His Other Wife (Beautiful Lies Book 1) Read online

  But Knox could only see his brother, and even more movingly, his father, standing there, both looking awed, both looking proud. He wanted to capture this moment forever. “Thank you, Dad, Levi, thank you for coming. It means the world to me.”

  Levi gave him an awkward fist bump, then laughed and hugged him. “It’s incredible, man.”

  His father looked close to tears. “Son,” he said but couldn’t finish.

  Knox pulled him into a hug, tightening his embrace when he felt his father stiffen in surprise, then relax. “Thanks for coming, Dad. I mean it.”

  “I’m proud of you, Knox. I may not show it, but I am.”

  Knox felt the lump in his throat get bigger. Flynn nudged them both. “Ugh, stop being so mushy.”

  Knox and his father pulled apart, laughing at his sister’s disgruntled face. She smiled at her brother. “Dude, I love your work, I do, but you know why I’m really here. Where is she?” Flynn craned her neck, trying to spot Anouk, and Knox laughed.

  “I’ll go find her, but promise me you won’t scare her off.”

  “I promise.” Flynn rolled her eyes at him, and he heard her blow a raspberry at him as he set off to find his love.

  Tom told him Anouk was up in the office, finding some provenances. “We’ve had a bidding war start already for some of your pieces,” the gallery owner said, a satisfied smile on his face, “and the critics are sending some very positive vibes.”

  Knox thanked Tom, and went to find Anouk. She was bent over her desk in her office, sorting through a file. She looked up and smiled as he knocked on the door jamb. “You’re a hit.”

  “Tom told me. All thanks to you.” He went to her and slipped his arms around her waist. She tilted her face up for a kiss.

  “When are you going to start taking credit for your incredible work? I know you, Knox Zapata. No false modesty, please.”

  “Deal. If you’ll at least let me say that no one has seen my work the way you did, you have.”

  “Aww, shucks.”

  He chuckled and kissed her. “Mmm, maybe I should just lock the door and we could…”

  “There’s a gallery full of people downstairs waiting for you,” Anouk mock-scowled at him, “and all you can think about is sex.”

  “I’m an artist,” he said with an unrepentant grin, “I’m flighty and horny.”

  Anouk chuckled and took his hand. “Come on, let’s go meet your public.”

  “Actually, there are some people I’d like you to meet first. My Dad’s here with Flynn and Levi.”

  It was adorable that she immediately looked nervous, but she nodded. “I’d love to.”

  She was still holding his hand when they met Gregory, and Knox’s siblings, downstairs. Anouk smiled at them all, shaking hands, and Knox caught Flynn’s eye. She nodded approvingly. Gregory asked Anouk to show him around, offering her his arm, and she took it, leading him into the main gallery.

  “She’s gorgeous,” Flynn hissed in Knox’s ear as they followed their father, “I might be on the turn.”

  Knox snorted with laughter while Levi grinned. “She is lovely, dude,” Levi nodded at his brother, “I hope… never mind. I’m glad you’re happy.”

  Knox didn’t press his brother on what he’d been about to say. Out of the corner of his eye, he’d seen Flynn shake her head at Levi, so there was something going on there, but he didn’t want to know about it tonight.

  They caught up with Gregory and Anouk in the main hall. Anouk gave them an apologetic smile. “I wish I could spend more time with you tonight, but I have to work, I’m afraid.”

  “Come and have lunch with us next week,” Gregory patted her hand, “we would love to have you.”

  “Thank you, I would like that.”

  As Anouk moved away to talk with some of her colleagues, Gregory nodded at Knox. “Lovely girl.” He seemed to be about to say something else, but just smiled.

  A little while later, Anouk took the microphone to address the crowd and introduce Knox, and he went onto the stage, kissing her cheek, then spoke briefly to thank everyone for coming.

  After that, the show began to wind down. Knox was feted by the critics and buyers alike, and most of the work had sold stickers on them. Anouk was talking to Tom, and when Knox scanned the crowd for his family, he saw Levi standing alone. He went over to his brother. “Hey, buddy.”

  “Hey.” Levi’s eyes were wary, and Knox frowned.

  “What’s up?”

  Levi shook his head, then Knox saw his shoulders relax as Gregory and Flynn came to join them. Gregory looked a little pale, and Flynn was rubbing his arm. Knox felt a knot of tension creep into his chest. “What’s wrong?”

  Gregory gave him a wan smile. “Nothing, son, really. I’m just an old man.” He went up to Knox and hugged him again. “This was an incredible exhibit, Knox. I hope you know how proud we all are of you.”

  Anouk went to find Knox as the last stragglers left the gallery. “Hey, did your family leave?”

  He nodded. “I think Dad gets tired easily. They sent their regards, and Dad particularly wanted to say that he meant it, about lunch.”

  Anouk slipped her arms around his waist. “And you better help me keep that date.”

  Knox smiled down at her. “You look flushed.”

  “I’m excited for you. You were a huge hit, tonight, baby. Huge.”

  “She’s right.” Tom came up behind them, clapping Knox’s shoulders. “The early online reviews will be out soon. Upstairs, you’ll find some champagne and some food. I’d stay, but I have an early flight in the morning.”

  He kissed Anouk’s cheek. “Congratulations, Nook. You killed it.”

  “She did,” Knox said, as Anouk flushed, “she really did.”

  Upstairs, they found that Tom had a whole buffet laid out for the two of them. “How hungry does he think we are?” Knox said.

  “Shummtuff,” Nook said, her mouth already full of canape, “I’m starffing.”

  He laughed at her. They ate the food and drank the champagne, as Anouk refreshed the online pages where his reviews would come in. At midnight, the first one was posted, and Anouk crowed in delight. “And it’s Paul Humbolt. If anyone was going to be an ass, it was him, but he loved you.”

  Knox lifted her onto his lap as they went through the online reviews, every one of them glowing. “Jeez…” I’ve never had this kind of review before.”

  Anouk wriggled on his lap, grinning wickedly. “Who’s working for you, babe?”

  He laughed and caught her face in his hands, kissing her softly. “You little miracle worker.”

  The kiss deepened and his hands slid up her skirt. Anouk grinned at him and slowly stood. His fingers hooked into the sides of her panties and he slid them down her legs. Anouk lay back on the desk as he pushed her skirt up, dropping to his knees between her legs.

  He heard her gasp as his tongue touched her clit, and as it flicked and lashed around the small nub, his fingers bit into the soft flesh of her inner thigh.

  Anouk was shivering and breathing hard as he made her come once, then, freeing his cock from his jeans, he rolled a condom on and hitched her legs around his waist. Anouk’s eyes were alive with desire as he thrust into her and she cried out as he began to fuck her, urging him on, telling him to go harder, deeper. She let go entirely and so did Knox, losing himself in making love to this beautiful woman, on a night that she had made his greatest success.

  They came together, both breathless and trembling, and as they recovered, Knox pulled her onto the floor with him, wrapping his arms around her. He smoothed the strands of her hair away from her damp face and she smiled at him. Knox studied her eyes for the longest time, and finally, he just kissed her softly. “I’ve never felt like this before,” he said, almost in disbelief. “I’m a cocky asshole sometimes, but you slay me, Anouk Devi. You absolutely slay me.”

  It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that he loved her, but in
reality, he was an adult and it had only been a few weeks. They had time for declarations. For now, he just wanted to enjoy all the good things that were coming their way.

  Later, he would remember this night and be staggered that he could be so naïve, that he didn’t realize then, as he did later, that fairy tales always, always, end.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Anouk stuck her head out of her office again and smiled at Ruby. “Are you sure Tom hasn’t called in? Not once?”

  Ruby laughed. “Not in the five minutes since you last asked me,” she said, “stop worrying. He trusts you to run this place, which is why he’s off the grid. Chill out, girl.”

  Anouk stuck her tongue out at the intern, who grinned. “I’m fired, right?”

  “Of course,” Anouk shot back, chuckling. She glanced at the clock and raised her eyebrows. “Rube, it’s after eight p.m. What are you still doing here?”

  “You stay, I stay.” Ruby said, and Anouk shook her head, laughing.

  “Girl, go home. I’m not going to be long now.”

  Alone in the gallery, Anouk finished up an email she was writing and shut down her laptop. The gallery, after dark, was silent, and the lone lamp on her desk was the only light. As she shut it off, Seattle’s lights reflected through the large glass windows. She grabbed her purse and headed downstairs, going through the gallery to make sure everything was secure. Knox’s work was still on the walls, the exhibition still popular, and she took her time, studying each one as if seeing it for the first time, and trying to be unbiased and critical. Even then, she knew it was a triumph. It made her heart swell with pride for her lover.

  After the show, the next day, they’d celebrated by staying in bed all day, making love, talking, laughing, making plans for their future. Knox had asked her if she would consider helping him remodel his new apartment and studio, and she’d happily agreed.

  A few days later, he’d taken her to his father’s house for lunch, and she charmed his family even more. Flynn, especially, seemed taken, and made Anouk promise they would have some girl’s days. Flynn was so busy chatting with Anouk that she’d forgotten to eat the incredible crab salad the Zapata’s chef had prepared, but Anouk had eaten it all, to Gregory’s approval. “Can’t stand women who don’t eat,” he told her, when she’d complimented the food.

  Only Levi was missing from the meal, having had to fly to London for a meeting. Anouk had been surprised by the casual, relaxed manner of the meal; especially considering the sumptuous mansion setting. On the drive back to Seattle, Knox had told her that it had been a lot different when he was growing up. “Dad was a lot more focused then, on maintaining that lifestyle, and our family’s reputation. It’s why he freaked out when I told him I wanted to be an artist. Back then, it wasn’t something the Zapata’s did. We were in money, in the city. He fully expected me to take over the family business with Levi.”

  “Is that why you didn’t talk for so long?”

  Knox nodded. “When I came back this time… I don’t know. There’s something going on with my dad, and he’s not telling me what it is. Something…” His voice drifted off and Anouk put her hand on his thigh.

  “Are you concerned?”

  He nodded. “At the same time, if he’s not telling me what’s wrong, selfishly, I don’t want to spoil our rapprochement. He has his reasons.”

  Anouk smiled at him. “Sounds like someone grew up.”

  Knox chuckled. “I do try. Of course, I have a very good reason to act like an adult now.”

  They’d gone back to her apartment to find that Iris was out, and had made love in the living room, then the tub, as they shared a hot soak together.

  Anouk was thinking about that now, as she flicked off the lights in the gallery. The ease with which they were falling into a relationship surprised her, but it was so easy to be with Knox. Yes, he could be cocky, but with her, he was never arrogant, never full of himself. He opened up to her in a way that made her feel… trusted.

  Loved. And she herself was beginning to realize how different this feeling was, to how her marriage to Shawn had been.

  She locked the front doors of the gallery and went through the back rooms, making sure all the lights were out. Tom had left her his car to use while he was away, and it was parked in the alley behind the gallery. As she opened the back door, she heard something falling. Anouk froze, listening for any other noises, but there was nothing. She shrugged. Probably something fell from one of the art tables in the back. She hesitated, then sighed. She’d better check. It wouldn’t take her a second. She closed the back door, then went to the room where she’d heard the sound. A stack of blank canvases that had been leaning against the wall had fallen over, and Anouk scooped them up, tilting them at an angle where they would be secure. She frowned, though, wondering how they had fallen over.

  “Weird.” She shrugged and started towards the back door again. Then the hair on the back of her neck prickled, and the sudden feeling that she wasn’t alone flooded over her. Anouk turned slowly, scanning the gallery, the corridors, but there was nothing.

  Still, the feeling of being watched was there. She glanced towards the front of the gallery and froze. Someone was staring through the window, and even from this distance, she knew the shape of him, the intense way he was looking at her, and her heart almost stopped.

  Shawn.

  ***

  Knox had just finished signing all the papers, and he was now the proud owner of the studio with the domed roof. He could barely believe his luck. Iris grinned at him. “How does it feel?”

  “Incredible.” He laughed, shaking the hand of the buyer. “Thanks, man. I mean it. And listen, come by when I’m settled in and choose a piece you like. It’s yours.”

  The building’s previous owner left looking very satisfied, and Iris laughed. “Just good luck he was a fan. The price was a steal, you know that, right?”

  “I do, and thank you, Iris. You killed it, you really did.”

  “Well,” she said with a satisfied grin, “all I ask is that you treat my bestie well.”

  “Done and done. I’m crazy about her, Iris.”

  “I know.” Iris nudged his arm with her shoulder. She barely came up to his waist. “And to be honest, I’ve never seen her as smitten with a boy.”

  “A boy?” Knox threw his head back and laughed. “Long time since I was told I was a boy.”

  “You’re all boys. You never grow up,” she said with a lofty wave of her hand.

  Knox chuckled. “Maybe. Speaking of… Nook’s never told me about any exes. Anything I should know?”

  Iris’s smile faded. “Ah, girl code. Not my right to tell you anything. Sorry, dude.”

  But there was something in her tone that alerted him. “But there’s something to tell?”

  Iris was clearly uncomfortable now. “Knox…”

  He held up his hands. “Sorry. I should talk to Nook.”

  “Everyone has a past, Knox. Just remember that.”

  “Hey, I’m in no position to judge. Look, let’s go home.”

  Iris grinned then, indicating the studio. “You are home.”

  “Home is wherever Nook is, to me.”

  There was a silence, then Iris snorted with laughter, as Knox shook his head, grinning. “Dude, you did not just say that.”

  “I did. I’m afraid I did.”

  Iris punched his arm. “Cheese-meister.”

  “I know.”

  “You should be embarrassed.”

  Knox slung an arm around Iris’s shoulders as they left the building. “I am. I promise, I am.”

  ***

  Anouk darted out the back door of the gallery, breathless, panicked, as she locked the door behind her and got into her car. She felt as if she were about to pass out from fear, and the feeling only intensified when the car wouldn’t start. “Fuck!” She batted the steering wheel hard, as if that would shock the ignition into starting.

 
A shadow fell across the windshield and she looked up. No. She hadn’t imagined it. Shawn walked slowly to the driver’s door and opened it. “Hello, Nook.”

  Anouk closed her eyes, counting to five, willing it to be some sort of cruel hallucination. “Please, go away.”

  His hand closed over hers and he slowly pulled her from the vehicle. “Darling…”

  Shawn’s arms were around her then and he held her close. Anouk’s body was tensed. “Shawn… you shouldn’t be here.”

  Shawn smiled at her, his fingers stroking her cheek, but his eyes… they terrified her. There was a simmering rage in them. Oh, he tried to disguise it with a wide, loving smile, but it was there. “I missed you, baby.”

  Oh god… Anouk put both her palms flat against his chest and pushed him away… gently. “I’m sorry, Shawn, I don’t want to see you.”

  In her head, she ran quickly through all the scenarios that could happen right now. She had her keys in her purse that she could use as a weapon, she had flats on if she needed to run…

  But, to her shock, Shawn stepped further back. “I just wanted to see you. God, I miss you so much, Nook. I know I’m breaking the restraining order right now, but I wanted you to hear it from me. There was no need for it. I would never hurt you, you know that, right?”

  Anouk stared at him. He felt like a stranger. He was a stranger. “How’s the wife?”

  His smile was wary. “I don’t know. How are you?”

  “Fuck you, Shawn. We were never legally married, remember? Why are you here? Why are you in Seattle?” Her fear was dissipating, anger replacing it. “I don’t want anything to do with you, don’t you get that? You broke me, Shawn. You…” The words choked off and she turned and got into her car. This time, it started. Anouk grabbed the door to close it, but Shawn stopped her, bending down to smile at her.

  “I’m here. And I want you back, Nook. I’ll do anything to prove to you that you belong with me. Anything.”

  Anouk pushed his hand away and shut the door, not even bothering to strap herself in as she pressed her foot down on the gas. She was out in the stream of traffic before she pulled the belt across her body and began breathing again. She realized she was shaking badly, and when she was in a quieter neighborhood, far enough away from the gallery for Shawn not to be able to catch up, she pulled the car to the side of the road and broke down.