.” He picked up his cup and sipped the coffee. “So, what’s next for you?”
“I am gathering pieces for a book.”
His eyebrows lifted. “A book you say?”
“A coffee table book. I have hundreds of pieces and a hard time deciding on the ones I would like to use.”
“Interesting.” He sipped his coffee in silence as he studied her. She was wearing her hair in a ponytail with tendrils escaping down her cheeks. He objectively admired the lines of her cheeks and the curve her bottom lips, ignoring the pull of something unfamiliar.
“Are you done?” The amused sexy drawl startled him, and he almost spilled the coffee.
“Pardon?”
“You have been staring.” She pointed out to him….
“Have I?” He asked mildly as he tried his best to come up with a reason.
“Do I have something on my face? Some of the cinnamon from the bagel I just had?”
“You are a beautiful woman.” He said suddenly. He figured that he might as well come right out and start his plans. He had a job to do and the quicker he set about doing it, the quicker he would be able to get back home. He had found himself hankering for a particular delicacy he found at home and the view from his flat. London was home to him, and he was never comfortable elsewhere, but he had come to do a job and he was not leaving until it was done.
“And?” He could swear that she was laughing at him!
“And I would like to ask you out on a date. That is of course, if you don’t mind.”
She tilted her head to one side and stared at him. “Why?”
“Why what….?”
“Why do you want to go out with me? You don’t know me.”
“I know that you are very creative. And you take cream in your coffee and you are writing a book.” He snapped his fingers. “And you love your dad.”
Her golden-brown eyes twinkled in amusement. “That’s it?”
“If you go out to dinner with me, I can learn more.”
“I don’t know anything about you other than you are British. Why are you here?”
“I am on vacation.”
“From….?”
“Work of course.”
“And that would be?”
“I work in real estate.” He told her smoothly. “We happen to have something in common.”
“What is that?”
“My Mother is from here.”
“Your mother is an American.”
He nodded. “She met my dad in the UK, and they got together and as a result I was born.”
She laughed at that and he found himself entranced at the white teeth against her lips. “I noticed that you did not say they fell in love. Did they?”
For a moment, his mild expression slipped and then he recovered. “They might have been.”
“Might have been?”
She was quick, he thought wryly. “I am sure they were.”
“What happened?”
“Life happened.” He flicked a hand. “But we are not talking about them. Would you care to have dinner with me?”
“Are you married?”
“What?” He stared at her with an absolutely startled look.
“Are you married?”
He gave her a strange look. “No.”
“Engaged?”
He thought idly on Sally and felt a twinge of guilt as he responded. “No.”
“Why not?”
“I have not found the woman I would like to settle down with. Is it the same with you? Or are you engaged? Or involved with someone?”
“No. I was some time ago – involved I mean but it did not work out.”
“Dare I say it is his loss and my gain?”
She burst out laughing. “I do believe that you are flirting with me.”
“Am I doing a good job of it?”
“Passably.” She gestured with her hand. “Where do you want to go?”
“Where would you recommend?”
Her golden-brown eyes twinkled. “I know just the place. Dress casual.” She stared at the discreetly expensive light blue sweater he was wearing.
“I will try and find something appropriate.”
She nodded and glanced at her watch.
“You are late for an appointment?”
“With my dad. I promise that I would accompany him to his doctor’s appointment.”
“You two are very close.”
She nodded as she got to her feet. “Very.” She extended a small hand as he stood up. “Nice to meet you Joseph Louie.”
