Read Online Coyote Gorgeous by Vijaya Schartz - Free Book Online Page B

I’m your ride. We are pulling out. " He stared at Madison as if she’d done something
wrong. " Anything to
report? "
    Why did he make her feel
like a child caught stealing? She hoped she didn’t blush. " They took two eaglets, just as
agreed. "
    " All right.
Get in. " Jake’s proprietary
smile made her want to slap him. But he was her boss.
    Madison simply nodded and climbed into
the Jeep. Why had Jake come all this way to supervise in person?
Was he keeping tabs on her?

 
     
     
     
     
     

Chap ter Five
     
     
    Madison examined the fancy turquoise
and silver invitation. The front displayed a photograph of Kal
standing next to his striking metal sculpture of the Great Coyote.
Apparently, the whole exhibit was about his art. She turned the
card over. Printed, not signed. Disappointing, but still, he’d
supplied her name for the prestigious guest list. The return
address indicated the Bagatelle Fine Art Gallery in Scottsdale,
very upscale.
    Setting the invite next to her satin
clutch on the floating shelf of her apartment’s small foyer,
Madison preened in front of the full-length mirror. The flaring hem
of the metallic blue cocktail dress flirted just above the knees,
revealing bare tan legs and toned calves, enhanced by matching blue
stilettos. The empire bodice pushed up her small breasts, creating
cleavage, and the slim cut made her look taller. With blue shadow
setting off her eyes, and pink gloss plumping her lips, Madison
felt ready for battle. Kal had ignored her too long.
    She winked at her
reflection. " Kal, eat your
heart out. "
    She may have looked ordinary in her
navy sweats when he’d cooked her a fancy dinner, but tonight she
would dazzle him.
    She paused, staring at herself in the
mirror. What if he had another date? She pushed away the thought.
No matter. After two weeks of silence, Madison deserved an
explanation. Why had he sought her out and kissed her if he didn’t
intend to call? Was the invitation his way of asking for
forgiveness? Did he only want her friendship, or something
more?
    Men could be so confusing. Although
Kal was wrong for her, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. But
she couldn’t let him play with her feelings. She would arrive
fashionably late. And even if he courted her tonight, she would
remain strong and wouldn’t give an inch. Let him drool.
    Grabbing her evening clutch, barely
large enough to fit the sidearm and the badge that never left her,
Madison walked out. The setting sun lengthened the shadows of the
tropical palms shading the elegant apartment complex. She descended
the outdoor stairs and strode resolutely toward her red Miata
convertible. Tonight, she would face Kal and get answers as to his
feelings and intentions toward her.
    As she stepped into the convertible,
the small hairs at her nape prickled, as if someone watched her.
Pretending to adjust the rear view mirror, she glanced into it but
saw no one. Just silly anxiety. She turned the ignition and drove
off, trying to shake the uneasy feeling.
     
     
    *****
     
    Craning his neck to see around the
older woman in the pink Kentucky Derby hat, Kaletaka kept glancing
toward the entrance of the Bagatelle Fine Art Gallery. The crowd in
designer suits and mostly bare dresses revealing perfect silicone
orbs obstructed his view. Waiters, in black and white tuxedos,
carried silver trays of champagne glasses and finger
food.
    Darryl, wearing a raw silk
Pierre Cardin suit that matched his sandy hair, smiled to the group
of would be art connoisseurs. He caressed the head of Kaletaka’s
bronze Mother Holding a
Child . " The opening is an unprecedented
triumph. "
    Kaletaka raised his glass to the
guests circling the bronze for a better view, and they murmured
approval.
    Darryl winked at
Kaletaka. " We already sold
two sculptures. "
    " Good. " Kaletaka leaned
toward Darryl and whispered, " You know I can’t stand these formal
shindigs. "
    " That’s the
price of success, man. " Darryl flashed a smile of