'Did she enjoyyou ?' Diane pushed, knowing full well Blair rarely allowed her sexual conquests the pleasure of having her. Which was one of the reasons Diane remained attracted. Like the exquisite one-of-a-kind works of art she brokered, she lusted after the exceptional, the singular, the one thing that no one else had. She wanted to be the one to wrest a cry of passion from those beautiful lips, to break the silence of Blairs isolation.
A warning flickered in Blairs blue eyes. There were places where even her oldest friend was not welcome. 'She got what she was looking for. She left satisfied.'
Yes, but did you?Diane thought, but wisely did not say. She surveyed the room, pleased at the turn out. Whenever she showed Blairs paintings, there was interest. Some of it, of course, was due to Blair's notoriety, but most of it was due to her genuine talent. The collectors were beginning to buy her work, recognizing its value. It wasnt a solo showing this time, but Blair was the featured artist.
'Wheres your new Spooky?' Diane asked.
'Directly across the room. She just came in,' Blair responded. Cameron was looking casually in their direction without seeming to focus on them. She was good. Blair knew perfectly well that she was the only thing Cameron was looking at. She also knew that the handsome agent saw her only as an assignment, an object to be moved, contained, and controlled on some giant chess board. Blair might be the queen, but she had been stripped of her power. She was ruled by pawns, and she hated it. Especially when her keeper was a woman so attractive Blair felt a twinge of desire every time she saw her. That made her even more eager to escape those intense grey eyes.
'Oh my,' Diane murmured, following Blairs gaze. She took in the lean physique and androgenous features in one swift appraising glance. 'Sheis tantalizing.'
Irked at the suggestive tone in Dianes voice and even more irritated at her own surge of possessiveness, Blair snapped, 'Yeah, if she isnt being paid to watch you.'
'Idalmost be willing to pay for that,' Diane rejoined, ignoring the edge in Blairs tone. She had never let friendship stand in the way of her attraction to another woman, and if Blair was interested too, that just intensified the challenge. This one looked like she would take some work. There was a nearly visible barrier around her, her indifference shoutinglook if you want to, I couldnt care less. Diane loved bringing those untouchable types to their knees, so to speak.
'You need to mingle, darlin,' Diane said as she moved away, 'and so do I if Im going to sell anything.'
Blair watched her lithe blonde friend melt into the throng, wondering how long it would take her to get around to Agent Roberts. She frowned at her own concern, and turned smiling to the director of the Museum of Modern Art, greeting him by name without a hint of her inner disquiet.
**********
'Its a shame you cant enjoy the artwork,' Diane said softly as she moved next to Cam. 'Not that watching Blair is not enjoyable. Im Diane Bleeker, Blairs agent.'
'How do you do,' Cam nodded politely, knowing full well exactly who the sophisticated woman beside her was. 'I have managed a glance or two at the works.'
'See anything you like,' Diane queried teasingly. She didnt see the point in being coy. She was well beyond that in her life. She allowed one leg to rest gently against Cams trousered thigh. It could have been the press of the crowd that brought her so close, but they both knew it wasnt.
Cam registered the contact, and the heat of Dianes body so close to her. If she glanced down she knew she would see the creamy expanse of the woman's breasts revealed by the low scoop of her black dress. She didnt look down. She gazed instead past her, to where Blair stood in conversation with a young man who resembled every stereotype of 'struggling young artist' she had ever seen, right down to the rumpled tweed jacket and scraggly beard. She kept her eyes on them as she spoke.
'Actually yes. Theres a series of sketches, nudes, on the far right wall. Charcoal on paper. Theyre hers, arent they?'
Diane studied her in surprise. She doubted many people had paid the small sketches much attention in the midst of the large oils and other canvasses. But that wasnt the real reason for her careful answer.
'The artist is Sheila Blake.'
'Uh huh,' Cam replied with a slight smile. 'Ms. Blakes strokes resemble those of Ms. Powells, as does the use of light and shadow. Of course, Im sure the Presidents daughter wouldnt have cause to be doing female nudes. Are they for sale?'
'Yes,' Diane replied, intrigued and immensely attracted.
'And confidential?'
'If the buyer desires. Once the works are consigned to me, the buyer becomes my client.'
'The buyer wishes to remain anonymous,' Cam stated smoothly, shifting her position slightly to keep Blair in sight.
Diane caught her breath as Cams arm unintentionally brushed her breast. She felt her nipple harden painfully, knowing it was visible beneath the shear material of her dress. Was it possible to be this aroused by someone who was practically ignoring you?
'I guarantee it,' she managed, her voice husky.
'Thank you.'
'Need we discuss price,' Diane asked. She was a businesswoman, after all.
'That wont be necessary.'
'Perhaps youll allow me to take you to lunch then, to discuss the details.'
Cam met her gaze fully for the first time, reading the invitation in them. 'Lunch would be fine,' she responded. 'Ill call.'
'Yes, please do.'
